Tag Archives : race


Reimagining the Urban: Irene Chien

In mainstream US media, “urban” is a pervasive euphemism for black, a way to register but not directly point at African-American culture within the post-racial political paradigm of colorblindness. “Urban music,” “urban fiction,” “urban comedy,” and “urban entertainment” are all ways to identify media made by, featuring, and marketed primarily to African-Americans without directly naming them. “Urban” in this sense gives value to at the same time it disavows the authenticity of black bodies, voices, and “street” experiences that now circulate globally in the form of hip-hop identity and aesthetics.

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City, Arts and Public Spaces: Irene Chien

In mainstream US media, “urban” is a pervasive euphemism for black, a way to register but not directly point at African-American culture within the post-racial political paradigm of colorblindness. “Urban music,” “urban fiction,” “urban comedy,” and “urban entertainment” are all ways to identify media made by, featuring, and marketed primarily to African-Americans without directly naming them. “Urban” in this sense gives value to at the same time it disavows the authenticity of black bodies, voices, and “street” experiences that now circulate globally in the form of hip-hop identity and aesthetics.

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CREATIVE TIME: Sue Lee

As a Korean American, I would have to say that I did not experience much racism growing up. However, there are some stereotypical judgments associated with my gender and looks that cause inequalities. For example, I am 5 foot 5 inches tall, and I only weigh 95 pounds. Because I am skinny, people assume that I do not eat, that I am not healthy, and that I am weak. Yes, I am skinny but I eat as much as any college boy would eat.

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