Everyday Use by Marina Nolla

Dee: (lets out a frustrated sigh) Ugh! That visit went exactly how I expected it to. 
Hakeem-A-Barber- I didn't think it was that bad. Except for the food..

Dee: Are you kidding?! I cannot believe my mother! 

Hakeem-A-Barber: I personally thought she was a nice lady.

Dee: You just met her! I can't believe she gave Maggie those quilts. She's going to ruin them.

Hakeem-A-Barber: Honey, you don't know that. She's getting married soon. Maybe she deserves them.

Dee: Oh yes I do! You don't even know her. Maggie is dumb. I wanted to hang them. She's going to use them! She doesn't understand how valueable they are and she does not deserve them. I should have those. I never get anything I want.

Hakeem-A-Barber: To be honest, by the way you acted in there, it seems like you're used to getting everything you want...

Dee: (face reddens with anger) Excuse me?! You have no idea what you're talking about. Apologize to me!

Hakeem-A-Barber: I won't apologize for stating my opinion.

Dee: Then you can walk home!

(Hakeem-A-Barber refuses to get out of the car and they drive home in an awkward silence.)

Everyday Use by Brittany Martin

“I’m so nervous” Maggie said uneasily
“Don’t worry” John Tomas said reassuringly
“What if Dee comes and completely hates the house, or what if she doesn’t want to be here?”
“She wouldn’t be coming home if she didn’t want to Maggie.” said John Tomas, trying to be supportive of his fiancé
“You don’t know my sister.” Maggie said
“She might be coming just to say hi to mamma and then leave right after”
“I don’t think so honey” said John Tomas
“After all, she’s your sister and she won’t come home and completely forget about you”
“I’m still not convinced” Maggie said, now a little sad.
“Here she comes honey!” said John Tomas
“Hold your breath.” Maggie said as she and John Tomas walked outside to greet Dee.

Everyday Use by Tena'ea Martin

Dee: I can't believe I'm going back to this house again. Well here I am.
Maggie: Wow look at her she looks great. But she is trying to show off with that flowly bright dress.
Dee: Least I didn't get all dressed up for this visit I just pulled this out the closet.
Maggie: Me and momma tool our good ole time making this dinner she better like it and her man friend.
Dee: The food looks great, But the Barber didn't think the same.
Maggie: I know he didn't just tell momma that he wasn't eating that. (frustrated)
Dee: Whoa I'm stuffed. (satisfied)

Another Perspective of Everyday Use by Joel Oliver

Dee:(furious) No! You do not DESERVE these quilts!
Maggie:(whimper)But mom promised me them!
Dee: Well that's just too damn bad! You seem content enough with your dip and that boy John Thomas! Let me have these and you can just move on to them.
Maggie:(disgust)*scoff* You selfish brat, you think your better than everyone. Well fine, take them and go!
Mama:(walks over and takes the quilts)She's right, it's time you show respect or leave.
Dee:(walking to the car)This place is a joke!

Another Perspective of Everyday Use by Michael Daye

(Setting: In car)
Dee: (Frustrated) Can you believe that?

Hakeem-A-Barber: Believe what?

Dee: My mama wouldn't let me have them quilts! She knows how much they mean to me, how could she do that to me!?


Hakeem-A-Barber: Maybe because, like you said you usually get everything and Maggie doesn't get anything. Your making a big deal out of nothing babe.

Dee: Oh, now your taking her side now! Well you made a BIG deal too when you couldn't eat my mama's food that she SLAVED over a hot stove for all day just to make us feel welcomed! (Even though she didn't know he was coming)

Hakeem-A-Barber: Babe! You know I don't eat pork. I'm muslim.

Dee: (In a somewhat confused tone) Oh... well you could of... of.... (thinking), acted liked you ate it!

Hakeem-A-Barber: No babe, I'm not like that. But back to the quilts, you understand where you mama was coming from when she didn't give you the quilts, right?

