Identity And Identity In Everyday Use By Alice Walker

The short story “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker took place in the late 60’s or early 70’s. During this time, Blacks were given the opportunity, along with the tools, to explore and gain control of their political, social, and culture identity in American society. In “Everyday Use” Dee had arrived home a product of the cultural shift that had taken place. She is a first generation black college student and is experiencing the same search for belonging that blacks were forced into during this time. Walker’s Character Dee, is a reflection of the changes that took place for blacks in the 1960s and 1970s.
As Dee continued in her education she became mentally and socially aware of her heritage. Many deemed this specific case of awareness as Afrocentrism. An individual of this notion accentuates or promotes emphasis on African culture and the contributions of Africans to the development of Western civilization (Asante, “Afrocentricity”). Teachings and studies of such notion influenced many interpersonal and characteristic qualities possessed by Dee before departing from her home town to Augusta. Such teachings and exposures are characterized and represented during Dee’s current visit home. Upon Dee arriving back home Walker writes:

“Dee next. A dress down to the ground, in this hot
Walker challenges individuals to explore their heritage through Dee’s thirst for knowledge displayed by her façade. Dee’s misguided attempt to establish herself in African heritage was not a foreign feeling to real life blacks during the time in which the story takes place. Walker’s portrayal of Dee shows just how important it is for a person, a group of people, or even a culture to have a sense of who they are and where they come from. And if given the opportunity they will be able to access the power to define who they are and what they can