Mental Health

Multiple characters suffer from mental illnesses, and the symptoms are described quite graphically (though never gratuitously) at times.

A character suffers from severe combat-related PTSD; as a result, he experiences frequent severe panic attacks, flashbacks, and nightmares. Due to survivor's guilt and his past as a former racist, he also experiences intense self-hatred, shame, and guilt, and struggles with passive suicidal ideation. He also suffers from some harm OCD. Other characters cruelly refer to him as "out of his mind."

A character suffers from severe PTSD due to combat exposure; physical, sexual, emotional, and verbal abuse as a teenager; and as a child, discovering his mother dead after she had committed suicide by slitting her wrists (the reason for the suicide is described, but the act itself is just mentioned and not shown). As a result, this character suffers from flashbacks, nightmares, and crippling haphephobia.

A character commits suicide by slitting her wrists after her husband is lynched in an act of racial violence (the reason for the suicide is described, but the act itself is just mentioned and not shown).

A character seriously contemplates suicide and suffers from vivid nightmares and panic attacks after her son's murder (by gunshot) in an act of racial violence.

Two parents' grief and anger after their child's murder (by gunshot in an act of racial violence) is very detailed.

Violence

A character's father was lynched by the KKK--the murder is mentioned several times but never described.

A character lived on the streets for two years as a teenager, and was brutally beaten (including by police) several times simply for being Black.

A few characters are war veterans, and their experiences are described, sometimes quite vividly, through nightmares and flashbacks.

A character's best friend was shot and killed in battle (some descriptions are slightly graphic, but never gratuitous).

A Black child is murdered (by gunshot) by a white supremacist while walking to school (moderately detailed, but never gratuitous). There is a lengthy funeral/burial scene, and the child's death is very frequently mentioned and alluded to in the story.

A character lost his leg to a landmine in battle (not detailed).

There are many instances/descriptions of violence against Blacks, moderately detailed.

Sexual Content

A character was sexually abused as a child (clearly hinted at, but never detailed), and as a result he suffers from haphephobia.

Profanity

None. Some characters curse, but the actual words are never included. Strong language (such as "bastard") is used occasionally, but only in the correct context. The racist terms "Negro" and "Negro-lover" are also occasionally used for historical accuracy only. I do not condone the usage of such hateful language, and it is portrayed as the evil it is.

Other

Miscarriages and stillbirths are mentioned, but not described.

The issue of pro-life vs pro-choice is a main feature of the plot. Abortion is mentioned many times and moderately described. (The author's stance is unashamedly pro-life.)

Anti-racism is one of the book's main themes, and many instances of racial discrimination occur on-page, off-page, and are described.

Smoking and drinking are mentioned.