August: The Magical Minority - spoiler alert

[bobsyeruncle]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 9:49pm

is it just me or is anyone else sick of seeing the stereotype of the "magical minority" as evident in this play? of course the NATIVE AMERICAN female HAD to stay with the abusive druggie - c'mon. Let that girl walk and give her some balls. I am sure I'll be attacked in some way for this posting but who will remember that actress (can you name her without checking the program?) who played this part??? She was forced into a box and I feel sort of bad for her.
Updated On: 6/16/08 at 09:49 PM

[Roscoe]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:11pm

It isn't just you. Others have posted on the topic, I seem to remember, and it is just generally ignored.

I don't think it was as bad as all that. At least she didn't wind up dying so that everybody can get their lives together. And I think it is somewhat helped by the fact that she's clearly shown to be the only person in the play with any sense.

And for the record, she isn't entirely devoid of "balls." She does clock a near total stranger with a frying pan twice when he's engaging in improper behavior.

Updated On: 6/16/08 at 10:11 PM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:13pm

my favorite part of August was when she did her native ritual dance to eradicate all spirits from the Weston home.

...what were you saying?

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:13pm

Might want to slap a spoiler warning for anyone who may not have seen the show.

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:18pm

I love the play...BUT.. I hear you.

I'm getting TIRED of the "magical" minority.. ESPECIALLY the magical Negro


Check out this Wikipedia entry on the magical Negro:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_negro

[bobsyeruncle]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:28pm

wow, interesting article. thanks.

[bobsyeruncle]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:15am

ah yes, the sage is still burning on Broadway.

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:23am

I mean, there is hardly a role in "August" that you couldn't classify as stereotypical in some way. The drug addict...the drunk...the pedophile...the adulterer...the incestuous first cousins from Oklahoma...

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:28am

Oh, come on, now. I adore Johnna. She comes out of nowhere with the frying pan and BAM, she immediately goes up in my books. Don't complain for the sake of complaining.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 1:20am

It's typical for women to stay in those sort of relationships, though. I haven't seen the play so I can't comment on the "magical minority" aspect.