The narrator notes how “offendedness” is not a real emotion and does not know how one should react when this word is pronounced in a “clear and sober voice” (130). Beatty mocking people that say they are offended shows how many social interactions surrounding race are caught up euphemisms and not easily translatable to discussion. Instead of noting pain or overt racism, offended just notes something wrong has been said. Marpessa calls the narrator a “race pervert” for his  comments and notes that on his own time he cross dresses as a white man. This alludes to how “traitors” of their own communities are always seen as wanting to be white. If the narrator is willing to organize a segregated bus and not see how the term “offended” is logical, he must be a traitor to his own race. In this way, the narrator embodies the “sellout” or “coon” image  he already has with the black intellectuals. I think Beatty highlights this moment to show how even within communities of color, one’s identity and authenticity is constantly being challenged and called into question.