Notes from the Field: Anna Deavere Smith

Anna Deavere Smith's impactful approach to journalism through her powerful style of living uses the collective, cathartic nature of theater to guide us from a place of despair towards hope, according to The Village Voice. Her unique form of documentary theater sheds light on injustices by portraying real-life individuals who have personally experienced them. Variety describes her work as one of the most ambitious and powerful pieces in shining a spotlight on how issues of race continue to divide and oppress the nation.

Smith brings to life a multitude of personalities who have grappled with a system that disproportionately pushes students of color out of educational institutions and into the criminal justice system. As she eloquently articulated, "Rich kids get mischief, poor kids get pathologized and incarcerated." Through the use of people's own words, drawn from interviews and speeches, Smith embodies characters such as Rev. Jamal Harrison Bryant, who delivered a moving eulogy for Freddie Gray; Niya Kenny, a courageous high school student who stood up to a violent police officer; and activist Bree Newsome, who bravely removed the Confederate flag from the grounds of the South Carolina State House.

Their voices serve as a poignant testimony to the profound injustices of our time, urging us to take action through their narratives of resistance and optimism. Smith's portrayal of these individuals not only sheds light on the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities but also inspires us to work towards a more just and equitable society.

product information: