500
This is the overarching concept being taught throughout the book, and it's something that Cassie clearly doesn't understand, even after the sidewalk incident. Big Ma, Mama, and all of Cassie's mentors try explaining that blacks aren't always treated fairly by whites because of the existence of this prejudice and discriminatory belief. Many people today believe that this concept is still alive in our world, and hopefully one day, it'll no longer exist.
What is RACISM?