A Thought | Teen Ink

A Thought

March 4, 2009
By Jillian B. BRONZE, Alexander, Arkansas
Jillian B. BRONZE, Alexander, Arkansas
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

Yes, I'm mad. No, I didn't think the joke was funny. Yeah, I really do have a problem with it. Sure, whatever you say. I spend the rest of Mrs. McDougal's Pre-Ap Biology class fuming in my seat, glaring at my three friends as they continue their morbid fascination with AIDs. I try to pay attention to the rest of Mrs. Mac's disturbing bit on sexually transmitted diseases, but I just can't shake it.

My thoughts are provoked by my friends' cynical suggestion, 'Get over it, Jill. It's not that big of a deal.' It's not that big of a deal? It's not that big of a deal?! Of course, it's no big deal cracking jokes at the slow, painful decay of real people, with real families, which are in real pain. But then I remind myself; they don't know what it's like to watch a human rot.

They never had to build up their walls so that when they made it through the ICU and into her room, they would still be able to stand. They never collapsed at the exit doors of intensive care because they lost the feeling in their legs from the shock of seeing her scarred swollen face. They've never been plagued with the haunting of a fresh insignificant paper cut between they're pinky and ring finger they forgot to bandage while grasping her hand. They've never had to lock up their family pet when she comes to visit because cats can contract AIDs. They've never felt the betrayal from the looming death of their childhood role model because of a disease that wouldn't even be a factor if she would have made better choices. They never had to look her in the eyes and lie. It will all be okay.

I sit up in my seat, face them and smile. They don't know. And as someone that does, that's a blessing I can count.

The author's comments:
I wrote this piece because it was something I needed to do for me. Yes, it's raw. But that's how I wanted it to be.

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This article has 3 comments.


on Mar. 22 2009 at 10:56 pm
ModernBoredom BRONZE, Lake Forest Park, Washington
1 article 0 photos 11 comments
Articulate, descriptive, a good article for a sad subject, as in, one that is most often avoided, or joked about. It's good that there is someone who will write about this, many people (as aforementioned)ignore or ridicule AIDS. Unfortunately having to copy both John M, and musicgirl757, very mature. You could be a great writer as well!

IRBFGW DIAMOND said...
on Mar. 20 2009 at 2:24 am
IRBFGW DIAMOND, Cincinnati, Ohio
53 articles 1 photo 223 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Hey, assbutt!" Supernatural, Castiel.

I loved it, it was amazing!!!! I hate it when people make "jokes" about sensitive subjects like this and race and stuff. All my freinds do it and it annoys me SOOOOOO much. "John M" is right, this shows lots of maturity, dont worry someday people will understand.



P.S. I don't get why people think that if they say its a joke, it ataomaticly makes it better.

John M. said...
on Mar. 19 2009 at 7:11 pm
Very good. Well written. Insightful. Expressed her feelings very well. Shows maturity.