The Privileged Poor by Anthony Abraham Jack

Author:Anthony Abraham Jack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harvard University Press

For Madeline, Community Detail was just one of four options she could choose from at her leisure. The stories she heard from friends who accepted Renowned’s offer—$600 for seven days of cleaning—were the evidence she needed to confirm that, for her, the money would not have been worthwhile.

When Nicole (PP,B) received the pamphlet listing the preorientation programs, her heart saw a few intriguing options. Her empty pockets saw only one. As she spoke about her time with Community Detail, she shifted toward the front of the couch, growing more animated as she explained the sense of constraint and difference that the program had evoked for her:

Community Detail is really problematic. Poor students come to this institution and the first thing that they see are dirty dorms they have to clean. I have had several conversations with friends about this. When we got here, we felt like in order to be successful here we needed to clean. I think it’s really unfair that students who are lower-income go into Community Detail whereas wealthier students are doing Summit Seekers and going climbing. Or playing instruments. Or doing artsy things with Vamonos Van Gogh. Orientation very much placed the idea of poor students doing menial jobs and wealthier students having the privilege to explore the arts, explore different things. Community Detail is cleaning, menial work. My friend was like, “I don’t understand; what’s the problem with Community Detail? I needed the money.” I was like, “That’s the issue. If you need the money, you’re going to do Community Detail.” I signed up for Community Detail.

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