Poor lonely blog & family drama

Despite my neglect of this blog, I have no plans to shut it down. Just think of it as a special treat when I actually manage to blog over here! Sigh.

I've been having a crazy semester, as usually happens when I teach three classes. I'll talk about that more later, but the thing that brought me over here is something I won't write about on FB. Most of you will recall, that my father disowned me when I married my husband (best summed up here, I think). Apparently that's what racists do when their daughters marry someone with dark skin- and we haven't spoken (or been in any contact ) since then. Last night my cell phone rang and since it was an unfamiliar number, I didn't answer it. A voicemail was left, so I checked it. Imagine my shock when I heard "Hi Addy. This is [my father's name]. Phone number xxx-xxx-xxxx. Give me a call sometime." UUGGGHHHHH! I have no intention of calling him back, since I have nothing to say to him. I am a little curious why he suddenly decided to call, but I also don't care. My brother or sister-in-law must have given him my number and that's fine, but I sure hope people don't start harassing ME about contacting him. I have enough going on in my life that I don't want to deal with this- I also have two other sets of parents (my mom & her husband, plus my stepdad and his wife). I have also really backed off staying in touch with anyone on that side of my family because of recent events. So that was my shock of the year, anyway.

As far as work goes, I am teaching three classes with labs- only the big freshmen class has a TA. I also went to a conference a couple weeks ago- which I loved and am excited to get involved in that group. I need to work on my application for leave and need to talk about plans to going up for full professor (!) in a few years. To be honest, I hadn't given the prospect much thought, but need to have that sort of vision to strengthen my application for leave. Yippee. Did I mention that D starts school before 7:30 this year, so I've been getting up at 5am to exercise before taking her to school?

So that's what's going on here.

P.S. Don't bother leaving a comment if you plan to tell me to contact/reconcile with my father, btw. kthxbai.

More fun...

D is studying the civil war in school and asked about my dad (who disowned me for marrying H). She said she was hurt that he would never want to meet her since she is biracial/black. I've been trying to explain to her that SHE can't feel bad about people who are racist because it's THEIR problem. It's so lovely that I even have to have to conservation with my child. "Yes, you have a grandfather, but no you will never meet him*." Real nice. At least she has a wonderful grandpa in my stepdad...

*I have no interest in reconciling with him (not that he has made any indication that he wants to). What kind of person "disowns" their own child for ANY reason. Ugh.

More evidence that students at my U really have their heads up their asses...

This morning I found an email from our U president. Here is part of it (emphasis is mine):

Tuesday afternoon, October 30, a Small Town U undergraduate, in what he reports to have been a group art project, hung several nooses and a tire swing from a tree on Busy Avenue on the main campus. Several students observed and were alarmed by the display and called the university police. In response to the students who confronted him, the student explained that he did not intend this to be racially motivated and apologized profusely for his actions. The police questioned the student and immediately removed the display.

I am deeply troubled by this incident and the insensitivity that it reflects. I am angered and dismayed that any person on this campus, particularly in light of the recent incidents in Jena, Mississippi, would even unintentionally create such a display. Dean So-and-so and others have met with many of the students who witnessed the display, assuring them in every way possible that the insensitive actions of this individual is the antithesis of the values we hold dear at Small Town U. I am most troubled that African American students, who have put their trust in Small Town U, had to confront the historic symbols of injustice and hatred in this country.

We have a mostly white student population (< 10% are non-white). I am also dismayed that any student would be that ignorant of the racial implications of doing something like this. I think the title of this post is the only explanation.