Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Can a Clown Be an Activist?
HowlRound Theatre Commons: There is a Facebook group called Clown Theory. Created by UK clown scholar, author, and teacher Jon Davison, its purpose is to encourage inquiry and debate on all things clown. On 30 May of this year a member posted to the group: “I’m wondering if there is a place for a clown amongst more serious gatherings like street riots and protests for social and racial justice.” It had been five days since George Floyd was murdered by police officers in Minneapolis and the protests demanding justice for him and all Black lives were underway across the country and internationally. These images and experiences were top of mind when clowns from around the world responded.
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This article was very surprising to me. I am not at all tuned into what is happening in the clown-sphere, but just as other artists and individuals took to the streets to utilize their skills in the surge of Black Lives Matters activism, so did they. I think it’s an interesting question to pose in the first place of whether or not there there is a place for clowning in activism - but I think the writers of this piece clearly state that the models of clown theory are shifting to include more anti-racist theory (among other things). I actually do, on a very personal level, think that clowns should absolutely be activists. They resemble highly caricatured versions of what makes us human, and often at their expense exist to make this realm of joy - which I think is perfectly appropriate considering the circumstances. It will be interesting to see if I hear any more from this front in the coming months.
The social and political climate under the Trump administration has mobilized so many social groups to enact societal change through protest and activism. I think that a lot of people have tried to mobilize their individual communities, and I suppose that this was how the article’s mentioned Facebook post got started. It is disappointing, yet not surprising, that the overwhelming response of the clowning community to pushes for anti-racism was unsupportive and frankly further proving the need for anti-racism and tolerance. I mean, reading that this particular group of people is mostly white men, I am not surprised that there is a sentiment of denying systemic racism within the community coupled with those very people displaying racism and intolerance. I would hope that clowns who are also activists keep fighting the good fight and find a way to bring their community into an age of positive change as they move forward.
I, like many others, am not always in tune with the world of clowning. I’m glad that there are members of this community that are actively trying to make the community anti racist and working towards a more just future. It was a little surprising to me that, even in the clown community that I assumed would be all about open mindedness and joy, many were quick to condemn the idea that clowning might be, in some ways, racist. I think the discussion about clowning at protests and riots was interesting. At first glance, it feels insensitive and almost mocking to the cause. It also feels like an unsolicited clown performance (especially from a white person) is one of the most clear examples of someone trying to center the narrative around themselves. Sometimes, a clown performance is just not needed, no matter how much a clown might tell you otherwise. But I’m going to hold off passing judgment. For all I know, it could be beautiful and meaningful to have a clown at a protest. I just haven’t seen it or it’s execution first hand.
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