dgamez Annotations

What does the image convey about “toxic subjects” (their character, dynamics, etc.)? (How) Does this image open up the concept of “toxicity”?

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - 4:51pm

This image captures state-sanctioned measures by South Korea to uphold their nation-building that are anti-black and highlights the extent that they are willing to go to, to maintain a racially homogenous nation. This image further complicates the idea of toxicity depending on whose view is being advanced. On the one hand, the toxic subjects according to the image are the mixed-race children because they defy racial notions in South Korea and would contribute to defying the patriarchy that South Korea seeks to sustain. On the other hand, the toxic subject is South Korea in their failure to address the changes in notions of race that have been influenced by international conflicts. Additionally, this image can also expand the concept of "toxicity" by focusing on how nations, in this case South Korea, impose toxicity on their own country as well as on an international level regardings ideas of race that are rooted in anti-blackness. While this image is sending a message to those in South Korea who are mix-raced, it is also sending a message to Black people in the U.S. and in this case their toxicity is being exported and complementing the toxicity that Black people receive from the U.S. 

Creative Commons Licence