White Privilege in Illustration

On July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed, creating a new nation founded on the belief that “all men are created equal.” Just about every citizen born and raised in the United States is taught this from a young age. However, their teachers, government, and even parents fail to mention the institutional racial hierarchy that was the foundation for this new nation. Throughout each century, this discrimination has instituted itself in various ways. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it was slavery. From the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement, it was the Jim Crow laws. Since then, however, this racial discrimination has taken up a more subtle tone. Now, it displays itself in quiet privileges that have lasting implications. Newspapers display these privileges in the community and either further establish or condemn them. The following artifacts demonstrate how the Albion College student newspaper, the Pleiad, demonstrates and perpetuates the privileges that white people experience in the United States through the use of graphics, pictures, and word choice. Through careful inspection of newspaper publication structures, diversity in photographs, and word connotations, it becomes clear how newspapers have established white privilege to create a racial hierarchy in the community. Each century, United States citizens have come together to take a step forward in the battle against racial discrimination. Until they recognize the existence of these unearned privileges afforded to white people in society, this racial discrimination will continue to thrive. 

The fashion ad, pictured to the left, was published by Henry’s in the October 2nd, 1970 Pleiad publication. Targeting the incoming Albion students, the ad demonstrates three various fashions that can be found at the store, but the ad demonstrates more than that. By only including illustrations of petite, white, women with blond hair, the author also demonstrates who is—and more importantly, who is not—welcome at the shop. This subtle disproportionate racial coverage perpetuates a racial hierarchy in Albion by inferring that the color of a student’s skin determines where they are welcome to shop. Additionally, it’s important to note the impact that fashion has on a student’s mental health. Trends in fashion help to create a pop culture in society. When a student is unable to purchase—or does not feel welcome purchasing—clothes that contribute to a fashion trend, it alienates them from the rest of society. Clothing works like a brand. It defines who is popular and who is not. It can be something to be proud of or ashamed of. 

This title of a May 22nd, 1970 Pleiad publication article reads “Black Recruitment Committee Established By Student Senate; Killings, Parental Poll Opposed.” This title establishes a subconscious connection between "Black recruitment," "killings," and "opposed." After seeing these connections in the newspaper, readers of the Pleiad will begin to associate negative actions such as "killing" and "opposed" with Black human beings. This perpetuates the subconscious racial hierarchy on campus by leading white students to the belief that Black students are unsafe. Additionally, this alienates Black students from the community. It leaves them feeling unsafe, unwelcome, and inferior.

These ads, found in the February 20th, 1970 Pleiad publication, demonstrate the lack of enticement surrounding cultural understanding in the college at this time. Displayed here are the ads for two college trips: the weekend trip within Michigan is an ad animated with illustrations and exciting activities planned for the trip, yet the trip to Jamaica is an ad with less than ten words on it and no illustrations—including only the most basic information of the trip. It demonstrates perfectly how little interest the students would have had towards experiencing different cultures and climates at the time. As a direct result of this, fewer students would have traveled outside of the United States and, therefore, would have had a more limited understanding and appreciation of people that are different from them. This creates apathy towards different races and ethnicities. Additionally, were there any Jamaican students on campus that wanted to travel to Jamaica to experience parts of their heritage, it would have been harder for them to receive information about the trip itself. These ads demonstrate how illustrations can limit cultural understanding by uplifting one culture above all others.

This photograph taken by Lance Knudson, found in the October 16th, 1970 Pleiad publication, shows the homecoming queens nominated that year. Notice how all the women nominated were white. This subtly suggests that only white women can be homecoming queens. Historically, the most popular, beautiful, and handsome women and men win the nominations for homecoming queen and king. Therefore, by only nominating white students, this suggests to all the Black students that they are less beautiful and less handsome. This could leave them feeling insecure and unwelcome. White students have the privilege of feeling appreciated and accepted. They did not afford that same privilege to students of color. 

The front page of the May 22nd, 1970 Pleiad publication provides an article of extreme importance to minorities looking for an education who are also in tight financial positions. These scholarships from Colombia U. had the possibility to change their lives. However, the placement of the article “below the fold” of the newspaper means that most readers would not see this article unless they opened the newspaper and inspected it carefully. Not only does this impact individual Black students, but it also affects Black people all across the country. Without this scholarship, fewer students would be able to pay for college. Therefore, fewer students would attend college and go on to get a degree and high-paying, influential jobs. Once in those jobs, those students could have helped other Black students get jobs. However, instead, the lack of advertisement for scholarships leads students to drop out for financial reasons. This means that white people remain the sole employers in the country, hiring predominately white employees, and deciding the fate of entire organizations without the valuable insight of different racial groups. 

This title of a May 15th, 1970 Pleiad publication article reads “Recruiters Lack Enticement for Black Students, Bonta Says.” The word choice here establishes Black students as both inferior and greedy. The use of “lack” in relation to Black students subconsciously contributes to the idea that Black students are inferior to white students. Using the word “enticements” makes the students sound privileged: as if they believe they deserve rewards for choosing to go to Albion college while the white students get nothing. What the title fails to include is the struggles that Black students face on campus: the feeling of exclusion and alienation they receive from students and the surrounding community. Through the use of word choice and excluding additional information, the author displays Black students as greedy inferior people. 

These photos, taken by Lance Knudson and Ray Tanaka, from the October 23rd, 1970 Pleiad publication demonstrate the winners or champions on various homecoming events. Notice how each individual pictured here is white. This perpetuates the idea that only white people can accomplish anything worth noting. This perpetuates the idea that only white students should win a homecoming election. As a result of this, the following year, it is more likely that only white students will win. This leaves Black students feeling excluded and uninvolved in homecoming. This disproportionate racial coverage creates establishes a racial hierarchy. It creates a racial boundary that excludes Black students from the community.

Through photos, illustrations, and word choice, newspapers can display and perpetuate white privilege in society. This discrimination sustains a racial hierarchy in the country and prevents individuals from achieving their potential. Until society stands against these unearned privileges, racism will continue to thrive.