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news:
'Haven' discusses
racism in America
By Alexandria Sullivan
Daily Forty-Niner
"Haven,"
a play performed Friday by students of the Cal State Long
Beach theater department, addressed the issues of racism in
America, which sent a bitter and preachy message according
to one audience member.
"People have
so much hatred in their hearts and they blame it on a lot
of different things," said Deanne Townley of Sacramento
after watching the play.
Townley, sister-in-law
of the play's producer, said she felt the play had an overall
sense of bitterness and hatred toward American society. She
understood the platform but said there is a more positive
solution to combating racism.
"I think she
was speaking from a place of privilege," said Thuc Luu,
a senior women's studies major. She described the play as
insightful, eye opening, empowering and encouraging. Luu's
only compliant was that there was no representation of Asians
in the cast.
The play focused
on the feelings, experiences and individual expression of
the 12-member cast, said producer Jonathon R. Townley. The
play featured a series of monologues written by cast members
and a mock newscast portraying the stereotypical lifestyle
of a lesbian couple along with other skits that flaunted stereotypes
and lies society is fed about blacks, Latinos and women.
Townley said the
point of the play was not to be entertaining, it was supposed
to be a slap in the face.
"The opposite
of love is not hate," Townley said. "It is apathy."
Although the play
did seem preachy at times, Townley said the goal was to give
cast members an experience they could use in their lives so
they will speak up against racism.
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