Chapter 21

Summary

• The protagonist, Mary, turns off the radio and refuses to listen to the presidential inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She shows her political leaning as a Republican expecting that the new Democratic government might challenge her friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt.
• Despite not having campaigned against Roosevelt directly, Mary admits that she criticized John Nance Garner, his vice-presidential candidate. She recalls telling colored voters that Garner did not believe in their right to vote.
• Mary, reflecting on her students as 'Black Roses', ponders on the inevitability of nurturing these individuals, even if it came with the defeat of President Hoover, her political preference.
• Her silent musings are interrupted when her grandson, Albert Jr., intrudes upon her in distress, relating his experience of racial slurs at a nearby beach. Mary calms him, trying to explain the unfortunate reality of color prejudice.
• Aimed at instilling confidence in Albert, she imparts the proud history of their ancestry connecting them to African royalty. She speaks of his forebears, telling him about their accomplishments even under difficult circumstances and discrimination.
• Relieved that Albert is feeling better, Mary suggests a fun outing to lighten the mood. However, she circles back to the primary issue - discrimination at the beach. She pledges that she will find a way to end the racist practice, which isn't aligned with her belief that 'God's creation' is for all.