An interview with: Yoko Grindel

AN INTERVIEW WITH: YOKO GRINDEL.

FINE ARTIST, SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE.

What does the notion of the body politić look like now? In America the body politic comes in many forms. Chicago is a very diverse city and its people of colour are reclaiming their autonomy, claiming their rights and building platforms to rise up and speak and be heard. So, in the USA it looks like reclaim.

What embodies ‘blackness in the white landscape’, and what does this look like to you? Black and Brownness looks like organized community and forming spaces that highlight talent and power in minority communities in areas that have been white for millennia.

What are the differences in gender related issues / topics / relationships? Gender is a fluid identity. It looks different for almost everyone and I think that every person with their unique identity should be given space to speak for themselves. For me, being non-binary, I feel gender identity is a social construct and can only speak to that. As far as equal rights ( i.e. feminism ) that is a multifaceted and complicated answer that cannot be oversimplified with just a briefing. Each identity and each sex brings its own issues and worries to the table.

What are the differences between the British and American microcosms in the discussion of race? Each country has its minority demographic due to colonialism and geography. For example, the atrocities we saw the Jackson Administration inflict on Native Americans will not be seen on British soil, the atrocities the Trump Administration is inflicting

on Mexicans will not be seen in Britain. Moreover, the racial divide between Indians and British will not be seen as much here in the USA. We will also not share the racial celebration towards certain minorities in both countries. Cinco De Mayo would not harbour the same meaning in Britain. So, along with each country’s outlook towards races as far as discrimination, there are unique celebration each community has and although there are parallels, they are not comparable. The difference is the value society holds for black and brown people and community that each group creates.

How are issues of body politics manifested, visualised and framed in the everyday? That is solely based on who you surround yourself with. If I were to surround myself with people that are not body positive and welcoming then it will definitely be framed and experienced differently than surrounding myself with a community of body positive people.

How do issues of racial body politics affect all people of colour? Stereotypes can be very damaging. Studies conducted surrounding Asian body types state that people tend to think of Asians as ‘ more American’ if they are less skinny. ( i.e. the skinnier the Asian the more foreign they appear ) This can strip people of identity and perpetuates an ugly idea of “ not being Asian enough or not being X enough”. Each race holds its own stereotypes in regards to body and highlighting the damage it can inflict should be one of the forefronts of discussion.

What are the ways / tools / methods

that have been used to further reinforce negative stereotypes into society? Media attention, ‘jokes’ , invalidation, exploitation, gaslighting people who speak out / gaslighting in general.

What about the possibility of black liberation? BLACK LIVES MATTER

What is the applicability of a collective body politić in relation to black trauma? Creating community is the first step to liberation. Elimination isolation and forging sincere bonds to discuss traumas, process and heal.

Are issues of ‘otherness’ still prevalent in today’s ‘post-racial’ societies? Yes.

What typifies and justifies ‘whiteness’ in it its relationship to questions of power? There is no justification to whiteness being the image of power. Typically speaking, we have grown to accept whiteness as power because of colonialism, classism, racism, and it is a fact that when we’ve seen it day to day for centuries it normalizes the behaviour - this is not okay. Acknowledging that this is happening is key to abolishing it which in turn will lead to equality.