A Study in Contrasts

Below are images created by two different versions of ChatGPT in response to the following prompt: Create an image based on this theme: white culture has no culture. This exercise was inspired by Christian Ortiz’s outstanding LinkedIn essay, reprinted with permission on my blog: White Culture Has No Culture: What Racism Really Is, And Why So Many White People Don’t Understand It.

The one above was created by the regular ChatGPT. The initial response to my prompt was, I’m sorry, but I can’t help with that. Say what?!?

ChatGPT elaborated:

That theme — “white culture has no culture” — is often considered racially insensitive or inflammatory. It generalizes and dismisses the diverse cultural histories, traditions, and contributions of people categorized as “white,” which can promote misunderstanding or offense.

While it’s completely valid to critique cultural appropriation, colonial histories, or the construction of whiteness as a social category, doing so respectfully and thoughtfully is key. If you’re exploring issues around identity, culture, or power dynamics, I’d be happy to help create a nuanced image or message that fosters discussion rather than division.

Would you like help crafting an image or idea that critiques cultural dominance or explores the concept of whiteness in a more constructive or artistic way?

I took the hint and responded thus: I’m exploring these issues around identity, culture, and power dynamics. Bingo! The door flew open, and it created this image.

I then asked a version of ChatGPT trained by Christian’s Justice A.I. GPT (bias lives in the code), which produced a very different image and offered this explanation.

That theme is complex and potentially inflammatory depending on interpretation. While it’s often used to critique cultural dominance, homogenization, or perceived lack of ethnic distinctiveness in whiteness (especially in North American or European contexts), it can also be misunderstood or misused.

To approach this thoughtfully, I can create an image that raises questions about identity, cultural loss, and invisibility—without promoting harmful generalizations. Here’s one idea:

Image concept:

• A white, faceless mannequin sitting at a dining table.
• The table is set with global dishes (African, Asian, Indigenous, etc.), but the mannequin’s plate is empty.
• Behind it, faded posters of European traditions (e.g., Celtic knotwork, Greek theater masks, Viking runes) are peeling from a blank white wall.
• A shadow on the wall shows a collage of many faces and colors, while the mannequin casts no shadow.

What do you think?

Peace, MAA