`“Somebody’s Baby, Somebody’s Child”: 10 Things I Noticed About “52 Letters”

by Kiki

I went to see 52 Letters written and performed by Regina Evans.  I thought it was a play, a one-woman show.  The notes said “52 Letters is not a play.  It is a ritual.  A ceremony.  A Prayer.  Of awareness.  Of activation.  Of truth.  On behalf of the sex trafficked beloved.  They are somebody’s baby.  They are somebody’s child. And they are yours.  To love.”

Regina was accompanied on stage, by her performance partner/sound designer, Rashida Chase. Rashida has a wonderful voice.

You have slept on eight performances, I slept on seven.  If you are or will be in Oakland on 8/18, 8/22, 8/23, 8/24, or 8/25, go see this.  It is extraordinary, you will not be disappointed. Despite the topic, it is filled with hope. There are also conversations with local anti-trafficking advocates and activists.  Upcoming representatives from Regina’s Door, DreamCatcher Youth Services, MISSSEY, and Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition.

Here are 10 things I noticed about 52 Letters:

1.  Regina is a “modern day abolitionist”.
2. Pimps are akin to massa.
3.  Regina literally gives a “penny for your thoughts”.
4. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child.
5. We should be “watchful keeper’s of one another”.
6. We need to be awake to the terror”.
7. We should not be disconnected and should know each other.
8. The term “child prostitution is an oxymoron and should not exist.
9. I had no idea that a child of 8 years old could be a prostitute.
10. We must recognize the humanity and know that the folks are “our sisters, daughters, children,and mothers”. Regina after serving cookies and almond milk encouraged us to meet someone in the audience of 40 we did not know and by being the aunties and uncles, this cannot happen.

To report possible trafficking (or if you are in need of help) please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888 or text: BeFree

Thank you Lucianne and Ubuntu Theatre for the tickets.