What I liked
Bates is a charismatic performer. His strong choice to perform through the lens of his happy-go-lucky childhood self kept the pace and tone uplifting, rather than heavy or despairing (as it could easily have been given the subject matter).
What I didn't like
The piece is less a story than a string of anecdotes. I would have liked to see a stronger arc showing the character’s growth from boy to man. Also, Bates frequently references his parents, which left me very curious about who they were, why they moved here, how they dealt with isolation and stigmatization, and how it impacted their parenting. Bates captured the innocence of childhood, but I craved more context to highlight the uniqueness of his experience and his spirit.
My overall impression
Bates is a vibrant and charming performer. The harrowing story is a rough reminder of the two-faced ugliness of race relations in this country—with some examples of shining humanity.
