Do collard greens really go with platanos? They did in the play "Platanos and Collard Greens," performed in the Undergraduate Library on Oct. 2. "Platanos" tackled issues on race, stereotypes and the realities of blacks and Hispanics expressed through poetry lyrics and punch lines.
"Platanos" was based upon a book written in 1992 by David Lamb, with the title "Do Platanos Go with Collard Greens?" The play followed the relationship of the two main characters Freeman, a black man and Angelita, a Hispanic woman. The play focuses on the stereotypes that both ethnic groups face when trying to fit the common standard of beauty.
In the opening scene, Freeman sums up the show through poetry. Later during the play, one of the most controversial issues in the black community was introduced - "good hair," which is considered to be hair that is straight, silky and flowing. On the other hand, the term "bad hair" refers to hair that is unmanageable, dry and nappy. In the play, Freeman called this labeling, which many blacks have said reflects self-hatred, "psychological oppression." Not only were the topics of "good hair" and "bad hair" discussed, but the prejudices that black Americans have within their own culture concerning light skin and dark skin were as well.
The play shows that it is not just blacks that idolizes lighter skin colors but, so do Hispanics. One of the characters in the play indicated that the lighter-skinned individual has it "easy" in life. He makes his point by saying, "white is right and if you are black, get back."
Cultural history lessons were intertwined with the drama that kept the audience hanging onto every word of the performers. The play showed how people of African descent used drums and rhythm to communicate with one another. The play demonstrated that Africans also used drums, song and dance to get through stressful days of picking cotton in the blistering hot sun.
"White folk done messed up rhythm," Freeman said.
As the production came to a close, Angelita and Freeman were able to be together. Angelita's mother's philosophy about glorifying everything Spanish in order to promote her race was shown to actually keep up the barriers between the races and to fan the fear that the races have about one another.
"The only way to be free is to be emancipated mentally," is one of the last lines in the play. It indicates that if people come together as one, they can find beauty in one another and together fight the destructive forces of racism.
Play promotes understanding of blacks and Hispanics
"Platanos and Collard Greens" challenges stereotypes of the two races
Published: Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Updated: Wednesday, October 8, 2008
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