Denzel Washington credited as playing...
Demetrius
- Jay: Mina is my only child. I don't want her to go through the same struggle as I did.
- Demetrius Williams: Struggle? Look, I'm a Black man born and raised in Mississippi. Ain't a damn thing you can tell me about struggle.
- Jay: What do you know about my...
- Demetrius Williams: No, I know. I know. I know you and your folks can come down here from God knows where, and be 'bout as black as the ace of spades, and as soon as you get here, you start acting white. And treatin' us like we your doormats. I know that you and your daughter ain't but a few shades from this right here.
- [points to his own face]
- Demetrius Williams: That I know.
- Williben Williams: What's wrong with you, boy? Don't you know the rules?
- Demetrius Williams: Daddy, I didn't do nothing wrong.
- Williben Williams: Mr. Morgan helped you get that loan to start up this business. Now, how am I going to be able to show my face around them after this?
- Aunt Rose: That Mr. Morgan, he didn't give his own money. All he did was recommend Demetrius to the bank! See, all you and the rest of them want is for him to know his place and stay in it! But the days of slavery, they're over, Williben!
- Dexter Williams: Yeah, boy!
- Aunt Rose: *Hush!*
- Dexter Williams: [falls silent]