Odessa

Odessa
General information
Affiliation	Southern Justice Coordinating Committee
Biographical information
Marital status	Single
Physical description
Species	Human
Gender	Female
Hair color	Brown
Eye color	Brown
Other information
Played by	Raven Dauda

Odessa is the owner of a salon in Dallas and a former caretaker of Allison. She took Allison in when she first arrived in 1961. She constantly participated in the Civil Rights Movement and the daily assembly's to discuss future motives and plans with Raymond Chestnut and the other African-American participants within her vicinity.

Biography

History

Odessa owned her salon for young black women during the Jim Crow period. She participated in the American Civil Rights Movement with Raymond Chestnut and other black men and women, often using her salon as a location and setup for assemblies and conclaves.

Interaction with Allison

When Odessa was trimming a black woman's hair, she was interrupted by Allison, who had come barging in. Three white men followed Allison. Angry that the men would prey on an innocent woman, Odessa and the other women in the salon gathered around the white men, threatening them with knives and scissors, eventually scaring them off. Odessa let Allison live and reside in her salon, and Allison offered her help running the salon in exchange for cleaning it and locking it up during the nighttime.

Mr. Mason's Interference

During an assembly in Odessa's salon, she was interrupted by Mr. Mason. Mr. Mason confronted them, complaining that the salon was oddly busy and filled with chatter. Aggravated by his ignorance, Allison violently kicks him out of the building. Odessa and the others are shocked and relieved.^{[citation needed]}

The Sit-In

During a conclave, the movement questions what is happening with Raymond, with numerous members telling Allison they should cancel the sit-in. Allison refuses, however, citing that they must take advantage of the fact that JFK arrives within five days. Allison is unable to convince the movement, however, and they decide to vote on it. The vote is passed in favor of the sit-in, much to Allison and Odessa’s delight.

During the nighttime in Dallas, Odessa and the others approach the "whites-only" cafe and, with much digression, take their seats at multiple tables. The white customers start to riot, repeating the phrase "get out." While Allison and Ray are talking, a bartender purposefully spills hot fresh coffee on Allison. In distress, she jumps off her seat and is restrained on a table, watching as her husband is repeatedly beaten with a baton. Odessa is furious and shouts for the police officers to let Allison go. She continues to shout until somebody refrains the policemen from restraining Allison.

Tension

When Allison comes in, Odessa is holding a meeting discussing the Civil Rights Movement, and she is distraught to see Odessa holding a meeting without her. Allison and Raymond discuss outside while Odessa and the others patiently wait for them to return.^{[citation needed]}

Personality

Odessa is a bright woman who cares deeply for her race. She is kind and believes in justice and equality. She is also shown to be understanding and sweet toward her race, as she protects Allison from abusive men and offers her a home in her salon. Odessa also stated that her salon is for black women only, revealing that she is more compassionate towards black people than white people.

Relationships

Allison Hargreeves

Allison and Odessa are extremely close and have known each other since 1961. Odessa took Allison in and gave her a purpose and something to live for. Allison would always watch from afar as Odessa would host the meetings. In a way, Allison looked at Odessa as a motherly idolized figure. They also think alike, since during an assembly, they voted to execute the sit-in and were both pleased when their decision passed, thanks to a majority vote. Odessa has shown she will go to great lengths to protect Allison. When the cops were restraining Allison, Odessa furiously shouted at them, infuriated that they would hurt or harm her. She still cares for Allison deeply.

Raymond Chestnut

Odessa and Raymond are very close friends. They both share the same motive and dream: for blacks to be treated like whites. This dream, they have formed a deeper bond between them. Odessa often let Raymond host his assemblies in her shop and, much to his displeasure, agreed to hold a conclave without Allison.

Appearances

• The Umbrella Academy
  • Season Two
    • "Right Back Where We Started" (First appearance)
    • "The Swedish Job"
    • "The Majestic 12"
    • "A Light Supper"