SAN BERNARDINO

 

By Barbara Jenkins

Vicky Lee-Nichols as Aunt Jemima realizes that she's been tricked in a lifetime contract by her employer Mr. R. T. Davis, played by Howard Bolton

The community theatrical ensemble delivered with the professionalism of a major Broadway production.  Jones, as the conductor, takes the audience on an imaginary journey by freedom train, following the emancipation of slavery in 1865, to educate about the new exploitation of Blacks that emerged through commercial products. THE LAST EMANCIPATION told the story of how Aunt Jemima, played by Vicky-Lee Nichols, "Rastas" The Cream of Wheat Man, played by Dathan Jones, and Uncle Ben, played by Peter Dixon, became exploited and are still exploited and debased today. 

Rev. Martindale used first-timers and seasoned veterans to entertain a full house.  Some of the audience that traveled from as far away as Pasadena, Los Angeles, and Lancaster said they were happy to have experienced the evening. Kent Paxton, from the Mayors office, played the judge, and as an English major in college with production experience, believes this play will become a classic.

Aunt Jemima, played by Vicky Lee-Nichols, in the witness box sues for her emancipation. Judge, played by Kent Paxton looks on as fictional defense attorney Booker T. Washington, played by Rafael Rawls cross-examines the witness.

As the train goes back in time, the audience experiences the birth of Black stereotype commercialism.  Historical Black activists, such as Booker T. Washington, played by Rafael Rawls; W.E.B. Dubois, played by Dathan Jones; Mary McLeod Bethune, played by Margaret Spencer; and Frederick Douglass played by James White delivered riveting arguments in the court scene regarding capitalism versus exploitation and racial injustices.

The final destination the brainwashed mind of Uncle Ben is set free and he unites with the Cream of Wheat Man and Aunt Jemima to become emancipated.  In addition to a captivating performance, the stage looked the part for each scene. I talked with many from the audience and they agreed that this production left nothing wanting. Some comments:

"Brilliant! What a way to educate the people!" - Diane Wayne, MS, RD, Senior Nutritionist, County of Riverside.

"The performance was top shelf, keep up the good work." - Billy Johnson, high school teacher, Moreno Valley.

"I loved the show." - Dr. Margaret Hill, Chairman of the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation.

"Excellent!" - Rev. Richard Blacksher, Temple Baptist Church, San Bernardino.

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