numb

We have been numbed by continuous attacks on our pay and benefits. Sometimes, we just want it to stop. So, we swear we'll take anything they give us, just to stay sane.
Later, after its all over and cooler minds prevail, we look at what we settled for and are shocked. Yes, shocked to see we caved, when all we needed to do was stand firm. Shocked to think we believed their smooth words and heartless appeals.
It was so hard to stand firm! It took so much time. I didn't have the energy after a while. All I wanted was to teach. I wanted to stand in front of those kids and give them my knowledge, open their minds to the possibilities. But they kept at me. Telling me they couldn't meet my needs, that my demands were too dear, that my compensation would be detrimental to the children.
I listened and didn't believe them. I did not want to think that my place in this world was so devalued. I wanted to think that they had ulterior motives, they wanted something else from me, from us. Well, it turned out all they wanted was my blood. They wanted to suck us all dry and leave us to rot. They wanted us to work for pennies while they filled their coffers with cold cash. They want to take from everyone, even their precious children.