Difference
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| Surname Viet, Given Name Nam, still by Trinh T Minh-ha, 1989, (image source) |
Tokenism is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as the policy or practice of making only a symbolic effort (as to desegregate). We cannot expect people of other nationalities, races, sexual orientation, or any other minority group to feel included if the intentions behind an invitation are simply to avoid criticism. The company/group should be making an effort to include minorities by building relationships, offering equal resources, and making sure the people feel valued.
Out of all the articles I read on tokenism the issue that stood out most was that companies often hire minorities to appear diverse but do nothing to actually change policy. One woman shared her experience of being introduced to diverse clients but was otherwise ignored, asked to work longer hours than everyone else, and was even asked to straighten her hair to meet company standards. It shouldn’t surprise me at this point, but race/gender aside, how insensitive do you have to be to ask someone to change their natural appearance?
In the essay Difference: “A special Third World Women Issue'' Trinh T Minh-ha relates her own experience as a “Third-World'' woman and the complexity of solving the problems related to minority oppression. She not only delves into the problems related to tokenism “it is difficult to sit at the table with them (the master and/or his substitutes) without feeling that our presence, like that of the native (who happens to be invited) among the antropologists, serves to mask the refined sexist and/or racist tone of their discourse, reinforcing thereby its pretensions to universality”, but discusses how marking differences can lead to competition within the minority group. She states, “[b]ased on what other women are not (capable of) doing, such a reward easily creates a distance --if not a division-- between I-who-have-made-it and You-who-cannot-make-it. Thus despite my rhetoric of solidarity, I inwardly resist your entrance into the field,for it means competition, rivalry, and sooner or later, the end of my specialness.” How then do we come to terms with these issues and work to solve them? (1)
I admit that it is no easy task unraveling the oppressive nature of our society, but maybe through the untangling we can better understand each other and where we should focus our time and resources. To just focus on inclusion in the workplace we are leaving out the systemic issues of racism in all of our institutions. By recognizing my own privilege I find that it’s best to listen first, ask questions second, and finally lend my support where it’s wanted in order to not be read as having the “savior” complex. I like the readings in this class because they are giving me a perspective that I wouldn’t normally experience. This type of education is essential if we want to change. Trinh T Minh-ha uses her platform as an artist to highlight these issues. The artwork I chose for this essay is a still from Trinh T Minh-ha’s film Surname Viet, Given Name Nam. This work is a collage-like film of experiences of Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American women. She is using the collage-format to give equal weight to each woman’s experience while making it a collective expression. (2) As artists I feel that it is our responsibility to shed light on social and environmenta issues just as Trinh T Minh-ha does with her work.
Sources
1. Trinh T. Minh-ha, "Difference: "A Special Third World Women Issue," 1986-7
2. Trinh T Minh-ha, “Surname Viet, Given Name Nam," in the MoMA, accessed October 22, 2021, https://www.moma.org/calendar/events/6161
Ashley, I really enjoyed reading your essay this week. Your essays always seem to have a great hook and are beautifully written. Well done. I liked how you used quotes from the text to support your perspective. I think the points you made about tokenism were eloquently said. I also liked how you included the straightening of hair, so discriminatory when that is placed upon people in the workplace. One thing to fix, The word “environmental” in the last sentence, does not have an ‘l’. My question for you is, does the artwork you shared have sounds, or is it visuals played on a loop?
ReplyDeleteYour essay is thought provoking. It is true there are no easy answers to understanding the complexities of race and gender in our society. Education is often times the only tool given to understand new perspectives, and it is the most essential in the discourse the world finds itself in. Has there been a reading so far that stuck out to you? How do you feel it has impacted your thinking?
ReplyDeleteThe complexities of these topics are almost maddening. You want there to be easy solutions, but it's like one of those Russian dolls that seem to have an infinite number of dolls inside. There have been a few readings that have stood out. The Oppositional Gaze reading was especially eye-opening. I didn't do a very good job on that essay because I kept deleting what I was writing because I felt like this was one where I should just listen. Even trying to explain that to you now is difficult. It's like I hit a wall of emotions that I'm not able to articulate properly.
DeleteI know that my thinking has been altered because I am a lot more mindful of what I'm seeing when I encounter art or film now. Even what I read is looked at with a more critical eye. I think this experience will affect my art in the future. Our society is so screwed up that maybe we should take individual responsibility and react accordingly.
Hey Ashley! You added one heck of a blog. Everything I read not only contained really good information, especially with this week's reading, but you also included your own personal explanations. You kept this blog interesting, and for that, I applaud you. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Glori. You are always positive and encouraging and I appreciate that. I especially appreciate the kind words when the readings are difficult and hard to unravel like this one. I think that I over-think sometimes and my brain gets in the way of itself. I'm glad you enjoyed this one.
DeleteThanks, Glori. You are always positive and encouraging and I appreciate that. I especially appreciate the kind words when the readings are difficult and hard to unravel like this one. I think that I over-think sometimes and my brain gets in the way of itself. I'm glad you enjoyed this one.
DeleteHi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI liked your explanation of tokenism. It is good that you did additional research to find out how tokenism genuinely applies in our society today. I think it is absurd to have to into work place and be asked to change your natural appearance and to be treated inferior just because you look different. I feel that this essay has been eye opening for me as well. I was able to see oppression through the eyes of an American woman of color. Overall good job and enjoyed reading your blog.
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteFirst off I've got to say thank you for adding the definition of tokenism which includes the statement, "making only a symbolic effort". This takes me back to being a child and fighting with my siblings, my parents would always insist on a sincere apology to one another. I would usually gruff out "sorry" under my breath and be corrected to say it like I mean it. Now I don't know if that actually contributed to my sincerity, but I feel like this is what we are asking of these institutes. We are saying don't just meet your quotas, utilize these individuals and make a change that will really mean something. I apologize for my tangent but I was inspired by your explanations. Bringing in other outside research on the topic I thing contributes to a better overall understanding. Great post this week!
-Cayla
Hey Ashley! I thought your blog post was really well written and I loved the way you summarized the key points of the author. I think you’re a really strong writer and it helped me understand this reading a little more. I also thought that the artwork you chose for this week was a really good choice. Thanks for the great read!
ReplyDelete