I don't usually like "playing the race card" (as in the previous post), but sometimes things are so obviously blatant, so in your face- and yet, how many notice? Funny thing too, for a group of people who pride themselves so on noticing things... Perhaps the decades old "solution" of throwing a token or two at the problem is sooo old that most of us just assume they're there, somewhere- who in their right mind's gonna waste time looking for 'em anyway!
Dialogue is a crucial first step, so a hearty shout out to all who responded to my initial post. One commenter suggested that the ol' blogosphere could perhaps be the place that helps initiate necessary change. I'm still hopeful, but with so many, it's just another tool to help further themselves in the photographic establishment. I mean wouldn't it be great if we had a prestigious and Conscientious blogger who weighed in on something of such gravitas? How about A Photo Editor somewhere out there who has first hand knowledge and insight? Aint gonna happen (please prove me wrong), they aint gonna rock their boat- the water's fine, for them.
Some of us only have to worry about race when we're in certain neighborhoods, for others it's a crucial and defining factor throughout our lives. Ultimately, it's something that affects us all. It's nice to vote for a symbol; it's more important to deal with everyday realities and consequences. This country and planet has witnessed too many of the ensuing horrors when we don't.
Dialogue is a crucial first step, so a hearty shout out to all who responded to my initial post. One commenter suggested that the ol' blogosphere could perhaps be the place that helps initiate necessary change. I'm still hopeful, but with so many, it's just another tool to help further themselves in the photographic establishment. I mean wouldn't it be great if we had a prestigious and Conscientious blogger who weighed in on something of such gravitas? How about A Photo Editor somewhere out there who has first hand knowledge and insight? Aint gonna happen (please prove me wrong), they aint gonna rock their boat- the water's fine, for them.
Some of us only have to worry about race when we're in certain neighborhoods, for others it's a crucial and defining factor throughout our lives. Ultimately, it's something that affects us all. It's nice to vote for a symbol; it's more important to deal with everyday realities and consequences. This country and planet has witnessed too many of the ensuing horrors when we don't.
2 comments:
Hi Stan, with this and the previous post you have raised an issue that demands serious attention. I have to say, that since I moved to the U.S. I have actually been shocked at how segregated this country still is. Even if NYC is touted as the world's biggest melting pot, I have yet to see the ingredients mix as thoroughly as I thought they might. I say this after spending ten years in another melting pot - London - which of course still has it's racial tensions but no where near close to the issues faced on a day to day basis here. A friend of mine from London was going for job interviews in NYC a couple of years back and commented on how the interviewer's perception noticeably shifted to a more positive stance when she opened her mouth and they heard a British accent. She is black, with Ghanain Parents. 'Casual' racism indeed.
Also, as I mentioned to you, I work with some community based photography programs that offer 'disadvantaged' youth the opportunity to work with photography. This has ranged from traditional black and white to digital and in most cases there are always a number of students who talk about pursuing photography as a career. They have completely unrealistic expectations of how hard it is, how dedicated you have to be, how much it costs and how much you earn. I am not a big commercial photographer. My income is pitiful and it has taken me years of hard work and reinvestment (temporal and financial!) to even get myself onto the bottom rung of the ladder where I can call myself a professional photographer. And I come from a relatively privileged background.
When I explain my path and tell them about the years of work, costs, the erratic and low income etc , I am often greeted with wide eyed disbelief. Then I promptly tell them it's the best job I've ever had and I wouldn't want to do anything else.
The truth is that there are plenty of people who will never be able to explore their talents because of their economic situation. There needs to be a fundamental shift in the economic realities of our society if this is to change.
I have no problem with rich kids becoming photographers. Indeed, I know many people who come from a financially secure background and work just as hard as anyone else. There are privileged people in this world who subscribe to the mantra that the more you have, the bigger your responsibility to those less fortunate than yourself. Kudos to them.
As for PDN's all white jury - though I believe positive discrimination is counter productive in the long run I cannot believe they couldn't find one non-white judge. That is just ridiculous. It's not like there are no qualified candidates...
Tom- Thanks for your insight and response. Likewise, when I first went to London I was surprised (and pleased) to see how people of all colors not only worked side by side in the workforce (as here)- but more importantly, continued those relationships in the pubs, and beyond...
I'm not trying to condemn any one group, there's plenty of blame (and praise) to go around and share. But, of course, it's those in power that always pull the strings and control the game. And as long as we continue to remain as segregated as we are, the ignorance on both sides stands little chance of diminishing. I'm just trying to serve notice in a very small way as to how prevalent and pervasive the situation remains... to this day.
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