Controversy Concerning the Whitney Biennial

                 The Whitney Biennial is often regarded as one of the most premier contemporary art shows in New York City.  In addition to its prestigious standing, the show offers a chance for many up and coming artists to make a name for themselves in the art capital of the United States.  Despite its valued name, this years Whitney Biennial was marked by considerable controversy concerning Dana Schutz painting titled “open casket”.  Depicting an infamous moment in African American history, Schutz decided to paint the disfigured face of Emmitt Till at his open casket funeral.  Due to the obvious insensitivity towards the African American community, many protesters rejected the painting citing that it was not Schutz’s right as a “white woman” to comment on this violent moment in American history.  In defense of Schutz, many art enthusiasts noted that it was her right to free speech which allowed her to be able to install and present her art at the Whitney Biennial.  Situating this controversy in the context of our classes discussion on the African American experience, it is curious that a white woman would be able to express the necessary emotion required to present the piece.  As a result, I do believe that an African American would have been better served implementing the piece at the Biennial.  The image depicted is not simply a matter of injustice but it is one the most sensitive moments in African American history.  As a result of his violent murder, Emmitt till’s fourteen-year-old face was desecrated so badly that he was only recognizable through an engraved ring found on his finger.  Moving to his funeral, his mother wanted to let the world see what happened to her son through an open casket.  The result was an immense amount of rage from the African American community. In conclusion, the inability of the white community to understand long-standing sensitivities highlights the continuous rejection of oppression tied to African American history.