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31
I’m aware of the cuts on my face.
I’m aware of my slumped posture.
I’m aware of so many things, aside from the one thing that actually matters: my presentation.
Arabella excitedly talks about the role of the monarchy in today’s political landscape. At least, that’s what I think she’s talking about. My ears ring and buzz with white noise. At some point, Arabella’s enthusiastic words slice into my brain.
“—which is why the monarchy is a dangerous, outdated concept that goes against the will of the people. The public was asked and the public saidno. They saidnoto unelected bureaucrats. They saidyesto taking back control of our country. They’ve told us loud and clear that it’s the only way forward. And yet the liberal elite in their cozy little bubbles insist on fanning the flames of hate through divisive language. With referendum results like that, there is nothing to be divisive about. Those who voted against the monarchy have had enough of people talking this country down, and they’ve voted overwhelmingly to take back control. That’s democracy. So if democracy won’t be respected, if the will of the people is to be ignored, then we have a system that’s worryingly broken.”
Blinking, I try to keep my expression perfectly neutral. But in her sweet, girlish voice, Arabella seems to be calling for a revolution. Dr. Moncrieff is nodding along like this may be the best thing he’s ever heard, while Rory and Finlay are frowning at every word that comes out Arabella’s mouth.
Becca is supposed to be her friend…
Silence falls, and I realize it’s my turn to speak. Arabella scans my face, dismayed by my lack of reaction, and quickly informs Dr. Moncrieff that I’d been free to interject at any time and had instead chosen not to.
Just as Dr. Moncrieff is reluctantly about to award me an F for my lack of participation, I open my mouth.
In a stiff voice, I surprise them by saying, “I prepared my own presentation.” I note that Finlay shifts forward in his seat, apparently excited about what I’m about to discuss. Arabella sits down, giving us both a weird look.
It’s as though the world hangs on my next breath.
At Greenvale, presentation days were the only ones I skipped. Other than that, I’d had a perfect attendance record. I made up for it by being captain of the debate team, but that’s more impressive than it sounds. The debate teamwasthe audience, with maybe five people max. That’s how many people cared for politics at Greenvale.
All the faces of the politics class stare back at me, with Dr. Moncrieff gazing at me from the side.
The fight-or-flight mode inside me is in overdrive, ratcheting up the pressure to let me leave this classroom.
But then I take a deep, steadying breath, and manage to say the following:
“Some political concepts apply to microcosms. Microcosms… like schools. From the outside, schools may not seem to be modeled on any kind of political hierarchy. They’re a place to learn, to be educated. But when you closely examine the power structures that make up a school such as Lochkelvin, it has the hallmarks of the most violent and bloody political dictatorship. My face can attest to that.
“When civilians are unable to criticize the leadership, the status quo, without the fear of mistreatment or reprisal, that is fascism. When those in power seek to destroy and suppress anything which may topple its unstable foundations, that is fascism.
“When millionaires and billionaires act like they own the school… When you’re sharing class with the son of the Prime Minister, and the rest of the school is acting like his whipping boy, it’s clear to anyone unfortunate enough to attend Lochkelvin that there’s a disparity between the old establishment and the new. Bullying is a feature of fascism.
“Fascism, or bullying, flourishes among the weak-willed. It is the easy route to an elevated status without requiring aptitude or ability. Despite this shortcoming, they still demand respect. Respect, of course, being total capitulation to their ideals. It is for this reason that a fascist regime cannot exist without a scapegoat: the non-conforming people or person who exists for others to target. They become a common foe for the good servants of the establishment. In some fascist societies, they could be racial or political minorities. In Lochkelvin, they’re girls. Me.
“Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles become the norm. When the establishment decides that the controlled should be created in its own image, outsiders will never be free from the tyranny of the state.
“When they call you names and demonstrate their contempt, it’s a reminder that you’re a necessary force to counteract their unchecked brutality. Others may be too frightened to speak up, to act out. That’s why we need activists: the people brave enough to fight, to stand up to bullies who believe they deserve a free pass through life.
“In a healthy society, power is granted by the governed, not taken through force or intimidation. The establishment considers itself untouchable. That’s when we rise up.”
You could hear a pin drop.
My speech continues — more passionate than I ever thought, all of it wrapped around that single thought:Bullying is a feature of fascism.
At the end of my speech, I lick my lips. I don’t know where it came from — some well deep inside me that I’ve been carrying ever since Rory called me asnowflake bitch. But I take a deep breath, trying to control my juddering heart and the nerves racing through my body.
Part of me feels incredible. Invincible.
That same part of me beams with pride when Dr. Moncrieff smiles at me and says, “No notes, all off by heart, a convincing argument tying the personal with the political. I believe that’s an A. Well done, Jessa.”
There’s a single, hearty applause from Finlay’s direction, which he doesn’t stop even as Rory shoots him a look of deep mortification.
“Did Finlay write that for you?” Arabella whispers to me, her eyes shining with skepticism.
