If ignorance is bliss, what is knowing mockery?

Whenever I come home to Chicago (yes, the actual city), I immediately remember why I love this place: The diversity of people, neighborhoods, languages, food, religions and other cultural practices is evident on every corner. A ten-minute walk from my house lands you in the midst of Indian sari shops, while a trip in the other direction would have you buying produce at a local mercado.

This diversity extends to Chicago's arts and entertainment offerings as well. A read through the Chicago Tribune's event listings for this weekend boasts African dance workshops, Ukrainian vodka tastings and Capoeira performances.

Of particular note was a listing for a play by Young Jean Lee. "The Shipment," writes Tribune reporter Doug George, "is a play that puts cultural images of black America on stage and lets the audience sort them out."

Lee says this off-Broadway play, which debuted last year, is not intended to be an "identity-politics show." Rather, the playwright intends to show you your biases and help you question them.

This clash of biases and assumptions is clear from the play's title. "The Shipment" alludes to both a shipment of drugs and the African slave trade. Using comedy, song and dance, the play's actors act out racial prejudice, at times making sharp racial divisions into sharp wit and comic fodder.

Is this a step forward, or a big leap backward? Is it good that we can talk about these ideas in a comedic way, or that we can talk about them at all? Or is this presentation of racial bias not "anti-racism" enough to elicit change?

Without seeing the play, I can't say much about how Lee makes us aware of our own prejudices. What I can say, however, is that I think theater-goers seeking out this play are probably some of the more progressive thinkers out there. These people are probably not outright racist; they are most likely comfortable examining their beliefs and thinking critically about how race impacts their lives. Self-selection, then, dulls the impact of the play.

But even if the white supremacists among us won't be watching, public awareness is the first step to change. Watching black actors play to black stereotypes may seem like a step backward to some, but the real regressions are things like the Texas textbook debacle, in which we not only fail to analyze, but we fail to acknowledge racism and prejudice throughout history as well.

Criticisms aside, Lee's success shows us we should never underestimate the power of humor and satire to start conversations. I think John Stewart would second that...

Photo Credit: Paula Court