Summer had a complicated and hard decision. I sympathise her decision but personally think it may has partially ruined her future. I feel if I were in her situation I would've gone for the scholarship. I'm sure its what the Grandma & Grandpa would've wanted.
I enjoyed this op-doc as it was clear, specific and descriptive. To me this shows that Summer cares for those who are close to her. She loves her family and she would do anything for them. I thought of myself in her position. Having to choose between my education or staying to take care of my grandmother who has protected and cared for me, would probably be the hardest decision in my life.
Summer was put in a hard spot. To be forced to choose between looking after a loved one and following your dreams is a tough thing to decide between. It was her choice and i believe that there was no right or wrong answer. She did what she felt was right. She was not receiving enough support to allow her to care for everyone. Although the teachers were being proactive to help out with her school life it as not enoug from the wider nation.
Instead of taking a scholarship to an arts school she wanted to start making money for her grandma right away. To some people this may seem like a terrible idea but she did it so she could make money right away for her grandma. But if she did take the scholarship she would have been able to supply her grandma money while going to school with a part time job.
If i was summer, I would definitely have two main priorities her grandma and her studies, the sad truth is people die and summer can't determine the day so by working on her studies by providing an education she can provide for her family and for herself making her gran dad proud also her grandma
I think this Op-doc shows how much compassion and selflessness someone can feel towards a guardian. Summer's Grandma is the only person looking after her so it's understandable that she shows so much care for her. However, I feel that taking the scholarship was a better Idea for her. She had the opportunity to achieve her dreams and possibly care for her family in the future.
summer's choice might not have been the best but even so, she did what she thought was the best for her and her family.Imagine if you were in her place, would you take care of your family or go to purse your dream?
If I were Summer , I would of accepted the scholarship and had helped my grandma.
I think what Summer did is thoughtful and she should at one point be a little selfish and think about her future.
I think that for me if I was in that situation, I would try to find a balance in my life to try to achieve my dreams while working in many jobs in a balance so that way I could achieve my dreams and support my grandma in some way, then when i'm finished, I would try to get a job in my talent to raise a lot more money and support my grandma even more with the money I would make.
If I was Summer, I would leave to go to college. I think that the family would be able to make it. I think with the college education and the skill, I could probably get a good job and so I feel as if Summer should take the opportunity and go to college. She can make it beyond the town she lives in, with a skill like that Summer could make it far.
If I was Summer, I would take a little of my time to stay with my grandma before going to college. Take one or two years with her and when it feels like the right time, I would continue applying to more colleges.
In her position I would stay and help her grandma, as college will always be there, her grandma is the most important thing in her life. Her grandma loves her and wants her to go to college but summer wants to stay with her and help her through tough times and her battle with cancer.
I think Summer should care about the better education she should get. Her grandmother has even told her to go ahead and go to college. She shouldn't feel bad about it because with the better education she can get she could eventually help her grandma out and her siblings too.
If i were Summer, I would have accepted the scholarship.
If I was in Summers position I would of have done the same thing she did. I would of stayed and taken care of the grandmother. I put others before me. I could of achieved my dreams later.
if i were summer i would stay because if it wasn't for her grandma she wouldn't have been going to school and in my opinion her grandma is more important. she can achieve her dreams after everything has been settled down.
If I had the decision of staying or going to a college I would go to college. The reason I would choose this is because I can get an education to have a better job that what my family had. I think she was thinking of the future of her family than herself.
If I were Summer I would stay with my grandma because she is really important and because I could achieve my dreams after my grandma felt better and I were able to balance my future with my family.
This video explains many reasons such as taking care of your loved ones around you and to use internet wisely because they are many people around the world who would loved to have these decisions.
I would choose to go to college because when I come out I would have a better chance of helping out the family and I could get a well-paid job and then come back and be a more successful person.
If I was summer i would stay with my grandma because she was the one that saved your life.
We all know it is a tough decision between family and your future but this is your life and you have to be able to balance both.
i would stay and help my grandma with the money
I would have done the same thing that Summer did because if her grandma wouldnt have saved her she wouldnt be going to school and have graduated. She also loves her grandma
If I were in Summers position I would have stayed home in order to help my grandma. It's understandable that she would stay with the person who saved her and took care of her for her whole life. I would stay home for her(grandma's) last moments then I would go to college to help support my family then come back and help.
I would've stayed with my grandmother instead of going off to art school. She would obviously mean lots to me; I will stand by the woman who saved me. I value family more than I value education. She did the right thing, even though she might not be happy.
In my opinion, if I was in Summer position I would also try to take care of my grandmother unless she wanted me to actually go really bad to college. I would probably take care of my grandmother but since it might cost money, I would prefer going to college to earn money to take care of my grandmother.
if i was in summers position, i would have gone to art school part time while helping grandma the time im not at school
If I was Summer then I would do the same thing because some of her beliefs I believe in too and I would totally understand why she would not accept the scholarship and it is totally acceptable in my opinion.
I would choose the same decision as Summer did. I would stay with the person that helped me during the hard times when i needed because i know that she is going to need my help.
I would've gone to the Art School and tried my best.Even though it is a difficult decision to make considering the family.
If i was in summers place i would stay with my grandma. I would do this because she helped me when no one couldn't. I also wouldn't g because i would be scared and not know what to do because the only thing i knew was being with my grandma and not by myself. i would be scared that i wouldn't be ale to succeed.
in Summer's place, I would choose the education path because I know that it's better to go down a better, more stable path than stay behind in an uncertain environment that might end in poverty and/or financial devastation. That could definitively ruin any chance at life.
If i was her, i would do what my heart is telling me to do.
I would stay with the grandma so I could repay her back
I will stay home with my grandma since I will had basically owe my life to her and college can come after when she's ready.
I think Summer should still strive for her career in art even though it's going to take her a while. Family comes first which is why she chose to help her grandma and decided to have her career later in life. Summer could still have the same opportunities given to her the same as if she were to join early and later on. She is going to be able to do what she wants if the art career is the second choice. Either way she will be able to do what she wants if she does one thing before the other.
this is a great example of how children in unfortunate situations are given opportunities that can change their lives
If i would have the summer choice I would go to college and do what my grandma would want me to do, because maybe later on in life that opportunity might not be available no more also, by having sisters and cousins they may also be able to help out my grandma while I would be getting ready to go to college.Also by going to collage it will help you get a carrer which will be a faster way to earn money to help out family. As goin in the journey of going to collage having a small time job just to earn some money and sending some for family could also help ,in order to help out family throughout long distance.
