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Character
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At Issue
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Ruthie
(MacKenzie Rosman)
does everything she can to help and support her friend Yasmine, a Muslim girl who is being
harassed by boys in the neighborhood. But when Ruthie threatens to leave her private school
if the board does not admit Yasmine, she must face the consequences of her decisions.
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How much would you be willing to
sacrifice to seek justice for someone else?
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Matt
(Barry Watson)
gets
angry when he hears that some boys are harassing Ruthie's friend. He concludes that silent
complicity is not an option, and that, instead, he and Simon will "take a stand and be
men." But his attempt at giving the bullies a "taste of their own medicine" almost gets
him in some real trouble.
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Is it ever appropriate to use
aggression to fight aggression?
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Simon
(David Gallagher)
is also interested in doing something about the bullies. He is so eager, however, that he
makes accusations based on very limited information. Will he fall into the trap of making
two boys guilty by suspicion?
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Is it always necessary to have the
facts before pointing the finger?
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Mary
(Jessica Biel)
states
that "it's not easy when you've done stupid things and then have to make up for them."
She tries to do the right thing by petitioning neighborhood members to show support for
their Muslim neighbors. However, she is disappointed to find that no one will sign her
petition.
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What are some underlying reasons
for people's hesitance to support a cause or participate in civil disobedience? Is a person's
lack of participation an act of silent complicity?
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Lucy
(Beverley Mitchell)
is
quick to point the finger at her sister when her possessions are missing. But when she finds
out the truth, she is saddened to think that everyone in the world, including herself, has the
same capacity to be mean and intolerant. Will her attempts at helping Yasmine prove
otherwise?
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What is at the root of meanness and
intolerance? Does everyone, in fact, have the capacity to be mean and intolerant? How does
the intolerance in this episode compare with the various types of intolerance present in the
world today and throughout history?
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Eric
(Stephen Collins)
preaches
that fear brings out the worst in people, and that fear is evidence of a lack of faith -- in God,
in ourselves or in our fellow man. His goal is to help the Halawis maintain their faith in
spite of the fear that surrounds them.
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Does fear necessarily lead to hate?
Can addressing people's fears help them to unlearn their hate?
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Annie
(Catherine Hicks)
is very
proud of her children and their efforts to help the Halawis. In her own efforts to help, she
organizes a team to run Mr. Halawi's business while he is too sick to work.
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Does helping others promote tolerance?
Can forming relationships help alleviate prejudice and intolerance?
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