Look What I Found (or My Defense of Ché)

Happy 2012, Faithful Reader!

While recently skimming through old files I had saved in my old desktop computer (which had been untouched for several years now), I found this potential blog entry. I'm pretty sure it was a draft of something I wanted to post to my MySpace page. I don't recall if it ever made it to the digital ether.

But the draft has survived and I'd like to post it here for your perusal. Feel free to submit your feedback below but please be mindful of my warning at the end of the post.

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I was recently criticized for my inclusion of a photo of Ernesto Guevara in my photo gallery.  It got me thinking that there may be others who have strong opinions on the man commonly known as “Che.”  With this in mind, I’d like to explain why I included his photo and give some insight into my thoughts on the man and his vision. 

I have respect for Che Guevara's vision of a united Latin America (South, Central, North). Essentially, the purpose behind this is so all of Latin American can be a society free of United States' exploitation and become self-sufficient. In a world where the poor have to suffer while a select few citizens reap the benefits of a country whose political and economic system favors the elite, this ideal is not undesirable. I’ll admit, this is a utopian ideal.

Though I do not approve of his violent methods of spreading this message, it is no more hateful and murderous than the United States throughout 1800-1900 in Latin America. (For references try Google-ing: General John McIntosh - Florida, Davy Crockett - Texas, William Walker – Nicaragua.  These men swore allegiance to fledgling Latin American governments only to overthrow them in the name of freedom.) His actions were also necessary because no one listens to academics that just sit around and talk. By taking action it forced people to listen. As the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

And what happened next? The American propaganda machine goes to work to label all insurgents in the Latin America as communists (thus making them akin to the failed Utopia attempted by the Russians). Never mind the reason behind their uprising. Never mind that there was no other course of action because diplomacy had failed. Never mind the vested interest the United States had in maintaining stability in these nations to further their acquisition of wealth at the expense of Latin America.

Lets be honest... if you read history texts without the pro-American spin (not those we used in junior high and high school), you will understand why most of Latin America hates the United States. Our country has become a necessary evil because the economies of Latin America have been raped by the US. The only way any of these people can make any significant amount of money for their families is to head to "El Norte".

I don't want to ramble further... just understand that despite his violent measures, they were wholly exaggerated and only done with the positive motivation to improve the situation of the poor. It was not some perverted sense of bloodlust as some have claimed. Now as for his ties with Castro... an unfortunate circumstance in history because Castro got power hungry in Cuba and did away with the spirit of the Revolution by changing the nation to a dictatorship. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. After the Revolution, Guevara left Cuba to help the impoverished in Africa (the Congo if I am not mistaken) but also as an escape from Castro's Cuba. However, life before Castro was not much better under Batista's rule.

Do I like that now all of these "yuppy followers" use his image as a commodity to further an agenda that has nothing to do with his beliefs?? NO! I hate that his face is on a fucking T-shirt. I hate that people are making money off of his likeness.

There is a Che poster in the ALAS office (the Latino student organization at Queens College). It was placed there in the beginning of the academic year for all the members to sign. It serves as a microcosm of what I believe is not just a silly dream of an "asshole" and "murderer" but something Latinos should fight for, even if only within the borders of the US. It is my hope of a unity that can only be achieved when Latinos come together and forget our own individual differences and recognize the common social ills that affect us daily.

There will be many people who will disagree with my decision to put that photo in my gallery and will be strong in their opposition to the apparent “glorification of Che." I don't blame them. Who wants to see their enemy put on a pedestal to be worshipped? All I ask is that they understand that my admiration for the man does not condone his methods nor does it atone for those who died at his hand. Do know that his idealism and vision is what I respect. I will not make excuses for having his picture in my gallery but I hope to never be accused of being a follower of the consumerism that clouds the legacy of Ernesto Guevara. I chose to put the photo up out of my own volition not as part of a fad that will soon fade in favor of the next “pretty face.”

If you are going to debate this issue I hope you don’t resort to the typical name-calling most people are prone to.  In a discussion, it is a copout not an explanation.

I hope that this doesn't change your opinion of me because I am still the same person you knew before you read this blog. Nor will it change my opinion of you, no matter what your reaction is.>>
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There you have it, faithful reader...  Your thoughts?

Remember, remember the 5th of November... again (or RaUM's 3rd anniversary)

Is that really you? Wow, sorry for the mess. Let me clean up here for a moment while I compose myself. Thanks for the unexpected visit.

I know. It has been a while. Truth be told, I have been busy and haven't dedicated as much time to the blog as I would have liked. This is not to say I didn't want to keep writing. I've had many ideas for blog entries and just never got around to writing about them. I knew another year was about about to pass but I could not believe it's been 3 years since I started rambling on RaUM.

