The appropriateness of inappropriateness

Miss, whats wrong with reading an article on my favorite singer?" he asked.

Nevermind this was in the middle of class when I had to take a magazine from one of my students. When I looked at the cover however, all I could do was shake my head.




It was Ashanti on the cover of King Magazine scantily clad with her digitally enhanced titties.

Ah, the joys of middle school.

As he argued and pleaded with me not to report, all I could say is "you know that isn't appropriate!"

But who in the hell am I kidding? It was absolutely appropriate. Let me explain myself.

So a 13 year old boy brought in a magazine to look at boobies and booty. The teacher in me would say "I'm calling your mother!" Me in sneakers would say "let me see" (most women have a little quasi lesbian in them whether they choose to believe it or not). I have to be honest with myself. Do I really expect kids newly initiated into their teenage years not to think about breasts and pecs? I mean really.

True story: So I'm in class with some of my favorite students. I'm walking around as they are working on a project...and I begin to hear strange noises. Like making a sexy time noises. Giggling ensues and in turn I give the student "the eye."

"That is not appropriate" I say.
"But its natural Miss" another student chirps in. "I'm sure you've made those sounds before."

Now don't get me wrong, it is wrong to talk to an adult that manner (and I definitely let him know it)...but shit, he was right (even though its more like beeeffooorrreee if you catch my drift).

What do you say?
Afterwards, I told the class that although I appreciated the level of comfort they feel with me, that some things shouldn't be said.

Good enough right?

But seriously, how can I condemn them for having freaky thoughts. I am the same person who once typed up the lyrics to lil' kim's "Dreams" in typing class. My friends and I used to sing Akinyele (yeah, THAT song) within earshot of our teachers. Hell, we used to try to do splits in class (well not me, I just watched). Damn, now that I think about it, we were much worse.

So how can I knock them? Despite all my nonsense, at heart I was quite the prude even well into college, and I'm willing to bet that most of my students will be too. So for now, hear no evil...see no evil I guess.

...and hopefully they'll remain all talk...at least until 2015 or so.