Such a stimulating read - thank you! Your words about the panel reminded me of the first writer's conference I went to and how intimidated I was when a (clearly tired and burnt out) agent responded to an audience member's question about getting representation by saying, "The agent will come to you when the time is right." Every part of me bristled at the elitism of that response, and I have kept that fire in my belly to do whatever I can for new writers to hold the door open for them and not make that The Way Things Are.
Your use of the phrase “child anthropologists” reminds me of how I grew up poor but smart, and so met people with very different socio-economic backgrounds as a result. Moving to the U.K. at 25 meant that the process was repeated, and still continues, to a lesser extent. I can stand aloof from other people’s melée and think, “What do I see that might be of use to me?”
First, I have often noticed such 'casual cruelty' when organizations talk about things to do or discuss in community, or how to find strength through community, when it is fundamentally difficult for some people to find communities to which to belong. Covid has made life worse for marginalized, disconnected people who wish they had a community.
Second, maybe fifteen years ago I did some research for a socio-economically mixed housing project that looked at what the impact of such housing might be on the flourishing of the less economically advantaged residents. At that time I read a study from the Urban Institute, as I recall, that said casual/superficial friendships would actually do little. In fact what made the real difference was whether the kids attended the same schools.
It seems in many developments with, for example, subsidized and market rate housing, the people who move into the market rate dwellings often continuing to send their children to a school that is not the local school.
Thanks for this. Also- may I invite you to use the term “school that receives Title I funds”? Along the lines of humans first, when we say Title I school we are inviting a particular lens, feeling, etc.
Such a stimulating read - thank you! Your words about the panel reminded me of the first writer's conference I went to and how intimidated I was when a (clearly tired and burnt out) agent responded to an audience member's question about getting representation by saying, "The agent will come to you when the time is right." Every part of me bristled at the elitism of that response, and I have kept that fire in my belly to do whatever I can for new writers to hold the door open for them and not make that The Way Things Are.
Your use of the phrase “child anthropologists” reminds me of how I grew up poor but smart, and so met people with very different socio-economic backgrounds as a result. Moving to the U.K. at 25 meant that the process was repeated, and still continues, to a lesser extent. I can stand aloof from other people’s melée and think, “What do I see that might be of use to me?”
Excellent and important
I had two quick thoughts.
First, I have often noticed such 'casual cruelty' when organizations talk about things to do or discuss in community, or how to find strength through community, when it is fundamentally difficult for some people to find communities to which to belong. Covid has made life worse for marginalized, disconnected people who wish they had a community.
Second, maybe fifteen years ago I did some research for a socio-economically mixed housing project that looked at what the impact of such housing might be on the flourishing of the less economically advantaged residents. At that time I read a study from the Urban Institute, as I recall, that said casual/superficial friendships would actually do little. In fact what made the real difference was whether the kids attended the same schools.
It seems in many developments with, for example, subsidized and market rate housing, the people who move into the market rate dwellings often continuing to send their children to a school that is not the local school.
Thanks for this. Also- may I invite you to use the term “school that receives Title I funds”? Along the lines of humans first, when we say Title I school we are inviting a particular lens, feeling, etc.