I haven't taken the time to look back at the Alan that started writing back in 2008 (the same guy who once wrote consistently enough to have a potentially decent following). I probably should do that soon. But, then again, there are a lot of things that I've told myself I would do "soon" or that I would "get to" at some point and they have long been forgotten in my memory.

This entry won't serve as a declaration of where I need to be (or perhaps want to be) nor will it be a reflection of the years that have passed. Instead, I will give you a snapshot of what's been on my mind lately as I try to decide, once and for all, what I will be now that I'm grown up.

I've been teaching at Queens College for about as long as this blog has been active. It turns out it is what I love to do. I'm one of the lucky ones. As a close friend told me recently, I'm one of the few who can say he is doing what he loves... and can say it with a straight face.

Teaching has always been in my blood and perhaps that's why it comes so naturally to me. Maybe it's the power trip of managing/controlling information as well as managing/controlling a class full of students. Maybe it's the performance aspect: while standing in front of the room, everything I say and do conveys a message. Then again, the primary reason I've always given folks for enjoying the job is my feeling that the work is important. Teaching and gaining knowledge is often undervalued in our modern day, instant-gratification, self-absorbed, celebrity-obsessed society. Yet sometimes, it's the ego trip that I get off on. I've had students tell me that the way I approach the material allows them to actually learn something in my class (a wonderful compliment but also a damning condemnation of my peers).

My problem is figuring out how can I do this full time. The one pre-requisite that seems to be universal is that I must have a PhD. I was able to get my job as an adjunct lecturer (a part-time teaching position at QC/CUNY) with just my MA in Sociology. At the time I completed the Masters program, I was burnt out with school and was simply grateful to have earned a graduate degree. I wasn't considering going for a PhD. However, once I started teaching and discovered I not only loved it but was pretty good at it (based on semi-annual peer evaluations by full time faculty), I realized I would have to give serious thought to a minimum of two more years as a student.

But I haven't done anything about it yet. I'm not quite sure I want to leave QC but I don't know if there would be a job for me there should I earn a PhD. I'm terrible at change unless it is forced upon me and this isn't something I'm forced to pursue. And yet the more I consider that stance I am convinced that all I'm doing is letting my dream fade away before my eyes. It shouldn't matter where I am teaching, so long as I can make a living off of it.

I also wish there was a way to just earn the PhD and get a full time job but it also isn't that simple either. I have to ensure that I have an interest in conducting research and enter my contributions to the nebulous academic ether. I also have to actively engage in the office politics which I am able to avoid now since adjuncts are, for all intents and purposes, invisible at QC. I'm sure I'm overthinking things (as I am wont to do) but these aren't idle considerations.

Who knows? We'll see what happens over the next few weeks as I try and get things in order and figure out whether entering a PhD program for Fall 2012 is something I'd be able to do. Nine months should be enough time to gather my thoughts together and prepare for the rigors of being a student again.

As for RaUM? It won't be neglected (more accurately, it won't be AS neglected). Just give me some time to kick some of the rust off of this old hunk of junk and I'll get back to writing regularly before you know it! =)

Welcome back and until next time, faithful reader......

A Childhood Poem (or Something Else I Dug Up)

Hey there,

I'll start by saying that I am not a hoarder though I do have pack rat tendencies. This morning, I was going through a pile of papers that I've kept from my high school years. It was nice to purge my apartment of the excess clutter that had gone unchecked all these years. There were so many memories that came rushing back to me (soccer on the Quad, the prom, that odd year where I had 3 different Chem teachers b/c my original Chem teacher - what was his name again?? - broke his hip after falling off of a stool).

In that chaos of dusty papers and old notebooks, I found this poem. There is a chance it may be from junior high school but the silliness of it brought a smile to my face! Enjoy y'all!

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Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
There's no chance in hell.
I'd go out with you.

Sugar is sweet.
Coal is black.
Do me a favor.
Go sit on a tack.

Snow is white.
Grass is green.
With you, in public,
I'd never be seen.

Flowers bloom.
The river flows.
What do you think I am?
One of your cheap hoes!?

Water is water.
Grass is grass.
Do me a favor
and wipe your ass.

You smell real bad.
You smell like shit.
Go take a bath.
You REALLY need it!

All in all,
what I have to say
is get a life
and have a nice day!
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[FYI, this was NOT written to me nor is it about me.]

=)

Hope you all go out and make the most of this Memorial Day weekend! And please take a moment this weekend to remember those folks who have served our country.

Until next time, faithful reader......

Survey Results (or How To Lose Friends Quickly with Just One Message)

Helllllllooooooooo everyone,

Long time no see. I've been wanting to write this entry for several months now. I've been busy with my stats classes, keeping sane, and staying afloat financially. [Sidebar: When I say "staying afloat", I mean it like drowning... but managing to get your head above water JUST long enough to catch a quick breath before you go under long enough for your lungs to burn. Rinse and repeat.]

