Fences is a 1985 play by American playwright August Wilson. Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth in Wilson's ten-part "Pittsburgh Cycle". Like all of the "Pittsburgh" plays, Fences explores the evolving African-American experience and examines race relations, among other themes. The play won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play.
THE N-WORD
JUDY JUANITA
Friday, June 6, 2014
"Wilson’s 28 uses of the N-word in “Fences” are anything but pointless. They are signifying of the highest order. Troy, the garbage man whose plight is the heart of the play, never addresses his wife Rose with it, only his sons and buddy Bono whom he met in prison. The volatile word doesn’t appear in the various work songs, secular chants and field hollers in the play."
"From the jump Troy is smart and knows it. A smart garbage man. A smart black garbage man in 1957. He uses the N-word repeatedly in camaraderie, where it is a term of endearment[“I love you, nigger”], gossip, history [“I done seen a hundred niggers play baseball better than Jackie Robinson.”], and definition by appositive [“If I had all the money niggers, these Negroes, throw away on numbers for one week-just one week-I’d be a rich man.”]. Bono only utters it twice, each time admonishing Troy about his hardheadedness."
As a white man I was concerned how the school and the Hempstead community would react to the fact that I was allowing students to use the "N" word during the performance of Fences. After discussing this situation with both Dr. Strachan and Dr. Bell, I was strengthened by their understanding and their support. I wanted to produce “Fences” this year because we have students that could handle the roles. This is a difficult play for adults to perform but our students have shown their willingness to tackle it which says much about their abilities, confidence, and bravery.
This is a great American play about the experiences of an African- American family in the 1950’s - 1960’s. The humanity of “Fences” brings our collective experiences together.
-Tim Dolan
Director
