- How does the author’s skin color (and its associated stereotypes) affect her experience at her college orientation? Both negatively and positively.
- What does Dina’s first conversation with Heidi say about Dina’s view in terms of labels? How does she react to them throughout the story?
- How does her relationship with her parents affect her relationship with others around her?
3 thoughts on “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere”
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3. I think that the relationship Dina experienced with her parents did have influence in the way she treats others. She shares that she hates her dad, which shows she is angry and has resentment towards her dad which can hold a lot of weight in one’s heart. So maybe one way of expressing or coping with those feelings are just shutting people out, and not giving them the benefit of the doubt.
1. The narrators skin color plays a huge role during the orientation games. She takes note that there is only one other colored person in her group. This boy isn’t like her at all. He has assimilated completely into white culture. This caused Dina much discomfort and made her not like this boy right away as she came from a completely different background. She could tell that this boy had a pampered and sheltered upbringing while Dina struggled. In the end I believe that this dislike for the boy played a part in her revolver comment.
2. Dina is somewhat a fan of labels. In her first encounter with Heidi she asked he if she was lesbian. In her mind Heidi fit the stereotypical lesbian and she made that clear to us. She also then disclosed one of the labels she identifies with, “misanthrope.” I think its pretty clear that Dina doesn’t mind labeling herself and others at times.
1. I think that Dina felt bothered by the fact that she was a minority at the college orientation. She was definitely annoyed by the behavior of the other African American student that was in the room. Her lack of comfort makes her act hostile and she puts out the message that she is not someone who you would want to associate yourself with.
3. Dina did not have the best relationship with her parents. Her father in particular is someone who she does not get along with the best. She explicitly states that she dislikes him. The fact that she had a weak connection with her parents- whom are expected to be your first source of comfort explains why she is so closed off and does not trust those around her.