In chapter nine of Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers, the author shares a story about a young girl named Marita who traded her freedom and life as a kid for better education. Gladwell shares that Marita grew up with her single mother who had very little money and the public schools of New York were lacking in structure and high test scores. However, a school named KIPP was known for its high standards and better education; and when Marita was given the chance to attend, she seemed to have bargained her time as a kid for what she believed she needed more: a good education.
This is a concept which is very difficult for me to grasp. It seems amazing that a girl who is still in elementary school can make such a mature decision. She could’ve just as easily said no when her mom asked her about it. Once enrolled, Marita went to KIPP six days a week and her day lasted from 5:45 a.m to 11 p.m., including homework. At the age of eighteen, it’s hard for me to imagine doing that, let alone when I was in elementary school. But Marita knew that her key to success would be the better education that KIPP could provide for her.
Marita essentially made a bargain with her school and in return KIPP gave her the same promise that it provided to its other students: “ to take kids who are stuck in poverty and give them a chance to get out” (Gladwell 267). But with all of this in mind, one may ask: what is more important to success, opportunity or hard work? Gladwell may argue that without the luck of being drawn for attending KIPP, Marita would have no way of being successful. However, without Marita’s long days at school and working on homework, she wouldn’t be successful either. It is truly a matter of perception as which is more important, but perhaps that is exactly what Gladwell wants his audience to think about.
It really is crazy to imagine giving up everything a 12 when I probably wouldn't even do it now at 18. I wonder if she realized what all she'd be giving up? But really, she is gaining a lot, too. I like how you incorporated the quote into your post; it reiterates what she was really doing--taking a chance.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ali about the quote; it really helps support your main point. By giving up other things, she gained so much more. With the new friends she gained, she probably avoided a lot of sketchy situations, like drugs or something. Think of the main character in The Blind Side. He improved too, when he was given the chance.
ReplyDeleteOh, good point about Blind Side. And you're right, she probably did avoid a life of crime, whether she be involved directly or not.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty much responding to your last paragraph. I think what Gladwell wants us to realize is that people have to first be presented with some kind of opportunity (in this case, KIPP.) Then, they must work extremely hard to make the best of the opportunity they have. I feel like you have to have a combination of the two. While the opportunity may not be as noticeable in some situations, it is still there.
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