Cast: Typhoon Haiyan, Western Television News Anchor, Philippine People, Young Philippine Children, and, Even Younger Philippine Children
Setting: Now. Day. The Typhoon Haiyan ravaged Philippines.
At a line for people trying to get food and water and shelter--or anything they can get to survive. People walk back and forth: some barely clothed, some with sacks on their backs, and some with nothing but a stunned expression on their faces. In the background, PHILIPPINE PEOPLE weep and cry and shout. A WESTERN TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR directly addresses the camera in front of a line of YOUNG PHILIPPINE CHILDREN, and, EVEN YOUNGER PHILIPPINE CHILDREN for his segment set-up.
WESTERN TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR: The devastation is unimaginable, unprecedented. I cannot believe the destruction...it's it's--
The WESTERN TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR shields his eyes from wind. The WESTERN TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR takes three steps back, then turns to the YOUNG PHILIPPINE CHILDREN, and EVEN YOUNGER PHILIPPINE CHILDREN.
WESTERN TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR: Are you hungry?
YOUNG PHILIPPINE CHILDREN: Yes.
WESTERN TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR: When was the last time you ate?
EVEN YOUNGER PHILIPPINE CHILDREN: Umm...long time...I didn't eat...hungry...
The WESTERN TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR takes a step forward and looks directly into the camera, then turns his back on the PHILIPPINE PEOPLE, YOUNG PHILIPPINE CHILDREN, EVEN YOUNGER PHILIPPINE CHILDREN, and humanity.
WESTERN TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR: There you have it----
Not the End (because I wrote a note to the offensive news organization which ran this tragedy porn clip, and because the PHILIPPINE PEOPLE will survive TYPHOON HAIYAN (and future typhoons), and Western arrogance, insensitivity, and ignorance)
Mona R. Washington is a playwright and social commentator. She is a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and Harvard Law School. Her plays have been performed and read in New York, Philadelphia, Rome, and Paris. She's been awarded fellowships at The Dora Maar House (Provence, France), The Ucross Foundation, and The Jack Kerouac House, amongst others.
