Grown-ish: Zoey and Aaron Scenes S1 E1

Miss B

4 Jan 201803:08

Summary

TLDRIn this script, characters explore personal struggles, social justice themes, and societal expectations. One character reflects on movements like Black Lives Matter and the justice for Kalief Browder, while another expresses anxiety about people's opinions and life choices. The dialogue highlights internal conflict about identity, failure, and the pressure to succeed. Through a candid group conversation, participants open up about fears of returning to their old lives, insecurities, and the consequences of bad decisions, revealing a complex mix of vulnerability and self-reflection.

Takeaways

✊ A character is wearing a Black Lives Matter bracelet and supporting causes like justice for Kalief Browder.
😷 One character mentions having a peanut allergy, and the bracelet helps alert others about it.
🔥 Erin is described as a super attractive sophomore with tattoos and a distinct hairstyle that shouldn't work but somehow does.
📝 BSU is protesting Cal U's decision to replace blackboards with whiteboards, questioning the reasoning behind it.
💊 One character admits to being at the event because of their love for drugs.
🤔 A discussion arises about why people care about others' opinions, with one character questioning the logic behind it.
🎭 Two characters reflect on how caring about opinions shapes their lives, leading to living a fake persona for success.
🏙️ There’s fear of failure, with characters expressing concerns about going back to their old lives and disappointing others.
💼 One character lists potential job options like working at the post office, DMV, or as a personal trainer, instead of giving up.
💬 A key moment of vulnerability happens when a character admits to making a wrong decision easily, which causes them to reflect on what that says about their character.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the script?
-The script explores themes of identity, societal expectations, and the struggle to find one's own path amidst peer pressure and societal norms.
What does the character with the peanut allergy represent?
-The character with the peanut allergy could symbolize vulnerability and the need for understanding and accommodation of individual differences.
Why is the character upset about the change from blackboards to whiteboards?
-The character might be upset about the change from blackboards to whiteboards as a metaphor for the erasure of cultural or historical significance, or simply as a representation of resistance to change.
What is the significance of the character's duck tail hair?
-The duck tail hair might signify a rebellious or non-conformist attitude, challenging societal norms and expectations.
What is the 'BSU' mentioned in the script?
-BSU likely stands for Black Student Union, indicating that there is a student organization focused on issues affecting black students.
Why does the character feel compelled to open up after hearing others' stories?
-The character feels compelled to open up due to a sense of empathy and connection with others' experiences, as well as a growing awareness of their own actions and their impact.
What does the character mean when they say they 'made the wrong decision'?
-The character is reflecting on a pivotal moment where they chose to conform to societal expectations instead of staying true to themselves, which they now regret.
What is the significance of the character's cat in the script?
-The cat could be a symbol of the character's personal life and the comfort or security they derive from it, contrasting with the pressures and judgments of society.
What does the character mean by 'fake-ass fun'?
-The term 'fake-ass fun' suggests a lifestyle or attitude that is insincere or forced, possibly to fit in or to avoid confronting deeper issues.
Why does the character feel they would be a 'loser' if they went back home?
-The character feels they would be a 'loser' if they went back home because they equate failure with not meeting societal or personal expectations, fearing judgment and disappointment from others.
What does the character's realization about their first independent decision imply?
-The character's realization implies a moment of self-awareness and potential growth, acknowledging past mistakes as a stepping stone towards making better choices in the future.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ A Different Opinion on America

This paragraph introduces a character with distinct views on America, touching on various social justice movements like Black Lives Matter, the 'I can't breathe' movement, and justice for Kalief Browder. It also briefly mentions a bracelet worn to signify a peanut allergy. The narrative shifts to Erin, a college sophomore with notable tattoos and an unusual hairstyle, who has big ambitions to change the world. His character embodies a rebellious spirit, with activism mentioned as part of his involvement in campus protests.

🤔 Why Are You Here?

The paragraph describes a protest about the university switching from blackboards to whiteboards, a change that seemingly affects the Black Student Union (BSU). There is an abrupt transition to a question posed to another character about their presence at the scene. A humorous, yet serious response follows, where the character admits that drugs are the reason they are present. The exchange shifts to a reflection on sharing personal stories, self-image, and how people's opinions shape their actions.

🌀 Spiral of Self-Perception and Fear of Failure

This paragraph delves into the fear of failure and how people's opinions impact the characters' lives. They discuss how living a 'fake' life is essential to avoid returning to a lower socioeconomic environment. The dialogue reveals a fear of failure not only for themselves but for everyone around them. The characters express concerns about being seen as losers or disappointments, with even basic jobs like working at the post office or as a personal trainer considered undesirable. There's a sense of skipping over important steps in the downfall process, adding to the urgency of avoiding failure.

