I Climbed The Rope

I really did climb the rope – not just metaphorically, but I will get to that later. This post does speak about P.E. class and I know that I am not the only one who encountered negative experiences because there was a group of us. We were the same group from elementary school onto high school. Whenever I think of gym class I have very negative associations. My experiences were similar to the episodes of Freaks and Geeks, dodge ball anyone?? Freaks and Geeks – Dodgeball More like, torture, embarrassment, ridicule – hell! I would try to play dodge ball (Because I HAD to, in high school if we did not play we had to run laps.) and normally some jock would whelp me on some part of my body. Some boys tried to aim for my chest – not fun for growing boobs.

Why did the gym teachers think it was ok for boys to throw balls at girls?

I know some people love dodge ball. Some of my family members get a rush out of it. One night at boot camp … ha ha ha this story should sound juicier than it is … one night at boot camp we were to play dodge ball the last 15 min. Many of these adults were excited and raring to go. I was transported back to elementary, junior high, and high school. I was not the only one, there were several of us who all dawned similar faces – eyes bulging, mouths sighing a hint of terror, and immediate cowering searching for a place to hide. I said to one of the women, “Oh geez, I hate dodge ball. I hated it in school and I still do.” She and her sister had the same feelings and similar experiences. We were the misfits, outcast, the loners, the ones who were picked last for teams – the ones who did not find pleasure in games like dodge ball.

I actually, enjoyed gym class when we were running, learning games; I loved soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

Continued ... I Climbed The Rope