I want to start this post off with an apology to our readers.  A few weeks ago, I committed to blogging about Black Arts as Liberation throughout the month of June as a celebration of Juneteenth, and I simply have not kept my word. I assure you that this would not have been the case had I not been coping with a family emergency draining me of time and inspiration. That being said, I hope that you all, our readers and my collaborators, will forgive me for my delay. I’ve got three days (ok, like two and a half), so let’s jump in!

Taming of the Shrew – Shakespeare in the Park

There’s something so majestic about outdoor theatre, i’nt it? The way the time organically shifts from sun-shiny day to starry or breezy night.   Just think, hundreds of years ago, people were partaking in the exact same ritual, perhaps a bit rowdier back then, though I think the raccoons that crashed this production could have rivaled the groundlings. Two things we have on them though? All female casts and BLACK ACTRESSES (or actors if that is your preference.) No disrespect to my brotha’s of coluh out here changing the entertainment industry too, but as a Black woman in the audience, there was nothing like seeing four artists who look like me owning this space that has traditionally been reserved for white people. And might I add, there were a BUNCH of us in the audience there to enjoy theatre, including the beautiful and talented Adepero Oduye who was so gracious as I stared her down while waiting in the standby line because I just wanted an opportunity to dote on her. I mean, she REALLY made me feel like there was a chance we could be sista friends. If I hadn’t been such a creep…I digress.

I hate Taming of the Shrew. I can’t understand why Shakespeare wrote it other than as an opportunity for the men to circle jerk each other and/or mock women (oh we sensitive modern day feminists). There are very few redeemable aspects about the play if you ask me.  I hate it so much that it didn’t register to me that my boo Cush Jumbo was playing the Shrew/angry black woman. I know, I know, it’s just about a universally bitchy woman, blind of color, but I’m saying! I didn’t even pick up on it as a possibility to rant. I’ve been a Jumbo STAN since she came into my life on The Good Wife, so when I saw that SHE was the lead, I knew I was going to be in there like swim wear.  Cush, Adrienne C. Moore, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Stacey Sargeant, and in solidarity I want to also acknowledge my sisters from other misters, Rosa Gilmore and Teresa Avia Lim. The cast as a unit was quite enjoyable, but I always look for me when I go to a show (degree of narcissism in all artists? Another blog for another time!) and I did not have to stretch my imagination too far to find me.

Talented, bold and serving up their inner Donald Chump for the masses.  The twist at the end of the play was appreciated but not necessary for me because just the very presence of this cast was a big enough flipping of the bird to social norms geared towards breaking women down.  As the-man-who-I-love-so-much-that-I-love-his-wife-too-and-will-not-call-him-my-baby-zaddy-Jesse Williams said at the BET Awards on Sunday “Now, this is also in particular for the black women who have spent their lifetimes dedicated to nurturing everyone before themselves. We can and will do better for you.” I know he was speaking for Black men, but I think we all can and all will do better for US. I’m so glad to see so many sisters nurturing themselves and their art and continuing to make strides.

Sheyenne