Important Lessons from High School

Now Playing: The Elders – “American Wake”

I’m not sure how many really important things I learned in high school. Most of the things I needed to know, I picked up before or after those long and annoying four year. Which makes the things I did learn there stand out. One such stand-out lesson I learned in my U.S. History class and it’s one I am never likely to forget.

I can’t recall teh name of the teacher. He was black and had a great story about the Korean war, but other than that I can’t remember much about him. (Shows how much the midn goes as I had to take his class twice.)

Anyway, we were given an assignment early in the year. Two small groups of us were picked and each group was to make a presentation to the class. My side would try and convince the class that the American Colonies should stay under British rule. The other side would try and convince the class to revolt against England.

The two teams were made up of four studens and while I don’t know who else was on my team, I remeber that the Americans were led by Jeff Colar. Jeff was one of the guys I put in the smart group and I knew that my team was in for a challenge.

Now, normally, I didn’t go in for class assingments and homework, but I enjoyed that type of things and really got into it. My team and I dug in and did research and when teh time came to make our presentation, we were pretty well convinced that the win was in our hands.

Heck, to this dayI still think the U.S. should’ve stayed with England. Our argument was well reasoned, supported and eloquent. We were brilliant and when we stepped down to let Jeff and his guys take the podium, I know I smirked. “Fuck you buddy. You just got it handed to you,” was my thought.

Now, I’m not 10% certain it wnet down like this, but in my head I see Jeff step up to the front of the class. He looks down at his notes, shuffles his papers, and looks out at us. He pauses for a moment and then tosses his hands up in the air and shouts “England Sucks!!!”

The whole class erupts into shouts and cheers and whoops.

I don’t think my side got one single vote. England Sucks? We lost every person in the class on those two words.

So, now I remember that. I remember it when peopple want to argue politics or religion or any other hot button issue.

Sometimes, well thought out arguments are nothing more than a waste of time.

Time better spent cutting class, chasing girls and smoking in the parking lot.

Till next time, fight fans.