Being of the white race is something seen as superior, and those who benefit from the dominant standpoint (Caucasia) see it as a norm and are oblivious to the other sides view, Birdie's grandmother is a perfect example of this, only caring about Birdie's needs and future rather than Cole's because Birdie has a much lighter skin complexion, blends in much more with the white community and her grandmother is not too fond of the black community or her decision to be involved with someone of the black descent
When Birdie is around white people, this is when she feels the most black and when around black people she feels as though she in mostly white. Birdie becomes conscious of the white gaze and the power of the white gaze in ways that many cannot and she becomes very informed of the power of the white gaze when her father, a black man, is interrogated by the police because he is accused of kidnapping "a little white girl"" (Senna, p. 60-61) who is actually his daughter. At this moment Birdie sees the terror that strikes her father, the fear he has of whiteness and what it can do to him. Here we can see that Birdie only is usually only capable of passing as a white girl and while at this time she can see how her father is being looked at, accused and scrutinized because of the colour of his skin, we as readers can take note that it seems to be a blessing that Birdie can't be recognized. Although Birdie's standpoint is one the boundary lines of both races, it seems like blending into the world of Caucasia is the significant and safer choice and explains why Birdie disappears when becoming Jesse Goldman, a Jewish white girl who loves her new Caucasian atmosphere of New Hampshire.
Although Birdie's standpoint has allowed her to see both white and black races viewpoint, it has dramatically influenced how she feels about herself and who she is, race plays a crucial role in her identity.
