“Our Kind of People, a project by artist Bayeté Ross Smith, examines how an individual’s clothing, ethnicity, gender, and skin tone can shape our subjective perceptions of identity, value, and character.”
“It’s our turn to define ourselves for ourselves. Our Kind of People.
We See You! Prejudice and inequalities abound. It’s time to address bias and inequity by letting the world know who we are and who are Our Kind of People!
How other people view you may not be how you view you. Our Kind of People is a platform for creators, influencers, leaders, and activists to tackle unconscious bias head on and share the personal experiences that have affected their view of society.
Join Our Kind of People! Get involved by selecting three or more outfits that best expresses who you are in the different areas of your life. Photograph yourself in each outfit or take a 59-second video of yourself in each outfit, answering the question “Who Are You?”. Post to Instagram with the hashtag #ourkindofpeople #OKOP, and you may be featured on Our Kind of People’s episodic series on our digital platform. Be a part of the movement to show ourselves as our complete selves, challenge biases, and promote social justice and community. The time is now to tackle bias straight on and move society towards a future without discrimination! Will you please help us?”
As a subject, you’ll make at least 3 photographs and 3 videos wearing distinct outfits (formal attire, home, recreation, etc.) that show how you represent yourself in different spaces. You’ll be responding to the following prompts:
What is an assumption people make about you when you are wearing the outfit you have on? Or an assumption people make about you based on your clothing?
Describe yourself in 59 seconds or less. Essentially, who are you?
Describe your experience being misjudged based on appearance. Is there a specific situation you can tell us about?
See this video for reference, but try to keep your recording time under 59 secs or less per prompt.
TECHNICAL GUIDE
Find a quiet place in front of a white background
If possible, sit facing a window and avoid strong light sources behind you (windows/tall lamps)
Set up your digital camera or iPhone so that your are shooting vertically.
Place the device at eye level and turn on the grid function
Position yourself with a neutral face
Take a photo
Record the video(s)
