Middle School

The halls echo with a cacophony of chatter, filling my ears with a thunderous noise that pierces me and, at the same time, threatens to force me back out of the door from whence I came. This dull, lifeless place becomes almost a living, breathing organism when inhabited by the group I call my classmates. They do not spare me a glance as I walk past, but huddle in groups and whisper as if one would want to overhear their conversation. They utter mundane statements as if they are the very words that will change their lives forever. Yet they are forgotten, erased from memory by the next day. And still I walk, my voice languishing in my head, for it could not be heard by those who have no interest in listening. A thousand things I could say, all could be deemed socially unacceptable if said to the wrong person. The minute I enter this hall, I wear my mask, my facade of the person I should be, because the person who reveals who they truly are becomes an outcast within a mere second of exposure. Lines adorn this entire hallway, barriers between human beings, as if one is so entirely different from another. These lines are invisible, but every person knows where they are and why they are there: to separate the popular from the unpopular. It is the sole ambition of many just to cross these barriers, gain a coveted spot of friendship and popularity. The whole world of middle school is a government, a society, more than a building but an ecosystem, where no one dares speak their mind, where there are rules regarding not just fashion but one's own personality, and a fate not unlike imprisonment befalls anyone who does not succumb to this society, this way of life. Every single day feels like trying to keep afloat in the middle of a vast ocean, with no land in sight, surrounded by sharks who might sweep in at any minute lest you make the wrong move. You are fighting for your life, desperately hoping you remain correct while at the same time trying to keep yourself from drowning. For three years, your entire existence relies on your grades, your friends, and your image. And all I can do to remain resilient is to look out to the end of the ocean, where it touches the sky, and hope that somewhere beyond there is land.  

Author's Note

This is purely my sociological statement. It is in paragraph form, and I did not pay a huge amount of attention to grammar, punctuation, etc.

Reviews

[Nusquam Esse]

I never had a middle school experience like this... for whatever reason I got along with pretty much every clique of people; and would go out of my way to intermingle with the different groups. Discussing music and literature with the 'goths', staying after school for chess, trivia games, or building robots for competitions with the nerds/geeks (wasn't much of a distinction at the time; although I guess some did favor video-games-- did do my share of LAN gaming parties), and even playing basketball with the 'jocks' (I always had a hard time running after a nasty sickness as a kid; but I was top tier at shooting, easily out-shooting the majority of the team) who didn't mind at all that I was 'nerdy' since I played a good game and could give them advice on assignments. :P The other cliques weren't as well established in my area. At the time I didn't even view these groups as cliques, so much as just people I had known and became friends with. Furthermore, I was more or less myself, not much of a facade going on; I just happen to have lots of things I enjoy, and very few people I dislike. Only problem I particularly ran into was pissing off a Hispanic gang after I uhh... insulted a member's mother and favorite soccer (sorry, football) team in the same sentence. After a few particularly vicious fights which generally ended poorly for me, I eventually got on their good side as well. I ended up learning some Spanish with them, and hanging out in the 'bad part of town' with them; which was really intriguing for me, since, although my family was poor, we still lived in the white part of town. Point is, I think people put too much emphasis into the divisions that go on in middle school; although I could be mistaken of course. It likely varies from place to place; and on your mentality as a person.

[The Hampstead Poet]

As you said, the "Middle School Experience" really depends on where you are and the character of the person. It sounds like you adapted well to this situation and could be yourself at the same time. My middle school experience was very different... but perhaps that was my own fault. Perhaps I did not try hard enough to fall into rhythm and generally engage in activities further from my comfort zone. I do not condemn every middle school in the country; but I did try to examine the cultural and sociological aspects of "fitting in". In my school, I do not believe anyone acted as they truly were, but a more acceptable dilution of their charater. I am sure there are many middle schools where there are no or less cliques, and perhaps it takes the person themself to adapt to different ways and views. I am glad that you had a better middle school experience, and whatever it may be, it is certainly the place where everyone learns valuable social skills. Thank you for sharing your opinion and memories of middle school, it is interesting to hear about the different experiences had by different people. I greatly appreciate your review, thank you so much for reading and sharing.

[Vidya Bacchus]

If you don't conform to the norms of what everyone says is the right way to behave you are judged an outsider.Well written:)

[The Hampstead Poet]

Thank you. That was my intended meaning when I wrote this.

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome:)