African American Literature

The on-going battle in the African American community between light skinned and dark skinned individuals is not only an issue of the present, but stretches many years back as seen in Adrian Piper’s work and lifetime struggle with her identity. With a growing number of interracial families many children find it hard to fit in with society’s expectations of black and white. Like Piper, many are looking to identify themselves but are disheartened by lurking stereotypes. All in all, it’s a problem society hasn’t overcome, but efforts such as Adrian Piper’s are educating and altering notions of the past.

Piper’s racial identity issues, worsened by discrimination, began before her time when her father, a light skinned black man was placed in the segregated black army brigade only to be shunned by fellow troops men because they thought he wasn’t dark enough. As a result, Piper grew up to question her identity, not knowing where she belonged. However she later learned to defend her stance as a black woman, but along the way her enthusiasm was stifled by the constant “derogatory, insensitive behavior” she witnessed towards blacks whether they were around or not. In an effort to combat the racial discrimination, Piper turned to art as an outlet, and her photography not only helped her overcome her issues but also brought light to an overlooked societal issue. In 1972, Piper, in a series of images know as the Mythic Being progressively portrayed herself as a black man with a mustache, Afro wig, mirrored sunglass and cigar. In doing so she allowed herself to depict her own thoughts about how blacks are viewed, meanwhile getting whites and differently pigmented blacks to face the everyday stereotypes and racial injustice brought on by skin color.

In a speech that coincides with her Mythic Being photography, addressed to her friends, Piper outlandishly states that “I’m Black” and goes on to sarcastically say that “I regret any discomfort my presence is causing you, just as I...