Thread by @tsalibian

I went to a "progressive" high school in Boston in the 90s. Their recent PR is more & more showy as far as big 😁 unmasked faces in school & at alumni events incl. a BIG in-person tribute to a recently deceased teacher. 🧵 1/8 #MediaLiteracy #CultureIsOrdinary #StorytimeWithTamar

My comment on their social media page highlighting the unmasked students, faculty & alumni at the event included my condolences & pointed to the fact (for the unmasked + the folks with masks ON THEIR CHINS) that #CovidIsNotOver. Perhaps it wasn't the right moment to mention, 2/8

but a day school smack dab in the middle of Boston inviting EVERYONE to join them w/barely 3 ppl. who are masked in photos of the many participants shows terrible judgment/understanding of where we're at with #SARS & with #Community.

My comment was removed from the page. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3/8

Folks, the notion of "culture is ordinary" (coined by Raymond Williams -- go read & learn) is revealed in our everyday lives. That a school touting itself as incredibly elite is now doubling down on 🦠 "rich people" habits & practices speaks VOLUMES. 4/8

In the 90s, it was a "progressive" prep school that attempted to "diversify" by inviting poor & non-white students to attend (on scholarship). Yet the elitism was woven into our everyday lives. And it appears to be continuing, no matter the number of DEI initiatives. 5/8

I wonder if anyone there - ANYONE - is talking about #LongCovid or #Disability or #Equity as it relates to an ongoing #Airborne pathogen that will spread easily indoors without required masking. Anyone? Bueller? 6/8

It was in high school in the '90s where I started what I eventually crafted into a #CulturalStudies & #MediaStudies PhD. Classmates remember my lunchtime skits in front of the entire school where we acted out short scripts highlighting "This Week on '90210'." 📺🎭✍️🏻 7/8

Many of the faculty & administration turned their noses at our interest in popular culture with that same elitism they are seemingly employing with their #Ableist approach to masking. There are lessons everywhere, no matter how mundane. We can learn & adapt. Shall we? ✌️🏻💞😷 8/8