Podcast #184
IF THE WORDS NIGGA AND CRACKA ARE TERMS YOU FEEL ARE IN NEED DEEP EXAMINATION IN OUR COUNTRY THEN YOU WILL UNDOUBTEDLY ENJOY THIS PODCAST WITH THE CAST AND CREW OF SECOND WIND WHO ARE PRESENTING FLAG DAY BY LEE BLESSING
And dont worry, those words arent said in the interview, but a deep discussion about race, with complete honesty happens, with 2 identified blacks, 1 bi-racial and 1 white person.
FLAG DAY is a play in 2 parts. The first play in the series is called [ Good Clean Fun ]. It examines race relations as viewed thru the eyes of 2 office employees of firm. One is white and one is black. And they get their rocks of by going on prejudicial rants, monitored by egg timers they set. Most of the interview you will be listening to revolves around this play. The other component or play making up FLAG DAY is called [ Down & Dirty ]. And it examines race issues after a white pedestrian is hit by a car, gets stuck in a windshield and is left to die as the occupants discuss his fate.
Second wind productions, a company in existence for 22 years has decided to tackle this production, in part because of the Presidential elections of 2008. One of the producers in particular felt it necessary to make this play happen because of the opportunity to promote dialogue across the cultural divide, so that America can heal itself of this centuries old riff. I think that is a little optimistic, for the racial divide has been a staple of the American lively hood. Do I ever think it will go away? NOPE. It is impossible for me to look at a white man and not notice he is white. It will be impossible for me to not succumb to stereotypes when we are conditioned by media (television and media).
At the same token it would be foolish of me not to acknowledge that race relations in America are far superior today than in the 50s, for example. We have gotten better as a nation and the fact that Obama has been nominated by a political party as the 1st black presidential nominee speaks volumes to the progress America has made towards cultural equity.
SPEAKING OF OBAMA, HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD HEATED RACIAL DISCUSSION BECAUSE OF OUR CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE?
The cast and crew of Flag Day have some surprising revelations
In this interview the cast and crew were not afraid to open up about some sensitive issues. It also helps that at the beginning of this interview I let them know that this was going to be an honest, hard hitting look at racism. And they all agreed to take part.
Little did they know what I had in store (muwahhhhh!)
I was appreciative of the cast and crew when I threw questions at them like Youre black. Have you heard a white person say they would not vote for Obama because he was black?
This is the type of question that most interviewees are afraid to answer. I fully expected to have some problems getting people to answer this question, but to my surprise I got some very honest responses.
And it is always interesting to hear what white people think of racism in the current political climate. And maybe thats because I am black. Or maybe its because it is hard for me to believe when a white people claims to not be racist. Or maybe its hard for me to believe that people in general cant be racist. What ever it is, their perspective is profoundly interesting. Sometimes they have some profound insights. As a matter of fact, Susanna, the director of the show, is white. She has taken issue with America and its need to label the candidates as the first black president or the first female in office. She thinks the campaign should just be about 4 people running for office.
I think that is a bit nave. Ok, I think that is A LOT nave, but that is a testament to our different cultural backgrounds. And ohh yeah, Susanna and I went at it in this interview. It was good fun, but sometimes I felt she was trying to skirt some issues.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE RACISM? AND WHAT RACIST TENDENCIES DO YOU SEE IN YOURSELF?
Dont worry, Im not asking you this, but this is what I asked the cast and crew of Flag Day. YUP, I sure did.
There is no way one can conduct an interview about race and not ask blunt and direct questions. What is racism? Who can be racist? What are the components of racism? What racist tendencies do you exhibit?
Believe me, when these questions started coming out of my mouth, people started wiggling in their seats. I found it interesting to hear the perspective of the bi-racial actor in the cast. He is black and white. Can you guys where his answers tended to go? Ill give you a hint: He would sometimes try to skirt, but when pressed would engage in my request.
Susanna, the white director, liked to give politically correct answers. But can I blame her? Here I am a big black guy, asking questions about racism to a white woman. I know that it can be intimidating for white folk to talk about racism in the presence of black people.
And then there is Mischa. You are going to love her. A black woman with blunt, terse answers. I sometimes had to force her to expound on her answers, but that was ok. That was a lot easier to do as opposed to getting people to stop spitting out the politically correct answers.
THE BIGGEST REASON YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS SHOW IS TO HEAR HOW ARTISTS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE DEFINING HOW RACSIM AFFECTS THEM AND HOW THEY DEAL WITH PERSONAL REALIZATIONS OF RACISM THAT EXISTS IN THEIR MINDS.
For example, when asked about her personal racist views, the director Susanna answers by saying things like: I do theatre because I grew up in diverse in environment, traveled, and have a sincere interest in people as a group. Other cultures and perspectives interest me. I would love to say that she was not racist because of these experiences, but that would be an ignorant statement. Part of life and experiencing is to unearth and discover some subconscious prejudices you have
For example, when asked about his personal racist tendencies, bi-racial actor, Ian, talks about his stereotypical thoughts about black kids in the black community, and kind of outs the black community on the intra-cultural racism that exists.
So if you are interesting in a direct look at racism, from a white playwrights point of view, then GO SEE FLAG DAY presented by Second Wind.
If you enjoy the show as much as I enjoyed the interview, you will get your moneys worth.
SHOW NOTES
Second Wind Productions: The Website
Playing Sept 5th, - Sept 21st
Flag Day: Buy Tickets
Listen Now
barack down and dirty flag day good clean fun ian walker lee blessing mischa obama president racism second wind susanna
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