shift: we are not yet done.

race-tag

sticky tag, printed in the blue matching the american flag. 2x3" (5x7"framed)

diction

embossed and foiled dictionaries, frame/stand set of 2 15x12"ea. (interactive)

the collar

life size collars, with text on recycled cabinet door, flashing fiber optic cable, recycled wire stands.

invented c. 2000 by d. a. patterson, the collar was designed to familiarize white people with daily experiences of racism.

the vision of the device was to establish an experience with racism for whites that was, in some small way, similar to those of people of color in our society. it was thought that this would generate awareness and demonstrate the pervasiveness of racism in an attempt to penetrate the buffer of white-skin privilege. to this end, the collar was created.

designed to attach to any number of daily fashions, the collar is lined with a low-voltage electrical shock wire, similar to those used on farms to keep animals from going astray. the wire, cleverly concealed by the fabric of the collar (available in a number of styles) emits a short yet biting burst of electric shock whenever the wearer encounters an example of racist oppression (as it would be experienced by a person of color). though physical shock cannot accurately mimic the true effect of racism on people of color, it gave a parallel sensation that at the very least drew attention to the frequency of oppressive experiences in the wearer’s environment.

production of the collar was terminated during the experimental phase where a trial was done with a large white test group and a control group of people of color. though the control group found the device to be accurate, whites described side effects. the frequency of the shocks turned into an almost constant stream of electrical current through the body of the wearer.

as a result, whites in the study complained of nausea, bitterness, depression, violent and suicidal tendencies, anxiety, sleeplessness, hypertension, anger, rage, fear, withdrawal, and even periods of mild unconsciousness. after two days most white participants refused to wear the device and demanded compensation for their suffering.

development drew to an abrupt halt.