But enough of that... I have an interesting story to tell you all. [Trust me when I tell you that the pace with which I am typing these keys now is one that only compares to those all-nighters I would pull to write my 10+ page term papers as an undergrad... only with more of a purpose... and joy.]

Several months ago, I get the following text message from a female friend:
"So gentlemen,I was having a debate w/a male friend of mine...I know this isn't a hot topic of discussion,but if ur all not embarrassed 2 respond, I'd appreciate honest responses.1)would/do u mind having sex w/ ur girl when she has her period 2)would/do u mind doing "strategic" oral sex 2 ur girl if she has her period- ask if u need clarification on strategic 3)would/do u prefer just a bj to sex from ur girl when she has her period- this one was a hoot!"

[FYI, for those of you wondering, like I did... "strategic meaning: clitoral tongue action only. not necessarily tongue to vaginal opening"]

After mulling it over I replied by e-mail (since she needed written evidence). Then I got curious to know what my fellow XY chromosome comrades thought of these questions. I got busy contacting my buddies to get their feedback. Partly to give my friend some more content for her debate but the researcher in me was curious to see if there were any trends in the responses I'd get.

Here were the questions I asked my friends:
(1) Would you/do you mind having sex with your girl when she has her period?
(2) Would you/do you mind "strategic" oral sex to your girl if she has her period? ("strategic" = tongue-to-clitoris contact)
(3) Would you/do you prefer just a BJ to sex from your girl when she is on her period?
(Follow-up to Q3) Would you ask for the BJ or only take it if offered?

I had 21 friends reply (why did I think there were more??) and here are the results (with my answers included among the totals) along with any funny/quirky/insightful quotes to these yes/no questions added in.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(1) Yes, they would have sex during period - 12
"My penis has no sense of smell or taste"
"only in the shower or covered bed"
"with a condom and if she cleans up"
"a shower takes care of that"
"but on a VERY slow day"

No, they would not - 9
"I'd try anything once but I wouldn't be enthusiastic about it"
"but sometimes you have to take one for the team to make her happy"

Depends on state of mind - 1
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(2) Yes, would perform "strategic" oral - 1

No "strategic" oral - 20
"NAY!!! Mouth stays fffffffaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrr away from that area until things clear up. lol"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(3) Yes, they would prefer BJ over sex - 15
"If she's comfortable only"
"It's easier"
"It's all about reciprocating so I won't lose sleep if there is no BJ during this time"
"If I had a choice - which most of the time I don't - I would prefer a BJ over sex"

No to BJ over sex - 5
"Sex over BJ but a BJ or a handjob would do [if that's all there is]"

Depends on state of mind - 1
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Follow-up Q
Yes (would ask for a BJ) - 2
"whatever floats her boat"
"a BJ is good but would rather have sex"
"I would ask in a diplomatic way"

No (would not ask for it but would take it if offered) - 12
"only if she prefers that"
"asking for it ruins the experience"

Other - 2
"feel bad about getting and not giving"
"it depends on the girl. some are givers and some aren't"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It would seem as if the guys are almost split evenly among those who would and would not do it during "that time of the month". There was a resounding, nearly unanimous NO on question 2 about the strategic oral. Also when given the choice, my pool of respondents would mainly prefer a BJ over sex during this time but acknowledged that it isn't up to them (us?). I suspect there was a case of "If I have to answer this question then..." and is not really a reflection of what would actually happen under those circumstances. Finally, most of the guys recognize that getting a BJ is a privilege and not something we should necessarily ask for per se (unless done "diplomatically"! LOL). Besides, there are plenty of women who refuse to do that (just like there are plenty of guy who won't reciprocate).

I'm considering revisiting these questions but from the female perspective. Any of my female friends reading this... you've been warned. Expect an e-mail/FB message from me in the near future.

For the guys reading this... are any of you brave enough to answer these questions? You could comment anonymously but any feedback would be welcome!

Until next time, faithful reader......

Are you sick of highly paid teachers?

I will be breaking from the norm with this RaUM entry. I came across this post through a friend on FB and felt it was worth repeating (or - depending on your frame of mind - borrowing, or stealing, or sharing):

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"Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit! We can get that for less than minimum wage.

That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours).

Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.

However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.

LET'S SEE.... That's $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).

What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.

Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here! There sure is!

The average teacher's salary (nationwide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students = $9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!

WHAT A DEAL!!!!"

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As a fellow educator, I post this in solidarity with individuals who are already teaching and those who are working hard towards their degrees in education. It's a tough road and a career path that isn't for everyone. But, for those of us who love what we do (and stick with it), this is a fresh perspective on an old argument.

Until next time, faithful reader......