The reason why taking care of your family is more important is because when we are younger our family cares to our needs and provides assistance if needed and so in return it is only right to show them that same courtesy, especially if they have some medical problems.There are many ways to continue your education in the studies that you choose to pursue, you just have to do research on other ways to pursue your education.
I think that both of summer's options are good for herself but I think going to college would be the more smart choice because with a degree more jobs would be open then she could have come back and helped her grandma. Personally i would go to college.
If i had to choose whether to go to the art institute or stay to help my grandmother i would stay with my grandmother and help her. Because of the pricing and because my grandmother always supported her and summer always wanted to help her grandmother out.
If this was my choice, i would honestly go to college and after graduating college i would find a good paying job and help my family financially. Although, the other siblings would be at home taking care of each other ; i would miss them but i rather be educated while i can and it's available.
I think that summer should have taken the art scholarship because if she had done that she could get and art degree and get a good job and take care of her grandma but since she didn't shes struggling more now
I would go to college,I wouldnt be too worried of my casregiver since they have survived for their entire life. After college I could give back some money in payments to my caregiver.
I would leave to college instead of staying and taking care of my grandma.
If i was in summer's position, i would first have to take care of my grandma because since she's family and i would care about her. Even though it's hard to have to leave school for such a long time, i would still risk it. i think that she knew she would come back to school at some point and it required hardwork till graduation.
Going to college would have been better because that's what his father would have wanted and her grandma would not be alone her sisters and cousin will be there to take care of her. If Summer goes to college then it would help her and her family in the future.
If i was under the circumstance like Summer i would stay and take care of grandma because it stated in the beginning that her grandparents took her and her sisters in and they cared for them like if they were their parents...also what if she goes and when she comes back her grandma is not their anymore what would happen to their sisters they would be separated so summer would stay to avoid that...
There are many high school drop outs and they often have lots of reasons for it. In my opinion the grandma is going through tough times and she has every reason to want to protect her, but she can't just give up the rest of her life for family. She also matters and she should continue with her school studies and go to college.
If i had summer's opportunity i would go to school because i would try to help myself and make sure i am okay and make sure i am doing good in school. Later when i'm done from school i would help my grandma and make everything that i couldn't fix back then fix it now.
if i were summer i would go to collage because once summer gets out of she could help here grandma out by selling her art or working in a job or art
I would stay with my grandma and take care of her because i would rather take care of my family than go to college and miss time with my family that i could never get back.Maybe after the problem is over it could be a possibility that i could go to the college that accepts me. I think its the right choice that she stayed with her grandma and took care of her.
I think that she should have gone to collage.
If i was in the position that Summer was in I would choose to go to college. I choose this because in Summer's position her grandmother wants her to go to college, and her grandfather wanted her to get an education. With the money that Summer could earn by being a certified artist and selling art for a lot of money she could help her grandmother and her family.
If I were in her position I would have gone to college because it would be a better opportunity to get a degree so then I could get a job to help out my family.
If i had to make summers choice then i would choose to take care of my grandmother because she is the one that will need me there.
i think that she she should hhave stayed
If I had Summer's choice, I would probably stay to take care of the grandma until she had enough support to take care of herself, then I would go to college to finish the education.
Many reasons account for school drop outs and most of them are beyond students' control. However, an opportunity should not be declined for family reasons. The best way to better your life and that of your family's is through education.
Would all adults please leave this conversation? I honestly do not think that was the plan in the first place.
But what happened after summer break? Did she get hurt?
Incredibly moving short documentary, congratulations.
I agree with many that going to Art School is probably a bad decision. I went to the Art Institute myself and needless to say the cost burden is not ideal. Studying a more practical career in the services, healthcare, business and sciences will go much further in cementing a living than Art School. However for many any school including Art School can put them on a better path and pick up great things along the way. I as many that went to Art School work in pretty different fields compared to what we majored in. Probably out of a 100 only 5 end up really working in their craft directly. I work in a related field to what I studied and can apply what I learned but it hasn't been easy and it is a constant struggle to market and sell work by freelance or otherwise. You can still do great and land that dream job but it will be much harder than if you went to a regular college for a bout the same cost.
Congrats to Summer for graduating, that in itself is a big achievement.
I agree with many that going to Art School is probably a bad decision. I went to the Art Institute myself and needless to say the cost burden is not ideal. Studying a more practical career in the services, healthcare, business and sciences will go much further in cementing a living than Art School. However for many any school including Art School can put them on a better path and pick up great things along the way. I as many that went to Art School work in pretty different fields compared to what we majored in. Probably out of a 100 only 5 end up really working in their craft directly. I work in a related field to what I studied and can apply what I learned but it hasn't been easy and it is a constant struggle to market and sell work by freelance or otherwise. You can still do great and land that dream job but it will be much harder than if you went to a regular college for a bout the same cost.
Congrats to Summer for graduating, that in itself is a big achievement.
This video would be relevant to my education classes in college if it was in English or at least had English subtitles.
It is in English.
What did you expect
"Just beat the devil out of it."
That is one of the most moving pieces I've ever seen. I am a teacher myself. It is heartbreaking sometimes to realize the circumstances young people can be dealing with. God bless the young woman. I hope she can somehow transcend her difficulties and develop her extraordinary talent, and use it to inspire others.
1
Weird, but bad kids to me were the bullies when struggling young people could not even get a good night's sleep at home. Hence, I detest the film's title because the bad kids were the popular ones thinking they were better than anyone else. Picking on the struggling young people who only struggled more with the cheerleaders, school representatives, and the athletes who obviously thought it just fine to ignore or mercilessly make fun of others they didn't perceive in their galaxy. THEY were the BAD KIDS.
4
I teach freshmen at a public college in New York City, and every semester I have students who miss classes because they are taking a mother or grandmother to the doctor, babysitting for a younger sister or sister's baby. I emphasize that college comes first, and that they must explain this to their families. It's not easy for them. I think it is, in fact, sometimes an excuse not to take their studies and ambitions seriously. But if the student does not take college (and themselves) seriously, neither will the family.
