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STORY: The Skin I'm In
Robin Hickman is working to promote positive self-esteem among young people of color. In addition to her work as a film producer, Robin Hickman is passionate about her multicultural doll collection that she uses to promote the values of cultural diversity. Robin was approached by Sharon Flake, the author of The Skin I'm In, to become a part of the team to create a film adaptation of the book. She works with youth who have read the book and are contributing their personal reflections of what it means to love the skin they are in. Robin is inspired by the educational component of her work and the importance of educating youth about positive self-image, and addressing stereotypes and beauty standards imposed by music videos. To support the "Lovin' the Skin I'm In" movement in Minnesota, Robin brought to the Twin Cities Kiri Davis, the young filmmaker who directed and produced "A Girl Like Me" based on the classic Kenneth Clark Doll Test.
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| Key Terms |
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| Affirmative Action |
Apartheid |
| Beauty Standards |
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) |
| Identity |
Kenneth Clark's Doll test |
| Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
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Prejudice |
| Race | Racial Discrimination |
| Racism |
Self-Image |
| Shadow Reports |
State Party |
| Stereotype |
Treaty-body |
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Click here to take a Survey
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| Before Viewing |
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What is race? Where did the idea of race come from historically? Are there races that experience more privilege than others? Why? Do you know about Kenneth Clark's Doll Test?
What is the significance of Brown v. Board of Education?
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| After Viewing |
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- What did Robin have to say about services and opportunities for young people today? Why do you think that is the case?
- How does the mass media influence young African American women's self-esteem?
- What does Robin describe as "the heart of the matter" when working with young women?
- Based on what you saw in the video, what is Sharon Flake's book The Skin I'm In, about?
- What did Kiri Davis discover when she redid Kenneth Clark's doll test?
- How does lack of racial justice impact all Minnesotans?
- What is the "Lovin' the Skin I'm In" movement? What are its goals?
- How can you help the movement to promote racial justice?
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| Suggested Activities and Resources: |
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- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Introduce the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination at www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/d1cerd.htm
Explain:
CERD is an international, legally-binding treaty aimed at eliminating all forms of racial discrimination. CERD was ratified by the United States in 1994. The Convention defines racial discrimination as "any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life." CERD was ratified by the United States in 1994.
Discuss:
Based on the definition above, what examples of racial discrimination can you give? Have you, your family, or friends experienced racial discrimination?
Pass around Part I (Articles 1-7) of the Convention, and divide students into groups of 3-5. Have the students read and discuss the articles in small groups. Depending on the time availability provide groups with some or all of the group discussion questions below. Allow plenty of time for group discussion.
Group Discussion Questions:
- What does the phrase "equal footing" in article 1 refer to? How can racial discrimination prevent people from enjoying or exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural and other fields of public life? Discuss examples.
- Why do you think the Convention does not apply to "distinctions, exclusions, restrictions or preferences made by a State Party to this Convention between citizens and non-citizens"? (See Article 1.2) Do you agree or disagree with this limitation? What is the name for "special measures taken for the sole purpose of securing adequate advancement of certain racial or ethnic groups"? What article of the Convention refers to "affirmative action"? How do affirmative action measures help to advance people of color? Is it fair?
- What can the government do to condemn racial discrimination? What does the Convention say about government's responsibility in relation to racial discrimination committed by persons, groups, or organizations?
- What is "apartheid"? Which article refers to it? What apartheid practices can you think of?
- Why is it important that the state condemns all propaganda and all organizations which are based on ideas or theories of superiority of one race or group of persons of one color or ethnic origin? Can you think of historic examples of propaganda of racial hatred?
- Do you think the U.S. is fulfilling its obligations under the Convention in prohibiting public authorities or public institutions from promoting or inciting racial discrimination? Why do you think that is? What does free speech have to do with it?
- What article talks about "equality before the law"? Which rights does the article protect specifically?
- Which article provides for effective protection and remedies against acts of racial discrimination? Which national tribunals and other government institutions do you know that provide such protection?
- What do governments do to educate the public with a view of combating prejudices which lead to racial discrimination? Which article makes such education a requirement?
Invite groups back into the plenary. Ask each group to briefly share: 1) up to three new things they have learned; 2) up to three things they are surprised about; 3) up to three questions they still have; and 4) one thing they are inspired to do as a result. Record findings on a flipchart.
- Resources
Participants can also review the Periodic Report of the U.S. to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination concerning the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination at
www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/cerd_report/83404.htm
Discuss the reporting process under CERD, and "shadow reports" submitted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or non-profit organizations. Shadow Reports supplement, or "shadow," governments' reports on human rights issues by focusing on issues the government did not address or did not sufficiently address. For review and comparison, students can also review a coordinated U.S. NGO response to the U.S. 2007 Combined Periodic Reports to the International Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination at
www.ushrnetwork.org/files/ushrn/images/2008_shadow_report/Shadow_Report_2008_web.pdf
Other useful sites:
Twin Cities Compass www.tccompass.org
Mind the Gap Report www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/reports/2005/10cities_sohmer/20051027_mindthegap.pdf
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