Brain: no more free answers.

• Author: Hite-Ridley, Dominique
• Position: Voices - Girl ostracized after refusing to give out answers in class - Brief Article

ATLANTA, GA.--I'm far from a perfectionist, but I've always completed my assignments on time, and I've never failed a class. Ultimately, though, all of that seemed to do me little good.

I have never been considered anything more than a brain who gives out answers. It started five years ago and continues today. I am constantly being asked for answers during class work and tests.

Last year, I became sick and tired of being everyone's brain, watching people I helped move on to bigger and better things. I realized it just wasn't fair, so I stopped. That's when the nightmare really began.

When I didn't give away answers, I was called a snob, and names that are much worse. I was criticized for everything I did, from my running in gym class to my non-Southern accent. According to one insult, the only reason why I received good grades was because the teacher could not understand my handwriting.

Whenever I opened my mouth, I was made fun of, to the point that I dared not speak. Every now and then, other students would ask me questions instead of ridiculing me. When I tried to explain things they didn't understand, I was mocked again.

Sometimes, the mocking wasn't so obvious. Occasionally, a boy would come up to me thinking, "She's smart but ugly. If I ask her out, I can get her to do my work and have a girlfriend on the side. We'll both win. She'll get a date, and I'll pass my class." I haven't fallen for that trick yet, and I never will.

I wanted to fight back, but sometimes the harder you try, the more they tease.

I'm now in 11th...