Racism is sadly common in our history and in today's society. People of color are treated as subhumans simply because of the color of their skin or their ethnic background. Being born in their body is treated as if it is a crime. In my life I am lucky to be mixed, with the white genes being prominent in my physical traits. Although me and my family are Mexican. My boyfriend is mixed with a variety of races as well. My mother has been looked at awfully and made fun of. My boyfriend gets treated like a criminal doing what normal people do on a day to day basis. Such as grocery shopping. Racism from an anthropological standpoint is people using acts of power, domination, and control in an attempt to establish superiority as a race. The commonality of racism is an awful environment for people of color. As this racism is so strong it will provide a significant amount of inequality. Inequality is where a group or individual is excluded from the privileges of others. The caste system in society is the idea that people are assigned at birth their social and occupational groups to be in line with their parents. Since people of color have been socially considered as at the bottom they face poor treatment. Being tasked to act as a type of subordinate subhuman individual. With whites on the top. As seen in history white people protect this social system. One of the more recent examples of this is police brutality against Black individuals. Artists use art to speak up about the desperate need for social changes that dissolve racism.
Representation of people who are Black or non-caucasian is extremely important. Over time they have been wrongfully oppressed, as well as underrepresented. Focusing on why is is important to accept everyone regardless of race is important to providing social justice. "We need to articulate why this narrow focus is problematic and leave no doubt that such practices enforce a status quo that has continuously kept works by marginalized artists underrepresented in our collections and the curriculum... sources and topics beyond the White-based canon." (Cleveland, Susannah, 4). Making changes in the curriculum used in schools is a great way to increase representation. In order to cause major social justice changes regarding this issue it is critical to bring the issue to light. Art is a way to do this. Giving people an understanding of why this issue is important as well as consistently exposing people to the anti-racist ideas is extremely important. Showing visuals of empowered people of color is need as well in order to assist in dissolving the caste system in society. Giving the public visual representations in the media of people of color is a way to help encourage the normalization of different races and dissolve racism. Protesting is one way to bring attention to important matters. Talesha Williams, a Louisiana BLM protester " received recognition in local and national media for her leadership in the Black Lives Matter movement and for bringing to the struggle for racial justice her experience as an LGBTQ activist and a commitment to ensuring that the voices of not only Black women but also Black LGBTQ folx are at the forefront of the struggle." (Wilson, 3). During the BLM movement there was a focus on black men. She focuses more on the abuse black women are facing since they are swept under the rug even by individuals in the Black community. Her goal is to change the culture keeping men as "superior" to women in addition to dissolving racisim as a whole. More than simple representation needs to happen in order to truly dissolve racism. There is a "need for concrete action to dismantle systemic racism in our society continuously becomes more pressing, and professional and scholarly organizations must grapple with setting a clear intent and message—as well as a shared understanding—about this need." (Cleveland, Susannah, 2). By educating people on proper ways to conduct themselves they can alter their actions. The reasons why acting, thinking, and partaking in racist behavior is wrong will be able to further encourage individuals to change.
Simply applying anti-racist actions in an individual's day to say lives is not enough. As one needs to learn how to apply it and there needs to be political protection for the people being oppressed as well. "Fine Art students could collaborate with human geographers on the research, filming and co-creation of a photo-essay, to bring arguments from key anti-racist texts alive."(Tan, Kai Syng, 7). By bringing these arguments to light in an easily digestible format it is easier on the audience to understand the importance of anti-racism behavior being implemented. Art has worked to show people issues that are deeply important in order to connect with them on an emotional level. "Students also learn about collegiality, equality and diversity, global citizenship and how their research impacts society and culture" (Tan, Kai Syng, 7). With more representation around this leads to an increased education on this social justice matter. Knowledge about the issue and how to help be a part of the solution is extremely important to darressing racism. Normalizing all races and being open to all unique individuals is important. Talesha Wilson focuses on achieving social justice for people of color, tending to focus on women. In an interview she said "Black women, when they die at the hands of police or deal with police brutality, their stories are not amplified in those capacities..." (Wilson, 20). Social justice can not happen without individuals speaking up and gaining more recognition. Art is a way of communicating to the public what issues are in place and normalizing people of color being equal.
Making and consuming art that relates to working to minimize their oppression has not only a major impact on society but the oppressed groups as individuals. People of color working together in order to spread their message brings those fighting the same fight closer together. Banning together not only projects their message farther but it gives those facing discrimination comfort. They are not alone. With "the coronavirus pandemic and widespread activism during the past year in response to George Floyd's death (it) highlighted stubborn inequities in all aspects of life, prompting conversations about what else the organization could do to force change in Chicago's arts and culture community, Sanchez said." (Kathleen Foody, paragraph 5). By using art as a tool to spread messages it can force change. As when people band together it has a major impact on the world. By embracing art created by people of color and discussing issues people of color face it emphasizes the voices of the oppressed. When "attempting to amplify the voices of artists of color and reach leaders of local institutions that can feel out of reach"(Kathleen Foody, paragraph 6). Art helps people of color be one step closer to making their voices heard. Films, paintings, mixed media, music, and other various art forms are commonly consumed entertainment.
Art is an important tool to use when combating racism. The act of making art is in itself therapeutic as well as encourages social interactions to build supportive communities. By making art that is also about the important issue of anti-racism this is another way to spread the word in order to encourage positive change. Educating the world on why these issues are extreamly importatn, the effects racisim has on people of color, and how to replace the negative behaviors with prosocial mannerisims. Expanding the inclustivity of how the world is today as well as providing the community social justice.
Works Cited
Cleveland, Susannah. “Why Anti-Racist Performing Arts Librarianship Matters: Remarks From a Recent MLA President.” Notes, vol. 78, no. 3, Mar. 2022, pp. 1–5. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.proxy.sierracollege.edu/10.1353/not.2022.0001.
Tan, Kai Syng. “Towards an Anti-Racist Fine Art Ph.D.: ‘Anti-Racism Productive Antagonisms’ (ARPA) for the Supervisor, Student and Examiner.” Art, Design &Communication in Higher Education, vol. 20, no. 1, Apr. 2021, pp. 49–63. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.proxy.sierracollege.edu/10.1386/adch_00029_1.
KATHLEEN FOODY. “Nonprofit Pushes Chicago to Build Anti-Racist Arts Community.” Canadian Press, The. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=n5h&AN=MYO003273330421&site=ehost-live. Accessed 13 Mar. 2023.
Wilson, Talesha, and Ethan Sharp. "Women, Art, and Hope in Black Lives Matter." Journal of American Folklore, vol. 134, no. 534, fall 2021, pp. 434+. Gale Literature Resource Center, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A711337796/LitRC? u=rock89639&sid=bookmark-LitRC&xid=4073b3e8. Accessed 14 May 2023.
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