Community–Allyship–Theatre–Idealism and a Potentially Good Recipe

Reflecting on this chilly November day, I am moved by the impact of two remarkable performances I experienced this weekend: Lauren Semple’s Unboxing Bravery and the VIS’s Rhapsody featuring the timeless music of George Gershwin with guest pianist Kevin Cole.  Watching hundreds of members of our community come together to listen, observe, and celebrate the different expressions of Art was inspiring.

This had me contemplating how to weave these encouraging moments into the larger tapestry of my own thoughts on community as I explore the deeper meaning behind our new play, “I Don’t Belong Here”.

How do we connect the dots between art, belonging, and the sharing the human experience?

I started by delving into the actual meaning of the word COMMUNITY. Here is what I found scouring various sources in that world wide web.

The word “community” has a complex history and has been defined in many ways:  The word “community” comes from the Latin word communitas, which means “joint possession or use”. Communitas is derived from the Latin word communis, which means “common, public, shared by all or many”. Communis is a combination of the Latin prefix con– (meaning “together”) and the word munis– (meaning “serve).

It is said that Aristotle was the one who defined the word “community” as: ‘a group of men having shared values. ‘ A value system that extended beyond the usual confines of a family or loved ones usually formed the basis for a community. These were, more often than not, defined by a commonplace or a defined geography.

Many Indigenous nations view community as the whole person (physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual) as interconnected to land and in relationship to others (family, communities, nations). Community is a pillar of identity for Indigenous Peoples:  it is the coming together for ceremony, for mourning, for celebration, for gratitude, for harvest, for support, for everything.

So, I think it is clear that, wherever or whoever you are, community means coming together with shared values.

But what happens when our values are not really ‘shared’? When our points of view are drastically different.

My thought is that a community is large, it is wide, it’s a place where issues are far-reaching, opinions vary, concerns contrast. As I enter senior-hood, I have come to admit that, while not everyone will like me or agree with me, my growth can come from working collaboratively, while staying true to my fundamental values, and being open to others’ perspectives to learn and evolve together.

Allyship

I checked with a trusted friend, Miriam Webster, for this one, for clarity and accuracy. “Allyship refers to the actions, behaviors, and practices that leaders take to support, amplify, and advocate with others, especially with individuals who don’t belong to the same social identity groups as themselves.” “The state or condition of being an ally: supportive association with another person or group.”

So, it’s kind of, sort of, like a community, right? Being an ally in one’s community can come down to one very simple action: showing up.  Being present with empathy, respect, and a willingness to listen and learn.

A sense of community is the cornerstone of our civilization. But for some it requires a wee bit of courage to connect, support and progress in this landscape. It takes effort. Some like to ‘keep to themselves’.  Others don’t mind everybody ‘dropping in from time to time’.  I trust that whether we use long, loud strides or small, quiet baby steps, we can all, in our own little ways, help construct a healthy community environment.

For instance, we can support the elderly by valuing their stories and ensuring they remain connected to society. We can empower youth by creating safe spaces for expression and growth and listening to their voices. We can stand along side LGBTQ2+ people by advocating for inclusivity, celebrating identities and speaking up against slurs or misinformation. We can offer dignity and compassion to those struggling with homelessness and mental health, understanding that systemic issues often underlie these challenges. We can vote, we can even present our name to be considered in the local or federal political landscape.

Allyship is not about speaking for others, it’s more about amplifying others’ voices and committing to actions that nurture equity, respect, and belonging for all. To be silent in the face of injustice is to be complicit.

The Role of the Arts

Live theatre has long been a powerful tool for healing, teaching, and advancing societal growth. It invites audiences to step into the lives of others, developing empathy and understanding while challenging complacency.

By draw attention to voices that are often marginalized or silenced, theatre can at times become a platform for truth-telling and transformation. It can challenge the status quo, societal inequities and the ineffective political systems that continue to plague us with the mass production of a sluggish institute that thrives on bureaucratic rhetoric, greed, narrow-mindedness and injustice.

For many in our world, political awareness has a tendency of leaning more towards self-interest, a “What will I get out of it? Will my opinion be proven best?” attitude. But what if political awareness were more about recognizing the interconnectedness of humanity, about the importance of understanding history, examining factual education, demanding more critical thinking, and standing in solidarity with those whose struggles may not automatically mirror our own.

Theatre can remind us of the power of collective action and can even evoke the courage it takes to be an ally, amplifying voices that get buried or silenced, to take steps to shape a path toward a more equitable world.

I sometimes challenge my beliefs, my “wokeness” ….  but I also try to trust that my thinking could indeed reflect hope and a commitment to progress. This can be seen as optimistic, but can’t optimism be turned into a powerful driver for change? Is not being “woke,” in its truest sense, about awareness and advocacy for fairness and inclusivity, which are values all humans strive for?