Baltimore By Kirsten Greenidge: Racism And Discrimination Among Students

Baltimore illustrates the significance of perspective by showing the varying reactions of a diverse group of college students over an offensive incident, involving racism and discrimination, that holds great importance in regards to the students’ upbringing. The performance opens after the character Fiona, played by Maggie Ewing, leaves a distasteful drawing on the door of Alyssa, played by Tatyanna Fry. Each individual student shares their own opinion about how it should be dealt with, which is influenced by their background and personal experiences.

One of the most interesting aspects on the play is how each response compares or contrasts with the others around them, and how the relationships between the students play into their attitude over the relevancy of the issues at hand. While each student has a unique point of view, the student with one of the more debatable reasonings throughout the play would be Shelby played by Kyndal Jackson. Jackson portrays a young African American woman who comes from a respected family where racial discussions are a sensitive topic. Her character’s personal beliefs revolve around the concept of a post-racial society with no labels. While the idea is an idealistic thought, it does not provide much assistance in resolving the main conflict. In the modern era, this mindset could be difficult to identify with since discrimination and inequality are controversial issues seen often in American culture. Initially, her actions can be described as frustrating; her lack of activity in the situation can be seen as a denial of the reality around her. However, as the story progresses Shelby’s argument starts to reveal an understanding of her logic and how her childhood connects to her way of thinking. Without the proper outlet to acknowledge the cultural stigma around the topic as a child, she did not know how to approach it as an adult.

Throughout the play, she strongly defends her beliefs with that excuse, even to the extent of damaging the relationships around her, specifically her relationship with her closest friend Grace, played by Lizzy Liu. The scene depicting the confrontation between Shelby and Grace is one of the most defining moments in the play. A rift is created between the two after Shelby dismisses Grace’s feelings toward her own identity, and during this instant, it could be described as the turning point for Shelby’s character arc. After realizing the personal effect that she has had on those around her, she can no longer ignore how important this is to others. It is only toward the conclusion when Shelby’s mentality develops to the point that she realizes needs to change her outlook of her surroundings, while still holding her own opinions to their original value.

A clear message that can be conveyed through Shelby’s role in Baltimore is that aiming for a level of acceptance within any society regardless of background is admirable, but to reach that goal one should be aware of the challenges that must be dealt with along the way. Since diversity is one most important components in Baltimore, being as it would not have the same impact without the representation that it does, then the concept of different ideas what was racism means to each character is a running theme in the play. Every character has had a personal struggle involving stereotypes, prejudice, and privilege has affected their lives.

Characters, such as Rachel by played by Alice Garriga and Grace, share details about stereotypes and prejudices even were present on their own families, and how that negatively reinforced their self-image. Leigh, by played Chandler West, shares the importance of Obama’s presidency and how the impact of his representation in government meant a great deal to many African Americans but also shares how the disregard of that significance afterward affected her. While racism can be described as the discrimination of a different race, that idea excludes the history and meaning behind each individual act. Fiona’s justification of her actions throughout the play stems from the explanation that she was bullied in school, so she is only treating others how she was treated, but she ignores that how different the scenario is. She does not take into consideration how her behavior and culture have several decades of active discrimination behind it, and how that could affect others who raised to be aware of it at all times.

The combination of identity and culture seen in modern society is taken for granted when the lack of consideration for others creates a negative environment for everyone. The characters that take on the leadership role in Baltimore are tasked with a heavy responsibility. The conflict throughout the play requires the intervention of someone with the skill to inspire change within people, and the burden fall of the matter falls onto Shelby. Shelby does not quite fit as a leader based on her beliefs and her actions throughout the play indicate that she rejects the notion, as she decides to ignore the problem. Her character development slowly progresses until she is ready to embrace her new role only after a series of conversations with Dean Hernandez, played by David J. Wilkerson, who embodies the characterizations of a leader and authority feature in the play. His involvement is based around the guidance that Shelby needs. Hernandez’s past in civil right movements and his opposition of social standards sets himself as an example through actions which is a practice needed in leaders. Hernandez helps Shelby accept the part she has to play with patience and an understanding of the importance of the situation. Baltimore shows that leadership can only be crafted by a necessity of change.