Griffin Matthews’ Post
Griffin Matthews’ Post
#1Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 7:21pmDid anyone see Griffin Matthews Instagram post? I dont know how to post the link, but WOOOOOOW. Did not mess around.
Matt Rogers
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/04
#2Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 7:28pm
DramaTeach said: "Did anyone see Griffin Matthews Instagram post? I dont know how to post the link, but WOOOOOOW. Did not mess around."
Maybe you could clarify what it is you’re talking about.
LaneBryant
Understudy Joined: 12/20/15
#3Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 7:36pm
https://www.facebook.com/griffin.matthews/videos/1015742440692148
This should take you to the video.
LaneBryant
Understudy Joined: 12/20/15
#4Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 7:38pm
What a freaking time to be alive! Black people and people of color have been silent for WAAAAAAAY too long. Broadway is one of the most racist environments to ever exist. It's why we laugh every time "diversity" or "inclusion" roll off of a tongue. It's a lie. BURN IT DOWN. The entire structure and institution should try again!
billis2
Understudy Joined: 3/22/13
#5Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 8:10pm
Among other things, Matthews says that "she has no real black friends and has never needed to have them because that's not part of the equation of rising to the pinnacle of success on Broadway. Think about that. White people literally need not one black person to become a Broadway sensation." (That's all a direct quote, with no intervening words removed.) He concludes that "Broadway is racist."
I assume he's talking about Diane Paulus, since he was a co-writer of Invisible Thread/Witness Uganda, which Diane Paulus directed in the original production in Boston as well as in New York. He calls her "Amy Cooper," but he says she's a Tony-winning artistic director who teaches at Harvard, and I think Paulus is the only one who qualifies.
The problem is, he says she's white, and she's not. Her mother is Japanese. Her parents met when his father was in Japan after WWII. This is not a secret. She has mentioned this many times in interviews.
Matthews is ranting about a "white person," even though she is actually a person of color. And he is accusing this person of color of being unaware, even though he misidentifies her because he automatically assumed she was white. So he kind of sounds like an idiot.
And some of his ranting is below the belt - saying she doesn't have a "real" black friend? He doesn't know her well enough to know her heritage. How does he know whether she has a "real" black friend? And then he says stuff like she can't make a decision on her own and that she steals from other people behind closed doors. Ouch.
He doesn't like her -- fine. But he's made himself look bad by posting this.
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
SeanD2
Stand-by Joined: 5/2/17
#7Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 8:46pmYou truly missed the point. It was not about Diane Paulus. It’s about the metaphorical Amy Coopers who occupy positions throughout Broadway and engage in performative wokeness yet still maintain their racism.
JP2
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/2/07
#8Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 9:30pm
SeanD2 said: "You truly missed the point. It was not about Diane Paulus. It’s about the metaphorical Amy Coopers who occupy positions throughout Broadway and engage in performative wokeness yet still maintain their racism."
This.
But yes. Broadway is racist. Heck, most of the people on this board don't even realize they're a part of the problem. Every time there's a brand new exclusively-white Scott Rudin production I always see at least one person bring up the point that maybe, just maybe, the cast should be a little more diverse. Then that person gets accused of playing the "race card".
OffOnBwayHi
Featured Actor Joined: 5/30/19
#9Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 9:45pm
Anyone who would question Griffin's post just might be racist themselves — they just might be part of the problem. He has nothing to gain and everything to lose from this. Wake up.
The industry is showing their true colors during this time. The late solidarity posts, the redesigned pride logos, and these stories that have been published and shared today are out of touch with the community at large right now. I'm looking at you, Broadway World.
Read the room. Sometimes the show must not go on as scheduled.
I'm Black, gay, and a theater lover, but I am also very aware of what should take precedence right now.
Kudos and love to Griffin.
#10Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 10:52pm
NEVER MIND
Non sibi sed patriae
Updated On: 6/4/20 at 10:52 PM
raddersons
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/14/13
#11Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 11:10pm
Highland Guy said: "OffOnBwayHi said: "Anyone who would question Griffin's post just might be racist themselves."
