Earlier this week, I was part of a four-person panel that judged a storytelling event in an English class at Corvallis High School. The other three all had ties to CHS, whereas I was asked to judge because the teacher is a longtime Albany resident whom I’ve known for several years.
The event, based both on Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” and Woodstock — as in the music festival — featured some lively work by a collection of talented, enthusiastic kids. Except for getting soaking wet while walking from my truck to the school in a horizontal rain, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
But I guess there was one other thing I didn’t necessarily enjoy: Fielding the following question from one of my fellow judges.
“So,” she asked, “are there more classified ads printed in the Democrat-Herald than in the Gazette-Times, since maybe not as many people use the Internet in your circulation area?”
I was momentarily speechless, then gathered myself to make the following reply:
“Well, actually the Internet is fairly well established in Linn County.”
“Because I know there are more kids on free and reduced lunches over there,” she came back with.
Again, I wasn’t quite sure what to say, but thought about it for a second and said: “Well, that may be true” — you couldn’t prove that by me — “but I can pretty much guarantee you that people all over our circulation area use the Internet.”
I imagine the person asking the question didn’t mean to sound like the embodiment of the worst kind of snobbery Corvallis is often accused of directing toward its eastern neighbors, but it was nevertheless hard not to be offended.
4 comments
Laure_A says:
Oct 30, 2009
Financial stability has absolutely nothing to do with intelligence and as an east Linn county resident, I resent the implication that living out here means we're somehow back-woods idiots.
My children happen to be benefactors of the free/reduced lunch program and they are healthy, intelligent kids; top of their class, in fact. And, yes, we are well versed and regular users of the internet.
I think I'm glad my kids don't go to school there and I hope that the students in that district who are on the free lunch program are treated with the same respect as students who are not.
travisclark says:
Oct 30, 2009
I grew up in Corvallis. Spent 23 years as a resident and never seemed to encounter any kind of snobbery there. About 5 years ago I moved to Albany because I was searching for a better deal on buying a home and at the time I could save massive amounts of money by moving 12 miles east.
As soon as I told people about the move they asked "Why?" or had a concerned look on their face and said "I'm sorry". Over this time I've noticed a very obvious attitude from many residents. Apparently I am being lessened in some way by living in Albany. Personally…I like it here. And yes, I have the internet.
dmich0806 says:
Oct 30, 2009
As a non-native Oregonian who has lived all over the world and has chosen to plant roots here for my family, I have to say that I prefer that any time I spent on the western side is limited to passing through on my way to the coast. My experience with the Corvallis level of snobbery has far surpassed even the upturned noses of Parisians, Venicians, Bavarians and Egyptians – all well known for their condescension of Americans – and I am completely content with keeping to my side of the turf. I only hope that my Beaver-believing son is not influenced or subjected to it in his lifetime. Or better yet, that he does not choose to join those masses! Oh, and I also have internet; not only in my home and workplace, but also on my cell phone. Technology. Go Figure.
Jen_R says:
Oct 31, 2009
I grew up in Sweet Home–the worst of the worst, when it comes to stereotyping–and we had a computer in our home starting in probably 88 or 89, and were connected to the Internet by 95 or 96. My parents both have college degrees, as do my sister and I. Astounding!