Demetrie came to wait on my grandmother in 1955 and stayed for 32 years. It was common, in Mississippi, to have a black domestic cleaning the kitchen, cooking the meals, looking after the white children. Kathryn Stockett blackchildclean share on social
I grew up in the 1970s, but I don't think a whole lot had changed from the '60s. Oh, it had changed in the law books - but not in the kitchens of white homes. Kathryn Stockett 1970s60sbook Change image and share on social
But certainly in my grandmother's time - and when I was growing up, yeah, Demetrie's bathroom was on the side of the house, it was a separate door. Still, to this day, I've never been in that room. Kathryn Stockett bathroomdaydemetrie Change image and share on social
I have never been more proud of the United States than I am this year. We have elected an African-American president. We have the stellar Michelle Obama setting the standard for American women. I simply cannot say it enough: look how far we've come. Kathryn Stockett africanamericanelect share on social
Having a separate bathroom for the black domestic was just the way things were done. It had faded out in new homes by the time the '70s and '80s rolled up. Kathryn Stockett 70s80sbathroom Change image and share on social
Some readers tell me, 'We always treated our maid like she was a member of the family.' You know, that's interesting, but I wonder what your maid's perspective was on that. Kathryn Stockett familyinterestmaid Change image and share on social
When I grew older and awkward, when my parents divorced and life had gone all to hell, Demetrie stood me at the wardrobe mirror and told me over and over, 'You are beautiful. You are smart. You are important.' It was an incredible gift to give a child who thinks nothing of herself. Kathryn Stockett awkwardbeautifulchild share on social
I think if you're president, color goes away completely: you're president and it doesn't matter if you're white, green or purple. Kathryn Stockett colorcompletelygreen Change image and share on social
The first book you write because of the way it makes you feel. The second one you can't help but wonder how it's going to make the reader feel. Kathryn Stockett bookfeelmake Change image and share on social
I do wish that people talked about the subject of race, especially in the South. Kathryn Stockett peopleracesouth Change image and share on social
