He was in with his study group when he got hungry and went to take a break. He walked with his girlfriend to her room for food. A young man, upset with his girlfriend from earlier, verbally assaulted his girlfriend and then him. He stood up for himself with words. Then a young lady, who was not part of anything, came from her room and got in the middle (it matters little that she was on probation currently for fighting the previous month) and assaulted him. All the police reports say, “put her hands on him” (what 18 says those words). He defended / protected himself. He did not retaliate. He simply diffused the situation the best way he could; he took himself and the girl down to the ground, got up and walked away. There is a video which begins with her swinging her hands and arms hitting his head and face, his arms wrapped around her waist and going down to the ground together, him landing atop her. Him getting up, taking her hands off him, and walking away.
He never hit anyone. He never initiated any of these events.
The cops were called. The girl lied and stated he was the aggressor and that he slammed her on her head. She needed medical attention and she wanted to press charges. Likely protecting herself since she was already on probation.
He was arrested.
She was later seen on a snap video later that same evening laughing and saying, “I aint mad”
The altercation was investigated by the school code of conduct. I know the girlfriend was not questioned by the school. I don’t know what the investigation included.
He was made to move dorms, a dorm which housed his specific program; a spot he earned with roommates he got along with and friends through the hall that he befriended, had similar classes with and studied with. He was made to move across campus, further from his classes. He got probation at school. Probation for sticking up for himself and not allowing others to treat him poorly, threatening his and his friend’s safety.
It didn’t matter that he was a stellar student, later discovering he had made the Dean’s List. It didn’t matter that he was part of a prestigious program that he had to interview with and be accepted into. It didn’t matter that he offered community service and tutoring when classmates asked.
It should have mattered. What are people saying when we don’t allow people to stand up for themselves? What are we saying when we don’t allow a person to manage their own safety? We are saying that it is not okay to be tough, to be strong, to be resilient. To stand up for what is right and against those that are wrong, against those that would hurt us.
Putting him on probation says less about him and more about you!
Uncommon Tongue 