by
Christopher Niles, 05, History Major
"Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and
another inferior is permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is
War."
Haille Selassie
Jean Lacy expressed to our class in the workshop that, at the same time a shrine can represent the struggles of African Americans as a result of the Diaspora, the art should also be close to you and represent a part of your own life. I concentrated my shrine theme on the effects of the Diaspora as a global civil rights movement. These events were and are happening all over the world, and the struggle in the United States could be said to be the perfect case study. I read Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon, and this book has influenced my outlook on the intentions of our government and the way in which it has treated other countries. Fanon's work has made it clear to me that the Civil Rights Movement in our country is analogous to that of the independence movements in African nations and rights struggles in former slaveholding colonies. Like most imperialist countries, the United States, after physical slavery was abolished, enacted a system of control using more abstract methods. These methods include a system of racial separation, stifling economic success, and depriving an entire race of people the right to education and basic literacy. The universal nature of the African American struggle is an aspect that I believe should receive attention. I wanted to include these issues in my shrine, as they have had an influence on my thinking and my education. I hope that my shrine has been as personal as Jean Lacy would want in one of her pieces.
The box is painted black to symbolize the death and severity resulting from the forceful removal of an entire people. The chain/handle represents chains of slavery and the true nature of imperialist attitudes. The quote on the top of the box is from Haille Selassie's speech to the League of Nations upon Italy's invasion of his country. The message's focus is on the inaction of the League as a result of their ingrained racism. Inside the shrine the Rastafarian flag is painted to symbolize the pan-African movement and the common struggle of all displaced Africans.
The dollar symbolizes the greed that is at the heart of all Civil Rights issues; George Washington speaking out of both sides of his mouth represents the hypocrisy of our founding principles. The bill ringed with cotton and sugar exemplifies the crops that brought Africans from their homes, and continues to keep them in a state of abstract enslavement.
Another aspect of my shrine is the post-colonial and post-emancipation continuance of exploitation. The broken pencil represents denial of education, a means by which protest was subverted. The STOP sign and the peace symbol represent hope, unity, respect and understanding -- characteristics that must prevail for a reconciliation between races.
I was impressed by Jean Lacy's attention to detail and
personal commitment to contribute to our own shrines. She has tremendous
presence, and she was able to not only influence the students in the class
but also relate to them as well. She helped me out a great deal with
creative ideas, specifically, moving the chain on my shrine from an inanimate
object to a piece of utility as the shrine's handle.