How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
One had a past, the other a future and each one bore the culture to save the race in his hands. Mama-spoiled black man, will you mature with me? Culture-bearing black woman, whose culture are you bearing?" (9.287)
Son and Jade are total opposites in terms of how they define themselves as black. Son thinks that black people should form their own communities, while Jade thinks that the only way forward is basically to accept the way things are and succeed according to the rules laid out by white people. This quote shows that Jade thinks of Son's outlook as inherently juvenile, and Son thinks of Jade's outlook as inherently assimilating.
Quote #8
"You turn little black babies into little white ones; you turn your black brothers into white brothers; you turn your men into white men and when a black woman treats me like what I am, what I really am, you say she's spoiling me." (9.288)
When Son has had enough of Jade's criticism, he decides to hit her where it hurts—her sense of identity. He tells her that she has basically betrayed her entire race by assimilating into white culture and adopting white values. This doesn't go over so well, because Jade is extremely self-conscious about acting "white," but is also dedicated to not giving in to Son's insults.
Quote #9
No matter what you did, the diaspora mothers with pumping breasts would impugn your character. And an African woman, with a single glance from eyes that had burned away their own lashes, could discredit your elements. (10.180)
Jade often struggles with her sense of identity. She is proud of the fact that she has gotten a good education and made money as a model. But on the other hand, she knows that there are many black women in her life who consider her a sell-out to white values and white culture.