My Response to the Story

Most people have lots of embarassing moments to share in their lives. I, on the other hand, don't. I probably did have some not so great things happen to me but I am not the type of person to care what other people think of me so it didn't bother me. All my real friends know that I am a very independent thinker. So, basically, I don't remember anything really embarassing happening to me.

I do feel for the person who wrote the story "Eleven" though. I understand how she felt because I have been in situations where I have felt like I am the indivisual who doesn't have the upper hand and it's a seriously terrible feeling. Most people wouldn't understand why the little girl in the story would cry over having to wear the sweater, but I do. I believe she felt like even though she knew what was right about the sweater not being hers, it didn't matter because no one else did. Sometimes, not being believed or trusted is the worst feeling a person can have.

The teacher in this story abused her power by forcing the little girl to wear the sweater even after she saw how upset she was. The teacher realized that she had authority over the class (namely Sandra, the author) and took total advantage of the situation. She made the child feel as if she didn't matter and took any power she (Sandra) might have felt she had. Most adults do that without realizing that it hurts (emotionally) and it's basically the same as saying, "Shut up. Your opinion doesn't matter because I am the one in charge and don't forget it." Children don't usually have the emotional strength to take on the teacher and reclaim their power.

If I had been the teacher, I would have handled the situation much differently. First off, I wouldn't have forced anyone to wear the sweater. I would have asked who the sweater belonged to and if no one claimed it, I would have either put it back in the coat room (as it wasn't causing any harm there) or thrown it in the garbage because, obviously, no one wanted it.

Most people do expect to be treated fairly and that is a very healthy way of looking at things. The few people who don't expect to be treated fairly are people who have probably been in disturbing situations in the past. I do not expect to always be treated fairly. I am a very realistic thinker and I know that some indivisuals are very stuck on themselves and don't care about the feelings of others. Being a "minority" makes it harder for me. There are some racist people out there that don't know that words do hurt.