Jess Character Analysis in The City We Became

Jess runs the “experimental theater program” at the Bronx Art Center, where Bronca, Yijing, and Veneza also work. A Jewish woman who had two grandparents die in the Holocaust, Jess is immediately suspicious that the right-wing art collective seeking to exhibit in the Center, the Alt Artistes, may be neo-Nazis or otherwise violently bigoted.

Jess Character Timeline in The City We Became

The timeline below shows where the character Jess appears in The City We Became. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Beliefs, Concepts, and Stereotypes Theme Icon

Bronca and Yijing’s coworker Jess comes into the bathroom to tell them everyone can hear them. Once Yijing leaves, Jess... (full context)

Jess tells Bronca she needs help. She explains that artists linked to a potential donor want... (full context)

After Jess leaves, Bronca hears a voice (the Woman in White) say, “‘Turning and turning in the... (full context)

Community, Diversity, and Prejudice Theme Icon

...by an (almost entirely white) artists’ collective led by a man she dubs Strawberry Manbun. Jess, Yijing, and the Center’s assistant Veneza are there. After looking at the art, Bronca asks,... (full context)

...only exists to “celebrate the diversity of the Bronx” but also to exhibit good art. Jess adds, forcefully, that they don’t exhibit prejudiced art. (full context)

...bigoted art into a gallery “run by women of color,” suggests the Center hire lawyers. Jess says they need to tell the artists using the upstairs workshops to vacate the Center... (full context)

...doxing and other internet-based harassment. The women work on protecting themselves online until late; then Jess and Yijing head home. (full context)

Veneza asks why she could see the paint creatures when Yijing, Jess, and the Alt Artistes seemed unable to. Bronca tells her some people are “closer to... (full context)

Yijing, Jess, and Veneza are now in the Center. Bronca puts Raul on speakerphone so they can... (full context)

...that the Center needs to start its own online campaign to counter the Alt Artistes. Jess contacts artists associated with the Center who have a substantial online presence, and Veneza asks... (full context)