The Student Teacher

Let's call him Mr. W. 

It was a history lesson about the Civil Rights Movement. In an attempt to illustrate segregation, Mr W began to point out all the minority students. He explained that if we relocated our classroom to the 1950's, then everyone he had just pointed to would not be allowed in the classroom. A hand shoots up, and one student poses a question. 

Pointing at me, the student asks "What about her?" Mr. W, obviously confused, asked what the student meant. There's a quick reply. "Because she's mixed." 

Mr. W finally gave a response, "she's light enough to pass." 

There's a mild roar of objections and grumbling before Mr. W can settle down the classroom. 

I stare down at my desk, waiting for the awkward moment to fade.