University of Memphis guard Jamirah Shutes has been charged with assault for allegedly punching Bowling Green player Elissa Brett as both teams lined up for handshakes following the BGSU Falcons’ third-round victory in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament on Thursday Night.

Reading this can take you to a certain place, but it won’t take everyone to the same place. Across social media, the “outrage” or “blowback” is what you would expect. There are a handful of individuals that feel she should be barred from attending any university. There are others that say the handshake lines are the culprit, that after an intense game, it can lead to uncontrollable emotional outbursts.

Then there are those with a more rational outlook. Should she be reprimanded? Of course. There’s no place for this anywhere. It doesn’t matter if it happens often or not. Suspension. Community service, since she’s been charged. Keep the handshake lines. Why the hell would you take away something that can build an enormous amount of character, resolve and motivation, because someone couldn’t take the head in the passion of the moment? Be gracious in victory, humble in defeat.

Judging people in their worst moments is a national pastime. Pessimists and those who aren’t comfortable or happy with a situation, or their lives in general, cannot wait to point the finger and ridicule others. The flip-side is, there are a good number of people that, since they too can see themselves react the way Jamirah did, believe she should be fully exonerated of all charges. Elissa clearly had to have said something racist. (You didn’t think the race card was going to stay inside the pocket for this one, did you? It’s 2023. People are carrying that card around their necks like a Jesus piece. )

Regardless of anybody’s opinions, Jamirah will have to deal with the consequences of her actions. Hopefully, nothing but good things are done and come to those that have been directly affected by this stupid altercation.

There are a few things people need to understand and implement in their daily lives, if they want to avoid these types of situations and also be the helping source for others that can potentially go down this route: 1. Think before you act. It’s easy to feel you have to react quickly. You don’t. Take your time. 2. A person that cannot control their emotions is only respected by those who also cannot control their emotions. Control your emotions and be respected by people that actually matter. 3. Be the person that other people look up to and model themselves after. Think of what you ultimately want to be and how you want to act. Now, do it.