[Chicago Crossings: Bridges and Boundaries, reel 23; Joel Feldman]

In an interview with Kartemquin Films for their 1994 documentary, "Chicago Crossings: Bridges and Boundaries," artist Joel Feldman talks about "Jewishness," his upbringing in Washington D.C., and presents his opinions regarding the politics of racism.

1:10Copy video clip URL Kartemquin’s Jerry Blumenthal tells artist Joel Feldman a joke about why money is green.

1:41Copy video clip URL B-roll footage of Feldman arranging a number of prints in a gallery for hanging.

7:10Copy video clip URL Feldman explains his feelings when asked to participate in the Spertus Museum of Judaica’s “Bridges and Boundaries: Chicago Crossings” show, saying that he saw it as an opportunity to examine his own “Jewishness.”

8:50Copy video clip URL Feldman talks about growing up in Washington D.C. with a number of black friends, and the absence of the Black–Jewish issue. “The fact of my Jewishness was never an issue, oftentimes the fact of skin color was an issue,” recalls Feldman.

11:33Copy video clip URL Feldman talks about his process of selecting a subject matter for his piece for the Spertus show, at first experimenting with overt, blatant depictions of stereotypes before deciding on a more subversive approach.

18:50Copy video clip URL Feldman expresses his hopes for the Spertus show. “I want people to realize that… ethnic and gendered stereotypes are extremely complex, and the issues are not as simpleminded as people want to make it out,” says Feldman. He goes on to suggest the possibility that racism is a political tool that certain parties work to maintain.