The other day in class, mom was giving the usual battle to establish discipline. A student was trying to express an opinion, and having enough trouble with English already, she also had to deal with snappy comments from her classmates. Mom had made it clear that she would not have that, so she got ready to apply THE rule and kick someone out. Before doing that though, she decided to give a little reminder speech about the value of showing respect when a fellow classmate is trying to express an opinion.
Then a student objected that 'this is how things are in the real world'. This made mom flip. The fact that these kids do not know of any other reality is one thing, and maybe not really their fault. Mom did explain that this is not 'the real world' everywhere, and that there are plenty of places where respect is valued, if not required. Of course, the students did not even blink.
But what really saddens mom is these kids' attitude of resignation and readiness to jump in and support the status quo. Even if this was the real world indeed, it never occurs to them that they might have the ability to make the tiniest change. The whole thing reminded mom of the 4th season of The Wire (if you haven't watched it, mom demands that you do a.s.a.p.). The difference is that mom's students are not kids from the projects; they don't have to work the corners or to support a parent who's an addict. These are kids that are about to graduate from one of the most prestigious schools in the country; they've had some of the best resources this country can offer; and are expected to be the country's next generation of leaders. And when this next generation is eager to enter the 'real world' with such a resigned mentality, then what kind of hope does that leave for the future???
This is not an official Department of State website, and the views and information presented are my own and do not represent the Fulbright Program or the Department of State. Remember folks, I am just a dog!
1 comment:
:-( Please do not let your mom get too discuraged, even if 95% of the people you interact with are a disapointment, even it the idealism of the fulbright program outruns its practical aplication, even if she forgets to pat you, your experience there, and hers, is a growing experience. She will grow, the 5% of people she reaches will see opertunity they didn't know they had, the program will absorb or adapt. Remind her of her role model, the person who modeled a life that she didn't know was possible before...she is doing that now, and please don't let her give up hope.
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