In a real inevitable facepalmer, over a thousand Chicago children and their parents protested disparate school funding by trying to register at the quintessential filthy-rich suburban school: New Trier.

The campus they chose is in Northfield, a few blocks from where I used to work. Wealth and snobbery are palpable in the area and it’s disgusting. Even as a student at a mediocre-but-okay rural school I realized how unfair New Trier and schools like it are, let alone for children of ANY real disadvantage who are attending notoriously poor Chicago public schools.

Man, fuck New Trier. The article is very careful to point out that the protest isn’t about New Trier but rather the disparities in general, but that isn’t really true, I don’t think. New Trier is an attitude, and a bad one at that. The haves often believe they’ve really earned their status even when they’re 14 years old.

And I for one am beyond impressed with the wherewithal of these students and parents for taking buses into the intimidating, snooty north suburbs to make a big statement. The city is finally watching.

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