I'm heartbroken, but also angry—not at the young ute driver, at myself.
-- Maxine Beneba Clarke (Prologue)

Importance: Maxine's encounter with the angry driver launches the memoir's explorations of racism and prejudice. Instead of directing her anger at the racist driver, Maxine directs her frustration at herself. This moment thus shows the psychological impact of bigotry on the abused individual. This moment also launches the memoir's central conflicts and incites the temporal shift in Chapter 1.

You . . . are brown.
-- Carlita Allen (chapter 3)

Importance: Maxine does not equate her skin color to her self-worth until her classmate uses her Blackness as a reason to ridicule her. This moment from Maxine's preschool experience marks a turning point in her self-regard. Carlita's bigotry makes Maxine feel ashamed of how she looks and sets a precedent for how others treat her.

I think you have a very vivid imagination.
-- Mrs. Kingsley (chapter 4)

Importance: When Maxine is chosen as Student of the Week, she is given the opportunity to...