4
To the NYT: thank you. To the filmmakers Keith Fulton and Lou Pepe: well done. To Summer: your family is so, so fortunate to have you, and because your story is inspiring to others, we're fortunate to have you, too.
1
"Our kids do not see that there is a possibility outside."
If you do not have hope, if you cannot see a possibility outside of your immediate reality, what would cause you to think that you can make a difference?
When I was Summer's age, I saw the possibility outside of my immediate reality in two ways: through the amazing escape I found in books and through the stories my teachers told of their times at the local state university. I ended up at that same university, Michigan State, and it was a tough road. There were many times when I thought I wouldn't finish. I was so terrified of taking a break from classes and returning home that I never did. I took courses every summer and moved to Boston forty-eight hours after I finished my last exam.
My teachers, my mentors were my role models. They represented a possibility outside of my immediate reality and I clung to their stories, viewing them as windows to another reality. They were like me but they were different - they were my bridge to the future.
Faculty at our large state universities play this role every day in the lives of students like Summer, students who are one broken hot water heater away from dropping out. Faculty are on the front lines with students, hearing their stories of homelessness, poverty, abuse, and addiction. I was struck by the amazing empathy of the teachers and counselors in Summer's world.
This is tough emotional labor and we rarely recognize this part of a teacher's job.
If you do not have hope, if you cannot see a possibility outside of your immediate reality, what would cause you to think that you can make a difference?
When I was Summer's age, I saw the possibility outside of my immediate reality in two ways: through the amazing escape I found in books and through the stories my teachers told of their times at the local state university. I ended up at that same university, Michigan State, and it was a tough road. There were many times when I thought I wouldn't finish. I was so terrified of taking a break from classes and returning home that I never did. I took courses every summer and moved to Boston forty-eight hours after I finished my last exam.
My teachers, my mentors were my role models. They represented a possibility outside of my immediate reality and I clung to their stories, viewing them as windows to another reality. They were like me but they were different - they were my bridge to the future.
Faculty at our large state universities play this role every day in the lives of students like Summer, students who are one broken hot water heater away from dropping out. Faculty are on the front lines with students, hearing their stories of homelessness, poverty, abuse, and addiction. I was struck by the amazing empathy of the teachers and counselors in Summer's world.
This is tough emotional labor and we rarely recognize this part of a teacher's job.
5
This is all well and good. But will it make us cozy and warm when we have to go outside?
It definately will. Just put on a jacket
I thought this was a great film. The kids seemed nice and smart, I wept when graduate 29 walked down the hall. Summer is a very nice girl, with a wide array of talents. The teachers are amazing and supportive. That said, the saddest element was the almost hidden photos of a pregnant teen, and the daddy teen carrying an infant seat, to say nothing of the other babies in Summer's home (who were they, who did they belong to?) America-- this is our problem: low income kids from awful childhoods procreate with abandon. And the cycle then goes on and on. Somehow, someway, this has got to stop. Free BC, free abortion with no stigma attached, counseling from about grade 5 on as to the joys of parenting-- when you are an adult who can handle it. I hope Summer avoids the trap that was so evident in her community. If she does, she may escape. If she falls down, she will never get out and do better.
9
Summer's choice was not a choice at all. Being a decent human being, the only thing that Summer could do was take care of her grandmother. A better nation would have made sure that her grandmother was adequately cared for. A better nation would have allowed Summer to follow her dreams. That, however, would have required all of us to pitch in a little more of our money and give it to Summer and her family.
America will never die because of the Taliban, Islamic Jihad, Al Queda, ISIS or any other external threat. When America dies, it will be with a pathetic little whimper, after having sacrificed Summer and millions of kids like her to the false god of capitalism.
America will never die because of the Taliban, Islamic Jihad, Al Queda, ISIS or any other external threat. When America dies, it will be with a pathetic little whimper, after having sacrificed Summer and millions of kids like her to the false god of capitalism.
33
@Bruckner
It is sad that the most recommended post is a screed about placing more responsibility in the hands of a government safety net of social programs. Such is the way of the "progressive" American. After we have watched people like this young girl's parents utterly crash and abdicate any semblance of adult responsibility, we turn to a government saying "fix it".
This is not about some "god of capitalism". I don't believe the circumstances on the Mojave Desert gave birth to a capitalistic failure any more than people living in dire circumstances throughout history prove the existence of bogey-men during earlier times. I can say this with certainty: in order to excuse all of us, some allowance was made for both the mother and father of these children. And we are more comfortable lauding the beautiful sacrifice of her grandparents than we are calling out the shame of what her parents did. And, unfortunately, human beings need to live with that tension. Shame and judgment need to be a component of human life or we are tethered only to a tenuous desire to do good. Most people have a deficit in the "do good" account, and a far greater number will run from responsibility. Without a public agreement on "right" behavior, our only solution is to shrug and blame it on greed and capitalism and invoke a government to "fix" it.
Accountability starts with every human being. So far, I have not seen too many of my fellow passengers on spaceship Earth who are beyond reproach.
It is sad that the most recommended post is a screed about placing more responsibility in the hands of a government safety net of social programs. Such is the way of the "progressive" American. After we have watched people like this young girl's parents utterly crash and abdicate any semblance of adult responsibility, we turn to a government saying "fix it".
This is not about some "god of capitalism". I don't believe the circumstances on the Mojave Desert gave birth to a capitalistic failure any more than people living in dire circumstances throughout history prove the existence of bogey-men during earlier times. I can say this with certainty: in order to excuse all of us, some allowance was made for both the mother and father of these children. And we are more comfortable lauding the beautiful sacrifice of her grandparents than we are calling out the shame of what her parents did. And, unfortunately, human beings need to live with that tension. Shame and judgment need to be a component of human life or we are tethered only to a tenuous desire to do good. Most people have a deficit in the "do good" account, and a far greater number will run from responsibility. Without a public agreement on "right" behavior, our only solution is to shrug and blame it on greed and capitalism and invoke a government to "fix" it.
Accountability starts with every human being. So far, I have not seen too many of my fellow passengers on spaceship Earth who are beyond reproach.
