Dear Ms. Lustig,
Your survey respondent raises an interesting point – the always unique and singular perspective each of us has when hearing a story, a historical fact, a work of art. And then trying to interpret what that story, fact, work "means" to us and to the audience of unique and singular individuals hearing it.
But your respondent is incorrect when suggesting *only* a teacher representing a specific demographic should be allowed to bring this play to the class and utilize it as a teaching tool. That's not how education works.
What gives this play its true and lasting value is its Universality - the fact that this particular author's individual thoughts expressed onstage can spark emotional response with complete strangers.
This is what Art does – connects us, challenges us, expands our view about the world and ourselves.
Nothing I've read about the playwright suggests that she wrote this play so that *only* a certain group of individuals would be moved or enlightened or instructed.
The fact that for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf is still in the active canon of American school literature testifies to its exceptional value as an insightful and wide-ranging commentary on human conditions every one of us deals with every day – no matter what our individual gender, ethnicity, economic/educational/abled status etc.
When you as a non-African-American teach this play, it is obvious that your perspective will be different from that of the African-American playwright. Just as every African-American teacher will have their *own* individual perspective inherently differing in numerous ways from what Ntozake Shange was thinking when she and four friends put on their first reading at a woman's bar in Berkeley, California in 1974.
The world has changed quite a bit since then, but this play continues to help us grapple with how to make our place in it.
You should teach this play and help students understand the concept of multiple perspective. That's the essence of teaching. And it's the essence of Art.
As Ms. Stamets suggests in her comment, definitely encourage students to ask questions about the playwriting process, which you probably do as a matter of course in your classes anyway.
L.E. McCullough / Pittsburgh, PA
www.educationalclassroomplays.com
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L.E. McCullough
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-23-2022 14:58
From: Emily Coalson Stamets
Subject: Should I Teach this Play?
This is a fantastic question, and thank you for being so intentional with your curriculum.
I think the tension here can be addressed by how you situate yourself in regards to the content. Are you always the expert in the room with the "right" answers? If so, do not teach this play.
However, if you align yourself alongside the students as a listener and a learner, you can still provide them access to the material. Rather than lecturing, find lectures by Black women that you and your students can watch and discuss together. Read related critical pieces with your students, with the goal of asking more questions... not answering them. Stay curious, be in the learning with them, and refuse to be the holder of knowledge.
Just as you are intentional with selecting your content, being intentional with how you position yourself in relation to this piece will be powerful.
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Emily Coalson Stamets
CA State Chapter Board
Life coach for theatrical women & grown up theatre kids.
Original Message:
Sent: 07-21-2022 09:50
From: Rebecca Lustig
Subject: Should I Teach this Play?
I am currently working on curriculum for the 2022-23 school year. I teach at a High School Performing Arts Charter School, so, students are engaged in all art forms on a daily basis. Much like college they chose a track to follow and take courses in that track and core academics. I teach Theatre Arts and am reviewing my responses to course evaluations for Script Analysis. A student commented that perhaps I shouldn't teach For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf because I can't relate to the struggles. While they are not entirely wrong, as I am white, I am a woman.
So, should I still teach it?
The survey was anonymous, and the class had three white students and two students of color. I only received this comment from one student.
Is this the new dynamic? That educators shouldn't teach any material that they themselves are unable to identify directly? I am not claiming right or wrong/ good or bad, just curious if anyone else has experienced this and how you moved forward?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Rebecca~
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Rebecca Lustig
Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School
PA
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