Pearl Cleage: discomfort with art
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@ New Georgia Encyclopedia
Cleage, Pearl
Description
Video recording of Georgia author Pearl Cleage speaking about the discomfort that art and literature can cause for people of different races. She sits before several tall African sculptures. She wears a black shirt and faces forward. She begins by stating that many Americans are "afraid that they're going to find something that's accusatory to their group." She contends that white people and black people have the "worst history of any of the groups in this country," and this causes people in both groups to be nervous about being offended. She cites racist jokes as a device that causes tension in African Americans. She then states that whites often fear being accused of racism or insensitivity. She concludes that art is meant to be provocative and to challenge long-held beliefs, and that those viewing the art should not take the accusations personally.
Record Contributed By
New Georgia Encyclopedia
Record Harvested From
Digital Library of Georgia
