我终于明白，言论自由在美国是多么神圣。

Each day in Maryland， I was encouraged to express my opinions on controversial issues。

在马里兰的每一天，我都被鼓励着在争议问题上表达自己的观点。

I could challenge a statement made by my instructor。 I could even rate my professors online。

我可以质疑自己导师的观点。我甚至可以在网上给我的教授们打分。

But nothing prepared me for the culture shock I experienced when I watched a university production of the play— Twilight： Los Angeles。

但最让我震惊的是，当我看到话剧《暮光：洛杉矶》带来的文化冲击。

Twilight is a play by Anna Deavere Smith about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots。

《暮光》是Anna Deavere Smith导演的一个关于1992年洛杉矶骚乱的话剧。

The riots followed acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the videotaped arrest and beating of Rodney King。

四名洛杉矶警察被拍下殴打并逮捕Rodney King，却被宣判无罪。骚乱随后开始了。

For six days， the city was in chaos as citizens took to the streets。

整整六天，人们走上街头，城市一片混乱。

In Twilight， the student actors were openly talking about racism， sexism and politics。

在《暮光》中，学生演员们公开谈论种族主义，性别歧视以及政治问题。

I was shocked， I never saw such topic could be discussed openly。

我震惊了，我从来没见过这样的话题可以公开讨论。

The play was my first taste of political storytelling， one that makes the audience think critically。

那个话剧是我第一次接触到政治叙述故事，一个可以让观众批判性思考的政治叙述故事。

I have always had a burning desire to tell these kinds of stories， but I was convinced that only authorities on the narrative， only authorities could define the truth。

我一直有强烈的愿望想讲这类故事，但我曾深信只有权威部门才能讲述这些故事，只有权威部门才能定义真相。

However， the opportunity to immerse myself in the diverse community at the University of Maryland exposed me to various， many different perspectives on truth。

然而，在马里兰大学融入到不同社区的机会让我接触到了许多不同角度的真相。