Do you find this offensive?

[Meeting]

The Theatre Royal Stratford East is putting on a show and have blocked out 2 dates as "Blackout" nights where they encourage (but I don't think plan to enforce) that only black people may attend these performances.

I saw them discussing it on Piers Morgan and neither of the guests advocating for it were able to convince me that this type of segregation was at all beneficial.

Does anybody think this is a good idea? Personally I think segregation based on skin colour has no place in society, no matter who benefits from it. But I'm interested to hear from others who might away it differently?

I've been thinking about this...
My friend and her children have black heritage through her Jamaican dad.
The kids (2 young adults and a teen) have blonde hair and a "scandi" appearance.
Would they be allowed in because of their black grandparent?

I'm curious about your perspective.

To me it seems instinctive that giving each individual or group of people the same resources or opportunities is not as useful as allocating the resources and opportunities as-needed to reach an equal outcome. So focus on the outcome, rather than the action.

At the moment black people have the same opportunity to visit the theatre as white people - anyone can buy a ticket.

But the theatre industry is historically white dominated, which is an issue that Society of London Theatre observed back in 2020.

So, making it more compelling for black people (who choose to) to visit the theatre, is an equitable thing to do.

Source: https://solt.co.uk/about-london-theatre/press-office/statement-from-society-of-london-theatre-and-uk-theatre-on-improving-diversity-in-the-industry/

I’m an architect in my 50s
There are / were very few of us. Female btw.
It never put me off studying the subject, how many men were in it is irrelevant to me.
No one sided views, attitudes, discrimination.
Contractors always raised an eyebrow with a “ wow we have a lady architect” but if anything found it refreshing.

One of my sons is studying a subject that has about 5% males, apparently. Did he think of this before he decided it was a subject / job he would live …no.

Discrimination is discrimination…

I’m not black, so not up to me to be offended here.
are black people offended? I think that’s what counts - is this othering a part of society based on skin colour? Does this imply that black people need special incentives to enjoy the arts? If it is welcome… fine.

I find it ironic that black people rightfully and bravely fought against imposed racial segregation and now some seem to want segregation back. Surely the natural progression will then be white only spaces. Bewildering. I imagine Martin Luther King would be spinning in his grave if he could see it.

Why is this the case?

That's you, though. Do you not understand not everyone is like you? Do you not understand that not every woman wants to study hard then spend the rest of their lives having to deal with men's surprise and comments on their sex? Your son is studying a subject that has about 5% males. You don't see anything wrong about there being jobs out there that are so imbalanced? Maybe there would be more men choosing that as a career if more were encouraged to train for it.

I saw this earlier in the week and had an interesting conversation with a couple of my friends of colour. They were against it, saying they thought it was divisive and that the language used to make the suggestion was offensive - creating a safe space for a black audience to examine race issues ‘away from the white gaze’. They also pointed out - and I agree somewhat - that although it was a request for white people not to attend, and not a ban, in the same situation a ‘request’ for black people not to attend an event specifically arranged for white people would cause outrage. To be honest I don’t think there was any way to handle this without causing offence.

Exactly. And right next to him Emmeline Pankhurst will be sitting bolt upright in her grave at the idea that all her work fighting for female equality was pointless since women still have their own spaces and groups segregated from men.

Choosing to participate in an event separately from the powerful majority group in the country you live in is not the same thing as being excluded from the majority group in every aspect of life.

I was wondering if it was more to do with topics/themes etc?

Couldn't agree more!

My race still hasn't got equality, I can't imagine us fighting to be more segregated

The Theatre Royal Stratford East is an excellent theatre with ground-breaking and thought-provoking plays. Local resident, Sir Ian McKellen, usually does the Christmas panto. I've been going since 1985. You should try it. You might learn something.

If you are not black they will let you in. The performances aren't exclusively for black people.

Yeah, well the theatre isn't about bringing black and white people together in unity. It's about going to see this particular show, which the majority of POC won't do because they won't feel comfortable. So how is that fair, equal and inclusive?

They have said that the performance is aimed at black people. White people may attend if they wish but they are not the target audience. It’s like saying the show will be in Spanish but feel free to come along even if you don’t speak Spanish- you won’t understand a word of it though.

Get off your high horse.

Segregation was the forced enactment of US racism under the law. Black Americans were forced permanently into inferior schools, hospitals, housing etc. They were not allowed to share the same bus seats or theatre seats at all. They were denied a full vote until 1965.

This is a voluntary gathering of black people to watch a play that reflects their experience of racism. In every other performance, mixed audiences can watch and learn together. In one performance, white audiences are asked to voluntarily abstain from the show so that black audiences can watch it in a different context.

These things are not the same.

Is there a lot of audience participation or interaction then?

It's about going to see this particular show, which the majority of POC won't do because they won't feel comfortable

Why not?

I think it's an interesting experiment that they might live stream if they can or do so for other performances. I hope they do well with their two nights and that antagonistic white people don't make a thing of insisting on going. I agree it's like allowing people to breathe and enjoy just as a PP said a woman only audience of Vagina Monologues.

Re the difference in sexes for choice of career
I don’t think anyone can force a particular sex to like.a Particular subject or career.
If more men happen to enjoy art than women. It is what it is. No one is not allowed to strive for their desire.
In terms of my sons particular choice I suppose I’m not surprised. It’s animal / science based, not a high earner, most of the employers are charities. He followed his heart and not his wallet, I guess.

Im glad no one tried to force him in another direction, just to make up the numbers ( had he chosen a career that is more male based )

Anyone who goes to the theatre knows that the audience is overwhelmingly and disproportionately white

that does not mean there are not many diverse groups within that audience.

Agree with this.

Im not offended but I think it's a very depressing move.

It is accentuating difference and division and doesn't seem very positive in developing better community relations.

I don't know. I don't think that matters.