Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Justice2
Swing Joined: 11/6/10
#1Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:25pmThere was an important protest today against the New Broadway musical about the infamous "Scottsboro Boys" legal lynching in 1831 Alabama. Finally someone stood up and said what people were already thinking and talking about. How dare a group of white producers, writers and directors violate the serious nature of the racist attack on these young men by framing it inside a song and dance musical. It is my understanding this protest is the first indication of a mobilization to boycott and shut this musical down. There was an eighty year Black woman in the protest whose first experience with American racism was her parents taking her to a rally in support of the Scottsboro Boys. She said "I came here, outraged by the disrespect this play demonstrates toward Black people. The fact that Central Park 5 (modern day Scottsboro Boys)have never gotten an apology or compensation for their neary 14 years in jail for a similar legal lynching only renforced my resolve to be here today." Some people have responded to today's protest with distain. A clear reminder of the vial nature of racism today - right here.
#2Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:28pmHave you (or any of the protestors for that matter) seen the show?
#2Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:30pmFools. The show is highlighting racism not committing it.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#3Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:35pmHave you actually seen the show, or are you just a moron?
#4Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:37pmWow, it really does get better!
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
#5Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:39pm
"How dare a group of white producers..."
Oh shut the fvck up. THAT'S racist. Who cares who puts the show on if it highlights such an important time in history and does so in a fascinating NON RACIST way? If Tyler Perry or Oprah had their name on the show would you be praising it, you racist piece of trash?
"...have never gotten an apology or compensation for their neary 14 years in jail..."
And what...? You think the producers/stars/director/choreographer/press agent etc. should apologize? Give me a mother f'in break.
"A clear reminder of the vial nature of racism today - right here."
Exactly. And you're it. You and the other trash who didn't even see the show are what's wrong with this country. Go boycott things that actually are hurting people. Like Fox News.
Idiot.
Updated On: 11/6/10 at 06:39 PM
#6Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:39pmSo if black producers had put this show on, then it would have been fine? That's a bit ridiculous isn't, even hypocritical.
#7Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:40pmNo really, it's moronic. The show is nothing what these protestors are saying it is. Ridiculous. It just upsets me when good people like John Kander, Tommy Thompson, Susan Stroman, etc, not to mention the cast and producers, are actually trying to do something good, and this is what happens.
#9Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:43pm
What exactly do they have a problem with? I haven't seen the show. But it seems obvious that it is too highlight wrong doing. Not mock it. It isn't some big old fluff piece. My goodness, people are so ridiculous. The show isn't going to shut down because of a few ignorant people showing mindless, misguided activism.
But then again, were all just being racist for defending the show right?
EDIT: You have a problem because it is a MUSICAL? So since it is a musical their obvious intentions to make fun and laugh at a serious issue that they are actually trying to show how terrible it was? That is absolutely absurd.
Updated On: 11/6/10 at 06:43 PM
#10Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:45pmHey, Justice - just because you use the adjective "important" doesn't mean it is. also, before you protest something, you may want to know what century it takes place in.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
#11Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:46pmThe show isn't racist. It's encouraging a discussion about racism. Keeping racism shut up in the dark with no discussion about it and no confrontation of its obvious presence in society today is the worst possible way to deal with the situation. Save your protests for a better reason. People who work and visit Broadway are among the most open minded in the country- they come to the aid of many minority communities in their darkest hour, and the last thing they need to be preached on is bigotry.
"Are you sorry for civilization? I am sorry for it too." ~Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck
#12Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:48pmMaybe you should be protesting For Colored Girls instead, for turning an important piece of African-American drama into a cliched money grab. But, oh wait, Tyler Perry's black, so that's alright. I guess. Or something.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#13Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:49pmI smell socks.
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
beaemma
Featured Actor Joined: 11/24/09
#15Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:50pmIt portrays racism in order to condemn it and show how the events of the story contributed to the civil rights movement.
#16Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:52pmThis thread is racist. There, I said it. Now can we get back to our lives and what is important, please? Like Wicked and its 12th stand-by for guy to the left of Elphaba in the One Short Day number?
#17Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:53pmDid this protest have a show curtain?
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#18Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:55pmNo but there was student rush.
Justice2
Swing Joined: 11/6/10
#19Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:56pmyes. Maybe you should look at the review in the Black press (like the Amsterdam) this week.
#20Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:56pmThe lead protester told me there wasn't one. He just called me a racist and shoved a flier into my face. Should I call the box office and complain?
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#21Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:57pmThe "Black Press"? - THAT'S RACIST
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#22Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:59pmI'm going to watch Madea Goes To Jail to celebrate the African American Spirit.
#23Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:59pm
I'm really interested in getting tickets for this.
What's the view like from the rear mezz?
#24Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show
Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:59pmAm I the only one who's confused as to what Justice was saying yes to? Are they saying that, yes, the protest does have a show curtain? If they are, then they and Jordan are contradicting each other! Does the protest, or does it not, have a show curtain?!
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