So, as I looked around the room I identified several confused expressions. Then I looked to my infamously bias teacher sitting in the corner of his room. He looked oddly familiar. His position at his desk looked vaguely...yes! Of course! He resembled the man we all love to hate...none other than Mr. Burns. A Simpsons junkie I am not, but who could mistake that notorious pose? He sat with his fingers mischievously tapping one another, so obviously plotting a devious scheme that he will no less achieve--no, he didn't want to take over the world, but instead--fail us all. Now all I was awaiting was the exclusive phrase..."eeeeeexcellent."

 

Failure was certain as he planned out how he could make all of his students suffer incomprehensible repercussions. Our crime in the matter? Simply expecting to recive a good grade. Oh, shame! Utter defiance nor a rebellion could change the unjustified notion---those not on his "favorites" list would not get the desired grade. Who are these "favorites" you may ask? Well, I suppose if we continue on with the Simpsons metaphor, these are the Smithers of this society. And we, the rest of the human race, are considered the diligent workers wanting nothing else but approval and acknowledgement. But instead this anxiously quiet individual tortures us, as he questions our thoughts, motives, and agendas. Do we hold the answers to these inevitable truths? Nay, we do not. Will we ever? I presume we one day will understand his thoughts, motives, and agendas, but until then, what are we to do? Suffer through the torment for the rest of the year with a mediocre grade and unsubstantial amounts of knowledge? Yes. Exactly. For if we don't, what do we have to prove? If we drop out, we can't prove his methods wrong. We can't prove ourselves right. So, I have made my decision to stay in his class and try my best, even though it may not be good enough this year. I won't stress over the little things and I'll be sure to participate in the legendary "round-table discussions."

 

But now the realization finally hits that your "best" will not always be good enough. Our years of getting by unscathed has come to an end. Now we can't just answer mind-numbing multiple choice questions or tedious true or false--we now must analyze history. And though it may be hard, we'll probably get through it. We just have to think of it as the Revolution War. We, the students, are America--and our teacher is Great Britain. We love it, we hate it, and we want to revolt against it together. Although, somewhere along the road we'll find that nice niche where you can no longer use the word "hate." You can no longer resent it for the things of the past. You must learn to accept the fact that you can't change it, just move along with it. Times they are a-changin', so let's just ban together and join the fight for equality. We can show him once and for all, just because we aren't in his elite society, we too can get a good grade in his class.

 

September 2002