24" x 18" prismacolor on paper "White-washed Chink" is a portrayal of the masks that stereotypes create in America's society. The common conflict shared by American citizens of color is a struggle between fitting into two distinctly separate masks or identity facades. "White-washed" and "Chink" are two of the many masks. The dualism in identification can be broken down by the masks for Asian Americans. The Chink is a simple mask to fit into. It can be dangerous to wear in areas low in Asian minority communities. If one embraces an Asian culture as an American citizen and your parents are of Asian decent, you are wearing the mask of a Chink. The mask fits the best when one maintains relationships with Asians only, and one does not adopt the popular culture of White America.
The White-washed mask is an attractive mask which can be financially and psychologically beneficial. Wearing this mask requires a strict life of television American idealism. One must absorb all aspects of White culture. Any signs of multi-culturalism should be abandoned. |
© copyright 1992-2007 All images, designs and text in this page cannot be sold or used without written consent from Arnold H. Chao. |