Thank you, Momma

Momma is a significant person in Maya’s life, she actually can be regarded as Maya’s mother as well as father. We can see from Maya’s stories that Momma is a self-respecting woman who loves her grandchildren and fulfills her duty well for her store. Momma decides to buy fresh meat for her grandchildren. She checks every night to make sure that her grandchildren are tidy and clean. When momma encounters the white girls who meanly mock her, she won. Maya, as a child, said: “people spoke of momma as a good-looking woman and some, who remembered her youth, said she used to be right pretty. I saw only her power and strength.”(Page 46) Maya regards momma as one of her dearest person as well as a guide and model. In a society with many discrimination and unfairness, Maya feels safe and sound staying with momma in the store. Momma shows her love to Maya; she also teaches her how to be brave and respect herself.

Later in the book after the white dentist refuses with disdain to help Maya with her toothache, momma returns to the dentist’s office. Maya even imagines how momma walks in and catches the man by his collar: momma beats him till the man is threatened and says sorry. Although this did not really happen, Maya would prefer this version of the story. She feels proud of being momma’s granddaughter. She will feel proud of this throughout her entire life. Under momma’s influence, Maya grows up as a kind-hearted brave young woman with strong character. Although momma only participates in Maya’s childhood years, her lessons guides Maya to overcome all the troubles and difficulties in the future.

Thank you, Momma.