Tuesday, January 07, 2020
Woolly Mammoth’s New Leader Is Putting Anti-Racism Center Stage. It’s Making Some People Uncomfortable.
www.washingtonian.com: Maria Manuela Goyanes was six weeks into her job as the new artistic director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company last year when one of her board members cursed her out and resigned. Why? It had to do with he/she/they.
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The first woman of color to run this theatre, and even more, to run a major DC area theatre! I think it is so unfortunate and frustrating we often feel guilty or second guess ourselves of doing the right thing when we face backlash from a more privileged person or community. We should not feel bad for calling somebody out on their oppressive and exclusive behavior or words, we should not ask ourselves if we should have just “shut up”. It is totally understandable, and I am guilty of it too. I have to remember standing up for human rights and promoting cultural change is more important and should trump making everybody happy, and that you will not change every person in the world’s mind. There will always be people who will not want to change, will not want to “give up” their power and privilege. To an extent, being uncomfortable is how we understand each other.
I love this approach to theatre and how Goyanes uses her new platform to completely change the season and be so inclusive is something so beautiful to see and hear. I do want to touch on the counterpoint in this article given by the Jeffrey Banks, the United Bank Executive. I am so damn tired of going to see a show surrounding black people and be confronted with more and more conversations on slavery, “woe-is-me”, and just how we’ve been beaten down over and over. While I get it is informative for non-black audience members, it shows people THAT is what black people are. Seeing shows that are about black lives, that don’t have to do with those depressing topics, are like a breath of fresh ass air. I love the intention, but when dealing with black subjects, please handle them with care and not represent an entire race as these experiences.
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