By Walker Post
Six plays, six poets, six hoodies.
On March 3, 2014 the Goodman Theater in association with Victory Gardens put together an event called Facing Our Truth: Shorts Plays on Trayvon, Race & Privilege.
The performance was free by reservation and the main stage of the Goodman was packed with an audience who were vocal in their appreciation.
Trayvon Martin was an African-American 17 year-old who was shot and killed by George Zimmerman on Feb. 26, 2012 in Florida after an altercation. Zimmerman, who was the neighborhood watch coordinator, called 911 claiming to have seen a man acting suspiciously. The 911 dispatcher told Zimmerman not to pursue the individual, but he continued to follow him, eventually leading to the struggle.
Zimmerman claims to have been acting out of self-defense and was treated for wounds to the head. He argued that he was following Florida’s Stand-your-ground law. Zimmeramn was found not guilty in the summer of 2013. This case raised awareness to the problem of profiling African-Americans as “dangerous.”
The performance began with the short plays featuring about four actors in each. Themes included racial profiling, lack of empathy for people of color, and the controversy around Martin. In most of the performances, actors reenacted potential ways in which an African-American might have been gunned down, indicating that any one of them could suffer a fate similar to Martin’s. Actors all wore hoodies as a symbolic gesture since Martin was wearing one when he was shot.
One of the plays consisted of three friends: a white male, white female, and black male. The African-American friend leaves to grab them an Arizona tea and a bag of Sour Patch Kids (similar snacks that Martin had with him when he was shot to death) so his friend can confess to the girl that he likes her. As the two are about to kiss, they hear a gun-shot, implying that their friend had been killed.
The crowd erupted into applause at the end of this closing scene.
After a brief intermission, six poets walked on stage. One of them was Malcom London, who began the event by saying, “It is 2014, and according to a tweet by the Republican Party, Rosa Parks is into racism.” A burst of laughter followed from the audience. He then talked about being pulled over in his car by police 11 times within a two week span.
“It is 2014 and every 26 hours in this country a black person is gunned down by police or a self appointed vigilante,” London said. “It is 2014 and it seems we are in a lot of trouble.”
London’s emotionally charged poem set the tone for the following performances.
Ethan Viets-Vanlear, poet and former Lane student, followed London and focused on the dehumanization of African-Americans.
“I was born in a dungeon, where no light can see through, where people tend to stare, but nobody really sees you,” Viets-Vanlear read.
Viets-Vanlear is a social activist and wanted the audience to understand his experiences as a black male.
“I was born in a hoodie, I hope I don’t die in one too,” Viets-Vanlear recited. “I was born in a dungeon, I hope I don’t die in one too.”
London came up with the idea for the event in winter of 2013 and began contacting young poets and actors to pitch to them the idea of a performance to honor Martin.
This was not the first time the poets had performed in front of an audience. On Mar. 2, they recited their poetry at Columbia College. With a crowd of about 50 at that event, the performance was much more intimate.
Sam Lisec, Div. 764, a member of Lane’s slam team, was in attendance. He stuck around after Lane’s poetry slam to watch the event at Columbia.
“It was eye-opening,” Lisec said. “I’d definitely suggest anyone [attend] events such as these.”
Kaina Castillo, Div. 475, another member of Lane’s slam team, heard about the event through social media sites and Young Chicago Authors.
“Walking away, I was really frustrated,” Castillo said. “Some of these problems with racism have no one solution.”
Events like these serve to bring awareness to the topic and make the message more personal. Castillo felt that the performance gave her a clearer understanding of the struggles faced in African-American culture.
“[The performances put] a story to a face, to a name, and [help us realize] how present and alive racism is,” Castillo said.
Castillo says people can be reluctant to attend petry-based events, but thinks the Martin tribute is important when spreading awareness on social issues, like racism.
“There needs to be a higher platform to promote these events,” Castillo said.
