How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
The town of Chicokema did indeed own a tank. It had been bought [...] when the townspeople who were white felt under attack from "outside agitators"—those members of the black community who thought equal rights for all should extend to blacks. (1.1.12)
In this small Southern town, you're considered an "outside agitator" if you hold the belief that people of all races are equal. That's insanity. In fact, this might not actually be as far-fetched as you might think. During the real-life Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, numerous eyewitness accounts claimed that white citizens used World War I weaponry to attack the city's black community. Not the brightest moment in US History, that's for sure.
Quote #2
Along the line of bright stores stood a growing crowd of white people. Along the shabby stores where Truman and the sweeper stood was a still-as-death crowd of blacks. (1.1.35)
This is a town divided. Although this scene takes place after the bulk of the Civil Rights Movement, it doesn't seem like the people of Chicokema have much to show for it—they're still much poorer than their white counterparts and denied equality because of it. Class is a lot more important to racial equality than it might seem at first glance.
Quote #3
"You wait and see. He's scared of us causing a commotion that could get in the cracker papers, just when he's fooled 'em that Saxon Knee-grows are finally your ideal improved type." (1.3.17)
Some people—like the dean of Saxon College—become almost ashamed of their race in an attempt to rise above it. This guy probably had the best of intentions at first, driven by an earnest desire to help his community get educated and rise up the social ladder. Ultimately, however, he ends up simply perpetuating white stereotypes about the black community.
Quote #4
"Grown-up white men don't want to pretend to be anything else. Not even for a minute."
"They'll become anything for as long as it takes to steal some land." (1.6.10-11)
While Mr. Hill is much more politically and racially aware than his wife, she has a pretty good point with this one. True—Mr. Longknife actually ends up being honest guy (and a bonafide Native American), but the land ends up getting stolen anyway a few months later by government officials. Naturally, Mr. and Mrs. Hill will no longer be allowed on this public property because of their race.
Quote #5
Why did they need a guard? Then, a question more to the point: How had they known they would need a guard? Did they know something she did not know? (1.8.15)
This is the first time that Meridian realizes that there is a racial conflict happening that is much larger and much older than her. It's an eye-opener that shocks and horrifies Meridian, but it's the kick in the butt she needs to get involved in the burgeoning political movement and do her part for racial equality.
Quote #6
Everyone thought him handsome because his nose was so keen and his skin was tan and not black; and Meridian [...] thought him handsome for exactly those reasons, too. (1.14.1)
People think that Truman is handsome because he fits white standards of beauty. Although Meridian falls victim to this too, she at least has the self-awareness to feel weird about it. As referenced throughout the novel, this is due to the power of pop culture. When kids spend all day watching only white people in TV and movies, their standards of beauty are inevitably going to be influenced.
Quote #7
"Everyone is proud to acknowledge a tiny bit of a 'bad' thing," said Meridian. "They know how fascinating it makes them." (1.14.48)
Although Truman is proud of his heritage and vocal about civil rights, he ends up compromising his values for a very basic reason—girls. He knows that they objectify him because of his race (to a degree) but won't call them out on that for—well—obvious reasons.
Quote #8
To Lynne, the black people of the South were Art. This she begged forgiveness for and tried to hide, but it was no use. (2.16.3)
If Truman is wondering what his girlfriend really thinks about black people, then he'd better check this one out. Lynne doesn't see black folk as individuals with their own unique beliefs, struggles, strengths, and weaknesses, but as objects. This shows that even the most progressive and good-hearted among us can fall victim to unconscious racism.
Quote #9
It was as if Tommy Odds had spoken the words that fit thoughts he had been too cowardly to entertain. On what other level might Lynne, his wife, be guilty? (2.17.16)
Eventually, Truman and Lynne's relationship deteriorates—as does the relationship between white and black members of the Civil Rights Movement. Is Truman right to think about his own wife in that way? Is he wrong? Although race certainly plays a significant role in their relationship, we think it'd be hard to argue that there wasn't genuine love between these two.
Quote #10
It was during this time that whenever she found herself among black women, she found some excuse for taking down and combing her hair. (2.22.76)
Oddly, Lynne doesn't take out her anger on Tommy for his crime against her—she takes it out on black women. Uh… wrong target, homegirl. Here, hair is used as a symbol of how white standards of beauty are hoisted upon black women and used to make them feel inferior.