Diandra Reviews It All

They did not need to say his name for the night to feel like a giant affront to Mr. Trump. The People Speak played one night only at BAM, which continues to dominate in bringing forth diverse and distinctive arts to Brooklyn. Stars literally aligned to perform songs and speeches that were historically written but universally dedicated to the power of humanity when facing oppression.

Did you know Helen Keller was a socialist? Did you know Susan B. Anthony was fined 100 dollars for voting as a woman? Did you know that both the Rosenbergs and Chelsea Manning, despite being from different eras, share the common idea that freedom is not free? I know these questions/ facts can seem random, but when Marisa Tomei is playing feisty advocated, Rose Chernin, in fighting for rent-control in the Bronx or Talib Kweli leads a crowd of Brooklynites to sing in unison “Fight The Power”, suddenly, you start seeing the world a little more clearly. All that and more occurred in The People Speak, which brought to life how repetitive history is for being so forgotten. Oppression is not new. In fact, it might have been with humanity since its beginning or, at least, that is what I felt when Aasif Mandvi read Bartolome De Las Casas’ The Devastation of The Indies. The irony is that it was not my first time hearing or reading that speech, but when he read the exchange between Bartolome and the Indians, it hit me so hard how cruelly the Indians were treated by “Christian” conquistadors that they would rather go to Hell then stand with them in Heaven. The theme of atrocity veiled in righteousness circled in every speech; from Brian Jones’ rendition of Frederick Douglass The Meaning Of July Fourth For The Negro to Staceyann Chin’s tour de force performance of the fierce Angela Davis’ Speech To The Women’s March On Washington. Now more than ever, with our current presidency, evil puts a colorful mask to hide its darker face, and The People Speak was a sheer reminder that the devil can wear a fine suit but he still has a tail and horns.

You cannot hide malice, but The People Speak showed me that you also cannot hide from it. Frances’ McDormand’s enlightening strength as Mary Elizabeth Lease in Wall Street Owns The Country, Peter Sarsgaard’s riveting rendition of Vito Russo’s Why We Fight?, or Maggie Gyllennhaal’s lullingly sweet and tragic reading of The Final Letter From Ethel And Julius Rosenberg To Their Children are just a few of the speeches that had emotionally torn. I wanted to cry, rage, think, and, most importantly, stand up for humankind. The speeches ranged in time from 1542 up until 2017, but they did not change in theme: the decision of humanity to divide itself with hate rather than unite itself in love. It is crazy to see humans are still denying each other compassion, freedom, and kindness over trivialities like, skin, sexuality, and gender, which The People Speak makes you wonder; Why have we not grown as a supposedly “reasonable” species? Yet, despite the night’s impact in thoughts and sentiments to make you active fighting injustice, it was also a night that reminded viewers that fight you injustice because love is great.

The People Speak reminded me of what makes people “people; from every moment Maggie Gyllennhaal did a speech and sat down, and her husband, Peter Sarsgaard, would lovingly pat her on the back to the fact that I can affirm Marisa Tomei knows every word to Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”,which the whole crowd followed and sang with the lovely Martha Redbone. The ” “play” had a casual, conversational vibe that made the crowd feel included as every actor elaborated that human beings are wonderful because their resilient and relishing in life. It was moving to see all these stars lined up on stage with casual wear. and cheering each other on as each made a speech from real human beings that lived their life defending their humanity and their right to be seen as such. Despite its grimmer themes, the night glistened with hope, and an affirmation that if evil people can be so bold because they have nothing to lose then good people should be bolder because they can lose everything. If you have love than you have everything, including a reason to fight or, at least, speak up.

The People Speak is based on the work of Howard Zinn (1922–2010) and was directed by the wildly charming/host for the night Anthony Arnove. It was presented by BAM and the Onassis Cultural Center New York. Click Here To Learn More About BAM, which is located on 30 Lafayette Ave in Brooklyn, NY. It starred:
Staceyann Chin
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Brian Jones
Talib Kweli
Aasif Mandvi
Frances McDormand
Stew, Heidi & The Von Trapped
Martha Redbone
Peter Sarsgaard
David Strathairn
Marisa Tomei