Episode 38: No More "Innocent Ignorance"

First, Courtney sits down for a convo with Step Afrika! founder, C. Brian Williams. How can predominantly white institutions (PWIs) better respond to and dismantle their own oppressive practices in order to rebuild their infrastructure? Well, that's one question and one approach. But Williams thinks he has a better idea and call to action: cultivating a strong ecology of arts organizations that are equitably represented in the field. Williams says of arts organizations across the nation that they must examine what deeply rooted historic structures have prevented growth towards equity and telling stories that decenter whiteness, and celebrate the successes and failures that are a part of the history of this country through art. What else do Courtney and C. Brian discuss? And why does C. Brian Williams make a key reference to Dolly Parton? You'll have to listen to this inspiring conversation to find out! Up next, we have Michael J. Bobbitt. Currently he is the Artistic Director of New Repertory Theatre, but he'll become executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council on February 1, 2021. In Courtney’s conversation with the well-known director, choreographer and playwright, the two longtime colleagues discuss the need for new approaches and strategies for embracing anti-racist practices in our nation's arts organizations. Simply put, Bobbitt suggests that, in order to do this, we must be co-conspirators and aim to disrupt and topple oppressive practices. To paraphrase a few of the points made in this conversation, Courtney and Michael talk about oppressive power structures in predominantly white cultural institutions and how power is at the very root of systemic oppression and racism. One of the most poignant statements Michael makes is this: without relinquishing or redistributing their power, white individuals in positions of influence will keep racism alive and thriving.