The attendant looked at Camilo, looked at Link, blandly…
““The attendant looked at Camilo, looked at Link, blandly, incuriously. Link thought, In New York all the black boys who go in for what they like to call Caddies also go in for white girls. So this is old hat to him. He figures that if I'm rich enough--numbers or women or rackets of one kind or another--to drive one of these crates, then almost any good-looking white girl is going to find me acceptable. Money transforms the black male. Makes him beautiful in the eyes of the white female. Black and comely. No. It was black but comely, take it for granted that blackness and comeliness were not only possible but went hand in hand.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage critiques how wealth can alter racial perceptions, suggesting that money can make a Black man appear attractive to white women, challenging stereotypes about Blackness and beauty.
In simple terms: Money can change how race is viewed, making Black men seem attractive to white women.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that worth isn’t defined by wealth or race.
Themes
race
class
perception
beauty
identity
Mood
thoughtful
critical
reflective
Type
literary
social commentary
cultural critique
When to use this quote
- dating
- career advancement
- social mobility
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
intersectionality
social capital
racial stereotypes
Questions to Reflect On
- How does money influence racial attraction?
- Can true acceptance exist without material status?
A Different Perspective
Wealth does not erase deep‑seated biases; attraction is complex.