A Heritage Denied In this fast paced American, society little regard is given to the importance of one’s family heritage. Family traditions and the efforts made to preserve them in generations past are taken for granted by the current heirs. In Alice Walker’s short story, “Everyday Use”, the character Dee makes a pitiful attempt to capture her heritage, but inadvertently makes a mockery of her family history. Dee represents the vast majority of Americans who trivialize the significance of family heritage through their shame and unappreciation of their family's actual history. As a child, Dee is embarrassed at the