How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Since emancipation, almost a hundred years ago, they would do any kind of work they could find to keep from working side by side in the field with the n*****s. (25.6)
In this quote Grant is talking about biracial people, or people who have both black and white ancestry. It shows that race is a complicated notion. The people in question do not consider themselves to be black—in fact, they consider themselves superior to black people; however, white people do not count them as white, so they are caught in the middle.
Quote #8
"Y'all asking a lot, Mr. Wiggins, from a poor old n***** who never had nothing." (28.63)
Jefferson refers to his race to explain why he has such a limited capacity. For him, being asked to stand on his own two feet as a man is a lot to ask, even though he is twenty-one years old. This shows us just how much racism can affect whether or not people can imagine a different life.
Quote #9
The man held the door open for the woman, but she would not go inside, and Clay would not dare go through the door until the white people did. (30.8)
Whoever knew that going through a door was so complicated? It's an action we do several times a day (unless you're living in a cave or something) and yet, as we see here, unequal race relations can make it into a treacherous test. If Clay were to go in before the white people it would be considered an affront, because he's black. The craziest part is that it seems natural to everyone involved.