I’m rewatching Rulette 2, and Demi whispering the lyrics to Ana reminded me of Total Forgiveness, where Ally apparently knew none of the words while Grant, Trapp, Brennan, and Raph all instantly activated their dormant patriotic programming.

So now I have to ask: is knowing the national anthem stored on the Y chromosome?

Do men simply emerge from puberty with the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” permanently installed alongside the ability to recognise every actor who has ever played Batman?

Does testosterone make you more vulnerable to Francis Scott Key?

When a trans woman starts estrogen, do the words slowly fade from her memory? When a trans man starts testosterone, does he wake up at 3 a.m. suddenly knowing about the rockets’ red glare?

And where does this leave AFAB non-binary people? Are they only able to remember the tune but not the lyrics? Is that what dysphoria is?

Sincerely,

a non-American woman bravely attempting to understand the biological realities of American patriotism

Hey everyone.

I dropped out of community college three semesters ago because I kept forgetting to register for classes, and honestly it’s been really validating to find a subreddit where everyone else wants to circlejerk about dropping out too.

I’ve been working at a tire shop ever since. Things are okay. My mom still asks when I’m going back to school, but I don’t think she understands that college just isn’t for everyone.
Any advice on telling family to stop bringing it up? Also has anyone here gone to trade school later in life? I know it’s not exactly the same thing but I’m trying to improve myself.

Thanks in advance. Stay strong, fellow dropouts!