Southland

Jackie is the granddaughter of Frank Sakai, a likeable Japanese-American man who has recently passed when the book begins. Jackie distances herself from her Japanese heritage and demonstrates her own internalized racism: She prefers romantic partners who are non-Asian, and she chooses not to be around those who look like her, i.e., her family. She also conceals her sexuality from her family as well as new acquaintances, such as Lanier. Jackie’s propensity to conceal parts of her identity reflects her low self-image and subsequent emotional isolation. Although she has a long-term girlfriend, Laura, Jackie struggles with open communication in her relationship and opts to confide in others. Unable to confront their issues and end the partnership, Jackie passively nurtures a burgeoning relationship with her friend, Rebecca, as well as an ambiguous friendship with Lanier.

As Lanier and Jackie explore the contents of Frank’s past, Jackie gradually becomes more aware of and invested in racial injustices. With this change, Jackie finds herself emotionally connected to minorities and their plights, such as the trafficked Thai women. Her worldview also changes when she sees elderly blacks and Japanese co-existing in harmony at the bowling alley. This revelation causes her to reflect on how society’s construct of race relations has devolved over the decades.