Human Dignity: The Problem we all live with, Norman Rockwell, 1968. At first sight this painting comes across as a statement on racism, social desegregation and labelling. On the wall at the back is scribbled ‘Nigger’ – an offensive term used to describe black-skinned people, placing them into a category of people – a type, and thus, promoting desegregation. Such labels totally disrespect the human person, rudely describing the person through appearance alone. The contempt and lack of tolerance towards people who appear different from us (this does not have to be necessarily related to appearance – it could also be intellect, skill, abilities, tribe, social class etc.) is represented by the tomato which was thrown at the wall. The splash of red, evoking the idea of blood, and of violence, as the result of hate and anger. It raises the question – why should a young, innocent, harmless girl, need to be protected against such acts of violence? Why should she need to be accompanied by four full-grown men on her way to school – a daily activity for white-skinned children? Thus, it raises another issue – the struggle for education, denied to a number of children who face such oppression, acts of violence and terror, who do not feel safe even going to school. Education is fundamental for a person’s growth, for their development – intellectual, social, personal, spiritual. It is a vital part of a person’s journey of self-discovery. This painting reminds us, however, that racism, meaningless hate, and violence, could very well rob individuals of this basic necessity to express their humanity. Words by Gulia Privitelli.
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