NNasreen
I was happy, until one day, our entire world turned upside down. I go out on my usual errands and suddenly people are staring at my hijab. I've worn it all my adult life, and now I get looks and whispers as I pass by. Why? I'm still the same person, I haven't changed. I try to believe that some people are just curious, but why wasn't I asked about it years ago? Why now? See, it's not curiousity, it's suspicion.
Fear can bring out the worst in people, and fear is evidence of a lack of fatih. I mean, for some people, that's a lack of faith in God. For others it's a lack of faith in themselves, but for others its a lack of faith in their fellow man. I hope what's happened with Yasmine doesn't make you lose your faith in people's kindness.
NNasreen
Oh, how can I? I have proof sitting right here in front of me. I'm sorry to have burdened you with my problems. I'm a very pro-avtive person and I hope I'm not sounding like a victim because that's not my intent.
NNasreen
I appreciate your sympathy, but I don't expect you to completely understand what I'm going through.
As a mother, I understand at least some of what you're going through. I know the fear and worry over the safety of my children.
I still don't understand it. She didn't do anything. Her family didn't do anything. They're Americans just like everyone else.
[addressing the school board] My name is Ruthie Camden, and first, I want to say how much I like going to the Eleanor Roosevelt School. My classes are really cool, and I get to do so much more than I did at my old school. I love horses, and I even get to take Equestrian classes. It's like a dream come true for me. I've learned so much at this school. Last week, during science period, Miss Riddle talked to us about the spine. Se taught us how important the spine is to the entire body. The spine allows you to hold your head up high. Well, I don't think I'll be able to hold my head up high in this class anymore, if this school doesn't let my friend Yasmine attend. And from what I've read about her, Eleanor Roosevelt has a really strong spine. This school is named after her, and if you want to know more about her, you should read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It's all about freedom, justice, and peace.
[whispers to Annie] Out of the mouths of babes.
So, if this board chooses to do the wrong thing, I feel that it goes against everything Eleanor Roosevelt stood for, and I will have to quit!
W1Woman #1
[whispers] We'd get our scholarship back.
W2Woman #2
I have a friend whose kid would like to get in. They're not Muslim.
Hello. That was the end of my speech. I said I was going to quit! [Eric, Annie, Mrs. McCool, and Miss Riddle get up and clap, everyone else is silent] Tough crowd.
I heard what you did tonight, and I'm really proud of you, Ruthie.
Yeah. Mom and Dad told me about a billion times already. Big deal.
What you did was really amazing, so don't think that it's not. You stood up for someone who was being discriminated against because of her religion, and that's a big deal. A very big deal. The biggest!
Yeah, and look where it got me. Now I have to change schools.
Look, Ruthie, I know how much you like private school, and nobody would think badly of you if you don't go through with it, if you don't want to.
I don't want to, but I think it's something I have to do. Eleanor Roosevelt said, "It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself". I think I have to bite the bullet.
I can't get over Ruthie. I'm so proud of her.
Yeah, we've done good, Mom.
Sometimes, when I think our world is getting a little crazy, I think about our children and what good, compassionate people they've turned out to be.
Be so popular. Everybody knows you. Everybody likes you. You hang out with the coolest kids in school. Face it, man, if this school had a king you'd be it.
MMorris
Hey, people know you, too.
People know me as some school do-gooder. Saint Simon, son of a minister.
MMorris
Maybe but that can be cool, too. I mean you're always doing the right thing, even if it doesn't make you the most popular guy. And doing what's right counts for something
Yeah, it counts for me having no fun this year. I'm sorry, I'm tired of doing the right thing. I want people to like me because I'm wild and crazy and fun. You know, not-not because I'm good I want to hang out with your friends. Your friends are the best.
MMorris
You don't even know my friends
They're popular, and they have fun. What else do I need to know?
FFRIEND
Ha-ha! You hear the news?
TTom
My parents took off for the weekend. Which means...party. Oh I already lined up the women, man. It's gonna be a blowout.
MMorris
Oh, I'm so in, I'm already there! Whoo!
MMorris
Um, Tom, Mike, you know Simon.
Uh, Simon Camden. You're that minister's kid.
My dad's a minister, yeah.
TTom
I don't think you'd feel comfortable at my party. It's not gonna be a religious affair.
My dad's the minister, not me.
TTom
So, you want to come to my party, huh? Okay. Okay, fine. Come.
Great! I'll get the address from Morris. I'd better get going -- I don't wanna miss my bus. I can miss my bus.
MMorris
I'll call you later.
Right. I'll see you tonight.
MMorris
What are you doing?
TTom
He wants to come to the party, let him come.
MMorris
Simon's not ready for one of your parties.
Before you and Simon go to this party tonight, I need to know what your intentions are.
Yes. Do you intend to drink? Do you intend to smoke? Do you intend to part-take in any illegal activity? Do you intend to watch over my son and make sure no harm comes to him? Do you intend to have him before his curfew?
MMorris
Hey, I'm just giving him a ride.
No, you're not just giving him a ride, you're in charge of him.
[to Simon] You don't get it. You just don't get it. And you want to know why I know you don't get it? Because for over a year I didn't get it.
[to Simon] You know, you've been throwing up most of the night, so we haven't had a chance to talk. What is wrong with you, huh?
I didn't know I was drinking alcohol.
Well, you should've figured it out. What kind of role model are you trying to be?
Yes, you are. Sam and David and I look up to you. And with Matt leaving, and he is leaving, you're the resident big brother of the house. Robbie's here and that's great, but I depend on you and tonight you let me down. You let everyone down.
I'm sorry. Is that what you want to hear?
No, I don't want to hear anything. What I want is for you to stop trying so hard to fit in with other people and start trying harder to fit in around here. I want you to sober up for good and start becoming a man, the kind of man I can look up to.
Happy Valentine's Day. [she kisses him] I've got a big surprise for you. [she kisses him again]
Is the surprise better than that?
So? What's your big surprise?
I really thought you would've guessed. Haven't you noticed how much happier I've been in the last two weeks? I went to the doctor. I started hormone replacement therapy, and I feel great. My energy is back and I am happy, really happy.
You took hormones for me?
Okay, whatever. You're happy again and that's all that matters. Okay, I have to admit, I had noticed that you've been a little easier to be around lately. I mean...well, you know what I mean. You have to know what I mean or you wouldn't have gone on hormones. Boy, this...this was the best gift you could have ever gotten for me. I love you.
[Annie then dumps wine of his head]
SShana
What? Are you calling every ex-girlfriend you ever had trying to figure out why you're alone?
SShana
Do yourself a favor and stop looking for the future in the past. The great love of your life is out there somewhere just waiting for you to find her. And you're never gonna find her if you're stuck in the past with me and Heather and all the rest of the women you dated.
SShana
So…boldly go forward and...find the woman of your dreams. You know what? When you find her, she's gonna be one lucky woman, because you are a great guy.
SShana
Don't mention it. Good night.
Bye. [hangs up] As kitty as my witness, I will never have another Valentine's Day like this again. [holding a Hello Kitty doll]
