Sustainable Conversations: Racism in the Arts

What if...

Now that you've gotten to know Helena-Joyce and Karen a bit better, we want to start looking at the world through a "what would have happened if I was in their shoes?" lens. For instance, what if your whole life every time you saw a movie or television show about Queen Elizabeth I, she was portrayed not by Helen Mirren or Cate Blanchett, but by Cicely Tyson or Lupito Nyong'o? You know.... you know... Elizabeth was white. And yet every actress who has ever played the role for as long as you can remember has always been a Black woman. How would you feel? Is this hypothetical casting choice different from casting Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra? What if....

Members of EAG's staff and author/actress/EAG member Helena-Joyce Wright (Zora Is My Name!, Amen Corner, Jerry's Girls, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill) are continuing their discussions centered around race in America. We'll be meeting on Zoom with the hope that some courageous people who are willing to sit in their discomfort will join us to help create a sustainable, safe space for conversation that can live and breathe beyond the current moment.

Our second conversation is scheduled for Monday, September 28th at 7:00 PM EDT. The goal? To provide a forum for YOU to ask some of the questions that you might have been afraid to bring up in "mixed" company. We invite you to submit your question(s) in advance to office@actorsguild.org.

This event is FREE. Space is limited. Registration is required.