1
I can't even begin to comment on how off-base Stuart's comment is. How would he do in a situation like Summer's? Privilege chides, once again. What struggles has he had?
These at risk students have a stacked deck and it is extremely difficult if not impossible to move forward in any meaningful outcome.
If the winds are at her back and the family can gain some financial and physical support, possibly Summer could realize an education.
Education is crucial in this world to earn a decent living without it she will continue in her life, as her parents, grandparents struggling merely to survive.
If the winds are at her back and the family can gain some financial and physical support, possibly Summer could realize an education.
Education is crucial in this world to earn a decent living without it she will continue in her life, as her parents, grandparents struggling merely to survive.
4
Permit me to speak bluntly. No one wants to take away a high school student's dream, but Summer's level of talent is that of a typical high school student who likes to render things. That's not to say she has no talent, but to point out that it's common as dirt among arty high school kids.
Even with training, this isn't the kind of drawing that will ever land Summer a job at Pixar. If she's too attached to it--if she can't shake up these drawings after studying real drawing in a higher education art class, her talent, along with two dollars, will get her a ride on the subway.
If she were my student, I'd advise her this way: Even though your family might suffer in the short run, you should leave home for their long-run benefit. Go to a college (a community college is fine) that offers lots of art classes. With work, you will find out if you've got the ability to advance your art beyond where it is now. If that happens, you can choose to major in art. But if that doesn't pan out, or if you find your interests are shifting away from art, you'll be position to find another career path.
Even with training, this isn't the kind of drawing that will ever land Summer a job at Pixar. If she's too attached to it--if she can't shake up these drawings after studying real drawing in a higher education art class, her talent, along with two dollars, will get her a ride on the subway.
If she were my student, I'd advise her this way: Even though your family might suffer in the short run, you should leave home for their long-run benefit. Go to a college (a community college is fine) that offers lots of art classes. With work, you will find out if you've got the ability to advance your art beyond where it is now. If that happens, you can choose to major in art. But if that doesn't pan out, or if you find your interests are shifting away from art, you'll be position to find another career path.
10
Beautifully done. But what about the thousands or millions of similarly admirable and deserving youngsters, supported by thoughtful and caring teachers, yet also challenged and blocked in their lives, who don't have major documentaries about them featured in the New York Times?
4
An unfortunate fact of life is that usually to succeed, one needs a degree of selfishness: one has to put one's self interests first to pursue a dream. It is that selfishness which ignites the spark of drive and keeps it going.
Ms. Jordan lacks that selfishness; she is actually too good for her own good. She is and will be a better person for her efforts, and she might one day succeed at art. Time will tell.
Ms. Jordan lacks that selfishness; she is actually too good for her own good. She is and will be a better person for her efforts, and she might one day succeed at art. Time will tell.
4
People who would never EVER work with students in a school setting are always the first to preach against labels and categories, but the educational system demands identifying problems learners have, and that always results in a label.
Just throwing yourself at students without the benefit of knowing who has what difficulties with the class learning style is inviting that student to a time of frustration, boredom, and/or giving up.
Just throwing yourself at students without the benefit of knowing who has what difficulties with the class learning style is inviting that student to a time of frustration, boredom, and/or giving up.
1
There is a Gofundme account for student scholarships. You just have to look up Black Rock High School scholarships. All money is distributed to the students interested in continuing education and is paid directly to the schools.
6
DO NOT go to art school. A first-generation college student from a backward town in the Midwest, I have a collection of degrees from prestigious music schools (I guess I was pretty good at it). But if it weren't for my wife, I'd be living in a cardboard box somewhere. I suppose I have a job that many artists and musicians would love to have: I'm an assistant professor. But the pay is embarrassingly lousy; the "service adviser" who sits at the desk at the car dealership where I bought my car - the man with NO degrees - makes $10k more a year than I make.
I spent most of my young life preparing to pursue a career in the sciences. Then I took a most unwise detour into music. I regret that decision every. Single. Day. Now in my 40's and buried in student loan debt, it's too late to start over.
I spent most of my young life preparing to pursue a career in the sciences. Then I took a most unwise detour into music. I regret that decision every. Single. Day. Now in my 40's and buried in student loan debt, it's too late to start over.
15
Summer is a sweet, but incredibly naive and unworldly young woman. I get that; what I DO NOT get is her teachers and advisors encouraging her to go into an overcrowded and very competitive field with almost no jobs. And the jobs that exist often do not pay well enough for someone like Summer to repay her college loans.
You are a very good example yourself, and if anything, it is WORSE in the visual arts. The "good jobs" working for magazines and newspapers are almost gone today -- advertising agencies have cut way, way back -- most jobs are freelance or temp jobs. And don't look for "web design" to save anyone. A lot of it is automated today, or done overseas.
It is wonderful to have talent in the arts, and it is fine to study art (or music) -- just don't be DEPENDENT on it. Like you, I wish I'd listened to wiser old people who told me "have a back up career".
You are a very good example yourself, and if anything, it is WORSE in the visual arts. The "good jobs" working for magazines and newspapers are almost gone today -- advertising agencies have cut way, way back -- most jobs are freelance or temp jobs. And don't look for "web design" to save anyone. A lot of it is automated today, or done overseas.
It is wonderful to have talent in the arts, and it is fine to study art (or music) -- just don't be DEPENDENT on it. Like you, I wish I'd listened to wiser old people who told me "have a back up career".
7
One of the 7 wonders of my world is photography. When I started Columbia College-Chicago, I was a 37 year old child of a teen mom ,product of public school and bipolar. I was the first person of my family to graduate from high school and college. Yet, I always wanted a career not a job. I was in the army for a number of years (therefore no student loans). I always find it amusing when people are down on the arts, when our lives are affected by art and creativity. Everything we eat, see, feel, wear, hear and communicate are influenced by art. My art has three components 1) my pure joy 2) community 3) clients. I feed my soul by teaching art at a homeless shelter to children (volunteer).
P.S. One of the speakers at my college, "when you can't find a script, role, band etc. start your own".
P.S. One of the speakers at my college, "when you can't find a script, role, band etc. start your own".
