The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth

Against her clique’s wishes, Whitney has been selected as first chair flutist in an all-county band. She had also been accepted at her first choice college. Social psychologist Henri Tajfel has discovered that groups adopt an “us versus them” mentality even when members are randomly selected. Muzafer Sherif revealed in the 1954 Robbers Cave experiment that two randomly divided groups of teenage boys turned on each-other when introduced, despite having no prior knowledge of the other group.

In the spirit of her challenge, Joy attempts to befriend some of the most aggressive girls at her school. She tutors Latrice, whose grades improve. Meanwhile, Blue has a fight with his former friend Jackson and is accepted into the Undergraduate Assistance Program at the University of Hawaii.

Danielle sits on the Summer Reading Committee. When she learns that a new friend, Emily, has died, she offers condolences to Emily’s parents at the funeral. Seventh grade was when Danielle was first bullied. The same was true for Laura, a Californian. Middle school involves moving from class to class, increasing the desire for a group identity. Conformity is deemed necessary, but its conditions are indefinite. Antagonism typically increases during these years. Psychologist David Anderegg has likened middle schoolers to “fascists” (247).