"These were the upscale girls, Power chicks whose beauty opened doors. They had the world in the bag Yet had to bring us down." Even after all these many years, I can still put a face and a name on these mean girls from my own school days. Just seeing the word "soshes" lit up a memory. I loved the wisdom expressed in the last two lines. I have often stopped to ask myself, " Is this the hill I want to die on?" Roxanne was smart to choose her battles carefully. Some can't be won. Excellent, Sue!
Thank you, Sharron. I must admit, I didn't know the word "Soshes" until I attended night classes at Santa Cruz High. There was a game going on and one of the women in our class had an anxiety attack going to that hallway to get a soda. "There were all these jocks and soshes there and I just couldn't handle it." Another woman balked as she entered the room at the first day's class. Just being in that setting freaked her out again. My goodness, the trauma that our high school's produce, yet the teacher of that class told us that high school was a microcosm of adult life. You've got every kind of people in high school that you'll meet out in the wide world. I guess that is all part of the educational process too.
Maybe one of the disadvantages of "home" school or "all white" school or "private" school is lack of preparation for living in the real world with one's fellow humans. It is a colorful and diverse world in the work place... I look back on the pain of attending public high school in Santa Cruz and think of the skills I gained for dealing with "haters". But I do not think I could survive high school in 2024...
My high school in SLC was pretty homogenous: mostly white, Mormon, and a range of economic levels. We got one Black student whose family moved into the neighborhood a block from the high school. He appeared to be so unique that he missed a lot of flak, but I really don't know about that. It was fairly smooth sailing compared to what I hear happens these days.
Oh the humility! It brought back memories of being bullied by a group of mean girls. I was a self-taught victim. I knew how to tolerate shame and cruelty. But I also learned empathy for the underdog. Having been there, I want to be a loving person. I enjoyed your writing.
It's true that girls are more treacherous and are triggered into anger against each other over banal things. What's more, the dynamic between women doesn't really change much either. Women are more vile when it comes to status and competition, often pulling their men into the fray to gain power through them. It's a Lady Macbeth thing.
Though as I let go, the rope was looped around my right middle finger. Crack! It never completely healed, so sometimes I’d say to some chick like that, or just for fun - did you see I broke my finger? And hold it up proudly <g>!
I was “just saying” too. That is, I didn’t mean to insinuate otherwise. But that you WERE courageous ;) !
I recall 2 gals following me home from school, to give me “11 ‘socks’ for my 11th birthday.” I had my 2 little cousins to get back there also. When I did, I told my Nana what was going on! She sent me in with the boys. And I heard her yelling about getting out of there or she’d call their parents!! ;) I looked out for them for many months after though! :)
I wasn’t too afraid that day. Just the days after, until life changed everything, as it does !!
I guess I wasn’t afraid, cause knew I was a coward. Haha. I somehow knew I’d be ok if I got home. The after effects were still troubling. They were bigger, & tougher. I was about 5’6 & 80# (+/-), so was wary for some time after. ;) 😳 😝
"These were the upscale girls, Power chicks whose beauty opened doors. They had the world in the bag Yet had to bring us down." Even after all these many years, I can still put a face and a name on these mean girls from my own school days. Just seeing the word "soshes" lit up a memory. I loved the wisdom expressed in the last two lines. I have often stopped to ask myself, " Is this the hill I want to die on?" Roxanne was smart to choose her battles carefully. Some can't be won. Excellent, Sue!
Thank you, Sharron. I must admit, I didn't know the word "Soshes" until I attended night classes at Santa Cruz High. There was a game going on and one of the women in our class had an anxiety attack going to that hallway to get a soda. "There were all these jocks and soshes there and I just couldn't handle it." Another woman balked as she entered the room at the first day's class. Just being in that setting freaked her out again. My goodness, the trauma that our high school's produce, yet the teacher of that class told us that high school was a microcosm of adult life. You've got every kind of people in high school that you'll meet out in the wide world. I guess that is all part of the educational process too.
Maybe one of the disadvantages of "home" school or "all white" school or "private" school is lack of preparation for living in the real world with one's fellow humans. It is a colorful and diverse world in the work place... I look back on the pain of attending public high school in Santa Cruz and think of the skills I gained for dealing with "haters". But I do not think I could survive high school in 2024...
My high school in SLC was pretty homogenous: mostly white, Mormon, and a range of economic levels. We got one Black student whose family moved into the neighborhood a block from the high school. He appeared to be so unique that he missed a lot of flak, but I really don't know about that. It was fairly smooth sailing compared to what I hear happens these days.
Oh the humility! It brought back memories of being bullied by a group of mean girls. I was a self-taught victim. I knew how to tolerate shame and cruelty. But I also learned empathy for the underdog. Having been there, I want to be a loving person. I enjoyed your writing.
Thank you.
It seems girls are meaner than boys. While definitely at the bottom of the social order no one ever pushed my head in a toilet.
It's true that girls are more treacherous and are triggered into anger against each other over banal things. What's more, the dynamic between women doesn't really change much either. Women are more vile when it comes to status and competition, often pulling their men into the fray to gain power through them. It's a Lady Macbeth thing.
So evocative and so true. (I too learned when it was best to freeze.) Very well written. Thanks Sue!
You're welcome. Yes, it's a hard lesson to learn. Sometimes you have to learn to be invisible, too.
It’s not courageous if you’re not afraid ;)! 😧
Though as I let go, the rope was looped around my right middle finger. Crack! It never completely healed, so sometimes I’d say to some chick like that, or just for fun - did you see I broke my finger? And hold it up proudly <g>!
The "mob" we faced was about two dozen girls, maybe more. Yeah, we were afraid.
I was “just saying” too. That is, I didn’t mean to insinuate otherwise. But that you WERE courageous ;) !
I recall 2 gals following me home from school, to give me “11 ‘socks’ for my 11th birthday.” I had my 2 little cousins to get back there also. When I did, I told my Nana what was going on! She sent me in with the boys. And I heard her yelling about getting out of there or she’d call their parents!! ;) I looked out for them for many months after though! :)
I wasn’t too afraid that day. Just the days after, until life changed everything, as it does !!
I guess I wasn’t afraid, cause knew I was a coward. Haha. I somehow knew I’d be ok if I got home. The after effects were still troubling. They were bigger, & tougher. I was about 5’6 & 80# (+/-), so was wary for some time after. ;) 😳 😝
Thanks Sue. Blessings be upon you.
One of the reasons I've been a confirmed bachelor 😆