Character Analysis Of Squeaky In Raymond's Run

In the story, “Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara it describes to the character of Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker or Squeaky who is true to herself. Hazel got her name as Squeaky because she is a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice. Hazel is the fastest thing on two feet but not as fast as her father. He can beat Hazel to Amsterdam Avenue with hazel having a two fire-hydrant head start and him running with his hands in his pockets and whistling. Then there’s Raymond, Hazel’s older brother. Hazel has to only look out for Raymond because he isn’t quite right. If anybody wants to say something about Raymond’s big head they have to get through Hazel. At the end of the story Squeaky says, “ It’s about as real a smile as girls can

do for each other, considering we don’t practice real smiling every day, you know, cause maybe we are too busy being flowers or fairies or strawberries instead of something honest and worthy of respect…… you know … like being people”on pg 39, line 389-396. The phrase like being people to the character of Squeaky means to be yourself.
My first piece of evidence to support the idea of being yourself is when she describes being in Preschool. On lines 199-200 pg 32, it states “ I am not a strawberry. I do not dance on my toes I run”. This implies that the character Squeaky is always herself. She doesn’t believe in being a girly-girl. She does not do what her mother likes. This one piece of evidence is why the phrase like being people means to be yourself.
Another piece of evidence to support the idea of being yourself is when she goes through Gretchen. On page 39, lines 385-387 it says “ Cause she’s good, no doubt about it. Maybe she’d like to help me coach Raymond; she is obviously serious about running, as any fool can see. And she nods to congratulate me and then she smiles”. This implies on how she is being herself not somebody else. This another piece of evidence is why “like being people” means to be yourself.