News Summary
Annette Hubbell, a performer, has filed a federal lawsuit against the San Diego County Library system for canceling her performance due to concerns about racial representation. The cancellation followed a request from library officials for her to change the historical figures she was set to portray, claiming discomfort with a white performer representing Black figures. Hubbell argues this violates her rights and stifles artistic freedom, raising broader issues about race and representation in the arts.
San Diego – Annette Hubbell, a white performer based in San Diego, has initiated a federal lawsuit against the San Diego County Library system following the cancellation of her scheduled performance at the Rancho Santa Fe Library. The lawsuit alleges that the decision to cancel her one-woman historical show stemmed from race-related concerns regarding her portrayal of prominent Black figures in American history.
According to the lawsuit, Hubbell was contracted to perform as several notable African American historical figures, including Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, and Mary McLeod Bethune. However, months after the agreement was made, library officials requested that she replace Tubman and Bethune with historical figures of a different racial background. The officials expressed discomfort with a white performer portraying these critical historical figures. Hubbell declined this proposal, asserting that her race should not dictate her ability to represent these characters, ultimately leading to the cancellation of her show.
In her legal filing, Hubbell contends that the library’s actions constitute a violation of her rights, asserting that the institution “chose to silence these stories because of my race.” The Pacific Legal Foundation, which is representing Hubbell, claims that the library’s request and subsequent cancellation infringed upon the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, which guarantees all individuals equal rights irrespective of race.
Andrew Quinio, an attorney affiliated with the Pacific Legal Foundation, has stated that barring Hubbell from performing based on her race is not only discriminatory but also unconstitutional. The lawsuit, officially titled Annette Hubbell v. Acosta, names several defendants, including the San Diego County, the Board of Supervisors, Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton, and library director Migell Acosta.
Hubbell has had a long-standing career in performance, having portrayed a wide range of 17 historical figures throughout her career, which spans back to 2007. She believes that “history belongs to all of us” and emphasizes that stories of significant historic figures must be shared regardless of the race of the performer telling them.
The case has illuminated broader implications about racial identity politics in the realms of art and performance, raising critical questions about artistic expression and societal narratives. It highlights the tension between representation and artistic freedom, challenging institutions to navigate the complex landscape of race and performance ethics moving forward.
As this case unfolds, it stands to be a significant touchpoint in ongoing discussions around race, identity, and the representation of history within the arts. Legal experts anticipate that its outcome may influence future agreements and performance practices regarding how race is considered in artistic expressions and narrations.
The lawsuit marks a notable moment in the conversation about race in America, particularly regarding who is deemed appropriate to tell which stories and the potential stifling of creative expression due to additional layers of race-based considerations. The implications of this case go beyond the individuals involved, touching on issues that resonate with artists, performers, and audiences alike.
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Additional Resources
- PR Newswire: Performer Sues San Diego Library
- San Diego Union Tribune
- San Diego Union Tribune: Lawsuits Filed
- Escondido Grapevine
- Times of San Diego: Belmont Park Lease
- Wikipedia: Race and Art
