Graffiti

Graffiti symbolizes the voices of the oppressed. In the prologue the primary uses graffiti as a way to communicate his emotions and internal thoughts. When the Bronx Art Center showcase his work, later on in the novel, it is a physical manifestation of their commitment to uplifting the voices of the community. The Woman in White wants Unknown's work removed as part of her campaign to suppress nonwhite narratives and voices and assert Arian power.

White Tendrils

Throughout the novel white tendrils symbolize the insidious nature of racism. While the Enemy as a whole is racism, the tendrils are its offshoots that body snatch people and the city. They proliferate racism without a mouthpiece. Jemisin uses the growth of the tendrils to symbolize how racism infiltrates every aspect of American life.

Staten Island

Staten Island symbolizes communities created by white flight. In the 1960s, white families...