How could it be dangerous to be smart?
Well in Alexie's case he had a big target on him. Alexie had taught himself to read at the age of three from superman comics. By the time he was in kindergarten Alexie was leaps and bounds ahead of other kids in reading. Not only did Alexie read books and comics he read whatever he could get his hands on. In the end Alexie was exceptional at reading and writing and as result answered questions in class putting the big target on Alexie.
Now to bring people back to your grade school days. In grade school everyone knew who the fastest, strongest, meanest, and smartest kid was. We were told not to label other kids but it just happen and if you were one of kids you knew it too. This would lead to you having a target on you and if you were the smartest kid this could make other kids dislike you. The reason being smart is dangerous is when you are a kid you are different than others. As kids we are mean when adults are not around and for Alexie's target it was intensified by being the only "smart Indian".
Hello, I seem to understand what you are saying. I see being smart puts you in a dangerous position. You would have other kids dislike you for your abilities. It seems not fair to the smart kids, I mean they still get smash at for being smart. Being smart is not a gift, its something you have to work hard for, I believe alexie did work hard, I mean wow, he read EVERYTHING that he came across. He even ran to the bookstore, just to read bits and pieces of books he encountered. I'm glad Alexie's future turned out amazing, he had a goal and he change his life and changed the lives of the children, he saved his life!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lesley
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with what you said with how mean kids can be in grade school. It's unfortunate that kids are either bulying or degrating any smart kid just so they can be more popular and have more friends. Because of this, there is an increase in teen suicides because of this and really hard to find who to blame. The bullies are well aware of what they are doing and can think on their own what the consequences can be and they still do it... I don't think kids will ever change no matter what generation you are born in.
Hi Haruki,
ReplyDeleteWhere do the labels come from and how do children learn to regard each other this way? Why should the success and abilities of one person be regarded as a threat to one's own? Is it that children are taught to compare themselves to others in order to estimate their own abilities? How can children and adults be taught to evaluate their abilities without having to denigrate those perceived as having more and without needing a punching bag to alleviate their fears and lack of confidence?
Take care,
Lauren
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you that Alexie took the initiative to learn to read on his own at a young age. I also think that he had alot to thank his father for. His father provided a good example to him by his love for books. Alexie was prompted to read from his fathers example but then his own love for books grew further to new levels.
There certainly are bullies in school that torment the smart kids. I believe that a large part of the reason they treat the smart kids with ridicule is insecurity, their upbringing and their comfort level to remain uneducated.
Although, I believe with some assistance that are many kids that can change if they are given the opportunity. We can offer assistance and improve their lives just as Alexie did.
I agree with you when you said that as a kid you are very different from other kids. And usually the smartest one is a target for hatred and Alexie was the smart one because he read as much as he could. And usually the smart kid is more of an outcast, at lease thats what ive noticed throughout school, and ther other kids who actually seem a lot less smarter then they actually are because they don't care. They have so much potential but either have no one to help them realize that or they simply, like i said, just don't care. But as the "smart kid" could offer others an insight on each individuals potential.
ReplyDelete(: Hi Haruki,
ReplyDeleteIt is true that everyone is labeled by all the others in school. And yes, being labeled the smartest could be dangerous because you are different. But I think that being different is a good thing, it helps others see that being yourself is okay.
Haruki,
ReplyDeleteYour right kids do make fun of you if your smart. I believe sometimes that can put people down so they rather be cool and liked then show how smart they are. So some kids go the wrong path and chose image and what people say rather then who they are and what they could be some day. Alexie did the right thing by doing what he wanted and he accomplished much more.
Xochilt
Haruki,
ReplyDeletekids get labelled everyday, no matter who they are, or where they came from. I don't necessarily look at being labelled a bad thing. It defines who we are and what makes us different. When I was in high school, I wasn't popular nor was I unpopular. I would like to think myself as being neutral. I find it to be useful to look at someone by their label. I wasn't smart, but I knew some who was, and that I can study with them. I wasn't the best athlete in P.E. but I knew who someone who was and that I could challenge myself up to them. Other people may see it differently and tend to confront a person by what they are or how they grew up.