Lia Jazmin Latty
Statement
To grow up as a Black person in America means facing biases and preconceptions that leave little room for one’s identity to be accepted. For a Black person to have any interests outside of what is considered the “norm” for them, can result in them being considered a “white person trapped in a Black person’s body”, simply put an “oreo”. Influenced by personal experiences, “Oreo” challenges the stereotypes that are constantly projected onto Black people and how it can affect their identity. In this project, it was usually experienced during the pre-adolescent/adolescent years. Each participant is photographed with the objects that resulted in them being called an “Oreo,” along with their statement of how the moment happened.
I began this series in 2019, carefully working out every detail for each frame. At the time it was not clear how best to continue the project, but after winning the Women Photograph Project Grant this past summer, I received the encouragement I needed to continue. The “Oreo” series is a project that is culturally and politically relevant since it tackles how Black stereotypes negatively impacts and narrows the vastness of Black identity. The work ultimately challenges the viewer to think about the racial, implicit bias that they hold against Black people in order to spark dialogue about where the bias is rooted.
Photography (BFA) Students
Aislinn D. Lopez Gualim - not exhibiting
Christopher Pfeiffer - not exhibiting
Meaghan Shaheen - not exhibiting
MICA Photo BFA - not exhibiting
Sunny Blue Fincham - not exhibiting