What I liked
E v e r y t h i n g.
What I didn't like
It needs to be shown around the country and be on tour. It needs financial support and marketing to reach the audiences it needs to reach. With support more creative opportunities can occur to add to the exhibition.
My overall impression
This is America. Black & Blue & Beautiful & Betraying & Bold & Jamar & Kayla & so many others who have lived this that we may never hear from. This is America and it is being reborn thanks to those like Jamar. This was one of the most meaningful, personal, creative and powerful plays I have ever seen. The expression of a man, a boy, a human’s throttled struggle with being black, being human, being alive, all moved me closer to my heart in the most profound ways.
What makes this piece so exceptional is that it can pull out the humanity in all of us. It faces and confronts us, it cries with us, reminding us of the complex paradox of our fellow brothers and sisters that wrestle moment to moment with just being who they are. Living and knowing the risks and pressure and biases and barriers that obstruct their existence every single day in America. This is America. This is gorgeous artistry and expression and what this country and what I needed to see.
How lucky are we to be amidst such beautiful storytellers who have the courage to share what is most personal and real and raw to them? The writing and the performance by Jamar was exceptional. And to boot? His incredible partner directed this one man play. This to me is real America. The innovation and inclusion and integrity and advocacy and artistry of those who have the courage to be who they are and to show it.
And now I am more motivated to be who I am and to serve with my gifts and my expressions to serve others. But if you wonder for a second if these artists or if BLACK & BLUE is worth your time – it is honor and privilege to be in the room and witness this. It is greatness. In every sense of the word.
See it. See it now. See it again. Support it. Share it.
Love,
Drue Grit
