Sophie thinks, "It didn't matter how hard she worked or how talented and accomplished a black woman might be. For some people she would never be good enough." Do you think this still holds true? 

Sophie thinks, "It didn't matter how hard she worked or how talented and accomplished a black woman might be. For some people she would never be good enough." Do you think this still holds true? 

I feel for some people this might hold true but many people, including myself, do have great respect for any hard working black women - Oprah comes to mind as do many black entertainers, actresses and authors. The list of these talented black women would be very long. We all need to recognize that a person's skin color should not be held against them.

Yes I’m afraid much of this is still true. Women in general aren’t recognized as male doctors are. Only yesterday it was reported that male doctors earn significantly higher salaries than females.

It is probably not as bad, but yes I believe it still exists, there is too much hate in our world. I hope the younger generation will be up to changing that.

Yes. Things are better than they were in the 1880s. But there is still discrimination against black women, and to a lesser extent
agains all women.

While things have indeed improved, unfortunately, this is still true for women in general and even more so for women of color. Until we break more ceilings, get more seats at the table, become role models for the next generation (like RBG), it will, sadly, continue to remain true.

Bias and prejudice still exists though it may not be as prevalent or obvious in some areas. The more people are interact with people on a daily basis who are different from them the more likely we are to find commonalities and shed our biases -and the younger this happens the better.

If anything we have learned during this chaotic time is that this feeling persists among many women and men of color, but also of other individuals whose genetics or life backgrounds have predisposed others to make assumptions about their capabilities. We seem to make such slow progress on this point.

BLM - Enough said.

I agree with Deb. People of color are still judged differently. All women are judged differently and women of color even more so. This is a critical time in America for the rights of all people and especially those who are of color and are women.

Slow progress has been made in recognizing the value of a strong, independent working woman of any color. I have seen advances in the thinking of many people who a generation ago would have been called racist but who know acknowledge and applaud genuine efforts. Women in general, are still being short changed and black women even more, however, time is on our side and we are all coming up fast on the inside track.

I think this holds true for everyone at some point and time in their lives; whether other people feel that way about us or we internalize those feelings about ourselves. We have to be true to ourselves and know our own self worth and I felt that Sophie new her worth deep down and that came out in her relations with her patients and her family.

While I think some progress has been made, this last several years has taught us that not enough progress has been made. Most all POC are not treated fairly, still have to do much, much more than white people have to do to make a name for themselves. Another posted mentioned Oprah and while Oprah has come a long way, not everyone makes it big like she did and has the platform that she does. I like how she has been using that platform this year for change and the greater good and hopefully will continue that use. Unfortunately, there are still so many people that don't see "race" as being a problem or just don't care that while I'd like to think that change is coming, I believe that our children/grandchildren will be fighting the same battles years from now without much change. It's sad and I wish it were different.

I agree with Paula K.....Sadly, America has not evolved much in this sense.

Sadly this is still true. Look at all the good Michele Obama tried to do as the first Lady and all the criticism she took for it.

I think strides have been taken by all women and there are a lot of incredible black women. But the fact that we are even having this discussion shows that as a society we aren’t there yet.

Enormous strides have been made in the past several years especially, but I, like the contributors above, agree that not enough has been accomplished or we would not be confronting the issue. How timely is Donati's character, this statement, and novel itself - racial tension is a major theme.

I am a black woman who continues to experience some of the same issues as Sophie though a professional.in the health care area as a nurse. I really enjoyed the book and the characters and well as the history.

In the social services field there were no colors or differences and people of great diversity worked side by side with each other and we were known only as Evelyn, Betty Jo, Bupendra, Nita, as we did our jobs. Of course bias and prejudice still exists in our world and sometimes comes from unexpected quarters...such as those who most need help and assistance. Women of all colors have a long journey ahead of them before we can call it an even day with the men in our society....but we are getting there...slowly but steadily.

I have hope that this has become less true in 2020.

I think this is sadly still true today. Although we are marking 2020 as the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote, I believe that women are still held to standards which are set by men and we are not expected to rise to the same level as men.
The woman forging a new path for other women has a difficult journey and an even more difficult one if she is a woman of color, disabled, or of a different sexual orientation apart from female.
We still have a long way to go.