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| re: Which NYT Theater Critics Are POC? | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 11:36 pm EST 11/29/18 | |
| In reply to: Which NYT Theater Critics Are POC? - Singapore/Fling 10:57 pm EST 11/29/18 | |
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| The facts (i.e., the reviews) don't support your offensive, inaccurate, reactionary contention that the NEW YORK TIMES critics you are referring to -- the ones you insist on identifying as "white" -- are "rewarding a fairly narrow band of expression in the theater today." Can you imagine if the NYT had one or more theater critics of color, and a white person posting here identified those critics by race and then suggested they were "rewarding a fairly narrow band of expression in the theater today?" By the way, although I don't expect you to have the nerve to identify yourself by name, please feel free to tell us your race and your age, so people can inject that into the argument if they choose to. Your post was race baiting, and you should apologize for it. |
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| re: Which NYT Theater Critics Are POC? | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 12:12 am EST 11/30/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Which NYT Theater Critics Are POC? - Michael_Portantiere 11:36 pm EST 11/29/18 | |
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| Well, first of all, the reviewers that I "insist on calling 'white'" are all white. You haven't refuted that fact. How would you refer to them? As for myself, I am white and either approaching or already at middle-aged (and a cis male), something I have acknowledged often when entering into these conversations. My statements on this topic come from my own experience of understanding my own privilege and cultural lens. I have learned from the emotional labor of POC, and I commit myself to carrying on the work to engage with my fellow white folks in dominant culture spaces such as this chat board. Your suggestion that we might call out an individual reviewer of color misses the point of my statement, which is that having the entire review staff be from the same culture limits the expression that is rewarded. This staff limits the cultural conversation to one that exists firmly within a white space, and it limits the cultural gaze to that of whiteness (or a Western, European, colonialist mentality, if you object to the word white). Your statement itself points to the limitations of the Times by having us imagine that the Times has one (or more!) critics of color - right now we have to imagine that, because it seems unlikely that they will have one anytime soon. Having produced theater by writers of color who have been reviewed almost exclusively by white writers, I have been amazed and disappointed by how these reviewers often lack the tools to properly discuss what they are seeing - even when they like the work. Acknowledging this is simply to accept that people have expectations and reference points for writers, and those often exist along color lines, and that can limit what they support from POC voices, often unconsciously. There's a valuable conversation to be had about the ways that culture and our lived experiences influence and limit our perspectives, and I'd be very happy to engage you in that conversation. But we can't do that if you're going to come into the space defensive and on the attack. I only apologize when I realize that I have misread someone's intentions. By calling my original post race baiting, you not only misread mine, but you possibly spare yourself a hard look into how our cultural lenses can make it difficult for diverse voices to be heard. |
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| re: Which NYT Theater Critics Are POC? | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 10:04 am EST 11/30/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Which NYT Theater Critics Are POC? - Singapore/Fling 12:12 am EST 11/30/18 | |
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| "Well, first of all, the reviewers that I 'insist on calling 'white' are all white. You haven't refuted that fact. How would you refer to them?" I'm not refuting that fact, I'm refuting the following opinion you expressed: "Having the entire review staff be from the same culture limits the expression that is rewarded." In MY opinion, that is an offensive statement in that it exhibits revere racism. "There's a valuable conversation to be had about the ways that culture and our lived experiences influence and limit our perspectives, and I'd be very happy to engage you in that conversation. But we can't do that if you're going to come into the space defensive and on the attack. " In my perspective, your original post was an attack on the NY TIMES critics along racial lines. Also, I don't want to continue a discussion with anyone who has chosen to express anything less than total revulsion at the OP in this thread, so thanks for the offer, but I'm out. |
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| re: Which NYT Theater Critics Are POC? | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 10:25 am EST 11/30/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Which NYT Theater Critics Are POC? - Michael_Portantiere 10:04 am EST 11/30/18 | |
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| I meant "reverse racism." | |
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| YES, Singapore/Fling! | |
| Posted by: HadriansMall 02:14 am EST 11/30/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Which NYT Theater Critics Are POC? - Singapore/Fling 12:12 am EST 11/30/18 | |
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| Perfectly articulated. | |
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| Yes, thank you! | |
| Last Edit: DistantDrumming 09:57 pm EST 11/30/18 | |
| Posted by: DistantDrumming 09:54 pm EST 11/30/18 | |
| In reply to: YES, Singapore/Fling! - HadriansMall 02:14 am EST 11/30/18 | |
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| Singapore - I'm a big fan of yours. I'm an infrequent poster, but I am always amazed at your willingness to speak up and speak out -- articulately and artfully -- about race and identity in the arts and our culture. When someone trots out a misnomer like "reverse racism" I just shut down. I'm done. The culture is moving on without them and I just don't have the patience to EXPLAIN it all over again. As Barney Frank once told a belligerent constituent, I'm not going to debate them, because it would be like getting into an argument with a dining room table. It's pointless. But, you do. And although you often get heat for it on this site -- for which I can guess what the demos are on race and age -- you do so uncompromisingly, but thoughtfully. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know it's noticed and I'm sure I'm not the only one on here who has taken notice and who appreciates your efforts. Keep fighting the good fight. To be clear, my praise is solely for Singapore. I can't make heads or tails out of the rambling OP. And, now, I'll make way for all the clamoring about "reverse racism" and the "PC police" and "delicate snowflakes"... |
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| re: Yes, thank you! | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 12:01 am EST 12/01/18 | |
| In reply to: Yes, thank you! - DistantDrumming 09:54 pm EST 11/30/18 | |
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| "When someone trots out a misnomer like 'reverse racism' I just shut down. I'm done. " And I'm done -- at least for the moment -- with all of you wonderfully honest people who don't have the courage to put your real names on your posts in which you disparage or belittle the opinions of others. The statement in question was: "The all-white-and-middle-aged critical team at the Times are rewarding a fairly narrow band of expression in the theater today." What I meant by describing that statement is "reverse racist" is that it's racist but in the opposite direction than what we hear most often. But you are probably right that it's a misnomer and possibly confusing, so I should have labeled it racist, pure and simple. Oh, and I didn't mention that it's obviously also ageist. But if you want to go on record as defending that statement, that is your choice. |
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| re: Yes, thank you! | |
| Last Edit: DistantDrumming 02:21 pm EST 12/01/18 | |
| Posted by: DistantDrumming 02:20 pm EST 12/01/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Yes, thank you! - Michael_Portantiere 12:01 am EST 12/01/18 | |
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| Michael, "Reverse racism" is a bit of a dog whistle, even if you, in your heart, don't intend to use it that way. My issue with the term is not grammatical -- I'm not one of the pedantic grammar nerds of ATC. I'd encourage you to just google the term and then see if you really want to be associated with the greatest proponents of "reverse racism". And, I won't speak for Singapore, but I read their post as simply pointing out that having an all white, male lineup of bylines is going to, unavoidably, limit the lens by which the Times can approach culture journalism. I did not read it as a slight on any of them individually. Of course a white journalist can still enjoy and champion the work of minority artists. But, there is a lived experience that only members of those communities can truly and authoritatively explore and express and we should be open to having those expressions, world views and voices at the table. Yours truly, Oprah Winfrey |
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| My nominee for best complimentary close of 2018 nm | |
| Posted by: ryhog 07:52 pm EST 12/01/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Yes, thank you! - DistantDrumming 02:20 pm EST 12/01/18 | |
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