Dee: (Sigh) Yeah, I do. It's just that those quilts are part of this family's roots. I want them to be treasured and passed down to generations to generations. Maggie will just use them and ruin them. She has no thought of how precious our culture is.

Hakeem-A-Barber: I understand you and not everyone is as smart, kind, caring and beautiful as you are babe. (Smiling)

Dee: (Giggling) Yeah your right baby. Thank you so much, you just made me real a thousand times better and you made my day! (Smiling)

Hakeem-A-Barber: Yeah, I'm good like that. You ain't know? (Laughing)

Dee: (Giggling and smiling) Boy, shut up. You are though, I love you Hakeem-A-Barber.

Hakeem-A-Barber: (Smiling) I love you too Wangero, I mean Dee.

THE END!

Everyday Use by Haley Roney

Dee: I want those blankets that Grandma made, I’m going to take the back home with me.
Maggie: No, mother promised me those when I get married to John Thomas!
Dee: You don’t even want those blankets, they mean way more to me then they ever will to you Maggie. Those were made from our Grandparents clothes, I will cherish them forever.
Maggie: Fine Dee, do what you want. You always get your way any other time, why not now?
(Mother refuses to give Dee the blankets because she had already promised them to Maggie.)
Dee: This is completely unfair. Maggie is going to set them in a room for them to collect dust.
(Maggie sits in silence while Dee leaves in anger.)

Another Perspective of Everyday Use by Cydney Cherese Haines

Dee: This visit was horrible!

Hakeem-A-Barber: I agree this was the first and last time I am going over to your mothers
house.

Dee:(with anger) You were one of the main reasons why the visit went like that!

Hakeem-A-Barber:(with confusion on his face) Wait, What did I do?

Dee:You know exactly what I am talking about! What was wrong with my mamas food?

Hakeem-A-Barber:You know I dont eat pork!

Dee: Well all of it wasn't pork you just wanted to make a big scene like always. You can never just be greatful.

Hakeem-A-Barber:So are you blaming it all on me?

Dee: No, no I am not its Maggies fault too. Why did she get to get the quilt? Why does mama treat her like that?

Hakeem-A-Barber:(calm but serious voice)Maybe your being a little extreme don't you think? How do you think Maggie feels? You are the one that got sent away to get a real education, you were the one who has the nice style and maybe she thinks you get whatever you want.

Dee: (speechless staring in space with her thinking face on) Well I never thought of it like that.

Another Perspective of Everyday Use by Sonny Breeger

"Mama! Why does Maggie get the quilts shes a no good brat or has never done anything in her life!" Says Dee with frustration

"Maggie gets to have the quilts first because she asked for them and second because you are practically spoiled you get everything you want. What makes you think you deserve them more than your sister?" says Mama

"Mama, please if there was one thing that you could ever give me let it be these quilts." Said Dee with a hint of sadness

"I'm sorry, but Maggie will be getting these quilts because I promised her I would give them to her for her wedding." Says Mama

"Fine, I hope I never see you or Maggie ever again." says Dee while she storms out of the house

"Another Perspective of Everyday Use" By Morgan Murphy

Narrator: Dee enters very mad and aggravated.
DEE: What makes Maggie so important that she gets the quilts! They mean more to me then they ever will to her.
HAKEEM-A-BARBER: Your mother promised them to her. Their is nothing more important about her. Its just that your mother promised the quilts to her, and she doesn't want to break her promise.
DEE: I don't care if my mother "promised" them to her I deserve the quilts.
HAKEEM-A-BARBER: You don't deserve anything. Maggie never gets anything. This is the one item that she deserves and your gonna take that away from her? You might know more about the quilts, know more about your heritage, and might have bein closer with your grandparents, but Maggie deserves this. Don't take it away from her.
DEE: Whatever you say. You would take her side on this. She doesn't deserve this, she gets everything.
Narrator: Awkward silence and frustration fills the air.

