R-E-S-P-E-C-T?

I am a student and, even lower, I am a teenager. Obviously, I don't deserve any respect. Luckily for me, most people don't seem to agree with my prior statement. Most teachers are more than happy to respect those students who respect them, but there are exceptions.

I always though that by showing respect I would recieve respect. That would happen in a fair world. My goal in life is to achieve that fair world (stop laughing...it could happen). But recently, I got a slap in the face when I was escorted to the principal's office. Not for cheating, not for fighting, but for being (and I quote) "a distraction to learning".

A "distration to learning" at my school is considered anything from dyed hair to baggy pantseven glittery nail polish. In other words, if you piss off your teacher, they could take anything about your apperance and discredit it as a (once again) "distraction to learning".

I am what you would call a respectful student. I do my homework, I listen to the teacherI even go out of my way not to cause trouble. So how do I end up in this situation? The answer: confused yet misinformed sub + wellmeaning student assistant = pissed off kid with a REALLY pissed off parent.

Quick memo to all subs at LaFollate High School: students assistants are allowed to use the copy machine. Maybe next time this happens I won't be verbally abused and escorted to the office for something so trivial. One minute, I'm defending and explaining my actions for being near the "sacred copy machine" (that was sarcasm, kids), the next I'm in the office listening to this woman who doesn't even know me tell my principal that she has a problem with my hair. Two problems with this: 1)I had seen this woman numerous times that day already. Had she'd really have a problem with my hair, I would've known about it beforehand. 2)She's yelling at me beforehand and I do nothing yet I'm getting punished? What the hell?

In short, I've learned recently that life isn't very fair. However, I do believe that by ignoring the actions of a few ignorant people, the goal of a fair world can be acheived. I don't know if this article gets me any closer to a perfect world but I sure hope it does.