The Girl, Jewish and white, gets to thinking about the topic when she overhears two women - one on the ground, one on a third-floor balcony - talking about the weekend Caribbean carnival in Franklin Park:

... The balcony woman explained that she had brought a couple of friends and the friends "had fun even though they're white." I was pulling grocery bags out of the car at that point, and I think I sensed a notable moment of uncomfortable silence, as both women must have acknowledged my presence. They went on with their conversation, and I went on with my task. ...