i was taking an acting class and we were required to prepare 3-4 scenes. we were encouraged to seek out classics as well as ethnic plays/playwrites, which is how i happed upon BUT STILL, LIKE AIR, I'LL RISE. and man, there is good stuff in here. inevitably the playwrites address cultural issues, via idividual characters' lives, but everyone, regardless of race or roots, should be able to appreciate the masterful writing, the universal themes, and the imipressively wide range of plots. even though i'm not a serious actor, i couldn't NOT buy this book.