“THEY” Cripple Society Volume 1: Who are “THEY” and how do they do it? An Expose in True to Life Narrative Exploring Stories of Discrimination. Cleon E. Spencer
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of the group have an above average I.Q., you are all well behaved, well cultured, well groomed- smart and smart looking people. For all intents and purposes you should be doing extremely well in life, including academic life which is our most obvious concern since we are involved with the university in our respective ways. But I do not think we should try to isolate concerns pertaining to academic experiences only. I would suggest that in our discussions in this group we include any and all relevant life experiences. By exploring various aspects of your lives we will hopefully come up with some answers for you which will be helpful to you in the academic sphere as well.”
Dr. Eldren continued to the group of very attentive listeners who had much at stake in this venture, “I gather from experiences described during the group discussions held last spring that you all have something else in common besides being smart and smart looking; you all have a feeling of being discriminated against one way and another by certain people.” He turned to Collin, “Of course Collin, this being your first meeting with us, you haven’t had any input into the group, but may I ask, does the brief, and no doubt incomplete description I have just given of the problem register with you? Have you had similar experiences?”
“Yes sir” responded Collin most emphatically, “but you’ve put the problem very mildly. Discrimination is hardly the word.” Collin Seldon had never talked so freely to a psychiatrist for many years. He felt more free already with Dr. Eldren and this group, and besides, he wasn’t here for any purpose other than to help out, so if at any time he was told he was paranoid, he could simply walk out.
But there was no mention or inference of paranoia by Dr. Eldren, who continued on in a probing fashion, “In our previous discussions, incidents in the lives of each participant were told to the group; it was enough to illustrate that each of you did have common experiences. Now we need to go into the matter in more depth. If you have problems in common, there may be a common cause or causes. Over the next several weeks or months, whatever it takes, I would suggest that each of you take a turn in reviewing significant parts of your life history, but paying particular attention to experiences of discrimination or times when you were up against other people. Then maybe if as Collin suggests, the word ‘discrimination’ is not a suitable description, we may be able to find a more accurate way of describing the phenomenon. Maybe also, and this is most important of all, perhaps, we can come up with some of the causes, something perhaps that you have in common that you are going about in a wrong or ineffective or inefficient manner, that brings this attitude of others upon you.”
Collin Seldon froze in his chair at the sound of what he had just heard. Good heavens, he thought to himself, when will some people tune in to the world of reality. His thoughts raced on, What am I doing here anyway. Getting myself into trouble again, needlessly. He glanced around at the other members. They were listening intently. Obviously they hadn’t become perturbed by what they had just heard. At least there was no visible sign of disturbance. But then Collin himself was showing no outward reaction to Dr. Eldren’s statement. He had become quite adept over the years at not showing his feelings when necessary or expedient. It was one of his better means of protection. Is this how it is with the other group members, he wondered as he now surveyed them. Maybe with some of them. But the younger ones would probably not yet know the difference. He looked at Albin who appeared undisturbed about the issue. Collin felt compassion for him again. I will stay on, thought Collin again, to help Albin Anders - otherwise he’s done for - he will end up in an irreparable mess. I’ll stay on, at least until I am compelled to drop out by the circumstance I already see on the horizon. He then thought on the other side of the coin, so to speak, Dr. Eldren is a good man. He may understand, he may see things in a different light - maybe - but then again he has his professional training to stand by.
Collin was abruptly disturbed from his thoughts when Dr. Eldren addressed him by name, “Collin, as I indicated earlier, all members of the group have had psychological testing. Since you are our guest and have come to us because of our invitation rather than out of your own need, you can be exempt from any testing; or, if you think testing will be of any benefit in this instance, then we can arrange to have it done.”
Collin declined. “I’d rather not Dr. Eldren. I’ve had many tests, and from them have learned that I have a very high I.Q., and not much else wrong with me except that.”
There was laughter again. Even Albin laughed loud enough to be heard as he was attracted to Collin as a mentor. He spoke also, and, with a smile, “Mr. Seldon,” he said, still too shy and lacking in self esteem to be on a first name basis with an older person such as Collin, “Do you regard having a high I.Q. as being a liability rather than an asset?”
“Collin is my first name” replied Collin, warmly, “A high I.Q. in itself is not a liability, but in certain other combinations it certainly can be, although I wouldn’t exchange it, Albin, for a lesser I.Q.”
“Thank you sir” responded Albin nervously, with his shyness settling in on him again.
“That’s interesting” added Dr. Eldren, “I think we should explore that avenue more fully as you relate your experiences to one another. One would, off-hand, think of a higher I.Q. as being an asset at anytime - if a person has the initiative and is willing to put it to good use.”
Not always, Dr. Eldren, not always, Collin thought again, but dared not yet say aloud. There’s a whole big world out there that just hates high I.Q’s when they are in certain combinations with other traits. You’re a good type, doctor, maybe you’ll understand that when we talk about it later. But I have to know you better first. I wouldn’t discuss it at this stage of the game - not yet.
There was a pause. A silence came over the whole group. Dr. Eldren was waiting for more discussion on the I.Q. matter. He looked at Collin expectantly. Collin did a fast maneuver to avoid the subject. It would be ill-timed indeed to discuss it now. Discussions of life experiences should come first for needed illustrations.
“Your group discussions last spring, apparently will be continued now,” shot Collin quickly changing the trend of thought. “So could I have at least a briefing on what was said, and the general attitude in the group towards it.”
“Yes, yes,” responded Dr. Eldren with a slight jump in his speech, in reaction to the change in the subject. Then he simmered down quickly. “Well, on second thought I would suggest we start from the beginning again as though no experiences were related at all last spring. As we know, we only barely got started, and it was very sketchily done at that time. Let us have a new beginning, with each of you telling relevant portions of your life’s story with more detail and depth, which in turn will allow a more thorough analysis.
Everyone agreed to start anew and to go into more detail and depth.
The unconventional support group proceeded immediately and in earnest with Leo Aidan telling his story. He had had a clash with an English Professor whom he claims was discriminating against him. English was important to Leo. He wanted to major in it, feeling this would be a stepping stone into journalism.
To look at Leo, one wouldn’t take him to be a person to initiate trouble. His pleasant manner befitted his clean-cut appearance. His little better than average height balanced well with his broad well developed shoulders and the medium build of the remainder of his body. His casual-business clothing was tasteful - navy blue pants with a contrasting light blue blazer with small, subdued checks and an appropriate conservative bluish tie. His black shoes were polished and in good condition. Leo Aidan undoubtedly had a cultured taste for quality. His attire went well with his black wavy hair, cut to medium length and parted at the left side, which had the effect of minimizing any possible bushiness that sometimes accompanies wavy hair. The roots of his hair came low on his forehead to meet the permanently planted lines that ran horizontally across his brow. At the sides his hair was neatly trimmed. At its roots it crowded in toward the sides of his forehead and upper face.
Yes, Leo has a good head of hair, observed Collin to himself, it blends wonderfully well with the slightly darkened tincture of his complexion and his full and rounded face. In addition, his pleasant general facial expression, augmented at times by a broad seemingly uncontrollable smile produces