March 12, 2004
A Great Injustice We Shall Never Forget
On March 12, 2004, there was a students versus teachers basketball game. Admission was $1. Those of us who could not afford the price, or simply forgot to pay, or simply didn't want to pay were herded into the library like cattle. We were deprived of the basic right of speech and were denied the facilitation of the relief of our natural waste elimination system. Should such an injustice be permitted? I was there that day, and I will never forget.
When we got to the library, we of course began talking. We were instantly silenced by shouts from Mrs.Sandra Taylor and Ms.Luanne Dunham. When Mrs. Taylor began reading off the names of those who should be there, I figured our silence was simply for the ease of roll-call. I was gravely mistaken.
It was, apparently, against the rules to speak in a study-hall that was NOT a class. In years past, when one did not pay the dollar, we sat in the cafeteria and were permitted to talk. But here, apparently, things were different.
Only moments after the name-reading was finished, Mr.Vaughn Williams came in to coerce the dollars out of us. His words, to the best of my recollection, were "If you still want to see the game, you can pay at the door." This was obviously a sly attempt to squeeze that money out of us. Has anyone ever heard of bail?
Things went fine for awhile. But, sadly, nothing is ever fine forever. A few snippets of resistent conversation could be heard. They were silenced. Then, one girl decided to ask to use the restroom. This simple request should have been granted to her. Was it? Of course not.
From then on, it was near anarchy. While I and my friends remained quiet (we know which hill to die on), the others began talking. The girl kept asking to go to the restroom. The answer was always no.
It was literal chaos as arguments between inmates began and arguments between Mrs. Taylor and inmates continued. Human beings are not meant to be corraled like sheep and cattle. Discomfort breeds unrest, and unrest breeds outlash. What happened? Exactly as I have described.
I should note the four crimes committed by the school.
- Extortion "Pay us or else"
- Coersion "You can escape if you pay"
- Amersion "You are imprisoned because you won't pay"
- Cruel and Unusual Punishment "You can neither speak or pee"
All four of these are against the law, and one of them is against the Constitution. Can you figure out which one? Obviously, the North Union faculty can't.
March 12, 2004 is a day that will be remembered for its injustice.
Don't ever forget. This should not be tolerated.
