The School Play

1. The School Play By: Verletita Brooks

2. Amilyand Jessica were best friends. They did everything together. When ever you saw one, the other was not too far behind. In school they sat next to each other in the classroom. They ate lunch together, played recess together, even went to the library together. They were very much the same in many ways, with few differences. 1

3. Outside of school was the complete opposite. Amily and Jessica were not allowed to hang with each other or be near each other once they got off the school bus. Jessica’s father did not approve of Amily. He saw her family as being different from his family and neither of them could understand why. 2

4. Although they both wanted to question their parents and find out why they could not be best friends at home, neither of them had the courage. So they continued to pretend as if the other did not exist. 3

5. One day while in school ,Amily and Jessica’s teacher, Ms. Taylor, told the class that they would be learning about racism and why people choose to treat people of specific races differently than others. She also announced that the school will be holding a play in which the students will promote putting an end to racism. 4

6. Amily and Jessica immediately looked at each other and at the same time raised their hands to volunteer to be in the play. On the bus ride home they could not stop talking about the play and how they would both try and get their parents to come out and attend. They both agreed to keep the play’s theme a secret from their parents. 5

7. As soon as Jessica got home, she ran to her father’s office and began explaining her part in the school play. Her father was extremely happy that she was participating in a school-wide event and agreed that he would attend. Amily’s parents were just as excited. 6

8. After weeks of practicing, the day finally arrived. It was now time for the school play to show. Amily and Jessica were filled with both excitement and anxiety. They were nervous to see their parents reactions after the play. 7

9. When the show was over Amily and Jessica walked out together to meet their parents. To their surprise they were all standing together with the biggest smiles on their faces. Jessica’s father approached Amily and gave her the tightest hug. Then he turned to Jessica and hugged her too and apologized for his behavior. He now realized that his beliefs were incorrect and Amily and her family were no different from his own family. 8

10. The next day Amily and Jessica walked to the bus stop and stood there together. They were both grinning from ear to ear. Excited that their plan had worked and that they were now able to be best friends at home and at school. 9

11. The End.