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| The Right Choice, a 14 x 18 print by Sonya Walker |
The above image of the 14 x 18-inch print of the pencil drawing, "The Right Choice," by artist, Sonya Walker, was posted on Facebook by the artist along with the following associated text, which, with the artist's permission, I am allowed to share here.
We all remember the study that was conducted on African American children in the 1950s, when given a choice between a black doll and a Caucasian doll, each child was asked to pick which doll was prettier. In each case the child chose the Caucasian doll. When asked why they didn't choose the black doll, most responded with they thought the black doll was ugly. The study defined for a lot of African Americans how some of us see ourselves, don't value ourselves and use other people's measuring stick to measure our own beauty. It is very important for reasons of self-esteem to see images of yourself reflected around you. Each group of people should see images of themselves reflected in their lives to validate them. This print is entitled, "The Right Choice," addresses the issue. The print is 14 x 18 in size and it is an open edition print. It is on sale for the very low price of $15 (regular price $20). If you would like to purchase one, please visit my site at www.sonyawalkercreations.bigcartel.com.The study Ms. Walker refers to is The Dolls Test (a.k.a. The Doll Test) undertaken by Dr. Kenneth Clark and his wife Mamie Clark, both psychologists. The results of the Clarks' research and study of black children's attitudes about race and self-esteem were published between 1939 and 1940. During the 1950s, their research was used in school desegregation cases (Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, being one). Based on findings of the Clarks' research, the U. S. Supreme Court in 1954 ultimately ruled that separate but equal education was unconstitutional because it resulted in African American children having "a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community." [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2938]
I purchased two of Walker's prints, "The Right Choice," because it illustrates the importance of black/African American children seeing themselves in their playthings to promote self-love, acceptance of self, and to help them embrace their own unaltered beauty. One of the prints will be shared with a friend, who agrees wholeheartedly with me regarding this matter.
As her post indicates, Walker is currently offering "The Right Choice" individually for $15. In a subsequent post, "The Right Choice" is included in a package deal with four other prints for $50.
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