The Non-existence of Black Plays

African American Theater Final

When one types in “what is a play” into Google, plays such as Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, and many more line the top of the google search page. Below that is the definition of a play. Google states there are 3,020,000,000 results in .40 seconds.

When one types in “what is a black play” into Google, no plays appear at the top of the google search page. Below is no definition of a black play. The first result to appear is not even Wikipedia but a group called “TCG circle”. Google states there are 2,060,000,000 results in .47 seconds.

So… one might assume, first, that Google is racist LOL! No, Google is not racist (to my knowledge). But simply asking “what is a play” may be a broad question to ask. Yes, it had more results in a quicker time frame but that is not the issue when proposing this question to Google. What is problematic is the fact that no black plays appear at the top of the Google search in the broad question of “what is a play” OR “what is a black play”. That question may be simple to ask but complex to answer. So what is a black play?

A black play cannot be defined with one solid definition or be represented by specific examples… according to Google. When I think what definition could possibly define a black play, my mind goes blank. However, when I think of examples of a black play, I automatically think of Madea, a famous African American character played by Tyler Perry. I am sure I am not the only one who thinks of this. Similarly to other African Americans, I have mixed views about Madea. She is an older, hilarious, cynical African American woman character played by an African American male playwright who found inspiration for this character through his mother and auntie.

Although funny to some and hilarious to others, both Black and White audiences attend her plays and watch her shows. More recently, many Blacks have fell off the Madea bandwagon and have decided to stop supporting Tyler Perry for various reasons. Yes, Madea had become annoying and I got frustrated when I heard white people bragging and excited about watching her. Only because I knew they did not see the depth of what Madea was creating and the misrepresentation she presented. Once again, blacks were seen as comedic and interesting especially for a black man to dress as a black woman. If he wanted a comedic black woman, why didn’t he just hire one? Sounds familiar? It should! From my African American Theater course, we discussed black face and minstrelsy. The use of minstrelsy and black face also used this same concept: we want our people to play their parts. This is racist! Tyler Perry is sexist! Why are we supporting his works then?

Contrarily, why not support Tyler Perry? He is African American afterall! Many people complain and say that black people who are entrepreneurs or business owners cannot thrive in society and in their businesses until Blacks start supporting one another. “We must stick together” and “help a brotha/sista out” they say. I get that and I am down for the cause but it hard to do that when everyone has that “you scratch my back now, I’ll scratch your back later” mentality. We saw this in our class with the play, A Raisin in the Sun. Also, people in the black community are not reliable and could be very hypocritical. Now I am not saying that other races cannot be like this as well but it is definitely common with the race I identify with, the African American/Black race. Thus, I see and understand both viewpoints and arguments for and against supporting Madea.

So now what? There are many other black plays out there besides Madea. But what can come of or be defined as a black play?!? Suzan-Lori Parks examines this question and comes up with this equation:

“BLACK PEOPLE + x = NEW DRAMATIC CONFLICT (NEW TERRORITY)

where x is the realm of situation showing African-Americans in states other than the Oppressed by/Obsessed with “Whitey” state; where the White when present is not the oppressor, and where audiences are encouraged to see and understand and discuss these dramas in term other than that same old shit.”

Does this help define a black play? Why doesn’t this come up on the Google Search engine?

A black play cannot be defined in simple terms. It is the experiences that members of the Black community share with one another or within their own real life encounters. The actors and actresses must identify with the characters who are intentionally made for Black people and their experiences. Those actors and actresses can really feel the essence and feelings of each character. The black experience should be defined as just a hardship or as one thing alone but as multiple things. When we search in Google “what is a black play”, many plays by George C. Wolfe, August Wilson, Adrienne Kennedy, Lorraine Ransberry, Amiri Baraka, Langston Hughes, etc. should pop up. This question and searching for an answer should not be a mystery!

Why a black play? I propose why not? Why not a Mexican play? Or why not an Asian play? All these different races and ethnicities experience different situations and have different stories but we all are trying to get our message across, our stories read, and our voices heard. We all are seeking something: belonging, approval, acceptance, etc. into society that is dominated by Whites and the night sweats of the American Dream. Can we ever fit into society and all of its arenas? Whether that’s in arts, music, dance, business, psychology, fashion, etc. Could we ever thrive with the idea of being taught and educated on without the risk of being cut or pushed aside? Why not a black play? Why not any play or theater? Why not get rid of systemic oppression within sex, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

What is a black play? Simply the negative the traditional black and white picture.

Which lens are you looking through.