Harvard Re-Ups Segregation!
Kelley Bregenzer and Jordan Howell write at FIRE that Harvard has reserved a performance of 'Macbeth' exclusively for 'Black-identifying audience members':
What if William Shakespeare's tragic tale of Macbeth, who usurped the throne of Scotland at the urging of his wife, were performed with less gloom and doom? What if, instead, the play were infused with modern music, dance, and a fresh interpretation of Lady Macbeth as an "ambitious Black woman" with a performance designed to elevate "Black female power, femininity, and desire"?This version of the play is called "Macbeth in Stride" and is currently being performed by the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University's Loeb Drama Center. Unfortunately, some Harvard students and members of the general public interested in seeing this classic play with a unique twist and social commentary may be out of luck. One upcoming show on Oct. 29 is billed as a "Blackout" performance, "designated . . . to be an exclusive space for Black-identifying audience members," according to the event page.
"For our non-Black allies, we appreciate your support in making this a completely Black-identifying evening," it reads. "We invite you to join us at another performance during the run."
While the "Blackout" performance of "Macbeth in Stride" will not be the only showing of the play (which runs from Oct. 23 to Nov. 14), for Harvard to designate a performance as available only to students, faculty, or other patrons of a specified skin color appears to run afoul not only of state and federal laws, but also Harvard's own commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for every member of the university community.
Fuck it -- anything to bend over and be "woke," right?
As an integral part of Harvard, the American Repertory Theater is subject to the university's legal obligations and policies. Under federal law, excluding university students, faculty, and staff from educational enrichment opportunities based on race is forbidden. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids all institutions receiving federal financial assistance, whether public or private, from discriminating "on the ground of race, color, or national origin." Colleges and universities like Harvard that accept payments from students who receive federal financial aid are covered by Title VI. Massachusetts law also bars discrimination based on race in places of public accommodation, defined as "any place . . . which is open to and accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public." This includes performance spaces such as theaters.Under federal law, excluding university students, faculty, and staff from educational enrichment opportunities based on race is forbidden.
The American Repertory Theater's decision to restrict a showing of "Macbeth in Stride" only to audience members who identify as members of a certain race or ethnicity is also problematic because it appears to run afoul of the theater company's own policies, which profess dedication to "making a welcoming and accessible space for people of any identity, background, or ability" -- which is no surprise, as Harvard's student body has become more diverse than ever.
Hosting a racially segregated performance where people with the wrong racial background are specifically told that they are not welcome flies directly in the face of that commitment.
They finish the piece with this -- which fills me with distaste, but is within the bounds of at least being legal.
Harvard's professional theater company can hold a performance where black-identifying members of the university community and the general public are highly encouraged to attend, and where performers craft a message specific to that audience. What Harvard cannot do -- according to decades of case law, statutory protections, and its own policies -- is treat students or other theatergoers differently because of the color of their skin.
The current obsession with race is, I believe, enormously unhealthy for us as a country and culture.
I'm not sure identifying ambitious black women with Lady that Scottish name is where we want to go...
NicoleK at October 30, 2021 2:05 AM
Oh my goodness. Talk about cultural appropriation. Could it get any worse than this?
I'm sure Harvard can find a lawyer somewhere. Maybe that Obama fellow (Class of '91) could help.
Baker at October 30, 2021 8:23 AM
"interpretation of Lady Macbeth as an "ambitious Black woman" with a performance designed to elevate "Black female power, femininity, and desire""
Yeah, encouraging your husband to kill someone and usurp the throne is what female femininity and desire are all about. Oh, and let's make this play about over-weaning ambition, murder, and regret FUN! It is getting harder to read this crap without losing your mind.
cc at October 30, 2021 9:10 AM
Typical Harvard ... nothing original, just plagerizes off of someone else's work and pretends that it is "original." "Interpretation" my ass. It's like making a Disney movie into a porn flick, or trying to turn Bach into rap music. So little imagination, and so much ambition to profit off of someone else's work.
ruralcounsel at October 30, 2021 9:20 AM
As to the black only performance: this assumes that being around white people is so horrific that black people are literally not safe around them. I have been the only white person in a crowd in China and Japan, at a black birthday party and retirement party, at Persian gatherings. Unsafe? hahaha no. Who is that wimpy?
cc at October 30, 2021 9:29 AM
Pretty sure the Captain Marvel pr0n is better than the Marvel movie.
I R A Darth Aggie at October 30, 2021 11:09 AM
When are they scheduling the, "Whiteout" performance, "designated . . . to be an exclusive space for White-identifying audience members," ? Or would that be raaaacist!!!
Jay at October 30, 2021 12:25 PM
I got my 23 and me results back, and found I got me a african ancestor 200, 300 years back ago. I am so glad that I am elugible to see the play.
Simon Altschuler at October 30, 2021 12:56 PM
I got my 23 and me results back, and found I got me a african ancestor 200, 300 years back ago. I am so glad that I am elugible to see the play.
Simon Altschuler at October 30, 2021 12:56 PM
Go back far enough, we all have African ancestors. Why not just be blatant about it and administer the paper bag test at the door?
Isab at October 30, 2021 1:54 PM
Lying about "diversity" is the only way to push it for those who make it all about color, but notice something?
The only way for these people to succeed is to... perform a white man's play.
That's right up there in absurdity with not noticing that the only way for a female lead in a movie to be powerful is to... act like a man.
Wow, the stupid, it burns!
Radwaste at October 30, 2021 5:46 PM
I am a red-haired blue-eyed descendant of the fukawi tribe of northsoutheastwest Africa. I believe I qualify for admittance
Causticf at October 30, 2021 6:06 PM
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