My cousin, a popular artist named David Driskell, traveled from Georgia to South Africa in the 70's.
SA officials clearly
assumed he was of Asian descent and he was labeled "honorary white" on his documents, a category that East Asians are given when they migrate to SA.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorary_whitesThis was his first experience, as a
proud Black man - who focused on African American struggles through his art, of being told he was anything
other than Black.
He was
confused by the experience. If you see a Black person when you look in the mirror .. if you've NEVER been the type to separate yourself from your community, if your art focuses on experiences in YOUR community, what gives? How could anyone confuse you for anything other than Black?
QuoteThe logistics for my visit were handled by the US Department of State. But at no time prior to my visit had I been told that my racial identity while in South Africa would be ?honorary white.? The unusual circumstances surrounding this unpleasant experience conjured up in my mind the notion that while there, I was passing for black and not as an ?honorary white.?
http://www.blackportraitures.info/sessions/plenary-speaker-dr-david-c-driskell/But, instead of keeping silent, he used his experience to educate others.
QuoteI reacted to this notion of racial displacement by creating a number of works of art that addressed the subject of race and identity as I experienced it in South Africa. The contents of my presentation will center on the curatorial experience in white ? owned cultural and educational institutions in South Africa where I delivered a series of lectures on Black American art at places such as the Michaelis School of Fine Art
I believe I finally found some pieces related to this.
Looking for more.
