An Open Letter

Dear random Harvard University professor,

Thank you so much for coming to speak to our class yesterday.  I know that you don’t normally teach our class, so it was enlightening to hear your stance on the topic at hand.  I am sure that I had never considered the problem in your context. I realize that everyone has a valid experience and that I cannot discredit your experience because of my own bias.  Being confronted with such a radical idea has allowed me to sharpen my critical thinking skills and solidify my position on the subject presented.  That being said, I am extremely disappointed/shocked/dismayed/angered by what you said in class yesterday.  Had I presented the same information, with the same lack of sources (credible or otherwise) you would have taken a chunk out of my ass.

Whether we like it or not, we have a responsibility to the Harvard brand to present well-crafted arguments.  Our words and actions are no longer in a vacuum, but are now representative a greater collective.  I understand this.  You understand this.  Our mutual understanding is why I call bullshit.

Don’t get me wrong, I am enjoying my time at here at Harvard.  To have access to great minds and intellectual innovation delights my inner nerd.  I wouldn’t trade this year of learning and growing for anything in world.  But that doesn’t mean that I’m not frustrated by professors that waste my time.  When I am expected to make excellent use of the stingy 20 minutes offered during office hours, I expect for you to have that same consideration for my time. This has nothing to do with Harvard, but everything to do with respect.

I’m just a simple Midwestern girl.  I believed that I had won the intellectual lottery when I was granted admission. I still believe it.  The rose colored glasses I donned when I stepped off the plane at Logan Airport are still in place.  You have ability to impact the vision that I am seeing through those glasses.  Please don’t take that responsibility lightly.

Best,

Michelle