Communication In Bruce Norris's Clybourne Park

Without effective communication, the simple task of transferring information from one person to the next is impossible. Communication – when performed correctly – has the power to unite people; however, in Bruce Norris’s Clybourne Park, the characters struggle to communicate effectively when discussing racism which drives them apart. Norris takes a stance on racism in the same neighborhood in 1959 and in 2009. Between the two acts, Norris creates an underlying similarity that is made evident to the audience as he purposefully changed the conditions of the surroundings. As the people change from familiar to unfamiliar, the demographics of the neighborhood change from all white to majority black homeowners, and the time fasts forward fifty years, …show more content…
The conversation that she avoids is about a black family who wants to move into the white neighborhood. During this time, “a movement arose among Southern blacks to put an end to segregation laws that deprived them of their rights as citizens” (Gale Opposing Viewpoints). Because of work against segregation, Bev realizes that tensions in society are already high so she immediately attempts to interrupt tense conversations about racial differences. Karl comes to their house to persuade them against selling their house to a black family. When Karl explains, they have sold their house to a black family, Bev interrupts by saying, “But isn’t it possible that they’re… I don’t know, Mediterranean, or-?” (Norris 64). Already knowing that the family is black, Bev purposefully asks this hoping that Karl will agree to this possibility and the conversation that alludes to racism will end. In addition to trying to prevent conflict, Bev acts clueless out of fear that she could be perceived as racist if her knowledge on the family impacted her decision to sell the house. Bev believes that by avoiding the topic of racism as a whole, she can prevent being perceived as a racist and can prevent tensions among the other characters. However, as Russ and Karl continue to converse, their tensions only increase and Bev’s inability to directly …show more content…
The year before Act II was set, “the United States elected its first African American president, Barack Hussein Obama. This caused many to speculate that America had become “post-racial,” meaning that issues of race were no longer very important in society” (Gale Opposing Viewpoint). However, Act II proves that racism was still very prevalent. The tensions formed revolve around the house up for sale in the historically black neighborhood that Steve and Lindsay, a white couple, are interested in buying. All characters gather to share their personal concerns regarding gentrification but are unable to share these concerns due to the interruptions that occur in the conversation including Kathy’s and Tom’s phone calls. Trying to keep the group on task, Lena suggest that “it might be a good idea if [they] all turned off [their] phones” (Norris 134). Although very subtly, Lena begins to take charge of the group by trying to get everyone to stay on task so she can voice her opinion. She strives to keep a polite tone in order to prevent gaining the stereotypical perception of an angry black woman so Steve and Lindsay will not discount her opinion. After the group takes her suggestion, they dive into the topic about Lindsey and Steve’s house. Lena aims to persuade the owners to keep its original look through many passive aggressive