WE CAN DO THIS!

Our twentieth and final installment features Idris Goodwin, with our host Courtney J. Boddie from the Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie Podcast, who expects no recognition. By weaving values of anti-racism within the spaces he occupies, his intentions are solely towards a liberated future that honors his ancestor’s efforts upon deconstructing racism. 

Goodwin views the recent shift in importance with anti-racism as a success, as previous talks would deter participation from our white counterparts. Individuals can become debilitated, which stems from several reasons but often consumes from a place of unknown. Unknown if anti-racism discussions will generate uncomfortable self-reflection, unknown if DEAI initiatives will reduce opportunity from the white community, the list could go on. However, there are individuals and organizations who are using the unknown as a motivator for discovery, such as Colorado College. 

When the statements upon BLM (both the organization and the mantra) were swarming, Colorado College’s meaningful pivot towards anti-racism was noticed by Goodwin. Previously he served as a Colorado College professor for the Department of Theater and Dance where the institution's pure intentions and job opportunity landed him a position as the Director of the College of Colorado’s Fine Arts Department. Colorado College can be seen as a model organization. Not only by following the progressive bandwagon but putting conversations into action; hiring of a Black individual within senior management. 

These instances provide hope, however, must not cloud a reality: America operates on white supremist ideals where capitalism enforces these behaviors; survival of the fittest. As Goodwin says, “...it is going to take a lot of white individuals to stop racism because it was designed to help them out.” 

Therefore, we are in the campaigning stage. As evidence on the topic becomes robust and further individual “buy-in” with the movement, the opportunity to dismantle racism could be possible within our lifetimes. Individuals invested now have the obligation to inform their networks and communities that this is a serious problem where they must educate themselves to create collective understanding. BIPOC individuals should not be solely responsible for understanding diversity. 

Since the struggle is real, we have to support one another in this effort that requires full commitment. Racism affects us all, therefore individuals must negotiate how to interact with it, knowing that the days where one gets knocked down should be viewed as learning experiences not defeats. If 2020 taught us anything is that “everyone got their nigga wakeup call.” Coined from comedian Paul Mooney, the quote expresses the wakeup call that was given to America on May 25, 2020 with the murder of George Floyd by the hands of the police. It reminded BIPOC that our white counterparts still view them as disposable and our white community that their actions are going to be held accountable. At the end of the day no one is pure, but the individuals who recognize and grow from poor situations are the good ones.

With every generation moving the needle forward, Goodwin hopes for a future that allows everyone to participate and contribute towards the collective space. 

We do not win, unless we all do. 

Thank you for coming on this journey between the intersections of anti-racism, arts and education! Stay tuned for a report encapsulating the four month experience with We Can’t Go Back. 

Idris Goodwin, across two decades, has forged a multi-faceted career as an award-winning playwright, Break Beat poet, director, educator, and organizer.

Idris is the newly appointed Director of The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, where he formerly taught in the department of Theatre and Dance and was voted Teacher of the Year in 2015.

His critically acclaimed plays like And In This Corner Cassius Clay, How We Got On, and Hype Man: A Break Beat Play are widely produced across the country at professional theatres, college campuses, and non-traditional spaces alike. He's been honored to receive developmental support from institutions like The Kennedy Center, The Eugene O'Neill Conference, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Arena Stage, and The Playwrights’ Center. 

In addition to the recently released poetry collection Can I Kick It?, he’s had several publications from Haymarket Books including Inauguration co written with nico wilkinson, Human Highlight: Ode To Dominique Wilkins, and the play This Is Modern Art co-written with Kevin Coval. Together they also co-host Vocalo Radio’s Same Old New School, a weekly program and podcast on hip hop music and politics. Goodwin has appeared on HBO Def Poetry, Sesame Street, NPR, BBC Radio, and the Discovery Channel. 

Passionate about cultivating new audiences in the arts, Goodwin served two seasons as Producing Artistic Director at StageOne Family Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky. He actively serves on both the advisory boards of Theatre for Young Audiences USA and Children's Theatre Foundation Association.

A catalyst for culture, Goodwin uses his full creative powers to galvanize people to the community square. He is a creative voice for change, impassioned by art for social good.

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