Margins by Donald Barthelme

Eddie Murphy in Trading Places.

In Margins, Donald Barthelme tackles racial stereotypes and anti-black racism through an absurdist, post-modern lens. The result? It's a mixed bag. Edward, a white man, confronts a black panhandler named Carl in the streets and the entire story is just their conversation. The satire is on point, with the author poking fun at white assumptions about black people and vice versa. There is a complete breakdown in communication filled with nonsensical bantering because both men are constantly subverting racial stereotypes to catch the other one out. For example, Edward thinks that Carl is just another uneducated black man, especially based on his disheveled appearance and the penmanship of his panhandling sign. Ironically, Carl is quite articulate and sophisticated, playing along with Edward's superficial tests to label him. 

There is a lot to unpack here from a racial analysis perspective, especially since power dynamics are at the forefront and constantly shifting throughout the story. Their conversation becomes increasingly intense, both getting on each other's nerves and not surprisingly, erupts in violence at the end. The author seems to suggest that having honest conversation about race is important, allowing an opportunity for empathy but here, it is used nefariously by the white man as a method to dehumanize and control the black man. Cleverly, Carl's defensive strategy is to adopt white culture and embody the persona of a sophisticated white man, which continually makes Edward more belligerent. Despite the heavy subject matter, the juxtaposition between racial superiority and self-effacement also generates plenty of humorous moments between the two men. Ultimately, these racial stereotypes have become so normalized by society that it is impossible for these two men to communicate or have an honest conversation about race. Instead, it becomes a bizarre and confusing exchange of miscommunication, ironic reversals and silly verbal exchanges.