Monday’s Martin Luther King Day production of Michael Fosberg’s Incognito enticed Choate students to ponder the issues race and perception in society today at an all-school special program in the PMAC in lieu of classes.

Four decades after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s efforts towards egalitarian rights, the discussion of prejudice strongly affects America even today, including the Choate community.
Incognito, an autobiographical one-man show, has received outstanding reviews from critics from the Chicago Tribune and other prestigious journals.

In his play, Fosberg reveals the powerful story of how he made the discovery of his racial background. Throughout his early life, Fosberg was raised in a predominantly white community, under the care of his white mother and adoptive white father.

Fosberg discussed how, growing up, he always seemed to live with the “blood” of an African-American, but remained oblivious as to what his racial origins were. This triggered his desire to know the truth about his background, and, in his early thirties, he contacted his biological father, who, much to his shock, was African-American.

Fosberg took the time after his performance to answer questions of several Choate students.

He stated that after the discovery of his biological father, racial jokes and comments made a larger impact on him, but he continued to be a proud African-American.

Incognito seemed to be very suitable for Martin Luther King Day, because the show’s message seemed to be that race should be look upon as irrelevant when dealing with friends and family, as Fosberg portrayed in showing the separate lifestyles of his white and black families, both of whom he loved. The show delivered the message that black and white people alike do not need labels; people are themselves, not distinct colors.

Choate’s Diversity Task Force organized the annual event, mostly.
Students were enthusiastic in commenting about Fosberg’s presentation. “What struck me the most about the play was Michael Fosberg’s dedication to find his biological father and the surprising rewards that awaited him on his journey to fathom his past,” commented Peter Renehan ’08.

Rev. Marc Trister, head of Campus Ministry and member of the Diversity Task Force, stated, “This presentation and those in the past have shown how racism is still prevalent in American society, and it’s something that we have to deal with.”

Students shared their opinions concerning the day of memory. “It’s very important to recognize the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a great asset to the culture of the United States,” said Mike Bozzi ’08.

Rev. Trister commented, “It would be great to think that American society is at a point where Martin Luther King, Junior’s dream is a reality, but sadly, it isn’t...It’s important for us to be educated to solve these issues.”

“I think Martin Luther King Day is an opportunity to not only honor a great American individual, but also to remind us of the fact that there’s still a lot of work to be done,” said Rev. Trister.