These are what we call the 'YMMV items.' Things that some people find in this work. We call them 'your mileage might vary' because not everyone sees these things in the same way. This starts discussions in the trope lists, a thing we don't want. Please use the discussion page if you'd like to discuss any of these items.
The most capable individuals are black: Malachai, the non-drinking mechanic who knew war was coming because he kept up with the news who was responsible for the folks on river road having running water; Preacher Henry, who was a more than capable farmer and expert fisherman whose knowledge, passed on to young Peyton (a girl), helped keep the people of River Road from starving in August.
The women aren't housewives or trophies. Lavinia's house may have been poorly designed for Florida, but the fact is she designed a house. Libby resents being sidelined as a woman, but her degree in psychology comes in handy for understanding the pressures put on the various citizens of River Road. Where the boys are content to settle into their roles and take orders, Peyton's the one who explores and strives to contribute on her own.
Despite that, the people in charge are the educated white men, and the de facto, later de jure ruler of Fort Repose is Lieutenant Randall Bragg (Res.), white scion of a wealthy and politically powerful family.
Everyone is more surprised by the fact that the new President is a woman than that it's the Secretary of Education. Her inaugural address even says something along the lines of "The fact that I, the former Secretary of Education and a woman, am addressing you should tell you how bad things are".
