THE PLAN

by Ruth A. Sheets

Today my students and I viewed a documentary by some film students from a small liberal arts college.  The film students had heard of the plight of my school district because one of our teachers had been invited to sit with Ms. Obama for the State of the Union Address and then was a guest on “the Ellen Show.”

The issue, our impoverished school district had run out of money, but teachers had agreed to work even without a salary as long as we could manage it. 

The college students came to town to interview our city’s teachers, students, support staff, and community residents.  They filmed around the city and in the schools.  To begin their documentary, they prepared a montage of images of places around town, mostly blighted spots. 

Their first montage was turned down by their instructor because there were some smiling people in the pictures.  The documentary makers were informed that smiling people won’t get their message across.  People should look downtrodden, miserable if possible. 

Of course people don’t smile in the face of adversity.  Think about the advertisements for organizations helping poor and struggling people around the world.  How many smiling faces have you seen?   If one is truly poor and in need of assistance, how can one possibly be smiling?  If one shows any signs of pleasure, it must mean that the situation in which one lives can’t be too bad.

So, I have figured it out.  The one percent can defend their place in society by showing scenes of poverty, but with smiling people, particularly children.  See it’s really not so bad!  Don’t forget the upbeat music. 

Then, they can show their mansions with the rich folks looking sad and put-upon with a slow, depressing musical background.  They will garner the sympathy they need to continue business as usual.  What a plan!