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Original poster

Bought a print I love, DH is worried it's racist

999 replies

NC4T · 31/05/2018 21:12

Saw it on IG and loved it. Purchased it for the laundry room corridor, but it's arrived and DH is a little worried it might be racist. I can't see how. To me, it's a mum finding a few minutes of calm in the chaos and I love her babies little sleeping face.

We are white Jewish, for cultural context.

What do you think?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
Neverender · 31/05/2018 21:33

This might be a weird comment but personally I wouldn't put that on my wall unless I was black. It's pretty but it does convey a series of other messages, intentional or not.

argumentativefeminist · 31/05/2018 21:33

I dont think she's supposed to be poor/employed to wash etc. or whatever it is your DH thinks - look at those earrings! Tbf I don't think anyone except a fellow feminist undergrad who's just done a module on deconstruction and semiotics etc. would see it the way I have done!

argumentativefeminist · 31/05/2018 21:34

@NapQueen hun I've got a laundry basket just like everyone else and it sure as hell doesn't go on my head or anyone else's

NapQueen · 31/05/2018 21:34

Why is what I am saying racist?

If she had tie dye hareem pants on and dreads would it be UR of me to assume she was a hippy?
If she had a crown and cloak on would it be UR of me to assume she was royalty?

PicaK · 31/05/2018 21:34

I really like that too. Who is the artist? It does have a calm feel to it.

Crunchymum · 31/05/2018 21:36

It's way "try too hard" in it's intended message for me.

argumentativefeminist · 31/05/2018 21:36

@NapQueen Nah I think that would be an okay assumption since neither hippies or royalty are a historically oppressed and stereotyped group. If genuinely all black women with babies and laundry baskets are taking a break from the toils of the "third world" then Christ, I feel sorry for them

UserV · 31/05/2018 21:36

I don't think it's racist, but I really don't like it.

Not sure why though. There's just something about it I dislike.

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 31/05/2018 21:37

Oh for goodness sake it's not racist!

MrsHappyAndMrCool · 31/05/2018 21:37

Ive made a snap judgement based on what the artist is showing. A naked woman with a baby strapped to her back and a basket down on the floor. The artist clearly imo shows here a woman who would typically carry baby on her back and basket atop her head and finally she is able to rest as the machine is now doing the hard work for her. A well deserved rest

^ that does make a lot of sense.

FranticallyPeaceful · 31/05/2018 21:37

I really love this picture and I’m unsure why. A moment in the madness. Can’t imagine a single reason why he would think that this is racist.

Is there a name of the print?

Original poster
NC4T · 31/05/2018 21:37

It's from www.yogaprints.dk

It came from Denmark, quick delivery.

I am NOTHING to do with the artist by the way, this is not a sneaky ad!

OP posts:
speakout · 31/05/2018 21:37

I don't like it.

The meaning is unclear. There is a voyeuristic element that makes me uncomfortable, there seems to be issues about gender/feminism/education/race etc.
Too many possible heavy motifs for my tastes.
Who is the artist?

MiggeldyHiggins · 31/05/2018 21:37

Why is what I am saying racist?

because you are assuming she is not "western" for no good reason. Your other examples are of clothing, she isn;t wearing any!

What made you assume she was non western?

MrsTerryPratchett · 31/05/2018 21:38

I have a general issue with women's nakedness in art. And I don't particularly like the print.

Are you a naked, hippy, baby wearing household?

AgathaF · 31/05/2018 21:38

I don't see it as racist. I don't like it though.I think it could be perceived in a few different negative ways. I view it negatively.

glenthebattleostrich · 31/05/2018 21:39

I like it.

It reminds me of doing laundry in my husband's rugby shirt with my refluxy baby tied on because everything that fitted had been puked on! So pretty much the first 6 months of dds life!

NapQueen · 31/05/2018 21:39

If genuinely all black women with babies and laundry baskets are taking a break from the toils of the "third world" then Christ, I feel sorry for them

That isnt what I said.

Littlelambpeep · 31/05/2018 21:39

I kind of like it but I wouldn't really buy it - it is obvious you didn't see any racial element and I don't but I do think it makes her look poor (only my opinion) and you wouldn't see a male in this type of image really.

Original poster
NC4T · 31/05/2018 21:39

We are a bit naked and I was a bit baby wearing, MrsTP.

OP posts:
bobblyflower · 31/05/2018 21:39

I find it a bit problematic. Not racist per se but yes, problematic.

To my eye this is an impoverished African woman (denoted by the baby on her back and her nakedness) and the image is attempting some gentle humour in her standing by a washing machine reading, as obviously this would not be her reality.

But I don't think there's anything funny about that tbh.

JellyBaby666 · 31/05/2018 21:40

Plenty of non-Black women babywear! Plenty of black women have a washing machine.

ThePinkOcelot · 31/05/2018 21:41

I don’t think it’s racist at all, but I don’t think it’s a nice picture either. Can’t imagine why you would want it on your wall.

MiggeldyHiggins · 31/05/2018 21:41

To my eye this is an impoverished African woman (denoted by the baby on her back and her nakedness)

that is such a weird assumption. I do household chores in the nip on occasion and spent a year with an ill baby strapped to me, would you have assumed I'm an impoverished african woman?

Metoodear · 31/05/2018 21:42

I am black I love this we’re did you get it please