Class Discussion

I read "Recitatif" closely and carefully, trying not to miss a single important detail of symbolism or thematic reference, however, I seemed to miss out on the point of the story altogether. As was brought up right away in class, I thought that the biggest difference between Twyla and Roberta was the white-black difference. But when we were asked to find any specific instance in the novel to justify this race difference, I hurriedly shuffled through the pages, looking for a point blank phrase that stated 'she was white' or 'she was black'- however, no such phrase existed.  How could this be? I was sure that it was stated somewhere... That's when it hit me. All the stereotypical innuendos in the story tricked me into unknowingly and wrongfully pasting a race to each of the girls.
I never realized the hidden control that racial stereotypes had in my mind. Even though I assumed that I was in NO way racist, I discovered through our discussion that racists are are also a stereotyped group. Just because I'm not a member of the KKK or would never treat someone of a minority race in a cruel or hateful way doesn't mean I don't discriminate on a different level. Although I don't express my racism through action, I cannot deny the stereotypes engraved into my mind. And to me, this silent racism is just as hurtful and problematic as the outspoken racism that other Americans show.