Middle of Everywhere - Mary Bray Pipher [80]
Nadia's family got cable television so they could receive stations from the Middle East. In fact, many of the students' families watched shows from their home countries.
Alberto said, "TV is boring and stupid, but it passes the time."
Mrs. Kaye said, "Don't watch too much TV. It isn't a good way to learn English. It's better to learn by making friends with Americans and by studying. TV rots your brain."
Cahn said, "Drugs have already rotted my brain." Nobody laughed.
Day 75—March 23, 2000
On a spring day, Mrs. Kaye separated the girls and the boys for lectures on health issues. I stayed with the girls as the health educator arrived with her handouts and a box of props. Many of the girls were a strange mixture of ignorant and traumatized. Most had never experienced anyone talking about sexuality. They knew almost nothing about reproductive health or normal sexuality, but many had been raped or seen their mothers and older sisters being raped.
Homera seemed most upset about the topic. She wore a black scarf that completely covered her face except for her eyes. Today she shut her eyes when the health educator put up the first overhead slide. Even though Homera was married and presumably had been sexually actiVe, she obviously didn't want to discuss sex in public. I could tell she would rather be anywhere than in this class.
Patti was the biggest contrast to Homera. She was dressed in a tight mustard-colored sleeveless shirt and overalls. She wore long dangly earrings and a bored expression to disguise the fact that she was paying close attention.
Velida had missed the last few weeks of school, but today she was here. She had a shaved head now, but she didn't seem to mind. She wore a little pink ribbon around her head and laughed easily as always. She was interested in all aspects of health and not embarrassed by the sexual discussion.
The health educator explained that Americans are obsessed with cleanliness and she talked about the need to shower every day and to shampoo regularly. She passed around samples of deodorants and talked about body odor. Patti passed the deodorant on without looking at it, but Nadia and Homera examined the deodorant as if it were a piece of the space shuttle.
The health educator had an overhead that showed stick people washing their hands and getting immunizations. She spoke about dental hygiene. Most of the girls knew about brushing teeth, but no one had heard of dental floss.
The health educator explained what it is like to go to the doctor. She first mentioned the need for a Medicaid or insurance card. She explained that it wasn't personal, but that American doctors wouldn't treat you if you didn't have these cards. Now it was my turn to sigh and look uncomfortable, ashamed of our rich country that wouldn't help a sick baby without making sure there was money.
Velida said, "To see the doctor here, you need many papers. But my doctors are kind."
The health educator covered generic versus brand-name medications and why it is important to finish a bottle of antibiotics. She warned against mixing medications. Here, for the first time, the girls had a few questions. Nadia asked what she should do about a cough that wouldn't go away. Patti asked if Advil is the same as ibuprofen.
When the health educator put up a poster showing the female reproductive system, Homera gasped, then lay her head on her desk so that she could see nothing. Nadia averted her eyes, but Tharaya, Velida, and Patti carefully studied those drawings.
The health educator explained menstruation. As she discussed fallopian tubes and ovaries, Tharaya and Nadia giggled nervously. Homera turned beet red. Patti listened closely, then asked,