Black Lives Matter & Performing Arts
Hello
Today I have moderated the Season Closing online discussion on Zoon. The session was about IETM members’ experiences, observations and discussions during the pandemic. The participants were encouraged to send questions in the chat room. As the moderator I would in turn put the questions to the speakers.
Chang Nai Wen, (a participant from Berlin) sent a question concerning Black Live Matter and the response from the performing arts community. Please see his text below.
I made an editorial decision and did not bring that question on for the sole reason that it was not the topic of the session. But the issue is nonetheless very relevant and important and I though it deserves serious consideration and perhaps could instigate a session of its own right. Particularly in light of my role as a member of the IETM's IDEA Group for Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Access I would like to thank Chang Nai Wen for his question and emphasize the importance and immediacy of this topic. I would have myself liked to hear responses to that question indeed.
Therefore I think IETM should perhaps consider organizing a session about the contemporary performing arts and racism in the light of Black Lives Matter movement. I furthermore think that such prospective session should be a learning opportunity for the IETM members rather than members discussing something that we (as a network) honestly know very little about. Simple check: just how many IETM members are black?
I feel that I had done a poor job as moderator if I did not write this post and give voice to Chang Nai Wen important question.
Regards
Vahid
Chang Nai Wen’s question posted on Zoom chat room: “There’s been quite some loud response in the context of #BlackLivesMatter from the theater world in North America. Such as the open letter “To all white theaters” or “Black Like Us” Panel from Straford Festival in Canada. I'd be interested to know how theater communites in other countries are responding in regards to the visibility of their BIPoC colleagues.
Dear Vahid,
thansk a lot for this post. The topic was on top of my thoughts lately, together with environmental impact. It's not easy to address it nor as a single person, nor as a professional, nor as a network/organization: I can only say that I'm reading a lot and keep my ears more open than ever, I feel the fear to say or do something wrong, even with good intentions.
Nonethless, I just declared to you all during the meeting that IETM is a privileged space of trust. Even if the topic is complicated to address, maybe our network is the good place to start.
I know that, for example, missing Tromso means also that we missed to meet colleagues who are natives from Australia and Norway: I would love to reconnect.
I would like to hear from artists engaged in this topic and also understand if and how we can play a role in it - since, right now, the problem for me is that culture is not playing a role in society at all, I can't imagine it making a different in a specific topic.
So, thanks for raising the attention on that and let's see if we have the chance to do something.
Hello Vahid,
thank you and Chang Nai Wen for raising this question. I would also welcome a panel discussion, and/or research paper, into how/if the cultural sector (maybe particularly in europe) is responding to the Black Lives Matter movement. I think IETM as a network could benefit from hearing shifts and changes that have happened as a consequence, and how questions of racial justice are tackled in diffent contexts.
An opportunity to learn, exchange, inspire each other in order to improve the tackling of inequalities and systemic racism would be welcome.
x
Dear all
..with best wishes from my holiday in Iceland....
This is certainly an important topic and it would be most welcomed to get further ideas on sessions IETM and other networks could arrange. I also think this is a matter for employers within theatres, venues, festivals and companies across Europe.. and beyond need to address and it would be interesting to hear what PEARLE has done about the issue.
please keep this thread alive and share ideas
my best
Ása