The Hate Race

Maxine is the author of The Hate Race and the protagonist of the book, which follows her life from preschool to the end of high school. From a young age, Maxine is precocious, intelligent, and… read analysis of Maxine Beneba Clarke

Cleopatra “Cleo” Clarke is Maxine’s mother. Born to Guyanese parents and raised in London, Cleopatra was an accomplished actor in her youth. After Cleopatra married Maxine’s father, Bordeaux, the young couple decided to… read analysis of Cleopatra Clarke

Bordeaux “Bordy” Clarke is Maxine’s father. He emigrated to London from Jamaica with his parents at a young age, and as a young adult, he earned the admiration of others in his community after… read analysis of Bordeaux Mathias Nathanial “Bordy” Clarke

Cecelia is Maxine’s older sister. Although the two are close in age, as children they are not especially close, and Cecelia often teases Maxine. However, the two participate in many extracurriculars together growing up… read analysis of Cecelia Clarke

Jennifer is Maxine’s best friend in primary school. When Maxine’s classmates write a series of comments about Maxine after she is chosen as Student of the Week, almost all of them have to do… read analysis of Jennifer

Selina is Maxine’s best friend in high school. Unlike Jennifer, she is steadfast in staying by Maxine’s side and often speaks out against racism, going so far as to help Maxine report every… read analysis of Selina

Carlita is Maxine’s preschool bully. She regularly expresses her disgust at Maxine’s brown skin, which causes Maxine to realize for the first time that being Black is seen as being undesirable by many Australians… read analysis of Carlita Allen

Greg Adams is a racist bully at Maxine’s high school. Unlike Carlita, whose racist bullying is largely confined to insulting Maxine’s skin, Greg’s bullying is comprehensive and vicious, born from white supremacist ideology… read analysis of Greg Adams

Lewis is Maxine’s primary school crush. In grade two, Maxine gets Lewis to kiss her on the cheek during Catch and Kiss, which causes awkwardness between them for a while, but they become friends… read analysis of Lewis

Mick is Maxine’s first boyfriend. The two were playmates as young children but reconnect as teenagers in Kellyville’s youth group. Mick is in drama, and Maxine is enamored with him when she goes to… read analysis of Michael “Mick” Callingham

Marcus is Maxine’s second boyfriend, whom she meets through debate team. Maxine and Marcus have a good relationship, but she is somewhat uncomfortable with how hard his parents try to be inclusive around her… read analysis of Marcus

Bhagita is Maxine’s classmate. An Indian Sikh girl, Bhagita also deals with racist harassment at school, but she does not let the bullying visibly faze her, a trait that Maxine envies. Maxine also envies… read analysis of Bhagita