Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions of physical and sexual abuse, child sex trafficking, lynching, infanticide, and segregation. The source material includes racial slurs and ableist and anti-gay language, which is replicated in this guide only in direct quotes.

Given the setting of 1950s and early 1960s small-town Georgia, systemic racism and colorism deeply influence the plot and character development in The Darkest Child. The Quinn children and their friends struggle against the predominant racism and segregation in the town and community, as well as colorism within their own family. Racism and colorism affect every aspect of life, including socioeconomic status, careers, romantic relationships, friendships, crime and legal matters, and parenthood. Racism, segregation, and colorism are so pervasive that, at first, Tangy reflects that, “I didn’t know about the rest of the country, but I knew that nothing was going to change in Triacy County” (20). However, she and her siblings ultimately exert resilience and resist these structures in a variety of ways.

The Quinn family and their friends are systematically disadvantaged due to their race, but they still find ways to resist. For example, Black residents, especially women, are prevented from having high-paying jobs and are frequently lied to about the pay for jobs they do have access to.