Stephanie Patterson

Staff Writer

snpatterson@valdosta.edu

As most people have experienced, discussing issues of race, class or gender can be uncomfortable, especially when you have been brought up in an environment that emphasizes differences among people, instead of similarities.
In hopes of breaking down the barrier that exists between race, class and gender, The Women’s and Gender Studies Lecture series is presenting a show called “Your Negro Tour Guide” on Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m in the Bailey Science Center Auditorium (Room 1011). This event will include a 60-minute show, followed by a talkback and book signing conducted by actressTori Wiggins and writer Kathy Y. Wilson. The play, based on the book “Your Negro Tour Guide: Truths in Black and White,” deconstructs and lampoons gender, race, class and sexuality in America.
The event is free and open to the public. The show will include slides, music and lighting cues. The performance will consist of a one-woman solo performance by  Wiggins. The audience will be able to ask Wilson questions after the show.
Dr. Tracy Meyers, Director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, first became interested in bringing this performance to VSU when she attended the very same performance in Cincinnati this summer. After the show, Dr. Meyers attended the talkback and asked Wilson about possibly coming to VSU for a performance. Wilson agreed, and with the help of others, the Valdosta community will get to experience the challenges that Wilson proposes for America to step up to the plate and take hold of the inconsistencies and discrepancies in “Your Negro Tour Guide: Truths in Black and White”.
“We had very generous fiscal sponsors, and we couldn’t have done this without them,” Dr.  Meyers said. “On behalf of the entire Women’s and Gender Studies Department, I would like to thank the Art and Science Dean’s Office, Vice President for Academic Affairs Office, and the Vice President for Student Affairs Office for their contributions.”
This is also the first time the Women’s and Gender Studies Lecture Series will include a play.
“I think racism and racial disparities are ramped in this area, and I think we need to do something to deconstruct those,” Dr. Meyers said.
This play brings attention to some truths about race, class and gender that we may not notice every day. The performance is open to everyone and is not geared toward any particular audience.
“Anybody can benefit from this and everyone can walk away with a message and some enlightenment,” Dr. Meyers said.
These events are typically packed full, with an audience of around 300 people. There is no reserve seating, so people should arrive early to get a seat.
“Racism and sexism are not as visible as they once were; it’s now hidden in structures, policies, and it’s a lot harder to find,” Dr. Meyers said. “We have to constantly challenge racial disparities and sexism. This play does that; it really makes you stop and think.”
“Your Negro Tour Guide,” was the name of Wilson’s column at CityBeat in Cincinnati.  The column became widely read and highly controversial, and now she has taken those collected columns and commentaries and turned them into “Your Negro Tour Guide: Truths in Black and White” (2004, Emmis books).  Wilson is also senior editor at Cincinnati Magazine and is also an instructor teaching Women’s Studies and Journalism at the University of Cincinnati. Her thought provoking words have brought her wide acclaim and now actress Torri Wiggins and director Jeff Griffin have turned her thoughts and ideas into this one-woman play