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I heartfully appreciate Maureen's initial stand against her family in marrying Jamaal. However, I can't paint a very clear image of Jamaal from the scant descriptions in the book. I feel he was a dependable and realistic sort of a man. I remember, while they were dating, Jamaal sort of foresaw that Maureen's family would be lashing out at their relationship. This farsight and patience in Jamaal, I think, would have made reconciliation with her family somewhat smoother in the future.

I think she would have been more trusting assuming Jamal hadn't died. She will not put people at distance and maybe more happy cause her mom's unhappiness affected hers. Her father’s death seriously affected her mom which in turn affected hers.

I do not think so. I do not think so there was a full reconciliation too. It was started, but we do not see full confirmation to that, Maureen is still disowned.

I think by Jamal being alive, this issue would have continued dwelling in the family. He would have let Kalayla know about her mother's family but it would have been difficult for Maureen's parents to forgive her for marrying Jamal.

Catie139 wrote: ↑01 Sep 2020, 09:56 Kalayla's issues were definitely impacted by racism, but also by the fact that her father had died. How do you think the story would have been different had Jamal lived? Could reconciliation between the family have happened earlier?

Maybe later. Had Jamal lived longer. I think Kalayla was a huge factor in that reconciliation. An innocent child. Kalayla meeting her grandfather changed him and that would have helped him to accept Jamal.

I don't think there would have been any change if Jamal was still alive. Of course, Maureen would have lived such an easier life, but everything happens for a reason, and I don't think that Maureen would have gotten in contact with her father again if Jamal was still alive!

Sad truth is that Jamal being alive would have caused more harm. His death would bring reconciliation.

Donald Trust wrote: ↑04 Jul 2022, 00:59 Sad truth is that Jamal being alive would have caused more harm. His death would bring reconciliation.

It’s sad to know that Maureen’s parents would prefer her a widow than married to a black man.

Lots of things would have been avoided if Jamal had not died. But if Jamal had been alive, the reconciliation might have either happened earlier, or it would have never happened.

I'm not sure how Jamal being in the picture would have helped with reconciliation but Kalayla's life would not have been as hard if he were around. The racism would have still been present, but Kalayla would have had the safety and comfort of having two parents who loved her. Maybe then she wouldn't have had to cook for herself.

I don't think Jamal been alive would have impacted Maureen's family any differently.