His observations define the disadvantages but none offer a higher understanding of elitism. We’re told the faux diversity of elite schools, the pursuit of grades over wisdom, the exclusivity, the labored meritocracy, inexorably leads to one outcome: more alumni. It’s not clear how a Romantic intellectual would be employed in the 21st century and that’s also precisely the point. Were Romantics not elitist as we define the word today? If an elite education makes William Deresiewicz who he is, then why do others excel while he has fallen to the “Ivy retardation”? Can this “retardation” spread or is it inherited?

His essay isn’t specifically about elitism. Instead he discusses the downfall of identity, both personal and social, in an institution designed to foster ideas and, ironically, an enlightened sense of identity. If elitism is bad then you can’t remove it until it’s understood. Let’s try to understand.

Elitism, as I define the word, is an amalgamation of glamour, wealth, exclusivity, power, and pedigree. These concepts form a wireframe but it’s neither education nor an epistemic desire to learn. Therefore, without the core of higher education, elitism is simply an empty wrapper—branding, marketing, or a way to sell an object—but not the object itself. Elitism and education are conflated but the so-called disadvantages are attributed unfairly to the combination. If worldly and informed students graduate without elitist qualities or the “retardation”, then they have extracted something of great value without being burdened by the disadvantages which I believe do not exist.

Students know that by admission, graduation, and association, the benefits of an elite education usually result in lucrative jobs. I attended public grade schools, high school, and then graduated from a public university. The concept of elite and public coinciding is a contradiction. Some political offices hold an elite status but generally the commons is not a site of glamour, exclusivity, wealth, power, or pedigree.

Calling an institution or person elitist is to suggest some form of entitlement. Entitlement is commonly associated with birthright, inheritance, or social status. Perhaps society is reluctant to admit it or accept it, but I believe the underlying cause of elitism is genetic. Mr. Deresiewicz makes conclusions based upon environmental factors but completely overlooks heritability. Genetics cannot explain all the variables in my theory on elitism (exclusivity, for example) but DNA can influence many of the personality traits which develop those variables. Help us identify these elitist characteristics, Mr. Deresiewicz, instead of slogging forward with one lamentation after another.

I attended graduate school with a small group of 30 students. This was the first fulltime MBA program for my university. Students were selected based upon their performance in undergraduate school and their academic diversity. You can already see how the admitted students think they’re “special” and, perhaps, entitled to more. I was the only engineer while most others had business degrees. It also turns out 30 was sufficient for something else: a microcosm of elite education.

During the last semester our appointed finance professor was a studying PhD student. Grading was easy but his title and qualifications angered the class. A mini-protest began which led to a petition to replace him. Everyone thought the MBA class deserved better. Maybe so, but I disagreed with the means to accomplish this and refused to sign (I was the only one). The drama was compounded by our legal professor, a woman well versed in tort law and who was eager to remind everyone that she has a carry permit. The idea of a petition seemed juvenile and few civil debates were held over the issue. This drama played out until his replacement arrived. The following events, unlike any other in my college experience, exposed elitist tendencies in quick order.

When the new finance professor was revealed the former business undergrads let out a collective groan. He fought grade inflation, was tough, thorough, and fair. Elitist kryptonite apparently comes from India. Each pop quiz was met with bitching; test results, if not an A, were met with protests. Such behavior is the mark of elitists and individuals who feel above the need to learn. Soon their discontent was directed to the MBA program itself. Certainly it wasn’t the students who were mistaken, it was the system. I can therefore conclude that elitism is not unique to haughty institutions with rich alumni. So it was in your school, Mr. Deresiewicz, and so it was in mine.

Elitism is not monopolized by upper crust society. I’ve seen elitist attitudes in public universities and their aftereffects in the private sector. The most intolerable belief is that the system is flawed, not the individual. Indeed, systems can and do fail. No system is perfect. Yet, when faced with an obstacle or failure an elitist will not look in the mirror. The reason or excuse is most assuredly external. Some institutions focus these behaviors and amplify their effects. In elite colleges the potential for groupthink seems likely, therefore, blame is not sought among peers. When forces outside the walled garden are such easy targets, why bother? Indeed, just sign a petition.

Maybe the larger question is: Should elitism be stopped? Is there any proof its existence is harming society? Perhaps elitism is a Western phenomenon that’s become more apparent as our overall wealth has increased. Capitalism is still a relatively new concept and our perception of elitism is evolving with it. There’s been a dot-com bubble and a housing bubble. An elitism bubble wouldn’t surprise me. It’s also possible we’re debating a non-issue. I’ve observed elitist traits within academia and without, from rich people and poor people, and fail to see the end of it. Unfortunately, people are notoriously bad at predicting bubbles.

Thank you for writing to voice your concerns. That you replied to the “New Board” posting makes it evident that we, the five volunteer Board members and property manager are failing in some ways. I would estimate the five volunteers, Bill, Andrea, Roger, Gerald, and me, have given in excess of 120 hours of their time back to the community at no charge and the year is not over. The majority of us also work in excess of 40 hours per week at our normal, full-time jobs. We try to lead by example and save the community money, which brings me to your first point.

“Don’t even think about raising the dues this year”
Wildewood just received notice that our landscape maintenance costs would be increasing by 2.5% effective immediately. I expect many of our costs to increase as a result of the economy. Our Covenants stipulate that we can raise dues by no more than 5% per annum over the previous year. We’ll have to raise dues without question, if simply to maintain our level of maintenance and keep pace with monetary inflation. If you find a similar HOA in the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area, with the same number of homes, for such a low price (currently less than $200 a year), please let us know. I’m told our community is an exceptional case.

“It seems the board now is in the mood to be NICE…POLITICALLY CORRECT”
I agree that we are in the mood to be nice. Is the only alternative being cruel and politically incorrect, ruling this small community like a fiefdom? Wildewood isn’t a homeowner association you hear about on the news – fining for small brown patches on lawns, an extra satellite dish, or other petty reasons. It’s my belief (to paraphrase Thomas Jefferson) that the HOA that governs least, governs best. The lawyers who drafted our original documents seemed to agree. The documents do not stipulate how we can enforce covenant issues. This issue can be lumped into one about “pigpen” homes you mentioned. Members of the Board do not enjoy this sight any more than you. Other, more ruthless, legally-entitled HOAs are setup to explicitly empower their association to levy fees, or take other action against these issues. Ours was established without such empowerments. You suggest “[the Association] lawyer sends them a letter with the intent to foreclose” yet you do not want our dues raised. These are simply incompatible actions. It also exposes our Association to costly legal retaliation.

“…now we have homes that are again having unregistered vehicles…”
Please report these to Hillsborough County Code Enforcement. It’s free, anonymous, online, and it works. We even provide a link on our website (right side, towards the bottom). Help us be the eyes and ears of the community. Members of the Board do this independently and encourage residents to do the same.

“I will start a petition drive to kill this association…”
Why? Your frustration is apparent but this is counter productive. Without an Association, who would pay for the repair of vandalized walls? Who would maintain a lighted entrance or promote a website to enable a better connected neighborhood?

Mr. X, I spent almost one hour of my time considering this letter and what it means for Wildewood. In short, it means someone cares. And yet, seven months into a new Board of Directors, what has been accomplished? I consider the gains amazing (lots of paint, sod, new plants) and a sign of future improvements to come. I’ll be staying an hour late at work today or tomorrow to compensate. Change takes time and free labor is hard to find.

Sincerely,

Matthew Crumley
Wildewood President, 2008