You Bring the Distant Near

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of racism and colorism.

The Das family visits the British High Commission club in Accra, Ghana. Eight-year-old Sonia notes that she and her relatives are “the only dark-skinned people at the club who aren’t employees” (4), and none of the British women speak to her mother. Indeed, the Indian family is only permitted in the club due to her father’s employment in a British company. Sonia participates in a swimming race and is in the lead when her mother mistakenly believes the race is over and pulls her from the pool. Sonia’s older sister, Tara, explains the rules to their mother and says that Sonia could have won, but their mother answers that the race is only a game. Everyone gathered for the race watches as Sonia howls with rage, struggles against her mother’s grip, and hides in the coconut trees on the opposite side of the pool. Kwasi, a Ghanaian waiter, gives Sonia a thumbs-up. A sudden burst of rain sends everyone but Sonia hurrying inside the club. Alone, Sonia jumps back into the pool and finishes her lap.