Mumbo Jumbo

“With the astonishing rapidity of Booker T. Washington’s Grapevine Telegraph Jes Grew spreads through America following a strange course.”

This passage orients the reader by making clear that Jes Grew is spreading quickly. Beyond this utilitarian value, it also establishes that Reed will reference Black Americans whose contributions have often been overlooked by Eurocentric society.

“I’ll bet that before this century is out men will turn once more to mystery, to wonderment; they will explore the vast reaches of space within instead of more measuring more ‘progress’ more of this and more of that.”

Here, LaBas tries to persuade the younger Earline to find meaning through introspection instead of materialism. LaBas’s nostalgic sentiment will be challenged later in the text as he faces a changing world.

“Sounds as if you’ve picked up the old Plymouth Rock bug and are calling it Mecca.”

Here, LaBas emphasizes that all forms of Judeo-Christian monotheism have the same oppressive impact—an impact that has crushed traditional African religious beliefs and cultural practices.