US Students Judge "Defamation"
The centerpiece of the Hackley Upper School day on October 27 was the performance of "Defamation," a provocative and participatory dramatic production that challenges the audience to act as jury for a civil case built on a complex web of factors stemming from race, gender, class, religion and more.
Lawyers argue a defamation case, with the plaintive (a black woman), the defendant (a white man), and a witness presentiing their stories, and then the audience acts as jury. Who is right? Who has been wronged?
The performance engaged students in self examination regarding how elements of difference -- race, class religion--weigh into the ways in which we perceive others. To what extent can we separate our emotional involvement from facts and understanding?
As one of the actors noted in conversation with the audience, "We have been taught to not have conversations about these topics in 'mixed company.' We have been told they are inappropriate. But please, keep having these conversations across difference."
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The performance engaged students in self examination regarding how elements of difference -- race, class religion--weigh into the ways in which we perceive others. To what extent can we separate our emotional involvement from facts and understanding?
As one of the actors noted in conversation with the audience, "We have been taught to not have conversations about these topics in 'mixed company.' We have been told they are inappropriate. But please, keep having these conversations across difference."
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