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A review by ratgrrrl
I Am My Own Wife: Studies for a Play about the Life of Charlotte Von Mahlsdorf by Doug Wright
2.0
CW: Transphobia (Misgendering, Deadnaming, Violence), Homophobia, Antisemitism, Neurodivergent Ableism, Nazis, Stasi
I have a lot of thoughts I need to put together in a document (I can't deal with another meltdown after pouring my heart out about Townies by Neel Patel and then the internet eating it - PSA: MAYBE DON'T READ ID YOU'RE TRANS), but in the mean time it's incredibly important to tell the stories of and discuss important figures in our history, discussing them warts and all, but with the compassion and understanding we don't share the same experiences. However, this play and Patel's short story highlight the importance of research, understanding, empathy, consultation and sensitivity reading when writing outside our own experiences, and just how vital it is to raise own voices in the telling of our own tales.
I don't believe Wright or Patel had any malice in the creation of their works, it is clear how invested in and caring about Charlotte they were. This doesn't change the fact that the Patel's story exploits trans trauma for the sake of drama and the language Wright uses around Charlotte's identity is disrespectful and harmful throughout the play, particularly in the closing monologue.
I would love to see a trans creator work with Charlotte's complicated, inspiring, and heartbreaking story paying the appropriate respect to her identity and exploring the uncomfortable dichotomy of her life and actions.
I have a lot of thoughts I need to put together in a document (I can't deal with another meltdown after pouring my heart out about Townies by Neel Patel and then the internet eating it - PSA: MAYBE DON'T READ ID YOU'RE TRANS), but in the mean time it's incredibly important to tell the stories of and discuss important figures in our history, discussing them warts and all, but with the compassion and understanding we don't share the same experiences. However, this play and Patel's short story highlight the importance of research, understanding, empathy, consultation and sensitivity reading when writing outside our own experiences, and just how vital it is to raise own voices in the telling of our own tales.
I don't believe Wright or Patel had any malice in the creation of their works, it is clear how invested in and caring about Charlotte they were. This doesn't change the fact that the Patel's story exploits trans trauma for the sake of drama and the language Wright uses around Charlotte's identity is disrespectful and harmful throughout the play, particularly in the closing monologue.
I would love to see a trans creator work with Charlotte's complicated, inspiring, and heartbreaking story paying the appropriate respect to her identity and exploring the uncomfortable dichotomy of her life and actions.