Special: Better greater or otherwise different than what is usual

Special: Better, greater or otherwise different than what is usual.

By: Arion Hart

 

In elementary school,

We were taught that the word Special

Was used to talk about special needs kids.

Because using the word “Retarded” was mean.

They had labels put on doors that said ‘Special Ed’

They separated us for half the day,

My classmates from my other classmates.

It was like segregation only this time we didn’t use color pigments

We used chromosomes.

This kid had one too many

This one had one too less

This kid had the right amount.

26 was the perfect number

26 chromosomes

26 letters in the alphabet

26 students in the classroom

But only 21 stayed.

 

We got stickers that said, “You’re Special.”

We got our papers stamped with “Great!”

In elementary school I had come too hate

The word “Special.”

Special kids got treated differently than the rest.

Teachers welcomed them with open arms,        

Soft words, kindness.

Other “normal” kids isolated them[AD1]  because they were special.

And that’s something I never understand.

I don’t understand how it is that we can isolate them.

Every living thing needs love, whether it be human or animal,

Boy or girl, special or normal, usual or unusual.

 

There is a game that we’ve played and it goes like this:

We look into his eyes and there are tears behind Eric’s glasses.

And they laugh at him and I just watch them call him

“Special!”

And even though these kids haven’t learned all the bad words

And smart comebacks.

They know something else,

They know….

Honesty


 [AD1]Multiple specials for “normal people” one special for special needs kids

 

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