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Beverly Afiong Brown - Dimitri Williams

Beverly Afiong Brown - Dimitri Williams

Graphite Pencils, Electric Eraser, Blending Stumps, Mixed media paper

8" x 13"

 

Attending a predominantly white institution (PWI) presents a unique set of challenges that often make attending school difficult for minority students. This is especially true of African American students like myself who, before attending the University of Florida (UF), were predominantly surrounded by people who looked like me. Everything from food and music to culture and mannerisms differ from my upbringing. Overwhelmed by the stark contrast, feelings of incredible alienation and discontentment sweep over me, engulfing my thoughts in a sea of insecurities. To escape these emotions, I and others like me try to “fit in” by subtly adopting elements of “whiteness,” through speech, appearance, and behavior. Instead of espousing our distinct attributes, we subconsciously replace them with more standardized (white) traits. 

“Beverly Afiong Brown” depicts a young African American female who, in a bid to appear more “normal,” curls her previously long braids, which by the bottom of the page, completely consumes the scene. Her African American identity, symbolized by an Africa-shaped pendant, is partially covered by curls, highlighting the blend of cultures. Despite her attempt to assimilate, her blackness still shines through, illuminating the page with the light of hope. I hope that through her life experiences, she will come to accept and embrace her differences. Her middle name, “Afiong” (represented by the “A” on the upper right corner of the page) calls to an old African American Folktale where Afiong, a proud African Princess, pines over the love of a foreign man. However, she soon discovers no true love, only deception. Throughout the tale, she learns of the true beauty within her kingdom, eventually marrying a man of her background. Parallel to her love, our identities must connect to our history and culture. We must learn how to appreciate our uniqueness and craft them into something breathtaking.

    $196.30Price

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