lumanica
30030
Judging is part of human nature, it is something we all do at all times, and it is these judgments that have structured our common social beliefs. But which are the verdicts that we have all agreed upon? What effects do these have on our lives? From these thoughts I began to question how it is that so many cultures have leaned towards the same ideas of what signifies superiority? How can skin color or facial features come to measure the quality of our humanity? Why do we believe it is so important to be perceived with a certain standing whether it is regarding wealth or social stance? How do we justify killing for money or a social position? How have we justified the inhuman acts we do to each other?
In Mexico, as in many other countries, beliefs of inequality trace back to so far they are no longer questioned. Mexico was built and developed in this way. When the Spanish arrived in 1519, a belief system based on oppression of the indigenous groups was built. They were immediately judged as inferior to the colonizing Spanish and therefore were expected to assume the role of servants. The Mexicans were forced to direct themselves to the Spanish by saying phrases such as “mande usted” which means, “You give me the command.” The word you, in this case, specifically implies respect to the person being addressed. This is a sentence still commonly used in Mexico, but very few are actually aware of the subservience implied. 490 years later, suppression has remained except it now occurs unacknowledged by both the oppressors and the oppressed.
Sadly, not only terms of suppression have remained since colonizing times. As the Spanish took over the lands of the indigenous people, they responded with anger and violence. This became the norm: the higher classes would regard the lower classes as inferior. The lower classes, in turn, would view the higher classes as those who have taken away their land and wealth and now deserve to be taken from. But where have such beliefs taken us? Have they helped build a community? Or have they brought on violence? How have kidnappings, killings, not allowing household workers to eat the same food as the household owners eat, having them wear gloves to hold the boss’s baby or looking at people with a condescending gaze helped build a better and more humanitarian Mexico?
Can these prejudices be broken? In attempting to bring some awareness to these suppressive beliefs, I have inverted our preconceived idea of the position or task someone would assume based on their appearance. If there is no prejudice in the viewer, the image might simply portray something he could have imagined as possible, but if there is a prejudice, the image might seem unusual—not showing a reality that is or “should be”. The position the viewer associates with will be in the role they have a prejudice about and hopefully even for a few moments the viewer will try on what it feels like to be on the other side of this prejudice.
With this in mind, my project consists of images that present an idea usually not considered possible in a prejudiced mind. By reversing social roles, where the people
who appear to be wealthy will be serving those who do not seem to have much money, or the person who is more likely judged to be the kidnapper will be the one kidnapped, I attempt to bring awareness to these unrecognized social judgments. Referencing historical and cultural events in Mexico, as well as portraying a strong presence of religious beliefs at the same time as acts of suppression and violence are committed every day I have attempted to create scenarios where the viewer may reconsider or better understand the effects of the role they’ve assumed in their lives.
Judging is part of human nature, it is something we all do at all times, and it is these judgments that have structured our common social beliefs. But which are the verdicts that we have all agreed upon? What effects do these have on our lives? From these thoughts I began to question how it is that so many cultures have leaned towards the same ideas of what signifies superiority? How can skin color or facial features come to measure the quality of our humanity? Why do we believe it is so important to be perceived with a certain standing whether it is regarding wealth or social stance? How do we justify killing for money or a social position? How have we justified the inhuman acts we do to each other?
In Mexico, as in many other countries, beliefs of inequality trace back to so far they are no longer questioned. Mexico was built and developed in this way. When the Spanish arrived in 1519, a belief system based on oppression of the indigenous groups was built. They were immediately judged as inferior to the colonizing Spanish and therefore were expected to assume the role of servants. The Mexicans were forced to direct themselves to the Spanish by saying phrases such as “mande usted” which means, “You give me the command.” The word you, in this case, specifically implies respect to the person being addressed. This is a sentence still commonly used in Mexico, but very few are actually aware of the subservience implied. 490 years later, suppression has remained except it now occurs unacknowledged by both the oppressors and the oppressed.
Sadly, not only terms of suppression have remained since colonizing times. As the Spanish took over the lands of the indigenous people, they responded with anger and violence. This became the norm: the higher classes would regard the lower classes as inferior. The lower classes, in turn, would view the higher classes as those who have taken away their land and wealth and now deserve to be taken from. But where have such beliefs taken us? Have they helped build a community? Or have they brought on violence? How have kidnappings, killings, not allowing household workers to eat the same food as the household owners eat, having them wear gloves to hold the boss’s baby or looking at people with a condescending gaze helped build a better and more humanitarian Mexico?
Can these prejudices be broken? In attempting to bring some awareness to these suppressive beliefs, I have inverted our preconceived idea of the position or task someone would assume based on their appearance. If there is no prejudice in the viewer, the image might simply portray something he could have imagined as possible, but if there is a prejudice, the image might seem unusual—not showing a reality that is or “should be”. The position the viewer associates with will be in the role they have a prejudice about and hopefully even for a few moments the viewer will try on what it feels like to be on the other side of this prejudice.
With this in mind, my project consists of images that present an idea usually not considered possible in a prejudiced mind. By reversing social roles, where the people
who appear to be wealthy will be serving those who do not seem to have much money, or the person who is more likely judged to be the kidnapper will be the one kidnapped, I attempt to bring awareness to these unrecognized social judgments. Referencing historical and cultural events in Mexico, as well as portraying a strong presence of religious beliefs at the same time as acts of suppression and violence are committed every day I have attempted to create scenarios where the viewer may reconsider or better understand the effects of the role they’ve assumed in their lives.
