More Than Human Race Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Then there was a little Negro girl about five with great big eyes who stood gaping at me. (2.2.72)

What's significant here is what's not said. Gerry, meeting the twin for the first time, doesn't remark on the little girl's ethnicity beyond identifying it. Maybe he's not totally full of hate after all.

Quote #5

She looked at me as if I was real stupid. "We don't have little colored girls for sisters, Gerard."

Janie said, "We do." (2.7.70-71)

When Miss Kew tries to stick to some biological notion of sisterhood, Janie emphasizes that the gestalt picks its family members and doesn't discriminate by skin color.

Quote #6

"Janie said, 'Why don't the twins eat with us?'

"'Miriam's taking care of them, dear,' Miss Kew says.

"Janie looked at her with those eyes. 'I know that. Let 'em eat here and I'll take care of 'em.'

"Miss Kew's mouth got all tight again and she said, 'They're little colored girls, Jane. Now eat your lunch.'

"But that didn't explain anything to Janie or me, either. I said, 'I want 'em to eat with us. Lone said we should stay together.'" (2.8.8-12)

This conversation, and the battle that follows, illustrates how seriously the gestalt takes their need to stay together. They're not willing to surrender to Miss Kew's prejudice.