Lalita Drepaul FIQWS 10108 Literacy Narrative

On the first day of our FIWQS course, we were shown two images that looked verysimilar in an art form. We were shown Norman Rockwell’s painting “The Problem We All Live With,” which is of a 6-year old African American girl, Ruby Bridges who stands in the lowerclass. As well as Glenn McCoy’s cartoon of Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos who is in theupper class. The images looked very similar side by side, which made me aggravated to see them compared. It made me question: why did cartoonist Glenn McCoy imitate the famous Rockwell painting? Was he trying to say that these two events and situations are alike? Or was he simply trying to make people angry at the sight of it, in order for it to gain popularity and recognition?

The painting of Ruby Bridges shows empowerment for other African Americans who were segregated at the time, from schools, public facilities, and buildings. The image showed her walking to an all-white school escorted by guards because she was being harassed on the streetfor attending the school. I believe the purpose of Rockwell’s painting was to inform other peopleof color they can fight for their equal rights in society, especially their educational rights. The cartoon showed Betsy DeVos walking to a school escorted by guards because of parents who were protesting her for the changes she wanted to make to the public-school system. I believethe purpose of McCoy’s cartoon was to entertain and start controversy by being drawn as thefamous painting of Ruby Bridges.

The genre of the Ruby Bridges painting is non-fiction and historical, because it was an actual event that happened. It was one of the starting points of the Civil Rights Movement for schools to be integrated. Ruby was the first African American girl who attended an all-white school during the time of segregation. I believe the image of Bridges is empowering and fearless because she stood up for her educational rights. The genre of Betsy DeVos cartoon is comic. DeVos, a wealthy businesswoman, who was appointed as Secretary of Education by President Donald Trump. She has no qualifications for working in or near the education system. Betsy DeVos wishes to turn education into a business. The cartoonist McCoy drew DeVos as Bridges to show they are both being harassed and protested to enter a school, although I see their situations being completely different. Bridges wanted to get the same educational advantages as white individuals but was harassed because of the color of her skin. Whereas DeVos entered a school and was harassed because protesters believed she should not be Secretary of Education,because of her changes and plans to turn public schools into charter schools. Personally, I don’tlike viewing political cartoons because I find no interest in most of them, I only view them if they have a big defining impact. I do enjoy looking at historical paintings because it shows atime in past events that can still be relatable in the today’s society.

These images can relate to the video “Structural Discrimination: The Unequal Opportunity Race.” The video showed four track runners preparing to start a race, involving twowhite individuals, and two black individuals starting a race. They start the race and the two white people get a lengthy head start, and the two black people were held back at the starting point for a long time. Then when they finally got to run they were faced with obstacles throughout the race making it difficult for them to run, while the white people were winning with no challenges intheir way. This piece of art can relate to Rockwell’s painting, they both reflect racialdiscrimination and the less fortunate advantages for people of color. Also, how white people have more supremacy and privilege in society. This video was just one of the works of art that came to mind when comparing these images.

I’ve seen both these images in the past, but in separate times and locations. But thesimilarities they both had had never crossed my mind. Seeing the images together made me see all the connections that could be made. It widened my viewpoint on why these paintings weremade to be similar, and why they shouldn’t have, as well. Rockwell’s painting relates to socialclass and to racism in America being that individuals in the lower class miss out on opportunitiessuch as education because they can’t afford to pay for their education.

Looking at these two images side by side it makes me feel frustrated and disappointed ina way. I didn’t like how the DeVos cartoon was being compared to the Bridges painting as if they were similar situations. The cartoon felt as if it was mocking the painting. I feel theseimages shouldn’t be compared or made to be similar as they are two very differing situations.DeVos wants to change the education system, whereas Bridges simply wanted to be a part of it.

The significance and reasoning for looking at these images were to show us how art can be interpreted in many varying ways, that everyone has different viewpoints. To see these images together creates a discussion, whether we feel positive, negative or neutral when looking at it. It gives everyone a new perspective at comprehending the arts meaning. It also invokes a reaction, whether it makes you feel angry, interested, or neither. These images show classism and racism throughout societal rights and within education. My opinion on education is static because I still believe it is a right that should be given to everyone no matter the color of their skin, their culture, their background, and their social class.