The Families Hunt and Rivers are two black families that have to struggle an unjust life of
the 60's in New York City to survive. When realizing how black people were treated unfairly and
how New York City didn't like her or her sister because they were black, Tish wrote, "They look
at us as though we were zebras – and, you know, some people like zebras and some people don't.
But nobody ever asks the zebra."(pg.9) In other words, people considered her and her sister as if
they were odd animals instead of human beings. Nevertheless these families have a different
approach when facing the daily survival, fear and stress. Moreover, the two mothers of these
families, Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Rivers, although in similar circumstances, could hardly be more
different. They barely look alike, physically or spiritually. Their love and devotion to the family
cannot be even compared. And, their approach to religion is based on different understanding of
Mrs. Hunt is a beautiful lady, and she is very proud of that, "Mrs. Hunt and the girls are
fair; and you could see that Mrs. Hunt had been a very beautiful girl down there in Atlanta, where
she comes from. And she still had – has – that look, that don't – you – touch – me look, that
women who were beautiful carry with them to the grave."(pg.20) But, deep inside, under this icy
look, she is a very evil person who doesn't have any feelings for others, and who only cares for
herself. "I always knew that you would be the destruction of my son. You have a demon in you – I
always knew it. My God caused me to know it many a year ago. The Holy Ghost will cause that
child to shrivel in your womb"(pg.74),she said to Tish when she found out that Tish was pregnant
proclaiming her future daughter in law to be a devil and cursing her own grandson only because
she w...