Thoughts on Dutchman and Multiculturalism in the U.S.

Over the past few weeks we have been spending our time discussing “The History of African American Entertainment” the artists who have made substantial impacts to the genre, to the culture at large and how we view these values, issues, histories, and social conflicts today as we reflect on the past.

We have been doing this with the vehicle and lens of Art and entertainment, the compelling stories and dynamic characters of our recent Black American History that have sprung from the roots, remembering’s and re-telling’s of what actually happened in our past and how we as a society wrestled with it then, and today.

This week you watched Dutchman. Here we have a playwright who are challenging our view of the past and how the struggle for certain races to succeed, forced to assimilate into a white dominated world view are hampered and faltered not only by modern society, the social norms and decorum or – code of conduct – of the day, but also by the personal struggle and need for self identity in the face of a very rooted value system (Jim crow) that had been lived in and ascribed to since the days after Reconstruction.

Now that you have done the reading and are able to reflect over the past two weeks, I would like you to wrestle with this quote from Notes on Dutchman.

“Baraka challenges the black community to produce art that portrays the human condition, and provides The Dutchman as a paradigm”………”It must be produced from the legitimate emotional resources of the soul in the world. It can never be produced by evading these resources”

– What is the human condition that Baraka speaks to?

– How is the SYMBOL of the Dutchman (The name of an infamous 18th century slave ship) and the train that the play takes place in provide a “PARADIGM” for more effective storytelling?

– How do we understand the human condition (as Baraka sees it) in a better way?

– What do you feel are “legitimate emotional resources of the soul“?

– What does Baraka mean when he says this? Do you agree with his stance? Why or why not?

Now, as we look at this topic through the lens of our present day and 2018, how do you feel we are doing as a society in providing entertainment and the telling of stories (Theatre, film, T.V.) about civil rights generally, black history, and how we have progressed as a society since the first time that Dutchman or A Raisin in the Sun, first made an impact on the American public and body-politic?

Start a thread and in subject put (your full name) –

Minimum 150 words – Use complete sentences and correct grammar.

Part 2: Your Comments: Read and respond to two other students’ answers. Make sure you are specific and identify who and what you are responding to.

First student response: (Sandy)

– What is the human condition that Baraka speaks to?

The Human Condition Baraka is speaking is the American Society in which African Americans are trying to be accepted in White American Society. Although being educated and hard working, African Americans are still not able to be accepted in White Society.

– How is the SYMBOL of the Dutchman (The name of an infamous 18th century slave ship) and the train that the play takes place in provide a “PARADIGM” for more effective storytelling?

The symbol of the Dutchman with the metaphor of the train provides effective storytelling by showing the audience of all color of what is truly wrong with society. The metaphor of the train, representing American Society, is showing Clay not being able to leave until his death as he is being mistreated and harassed by Lulu. Lulu is the symbol of white society and how we treat African Americans.

– How do we understand the human condition (as Baraka sees it) in a better way?

We can understand the human condition by recognizing that it is occurring and has been. We must understand the struggles and hardship that African Americans have come from and understand history shouldn’t be repeated. For this, not just one race has a “voice” but we all do and we should be able to listen to them all.

– What do you feel are “legitimate emotional resources of the soul“?

I believe “Legitimate emotional resources of the soul” is referencing to our emotions and how we can use these feelings as an effective way to bring connectedness to another person’s treatment. For example, African Americans and their treatment in White Society. If we see and feel empathy for someone say Clay as he is on the train. What appears to be the “norm”, then the normal situation is something that is completely wrong in reality. We feel for this person and our emotions is our biggest resource we have that will show the truth.

– What does Baraka mean when he says this? Do you agree with his stance? Why or why not?

I agree with Baraka as he states African American should produce art with they have gone through struggles. Our emotions are a powerful thing and creating art with a emotional attachment to it, is one that make other artist stand out from the rest. The Dutchman is one great example of course of this, all though it was hard to watch at times, the facts of what is happening in America and the degrading of African American’s is wrong and this film provided a great starting point to take a step forward through the Art of film.

Now, as we look at this topic through the lens of our present day and 2018, how do you feel we are doing as a society in providing entertainment and the telling of stories (Theatre, film, T.V.) about civil rights generally, black history, and how we have progressed as a society since the first time that Dutchman or A Raisin in the Sun, first made an impact on the American public and body-politic?

In current times in 2018, Since the launch of the two films The Dutchman and A Raisin in the Sun, we have taken many steps forwards and have given a voice to many African Americans. Although there are still more strides to take, we as a American Culture have made large progress and have been seeing African American society on film, television and theatre. With recent shows such as the mini series Roots that aired during memorial day weekend in 2016, we continue to show and educate American society to take more steps forward

Second student response: (Edris)

What is the human condition that Baraka speaks to?

The human condition Baraka speaks to is about the concept of racial injustice. The whole film depicts how strong your color of skin plays during the time of the movie in terms of social status.

How is the SYMBOL of the Dutchman (The name of an infamous 18th century slave ship) and the train that the play takes place in provide a “PARADIGM” for more effective storytelling?

The symbol of the Dutchman provides a paradigm because of the symbolic meaning. Clay was not necessarily trapped and could have left Lula by herself. Her beauty and lust lured Clay in which “enslaves” him from her love and social status. The status of Lula acting recklessly while other bystanders just look at her aloofly gives Clay the idea of having the same power she has. The Dutchman is symbolic of the slave ship because all attention were focused towards Clay and every movement of his.

How do we understand the human condition (as Baraka sees it) in a better way?

We can understand the human condition as Baraka sees it by not being blind to racial prejudice. We live in 2018 and it is time to accept all other color and cultures of sort.

What do you feel are “legitimate emotional resources of the soul“?

I feel that legitimate emotional resources of the soul would be having empathy and understanding of other people, because you don’t know what has happened to him or her in the past. We need to keep showing respect to other people in order to gain respect back/

What does Baraka mean when he says this? Do you agree with his stance? Why or why not?

Baraka meant to go into every situation with an open view and mind. I completely agree with his stance because of the truth and depth he goes in throughout the whole film.

Now, as we look at this topic through the lens of our present day and 2018, how do you feel we are doing as a society in providing entertainment and the telling of stories (Theatre, film, T.V.) about civil rights generally, black history, and how we have progressed as a society since the first time that Dutchman or A Raisin in the Sun, first made an impact on the American public and body-politic?

I feel like as a society, we are getting better on providing entertainment from many types of cultures and race. As of now, we should progressively get more diversity in our entertainment.

Remember, your answer needs to be at least 150 words total and use proper English grammar and syntax, and you must reply to at least two other students’ posts.

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