Why was Jeremy Simm’s visit met with mixed emotions?

Jeremy's appearance was met with mixed emotions because he was white, and more importantly because he was a Simms.

Shortly afterward, there was a timid knock on the front door. Stacey opened the door and found Jeremy Simms standing there looking frozen and very frightened as he peered into the bright room. Everyone turned to stare at him. Stacey glanced around at Papa, then back at Jeremy. “You—you wanna come in?” he asked awkwardly.

Jeremy nodded and stepped hesitantly inside. As Stacey motioned him toward the fire, Uncle Hammer’s eyes narrowed, and he said to Papa, “He looks like a Simms.”

“I believe he is,” agreed Papa.

“Then what the devil—”

“Let me handle it,” Papa said.