Ulysse and Massey

Ulysse continues her discussion of self identity. "Miss T's presentation was an embodied response that may end in her desired result (to not be cheated by the shop owners), but in the process, it reinforced the black superwoman stereotype as well as the perception of ICIs, in particular, as rude gals." This particular quote can be looked at in two different ways, identity and mobility.

Ulysse's quote can be viewed through the lens of identity. Throughout the book, Ulysse points out different outward appearances ICIs must endure in order to gain respect in the community, but also maintain their ability as a business owner. "ICIs' bodies are central to this business, which is premised upon their movement." Miss T in particular refuses to negotiate prices in her stall, not because she can't afford to lower the price, but because if she were to lower the price just once, customers would no longer trust that they are paying the least price for goods. Miss T continually must put on the stereotypical front of a "rude gal" in order to maintain respect, not get ripped off, and ultimately maintain her safety.

Massey discusses the time-space compression and how certain groups with greater social mobility effect and actively weaken others. "It is not simply a question of unequal distribution, that some people move more than others, and that some have more control than others. It is that the mobility and control of some groups can actively weaken other people. Differential mobility can weaken the leverage of the already weak. The time-space compression of some groups can undermine the power of others."

What is very interesting about Ulysse's quote is that Miss T's presentation was to not be cheated by the shop owners, yet Miss T already knows she is paying more than an ICI from Haiti, something that Ulysse finds out in a discussion with one of the shop owners. This can be viewed through a lens of mobility because, although Ulysse is not as disadvantaged at Miss T, she could still receive the discounts of Haitian ICIs just because of the value of money in Haiti. This de-mobilizes Miss T, because she is spending more money on purchasing goods that a Haitian ICI can purchase for cheaper, meaning some of the money she could have used to mobilize herself is going towards the goods she is purchasing as an ICI. Yet, Miss T still presents this front that reinforces this stereotype in order to be cheated less. 

You also see mobility when Ulysse is going through customs after going shopping in Miami with Miss T. As an ICI, Miss T's bags are thoroughly searched, she is required to provide documentation and receipts for everything purchased on her trip, as well as documentation of her requirements as an ICI. Beyond that, she is taxed nearly 45 percent of the price of the goods she has purchased, clothes, shoes and the like. Meanwhile, Ulysse slips through customs with somewhat ease. She is required to pay taxes on the fax machine she purchased, but the don't question the clothing she purchased, nor do they search the entire bag to find other electronics. Ulysse's mobility cripples Miss T.

Beyond that, Massey points out that different social groups not only have different mobilities, but some are more or less in charge of it than others. In other words, some people are on the receiving end — such as Ulysse who is able to purchase the clothing cheap and without tax — meanwhile Miss T has to pay 45 percent, meaning she also has to raise the prices she sales to her customers. This means that not only are her customers paying more than Haitians for the same goods, but they're paying even more because of the ridiculous taxes Miss T has to pay as an ICI.


Mobility and identity are just two of the many new intersections introduced by which ICIs are further oppressed and further de-mobilized by an abroad capitalistic society.