Global Discourse

Part 3 of the Contextual Studies Lectures.

The topic of global discourse revolves around the conversation of race and culture. Though the progression of acceptance has come a long way over the years, still in 2020 we see a cycle of injustice, so to educate and encourage discussion on the topic is vital.

As an ongoing supporter of movements fighting against these known injustices, I am always open to learning more on the topic, and this lecture surely did so.

One of the more shocking things I learnt through this lecture is that more people are being displaced now more than ever, in fact at the end of 2019 there were some 79.5m people living as refugees. This statistic had gone up by nearly 9 million in just 6 months! That is a horrifyingly large amount.

The prospect of having to leave your homeland out of fear of safety is truly terrifying, I cannot begin to imagine how difficult of a task this would be. Not only this, but after that triumf their struggle is still to no end. When they arrive to their new destination they are met with discrimination, and left to feel alienated amongst society.

Throughout the course of the lecture we learnt of to the exact extent that this is, things that in my privileged position I had not considered. Such aspects as stereotyped fonts in design, which are labeled as ‘exotic’ or ‘ other’.

Of course design isn't the only place where you can see the neglect of race and culture, the fashion industry is a large culprit in these situations. Things seen are iconic to different cultures are taken and manipulated into fashion ‘trends’ where they are celebrated as being revolutionary, when in fact it plays into cultural appropriation as they stolen from the original group.

One example I pointed out through our discussion of cultural appropriation were the costume decisions made for the Star Wars character Padme.

Padme is a Caucasian character, so to have her dressed in clothing mimicking that of sacred Mongolian robes and headdress was to say the least, inappropriate.

The unfairness shown to these cultures and races is weaved throughout our society. It is plain to see that there are plenty more adjustments to be made in order for equality to be granted.

To move forward primarily, privilege must be recognised by those who are granted it, then we can begin to move forward as a society, instead of pretending to be ignorant of the obvious ongoing injustices!