Why is it significant that Allen Gee's first submission to McPherson's workshop is about a character who is "virtually white" (122)?

It is significant that Alan gee's first submission to McPherson's workshop is about a character that is virtually white because this is what sparks McPherson's interest in Gee as a writer. Racial issues are very important to McPherson. Especially racial issues with African-Americans. These issues are important to McPherson because he grew up in Savannah when it was segregated. He faced racial issues first hand, and he knows how bad the world can be.

Gee writes about a character that is virtually white as a substitute on what he is really writing, which is a book about a Chinese restaurant in New York. I think this is important because it leads to the development of gee and McPherson's friendship. I think they were able to bond over the racial injustices that they have each faced as people of color. Although their experiences might be very different, McPherson took this as a means to connect with Gee.