Tension

So, I almost went off on one of my co-workers yesterday. Those of you that know me (all of you reading this) know that I don't "go off" on people. I should preface this with the fact that I have been working 11-12 hour days this week, so I'm a little on edge by the end of the day. Add on top of that the pressure of trying to get students to enroll, (which I'm doing fine with) and dealing with my Mom every night, and I am under a little more stress than I have been lately.
Anyways, let's get back to yesterday. We had a student come in to enroll, and he is a devout Muslim. No problems, this is America, we accept all people, right? Because of his religion, when Areen, one of the Admissions Reps came out to greet him in the lobby, he apologized saying, "I'm sorry, because of my religion I can't shake hands with you," and he crossed his hands over his heart. He didn't yell this, or give a dirty look, or anything remotely rude or mean. Areen, having grown up in Jordan, assumed that he would be more comfortable with a male advisor, so she asked André to help him. André came out, and shook his hand and took him to the back. When it was time for him to meet with Financial Aid, he told the FAO the same thing about hand shaking, but he had no problem with sitting with her while she put together his financial aid packet. He left after that, and will actually be coming back today to finish everything up. After he left, André asked me to come to his desk. I went over and he asked that I finish everything up for him today, because he won't be here. I said no problem. Then, Areen and another Admissions Rep Yaznay heard us talking and came over. They basically said the student was an extremist and fanatic because he wouldn't shake Areen's hand. I tried to argue the point for a minute, but Yaznay is Cuban and very opinionated. Yaz is great, and I have hung with her before, but I take religious freedom very seriously. It may have been because it was September 11th, but she said he was "just like those guys." That's when I had to walk away. Are you effing kidding me?!?!? Just because the guy won't shake hands with a woman he's a terrorist? He wasn't even rude about it. I could understand if it had been him that didn't want to meet with Areen, but it was the other way around. I am still just floored by prejudice when it rears it's ugly head.
Sorry for the rant. I'm better now. :)