Knock Me A Kiss Production (Dillard University) | DoMonique Warren

In "Knock Me a Kiss," a play by Charles Smith, we are transported to the vibrant Harlem Renaissance era of the 1920s. This fictionalized account delves into the complexities of racial identity, social class, and the challenges faced by African-Americans during that transformative period.

The heart of the story revolves around Yolande Du Bois, the daughter of the renowned African-American scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, and Countee Cullen, a prominent poet of the Harlem Renaissance. Yolande, celebrated for her beauty, intellect, and privileged upbringing, becomes the object of affection for numerous suitors, including Countee Cullen.

In this particular scene, Yolande returns home from a date with Countee, only to find her mother, Nina DuBois, eagerly awaiting her arrival. Nina shares a deeply significant revelation with Yolande, comparing Countee to her own father. While Yolande doesn't see any issue with the comparison, Nina's remark stems from a much deeper place.

Nina believes that her husband, W.E.B. Du Bois, has devoted his life to the betterment of the African-American race. However, she feels that in his pursuit of this noble cause, her own happiness has been sacrificed. Nina's pain intensifies as she recalls the tragic death of their first-born child, Burghardt, who passed away at just 18 months old due to a lack of medical assistance. Despite the passage of over 30 years, she still holds W.E.B. accountable, metaphorically referring to both him and the struggle of African-Americans as "the beast."

As Nina recounts the heartbreaking loss of her first-born child, Burghardt, she enters a trance-like state, speaking as if he just passed away. This behavior suggests that Nina may be stuck in the third stage of grief, despite the passing of a considerable amount of time. Her persistent belief in Burghardt's existence beyond his death adds a touch of haunting melancholy to her character. It is possible to interpret her behavior as a manifestation of unresolved grief or even as a symptom of a cognitive condition like dementia, blurring the boundaries between past and present and affecting the clarity of time and memories.

This portrayal of Nina's psychological state enhances the depth of her character, evoking sympathy and compassion for the struggles she endures. It illuminates the lasting impact of tragedy and loss on an individual's psyche, and how the weight of such experiences can shape their perception of reality. Through Nina's character, the play delves into the complex nature of grief, memory, and the human capacity to cope with loss amidst the backdrop of African-American history and the challenges faced during the Harlem Renaissance.
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