Sincerely Amanda

Because the occupation of “student” is compulsory and socialized, its value has declined.

Alert observers should have seen an interesting break from convention in the high school class of 2010.  Erica Goldson, the Valedictorian for the Coxsackie-Athens Class of 2010 in Coxsackie, NY packed a skillful punch at compulsion in her candid graduation speech:

“…This is the dilemma I’ve faced within the American education system. We are so focused on a goal, whether it be passing a test, or graduating as first in the class. However, in this way, we do not really learn. We do whatever it takes to achieve our original objective. Some of you may be thinking, ‘Well, if you pass a test, or become valedictorian, didn’t you learn something?’ Well, yes, you learned something, but not all that you could have. Perhaps, you only learned how to memorize names, places, and dates to later on forget in order to clear your mind for the next test. School is not all that it can be. Right now, it is a place for most people to determine that their goal is to get out as soon as possible.

I am now accomplishing that goal. I am graduating. I should look at this as a positive experience, especially being at the top of my class. However, in retrospect, I cannot say that I am any more intelligent than my peers. I can attest that I am only the best at doing what I am told and working the system. Yet, here I stand, and I am supposed to be proud that I have completed this period of indoctrination. I will leave in the fall to go on to the next phase expected of me, in order to receive a paper document that certifies that I am capable of work…”

As some comments on my article Tyranny of the minority: Prop 8 and judicial activism reveal, some people assume that I’m claiming intellectual superiority by calling myself a “scholar” in my bio.  That is not my intention at all.  Rather, I chose the word “scholar” to reflect my passionate and independent studentship.  I didn’t place the word “student” first because, as Miss Goldson eloquently illustrated, student has become almost synonymous with galley slave…

Click here to continue reading at The Washington Times Communities.