In her work "In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Prose," Alice Walker emphasizes the importance of valuing and preserving the talents of individuals within a community. She asserts that a people who neglect their gifted individuals are losing a vital part of their identity and potential. This loss not only affects the present but also endangers future generations, as the creative contributions of these individuals are essential to cultural continuity.

Walker encourages artists and observers to actively reclaim these lost talents, suggesting that it is a collective responsibility to gather and honor the contributions of geniuses who may have been overlooked or discarded. She highlights the necessity of understanding and recognizing the importance of these individuals to ensure that their legacy is passed on, preserving it "bone by bone" for the benefit of future children.