And They’re A First Generation Idiot

(We are in a high school level government class. I am well liked by my classmates, as is my mother, since she chaperoned field trips and brought in baked goods frequently. My mother is a first generation American — her family emigrated from Canada — and we are both Caucasian. We are discussing gun control.)

Other Student: “I don’t think first generation Americans should be allowed to own guns. It’s just not safe for the rest of us.”

Me: “My mother’s a first generation American.”

Other Student: “No, you know that’s not what I meant!”

Me: “Then… what DID you mean?”

(The entire class, most of all the teacher, cracked up. The teacher let him squirm for a few moments before using it as an opportunity to talk about legislation made to target specific racial or ethnic groups.)