MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga -- The Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga., in conjunction with the Albany District Attorney's Domestic Violence Task Force, proudly presents the dramatic play "Daddy, Don't." Charles, a retired Marine and Thelma Williams have been married for twenty-three years. Almost immediately from the onset of their union, Thelma has been a victim of domestic violence. Their children now ages 23, 17, 16 and 14 emotionally bear the scars that Thelma physically hides. "Daddy, Don't" is dense with unforgettable images.
We see through the eyes and lives of their children how domestic violence spawns other abuses - alcohol abuse, premature sex, drug solicitation. A belief that domestic violence should be permissible in relationships spirals their two daughters into mirrored abusive relationships. The play "Daddy, Don't" reminds us that domestic violence rarely occurs as a single assault. Instead, such acts of aggression are usually the culmination of a long history of emotional psychological abuse and are often cyclical in nature. They are the outward signs of a dysfunctional relationship.
Consequently, Thelma's children have not just witnessed sporadic acts of violence, but have grown up in an environment in which violence is an accepted form of conflict resolution and that the social order of the Williams' family depends on physical domination.
"Daddy, Don't" forces us to consider the effects of domestic violence on children and brings us to the realization that a family is more than a collection of individuals. It's a complex set of dynamic interrelationships in which each member is affected by the others. Only by recognizing this interdependence can we hope to successfully end the cycle of domestic violence. Through tears, love, humor and most importantly hope Thelma strives to break free of the emotional and physical chains that bind her and her children to not just an emotional prison, but also a physical one, with invisible walls that, unlike bars, revents escape through intimidation and fear.
Written,directed and produced by Julie Hughes, Victim Advocate Program Manager, "Daddy, Don't" will be performed aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia starting at 9 a.m. Oct. 7, Oct. 14 and at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.
For more information call 639-7938.