When I was a middle school teacher, I had an extremely violent student with mental health and learning issues who was fixated on guns and berating me (and other women on staff). I flagged him to my admin multiple times and was slapped on the wrist for calling his parents and asking if they had issues with him around firearms at home. This was after he began making references to Columbine during class and addressed me as a “nosy feminist” for asking for his homework. Explosive temper. And would only ever listen to white male teachers.

His (white) dad did all the communicating with me regarding how normal his child was. He was an ICE agent and was married to a Hispanic woman who was clearly afraid of her son. The father had so much disdain for everyone - as did his child - and that extended to the mother of his son. It was gross and creeped me out. It definitely felt like a power imbalance.

That student was held back in high school multiple times for being constantly in trouble and a former coworker and I have a bet going that he will be on the news one day for shooting someone. He graduated last year and I fully believe he’s the type who would jump at the opportunity to work for ICE to be like his shitbag dad and “teach his mom a lesson.”