I have a small tear in what looks to be a film or membrane over my right tonsil. throat hurts, no white pockets/swelling. i can see a swollen vein.

Probable tonsilitis: It is always difficult to describe the appearance of a tonsil without a good direct light source. What you see in front of a mirror is not reliable. Unless you clearly remember that you scratched your tonsil with a foreign object, the pain is indicative of an inflammation or early infection. Gargle vigorously with warm saline may clarify the outcome a bit more.