People often assume that if someone is black or African American, they cannot be patriotic or that they do not belong in this country, perhaps believing they would be better off living elsewhere. However, this is far from the truth. Playwright Ryan Williams French penned a play titled 'We Called Them Angels' in 2022, an endearing love letter to America. The play explores a unique period in American history when citizens, regardless of racial differences, came together to participate in the exciting sport of barnstorming.

The writer states, 'It took me 14 years to write and produce this play. I intended to create a story about fathers and sons. The play centers around a young man named Jeremiah, who reflects on his childhood during a time when his family participated as barnstormers. Although the main character and his family are black and African American, I aimed to write a play that resonates with all Americans, not just black audiences. Barnstorming is a true American art form, and through my research, I was captivated by the courage of the pilots involved in this sport, such as William J. Powell and Bessie Coleman, who dedicated their lives to aviation.'

Powell believed that if we-Black, White, Asian, Latino, male, or female-were to look toward the sky and broaden our perspectives, we could overcome the ills of racism and hatred. This sentiment is particularly poignant considering that during the peak of Powell and Coleman's careers, the horror of lynching was rampant in the United States. These themes are explored in the play, which highlights the plight of black soldiers who fought for the United States during World War I, only to return home to face rampant racism and violence. Blacks who were educated or veterans were often seen as threats to society and targeted for lynching. Despite these horrors, Powell and Coleman rose above the headwinds of racism by promoting the dream of integration and a non-racist, non-violent society through their performances as barnstormers. Powell was so passionate about aviation's potential to combat racism that he even wrote a book titled 'Black Wings.'

The play is crafted as a memory play with elements of magical realism. Though it is set between the 1920s and the 1950s, Ryan Williams French intentionally included several anachronisms and fantastical elements to enhance the play's message.

The playwright passionately reflects, 'As the Fourth of July approaches, we come together as a nation to celebrate our independence from British oppression. This period is marked by fireworks lighting up our sapphire sky, reminiscent of the cannons that once filled the air during wartime. It's a time when we unite despite our racial differences, our eyes lifted to the sky as we think about the dream of freedom. In this spirit of unity, I invite more listeners and readers to gather as audiences for my play. The central character, Jeremiah, and his family may be black, but their story is inherently an American story. Jeremiah embodies the pride and patriotism of our nation. This play is not only a tribute to an American sport but, more importantly, a testament to the enduring power of love and dreams in overcoming hatred and intolerance. Together, let's celebrate the spirit that unites our great nation.'

Interested readers can listen to a full audio recording of the play by visiting the production website at www.wecalledthemangels.com.

This content was first published by KISS PR Brand Story. Read here >> A Black Playwright's Love Letter to America