Joseph Peters (“Daddy J”) is an 82-year-old two-time widower who is hell-bent on living independently. An unassuming patriarch, Daddy J prides himself on having taught his family members the importance of being self-reliant, humble, and self-aware. Void of illness that affect many of his peers, Daddy J busies himself by visiting friends and his Masonic brothers. Two months after burying Mama Lora, he is instructed –by the spirits of both wives- to vacate his home expediently. Ill-prepared for the transition, Daddy J endeavors to comply.
Stacey, an overachieving 18-year-old, scoffs at convention and decides to delay furthering her education. Complaining of academic-fatigue, she intends to obtain employment, resist the advances of all men, avoid motherhood, and matriculate into an educational institution in one year. Hoping to enjoy her last carefree summer, Stacey attends the occasional house party, chills with her friends (Nona and Tariq), and tries to placate her mother, Carmen.
Carmen, a 40-ish wife, mother of two children, and educator, always wants what is best for people. Carmen also believes she knows what is best for everyone. Exhausted from her teaching duties, she ventures to Serenity Inn, where she meets a woman who challenges her beliefs and encourages her to behave in a less-controlling manner. Renewed, Carmen returns home and begins implementing what she has learned. However, she is forced to acknowledge her vulnerability when her father’s plans threaten to undermine her mental stability.
Tariq, like Stacey, exudes intelligence and unlimited potential. Like Stacey, he too is disinterested in following a linear academic trajectory. The son of esteemed professionals, Tariq has been conditioned to embody excellence. A satisfactory athlete and budding scientist, he yearns to pursue other endeavors. Faced with the possibility of being disowned, Tariq is also attempting to reconcile his sexual orientation.
Set in Pontiac, New York in 1988, Joseph Peters et al celebrates the life experiences of our elders and validates the struggles of the young. It explores the psychological effects of being a homosexual, highlights the enduring quality of genuine relationships, and illustrates the diverse methods people employ when trying to overcome obstacles, both extrinsic and self-imposed. Finally, Joseph Peters et al aims to remind ALL persons that the struggle to achieve an authentic identity, while difficult, is worthwhile. So, dust off those Kangol hats, jump suits, Adidas, and acid-washed jeans and find those dookie-chains, three- and four-finger rings, and door-knocker earrings. And please don’t forget the boom box. It’s time to get busy!
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