Perry describes Atlanta, Georgia, as one of the major hubs of Southern culture and influence, made famous by a plethora of reality television stars, hip-hop artists, and megacorporations—including most major soft drink brands.

So-called Atlanta hip-hop culture has resulted in a very specific portrayal of Black culture and identity on a global scale—namely, one of excess and prosperity. However, the city has also had a continuous identity crisis, with the veneer of Black prosperity actually applying to only a select few people. In reality, Black Atlantians continue to be economically disadvantaged, and the majority of the city’s leadership remains white. Ultimately, although a few intrepid Black artists and entrepreneurs have obtained wealth and status, the remnants of plantation society and racial oppression remain in control of Atlanta.

However, rather than being dismissive of Atlanta’s glitzy artifice, Perry ponders it as a necessity in the modern world. She contemplates the ways in which “being American is being a trickster” and how the culture that has arisen in Atlanta exposes this. The over-the-top facade allows people to construct a narrative for themselves while protecting the parts of themselves that are most vulnerable.