The 'mean girl' era
We’ve all had those moments we look back on and think, 'yikes.' For author Olivia Petter, her Year 6 experience was basically a masterclass in being an 'emotional terrorist.' She and her best friend spent their days pranking their teacher, Ms. Hill—think hidden spiders, ruined chocolate digestives, and actual flooding.
Looking back, she realized her 'villain origin story' was actually just her dealing with her own bullying and unstable home life. Real talk: it’s giving projection. Now that she’s older, she’s publicly apologizing for the chaos, hoping Ms. Hill is living her best life with an endless supply of cookies and absolutely no creepy-crawlies.
Rethinking the 'white savior' narrative
Writer Derek Owusu shared a much deeper reflection on his childhood in foster care. Growing up as one of the many Black children in a white foster mother’s home, he spent years questioning her motives. Was she a 'white savior'? Was it all about the money? He spent a long time doubting the woman who, it turned out, was just doing her best to provide a safe space for kids in need.
He eventually realized his doubt was a defense mechanism. He realized she wasn't perfect—she was human—but her compassion was real, especially when she stepped in to protect one of his housemates from being deported. He’s now making amends, choosing to let go of the skepticism and honor her memory with the empathy he didn't give her back then.
Why it matters
We’re all out here trying to navigate life, and sometimes that means realizing we were the problem in someone else’s story. Whether it’s a minor school prank or a major misunderstanding about someone who loved you, there is major main character energy in taking accountability. Real growth starts when we stop making excuses for our past selves and just say, 'I was wrong, and I’m sorry.'
