The Black Power Movement In Clay's 'Dutchman'

Dutchman takes place in a train car in the subway beneath a city. It is specified that it is summer at the time of the play, in 1964. Obviously, this was during a period in American history where segregation was still rampant, particularly in the South, though of course racism was still prevalent throughout the United States of America. At this time as well, discourse about the civil rights movement was gaining momentum. Other societal influences included the Vietnam war, the Cold War, and the anti war movement which promoted a sort of counter culture. Relating to the civil rights movement was the Black Power movement which was influential in reclaiming black identity and promoting African American culture. Mentions of black culture and black

if
that 's
what
it
means.
I
don 't
know
if
I
was
staring.
Seems
to
me
you
were
staring
through
the
window
at
me” (Baraka 2). The defensive nature of this line, especially when taken within the context that its between strangers, implies that a power dynamic already exists thanks to the social class structure of the time. Clay’s objective shifts, however, when he takes Lula’s words and questions as “pure sex talk” (Baraka 2). From then on, his goal seems to be to have sex with her despite the racist behavior she exhibits. He even attempts to laugh off her use of a racial expletive in an attempt to salvage the situation. However, his violent outburst toward her at the end signals his final shift as his frustration with her racism boils over. At that point, his desire is to combat the racism. Certainly, the project of establishing that the actors are within a space that is technically moving (the train) would be difficult to establish. The lighting for this particular setting would have to be rather unique as well. As far as particular actions, Clay’s death scene and the subsequent scene where he is thrown off the train would be instances that would call for great