In first grade, at recess, another girl bit me. I did nothing at all to provoke her other than exist. In fact, I stayed to myself almost completely. I went to the recess teacher and showed her the bite mark, which was already bruising and hurt a lot. I wanted to go to the nurse’s office for ice, what my mom always did when by baby brother, who didn’t know better yet, bit me at home.

Guess what that brilliant teacher did.

She made me sit on the bench for the rest of the recess.

And made me apologize to the girl who bit me.

I did both willingly, without a fight, so ashamed of myself and trying to figure out what on earth I did wrong. I didn’t tell my parents, terrified I would get into even more trouble.

this was almost ten years ago.