My Self Portrait

Self-Portrait Artist Statement

Empowering the Black Woman

            For my self-portrait I created a video aimed at empowering black women. Earlier in the semester we discussed intersectionality. Intersectionality is the theme that describes the multiple oppressions that each group has to face based off of gender, race, religion, and sexual preference. Black women are one of the few groups who are greatly affected by intersectionality. Black women face double discrimination through sexism and racism. Even within our own community, black women often experience the effects of colorism. The “darksin vs. lightskin” debate has also created division and controversy within the black community. My goal for creating this video was to inspire all black women and empower them no matter their skin color or the double discrimination and oppressions that are designed to work against them. This topic is most important to me not only because I am a black woman, but also because I am raising a young beautiful black girl. I want my daughter to know that she is beautiful no matter what society says. I want her to have pride in her blackness, and not allow the negative effects of intersectionality to discourage her from being the best she can be. 

            Being that I am a singer, I wanted to incorporate my talent in the self-portrait. In the beginning of my video I covered the song “Masterpiece” by Jazmine Sullivan. This song is relevant to the topic because the song was written to inspire women to love themselves and find their beauty. “Every part of me is beautiful, and I finally see I’m a work of art. I’m a masterpiece.” After the cover, the video included a clip of Malcolm X speaking on the black woman. “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected woman in America is the black woman.” 

            The next portion of my video included the work of various artists who are black women. The work I highlighted in the video coincided with the concept of intersectionality. The artists I included were Dominique Duroseau, Renee Cox, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, and Shashana Weinberger. The art work of these women are aimed at addressing the racial issues that black women face, breaking the stereotypes of black women, and using those same stereotypes to empower black women. I also included Sarah Baartman in the video. Sarah Baartman was a South African woman who was exhibited all over 19^thcentury Europe. She was objectified and showcased because of her large buttocks. I addressed how at one point in history, black women were seen only as sexual objects and freaks of nature. Shashana Weinberger especially channels this theme in her artwork.

            In the last portion of my video I included my daughter, Jordyn. Jordyn expressed how important it is for her to be a black girl. “I feel like it’s special to me that I am a black girl,” she said. “I’m smart, I’m independent, and I’m confident. And I’m strong too.” Personally, this was my favorite part of the video. My daughter is my creation and it prides me to know that my daughter is confident and proud of who she is. I also included photos of myself and my friends because they are all confident and strong black women. I used the song “Almeda” by Solange to play throughout the video. This song goes with the concept of my video. It embodies and empowers blackness. That was my goal for creating my self-portrait.