44 is performed in an old bank located across the street from Union Square, an easy 10 minute walk from the 14th Street PATH station. The building shares space with Pen Pals, a show about two women who were pen pals for over five decades despite never meeting. The theaters share a ladies' room. With few exceptions, the white women of a certain age were seeing Pen Pals, whereas the Black women were seeing 44. We were welcomed in our 300-seat theater. It felt like a safe space. The Black woman behind me asked if I thought Obama would run for a third term. As wonderful as that would be, I told her I doubt it because he respects the office. Clearly she wanted a different answer.
The play was hilarious. Sarah Palin being portrayed as a stripper singing "Drill, Baby Drill" made me laugh out loud. Watching her and her Republican cronies nod their heads to say "thoughts and prayers" in response to Obama's desire for stronger gun laws sobered me. We've had chances to improve our nation and instead we are here.
The show started at 7 pm. Polls in New Jersey closed at 8 pm. There was no answer at intermission, but the Virginia polls closed at 7 pm and they declared the Democrat a winner in the governor's race. Can we hope?
I turned on my phone and saw the news that Mikie Sherill will be our next governor. It wasn't even close. Literal tears started falling. A weight was lifted. I shared my screen with others (like I said, the room felt like a safe spot). Complete strangers were feeling hope together.
As we walked to the Christopher Street PATH station we learned Mamdami won the NYC mayoral race. Then we learned Prop 50 passed by a 2:1 majority in California. Just about every race went blue.
Such a change from last year.
For the first time in over a year I feel we might just get out of this mess. There is more work to be done, but I finally felt I was not alone, or in the minority, in the struggle.
With liberty and justice for all.
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