Wrestling with America’s (Racist) History with Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks

In her latest play, Sally & Tom, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks tackles what is, arguably, one of the most complicated and personal chapters in American history: the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, the enslaved woman who gave birth to at least six of his children.

Kara and Parks discuss the play in the context of her past work, as well as our nation's trend of revising history to sand down its rough edges, and why wrestling with our nation’s past is a sign of love.

Sally & Tom is now playing at the Public Theater. You can buy tickets at: https://publictheater.org/productions/season/2324/sally--tom/

Correction: Suzan-Lori Parks' Plays for the Plague Year begins in March 2020.In a previous version of this episode, we said it began in March 2022.

Questions?Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find Kara on Threads/Instagram as @karaswisher

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