This is not the first time I have come across this story. One would like to think that I would remember it but to be honest I probably don't because it always makes me mad. The character 'Dee' (for I refuse to call her that fake a** name of "Wangero") is a clear depiction of the type of person that I detest. She, who thinks that by changing her name, and wearing a dashiki frock, by putting her hair in a fro, by dating a Muslim, is what is wrong with a great deal of black people back in the day. For whilst she changed her name, she didn't insist on being called as such by her mother because she probably had no idea what it meant. Most (if not all) African or Muslim names have a meaning to them and the way that they are arranged together is supposed to reflect the person that you are or will become. She could be named "she who shits with pigs" and she wouldn't know it. (this also annoys me about people who get "Chinese" symbol tatoos who aren't chinese so they have no idea what the heck they are saying about themselves, only what someone told them it means) this is example number 1 of her ignorance. Also whilst I'm sure her frock was very lovely indeed and many African frocks are very colorful, they are also made from rich fabrics and fine dyes whilst I'm sure Dee just bought hers from a shop, probably owned by the people she states "oppress" her. example #2 of her ignorance! then there is her partner "Hakim-a-barber" who honestly and truthfully should realize that this selfish creature who he is parading around as his partner is as shallow as the water in the dried clay of her mother's backyard. Dee is only dating him because he is an honest representation of someone who represents more than she feel she represeents herself; someone with a connection to their heritage that she will never grasp because she is too shallow to do it for real. I mean, its really quite simply put out when she continues to eat the swine when her new beliefs clearly states that you shouldn't. but does she care? no! as long as she wears the garb, professes the mantras, and looks the part she doesn't actually have to be one with her true heritage, which is that of an african AMERICAN woman. borne out of a line of other AFRICAN AMERICAN peoples who have done their damndest to make roots in a country not originally their own and where they are persecuteod for the color of their skin but they continued to live and make rich families filled with treasures such as those quilts which she wants to frikkin HANG!!!! EXAMPLES NUMBER 3,4,5 and A MILLION of her ignorance!
*sigh*
and last but not use, every day use was an interesting story not because of Dee's character but the true characters, the Mom and Maggie who represent the spirit of accepting one's heritage, as mixed up in others' heritage's as it is. they live their heritage every day by being themselves. they put it to everyday use. unlike that wench Dee.
Ok. I'm going to go and have a glass wof wine now and actively try to forget this story again.
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Don't forget it now... You're hitting on some of the ambiguities/contradictions/complications of Dee's character, but note that the story does see some benefit in Dee's concept of heritage (its emphasis on a broader historical and pan-African context for identity, the the improtance of literacy and education in this regard), though perhaps not the particualar mode of realization of that identity presented here. It is also interesting to consider the difference between Dee and Hakim... In any case, don;t be too quick to make this into an either/or situation, as imperfect--and, yes, irritating-- as Dee can be... Also consider that the story is told from a 1st person POV, which has its own complications, as far as how we see Dee and these differing concepts of heritage.
ReplyDeleteI believe the reason why you might be so irritated by Dee is because maybe she thought that if they were to put another piece into a quilt that ought to be from her, the reason I say this is because she is the educated member in the family and more capable of making a differance therefore bringing a better story to stich in the quilt. Also the mother sort of never gave attention to Maggie as her character is unwrapped, you can see that the mother favors Dee over Maggie not only that but Maggie herself feels like the underdog, when she decides to give up the quilt without a fight. However the mother did a good job at putting Dee in her place.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Namra. Professor Lavazzi has a point. I think the point of view has a lot to do with how Dee is depicted. Mama is the narrator, therefore, Dee's persona might be a result of how she is described.
ReplyDelete@Namra, I don't really see any indication that Dee wanted to actually contribute to the quilt in any way. She merely wanted to use them as decoration and another badge of the heritage which although she is trying to understand it more than her mother and sister (@lavazzi "its emphasis on a broader historical and pan-African context for identity, the the improtance of literacy and education in this regard"), she still doesn't understand. I'll have to give Dee some more thought.
ReplyDeleteoh dear. i forgot that i am still signed into my work account. this is Chanelle, the owner of this blog. sorry if there is any confusion
ReplyDelete