Saturday, February 11, 2012

http://images.sodahead.com/polls/001701217/206231558_black_skin_lightening_answer_101_xlarge.jpeg

The part that stuck out most to me in Walke's "Everyday Use" was when Dee changed her name in an attempt to escape her opressor. It is interesting that Dee has put in so much work to get in touch with her untraceable African roots, I say this because very few African Americans are able to trace their roots back to Africa due to slavery. In contrast to this, earlier Dee's mother imagined her ideal self as a "whiter" Black person. The contrast is something that is still prevalent to this day. You have your African Americans who go through the motions of trying to tie themselves as closely back to Africa as possible, which I think is an attempt to find a more defined cultural existence. These individuals typically learn to love themselves and the way they look. However, with this they quickly face judgement now not only from the "oppressor" but their own Black community for seemingly trying to draw attention to themselves and cause problems. Then you have those who just want to blend in more as they to try and draw less attention to themselves in a prejudiced society. I think Walker did a very good job subtly displaying this contrast in her writing.

No comments:

Post a Comment