At the beginning of the story, we find out that Mya's mother passed away when she was young. “Tantie says I am beautiful in the delicate way of my mother, dark and slender, akin to the stalk of a lily. I want to believe her" (Bailey 72). What effect do you think her mother's absence had on her self-image and insecurities?

In the middle of the story, Mya turns to the internet, whether to watch music videos or connect with others. “One day, I was combing through the internet, looking for anyone who felt the way I did" (Bailey 73). In what ways do you think the internet influenced Mya's insecurities?

At school, Mya experiences cultural contact zones where different beauty standards clash. "Even the white girls say that I am too skinny. They offer the words like a prize, a glistening emerald, or an entrance card into the gated world of their beauty" (Bailey 74). How do you think these moments of cultural comparison affect Mya’s insecurities and sense of self?