How we cite our quotes: Chapter.paragraph
Quote #1
Francesco's face goes purple. "If I let Willy Rogers get away with insulting us here, at our home, the next thing you know he'll do it in public. We'll lose customers." (2.17)
What Francesco doesn't think about here is that if Willy had the guts to insult the him to his face, then he has probably also insulted him all over town because it is easier to talk about people behind their backs.
Quote #2
"You know what the Negroes would think of us if we told them to stand out back? Never! We do business with everyone. Good business. It's bad business to treat any customer without respect." (2.35)
No matter how many times white people demand that Francesco prioritize them over Black customers, Francesco refuses to comply. Here he cares about his reputation amongst the entire community, and respects himself enough as a businessman to conduct business in a way that he is proud of.
Quote #3
"I'd rather have my head shot off than have to hang it in shame." (2.39)
This is a powerful statement for Francesco to make, right? It seems like Francesco places a premium on leading his life in a way he feels good about, and isn't at all interested in participating in prejudicial practices just to make life easier here and there.