A free community forum and fundraiser addressing sexual misconduct and abuses of power will share ways to move society toward healing and universal dignity.
The impetus behind this forum for societal change is Nadya Wynd, president of Tropicbird Entertainment, a nonprofit theater and entertainment organization based on Kauai.
In 1999, after working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and witnessing sexual misconduct firsthand, she wrote, produced and directed “The Beautiful Illusion,” a powerful psychological drama starring Delane Mathews and Tyrone Power Jr.
On April 27 at 7:30 p.m., Tropicbird Entertainment presents the drama, along with a panel discussion, #MeToo and Beyond: Taking the Next Step, at the Kapaa Public Library.
“When I tried to market the film in 2000 and 2001, it was a challenge, due to the fact that about 90 percent of the positions of power in the film industry were held by men and the film seemed to make a lot of men uncomfortable,” said Wynd. “With the attention and awareness that the #MeToo movement has generated, I am very grateful that the relevance of the story and theme of ‘The Beautiful Illusion’ can finally be appreciated by a wider audience.”
The 33-minute, narrative film addresses the sexual exploitation of actresses, as well as the ability to forgive. Produced as a Screen Actors Guild experimental film, “The Beautiful Illusion” was an official selection of the New York and Los Angeles Independent Film Festivals, and aired on PBS.
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Tropicbird Entertainment is hosting this event with a screening of the film to start the conversation, followed by a discussion led by a panel of experts. Issues of sexual misconduct and abuse of power in professional relationships, plus solutions to the problem, will be explored.
“We also want to invite men to become important allies to women who have been the victims of abuse,” Wynd said. “Attendees of the event will receive the knowledge, understanding and tools to create positive change in their sphere of influence around the fundamental causes of abuse of power.”
The forum will include special video addresses by U.S. Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa, both of whom are co-sponsors of the ME TOO Congress. Gabbard has been spearheading the move to end the culture of unwanted sexual exploitation and sexual assault in Congress, the Army, universities and schools across the nation.
“This event is just the beginning,” said Wynd. “Going forward, attendees can stay involved, informed and supported with a list of resources we will provide as they leave.”
Keynote speaker will be Robert Works Fuller, a founder of the Dignity Movement and co-author of its handbook, “Dignity for All.” He is an educational reformer, adviser to presidents, citizen diplomat, author and former president of Oberlin College. Fuller will demonstrate how societies can overcome rank-based abuses of power and promote universal dignity.
One of the most influential female leaders of Kauai, Sabra Kauka, will share her passion for Hawaiian culture. She has taught Hawaiian studies and hula at Island School and been coordinator of Hawaiian studies for the state Department of Education. She has also been a journalist, historian, environmentalist, anthropologist and activist.
China Huffman, a senior at Island School with her own #MeToo story, will be a voice of youth on the panel.
Kauai marriage and family therapist Donna Charron, a graduate of the American School of Professional Psychology/Argosy University, will share her views as a private practitioner.
“What makes this event especially important is that the independent, non-commercial network Link TV will film the forum for broadcast to 40 million U.S. homes receiving satellite television on DIRECTV, DISH Network, and in 11 Southern California counties on HD channel 28,” noted Wynd.
Wynd founded Tropicbird Entertainment in 2015 with two other women — Melissa Mojo and Laurel McGraw — with a mission to produce quality, family theater on Kauai, with an emphasis on social values. Currently, the organization is fundraising to produce “Nobody’s Boy,” an original, family musical that offers timely messages about the value of home and family, forgiveness and reconciliation, and appreciating differences in culture, religion and language.
“Our generation was the first to enter the workforce after the inception of the women’s movement in the 1960s,” said Mojo, who in 1976 was one of the first women to break through the traditionally all-male barrier in the newspaper industry and work in the newsroom of the New York Daily News. “We had to learn how to navigate the patriarchy of the business world and all that came with it, including the glass ceiling and the abuse of power through sexual misconduct, intimidation and harassment.”
McGraw agrees: “It’s heartening to be present at this momentous time when all people are coming together to explore new ways to address and solve the basic human issues of dignity and respect for all.”
The event is free. Donations will be accepted.
