When I put my hat at a certain angle and wander down Seventh Avenue in Harlem City, feeling as haughty as the lions in front of the Forty Second Street Library... I'm just a fragment of the Great Soul emerging within the boundaries. My country, right or wrong." (2127) Hurston did not allow her individuality to be predicted by anyone other than herself and expressed her love for America even though past American citizens did degrading things towards her ancestors. During the period known as the Great Migration, African Americans moved from Southern to Northern states hoping to gain financial stability for their families. Since slavery was not allowed in the Northern states, African Americans thought they could escape the prejudicial actions of whites. Although all whites represented the stereotype of African Americans due to their race during this period in American history, many did: “During this time, whites differed from coloreds to me in that they passed through the city and never lived there. They like to hear me "say pieces" and sing and they wanted to see me dance the parse-me-la and they generously donated their little silver to do these things, which seemed strange to me because I wanted to do them so badly that I didn't want it to take bribery to stop it ” (Hurston