3
your real problem is that how you feel about yourself. it is never too late to start over, otherwise we should just give up on anyone past a certain age because they cannot improve. what exactly is that age? is it 30, 40, 50? what should we do with all these people who cannot begin again?
a lot of people older than you and some wiser than you would say that one's 40's are still part of your 'young' life. wait 'till you hit 70 if you feel old now.
a lot of people older than you and some wiser than you would say that one's 40's are still part of your 'young' life. wait 'till you hit 70 if you feel old now.
In my opinion, Ms. Jordan made the right choice for right now. The key factor is whether there will continue to be people in her life who encourage her to strive and not get complacent. She needs to know what she is getting into, and where the path is leading. Law schools can consistently produce lawyers; art schools do not usually make professional artists, even the very best schools with the most talented students.
I studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Going to art school is not like going to regular college, and getting into the art market afterwards is not what most art schools train their students to be good at, sadly. The truth is that even really good art schools with talented students are places that are mostly filled with privileged kids who have talked their parents into letting them go with the idea that if they "follow their heart," everything will work out. What they aren't told is that making a living as an artist is mostly about self-promotion and networking.
Art schools should really be art/business schools. An artist needs to be able to talk about their work in a way that appeals to their customers. Some want New Age psychobabble; some (especially in NY) want elitist critical theory.
Ms. Jordan's art suggests that she could potentially work in the video game or comic book industry- or the arts and crafts circuit. That shouldn't be taken as an insult. Dreaming big is fine, as long as you remember it's a dream and not a plan.
I studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Going to art school is not like going to regular college, and getting into the art market afterwards is not what most art schools train their students to be good at, sadly. The truth is that even really good art schools with talented students are places that are mostly filled with privileged kids who have talked their parents into letting them go with the idea that if they "follow their heart," everything will work out. What they aren't told is that making a living as an artist is mostly about self-promotion and networking.
Art schools should really be art/business schools. An artist needs to be able to talk about their work in a way that appeals to their customers. Some want New Age psychobabble; some (especially in NY) want elitist critical theory.
Ms. Jordan's art suggests that she could potentially work in the video game or comic book industry- or the arts and crafts circuit. That shouldn't be taken as an insult. Dreaming big is fine, as long as you remember it's a dream and not a plan.
13
You are incredibly correct about art schools -- they are 70 years behind the times. They are training "artists" for careers that largely do not exist, and are not giving students backgrounds in things like marketing, networking, even tax law. That's because anything "practical" is scorned as "not artistic/creative".
Where you are wrong is that it is NOT just the kids of wealthy white people any more. The lure of being able to have a good paying career doing only "the creative work that you love" is a deep draw to even poor kids like Summer from the wrong side of the track. They often think that "art" means never having to compromise or do work to please a customer (but only YOUR SELF), and that you can loaf around and only work "when you feel inspired". Real artists are more like blue collar workers, on the job every day, attuned to technical details of their materials or medium. But art schools create a lot of "precious" creative types, who end up in other professions OR doing little or nothing. The rate of unemployed graduates of art schools is staggering ... and not something you will find inside their slick brochures.
There is nothing wrong with video games or comic books, or arts & crafts -- but I don't think that's what Summer is aspiring to. I don't think any adult has really given her a realistic idea of the work world, or taught her basic skills in math or history or language -- or basic work ethics. That's why she could not graduate on time.
Where you are wrong is that it is NOT just the kids of wealthy white people any more. The lure of being able to have a good paying career doing only "the creative work that you love" is a deep draw to even poor kids like Summer from the wrong side of the track. They often think that "art" means never having to compromise or do work to please a customer (but only YOUR SELF), and that you can loaf around and only work "when you feel inspired". Real artists are more like blue collar workers, on the job every day, attuned to technical details of their materials or medium. But art schools create a lot of "precious" creative types, who end up in other professions OR doing little or nothing. The rate of unemployed graduates of art schools is staggering ... and not something you will find inside their slick brochures.
There is nothing wrong with video games or comic books, or arts & crafts -- but I don't think that's what Summer is aspiring to. I don't think any adult has really given her a realistic idea of the work world, or taught her basic skills in math or history or language -- or basic work ethics. That's why she could not graduate on time.
3
Black Rock High School is regarded as the school where the “bad kids” go !!! NO !!! These are all good kids who are victims of bad or misguided parents. These are kids who lack the means, guidance or motivation to do or accomplish something.
NYT: Please communicate to the staff of Black Rock High School that what their students need is HOPE !!! With hope comes a dream and with a dream comes a desire to do or accomplish something.
NYT: Please also communicate to the staff of Black Rock High School that they can inspire greater hope and desire in their students by including volunteers from their community who would act as surrogate parents and councilors to the students. Such volunteers could contribute leadership and inspiration to these kids. Such volunteers could be professionals, blue collar workers or others who would have the courage and willingness to listen to the students and talk with them. The volunteers could figuratively adopt a kid, and provide the badly needed leadership and guidance to these kids who are hungry for the same. Also the volunteers and staff of Black Rock High School could organize day trips to centers of interest (libraries, museums, companies, high and/or low tech centers, etc.) that would expose and inspire the students to hope, to aspire and learn and to accomplish greater things in their lives.
NYT: Please communicate to the staff of Black Rock High School that what their students need is HOPE !!! With hope comes a dream and with a dream comes a desire to do or accomplish something.
NYT: Please also communicate to the staff of Black Rock High School that they can inspire greater hope and desire in their students by including volunteers from their community who would act as surrogate parents and councilors to the students. Such volunteers could contribute leadership and inspiration to these kids. Such volunteers could be professionals, blue collar workers or others who would have the courage and willingness to listen to the students and talk with them. The volunteers could figuratively adopt a kid, and provide the badly needed leadership and guidance to these kids who are hungry for the same. Also the volunteers and staff of Black Rock High School could organize day trips to centers of interest (libraries, museums, companies, high and/or low tech centers, etc.) that would expose and inspire the students to hope, to aspire and learn and to accomplish greater things in their lives.
5
If you did not see these teachers as the amazing people they are, then you missed the video. I can bet there are very few of these mentors you suggest they should find for these kids in that godforsaken and impoverished corner of the world. The teachers ARE the mentors, and these kids recognize it, even if you do not. As far as the day trips-- great idea. And who exactly will pay for that?
4
Out of curiosity with the article, I looked up Black Rock -- it's about 5 hours from the nearest city of any size, Fresno.
