We certainly can extrapolate and have it speak to bigger themes about Western validation, as you said, but it is also a commentary on human nature. We tend to become (more) interested in things/people once we have seen that we can benefit in some form.

Uchenna: Reading the story again I picked on this not-so-subtle jab on Western validation which is quite still evident today, it took Pili drawing Seth’s attention for her own mother to acknowledge her. I remember Pili’s shock when her mother okayed her referring to her as mom, something she barked at. Poor Pili would then learn that even this delayed recognition was transactional when they started profiting off her hair. Can you talk about this thing we do where we fail to see people or things closest to us and only do it when others (especially white people) do? That thing automatically becomes our favourite like we were waiting for their validation.