Talawa Theatre appoints man who ‘feels black’

[PenguinRoar]

How interesting was the WATO discussion on Radio 4 today about Antony Lennon - a man who has won an important, funded role in Black Theatre, even though he is white?

Conversation here from 26 minutes in about presentation and self ID versus actual, protected minority characteristics.

‘Sarah Montague: ‘that’s extraordinary, “I feel like, I look like a black person and therefore I should get funding....”’

www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/04/theatre-job-aimed-at-black-directors-given-to-man-who-said-he-was-white

Imagine the conversation if it was about women...

He's not black. Although I can see that he has a slightly black look about him (that wording feels wrong), he isn't black, he isn't even mixed race, so has no place identifying as such.
Being black is based on your ethnic background, not your look or middle name.

This was also discussed on Jeremy vine today - comparison made with self id gender and comment made that it was not quite the same as gender doesn’t depend on biology as it’s to do with your mind but race is purely genetic

“He's not a woman. Although I can see that he has a slightly female look about him (that wording feels wrong), he isn't a woman, he isn't even intersex, so has no place identifying as such.”

“Being a woman is based on your biological sex, not your look or middle name.”

So, why might the above be wrong but the PP’s comments be reasonable? Weird how it’s OK for Radio 4 to question self ID for BAME but not LGBTQ...

His particular case is interesting because he has never denied being white Irish
but because he looks mixed race and was treated as a mixed race person from a kid, developed a persona to match his treatment by others
for the last 30+ years

Good coverage of it on R4PM including an interview with one of his black acting friends

This is the "identified on street as marginalised" identity. Whereas someone who is from a black family has systemic multigenerational disadvantage to overcome. It runs much deeper. I'm sure once his teachers etc knew he wasn't black they unconsciously adjusted their expectations. I say that as a teacher who observes others having very low expectations of black students.

Men have no idea what it's like to be a woman. A white man has no idea what it's like to be black. Both are born what they are, and their life experiences are very different in all kinds of ways. I guess he will have his own story and reasons, but still, it's a deception (of others) and a delusion (of self). And an outright fraud to appropriate funds and opportunities allocated to people of colour.

That's ridiculous. He isn't black and doesn't look it either but he gets to take funding meant for a black person. It shouldn't be allowed.

I feel like a privileged white man today. I'm going to go out and reap some of the benefits.

I remember when such things were comedy:

I know someone with caucasian parents and mousey/fair haired siblings who looks North African. He refers to it as 'genetic throwback' - apologies if that term is not appropriate or acceptable, I don't want to offend anyone.

Was he actually given the middle name Ekundayo when birth registered?

Or (speculating wildly here) did he adopt the name for some reason which might be connected with applying for jobs?

Vicky
He is quite open about the fact that his birth middle name was David and he added the other name when he became an actor.
He does not pretend to be black.
He is not deluded about who he is.
But he works with black people in theatre and the bulk of the company are BAME and the issues they cover are BAME

The Arts Council have buggered it up, not him.

I don’t really know how I feel about this. I mean, he’s saying that because people think of him as ‘black’ he’s been treated in a certain way in society.
I don’t really like trans issues being conflated with race issues, and sex is binary, and race is ambiguous. Yeah, there’s dna testing now where they can tell roughly where your ancestors are from, but it’s certainly not fool proof.

Yeah, there’s dna testing now where they can tell roughly where your ancestors are from, but it’s certainly not fool proof.
Whereas Chromosones are pretty rock solid.

Chances are he (and his brothers) are 1/8 black
where does one draw the line

where as one can never be 1/8 female

I thought this was a really interesting conversation though - having met a few people who are affected by genetics - one a white blue eyed child born to a black mother - with blonde tight curls and the other a white family with slightly black features and Afro hair. It’s obvious this family have black heritage - but they wouldn’t be regarded as black - but surely they would be entitled to call themselves of African heritage somewhere down the line? Does this give them access to black based grants like Anthony Lennon?

And should people be discrimatef against (ie no access to black grants) because there heritage is distant?

I don't see a problem here.

This is not a case of a white man demanding to be treated as black. Rather, the black community seems to have said that in these particular circumstances they are happy for Lennon to be treated as though he were black.

In other words, entry to the group is being controlled by the group, not by a self-identifying individual demanding entry.

I would argue that changing your name to add “Ekundayo” does count as “pretending to be black”.

How can it not? To go through life with people assuming that you're mixed race is one thing. Giving yourself a Nigerian name is something else entirely.

RE The Atlanta clip, I'm still kind of amazed they got away with that given how pointed it is and the "but he's going to look weird" (after surgery) bit.

Donald Glover is brilliant. Would love to see his take on this mess.

Haworthia
Have you heard recordings of him.
He sounds INCREDIBLY London and is utterly open about being Irish.
He picked the name to make his face fit his acting persona.
And if he did a genetic test that showed he was part black, would it cease to be a problem?

Anthony Lennon spoke about this in a in 1991. He has always been open about the fact he has two white parents, but that he's experienced racial abuse since childhood because he looks mixed race. Looking at that video you'd never think he has entirely white ancestry.

I felt a smidgeon of sympathy for Rachel Doezal when her background was revealed - although I entirely disagree with what she did. She'd been horribly abused by her white birth family, but accepted and loved by her adopted black family. And she was a passionate defender of African American rights - while every transwoman I've come across really really doesn't appear to like women.

She'd been horribly abused by her white birth family, but accepted and loved by her adopted black family
That is currently subject to legal action for defamation I believe

Thanks for this EarthWind ... I remember seeing this years ago and I guessed it was the same guy when he popped up again. I remember assuming it was connected to the fact the Irish were sometimes indentured servents in the Caribbean. I thought it was family traits coming through. Although I’m sure he’d say if he’d had his DNA tested.

I am black and personally have no problem with Antony Lennon being awarded a role in black theatre. He has had the experience of a black person his whole life. Similarly I have cousins who look white and until you discover their heritage would not imagine they have black heritage. In these cases I am all for self ID. Unlike sex, race actually is a continuum.