‘My Racial Identity’ explores feelings about racePosted in Articles, Arts, Identity Development/Psychology, Media Archive, United States on 2018-07-01 20:36Z by Steven |
‘My Racial Identity’ explores feelings about race
Montclair Local
Montclair, New Jersey
2018-06-08
Gwen Orel, Features Editor
 Charles Williams of Montclair, 19, a Parsons School of Design rising sophomore, is creating a photography portfolio of mixed race friends, “My Racial Identity, Part 1,” and intends to dive deeper in Part 2. ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL |
Montclair artist’s photo project delves into discussion
Growing up in Montclair, Charles Williams sometimes said his dad was Cuban.
That’s not really true.
“When I was younger, I looked a little bit towards Asian, then black, Hispanic. Growing up, we really didn’t talk about race in my household, so I didn’t really feel it was an issue. Until my friends, they would ask me, what are you?” Williams said. “Your mom’s not black. You have a white name.”
His mom is black. She’s from D.C., and his father is a white man from Florida, with some Cuban in him.
“‘My dad does look Cuban,” Williams said. So saying his father was Cuban was a way of ending the questions of what are you? and where are you from? “You kind of get sick of it, so you say something to let it go.”
Today, people talk about race. Williams is exploring it in his new photography project, “My Racial Identity,” that he started during his first year at Parsons School of Design. Williams’ photography can be seen at charleswilliams.work…
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