That would make a round trip at least 10 hours, meaning if you wanted to do anything like go to a museum or library or visit a corporation (and Fresno does not have big pickings in those areas), it is an overnight trip -- meaning motels and food costs. Which is likely why nobody does this. The cost would be staggering.
Beautiful area in the desert, but incredibly remote. May as well be a million miles (or on another planet) from LA or San Francisco.
That would make a round trip at least 10 hours, meaning if you wanted to do anything like go to a museum or library or visit a corporation (and Fresno does not have big pickings in those areas), it is an overnight trip -- meaning motels and food costs. Which is likely why nobody does this. The cost would be staggering.
Beautiful area in the desert, but incredibly remote. May as well be a million miles (or on another planet) from LA or San Francisco.
2
Youre on the wrong map; Yucca Valley is about 30 min from Palm Springs and 2 hrs from downtown LA (with good traffic, of course). We are a town where most people live at or under the poverty line and commonly decide between groceries and medications. The only "job opportunities" are at fast food and big box franchises like Ross, Home Depot, etc which offer minimum wage, part-time, no benefit positions. there just aren't good jobs in this town for a high school graduate, or even a college graduate. The local community college does offer some art classes, but is not walking distance from anything, and the bus system is marginal at best. To attend school and hold a job without a car is very hard.
The local community is choc-a-block with artists who could possibly help her develop her art, or advise her to look for a more marketable skill set and keep art as a hobby. Once upon a time we were the methamphetamine capital of the nation, and that this girl has escaped that fate is remarkable. A field trip to the Big City is unlikely to change anything for the youngsters here. What we need is a healthy economy and a humane health care system so this girl and those like her can strike out without feeling she has abandoned her family. Where we live is astonishingly beautiful (I know why she would want to stay) and consequently overrun now with vacation rentals mostly owned by outoftowners who are shifting the housing market out of reach for the locals.
Good luck, girl!
The local community is choc-a-block with artists who could possibly help her develop her art, or advise her to look for a more marketable skill set and keep art as a hobby. Once upon a time we were the methamphetamine capital of the nation, and that this girl has escaped that fate is remarkable. A field trip to the Big City is unlikely to change anything for the youngsters here. What we need is a healthy economy and a humane health care system so this girl and those like her can strike out without feeling she has abandoned her family. Where we live is astonishingly beautiful (I know why she would want to stay) and consequently overrun now with vacation rentals mostly owned by outoftowners who are shifting the housing market out of reach for the locals.
Good luck, girl!
2
Summer's story illustrates why caretaking of elderly parents (in Summer's case, her grandparents) often falls to girl children. Her school is filled with caring teachers, she is counseled, looked after, pushed, challenged, questioned about her goals, her future. None of those things were the problem. She says she feels guilty, and that is why she doesn't leave, doesn't grasp the brass ring when it is within her reach, why she can't see beyond the present moment into her future. The doc mentions the necessary link in childhood to a caring adult. One of the jobs of a caring adult is to kick a kid out of the nest. But there has been so much loss in Summer's life, that unless a girl like that feels there is some kind of ground beneath her feet, it is hard to fly off into the future and believe that you will stay airborne. Guilt generates a powerful gravitational pull. It can yank a person out of their intended orbit and send them off into space, or pull them in tight and completely absorb them. Kids like Summer need personal mentors, big sisters/brothers, to help them imagine and manifest another life. I have seen this story before with so many girls, who have not been taught - Yes, taught! - that their dreams are worth pursuing. My hope for Summer is that someone will see this film and that even though she turned down her scholarship because of guilt, some school will find a way to work with her anyway. Somebody please throw this talented, sweet young woman a permanent lifeline.
20
The school made a serious (and in this case, tragic) error in talking to Summer -- who is very immature and unrealistic for her age (about 17).
They needed to talk to the GRANDMOTHER, and get together with her (assuming she agrees, which I believe she would) and confront Summer -- do an actual intervention and tell that child that SHE IS LEAVING AND GOING TO COLLEGE, no matter what. And her grandmother will not accept her staying home, to earn a measly $8K a year at Ross as a cashier.
Her counselors are typical of such types -- kind hearted, but ineffectual -- telling the girl that it is OK to flunk algebra! and let's not forget it was union teachers (very highly paid in CA) who ensured this child did not get a proper founding in math and science and history and language arts for the past 12 years! She seems to have some intellect and love of art -- she's not rebellious or acting out -- there is NO REASON for her to be incapable of graduating on time. Teachers and their powerful unions have (once again) utterly failed a student. Repeat this about 10,000,000 times and you see how our educational system is failing both children & taxpayers, for the benefit of a hugely powerful and wealthy union.
They needed to talk to the GRANDMOTHER, and get together with her (assuming she agrees, which I believe she would) and confront Summer -- do an actual intervention and tell that child that SHE IS LEAVING AND GOING TO COLLEGE, no matter what. And her grandmother will not accept her staying home, to earn a measly $8K a year at Ross as a cashier.
Her counselors are typical of such types -- kind hearted, but ineffectual -- telling the girl that it is OK to flunk algebra! and let's not forget it was union teachers (very highly paid in CA) who ensured this child did not get a proper founding in math and science and history and language arts for the past 12 years! She seems to have some intellect and love of art -- she's not rebellious or acting out -- there is NO REASON for her to be incapable of graduating on time. Teachers and their powerful unions have (once again) utterly failed a student. Repeat this about 10,000,000 times and you see how our educational system is failing both children & taxpayers, for the benefit of a hugely powerful and wealthy union.
thanks so much for boiling down a complicated set of issues and problems so that even us dummies can understand it in nice, simple, black-and-white terms.
I disagree that the teachers have failed her -- her parents failed her LONG before the teachers ever got her in their classes. If she has to spend her evenings and weekends caring for her grandmother and siblings, with no time to study, how is it that the teachers (union or not) have failed her?
Plus, the teacher did not tell her it was okay to flunk algebra. She said Summer's grade was so low she would not be able to graduate. Maybe you should go back and watch the film again... Seems you just want to rant against teachers unions....
Plus, the teacher did not tell her it was okay to flunk algebra. She said Summer's grade was so low she would not be able to graduate. Maybe you should go back and watch the film again... Seems you just want to rant against teachers unions....
