"Plantanos and Collard Greens" questions race relations
Shannon Witter '11
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Arts & Culture
"Platanos and Collard Greens," the daring comedy performed at Wheaton on Tuesday, February 5, keeps audiences rolling with laughter while opening their eyes to a greater cultural awareness.
Part romantic-comedy, part social commentary, "Plantanos" utilizes slam poetry, drama, humor, and music to inspire people to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that run rampant in our society.
The play begins with Freeman, played by Leon Joseph, alone on stage, reciting in an echoing baritone, "Platanos and collard greens, go together like macaroni and cheese and chicken wings, better yet - like Zulu and Inca Kings." This sentiment reflects the central question of the play - "Can love between Blacks and Latinos survive?"
The story follows the relationship of two high school students, Freeman, an African American, and Angelita, a Latina, and the negative stigma that surrounds their bond. Freeman's best friend, OK argues that "Latina" is only a substitute for the "unattainable white girl," while Angelita's mother berates her daughter for bringing a "black boy" into her home.
Even Freeman lets the tension created by cultural differences get to him, claiming that most Latinos would rather "pass for anything other than being of African descent." He notes that although both Blacks and Latinos share an African heritage, they are still hesitant to associate with a culture that is often linked to certain (unfairly attributed) negative qualities.
This comment opens up a candid discussion on stereotypes and cultural identity. Freeman notes that escaped slaves were deemed "crazy" while their victimizers suffered no moral consequences. He continues with a criticism of the American school system for putting Blacks at an obvious disadvantage. Freeman also makes the claim that modern rappers only serve to perpetuate dejected and unconstructive attitudes, as expressed when Biggie Smalls raps that he is "black…and ugly as ever."
In the end, instead of advocating anger toward the people who accept stereotypes, Freeman declares, "Get mad at the system that made [you] think that way!"
He also learns that love between Blacks and Latinos can indeed survive if everybody learns to embrace both their individual identity and cultural heritage. The play encourages us to open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts, because "it's
Part romantic-comedy, part social commentary, "Plantanos" utilizes slam poetry, drama, humor, and music to inspire people to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that run rampant in our society.
The play begins with Freeman, played by Leon Joseph, alone on stage, reciting in an echoing baritone, "Platanos and collard greens, go together like macaroni and cheese and chicken wings, better yet - like Zulu and Inca Kings." This sentiment reflects the central question of the play - "Can love between Blacks and Latinos survive?"
The story follows the relationship of two high school students, Freeman, an African American, and Angelita, a Latina, and the negative stigma that surrounds their bond. Freeman's best friend, OK argues that "Latina" is only a substitute for the "unattainable white girl," while Angelita's mother berates her daughter for bringing a "black boy" into her home.
Even Freeman lets the tension created by cultural differences get to him, claiming that most Latinos would rather "pass for anything other than being of African descent." He notes that although both Blacks and Latinos share an African heritage, they are still hesitant to associate with a culture that is often linked to certain (unfairly attributed) negative qualities.
This comment opens up a candid discussion on stereotypes and cultural identity. Freeman notes that escaped slaves were deemed "crazy" while their victimizers suffered no moral consequences. He continues with a criticism of the American school system for putting Blacks at an obvious disadvantage. Freeman also makes the claim that modern rappers only serve to perpetuate dejected and unconstructive attitudes, as expressed when Biggie Smalls raps that he is "black…and ugly as ever."
In the end, instead of advocating anger toward the people who accept stereotypes, Freeman declares, "Get mad at the system that made [you] think that way!"
He also learns that love between Blacks and Latinos can indeed survive if everybody learns to embrace both their individual identity and cultural heritage. The play encourages us to open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts, because "it's
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kedes
posted 4/02/10 @ 6:59 AM EST
i find this website very useful but can you plz add a Q&A link that shows some of the common questions his eminenece has answered.
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