Forgiving John Lennon

By William Missouri Downs

 

Script

 

Downs@uwyo.edu

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

As an April FoolÕs joke, the student radio stationÕs disc jockey at Durant, a small liberal arts college in New England, suggests that all Muslim students on campus wear identification markers. In the resulting backlash, the Durant faculty set out to create a more ÒIslam-friendlyÓ campus atmosphere. 

 

In the name of multiculturalism Joseph and Katie (two married, progressive professors) write a grant to bring an Islamic poet to Òopen the studentsÕ minds.Ó When Asma, a poet from Somalia, arrives to stay at their house they go out of their way to make her comfortable. When they read in the Hadith that Mohammed thought dogs should not be kept as pets (especially black dogs, as they are Òof the devilÓ), they send their dog Midnight to the neighbors for the evening.

 

Soon it comes out that Joseph and KatieÕs reason for inviting Asma to America arenÕt so much to promote cultural diversity, but to help get Joseph tenure.  Joseph has made several politically incorrect remarks in his lit class. When he called suicide bombers in Iraq Òlow-tech versions of American cruse missilesÓ, he was brought up on charges by several ROTC members.

 

In a desperate attempt to prove that he is open to all cultures, Joseph compares female circumcision in Africa to breast augmentation in America and concludes that all cultures and religions are equal and that no one should question them.  With a few drinks in him he even offers Asma his apologies for the Crusades.

 

But Asma is unimpressed, and becomes very critical of Christianity. Joseph and Katie believe themselves to be open to the criticism, but when Asma challenges them to be equally critical of Islam they refuse. In truth, they fear Islam.

 

Soon it is discovered what Asma has been hiding. She has been circumcised and before she left Somalia she made anti-Islamic remarks. There is now a Fatwa on her life – and anyone who houses her.  Joseph and Katie order her out of the house and in the end are left alone fearing for their safety.

 

(2 men – 2 women – very simple set)