Assignment 22- Jasir Rahman- Change

The world is broken.  I am incapable of advocating for the status quo when it is so inherently flawed.  I think this mindset developed in its fullest form when I moved schools.

Yes, I went to a rich, white, private school.  I wasn't a big fan.  Maybe it's because people who looked like me were few and far between.  However, I attribute a lot of my disdain for said school within the context of its inner workings.  The drama caused by the aristocracy that controlled those at the top was quite interesting to watch, entertaining even at times.  Horse people and the "architects of Lexington" reigned supreme, with their vast bank accounts bankrolling the school.  Then, those with connections to the institution itself were next up on the totem pole, closely followed by other white people who could afford tuition. Then finally, at the bottom resided those few people of color.  I don't know how dynamics evolve in high school, although my sister's experience found that the trend continues.  Ultimately, I feel as though this class system within the upper echelons of Lexington leads to a system where the whims of people at the top were prioritized over those who aimed to enrich the academic experience of students.  The elementary school academic team lost priority to other elementary school track, despite the fact that they can coexist quite easily, all because one parent within the administration feared of losing children to the academic team.  A football team was formed recently at this school because one of the horse people wanted their son to play.  Despite the fact that they just completed 2 new installations to the school and may risk bankruptcy, the project ensued.  Grade inflation, a lack of AP tests, and a general lack of educational emphasis in lieu of athletics and other exploits.  All under the guise of it being a more than an adequate educational institution in it of itself.  The tuition that rivals that of many collegiate institutions, may be worth it if consistent results from just attending said institution were sufficient in it of itself, but that's not the case.  Many who go to this institution on top of their curriculum (which requires an hour-long study hall might I add) still must shell out thousands of dollars a year to pay for standardized test tutoring.  And even after all that, many end up just going to UK anyway-which is fine if that's your choice and I respect that- but why in God's name would you pay for a high school that costs double that of in-state tuition at UK, when your child could just as easily go to a public school and do similarly academically?  Schools are meant for learning and the wasted resources that go towards fruitless exploits to appease donors disgusts me.

After I left and could reflect and see what was happening at that institution clearly, I couldn't help but look at our government and see the exact same thing.  Consolidated wealth leads to corrupting influences over the most important institutions in the United States.  Fossil fuel and oil companies, for example, hold undue influence over the government through dirty money and lobbying, leading to subsidies and tax cuts that amount to rewards for destroying the planet.  Thusly, my experience with aristocracy and corruption leaves me a skeptic of business as usual.  I am an advocate for structural change that enables equality for all who want a say, so that marginalized groups that have been left behind for decades may finally have some semblance of influence over issues that affect their lives.  There is always a beneficiary to the current system, and more often than not its not the people the system is aiming to help, but those who profiteer off of the flaws and corruption within.  I'd prefer the former scenario.