This forum is based on our discussion Friday of Walker's story "Everyday Use."

Walker is essentially asking in this story if there is a struggle in the

African/American community between maintaining some identity with African

roots and being an American and how this struggle might intersect. Does

exploring an African identity cause confusion, as in Dee's case? Is there a way to

balance the two identities by exploring African roots and accepting the American

heritage that informs who you are through family and the place where you were

raised? Dee seems to have abandoned her familial roots in a quest for developing

a new identity and is unable to balance both, causing her to be a character who is

ultimately disliked by a lot of readers. Discuss why Dee is disliked, what she fails

to see about her identity, and discuss this topic in terms of your own exploration

of identity.