On our scooter ride home, my nine-year-old daughter asked, “Would it upset you if someone messed with your things?” “Absolutely,” I replied, focused on the road. She said her classmates Chen and Jian fought because Chen tampered with Jian’s backpack ornament. The teacher scolded Jian, throwing his ornament in the trash as a lesson for all: Endure, don’t retaliate. I knew adults hate conflict. At school, you’re expected to suppress emotions. “It’s Jian’s favorite. He cried,” she said. Predictably. “His mom didn’t object when called.” I stopped at a red light, torn by battles we chose to ignore or endorse.
Huina Zheng either writes as an admission coach at work or writes for fun after work.