How we cite our quotes:
Quote #4
That night [...] students, including Anne-Marion, rioted on Saxon campus for the first time in its long, placid, impeccable history, and the only thing they managed to destroy was The Sojourner. (1.3.55)
This is a powerful—albeit disheartening—image. With the working-class folks having returned home, the students take the opportunity to Rage Against the Machine harder than Tom Morello. The irony is that they only succeed in destroying the Sojourner—a beautiful old tree that represents the struggles of black women throughout American history. The only thing they end up hurting is themselves.
Quote #5
The officials said they could offer only token payment; that, and the warning to stay away from Sacred Serpent Park which, now that it belonged to the public, was of course not open to Colored. (1.6.25)
Did we just take crazy pills? Let's get this straight—the government steals Mr. Hill's land (for no apparent reason), gives him little-to-no money, and then (as the pièce de résistance) forbids him and other black people from going to this now-public park. No wonder Meridian grew up to be so distrustful of the government and passionate about fighting the machine!
Quote #6
Meridian grew up thinking voting days [...] were for celebration of some kind of weird festival especially for white people. (1.10.30)
This might make you chuckle at first (especially because everyone knows that Renaissance Fairs are the one true "weird festival for white people"), but it shows just how politically uniformed Meridian's mom is. This creates a vicious cycle—it's near-impossible for the younger generation to become politically aware without the older generation leading the way.