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'Living in a time where race doesn’t matter has not yet been realised'

The word racism Picture Credit: Thinkstock
The word racism Picture Credit: Thinkstock

Imagine a private conversation between arguably two of the most prolific civil rights’ activists in the world and you getting to be the fly on the wall for that. That is the core of new play The Meeting‚ premiering at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg tonight in celebration of America’s Black History Month‚ honoured throughout the month of February.

The story takes you through the tale of what a fictional conversation between Dr. Martin Luther King Junior and Malcolm X‚ in 1965 at the height of the civil rights movement‚ might have been like.

The two are known as having differing ideologies with regard to the approach towards the civil rights movement with Dr King Jnr having been for a non-violent approach to liberation while Malcolm X had a ‘by any means necessary’ (including violence) approach.

A collaboration between the theatre itself and the US Embassy in Pretoria‚ the fourth such collaboration‚ The Meeting is directed by Market Theatre art director and actor James Ngcobo.

72% of South Africans report no personal experience of racism: IRRRace relations in the country — despite worsening economic conditions‚ high unemployment‚ poor education‚ and inequalities — remain generally sound. 

“We need‚ as a country‚ to link ourselves to narratives in other parts of the world‚” said Ngcobo‚ explaining the rationale behind the American-centric play in a South African theatre‚ played by South African actors.

“I refer to continental curiosity. We need to link ourselves with that narrative so that we realise that our quest is not unique.

“It also comes at a time when we are seeing the first black US president ending his tenure‚ but the dreams of both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jnr not having been realised yet” he added.

Set in 1965‚ in New York’s Harlem‚ the play is also set on the backs of the conclusion of the Rivonia Trial in South Africa and a few years after Albert Luthuli was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Renowned actors Aubrey Poo and Brendon Daniels play Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr and Malcolm X respectively.

“The play is well-written and so it has universal themes‚” explains Poo before adding that “South Africans are large observers about what is happening in the West”.

“There has always been a parallel narrative about black people’s struggle in America and Africa‚” added Poo.

Daniels says that the play is relevant in South Africa in lieu of what is happening now in America with controversial Republican Donald Trump having newly become the US president.

“It is the constant old age debate about which way is the right way‚” he says. “It’s about how you can open the debate and continue it… It’s 2017 and that dream of living in a time where race doesn’t matter has not yet been realised‚” he says.

Cynthia Harvey‚ spokesperson for the US Embassy in South Africa‚ says the play explores a discussion which “remains as relevant today as in the tumultuous times it depicts‚ as societies around the world wrestle with their pasts‚ how those pasts affect the present‚ and how together we can build a better future for all”.

- The Meeting premiers at Johannesburg’s Market theatre tonight (Tuesday) at 8pm‚ with tickets ranging between R95 and R195.

 

 TMG Digital

 

 

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