Will, and Molissa in more detail seem to be pointing out that whatever Anja thought about being "empowered," she will be objectively rated based on that grade, and whether she cares or not, others will, and it does us some good to remember that those people are out there. This is a useful tonic to keep in mind, but also probably precisely what Anja was choosing to ignore. Individual words and phrases ("bright idealism" etc) that would pass by in verbal conversation got latched onto because of the cold, impersonal style of the medium (where we think we are writing with all the tone of speaking, but the tone is not present on the page). It is much easier to believe we are being patronized than challenged, and much quicker and simpler to respond to. But it's an impulse that does not, I think, serve us.

The most fruitful point I see is Walker's -- we are currently bound together in a community that will break apart among wealth and power lines as soon as we enter our varying careers. It is also, I think, something we can keep in mind and try to fight, but it is worth remembering that over a hundred years ago Henry Adams made the same point, when he was betrayed by someone who had become Deputy Undersecretary of whatever, and wrote that "A friend in power is a friend lost."