"Oh boy... she's going to talk about black people again." Yes, I am. No, you don't need a special permit to Go There with me.
Photo courtesy Julie MolinaI just had to bring it up when Amy Lee and I met Laren, who's wearing the purple scarf.
Photo courtesy Julie MolinaNow that I've pointed out the elephant in the room... why is it that there are hardly any people of color at these retreats?
I'm plenty used to being either the only African American, or one of less than ten, in a room. This has been my life throughout grade school, college and my working life, really. As a consequence, my circle of friends tends to look like a United Nations gathering.
But I still look around every so often to see if there are any other African Americans in class with me, like this lady who said she came all the way from Baltimore.I counted. There were six black women at Artfest, including me.
Let's get a few things out of the way: I in no way think this is some sort of conspiracy to keep black people out of this milieu. Nor did I ever feel like a bug on display because of my skin color. And I don't expect these retreats to go looking for people of color.
It's just... why are we the only [black] ones here?
Unfortunately, I can't remember how Laren found out about Artfest. But I think Amy Lee said she'd read about Artfest in the back of one of the Stampington/Somerset arts magazines, in the conventions/events listings. She's also a graphic artist, so she's a bit more likely to run up against this kind of thing.
Amy Lee also mentioned something that seemed to ring true. She said that when she was in school as a kid, art was not really something black kids were encouraged to pursue, as a career or as a hobby. Parents, especially, were more concerned that you got an education that would help you support yourself. (I hear that kind of reasoning from my friends with immigrant parents, only more strongly than in my family.) So: graphic art major -- okay. Fine art major -- not okay.
And it's not just Artfest: at the last moment during Art & Soul last year, I looked around and saw maybe one or two other African American women there. Forget about African American men -- it's astounding to see any men, who aren't instructors, that is.
The Ever-Gorgeous Earl (lots of photos of him in this post at Ricë's blog) had noticed this phenom too. In particular, we wondered: if black women hardly ever come to these things, then where are they? At local dance clubs? Watching TV? (That was the option we thought most likely.) Too damn tired from work and family to do something like this?
The EGE is a black man from Midland, Texas, and not quite the profile of the rare man who does venture into these estrogen-laden venues. But he does because he's a thinker, and he's lots of fun (and because Ricë wouldn't have it any other way).
The best we could figure is maybe it's a combination of money issues, and comfort level with art. I mean, pitching close to $2K, in one shot, at what most outsiders would consider a hobby is something not many black people I know would do. They'd be more likely to recommend you have your head examined (another thing many black people are deeply resistant to doing. "Take
your troubles to God" is what you'd most likely hear, or some version of "suck it up, weenie.")
TV, on the other hand, is cheaper than traveling to any retreat or conference. (I myself spend quality time with our big-ass TV.) So is going dancing with your friends. And no one will call you "bougie" (bourgeois, snooty) or some kind of freakjob for doing either one.
I really don't know. But it bothers me sometimes that so many people who look like me have no idea Artfest exists, much less how much fun it is.
11 comments:
I noticed the lack of men, but I didn't notice the lack of Black women. I just don't think that way, but I understand what you're writing about. I grew up poor in a large city (Los Angeles), in a neighborhood where my brothers and I were the only White kids in our elementary school. All of us were discouraged from "wasting" our money on art or books. Spending money on traveling was also unknown, and it took me a long time to stop buying "things" and realize that travel is worth the money spent. I'm not inferring that most Black women are poorer than White women and can't afford to travel or spend money on art, just that it may be a cultural thing that most people don't even think of changing.
My brave commenter Blaiz!
Yeah, I see where you're coming from. I grew up in an upper-middle-class neighborhood, but my dad grew up poor. My mom grew up more middle class, but her "middle-class" might not have been as financially liquid as the white people in the same town. So I think their upbringings gave me a bit of a different perspective than a lot of the kids around me.
You might be right in that the cultural differences in childhood might keep a person from turning to art. Something to chew on...
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Hello Blogging Queen,
I found your blog from a Google Alert I have for Black Artists (I always like to know where my own readers come from, so I figured you would, too).
As a black woman artist, I share many of your experiences--being the "only" in a room, especially a room with artists is the norm for me, too. I don't let that deter me, in fact, I try to use it as a catalyst for change, and have organized an Art Salon and become VP of my Mixed Media Artist Guild as a result.
