The University of Akron in Ohio is offering the opportunity for students to see themselves as a different race with the imaging technology in this photo booth
http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2013/02/07/dnt-missouri-teen-basement.wdaf.html
I think the responses were interesting in that everyone had something similar to say to the effect that we're all one race and it doesn't matter about outward appearance. That human beings are a race and it's a matter of character that separates us. Voltaire said "Men are created equal. It's not birth, but virtue, that makes the difference." I've always been drawn to this quote because its how I've always felt. But what I'm learning through traveling and studying is that its not the reality of the situation. During Voltaire's life and so many years later today, we're still struggling to see past someone's skin color or class or education level etc. without judgement.
My question is then how do we shift as a race to begin to truly look past outward appearance especially as we hear more and more about people trying to look more American or white to feel better and more accepted. I think in some ways it encourages those of us who have never had to consider being another race (mainly whites) to think that we're superior in a way.
I also wonder how many white students participated because the video shows only interviews, except for one white male, being students of color. Is this idea of seeing yourself as a different race only appealing to those who really understand the hardship of not being white? Or is it intriguing for a white student from Ohio to see themselves as Black or Asian? Seeing the results from the photos my first reaction was wow they look ridiculous... because I've never had the feelings that I would want to be anything other then white. I don't think it's a thought most white people have. But I wonder how many of those students really used this opportunity to seek something they've been curious about and if it helped them find more confidence in who they are as an African American or Indian or if it just left them more unsure.. Its a quick video but I'd like to know the outcomes the University gathers after this booth has been taken out.
http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2013/02/07/dnt-missouri-teen-basement.wdaf.html
I think the responses were interesting in that everyone had something similar to say to the effect that we're all one race and it doesn't matter about outward appearance. That human beings are a race and it's a matter of character that separates us. Voltaire said "Men are created equal. It's not birth, but virtue, that makes the difference." I've always been drawn to this quote because its how I've always felt. But what I'm learning through traveling and studying is that its not the reality of the situation. During Voltaire's life and so many years later today, we're still struggling to see past someone's skin color or class or education level etc. without judgement.
My question is then how do we shift as a race to begin to truly look past outward appearance especially as we hear more and more about people trying to look more American or white to feel better and more accepted. I think in some ways it encourages those of us who have never had to consider being another race (mainly whites) to think that we're superior in a way.
I also wonder how many white students participated because the video shows only interviews, except for one white male, being students of color. Is this idea of seeing yourself as a different race only appealing to those who really understand the hardship of not being white? Or is it intriguing for a white student from Ohio to see themselves as Black or Asian? Seeing the results from the photos my first reaction was wow they look ridiculous... because I've never had the feelings that I would want to be anything other then white. I don't think it's a thought most white people have. But I wonder how many of those students really used this opportunity to seek something they've been curious about and if it helped them find more confidence in who they are as an African American or Indian or if it just left them more unsure.. Its a quick video but I'd like to know the outcomes the University gathers after this booth has been taken out.
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ReplyDeleteYou bring several good questions, Anetta, on whether people of different colors would have a different intention in trying the photo booth, and if people would have a different aspect of themselves after the experience. I have tried one of those racial-altering photo booths before at my undergrad school. It was called the Human Race Machine, developed by Nancy Burson, which allows participants to alter their facial characteristics and view themselves in six difference races: Asian, White, African, Middle Eastern, and Indian. Looking back, I remember how excited I was when I saw that photo booth and found out what it could do. It was completely out of curiosity of how I would look like in different races. And I had the same reaction as one of those participants. It was a total weird, yet amazing feeling to understand and to know we are all one race, yet we are so different on the outside character. This also reminded me of our class discussion on the Halloween costumes. So what is the difference between altering your racial features and dressing up as a different culture? Why could one seen as a fun and educated experience, yet the other would be so offensive to others? One thing I could think of is that the photo booth was mainly focused on altering our generic facial features, instead of put on other damaging racial stereotypes that promote inaccurate generalizations like those Halloween costumes.
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