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David Song
My fingers hover over the keyboard and my teeth press into my lower lip. The whole point of my secret Twitter account was that I could stay hidden away from prying eyes. I try something else instead.
So, you’ve all been rejected by the LSDCATS?
@ConstantlyVictimizedBySociety
She speaks! No name. I like a mystery.
David Song
Yes, we’ve all been rejected by the LSDCATS. But before I get into my story, let me introduce myself. Hi, I’m Ben . I’m a first-year chemical engineering student, and I was rejected by the LSDCATS when I auditioned for the role of Benvolio. I was told I ‘didn’t fit the “aesthetic” of the play’. Which obviously meant they thought a young Black-British man couldn’t play Benvolio, which is ridiculous.
Ben Stone
My jaw drops while reading Ben’s introduction, and my fingers hover in mid-air, unsure of what to type. I know racism exists – of course I do. But this – this is so blatant. So unapologetically prejudiced that the only rational emotion for me to feel is an immediate and sudden anger.
Seriously, have none of them ever heard of David Oyelowo??
David Song
Exactly, D. EXACTLY. All right, enough about me, though – Anushka?
Ben Stone
I like these little intros we’re giving. Hi, I’m Anushka. I’m a first-year law student (can you hear my parents cheering in the background?), and I was rejected by the LSDCATS when I came forward to volunteer as a director. I was told that I lacked the skill (all lies btw, I have directed three student-led plays this year) and that my ‘background’ means I wouldn’t have the right vision for the play.
Anushka Menon
That burning feeling intensifies – it grows from my stomach, and my hands are shaking so hard, I’m not sure I could type out a reply even if I wanted to.
OK, I’m next. Hi, I’m David. Like spider-girl, I’m also a first-year law student. I came here from Korea to study, and I like to write plays on the side. I asked to join the LSDCATS’ writing team as they adapted Romeo and Juliet this year and was told that my perspective, ‘while fresh, was too nuanced’.
David Song
Which are all basically ways for the LSDCATS to say that your race meant that you couldn’t work on a play written by a white man.
Ben Stone
Exactly.
David Song
David’s also the old man of the group.
Anushka Menon
I’M A YEAR OLDER THAN YOU.
David Song
I feel a laugh bubble past my lips as I start drafting my message about the LSDCATS audition, then another message chimes in, forcing me to pause.
Ignore them, @ConstantlyVictimizedBySociety. This group chat isn’t usually for their bickering.
Ben Stone
He’s not wrong. We usually just complain about our latest racial trauma.
