Instead, Wangero continues to only see that her name is a reminder that African-Americans were denied their authentic names. "I couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me" (53).

Walker is not by any means condemning the Black Power movement when she challenges Wangero's viewpoint. Instead, she is questioning that part of this movement that does not acknowledge and, more importantly, respect the scores of oppressed African-Americans who went through decades of physical and emotional abuse in order to survive, give birth to and raise future generations -- of which Dee is one. Instead, Walker is emphasizing that it should not only be those involved with the Black Power movement who should define African-American heritage. "African-Americans must take ownership of their entire heritage, including the painful, unpleasant parts (White).

Wangero also dresses in the Africanism fads, thereby only looking like an American who is trying...
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