On Tuesday I shared an email exchange that went viral and asked you which of the emailers you admire. Yesterday I shared my views on the Professor. Today the kid is up, and in my opinion he does deserve admiration for his actions.

I agree with the professor that the student’s approach to sampling classes was misguided. It was rude and unprofessional. (Though I also think it shows some level of creativity and willingness to experiment outside the established norms.) I agree with some of the commentary I’ve received that the youth of today need to learn manners and discipline.

And so, insofar as the kid’s email attempts to justify his actions as appropriate, I think he needs to learn otherwise. Had he okayed his strategy with the professor ahead of time, fine. If he’d had a flat tire or a death in the family or a subway car ride that stopped underground due to a power failure, those are excusable reasons for showing up late. Sampling classes does not rate as a worthy excuse.

However, when I read the kid’s email I don’t hear the snotty tone of an impudent youth trying to defend his actions. I hear a respectful voice offering reasonable feedback to someone in a position of power. Now, as I’ve written before, I do think this kind of message should be delivered live instead of in written form. However, I think the essence of the email – speaking truth to power – is laudable.

He didn’t attack the professor. He didn’t show undue malice or anger. He expressed the impact the professor’s actions had on him and stated his case calmly and openly.

I can easily teach someone to show up on time. I can explain to this kid why his actions were inappropriate in professional and academic settings. I can convey how his actions were personally unfair to the professors.

I cannot nearly as easily teach someone to speak their minds to authority and to do it in a respectful way.