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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
QuackPorridgeBacon · 02/06/2018 01:33

And to add, the sick that covered everything, even her underwear, was magically repelled from the sling, due to the yoga hippy crystals hanging out of sight.

You do realise that the baby might not be worn all the time... it’s possible to have sick all over you and strip off then wrap the baby on your back and put a wash on with hands free and baby being comforted. I mean, how did you think she took her clothes off without affecting the sling? Surely it makes more sense that there was no sling at the time of vomit? Or another sling is being used. Seeing as they wouldn’t get changed as often as clothing.

LassWiADelicateAir · 02/06/2018 02:25

I don't like it at all. It is such a bizarre pose- why would you lean, naked over a washing machine to read a book? It wouldn't be comfortable.

TheDowagerCuntess · 02/06/2018 04:44

You do realise that the baby might not be worn all the time... it’s possible to have sick all over you and strip off then wrap the baby on your back and put a wash on with hands free and baby being comforted.

Well, if you're going to be all logical like that, then she'd probably have underpants on, or being putting her feet up somewhere actually comfy, like a sofa, with baby lying on her front.

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 02/06/2018 05:02

I think from all of these responses we can see what your DH is getting at. Some people will look at this picture and make negative judgements about the woman depicted there. Even though you see something nice and pure, visitors might think you’re basically saying that “exotic black women can never truly belong in a white world”.

This is the great thing about art though, isn’t it. It takes on a life if it’s own. I think if you’re willing to talk about it and defend it, and if the artist’s original intention wasn’t racist, you should go for it. I’ve got some “problematic” Caravaggio on my wall, but I love it so I don’t care.

malificent7 · 02/06/2018 05:09

Love the woman and baby...not so keen on the washing machine... Reminds me that most cleaning ads feature women!
Not racist though..if she was poor she'd be hand washing surely.

petrolpump28 · 02/06/2018 05:21

Is anybody familiar with cultural appropriation at all?

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 02/06/2018 05:40

Petrol, this is MN. I think we’re all very familiar, yes. Where are you going with that?

petrolpump28 · 02/06/2018 05:45

Slings

ScottishInSwitzerland · 02/06/2018 05:46

To be honest if it’s in your washroom then only you and your husband (and any help you have?) will see it.

I quite like it. I think the woman looks quite well off though. I don’t get the impoverished African at all. She looks comfortable in her own skin and very contented. I am with the other people who think she is having a moment of calm. And in a minute her toddler will wake from a nap (or the episode of peppa pig will finish!) and the screaming will start.

petrolpump28 · 02/06/2018 06:04

Help? Washroom? What is a washroom. I'm not entirely sure

LoislovesStewie · 02/06/2018 06:16

Apart from the whole is it racist thing,I still don't like it as a piece of art. I wouldn't have it on my wall. So!

SmileEachDay · 02/06/2018 07:34

😂😂😂

I hate the picture

I love all the justifications for why she is naked, on a washing machine, wearing a baby.

Skyejuly · 02/06/2018 08:21

Do you have a link OP to the artists page?

MollyDaydream · 02/06/2018 08:40

Which specific culture do you think slings are appropriated from petrolpump?

Pa1oma · 02/06/2018 08:49

I don't like the picture because her pose looks uncomfortable, so that makes me feel uncomfortable. That position does not look relaxed - she's bending over naked fgs. She looks weighed down by the baby on her back and mundanity of laundry and she's naked and in a vulnerable position to boot. Thete is a heaviness to the picture and the book represents escapism to me. That's what I see before I even notice anything about race or think about her economic situation, etc.

Bluntness100 · 02/06/2018 09:09

it’s possible to have sick all over you and strip off then wrap the baby on your back and put a wash on with hands free and baby being comforted. I mean, how did you think she took her clothes off without affecting the sling? Surely it makes more sense that there was no sling at the time of vomit? Or another sling is being used

You're really reaching now. The question is why? Why are you working so hard to justify this image?

The issue is very clear. Some folks like it, like the op, some folks dislike it and find it discomfiting, sexist and racist, like the ops husband, and that is something she will need to take into account when deciding if she wishes to display it.

EleanorHooverbelt · 02/06/2018 09:57

She's studying for a degree. Been so absorbed in her work lately that she let her washing pile up and has now run out of clean clothing. Her baby is fussy and won't settle in its cot (teething), so she's snatching whatever time she can to get ready for her finals.

EleanorHooverbelt · 02/06/2018 09:57

I thought I was out of clean knickers this morning but found a pair at the back of the drawer! Washing goes on after breakfast.

petrolpump28 · 02/06/2018 09:58

Molly. Anybody can use a sling obviously. Are they usually worn on the back in the UK? No. Therefore the argument of everybody uses slings, including white people is invalid.

sleepingdragons · 02/06/2018 10:34

Are they usually worn on the back in the UK?

The artist is Danish.

Ratarse · 02/06/2018 10:44

Oooooh, I love this picture! I instantly gave the 'knowing nod', who hasn't grabbed 2 minutes when they got the chance.

It's art, it's meant to be loved, hated and talked about. Seems the artist did well.

noeffingidea · 02/06/2018 10:54

Lol, this thread is funny, and so typical of mumsnet. It seems as if no one can ever react to a thing without microanalysing it to death and inventing a whole back story involving sexism and racism (in this case).

Notevilstepmother · 02/06/2018 11:01

I think people assuming she is poor are the ones who are racists Grin

I love it, it’s a lovely picture of a woman and baby, the washing machine is a bit of realism in a world of #so blessed #making memories, and the book is her having a quick well earned break. Naked housework is normal to me and the baby is getting skin to skin contact.

It’s such a beautiful serene image.

MollyDaydream · 02/06/2018 11:03

People who use slings (rather than baby bjorn/tomy type carriers) do usually wear them on their backs ime

Bluntness100 · 02/06/2018 11:04

Yup, the washing machine spinning round in its cycle just adds to that serenity 🤣

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