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“Explain.”
“I’m the second in a family of six. My older brother’s name is Grant, I’m Theodore, my sisters are Quincy, Kennedy, McKinley, and Regan.”
“Your parents are history buffs.”
“My parents are proud immigrants who wanted to make sure they passed the civics portion of the naturalization test. They also have made sure that all their children know the answers.”
“Were you all born in the US?”
“We were.”
She walks around the podium and looks around the lecture hall. “Now, let’s be honest, with a show of hands, how many of you knew ten presidents by first and last name.” She assesses the room. “Less than half of you. Those of you with your hands up, raise your other hand if you are between first and third generation Americans.”
I glance around and all but two of us have both arms raised. Riley Parks and me.
“Keep your hand raised if your parents immigrated.”
Both our hands still stay up.
“Thank you.” She walks back to the podium. After a moment, she looks around. “I have a great feeling about this section and look forward to us learning together.”
She continues looking around. “As you should know, the class title is Civil Rights Movement and Presidencies. I will be assigning you into groups, and each week, two groups will present the research they’ve found on their assigned president and what they accomplished for the Civil Rights Movement.”
She looks around again. “In addition, you’ll have readings that you will be required to take notes, on actual paper, with a pen, and it will be checked. That will be a large portion of your grade, so please make sure you do the reading and take your own notes so that you can best answer the written, in-class quizzes. All the required reading is in the syllabus that’s online, but there’s also packets printed on paper. And yes, I know that those who are concerned with the environment may scoff at this, but let’s pick our battles here. To make up for use of paper, pick up a reusable water bottle, take a travel mug to get your coffee in the morning instead of getting one of those disposable cups that litter the campus, use less disposable makeup wipes, cancel your magazine subscription and choose an online option, walk instead of driving or taking the bus everywhere, turn off your electronics—all of them—at night, and have meatless meals once a week. Do whatever you need, but don’t make a fuss out of my requirements because you will lose the argument. And if that isn’t something you can live with, bring me your drop form, and I will sign it.”
No one says a word.
“I would normally put you in your groups on day one, but I’ll do that when we meet again on Wednesday. With that being said, I have nothing else planned for today, so you are all excused, except for Mr. Rivera, Miss Park, and Miss Lovell.”
Once the lecture hall has emptied, we all make our way down to where Dr. Sinclair is now standing off the stage.
“Have a seat.” She smiles as she pulls herself up and sits on the edge of the stage.
I sit between Riley and Gina.
“I know you’re an athlete,” she says to Riley, “and that you have a four-point-O. I now also know that you’re a first generation American.”
“I’m not sure how to respond to that?” Riley shakes her head.
Sinclair shakes her head, too. “I’m just thinking out loud here, so bear with me.”
“Sure,” Riley agrees.
“And you”—she points to me—“Basketball?”
“No, ice hockey.” I say, trying not to sound annoyed.
“You sign,” she states.
“Not that great, but yes. I took ASL freshman year as my language elective and met Gina. I helped her as much as I could with Spanish, and she helped me with ASL. Took it again last year.”
Gina cuts in and signs as she speaks, “It’s typical for families to make up their own signs. Theo’s sister?” She looks at me.
I nod. “Quincy.”
Gina continues, “She has partial hearing loss, and it’s diminishing. He’s much better at it than he leads you to believe but was never properly trained, and it’s difficult to unlearn what you’ve already taught yourself. Quincy’s learning now in college?”
I nod again and almost laugh at the fact she’s talking so much. Gina was so self-conscious about her voice when I met her.
