Carla Character Analysis

Carla is a friend Patrisse made during her sophomore year at Cleveland High School. She was loud, energetic, and queer, and Patrisse was immediately drawn to her. They ended up developing a deep friendship that has lasted into adulthood. Carla is one of the friends who started writing to Monte the first time he was in prison and went to pick him up with Patrisse when he was released. When Carla was kicked out of her home during their junior year, Patrisse also moved out of her family’s one-bedroom apartment and, for over a year, they alternated between sleeping in Carla’s car and staying with friends. When their teacher Donna Hill invited them to live with her after graduation, they lived with her together for years. Carla was part of Monte’s re-entry team when he was released from prison the second time and also Patrisse’s go-to for support when she was pregnant and JT didn’t show up to take her to her doctor’s appointments. Carla is a member of the chosen family that Patrisse has built around her.