News as Inspiration: Mostly Bad News
By K.P. Hooker · August 24, 2010
I have two effed stories because it’s an effed up world! And then I have one enlightening story for your pleasure.
1. Albinos Murders. National Geographic has a piece on albinos in Tanzania. Tanzania has the highest rate of albinos in any country. In their culture, there is a myth that albino body parts make powerful potions so, naturally, people murder albinos or just cut off their limbs while they’re alive so they can sell the parts to witch doctors. When an albino body is buried, it has to be covered in cement to prevent grave robbing. A group of albinos have started their own soccer team so they can travel about and spread the word that albinos are normal people. While I wish this horrifying situation weren’t real, there’s a story there. Perhaps it will start and end with National Geographic’s documentary, or maybe it could be taken a step further. Consider bringing social justice issues to the big screen.
2. Trapped Miners. For the past two weeks 33 Chilean miners have been stuck 2,000 feet underground in a workshop after a cave-in. They’re in a 538 square feet space with limited food. Rescuers are sending down tubes of supplies through what little space there is, but it’s going to take 3 months or more to recover them. It’s frightening in itself, but imagine also the psychological effects. I don’t want to be insensitive by going into detail about what may or may not happen, but you get the idea. Imagine the distress of that situation- what story is taking place down there right now? Will it be the same story that is told when they are rescued?
3. Women in Niqabs. The niqab is the headcovering that only reveals the eyes as worn by some Muslim women. I don’t personally have any Muslim friends, but according to the testimonies provided on CNN, American Muslim women choose to wear niqabs or hijabs to emphasize valuing their minds over their beauty and as a way to become closer to God. Americans seem to have the impression that they are forced to wear it because they are lesser than men. The most interesting role (actually, the only role) of a woman in a niqab I’ve seen was on Curb Your Enthusiasm (Season 4, Episode 3 “The Blind Date”). What could you reveal about an American Muslim woman’s character in a land where she is alienated? How can you humanize this woman that some people find mysterious and intimidating?
Bonus: A woman is suing Disneyland right now because they wouldn’t let her wear a hijab to work since it’s not part of her costume. They offered the alternative of a bonnet and cowboy hat. Nice.
