Momen Thinks

Below is my response to Bobby Del Rio’s “open letter to the Shaw Festival…”

Bobby,

With all due respect, and coming from an actor of visible minority who is currently working at the Festival, the only person who I find to be angry quite frankly is you. The hopes and ambitions of visible minorities in the Canadian theatre are only diminished by your juvenile, harsh, and unfounded comments. To compare the plight of a visible minority in the Canadian theatre to that of a Holocaust victim, or a slave, as you essentially did in your comment to Beatrice Campbell is not hyperbole to prove a point, but lunacy that undermines your argument.

If we as minorities accept that there is a cause, and that we are one, I am by no means helped by you. My spirits are raised when I go to see Andrew’s stunning play “The Real McCoy”, my hopes are raised when I see Nigel Williams speak a word on stage, my hopes are raised when Soheil Parsa directs a show, however my hopes by no means are raised by you.

In regards to the Shaw Festival specifically, Jackie Maxwell is more than aware of the issues raised by Andrew’s articulate letter. She has on more than one occasion, and at length discussed the matter with the company. I assure you that she will take steps to change.

We no longer need to fight racism existentially. We know it exists, and as a brilliant fellow actor of minority just told me, racism appears when we least expect it, and generally by surprise. But what is constant now is the general consensus that it isn’t right. And those who have unknowingly participated in it, I have faith will try to move past those ideas and correct themselves. I have witnessed this already in speaking to people since Andrew so thoughtfully sent his request out.

The world is changed in increments, and ripples sometimes. What was started here by Andrew is thoughtful, pragmatic, rationale and balanced, and is not startlingly, more effective than your approach.

As a minority, I ask you Mr. Del Rio to not continue your bashing as it helps none of us. I personally see the possibility of a prosperous future here at the Shaw Festival. I have yet to personally experience any racism by any of the actors or directors here. In fact you would probably be surprised as to the positive reaction Andrew’s letter has brought about the acting company.

People here are getting together and healthily debating this topic in a manner in which Bernard Shaw would be proud of.

Keep the conversation churning guys,

Ali Momen