I'm so glad to hear from you, Michelle, and from everyone who's taken the time to comment on this particular post.
I hope I'm creating an environment where my readers feel comfortable about talking to me, even about subjects like this that can become tense very quickly.
Have I mentioned that my readers rock?
i always notice the ethnic and colour differences at such events too. for me it comes from growing up overseas (and standing out as the "ugly American" so much) and having a Puerto Rican brother who lived through tons of racial slurs and discrimination from ignorant folks who had no idea what his ethnicity was, so the slurs were always completely wrong on *so* many levels.
and also, don't you find too that sometimes though you may be drawn to the people in the room who "look like you" - that's the only thing you have in common? that's been a fairly common experience for me. (though of course at ArtFest, there are extra reasons that we'd all like each other, no matter the nature or nurture of our ancestory)
That's true -- it's (partly) just the artist's wrapping, so to speak. Celeste, I have to laugh because that used to bug the hell of me as a kid.
You know how little girls will say, "oh, you like 'Bobby', I know you do" because Bobby was sitting at the same lunch table *once*? There was a black boy in my fourth grade class whom I had NOTHING in common with -- and the other kids kept asking me if I liked him. And I even said, "just because I'm black doesn't mean I like him."
Now that I think of it, maybe he was behind it, but I doubt it. He was more popular than I was, and most little boys aren't so roundabout about their feelings.
I am always interested in the demographics of any group I am in, and DH always asks, since he tends to be the lone male in most arty gatherings. I noticed the lack of diversity and a lot of people like me, WPWW (Well padded white women). Growing up, my best friends were both East Indian, so I spent a fair amount of time in their culture. I have asked about art and the answers I got were about having first generation parents who thought in order to succeed and be a credit to your new country, you needed to be something other than an artist - lawyer, doctor, pharmacist, teacher. My Asian friends seem to see art as a nice hobby, but not one for a career. It doesn't seem to have been an option for those I have asked. And it was not an option for me either, despite having a potter for a mother. I have a medical condition to support! I came to this fun late, but am happy to be at the party, with my uber cool friends.
Very interesting. Being white and middle class, I am very rarely in the position of feeling like an "only". I think in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable environment, we tend to gravitate toward those that, at least on the surface, are like ourselves. I know I fight that urge when traveling to an exotic location. I've just found your blog, and I am definitely going to be reading it regularly. I met you at ArtFest but never got to talk to you.
Hey, Pamela! Welcome to the party! Salty snacks are on the left, sweet stuff is on the right, and the booze is on the wet bar.
You know, Janine's comment about her Asian friends thinking art was interesting but certainly not a career reminded me of something. It wasn't until *maybe* the mid-20th century that acting was considered a legit job.
Actors were assumed to be part-time petty criminals and generally freaks, and the female actors especially were assumed to be whores. After all, respectable women don't draw attention to themselves in public! Therefore any woman who gained notice must be a hooker, or at least "loose."
But you know, if you don't have a reputation to uphold, all sorts of choices open up to you!
Hey girlie - great post! I definetely pay attention to these things, and after just returning from Art and Soul in Asilomar - the same issue holds true. Mostly middle aged, middle class white women all around. I truly think that the main reason for this, is these are the people with the time and money to attend such an event.
As someone in her (cough) mid-30s, time is a huge issue for me. With children, a household, and my business to juggle, making enough time for art, let alone a quiet shower, let alone 4-5 days away for an art retreat is a big endeavor. Middle aged women are more free because their children are either old enough to care for themselves, or have already grown and left the nest.
Money certainly plays a large factor in attending such a retreat as well. Adding up the cost of the retreat, travel expenses, class supplies, and more, we are talking well over $1500 if not $2000. A decent chunk of change for anyone.
It's a very sad truth, and I don't think it's any secret that black women make up an unfortunately large number of the poor in this country. I'm sure there are many who were not only discouraged from taking up art as a career, but are so busy trying to support their families, they haven't the time or money to attend such an event. I don't believe it has anything to do with the event coordinators. It has a lot to do with the economic status of, and the opportunities made available to, the people living in this country.
I don't believe it's racist to say that there are more poor black people than white people-it's simply the truth. To ignore or supress that truth is dangerous.
As for the lack of men - build it in Vegas, and they will come.
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