In Toni Morrison’s Recitatif, the race relations and stereotypes of the times in the story are shown in an interesting fashion that makes people see them in a different way. The races of the two main characters, Roberta and Twyla, are never disclosed yet several mentions of common stereotypes can help the reader infer what race the characters are. Aiding the stereotypes are several instances where racial tensions are elevated during the story. The history of the racial relations in the time of the story, the 1960s, is realistically highlighted, as during this time tensions were high in the country causing many problems. The author uses a unique method to address the obvious racial issues in the world, using common stereotypes and racial dilemmas to make the reader realize that racism has existed and still does today. 

The two main characters of the story are different races, though not specified which, and there are several instances where there are heated exchanges because of this. In the 1960s when this story is set, black and white people did not get along. Black people were being treated extremely unfairly and that was a major problem everywhere across the country. In the time of the story it was said that, “For most comparisons, using 1950 because it marks the first post-war census, American Negro ‘gains’ have been slight or nonexistent” (Ehrlich p. 297). Roberta and Twyla have a shaky relationship because they are different races, and there are several instances where their differences show. One instance is when their children were being bussed to the same schools and Roberta was picketing. Twyla states to her that she believes the bussing is good and a heated exchange begins. “You’re the same little kid who kicked a poor old black lady when she was down on the ground”, Roberta says to Twyla as they begin to argue (Morrison 14). Roberta virtually calls Twyla a racist, and she does not take kindly to it. Twyla refuses to believe that she would do that and she doesn’t remember the situation the same way. The group of women with Roberta begin to get closer as the tensions rise, and a friendship that was seemingly repaired was ruined again by race. Despite not being involved in kicking the woman, it was easy for Roberta to blame Twyla for doing this as blacks were being so unfairly treated in these times. This also is one of the indicators of the races of the girls. After this encounter one could believe that Roberta is black and Twyla is white the way Roberta blames Twyla for kicking a black woman. This is not the only time a possibly racial dispute comes up in the story. Twyla and Roberta also see each other another time and begin talking about what they’ve been doing. Roberta tells Twyla that she’s going to see Jimi Hendrix, but Twyla doesn’t know who he is and Roberta gets offended. “Jimi Hendrix asshole. He’s only the biggest-Oh, wow. Forget it”, Roberta says to Twyla (Morrison 6). At this time Jimi Hendrix was one of the only black men and the most famous black man in the rock music industry. This may be what Roberta is about to say when she cuts herself off. Jimi Hendrix was a very important man in black history, as what he did in the industry was ground-breaking. Roberta likely felt empowered by this, which is why she was offended that Twyla had never heard of him. They argue here again before having an awkward exchange ending their conversation. Again here Twyla meant no harm by what she said but Roberta gets upset at her probably because she thinks Twyla is like everyone else. These incidents that had to do with important racial topics of the times separate the friends more and more despite being trivial problems. 

Stereotypes are present in the story that are used to possibly make the reader imagine the races of the two girls. “Whites often stereotype other racial groups as having both negative and extreme behavior in contrast to their own behavior” (Nunally p. 253). These stereotypes are unfortunate things to be said but do exist and most people understand them. When Twyla first encounters Roberta she says that her mother says that people like Roberta, “Never washed their hair and smelled funny” (Morrison 1). This is a very rude and degrading stereotype that people use about black people. The fact that Twyla’s mother would say this means she is most likely one of the people that Roberta would hate. Twyla doesn’t know any better, however, as she is just a little girl and is regurgitating what her mother said. It’s stereotypes like these that separate people, and this surely added to the ruined friendship of Roberta and Twyla. While racial stereotypes were obviously very prevalent in the 1960s, they also exist today, which is a big reason why the country is so separated right now. Roberta and Twyla are a great example of this discord. Small things that Twyla does can set off Roberta because of what people like Twyla have been doing for decades. This is unfortunate because it is so hard to heal without giving everyone a chance, and that goes for everyone. Race should not be a touchy subject because we’re all the same, but until we can accept this the encounters like the ones between Roberta and Twyla will continue to happen. 

The relationship between the races is something that should be recognized and not be so volatile as is the friendship between Roberta and Twyla, who represent our society. Our history has been plagued by separation between the races and still continues to today. Toni Morrison’s story has an interesting take on the issue, putting two girls together without ever stating what race they are. She uses several hints throughout the story though to make the reader imagine that the two girls are different races. She uses events and celebrity mentions to imply that one character is black and the other white, and shows the many conflicts between them. The two often get upset at one another over things that weren’t meant to be offensive, but because of the tensions in the country they are blown out of proportion. The two characters realize these arguments are trivial in the end and make up, which is Morrison possibly saying that we all need to put our differences aside and be friends. If people put aside these differences, the world will be a better place. 
