Question

What does sidestepping the tissue mean in the context of the play Sophiatown

Answer 1

In the play Sophiatown, "sidestepping the tissue" refers to avoiding or evading difficult or uncomfortable topics or issues. It implies figuratively stepping to the side or diverting attention away from something that may be seen as controversial or problematic. This phrase is often used to describe the characters' attempts to navigate around the racial and social tensions of South Africa during apartheid. It reflects the way in which people in Sophiatown sometimes chose to avoid confronting the harsh realities of the system in order to protect themselves or maintain some semblance of normalcy in their lives.