Posted on October 24, 2023 by Frances Sanchez
October 24, 2023 - The Democratizing Racial Justice will present Sista Docta/REBIRTH at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 27 th . Written and performed by Omi Osun Joni L. Jones, Sista Docta is an experience that evokes poetry, dance, drumming, and improvisation with audience participants. The goal is to question how we imagine ourselves beyond institutions, social constructions, and limited imaginations.
In 1993, Jones, previously the Professor Emerita of African and African Diaspora Studies at The University of Texas at Austin, performed Sista Docta to share her experiences as a young, Black Professor working in predominately white institutions.
The first iteration created an awareness of the obstacles faculty of color face. Knowing the history of your people and challenging one's framing of thinking are some ways Sista Docta came to fruition. In connecting with the audience, Jones seeks to unite people while questioning existing power systems and expanding our suspension of disbelief.
This workshop-style event is very different from Jones’ everyday life. Today, she embraces stillness and focuses on what is important, like spending time with her family and reading. One could say she is living the typical life of a retiree, but she would never agree to that.
She cannot bring herself to call this next iteration of Sista Docta a performance because the soul of the project has evolved. She's evolved. Why? Jones said she is in the midst of a seismic shift in how she sees herself and doesn't know how people will respond to her work. Her perception of what Sista Docta should and can be constantly evolves, leaving much to our imagination ahead of this next iteration.
Sista Docta will be held at the Buena Vista Theater on the UTSA Downtown Campus. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available here .
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— Frances Sanchez
