As a freshmen I remember my sister warning me not to become or at least look like a typical center kid. Dyed hair, cat ears, eccentric fashion and a unique passion or obsession for all things Japanese, namely anime and manga: that is the stereotypical center kid. But of course that doesn’t mean every student in CGS follows that description. It is safe to say that Center of Global Studies is split into two major classes; the described above and the ones that can easily blend into mainstream Mcmahon.
During my time at CGS I have noticed that there also seems to be a rivalry between the two major classes. While I choose to ignore it most of the time, it’s not exactly uncommon to hear some negative comments like “what a freak” towards the more stereotypical students. At the same time there’s always there’s also students who will call the more ‘normal’ ones stuck-up or obnoxious. When CGS introduced party platforms during the election these differences were brought to attention. The Delta Party that sought to bring change by closing the gap between Mcmahon emphasized community while the Bow Tie that wanted to embrace the CGS uniqueness because “we’re not just a wing in the hallway”. Although the Delta Party won (with the exception of the secretary) the presence of the Bow Ties still exist.
My chinese class is another good example of the boundary. The very first day of school, when we all choose our seats an invisible line was drawn between the classroom. In a way it’s voluntary segregation.
The after school anime club also has it’s own cultural space that is shared primarily between the ‘center kids’. And during that time from 2:15 to 3:30 (around that time) that the students, mainly freshmens gather to converse about anime, manga, games, and various sorts of japanese pop culture.
Despite the many differences CGS is a pretty friendly space. Though the boundaries and social spaces can be seen as a separation it makes CGS special. If everyone were to wear cat ears and obsess over anime it wouldn’t be unique anymore. And if majority were ‘normal’ students then it’d be pretty boring. High school can be either four long boring painful years or four fast fun and exciting years. And I have a feeling that if you spend more time trying to fit in and finding the right group then just enjoying yourself it won't be a very fruitful experience.
Karen good job as always! You are 100% correct about your statement on our chinese class: There is that imaginary line being drawn in the classroom . I did not realize that until you wrote this but now i can understand it. I like your last paragraph explaining the difference between trying to fit in and just being yourself. CGS would not be the same without everyones different personality. The different personalities is what makes CGS be CGS.
ReplyDeleteThis post is extremely similar to one of the ones that I wrote last month, so naturally I agree with all the claims you're making. I've typically just been amused by the invisible line in our Chinese class (is the opposite group really so bad that we need to keep an entire empty table between us?), but it becomes even more meaningful when taken in the context of CGS as a whole. I feel that for the most part the division is natural and not particularly harmful, but events like the election the bring increased polarization between the two groups cannot be healthy to our school climate.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, and agreed. Why not try some radical social change close to home, and bridge the gap in Chinese class?
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