Race Inequality

To prevent history from repeating itself, society typically reflects on past mistakes to learn from them. However, the issue of race inequality remains as active as ever, especially in Louisiana. Race inequality is ultimately stymying society by dividing people and creating a distinction in social classes. Its detrimental affects can define a place and prevent it from flourishing. Louisiana possesses an unspoken system that perpetuates its roots of race inequality as seen by the segregation in Mahalia Jackson’s “Recollections of Early Childhood”, the education system, high incarceration rates, and Deborah Luster’s “One Big Self”.

Mahalia Jackson’s “Recollections of Early Childhood” includes powerful imagery that paints a picture of what life …show more content…
In order to segregate the wealthy whites in Louisiana from the poor African-Americans most affordable housing would be available in dangerous or run down locations. Thus, certain areas because predominantly black and perceptions arose that these were the worst areas for people to live in among blacks. People associated these areas as only being for poor people and because only blacks lived there the connection that if you’re black you’re most likely poor was made. However, they had no other choice for housing due to the fact that everywhere else was made unaffordable to them. It is no coincidence that they made this the cheapest and most affordable housing for blacks because these areas were the most at risk for flooding and detrimental situations. These neighborhoods are then stereotyped as being prone to criminal activity due to the abundance of black people living amongst the area. This means that any white, wealthier, people who had previously been living in the area will move because they feel that they will be safer elsewhere. This furthers the issue of race inequality by defining black people by where they live and the conditions they were corned into living in. When wealthier people who lived in that area move, this means that taxes for that area will decrease. The lack of tax dollars to fund the education system means the schools and means for a proper education are …show more content…
Each photo is essentially a portrait of a prisoner, no matter what their race, for their loved ones to view and a way for the prisoner to convey a message to their family without words. I appreciated the personal aspect of the collection of photos and the idea of preventing people from being forgotten. Through the use of photography Luster was able to give these prisoners a voice. It was also a way to expose the issue of Louisiana having the highest incarceration percentages in the United States. A photo that caught my attention was of Zelphea Adams in his version of a Mardi Gras Parade costume. The prisoners were able to use what they had at their disposal to prepare for their photo and I saw Adam’s portrayal as the most creative and unique. He was born in New Orleans and chose to depict his deep ties to the culture and traditions which in my eyes demonstrated how strong of a connection to home he has despite being black and having to face the hardship that comes with that while living in segregated conditions. As a viewer, Luster's photography consisted of a collection of prisoners quickly and profoundly provided me with insight in to a very personal aspect of who each person was, effectively capturing their distinct messages and depiction of self from their own perspective. This often lead me to question the intent of