Analysis: Street Smart From Hidden Intellectualism

Chad Decker

Professor Kelly Elcock

English 101

16 September 2015

Street Smart or Class Smart from Hidden Intellectualism

The author elaborates the confusion that comes about when people think of someone who is smart in the streets but fails to exercise the same in the classroom. In many instances, those who are believed to be capable of maneuvering their ways in the streets are capable of surviving in rough neighborhoods. Alternatively, those who seem to be smart in class may not be capable of effectively doing the same in the event that they find themselves in a task that requires out of class skills. In passing the argument, the author has cited his personal life as an example to explain the misconception regarding the two concepts. In most

instances, people have often believed that the individual who is not brilliant in class may be more suitable to handle issues out of the class environment. The same is thought of those who are smart in class work but fail to exercise the same in other activities.
The author tries to argue that the same can be a result of a misconception.

An example given is about the liking that he had for sporting activities compared to a change into intellectual capability. By taking part in sporting activities, the author finds himself reading many of the books related to the same. Out of the activities of reading, the author comes to realize that they can be transformed into a liking for books in class. Just the same way that the author was capable of reading the sports books and making out the meaning of them, he can be capable of handling the school books. As stated by the author, the fact that he preferred sporting activities over school books is not an indication that he is not intellectual. The author confirms the same by stating that the preference he had over sports does not reflect on the anti-intellectualism from his

part.
Additionally, the author uses the example of the lifestyle that he led after the period of the post-war to explain the misconception that arises concerning the issue of intellectualism. After the world war, he found himself living in a neighborhood that comprised of the working class while other people were looking for a job. At the time, because people were living in a tough environment, they had to prove that they too were tough enough to be able to survive in such kind of an environment. From the author’s end, it was clear that he was smart as a kid in school. However, basing on the misconception that those who are smart in the streets cannot be smart in class, the author explains the efforts put across to conform to the misconception. He had to take on all the necessary measures to ensure that he does not cross the line of being a smart kid. It is because the moment he proved that he was more intelligent than the other children, and it would be a problem from his side. He, therefore, tries to balance between being a smart kid in school while at the same time conforming to the requirements of the street life. In the circumstances, it is evident that the author is not dumb but has to act like he does so as to stay relevant to the street life that he was living.
Also, the author tries to elaborate further that failure of an understanding of the concept of an intellectual and a dumb kid can be the reason people tend to have a different perspective. The assumption that a particular person may not be brilliant in class but smart in the streets is wrong. The author explains the same through the application of real life examples. In the cases stated, one can draw the conclusion that the environment plays a significant role in the one’s academic life. The circumstances revolving around the environment one is working on can be thought of as a main factor in the overall performance of someone in class work. A good example is where the author has to draw the line between being a tough street boy while at the same time being good at class work. In a bid to balance the two, it is an indication that the same may not be possible. One can find himself failing in one class while he excels in another one. In the example presented, the author has been portrayed trying to divide the line between being smart and tough street boy. In the event that they are successful in one of the two different features, one is likely going to suffer. It is an indication that the decision to base the fact that academic performance is a preserve of a certain group of individuals is not valid. What needs to be considered is the fact that there can be different issues that can affect the same.
The analysis comes from the fact that many of the people make wrong conclusions when it comes to the issue of intellectualism.

The author is trying to make the point clear by explaining the fact that academic performance can be dependent on many factors. As stated earlier, the students in other instances may not be blamed for not performing well in their academic work. It can be because of the failure of the colleges to tap the right talent. Some of the students who go to school may be having the potential to perform well in their academic work. However, some of the colleges fail to realize the potential that the students may be having. Those who go to school are not smart enough because of failure to get good grades. The issue is of concern because basing an assumption on the grades that one gets in schools cannot be a measure to determine the intellectual capability of

someone.
The author further analyzes the same to try and put across the thought that it may not be justified to judge a particular individual according to the academic performance. The choice to perform well in school is entirely dependent on different factors. If one is doing well in class, it can be because he has chosen to put the efforts to realize the good results. However, failure of one to perform well in class should also not be a reflection of his inability to grasp content in class. It can be because of other reasons that need to be considered as well.