In class today Paige and Dan brought up a really interesting idea of equality on campus. There are differences among us in terms of income, where we're from, what kind of school we went to, and so on. I love that here we try to see each other as equals, no better or lesser than anyone else on campus.
But this can create problems if we expect everyone to live up to this equality. We are equal in that we treat each other fairly, but we are by no means the same. Paige mentioned the economic inequalities that can be uncomfortable for the student who can't afford study abroad compared to the student who's parents can write a check and be done with it.
A similar discomfort is academic inequality. When we were accepted to St Olaf, we were told to be proud of our accomplishments, that we must be smart to get in to such a great college. And we are smart. Only, academic success in high school is only one factor that the admissions staff looks at. We're not all straight-A students and even though we all have a huge capacity to learn, try new things, and develop skills, some people will always be better than others in certain areas.
We have to be careful not to assume that because we're all treated as equals, that our skills/background/abilities are equal too.
Karin,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you thinking about these important issues. Perhaps equality requires a noun: equal access to learning, but not equal ability. But even in that case, the range of ability at St. Olaf is narrower than in some other schools. Deserving of equal respect despite unequal financial resources or differing religious views. You see the sort of nuanced precision I'm suggesting.
LDL