Crash
written by Paul Haggis and Robert Moresco
Shaniqua: (sighs) I'm sorry. There's nothin' else I can do.
Officer Ryan: All right. Well, you know what I can't do? I can't look at you without thinking about the five or six more qualified white men who didn't get your job.
Shaniqua: It's really time for you to go.
Officer Ryan: Now I'm sayin this 'cause I'm really hopin' that I'm wrong about you. I'm hopin' that someone like yourself, someone who may have been given a helping hand might have a little compassion for someone in a similar situation.
Shaniqua: Carol? I need security in my office...
Officer Ryan: You don't have to like me...that's fine. I'm a prick. But my father doesn't deserve to suffer like this. He was a janitor, struggled his whole life...saved up enough to start his own company...23 employees, all of them black...paid 'em equal wages when no one else was doing that. For thirty years he worked side by side with those men, sweeping and carrying garbage. And then the city council decides to give minority-owned companies preference in city contracts. And overnight, my father loses everything; his business, his home, his wife...everything. But not once does he blame you people. Now, I'm not asking you to help me. I'm asking that you do this small thing for a man who lost everything so that people like yourself could reap the benefits. And you know what it's gonna cost you? Nothing. Just a flick of your pen.
Shaniqua: Your father sounds like a good man. And, if he'd come in here today, I probably would've approved this request. But he didn't come here; you did and for his sake it's a real shame...get him the hell outta my office!
Kudos and much thanks go to Dana for this monologue, it is very much appreciated.