The Voices That Won't Be Silenced! Abby Carter

In Elizabeth Catlett’s 1947 woodcut "And a Special Fear for My Loved Ones," the subject matter shows a Black man lying dead on the ground, surrounded by the feet of men in heavy shoes you assume they are white, because the young black male wears a noose around his neck. The symbolism of the noose around his neck and lifeless body speaks to systemic racism and the constant danger Black individuals face. The meaning from form comes through in the harsh black-and-white contrast and carved, sharp jagged lines, which heighten the emotional intensity in the scene. The overall message in this piece is a powerful one, this isn’t just about a single act of brutality caused by groups like the KKK, it’s about the rooted, ongoing fear black families carry for the safety of their loved ones in a world shaped by racial injustice.

This piece makes me angry and sick. Why is the only thing I can think of. Why hate us for the color of our skin? We all bleed the same blood when will things change! I relate to this piece because I live in a white town and this is a very real thing.

https://www.artic.edu/artworks/184343/and-a-special-fear-for-my-loved-ones-from-the-black-woman-formerly-the-negro-woman-published-1946-47

This 1963 photograph taken by Richard Avedon captures William Casby, one of the last known African Americans born into slavery. The personal history of Casby as a former enslaved black male is shown in the somber, yet powerful expression on his face. The historical period of the Civil Rights Movement during the time this photograph was taken, points out the ongoing struggles for racial equality and justice. This reminds us of how recent the fight for freedom truly was. Avedon’s uses form to emphasize the emotional weight of Casby’s experiences and life. This draws the viewer’s attention to his struggles as well as the hardships he faced while he was still a slave. The intended audience for this photograph is everybody who doesn't realize slavery wasn't that long ago.

This piece makes me feel incredibly emotional and proud of my people at the same time. It pains me to see the expression on his face. I can't even imagine the hardships he faced. I can't directly relate to this piece but I think of the hardships faced by my ancestors.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/285144

This 1965 painting named First Day of School by Vincent D. Smith invites Marxist interpretation, as it shows the struggle for Black children to access education in a corrupted racist system. This artwork symbolizes the tension between opportunity and adversity, reflecting the class struggles and institutional barriers that were enforced for Black students during desegregation. This piece is incredibly emotional, showing the vulnerability and courage of a young Black child navigating a hostile environment just to attend school. The structuralist interpretation of the composition shows how the interplay of lines and figures creates a sense of chaos and discomfort , emphasizing the psychological and social hurdles faced by the African American child. You could totally see this through a post-colonial lens as well since the painting calls out how old systems of racism and control still mess with education today.

This piece makes me feel sad and proud. As someone who still deals with racism today in school, I relate to these brave little kids. Walking into places where you don’t feel accepted just because of the color of your skin takes so much strength and a huge toll on ones mental health, and this painting reminds me that just showing up is a radical act of resistance.

https://www.artic.edu/artworks/131425/first-day-of-school

In May 1963, photographer Bill Hudson captured one of the most unforgettable images of the Civil Rights Movement: police using K-9s to attack protestors in Birmingham, Alabama. Taken during peaceful protesting, the image shows a young black male protestor being grabbed by a police dog while an officer holds him still. This photo is set in the historical period of Jim Crow era segregation where racism was deeply built into Southern laws, systems and beliefs. This photo was the turning point for major political events, especially the Birmingham campaign led by Martin Luther King Jr. to end segregation for good. The social events like peaceful marches were met with police brutally, making this photo a immediate national wake-up call at the time. The intended function of this photo wasn’t just to inform others of what was going on, it shocked many people, brought empathy, and pushed more Americans to demand change, helping lead to the Civil Rights Act.

This photo makes me feel sick and furious. It's hard to believe this kind of hate was allowed to happen just because of the color of our skin and what’s worse is that this is still happening today while the police force turn a blind eye. Seeing a young Black person treated like that hits extremely close to home. It reminds me why I care so much about justice, and why we as people can't stop fighting we need a change! My brother has faced loads of police being racist or treating him differently from his friends because of the color of his skin.

