Analysis: The Black Chameleon: Success and Identity were deemed “irresponsible”, have a value whose price cannot be fixed. In order to be respected in certain professional environments, to be employed in certain companies or simply to have their humanity recognized, poorer black people must present themselves in a way that rejects any stereotypes associated with being poor and black . Cotton explains that she grew up a "good poor girl" and lived within her means, but that her grandmother and mother both had a certain privilege that they passed on to her, the "ability to speak like white people.” Cottom recalls several times during his life when this privilege was necessary and proved extremely useful. Her mother once wore her most "classic" outfit, with a short bob, pearl earrings and spoke the Queen's English in order to help her elderly black neighbor navigate the bureaucracies that prevented her from receive certain services. What had taken the old lady years was finalized by Cotto's mother in one day. Even though the elderly lady and Cotto's mother had a similar economic situation, Cotto's mother had an advantage in this situation.

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