Navis

Abstract

InNavis, an excerpt from the novel The Queen of Palmyra byMinroseGwin, Florence, a young White girl glimpses the racial tensions in her small town of Millville in a subtle but significant interaction between her Mama and the customers of her cake business. Mama's insistence on referring to African-Americans as "Negroes" (a more respectful address, according to Mama's African-American acquaintances) instead of "colored" upsets some of her "Cake Ladies," as Florence calls them, but Mama is supported by her friend,Navis. When Florence asks whether Mama plans to make Florence's father say it, too, Mama slaps her and sends her to her room. Later, Florence sees her mother's upset reaction but doesn't quite understand it fully.