St. George Day summer 2010

Mike Geffner's Inspired Word

http://inspiredwordnyc.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html

What does an artist look like?

I've posed this question toward the reader for one sole reason. I've been told on numerous occasions that I "look like an artist". So what exactly does an artist look like? At first I thought it was the tattoos. Yea, that must be it...tattoos equal artist. That has to be it. But no, that can not be it. People say this to me even when I am covered up. So what is it? And why is it that people can spot that I am an artist right away but struggle to identify my race? I find this phenomenon very amusing.

Racial Disparities

I am reading an article about race and class and how it affects the education system in America. This article focuses on urban education in particular. What defines urban education and how is it different from suburban? According to the piece it is defined by color. When we speak about diversity, we are referring to the integration of people of color into an area or in this case, school. So why do I bring this up on a site where I talk about art? Simple. It's the makeup of students on campus. It's the inadvertent segregation that is created by the students. It is also the fact that while I was enrolled in school as an undergrad I was told in front of my class that I would have a harder time as an artist because I was a person of color and I was female. It is also because I witness that minorities have a harder time receiving validation for the same effort put out by their peers. The talk I hear about integrating school is received poorly and why? Have people not let go of their prejudices yet ... the answer is no... and the canvas to me has become my new race. It defines me by an open array of color which no one can easily connect to me. Maybe then I will be treated equally instead of predisposed ideas are brought to the table and inhibits creation