In our lives, fingers have various uses. They are employed to write essays and type papers. Surprisingly, they also have the ability to speak words. However, this idea was difficult for Jason, a first-grade student, to grasp. According to him, deriving meaning from actions involving fingers seemed unnecessary when everyone already possessed a mouth capable of communicating more accurately than a single digit.
The teacher offered minimal direction regarding the concept, so Jason depended on his own observations. He observed a girl tearfully watering her desk, creating a unrealistic scene. The remaining students were stunned and silent, overwhelmed by the boldness of what they had just witnessed. These observations only amplified the naïve first grader’s confusion and embarrassment.
Upon entering Ms. Beck’s classroom, I experienced conflicting emotions. On one hand, I enjoyed the class and felt a sense of liberation even stronger than that of a conservative individual with strong beliefs in gun rights. However, on the other hand, I found myself isolated at a table in the far corner of the room. This isolation felt similar to being stranded like a castaway, especially because my table companions were all girls. In elementary school, this was considered a particularly cruel punishment. To make matters worse, I was directly facing Jenny, who possessed all the qualities one would desire…in the world’s most infuriating, insincere, and confrontational first grader. Jenny’s voice resembled that of a beautiful yet dying horse and every time she spoke, venomous words poured out like an unleashed flood. Adding insult to injury, Ms. Beck seemed to hold Jenny high up on a pedestal as if she were willing to adopt or marry her given the chance. These circumstances set the stage for our eventful Friday.
Today, our esteemed leader Lord Jenny introduced a new gesture that she had recently discovered. Lord Jenny claimed that if you were to raise only your middle finger towards someone, it would be an even more insulting gesture than calling them stupid – the harshest insult a first grader could give to another. My classmates and I attentively soaked in every word just as devout Catholics listen to a priest’s gospel.
They played a crucial role in the ascendance of Jenny’s tranny. I can’t recall their actual names, so I will refer to them as nod and vigorously agree, NVA for short. NVA actively emulated Jenny’s preferences, just like two sycophants mimicking their boss’s perceived interests. If Jenny wore a particular style of boots one day, the next day there would be three identical pairs. Their attempts to please extended beyond material possessions.
Jenny always presented ideas at the table that were considered infallible as soon as she spoke them. This is what made her so overwhelming. NVA’s agreement and praise gave Jenny the confidence and boldness to try and control the events of the table and even the whole class. However, while I noticed her power and felt it necessary to restrain it, the rest of the class either overlooked or refused to acknowledge it. As a result, I was left as the hero the class required, but did not desire – at least that is how I perceived it.
Initially, I had doubts about Jenny’s concept and how a mere action could have any meaning. However, my skepticism and the need to address Jenny’s claim compelled me to challenge her statement. To demonstrate my disagreement, I reached out towards her, sequentially lowering each finger starting with my pinky. It was at that moment when everything paused.
Jenny was sitting there, tears streaming down her face, in a state of shock. I observed my hand and contemplated the power of a single small gesture that could turn a girl who had tormented me for an entire month into a vulnerable wreck. As I nodded, I offered comfort to Jenny while passionately recounting to the class how I had deliberately provoked her throughout the day. Without hesitation, the teacher hurriedly went to Jenny’s side and wholeheartedly believed her version of events.
I was confused by the strength of my fingers when the teacher approached me with a punishment. The teacher taught me that actions can be just as harmful as words. I argued that a finger was just a finger, with no significant meaning. I couldn’t understand why raising my ring or index fingers had no consequence, but using the finger in the middle would disrupt the class. It was only when Ms. Beck explained symbolism and the power of symbols that I began to comprehend the other perspective.
I want to emphasize that my perspective did not become biased towards the other side after witnessing it. The middle finger, in my opinion, served as an illustration of how my peers unjustly demonized an innocent gesture. However, gradually, I came to comprehend my mistake through my teacher’s words. Although it is accurate to assert that we should not attribute any more intention or significance to the middle finger than raising my foot, the truth is that people will still perceive the action negatively. From that encounter, I gained two insights: society has the ability to alter the meaning of anything in this world, regardless of its literal definition, for better or worse; and as long as a sufficient number of people embrace a particular interpretation, the word or action becomes defined as such.
I now perceive interactions, words, and symbols in two ways: their literal meaning and their societal meaning. This awareness also makes me doubt the stability and susceptibility to change of words accompanied by fixed meanings. Although Jenny made my first-grade year miserable, I am grateful to her for this enlightening and precious understanding.
