Dear Friend,
Earlier this week I found myself explaining “Black Lives Matter” to my kids. It was a difficult conversation, but as hard as it was for me, I know that it pales in comparison to the life-or-death conversations that Black fathers and mothers across the country are forced to have with their children every day.
The murder of George Floyd, along with Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, is a symptom of the greater disease of racism and inequity running through every fabric of our society.
The riots we saw in Providence last night were not a representative of the Black Lives Matter movement, or any movement, to end this inequity. In a statement, Providence City Council President Sabina Matos says, “Last night wasn’t just an attack on brick and mortar establishments, it was an attack on the spirit and good name of our City. It was an attack on our neighbors. It was an attack on the progress so many of us are working to achieve.”
At the Wilbury Group, we are committed to being part of that progress. This is why we stand in solidarity with the voices of the Black Lives Matter movement. We support the protests and we are proud to share our platforms with Black voices onstage and off whenever possible.
We are reminded that our theatre is not a building. Our theatre is made out of the voices and collaboration of individuals from many different backgrounds and walks of life. The Black artists, audiences, and supporters who are part of our theatre deserve to be heard.
As a company, we reaffirm the commitment in our Values to providing to providing “a platform for Diverse Voices and Perspectives.”
We affirm our commitments to the Introspection, Reflection, Education, Advocacy, and Action necessary to collectively be part of the progress.
Towards the end of our conversation about Black Lives Matter, my 7-year old daughter Raegan asked, confused, “so some people don’t know about Dr. King?”
We all know, but I think it does us all well to be reminded:
“No one is free until we are all free.”
Black Lives Matter. Period.
Sincerely,
Josh Short
Founder / Artistic Director
The Wilbury Theatre Group
