Minnesota State College has paid him— in advance— to come here and talk about his book, because that’s what he’s done for over a decade now. It’s simple enough, or at least it’s become so: talk about America through the lens of his Black skin, his fear of police, and his loss.
-- Narration (chapter 1)

Importance: This quote establishes Soot as a character whose identity and work are deeply intertwined with his experiences of race and trauma. His career revolves around translating personal grief and the systemic challenges of being Black in America into public discourse, suggesting that his authorship is both a coping mechanism and a form of social engagement. It also highlights the ongoing burden of loss and fear that shapes his life, framing his professional success as inseparable from his personal suffering.

It all comes out okay.” “You say it like you know for sure,” the man...
-- Narration (chapter 1)