“THEY” Cripple Society Volume 1: Who are “THEY” and how do they do it? An Expose in True to Life Narrative Exploring Stories of Discrimination. Cleon E. Spencer
goes by,” he said, “that the social aftermath of all that is done in the treatment of mental disorders is a key issue. It is an extremely important factor in deciding whether the patient will make the grade in society or whether he returns again, and perhaps again and again for further therapy of one kind or another.”
Collin became so intensely interested at the sound of what he had just heard, that he forgot himself completely. His hand came unknowingly down from his face and lodged on the arm of his chair. His self awareness was now almost nil. Perhaps what was coming was what he had been searching and hoping for for many years.
“The social problems related to the treatment of the mentally ill are numerous and difficult,” said Professor Yates. He continued to talk confidently, surveying his domain as he spoke, looking here and there at the students sitting before him. Then it happened. Professor Yates, in his surveillance of the class as he lectured, caught a glimpse, for the first time, of Collin Seldon with his hand down from his face. As their glimpses connected, the professor paused for a split second during which time there was a slight break in the flow of his speech as well as momentary stoppage in his head and body swinging. But then he turned very quickly away from Collin, looking out over the students to his right as he continued to lecture.
Collin, so absorbed in the content of the lecture, was only partly aware of what was happening as the professor turned back to venture another glimpse of him. Then with paling face he suddenly turned away from him again as if with fright.
This brought Collin’s self awareness back to full capacity. He kept his cool and casually placed his hand to the side of his face as before, meanwhile observing that the professor’s proud and elated swinging mood had now subsided. Whether his confidence had too, he could not detect, but the tone of the lecture was now definitely on the down beat.
Collin braced himself, expecting Professor Yates might venture another look. Within a short period he did, this time nodding slightly towards Collin, then turning away, only to look once more, bristle, then turn away to ignore Collin’s presence throughout the remainder of the class period.
I won’t have much of a rapport with this one, thought Collin. I know from previous experiences that this professor perceives me, just by my presence, to be too much for him. By his bristle he has indicated he is going to handle it by being unfriendly, perhaps hostile towards me, maybe even try to drive me away. Time will tell.
“The problems of social acceptance generally, the home environment wherein lies the root of the patients’ problems, the acquisition of social and employment skills; these we will consider in the final phase of our course,” continued Professor Yates. He was now somewhat subdued, but self-consciously endeavoring to regain his former stance.
Not much new there, thought Collin; well, there maybe some new approaches to these familiar problems. That will be interesting and helpful, but really not what I was hoping for.
Professor Yates continued the session towards its ending with an outline of how he would present these social problems with some experiments and case histories added. After presenting a list of text books and readings the period had passed and he dismissed the class, stating that he would be happy to talk to students individually in the fifteen or so minutes at his disposal immediately following dismissal.
Collin stayed in his chair as the students dispersed. At first he sat for a while looking over the list of text books he had written down. Slowly then he stood, purposely lingering some more, and allowing other students to talk to Professor Yates first. Collin would then approach him and, so he thought, try to befriend him.
Owen Winslow had lingered too, also for a purpose. Now that the other students had cleared away from the vicinity of Collin, Owen proceeded toward him somewhat hurriedly, meanwhile making an effort to control the smile that was breaking out over his face.
“You must be one of us,” said Owen enthusiastically.
“One of us?” questioned Collin, expressing complete surprise. Thoughts went through his mind. Was this some sort of shady approach? Then, no, it can’t be. Unless my guess is wrong, this man is a good type. I’ll trust him further. “Just what do you mean by ‘one of us’?” he asked curiously.
He was reassured by an apologetic reply from Owen, “I’m sorry I said that one of us so crudely, but my observance is you are a fine, well cultured, clean-cut looking person who stands out in public. Because of that, it brings on problems peculiar to people like you and I and the other members of a support group we have going here at the university. It was this group of fine people I had in mind when I said you must be one of us.”
As Collin paused and pondered this unusual experience, Owen enthusiastically continued the conversation, “I couldn’t help but notice Mr. Yates’ reaction to you, and how you partially covered your face again. I recalled then that you had your hand up to your face from the beginning, but I didn’t realize the significance of it until the moment Professor Yates turned so quickly away from you. A neat maneuver you have there - think I’ll try that one!”
Collin began to see what Owen meant by us. “Might be a good idea for you too,” he said as he smiled. “Then the professor will look in your direction also.” They both laughed together in subdued tones.
Collin, looked toward the professor’s desk. “I wish to make acquaintance with Professor Yates. We’ll talk again later, okay?”
“That’s a good maneuver too, Collin,” said Owen, more seriously. “I think you can help us.”
Surprise and curiosity came over Collin’s face again.
“I mean - well - would you, that is, if you had it explained to you, I’m sure you would be interested,” Owen said fluctuating between stammering and excitement.
“I think I know what us means now,” replied Collin, “and if I can help anyone, I’d be glad to. There are lounging benches placed around the foyer. I’ll meet you out there in a few minutes, if that’s all right with you.”
“Good” said Owen, obviously pleased. “I’ll wait for you.”
Collin, now left alone, approached the area where Professor Yates stood talking to a student. There was one other student still waiting. Mr Yates had been putting them through about one every two minutes. He glanced at Collin approaching the area. The student with whom he had been talking was breaking away with the usual courtesies. The next student stepped up. Professor Yates engrossed himself in a lengthy conversation with him. Two minutes passed, three, four, five. Collin had experienced this before. He looked at his watch and thought of leaving.
On second thought though, he decided to stay and ride it out. At least he would stay long enough to be sure whether this delay was a coincidence or a standoff. His wondering about which it would be was soon answered. The conversation between the professor and the other student continued for about two minutes longer. Meanwhile Collin stood his ground, giving the impression he intended to stay in there. Looking at his watch, the professor sent the student on his way and Collin stepped up to him immediately.
“What do you want?” Professor Yates asked disdainfully and curtly of Collin, with emphasis on the you.
Collin braced himself, as he had done on many similar occasions. In fact he was able to handle such a situation so well now, that no notice of shock to his system was visible. “Just thought I would discuss some aspects of the course with you,” replied Collin in a calm and friendly tone that also seemed to say by its inference, Well for what other reason would I be here?
The Professor glared at Collin intensely and silently.
I could ride out that glare too,” Collin thought to himself, but then I know what it would lead to eventually; a complaint to the department head about me, a wayward student. Instead, he looked at his wrist watch, and then at Professor Yates, “Of course, if there is no time left, we can skip it. I’m sure the questions I have to ask will be answered as the lectures go by.”
“Yes”, said the professor, emphatically,