Questions for Clare...

Dear Clare,
Your childhood acquaintance and supposed friend Irene claims that all actions have consequences, something that she reminds you of after learning of your decision to pass as a white woman in upper-class society.  So I ask you? Was passing worth the reward?  As young women, you used your light skin to transcend the racial barrier into a new life as Mrs. Jack Bellew with the hope of a better life, but you're desperate deposition and the recklessness that you exhibit attempting to be a member of Irene’s community suggests that this improvement never actually came.  Your behavior causes me to question, are the benefits of being white not worth the loneliness and psychological cost that accompanies passing.  To what effect do feelings of alienation diminish the advantages of passing as a “superior” race? Are racial barriers so high that it is impossible for one member of an opposite race to truly fit in with another even if they possess the outward appearance of a member?  How much of race is about physical appearance and how much of it is about identity? Anyways, after reading of your tormented spirit and social heartache I suppose I have more questions than answers.  I await your response and look forward to your insight.
All my best,

Tatum Hall

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