Mother Knows Best

Alright, let’s be real: we all know that I’m not the biggest fan of the BC Bubble. My mission is to get you outside of it and take a breath of fresh air every once and a while.

Another honest truth: we all take that quaint, suburban, suffocating BC Bubble for granted.

Because when I got a text message from my ever-worrying, constantly up-to-date mother last Saturday night, informing me of armed robberies in Boston, I thought nothing of it and went about my weekend shenanigans on Lower Campus.

However, some startling news awaited me when I finally rose from my Mod-induced weekend hibernation on Monday: three separate, unrelated robberies took place in the vicinity of Boston University —in the span of three hours. On Friday, Jan. 18, three different incidents were reported, with BU students cited as the victims in every report. Fortunately, no one was harmed in these incidents, although one suspect was armed, brandishing a handgun to three victims in Brookline. Items taken included cash, purses, wallets —but smartphones or cell phones were stolen in every robbery.

The first victim was approached on the west end of BU’s campus, near the Shaw’s Supermarket, at approximately 11 p.m. The last incident reported occurred around 1 a.m. Saturday morning on Babcock Street. The assailants were all males, with the exception of one female, and spanned multiple races (white, Asian, and African American). It is clear that none of these robberies were correlated to the others in any way.

Which, when you think about it, is downright alarming. The hours in which the robberies took place occurred during peak “going out” hours for college students. Had I been out on BU’s campus Friday evening, that victim easily could have been me. It could have been any of my young, vulnerable, female friends. It could have been you.

But it wasn’t.

On Friday night, the majority of BC students “out” were probably in the vicinity of Chestnut Hill—close enough to campus to see the glow of Gasson Tower. Armed with their cell phones, BC ID, and “water” bottles, students traipsed through campus for what promised to be a good night—the first weekend back from break. I sure wasn’t thinking about lurking dangers or putting myself in harm’s way—even after my mother’s text (sorry, Terri). Were you?

Most likely not.

And why weren’t we? Because we don’t have to. We live in the Bubble. The Bubble that we so often criticize is also the Bubble that keeps us safe, keeps us out of harm’s way, keeps us from having to file any police reports. We live in a world where you can leave your books, smartphone, and laptop at a desk in O’Neill while you grab a drink. Hell, I thrive in that world. The world before the real world. That world is the world that keeps me going. The Bubble.

For all the limitations of Chestnut Hill, I have been reminded this week to be thankful. Thankful for the comfort I find on Commonwealth Avenue, the security in our own police department, and the faith I have in my fellow students at BC. Thankful for the Bubble. In addition to being thankful for not being in harm’s way, I am reminded just how much we have to be thankful for.

Whenever you do venture out of the Bubble again—and I still highly recommend that you do—be careful. Be aware of your surroundings, be cautious, and be smart. And, if I may suggest, take a minute to be thankful for the Bubble we have the privilege of calling home.

Oh, and always remember: mother knows best.