Let The Circle Be Unbroken

“‘He better be watchin’ hisself goin’ through to that Delta country in that soldier outfit. Them’s some mean white folks up in that Delta.’ Papa’s face lined into a wry smile. ‘There’s some mean white folks everywhere.’”

A young soldier named Russell has returned home for a visit, and his Black neighbors are discussing his safety in the South while he wears an army uniform. David’s retort succinctly describes the situation of race relations during the 1930s. White people are regarded with fear and suspicion. It should be noted that the Civil War ended only during the lifetime of their grandparents, who had formerly been enslaved. White Southerners are still intent on reclaiming the power they once had and continue to assert their dominance through violence.

“But I didn’t like his changing and I didn’t like the thought of my changing either. Maybe it was the way of life to change, but if I had my way I would put an iron padlock on time so nothing would ever have to change again.”

Cassie makes this statement very early in the book, but it will become central to her growing understanding of herself and the world around her. She is referring to the increasing estrangement between herself and Stacey. He is becoming a teenager, and Cassie feels left behind. She will revisit this idea frequently, and her fear of change will also be reflected in Southern society’s fear of change.

“The people who’ll hear TJ and make the decision will be white. There’ll be somebody else who’ll be saying that what TJ says is not the truth. He’ll be white too. There’ll be a judge there and he’ll be white. All white, do you understand?”

The Logan children have been speculating about TJ’s upcoming trial with the assumption that he will be released. Mary gently points out the problem. TJ is highly unlikely to receive a fair trial from men who don’t regard themselves as his peers. Their fear of disrupting race relations is greater than their desire to see justice done.