Introduction
Numerous writers and poets have covered racial discrimination and identity crisis as highly interconnected topics. In their short stories, Morrison (1983) and Walker (1973) explore some aspects of these concepts, and it is fascinating to discover how the authors convey their messages about racism and cultural heritage.
“Recitatif” by Toni Morrison
In “Recitatif,” Morrison (1983) demonstrates that race is an arbitrary social construct. A detail I enjoyed most in this story is that the author never indicates which of the two girls is black. Morrison (1983) skillfully portrays how both girls experience stereotypes and prejudice against one another and other people.
For instance, Twyla says that her mother would always tell her that people “from a whole other race,” like Roberta, “never washed their hair” and “smelled funny” (Morrison, 1983, p. 1). However, the audience cannot judge them easily because their skin colors are not revealed. This absence of a visual signifier allows the author to emphasize that racism is a much deeper problem that does not disappear even without visualization.
“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker
In “Everyday Use,” a detail that interested me most is Mama’s description of their yard. Mama says, “A yard like this is more comfortable than most people know. It is not just a yard. It is like an extended living room” (Walker, 1973, p. 314). I see this description as a symbol of Mama’s internal freedom and harmony; she is a Black woman with some family concerns, but they do not prevent her from enjoying her life. She is not like other African Americans or Maggie, who strive to participate in social movements and prove something. Mama differs from them just like her yard differs from others’.
Conclusion
These short stories made me wonder about my own and other people’s perceptions of race, racism, and cultural heritage. To what extent should we base our attitudes toward others on their external characteristics, such as skin color? Further, is there a need to preserve the artifacts of one’s culture to honor it, or should we implement them in our everyday use to be as close to the cultural heritage as possible? These short stories answer these questions, allowing readers to find their own explanations and lessons in “Everyday Use” and “Recitatif.”
References
Morrison, T. (1983). Recitatif [PDF document]. Web.
Walker, A. (1973). Everyday Use. Web.