Juneteenth Celebration Brings Staged Reading of the “The White Card”

Claudia Rankine's thought-provoking play, "The White Card," directed by Martie Muldoon, offers an exploration of white privilege and racism through the lens of interpersonal dynamics and artistic expression. The staged reading cast featured Apryl Chauhan as Charlotte Cummings, Don Faul as Charles Spencer, Kim Risedorph as Virginia Spencer, Jon Hart as Eric Schmidt, and Truett Malakoff as Alex Compton-Spencer. Muldoon herself was in the cast of “The White Card” last winter (Pittsburgh Community Theater), and was inspired to bring the play to Livermore. The production delves into the complexities of systemic racism and the often uncomfortable conversations that it evokes.

The event took place in Livermore at Asbury UMC as part of the Juneteenth celebrations in the city that also included an event organized by Tri-Valley For Black Lives at the Bankhead Plaza last weekend where Apryl Chauhan served as the American Sign Language interpreter.

Claudia Rankine is an award-winning poet, playwright and essayist who resides in New York. Her play “The White Card” was published by Graywolf Press in 2019 and is made available for public reading at no cost provided that attendees are not charged admission.

The narrative centers around a white family, the Spencers, who invite a black female artist, Charlotte Cummings, to dinner. Their intention is to purchase her work for their extensive art collection, but the evening unfolds into a deeper examination of their own biases and the systemic racism that permeates society. Rankine, known for her keen insights into race and identity, crafts a dialogue that is both relatable and emotionally resonant.

The interior of the Asbury AMC provided a minimalist set, and evocative artworks were displayed on screens that allowed the art and the characters' interactions to take center stage. Through this creative lens, viewers are invited to see the characters' perceptions and misconceptions and implicit biases, making for an engaging and at times shocking experience. The tension between Charlotte and the Spencer family crescendos in moments that challenge the audience to confront their own perceptions and assumptions about race and activism.

In one moment, there is an interrogation of the expectation that every black individual should automatically be an activist and in another whether every white ally can be expected to be welcomed given the ‘white savior’ context. Charlotte, portrayed with depth and nuance by Chauhan, is caught between the opportunity for philanthropic support and the problematic pipeline through which those funds are generated. Her character's struggle highlights the broader societal issue of commodifying black pain while also grappling with the tension of finding her own unique voice in a communally labeled identity.

The climax of the play, left some audience members perplexed and others deeply moved, stimulating a debate about its meaning and implications. Many attendees also returned for a second viewing. The ambiguous yet powerful closing statement serves as a catalyst for reflection on the pervasive nature of racism and the discomfort of confronting one's own privilege.

Closing comments from the cast, referenced Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope," and invited the audience to contemplate the juxtaposition of hope and the harsh realities of racial injustice. The poignant conclusion leaves viewers considering whether whiteness can ever truly be made visible and understood in a society still grappling with deep-seated inequities.

“My heart is full! “ commented Chauhan, “Not only was the process of digging into this script emotionally challenging, but the conversations with the audience afterwards is what made it invaluable. I’m so thankful for the experience!”

"The White Card" is a powerful testament to Rankine's prowess as a playwright and was brought to life skillfully under Muldoon's direction. The play not only entertains but also challenges its audience to engage in critical conversations about the pervasive impact of racism and the role of art in both reflecting and shaping societal values.