Race is much more than a small box that we sometimes check on forms and applications in "Everyday Use"—for the characters in this story it's an enormous part of who they are. Make no mistake, though: each of these characters's experiences as African American women and their feelings about being black are pretty different. And, as we all know, difference often leads to conflict, right? The conflicts surrounding race that arise in this story are so subtle and fascinating they get us thinking about race-based issues long after we've closed the book.
Questions About Race
- What role does race play in how each of the characters perceives themselves?
- What does the narrator think of Dee's newfound appreciation for her African roots? What do you think of it?
- How has growing up in different time periods affected the narrator's and Dee's respective feelings about being black?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The narrator shares Dee's attitude of racial pride more than Dee realizes.
"Everyday Use" refutes Dee's glib claim that it's "a new day" for African Americans.