ext_6296 ([identity profile] prof-pangaea.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] prof_pangaea 2008-11-06 07:45 pm (UTC)

I NEVER THOUGHT OF THE RACISM ANGLE. Yes, man, exactly! It's the same cultural indicators!

ah, racism. underpinning western society and culture since forever.

It cuts both ways, as well. Normally I would never say that about racism because it obviously doesn't, but I think this is one case where a particular behavioural pattern is judged more harshly in white kids than in black kids, possibly because of unconsciously racist thought patterns where the standard for white kids is higher?

i think it is just a more complex cut, and actually even more offensive for it. "jimmy, i expected MORE of you. i mean, you're white." ugh.

I do know that the white working-class in this country is underperforming educationally more and more each year, particularly the boys, and shit like 'chav' doesn't help.

i was lucky, because even though i came from a lower-class home, i looked like i was just an awkward kid who wore wildlife t-shirts and glasses. okay, cheap glasses and the same clothes all the time, but still. my sisters didn't have these indicators and were consistently tracked into average classes, not even given the option of "hey, there are advanced classes in these subjects. what kinds of things are you interested in? what would you like to study? if you do this and this then you'll be able to get into these classes." fuck, even *i* almost didn't get to take the SATs because no one gave a shit about making sure kids were signed up for them, and i didn't have the money for it. (yes, they make you pay for a test you need to take in order to get into any university or technical college), and i graduated third in my class. thankfully one of my teachers found out the day before the test and got the high school to pay for me somehow.

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting