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Chapter 2
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Skin I’m In, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Bullying and Insecurity
Self-Esteem, Support, and Friendship
Writing and Self-Expression
The Importance of Role Models
Summary
Analysis
Maleeka, Charlese, and the twins Raina and Raise meet in the girls’ bathroom every morning. They put on makeup and gossip, and Maleeka changes into the clothes that Charlese brought for her. That day, Charlese says that Maleeka’s skintight navy-blue jean dress would look perfect if Maleeka had hips and boobs to go with it. Maleeka laughs, knowing that she has to accept whatever Charlese says in order to get along with her.
Even though Maleeka appears to be friends with Charlese and the twins on the surface, Charlese clearly continues to bully her about her insecurities. She tries to make Maleeka feel worse about herself in order to make herself feel better by comparison.
Themes
Maleeka didn’t always hang out with Charlese—last year, she hung out by herself, went to class, and got As. Only Caleb Assam noticed her—Caleb is the smartest boy in school, and he is very cute and friendly. While most people saw Maleeka as skinny, poor, and Black, Caleb said she was pretty. He walked her to class, wrote her poems, and gave her a ring. But soon, when people started to notice them together, they belittled Maleeka in front of Caleb.
The way Caleb treated Maleeka shows how valuable loving and supportive relationships are for young adults. Even though other people started to make fun of Maleeka because of their relationship, Caleb’s compliments boosted her self-esteem regardless, sending the message that she’s worthy of affection.
Themes
One day, on the bus going to a class trip to Washington, D.C., Caleb sat next to Maleeka. Kids teased them relentlessly. John-John started singing his song about Maleeka, and the whole bus began to sing it even though teachers tried to make them stop. Then, Caleb apologized to Maleeka and moved to the front of the bus with his friends. Everyone laughed, clapped, and gave him high fives. Maleeka was devastated.
In some ways, Maleeka illustrates how a betrayal by someone she considers a friend is even worse than a betrayal by those she considers enemies. Caleb’s decision to abandon Maleeka for his friends only leaves Maleeka feeling even more insecure than she was before, because she no longer has his support.
Themes
After Caleb’s betrayal, kids picked on Maleeka more than ever. She didn’t want to go to school for a while, but her mom made her go. Then, Maleeka came up with a plan, offering to do Charlese’s homework in exchange for Charlese letting Maleeka hang out with her for protection. Charlese gradually agreed, and kids stopped picking on Maleeka. Charlese also started bringing in clothes for Maleeka to wear so she didn’t embarrass Charlese. But Maleeka thinks that even the clothes don’t make up for Charlese’s hurtful words.
Maleeka’s exchange with Charlese demonstrates her understanding that friendships should be supportive and mutually beneficial. At the same time, however, she understands that her relationship with Charlese isn’t entirely genuine. Even though Charlese gives Maleeka nicer clothes—which helps Maleeka be more accepted by the other students—Charlese still bullies and manipulates Maleeka under the guise of friendship.
Themes
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