RAT Cop-in-the-Head

[NOMADMONAD@aol.com]

I am not that familiar with Augusto Boal's theory and practices, but I 
remember finding his Cop-in-the-Head series of exercises that addressed 
internalized oppressions very insightful and useful. Boal explains that some 
people stopped themselves from taking political actions because they had 
"cops in their heads"--fears that persisted after the oppressor no longer had 
"real" power over them. Boal believes that all the cops in our heads have 
identities and headquarters in the external world that need to be located. 

Our friend Brad works overtime at finding these identities and headquarters 
in service to his "non-violent anarchist revolution."  He told us at the 
first Rat Conference that while he was in Seattle he lived in a tree.  Of 
course by living in a tree you necessarily achieve a perspective of the world 
that is different than others.  One could classify Brad's need to identify 
the external oppressor as one more conspiracy theory, but that is the 
unimaginative way of treating his observations.  

The only other people that I know who have lived in trees are birds and 
squirrels. Communication with them takes an extreme effort, a leap of faith.  
Gabriele and I went to London this spring for a couple months to 
study/perform The Crow.  This amazing work is a "translation" of Charles 
Wain's time spent in the Black Hills with a shaman from the Eagle Brotherhood 
called Big Squirrel.  

Translation is metaphor for true theater.  Rain Dance, War Dance, Ghost Dance 
are successful translations.  Thought translates into act.   Theory 
translates into practice.  The Cop is identified.  We gather and march 
against headquarters over and over again.   But between marches it is best to 
learn the art of disappearance.  No conspiracy theory necessary.  The 
Cop-in-the-Head and his real world friends are always out to get you.

GoodyTwoShoes Theater needs no translation.  It is the dominant language.  
Both the internal and external oppression is accepted as righteous.   The 
Cop-in-the-Head is not only its friend, but also its chief patron.  The 
patriarchs of the community will be sure GoodyTwoShoes Theater's grants and 
funding is in place in the same manner they have always approved the building 
of other prisons.  Keywords: predictable, apathetic, duh.

--nick