Senator's Pain in Anna Deavere Smith's "Twilight"

Most Californians know exactly what they were doing when the historical were read that acquitted the four LAPD officers, and sparked the civil unrest in Los Angeles. Anna Deavere Smith does an excellent job representing Los Angeles citizens in her theatrical piece entitled Twilight: Los Angeles 1992. Smith writes, 'Every person I include in the book, and who I perform, has a presence that is much more important than the information they give' (Smith: xxiv). In this statement Smith tells the reader that the facts each character gives is not as important as his her presence, because anyone can give facts about an event. Smith wants the reader to pay close attention to the feelings expressed by each individual she interviewed, because feelings tell more about a person and an event than the facts. In Twilight: Los Angeles 1992 the monologue by Bill Bradley entitled 'Application of the Law' contributes more to Smith's piece than does the monologue by Elaine Brown entitled 'Ask Saddam Hussein,' because when a Senator notices the reality of racism it seems authentic.

Gunboat Smith (LOC)

Smith Street, Warwick - no's 55 to 61 Smith Street

Bailey -- Smith -- Weeks (LOC)

Although both Bradley and Brown give similar information it is ironic that a white Senator showed more anger toward racism than the former Black Panther.

When Senator Bradley begins telling his story his he points out how our society still has inequalities as he says, 'I mean, you know, it's still... There are people who are, uh, who the law threats in different ways' (Smith: 214). The following statements Bradley makes during his interview shows his anger for racial differences. When Bradley informs the reader about an African-American Harvard Law School student who experienced unjust treatment by the police. Bradley's anger is expressed through his statement, as he says, 'He pulls over. Police car pulls in front...behind...beside of him. Police jump out,