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Performer unveils historic portrayal
By Regina Eckes
Published:
Thursday, February 20, 2003
Media Credit: Stefanie Beniek
Thomasina Taylor played Rosa Parks during the Mixed Blood Theater�s performance, �Daughters of Africa,� in the Atwood Little Theater Tuesday evening. For ten years, Taylor has been performing with the Minneapolis- based theater group.
Traditionally, African American history is taught in the classroom with books and lectures, but Tuesday night, the Mixed Blood Theater presented their own unique rendition of African American history, pertaining particularly to women.
"Daughters of Africa" was a two-person performance featuring Thomasina Taylor as the main speaker and singer. Through her voice and spirit she recapped the stages of African life. The show was meant to be a mini-plane ride, one that would fly the audience through the past and land at the present.
Legacy Airlines took off around the 1600's when African people were first being caught and sent away on slave ships to America. From there, history unfolded through the varied forms of slavery women suffered through. They experienced not only physical strife, but mentalstrife as well, including being taken advantage of by their plantation owners.
Slaves were not allowed to read and write and some even had their tongues cut out, preventing them from ever speaking decently. Black people had to create their own opportunities and women such as Harriett Tubman not only gave themselves chances to make a difference, they did not waste any time taking them.
Legacy Airlines ventured through the Civil War, Jim Crow Laws and flew over the new form of slavery: domestication. Taylor made it clear that just because slavery was illegal, it did not mean it was non-existent. Black women were hired as domestic servants, but because of their poor wages and harsh treatment, domestication was closer to slavery than a real job or freedom.
By the time the 1900's rolled around, blues and jazz were becoming increasingly popular with black women trying to show their spirit through song. Taylor impersonated the likes of Billie Holiday while showing that though she is considered one of the greatest blues singers now, in the 1930's, race discrimination was still prominent.
A high point in the performance and in black history dealt with the Civil Rights movement and the courageous actions of notable people such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.
However, the flight and history of African Americans began to feel turbulence during the 1960s. The plane was crashing as King, Malcolm X and Robert Kennedy were assassinated and as the Vietnam War continued.
Then Taylor used her passionate voice, powerfully singing "Freedom," by Aretha Franklin. Because of singers like Aretha Franklin, black women were finally able to nudge through the door and carry their people through the bad times.
Now in the new millennium, as Legacy Airlines has finally landed, audience members can see the history of African American women in a new way.
After eight generations of oppression, black women have gone from slavery to success and can currently be found changing the world every day. People such as Oprah would not have made it far only a few generations ago, but the history of black women has evolved and grown so rapidly that most things are possible now.
Of course, there is always room for improvement and growth since black women still have obstacles to overcome.
"It's more subtle now," Taylor said. "Not like 'N----r get to the back of the bus,' but people still see things that are unfair. And we must counteract those things with something positive."
After seeing the Mixed Blood Theater's production of "Daughters of Africa," the audience received a look at the journey black women have taken to get where they are now. Thomasina Taylor feels honored to represent so many amazing African American women and all of their accomplishments.
"This is the closest thing I will probably ever do to being as brave as they were," Taylor said.
Taylor has been performing the "Daughters of Africa" production for nine years now and finds it wonderful going to schools of all levels and performing the show.
The Mixed Blood Theater has been at SCSU before and continues to bring anticipated events to campus that students enjoy.
"I think they get a lot of positive reaction," said Lindsay Bubolz, UPB Performing Arts Coordinator. "Because their show is not only entertaining and high quality, but it's educational. I learned things tonight that I wasn't aware of."
The success of the theater speaks for itself considering it is now in its 27th year and maintains putting together performances that walk the line and give audiences a new perspective on diversity and equality issues.
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