"Another Perspective of Everyday Use" by Kristen Zolnierzak

Narrator: (Dee is frustrated at Mama and Maggie for not giving the quilts she wanted.)
Dee: I'm so angry that Maggie gets the quits from my heritage!!
Hakeem-A-Baber: Well Maggie deserves the quilts because she is getting married.
Dee: Still, it would have been more valuable for me, since I have more memories with my grandparents.
Hakeem-A-Baber: Just because you've had interest in heritage, doesn't mean you should have the quilts. Maggie deserves something that makes her feel important, since she doesn't get anything.
Narrator: (Dee leaves the room upset and angry.)

Another Perspective of Everyday Use by Lindsay Bonacci

"I should have expected such a visit like that payed from my sister Dee" Maggie said with anger. "Why, whats wrong?" asked Maggie's husband, John Thomas. "She just always gets under my skin. Growing up she never failed to get exactly what she wanted. She still thinks she can get what she wants up to this day!" Maggie stated, looking at John as if she was looking for some kind of support. "Maggie, just calm down. Don't get all worked up. Tell me what happened when she came to visit."

"Well," said Maggie calmly "She arrived with her husband, Hakim-a-barber, who wouldn't eat any of the food mama made which was very strange and rude. Then, she spotted the two quilts that i have been longing to have since i was little, and told mama she'd take them! I was so mad and upset. SHE GETS EVERYTHING!" Maggie screamed. "Don't let your sister bring you down Maggie! Did she get the quilts?" John asked concerned. "No, Mama eventually handed them over to me because of her promise. She promised me she would give the quilts to me when i married you. But who knows what of would happened if she hadn't made that promise." Maggie said. "Well, at least you got your quilts and its over with. You shouldn't hold a grudge against your sister. Even though your angry with her, she is still your sister and always will be." John told Maggie. "Your right. Its really not fun to be always fighting with someone," said Maggie "I think ill call her."

Another Perspective of Everyday Use by Sierra Wilson

Hakeem-A-Barber: Whats wrong? Ever since you left your mama's house you've been in a bad mood.

Dee: (annoyed voice): Mama loves Maggie more than she loves me!

Hakeem-A-Barber: Why would you say that? Your mom loves you both equally.

Dee: (very loud): NO! She always gives everything to Maggie instead of me. I wanted those quilts more than Maggie did. She just wanted them because I wanted them! I hate Maggie!

Hakeem-A-Barber: You don't hate anyone. You're just saying that now because your mad. You know you love your sister and would do anything for her. Maggie hardly ever ask for anything because she thinks you deserve it more than her.

Dee: What do you mean?

Hakeem-A-Barber: She looks up to you because your pretty and smart. You have your whole life ahead of you, and she loves you. Why else would she try and give you those quilts?

Dee: (soft voice): Yeah, I guess your right. I do love my sister. I could never hate her. I'm going to go tell her right now.

Hakeem-A-Barber: That's my girl!

Another Perspective of Everyday Use by Amanda Ash.

"I always regret when my sister visits!" Maggie complained. She looked over at John Thomas searching in his eyes for an understanding answer to her problem.

"Maggie, why do you dislike your sister so much? She's your sister! She's always going to be there for you when it comes down to it, that's what siblings are for. You can always change your friends. You can never change your family." exclaimed John Thomas, hoping he made Maggie realize that it's normal to envy or fight with a sibling but she can't always avoid her.

"I see what you mean, but she always has to have it her way, I don't get much credit. Mama always preferred her. Everyone always preferred her! She's always so up-to-date and cool." Maggie went on.

"Your really being to hard on yourself, your just as good as Dee! Actually, your even better. You don't demand, your more down to earth, and you don't need material to give you happiness. That's a rare but good trait most people can't behold." John Thomas knew how Maggie felt, he understood it's hard for her to live in her sisters shadow and she doesn't deserve it, so he gives her all his attention and heart. That's why Mama approves of him as much as she does.

Another Perspective of Everyday Use by Kai Oshimo

"She is unbelievable!" said Dee as she slammed the door shut. "Mama is so unfair, she doesn't realize how badly I want those quilts!"

"So what was that all about?" said Hakeem-A-Barber curiously. "Why did you want those quilts so badly?'

