King Me: Three One-Act Plays Inspired by the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

#communicate

#communicate “We must rapidly begin the shift from a ‘thing-oriented’ society to a ‘person-oriented’ society . . .“ —MLK CHARACTERS @MSRIGHT: A girl on-line of a popular social network such as Facebook or Twitter. @HISSIDE: An associate who often visits her page. It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the digital revolution. The dialogue may appear as projected text on the “screen of a technical device”. The dialogue can also be complemented by voiceovers or the actors may be present on stage. Lights up, a projected social media network. Images of Martin Luther King Jr. permeate the newsfeed. We then see images of President Barack Obama and Dr. King together—images and literature that suggest Obama is King’s dream being fulfilled. We then see a moving cursor on the electronic device. A profile page belonging to @MSRIGHT is displayed. The information on her page may suggest certain characteristics and details of her life such as a 11 “single” status or a definitive quote. @MSRIGHT updates her status: @MSRIGHT. I dnt understand why people are celebratin #MLK. Whats to be honored bout a man who cheated on his wife? SMH #infidelity @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: damn, you mad? @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: Just sayin. You know he was wrong. @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: were you there tho? how you know he cheated? @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: I knew you’d be the first comment . #instigators SMH @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: not instigatin just sayin. i thought a spouse determines what happens in a relationship . . . @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: What are you talkin bout? The man was spose to be a christian and he cheated on his wife. #infidelity @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: come on now get off #MLK. none of us are perfect @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: I’m not sayin he should’ve been perfect. @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: what then @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: if some1 can waiver in their marital vows then a crucial component of their character is compromised #infidelity @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: well whether or not someone in politics has fidelity issues has nothin to do with 12 how effective/ineffective they are as a political leader @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: OMG Fidelity has EVERYTHING to do with leadership! #endofconversation @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: I guess A beat. @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: the civil rights movement was not affected by #MLK’s affair. @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: Right. You have a blessed day! #agreetodisagree @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: with all due respect, this is why I avoid your type. #phonychristians @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: Then why are you always on my page? @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: cuz u cute @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: lol Thank you. @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: Lunch? @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: I thought you usually avoid my type. @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: #exception @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: #workin @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: #MLK day @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: I know, but I’m getting a lot done. @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: on here?!?!?!?!?! @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: lmao @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: check my mailbox while u there 13 @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: Already did. You have nothing. #imalilnosey @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: K A beat. @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: how about we have dinner and finish this #MLK convo? i think you do have some valid poi There’s a pause. HISSIDE deletes the current message and types: @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: don’t work too hard. @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: K @HISSIDE. @MSRIGHT: TTYL. @MSRIGHT. @HISSIDE: ; ) MSRIGHT then clicks on one of HISSIDE’s albums and peruses photos of him. As the lights fade, the following quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., appears in a newsfeed format: “We must rapidly begin the shift from a ‘thingoriented ’ society to a ‘person-oriented’ society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.” Blackout. End of play. 14 ...