America is made up of people from different backgrounds and races. Eventually, most people (whether its the first, second, or even later generation) will start becoming Americanized in some way, big or little. Through all this, usually, we all try and get back in touch with our roots. One of the characters in the play attempts just this, In the second half of Act 1.
Beneatha is visited by a friend, Joseph Asagai. He seldomly goes by his first name. He is a Nigerian very proud and in touch with his African heritage. During this visit, Asagai tells Beneatha that her permed hair was too American. It was too much of an "unnatural" American hair doo. He talks about getting closer to her African heritage through him. Before he leaves, he calls her "Alaiyo", a nickname he gave her. After this visit, she puts on some of the Nigerian clothing that Asgai gave her as gifts. She starts to dance around the house shouting tribal chants.
I think that this demonstrates how people can be the LEAST interested or informed about their culture until they see or come in touch with it themselves. We don't know about our past when we get out of the womb. Someone tells us about it or we learn through something, but we do not just know about it. Eventually, someone has to let us know or we view it ourlselves, just like with most things in life. I ,personally, do not think that the saying "You can't have a future if you don't know your past" is true at all. I DO think that you will be better off and have a better understanding where things come from in the world. And not just about our own past but other's, too.
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