While on the New Trier website to get my homework assignment from Blackboard, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a picture of Rahm Emanuel under the "news section" in my Google search, so I decided to take a quick peak at the link. The article, from the "NBC Chicago" column "Ward Room", describes how Gery Chico, a Chicago mayoral candidate, has been criticizing Emanuel for not being in touch with the people of Chicago because he is a graduate of New Trier H.S. If you want more on the short article Click Here. It seems strange that a political candidate could be disregarded not for his qualifications and credentials, but for his privileged upbringing. New Trier is often criticized for being a school full of out-of-touch spoiled brats. When I make new friends from other schools they are often surprised at how "normal" I am, as if attending New Trier would completely disconnect a person from mainstream society. Although I believe Chico is wrong by suggesting that Rahm Emanuel is not qualified to govern Chicago because of his high school, and not his policies and experience, he does have a point. Going to New Trier actually does separate one from real society at times. Since I have gone to New Trier I have heard a lot about a "bubble" that separates us from real world problems. Although all of us at New Trier know about poverty, it is unlikely that many of us have actually experienced it. New Trier students clearly do have many other problems, but most of us are not exposed to the issues faced by our peers in other socio-economic groups. In Rahm Emanuel's case, he is being discredited for his accomplishments in politics, because he graduated New Trier years ago. If he did not leave the "bubble" while in high school, he surely has now.
This article brought me to thinking that throughout our lives, the fact that we attended New Trier might actually hold us back. For instance, although many New Trier students have participated in Teach for America, the sister of a good friend, who graduated from New Trier and went on to a prestigious university, was turned down for the Teach for America program despite her qualifications, because this competitive program only wanted to hire graduates who "had faced struggles". Although many New Trier students live cushy lifestyles, many have serious problems in their lives, and it does not mean they cannot understand struggles that are not their own.
Also, going to a school like New Trier makes getting into colleges more difficult. Our GPA and ACT scores are compared to fellow New Trier students. New Trier undeniably has many hard-working, dedicated students, and a decile ranking at New Trier represents a different level of competition from many other high schools.
Undeniably, New Trier has many benefits. Great facilities and great teachers are just two of the examples of privilege at New Trier. I am not saying it is wrong for colleges to compare applicants to other students within the same high school, or that we have not been exposed to the struggles of many of our peers. I do though, find it fascinating that New Trier, which on the surface can be described as a "fantasy school", also has some drawbacks.
I definitely agree with you Trevor. In the eyes of other people, New Trier is constantly seen in a bad light. When I meet people from other schools, they ask me where I go to school and I say New Trier. Immediately their response is "Oh, you go to New Trier?" Typically, it is said in a condescending manner. I do agree that as New Trier students and members of the community, we receive a lot of opportunities that others typically do not. But it's not fair to assume that we are "spoiled rich kids" (which many do). Some students parents are from the city and have lived in poverty, while others have immigrated to the US from a different country. We aren't all one brand of people and it shouldn't be assumed that we aren't able to handle other issues that we might not be exposed to.
ReplyDeleteTrevor- Really insightful blog. I think that the struggles which New Trier students go through are greatly understated. We've talked a lot about the excessive amounts of pressure put on New Trier students to succeed. This leads to increased cases of depression. Many students are generally unhappy; this kind of student might rate their day as a 5 or 6 out of 10. If only there was some kind of initiative, or rather a campaign to help these poor unfortunate students.
ReplyDeleteWhile I recognize that New Trier does have many problems of its own, the anger (or whatever you wish to call it) from people outside of the New Trier community isn't just springing up out of nowhere. How would you like it if you knew that your education may not be as good just because you don't have the money? At Fenger High School in Chicago the average ACT score last year was a 14.3. (see (see http://www.cps.edu/Schools/Pages/school.aspx?unit=1310) ) New Trier's is usually around a 27. If you were at Fenger wouldn't you be resentful? Also, you say that we aren't full of spoiled brats. We are. I bet that on the average day, 60% of girls at New Trier have an outfit on that is at least worth $300. I am being completely serious. We are spoiled because we get to go to a school like New Trier.
ReplyDeleteI do not disagree that the anger is springing up from nowhere, I even admit that Chico has a point. Still though, just because someone has a privelaged upbringing doesn't make them automatically unqualified to be a govenor, or join Teach for America.
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