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• Wednesday, October 18, 2006 09:40 AM

  Hand on Thigh

  I am still stuck on the hand on Naomi Wolf's thigh!

  I did not read the article she wrote cited in this essay, but I am stuck on how stuck she got on the hand on her thigh. I am now eager to share my "hand on thigh stories."

  In 5th grade there was about a week where all the boys pinch the girls butts. As I recall lots of different reactions were had by the girls. Some giggled, some yelled, some said nothing. I guess when it was my turn I to be pinched I reflexively socked the guy in the back. A nice sold thud. I never got pinched again, and do not remember if the boys continued their weirdness.

  Now later my mother converted to Islam and cover all her body except her hands and feet. At 12 she decided I would do the same. I often went with her to the our local collage where she took classes. One day I was sitting on a bench and a young man, clean cut came over and sat right next to me. So close that our bodies were touching. He started to talk about the weather or something and put his hand firmly on my thigh. I remember I was shocked and just looked at that hand on my fabric draped body. After a minute he got up and left. I vaguely recall he joined a group of guys standing close by, so I think it must have been a dare.

  I do not think I was traumatized by either of these situations. But maybe I'lll write an essay about them. I am a grown woman now and so far the only consistent pschological truth I embrace is that people are so weird.

  —alliquippa Read alliquippa's other letters
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