Karen Jaime: Disjointed Conversations (2003)

In Disjointed Conversations (2003), then-Friday Night Slam host Karen Jaime explores themes of cultural heritage, belonging, and the societal and institutional structures that have so often defined the lives of marginalized people. The performance opens with a percussionist playing tabala drums, followed by Jaime, who sweeps the stage. As the performance unfolds, the theme of contradictions become apparent: Jaime's message about racism against and within Latinx populations, gendered and domestic labor carried out by a gender non-conforming body, issues of acceptance and desire, and more. Written in the years directly following the September 11th attacks, Jaime also explores the pervasive culture of fear, xenophobia, and blind patriotism, particularly in New York City. This work in progress showing took place the evening before President George W. Bush announced the War on Iraq.