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/search?size=48&view=grid&q=racism

“They call me Redbone but I rather be called strawberry shortcake” by Amy Sherald 2009 This painting powerfully represents the tension between how society defines Black identity and how Black individuals define themselves. I especially relate to this art piece as a Black Woman. The vibrant colors of the piece alongside it only showing the young girl challenges stereotypes and expectations. The phrase “They call me Redbone but I rather be called strawberry shortcake” speaks to how even young Black girls are labeled and judged based on their skin tone and societal stereotypes.

This piece makes me feel heard and sad. This piece in particular resonates with me personally, as I have faced racism at a very young age and been forced to grapple with these labels since I was a young girl. The piece reflects both the pain and the strength found in reclaiming one’s identity in the face of racial adversity! There will be change!

https://www.theartstory.org/artist/sherald-amy/

In his piece The Rights of Women (1835–1853), George Cruikshank shows the societal backlash against women’s rights and enfranchisement. The subject matter shows women behaving wildly and crazy which visually mocks and downplays the idea of female empowerment. This satirical image adds to harmful stereotypes that paint women as unfit for political or intellectual life which is just completely untrue. The piece is packed with symbolism through subtext, showing that women's liberation was seen as a threat to the male-dominated order. The meaning from form comes through in Cruikshank’s bold lines, high contrast, and chaotic layout. Even the title, Effects of Female Enfranchisement, carries heavy symbolism, implying that giving women rights would lead to disorder or bigger problems. While this piece doesn’t focus on Black women specifically, I still wanted to add it because it connects to the broader theme that all women regardless of race have been forced to fight against a system designed to suppress them.

This piece makes me feel tired and frustrated. It shows how women’s rights have always been seen as controversial or threatening, even though the need for equality should be universal! As a women I already suffer loads of sexism and disgusting comments but as a women of color it gets a whole lot worse.

https://www.artic.edu/artworks/222564/the-rights-of-women-or-the-effects-of-female-enfranchisement-from-george-cruikshank-s-steel-etchings-to-the-comic-almanacks-1835-1853

In her 1999 oil painting Bluest Eye, Stefanie Jackson uses deep emotional and cultural layers pulling some from Toni Morrison’s novel to show how racism messes with self-worth. A feminist interpretation reveals how the piece critiques how girls, especially Black girls, are shaped by beauty standards made by men (and also for men) and how those standards can seriously damage their identity starting at a very young age. The little black girl on the left has one blue eye, one brown eye, and the Shirley Temple figure that is appearing next to her points out how society pressures Black girls into changing their appearance just to feel loved. Through a psychoanalytical interpretation, you can feel the inner conflict and trauma caused by these expectations to be someone who you cannot be similar to the fractured identity and the desire to be something she’s not just to feel accepted. A post-colonial interpretation shows how Jackson’s imagery challenges the lingering impacts of white colonial beauty ideals, while also uplifting Black self- identity and resilience. My Personal interpretation makes this piece hit hard for me. it makes me reflect on how racism affects not just what others see in me, but what I start to see in myself.

This piece hits extremely close to home for me. As a young black girl growing up with a white mother and in a white neighborhood all I saw was "white beauty" and white beauty standards that I could never fit into. This created a lot of issues internally for me that I still to this day have to work through.

https://smarthistory.org/seeing-america-2/stefanie-jackson-bluest-eye/

In her monumental 2014 installation A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby, Kara Walker transformed the industrial space of Brooklyn's Domino Sugar Refinery into a powerful visual story. The centerpiece is a colossal, large-scale sphinx-like figure of a Black woman, standing approximately 35 feet tall and 75 feet long, crafted from polystyrene and coated in white sugar. This form, while inspired by traditional Ancient Egyptian sculpture, incorporated organic shapes in its soft curves and bodily modeling, mimicking human flesh. Surrounding her were small-scale figures of Black children made of resin, whose sticky surfaces created a shape of melting bodies symbolizing the suffering and pain they faced. The huge proportions to me symbolize the stereotypical "Mammy" as a world mother and how she took care of others through slavery.

