Question

what is the significance of the divided stage and the separate restroom signs? "Florence" story discussion

Answer 1

The separate restroom are a reminder that even in matters of physical need, black passengers must be kept separate from white passengers.

According to the porter, the restroom for "Colored" women is out of order, and so Mama must use the men's restroom. This middle-aged woman must debase herself in order to use the restroom. As if the humiliation of separate seating in the waiting room and separate rest rooms for white and black people is not sufficient, Mama must also use the "Colored" men's bathroom and, as Brown-Guillory reminds readers, "risk having her privacy invaded," should a man walk in on her. In this way, Childress reminds her audience that separate is also unequal