Does medical research explain why Rafe thought he was a skin-walker, too, when he'd never even been to the clinic?" "I…I don't know." Hayley squared her shoulders. "No one ever saw Rafe do anything magical. He just he was one of these skin-walkers. That's from your religion or whatever, right?" "My religion?" I said. "The stuff you people believe in." "You people?" Corey said. "Holy hell, Hayley. Did you really just say that?" She went beet red. "I--I didn't mean--" "We know exactly what you meant," Sam said. "Got a racist streak there, huh? Surprise, surprise.
The characters in this excerpt are grappling with a complex situation regarding Rafe and his identification as a skin-walker. Hayley is uncertain about Rafe's claims, indicating that he has not demonstrated any magical abilities. Her comments suggest a misunderstanding of cultural beliefs, hinting at a lack of awareness regarding the roots of the skin-walker concept and its significance in certain cultures. This confusion raises questions about how people interpret cultural practices and beliefs.
Corey and Sam's reactions to Hayley's comments highlight a deeper issue of prejudice and misunderstanding. Corey's shock at Hayley's abrupt generalization underscores the insensitivity inherent in her remark. Sam's response further emphasizes the need to confront such biases, suggesting that the dynamics at play touch on broader societal challenges related to ethnicity and belief systems. This moment reflects the complexities of cultural dialogue and the impact of stereotypes in interpersonal communications.
