Monday, March 15, 2010

The Rebel in Me continues...

My mom never found out about my "assistance" in the laundry room. In fact, when I told her years later, I really don't think she believed me. (That's what happens when you're a rebel but no one see it in you.)

I was a shy kid growing up. You would be too, if you were an identical twin and everyone was always tugging and pulling and making us stand side by side and staring at us to see if they could tell us apart. What finally made the difference was when I got my four front teeth knocked out by hanging upside down...rebel style. I saw red...but I'm sure my mom saw green as she rushed me to the dentist office. It was a bad rap...no longer could I eat apples, use a straw, or whistle (I still can't whistle to this day).

I decided to be good at something, although I didn't know what. I collected rocks really well but my older sister did that too. I could hide my peas under my plate rim pretty well, but my twin sis did that too. So, I secretly cursed in my head....never outloud because I just felt that God would hear me if I said it outloud. I only spelled it to myself...words like, A-S-S and B-U-T-T and H-E-L-L. I thought that if there was ever a contest for cursing, I may decide to enter and maybe even win. Then, after hearing that bad kids cursed but good kids didn't, I decided that I just didn't have it in me.

This led me to believe that all of my rebel training was going to go out the door unless I hung with someone who really was a rebel. The rebel appeared in 3rd grade. She was a Black girl, one of a few in our school and in our grade. She had one eye and no one ever felt the courage to ask her why she only had one eye. We all feared her because when she spoke, she commanded attention. She had what we'd call now, "attitude". She didn't care what anyone else thought or wanted...it was all about her. Our teacher was a racist. She was known for swatting the Black kids with a ruler. My sister and I got swatted for getting our times tables wrong...that is, until my mom had a "meeting" with her. Anyway, Mrs. Kilby (I'm not going to change her name...she's probably passed on by now anyway) would always pick on Ms. Attitude. I think she loved to see her react. At times, we'd all shake in fear but not Ms. Attitude. The teacher would walk up to her desk and slam the ruler down just to watch her jump. Ms. Attitude NEVER jumped. One day, though, Mrs. Kilby grabbed Ms. Attitude by her dress collar and said, "Young lady, I am going to change your mood!" Ms. Attitude stuck her chin out and said, "Ain't nobody gonna change my mood!" Pins dropping could be heard in the classroom. No one had ever dared to stand up to Mrs. Kilby....until now. Mrs. Kilby turned red and told Ms. Attitude to go to the office. From that moment on, I practice in the mirror, "Ain't nobody gonna change my mood." I was all set for when Mrs. Kilby decided to stand over my desk.

To be continued.....

17 comments:

Formerly known as Frau said...

OMg..killing me here. I hate teachers like that it scares me to think they still exist.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

It's funny how, as kids, we try different personalities on for size to find the one that truly fits.

That horror of a teacher had one redeeming quality - she served as a lesson for her very young students of what not to be. Ugly people are important to our development for that reason. I adore the little girl who stood up to her. And I adore you mother for going in and having a talk with her.

Buckeroomama said...

I hope teachers the likes of her don't exist anymore. How could she call herself "teacher"?

Can't wait for the next installment!

Mari said...

I'm sorry that you had to deal with a teacher like that, especially at that age! I'm anxious to hear more...

Menopausal New Mom said...

What a story! I'm so glad that the behavior of teachers like this can be properly reported and corrected now. Can't wait to read more!

Andrea said...

One of the reasons I home-schooled my kids.
Hope you have an awesome week.
Hugs, andrea

Ina in Alaska said...

.....waiting for the rest of this story, Ms. Rebel!! Hopefully we will find out what happened with Ms. Attitude too! xoxo

Deidra said...

Great story! Can't wait to hear what happens next!

Heart2Heart said...

Yikes....

and here I stay until tomorrow when the story resumes....waiting....yes, waiting!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Great story, but girl ya left us hangin' again!

It's so sad that all teachers are not loving caring souls.

God bless and have a Terrific Tuesday!!!

Veronica Lee said...

Mrs Kilby sounds like my Math teacher. She petrified us during her class.

Can't wait for the rest of the story.

Shannon K. said...

What a nightmare of a teacher...and good for Ms. Attitude! Great mantra to keep...looking forward to more.

Diva's Thoughts said...

More..more...more!!!!

That teacher makes me want to beat her up.

Chapters From My Life said...

LOL.. I love the attitude of Miss.Attitude. Waiting eagerly for more...

Deborah Ann said...

As a mother of twins, I can so relate to this. I couldn't take my boys to restaurants or stores without getting bombarded by tons of curious folks, asking questions.

I think it's cool that you wanted to have your own identity, and be your own person!

Helene said...

I love the way you write stories...you have a way of transcending us back to that same time with you, experiencing it as you were experiencing it!

I'm sorry about the teacher...that kind of thing wouldn't even be tolerated today. The world has come a long way...

I can't wait to hear more!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Teachers like that should be kicked to the curb.

I'm really enjoying this series Simone. Thanks for sharing.

xo

 

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