How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Do you know that she still says "Negro?" and refuses to call us black or African-American? At least she doesn't say "colored." She says that her skin is not black and never will be and that she doesn't know anyone from Africa; why should she change what has worked perfectly well all of her life? (5.51)
There are many reasons why Andy gets annoyed at his mom, but at the top of the list is how she deals with issues that make her uncomfortable. Her awkwardness about race only leads to his frustration with how others treat black people differently in his school and mall, too.
Quote #2
I'd also get rid of Band-Aids—for two reasons. One, they're beige. They say on the box, "skin tone" is the color of the bandages inside. Whose skin? Not mine! So I HATE wearing Band-Aids because they're so noticeable. (9.3)
Gerald gets a fair amount of cuts and bruises thanks to his stepdad, and while he's annoyed at having to hide this abuse in the first place, the fact that Band-Aids only highlight him doing so really irks him. And Gerald's not the only one with beef.
Quote #3
"The only one in my family who is really cool is my little brother, Monty. But I worry about him. I think when he gets to be my age, he's goin' to have a lot of problems. I know he's only six, but he doesn't think black is cool. And he's got this thing for little girls with yellow hair—yeah, I worry about the kid sometimes." (11.64)
Andy worries about Monty because of his fascination with blonde chicks. This might seem harmless at first, but Andy thinks it means a lot more than a crush on some cute girls—he understands this as his little bro liking white people more than black people, and thinking they are better, which isn't cool.
Quote #4
"I don't know. I guess she just assumes I'm another stupid black kid. So it's easier to pretend to be stupid than to be bothered with all that grade-grubbin' that the white kids do. Lots a white kids, and some of the white teachers too, think all of us are sorta dumb." (14.47)
When the therapist asks why teachers never call on him, this is Andy's response. He's not just dealing with the loss of his friend and his guilt; he's also figuring out his place in the world. Having teachers think he's one thing because of his skin color only hurts him as he tries to figure this out.
Quote #5
"Same way it makes you feel—like cheap crap. So, anyway, we'd play with her for a while, then tell her we'd be right back with Daddy's credit card. I know they thought we were scopin' them for a robbery—if you look back into the store right after we left, you could see her writin' down vital information, scribblin' furiously our height and weight and skin color so she can identify us when we come back to rob her silly behind." (17.9)
In the mall, people get nervous because they're black, Andy says. He and Rob would make a joke of it and pretend to be interested in buying stuff just to see the salespeople squirm, but in reality, it really got to him.
Quote #6
"Why is that in the literature and poems and everythin' we read in English class, black usually stands for somethin' bad and white stands for somethin' good? The good guys always ride a white horse, and the bad guy is always a black-hearted villain. How come?" (19.31)
Andy asks his English teach why these colors always mean good or bad, which starts a class discussion about imagery. In Andy's life, this is sometimes how he feels. It's as though teachers and store clerks think black people aren't as smart or rich as white people in his world. Want more? Head on over to the "Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory" section.
Quote #7
"About twenty to twenty-five years ago, social activists started a campaign to get rid of unfair, negative racial stereotypes. That's when we first started hearing the phrases, 'Black is beautiful' and 'Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!'" (19.50)
As Andy and his classmates think about examples of black being positive, their teacher explains some of the racial history behind the terms. We can't help but notice that this is one of the only moments in the book where being black is associated with something positive.
Quote #8
"Well, times have changed. Stereotypes of color, race, and gender are slowly disappearing. It's up to you people to make a world that is better." (19.55)
The teacher says that times have changed, but have they in Andy's world? It seems like he's still dealing with a lot of racial issues and stereotypes, even if they are bubbling up under the surface most of the time.
Quote #9
"Black kids are tough. They see a lot in life that we never experience. For example, that kid Gerald Nickelby, whose stepfather beats him up. Everybody knows about it. […] Like I said, they're tough. A white kid would have cracked under the pressure that Andy went through." (29.6)
During break one day, two teachers talk about Andy and everything he's been through, when one comments that he can handle it because of his skin color. What's even more disappointing about this racist attitude is that it comes from a teacher who should be helping the students achieve and steer clear of these stereotypes out there. Ugh.
Quote #10
It was almost impossible to be taken seriously in the business world with a name like "Ezekiel." I'd be sitting in a meeting with a group of five or six of them, all of us in blue suits and serious ties. (37.55)
Andy resents the fact that his dad wants to impress white people, but when his dad explains why he changed his name, it makes sense to Andy: He just wants to be taken seriously by white people and not judged by his name. Is that too much to ask?