Emma Lou’s unreliability is similar to Irene’s from Passing in that their allegiance to their race is unreliable. Emma Lou strives endlessly to fit in with the “right sort of people” while in Los Angeles, those who are fair-skinned, well-mannered colored folk, but also ends up taunting herself with those darker than her that could never be blue vein circle material. Her relationship with John in Harlem, for example, is limited to only two nights because he was too dark for Emma Lou, despite all he did to find her a place to live and acquaint her with the area. Although Emma Lou wants to be part of the Negro community that wouldn’t accept her back in Boise, she can only accept the “superior” Negro community in Harlem. Her unreliability to her race is similar to Irene’s in that Irene’s passing for white out of convenience is demonstrative of an air of superiority. As proud as Irene claims to be to be a part and to have remained a part of the Negro community, she still passes for white instead of bearing the burden of her color, which she would do if she were so proud of her roots.
