Question 1

Which of the following is an example of antiracist appropriation?

Accepted Answer

Antiracist appropriation involves adopting elements from another culture in a way that respects and honors the source culture. A white novelist researching to portray indigenous people with humanity aims to counter stereotypes and promote understanding, fitting the criteria for antiracist appropriation.

Question 2

The fact that most art museums were closed on Sunday and had high entrance fees had what effect in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries?

Accepted Answer

The fact that art museums were closed on Sundays and had high entrance fees limited the enjoyment of art primarily to the white leisure class, excluding other ethnic and income groups.

Question 3

From a sociological perspective,what is the problematic underlying assumption behind the increasingly popular question,"Why do white youth love hip-hop?"

Accepted Answer

The problematic underlying assumption is that hip-hop is not seen as "true art" or highbrow culture, and therefore it is surprising or noteworthy when white youth enjoy it. This assumption reinforces the idea that certain forms of culture are only meant for certain racial or socioeconomic groups, rather than recognizing the diversity and complexity within individuals' cultural tastes and identities. The question also assumes that white youth are not expected to like hip-hop, perpetuating stereotypes about musical preferences based on race.

Question 4

An increase in double-eyelid surgeries by Asian Americans is an example of an outcome from the internalization of what?

Accepted Answer

The internalization of the "white aesthetic," which prioritizes Eurocentric features such as a prominent nose bridge and double eyelids, has led to an increase in double-eyelid surgeries among Asian Americans. This is because the "white aesthetic" is often viewed as the standard of beauty, and those who do not fit this standard may feel pressure to conform through cosmetic procedures.

Question 5

Norman Rockwell's paintings and country music songs that reminisce over the "good old days" are examples of what concept?

Accepted Answer

Norman Rockwell's paintings and country music songs that reminisce over the "good old days" evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time that may not have been as good as it is remembered to be, and this nostalgia can be racially charged. This concept is known as "racial nostalgia."

Question 6

An artistic depiction of American society that doesn't include nonwhites or any signs of racial domination is an example of what?

Accepted Answer

An artistic depiction of American society that doesn't include nonwhites or any signs of racial domination reflects the dominant white aesthetic in American culture. This aesthetic centers white experiences, perspectives, and values while ignoring the experiences and contributions of nonwhite individuals and communities.

Question 7

Treating whiteness as the universal default category is an example of what?

Accepted Answer

The concept of treating whiteness as the universal default category is an example of the white aesthetic. This refers to the normalization of white experiences and perspectives as standard or neutral, often marginalizing or rendering invisible the experiences and perspectives of non-white people.

Question 8

Representations of Egyptian queen Cleopatra as a white woman by neoclassical American and European sculptors are an example of what?

Accepted Answer

Neoclassical American and European sculptors representing Cleopatra as a white woman is an example of whites dominating images of beauty, as they imposed their own Eurocentric standards on historical figures and disregarded their actual ethnicity or race.

Question 9

What makes some comedy fit into the racist aesthetic and other comedy fit into the antiracist aesthetic?

Accepted Answer

Racist comedy is based on perpetuating stereotypes and reinforces harmful ideas about certain racial groups. Antiracist comedy, on the other hand, uses humor to challenge and break down these stereotypes, promoting understanding and empathy between different racial groups. By focusing on commonalities and shared experiences rather than differences, antiracist comedy can bring people together and encourage inclusivity.

Question 10

Portraying people of color in a stereotypical and distorted manner is an example of what?

Accepted Answer

Portraying people of color in a stereotypical and distorted manner is an example of the racist aesthetic, which perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces systemic racism.

Question 11

Chapter 8 contains a long discussion of Abercrombie and Fitch.What is the main argument of that passage?

Accepted Answer

The main argument of the passage is that Abercrombie and Fitch has learned how to sell white privilege by manufacturing a "look." The author discusses how the company's ads and marketing strategies perpetuate a particular image of what is considered attractive or desirable, which is often limited to a narrow definition of whiteness and conformity to Western beauty standards. The author argues that this is a way in which the company perpetuates white privilege and maintains a sense of exclusivity.

Question 12

An un-stereotype is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of An un-stereotype is:
...

Question 13

Your textbook mentions films like Mississippi Burning,To Kill a Mockingbird,Black Hawk Down,and The Matrix.What common movie theme do these films present?

Accepted Answer

The common movie theme presented in these films is the white savior theme, where a white protagonist saves or helps non-white characters who are portrayed as powerless and in need of rescue. Examples include the white FBI agents in Mississippi Burning, Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, the US soldiers in Black Hawk Down, and Neo in The Matrix.

Question 14

In an hour-long TV drama about the "typical American high school," you observe that only one person of color appears on the screen.Noticing this and how it fails to treat the experiences of people of color as central to the American experience is to do what?

Accepted Answer

Detecting whiteness in art involves recognizing and analyzing the ways in which white experiences and perspectives are centered in media and cultural productions. In this case, the absence of people of color and their experiences indicates a lack of diversity and inclusion in the representation of the "typical American high school," which reinforces a narrow understanding of American identity and culture. This could be seen as a failure to accurately depict the American experience, and a form of systemic racism that perpetuates dominant cultural norms.

Question 15

Which of the following is a potentially negative consequence of nonwhite artists having to rely predominantly on white sponsors to fund their art?

Accepted Answer

Nonwhite artists relying predominantly on white sponsors to fund their art may lead to a loss of control over the representation of racism and people of color in their art, as the sponsors may have their own agenda and preferences for how the art should be presented. This can potentially limit the authenticity and integrity of the artist's work.

Question 16

What is Victoria's Secret's "Sexy Little Geisha" merchandise an example of?

Accepted Answer

Victoria's Secret's "Sexy Little Geisha" merchandise is an example of the racist aesthetic as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and exoticizes Asian culture for Western consumption.

Question 17

As a style of music,the blues evolved from spirituals in response to what?

Accepted Answer

The blues evolved in response to the racial domination of African Americans by whites, as they expressed their struggles, hardships, and emotions through their music.

Question 18

Which of the following does Chapter 8 discuss as a present-day form of minstrelsy?

Accepted Answer

Chapter 8 discusses auto-tuned YouTube videos of poor African Americans speaking to news crews as a present-day form of minstrelsy. These videos often emphasize and exaggerate stereotypes of black poverty and language.

Question 19

Aside from limiting professional options for nonwhite models,what is one consequence of the overrepresentation of white models in the fashion industry?

Accepted Answer

The overrepresentation of white models in the fashion industry reinforces the idea that white features are the standard of beauty, promoting a narrow and exclusive definition of beauty. This can be damaging to the self-esteem and self-image of non-white individuals who do not fit these standards.

Question 20

Why might African American artists such as Langston Hughes reject the playing of the blues by white artists like Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones?

Accepted Answer

Langston Hughes and other African American artists saw the blues as a form of cultural expression rooted in the experiences of Black people in America. They believed that white artists performing the blues disconnected the music from its social and cultural context, turning it into a commercial commodity rather than an expression of lived experience. Additionally, white artists performing the blues may have been seen as appropriating Black culture and profiting from it without giving proper credit or recognition.

Quiz 8: Aesthetics