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Well, I would also say that it helps to have family and friends and an environment that rewards and nurtures kids for having some intellectual capability + apti
by kepler1 6y ago
Well, I would also say that it helps to have family and friends and an environment that rewards and nurtures kids for having some intellectual capability + aptitude. Maybe having come from Canada is a contributor to that.
I'm guessing he's being highlighted as an unusual and inspirational role model case for an American kid (if he were American). Football, Baltimore, black. That example growing-up environment does not exactly favor a kid to be encouraged to pursue intellectual strengths unless you have an incredible teacher or parents for example. At worst, you are even harrassed for trying to escape your environment, and called a class traitor for thinking you're better than everyone else. This is a big problem.
- virtuous_signal 6y ago> Football, Baltimore, black. That example growing-up environment does not exactly favor a kid to be encouraged to pursue intellectual strengths unless you have an incredible teacher or parents for example. Wikipedia says "Urschel was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His parents, John Urschel and Venita Parker, were a surgeon and attorney, respectively. He grew up in Buffalo, New York, where he attended Canisius High School." With no other information, that "growing-up" environment (notably including a private school) sounds great for an academically precocious kid.
- kepler1 6y agoI agree. I was just pointing out my example as the case this kind of story may be aimed at helping to change. Baltimore inner city. No amount of well-intentioned BLM protest is going to change the day to day lived experience of someone in that environment. It has to be change in the community itself.