Timmy and Johnny were friends from the same school. Timmy was in Class A and Johnny was in Class B.

Scene 1
Timmy was playing on the swings when some kids from Class B came and pushed him off. Timmy landed on the ground hard and he cried. He looked up at the kids from Class B and asked them why did they do that. They said, “Because we don’t like you.”

Timmy was very angry. Johnny came running over and tried to console his friend.

“Get way from me!” Timmy yelled. Johnny said, “I’m just trying to help.” Timmy got angry at his friend even more, “They are from your class. I don’t like your class anymore. I don’t like your people.”

Johnny said, “But that was them. I didn’t do anything to you. I’m your friend.” Timmy said, “No you are not. You are just like them. You look like them and you sound like them. Go away. I hate you and anyone from Class B.”

“This is not fair!” Timmy yelled. He got upset and ran back to his classmates. His classmates said to him, “See what we’ve told you all along? You belong with us. Forget about him.” Timmy agreed begrudgingly but he missed playing with Johnny.

Scene 2
A few days later …

Timmy called out to Johnny, “Johnny! Johnny! Come over here. I’ve got something to show you.”

“What is it?” Johnny said. Timmy showed Johnny a drawing that he had done. “See! Isn’t this funny? I’ve just drawn you and your class to look like pigs and dogs.”

Johnny was offended. “This is not very nice.” Timmy said, “Oh come on! Don’t be so sensitive! Last week I had drawn my class to look like donkeys.”

Johnny said, “You and your class may find that kind of stuff funny but we don’t. You can draw anything you want about your class but you shouldn’t draw such things of my class anymore.”

Timmy said, “Oh yeah? Well tough! I live in a free country and I can say and do whatever I want. And besides, they pushed me off the swing! They asked for it!”

Johnny replied, “How many times have I told you? That’s them and not me and certainly not everyone from Class B! Why do you keep lumping me together with them?”

Meanwhile, Johnny’s classmates had overheard the conversation and grabbed the drawing from Timmy. “So you think this is funny eh?” They looked at Timmy menacingly, “Well then. Looks like we have to teach you a lesson.”

They grabbed Timmy and started to walk towards the back of the school shed. “Johnny! Johnny! Help me!” Timmy cried out.

Johnny just looked and thought to himself, “Why should I? Why should I?”

Ingredients for a vicious cycle: ignorance, prejudice, and violence.

Technorati tags: anti-racism, religion, Islam, Freedom of Speech, terrorism