Barbie’s Dream House and NYC’s Private School Nightmare
Aug 3, 2023
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Willa Paskin discusses the origins and evolution of Barbie, the success of a Barbie movie, and future plans for the franchise. Gabe Sherman examines a scandal at Horace Mann, an elite private school, involving racist social media pages, a teacher's controversial novel, and the influence of wealthy parents in college admissions.
The scandal at Horace Mann School reveals the power dynamics that can distort a school's values and suppress teachers who try to address the issue.
The controversy surrounding a teacher's satirical novel sparks debates on free speech and appropriate speech within the school.
The toxic culture within elite private schools, driven by money, power, and pressure to succeed, can lead to warped values and compromised dynamics within educational institutions.
Deep dives
Racist and misogynistic Facebook clubs created by students cause controversy at Horace Mann School
A scandal erupts at Horace Mann School when it is discovered that students have created Facebook groups with racist and misogynistic posts. Teachers report the issue to the school administration, but instead of addressing the content of the posts, the teachers themselves are accused of spying on the students and face pressure from the board. The headmaster calls an assembly to discuss the issue, but it escalates further as one teacher is falsely accused of anti-Semitism. Eventually, all three teachers involved in reporting the Facebook groups resign.
Andrew Trees' book 'Academy X' adds fuel to the controversy
Prior to the Facebook scandal, a teacher at Horace Mann, Andrew Trees, had written a satirical novel called 'Academy X' about a New York City private school. The book sparks its own controversy, with debates on free speech and appropriate speech ensuing. The board raises concerns about the book, but the administration supports the teacher. However, the politics surrounding the book contribute to the tensions when the Facebook scandal emerges.
Power dynamics and compromised values at Horace Mann
The power dynamics at play in Horace Mann School become evident as the students involved in the Facebook clubs, many of whom have parents on the board, face minor consequences, while the teachers who reported the issue are forced to resign. The scandal highlights how power and influence can distort a school's values and ultimately result in the suppression of teachers who try to address the issue.
Impact on teachers and the school community
The teachers who reported the Facebook clubs, Peter Sheehy and Danielle McGuire, experience professional and personal repercussions. Sheehy loses his job, while McGuire faces false accusations of anti-Semitism. The scandal takes a toll on their well-being and forces them to leave the school. Meanwhile, the students involved in the scandal face minimal consequences, leaving many to question the fairness and accountability of the school.
Reflection on the elite private school culture
The scandal at Horace Mann School sheds light on the toxic culture that can develop within elite private schools. The focus on money and power, as well as the pressure on students to succeed, can result in warped values and compromised values. The story serves as a reminder of how privilege and influence can shape the dynamics within educational institutions.
Today, there are two stories on Infamous. First, Vanessa talks to Decoder Ring's Willa Paskin about the event of the summer — the Barbie movie — and learns about Barbie's bizarre origin story, how she's evolved since the late fifties, and what's next for the Barbie franchise.
Then, Gabe Sherman returns to talk about a major scandal at one of the most elite private high schools in the country: Horace Mann. This school, where politicians, celebrities and financiers send their kids, turns into a pressure cooker when students, teachers, and the board find themselves in conflict over some disturbing Facebook posts and a teacher's roman à clef.
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