1
As a great grandchild of immigrants I am not unfamiliar with the story of children working to support family members. At the same time my great grandparents were adamant that their children get an education. No ifs ands and or buts. In turn my grandparents were just as demanding - they had to all work hard but they did not expect their kids to help support everyone left at home. While this may sound harsh and impractical to the case at handThis is not to say my father did not have part time jobs, he did but he was not expected to sacrifice his education to work at low paying jobs just to bring in money, I believe my family was looking way ahead and made sure the adults worked two or three jobs if necessary to educate the children. I recall my grandmother said the children are the future, not chattel to work and feed the rest of us, the adults would make do.
4
This may sound frivolous but if I won the lottery I would provide whatever medical care, financial, and applicable social support to help this young woman, her grandmother, and her family. I can only hope that someone who has the means reads and sees this video for Summer's sake and for the sake of multitudes of young people whose circumstances are not of their making but who are left to struggle and make their way in this world doing anything they can to survive including giving up their dreams.
5
Summer already had a FULL RIDE scholarship to college. That was not even an issue here.
Her grandmother would have Social Security and Medicare, as well as likely food stamps. It is doubtful that a minimum wage job at a clothing store would really provide an income that would make her grandmother's life measurably better. Am I the ONLY READER who realized that Summer is scared to leave what is familiar to her? That it is easier to keep on doing the same thing, than risk leaving town and maybe failing? The grandmother is an excuse, because who doesn't love their grandmother?
NOTE: I adored my grandmother, and yet I know that if she saw me making this kind of tragic error -- condemning me to a life of doing nothing, in a remote rural area -- my Nana would have taken me by the scruff of my neck, right to the bus station and kicked me onto the bus, and told me "don't come home until you have your college degree in hand".
Her grandmother would have Social Security and Medicare, as well as likely food stamps. It is doubtful that a minimum wage job at a clothing store would really provide an income that would make her grandmother's life measurably better. Am I the ONLY READER who realized that Summer is scared to leave what is familiar to her? That it is easier to keep on doing the same thing, than risk leaving town and maybe failing? The grandmother is an excuse, because who doesn't love their grandmother?
NOTE: I adored my grandmother, and yet I know that if she saw me making this kind of tragic error -- condemning me to a life of doing nothing, in a remote rural area -- my Nana would have taken me by the scruff of my neck, right to the bus station and kicked me onto the bus, and told me "don't come home until you have your college degree in hand".
6
There is a reason for the phrase 'starving artist'.
Study something more practical, as making a living is more important than following your dreams, as many 40 year old baristas working at Starbucks can attest to.
Study something more practical, as making a living is more important than following your dreams, as many 40 year old baristas working at Starbucks can attest to.
13
Having a calling definitely makes your life more complicated. Simpletons will always be ready to give you their simple answers. Part of becoming wise is learning to ignore them and then to go ahead and do what you really want to do.
6
As a university administrator, I'm tired of the assumption that the only paths worthy of study are ones that lead to clear vocational ends (and of course, these are entirely gendered: women are encouraged to study nursing and elementary education, while men are steered towards engineering and accounting). Rather, we might consider the way young people can steer their interests and talents into careers (not merely 'jobs') that are compelling to them. Being 'an artist' is not the only career possibility for a bright, creative, motivated young person with a BFA in studio art. Let's celebrate rather than decry those of us took different paths, and ended up in much more interesting places because of that.
14
FSMLives, I'm afraid you're take on art as a vocation is out of date. There are a host of art and art-related jobs out there that pay far and away more than minimum wage. Whether it's as simple as providing on-site graphics support at a local business, the arts & crafts circuit, developing signage and displays, illustration, concept art, corporate collateral... a host of things that artists and designers can do that not only "make a living" but make living more enjoyable. Even the Armed Forces utilize graphic artists and photographers in career positions. The NYTimes has a post about US Marine combat artists if you care to look that up, and that's not even the tip of the iceberg.
Access is the issue, and it is made abundantly clear in this video. Summer has talent and skill and is limited by her circumstance. When kids start off under such depressed conditions, it's very difficult to get themselves out without guidance and support. Her community lacks the resources of funds and personnel to make the kind of difference that would help a child see potentiality beyond the immediate needs of her family's life.
I believe your apparent line of thinking is immature, myopic, and ultimately unhelpful. It makes a cute aside under the aegis of the Internet's anonymity, but it displays an utter lack of comprehension of what you just watched in this video. Assuming you actually watched it. The kid needs mentoring. Not mendacious snark.
Access is the issue, and it is made abundantly clear in this video. Summer has talent and skill and is limited by her circumstance. When kids start off under such depressed conditions, it's very difficult to get themselves out without guidance and support. Her community lacks the resources of funds and personnel to make the kind of difference that would help a child see potentiality beyond the immediate needs of her family's life.
I believe your apparent line of thinking is immature, myopic, and ultimately unhelpful. It makes a cute aside under the aegis of the Internet's anonymity, but it displays an utter lack of comprehension of what you just watched in this video. Assuming you actually watched it. The kid needs mentoring. Not mendacious snark.
11
In the Mojave, hate the game, not the playa.
Thank you, New York Times, for sharing this poignant story. We, this nation, need to see more stories like this to show us how the "other" lives. We lack an understanding of the many population groups that make up our great country and, therefore, we too often lack compassion. Today many of our political leaders ridicule and denigrate those very groups that are the most vulnerable and powerless. Their vitriol is tearing our nation apart.
There are many more children like Summer with families that are poor, minority, migrant, or homeless. Please give us more stories like these and help us build a more tolerant and kind country.
There are many more children like Summer with families that are poor, minority, migrant, or homeless. Please give us more stories like these and help us build a more tolerant and kind country.
24
Black Rock sounds like a wonderful school. Wonder if they or anyone else provide support--at least in the way of counseling--for these kids once they leave the school. Also, if not art school why not at least a community college for Summer and the other students? It would be a strong step towards self sufficiency.
6
Working somewhere like Ross for, say, $10 an hour full time would produce $1600/month before taxes, maybe $1400 after? So if there are 28 people out of the NYT readers with $50 to spare each month for the time Summer is in art school she could go. Is there a way to organize this? It seems very do-able. Otherwise she could get stuck, lose the scholarship opportunity, and be no better off. She needs help - FINANCIAL help - to get out of the vicious cycle.
