Yesterday in Ethnic Studies, I was discussing the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings with a small group of students. Because these hearings were in the early 90's, I asked if we could think of any more recent public case where race, class & gender intersect, because I know most of the class was BORN in the early 90's! One of the kids mentioned the OJ trial and I said "well that wasn't much more recent than CT & AH because that was in like '95, I think...around the year I graduated from high school."
I'm not exaggerating when I say there was a loud GASP! The same gasping kid then followed with this statement, "You didn't have to tell us that!" His tone gave me the impression that I'd made him really uncomfortable with waaaay too much personal and very private information!?
Should the fact that I graduated from high school 15 years ago be reacted to, in the same way that one might react if someone shared something a little more along these lines, "...in like '95, I think...the same year I had my 4th abortion and contracted herpes...again!"
NO! Seriously, realizing that someone in your class is over 30 should not strike fear in heart of any 18-22 year old.
So listen up youngsters. I have a valuable lesson for you. If someone tells you some uncomfortable information like "in like '95, I think...the same year I had my 4th abortion and contracted herpes...again!", don't offend the person with a statement like, "You didn't have to tell us that!" Do what a mature almost 33 year old would do, keep your mouth shut.
Just scream "SLUTTY McHERPIEPANTS!" in your head.
