Monday, July 20, 2015
The Chosen Ones
So if you have to pay say $750 to play on the football team, some will not have to pay. They will get a waiver. Will they get a waver because they are poor? No. They will get a waver because they are big, fast and agile. The little guy who would like to expand his horizons by playing at football, will have to pony up the $750. Good chance he does not get to play football. The big guy realizes "I am special." From now on, if he has special athletic ability in his sport, he will be taken care of all along the way. If he does not do well in school, someone will move him along. Do you know how many professional athletes go bankrupt within five years after their sport career is over? A lot. Maybe the special guy did not learn about money management or a lot of other things outside of his sport. Sad.
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Isn't this just as true for the academically and mentally gifted? They will get all kinds of special educational opportunities and scholarships - while the mentally average will get shunted aside.
ReplyDeleteAnd what about those who aren't as physically pleasing, whether through physical appearance or dress? Studies show that tall handsome men (like you Fr. Terry?!) have an advantage when it comes to jobs and earnings and even just little things like a good seat in a restaurant.
Life isn't fair - but that doesn't mean we should just lay down and give up - it means we should be aware and compassionate in our dealings daily - whether in sports or academics or just plain old social interactions.
WHERE does someone have to pay $750 to play football? A public school? Our local schools have a $185 (per sport) athletic fee. I'm very familiar with one of those schools and know that fees are waived for those students who cannot afford to pay. NO ONE gets waived because they are a "good" player. I also know of a physician who has given free athletic physicals for those kids who couldn't afford one. There are fees for many classes (like labs, AP, IB, etc.) and fees for tests (ACT, SAT) but accommodations are made for those who cannot afford to pay them. The teacher in charge of one program I'm particularly familiar with writes a grant every year to cover those expenses. You need to talk to the LEGISLATORS! Colorado is one of the lowest (last I checked #49) states in providing for education. Every year the schools have to do more with less - and they do an admirable job! Ultimately, the 'fault' lies with the voter who doesn't want to pay more (or any) taxes. People need to learn that an EDUCATED populace benefits EVERYONE!
ReplyDeleteRead "Our Kids" by Robert Putnam. It is about the American Dream in Crisis
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