‘Tis the season when students start returning, reinflating the nearly empty balloon that campus becomes over the summer. We are fortunate to have a really cool, engaged set of students that generally make you really glad to be a teacher. There are, however, moments that make you want to cry.
To whit: A few days ago, I was on campus just as the football team (who come to campus early) was leaving after breakfast. While most of the team headed towards the halls, a group of four were walking abreast towards us, occupying almost all of the one lane road.
And one was sporting a shirt sharing the assurrance
Don’t worry – I’ll pull out
Charmed.
I’m sure.
As Jess Larson has observed, university students are a bit like unfinished furniture. While some really just need some sanding and finish, others have major structural issues. I’m thinking that wandering campus displaying openly misogynist sentiments probably falls in the latter category.
Sigh.
I should make it clear that our students are generally very cool, & most of the guys are quite non-obnoxious. The unusual nature of this example of oafishness makes it all the more depressing & frustrating. I also don’t want to paint all our football players or student athletes with this brush; our athletes also tend to be very together peeps. Teams (& other groups) do need to be aware, however, that when they’re together in a context that identifies them as The Team, people are prone to overgeneralization. Know thyselves, folks; it’s in your own best interest.
