American Street Quotes
"If only I could break the glass separating me and Manman with my thoughts alone."
"On the flight to Detroit, I am alone. I look down at America—its vastness resembling a huge mountain."
"I refuse to put it down for fear that they will take it away, too."
"We had been holding hands for courage when we arrived at Customs in Kennedy Airport."
"But how could they have known that we didn’t plan to go back?"
"But too much has happened for me to cry now."
"On one side of the glass doors are the long lines of people with their photos and papers."
"I pray that Manman will get to taste this cold, free air before she rests her eyes tonight."
"In Haiti, we used to travel to the top of the mountain ranges near Au Cap for their cool winds."
"If only Detroit had a bunch of blan, it would be easier for me to pick out a single black woman."
"I reach to kiss her on the cheek and give her a big hug, but she steps back."
"I remember all those times in Port-au-Prince, standing in the open market or at an intersection waiting for my mother."
"I don’t make a move and I hold this moment for a little bit. Then I nod."
"I spot a lady official who is wearing the same uniform as the ones who took my mother away."
"The front door to a small white house swings open. There are a few steps and a narrow porch leading up to that door."
"She is fatter than Manman, but her clothes are smaller and tighter and shorter."
"But she doesn’t smile like my mother always does."
"I can only tell she’s a girl by the shape of her body—but her oversized jacket, loose jeans, high-top sneakers, and hat with three bumblebees on it make her almost look like a boy."
"I feel like she’s looking straight through me."
"I don’t fuck with any of that shit. And neither should you."
"I don’t want you to worry about me. Focus on your books."
"Your mother is counting on me. I have to help her."
"All that matters is that you’re bougie on the inside."
"My legs take me down the steps, to the coat closet, out of the house, and to the corner of American and Joy."
"I can’t pull away from his song as I get out of that car."
"There was a number on the website. I just gave them her name," I lie.
"So what is her situation? Why are they keeping her there? How is she doing?"
"She wanted to speak to you. She really wanted to hear your voice."
"She did it to herself, you know. She’s always been so hardheaded, that Valerie."
"You’ve done more for me in these past few weeks than my own daughters have."
"Tell me about my sister. Was she in pain, too?"
"Money can’t buy happiness, as they say. I should know."
"I am not tired of fighting. I am just starting."
"Your mother was right. You are Legba’s child."
"We prayed for you... it was the only reason my papers said that I am American."
"Then right there, right in the middle of the bleachers for all my friends and schoolmates to see, he kisses me on the lips, for a long time."
"My ears are wide open while my eyes stay shut."
"I don’t think. I’m out of bed, out of the room, and down the stairs in an instant."
"My cousins are hurting. My aunt is hurting. My mother is hurting."
"I can’t believe your cousins haven’t taken you here," he says when he opens the door.
"You have the battle wounds of Ezili-Danto," I whisper into her ear.
"I will fight for you, Donna. I will fight this battle for you."
"I want to use that tuition money to help my mother instead."
"This is what happens to Donna, who doesn’t seem to know the difference between love and hurt."
"The air around me isn’t enough. I can’t breathe."
"I will do the same. By the grace of my lwas, when his walls come tumbling down for good and he kills me tonight, I will do the same."