Grandpa graduated from high school in a borrowed suit
My mom reminded me of this when I asked her if he'd be proud of me and it's really stuck in my mind these last few days. It may be the start of a new song. He was the first in his family to finish high school. My mom and uncle both have masters degrees. In a few years, God willing, I'll be the first to get a PhD.
He graduated from high school in a borrowed suit, but in a few hours I'll defend my MA thesis in a suit I bought at Men's Warehouse. I've been thinking of all the hard work of other people that lets me be where I am, something I did a post about when I started graduate school.
I've been reading Homegrown Democrat by Garrison Keillor, and it has probably prompted some of this reflection. I think that acknowledging the nature of our social inter-dependence (and in many cases simply acknowledging its existence) gets at one of the key divides between left and right ideology, but, as a scholar I can't in good faith pigeon hole those with whom I disagree into a reductionist version of their position, so I'll expand on that point in the future.
He graduated from high school in a borrowed suit, but in a few hours I'll defend my MA thesis in a suit I bought at Men's Warehouse. I've been thinking of all the hard work of other people that lets me be where I am, something I did a post about when I started graduate school.
I've been reading Homegrown Democrat by Garrison Keillor, and it has probably prompted some of this reflection. I think that acknowledging the nature of our social inter-dependence (and in many cases simply acknowledging its existence) gets at one of the key divides between left and right ideology, but, as a scholar I can't in good faith pigeon hole those with whom I disagree into a reductionist version of their position, so I'll expand on that point in the future.
Labels: life, politics, reflections
posted by russell at
1:29 PM
2 Comments:
Just as amazing your grandmother graduated from HS at 16, went on to work and get her AA degree and finish one year at UC Berkeley as a math major in the late 30s. As far as I know only your uncle and I (out of 30 cousins) went beyond HS. Education was not an option in our family, it was an expectation and your grandparents supported us in every way possible. I am also very grateful. And congratulations on a successful defending of your thesis!
By
Rev. Judith's Journal, at 5:06 AM
Thanks for the comment. Yes, grandma was amazing too. Of course there is also the holding down jobs while doing a ton of domestic work. I guess I have more nostalgia for grandpa because he left us so soon. Plus he would be more likely to actually say "I'm proud of you" instead of just assuming you know.
By
russell, at 1:54 PM
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