(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)September 19, 2002

(Mahwah) – Reanae McNeal, an internationally-known performing artist and vocalist, will perform her one-woman show, Don’t Speak My Mother’s Name in Vain, at Ramapo College of New Jersey Wednesday, October 9, at 7 p.m. in the Sharp Theater. The performance is sponsored by the Ramapo College Women’s Center.

Don’t Speak My Mother’s Name In Vain portrays eight characters, covering a range of situations faced by African-American women throughout time. This powerful show uses vignettes, dance and song to trace the experience of African-American women through a wide range of contexts, linked by the thread of interpersonal and institutional violence. Herself a survivor of sexual assault, McNeal shows sensitivity to women’s issues that surround the intersection of race, class and sexuality. Each character invites members of the audience to understand their own emotions, stereotypes and prejudices.

McNeal is a published poet and award-winning playwright. Her play, Slave Shout, won the 1995 Texas History Drama competition and placed sixth in the 1996 National History Drama competition. She is a highly sought-after motivational speaker. Her favorite motto is, When we reach our dreams, we serve our purpose.” Her motivational tape, Let the Healing Begin,” has served as an inspiration as well as a mechanism for healing many hurting women. She has lectured extensively on how race, sex and class issues play a major role in the oppression of women, especially as it pertains to African-American women and has been a guest speaker at many of the top colleges and universities in the country.

Admission to Don’t Speak My Mother’s Name in Vain is free. The Sharp Theater is located in the Berrie Center at Ramapo College. For additional information, call (201) 684-7844.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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