Reflection on Angelo Pao's No Safe Spaces

No Safe Spaces: Re-Casting Race, Ethnicity, and Nationality in American Theater, by ANGELA C. PAO, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, 2010,

18 December 2018 at 5:49pm

I'm overcome with emotion as I sit here in the British Library finishing up a chapter from the No Safe Spaces book. I've been reading it for three straight days now, combing through heavy weighted material on the different arguments put forth about "re-casting race and ethnicity." But I was just moved by a short piece about Thorton Wilder. It's just amazing to me that without even knowing why, you are naturally gravitated towards people who seem to understand your soul. I know that's deep...My point is, I've loved Thorton Wilder ever since I read Our Town. Emily sees the world, as I see the world, and I enjoy the surrealism of the play. While researching this topic, I get hesitant to read all the arguments against this person and that person, because sometimes "ignorance is bliss." However, after reading this last bit of where Thorton Wilder stood on multiracial Casting or even simple thoughts on "playing" in the theatre, his thoughts align with mine. That's why the tears come. It's such a relief to know that a playwright I admire would share the same sentiments I do, and in the same playful way that I respect. He leaves room for people to make their own choice but also shares his own opinion. It's just nice to know yourself and to see yourself in others when you least expect it.

"In a telling gesture, Thorton Wilder identified coordinates of latitude and longitude for Grace's Corners that place it not in the state of New Hampshire but in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean." (Pao, p.174)