Bullet-Proof

On my first day of my new job I had arrived early and decided to fill up my gas tank since I had some extra time. I went to get my receipt from the cashier I saw the bullet-proof plastic covering the window and the turnstile system of passing money or chips or receipts back and forth without ever exposing the cashier. "Welcome back" were the words in my head. As I waited for my receipt to circle around to me in its cubby, I remembered that this was part of my regular routine of working, living and shopping 5 years ago. Thoughts started to dart through my head: this must be a dangerous place. is he afraid of me? should I be afraid of him? this system takes longer. i shouldn't stay here too long. After being away from bullet-proof glass for a while, seeing it again brought a flood of thoughts and emotions... and I think it should. What messages have my students internalized about themselves, their community and the world if this is the only kind of cashier booths they've ever seen?