We are the Other, South Minneapolis, MN, (2012-2013)
When I first saw this picture, I noticed the chalkboards that the two people are holding and the words that are written on the chalkboards. The chalkboard on the left says "People think I'm in a gang I'm in college" and the one the right say "1.Pull your pants up 2. Stay out of the wrong place 3. Be more careful." I also noticed what the people are wearing in the photograph. Both have on red jackets and appear to be dressed for cold weather. The location of the photograph is also interesting. It seems to be a convenience store selling snack food and clothing apparel.
Upon further examination of the photo I began to analyze the big picture and the message that Wing Young Hule was trying to portray. Both of the chalk boards were written as a result of racial stereotypes against African Americans. The male in the photograph accuses the general public of stereotyping him as a gang member when in reality he is a college student. The stereotype is based on the man's outside appearance. This includes his race and how he dresses. The women's chalk board is formatted as if they are rules that she is to follow in order to be best suited for the environment around her. The list is influenced by many racial stereotypes such as the misconception that all African Americans sag their pants. The list of rules also implies that it is very important that African Americans to always be extra aware of their surroundings and what activities are going on. These rules could be influenced by crime in the area and written as a warning for one's safety. One could also interpret as being a warning regarding police in the are and possible discrimination.
Both Wing Young Hule and Margaret Atwood portray "othering" by building off stereotypes and focusing on how stereotypes can cause isolation between different groups of people. Wing Young Hule shows in her photograph the division between African Americans and other races. These stereotypes are formed in part by the fact that some people view people of another race as being completely different as themselves. The way some people view African Americans causes hostility and prejudices to form causing further alienation. Instead of judging a race as a whole, one should get to know the individual. Margaret Atwood shows in The Handmaids Tale, the division between Handmaids and the Wives due to stereotypes. In the book, Offred mentions how many of the wives view Handmaids as being sexually promiscuous women who were beneath them. In return, Handmaids viewed the Wives as being cold and heartless women who really had no significant value in society. Wing Young Hule and Margaret Atwood differ due to the fact that Wing Young Hule focused more on racial stereotypes whereas Margaret Atwood portrayed social stereotypes.
Upon further examination of the photo I began to analyze the big picture and the message that Wing Young Hule was trying to portray. Both of the chalk boards were written as a result of racial stereotypes against African Americans. The male in the photograph accuses the general public of stereotyping him as a gang member when in reality he is a college student. The stereotype is based on the man's outside appearance. This includes his race and how he dresses. The women's chalk board is formatted as if they are rules that she is to follow in order to be best suited for the environment around her. The list is influenced by many racial stereotypes such as the misconception that all African Americans sag their pants. The list of rules also implies that it is very important that African Americans to always be extra aware of their surroundings and what activities are going on. These rules could be influenced by crime in the area and written as a warning for one's safety. One could also interpret as being a warning regarding police in the are and possible discrimination.
Both Wing Young Hule and Margaret Atwood portray "othering" by building off stereotypes and focusing on how stereotypes can cause isolation between different groups of people. Wing Young Hule shows in her photograph the division between African Americans and other races. These stereotypes are formed in part by the fact that some people view people of another race as being completely different as themselves. The way some people view African Americans causes hostility and prejudices to form causing further alienation. Instead of judging a race as a whole, one should get to know the individual. Margaret Atwood shows in The Handmaids Tale, the division between Handmaids and the Wives due to stereotypes. In the book, Offred mentions how many of the wives view Handmaids as being sexually promiscuous women who were beneath them. In return, Handmaids viewed the Wives as being cold and heartless women who really had no significant value in society. Wing Young Hule and Margaret Atwood differ due to the fact that Wing Young Hule focused more on racial stereotypes whereas Margaret Atwood portrayed social stereotypes.
I liked what you said in the second paragraph about the young woman's sign- "rules...best suited for the environment around her." It's worth it to think about this in our own lives and also in the lives of the characters in THT. Your look at both the othering of the Handmaids by the wives and the wives by the Handmaids is great because othering can occur between social classes and also within social classes for a variety of reasons.
ReplyDeleteI think it's also interesting to look at the "rules" that the Handmaids are both explicitly taught by the Aunts and those which are implied, yet universally known by Handmaids. I think a good example of that is explained when Offred goes into detail about the proper way to perform the ceremony to ensure that it is just for procreation without any emotional connection. There are certain things Offred must do to create this effect. Also, Offred implies that even though things like her detours when walking home are not technically forbidden, she can be punished for them. Examples like this are the rules that Handmaids have created for themselves based on personal experience and the experiences of those around them.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you noticed the connection of othering and being isolated. In my opinion being isolated is the strongest form of the conept of "othering". When isolated, people subjected to discrimination cannot defend themselves and they cannot attempt to stop the discrimination. The subjects in the photos are resisting harmful stereotypes about their race. Once people are subjegated into a negative role in society it is very challanging for them to inmprove their social standing.
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