Uniform

I keep this journal so I have someplace private for my thoughts. I am even careful here, because I fully expect that one day, they will find it. 

Everything is uniform, not just on our bodies but within, just like the row of tables and chairs we sit in.
The years of uniformity is almost inconsequential to our daily living. It just is and has been and can only be.

We are taken from our parents on our sixth birthday. We are taken to the "dormitories" where we are
trimmed and pruned of compassion, creativity and all things weak. Our parents try to prepare us, they 
have no say in when or if we can go. The government has mandated our education.

The government changed many years ago according to our parents and local gossip. It used to be
a different government until the Raga movement took over by election and several significant insurrections in areas of resistance. The Raga movement, short for Right Agenda Government Authority, is persistent and violent. State after state gave way or gave in. In order to maintain this more perfect union according to the Right Agenda, we have to start with the children. The children are taken and educated in the right way. The left or communist left as they are called have retreated to the underground. For a long time they tried to resist by legal means, but were targeted, and assassinated until few appear publicly. Nonetheless, life goes on.

There are no abortions, no woke history, no climate change issues, no sexual orientation problems. Everything has been fixed on those issues by the Right Agenda Government Authority. The press and news programs tell us the same. It helps keep peace.

We live in dormitory buildings much like college students did in the past. Except our halls, class rooms and even sleeping quarters are monitored. Students are encouraged to turn in those who are slack in their work or voice concern about school rules. It helps keep peace.

We sit in large lecture halls, each seat is assigned, each computer coded, to keep track of each student. The discipline is swift. Security guards stand in the back ready to escort unruly students out or zap them into submission. It helps keep peace.

Teachers are instructed and educated in Right Agenda institutions that use government issued books. 
There is no questioning of the merits of the materials used. Any teaching suggestion must enhance
or deepen Right Agenda teachings. If you have an idea to maintain discipline or report wrong doers
your resume is advanced in points for a potential job. Any teacher that persists in challenging the
status quo is sent to a re-education camp. Rumors are that they combine hard core survivor type 
camps with hard core lectures. Cameras or reporters, those that exist, are not allowed in. It helps keep peace.

We sit in rows at our assigned seating, our little legs barely reach the floor. We all wear the same
uniforms, grey, green or brown. They are fleece materials, elastic waist pants with elastic on ankles,
tee shirts and hoodie type jackets or option for no hood. So we do have choices. Girls or boys cannot
grow their hair beyond the shoulders.  We can wear our hair in pigtails or ponytails but no hair ornaments.

We are not allowed jewelry unless it is a crucifix or the designed symbol of the government, an R and A intertwined. We can wear athletic shoes, in grey, green brown and they added black. They are considering adding black or white to our uniforms. We can see our parents on Christmas and Summer break. Our parents may face time us on Sundays. These calls are monitored. There is talk we may get a short spring break visit in the near future. These additions and or changes, inspire many to believe that our schools and therefore our government is fair. It helps keep peace. 

It's only been almost five years for me. I am now ten years old and I have been doing my work and been getting excellent grades. I participate in volleyball, pickle ball and exercise every day. We no longer are allowed dance classes. Apparently the teachers keep getting in trouble. Some kids are involved in running, archery and other sports. I'm thinking I need to learn how to run long distances, to help my endurance.

I miss my family.
Peace

                                          Uniform

I keep this journal so I have someplace private for my thoughts. I am even careful here, because I fully expect that one day, they will find it. 

Everything is uniform, not just on our bodies but within, just like the row of tables and chairs we sit in. The years of uniformity is almost inconsequential to our daily living. It just is and has been and can only be.

We are taken from our parents on our sixth birthday. We are taken to the "dormitories" where we are trimmed and pruned of compassion, creativity and all things weak. Our parents try to prepare us, they have no say in when or if we can go. The government has mandated our education.

The government changed many years ago according to our parents and local gossip. It used to be a different government until the Raga movement took over by election and several significant insurrections in areas of resistance. The Raga movement, short for Right Agenda Government Authority, is persistent and violent. State after state gave way or gave in. In order to maintain this more perfect union according to the Right Agenda, we have to start with the children. The children are taken and educated in the right way. The left or communist left as they are called have retreated to the underground. For a long time they tried to resist by legal means, but were targeted, and assassinated until few appear publicly. Nonetheless, life goes on.

There are no abortions, no woke history, no climate change issues, no sexual orientation problems. Everything has been fixed on those issues by the Right Agenda Government Authority. The press and news programs tell us the same. It helps keep peace.

We live in dormitory buildings much like college students did in the past. Except our halls, class rooms and even sleeping quarters are monitored. Students are encouraged to turn in those who are slack in their work or voice concern about school rules. It helps keep peace.

We sit in large lecture halls, each seat is assigned, each computer coded, to keep track of each student. The discipline is swift. Security guards stand in the back ready to escort unruly students out or zap them into submission. It helps keep peace.

Teachers are instructed and educated in Right Agenda institutions that use government issued books. There is no questioning of the merits of the materials used. Any teaching suggestion must enhance or deepen Right Agenda teachings. If you have an idea to maintain  discipline or report wrong doers your resume is advanced in points for a potential job. Any teacher that persists in challenging the status quo is sent to a re-education camp. Rumors are that they combine hard core survivor type camps with hard core lectures. Cameras or reporters, those that exist, are not allowed in. It helps keep peace.

We sit in rows at our assigned seating, our little legs barely reach the floor. We all wear the same uniforms, grey, green or brown. They are fleece materials, elastic waist pants with elastic on ankles, tee shirts and hoodie type jackets or option for no hood. So we do have choices. Girls or boys cannot grow their hair beyond the shoulders.  We can wear our hair in pigtails or ponytails but no hair ornaments.

We are not allowed jewelry unless it is a crucifix or the designed symbol of the government, an R and A intertwined. We can wear athletic shoes, in grey, green brown and they added black. They are considering adding black or white to our uniforms. We can see our parents on Christmas and Summer break. Our parents may face time us on Sundays. These calls are monitored. There is talk we may get a short spring break visit in the near future. These additions and or changes, inspire many to believe that our schools and therefore our government is fair. It helps keep peace. 

It's only been almost five years for me. I am now ten years old and I have been doing my work and been getting excellent grades. I participate in volleyball, pickle ball and exercise every day. We no longer are allowed dance classes. Apparently the teachers keep getting in trouble. Some kids are involved in running, archery and other sports. I'm thinking I need to learn how to run long distances, to help my endurance.

I miss my family.
Peace

Nilsa Mariano has been published in Stone Canoe, Five Minute Magazine and MicroFiction Monday Magazine.