上個月 22 日晚在密蘇里歷史博物館舉辦了一場關於種族關係的“黑人與白人的對話”節目，這是為 2010 年 1 月種族關係特別展做準備的系列鋪墊活動之一。 當晚，博物館的青少年演員用一組組話劇片段展示了一系列相關話題，包括聖路易郵報最近一篇配有一對黑白戀人接吻圖片，從而引起關於跨種族戀愛婚姻熱烈討論的文章。 表演源於生活、貼近現實，發人深省，不失為一次成功的“對話”。
然而，一位名叫 Faye Chiou 的中國觀眾卻在慶幸有這樣真誠、理智的“對話”的同時，感覺到了其局限性。 看完表演後，他心中感慨萬千，致信活動合辦方之一 St. Louis Beacon ，發表了自己的觀點和憂慮。 下面就是他這封信的內容，同樣引人深思。
“ 7 月 22 日在密蘇里歷史博物館舉行的'黑人與白人的對話：種族關係的對話'讓我驚喜地感受到人們對每個參與者的尊重和包容。很高興看到這樣有成效的對話，黑人和白人彼此認真傾聽，分享在種族問題上的經歷和想法。但隨著對話的進行，我心裡不斷地有個聲音在問：‘我在這場對話中扮演了什麼角色呢？我的位置在哪裡呢？'
作為一名少數民族裡的少數民族，我甚至都不確定我能不能參與這場對話。 是不是自己有時能歸入‘其他'就應該感到幸運了呢？ 黑人、白人和其他。 如果根本沒有‘其他'這個選項時該怎麼辦呢？我很想完全地參與、慶祝這項活動，但讓我感到困惑的是，為什麼在聖路易，種族關係還是停留在黑人與白人，而實際上我們現在是一個多種族文化的社會啊！ 難道我們的視野不應該更開闊，我們的議題不應該更廣泛更全面嗎？ 這個問題不是膚色，而是關於怎樣理解和包容不同民族文化群體的差異啊。
所以我不由地要問在這場對話中我的位置在哪裡。 我是一個不速之客、嘉賓、參與者，或‘其他' ?
Conversations in Black and White
Missouri History Museum(2009-07-2)
In January 2010, the Missouri History Museum welcomes the special Exhibition RACE: Are We So Different? Organized by the Science Museum of Minnesota, the exhibition explores the science of human variation, the history of the idea of race and the contemporary experience of race and racism in the United States. In preparation for the exhibition, the Missouri History Museum, in conjunction with the St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9, will present a monthly series of programs addressing issues related to race in the region and nation-wide. While the programs will vary in format, each one promises to be thought provoking.
For our first program, join us for an evening of thought-provoking theatre exploring assumptions and identity. Performed by the museum's Teens Make History actors, these vignettes address an array of topics, including a recent St. Louis Post-Dispatch article illustrated with an interracial couple kissing. Enjoy a DJ spinning in th background while your conversations are sparked by the scenes.
When: Wednesday, July 22 2009 at 5:30 pm (past)Where: MacDermott Grand Hall”
Letter: Where's the conversation if you are neither black nor white?
By Faye Chiou
Mon. Aug. 3 - As "Conversations in Black and White: A Dialogue in Race Relations" (a program at the Missouri History Museum on July 22 cosponsored by the St. Louis Beacon), unfolded before me, I marveled at the respect and openness given to each speaker. I was happy that a productive conversation was actually taking place and that blacks and whites were listening to one another as they shared their experience on race. But as the conversation progressed, a small voice inside me whispered, "Where am I in this conversation?"
Living as a minority among the minority, I am not sure if I even register. Should I consider myself lucky to sometimes come up as an "Other"? Blacks, Whites and Other. What happens when Other doesn't come up at all?
I wanted to fully celebrate this event, but I am left to wonder why race relations in St. Louis are still centered on black vs. white when we are a multi-cultural society? The focus needs to be broader and more inclusive, because the issue is not about color, but about understanding and tolerating differences among the different culture groups.
So where am I in this conversation? Am I the interloper, the guest, the participant or other? |
