(Sally and Jane are playing in the sandbox. Jane is making beautiful, nice, neat sandcastles with the colours all carefully sorted and arranged. Sally thinks Jane's sandcastles are lovely, but is making a mess of her own sand, although careful not to disturb Jane's area.)
JANE: Your little sister Emily is so cute!
SALLY: Yes, she is, isn't she?
(Sally makes a pile of red sand and rolls around in it, giggling and getting it all over her clothes and in her hair.)
JANE (with an expression of disgust on her face): Just look at yourself! I can't stand to watch that!
SALLY: What?? Hey, that really hurts! We've played together lots of times! Why would you say something like that? That's really mean! I thought we were friends!
JANE: I'm just concerned about the red sand and your health... you know how playing with too much red sand makes you more susceptible to Sandbox Syndrome. I'm just trying to help, you know how Emily loves playing with you and how she copies you, I just don't want her to have any problems. Other kids can be mean to kids who like red sand.
SALLY: Yes, they sure can. If you are concerned about us, then why were you so disgusted just now? And how come you never seemed so worried about it before Emily started playing with us? You've seen me roll in the red sand before. Lots of people like red sand, you know. The way it sparkles is really fun! Anyway, Emily plays with other people too, some of whom don't even like red sand. I know that people who play with too much red sand are taking more risks than they probably should, but it's not illegal and people who like it shouldn't be discriminated against. It feels like you're being very judgmental!
JANE (starting to cry): I - I didn't mean to offend you. I only want what's best for you and Emily, you misinterpreted me... I'm sorry, it wasn't meant to be a personal attack, I'm just frustrated because I know how hard it will be for Emily...
SALLY: Well, your concerns are reasonable, but you don't know for sure that Emily will have a problem! And because of the way you said it, and the fact that you seem to care more about Emily than me, it sounds like you think I'm not a very good big sister for her. It really sounds like your concerns are just conveniently masking what could be bigotry towards people who like red sand. I think you should look inside yourself and figure out why you feel so strongly about this.
JANE (crying a lot now): Fuck you!!! I'm very hurt and very angry now! How can you attack me and call me a bigot? I thought you liked me!
(There is an awkward silence.)
SALLY (looking shocked and very hurt): I don't understand! I liked you just fine until you mentioned this red sand business! I thought that you liked me! But you acted more disgusted than concerned - that really hurt, and you can apologise for your words, but your tone and your expression gave away your real feelings, and you can't take those back!
EMILY (crawling towards them with a big smile): Look! Two of my favourite people playing in the sand! I like it when we all play together!
~~~~~
Should Sally stop rolling in the red sand just because Jane doesn't like it?
Should Jane apologise for her last outburst?
Why does Jane feel like the victim? What did Sally do wrong?
What the hell is going on here?