"Labels" Shakeelah Rahmaan

Labels, 2023

Alcohol inks and acrylics on canvas

36 x 36”

$37,500.00

Stereotypes of black women have penetrated many parts of American culture. The words on the back of the woman, for instance, “The Angry Black Woman,” is a pervasive stereotype that characterizes black women as more aggressive, overbearing, illogical, and bitter, and could affect their overall experiences in life by being painted with imagined “beastly” qualities.

This art piece highlights some of the stereotypical labels and negative connotations placed on black women and black individuals. In some cases, this leads to them being victims of police brutality. The names and “labels” on the tub are of African Americans who lost their lives because they were falsely painted and labeled as something that they weren’t from the imagination of their killers.

Example: Ahmaud Arbery being labelled as a “burglar” or Trayvon Martin being seen as a “suspicious character.” But really, are we just beasts because of the color of our skin?