My high school driver's ed teacher, Mr. Raso, was known for his sayings. One of my favorites was "Always get the big picture."
So as the public outrage over the conditions of Professor Margaret Mary Vojtko's life and death fades and focusses on other issues (like the government shutdown - and rightly so), I hope we can allow her to rest in peace while still moving forward on the important work of improving working conditions in academia.
Many years ago, during my seven years as an adjunct, I was railing at my sister about the injustice of it all - the long hours in the car, the low pay, the lack of benefits, the lack of respect - she calmly said, Well, when you get a full-time job, you can work to help other adjuncts.
And here I am.
As I wrote before, my current institution uses few adjuncts. This may be a matter of convenience, as there are very few people with advanced degrees in rural central West Virginia who aren't already affiliated with the college. So the issue did not come to mind in the midst of settling into a new job and a new home.
But I'm ba-a-a-a-a-ck.
This blog is a start, but it is just that. What next? Post advice, support, comments please . . .
"If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem"....seemingly a trite saying as we have all heard it often but an offering of sound advice. I applaud you my dear friend and hope that we can begin many thought\action provoking conversations through your efforts affording us the chance to be part of the solution!
ReplyDelete