New Kid

            I enjoyed reading New Kid by Jerry Craft. Jordan is an incredibly endearing main character, and I

 found myself relating to his struggles adjusting to the wealthy private school culture. It was extremely

 amusing when Liam says, "Mostly everyone shops at Graveyard Groves," (Craft 24) which is a play on

 Vineyard Vines (an apparel company many of my former classmates purchased from regularly). Although

 I have gone to private schools my whole life, I have not always been in the same socioeconomic class as

 my classmates, and have also felt isolation based on race. Through Jordan, Craft makes very relevant

 critiques of the private school industry, including issues surrounding financial aid, modern-day

 segregation, and performative activism. 

        I found that the sense of humor that kids like Andy and the sophomores subscribed to was Hobbesian

 in nature. They enjoyed knowing that there were kids below their social status and pointing this out. This

 humor was definitely of the mean-spirited variety. On Jordan's first day, he and his friends get booted

 from their lunch table by the group of mean sophomores. The sophomores say, "Sorry to break up 'The

 Island of Misfit Boys...' But this table is for sophomores!" and then "Yeah, not for loser first formers!"

 (Craft 39). Hobbes believed that we are all constantly watching for signs that we are better off than

 others. It may be a reasonable assumption to say that these sophomores were bullied by upperclassmen

 when they were first formers, so they have been waiting for their chance to do it to others. Their laughter

 results from being 'better' than other people. This is one of the least beneficial theories and styles of

 humor. Jordan's style of humor is much more observational and fits in well with the articles we read

 regarding comedy and social justice. When Ms. Rawle discovers Jordan's journal, she sees how angry he

 is about being at the school and she does not get defensive, despite many of his comics being about her

 and her implicit bias. This just shows how comedy can be useful for starting necessary conversations. 

        

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