This is What I Know About Art: Kimberly Drew Essay 

The Couple in the Cage: Coco Fusco and Paula Heredia. This piece is absolutely my favorite because it represents me in my quest to reach the freedom of understanding and honoring who I am as a person despite rejecting the cultural norms that have been drilled into my head since my formative years. I sometimes find myself on occasion second guessing myself; however, with age, I have learned that I will do what works best for myself and my family. 

Scarred Chest (2013) by Hank Williams Thomas. This piece drew me in because this gentleman has the Nike symbols carved into his chest. The motto for Nike is "Just Do It," right?

Blackflyzine by Kandis Williams. This piece to me can represent two concepts. The first concept is a portrait of seeing one's own reflection with all its imperfections. The second concept can represent when one is seeing the ugly side of oneself, a deep reflection and quite possibly an individual who may or may not be repressed. 

"Mama Goma, Gemena, Dr. Congo" (2014) by Deanna Lawson. This piece resonated with me because I enjoyed my pregnancy for both of my children. I feel that pregnancy should be celebrated because the woman will be giving birth to a new generation with renewed hope and promise for the future.

    Kimberly Drew is a young Black woman who describes her personal challenges with race and class eloquently in This is What I Know About Art. I was drawn to and was unable to put the book down until I finished because not only is it a short book; however, the language is very easy follow and comprehend.

 

I have selected certain quotes from the book which resonated with me on a personal level, which in turn helped me to have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the very valid concerns surrounding race and class. Hands down, the quote that resonated me to my core is when it is stated “There are also the times when, even though I know that I can get out of the cage, I can never quite escape” found on page 28. As I had shared during lecture on March 15^th, the Japanese/Korean culture is one of conformism. From the time that I was able to read, write, and speak, the “Japanese way of life” was literally drummed into me. Most Japanese are raised in a similar fashion in that we are “taught” or should I say brain washed to believe certain things about life, ourselves, society, and even our culture. From the time of my formative years, I understood my responsibilities to myself, my family, and to society. Japanese tend to cling to the antiquated mindset that was set forth our ancestors, the Japanese Samurai warrior class. Deviation from what is considered “normal” is quite frowned upon and consequently could lead to ostracization from your own family, friends, or your colleagues at work. My Father raised me to think independently or outside the box and I never had any fear to challenge the Japanese societal “norms.” I quite often clashed with my mother because she was the one who chose to cling to patriarchal ways. She never genuinely supports any of my endeavors; however, my father was the opposite. It was he that encouraged me to challenge myself with my academics because he believed that education is the key to open doors through hard work and commitment. When I was younger, I would second guess myself by wondering if I made the right choice because although I consider myself a freethinker; however, I consider myself a traditional Japanese woman but able to ascertain an outdated mindset. 

 

            Being a multi-cultural person of color, I often struggled with my personal identity during my younger days. I am Japanese, Korean, and Puerto Rican; however, I was raised in a very traditional Japanese family with my father as head of household and had the ultimate decision concerning all family matters. “The tears helped me liberate the part of myself that I was afraid to be. A part of myself that I thought I had to hide” found on page 50 resonated with me because as I identify myself a non-binary person. I do not believe in limiting myself to gender specific roles/duties, manner of dress, or any of that garbage. I have been a single mother for the past decade or so and supporting myself and my daughter, which is traditionally considered a male role without any assistance from anybody. It has not been easy; however, I feel that having no option other than to be strong, I have led by example for my daughter to realize that women are able to achieve great things on their own. I am no longer embarrassed nor intimidated to be a single parent because I now feel confident in my own skin. 

 

            
            Society, especially Japanese society often has their idea of what it means to be successful despite that this may or may not be your idea. “She assured everyone on the tour that we don’t have to subscribe to anyone else’s idea of success” aligns with the life lesson that it is normal to have your own definition of success. From the time I was a youngster, the definition of success was already defined by my culture and any deviation would be considered a “failure.” The Sea of Tree” also known as Aokigahara, located in Yamanashi, Japan is a popular area where Japanese people will travel to end their life. Japanese people quite often consider suicide an “honorable” act stemming from the Samurai tradition of “hara kiri” or disembowelment because they are unable to live with the shame and humiliation of losing their job, being divorced, having a chronic illness, bullying at the workplace or in school, or even being disabled. Japanese are known to detest the thought of inconveniencing others, in addition to “disturbing” the peace or harmony. 

 

            During my formative years, I often craved to be free of my dominating and manipulative mother. “I wanted to have a voice in the world. Only this time, I wanted it on my own terms” exemplifies my desire to break from my tyrannical mother. I decided twenty-five years ago that I would relocate to New Jersey come high or hell water, sink or swim. I had been friends with my ex-husband prior to relocating to New Jersey back in 1998 although I am now able to admit that my life was transformed both in a positive and negative manner. I can confidently say that I was living my life on my terms and not according to my mother’s idea of success or happiness. 

 

            Although I may not be artistically inclined, there are quite a few social issues which I am very passionate in my own right. First and foremost, I value the fact that I am a mother to adult-aged children, twenty-four and twenty-two. It is an honor to be a mother to my two children and always have and will continue to be my source of inspiration. I know beyond a shadow of doubt that the divorce from their father has left my children feeling broken while questioning the meaning of love. The three of us in our own unique ways have managed to endure through the heartache and pain to come this far; however, with serious repercussions. Although I realize that I am unable to change the past, I understand that actions speaks louder than words; therefore, I am committed to become a Case Manager working with children between the ages of three to twenty-one years old. My form of activism is to attempt to make a difference in one child’s life to help them understand that not everybody is malicious and that there are people in this world that truly have their best interest at heart and genuinely care and love them. 

 

Works Cited

 

Authentic Documentary Productions; a video by Coco Fusco and Paula Heredia; directed & produced by Coco Fusco, Paula Heredia. (1993). The couple in the cage: a Guatinaui odyssey. New York, NY: Third World Newsreel,

 

 

Drew, Kimberly. This Is What I Know About Art. Penguin Young Readers Group, 2020.

 

Drew, Kimberly. Tumblr. https://blackcontemporaryart.tumblr.com