"“Sissie could see it all. In her uncertain eyes, on her restless hands and on her lips, which she kept biting all the time. But oh, her skin. It seemed as if according to the motion of her emotions Marija's skin kept switching on and switching off like a two-colour neon sign. So that watching her against the light of the dying summer sun, Sissie could not help thinking that it must be a pretty dangerous matter, being white. It made you feel awfully exposed, rendered you terribly vulnerable. Like being born without your skin or something. As though the Maker had fashioned the body of a human, stuffed it into a polythene bag instead of the regular protective covering, and turned it loose into the world. Lord, she wondered, is that why, on the whole, they have had to be extra ferocious? Is it so they could feel safe here on the earth, under the sun, the moon and the stars?”"
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Sissie reflects on the vulnerability of being white in a world where skin colour matters, suggesting that historical aggression may stem from a need for safety.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Our_Sister_Killjoy
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Our Sister Killjoy
30 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Our Sister Killjoy →
Related Quotes
"“A dog among the masters, the most masterly of the dogs.”"
"“Clearly, she was enjoying herself to see that woman hurt. It was nothing she had desired. Nor did it seem as if she …"
"“From all around the Third World, you hear the same story; rulers asleep to all things at all times - conscious only …"
"“Yes. Work is love made visible.”"
"“One had said, 'You say you come from Ghaanna? Then we have a lot in common!' Sissie didn't know what to do with the …"
"“And yet, I have not wronged you, have I? Indeed if there is anyone I may have sinned against, it is me. That desirin…"
"“We are victims of our history and our present. They place too many obstacles in the way of love. And we cannot enjoy…"
"“Sissie knew that she had to stop herself from crying. Why weep for them? In fact, stronger in her was the desire to …"
"“For instance, it is quite clear now that all of the peoples of the earth have not always wished one another well. In…"
"“But what she also came to know was that someone somewhere would always see in any kind of difference, an excuse to b…"