VS 
Today Joe Walker joins me in an exclusive interview to discuss his experiences of class and cliques in his high school.
The Skeptical Hippo: Is there cliques at your school? Are there clear boundaries?
Joe: High school wouldn’t be high school without cliques. The boundaries are as clear as day. There is the North end and the South end, the rich and the poor, the upper class and lower class. Call it what you want but in the end we are all on this hierarchy, just trying to fit in.
The Skeptical Hippo: What clique do you belong to? Do you ever wish you belonged to a different group?
Joe: I live on the island so I’m part of the South end. I think everybody wishes they could be part of the North end. We may pretend we hate them, but that is just the jealousy talking. Deep inside it is everybody’s secret wish to simply be a part of the North end. To experience the life that seems to have no limits...especially when it comes to cash.
The Skeptical Hippo: The topic of cliques seems like a sensitive area for you. Do you believe that your life would be much better if you were part of the North end?
Joe: Yes I do. The North End has it made. They don’t have to work they have the best clothes. Life is just one big ride for them. They have lives that the rest of us could only ever dream of having. And they didn’t even do anything to earn it, they just got lucky. I’d trade my current life for any of theirs any day.
The Skeptical Hippo: Have you ever tried to fit in?
Joe: Of course, everybody at least tries. I had never put that much effort into it until the new North end girl, Anna moved in. Now it is all I think about. I’ve spent a whole bunch of my University fund on buying new clothes to catch her attention. It has suddenly become my soul goal to impress her...in fact getting her approval is all I think about.
The Skeptical Hippo: Why do you feel the need to change your class to impress Anna?
Joe: She is part of the North End. There is no way somebody from the North would be with me, who lives on the Island. How can I compete with someone like Brad Long? Sharing a love for poetry and history isn't enough. I am instantly out of the running because I am working class. It doesn't matter how similar we are on the inside, I will always have the handicap because I am not her class.
The Skeptical Hippo: How does that make you feel?
Well there you have it folks! Cliques are not just a high school cliché. They exist both inside and outside of school. They effect everyone even young starlets like Joe.
Joe: She is part of the North End. There is no way somebody from the North would be with me, who lives on the Island. How can I compete with someone like Brad Long? Sharing a love for poetry and history isn't enough. I am instantly out of the running because I am working class. It doesn't matter how similar we are on the inside, I will always have the handicap because I am not her class.
The Skeptical Hippo: How does that make you feel?
Joe: In many ways it is like I am being discriminated against. I just wish she would give me the chance to prove that we truly are not that different. I’m used to the feeling of being on the outside, but this just plain feels different.
Well there you have it folks! Cliques are not just a high school cliché. They exist both inside and outside of school. They effect everyone even young starlets like Joe.
Buckle up and get ready for next weeks interview!
VS 
No comments:
Post a Comment