Academic Freedom -- More Important Now Than Ever Before

Well, I'm ashamed to say that I haven't written on this blog in quite a long time. I started this area as a means for me to vent about the raping of the American working class at the hands of those for whom worker empowerment is somehow perceived as a threat. Since then I've entered grad school, where I've continued to apply this passion to my academic interests, working towards a Masters degree in labor history. Since I began this experience, I have learned a great deal, and perhaps most importantly, have refined my understanding of the ups and downs of the American working class under the tutelage of great professors and peers.

All that said, I have also witnessed a disturbing trend in academia -- one not only related to, but indeed an integral issue within the labor movement -- the erosion of academic freedom, valuation of research by university administration, and the proletarianization of higher educators. This issue affects us all for myriad reasons. My thoughts on these issues will fill future entries; I just wanted to provide some information about the future direction of this blog: news and issues related to the entire labor movement, of course, but also I hope to open eyes to the problems in our current educational climate. As always, I do hope someone actually reads this at some point!

Working Class Slur: British Academic Edition

Professor Chris McManus claims that the British Working Class lacks intelligence, limiting their ability to enter the medical profession.  I'm sadly reminded of former Harvard president Lawrence Summers' comments concerning women lacking some intrinsic factor necessary to become a scientist.  The neo-eugenics rhetoric of both makes me ill.

If you'd like to voice your opinion, Professor McManus' contact information can be found here.

Workers Fight GM Plant Closures

General Motors announced yesterday the closing of several large vehicle and truck plants. Citing the economy, and especially the price of fuel, they claim it is necessary to shift production to smaller vehicles.

It seems, however, rather than employing existing plants for this task, they're laying off existing workers to establish production elsewhere.  

What's really going on here, GM?  It seems to me, this isn't only about building cars needed by the American consumer, but another attack on your long-term, relatively well-paid, workforce.  

I'm glad to report that workers are fighting back.