Meyne Wyatt - Q+A City of Gold Monologue with Subtitles
Summary
TLDRThe script is a powerful monologue by an Indigenous actor expressing frustration with racial stereotyping and the struggle for recognition beyond skin color. It highlights the systemic racism and microaggressions faced daily, the pressure to be exceptional, and the backlash against standing up for oneself, as exemplified by the treatment of Adam Goodes. The speaker calls for authenticity, risk-taking, and resistance against complacency, urging not to trade one's identity for approval.
Takeaways
- 📌 The speaker expresses frustration about being categorized and defined by their race rather than their talent or individuality.
- 🔍 The script highlights the invisibility and stereotyping of non-Indigenous actors, suggesting a double standard in the industry.
- 🎭 The speaker laments the repetitive roles offered to them, such as the 'angry one' or 'the thief,' which are limited and not reflective of their range as an actor.
- 🏁 The desire for recognition as a talented individual, not just as a 'black friend' or 'Indigenous actor,' is a central theme of the monologue.
- 🤝 The speaker criticizes the tokenism in diversity initiatives, feeling like they are used as a 'box to tick' rather than genuinely valued for their contributions.
- 🧬 The conversation around racial identity is challenged, with the speaker rejecting the notion that they are not 'a real one' due to being part Indigenous.
- 🚫 The script addresses the privilege of those who can ask to 'move forward' without acknowledging the ongoing impact of past injustices on the present.
- 🏈 The monologue references Adam Goodes, an Australian rules footballer, to illustrate the backlash faced by black individuals who stand up against racism.
- 📉 The speaker discusses the harsh consequences faced by black individuals for perceived mistakes, suggesting a lack of forgiveness or second chances.
- 🚶 The script touches on everyday racism and microaggressions, such as being followed in stores or overlooked for service, which are part of the speaker's regular experience.
- 💥 The speaker asserts the importance of not remaining silent in the face of racism, advocating for speaking out and challenging complacency.
Q & A
How does Meyne Wyatt feel about being labeled as an 'Indigenous actor'?
-Meyne Wyatt expresses frustration with the label, feeling that it reduces him to his race rather than being recognized for his talent as an actor.
What does Meyne Wyatt resent about the roles he is often cast in?
-He resents being typecast in roles that perpetuate stereotypes, such as the angry one, the tracker, the drinker, or the thief, and wishes to be recognized for his talent rather than his race.
Why does Meyne Wyatt feel tokenized in the acting industry?
-Meyne Wyatt feels tokenized because he is often included in projects as a diversity measure rather than for his acting abilities, which he finds demeaning and limiting.
How does Meyne Wyatt respond to people who question his Indigenous heritage?
-He challenges those who question his heritage by asserting that he is either black or not, and offers a provocative suggestion of a DNA test to prove his point.
What does Meyne Wyatt believe is the privilege of those who ask about moving forward and not dwelling on the past?
-He believes it is a privilege because those individuals do not have to face the same racial challenges and discrimination that he and other Indigenous people face.
How does Meyne Wyatt describe the double standard he faces in his career?
-He describes a double standard where he has to be exceptional to succeed, and any mistake could end his career, unlike his non-Indigenous counterparts who may not face the same consequences.
What incident does Meyne Wyatt reference involving Adam Goodes?
-Meyne Wyatt references an incident where Adam Goodes, an Indigenous Australian rules footballer, was booed by crowds after he stood up against racism.
How does Meyne Wyatt feel about the subtle forms of racism he experiences?
-He feels frustrated and exhausted by the subtle, everyday forms of racism, such as being followed in stores or not being served promptly, which he experiences regularly.
What does Meyne Wyatt suggest is the impact of silence and complacency on addressing racism?
-He suggests that silence and complacency are forms of violence and complicity, implying that they allow racism to continue unchallenged.
What message does Meyne Wyatt convey about authenticity and taking risks?
-Meyne Wyatt encourages being authentic, taking risks, and being different, even if it means offending others or facing criticism, rather than trading one's authenticity for approval.
How does Meyne Wyatt view the importance of standing up against racism?
-He views standing up against racism as crucial, even if it means facing backlash or being seen as 'angry', because it is a necessary act to challenge and change societal attitudes.
Outlines
🎭 The Struggle of the Tokenized Indigenous Actor
Meyne Wyatt expresses his frustration as an Indigenous actor constantly typecast due to his race. He laments not being recognized for his talent alone but rather for being a 'black' actor, often relegated to stereotypical roles such as the angry character, tracker, or thief. Wyatt criticizes the industry for using him as a token to fulfill diversity quotas, and he resents the implication that he is not a 'real' Indigenous person because of his partial heritage. He challenges the notion of being exceptional just to be acceptable and reflects on the harsh reality that any mistake could end his career, unlike his white counterparts who are afforded more leniency and opportunities for redemption.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Indigenous actor
💡Tokenism
💡Privilege
💡Racism
💡Stereotype
💡Authenticity
💡Diversity
💡Adam Goodes
💡Silence is violence
💡Complacency
💡Cultural erasure
Highlights
The frustration of being always seen as a 'black friend' or 'Indigenous actor' rather than just an individual or actor based on talent.
The desire not to be a token or part of a diversity angle, but to be recognized for one's abilities, not skin color or race.
The unfair expectation to be exceptional as a black person, with no room for mistakes or redemption, unlike white counterparts.
The experience of racism, both overt and subtle, such as being followed in stores or not being served first.
