[nitrogen]

I can't speak for the parent commenter, but from what I've seen some communities and social groups are like a bunch of crabs in a bucket -- if one tries to climb out, the others pull it back down. Anyone who is smarter, more ambitious, or more dedicated than these groups will be ostracized and ridiculed until they conform or drop out. The vicious, vile harassment of which some people are capable is disgusting.

Anyone who begrudges a parent who wants to live in a good community has never felt the brunt of living in a bad one.

[rancur]

prejudice like this is, I feel, a little easier to filter, because it's so obvious and in your face. Much more dangerous is the subtle, nonchalant shrug of the shoulders at the suffering of other members of humanity; the faces with muscles evading the responsibility of a shape; the halfhearted passion that exposes you to a toxic awareness of the pointlessness of their own life-- where only a bit of interest remains, shrouded behind friendliness, in smoothing over yours.

the more of them I meet, the more I understand why my mother made the sacrifices she made to put me in a good environment, push me into a good college, etc. I owe her so much.

[alwayslearning]

Which specific "communities and social groups" are you referring to?

[nitrogen]

11th grade welding class in a mixed rural/suburban area, as an example. Too specific?