Mindy's Musing

Hello fellow classmates, and Ray,

I am experiencing some problems with having the wrong edition of our book. I will remedy that tomorrow. In the meantime, I wanted to add something here at least.

The "Character" I remember that made quite an impact on me was a little girl in my first grade class. I don't remember her name, so I will call her Lisa. I painfully remember the incident of impact vividly.

It was recess and I was playing "Star Trek" on the Monkey Bars with the boys (Yes it was the 60s). She came over and wanted me to play Hopscotch with her. I said no. I didn't know how to play that game. She insisted. She grabbed me and was holding me with her arms wrapped firmly around me and wouldn't let go. I told her to let go and she didn't. I then warned her to let go, telling her that if she didn't, I would bite her! She didn't, I did, bite her that is.

Back in the dark ages of the 60s, it was commonplace for a disobedient child to get a swat from a teacher or the Principal if it was really serious. Well this was big time serious because not only was I sent to the office to receive my swat from the Principle, but I also earned a visit with the psychologist too. What a deal. I obviously was not believed and she was. It's difficult to prove that you don't know how to play a game.

I felt so helpless. There was nothing to be done, power is limited in the first grade. This stayed with me until I was able to redeem myself, completely by chance. I was attending the graduation of a younger friend of our family when I actually ran into my old Principal! It must have been 12+ years. Although I was sure she wouldn't remember, or care for that matter, I was eager to make her aware of the injustice I experienced at such a tender and impressionable age. She apologized with an aire of indifference but it didn't matter. I was heard.

Perhaps this contributed to my strong need to be heard as an adult. I know there were many other events that added to this but it was an awful feeling to be accused and convicted of a crime not committed.

Labels: Excercise 1-a (14)

posted by mindyrosin @ Monday, May 18, 2009