The double standard where black individuals are expected to be quiet and humble, while white individuals can be themselves.
The story of Adam Goodes, a black athlete who faced backlash for standing up against racism, showing the consequences of speaking out.
The importance of not trading authenticity for approval and the encouragement to be different, take risks, and challenge the status quo.
The call to action against complacency and silence, which are seen as forms of violence and complicity in perpetuating injustice.
The refusal to be quiet, humble, or sit down, asserting the right to be seen and heard as an individual, not just a representative of a race.
The acknowledgment of the privilege some have in asking to move forward from dwelling on the past, a privilege not shared by those still facing discrimination.
The statement that being black and 'successful' comes at a cost, with the expectation to be quiet and humble, or face backlash.
The personal anecdotes of experiencing racism on a weekly basis, from overt threats to subtle discrimination.
The distinction between the past blatant racism and the current subtle, covert forms that are harder to identify but still prevalent.
The assertion that being part black is still being black, challenging the idea of partiality in racial identity.
The importance of standing up for oneself and not accepting racism, even if it means facing backlash or criticism.
The plea to see black individuals as people, not animals, and to stop the dehumanizing treatment and stereotypes.
The call to end black deaths in custody, highlighting the systemic issues and violence faced by black communities.
Transcripts
MEYNE WYATT: I’m always gonna be your black friend, aren’t I?
That’s all anybody ever sees.
I’m never just an actor, I’m always an Indigenous actor.
Hey, I love reppin’, but I don’t hear old Joe Bloggs over here being called ‘white
Anglo-Saxon actor’ blah-di-blah.
I’m always in the black show, the black play.
I’m always the angry one, the tracker, the drinker, the thief, but sometimes I just want
to be seen for my talent, not my skin colour, not my race.
I hate being a token, a box to tick, part of some diversity angle.
“Oh, what are you whingeing for?
You’re not a real one anyway.
You’re only part.”
What part, then?
My foot?
My arm?
My leg?
You’re either black or you’re not.
You want to do a DNA test?
Come suck my blood.
“How are we to move forward if we dwell on the past?”
That’s your privilege.
You get to ask that question.
Ours?
We can dance and we’re good at sport.
You go to weddings, we go to funerals.
No, no, no, no, you’re not your ancestors.
It’s not your fault you have white skin.
But you do benefit from it.
You can be OK.
I have to be exceptional.
I mess up, I’m done – there’s no path back for me, there’s no road to redemption.
Being black and “successful” comes at a cost, you take a hit whether you like it
or not.
Because you want your blacks quiet and humble.
You can’t stand up, you have to sit down.
Ask the brother boy Adam Goodes.
A kid says some racist shit – not ignorant, racist.
Calling a blackfella an ape?
Come on, man, we was flora and fauna before 1967...
No, actually, we didn’t even exist at all.
But he got it – this was a kid, this was a “learning moment”, he taught that kid
a lesson.
But did they like that, a black man standing up for himself?
Nah, they didn’t like that.
“You shut up, boy.
You stay in your lane.
Any time you touch a ball, we’re gonna boo your arse.”
So he showed them a “scary” black, throwing imaginary spears and shit, and did they like
that?
Oh, nah, nah, nah, nah, they didn’t like that.
Every arena, every stadium, they booed him.
“It’s ‘cause of the way the flog plays football.”
Bullshit!
No-one booed him the way they booed him until he stood up and said something about race.
The second he stood up, everybody came out of the woodworks to give him shit.
And what?
He’s supposed to sit there and take it?
Well, I tell you right now, Adam Goodes has taken it, his whole life he’s taken it.
I’ve taken it.
No matter what, no matter how big, how small, I’ll get some racist shit on a weekly basis
and I’ll take it.
You know, it used to be that in-your-face “you boong”, “you black dog coon”
kind of shit, “gonna chase you down the ditch with my baseball bat” skinhead shit
when I was 14 years old.
But, nah, we’ve come forward, we’re progressive, we’re gonna give you that small, subtle
shit, the shit that’s always been there but it’s not that obvious, in-your-face
shit, it’s the “Oh, we can’t be seen to be racist” kind of shit.
Security guard following me around the store, asking to search my bag.
That ‘walking up to the counter first and being served second or third, or last’ kind
of shit.
That ‘hailing down a cab and watching it slow down to look at my face and then drive
off’.
More than once.
More than twice.
More than once-twice on any one occasion.
Yeah, that shit I’ll get weekly.
Sometimes, I’ll get days in a row if I’m really lucky.
And that’s the kind of shit that I’m letting them think they’re getting way with, because,
to be honest, I can’t be bothered.
I can’t be bothered teaching their ignorant arses on a daily basis, I don’t have the
energy or the enthusiasm.
It’s exhausting and I like living my life.
But then on occasion, when you caught me on a bad day where I don’t feel like taking
it, I’ll give you that angry black you’ve been asking for and I’ll tear you a new
arsehole – not because of that one time, because of my whole life.
At least Adam danced and they still pissed and moaned.
But it’s not about that one time, it’s about all those times.
And seeing us as animals and not as people – that shit needs to stop.
Black deaths in custody – that shit needs to stop.
I don’t want to be what you want me to be.
I want to be what I want to be.
Never trade your authenticity for approval.
Be crazy.
Take a risk.
Be different.
Offend your family.
Call them out.
Silence is violence.
Complacency is complicit.
I don’t want to be quiet.
I don’t want to be humble.
I don’t want to sit down!
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