Sweat
Jefferson describes the sweating during the performances of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. The depiction highlights the differences between how the two performers are viewed and treated. Fitzgerald is described as having sweat that "dots her brow and drips, even pours down her cheeks, dampens her pressed and curled hair" and "runs into the stones of her dangling earrings." Armstrong, on the other hand, is portrayed as using a white handkerchief to "wipe the sweat from his face" and "wipe the spit and sweat from his trumpet valve." Jefferson implies that Fitzgerald's sweat is unrefined and working-class, whereas Armstrong's is a ritualistic and even artistic form of diaphoresis. This description of sweat draws attention to the power dynamics between Fitzgerald and Armstrong and the way their sweat is observed differently. Thus, it illustrates the unfairness of the situation and how Fitzgerald's sweat is seen as a reminder of her difficult past.
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker's body is described as having oval knees, ankles that “flower from the clear, beautiful, even-textured brown skin”, shoulders that are “light”, and a belly of a “young girl with a high-placed navel”. Her eyes are outlined in “black and blue”, her cheeks flushed, and her teeth “moist and dazzling”. This imagery paints Josephine Baker as a beautiful and powerful figure, with a body that stands out in the crowd. Her body is a source of strength and pride, and thereby a reflection of her identity, culture, and heritage. The description also suggests that Baker is a force to be reckoned with and a figure to be admired. It underscores her importance as a performer and highlights that she was a foreign body in a world where black culture has often been deemed a threat.
Exhibition
Jefferson paints a vivid picture of the black man preparing for his job on the streets. The detail of him carefully smoothing the corrugated edges of the cardboard and then placing the Styrofoam cups in the center, the plastic cup with straws behind them, and the set of white plastic cutlery in front is significant. This depiction exudes the man's dedication to his work, taking pride in the presentation of the materials he has and is prepared to use. His meticulous attention to detail signifies his commitment to his craft and expresses his respect for the job he is about to take on. It also speaks to the reader about the dignity of man's labor and the hard work required to make a living. The imagery of the fan of deli napkins placed to the left of the fork further emphasizes his commitment to his job.
Ballet
The author uses imagery to depict Denise's pursuit of ballet and the admiration and respect she feels for the ballerinas she idolized. The imagery of "forceful, muscled brown limbs being refined by ballet" portrays Denise's physical and emotional dedication to her craft. The image displays strength and power, as well as beauty and grace, as Denise's body is shaped and molded by the rigorous training she undergoes. It also illustrates the social and racial implications of ballet, and the way it can be a symbol of freedom and self-expression for people of color. Denise's limbs demonstrate the hard work and dedication required to become a successful ballerina, and the beauty and power that can be found in the discipline of ballet.