15
I know your suggestion comes from the heart, but there's a bigger issue at work here. I've had many students like Summer during my career (large public high school with high poverty). She repeatedly mentioned the problem that's at the core of her inability to leave home. It's her self-imposed guilt and sense of obligation to her grandmother and the other family members her grandmother is raising. Even if her grandmother endorses her departure, it's likely that Summer believes the whole family will fall apart if she leaves the nest. The guilt, and the belief, that some students develop about the importance of their role in their family disables their ability to get on with their lives. I've seen this happen with great frequency in families where the adults depend very heavily on the children for what most of us might consider adult responsibilities (working to contribute to basic household needs, healthcare, running errands, driving other family members...). This year I have a student with heavy absenteeism related to his mother's illness. He has taken on a parental role that will definitely stop him from going away to school. However, as another response suggested, what both my student and Summer can do is attend the local community college. That might be the best first step toward self-sufficiency for Summer (and my student, as well). Students who are so co-dependent on the dynamic of their family dramas need to take baby steps away from their gravitational pull.
17
First off, Ross probably pays more like $8 an hour, and even if the minimum wage in CA has gone up to $10 -- Ross would have cut hours. Almost no such employers offer a 40 hour week, and if Summer thinks that -- well, it's part of her naivete.
If she was very lucky, Ross might employ her 20 hours a week -- split shifts, likely -- and all that requires commuting. It doesn't look like she lives anywhere NEAR a Ross store or anything else. What would it cost to commute to the nearest town of any size with stores in it?
So that's $200 a week -- at most -- before taxes and transportation, and if you work in a clothing store, you need some decent stylish clothes too.
$200 a week won't "save Grandma" -- who has Social Security as well as Medicare and probably food stamps or supplemental SSI as well.
PEOPLE! get real! this is not about Grandma being unable to survive. This about SUMMER -- being scared of change or anything new, or the potential of failure. She is USING Grandma as an EXCUSE, because everyone is naturally sympathetic to the idea that Grandma "needs her".
If her Grandma was a stand-up lady -- like my late Nana -- she would drive Summer to the bus stop, push her out of the car and tell her "don't come back without a degree". But I suspect that fear and welfare dependence rules this family and they have no guts or ambition.
If she was very lucky, Ross might employ her 20 hours a week -- split shifts, likely -- and all that requires commuting. It doesn't look like she lives anywhere NEAR a Ross store or anything else. What would it cost to commute to the nearest town of any size with stores in it?
So that's $200 a week -- at most -- before taxes and transportation, and if you work in a clothing store, you need some decent stylish clothes too.
$200 a week won't "save Grandma" -- who has Social Security as well as Medicare and probably food stamps or supplemental SSI as well.
PEOPLE! get real! this is not about Grandma being unable to survive. This about SUMMER -- being scared of change or anything new, or the potential of failure. She is USING Grandma as an EXCUSE, because everyone is naturally sympathetic to the idea that Grandma "needs her".
If her Grandma was a stand-up lady -- like my late Nana -- she would drive Summer to the bus stop, push her out of the car and tell her "don't come back without a degree". But I suspect that fear and welfare dependence rules this family and they have no guts or ambition.
Summer is an incredibly talented young artist and a very thoughtful, hard-working person. I hope she knows that getting an education, even far away from home, is supporting her grandmother. I know life is more complicated than that and understand her decision to put off art school to care for her family, but I hope she always keeps her art central as her life's work.
It's hard to take a chance on yourself when it means leaving the people who love you, but you never really leave your family and you're always a part of it. I hope Summer recognizes that she can be part of other groups and institutions, have more successes, and that they will support her family.
Best wishes to her, and the key holder is an awesome piece of work.
It's hard to take a chance on yourself when it means leaving the people who love you, but you never really leave your family and you're always a part of it. I hope Summer recognizes that she can be part of other groups and institutions, have more successes, and that they will support her family.
Best wishes to her, and the key holder is an awesome piece of work.
26
Also, if I could give Summer one practical piece of advice, it would be to get familiar with the arts/craft show circuit in her area so she can exhibit and sell her work, and meet other artists. It could help develop her thoughts about art school while gaining real professional experience in her field.
23
SWM: look up Black Rock on GoogleEarth. It's in the middle of the desert -- many miles from even a good sized town. Fresno is the closest city of any size, and it's almost five hours away.
THERE IS NO "arts & crafts" circuit in Black Rock or anywhere near. There are no customers for handcrafted signs or cartoons. She has no car. She has no skills in math, to do budgets or billing or taxes. She has zero confidence, and is resigned to working a few hours part time at the nearest mall, and do nothing with her life. It's a real tragedy.
THERE IS NO "arts & crafts" circuit in Black Rock or anywhere near. There are no customers for handcrafted signs or cartoons. She has no car. She has no skills in math, to do budgets or billing or taxes. She has zero confidence, and is resigned to working a few hours part time at the nearest mall, and do nothing with her life. It's a real tragedy.
3
BAD KIDS? I've worked for many years in the inner city of Philadelphia. I've come to the conclusion that "bad" kids are few and far between. Those who are so hurt and afraid that they will fight to get away from any sort of interaction or support. In the 70s, I had a classroom in a school supply closet that was based on engaging the kids in arts and crafts projects to improve their attendance. One of the senior teachers came up to me and told me that she thought it was wrong to give all those projects to the worst kids in the school. At least she was consistent; she had a pallet full of construction paper about 4 feet tall that had sat there unused for years. She only gave out the raggedy used sheets to teachers. I guess she thought that helping people access what they need, whether follow teachers or kids, was making them weak. I also volunteered to work in a shelter for homeless teens. I was surprised at how intelligent and organized most of them were. They knew that what was going on at home and wanted out. There was a case where a girl had tried to poison her family by putting turpentine in the spaghetti sauce. I asked herm, Do you think they might have smelled it? There are lots of other ways of saying that you're angry, frustrated, feel oppressed than with poisoned spaghetti sauce. I found some kids adjudicated for possession of weapons. Sincerely, they were nice kids. Bore with nothing to do at home or in the community. So they tok what they could find.
7