Yesterday was not a very good day. Since returning to work I have heard about at least 6 arrests that took place over the break at my school. I am sure there is more that I don't know about, caught or not. I could talk about how high school football in Texas (as 2 local high school quarterbacks face life-altering charges) panders to the already common invincibility complex that is often met without accountability. I could point to the local budget crisis caused by the rising prison population. I could talk about, how, in another part of town, the same offenses would disappear with the money to pay a good lawyer. I could analyze the national dis-proportionality of incarcerations according to race. But I am not going to delve into any of that. At the end of the day, I am not qualified. I would just be another resounding gong in the corridors of public policy, and today at least, I just don't have the energy.
I am just sad.
I would not be the only one to make this observation: Our community is broken, and nothing is changing.
When I first heard that two of my favorite students were facing felony charges, a visceral image immediately flooded my head. It was that of a mother weeping the loss of what was to be. That image was quick to come to the forefront of my mind because it was the same image being used by my conscious to picture a scene from the play I am cutting for the school's one-act play, To Be Young, Gifted and Black, a semi-autobiographical work of Lorraine Hansberry. In the script, there is a funeral for a young black man who was killed by the police, and the mother is weeping over his casket and says, "Until twenty million black people are completely interwoven into the fabric of our society, you see, they are under no obligation to behave as if they are." These words have haunted me since I read them, and I haven't dared try to unpack what this pre-Civil Rights Act of 1964 statement means today. But I do know this.
Be it 1863, 1963, or 2013, mothers are still weeping.
It is easy to look at this picture, read the accompanying article and think, "What a bunch of thugs." Can a I speak a little out of turn and say they were boys who wanted to be nurses. Boys who wanted to play college ball. Boys who said "Yes M'am." Now they are men who may disappear as only numbers. Men who are statistics. The comments below their pictures (KXXV) are already making sure of that objectification.
Tomorrow I will probably be mad at their stupidity, mad at the system, mad that I'm not making a difference, mad that it will happen again, but today I am just sad.
Today I am also sad with you! Thanks for this thoughtful post.
This is Amy Burrows. I am the theater director at 2A Clarksville High School in Clarksville, Texas. I just finished reading To Be Young Gifted and Black. I am very interested in doing this as our one act. I teach in a predominately African American population AND I HAVE THE MOST INCREDIBLE STUDENTS ONE COULD EVER HAVE. I feel your pain. And while researching this show came across your blog.
I wanted your thoughts on the show.
And also how do you plan to play the different characters that represent Lorraine H.. I would also be really interested in your cutting or at least scene sequences and I would be glad to share any of my cuttings with you. I don't just copy anyone's cutting. Every director falls in love with different scenes and lines in a play and each director knows what works best for their kids. I have a very talented group of seven black actresses, two to three young men equally talented, and perhaps one white girl. We have done quite well in the past eight years since I began the department. Clarksville used to be laughed at in competition and now we have won zone seven out of the past eight years. District six out of the eight, advancing to area each time and once to regional. I have more talent than I know what to do with, but I need a show with only two or three men and seven girls.
I've done predominately comedies in the past, but my kids are ready for a more serious piece. Lots of returning talent. I have had great success with the following shows. Here are the cuttings I would love to share -
Dearly Departed - zone and district alternates - state champs Mt. Vernon beat us.
Steel Magnolias -zone, district, area and regional alternates
The Curious Savage- zone, district, area
The Man who Came to Dinner zone, district, area
Voice of the Prairie zone and district
Into the Woods - but it's a musical -zone, district, area
The kids wanted to try a more serious piece and they are ready for the challenge.
My goal is always to simply put on the best show possible and forget about the fact we are competing. Just do good theater. My kids are excited to get to work on a new show and any thoughts or suggestions on how to produce this memory play would be greatly appreciated. I have never done a piece quite like this one, but I love it.
I really enjoyed reading your blog,"I could talk about, how, in another part of town, the same offenses would disappear with the money to pay a good lawyer. I could analyze the national dis-proportionality of incarcerations according to race." I seen it for years. There is still plenty of room for growth and change in our society, and it is people like you that will make it happen. I've taught 27 years and YOU DO make a DIFFERENCE in each life you touch! Be sad but don't lose the faith! I can tell by the way you write, that your students love you and are lucky to have you! God bless.
Sincerely,
Amy Burrows
aburrows@clarksvilleisd.org
903-669-9484