Journal 2 - Gabby Lang

What was the name of the piece you saw? (one sentence) 

The name of the piece I saw was #AllLivesDontMatter. 

Describe the final moment of the piece? What happened? (four sentences) 

The final moment of the piece was the listing of all of the African Americans who have died. It went from all the actors and actresses all wearing #ALDM shirts in the piece stating a plea for help and a call to action to common people saying the names. It showed that the pandemic has brought to the surface these issues that have existed forever before. The names that were stated were both past and present creating a realization that the killing of innocent African Americans has not ended and only evolved.

If you had to ascribe a moral to this piece, what would it be? Why do you think that? (four sentences)

A moral to this piece is that the labeling, discrimination, and judgements African Americans feel should be realized and something should be done. They are humans just like everyone else with the same emotions, capabilities, and goals. Whites have to stop this unearned power and control that we deny. In each section of the show there was a different message that all relates back to the oppression and disadvantage that African Americans face every day because of the color of their skin. Another overarching message is that the discrimination has not ended since slavery, slavery has ended but this all has evolved differently. 

What was an element you enjoyed about the piece? Why did you enjoy it? (six sentences)

I enjoyed the different personal stories, real perspectives, and monologues. They gave me first hand and real experiences on how African Americans feel. I especially liked the #ALDM story/monologue. It allowed me to realize that African American’s are constantly being put down for something and not allowed to express themselves. For example, the young girls being dress coded for wearing their hair in braids made me feel sad and sorry that African American’s are not allowed to be themselves and are always doubted. This scene was a realization of how African Americans face segregation, again just because of the color of their skin. I do not understand why this still happens, they are all human just like everyone else. 

What was an element that confused you? Why did it confuse you? What could have been done differently to make it clearer to you? (six sentences) 

The beginning confused me the most with the lynching portion. I was confused about what was trying to be conveyed; however I understood portions of it. I wasn’t sure if it was taking us back to the past and reminding us the terrors the African Americans faced or showing that was the past and things still haven’t changed but evolved. A  clearer aspect could have been a quote at the end of the scene capturing the message just like the quotes were displayed other times throughout the piece. Since it was the scene from the beginning, and as I watched the rest of the piece I was able to see why they may have put together that scene. However, I wanted to know for sure the meaning of that scene.

Select one of the performers and answer the following questions. 

What did the character WANT? (one sentence)

The actress who performed the #ALDM monologue wanted to be allowed to present herself the way she wanted without others telling her what to do.

What tactics or actions did they use to get what they wanted. (three verbs)

She used tactics such as justify, concern, and frighten. 

Did you enjoy their performance? Why or why not? (three sentences)

I enjoyed her performance as it told a story that when she was done it fully circled back at the end. It makes you realize how hard it is for African Americans to express themselves the way they want wherever they go because if they do they could face judgement and prejudice. The actress did a fantastic job conveying sadness, realization, and a want for change to the audience. 

What moment in the piece did you feel the most connected to the performance? Describe it. (six sentences)

I felt most connected in one of the scenes when the actress was describing what it is like being an African American woman in one of the streets with her phone in one hand. Being a white woman, I do not feel the same oppression that African Americans feel towards men. Instead I connected in a different way, I realized that white and African American women do not always respect, appreciate each others different perspectives and values, and come together as they should. This made me want to change the way things are. I felt like we needed to come together, respect each other's views and bridge the gap between women equality. Race should not define difference. During this a visual image is put up that describes the different incomes, and I felt like the income gap between African American women is a problem. That should not define them, white women need to come together with African American women to bring about change in this unjust society full of unfair rules.