crystal sucks

I remember a time when I challenged my teacher’s belief that I had done something I was not supposed to. This event took place during the spring of my Kindergarten year, and the class was doing a coloring activity. One of my classmates accused me of coloring in their book, claiming that I even wrote my name on it afterwards. My teacher instantly believed the accuser and quickly handed out a punishment to me, and moved as if to return to what she was doing. Despite my age, I still thought that wasn’t fair and walked right back up to her and confronted her about the accusation. I did not do it, so I felt that I should act in my defense. She initially didn’t want to have to prove her judgment to a person way younger than her, but my relentless nagging eventually provoked her into taking the coloring book from the accuser and sarcastically showing “my” name on it. I noticed that it didn’t really resemble my handwriting and the letter D was backwards, something I hadn’t done in months! I pointed out these flaws to her, but she still would not remove my punishment or try to see who else could have done such a despicable act! I continued to press the issue, so she left the room. Thinking that I would finally receive justice, I went to play with some of my friends for a few minutes.
	Upon her return, she had the vice principal in tow. They both wanted me to confess to the misdeed, or else they would call my parents! I repeated my logic to the vice principal, who insisted that perhaps I simply forgot that I vandalized the coloring book. Regardless of my arguments, they would not believe that I did not do it. I eventually admit to it anyway, but only because I was frustrated and pouting at being treated so unfairly.
	Despite this experience, I would still go through it again in a heartbeat. Especially knowing what I know how, and having dealt with many similar situations since then, be it because of my race or other factors, I know that confronting potential injustices, even if “nothing” truly comes of it, is an important part of life and working towards equal treatment for all.

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