“In a time of Hate, Love is a radical act.” -Rivera Sun Cook

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Lala: “I’m going to tear out any part of this Bible that’s ever kept anyone’s love from growing!”

"Speaking from an open heart has made me into an activist."

This morning’s headlines shivered goosepimples up my arms and realization shuddered through me. The report featured a Kansas preacher calling on the US Government to murder homosexuals. Lala’s message of love is needed NOW . . . with great urgency.

Again, and again, with great courage and wisdom, my characters champion the way of Love. Mamalou stands up in church to speak out against her community’s discrimination. Lala tears up a Bible rather then let it be used to kill anyone’s love. Lijah finds God only uses one Word . . . and that Word must be Love.

Lala: “I’m going to imagine-a-nation where ALL sorts of loving can grow!”

Mamalou: “If you’re going to run to the House of your Lord . . . you better run to the House of Love!”

Lijah: “The song of Love is the song of God, and we gotta be singing those melodies in church, in school, in the street, on the prairie, and at your feet, Lala!”

When I first wrote “The Freedom Stories of Lala”, I worried about their relevance to contemporary Americans. After all, didn’t everyone know we should treat all people with respect, loving kindness, and tolerance? Sigh. As I read the news, see the church signs along the road, hear the stories from across the country of vindictive, hate-filled behavior, I shiver at the timeliness of Lala’s messages. I asked for a story that needed to be heard by our people, right now, in America, and love-filled Lala came along. As Lijah says,

“Lala’s the only girl I know who had heart big enough to dare to ask God Himself to help all these people learn to love each other.”

I did not start out as an activist. I am a writer of love stories. But in a time of increasing hate, speaking the message of Love has become a radical act. The Bible is being used as an excuse to foster prejudice, and to erode civil rights. Narrow-mindedness, racism, and egotism from all sides, liberal, conservative, undeclared find us pointing fingers, calling names, closing our ears to each other.

I used to say these plays are not about racism or discrimination. They’re about love and human beings. Now, more and more, I find the message of Love is a radical notion. My viewers report their yearnings for it and their tearful relief when they find it spoken. In my book “Freedom Stories: volume one” I urge,

“Navigate this wild world with the searchlight of your love!”

"Love can guide us through the rocky shores of hate and prejudice."

I ask us all to shine our Love like a beacon for those crashing against the rocky shores of hate and judgments. Let it guide equally those who flounder in the surf of prejudice and those already embarked on the journey of Love.

As an artist, an activist, and a writer of love stories, I share this message of Love. My hope is that, as young Lala says, “me and you . . . whoever you are, wherever you come from, whatever you look like, can just open our eyes . . . and love each other!”

Thank you.  Rivera Sun Cook

P.S. Please join us at the performances!

Lucid Stage, Portland, ME

“The Education of Lala Girl” May 31st, 7:30pm & June 1st, 8:00pm

“The Emancipation of Lala” June 2nd, 8:00pm

“The Imagine-a-nation of Lala” June 3rd, 2pm

“Change Your Story to Change Your World” Workshop June 2nd, 1pm

Jubilee! Community, Asheville, NC

“The Education of Lala Girl” June 8th, 7pm & June 9th, 1pm