A Question of Color is the first documentary to confront a painful and long taboo subject: the disturbing feelings many African Americans harbor about themselves and their appearance. African American filmmaker Kathe Sandler digs into the often subconscious world of “color consciousness,” a caste system based on how closely skin color, hair texture and facial features conform to a European ideal. A Question of Color will be available for viewing for 72 hours, from Monday, November 9th at 6:00 PM through Thursday, November 12th at 6:00 PM

This film is screened in connection with Art and Race Matters: The Career of Robert Colescott, and as the focal point of discussion for In Dialogue: A Question of Color. In Dialogue is an occasional series of interdisciplinary, discussion-based sessions that explore art on view at the Museum in relation to works in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Facilitated by Dr. Ethan Johnson, this In Dialogue will center discussion around this film, and the ways in which colorism occurs within the Colescott exhibition. Ethan Johnson is an associate professor in and chair of the Black Studies Department in the School of Gender, Race and Nations at Portland State University. This In Dialogue program is supported by Cheryl and Rena Tonkin, and Marv Tonkin Leasing Company, In Memory of Alan Baron Tonkin.

Following the screening of this film, please join us for the program discussion on Thursday, November 12th from 6:00-7:30 PM at the following Zoom link:

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 836 5123 8936
Passcode: 620472