“Debunking the Myth: N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk, The Race Show,” will present hip-hop, slam poetry and real life stories tonight as part of a show designed to reduce racial tension. The event will take place tonight at 8 in Chumash Auditorium.
The show’s performers and co-writers Miles Gregley, Rafael Agustin and Allan Axibal use comedy and entertainment to tell stories from their personal ethnically diverse backgrounds with the hope of deconstructing the racial stereotypes in America. According to them, the overall message of the show is the importance of viewing the world as one, united human race.
Associated Students Inc. program coordinator Michelle Curro said the show promised to be entertaining and full of energy.
“Not only did the performers bring out a range of very powerful emotions, but the message is just incredible,” she said speaking of an earlier preview event.
“I went from being in deep thought to laughing hysterically with tears in my eyes. There is so much strength in every word. The message conveyed is very moving; it will really benefit the students at Cal Poly,” she added.
In conjunction with the event, a public forum on race and ethnicity will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow in the Performing Arts Center Pavilion. The event is designed for students to openly discuss the use of stereotyping, racial slurs, the concept of “race” and personal identity issues.
N*W*C has performed for over 100,000 people at 120 different venues in 39 states, including 70 college campuses across the country.
“I would be thrilled if Cal Poly had an auditorium that held all 19,000 students, because every person is going to get something out of this show. Whether it is being able to laugh or be entertained, moral stories will educate students on the basis of racial stereotyping and how to deal with it in a campus setting,” Curro said.
The event is free with Cal Poly I.D. cards and $10 for general admission. —