Morrison is simply showing how race matters even when we think that it might not. We might think that Maggie's race, whether she was partially white or not, would not amount too much in a bunch of children but it matters a great deal. Labels turn out to be very important even at a young age. Stereotypes begin at young ages and simply continue throughout life. The girls hair and clothing, what they eat, and how the speak are the only clues Morrison gives us into figuring out Roberta's and Twyla's race and these are the only things the two girls can remember about Maggie. In "Two Kinds," racial differences also arise between Jing-Mei and her mother because Jing-Mei is more American than her mother is. Her mother moved to America and must adopt to a different culture. She admits, "My mother believed you could be anything you wanted to be in America" (Tan 141). This is not a bad thing but it does create tension where there should be none, if any at all. This helps readers understand why she is so bent of Jing-Mei not being Chinese. What she fails to understand is that Jing-Mei is already very different than her. She wants to make her child more American because she believes this will be the best thing for her. She does not realize in the same motion, she is demonstrating a certain amount of dislike for her own race. We know how much race matters by Twyla's obsession with the entire matter. She states, "But I was puzzled by her [Roberta] telling me Maggie was black. When I thought about it I actually could not be certain. She wasn't pitch-black, I knew, or I would have remembered that" (Morrison). Later, Roberta...

I really did think she was black. I didn't make that up. I really thought so. But now I can't be sure" (Morrison). These passages and how the story ends are puzzling because of how Twyla is unable to let things go. She is not so much worried about what she does to Maggie as what color Maggie was. This indicates the important of race and how racial differences affect children. Readers must wonder if it would have mattered if Twyla thought Maggie was another color and we can assume it would have mattered somewhat. The next thing readers must wonder is why. Readers do not know if Twyla and Maggie were the same color and, in the end, race should not matter in regard to a person is treated but clearly, it does.
Race differences are all around us and many are so built into us through society that we fail to notice them. We are comfortable with our thought and attitudes and after awhile, they feel right. Morrison and Tan demonstrate this effect masterfully with their characters. Jing-Mei's mother, Roberta, and Twyla believe certain things about race. They judge people and attempt to change people because of these notions. The strange thing is that they do not understand what they are doing. They are simply reacting in a way that is supported throughout society. Even children are taught how to treat others of another race. It seems incredible when we look at things like this, but the sad reality is race becomes something by which we do judge others.

Works Cited

Morrison, Toni. "Recitatif."

Tan, Amy. "The Joy Luck Club." New York: Ivy Books.…