57 Bus, The

Eighteen-year-old white, middle-class Sasha, who identifies as agender, and sixteen-year-old black Richard Thomas, from a poor, single-parent family, ride the 57 Bus every day, and when his friends taunt him to light Sasha’s skirt on fire 22% of Sasha’s body is burned. Sasha has the strength and support of family and friends to move on following the incident, but Richard faces hate crime charges. When the parents of the two youth meet, forgiveness and understanding lead to a reduction of Richard’s sentence. This true story can encourage discussion and inquiry into issues of diversity, socio-economic realities, racism, social justice, youth crime and punishment, and LGTBQ topics. Social considerations noted.