My group discussed the quote from Shonibare of "I've never actually been to an African village, I've only seen one on television." This only starts to describe how bias the world views everyone else, not just Africans. We all assume so much about everyone and everything, that for instance all black people are from a poor, underdeveloped African village because thats all Africa is. Or even that all Iowans are farmers and hicks. Both of which are far from correct. But to be honest, I didn't know what Africa was like either but how would I know? All my life I have been taught little about Africa, I've seen a thousand commercials about helping poor and sick children in Africa and have heard only about the 'small underdeveloped villages' where they wear masks all the time. So of course we make assumptions based of what we think we know, which we know everything right? Based on these false accusations, Shonibare is challenged to making great art thats controversial, thats different and gets people talking and confused to almost prove a point about who he is, and who he isn't.
A question that I developed after reading all these articles was the difference in how or if our views change? Compared to even 30 years ago, our (American) views I hope have developed more so in becoming more culturally aware. With us overcoming racism, does being an 'other' still have as much of an impact? Although I think we have much more to be educated on to fully change our biases, its something that I hope will slowly disintegrate.
