How relevant can an English AND Victorian poem be for 21st century America? 'In an Artist's Studio,' penned by Christina Rossetti, tells us of... well.... an artists studio.
via GIPHY
There, the artist has canvases filled with women that look exactly the same. Whether or not this is because this is only one model or not is to still be questioned. But the point still stands. Every female painting looks the same within the artists studio. Even when they are dressed as a "queen in opal or in ruby dress, /A nameless girl in freshest summer-greens, /A saint, an angel.." (5-7), they all have the same face.
via GIPHY
Wow! Doesn't that representation of everyone that is not considered to be the "standard" of humanity ring a bell? This message is way bigger than (possibly) one model, this is a representation of any under-served group in the United States. Most of us are represented as how the media and a small portion of the population represent us. Not by how we really are.
via GIPHY
A pretty young woman must always be the damsel or the black widow. An Asian man must always be a warrior in Imperial China (even if they aren't Chinese), gas station worker, or a nerd. A black man must always be loud and rambunctious. Often, they are also portrayed as thieves and miscreants. Older women must be an old crone or a witch. Hispanic? Then you are probably an illegal immigrant that must "go back to your country where you belong." Let's not even mention the fact that most people in this country have an immigrant background, yet the Native American population is seen as this:
via GIPHY
I guess that is why a musical like Hamilton is receiving so much praise in a world of stereotypes and cultural appropriation.
via GIPHY
Nothing really seems to change at the end of the day. But at least we are more aware of the worlds errors.
No comments:
Post a Comment