4 Scene 4: A Sick Kid
Linor David
SOHA: Nice, who booked us the room?
ELAINE: Me, I thought this way we could talk without worrying about being too loud.
SOHA: Perfect. Great idea.
(Cas walks in)
CAS: Meeting again. Now what are we doing?
SOHA: I think we are figuring out who does what.
TRACEY: Hey listen, I’m really sorry but I can’t stay for the meeting. My kid is really sick and I need to pick her up. Can you just assign me something? I promise I’ll do it.
SOHA: We’re supposed to work on it together.
TRACEY: I know. But what do you want me to do?
SOHA: I have other responsibilities too.
TRACEY: The school called me, she barfed on the floor. I have to go and get her. I don’t have anyone else.
ELAINE: You need to go, obviously. We’ll figure it out. Right?
MICHAEL: Yeah- it’s cool, we’ll be fine.
SOHA: I guess. This is the third time you are missing a meeting because of your kids.
TRACEY: Really? They are kids.
SOHA: But we’re doing a group project! It takes work! And time!
TRACEY: Wow. Why do you have be so loud all the time? And pushy!
SOHA: Pushy? Loud? Is that code for a black woman who has something to say?
TRACEY: That’s not what I said!
SOHA: But it’s what you meant. Right? Isn’t it?
MICHAEL: Tracey, I think you owe Soha an apology. She was trying to get all of us in gear. Black women get cut down all the time when they are being strong.
TRACEY: Oh. I’m sorry Soha. Really. That wasn’t right of me.
SOHA: Hmm.
TRACEY: But also- you need to take other people seriously too. When my kid is sick that is my first priority. Not this group project. I promise though, I’ll find a way to make time for it.
SOHA: Fine. But don’t go there with the pushy black woman stuff again. Ok- let’s sort out who is doing what.
ELAINE: We can do this quickly. Tracey, what types of things do you like to do? Powerpoints, writing up the report, research?
TRACEY: Just assign me anything. I’m good.
CAS: I really don’t like writing. Don’t make me write. I can do other things.
SOHA: I can write the report and research it, I can do the presentation too.
MICHAEL: Hello, you gonna leave something for anyone else to do?
ELAINE: I can organize building the sculpture.
TRACEY: I’ll work on the presentation.
CAS: Yeah me too.
MICHAEL: I can coordinate all the pieces.
SOHA: That’s it?
MICHAEL: You just said you’d do everything.
SOHA: Well, I didn’t mean it. I want people to help.
MICHAEL: Give us room to help then. I’ll work on the report. I’m good at that stuff.
CAS: Good. I really want to pass this time.
SOHA: Oh, we are going to do better than pass. I have to keep up my grades.
CAS: What exactly does that mean? What are you expecting out of this?
TRACEY: I really need to go, I feel like we are all done here right?
ELAINE: I think we are almost done. But let’s set up an agenda for our next meeting so we know what we need to get done before it that way we will waste less time.
Instructions
Finish this scene by collaboratively creating a structured agenda to help stay organized and on track.
Discussion Questions
- Oppressions like racism, sexism and homophobia exist in small groups as well as in the larger society. Tracey launches a microaggression at Soha. How have you dealt with microagressions in small groups and workplaces? Here are some resources on microagression. https://www.centennialcollege.ca/centres-institutes/centre-for-global-citizenship-education-and-inclusion/social-action-cards/anti-black-racism/
- Michael is an ally to Soha in that moment. Do you have examples of times when you have been an ally to someone who was being treated unfairly?
- Leaders can be more authoritative or they can be more democratic. What leadership style is Soha using? Is it the right style for the situation?
- Have you ever been in a group where you felt like someone wasn’t contributing fairly? What was your response and was it effective?
Key Takeaways
- An agenda is an example of adding structure to a group. Structures help groups perform more effectively. Other structures you can add to a group are things like note taking, time keeping and goal setting. A group that doesn’t have enough structure can find themselves stuck or going over the same issue over and over again.
- Roles are another way of adding structure to a group. You can divide the project into different sections, you can assign roles based on interest or abilities, and you can assign roles in meetings (like timekeeper and notetaker) to make things run more smoothly.
- Mutually agreeing on goals is an important piece of group work. Here Cas and Soha are surprised to find that they have different goals. Soha wants to get a high grade and Cas just wants to pass, having mutually agreed upon roles helps things go more smoothly.
