Rebellion

[masayume_soto]

Rebellion:
A Short Story from the Mind of Masayume Soto

He awoke and prepared to school, just like any other Monday, but he was smiling even more so than usual. Today’s the day. . .he thought as he walked the short distance from his house to school. It was cold out, but his bare arms never really did feel it; and even in the rain he’d reject the warmth of the crowded bus for the cold of the peaceful morning.

His stomach churned and clenched with every step, but his mind was set. It was set three months before. It was set days before when he started to doubt his thinking. To him, everything was muted and dim, yet radiant at the same time. He was going to complete the task he gave himself, even if he was the only one.

Three months before, he had an idea that could overthrow an entire system. That was if anyone joined in. For the next two months, he started writing blogs and bulletins on several websites, using various usernames and passwords to protect his identity. As the weeks went by, there were very little responses to such a grand idea. The weekend before the given day was when he started to have second thoughts about it. He was mostly worried about what the reaction from his parents and peers would be. Would they see him differently, shun him, even punish him? In the end, he convinced himself he would stick to his decision, no matter what the consequences. It was his right to do so; anyone else could do so if they wished.

Thoughts rushed and whizzed through his mind as he walked the crowded halls. He thought he could see people cringe, grimace, and stare at him, but he knew it was his mind playing tricks. After locking away his things, he mixed with the line moving into the library, the stage for the event. Signs on the door warned against bringing in food, drinks, electronics, and reminded to bring in #2 pencils. A big sign above the doors had the command: “Quiet while test in process.”

As he walked up the rows of desks and their occupants, he was unaware of the events he had set in motion. A great stir had started three months ago the minute he sent the multiple blogs and bulletins. The news spread like wildfire among the nation. The lack of excitement at his own school was what made him think he failed to spread the news efficiently, but he was afraid any signs in the halls would bring the principal right to him. Oblivious to the actions taking place, he sat down and stared into space as the teacher read aloud the directions to the test. Millions of students, in thousands of schools were doing the same thing at that moment, just listening, their own stomachs tight with apprehension and nerves.

No one moved when the teacher stopped to scan the crowd and continue with the strict instructions. After another short pause, she eyed the clock on the wall and at the right time announced: “You have one hour for part one. Then you will be allowed a short break, then you will start part two. You may begin.”

No other students in the library moved to open their booklet or their pencils. Each just sat straight up, not even looking at each other. Only he looked around at his fellow students in astonishment. Not even the best students, the ones who would’ve obeyed the instructions, opened their booklets. All were statues that wouldn’t move, no matter how many threats the teachers issued. With his eyes tearing, he turned to the front of the library and sat up straight in pride. And so did millions of other students.

Not one student passed the test.

[Guest]

That's cool! It would be easier to read if there was more room between the paragraphs.

[SoulRiser]

Awesome!

That'd be soooo cool if that really happened

... who votes for adding this to the SS stories section?

[masayume_soto]

you could go ahead and put it up if you want, and if i get enough votes or whatever decides it

[Rebelnerd]

yeah, that would be cool. the stories section definitely needs more stuff.

[Optik]

I think I read somewhere that someone actually fiddled with this idea once. I dunno how far it took off.

[Rebelnerd]

ehh, student rebellions are a recurring theme here. this different because of the unusual abscence of mass destruction

[SoulRiser]

OK, it's up there

http://www.school-survival.net/stories/rebellion.php

[masayume_soto]

i think there needs to be even more students (teachers, parents, politicians, etc.) standing up against the poor management of America's students' education.

i say: more nonviolent rallies and organized protests to get attention!

the only thing is, the "system" works to make sure the population is satisfied (and not hungry for something better) with the education system

[masayume_soto]

whats really cool about this story, is that a few of my teacher's agree. When I was editing it for my Creative Writing class, my CW teacher told me what happened at the high school many years ago:

The students were taking the standardized test (WASL; test of Washington) and all of them wanted to protest. They all worked on the test, but the teachers were surprised when the booklets were turned in. ALL of the students wrote "answers" to the test in German and other languages, and the answeres written in English were answers not even related to the question. Many higher-up teachers got mad and didn't like it, but my CW teacher thought it was really funny and a good way to protest.

Not all (or even most) teachers are bad

[Guest]

Even if teachers agree with protesting and changing things and though the teachers may hate things about the way schools are being run, teachers still support the legitimacy of government run schools. In general, teachers support compulsory education and the teacher-student relationship but being a teacher does not guarantee that a person supports them only that the person supports government run schools.

Government run schools means that even if a school is labeled democratic and the students do have a say in their education, ultimately the school is run with the permission and the guidance of the government. Running schools this way would be a much better way than what we do now, but it would still mean that democracy is a privilege and not a right. True democracy is when all people involved run their own affairs and every person has an equal say. We need schools that run not only for students but by students.

[Darthmat]

ausome story