Life of An Adjunct Professor

Its been about 7 months since I began work as an Adjunct Professor for various schools within driving distance from my apartment in Danvers, MA . April of 2007 I was told by my boss at the time(Chair of the Dept of Sociology), he was replaced by a colleague of his in July that my services would not longer be needed. I was hurt since I had made a effort above and beyond of my responsibilities. Nevertheless, I swallowed my pride and applied for a serious of teaching jobs that would help support me and the over-priced cost of living in New England. In the Fall of 2007 I worked for 3 different schools. One in New Hampshire near the Vermont Border; and two in the North Shore, one that was an 8 week course and the other that lasted the semester. I had been told by colleagues and friends alike try to avoid the Adjunct life. I was not sure what that meant but I can tell you 7 months into that I understand completely.

It means commuting 3-5 hrs a day driving to teach 2-3 courses in fields of study that very different from my academic training. It means not being able to connect with your students that way you would like because you want to avoid driving too late and being tired. At the same time it means not being able to connect with the institution one works at either by attending a talk, sporting event or social activity at that institution. Do I regret it, thats hard to say since there were circumstances that made my decisions for me.

This semester I have continued to work at that New Hampshire institution, teaching Spanish language and culture courses; one institution in Cambridge and starting next month another institution in Charlestown. This semester is better in regards to the courses I am teaching, plus the students are more receptive.

There is a chance I may move from the area which would break my heart, but the life of Adjunct is not one for the light-hearted and as a man who loves teaching and connecting with my students I want my life back.

Iraq, Who is Impacted the Most

I am presently looking at CNN on a Tuesday evening and the headline is Iraq, Success or Failure? That to me seems beside the point. Since our current president decided to invade this Middle Eastern country, 5 years ago, the bigger question is who has been impacted the most. Let's see: 1. The price of gas is over $3 a gallon (as of yesterday when I drove into Salem, MA its $3.13); 2. Consumer prices have risen dramatically parallel to the rise in gas prices (my rent will increase $20 more dollars a month); 3. 3500+ U.S. men and women have lost their lives and thousands more have been injured physically and mentally; 4. Thousands of Iraqi men, women and children (estimates 100,000 to 350,000); 4. Civil Liberties guaranteed by the constitution have been revoked all in the name of battling terrorism; 5. The U.S. is hated more today than when our current president came into office in 2000(France, Germany, Bolivia, Ecuador, etc); 6. The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in 2005(not enough National Guard troops since they are in Iraq); 7. Osma Bin Laden has he been captured; 8. Guatanamo Bay Secret Prisons; etc.

The list can go on. One of my conservative friends (MC) will defend the actions of our current president and I respect his opinion, but the fact is that Iraq does not equal 9/11. Also the situation of Afghanistan is worsening since all our troops are elsewhere. Iraq is the Vietnam of the 21st century, hopefully we will learn our lessons before anyone else is impacted.

Election 2008

The 2008 Election is history in the making for the U.S. Either a woman or a black man will be the democratic nominee against Sen. John McCain of the Republican Party. Both these groups have been under-represented in all aspects of society. Women did not received the right to vote until the 1920s, blacks waged a civil rights campaign for over a decade in order to receive the rights entitled to them after the end of the Civil War in 1865. Despite all that women make only 80 cents to every dollar a man makes. Blacks and other minorities are segregated in neighborhoods that are under-funded violence prone. I am not saying anything new. However, U.S. society if they do not wake up and find out for themselves the truth in regards to politics may miss out on making history. As a spiritual and liberal latino I am extremely excited. Change is what the U.S. needs and if we do not pay attention we may let that change pass us by.