Although it may not be reflected in the clothes we wear or in any upcoming fashion trend, I have noticed a new social trend among Parker students. Our school is the epicenter of Chicago’s progressive educational heart and a beacon of democratic ideals. Since its founding, Parker has been rooted in the philosophy that education is about more than just facts—it’s about citizenship, social justice, and the student’s progressive evolution. In the classrooms of Parker, students know what to say to get approval from a teacher or say something profound during a Socratic seminar. But I have noticed that, often, what students say in class doesn’t align with their behavior outside the classroom.
For the male student body in particular, a class discussion might reveal them as sensitive, socially aware advocates. I admire the productivity of our discussions, and they often feel quite vulnerable and honest. However, beneath the “woke” exterior lies a counter-culture that is far less inclusive. In the hall or once the school day ends, and students alter their behavior, the model Parker student often evaporates. In the alcove, I have heard the use of the f-slur, while everyone moves on unfazed by the use of harmful language. I remember feeling appalled that anyone felt comfortable saying it so publicly and even more shocked that nobody cared.
What I found so hurtful and harmful is that these students aren’t necessarily ignorant of the weight of these words—on the contrary, they know exactly how awful they are. In a progressive environment like Parker, where traditional teenage rebellion feels cliché, the use of offensive language has become the new rebellion. Using a slur is seen as a way to be edgy in a culture that they perceive as policing their thoughts. We are taught the weight and harm of racism and harmful language, but it is completely ignored by students.
This duality creates a dangerous precedent. When we treat social justice and equity as a vocabulary test, we have to pass rather than a set of values we have to live by, Parker’s model student becomes nothing more than a performance. If we can reflect on Parker’s culture on the first day back every semester, have complex discussions about gender and sexuality in a Socratic seminar at 10:00 a.m., and toss out the f-slur in the alcove at 12:00 p.m., then the words we use in class don’t actually mean anything—they are just a costume we put on to get through the day. Until our private conversation reflects our public rhetoric, the school has yet to truly reach the student body.
