In our EMW class this previous week, we discussed the concept of grading and the consequences that follow it. At Guttman College, we use the standard letter grading system as most schools usually do. We’re ultimately defined with whatever letter is assigned to us by our professors, grouping and labeling individuals without regard for the actual person. Grading is a system designed to keep us compliant to the “man”.
Angela addressed that we (CUNY) still rely on using the outdated system yet wealthy, “elite” instituions–such as Harvard, Brown, or MIT– have abolished or have lessened the significance of the traditional grading system. Their students are allowed to explore and have the freedom to be creative, failing without penalty just as life intended. Meanwhile, the working class is conditioned from childhood to chase a good grade and equate our worthiness with a number or letter.
In Comp 2, one of my peers asked Rachel what party she’s registered with and I personally think she answerred the question beautifully. We’re shaped by our surrounding environment and that leads us to each have our own individual experience that brings us together when it comes to politics. We are products of our environments and for the average student, the grading system doesn’t just measure performance but it shapes our identities. It teaches us at an early age that we (the middle class/average citizen) exist to be evaluated by the instituions that control our country. That’s a mindset that conditions for a lifestyle of clocking in, blindly following instructions, and not questioning authority– being a “body in a desk”.
The American capitalist system doesn’t need people who are willing to explore or create change, they’re looking for workers that can complete their tasks efficiently to generate as much money as possible for the company without questioning why they aren’t getting paid fairly or if the work they’re doing is contributing to an ethical cause. It’s simply manufactured to benefit the corporations and rich individuals that corruptly control this country despite their awful personas. Grading helps produce those mindless workers, or as in C. Wright Mills’ words “cheerful robots”. (Shoutout Dr Allen from AMST 203 for showing us the Sociological Imagination!)
Although I’m not 100% adjusted to CUNY Academic Commons, I can deeply appreciate that we’re using this site to rebel against the limitations within Brightspace– Even the small actions can create some change.