Otherness In Z Packer's 'Brownies'

The theme of otherness is a harsh, yet sad reality that is the main focus in Z.Z Packer’s “Brownies.” Through the isolation of races, as well as Laurel and her Brownie troop, the overall experience of “otherness” is affected. This main focus of the isolation of race between the two Brownie troops are exemplified during the story through the help of the narrator, Laurel.
While reading Z.Z Packer’s “Brownies,” it is noted that the Brownie troop and troop 909 both represent different groups of “others” through the isolation of race that they’ve been exposed to since a very early stage. All troops in the summer camp are either all white or all black. The black girls in the story were raised in a racially isolated environment, away from white girls as said by Laurel, “When you lived in the south suburbs of Atlanta, it was easy to
She also takes great pride in her cleanliness. The girls in her troop, knowing that she is so shy, lay the hearing of the racial slur on her because they know that she will not speak up. And they’re right; Daphne is overcome by Arnetta’s dominant personality and does not say anything because all she wants to do is fit in. Once the girls leave the washroom, Daphne stays behind in her discomfort, knowing that what she did was not exactly right. To take her mind off of the troop’s anger and prejudice toward the other group, Daphne stays behind and cleans the washroom because it is the one thing that can make her feel good about herself. Daphne remains passive about the situation and does not want to get involved in the fight. Unlike Daphne, Laurel is very independent and likes to stand apart from the others. She is very thoughtful and will stand up for what she believes in. In the story, when her Brownie troop believes that troop 909 made a racial comment, Laurel is the only girl who does not believe it. She is the only girl in the entire group to give it a second