I Just Wanna Be Average”, by Mike Rose

The main argument made in the 1989 essay, “I Just Wanna Be Average”, by Mike Rose, a praised scholar and educator in excess of two decades, deals with the latencies of some learners and how errors in his past schooling experience almost ruined him as a student and cost him his future. Rose communicates this message effectively by establishing a certain level of ethos, or credibility, in his writing. One can already draw the conclusion that Rose is well equipped to write such a text, given that he has many well renowned published small texts, is a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and has two books concerning education in America. With that said, what Rose does is present instances of how students are undervalued in the educational system he lived through and supports it by undermining the ethos of the academic institution.. Though he was placed on vocational track as a student, or a bottom level program, this proves that the education he received was not competent to encourage or heighten the standards of lower level students. He goes on to prove just how discouraging the school system was by mentioning how the system didn’t even present a challenge to the students, offering students classes like “Business Math, Typing, and English Level-D” which as Rose put it, were “dead ends” (Rose 159), proving deprivation; when all he ultimately wanted to be was average.

The text by Rose can further be accepted as credible and establishes ethos by which many can accept to be true through the fact that “I Just Wanna be Average” is a personal narrative in where Rose talks about his personal experiences and something he lived through, as opposed to writing about an outside topic or writing as an outsider looking inward. Furthermore, Rose’s main present-day occupation is as an instructor in the field of education, which makes it that much more understandable and compatible that he is writing about such a topic. Here rose juxtaposes the students he sees now and the student he was then, regardless of the difference in class standing.

Mike Rose further strengthens his argument by presenting many cases of pathos in his writing, using emotional tools to make his message more relevant and relatable. Rose states instances of abuse in where teachers would abuse students, both verbally and physically, and even with Rose himself. This further comes to show the suppression he and other students faced at school from the people whom were seen as mentors – all of which prevented them from being “average”. Rose states that at one point, he shut down and rejected intellectual stimuli because it was a defense mechanism. Here, aside from showing tough circumstances he and other students faced, he attempts to conjure to the emotions of the readers to further prove the seriousness of what he faced. Rose finally states how he broke beyond the boundaries of the oppressed South Los Angeles scene, all due to one man, Jack McFarland, who enabled him to do things he never thought he could do before. Rose proves through emotional instances that at that time, all it took was for one man to alter the entire course of his life.

Conclusion

“I just Waana be Average” by Mike Rose is the narrative important for every person. This narrative teaches people a significant lesson that low expectation leads to poor results. The narrative inspires people to struggle to see not what they are, but their potentiality in bringing changes regardless of their different circumstances in life. In order for this perspective to occur, people must develop their interest to get beyond their environment. The narrative talks about certain economic and social issues. Rose originated from an economically problematic family. This problem influenced Rose’s family to sacrifice their commitment in order to take their son to get admission into a catholic school, expecting him to achieve a better education.

It is unfortunate that Rose’ academic capability became misplaced when somebody‘s IQ test outcome is confused with Rose’s result. The school administration lacked competent teachers who remain incapable to instill determination and interest for their students. The students also lacked respect and cooperation to their teachers. The students perform poorly since they misbehaved. Teachers lacked interest in enhancing student’s learning experience. Even if students do not perform well in academics, the narrative indicates that a few students excel socially, athletically and in sports.

Normally, teenagers do not set high objectives and goals for themselves. It is upon their teachers to push and motivate the students to struggle for success. Throughout the story, Mike reveals how teachers play a significant role in developing the successful life for their students. Students may be taught many lessons. However, if students do not develop the interest of learning, they cannot earn a better grade. Teachers have a greater role to play to ensure that students develop the interest of learning. Rose presented useful information to every person. Whenever teachers     lack high expectations for their students, student would develop poor work ethics since they are not pushed and motivated to struggle for success.