Recently, we had the privilege to visit the Museum of Modern Art and have a tour guide show us the Charles White: A Retrospective exhibit. White’s artwork consists of strong feelings towards slavery in America and its consequences for future generations. We all know slavery was a cruel part of our past, but Charles White presents this topic in more than a “sad feelings” kind of way. This may sound confusing, so I’ll guide you how I saw one of White’s pieces in his “retrospective” way:

This piece simply shows a long line, seemingly twisting around the center, of black people. Towards the back, you can see people struggling to walk in the line. They are seen crouching down, like an elderly person. Their clothing type is also very simplistic, which suggests their low economic and social class. As you get towards the middle of the line (the left side of the artwork), you can see men and women rising higher in body posture with more sophisticated clothing style, suggesting a rise in class and power! I would call this part of the line the working class because one man is putting his hand out towards the right side of the picture who are seen in suits and fancier clothing.  If you look closely to the woman with glasses and a hat in the middle of the artwork, she is seen sitting down in a seat that mirrors a bus seat (look at her back). This reminds me of the Rosa Parks peaceful protest to sit in front of the bus area near the white people. The man hugging the shirtless man in the middle of the picture also reminds me of Nelson Mandella, since he brought justice towards South Africans during his political reign. I think this part of the picture reinforces the idea that this line represents progress in equality for the black community. We go from slaves in the back of the line, to working class people, to advocates like the woman in the bus seat, to even scientists and politicians, seen on the far most right of the artwork. The advocates set up the success for future generations since the people right of them are scientists and politicians.

I’d like to note that the line swirls around not only in the picture but also in us. When you’re standing in the middle of the room, looking at this long piece of work, you feel as if you’re a part of the line that swirls around (and is evidently missing in the picture). This is critical in White’s message because he suggests we, the public, are a critical player in driving positive change for equality around the world. Yes, there were advocates like MLK Jr. and Nelson Mandella, but at the end of the day, their movement would not have been successful without our action to support leaders like these and vote for better reforms. When I look at this artwork, I feel happy to see the success we’ve covered so far. White makes me feel hopeful, but also concerned that more positive change needs to be enforced. I strongly emphasize the swirling component I’ve mentioned before to support my statement. Overall, I really enjoyed his exhibit and I hope you’ve enjoyed my perspective in his artwork!