MONDAY MUSINGS: BREAKING THE BOX

We all still have a lot of work to do regarding race relations. Yes, it's complex and an uncomfortable dialogue, but it's necessary nonetheless. 

Last week I was privy to an excellent opportunity to participate in a dramatic presentation called Sparkling Dialog: Breaking the Box.

In an intimate space at the Arkansas Fine Arts Museum, the audience traveled back in time as two actors energetically worked the small space with their dramatic dialogue with movement, music and videos tackling American historical issues of race, education and the school-to-prison pipeline and how it has and continues to affect both identity and culture, the importance of breaking the box.

In a talkback after their emotional performance, we heard about how the Breaking the Box came to be. Our 2 performing artists with the playwright and director used a storyboard to decide which topics and stories they wanted to include in their performance. Then the writing began for the playwright and director to make it theirs.

Historic issues included The Supreme Court ruling in  Brown vs Board of Education in 1954 which left it to the States to take care of integration independently.  Segregation was finally challenged in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 with the Central 9.   Gov. Faubus had to call in the National Guard to help with the angry white mobs in protecting those 9 brave students who had no clue the strife awaiting them.  We  learned of the harrowing first day when one of those 9,  excited to begin high school,  couldn't get to school that first day due to the mobs. She sought refuge at a bus stop with hopes the city bus would arrive to take her safely back home...

The audience was included in playing 'Simon Says' with lessons with harsh messages of doing what you are told, conform and don't even consider higher aspirations. 

Through time travel we witnessed police brutality towards black citizens throughout the country. We also listened to President Bush spewing harsh words re: the threat of drugs in society. A 50 year war ensued with drugs against offenders inferring hippies used pot and for the blacks it was heroin. We know who gets the longer sentences regardless of the infractions.  Incarcerated individuals will always have a difficult time getting a job, loan credit, housing, education, etc... We heard about a model facility that does vocational training, life skills and job placement  

Our children of the 80's participated in school programs wearing t-shirts with the logo Say No to Drugs. First Lady Nancy Reagan made it one of her programs.

Examples of Redlining insures the absence of black owned neighborhood grocery stores, banks and businesses. 

One of the questions asked was  "Why now? " for this presentation.    The audience felt the discomfort of the long overdue conversations and accountability of our American society. 'Breaking the Box' is long overdue. 

If not now, when? And if not us, who?  The dialog and action are both necessary.

I wish all of you could have experienced this powerful dialog.

BTW: This presentation ironically fell on the anniversary of the Brown vs the Board of Education. That was not lost on me...

Kudos to our actors, you gave it your all. Loved the outfit changes as you alternated wearing  the wardrobe

Question & Answer after the play

s. The post-show discussion with the creators allows the audience to dialogue with the artists on the themes presented.

Due to the subject matter, the recommended audience age range for this program is high school students to adults.

Sparking Dialogue Through Drama is supported by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.

Photo by Dylan Pojar-Weatherly.