Dee left home some time ago, and has not been seen by Mama or Maggie in quite awhile. Mama waits patiently in the yard for what seems to be a much-anticipated reunion with her daughter. Maggie however, does not seem to feel the same way as her mother. Dee always feels that she is better than Mama and Maggie. Maybe because of her schooling, or how beautiful she is. Nevertheless she always thinks of herself as better, as if she is bitter about where she comes from. In her time away Dee has changed, she has forgotten her roots and the true meaning of her heritage. In Alice Walkers "Everyday Use" Dee represents the importance of understanding ones heritage, through misunderstanding her own, and shows this misunderstanding by way of changes in religion, changes in her name, and a complete lack of respect for her family and their possessions.
             As Dee steps out of the car Mama gets her first view of her daughter. The long, flowing, vibrant dress of yellows and oranges, the golden earrings and bracelets, and her new hairstyle are consistent with the traditional appearance of the Muslim religion. Mama seems to approve of the look, but Maggie does not as she groans at the new hairstyle. "Wa-su-zo-Tean-o!" Dee exclaims as she steps out of the car. This is a greeting used by black Muslims. Dee is with a man, apparently Muslim as well "The short stocky yellow with the hair to his navel is all grinning and he follows up with 'Asalamalakim my mother and my sister!'" (88). Dee was raised under some branch of Christianity, because it was the church (with the help of her mother) that raised the money to send her to school in Augusta, but she has forgotten all that. When everyone sits down to eat Dee shows that her new religious beliefs are all just a charade. "We sat down to eat and right away he said he didn't eat collards and pork was unclean. Wangero, though, went on through the ch...