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This book deals with many important and relevant subjects; motherhood, race, friendships, found families, sexuality, abuse, grief, regret, interracial marriage, guilt. Stereotypes, however, can influence our attitudes and behavior in ways that we are unconscious of. We see it in all of these three families. Stereotypes can cause deep harm even if nobody actively “intends” that harm. In order to expose stereotypes and to explore how they shape our interactions with others despite our best intentions, we first have to acknowledge their existence. There is also the idea of implicit bias; stereotypes or biases against groups of people that may be in our heads even though we do not want them to be.

What are some of the stereotypes or prejustice that you noticed within those subjects in this book? How do you think author dealt with them?

In the book, there is prejudice against biracial families and marriages. The author portrayed these prejudices very realistically and effectively.

To my mind, portraying stereotypes and social stigmas is a very difficult task and it could get a lot of backlash. People tend to get offended when being calle out on certain patterns of behaviours that stem from prejudice or stigmas. I think that if the author managed to portray stereotypes and somehow expose them it deserves a lot of credit because it is not something easy to do.

I'd say the first instance is age stereotyping. You can categorize it as passive. It occurs when Kalayla talks about Barzetti as being an old woman.

Anna Dougherty wrote: ↑01 Sep 2020, 10:17 In the book, there is prejudice against biracial families and marriages. The author portrayed these prejudices very realistically and effectively.

In this book, which moment of the prejudice against biracial families and marriages moved you?

Ana Victoria2002 wrote: ↑02 Sep 2020, 09:34 To my mind, portraying stereotypes and social stigmas is a very difficult task and it could get a lot of backlash. People tend to get offended when being calle out on certain patterns of behaviours that stem from prejudice or stigmas. I think that if the author managed to portray stereotypes and somehow expose them it deserves a lot of credit because it is not something easy to do.

A good example that shows how Jeannie reveals prejudice is the moment where Kalayla, an 11-year-old girl, is paid a few dollars to watch over laundry at the Clean Duds Laundromat. She's too young for the job but poor enough to qualify. I'd categorize it as a form of Social class stereotyping.

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote: ↑04 Sep 2020, 14:57

A good example that shows how Jeannie reveals prejudice is the moment where Kalayla, an 11-year-old girl, is paid a few dollars to watch over laundry at the Clean Duds Laundromat. She's too young for the job but poor enough to qualify. I'd categorize it as a form of Social class stereotyping.

I don't see a stereotype problem with that. To me, it is the same as if I pay a teen to cut my grass. It teaches them responsibility and gives them some spending cash. At what age would you think that it's no longer an issue?

Maconstewart wrote: ↑06 Sep 2020, 18:45

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote: ↑04 Sep 2020, 14:57

A good example that shows how Jeannie reveals prejudice is the moment where Kalayla, an 11-year-old girl, is paid a few dollars to watch over laundry at the Clean Duds Laundromat. She's too young for the job but poor enough to qualify. I'd categorize it as a form of Social class stereotyping.

I don't see a stereotype problem with that. To me, it is the same as if I pay a teen to cut my grass. It teaches them responsibility and gives them some spending cash. At what age would you think that it's no longer an issue?

It all depends on the responsibility given and the risks involved. You can tell Kalayla is always alone in the Laundromat. The risks involved are higher for a young girl.

Due to racism, which is stereotyping, the grandparents missed a lot in their daughter and granddaugher's lives. That is something they will never get back.

Bertha Jackson wrote: ↑09 Sep 2020, 20:41 Due to racism, which is stereotyping, the grandparents missed a lot in their daughter and granddaugher's lives. That is something they will never get back.

Race is a very contentious issue that affects a lot of families. It's so hard to eliminate too. Maureen is disowned for the same reason. Her struggle as she tries to gather herself up also affects her daughter immensely. By Jeannie sharing Kalayla's story, there's a possibility that readers might change their outlook on this issue.

When I was a younger man, biracial couples were rare. Today, however, couples are more open and I feel much more accepted given the diverse make up within the world. Still, the love that a couple may feel for each other can be bitterly opposed by outsiders. Stereotypes continue. But with the approach taken by the author, as well as other voices that are being raised at this time, perhaps someday soon we will begin to see this nonsense disappear.

I find the current conversation to be very timely considering the Black Lives Matter protests. In America, we are currently wrestling with our own implicit biases and prejudices. For some people, this can be an eye-opening moment to make a positive change where as other can see it as a personal attack. As a member wrote earlier, the reactions of people when you call them out can be mixed and some people can get offended.

Maconstewart wrote: ↑06 Sep 2020, 18:45

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote: ↑04 Sep 2020, 14:57

A good example that shows how Jeannie reveals prejudice is the moment where Kalayla, an 11-year-old girl, is paid a few dollars to watch over laundry at the Clean Duds Laundromat. She's too young for the job but poor enough to qualify. I'd categorize it as a form of Social class stereotyping.

I don't see a stereotype problem with that. To me, it is the same as if I pay a teen to cut my grass. It teaches them responsibility and gives them some spending cash. At what age would you think that it's no longer an issue?

for me too, it does not qualify as stereotypes, for me, an 11 year old is not too young to such chores. paying for this job would be a kind of pocket money. Even rich kids get pocket money for doing certain works.

Mstrtim wrote: ↑16 Sep 2020, 10:43 When I was a younger man, biracial couples were rare. Today, however, couples are more open and I feel much more accepted given the diverse make up within the world. Still, the love that a couple may feel for each other can be bitterly opposed by outsiders. Stereotypes continue. But with the approach taken by the author, as well as other voices that are being raised at this time, perhaps someday soon we will begin to see this nonsense disappear.

Well sain Mstrtim, authors have the power to influence people, and bringing such subjects into discussion would help to eliminate such stereotypes, slowly but certainly.

For me I saw family, nurturing kids. I think the author tried to cut off the stereotypes but the pressure was alot on how to take care of the kids.