Amara, a Latinx woman and Olivia are not only friends they are best friends who work together as low level journalists in Anytown, USA. The scene starts as a day in the life of these two women having water cooler talk in the break room. Between the coffee and updating on the rumor mill their morning is starting off quite nice. Suddenly through the glass they see a shift in the room, as everyone runs to look at the television. In a moment that is remnants of the beginning of 9/11 everyone stares at the television as they watch men, women, and even children being detained by agents. As journalists it is someone's responsibility to be the boots on the ground interviewing people, but when Amara is asked to go because she “speaks the language” she is offended. Even more disappointing is her friend Olivia doesn't understand why. Olivia means well, she tries her best to empathize while not realizing some topics like those dealing with race, are very difficult for people to understand who could never walk a mile in the other person's shoes. This situation hits home for Amara because it is only a matter of feet from where she lives. She knows these people, she's seen their children and can name them and their ages one by one. Does she stay in the safety of her job as a silent protest, or does she take join her neighbors in real protest on the street? When she finds herself arm in arm with her neighbors when a riot begins, Olivia watches in fear for her friend. When Amara is arrested, Olivia wants to help her friend but is met with deafening silence. This is a heartbreaking story that has become a normal part of our existence. Right or wrong, agree or disagree, there is a way in which we do things that are civilized, and outlined by our legal system. When the line of right and wrong overlap, when the “criminal” looks like the victim, how do we find our friends and ourselves when these things are too Close to Home.
