Why must I justify my work?

I am a recently admitted graduate student at USM in Hattiesburg, MS. I have created this blog to talk about Geography. I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with rocks, soil and the land itself. I would classify myself as a Physical Geographer with my emphasis in Geomorphology. What does that even mean? I get this question alot, believe it or not! What is Geography? Well, it is complicated and diverse; to use two very well known words and make it short! I have only been in the Geography program for 4 short weeks, and I already am overwhelmed with anger and frustration!

Why must I justify my work? Why should I have to defend my emphasis in life? I realize that questions are how one learns, but to "dumb down" my profession of choice is well, nerve racking! But, I chose this line of work, and it will take alot more than a few...well alot of critics to run me off! I have also just recently realized that my department is not accredited! WHAT! Blow my mind! Well, what can I do to help this situation? I can go to the president and request that she take a look at the grant writings that have been done by professors within my department. I can go to her about the contributions of research that they have made.

I want my voice heard, do I need to write a letter to the AAG (American Association of Geograpers) to ask why we have not broken through that last boundary of accreditation status? Will this be what puts geography on the map? No pun intended! If accreditation is reached, will we then be seen as the actual scholars that we are?

Only time will tell.