💬 Confronting Personal Morality

This paragraph focuses on the confrontation between characters about morality and perception. One character mentions a woman who believes she is a bad person, and another expresses frustration about not understanding why she feels that way. As the conversation escalates, another character unexpectedly opens up about their personal struggles, hinting that the honesty of others and guilt over a past mistake have prompted them to share. The character reflects on making a poor decision when they first had the chance to act independently, leading them to question their moral character.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter is a social movement advocating for non-violent civil disobedience in protest against incidents of police brutality and racially motivated violence against Black people. In the script, it is mentioned in the context of activism and social justice, as the character references wearing symbols associated with the movement. This reflects the importance of social justice issues and the character’s desire to highlight racial inequality.

💡I Can't Breathe

The phrase 'I Can't Breathe' became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement, originating from the last words of Eric Garner, an African American man who died after being placed in a chokehold by a police officer. In the script, it is used to show the character’s support for social justice causes, particularly police reform and accountability. It illustrates the awareness and participation in contemporary issues of racial injustice.

💡Kalief Browder

Kalief Browder was a young African American man who was incarcerated for three years without trial at Rikers Island, New York, for allegedly stealing a backpack. His story became a symbol of the systemic failures of the criminal justice system. In the script, the mention of 'justice for Kalief Browder' signifies a call for reform and justice, emphasizing the larger themes of institutional racism and the need for change within the legal system.

💡Peanut Allergy Bracelet

The peanut allergy bracelet is a medical alert bracelet worn to inform others that the wearer has a peanut allergy. In the script, the character casually mentions the bracelet, perhaps to highlight the importance of self-identity and the need to communicate one’s vulnerabilities or health needs. It contrasts with the weightier issues discussed, such as social activism and personal struggles, adding a layer of individuality to the conversation.

💡BSU

BSU likely refers to the Black Student Union, an organization that typically advocates for the interests of Black students on college campuses. In the script, BSU is mentioned in connection to a protest about Cal U switching blackboards to whiteboards, which could be a metaphor for erasure or change that disregards Black culture or history. The mention of BSU ties into the larger theme of activism and students standing up for what they believe in.

💡Drugs

The mention of drugs in the script comes when one of the characters explains their reason for being in a particular place, humorously suggesting a more carefree or reckless attitude toward life. This moment contrasts with the deeper themes discussed, such as social justice and self-identity, adding an element of levity and character insight. It might also hint at a theme of self-medication or escape from personal problems.

💡Caring about opinions

Caring about others' opinions is a significant theme in the script. One character explains that caring about how people perceive them is central to their life, revealing the societal pressure to maintain appearances or meet certain expectations. This concept explores the tension between authenticity and societal norms, as the characters grapple with their desire for success versus their fear of judgment and failure.

💡Failure

Failure is a recurring theme, particularly in the context of the fear of returning to one's roots or community without achieving success. The characters express anxiety about being perceived as failures by themselves and their community. The script portrays failure as not only a personal disappointment but also as a broader societal judgment, emphasizing the pressure to 'make it' in life and the consequences of not meeting these expectations.

💡Post Office/DMV Jobs

The reference to jobs at the post office or DMV serves as an example of the limited career options that some characters believe they might be relegated to if they fail to achieve their ambitions. This reflects societal expectations and the stigmatization of certain types of work as lesser or undesirable, highlighting the characters' fears of not reaching their potential and ending up in jobs they perceive as dead-end.

💡Personal Identity

Personal identity is a core theme in the script, as characters struggle with their sense of self, societal expectations, and their own values. Discussions around social justice movements, personal mistakes, and self-perception indicate an ongoing process of self-discovery. One character's reflection on making 'the wrong decision so easily' highlights the difficulty of understanding oneself and the consequences of personal choices.

Highlights

Discussion about Black Lives Matter and the significance of 'I can't breathe' and 'Justice for Kalief Browder'.

Introduction of a character, Erin, a sophomore with forearm tattoos and a unique hairstyle, having plans to change the world.

Erin's connection to the Black Student Union (BSU) and their protest against the changing of blackboards to whiteboards at Cal U.

The protagonist revealing their relationship with drugs and why they are at the gathering.

Discussion on how people care about others' opinions, with the protagonist questioning the importance of those opinions.

Jazz and the protagonist discussing their fear of returning to their old neighborhood and being labeled as failures or disappointments.

They mention alternative job options, such as working at the post office, DMV, or becoming personal trainers or sign turners.

A debate arises between characters regarding self-perception and why someone thinks they are a bad person.

The protagonist reflects on a past decision where they made the wrong choice easily, pondering what that says about their character.

Tension between characters as one tries to shut down another's opinion, leading to self-reflection.

A confession from a character about their actions, which may have been hurtful to another person named Ana.

The protagonist expressing how hearing others talk about their personal struggles (such as sexuality and family issues) pushed them to open up more.

Underlying themes of self-worth, societal pressure, and fear of failure throughout the discussion.

Mention of socioeconomic challenges faced by characters if they do not 'make it' in life.

The overall tone suggests introspection, as characters grapple with their identity and life choices.