Kerry American painter James Marshall is renowned for his potent portrayals of African American culture and life. His art frequently questions societal perceptions of racial representation, especially in the arts and media. Marshall made a number of noteworthy remarks that draw attention to the disparity in how various races are portrayed and understood in popular entertainment.

Marshall highlights a prevalent problem in movies where a majority of white viewers can readily identify with and relate to characters of the same race, but there is an unspoken expectation that these viewers will not feel as strongly connected when black or other minority characters are introduced. The larger issue of inclusivity and representation in the media is reflected in this observation.

Consider a garden where only a few areas have flowers of different colors, and the majority of the flowers are one color, like white. Because they see themselves reflected in the common white flowers, visitors to this garden are likely to spend more time admiring them. However, unless efforts are made to emphasize and value these differences, visitors may not feel as personally connected or interested when colored flowers appear.

Marshall's perspective goes beyond film to a broader conversation about representation in general society. It emphasizes the value of varied viewpoints and the necessity of more inclusive narrative that values and recognizes every aspect of our community. Marshall challenges our presumptions about who is represented and how these representations affect how we see ourselves and other people by bringing attention to this imbalance.

This quotation encapsulates Marshall's overarching artistic goal, which is to raise awareness of the frequently disregarded stories and experiences of African Americans in order to advance a more complex and inclusive understanding of American history and culture.