When Dana travels back in time, she is certainly in danger because of her race.
However, being a black woman in this time period puts her doubly at risk.
In Part 11, Rufus tells Dana that his own father thinks he should sexually take her as his own,
indicating the power men have over women. Dana is allowed no voice in this union, of course. In
Part 12, she learns that the men have been holding the letters she's written to Kevin, cutting
her off from any source of potential protection. When she runs away, Weylin finds her and kicks
her in the face, effectively telling her who she really needs to answer to as a woman.
Dana is also portrayed as a woman who believes in the potential goodness of this vile
man in her life, and though the reader becomes increasingly aware of some sexual tension
directed at Dana from Rufus, Dana herself seems fairly oblivious to the advances and comments.
When Rufus does eventually make advances toward Dana, she pauses for a moment to consider doing
what is asked...
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