Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences - This topic has 9 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 22 years ago by
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I have a new friend who is black. I have never been uncomfortable around black people before, however, recently he and I were at a play at his college when he confided that he had never been to a play before. I was surprised because he is one of the smartest people I have ever met, lived in Cleveland (what us small-towners call a big city), is well- read and is a history major in a small liberal arts college near my hometown. I looked at him and shockingly asked, ‘Why?’ He turned and said almost angrily, ‘Andrea, I’m black!’ I just sat there and watched the play. I know that not all African Americans are like this, but how should I respond to him the next time I see him?
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Name : andrea, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 20, City : Mansfield, State : OH, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class,I go to plays now because when I was a child, I was taken to them by my parents, schools, etc. Don’t assume that just because he’s ‘smart and from a big city’ that he had the same opportunity. It could be that going to plays wasn’t a priority in his family (perhaps money was a consideration). Rather than be uncomfortable with him now, try to discuss with him what his explanation ‘I’m black’ really means.
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Name : ED25439, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Age : 45, City : Kansas City, State : MO, Country : United States,Cleveland … no wonder! I grew up in a Cleveland suburb in the ’60s/’70s. My family was wealthy, white and educated, and I attended my first play in college as well. It may be different now, but Cleveland was one of those cities where live plays are not that big a thing.
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Name : Steve27874, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 45, City : Houston, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : Corporate Climber, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper class,I know from experience with other blacks that most think it’s weird to go to plays and stuff. I love going to plays and am often criticized. I think it depends on the individual. If your friend uses his race as an excuse not to go to a play, he’s trapped in stereotypes that have held down blacks in America for too long.
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Name : Latoya, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 20, City : Denver, State : CO, Country : United States, Occupation : Assistant, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,Your friend’s statement alone further purports the idea that blacks are not ‘culturally inclined’ and must be associated with some sort of athletic or physical background to truly show their prowess. Just because a person is black doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t go to plays. In fact, going to a play is not related to race at all. In my mind, plays are associated with a higher level of thinking, interpretation and cultural expression. More intellect is involved when watching a play than a movie or television show, where the setting is given to you and the plot is more straightforward. Middle- and upper-class whites and Asians are encouraged more by their cultures to attain this level of culture, because both groups are more obsessed with academia; this is why you see more of them go to plays. Most lower-, middle- and some upper-class blacks are not encouraged to be cultural in that way because it is viewed as ‘selling out’ or ‘acting’ white. However, some do see the value of going to plays (such as myself), and actually enjoy the art form. So don’t think – as he ignorantly insinuated – that most blacks don’t like plays, because some of us (like me) love seeing them.
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Name : Kristina, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 20, City : Washington, State : DC, Country : United States, Occupation : Transcriber, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class,It’s unfortunate that your friend is unable to comprehend being black and seeing theatre. I am biracial (black and white), female and work for an African-American theatre company in Atlanta. Unfortunately, we (black folk) don’t have as many theatre companies as we used to. But instead of judging, offer him some information. Look up some black theatre companies near your area and attend some plays. I think the experience would enlighten both of you.
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Name : Kai, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black and White, Religion : Catholic, Age : 30, City : Atlanta, State : GA, Country : United States, Occupation : Publicist, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,Among lower class blacks, plays are expensive things. Yes, i know that blacks will often spend hundreds of dollars on shoes, but won’t spring for a ticket to a play. But really you have to be taught to have an appreciation for art, and visiting museums or going to plays just are on the list of priorities for poorer families. Plus, I think black folks are especially interested in going places where they see other Black people. And unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of black theater companies.
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Name : Kelly R., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Catholic, Age : 25, City : St. Louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : university instructor, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,I’ve been attending both Broadway and Shakespeare since I was seven. Sounds to me like both of you need to get out more.
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Name : Alana29002, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, City : New York, State : NY, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College,Ok so that was my question several months ago. i have always been involved in the theatre, (even acting in 3 community productions when i was a child) and i am offended by the ‘need to get out more’. Anyways, it was your opinion to make, so i can’t really complain. My friend has subsequently been to at least seven more plays, (not including the ones he has seen without me), and even surprised me last august with tickets for ‘les mis’. He now really enjoys the theatre, and he chalked it up his previous lack of experience to life in cleveland where it wasn’t as popular to do such things. Also our relationship has changed; from friends to best friends to life partners, and we are planning on getting married next year after graduation. And probably spending more time at the theatre. Thank you all for your opinions.
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Name : andrea31627, City : mansfield, State : OH, Country : United States,actually yes…i do get out. i didn’t mean to imply that i am uncultured, my family has always attended. although we are rather biased…i’ve seen tons of shakesperes, but only 3 mamets. i am also pleased to share that my friend (now my boyfriend of 1 year) is now a theatre-going nut and even surprised me with tickets to les mis.
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Name : andrea, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 20, City : Mansfield, State : OH, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class,
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