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164 Unit 2 ■ Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

25 COMPARISON The narrator compares “I knew I saw you,” Violet said to Fatima Then she turned back to Violet, she
Fatima’s code-switching once again to the use once she got close. “Who is this?” couldn’t make any sounds, only open and
close her mouth several times. She didn’t
of different colored lips; this time, however, it “Rolf, Violet. Violet, Rolf,” Fatima said, “and 25 close her mouth several times. She didn’t
mean to hurt her; some things had just
is characterized by an overwhelming confusion 660 Mike.” 680 mean to hurt her; some things had just
come out, and other things she hadn’t told
and disappointment that Fatima could not Mike smiled, and Rolf smiled, and they come out, and other things she hadn’t told
Violet because she wasn’t sure which lip
successfully juggle her involvement within the shook hands, but neither young woman saw Violet because she wasn’t sure which lip
she was supposed to use, her voice was over
two worlds. the guys, their eyes deadlocked on each she was supposed to use, her voice was over
other. there and then over there, and she was
there and then over there, and she was
26 COMPARISON While Fatima is more 665 “Ha, so this is Violet,” Rolf said, ignoring or 685 ventriloquizing what she’d learned all at
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs were used with this sample chapter.
ventriloquizing what she’d learned all at
knowledgeable about African American culture misreading Fatima’s firm grip on his arm. once, but from too many places and all at
once, but from too many places and all at
(and is in that sense more Black than she was at “Even your black friends are white, too,” Rolf the wrong time.
the wrong time.
the beginning of the text), she is also emotionally laughed. Violet didn’t say anything or make Fatima
darker in that she feels guilt for having lost Violet “I was gonna tell you — ” Fatima started to wet her pants — and perhaps one of those
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
as a friend and participated in shaming her for 670 say to Violet. 690 options might have been better for Fatima;
being a pale Black person.
“Wait, Patty Mayonnaise, I get it now,” Rolf she just grabbed Mike’s arm and walked
said aloud, then, “Oops, I,” and both women away.
And like that, Fatima was a vapor again,
scowled at him. 26 And like that, Fatima was a vapor again,
Fatima made a sound that could be but something darker, like a funnel cloud, or
but something darker, like a funnel cloud, or
black smoke that mocked what had already
675 interpreted as either a guffaw or a deep 695 black smoke that mocked what had already
been singed.
moan. been singed.
The image is taken from the Netflix
series Sexy Beasts. In every
episode, singles are expected to
change into human-sized creatures
through prosthetics and then go on
dates with others, in the hopes of
finding a perfect match.
How does this image bring to
mind “you cannot judge a book
by its cover” or “beauty is in the
eye of the beholder”? Do these
adages hold true today? Do you
believe that beauty is merely skin
deep and that the essence of true
human connection goes beyond
our appearance?

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COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. Fatima befriends _________, another Black girl whom she meets at the mall. [Violet]
2. With the help of her friend, Fatima dedicates herself to carefully learning glossaries and study
guides of Black ________. [words/phrases/expressions]
3. Fatima recalls that her childhood friend, Emily, asked why Fatima’s ______ were different colors;
Fatima then theorizes that she uses each for a different purpose depending on the context she
is in. [lips]
4. Though she doesn’t tell many people, Fatima begins dating ______. [Rolf]
5. Fatima’s classmate, ______, is praised for participating in African American culture while Fatima
feels that she is punished for it as a Black girl. [Wally]

TRM Unit 2: Comprehension Check Digital Comprehension Check

164 Unit 2 Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

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