I was checking my school email account and a student sent me a message that her brother had been shot and killed yesterday. She expressed concern about her finals. The most chilling thing to me was how matter of fact the email was worded. She sent it yesterday after he had been shot and was concerned that the funeral arrangements might conflict with her finals.

Of course, I expressed my sympathy and told her not to worry about her finals.

I have been teaching college students for 29 years and have heard a lot of sad stories but this one really bothers me. I don't know the student well, but it just seemed from the way that the email was worded that what happened to her brother was not unexpected. I think she is from the south side of Chicago