"Stereotyped beliefs have the power to become self-fulfilling prophesies for behavior."
Elizabeth Aries, Professor of Psychology, Amherst College. From her book Men and Women in Interaction, Reconsidering the Difference.
John Bruce Lee, the name belongs to my oldest brother. It now symbolizes notorious egregiousness and procrastination at my high school. Although my brother graduated four years prior, most students still know of him. My other brother, Paul, was legendary for the spin round-house kick performed on one of the biggest jocks in school, and of course, procrastination.
Although both were straight-A students, and are now serious about academics in college, only memories they bequeathed were of their incidents and negative academic attitudes. Since faculty is aware of this, it seemed as if they decided to put a special measure on their youngest sibling. For the first few months every year, most teachers I have had so far doubted my commitment and attitude. They would always take extra seconds checking my work, scrutinizing it while taking quick glances on other student's, and some even seemed to over-penalize me on tests and assignments and questioned authenticity of my work. Yet the worst was that it felt almost impossible to form good relationships with some teachers, who even seemed reluctant to help with difficult concepts.
I proved to be different from my brothers through consistent work ethics, and the staff knew that I was a good student, but deep down, they believed that I was one of the Lees; therefore I was bound to pull off something crazy, and the special treatment never completely ceased. I couldn't just get by in school. I had to work for it and go an extra mile. Although at first I hated fighting to prove myself and my brothers for leaving such reputations, I believe it positively contributed to my personal growth. In addition, continuing to fight this frustrating and unfair stereotype made me believe there is nothing perseverance and dedication can overcome.
Elizabeth Aries, Professor of Psychology, Amherst College. From her book Men and Women in Interaction, Reconsidering the Difference.
John Bruce Lee, the name belongs to my oldest brother. It now symbolizes notorious egregiousness and procrastination at my high school. Although my brother graduated four years prior, most students still know of him. My other brother, Paul, was legendary for the spin round-house kick performed on one of the biggest jocks in school, and of course, procrastination.
Although both were straight-A students, and are now serious about academics in college, only memories they bequeathed were of their incidents and negative academic attitudes. Since faculty is aware of this, it seemed as if they decided to put a special measure on their youngest sibling. For the first few months every year, most teachers I have had so far doubted my commitment and attitude. They would always take extra seconds checking my work, scrutinizing it while taking quick glances on other student's, and some even seemed to over-penalize me on tests and assignments and questioned authenticity of my work. Yet the worst was that it felt almost impossible to form good relationships with some teachers, who even seemed reluctant to help with difficult concepts.
I proved to be different from my brothers through consistent work ethics, and the staff knew that I was a good student, but deep down, they believed that I was one of the Lees; therefore I was bound to pull off something crazy, and the special treatment never completely ceased. I couldn't just get by in school. I had to work for it and go an extra mile. Although at first I hated fighting to prove myself and my brothers for leaving such reputations, I believe it positively contributed to my personal growth. In addition, continuing to fight this frustrating and unfair stereotype made me believe there is nothing perseverance and dedication can overcome.