
I know this is a recurring theme amongst our class, but I was really disgusted by this narrative and the story it told.
My mom is in a way very similar to the main character. She teaches at the Lycee Francais in Manhattan, a private school that attracts Madonna's daughter and Angolina Jolie's twins. To say the least, it's pretty fancy shmancy. In order for her to make extra money, my mother tutors for the AP French exam on weekends or afternoon, an extra income which helps with two kids in college and a dog that likes to eat more than it should.
While she has of course talked about the privilege these kids have, and how she's had to numerously put "Lola" back in her place (this is what Madonna's daughter Lourdes likes to be called), she's never once blamed an entire educational system or viewed her tutoring job as being completely pointless because she does their homework. Because she doesn't.
I'm not sure what sort of world Lakhani claims exists, but it's undeniably skewed, and even offensive. Yes, I whole heartily believe that some parents believe they are titled to anything as well as their kids (my mother dreads the parent-teacher nights). But when Lakhani writes things like "I think people need to really question the validity of tutoring and its place in education today" I just want to soccer punch her. Really? She believes that there is NO VALIDITY at all in tutoring? I'd love for her to swing on by by the Writer's Center here and then say this statement out loud.
Ugh, shit like this pisses me off.