Week 5 assignment

  I was so impressed the section “Minimize Status Differences and Special Privileges” in chapter 6. The section is picked up in class too.

When I was in a junior high school, I was a member of tennis club. The club had a typical old-fashioned “caste” system. For example, there was a rule that younger member should come to school much earlier and maintain the tennis court for seniors. In addition, youngest students are prohibited to come in tennis court, because we have only 3 courts although there are a lot of members. Therefore while seniors enjoy tennis, youngest students just run and picked up balls. They are so tough for us.

Moreover, youngest students sometimes called and scolded by seniors after school. The reasons are various. For example, we are often blamed of being late, small voices, and not saying hello to seniors when we meet them in a passage.

Now, I thank seniors for teaching me common sense. Being prohibited from playing tennis is hard for me, but all the more I still remember the delight that I felt when I play tennis in the court for the first time.

However, I think the system should be disused, because “free-caste” will minimize resentments and stress, and make all member together as explained in chapter 6. Actually, the “caste” was so stressful for me. I really agree with Shackleton’s idea that leaders should get no special privilege. When I became a leader, I would like to make a “free-caste” team.

(In consequence, I quitted the tennis club because the “caste” seemed not to be disused. However when we became seniors, my friend changed the club into “free-caste” one. I was so happy.)