When I was 5 years old - I wanted to be Bat Girl! She rode a motercycle and kicked A$$!
- Everyday after school (pre), I'd watch the (cheesy and antiquated) reruns on what is now the CW.
As Halloween approached, my mother searched (at my behest) for the coveted Batgirl costume. My older sister had her desired Wonder Woman costume but Batgirl was nowhere to be found
My mother offered substitutes but I would not relent and insisted that if I could not get the Batgirl costume, she didn't have to buy any.
My solution - I had blue sheet at home that functioned perfectly well as my cape, and with proper adjustment, it would serve as my costume. I mean, my imagination and acrobatic displays should be enough to let the world know that I was ---- BATGIRL.
At school the next day, the preschoolers were to dress in costume and have a "parade" for the older children (K - 5th graders).
When I arrived at school the aids were unpacking costumes. I waited in line to have my costume unpacked and to be dressed. I was late (thanks mom) so I was the last one.
I guess this is the moment I became aware - not aware in the childish sense
but my grown-up awareness
- While I waited - I listened to the aids talk about the children's costumes. Laughing and disparaging the children who had the audacity to arrive with homemade costumes.
- The laughed at the old clothes and mom's earrings masquerading as Gypsy and Pirate wear. There was talk about which kid was poor or which kid's mom was late with tuition.
- At 5 yrs old, I thought - this can't be right. Why are they making fun of kids who, by their own words, couldn't afford costumes. I thought maybe they were like me and their mom's couldn't find the right costume.
- With my 5 year old sense of justice and indignation fired up --- I stonily stared at the aids and when my tum came to be dressed, I handed over my book bag. They repeatedly asked me about my costume and how to apply it ---- silence. They spoke quickly among themselves, was I an African Princess - the blue sheet was wrapped around my waist. Perhaps I was a nun - we were in a Catholic school ---- more silence. They finally gave up.
- At the parade, I sat in the audience among the aids --- I watched my friends on stage. They were Proud and Happy... but among the aids - I listen as they ripped apart the costumes, the old hand-me-downs, the cardboard creative concoctions and the old droopy clothing given new life in the imagination of some kid.
... And I became the person I am today. At that time I didn't have the words to speak up but I do now.
