For the most part I’m pretty unflappable. It has to be major to alarm me.  Well some of the events of this week have me rattled and I’m feeling so disheartened.   There have been countless stories on the news, Oprah, Tyra et al about the rise of violence among girls.  Those stories focused on middle and high school students.  Not that fighting is appropriate at that age but you definitely do not expect it on a college campus.    If someone is attacked they should certainly defend him/her self, but to strike someone, the reason has to be extreme.    

Three weeks ago my status on our Facebook page  was “Group project cat fights. I need a whistle and black & white shirt,“ in my usual sarcastic tone.  But it wasn’t funny when this situation that I felt had been resolved turned violent on the last day of class.   I will not give you the play by play of the incident.  However, I witnessed it and I feel wounded.   It was so unbelievable as if I was watching “Bad Girls Club.” Personality differences and differences in opinion are not grounds for this.   This is not an epidemic; but what makes someone feel that this is ok?   This is no way to settle conflicts especially among adults that will soon enter the professional world and especially among young ladies. 

fPat

Rehashing the episode to countless university officials has exhausted me even more.   One of the young ladies also accused me of disclosing proprietary information about her to a class.  Therefore I have also had to defend myself.   This is a person that I have extended myself too and went above and beyond to assist in several classes.    Falsity is a deal breaker with m; I’m done.  The physical time and mental energy that this situation is taking has me beat.  My status update on Tuesday, “Leaving the office.  I don’t need a fourth person to tell me how tired I look before getting the message,” is proof that strain shows and that’s not cute!     Yesterday I escaped campus for an eyebrow wax but the day spa visit did not rejuvenate.   Wednesday morning I was awakened by a call to report to yet another meeting about the incident.

I started the week with a broken heart  because on Sunday I learned that my 90 year old Great Aunt Coreen died.   She was like a second grandmother to me.   It’s the end of the school year so I was  expecting a crazy week but not insanity.  Due to my cousin Regina’s inspiring words,  I’m feeling a million times better. 

Clicking my heels and chanting May 15, May 15.  It’s my last day before summer break begins.

Air Kisses,

Prof. Diva Mac