Friday, February 05, 2016
“Blacklisted: A Concert of Songs Made Famous by Blacklisted Artists” An American History Lesson
SHOWBIZ CHICAGO: Throughout history, the United States has managed to witness many politicians and their followers who had very narrow thinking and were bullies to push their own agenda. In 1950 Senator Joe McCarthy was a politician who thought that communists were residing in the United States. Therefore, he thought it was important to identify communists or people who had connections to communists in order to protect the United States. Therefore, anyone who had adverse opinions with the government or demonstrated a certain way of thinking through their art was targeted. People were called before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAAC).
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Reading this article, I am struck by how the idea inspiring this concert is similar to that behind annual festivals of banned books and currently censored works. I feel that one of theater's main responsibilities, or indeed a responsibility of performance as a whole is to bring to light events, perspectives, and experiences that audiences would otherwise would not have the opportunity to be exposed to. I feel that this concert, while not necessarily as contemporary, and thus slightly less directly relevant, is nonetheless a great way to make modern audiences aware of the casual oppression faced so recently by those who wished to express their own opinions.
When my grandfather was blacklisted, and extensively investigated by the F.B.I, he found himself suddenly unsure if he would be able to return to work as a soil scientist for the B.L.M. However, for creative minds like Paul Robeson, for whom performance conveyed a fulfillment of need for self-expression, black-listing meant something more sinister. I hope that future events like this one continue to draw, and educate, crowds.
This is a very interesting concept and way to artistically consider this very critical, and particular moment in history. In very clearly tying the actions of the House Un-American Activities Committee and the blacklist to the artistic and creative stifling of many invaluable artists, Carla Gordon - the show's originator - provides an oft-unexplored perspective on this period of time.
I do, however, take issue with certain aspects of the article's presentation of Gordon's work. I think at times the article is overly-reductive, not only overtly stating the message behind Gordon's work (as perceived by the article's author), but also asserting that Gordon merely wanted to convey that McCarthy and Hoover were "bullies" at this time in history. While that may be one aspect of Gordon's work, it appears as though Gordon was actually trying to celebrate the art that was blacklisted during this time, and was commending the fighting spirit of the blacklisted artists more so than condemning McCarthy and Hoover.
I think this performance brings to light a very important issue about art. This ‘blacklisting’ culture has repeatedly reared its head, in various forms and intensities. It’s something that even still happens today, though perhaps not to the same extent as in the past. This show highlights the works of those who were ‘blacklisted’, which not only honors those artists, but also gives the community a sense of how damaging blacklisting can be. The audience gets a real sense of how damaging this practice can be, and how much great art is censored every day. I also think the practice of art censorship is evidence of just how powerful art can be. Since the beginning, powerful people had always feared art, understood that it could destroy their reputation and power. Blacklisting is just a way to prevent that. And while censorship is a terrible practice, it forces artists to fight harder for their work, making it all the more impactful.
Just a few weeks ago, I saw the Bryan Cranston film 'Trumbo,' about Communist, blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. Trumbo is credited with many major Hollywood screenplays, either as himself or under aliases. Examples: Roman Holiday, Exodus, Spartacus, there's dozens more... Despite the funny nature of Cranston's voice in the film and the bizarre but appreciated appearance of Louis CK, it really opened my eyes to the devil and politics in Hollywood.
I have always had a problem with banned pieces of art, even if I do consider the material to be offensive. If we hold people to a certain amount of standards set arbitrarily by a panel of judges, so much art can be lost. Change in the face of authority is what has driven almost every artistic movement, and I find it incredible people can still look back on those changes and acknowledge their greatness while at the same time trying to stop that change now.
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