[HAMMOND, La.] – Marjorie Parker, a Southeastern Louisiana University student, birthed the idea for a forum in which the use, history and future of the “N-word” was discussed.
It was an opportunity for dialogue among all races both in the audience and on the panel. Southeastern’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People formed a committee to make everything from panel selection to publicity happen.
The following video story is a result of their efforts.
It’s just a word
You may call me what I call myself, but I can’t call you what you call yourself?
I love the word n-gga
I won’t embrace it
Words evolve
History is over
How far have we really come?
Face the facts
Where the “N-word” is going, breaking from racist environment
Popular opinion vs. popular culture, Where the “N-word” is going, African history and culture, Melting pot, Share knowledge
Evolved words, Freedom of speech, African-American community fighting each other, Where the N-word is
Desensitizing the “N-word”, Define yourself
It’s not time, Forgive & forget, I’ll forgive but never forget, Why a forum if it’s just about context?
Southeastern Louisiana student Zachary Boudreaux wrote the state-winning play Parking Lot Babies and was looking forward to going to regionals when he learned that the university couldn’t fund the trip.
Amanda Klipsch, the play’s scenic designer, said when she found out she experienced a “defeated, oh-no-there’s-no-way-we-can-possibly-not-go but determined” feeling.
That determination compelled the students to go after what they believed in, and they weren’t the only ones who believed. People who had seen the show and were confident in both the students and the play wanted them to compete. Family, friends and people in the community wrote checks for whatever was needed, such as food, gas and hotel stay.
Some donors weren’t even asked for money. They decided to contribute after learning what happened. Even in this economy, it took about a day and a half to pocket $9,000.
“We wanted to go together or not at all,” Klipsch said.
Play director James Winter was amazed by this. “We weren’t even supposed to be there, and we went there and won the whole thing,” he said. “That’s pretty incredible.”
Besides Winter, all the design, cast and crew members were students, and there isn’t even a theatre major at the university. The regional festival was held at Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas. After winning the state festival last fall, Southeastern defeated seven other regions to win regionals.
“To make it to nationals, all elements have to be excellent,” acting and technical professor Steve Schepker pointed out. “The production as a whole can’t be weak in one area. That’s what I’m most proud of. And it was all students – a 22-year-old and a 19-year-old were doing set and lighting with no faculty help. That’s impressive. When I was their age, I couldn’t have done what they did.”
Parking Lot Babies was birthed in 2008. In October Boudreaux brought the first draft of his play to Winter. It was the first play he had ever written, and he wanted feedback. Winter recalled instantly liking the play. They gathered actors to read and workshop it because he thought it was sincere and genuine, and he wasn’t alone in being captivated.
Sixteen months later the play was honored as the best in the region by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. The awards were as follows: Zachary Boudreaux for original playwriting, Amanda Klipsch for graphic design and publicity, Southeastern Louisiana University for Parking Lot Babies and Southeastern Louisiana University for support for original playwriting.
Parking Lot Babies can be seen March 10-13 at 7:30 p.m. in D. Vickers hall. Tickets are free for Southeastern students with a school ID and $6 for the public.
