This piece isn’t meant to be looked at as the woman painting herself white because she isn’t proud of who she is, this painting is meant to show her being forced to change her identity in order to navigate easier in this society. It’s undeniable that women of color, specifically black women, are not represented in the media, in any form of art, nor are they told they are worthy and important nearly as often as white women are. This painting’s purpose is to show that women of color want to be recognized for their intelligence and accomplishments without the addition of negative stereotypes, and if they were white that would never be a concern. We have to love and support the women of color in our lives, especially black women, who by far receive the least amount of love from our white dominated society.
–Jasmine David, senior
