Not in Kansas...

We were broken up into groups of three and four, discussing ideas for potential "position papers" in English 102. Most of us didn't care what our subject was, we just wanted to get the assignment over with.
"I say our group's argument should be that testing for STDs should be mandatory when you get a physical." Kay says. Our other groupmate, Jessica, agrees. Of course Jessica would agree. She's a stripper.
"Yeah. I check every time. I mean, it doesn't hurt anything, you never know." she says. Jamie is encouraged.
"yeah, and I have a girlfriend who's boyfriend REFUSES to get checked! I mean, he could have AIDS or something! Sure, he says he's only had one other girlfriend, but you don't know. Its awful." she shudders. Jessica joins in. I shrug.
"Well actually, I don't go to the doctor. So this argument doesn't do anything for me. But you can use it." I say. They stare at me.
"Don't go to the doctor! What if you have some disease?" Jessica exclaims.
"I don't. I'm healthy. I'm healthy, so is my family, my parents, and my grandparents are wonderfully strong in their mid eighties. I've heard of too many people actually getting sick from wrong medication or bacteria spread in the hospital. If i can stay out, I will." I say calmly. Kay shakes her head.
"well, maybe you're fine now, but in 20 years, you may be dying."


we present our argument to the class.

"Okay, but what if you're abstinent?" asks the teacher. Kay shakes her head.
"that's unrealistic. It doesn't happen. I mean, not for little kids, but after like 12." she says. Classmates join in agreement.
"at least 12. kids are having sex so young now." says someone. I say nothing.
"It shouldn't be forced. I'm not having sex untill marriage." a young man says in the back. He is Indonesian. He rarely speaks. The class is in uproar. Somebody is laughing. Somebody is snorting. Fingers are being pointed. There are several indignant exclamations.
"no way. impossible!" the crowd choruses. I'm scared to look at the boy. I'm not that brave.
"Well, Jesus is my partner untill marriage." he repeats. This time he draws sarcastic laughs. Nobody is taking him seriously. Some guy in the back row, who listens to his ipod throuought class, beings mocking him.
"I odn't need sex. I have jesus. jesus is MY partner." he chants, snorting. The teacher changes the subject.
I wish I spoke up. I didn't know what to say. I silently turn around and make eye contact with him. Me, too. I mouth. I think he understands.

My stomach hurts.