What was your first act of civic disobedience?

[skygazer]

I was talking with my sister the other day and she reminded me of mine. It was the first day of Kindergarten, believe it or not. This was in the mid-60's and the teacher told us at the beginning of class to take our seats. There were tables scattered around with those little molded plastic chairs schools used to use (maybe they still do).

Anyway, the teacher told the boys to sit in blue chairs and the girls to sit in pink. I hate pink. Scared right to death, I sat in a blue chair and hoped she wouldn't notice. She did. When she told me to go to a pink one, I grabbed onto the seat, burst into tears and refused to move. I don't remember how long the standoff lasted but she finally called my mother who came all the way to school only to find that the "emergency" was that I was sitting in a blue chair.

And my mom, bless her heart, said, "why can't she sit in a blue chair?" From that day on, no one paid attention to what color chair they were in. It was a powerful lesson.

I subsequently marched against nuclear proliferation in the 70's, led a walkout protest at my high school and have been involved in various activist activities ever since. How 'bout you?

[Catfight]

1. I love that story! Excellent! You little rebel. Good for you. nt

[Bjornsdotter]

2. 4th Grade......

....circa 1969....Girtls were NOT allowed to wear pants to school. It was winter in Chicago and my Mom said I could wear pants to school...remember these were the days we still had outdoor recess and were sent outside after we finished our lunch.

I wore pants, so did a few other girls all different grades. The principal (a man) went around to all of the class rooms and made the girls stand up, so he could see who was wearing pants. All of the girls wearing pants were removed from the classroom and sent to the office while our parents were called to pick us up or bring us appropriate clothing.

My Mom came and took me home, the next day I wore pants again....again I was sent home. This went on for a week, finally the principal asked my Mom when I was going to start wearing a skirt...my Mom looked at him and said "When you start wearing one or when the weather warms up....which ever comes first". Shortly after that girls were allowed to wear pants, many parents were upset with the rule.

Seems like such a small thing now, but a few of my friend's Moms always looked at me as trouble-maker based on this event.. :shrug:

Cheers,
Kim :toast:

[Warpy]

3. I guess my first act was to rebel against my mother's choice

of reading material. I applied for (and got!) my own library card on my third birthday, confounding the staff who insisted I be able to write my name and the names of the books I wanted, which I did. My mother saved the card, and I certainly wouldn't have won any prizes for neatness, but it was legible in block letters.

By the time I got to school, I was a confirmed rebel, and teachers soon found out why it was a good idea to leave me in the back of the room with a pile of books. About the only class work I would bother with was art. I wrote an alternative Dick and Jane that appalled them. I came up with alternate words to the Pledge of Allegiance that got my classmates punished for silly giggles. I was the kid from hell.

[skygazer]

4. Good for you!

I will say my mother was just wonderful. I remember when I was about 9 or 10, she found me reading "Lord Of the Flies". One of my older siblings had been assigned the book in class and they'd spoken of how good it was. I'd read anything so I picked it up and was immediately hooked. Mom found me with it and was a little concerned that it was over my head but she asked me if I understood it and when I said, "yes and it's really good!", she let me continue. Both my parents really fostered my curiosity and desire to learn.

[strategery blunder]

5. I confess I started late

When Iraqnam started during my senior year of high school, I wore this:



I went to visit my former world history teacher and friend, who I knew was fairly conservative but who had given me a lot of leeway regarding freedom of speech before, including during class. I didn't think there would be a problem based upon our past history---but he asked me to remove the sign (this was during a passing period). I refused, citing Tinker v. Des Moines and saying that since there was no class in session, there was no "learning environment" to disrupt. He contested this and asserted he had the right to make me remove it. After I still refused, he told me to either remove it or leave the room.

Being that I had two minutes to get to class, I left after arguing with him some more. I did not speak to him again until after bu$h*'s aircraft carrier stunt.

(Edit: changed "in" to "during")

[skygazer]

6. Late maybe

But with a bang! Nicely done! :toast:

[strategery blunder]

7. The freep students were curious, too

:evilgrin:

[LifeDuringWartime]

8. a few years ago

absolutely refused to go through with confirmation at the local church

and slightly more recently, refused to stand for the pledge of allegience. got kicked out of class (this happened a few times). now, depending on the teacher, i just stand up and keep doing what i was doing before it came on the loudspeaker and dont pay any attention to it (though it is difficult)