Zami: A New Spelling of My Name Lesson Plan

What has Audre’s experience with class and money been so far? How does race play a role in her experience of class?

Audre grew up poor and has struggled for money as a young adult. While she always seems to have her basic needs met, her class status appears in the details. For instance, in Stamford, she cannot afford a place with a kitchen, so she eats canned soup all the time. In Stamford, race and class come together for Audre. When she is fired from the ribbon factory, it is because of an unspoken policy of firing Black people before they can join the union. At Keystone Electronics, Audre tries to find a way to make more money through the piecework bonus. Ginger says,...