Abstract:

In the 1940s, organizers in the struggle for Black freedom, eager to distinguish themselves from the pacifist movement, began to introduce “experiments” in desegregation into their activities. Inspired by Gandhi and his interpreters, these actionists (as they called themselves) discovered and implemented the principles and practices of direct action that would later be used on a broad scale. At the time, direct action and civil disobedience were considered dangerously “militant” activities; all involved agreed that training was required. To meet this need, the actionists introduced a new technique to their interracial workshops: the sociodrama. These rehearsals for direct action allowed participants to discover new tactics of “psychological violence” and to habituate themselves to violent opposition. Drawing on the experimental ethos of the age, the sociodramatic rehearsals invited trial, error, and innovation. This essay explores this signal moment in American history, illuminating the theatrical practices that informed the development of this consequential form of protest.

摘要：

在1940年代，为争取黑人自由而奋斗的组织者渴望将自己与和平运动区分开来，开始在他们的活动中引入消除种族隔离的“实验”。在甘地及其解释者的启发下，这些行动主义者（他们自称）发现并实施了直接行动的原则和做法，这些原则和做法随后将被广泛使用。当时，直接行动和公民抗命被视为危险的“好战”活动；所有相关人员都同意需要培训。为了满足这一需求，行动主义者在他们的异族工作室中引入了一种新技术：社交剧。通过这些直接行动的演习，参与者可以发现“心理暴力”的新策略，并使自己习惯于暴力反对派。借鉴时代的实验精神，社会戏剧排练邀请了尝试，错误和创新。本文探讨了美国历史上的这一信号时刻，阐明了戏剧实践，为这种后果性抗议活动的发展提供了信息。