Summary

In Chapter 8, “Local Economies,” Fatima worked “in a downtown café” (251). She was also in the Iowa dance program. Before rehearsal one night, her classmate Cheney told her dance was the real work (252). He was making a dig about her café job. The only black student in the program, Fatima was tired of such dynamics.

Although Fatima disliked Ólafur’s class, when she performed his pieces, she felt she was “giving herself over to something larger” (253). The more she grew in her practice, the more amused Fatima felt that she had “ended up here” (254).

Fatima went out with “some of the dancers” after rehearsal (254). Daw noted how quiet she was. She did not want to share why she was introspective. Cheney made more digs about her work. An argument ensued about “people in the arts” coming from money (258). When Cheney made comments about racism...