Oreo

The slang term “oreo” (26) and the image it provokes demonstrate bias and stereotype. Students at Riverdale call Maury “Maury-o” (26) because it rhymes with oreo. Jordan knows that calling a person an oreo suggests that he has taken on the characteristics associated with White people. In slang, it suggests these people are White on the inside and Black on the outside.

Hoodie

Jordan’s hoodie is a symbol of unease with people of certain races. Jordan wears his hoodie all the time throughout the course of the school year. Although Jordan wears this sweatshirt and hood because it is cold, hoodies are associated with Blacks and gang behavior. He notes in his description of his bus rides from home to Riverdale that he is able to start out in his Black neighborhood wearing the hood up on his hoodie. When he is on the leg of the...