“The lack of confidence of the African-American in himself and in his possibilities is what has kept him down. His mis-education has been a perfect success in this respect.”
“Ani thought perhaps it was that she cared too much. She was constantly worried about what others thought of her, and how every word she spoke could condemn her further. Ani thought how to explain that to Selia and decided that she could not. Selia’s ease with strangers and friends alike made Ani sure she would not understand.”
“I wish that you were my sister. I’d teach you to have some confidence in yourself. The different people are not like other people, but being different is nothing to be ashamed of. Because other people are not such wonderful people. They’re one hundred times one thousand. You’re one times one! They walk all over the earth. You just stay here. They’re common as—weeds, but—you—well, you’re—Blue Roses!”
“Kingshaw was used to lacking any confidence in himself, to knowing that he could do nothing very well. Until now, he had not much cared how he’d got by. Now, he cared, his pride had risen, he could no longer be docile about himself. Everything was unfair.