High School Movie

The documentary "High School" by Frederick Wiseman was an interesting one, as documentaries tend to be boring. Although it was made in 1968, it is evidence that over the years not that much has changed in our high schools today. Teachers still try to completely dominate over students and are punished unfairly. The scene where the student had to get off the phone even though it was his lunch break reminds me of when, as a senior, we were given detentions for being late to lunch! I mean, give me a break! It is my lunch, my "relax" time and I think I should have the right to choose whether I want to eat or not. I was absolutely astonished when the teacher in the "fashion" class was telling students that they have leg problems and should not wear short skirts. It was really none of her business. I do recognize that that is one of the few things that has changed in our times. Teachers still keep control over the dress code but no one will tell you you are a little on the heavy side. And finally, I was very disturbed with the scene where the girl was being told her dress was too short for prom; the principal told her that "there are certain places to be individualistic and school is not the place." It bothers me that the school system tries to create these uniform clones where everyone is the same and there is no diversity. That is also still visible in our school systems today but thank goodness for writers like John Taylor Gatto, who is making us aware that there must be changes made to the way students are educated.