I question his post. I am a gay white man. I am not a racist.
"
Being a gay white man doesn't make you not racist.
#12Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 11:14pm
NEVER MIND
Non sibi sed patriae
Updated On: 6/4/20 at 11:14 PM
#13Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 11:37pm
Highland Guy said: "raddersons said: "Highland Guy said: "OffOnBwayHi said: "Anyone who would question Griffin's post just might be racist themselves."
I question his post. I am a gay white man. I am not a racist.
"
Being a gay white man doesn't make you not racist."
I was responding to the poster who made a point of stating that he is Black and gay. I am not a racist."
Congratulations?
But, and I mean this with sincerity, question why you question Mathews' thoughts or feelings. He is as entitled to feel as oppressed and challenged on his own journey and road as you are in yours.
#14Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 11:43pm
NEVER MIND
Non sibi sed patriae
Updated On: 6/4/20 at 11:43 PM
#15Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 11:49pm
Highland Guy said: "latitudex1 said: "He is as entitled to feel as oppressed and challenged on his own journey and road as you are in yours."
Where did I say that I feel "oppressed and challenged"?
"
That wasn't my implication.
Every does have lives and experiences that they go through with their own views on the highs and the lows. These are Griffin's. And these are very specific.
#16Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/1/20 at 11:52pm
Highland Guy said: "OffOnBwayHi said: "Anyone who would question Griffin's post just might be racist themselves."
I question his post. I am a gay white man. I am not a racist.
"
Okay so you're not a racist. But you volunteered that you question the post. Can you elaborate on why you question it?
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#17Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/2/20 at 12:01am
Just putting it out there that POCs and gay people can also be anti-black. Many are, in fact, especially in the Asian community. (As an Asian American, I saw lots of anti-black racism in my family alone.)
Diane passes as white, which does give her privilege over black people or other Japanese people.
These are all beside the fact. Again, POCs and gay people can be anti-black and many are. It’s sad but true. We need to call it out when we see it.
#18Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/2/20 at 12:29am
NEVER MIND
Non sibi sed patriae
Updated On: 6/4/20 at 12:29 AM
zainmax
Broadway Star Joined: 1/12/17
SeanD2
Stand-by Joined: 5/2/17
#20Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/2/20 at 12:48am
Highland Guy said: "OffOnBwayHi said: "Anyone who would question Griffin's post just might be racist themselves."
I question his post. I am a gay white man. I am not a racist.
"
In my experience people who claim to not be racist are racist. Those who acknowledge that they have racist tendencies and/or biases and are working on improving themselves are the ones who are the least racist in the common usage.
#21Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/2/20 at 1:44am
zainmax said: "Who’s the producer?"
Kevin McCollum
#22Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/2/20 at 1:46am
This and Cody Renard Richard's post have become enlightening/unfortunate companion pieces.
https://twitter.com/codyrenard/status/1267471679195922433
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 6/2/20 at 01:46 AM
#23Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/2/20 at 2:31am
Passing as white means just that, it doesn’t mean she acknowledges it or only identifies as white. I bet many people don’t know she’s half Japanese because they just assume she’s white. It’s the same way Darren Criss passes for white, as in he may appear white to someone who doesn’t know his Filipino heritage.
Being mixed race is a totally different matter, of course, and it does have many complexities. But passing for white is type of privilege. You don’t have to admit you pass for white; people make an assumption that you are white, and therefore you’re subconsciously treated differently (better, more comfortably) than someone who presents Japanese or, heck let’s just go there, someone who’s black.
#24Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/2/20 at 2:47am
LizzieCurry said: "This and Cody Renard Richard's post have become enlightening/unfortunate companion pieces.
https://twitter.com/codyrenard/status/1267471679195922433"
Wow, that was really powerful. The microaggressions really add up, even if one is more than enough.
Cody is running for AEA council. He sounds motivated to rebuild a sense of community while addressing what’s wrong. I hope he gets to make a difference and make his voice heard even more loudly.
#25Griffin Matthews’ Post
Posted: 6/2/20 at 9:00pmWow. What a video. I heard every word loud and clear.
