Return to KOTB Home Page John is overwhelmed by the sudden burst of business at the store. He is hassled and frustrated that his co-worker, Joanne Spinoza, is late for work. When Joanne explains that she is late because she overslept as a result of last night's part with a gang member, John tells Jo his story about his involvement in a gang. (John, Joanne, Nam, Jason)
When John and Joanne take a break from their work at the video store, they stop at the food court in the mall for lunch. As they wait for their pizza, Jo asks John about his gang involvement and how he made a successful break from the gang and a brand new start in life. John explains about "mentoring" and how a mentor, one caring adult, can make all the difference in a young person's life. When Joanne drops the pizza and berates herself for what she thinks is her stupidity John puts the "mentor" concept into action especially for Joanne.. (John, Joanne)
While Jason is returning his video, Nam runs into the store. He has just been beaten up and his money has been stolen. As John tends to Nam, Nam recounts the incident. John suggests that Jason's and Nam's plan to gather a group of friends and go after the perpetrators would only escalate the violence. John then takes the time to explain about the consequences of violence and helps the boys see that there are better, more productive ways to solve their problems. (John, Jason, Nam)
When Nam and then Jason return their videos to the store, Joanne plays a game with each of them. As she tries to figure out which video each boy rented "just by looking at you." Clare Sanchez overhears Jo and her stereotypical reasons for making her choices. After the boys have left, Clare talks with Joanne about racial and ethnic stereotypes, even those that seem like compliments. Through Clare's guidance, Joanne learns to treat others with greater sensitivity and personal respect. (Joanne, Clare, Jason, Nam)
Clare joins Joanne for lunch at the food court. As Clare approaches, Joanne is studying the newspaper and she is lost in thought. As the girls begin to talk about prejudice, Clare compliments Joanne on her abandonment of the video guessing game. Joanne confesses that although she is no longer playing her prejudicial game, she is still fearful of people who are minorities. Clare explains that fear is normal, but the fear should be of particular behaviors not particular people. (Joanne, Clare)
NOTE: After each script the children ask questions directly to the puppets and the puppet characters themselves answer their questions.
| The Kids on the Block, created in 1977, features life size puppets who, through the magic of live puppet theatre, teach children and adults about disabilities, medical and educational differences, and social concerns. Through the hard work and dedication of many community based groups, The Kids on the Block puppets are able to touch the lives of people all over the world. |