Justice? Or…Just Me? The Bite

Lorinda Hawkins Smith will perform her show “Justice? Or…Just Me? The Bite” in person February 3 and on demand February 9 at Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest 2022.

“Justice? Or…Just Me? The Bite” by Lorinda Hawkins Smith, based on the “Justice? Or…Just Me?” book series, will be at the Whitefire Theatre in Solofest 2022 Solo Theatre Festival in Black History Month. The solo play is written, produced and performed by Lorinda Hawkins Smith with direction by Patricia Bean-Kane. “Justice? Or…Just Me? The Bite” was an official selection of the 2021 Hollywood Fringe Festival Diversity Scholarship awarded to productions with powerful community impact. Downtown Women’s Center will be facilitating the Q & A after the show. Performance will be in person February 3, 2022 and On Demand February 9, 2022. 

In her quest for justice Dominique finds just her. What if saving your life means losing it? “Justice? Or…Just Me? The Bite” is the first in a trilogy of shows chronicling the journey of a Black woman (Dominique Mills) who leaves an abusive marriage to a White man.

“I’m homeless. No, I never smoked crack. I’m childless. Yes, I want my babies back. I’ve been in jail. No, I’ve never robbed a store. People want to take from me. Yet, I’m very poor,” says Dominique. Society tends to have one idea of what the face of homelessness, childlessness, domestic violence and criminal backgrounds looks like. “Justice? Or…Just Me?” was a 10- minute monologue workshopped in Skid Row in 2007. After performing the mini solo show for 10 years, Lorinda was able to be part of REDCAT’s Studio: Spring 2018 where she incorporated multi media with the piece. 

Said REDCAT, “Writer, actor, and activist Lorinda Hawkins Smith’s compelling solo performance “Justice? Or Just Me?” intricately remixes incisive text and soulful vocal rhythms and textures to examine a Black woman’s encounter with law enforcement, domestic violence and her interracial marriage to a White man.” 

Understanding that the story is too large to fit into just one show, it is now a trilogy. Book 1 is currently available in paperback, Kindle and Audiobook on Amazon.