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My New Black Friend
Damali Ayo
United StatesGALLERYCONVERSATION
All blacks have been "rented" at some time, placed in the role of the token black person at work or in a social setting, or drafted to represent the entire race with an opinion on a current race-related topic.

Whites tend to be the renters, employing blacks in particular social situations to demonstrate their awareness of race issues or to deflect charges of racism.

I create dialogue-driven conceptual art that engages contemporary social issues through the media of visual, virtual, written and performance art. I re-conceptualize everyday objects to create a shift in the viewer's perspective on our world and their position within it.

On the other hand I am a junk artist. In our capitalist-driven society objects are given meaning by their purchasability. Our social/political issues are junk, things we once bought (or bought into) and keep around because we are accustomed to their presence. And like the other junk I use in my work, I seek to re-conceptualize these items and help us to examine their continued function in our lives.

I believe art should make people think and feel. I want to leave my audience pondering discomfort, confusion, anger, joy, sadness, emotions of all kinds. I am an honest manipulator, presenting contradictions and demanding response.
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Maria (United States)
the comments do make people uncomfortable because you have to examine and maybe explain your own actions. I've never asked to touch someone's hair or compared skin tones , but the rental questions have really made me think about how I treat people who look or speak differently than me.
Ashley (United States)
Its difficult enough being a woman at times, but it makes it even more difficult to be a woman of color. Damali Ayo describes that as an individual she feels “rented” and not like an equal human being. I understand where Damali is coming from because I see how people use race to make themselves look like a concerned citizen. For example, I am currently looking at different universities to atten
Ashley S. (United States)
Its difficult enough being a woman at times, but it makes it even more difficult to be a woman of color. Damali Ayo describes that as an individual she feels “rented” and not like an equal human being. I understand where Damali is coming from because I see how people use race to make themselves look like a concerned citizen. For example, I am currently looking at different universities to atten
Jill (United States)
I agree with Lena, "renting" can exist with other races and ethnicities. Why is it that race issues always boil down to black and white?
Lena (United States)
The error of this article is that Damali Ayo describes the tendencies of whites in a manner so based on crude social stereotype that it is no less racist than the "renting" behavior she identifies. Certain individuals, of all races, manipulate relationships for personal gain. So then, we must ALL struggle to find meaningful, non-superficial friendships in this life of seemingly endless prejudice.
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