"I am writing to expose and explore the point where racism and sexism meet. I am writing to help understand the full effects of being black and female in a culture that is both racist and sexist. I am writing to try and communicate that information to my sisters first and then to any brothers of good will and honest intent who will take the time to listen. . . . I am writing to allow myself to feel the anger. I am writing to keep from running toward it or away from it or into anybody's arms. . . . I am writing, writing, writing, for my life." - Pearl Cleage
The two general themes that are seen prevalent within most of Pearl Cleage's early plays are the subjects related to sexism and racism. In the plays which we have discussed (Flyin West, Bourbon on the Border and Blues for an Alabama Sky), these themes are eloquently and purposely included by Cleage to show its significance and recieved percption during the set time period.
Racism in America
In each of the plays, the issue of racism held much importance to the set era's of each play. Flyin’ West was set in the year of 1898, not many years after the 13th amendment was passed, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the Union. During this time, blacks in America were adapting to life of no longer being a slave; but this adjustment was continuously made difficult due to the vast amount of existing laws that prohibited them of living a life equal to their white counterparts. Although documents such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th – 15th Amendments, blacks during this era were still extremely limited in terms of their “freedom” due to presence of racism in America. The struggle of blacks, especially African American females, within this era was well portrayed in Flyin’ West. The issue of Racism in America was a subject that was constantly discussed during this era, by both black whites.
Main issues pertaining to subject of racism, frequent in discussion, were the conception of ways to abolish laws that restricted black from living life with the same freedoms and opportunities as whites; these discussions were mainly held by blacks. Legal stiplations such as the Black Codes and Jim Crow laws were created by white southerners who felt intimidated by the growth of black communities and sought to find ways to hinder the black community from flourishing in the Post- Slavery era. In Flyin' West we are introduced to a group of black women who journey to move from the ills of the South to Kansas in order to create a better life for themselves and those who will come after them. Although this play was chosen mainly because of its popularity, it was also chosen because of its inclusiveness of the subject of racism in terms of how black women responded to it. Cleage does a fine job of making the social context of this play realistic in her depictions of life as black woman in this specific era.
Bourbon at the Border, although set in a different time period than Flyin' West, still includes the issue of racism in America and its impact on the black community. Cleage sets this play in the 1990s, but much discussion in the play pertains to the Civil Rights Era in the 1960s. In Flyin' West we see the initial response of blacks seeking to build a new life after slavery, as we read Bourbon at the Border we see the shift in the response of the black community pertaining to social and civil issues caused by racism. In the play, Cleage includes two characters, May and Charlie, who have been wounded from the scars of racism and throughout the play we see these scars' effect on the way they live and make certain choices. Bourbon at the Border shows a slightly different aspect to racism, displaying the impact that it has on daily activity and relationships within the black community. With Cleage, setting this play in the 1990s, we are able to understand a common issue of many blacks during this time: coping with scars and pain of racism after numerous years since the abolishment of slavery.
Main issues pertaining to subject of racism, frequent in discussion, were the conception of ways to abolish laws that restricted black from living life with the same freedoms and opportunities as whites; these discussions were mainly held by blacks. Legal stiplations such as the Black Codes and Jim Crow laws were created by white southerners who felt intimidated by the growth of black communities and sought to find ways to hinder the black community from flourishing in the Post- Slavery era. In Flyin' West we are introduced to a group of black women who journey to move from the ills of the South to Kansas in order to create a better life for themselves and those who will come after them. Although this play was chosen mainly because of its popularity, it was also chosen because of its inclusiveness of the subject of racism in terms of how black women responded to it. Cleage does a fine job of making the social context of this play realistic in her depictions of life as black woman in this specific era.
Bourbon at the Border, although set in a different time period than Flyin' West, still includes the issue of racism in America and its impact on the black community. Cleage sets this play in the 1990s, but much discussion in the play pertains to the Civil Rights Era in the 1960s. In Flyin' West we see the initial response of blacks seeking to build a new life after slavery, as we read Bourbon at the Border we see the shift in the response of the black community pertaining to social and civil issues caused by racism. In the play, Cleage includes two characters, May and Charlie, who have been wounded from the scars of racism and throughout the play we see these scars' effect on the way they live and make certain choices. Bourbon at the Border shows a slightly different aspect to racism, displaying the impact that it has on daily activity and relationships within the black community. With Cleage, setting this play in the 1990s, we are able to understand a common issue of many blacks during this time: coping with scars and pain of racism after numerous years since the abolishment of slavery.
Black feminism
In all of the plays we see the unique lense showcasing the impact of social issues on black women and their response to these issues. As previously discussed, Flyin' West focuses on black female pioneers who made an effort and life goal to move beyond the current reality of mistreatment and create a better life for themselves. All of the women characters in the play were once slaves and as shown in the play, we see their journey of progression out of the lifestyle of bondage. Much of Black Feminism is defined as oppression being the catlyst force driving the black woman to some type of activism. This idea is clearly portrayed throughout Flyin' West. The character Sophie is a great representation of a black feminist as she was determined to develop a community that allowed blacks to truly enjoy the "free" life. Progression and change was something she not only wanted for herself but, also for those in her community. She was cognizant of the idea that she needed the help of those around her to make this happen.
All of the women in the play gave a raw and realistic view to early Black Feminism, though during this era, black feminism had not yet been coined as a term. The word, Black Feminism, was not a subject that was necessarily discussed in conversation within America, but it was definitely an aspect of the African American community that was steadily growing. During this era many black women including, Ida B. Wells and Sojourner Truth, were not afraid to make their voices heard and make a difference for both black men and women in America. American society during this time frowned upon a women's voice and to be black a well made it even more difficult to be heard. While feminists during this era were fighting against social issues that only pertained to white Americans, Black feminists were fighting for both social and civil issues realated to black communities. To be black, female, and bold was a discouraged position to be in during this time; but this only emphasized the bravery and desperation that many of the black women harbored within.
Flyin' West was chosen for many reasons but its highlight of black women during the Post- Slavery era was quite intriguing. Aware of the struggles we as black women still toil with currently, we felt it necessary to read a play that included a majority black female cast and in reading this play, draw comparisons between the struggles the characters faced during that time period with the harships that we are faced with now. As stated before, Cleage does an oustanding job of mirroring the social context of that time.
All of the women in the play gave a raw and realistic view to early Black Feminism, though during this era, black feminism had not yet been coined as a term. The word, Black Feminism, was not a subject that was necessarily discussed in conversation within America, but it was definitely an aspect of the African American community that was steadily growing. During this era many black women including, Ida B. Wells and Sojourner Truth, were not afraid to make their voices heard and make a difference for both black men and women in America. American society during this time frowned upon a women's voice and to be black a well made it even more difficult to be heard. While feminists during this era were fighting against social issues that only pertained to white Americans, Black feminists were fighting for both social and civil issues realated to black communities. To be black, female, and bold was a discouraged position to be in during this time; but this only emphasized the bravery and desperation that many of the black women harbored within.
Flyin' West was chosen for many reasons but its highlight of black women during the Post- Slavery era was quite intriguing. Aware of the struggles we as black women still toil with currently, we felt it necessary to read a play that included a majority black female cast and in reading this play, draw comparisons between the struggles the characters faced during that time period with the harships that we are faced with now. As stated before, Cleage does an oustanding job of mirroring the social context of that time.