The significance of the title

From the title, what did you think the book would be about? Did it meet those expectations?

The title sounds almost like part of a proverb. To me it suggests the inescapability of race, which is definitely a theme of the novel. But the "she" is a little misleading in that it seems like it will be about just one woman.

Interesting. I did not assume that she meant one person. And having three stories broadens the perspective of being black that a single story could not encompass.

I saw an interview with the author she said the first thing people see is the black skin.

I read that too, Maggie. I supposed that its true! How often do you describe someone by race if you see them as Black or brown? We are taught to see the difference.

I saw linz ask elsewhere about the meaning of "mirror" in the title. Maybe it's meant to refer to society? Seeing themselves through other people's eyes.

Could it perhaps mean that no matter what "mirror" the women looked in she would always see herself as Black? As others saw her? No matter what she would do, that's how she'd be seen first?

I think that makes sense. A mirror reveals what's superficial rather than what's truly important about a person.

I felt is referred to the fact that no matter where you go, people still see black. I would like to see the interview with the author.

nancyh, there is one on the website: https://www.bookbrowse.com//author_interviews/full/index.cfm/author_number/3567/lola-akinmade-akerstrom

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Rev. MLKJr.
I think the title speaks directly to this - the idea that whomever you see yourself as - what people see first is your skin color and sadly, too often that becomes your defining trait.

I think it has a few meanings...

*In society, the women are first and foremost seen as black/brown.

*In every mirror SHE (the character) is black. These women can not escape that. They put up with harassment, prejudices, inferiority, etc. They deal with these struggles every day and can't help but see it in their own mirrors.

*Perhaps "black" could also mean that she is void/dark/blank/nothingness. She, as a black woman, will never completely get out of that void until society accepts her unconditionally.

Racism is a problem everywhere, not just in America.

“You shouldn’t have come here,” Godwin concluded. “At least in America, you’re fighting your enemy in broad daylight.”

I think the title, In Every Mirror She's Black speaks to the issues being present everywhere both geographically and culturally.

I'm not sure I had an preconceived notions of the title. I knew it was about race.