Pennsylvania

Thandi's parents settle in Pennsylvania and begin their family there. Thandi's father works as an academic, rising through the ranks to become head of his department, while her mother is a nurse who eventually becomes head nurse at her hospital. The town Thandi grows up in Pennsylvania serves as a microcosm for America, as it is a place where the country's views of race are established. People like Aminah and Frank have settled places within their society, while Thandi faces more trouble fitting in.

Johannesburg

Thandi's mother is from Johannesburg, and her entire family still resides there. For Thandi and her parents, Johannesburg is a common holiday trip, and Thandi continues to go there after her mother's death. Growing up, Thandi was terrified of South Africa, and Johannesburg in particular, due to the high crime. Johannesburg is also the topic of a blog post that highlights the complex...