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?

@MasterBeth racism is jack shit like rape so don’t try that one, it’s like binary people claiming being trans is exactly like someone white identifying as black.

There is a differentmce between encouraging or enforcing/banning

It's embarrassing isn't it? And depressing.

Perfect example of why this kind of night was proposed. Listen to yourself.

Agree.
Did you see the list of surnames not allowed admittance to some holiday park.
they were common gypsy names.

Sounding out a particular race, colour, religion is discrimination
We can only move forward with complete equality.

After reading the article above it seams that the production want to encourage only black people to attend on just one night of a production of a play about racism. this is not segregation, racial segregation is not allowed in this country. It is no different in my view to women only events.

Sometimes we just feel more relaxed and able to express ourselves better when the company is not mixed. its as simple as that, no need to get in a state about it.

It's similar to all the posts on International Women's Day saying "what about the men". It's ignorant. Just go to one of the other performances, and let a group of people have something just for them.

1. White people aren’t banned
2. White people aren’t a minority

😱I just can't. What is wrong with you?

No it isn’t offensive ffs. minority groups who have never been in a position of privilege are entitled to want their own spaces that don’t include the privileged majority. For that reason it isn’t comparable to a “white only” event because white people don’t face persecution because of their race. It is a reclamation, as someone else said. I’m white btw. Not everything has to include me

White people are allowed to come though, both on the 28 other nights and the one being discussed. They are not banned.

'Imagine this in reverse' doesn't work when discussing issues that affect minorities.

Here's a question- If a play about rape had just one night of a 29 night run positioned as being for female audience members only, so those who may find the subject matter tough to watch in the presence of men could do so without feeling uncomfortable would you honestly react this way? Would you say it was encouraging division? That it was unfair on men?

It also says that it's for black people to enjoy the show "free from the white gaze." As a white person I would feel unwelcome to attend, regardless of the assertion that it's ok.

That said, I'm not offended. I'd just go to a different performance.

Racists always get offended when they're not given free rein to be racist.

"How dare you keep me away from the black people! It is my human right to make them feel uncomfortable with my presence. You are discriminating against me."

Ludicrous argument. The major problem with all of this is that the notion of 'black people' and 'white people' belonging to two homogenous groups is completely flawed. Many ethnically white people understand the history of the oppression of those of black origin; many are pretty stupid and don't.

Likewise, some black people still, perversely, enjoy the notion of racial segragation; thankfully, many more probably think that this is an incredibly regressive move.

I'm white and completely get why a black night only is being put on. As a PP said, it will allow a discussion of racial discrimination free from white people feelings.

Much like an all adult human female event would save us having to take into account the hurt feelz of men (not all men etc).

Sometimes being in the company of the same sex, race, disability etc gets rid of all that tiresome explaining to people who are not part of whatever community experience is being addressed.

I think it is a great idea and I hope it is successful.

I don't understand the outrage on this, black people want to watch something and discuss issues about their shared experience in a safe space.

Someone get the pitchforks out 🙄

No, the men don’t complain about women only swimming sessions, they stick on a cossie and go anyway
It’s a bit harder to claim to be Trans racial - although some have tried

Give it a couple of years.

@SparklyBlackKitten Instead of not allowing a certain race. Lets encourage other races to come.

Not sure if you're being purposely dense or what really.
This is exactly what is happening. No one is banned from the showing, including white people.

Yes, think I agree with this

I just don't care enough to get worked up about it .
I can't see anything wrong in promoting a play to the audience you'd like and who it's aimed at .
I can see how some might think it sets a dangerous precedent but personally I don't mind

Well, you can't complain about that because segregation is bad right? So there shouldn't be "women only" places at all as it discriminates against men.

Very racist and offensive. Report.

I always think with things like this, that the thing to do, is to consider whether you could reverse the colours and see how that looks.

So, would it be ok to have a "whiteout night", where black people aren't allowed to attend? Obviously that would cause uproar, so there is your answer. It's racist, pure and simple.

Men go to ladies day too?

Feel free to read about what is actually happening before commenting.