Actors' Equity Convention ends with walkout by BIPOC delegates after failure to address "white supremacy culture"
The final day of the Actors’ Equity Association’s(AEA) first-ever delegate convention ended with a protest with many BIPOC delegates leaving the event in protest over the union’s failure to address racist actions that targeted a black delegate which had allowed “white supremacy culture” to create an unsafe space for other BIPOC delegates. The mass walkout on April 27th resulted in too few members to hold a quorum and put an end to the delegation’s ability to debate resolutions.
While the virtual event was only accessible to the 209 delegates at the event, details of what occurred have begun to be made public. National Council member Rashaan James II posted the following on his Facebook page. It’s very thorough and deserving of your attention.
Actor Josh Grisetti also provided a recap in a video on his Instagram. (His explanation of the walkout starts at the 16:30 mark.)
The delegate Mr. James is referring to in his post and later identified in Mr. Grisetti’s video is Davon Williams. Mr. Williams was one of the delegates who led the creation of the Black Theatre Matters Bill which was adopted at the convention.
Following the incident, I reached out to Mr. Williams. He provided the following statement.
“What happened at that convention was an attempt at a modern-day lynching, “he said I watched my abuser verbally assault me in a room full of over 200 of my peers. White woman tears were weaponized. I was cast as manipulative, dangerous, violent, a bully, and slashed with endless insults. Our first black leader in over 40 years remained silent and focused on seeing the destruction of a black man.
The Black Theatre Matters Bill which had the input of over 500 people was reduced to utter trash. Two black women, who died while aiding in its creation, have their legacies wrapped in that work. People marched for that work. People who no longer believed in the union put hope into that work. And I knew that if I fought back, that entire bill would fail. I watched as my assaulter texted back and forth with her accomplices and laughed believing that she had executed the mission at hand.
Issues going so far back as the 1930s would once again be put on the shelf. And in spite of the violence, the bill perseveres... but I do not. I come out with deep metaphorical wounds that fill me with rage and anger. And the sad part is if I let that pain show, I would only be justifying the narrative branded on me. So, as I celebrate the work of so many, I am also looking to figure out how I release myself from the shackles that these evil racists have bound my emotional freedom to at this time.
I thank the delegate that spoke out in tears and demanded that the lynching attempt be addressed. Fully disturbed she left that convention on the second day. I should have followed.
I heard that my assaulter is making the rounds and apologizing to save political face. However, she has yet to directly address me. She has yet to address the damage caused. What could that apology tour be other than performative allyship reigning supreme? There are monsters among us.
The final day was no different as the attacks became more targeted. I showed up to speak in a suit the day before and came back on the final day in a blue bathrobe. Because I didn’t want to be seen as “dangerous.” I spoke on economics and was told that my presentation was violent. A Black man speaking on economics in a blue bathrobe is violence.
I thank President Shindle for stepping up and shutting down the convention. I voted for her because it was without question that in moments like that, she will get it right. Leading is about making the hard decisions, and credit needs to go where it is due. I thank every person that walked out of that racist contraption. White capitalism is having its day in the sun, and we must all work together to see that day set.
For now, I sit, I wait, and I plan. When it comes to equality in our union, this is a non-negotiable. We have to take their power away.”
In the days since the convention, many BIPOC union members are speaking out.
It’s been reported that National Council President Kate Shindle has called for a Special Council Meeting where councilor and non-councilor delegates will be able to participate. We will follow this story and update this piece with any new information that becomes available.