ADW Narrative Prompt
Hello, my name is Kadiatou Diallo, I am a first-year political science major on the pre-law track
minoring in psychology. Today for African-diaspora I will be explaining the art piece
“Forbidden Fruit” by Harmonia Rosales. The art piece speaks volume on race, power, and
representation. This connects to ADW because it shows the history and challenges African
Americans have been through, and where the stereotype “black people love watermelon” comes
from. The artwork portrays an African woman, challenging colonialism, and cultural
appropriation as she holds the watermelon. This shows the historical and ongoing cultural
appropriation faced by the African diaspora, where African culture is often borrowed or stolen
by colonial powers because now everyone grows watermelons as a crop. This speaks to the
struggle for identity and self-representation within the African diaspora, emphasizing strength
and dignity. She is not just a victim of history but portrayed with strength and dignity,
challenging traditional representations of African people in art and media. The watermelon
symbolizes empowerment and liberation, reflecting the importance of education and selfawareness in resisting oppression. The painting also embodies the empowered African future. It
acknowledges the spiritual and ancestral connections of the African diaspora while highlighting
resilience and healing in the face of historical trauma. Overall, "Forbidden Fruit" offers a
transformative narrative, challenging historical oppression and envisioning a future where
African culture and people shape their destiny.In summary, "Forbidden Fruit" by Harmonia
Rosales challenges historical narratives of oppression and offers a vision of a future where
African culture and people are at the forefront of their own destinies, making it a thoughtprovoking piece that connects with the concepts of ADW 111.