BABS’LAB presents “Rethinking the Barbarian” written and performed by monologuist Derek Coghlan. His story focuses on his leaving Ireland, coming to America, and living in Jacksonville and St. Augustine as an illegal alien for two years in the early 1990’s. He talks about the terrible jobs he had, how strange and foreign everything was, and how difficult it is to move to another country leaving friends, family and familiarity behind.

Coghlan masterfully examines with humor, sarcasm and a whole lot of heart the significance of immigration to America, and how he discovered that race matters. Derek expressively articulates in exacting detail both the good and the disturbing moments he lived through being an undocumented immigrant in Jacksonville.

“By showcasing the “marvelous absurdity” of it all, I hope in some small way to get audience members to contrast my experiences with what is happening now.  I faced no discrimination during the 2 years I was undocumented simply because I was white and Irish.”

Perhaps through his story, we will rethink and re-evaluate our feelings towards immigrants.