The State of Things

Option 1:

Watch the documentary on James Baldwin, "I Am Not Your Negro"

https://www.kanopy.com/en/stjohns/video/542400

or Netflix

Read the article:

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/systemic-inequality-displacement-exclusion-segregation/

Please create a three-part written response, accompanied by a images or a gallery of images that enhances your written responses. The length of each of these responses depends on your experience, but let's say a minimum of 600 words total.

Part I. Self as Witness

Have you or someone close to you ever experienced discrimination whether by race/ethnicity, social or economic class, gender, body type, language abilities, health issues, etc., etc.? Please describe this experience and the thoughts and feelings associated with it. Try to be as specific as possible.

Part II. Historical Precedents

Having gone down the difficult path asked of you in Part I, it is important to recognize that these problems have been around for a long time; that historical precedents exist for most aspects of discrimination. Please investigate, using the university Databases and other search engines, some historical precedents for the issue(s) you have chosen.

Part III. Going Forward

You have described your own experience and its historical precedent(s). Now, let's imagine the future. What guidance would you offer your future children or the next generation? How can we move forward and heal ourselves? This is a very big question, but one that we all must address. What kind of creative solutions can you offer?

Option 2:

Watch the documentary:

James Baldwin's I am Not Your Negro https://stjohns.kanopy.com/video/i-am-not-your-negro

Read the article:

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/systemic-inequality-displacement-exclusion-segregation/

I. Artist as Witness

Choose an artist from The Harlem Renaissance or an artist working from1920's until now and discuss what kind of discrimination they had to endure in their career, and how what tactics they took to persevere and overcome.

Suggested artists:

Jacob Lawrence

Edmonia Lewis

Aaron Douglas

Elizabeth Catlett

Romare Bearden

Selma Burke

Jean Michel Basquiat

Lorna Simpson

Kehinde Wiley

Jordan Casteel

Simone Leigh

Mickalene Thomas

Part II. Historical Precedents

Having completed Part I, it is important to recognize that these problems have been around for a long time; that historical precedents exist for most aspects of discrimination. Please investigate, using the university Databases and other search engines, some historical precedents for the issue(s) the artist endured.

Part III. Changing the Conversation

In what ways (be specific) did the artist's work influence the public, increase awareness, create dialogue on issues of discrimination?