synapses...

we started off with the melting pot metaphor.
problematic because we can't all melt into one identical being.
plus that would be ridiculously boring.

then we stepped up to the salad bowl metaphor.
better because it recognizes diversity.
problematic because it doesn't allow for intermixing, overlap, growth.

enter: kaleidescope metaphor.
ding ding ding! we have a winner!
we have our multi-colored, individually shaped pieces...
and they're rotated, rocked, and rolled...
they move in and out of eachother
with light shining through
blending boundaries
making poetry
beautiful colors
and shapes
harmoniously linked,
dependent upon one another

.................

so here's the thought: frame our show on the kaleidescope metaphor, but don't begin there. we have to show some sort of journey, struggle, process before the acceptance, the 'dance of differences' occurs. and we don't even necessarily have to frame it overtly on racism, or ethnic diversity. we could zoom out a little and just look at discrimination in general (we've all seen it in multiple settings and degrees).

people naturally gravitate toward comfort zones, and most of the time those zones include people like themselves or an environment just like home. when the "other" creeps into that territory, all sorts of mayhem ensues.

so there should be a few different sub-plots, mini-stories, conflicts - perhaps depicted with different dance styles showing the different groups, but that doesn't necessarily have to be the indicator - and all the while having poetry, monologue, film, projected photography, etc, interspersed and, of course, incendiary music permeating.

.................

comments, questions, ideas, volunteered services (for piecing together a "storyline" especially) are WELCOME!!