One Crazy Summer Race

There is no talking about the Black Panthers without talking about race. That would be like talking about Tom Brady without mentioning football—you just can't do it. As Delphine spends time with the crowd at the Center, she learns from the Black Panthers and her eyes open to the ways in which racism operates, as well as how to resist it.

We never feel like One Crazy Summer is preaching about race, though. Instead it shows what it's like for a young, African American girl growing up in the 1960s. Sometimes race is at the forefront, and others is takes a backset to other aspects of Delphine's life.

Questions About Race

1. Why does Delphine change her mind about the Black Panthers? How does her opinion change?
2. What is the role of race in One Crazy Summer? How would it be different if the characters were not African American?
3. How do Pa and Big Ma think about race? How are their views different from Cecile's? Who do you think Delphine agrees with more?
4. Why do you think people taking photos of her bugs Delphine so much? How does her response differ from the flight attendant's? What does this tell you about race?

Chew on This

Delphine doesn't care about the Civil Rights Movement until her mom is arrested.

Delphine yearns for racial equality but doesn't think the Black Panthers have the answers to finding it.