“Ma, what’s a tragic mulatto?” I asked. Anger flashed across her face like lightning and her nose, which tends to redden and swell in anger, blew up like a balloon. “Where’d you hear that?” she asked. “I read it in a book.” “For God’s sake, you’re no tragic mul—What book is this?” “Just a book I read.” “Don’t read that book anymore.” She sucked her teeth. “Tragic mulatto. What a stupid thing to call somebody! Somebody called you that?” “No.” “Don’t ever ever use that term.” “Am I black or white?” “You’re a human being,” she snapped. “Educate yourself or you’ll be a nobody!” “Will I be a black
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