“I’m the type a person that sees the world dark and all that stuff because there’s many reasons why.”

Eleven year-old Catherine Ramirez thinks middle school grade is harder than elementary school because it gives you more stress due to the classes being more harder. Although Catherine is starting a new part of her life, which is is going to middle school for the first time, she still misses elementary school because she misses the recess breaks and the field trips that were given in elementary school. But she doesn’t miss the way that teachers made her feel like a child because she likes being treated like a adult.  Catherine also mentions that she is the type of person that sees the world dark and grey.

Transcript:

Israel Ramirez Jr: So sister, how old are you?

Catherine Ramirez: I’m eleven.

IR: Do you think sixth grade is harder than elementary school?

CR: Yes.

IR: What do you think makes it so different or harder?

CR: I think it gives you more stress.

IR: Well, what major differences do you think there’s between middle school and elementary school?

CR: The major differences between middle school and elementary school…. You get more classes and the classes are harder.

IR: Apart from the fact that classes are harder do you think middle school is more fun than elementary school?

CR: No.

IR: What makes you think that?

CR: Elementary school you get recess and in middle school you get lunch.

IR: You miss being in elementary school?

CR: Yes.

IR: Why is that?

CR: Because you get field trips and in the middle school you get none.

IR: And do you miss all the goofy things that elementary school used to do?

CR: A little.

IR: And why a little?

CR: Little because in elementary school all the good things that happened made me feel like a little kid and I didn’t like it.

IR: So you’re saying you like being treated like an adult?

CR: A little.

IR: And why do you like to be if you like being treated like an adult and not your average everyday kid?

CR: Because when people treat you like an adult you get more respect or something like that.

IR: So you like being treated with respect?

CR: Yes, because I’d like to be treated with a little bit of respect.

IR: But why so little respect to yourself?

CR: Because if you add a little bit of respect on the little bit of meanness means it’s just like a messing around talk.

IR: Oh alright but how does that how’s being treated like that make you feel makes me feel?

CR: Comfortable and makes me feel being myself.

IR: Do you think everyone gives you the same respect? 

CR: No.

IR: How does that make you feel?

CR:I have no feeling to describe that.

IR: So what other type of respect do you like being treated with?

CR: Kindness. 

IR: And why so?

CR: Because people treat me the way I want them to treat …. And I treat people the way they want me to treat them.

IR:  And do you think that type of respect is the best kind of respect?

CR: Depends on the person.

IR: And on what type of respect do you want? And do you think all people should be treated with the same respect?

CR: Only if they want to.

IR: And why so?

CR: Because some people might feel uncomfortable having that respect.

IR: I see and are you one of those people?

CR: Maybe.

IR: And are you one of those people who see the world colorful, full of joy and always look to the bright side of things or are you one of those people who see the world black and gray for what it truly is, just a pretty sad place to live in but yet still full of surprises and still don’t know it?

CR: I’m the type a person that sees the world dark and all that stuff because there’s many reasons why.

IR: And are one of those reasons the horrible things that us people in this world do that affect each one of us in a small way? And also of what I heard and gone through I feel like everyone has gone through pain and sadness and I think everyone has felt that way somehow and it would be impossible for no one not to be feeling or have not felt in a horrible way because of what us humans have done to each other.

CR:  That was really deep.

IR: And I think the reason it was deep was because all those horrible things us humans have done is what makes us humans because we’re all capable of making mistakes and capable of learning that from them to create a better future.