Community in the Jim Crow era
This shared story between mother and daughter shows through allegorical example why community became such an inextricable part of life for this black family. Although laws were in the midst of change, the Jim Crow stipulations are proof that the social majority still held racist or prejudiced views about race. This meant that families had to band together because of real oppression. Though Patricia wants her daughter to have a chance at a better life, the move to a white neighborhood changes their relationship to community, leaving them more ostracized than before.
Tananarive's culture
The result of Tananarive's upbringing in a predominantly white community changes her sense of culture substantially. Perhaps her mother's strategy helped in some ways, but without a doubt, the move confuses the cultural assumptions that guide Tananarive's life. She is asked to be in community with white people during one of the most tense moments in recent history. The consequence is that she ends up experiencing the racial tension through her own emotional desire to be in community. This gives her a highly symbolic experience of culture.
The gun
When the white man comes to a demonstration brandishing a gun, Patrician expects someone to do something, but instead, no one helps them. The gun is a sign of the hatred that racism causes against oppressed people groups. Brandishing the gun is an act of terrorism, because the threat is clearly to harm or murder someone, and the intention behind the gesture is to cause fear and stop a political movement. The gun ends up being a sign also of the lengths that the Black community must go to just to gain some credence in the public eye.
Racism and legal injustice
The book shows through motif that even without racially prejudiced laws, racism can still pose a legal threat. There are several times in the book when the law enforcement takes the side of racist points of view, leaving the Black community disenfranchised. This is especially difficult when the law enforcement officers are racist. That puts legal power fully against the needs of oppressed communities, and thus, there arises a need for social organization and demonstration.
Organized movement
The book involves several partnerships with community-driven organizations for change, proving that change isn't likely on an individual basis, but when the community rallies together and plans demonstrations, then change becomes more likely. In this shared autobiography, the mother and daughter participate in Civil Rights Movement demonstrations, the CORE activities (Congress of Racial Equity), and the NAACP.
