Theatre and Cultural Diversity
Part A: “Blackface”
Theatre and cultural diversity play a fundamental role in the cultural minstrel shows where identity, cross-cultural values and co-existence, among other issues have been presented. The use of “Blackface” in the modern world has been met with mostly harsh criticism as it acts as a reminder of the dark days of profound racism, racial segregation, discrimination, and immense suffering of the black people. Despite portrayed in a positive light, the use of “Blackface” does not auger well within the modern world especially if won by a white person (xoBookworm37). It is depicted as a symbolization of the epitome of racism and discrimination of the black people at the hands of the whites. This transforms into an unacceptable norm since it illustrates the furtherance of racism – a vice which the society has fought so hard for decades to wash off. Hence, turns to be extremely controversial in attempting to wear a “Blackface” for whatever reason.
Part B: Character Based on Stereotype
In the Television Show 2 Broke Girls, the American television sitcom that aired on CBS illustrates the stereotyping of characters in the play. Beth Behrs is illustrated as a stereotyped blonde in the promotion of sexism, immaturity, and patronizing of humor in the show. The stereotyping of characters is advanced through the use of “hot Asian guy” in the show as an illustration of racism among the Asian characters (Elan). Han Lee (Tim Chiou) plays an individual that is out of touch, desperate, pathetic, and speaks broken English – a presentation of the stereotyping of the Asian people. The show has tendencies of negative stereotype that illustrates the lower social class Asians as a low form of human beings.
Part C: “Theatre of the People”
The theatre of the people can be used to address the negative effects of practices such as the “yellowface,” “redface,” and “blackface” through portraying the characters in a positive light. For instance, the “Blackface” can be advanced as a proud identity of the black people in their resilience, resourcefulness, and survivor capacity through the horrors of history. This can be achieved by creating theatre contents that depict them as winners not just losers to heal the wounds of racism, segregation and discrimination. The characterization of black people should be pursued with utmost respect and dignity accorded to the characters to ensure they do not touch on the negativity of stereotyping. Blacks can as well dominate the white world. Obama did!
