To think Black Out nights in theatre ARE important

Why are we continuing to segregate black people to their own performances? Why are we excluding white people?
Honestly I think this actually fuels racism so much now!

The way I see it, as a woman, I am sometimes grateful for women only spaces. Judging by the strength of feeling on the gazillion trans threads on these boards, a lot of women share this view. And we don't take kindly to people telling us that we should include men in those spaces. That isn't because we hate men, or because we want to segregate men and women. It is because we see a value in having some spaces that are for women only.

If some black people feel the same way about spaces for black people only, I can understand that. It isn't for me to pressure them to include others.

Some of these posts can't be genuine. The demographic of this site is simply not one that includes this many people who don't understand the difference between offering a black out performance and excluding black people from performances. Pretty much every thread on this site has a majority of responses from posters who are clearly intelligent, articulate and educated, who may disagree, but at least comprehend what they're disagreeing about. Yet all of a sudden we've been invaded by a bunch of half wits wittering about 'racism against white people..' As I'm sure they'd agree 'The world's gorn maaad'.

I expect we’ll move past slavery when the legacy of inquality has come to an end. The racism that drove slavery - seeing black people as less than - is still baked into the system.

If you don’t understand white privilege ask yourself if you would like to be black.

But does it? Is there anything to suggest that attending a Black Out event makes an individual more likely to engage in the theatre on other nights? Or does it say "here, this is the night for you and your kind, you stay there in your box"

But you’re indirectly saying that every single person of colour decides not to go the theatre because they don’t feel included.

I think it's because we want to think the best of people.

It's easier to assume that they just don't get it than to confront the idea that they do get it and don't give a fuck. We're giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Oh I get that others have a different opinion. Obviously.

I just think it takes a special type of ignorance on a discussion like this to have the other view point actually.

As I asked - if a tiny proportion of nights available are only for people of colour why is so this harmful to white people? And to compare it to segregation is highly disrespectful.

You will of course disagree with that.

A female only audience would NEVER be allowed. Women are currently fighting for female only rape counselling sessions. So why should a black only performance be allowed?

I think it’s divisive too.

As for ‘safe space’ - please. Trigger warnings and safe spaces are increasingly being scrutinised as ineffective therapeutically. Look up Jonathan Haidt and Abigail Shrier.

Safe from what?

Safe from the big bad white peoples

When will we be able to move past racism?

I don't know know, maybe when people like you are finally able to acknowledge the ongoing impact of historic wrongs on black people and on other ethnic minorities in our society?

I'm okay with it.

I think there is a significant difference when the exclusion is imposed by the advantaged group - segregation - and when it's done by the disadvantaged group - solidarity.

As a woman I can see the benefit in women only spaces so why should it be different for race, religion, age, disability etc.

It's not about excluding white people but about lifting up black people, about giving them an experience that white people (at a group level, not an individual one ) don't ever have to think about or question whether they belong.

Why are you pretending to speak for every person of colour? You’re just making yourself look silly.

If this wasn’t a thing I’d probably never have heard of this play, and even if I did I’d file it alongside nearly all of the West End with ‘sounds alright but not interested enough to spend a chunk of disposable income on’. I imagine that reaction is what the writer is actually seeking to guard against.

It's because they don't agree with you.

I can't believe you don't understand that other people are allowing have a difference of opinion without them not 'getting it'.

Lion400
Segregation is never ok. MLK knew it why don’t we?

This is not about segregation, though. It's about providing a safe space.

Very different.

//

👏 I cannot believe people are not getting this

"So white people would be able to ask Black people not to attend a certain performance?"

If it was a play about the historic oppression of white people by black people then yes of course.

it is about choice and equality in this situation means giving black people the opportunity to heal from something that I (white) don’t need to heal from. Not every black person will need that opportunity but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be offered

Approx 1.25 million White people, were captured by pirates and sold as slaves in North Africa, between the 15th and 19th centuries. How come you don't need to recover from that? Those were your ancestors, after all. Is it because it didn't actually happen to you? And it didn't personally happen to anyone in current audiences either.

When will be ever move past racism, when so much divisive stuff keeps on happening?

Although it’s obvious how this post is going to go, MN has had a long history of having issues with racism - esp on AIBU (mainly due to the avg age and race of those mostly on AIBU)

Jesus Christ what is it, 3 shows out of 80? There are plenty of opportunities for anyone to watch . Is is so hard to allow a demographic whose ancestors were so disgustingly oppressed to have this shared reflection just with others like them?

Really / what as a white person excluded from just these three nights, losing? Why am I impacted?

Are you white?

to me this is more segregation than anything else