Chapter 7: “Hopefully They Will See You In A Different Light”: A Critical Race Analysis Of Double Consciousness

My mother is cleaning her bedroom while the cordless phone rests precariously in the space between her left shoulder and her ear. From the mischief in her eyes, I can tell that she is on the phone with her best friend. Even though I set a specific time for this interview I know that she will not rush her conversation. As I sit on top of her large bed, I am reminded of many of the conversations that my mother had with me here, quiet lessons about my racialized body and the way that all of my actions would be perceived. Along with telling me that I could do anything, she explained that there was a lot that I could not do because of the scrutiny that my brown skin would attract. This was my education. Looking back, I realized that my mother employed a very specific curriculum. She often recalls those times fondly since I am out of the house now; she believes that her efforts were necessary to my success. The assignment that I am working on at the time of this interview is focused on understanding the motivation behind those early lessons. Several minutes into the interview, she begins to share the thoughts that informed her parenting style and philosophy: