Going
to my school is like going to a racist convention. Everyone is racist including
teachers, some even quit because of ME! I have two friends though, thankfully,
Briana and Joan have been my guardian angels since the first day of school. I
love them like siblings and they love me.
It
was 7:23 when I walked into school. I put my books up and looked through the
cafeteria door not only to find Joan absent, but also to get humiliated by a
bunch of white girls who called themselves "The Pinks". This isn't usually what
happened. They normally waited until 6th
period or 7th to do their damage.
"Look
everyone, it's A Negro Jones!" called one of them named Brittani.
"What
is this, a negro convention?" another said named Callie.
They laughed and went back to their tables. Briana
was walking up at the same time.
"Girl, forget it. Do what you been doing and
ignore 'em. Hey let's go get some apple pie on me," she said. Briana was the
type who was like a mom without the bossiness and a sister who knew just what
to say. We walked together. At 8:00 the bell rang, the cue that 1st period was
almost over say in 3 minutes. So, it was the warning bell. As I packed up my
books Briana walked up and gave me a note. - - Three more years till grad and
freedom girl. See ya 3rd!
I
nodded to her. Then the announcements came on. "Akeelah Jones to the office
please", said Miss Briggs.
Everyone
said "ooh she's in trouble. Wonder what she did now!" I trudged down to the
office with my things and opened the door. Miss Briggs pointed to a chair
across from her.
"Ok,
Akeelah, many students are saying you are being extremely racist to them. Are
you?" she asked. I glared, they are telling on me for things they've done.
"No I'm not. They've been to me, but you don't
care." I replied.
"That
little outburst just got you detention!"
The
day has just begun and I'm already in trouble. I don't get in trouble at school because my mom
knows the principal hates me.
[5 hours later . . . . . . .]
"Thank
god it's 2 minutes till school's out!" I yelled.
"You got detention tomorrow though girl,"
Briana reminded me.
"Don't ruin my good mood." I said wryly. Then
an office aid came into my English class and gave me a letter from Miss Briggs.
Dear Miss Jones,
Many parents are accusing you of ridiculing their
children and being rude. I know this is drastic and I have never had this
problem with [black] people, but I am afraid I have to expel you. Our numbers
keep dropping; also you may not ride the bus today. You have permission to call
your mother or father to come get you. Before you leave, clean out your lockers
[gym and hall] when you're done bring your textbooks to my office and I will
give you a black trash bag to put your things in.Then you may use the phone.
Sincerely,
Miss Briggs
Miss Carol Briggs
I
sat there confused. It was my second semester and I was expelled. Briana took
the note out of my hands, read it, and sighed.When my mom read the note she was mad and devastated. The look on her
face said it all and I agreed. She still couldn't find a good school in any
city or town of the state where we lived for three days. On the fourth she
still hadn't found one. I looked at school statuses in the paper. It said:
North
High-100 students and still dropping
Alamo- 600 students still growing
Holland- 1,233,000 FULL
I
sighed, still dropping because of me and I was gone! I thought enough was
enough. "Mom, I am going to school today at North High and NO ONE is stopping
me!" I said and ran out the door.
I ran up the school steps. As I went in
everyone gave me weird looks. I went to
the office. I saw parents were still taking their kids out. I went to the PA
system.
"Attention
everyone! All you white folk need to stop making fun of blacks! We're ALL equal
and people, nonetheless! I am going to
stay at North High NO ONE will stop me! This may not be a free country fully - yet, but it WILL be! I just know. Now if you parents got problems with blacks,
take your kids somewhere else!" I said.
Miss
Briggs walked in with a police officer and I was under arrest for telling the
truth. After my hearing in court I was sentenced to 9 years in prison. Until I
had another hearing where the jury believed me and I was FREE. It had only been
8 months.
When
I was back at school I noticed I wasn't the only black. There were at least 600 more! I was amazed. Apparently when I said that on the PA
everyone heard it was connected to the TV, everyone heard my speech. I was
famous now! I, Akeelah Jones, went from most made fun of black girl to famous
heroine hometown girl nationally.
