A powerful documentary made on Students journey and their experience to be part of the minority and face racial judgment from their peers and faculty members. It is utterly sad , devastating, moving and yet very true based on what we have read and learned in this unit. The participants make us aware of some issues impacting black and other minority students enrolled in Rhode island School of design. Students have been interviewed to reflect on their experience as black and racial minorities and comments on racial bias and lack of transparency they have faced during their time at college. They touch base on multiple topics including lack of academic critique when it comes to artistic pieces that has to do with black art and artists. Perhaps the prevalent attitude towards facing any non white topic is to tiptoe around it and brush it off under carpet.
Further on the documentary is also on the lonely and isolating experience of very few black , Asian minority who have enrolled in the course .
What I found striking towards the end of documentary, one of the students point out to the fact that if a minority of students are enrolled on a certain subject, they get nasty comments on their background. The comments gearing towards their place has been offered based on filling a quota rather than merit. The quote saying you become a number rather than an individual pursuing a certain topic.
Another very powerful point being raised is the judgment towards colored students . If a privileged white student/ faculty member raises their voice tone this would comes across as a voice of power and confidence. This is not the same when an student from minority background including Black/Asian American student would do that, as it will portray an angry individual.
In the end I can attest the documentary was simple and powerful by observing and demonstrating the pain and frustration experienced by number of young and talented students who saw the discrimination and wanted to talk us trough their isolating, upsetting and unpleasant experience.
Finally documentary also addresses lack of decolonised curriculum in higher education institution. Students being interviewed in documentary comment on lack of diversity n the taught subjects . In other words not much is discussed on an African art piece, Asian feminist figures , just to avoid any relevance to race. This again on it own right demonstrates the polarized and unidimensional curriculum being taught in higher education.
Finally I can summarise the topics being discussed on touched upon in the documentary:
1- Racismsand lack of discussion in classroom on topics of Race;
2- White privilege;
3- Decolonisation;
Do we have a solution?
perhaps it is better to talk about these issues rather than hiding them and tiptoeing on the racial topics .
Abigail Barnes
22nd July 2022 @ 3:53 pm
Hi Shahpar, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your take on The Room of Silence documentary. I too felt an overwhelming sense of sadness, frustration but more so disappointment to hear students have lived this educational experience.
During student discussion regarding crit experiences and the lack of academic critique around creative practice discussing race… I found myself questioning how would I react as an academic within that setting? Am I doing enough within my position to ensure that my student cohort are not living the same experience of ‘silence’ at UAL? Did you find yourself having the same reflections?
…I agree with you, that it is important that we talk about these issues rather than tip toeing around them to ensure that we are informed to the best of our knowledge to support students. Perhaps a starting point for this knowledge exchange to take place… would be for UAL colleagues (at all levels) to begin having conversations amongst us to share each other’s knowledge and experiences around racial topics.
Prior to reading your blog, I was not familiar with The University of Toledo’s ‘Confronting Racism’ video… it has been most insightful and great resource to take forward- thank you for sharing!
I think what I have taken the most away from this resource… is the importance of student’s voice and the power of communication and how it can influence change.
Shahpar Abdollahi
29th July 2022 @ 2:19 pm
Dear Abigail,
Many thanks for your kind words. I must admit this Unit has been source of massive inspiration to myself. so glad you found the video interesting. Thanks once again for your insightful comment.