This piece makes me feel a mix of amazement and discomfort. The sheer size and material of the sculptures draw me in I mean its amazing that somebody could create this , but the underlying themes of exploitation and racial history provoke deep reflection for me and make this piece a little uncomfortable to look at.

https://www.theartstory.org/search-results.htm?cx=011726106571383295395%3Asijawrmm1zc&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=racism&sa=

This 2008 portrait by Shepard Fairey, titled Hope, became one of the most powerful visual symbols of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. The subject matter is clear, President Obama is depicted as a strong, African American, leader. His upward look and resilient expression suggest a change is coming. The image uses symbolism through color incorporating patriotic reds, blues, and beiges , while the bold word “HOPE” transforms the piece into a cry for change. The meaning from form is shown through the stylized lines, giving Obama a timeless, iconic quality kinda pop art like that amplifies his presence and reflects the clarity of the campaign’s message. The overall message of this artwork is to give people hope that their will be a change, especially for African Americans.

This piece makes me feel both inspired and scared. It reminds me of a time when our President cared for us as people. I actually used to call Obama grandpa when I was little because I didn't know any other black people . But it also makes me scared a little because what if we don’t get that kind of leadership again? I see us going backwards right now and that is my worst fear.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2023.39.14

This 1968 poster was used by sanitation workers during their strike in Memphis, Tennessee. The subject matter of this piece is to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and end racism. This phrase itself is full of symbolism, asserting dignity and humanity in a society that continually dehumanized them. The poster also uses symbolism through subtext; it challenges the viewer to think about the racial and economic injustice built into American institutions all around us. Although the words on the sign are simple, they can make a big change. The overall message of the piece is we need to all work together in order to fight racism.

This piece makes me feel both inspired and heartbroken. The fact that we even had to fight for our rights to this day baffles me. What makes me less of a human then you? My mom and I love protesting and making signs like this.

https://www.si.edu/search?edan_q=racism&

David Hammons’ African American Flag, created in 1990 for the exhibition "Black USA", uses the red, black, and green colors of Black liberation to represent the continues struggle for freedom and equality in the US. Through structuralist interpretation, the familiar design of the American flag is colored with new colors, shifting its meaning to highlight African American identity . A Marxist interpretation shows how the flag critiques systems of power, calling attention to the African Americans under capitalism. From a post-colonial interpretation, the work challenges and tests traditonal dominant Western narratives and highlights the voices of those who have been silenced, especially in a European context where African American artists were often overlooked and not credited . A psychoanalytical interpretation might suggest the flag expresses a collective need for visibility and healing after generations of racial trauma.

This piece makes me feel proud to be a black person. It’s a bold statement and I actually have never seen it before doing this project, and it makes me think of the power in reclaiming symbols that have been used against us. When I see this flag it makes me think about how far we’ve come as a society and how much more work needs to happen.

https://www.theartstory.org/artist/hammons-david/

This 2020 letterpress poster by Elizabeth Castaldo is small but HUGE at the same time. The large-scale purple letters on a high-key cream background shout the message: White people must speak up. A lot of white people do not speak up because they are blinded by their privilege, we must educate the population in order to make a change. This is why programs such as DEI are so crucial to the development of this country. There’s no fancy imagery, just words which to me makes it more powerful, big, and loud. It reminds me of a protest chant but on paper. The proportions of the big bold text create a visual tension that demands attention. I love the way the letters change some being small-scale and other large-scale throughout the statement.

This piece makes me feel fired up. I see this and instantly think of all the times people stayed quiet when I needed them to speak up. I have a white boyfriend and he always speaks up for me I never even have to ask. White people need to advocate for change because if you don't they wont listen.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search?q=racism