Nice Is Not Enough (adult nonfiction)

     Sociologist C. J. Pascoe spent over two years of observations, interviews, and the study of primary sources at a public high school serving students from working and middle class families. It was not her first rodeo. Similar research she'd conducted at the turn of the century had resulted in her first book--Dude, You're a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuaity in High School. Nice Is Not Enough: Inequality and the Limits  of Kindness at American High is the result of her more recent foray into secondary school. 

     At first Pascoe was pleasantly surprised by the contrast between American and the high schools she'd done her previous research at and attended as a teen. She didn't see the "gender- and sexuality-based bullying and harassment" she'd previously spent so much time documenting. 

     "American is just that kind of school, the kind of school where there is 'no room for hate," the kind of school where care, connection, and kindness characterize school culture. At every turn I see manifestations of this kindness and care."

     But Pascoe quickly discovered the dark side to this culture of acceptance and kindness. Issues like racism, sexism, and homophbia were only tackled on an individual level. Students were encouraged to be kind and inclusive and to see something, say something when they observed peers failing to live up to the school's standards. 

     But it was quite a different story when students and sympathetic staff members tried to raise awareness of these issues on a systemic level. Administration was quick to resist and and try to shut down or at least water down their attempts. Pascoe meticulously documents and analyzes this dynamic across a full range of social justice issues. 

     Pascoe nicely balances scholarship with vivid anecdotes. She includes the right details to bring her subjects vividly to life. I think it's a must read for anyone who has at least suspects that a focus on individual kindness and empowerment can easily easily divert attention from resistance to tackling or even acknowledging institutional and systemic injustices. 

On a purrrsonal note, I  have faith that the UMaine Winter Carnival went well. Unfortunately I couldn't go because for months there have no Saturday buses on the Old Town route. But I got to take a stuff a buddy llama early. It was what I wanted most.

A great big shout out goes out to the CSI staff for all the hard work they put into their amazing events. 

Jules Hathaway 

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