I have no problem with Bernard being Black. Obviously. I’m Black too. It’s him being huge and mean and scary.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: Shayla argues that her dislike for Bernard is not based on his race, but the fact that he is mean. Shayla bases his belief that Bernard is mean on an incident in second grade when he yelled at her and snatched a toy away from her.

I hate when a teacher assumes that just because I’m Black, I’ll know all about slavery and civil rights and stuff like that.
-- Narrator (Chapter 4)

Importance: In Shayla’s English class, Ms. Jacobs voices her surprise that Shayla is not aware that Emerson was an abolitionist. Shayla notes teachers often have the preconceived notion that because she is Black, she should know everything about racial injustice and civil rights.

Okay, like if you eat unhealthy food a long time, you’re going to...
-- Shayla’s Mother (Chapter 7)