In what ways does Woodson manipulate words?

"You can still see the words, right there/ like a ghost standing in front/ still keeping you out" (92)

Woodson, through the character of Jacqueline, uses simile to describe signs saying "WHITE ONLY" (92) that were painted over but still somewhat visible in buildings around Greenville, South Carolina. By comparing the words to a ghost, the author shows that even when the laws regarding discrimination changed, racism and prejudice did not completely disappear. Like a ghost, racism lingered long after its supposed death by the abolishing of Jim Crow laws.