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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
SmileEachDay · 01/06/2018 21:23

The consensus is: if you see an impoverished African villager it's racist.
If you see a Danish hippy mum it isn't

Like one of those pyscotherapy ink blot pictures..

sleepingdragons · 01/06/2018 21:23

Another back carry

sleepingdragons · 01/06/2018 21:24

And another couple

petrolpump28 · 01/06/2018 21:24

mmm that guy must be laughing all the way to the bank. presumably in a fancy suit.

DepressedAspie · 01/06/2018 21:31

I think it would be more realistic if she had some granny knickers on and laundry all over the floor, which is what I looked like after having a baby 😂

Badcat666 · 01/06/2018 21:33

LOL! So I'm a "bit dim" for suggesting an example that she was washing her clothing instead of viewing the image as sexist/ racist?

And I'm thinking on a "basic level" because I don't see the image as sexist/ racist but just see it as a drawing of a female form with a sleeping child?

Some people need to hoick their undies from their bum cheeks.

Luckily I'm not getting my knickers in a twist because I'm not wearing any. :D

TheDowagerCuntess · 01/06/2018 21:35

These are same sorts of slings as in the pic, only diff is worn by (seemingly) white folk. Easy to find lots similar pics online. I can't see that style of baby sling as belonging to any specific ethic group.

No, it's not the only difference.

The other key difference is that these babies are all being worn at the front.

Might seem like a small thing - but it's part of what's contributing to some people being challenged by the image.

Being worn at the back does seem to be perceived as something that is done by specific ethnic groups (as these images kinda prove).

TheDowagerCuntess · 01/06/2018 21:38

And I'm thinking on a "basic level" because I don't see the image as sexist/ racist but just see it as a drawing of a female form with a sleeping child?

Well, yes - if you look at something (especially 'art') and just see it, and it doesn't prompt you to think or question it at all ... then you're coming at it on a very basic level.

MollyDaydream · 01/06/2018 21:39

Lots of people of various ethnicities carry babies on their backs too.

Bought a print I love, DH is worried it's racist
Bought a print I love, DH is worried it's racist
Bought a print I love, DH is worried it's racist
GriswaldFamilyStaycation · 01/06/2018 21:41

She is naked because she only owns the clothes on her back

Nah, she's naked cause the baby puked on everything she owns and after the fourth wardrobe change she's given up.

*yes, this has happened to me.

Badcat666 · 01/06/2018 21:45

Lots of art forms make me think on a higher level, but sometimes over thinking an object or picture can take away the purity, beauty or simplicity of it all.

You don't need to overthink or assume there is a hidden agenda behind all art, sometimes it just what it is.

If you can't appreciate something in its basic form you can miss out on the joy of it.

Battleax · 01/06/2018 21:49

Check out the other prints, there are all skin tones with their bits out.

It's nothing to do with race and its' not sexist. Its just an image of a mother finally taking a few minutes of "me time".

All taking their “me time” in the nude? I hope some of them have found more comfortable ways to do it.

I suppose it might be better to display a series of them. At least that way it’s clear to whoever sees them that all women are being strangely depicted (objectified) “relaxing naked in household settings” and it isn’t a specific comment on race.

I still wouldn’t give them house room though Grin

EssentialHummus · 01/06/2018 21:49

Some of the slings people are posting are ring slings that can cost anything from £0 - £100, not the same as a piece of fabric that's wrapped round tightly to carry a baby. Sorry to obsess over the issue, but I'm very tuned in to slings/babywearing, live in a demographically diverse bit of London and have only seen one mum wearing her baby in fabric like that. I don't think it's a fair comparison.

sleepingdragons · 01/06/2018 21:52

They're not being objectified FFS.

The artist has stuck a huge "body positivity" title on her website. That might be a clue as to her intentions!

MollyDaydream · 01/06/2018 21:53

I sometimes use a bit of fabric like that.

MarshaBradyo · 01/06/2018 21:54

Unless I’m missing some there’s only three household objects ones? - the toothbrush / computer and this one

Looking at the yoga poses they make sense as a set - not that they are within my idea of art or to my taste but they go together as a set

Then I look back to the washing machine one and it looks even odder and more incongruous - the sling / pose / domestic appliance just looks like such an odd combination

Battleax · 01/06/2018 21:57

Household settings as opposed to work or public settings. I haven’t looked closely but I’m hoping they’re all domestic Smile

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 01/06/2018 21:59

I suppose she's reading a book because she has more time now she can fit all her vomited on clothes in the washing machine.

Madmarchpear · 01/06/2018 22:01

At best it's pop art shit and at worst shameless white middle class virtue signalling.

TellerTuesday4EVA · 01/06/2018 22:42

Personally I don't like it, but I don't find it racist.

That's probably the same Samsung washing machine that I've stupidly purchased. The manual is the most thumbed book in our house! She's naked because she can't work the twatting thing & everything she owns has now been worn!!

RoseWhiteTips · 01/06/2018 23:15

When you are appreciating fine art such as this, you don’t need to imagine corny scenarios for the subject of the work.
Do people really need to be told this?

sleepingdragons · 01/06/2018 23:23

Unless I’m missing some there’s only three household objects ones? - the toothbrush / computer and this one

Yes, you're missing that they come from her instagram account, lots of variation there.

I like this skateboard one.

www.instagram.com/p/BFYwRhww9ro/

Bluntness100 · 01/06/2018 23:24

The op is not planning to display a series of the artists work. Not is she planning to display it with a click link to the artist to explain it. She plans to display it in isolation. This is the issue.

I also wonder if the folks posting the subject ran out of clean clothes and knickers and is just so happy to have me time, that she straps her baby to her back and bends over her washing machine Stark naked, reading and happy, actually believe it. I strongly suspect not. Because not one of them will admit to doing such a thing,

The one person who went there, when questioned with "really?" Resulted in a retort of "dong be so literal". So yeah, who's done it. Bent naked over their washing machine, reading, with their baby strapped to their back? Anyone?

SandyY2K · 01/06/2018 23:59

Moresimilarthandifferent

There are some truths in your post but I believe you have completely misapplied them to the picture.

It's my opinion and my perception. You can't tell me my perception is misapplied.

Please don't look at black people and see poverty, deprivation and lack of education first and foremost.

I certainly don't look at black people and see poverty or lack of education.

I'm black. I'm not impoverished and I'm educated to
postgraduate level.

The same applies for most black people I interact with.

GoodAfternoonSeattle · 02/06/2018 00:13

Urgh my window cleaner would turn up if I decided to do housework naked.