Adah feels upset, but deep down, she isn’t surprised. She believes her landlords and neighbours hate her for having her cake and eating it at the same time “She was in a white man’s job … {and} would not send her children away to be fostered like everybody else; instead they were living with them just as if she and Francis were first-class citizens…” (p. 75).
Adah looks for new housing but keeps encountering the phrase “sorry, no coloureds” in rental advertisements. Every door is barred against the couple even when they are willing “to pay double the normal rent” (p. 77).
When they can’t find new housing, Adah’s landlord and landlady are happy to have humbled them. They start complaining about everything Adah, Francis and the children do.
After two weeks, Adah spots an ad for vacant rooms that do not specifically refuse Black tenants. Adah calls the landlady from work, pinching her nose to sound “white” and learns that the rooms are still available.
She is so happy that she walks back home to tell Francis the good news. She does not mention that she chose 9. p.m. to visit the rooms in hopes that the landlady would not notice “in time” that she and Francis are black.
Eager to share the news, she heads home to tell Francis, conveniently leaving out the fact that she planned their visit at 9 p.m. to avoid revealing their race to the landlady. With Janet babysitting the children, Adah and Francis walk to Hawley Street. The neighbourhood looks demolished like it was bombed during World War II. Adah becomes more optimistic as she believes that a landlady in such a bad neighbourhood will not be so picky.
Adah feels a flicker of hope, thinking that a landlady in such a rundown part of town might be less choosy. However, upon arriving, the landlady looks at them with shock and quickly states that the rooms have just been rented out. Adah is taken aback; how could someone living in such disrepair close the door on them?
As Francis and Adah return to their room on Ashdown Street, Adah starts babbling the story of Jesus’ Nativity. When Francis responds contemptuously, Adah points out that Jesus was “an Arab” and wonders how the white English can worship him but discriminate against “coloured” people. Francis ignores her.
Why does he feel hopeful about the rooms on Hawley Street? A. The neighbourhood looks modern and welcoming B. The landlady had already agreed over the phone C. The area looks rundown, so she assumes the landlady will not be picky C. The rent is significantly lower than expected.
How does the landlady react when she meets Francis and Adah in person? A. She welcomes them warmly B. She claims the rooms have just been rented out C. She lowers the rent to make it more affordable D. She calls the police on them
What does the chapter title “Sorry, No Coloureds” highlight about society? A. The lack of housing options for all immigrants B. The importance of housing policies C. The struggles of parenting in a foreign land D. The prevalent racism and discrimination faced by Black people
Adah’s insistence on keeping her children with her rather than fostering them reflects her A. Rebellion against the cultural expectations and societal pressures B. Naivety about her financial struggles C. Desire to prove her independence D. Lack of understanding of British childcare systems
What does the landlady's shock at seeing Adah and Francis reveal? A. The assumption that people of colour cannot afford decent housing B. The belief that Black tenants are disruptive and undesirable C. The surprise that immigrants are willing to pay double the rent D. The idea that Black people do not belong in white spaces
ANSWER: 1. C 2. B 3. D 4. A 5. D
Adah was in “a white man’s job … [and] would not send her children away to be fostered like everybody else; instead, they were living with them just as if she and Francis were first-class citizens…” What does this statement reveal about Adah’s character and the societal pressures she faces?
Examine the themes of racism and exclusion as portrayed in this chapter. How does Buchi Emecheta use Adah’s experiences to highlight systemic discrimination?
