to think again, it is a hatemail, but not really dumb - on
second thoughts.
the threadstarter did make a generalization, which implies that
while the elitist schools do produce such "haoliao" ,"xialan"
student, there are also exception like one that replied. how true
such i statement is we wouldn't know, though we do know that a few
of such "xialan students" from the elite schools had did things to
put their schools in a slightly bad name.
the (elitist) system is both good and bad like anything else, a
double-bladed sword. the system drives, motivates (whichever way
they use is not of concern here) the students to do their best, for
themselves or the school. on the downside, not every teenager is
hard-working, free of family problems, free of depression etc and
even lesser are as intelligent. in this system, only the best would
get to the top - those who are intelligent, who can work-hard,
physically and psychologically healthy, or i might even include
socially and spiritually healthy etc - only the best get to the
top.
***please note that these should be taken no more than
generalizations.
Thus are many other reasons why there are masses remaining in the
lesser schools. Sometimes, students who "didn't make it" are
despised. The reasons why teenagers can't make it doesn't necessary
mean that they are unintelligent, unhealthy etc...and they are
"worthless to the society". Note the inverted commas. Once I was in
a conversation with 2 girls who were from the elite schools.
Suddenly, we went into the topic concerning our education system.
Both of them unanimously remarked that students who "didn't make
it" were "stupid", "unintelligent"...while i was able to make them
understand my point that student falling short of the mark are due
to many reasons...they maintained that whatever reasons for the
"failure", arguing proves to be pointless. Because such people are
"useless to the society".
They were unable to see that people not making the mark, doesn't
imply that they would become useless. To put it in a more humane
way, everyone is human, even if unintelligent, even when on can't
attend a top school. Economically, socially, everyone is integral
to the society...by drawing lines, applying labels only serve to
create conflict. From conflict, anything can happen.
My point is of bringing up the conversation I had with the 2
students, is to say that:
1. whether or not one attends top schools is not important. Neither
are people who are not as endowed/wealthy any less useful.
2. people deserve respect, intelligent or not, rich or not, healthy
or not.
3. practice restraint when applying labels, especially when the
label is potentially hurtful or even derogatory like "stupid",
"useless"
4. the elitist themselves should be aware that not everyone is as
fortunate as they are - of being wealthier, brought up in loving
families, more intelligent...
5. be sensitive to other peoples feelings. even when practicing
restraint doesn't make you any money, oneself becomes a better
person, more likable, more approachable. it can open many doors
[without knobs]
6. if you can, understand that there are people who are borned into
troubled families which greatly affects a person's ability to
perform - Freudian psychology. note that being aware of and to
understand are 2 different things.
Finally, people tend generalize...read not too much into it; it is
what it is - a generalization.
