High or Low

I remember Michelle Obama making the comment, “When they go low, we go high” — the implication being that when someone attacks, slanders, or disrespects you, you take the high road.

I also heard Cardi B say, “When they go low, I take it to hell and go lower.”

And I watched when the FBI Director was publicly accused of being intoxicated and missing work — he came out and immediately filed a lawsuit.

As a school leader, I have been accused of many things, and it is hard to remain professional. I want to be professional. I think what upsets me most is knowing that someone out there is telling a story about me that simply isn’t true. If I am making real errors, fine — I can learn from them. But false accusations are different, and it is hard not to take them personally.

It is tempting to go the Cardi B route. Tempting to go the Kash Patel route. But that’s not me. I’m not wired that way.

Because deep down, I know this: hurt people hurt people.

But it still hurts — being hurt by hurting people.

When someone comes for you with a lie, which voice speaks loudest — Michelle’s, Cardi’s, or the quiet one that knows better? And how do you keep listening to it?