Network was released in 1976 as a film. At that time in the U.S. and Canada, anti-Arab and Anti-Muslim sentiment was beginning to build, especially around fears of Arab control of U.S. petroleum, oil and other commodities. In the original screenplay, and this new play adaptation, Howard Beale expresses these sentiments in a speech near the end of the play. While these are the sentiments of a fictional character, and reflect beliefs and prejudices of that time, we wish to acknowledge that these ideas can be hard to hear even in an historical context, and that these racist stereotypes have caused real harm to Arab and Muslim people. Sadly, many of these sentiments endure, and continue to cause harm to this day. As a team, we discussed this scene in rehearsal, supported team members as we worked through it, and consulted with individuals from the wider Middle Eastern community.

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