Asmeret Ghebremichael: I’m Tired of Being the Token Black Friend

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 6/5/20 at 10:47am

From unconscious bias to microaggressions and worse, this Broadway lockdown is a perfect opportunity to step it up, from the ground up.

If you haven't had a look at Asmeret Ghebremichael's incredibly brave Broadway News op-ed piece I'm Tired of Being the Black Friend, please click on the link to do so

Ghebremichael, arguable one of Broadway most-recognized Black faces over the last couple of decades, speaks up and speaks to a Broadway that needs to change.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 6/5/20 at 10:58am

She's great but one of Broadway most-recognized Black faces is a real stretch. One you'd have a pretty difficult time arguing. In fact... I think to some extent that's the point of her post. 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 6/5/20 at 11:30am

“I encourage you, the producers, the directors, the choreographers, the writers, the composers, the designers, all theatremakers to take a beat. Think about your circle. What does it look like? Does everyone look like you? How can you create opportunities for people of color to join your world? If you can figure out how to make it rain on stage, I believe you can examine your resources and devise ways to combat the institutionalized racism that not only plagues us as a society, but also lives and breathes on The Great White Way.”

Hear, hear.

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 6/5/20 at 10:55pm

I'm stealing your thread just for one post, sorry, and changing one word.

For many years most of my friends were straight??? and I was always their token gay friend. Because I was just so funny/outrageous/swore and had juicy gossip, I was asked out to dinner, A LOT.

I soon realised that these same people never invited me anywhere public but just to their dining/living room for the sole purpose, to 'entertain' other guests.

I was passed around dinner parties until I grew tired of my own party tricks and those boring straights.

So I was a TGF. a token gay friend, to be used for dinner parties, inside, and nothing else.

This in no way equates to the current situation or this  thread, but the TBF stirred memories, than's all.

Thank you.

[Marlothom]

Posted: 6/6/20 at 12:22am

i must admit that every time i listen to Legally Blonde and the song "OMYGODYOUGUYS" and when they find out Elle is not there and they freak out and you hear a random black voice saying "what? you betta work" it makes me feel icky - like someone told her to sound a certain way.  

On the other side side of the spectrum, I was so excited when Mean Girls had a POC (LATINA!) as Regina and was so sad I missed her performance. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/6/20 at 12:28am

I'm sure you mean Ashley de la Rosa, who was last working on a tour of Hamilton (can't remember which one). I have heard on multiple accounts that she was a damn good Regina and gave a flawed Mean Girls some more life. 

[Marlothom]

Posted: 6/6/20 at 1:01am

I flew to NYC to see friend AND knowing Taylor was on vacation in hopes I would see her, and got Becca instead.  It was before I learned about following people on Twitter.  I'm old!   

[JGPR2]

Posted: 6/8/20 at 9:08pm

" For many years most of my friends were straight??? and I was always their token gay friend. Because I was just so funny/outrageous/swore and had juicy gossip, I was asked out to dinner, A LOT.

I soon realised that these same people never invited me anywhere public but just to their dining/living room for the sole purpose, to 'entertain' other guests. "

You are the one who chooses your "friends" and as you found out they really were not your friends. I am glad you found out quickly you were being used. It is sad to me in 2020 that people think they need to be "friends" with somebody black or gay to I assume prove to others they are not racist or homophobic.

Updated On: 6/8/20 at 09:08 PM