Critics of Colour

A collective for UK-based people of colour which aims to make writing about theatre, dance and/or opera more accessible // [email protected]

[Critics of Colour @CriticsOfColour]

@xaymacans finally, this interview with Tyler Perry (!!) was a real reminder of how rarely we see Black journalists 1) interviewing Black interviewees, but also 2) being given the chance to respectfully but firmly question artists, with questions that aren’t easy https://t.co/O2Sj5fDAdS

[Critics of Colour @CriticsOfColour]

We focus on theatre criticism, but more Black and POC critics are necessary across so many mediums. Here are a few pieces of non-theatre criticism that blew us away recently:

[Critics of Colour @CriticsOfColour]

this thoughtful, excellent critique of Kara Walker’s Fons Americanus at the Tate (by @xaymacans) is a reminder that the specificity of Black British analysis in the UK is important—especially when we look at how Black American artists are platformed here https://t.co/1l0PBYyujG

[Critics of Colour @CriticsOfColour]

We know we’ve been quiet for a while, but things are in the works! In the meantime, we can’t recommend applying for this enough—Fringe of Colour are the most brilliant organisation + working with them will be great. Good luck!

[Fringe of Colour @FringeofColour]

📢📢📢 WE'RE HIRING!

We are recruiting a team of paid writers of colour to create responses to shows by performers of colour during the August Edinburgh festival period. Find out more here, applications open till 6th April:
https://t.co/OQGxH4Z9qQ

Please help spread the word✍🏾

[Roundhouse @RoundhouseLDN]

@Stagetext @fawcettsociety @WandaWyporska @jamie_wareham @DASH_ARTS @UMusicuk @GabriellaLeon_ @Roger_Harding @HackneyEmpire @TarekIskander1 @Marvyn_Harrison @CriticsOfColour @misstenelle @bridgetminamore @SUNFLOWAYZ @AdrianLester ‘Is commissioning work by Black artists enough to make Black audiences feel welcome in predominantly ‘white’ theatre spaces?’ by Shanaé Chisholm @rihmariec @CriticsOfColour

"Before I became explicitly aware of my own positioning in society, going..."

👇🏾🔗https://t.co/hXuVQj3mXq

[Roundhouse @RoundhouseLDN]

@Stagetext @fawcettsociety @WandaWyporska @jamie_wareham @DASH_ARTS @UMusicuk @GabriellaLeon_ @Roger_Harding @HackneyEmpire @TarekIskander1 @Marvyn_Harrison @CriticsOfColour @misstenelle 'Changing the culture around theatre' by @bridgetminamore, co-founder of @CriticsOfColour

"Until venues fix up, I want great shows to be able to exist, on their own terms, in already welcoming spaces."

👇🏾🔗https://t.co/ZLavuqFSnf

[Roundhouse @RoundhouseLDN]

@Stagetext @fawcettsociety @WandaWyporska @jamie_wareham @DASH_ARTS @UMusicuk @GabriellaLeon_ @Roger_Harding @HackneyEmpire @TarekIskander1 @Marvyn_Harrison @CriticsOfColour 'The value of black and PoC-led theatre festivals and seasons' by Tenelle Ottley-Matthew @misstenelle @CriticsOfColour

"The British theatre industry is still marginalising its non-white talent and failing to give them the opportunities and..."

👇🔗 https://t.co/BkVbFVeEuV

[Roundhouse @RoundhouseLDN]

@Stagetext @fawcettsociety @WandaWyporska @jamie_wareham @DASH_ARTS @UMusicuk @GabriellaLeon_ @Roger_Harding @HackneyEmpire @TarekIskander1 @Marvyn_Harrison Got 5 minutes? ☕️

This week we'll share some much needed perspectives from @CriticsOfColour.

This is a brilliant collective for UK-based people of colour which aims to make writing about theatre, dance and/or opera more accessible. 🔥💯

Keep an eye on this thread 👀

[Latoya Peterson 🔜 GDC @LatoyaPeterson]

That said, it's important to remember that reactionary, fear-based reaction should really be aimed at gatekeepers who allow so few black stories through, rather than the critics who believe the execution could have been better. The critics don't fund the films.

[Latoya Peterson 🔜 GDC @LatoyaPeterson]

Creative work, in general, is a bruising endeavor. (Which is probably why I'm on Twitter procrastinating instead of writing on this rainy Sunday.) But there is a difference between a hit job and a critique.

[Latoya Peterson 🔜 GDC @LatoyaPeterson]

On the flip side, not writing about the work means that these artists won't grow. Writers are constantly critiqued by editors and by audiences. We grow because our work is being analyzed. So this demand for silence is also, in some ways, a robbery.

[Latoya Peterson 🔜 GDC @LatoyaPeterson]

But there was always a point when you watch something and cringe where you realize not writing about it is better than saying anything.

[Latoya Peterson 🔜 GDC @LatoyaPeterson]

When @ValerieComplex mentioned just not saying anything at all instead of writing a negative review, I could relate. If I go to Sundance (which I did for two years as press and two years as a viewer), I intentionally try to see all POC cast movies.

[Latoya Peterson 🔜 GDC @LatoyaPeterson]

Fourth, you create criticism alongside the dominant culture, so you know that lukewarm or negative reviews will harm a film that fought to be made or provides ammo for people seeking reasons not to fund works by creatives of color. It's a mess.

[Latoya Peterson 🔜 GDC @LatoyaPeterson]

Third, criticism, by nature, is subjective. I personally love a lot of movies panned by critics - but the role of criticism is to analyze the work in context, not to figure out what the audience is bringing to the viewing.

[Latoya Peterson 🔜 GDC @LatoyaPeterson]

Second, a lot of times the creators are speaking to you directly, so if there are problems with the work, you are delivering that criticism to your own tiny community.

[Latoya Peterson 🔜 GDC @LatoyaPeterson]

Being a critic of color is often an isolating experience. For one, you are generally alone and you're critiques carry a little too much weight. I remember walking into the Sundance screening of "Birth of a Nation" and immediately noticing I was one of 3 in a crowded screening.

[tiata fahodzi @tiatafahodzi]

Check out our latest #tfblog 👇🏾

guest post: why are black plus sized womxn pushed out of the fashion industry and body positivity movement? / nyome nicholas – williams

https://t.co/zwZay3T3hx