"I just wanted them so I have something to remember my ancestors by." Dee replied. "Mama obviously likes Maggie better. She feels bad for her so she gives her everything!

"Well if you think about it you do have something to remember your ancestors by." said Hakeem-A-Barber.

"Whats that?" asked Dee.

"Well, your name. Dee. You are named after many of your ancestors. You can remember then with your name," replied Hakeem-A-Barber.

Another Perpective of Everyday Use by Hollis Mermelstein

Dee: (furiously slammed the car door and was silent for a few minutes before speaking) I cannot believe that my mother embarrassed me in front of you like that! I have no idea why she didn't give me the quilts. They mean so much more to me than they will ever mean to Maggie.

Hakim-a-barber: I'm sorry that I didn't speak up for you in there, honey. The way you used to live is so different than anything that I have ever seen before. I wanted to soak it all in. I'm also sorry because I agree with your mother; Maggie deserves the quilts.

Dee: (turned to Hakim teary-eyed) Hakim, don't you understand? Those quilts are my heritage. They are filled with the kindness and love of my grandparents. All Maggie is going to do is use the quilts for warmth, or as a rug, or maybe even as a cleaning wipe!

Hakim-a-barber: (now looking at her sobbing, he held her hand) Honey, I think that you are losing your heritage. Listen to you. Look at your mother and sister sitting out there. They love you. They are both so proud of you and your many accomplishments. Your mother only wants the best for you, but she also wants the quilts to be used the way that she knows them to be used.

Dee: (she took a minute to realize what he had said and wiped her tears) You are right. To be honest, I've never hung a quilt on the wall in my whole life! I actually think that it's wasteful. I wanted to be more like you and all of our friends, but I'm not like you; I'm different.

Hakim-a-barber: (now smiling he gave her a hug) Spend the night with your family, you need it. I'll come for you in the morning, Wangero.

Dee: Thank you so much. (as she got out of the car and was about to shut the door, she peeked her head in) And please, call me Dee.

Another Perspective of Everyday Use by Brooke Taylor

Narrator: After Wangero (Dee) and Hakim-a-barber have left the house, Mama and Maggie are left in an undeniably awkward silence. Maggie leaves to go visit her fiancé
John Thomas to find solace after the events that unfolded during Dee's visit.

John: (concerned) Honey, tell me what's the matter. You look like you could burst into tears any moment. Weren't you happy to see your sister? I mean, it's been so long since she came home last.

Maggie: (choking back tears) But that's just the thing John, it's not Dee anymore. She's turned into a new person. She even calls herself "Wangero" now because she's so ashamed that she was named after one of our ancestors on Mama's side.

John: Now Maggie, I'm sure it's just a way of her showing that she's accepting a new way of life! She's not ashamed.

Maggie: (frustrated/exasperated) No John, she is! She even said it! She said that she ain't wanna be named after the same type of person that oppressed her. So in other words, she ain't wanna be named after our ancestors! This is the best part. Then, she tried to take the quilts that Mama promised me! You know, those ones I told you about that Grandma Dee and Mama made together? Why should she deserve the quilts that were made by the same people she had just said she was so ashamed of. Maybe she's not a totally different person after all. She's still the same brat she was when we were younger.

John: Oh Maggie calm down. What did Mama say? Did she give in like always?

Maggie: (visibly cheering up at this realization) Why, no she didn't! For once, she did what she knew was right. She didn't just give Dee her way, she actually put Dee in her place! She took the quilts out of Dee's hands and plopped them right on into my lap. Then, Mama even gave me a hug! You know John, I think I'm gonna go back on up to the house and sit with Mama for a while and just watch the sun set. She's always liked to do that.

John: (satisfied that Maggie is cheered up) Well that's great honey! Go on back up to the house. I'll come by tomorrow so we can talk more about the wedding. You just enjoy the rest of the day with Mama.

Maggie: (as she is leaving, she turns with a smirk) You know, maybe Mama and I could start a quilt of our own.