High School Politics
The other day, I took myself out on a veggie burger date on the upper west side. I was particularly impressed with the fine treatment I was receiving from the waitress (she gave me extra pickles and even slid a teaspoon sized piece of baklava across the table, “on the house”) when I noticed the sign on the wall directly across from my booth, “Age and Experience (and treachery) ALWAYS win over Youth and Idealism.” First of all, I don’t know what treachery means in this context. Second, I am assuming “age” means “older age,” and third, I don’t know what this sign was doing squashed in between eye-pleasing photographs of washed up celebrities. Regardless, this very BOLD adultist sign left a sour taste in my mouth, even after I’d consumed the complimentary baklava and after-lunch mints. Since then, adultist “signs” have been popping out at me every which way. Adultism is everywhere! Take NPR’s weekend edition from last Saturday as an example:
The description of the pod cast: “two teens formed an Obama club and even made a video—now they’ve got tickets to the inauguration.” High school seniors Olivia and Alyssa were interviewed about their involvement.
I was particularly appalled at the interviewers response to Olivia’s articulate explanation for her involvement—she says she was upset when Bush won in 2004 and felt powerless that she had no control over the person who would serve as her president for the rest of her childhood, and that forming this club would be her way of regaining her role in politics.
The interviewer responds, “Regain? You were 13 or 14! I’m trying to figure out what kind of a role you had before that!” He laughs for a really long time. If that’s not enough, he asks whom they will be with (“will you have parental supervision?”) and where they will be staying. Alyssa responds that she had turned 18 years old that day and is old enough to vote (therefore, old enough to know that she is being belittled).
What is interesting is that their video is that its message to those under the age of 18 (who are unable to vote) to be politically involved regardless of their age or perceived powerlessness. The video encourages youth to get their parents to vote early and not wait till the last moment. There are some big names featured in the video --Jeff Tweedy, Jonny 5, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Senator Mark Udall and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. The fact that they were able to form a club in their high school (no easy task if their high school was anything like mine—a fat cat for a vice principal who made sure the football team had brand new uniforms while student run groups like the gay/straight alliance could scarcely afford a single rainbow ribbon!) stick with a campaign for years and articulate themselves on public radio is impressive for anyone. While their efforts should have been applauded, they were met with disrespect.
“It is no surprise that young people may question their own legitimacy, doubt their own ability to make a difference, or "internalize the oppression" of adults and the limitations that they place upon them. The "culture of silence" is common among oppressed groups, although its causes are not of their own making.”
RSS Feed