Pride



Before I had a chance to ask Mary why she was absent, in front of the entire class she blurted out, "Ms, I wasn't here yesterday because I got arrested and my mom had to come and get me out."  She then went on to tell us about the warrant out for her because of previous tickets she had not paid.  She didn't see any reason to pay them when all she did was jump a turn style, not pay a few fares and had a box cutter in her possession.  She has a court date in March and she is not worried about it at all.

It used to be a day in jail would have been a source of embarrassment.  Now, it is a source of pride.  I am getting too old for this.