IDENTITY: Race & Identity

Monologues from Andrea Sterling & Sokeo Ros. Originally performed at Everett's "IDENTITY: A Multimedia Youth Forum" held at the Carriage House stage, March 08.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• everett
• dance
• theatre
• theater
• carriage
• house
• identity
• forum
• andrea
• sterling
• sokeo
• sok
• ros
• race
• providence
• ri

[rpl7770]

I love this so much ! it's so real, and right what is said. Keep up the good work.

[PAULA4181]

@amasonga AGREED!

[AndreaisAce]

@PAULA4181 I am not stereotyping Black people, I'm addressing the stereotypes OF Black people and how you can be Black and not adhere to the stereotypes, which seems obvious but is actually lost on a lot of people. In the end, you're watching a video of something that was live and had more context than what you're seeing on your computer screen. We're not on separate sides here, we both agree that stereotypes are harmful and untrue. Arguing is pointless because we're arguing the same thing.

[AndreaisAce]

@PAULA4181 I guess the internet is making it difficult for us to fully understand each other. First and foremost, technically I am an American Black. I was born and raised here. My ethnicity is Jamaican. Secondly, I mention people stereotyping Jamaicans in the video. People called me "Ja-fake-an" because I DIDN'T smoke weed. And the joke was funny to plenty of people, humor is relative. The point of this monologue was to point out stereotypes and how they aren't true.

[amasonga]

@AndreaisAce Cool.

[PAULA4181]

They call themselves “niggas”, if that’s not a brainwashed person then I don’t know what is!

[PAULA4181]

We took the blame every time a black man is picked up from the streets and is blame for something he didn’t do. After all that and more we have to take a joke. Being black comes with a price and you have to be strong to carry it. That’s why we are proud to be Black, despite the mess! Like I said before your friends is the ones to blame, but in reality they are not because between the lines they are puppets being controlled by the puppet master.

[PAULA4181]

Ok, now I know you were 15. That joke wasn’t remotely funny and it’s used out. How would you feel if I go around saying Jamaicans stay “high” and for every race to say the same thing? American Blacks are the first race to go to for a quick joke. It’s like we are the most hated race and for what!! What have we done?? We took the beating, we took the discriminations, we took the brainwashing every day when a child thinks they have to have straight hair to be beautiful. 

[AndreaisAce]

Attempt to clarify things that has come up in the comments: I am not trying to stereotype Black people. I don't believe in those stereotypes. That's what is at the core of this monologue. The anger and hurt that comes through is from people considered me less Black because I don't fit into the bullshit stereotype of a Black person. Stereotypes are harmful to everyone.This isn't a criticism of Blacks on a whole,but rather the idea that people can be more or less Black because of their personality

[AndreaisAce]

@amasonga I think, especially for those who weren't able to be in the audience to hear the talk back, some things are misunderstood. First and foremost, I am not trying to stereotype Black people. I am a Black woman. Secondly, this was addressing those Blacks and others who considered me less Black than them because I *didn't* fit into the stereotype, that unfortunately some Blacks have bought into. I wish the talkback that we had afterward couldve been posted, it would've cleared up some things