As a first generation and low income college student, I had my share of conflicts over socioeconomic class differences. The most memorable conflict happened my third year in college, when I was dating a guy from an upper-class family. Everything in the relationship was going well, until the SATs came up... The conversation, which was the beginning of the end, went a little something like this:
Me: You seriously thing that the SATs are a valid measure of anything?
Him: If it wasn't for the SATs, I don't think I would've made it to college. My grades weren't the best, my SAT score got me in. My high school didn't meet my needs. I had to get a tutor for the SATs.
Me: And where does that leave students whose parents can't afford a tutor? You realize that the SAT is a better measure of your parents' income than any kind of academic achievement. You went to one of the best high schools in the state. On a scale of one to 10, your high school is a 10, mine is a 2. My history textbook was so old the USSR still existed. Don't tell me that your high school didn't meet your needs. My high school barely met any students' needs as a whole. How dare you say that your high school didn't meet your needs. You're an ignorant, spoiled idiot!
Him: I'm sorry you think I'm an ignorant, spoiled idiot.
Me: I'm sorry you don't understand why I think you're an ignorant, spoiled idiot. (And I walked out of the room.)
Of course, at the time I felt completely justified. But in retrospect, I could have handled it better... Tune in tomorrow to find out how!
Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment