Sometimes I'd chance across an elderly member of the community standing in the middle of the street, unable to cross the single white line. Puzzled looks on their faces from asking themselves why they felt so strong about the Dickens side of the line as opposed to the other side. When there was just as much uncurbed dog shit over there as here. When the grass, what little of it there was, sure in the fuck wasn't any greener. When the niggers were just as trifling, but for some reason they felt like they belonged on this side. And why was that? When it was just a line.
The excerpt from "The Sellout" by Paul Beatty reflects the surreal experience of an elderly community member grappling with a seemingly arbitrary division represented by a single white line in the street. The character's confusion illustrates how deeply rooted perceptions can influence feelings of belonging and identity, even when there is no tangible difference in the environment on either side of the line. The line symbolizes societal divides that are often constructed without justification, leading individuals to question their own beliefs and biases.
This moment speaks volumes about the irrationality of segregation and the complexity of race relations. The character's internal struggle emphasizes how ingrained these divisions are, as they ponder why they feel a sense of affiliation with one side over the other. Despite the presence of similar issues on both sides, such as litter and social challenges, the strong emotional ties to a specific location demonstrate how arbitrary beliefs shape human behavior and relationships within communities, prompting a broader discussion on the nature of social constructs.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
