Whoa. Some of the responses!
We can’t rend our garments if art or music are cut, then take an commodified, sclerotic approach on subjects seen as “toff”. Reverse snobbery is a form of anti-intellectualism.
Travel broadens minds and antiquity is a most revealing place to visit.
We can’t rend our garments if art or music are cut, then take an commodified, sclerotic approach on subjects seen as “toff”. Reverse snobbery is a form of anti-intellectualism.
Travel broadens minds and antiquity is a most revealing place to visit.
https://twitter.com/sturdyalex/status/1421776555022422017
The cultural divide is also fascinating.
Many people who have been through non-English primary and secondary education are going “yeah, obviously”. While an alarming number of Brits are basically doing a version of “THIS THING IS POSH, THEREFORE BAD”. Know-your-place by osmosis.
Many people who have been through non-English primary and secondary education are going “yeah, obviously”. While an alarming number of Brits are basically doing a version of “THIS THING IS POSH, THEREFORE BAD”. Know-your-place by osmosis.
Incidentally, I AGREE the motives for this are disingenuous, Williamson is a ninny and this is a distraction tactic.
But that doesn't mean I cannot call out the ludicrous reverse snobbery, based on notions that "a rounded education is a luxury" and "X subject is for toffs only".
But that doesn't mean I cannot call out the ludicrous reverse snobbery, based on notions that "a rounded education is a luxury" and "X subject is for toffs only".
I'm not fanatical about Latin, by the way. I am fanatically against the toxic principle of judging everything in terms of learned narratives of 'utility'. Industry shortages and short-term treasury priorities should NOT be the sole determinants of what makes a rounded education.
Accept that thinking and you inevitably end up with four core subjects and the rest as the preserve of parents who have money for after-school classes. You end up cutting benefits. No public art, parks or National Theatre. No foreign aid. It's the same difficult-decisions logic.
The moment one accepts the economically illiterate narrative of 'zero-sum game with a hierarchy of priorities', the core argument is lost and austerity is accepted. Including the broadest range of subjects without sacrificing core ones is a matter of money, as rich schools prove.
The UK's class obsession and know-your-place reverse snobbery is a millstone round its neck. It crushes it. It's the same visceral reaction one gets from so many progressives by merely questioning the wisdom of being a monarchy. Or by something as innocent as saying I love opera.
When fine things are kept inaccessible we should DEMAND access. Instead we eschew them, as somehow poncey and "not for me". Thinking a truly great education is only for poshos is part of it.
Change happens when we stop accepting that 'our lot' is all we or our children deserve.
Change happens when we stop accepting that 'our lot' is all we or our children deserve.
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