Blues 444 Everyone
In watching, A Blues For Mister Charlie, it got me thinking how we all aren't so different after all. That we all box ourselves in to a self fulfilling prophecy, sustaining society's image.
In viewing A Blues For Mister Charlie, the play speaks volumes on the concept of societal expectations and demands to the extreme. As for the lines between behavior assigned to “white” men and “black” boys in the Southern context leading to Richard’s premature death.
Richard does not fit the idea of an obedient Black man per Southern standards. Since Richard displays such behavior in Lyle’s place of business, he has an “obligation” to condemn and demean Richard with an apology in tow. This apology serves as an opportunity to show who has superiority over the other while feeding into prideful tendencies.
In watching each character play their role, it got me thinking about all of us. What makes any of us different in this capitalistic, overconsuming climate amongst drastic polarization politically, socio-economically, racially, religiously, and etc.
You may put yourself in a box of familiarity and limits before tasting life. You forfeit adventure and rebellion for socialized rules, Jimmy wants to show America’s face through storytelling. It’s an age-old story of understanding the cycle of fear, power, and assimilation that cause pain and loneliness for everyone. In Baldwin’s time it was racism both personal and institutionalized.
Yet today’s hurdles are self-consumption of ideas instead of exploring both internal and external realities. To acknowledge what the world thinks of you as white, black, man, woman, non-binary, transgender, gender fluid, Islamic, etc. and still be met with respect from others. Or the complete opposite allows the space to understand what’s won and still needs to be taken.
The Blues is for everyone because we all trap ourselves in these internal boxes. Before you know it you’re boxed in a corner of cluttered mentalities defending an idea for others schemes.
Watching in all positions I see that everyone, even me, plays their role very well where identity blurs code for switching realities.
Reveal the blues, unveil clues to who you are.
Escape the racial, political traps of Mister Charlie patting murder on the shoulder for another warmer corner of Hell stretched.
The Kuumbaya tackles immeasurable hatred to prideful actions attacking enemies. Reverend Henry absorbs Richard’s hatred because everyone has a choice and they all chose self.
The Blues lives in our bloodlines declining half ass reparations. The system of expectations and abuse live through police brutality, genocide, food segregation, and political sneakiness. The Blues of everyone lives within’ us all, the balance of self and societal acting.