The Color Purple

by Alice Walker

First time somebody made something and name it after me.

I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.

Look at you. You black, you pore, you ugly, you a woman. Goddam, he say, you nothing at all.

Nettie, I am making some pants for you to beat the heat in Africa. Soft, white, thin. Drawstring waist. You won’t ever have to feel too hot and overdress again. I plan to make them by hand. Every stitch I sew will be a kiss.