Annette Hubbell depicts historical figures in her one-woman show. (Bruce K. Manson)
By Jan Goldsmith | jgsandiego@yahoo.com
UPDATED: December 5, 2024 at 6:30 PM PST
In March 2023, San Diego County library administrators banned professional actress Annette Hubbell from portraying during a library program Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who participated in a network of safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.
The reason? Hubbell is White and Tubman was Black.
Hubbell performs one-actress portrayals of historical characters through first-person accounts of their lives using their own words. Entitled “Women Warriors — Remarkable Women Who Transformed the World,” each portrayal lasts 20 minutes.
Her material comes from her book, “Eternity Through the Rearview Mirror,” which chronicles the lives of 17 historical characters, including Tubman.
It took Hubbell five years to research and write the 230-page book, which includes footnotes.
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“I used the internet, source documents, biographies and autobiographies, interviewed experts and visited sites,” Hubbell said. “Accuracy was extremely important. My stories are true. The power of storytelling can bridge gaps and foster understanding.”
In March 2023, Hubbell was scheduled to portray three historical characters at the Rancho Santa Fe library, including Tubman, who the local librarian had requested.
However, two weeks before the engagement, the local librarian wrote Hubbell requesting she exclude Tubman because “our administration was uncomfortable with you performing a Black character as a White woman.”
Hubbell refused on principle and the library canceled her performance.
“I was quite taken aback,” Hubbell explained. “Since I’ve been performing these characters, there has never been a hint of offense, even from anonymous surveys. And why should there be? Am I only to honor White women? How could we ever explore our common humanity with these kind of restrictions?”
The local librarian wrote further to Hubbell, explaining, “I have to respect their decision and their wishes. I can see and I respect what you have done in the past and how you have used your talent to educate people. I apologize for putting you in this position.”
Hubbell said she spoke with a high-level library administrator and “asked if this meant that I could only tell stories of women who displayed courage, honesty and integrity if they were White. She replied: ‘That’s pretty much it.’”
A library spokesperson recently added that administrators were uncomfortable with Hubbell portraying Tubman because “the performance’s potential impact may not be culturally sensitive to some customers.”
“San Diego County library remains steadfast in its mission to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.”
The decision to ban Hubbell from portraying Tubman was endorsed by the county’s “Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council,” which is composed of representatives from county departments. “Our priority is ensuring that our programs align with our values of equity, respect and inclusivity,” the spokesperson said.
It is hardly equitable, respectful or inclusive to ban an actress from honoring in a performance an historical character because they are of different races. The apparent assumption is only an actress of the character’s race can understand and convey that character’s feelings. That is simply untrue.
Certainly, there have been historical abuses, such as “Blackface” performances over a hundred years ago, that stereotyped and mocked Black people.
However, Hubbell’s performances are nothing like those abuses.
Her performances honor historical characters of various races detailed in her carefully-researched book and bring them to life on stage in their own words.
If we truly want diversity and inclusivity, we should view Hubbell wanting to portray and honor an historical character of a different race as a positive. Hubbell was right to ask in response to her being banned, “Am I only to honor White women?”
Today’s world of art is quite different from the stereotyping and mocking of a hundred years ago. Today, one of the most popular musicals of our time is Hamilton, which is performed by Black actors portraying White historical characters.
Although Hamilton is an award-winning production, it is unclear whether administrators and the Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council would allow a segment of Hamilton in San Diego County libraries.
Upon reflection, library administrators’ decision to overrule their local librarian and ban Hubbell’s
performance was misguided. That decision should be reversed either by the administrators or the board of supervisors.
Goldsmith, now retired, is the former San Diego city attorney. He lives in San Diego.
Originally Published: December 5, 2024 at 11:50 AM PST