Invisible Men: Blacks and Bias in Western Art: By Patricia Failing: my commentary

I purchased this painting, at a sale, from the artist for 20$. I chose to use this image, even though some will call it demeaning, because it was painted by a "white" person. The perpetual and often hidden stereotypes of members of certain populations, even well meaning artists, can in fact harm more than it can do good. This image is called "Jivin" and it is meant to represent a 20-30's era dance. The artist did not have much commentary on the picture she painted, only that she had lived in New Orleans for a while. Even the most well-meaning artist can be perpetuating stereotypes.

Failing quotes Hills as saying "images are shaped by history but pictures shape history too. Images are historical forces in themselves" (Failing, 1995). By perpetuating caricatures, or comical, un-realistic impressions of others, we continue participating in an institutionalized racism, that is both hidden and obvious.

While I agreed with certain authors quoted in the text, one in particular stands out. Failing quotes Gates as saying "the large number and variety of inherently racist images in American culture attests to a particular preoccupation with marginalizing black Americans by flooding the culture with an-Other Negro, a Negro who conformed to the deepest social fears and fantasies of the larger society" (Failing, 1990).

Combating racism involves more than super-ficial attempts at changing thought and behaviors. The author continues to refer to an ethnically diverse population of people, many of whom do not refer to themselves as "black", but as members of a number of different cultures and societies. Some of these labels are chosen, and some are not. To lump all persons who may or may not have a percentage of African-American ancestry, or who may even look "black" but are in fact Cuban, Hispanic, English, or any other nationality, is marginalizing in its self, and to continue to use the word "black" in order to continuously describe an entire population, is insulting. Some members of these populations may in fact be more "white" than "black", and in continuing to use didactic language, we encourage the continuation of 500 years of oppression.

Failing, P. (1990). Invisible Men: Blacks and Bias in Western Art. ARTnews

Art and Gender and Sexuality Gender Quiz

Gender Aptitude Test

Would have been better to pirate a scientifically proven test example. "I might not like it. I might think it's terrible. But if someone who did it, did it to be art, and calls it art, I'll go along with it. Why not?" (

http://cydathria.com/ms_donna/ga_test.html (Kate Bornstein's Gender Aptitude Test).

While I enjoyed this aptitude test, it was a challenge in spots, the first question threw it for me right off the bat. "A real woman?". What's that? I felt ..hrumph... right away, and it kinda tainted my perceptions there on out.

"How do I pee?" Again, I did not pick an answer, I was looking for depends on the situation, but I didn't get the right choice. I pee where I need to. If I'm in a public restroom with no toilet, I stand. If I'm in a public restroom with a toilet I sit. This was not a choice.

Question 4 in flexibility, again did not give an appropriate choice. The choices were two or un-numbered. It seemed as though either way I had to choose a duality or an oppositional example. Media can help us or hurt us in the ways we perceive and define ourselves and others as stated by Julia Wood, on page 283, of her book Gendered Lives. "In general , media continues to present both men and women in stereotypical ways that limit our perceptions of human possibilities" (Wood, 2001). Continued oppression of men's roles, and men who try to redefine the role that men play in the lives of children in this country, are challenged every day. Good men I know have chosen to live and work at home. This opportunity is not lost on them.

The essential sign of gender? That's a trap because we already know there are many, uncountable, gender identifiers, of which can be in any combination, presented in uncountable ways. As with questions seven and eight, these choices we neither good nor bad, just not ones I would have thought up. I mean if we're trying to assess one's specific gender tendencies, give us good choices.

Number nine, is this person assuming I am a big meanie? I wouldn't do any of those things. I would walk up, make some sort of culturally appropriate greeting, shake hands, bow, nod, etc. Then I would introduce myself, brag about some minor or insignificant personal accomplishment. I do Not instantly assume I must commit gender discrimination at the drop of a hat.

Section five Love and Sex. Questions six and seven: Not enough choices. Should have been Pleased as punch. Who cares what someone used to be? Is it not the future that counts, I would be just as happy to fall in love PERIOD! Here it seems we are describing a "role" not a gender. A role is "a set of expected behaviors and the values associated with them (page 55, Wood, 2001). Gender can be explained through expected roles but cannot be exclusively defined this way. Role expectations change with culture. What is defined as "women's work" is in fact expected role defined behavior for male counter parts in other parts of the world.

I felt the questions over all to be stimulating and challenging, but the answers to choose from were, silly, unrealistic, and offensive. My ideas of gender are not so comical and flip. Not that I take gender to seriously, well maybe, but any case, Some of the answers forced me to make a biased choice. Like Section 4 flexibility. Question nine. What gender? Do I care? Am I forced by society to choose a gender. NO i can have a conversation with someone with out every "assigning" gender. I do not have to marginalize some one to that extent to introduce myself, ask for a job, get fired or what ever.

This quiz was probably good for some one who has little or no exposure to gender ideas, but I found it to be some what silly, the choices were not serious enough for me, the author did not give enough thought to the choices we were given.

Wood, J. 2001. Gendered Lives. Wadsworth, Stamford CN.

Introduction

My name is Laura. I am a College of Ed student, in the Family and Human Services program. I am attempting to apply for graduate school at the University of Portland, for the distance learning cohort, starting fall 2008, in Salem, OR.

When I have completed this class I will have finished my 12 credits in the Arts and Letters requirement for the University. I have taken an on-line AAD 250, with Scott Huete. I like the on-line format, it allows me to be at home this semester.

When I am not busy with classes, I am volunteering. I have a 90 hour commitment this semester in a field placement. I have a life long love for civic duties and community service. I have an A.A.S in Community Service from Lane Community College, 2005.

Art is a way of human expression. Our feelings about art mean little to the artist, do they? Art has so many variations and designs and types, that I think it is virtually undefinable. The experience of the art is the feelings we get. Hate, love, or leave it, art is what a person is, undefinable and uninhibited.

Gender also, is a way to express ourselves. Without biology, we are who we present our selves to be. Gender is not concrete, gender is changeable, and gender is multi-faceted.