Shame ain't black, like dirt, like I always thought it was. Shame be the color of a new white uniform your mother ironed all night to pay for, white without a smudge or a speck a work-dirt on it.

Summary

This quote challenges the common perception of shame being associated with dirt or something sinful. Instead, it paints a vivid picture of shame being linked to a pristine white uniform, symbolizing one's mother's sacrifice and hard work to provide for her child. By equating shame with this pure and immaculate object, the quote suggests that shame can arise from societal expectations, pressure to conform, or the fear of falling short of those ideals, even when one appears flawless on the outside.

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