“Good morning boys and girls.” “Good morning Mr. Don!!” “It is so nice to see all of your smiling, white faces today. Before we begin our day, does anyone have any questions? Yes, Bob.” “Ah, my name is Roberto sir.” “In my classroom we use American names young man!” “Well…ok I guess, but I was wondering if you know where Carlos and Yesenia are? They never miss school, and I didn’t see them on the playground earlier.” “Ahh, they didn’t hand in their homework last Friday so I sent them back to Mexico.” “Don’t you think that’s kind of harsh Mr. Don? Couldn’t you have given them a second chance?” “Well, Bob, at this point in the school year you must have figured out by now that as your teacher I can do pretty much what I want when I want to. Now enough is enough, let’s get on with our day.”

“Bob, I noticed that your friend Sara’s seat is empty this morning.” “Oh, you mean Sage? They don’t go here anymore, their parents moved them to a kinder, more diverse school.” “No Bob, I mean SARA  and SHE!” “Well, Mr. Don, Sara is non-binary and now goes by Sage and They”. “They, Them…ENOUGH!! From now on young man, you will use the proper pronouns in MY classroom!! Now if you please let’s…” “Mr. Don?” “What is it now Bob?” “I didn’t eat any breakfast today because there wasn’t any food in our house. Usually the cafeteria has a buncha free stuff for us to eat like rolls and fruit and yogurt but when I went in there today, the kitchen window was closed.” “Oh that, heh, heh, I decided that giving away food wasn’t a good use of school resources. Handouts create lazy, entitled people so I simply discontinued the program.” “But Mr. Don, isn’t that a decision the school board would usually make?” “Yes, and no Bob. This year things are a little different. Now I just tell the board what I want to happen and they do my bidding.” “Jeez, Mr. Don, that doesn’t sound very democratic.” “Whoever said that Lester Maddox Elementary School or my classroom were democracies?” “But Mr. Don, I’m hungry!!” “Quit your whining son or I’ll ship you and your ungrateful family back to where you came from.” “But we’re from HERE Mr. Don!!” “Only if I say so you are. I think you’ve wasted enough of our time already Bob, so I’d like to move on. One more interruption from you and you’ll be spending your recess in detention with Mr. Muskie. Anyway…” “I’m sorry Mr. Don but there’s something else that’s bothering me. What happened to all of the books in the school library? When kids get here early, Mrs. Harris lets us into the library to hang out. Today I noticed that so many of my favorite books were missing.” “Oh, that. Well Bob, most of those books that you love so much are filled with lies and unpleasantries about slavery and The Holocaust, diversity and inclusion, so I simply had Mrs. Harris remove them. From here on in, the truths that you kids read about will be MY truths!”

(There is a loud rap at the door. Two large men, clad in black and wearing wrap-around sunglasses, enter Room 47.)

“Sorry for the interruption Mr. Don but is Robert Gomez here today? We have a few questions that we’d like to ask him.” “Why yes, he’s sitting right over there. Bob would you please go with these nice men?”

(Bob is led quietly out of the classroom, the door closes with a resounding THUD!)

“My goodness boys and girls can we finally get on with our day?” “Yes Mr. Don!!” “Very good then. Please rise and face the flag, place your right hand over your heart and repeat after me: I pledge allegiance to the flag…”