Entry #4: U.S. School Experience

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Another part of Joel's interview that's really stuck with me is when we talked about education and his experience in US high school. Joel lives in Evansville, Indiana where there is a fairly large Marshallese population. Most of my closest relatives live there. Joel graduated from high school, but hasn’t gone to college yet. He liked school, and when I asked if he experienced racism or discrimination in high school, he kind of giggled and said, “Yeah, of course [without hesitation], the white kids were together and the brown and black kids were all friends.” Joel talked about how the basketball coaches wanted him to be on the team, but he never did. He said, “I didn’t feel like I was good enough to be on the team.” I asked him if he regrets his decision not to join the team and he said yes and no.  When Joel answered like that, I wondered if it was cultural or if Joel felt like he didn’t belong because he’s from a different culture or if he just didn’t want to be on the team. He loves basketball and is very good at it, but didn’t want the pressure of the team.

Before interviewing Joel, I knew that he had had some trouble in high school. He got suspended for fighting and showing up drink for school events. I wanted to ask about those times, but I didn't want him to think I was judging him or for him to shut down. I cautiously asked him to tell me about the times he got in trouble in high school. Again, he cracked up laughing, which was probably a mix of nervousness and embarrassment. He started talking again. One kid he fought had been a white kid who had made fun of him. And it wasn't just one time: the kid was always making mean remarks and saying racist things to him and one day he just lost it. He describes being in the weight room and taking an equipment chain off the ground and whacking the kid with it. Luckily, the kid wasn't seriously injured. Joel was suspended from school for a week. I asked if the kid ever bullied him again, and Joel laughed said, “He doesn’t mess with us crazy f***ing Islanders!”  

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