How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
"They're grateful people," said Meridian. "They appreciate it when someone volunteers to suffer." (1.1.74)
Unlike many of her activist friends, Meridian is more than willing to suffer alongside the country's poor and oppressed people. It's no wonder that the people love her no matter where she goes—she becomes one of them.
Quote #2
It was after all a group of students, of intellectuals, converted to a belief in violence only after witnessing the extreme violence, against black dissidents, of the federal government and police. (1.1.118)
Although our instinct might be to laugh this conversation off as a bunch of college students trying to act tough, you have to remember that this book takes place at a different time. During this era, formerly non-violent student groups were growing increasingly angry at the fact that their non-violent protests were met with nothing but bloodshed. Who can blame them for considering fighting fire with fire?
Quote #3
"I'll go back to the people, live among them, like Civil Rights workers used to do."
"You're not serious?" (1.1.162)
At Saxon, Meridian hangs out with a bunch of super-smart, passionate intellectuals. But there's one problem with super-smart, passionate intellectuals—they often lose sight of the individual in the midst of their broad political views.
Quote #4
That night [...] students, including Anne-Marion, rioted on Saxon campus for the first time in its long, placid, impeccable history, and the only thing they managed to destroy was The Sojourner. (1.3.55)
This is a powerful—albeit disheartening—image. With the working-class folks having returned home, the students take the opportunity to Rage Against the Machine harder than Tom Morello. The irony is that they only succeed in destroying the Sojourner—a beautiful old tree that represents the struggles of black women throughout American history. The only thing they end up hurting is themselves.
Quote #5
The officials said they could offer only token payment; that, and the warning to stay away from Sacred Serpent Park which, now that it belonged to the public, was of course not open to Colored. (1.6.25)
Did we just take crazy pills? Let's get this straight—the government steals Mr. Hill's land (for no apparent reason), gives him little-to-no money, and then (as the pièce de résistance) forbids him and other black people from going to this now-public park. No wonder Meridian grew up to be so distrustful of the government and passionate about fighting the machine!
Quote #6
Meridian grew up thinking voting days [...] were for celebration of some kind of weird festival especially for white people. (1.10.30)
This might make you chuckle at first (especially because everyone knows that Renaissance Fairs are the one true "weird festival for white people"), but it shows just how politically uniformed Meridian's mom is. This creates a vicious cycle—it's near-impossible for the younger generation to become politically aware without the older generation leading the way.
Quote #7
What she meant by it was that they were at a time and a place in History that forced the trivial to fall away—and they were absolutely together. (1.12.5)
This feeling draws Meridian to the Civil Rights Movement. We're not saying that she isn't driven to support her community, because she is. But she especially loves the feeling of unity fostered by their protests. It's something she's never felt before in her life.
Quote #8
She studied hard and made the dean's list, and during her second year she joined the Atlanta Movement. She found it impossible to study while other were being beaten and jailed. (1.13.5)
Meridian tries to walk away from political activism and focus on herself, but it's just not in her nature. Not that it's a bad thing. Meridian has a much more sincere approach to politics than most, investing herself emotionally in everything she does. To be honest, we wouldn't mind if modern politicians and activists took after her example.
Quote #9
Didn't our Constitution provide for just such emergencies as the present racial crisis? What did she think of the Constitution? The founding fathers? (1.14.69)
Everything else aside, the founding fathers were just some dudes who happened to start a country—they weren't magical, all-knowing demi-gods. Most of these guys owned slaves, for goodness sake! This realization is a game-changer, opening Meridian's eyes to the reality behind her political overlords.
Quote #10
She looked at him wondering if he had, as she had done, marched that day. As a rule, he said, he didn't march any more, "because what I believe cannot be placed on a placard." (1.14.83)
Unlike Meridian, Truman is unwilling to get his hands dirty. He has an artiste's disposition, favoring the abstract over the real-life and ideas over action. This makes us appreciate Meridian's perfectly practical, no-nonsense approach even more. To her, a political action is only valuable if it helps alleviate suffering—end of story. If only our leaders felt the same way.