Crumbs from the Table of Joy: Racial Discrimination (Towards Gerte, Lily and Gerte's relationship)

Quotes for Racial Discrimination (Towards Gerte) Includes Gerte and Lily Relationship (around racial differences)

Ernestine about Gerte’s race when first meeting her

"Oh God, did she have to be German?" - Ernestine

Ernestine about Gerte’s higher status than them

"She might as well be wearing a satin tuxedo and blowing smoke in our faces" - Ernestine

Other girl’s questions about Gerte and her race

'She a Nazi like Adolph Hitler?' (referring to the girls talking about her and Ernestine regarding Gerte)

Ermina on other people’s harassment about Gerte’s race/colour

"LEAVE US ALONE, IT AIN'T OUR FAULT SHE WHITE" - Ermina

Ermina’s question for Gerte based on her country’s history

"Was you one of them Jew-hating Germans, them Nazis?" -Ermina

Ermina’s opinion of Gerte being a part of their family

"It ain't normal for a white lady to be living in a house with coloured folks. She don't even cook right" - Ermina

Godfrey’s quote when he was attacked by people for interracial marriage, but Gerte was not.

"There we go, a colored man and a white lady trying to get from one place to another. Minding our own business” - Godfrey

Lily’s quote about Gerte being in the working class verses them (being white)

"That's very helpful of you. But nobody wants to hire a smart coloured woman" - Lily

Lily’s unacceptance of Gerte because of their differences

"Well, when I see ya, I see a white woman, and when I look in the mirror, I see a negro woman" - Lily

Lily discriminating Gerte with stereotypes because of her colour

"Don't lecture me about race. You are the last person on earth I'd look to for guidance" - Lily

Lily stereotyping Gerte about white woman appearance vs black woman appearance

"Look at Gerte, she dresses like a girl without a figure"

Lily’s quote on white people enslaving black women

"You're not a servant and I didn't hear her say 'please'" (to Ernestine about Gerte), is quite hypocritical.

Gerte’s quote about not racially discriminating Lily

"When I see you I see no colour. I see Lily" (she lights a cigarette)