How are Raymond and Squeaky alike in "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara?

In “Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara, Squeaky and her brother Raymond are alike in a number of ways.

Both Squeaky and Raymond are products of their inter-city Harlem neighborhood. Raymond has developmental disabilities and is usually in Squeaky’s care. She takes him with her wherever she goes. While they travel through their neighborhood, Squeaky practices her breathing techniques while Raymond prances near her and uses his vivid imagination.

Although Squeaky shows off her bravado, she questions many things about her identity. She bases her whole identity on her practice ethic and ability to run.

At the May Day race, Raymond demonstrates how he is similar to his sister when he lines up on the other side of the fence and shows his running prowess. During all of those days spent together when Squeaky thought Raymond was just tagging along, he was really absorbing her practice ethics and love for running. They are both good runners, which is a tradition in their family. Raymond demonstrates his potential as more than just a person with disabilities, while Squeaky realizes she has potential to be a friend and more than runner. At the conclusion of the story, Raymond and Squeaky both show joy at their accomplishments. They are both simply “people.”

And by the time he comes over I’m jumping up and down so glad to see him—my brother Raymond, a great runner in the family tradition.