Between the Lines: On Culture, Class and Homophobia Summary and Analysis

The opening poem in this chapter is from Rosario Morales and is called "The Other Heritage." It follows an introduction that talks about the class differences among the already underprivileged Third World cultures in America. The poem deals with the fear she felt walking through the streets of Harlem, and the stench of stalking feet behind her. She carries a similar fear with her into groups of black feminists, wondering whether they will see through to her fear and reject her. She affects white manners, but doesn't fit into white society, so she is left to live with her fear in every circumstance instead of fitting comfortably anywhere.

Hattie Gossett writes the free verse poem "billie lives! billie lives" about the power in Billie Holiday's delivery of...