The guy who spoke—Morel, or whatever the fuck his name is—grins. The idiot has no idea he’s already picked up the rope. Professor Arndt is giving him enough of it to hang himself with now.
“Israel’s duty is to its people,” he says. “The restrictions they’ve placed on Palestinians are there to protect their citizens from hostile terrorist groups since Hamas murdered Israeli citizens during the October 7th attack.” He leans back in his seat, a satisfied smirk on his face.
I can only shake my head. “Something to add, Mr. Herrera?”
Not particularly, but since you asked, “Only that regardless of their bullshit reasoning, none of it justifies what Israel is doing now,” I tell him. “Israel has been violently seizing Palestinian land while also creating an apartheid state. Hamas or no Hamas, you can’t justify that.”
“Israel has a right to defend itself,” some asshole in the back chimes in.
“No, they don’t. Not when it violates international law.” The girl—James—retorts.
“Ah, I see we’re getting somewhere,” Professor Arndt interjects. “Which leads me to this week’s assignment. You’re to get into groups of two and put together a presentation regarding whether the United States and other world powers should intervene in the current conflict?—”
“Genocide,” I bite out.
He gives me a questioning look.
I lean forward on my desk. “It’s important to use the right terminologies,” I tell him. “It’s not a conflict. And before anyone else chimes in, no, it doesn’t constitute a war. The Palestinian people have no body of government. They have no military. What’s happening in Gaza and in the West Bank is a genocide.”
His eyes spark with approval.
I didn’t speak up to earn his approval. I spoke up because most of the people in this room have never had to deal with being discriminated against. They’ve never had themselves or members of their family oppressed. Language matters. By definition, what is happening overseas right now is a fucking genocide. No one here is going to convince me otherwise. And yeah, the United States and world powers should be getting involved and they are. But they’re helping out the wrong side. They’re supporting the oppressors.
“Right you are, Mr. Herrera,” he says. “And with that in mind, I want each group to take a position and justify your stance. Should the U.S. intervene in the genocide currently taking place or should they remain out of it? And if they intervene, what sort of action would you expect our government to take?”
“Regardless of which stance you choose to take in your assignment, you should be prepared to defend it with no less than four supporting arguments. I’ll give you a few moments to find your partners.”
My attention turns to Cecilia. “Me and you,” I tell her, not giving her a choice in the matter.
She exhales a soft sigh. “Are you sure that’s a good?—”
“Idea?” I finish for her. “Yeah. I am.” No way am I letting someone else in this class be her partner. There are maybe six other girls in the class, and from the looks of it, they’re already paired up which leaves Cecilia with me or some other guy. This is a group assignment which means working together. Studying and shit. Yeah, her and some random dude, not happening.
“You’ll need to work on the assignment outside of class,” our professor says. “Presentations will be due at the beginning of class, not this Friday, but the following. We won’t have time to go over everyone’s presentations in class, so I’ll be drawing three at random. Those individuals will be expected to present their arguments to the class. The rest will be graded during my office hours, but I expect everyone to arrive prepared. Any questions?”
Everyone shakes their heads. “Very well. You can have the remainder of class to get started and sort out a schedule for you and your partner to meet outside of class.”
Reaching across the aisle, I muscle Cecilia’s desk closer until it buts up against mine.
“Was that necessary?” There’s a bite of annoyance in her tone.
“It was,” I tell her, offering up a shit-eating grin. Doing research for a politically charged presentation isn’t somethingI’d normally look forward to. But with this assignment, Cecilia has no choice but to spend time with me. That’s one hell of a win.
Her phone buzzes on her desk and this time I’m able to see the name that flashes across the screen when she looks down to read the incoming text.
Adriana (Swim Team)
What the fuck?
With a narrowed gaze, I skim my eyes over the text and violate Cecilia’s privacy. Ask me if I care.
Adriana (Swim Team): Want to grab lunch after class today?
I watch Cecilia type out her response.
Cecilia: Sure. Place?
Adriana (Swim Team): The burger place on campus. The Wolf Den?
