Lenses and Counternarratives by Dr. Araceli Feliz, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the Department of Graduate and Professional Studies in Education, Sacramento State

Reflection: As we consider issues of race, immigration, and social justice, it is important to note that the complex systemic conditions that hinder opportunities for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and People of Color are further amplified for female members of these demographics. The constant scrutiny BIPOC, Latinx, immigrants, and women face under a society structured for white male supremacy sustains oppression.

The artistic representations within Professor Noel’s five student pieces give voice to the experiences of bias, oppression, and discrimination BIPOC, Latinx, immigrants, and women experience in society. The experiences of Black, Latinx, Indigenous, People of Color, and women depicted in each piece point to the many ways in which their identities and abilities are devalued, marginalized, and villainized. Each piece highlights the structural, systemic and institutional racism people of color experience and discrimination women face. The five artists present a shared position of vulnerability in their artistic depictions of bias, discrimination, and oppression. The artwork calls attention to the deficit-based lens through which women of color are often viewed, punctuates the obstacles and inequities women face in their professional pursuits, and offers a visual representation of immigrants subjected to systemic racism. This collection uses expressive voices and artistic visual representations to spotlight the experiences of women, BIPOC, Latinx, and immigrant people.

Within the collection, Anonymous’ piece captures the watchful eyes of society as a presence that follows BIPOC and Latinx people seeking to perpetuate questions about belonging, identity, place, and worth. The Anonymous piece also provides a counternarrative to stereotypes prevalent in the fiber of culture, politics, systems, and institutions. Through their counternarrative, Anonymous repositions their identity and place in society within the definition of strength, grace, ability, and value. Anonymous’ piece expresses the importance of self-agency as a crucial driver in a path toward social justice.

This collection of art is both emotional and empowering as each artist shares experiences with bias, discrimination, stereotyping, and racism. Thank you to Professor Noel and the EDUC 160 students for giving voice to such an important topic within the subject of social justice.