I'm tired of the rules," I say.

And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

Lord, I never seen blue hair on a black woman before or since. Leroy say you look like a cracker from outer space.

It weren’t too loo long before I seen something in me, had changed. A bitter seed was planted inside of me. And I just didn’t feel so, accepting, anymore.

But after Mr. Evers got shot a week ago, lot a colored folk is frustrated in this town. Especially the younger ones, who ain't built up a callus yet.

Who knew heartbreak would be so goddamn hot.

I want to yell so loud that Baby Girl can hear me that dirty ain't a color, disease ain't the Negro side a town. I want to stop that moment from coming - and it come in ever white child's life - when they start to think that colored folks ain't as good as whites. ... I pray that wasn't her moment, Pray I still got time.