10. An Empowering Remix
How can images empower us to love ourselves?
“It's easy to hear the voices of others and often very difficult to hear your own. Every person you meet is going to want something different from you. The question is: what do you want for yourself?”
- Beyonce Knowles
This challenge was inspired by Matthew R. Kay's work as described in Chapter 3 of his book Not Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom.
Lesson
In Michael Kay's book Not Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom, he acknowledges that photos - specifically media-driven images - drive a lot of discussion and inquiry among his students. Throughout this image study, Kay works with students to explore such essential questions like "Who taught you to hate yourself?" or "Has America grown as a nation?"
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In looking at some of the images above, think about the messages each of these magazine covers offers to the reader. As we take a moment to think critically around these images, it becomes essential to think about what's being said, how it's being said, and also what's not being said. (From left to right) 1) The 1966 Ebony cover asking Americans "Are Negro Girls Getting Prettier?"; 2) The 1967 Teen magazine cover asking young girls to test their beauty or whether or not they might be a witch; 3) The April 2008 Vogue cover featuring the first African American male in a threatening pose as well as noting that the "perfect fit" only means the shapes of sizes 0-16; and 4) 2020 Portugal's Vogue cover illustrating mental health in troubling, stereotypical ways.
As media images can prove to be detrimental to the ways we see ourselves, it also supports why it's necessary to understand why seeing ourselves in positive contexts are extremely important.
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In Dr. Aisha Thomas' TED Talk Why Representation Matters, she speaks to the need we have as people to see ourselves in positive, natural ways rather than succumbing to traditional, harmful stereotypes.
And as we think about the question "How can images empower us to love ourselves?" we need to understand what it means to love ourselves. Dr. Brene Brown, a psychologist specializing in love and vulnerability, reviews the key aspects we all need as humans in order love ourselves.
Challenge
Objective: In thinking about the question "How can images empower us to love ourselves?," select an image that currently exists and remix it to create an image that empowers you to love yourself.
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Step One: The Mentor Text
Take some time to research images that evoke emotion - specifically images that express negative connotations, promote stereotypes, or may seem problematic in some way in connection to your personal values & beliefs. When thinking about these images, you can try exploring magazine covers but you can also think about other pieces of media as well (newspapers, commercials, advertisements, videos, etc.). Allow this time to be an exploration - collect a few (4 to 5) images that could potentially be images that you want to work with throughout this challenge.
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Step Two: Learn From the Experts
Remixing is not a new concept - in fact, people have been remixing media to disrupt original images for a long time. This process is called a detournement (day-tour-ne-mah). When thinking about your remixed image, take time to learn how others have recreated original images for new meanings. Check out these detournement examples. Also, check out some of Norman Rockwell's original paintings reimagined to represent our current times from Smithsonian Magazine.
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Step Three: It's Decision Time!
Now that you've taken time to explore both your personal mentor text choices as well as how others have remixed images, it's time to make decisions on your own image. From your mentor text choices, think about which image you will work with as you move forward. Additionally, think about HOW you'll be remixing this image.
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Questions to Think About: What do you want this image to convey to readers? What will your image need? What will you need in order to reconstruct your image? How will you be constructing your remix - original photography? Stock images? Cartoon? Various publishing programs like Canva?
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Step Four: Create Your Remix
It's time to construct your new image. Remember to keep in mind our essential question "How can images empower us to love ourselves?," the decisions you've made to create your remix, and the message(s) you want to convey to new readers.
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Step Five: Post & Reflect
Once you've constructed your newly remixed image, post it to Instagram or your blog. Use the hashtags #teachwhys #teachwhyschallenge10. In addition, reflect on the following questions:
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How does this challenge make you think about the images around us?
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How will this impact how you think about images in the future?
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How did this experience empower you to love yourself?
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