Last week, when I was dropping my kids off at school, usually if I get there early, my son's friends usually gather 'round to tell me about their latest video game conquests or highlights of 'Chowder', 'SpongeBob' or 'Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack' - keep in mind these are 10-11 year olds. So, I am about a year or two older than them in maturity.
One of the young lads, 'A' I will call him, piped up and said:
"..hey, Glen...who was OJ Simpson? Was he a basketball player or sumpin?"
I looked at him and said:
"..oh, you guys weren't even born when that trial was going on...right. Yeah, he was accused of killing his ex-wife and her boyfriend. He also got away with it."
Most of them had a look of shock and awe on their faces
"WOW! That isn't right! How did he get away with it?", one of them said
"Well...", I paused, "...he had a good lawyer and the evidence in the house was tainted. Apparently, the police let reporters and such wander around the house and property, thus contaminating the crime scene. So, his lawyer, a guy by the name of Johnny Cochrane, took that and ran with it. Proved what is called 'reasonable doubt' to the jury. So, he was acquitted."
The questions started to fly. Of course, I was eating the attention by the tons....then I thought, "...maybe not...".
"...hey, guys", I said,"..your best bet is to do an Internet search of this when you get home. You would find out better details. I kind of followed the trial, but not closely. I am sure there is 1000's of resources out there.." They all agreed.
The bell rang, and I walked Jordan and his pals over to line up. There was a teacher out on the schoolyard , whose name I will withhold. This teacher was looking at me and wandered over and said "..Glen...can I speak with you?" (you know what is coming when someone says that).
"Sure", I said.
"..you really shouldn't be talking to these kids about subject matter like that. Not the best thing for them.."
"Well", I said , "..one of them asked me a question, I answered it. It is fact. Public knowledge and an interesting case legally."
"..don't", she said, "..not appropriate."
"Thank you for your input", I said as I walked away from her.
About 30 second later, it occurred to me that this was going to bite me right in the arse. I knew it. This teacher is a big-time shit-disturber with a capital "S". I was waiting for a phone call that day from the Principal - didn't happen. Okay..
Sure enough, next morning, he stopped me in the hall:
"..hey, Glen..."
"here it comes!", I said to him out loud.
"..one of the teachers was upset about some subject matter you were talking about...."
Yadda, yadda, yadda, yadda....I shut off out of sheer disgust and anger.
"Okay, Jim...you make a good point...water under the bridge?"
"Sure thing", he said.
Now, I have a good working relationship with this man. I am sure he was just relaying the message. He knows how blunt, bold and brash I can be. He has told me that his mouth has landed him in hot water more than once in his life. He knows I mean well, but he has to make the teachers happy. Last thing he needs is a visit from their Shop Steward. (unions - I have my opinions, but I don't want to make this article into a novel). So, he played the game. Don't blame him - not the first time he has 'brought something to my attention'.
Well, what really fucking pissed me off about this is twofold:
1. Schools = Education - yes, I am not a teacher, but kids look up to adults for knowledge, guidance and advice. The kid asked me a question - I gave him an answer. Not like I described in detail how Nicole Simpson was murdered. I didn't say she was found decapitated. I didn't go into details about how Ron Goldman was stabbed multiple times. Nothing I said was not public knowledge. Bottom Line - I did no wrong.
2. Backstabbing whiny bitch! - she told me she didn't like what I was saying, she told me she thought it was not good subject matter and I said "thank you for your input". Maybe that pissed her off, I don't know. I do know that she is a bit of a pain in the ass. She treats the kids like herds of cattle. Always snapping at them, having a nasty tone, not being very caring. Kind of like my Step-Monster - maybe that is why I had a problem with her in the first place - but Nooooooooo!! She had to run to the Principal and TELL on me!! Ooohh..I was such a bad, bad boy! Couldn't have just left well enough alone. I guess I am a believer in being direct with people, but she felt the need to stick a knife in my back.
So, lesson to be learned here - always, ALWAYS look over both shoulders before you do something. Yes, kids need to be kids, but nothing I hate more than censorship. Yes, there is a time and place for everything, but this is history and part of our culture.
I did no wrong. I have no regrets. That is my story and I am sticking to it.
There, I said it.
