November 2007

In an age where virtuality and politics questions the very nature of democracy, here again, is Alternet bringing us a great article of the politics of virtuality and empowerment. Or, is it the reality of virtual politics of empowerment?

There are a lot of interesting aspects to how the virtual world has invigorated the political landscape[s]. Certainly, every U.S. aspiring presidential candidate has a website/virtual home, but just over a few clicks on Google, you can learn about politics world wide–even about Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez’s attempt to revolutionize socialism for the 21st century! For now, though, you can check out this article over at Alternet!

iPolitics Is Everywhere — Feel Empowered Yet?
By Jessica Clark, In These Times
The growth in political discussion has exploded through digital technology, but virtual democracy is still far from addressing election theft and other problems with our electoral system.Read more »

For many schools, today is the last day for my materials to arrive, since the deadline is 01 December 2007.  I thought I’d list the places to which I’ve applied for a PhD in Anthropology [most places its a PhD in sociocultural anthropology & linguistics].  You should know up front that University of IL at Urbana-Champagne is my #1 choice, with this school having the hightest concentration of border studies and queer theorists, along with Continental Philosophy incorporated into their program.

• University of IL Urbana-Champagne
• University of New Mexico
• Michigan State University
• University of Minnesota
• University of Texas

For some, this is a short list, but the reality is that there are few places doing border theory in the way that I would like to pursue and envision seeing myself pursue it.  Should I not get in this year, I will apply again next year and perhaps include University of California, Irvine as a possibility.

Many of you have supported me in my search for the “perfect” program.  I am grateful for your help and support.  I hope that we are able to sit back and enjoy the result of it all!

The School of International Studies (SIS), University of the Pacific, seeks to fill a full-time, tenure-track position in social cultural anthropology at the assistant professor level, starting August 2008. Specializations in Africa, political economy, and development preferred, as are regional and topical specializations that complement the existing strengths of the school. In addition to social cultural anthropology, the successful candidate will be expected to teach in the University’s expanding initiatives related to cross-cultural training. Great emphasis will be placed on evidence of the candidate’s ability and willingness to engage in interdisciplinary team teaching. The normal teaching load at Pacific is five semester courses per year. The successful candidate also will be expected to be a productive scholar throughout his or her career in the candidate’s field of expertise.Candidate should submit vita, statement of teaching philosophy, teaching evaluations, writing sample, and evidence of an ongoing research program. Also have forwarded directly to us letters from three references. Send to: Chair, Anthropology Search Committee, School of International Studies, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211. Review of applications will begin Dec. 1, 2007; applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates from overseas may submit electronic applications to khastings@pacific.edu. The University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer encouraging excellence through diversity.

The University of the Pacific is a mid-sized, comprehensive university located in California’s Central Valley, approximately one hour from the San Francisco Bay Area. With approximately 180 undergraduate and 80 graduate students, the School of International Studies (SIS) is one of only six undergraduate schools of international studies in the US, and is the only school that requires all students to study abroad. Faculty members are trained as political scientists, economists, anthropologists, and historians, and SIS specializes in team teaching and an interdisciplinary curriculum.

I wanted to make mention of the Republican Debate last night that was televised on CNN and sponsored by YouTube. In a “Republican Age” where Compassionate Conservatism is touted as THE way for Republicans to unite such a divided country [and those who typically support the Republican agenda], I’m not convinced that this compassion came thru in this debate. A few things struck me, however. Let me explain.

The sense of identity is always an important issue for me to consider, whether it is the identity of an organization or the identity of one who is running for public office. Last night, I watched and listened as white men sought to answer questions posed by the, largely white, public. As cameras scanned the audience during the fist bit of the debate, there I saw a crowd of white faces. Some time later, however, I did see a few colored faces, but the crowd was largely white. I believe that this indicates part of these candidates’ identities.

The question of immigration, health care, education, “terrorism”, and Iraq, I believe, are all issues that effect everyone, but it is people of color and women who are marginalized in the formation of these policies. I believe after watching the YouTube Republican debate I can say the following:

This political race, Indecision 2008, is all about White Politics

White Politics cannot be the frame of reference for this U.S. American democracy. While I’m uncertain that the hegemony of whiteness will ever be deconstructed, this certainly does not help! I do not think that the politics of whiteness is limited to the Republicans, but I can certainly say that whiteness seemed to overwhelm the conversation last night.

On the Democratic side, there are people of color who are running for the bid.  And, while we have folks like Richardson and Obama, we still have a largely white media producing what has been normative in news.  There really is no NEW news, despite having people of color and a woman in this race.  Why is that?  Why perpetuate the politics and media of whiteness?

I think this should be addressed somewhere…perhaps the media will consider my critique of the politics of whiteness…but I doubt it!

I wish I could tell you that my morning was that of a “bustlingly” morning, but really it was not!  As I exited my bus, I quickly met the concrete sidewalk.  I was minutes before joking with the bus driver and now I’m on the ground.  Thankfully, though, 2 very kind women helped me up after we all accessed my legs and upper body.  I was shaken, hurting very badly, and then the tears began to roll down my face.

After clocking into work, I quickly clocked out, hopped onto a train [probably should avoid buses, right? ] and headed home.  My knee is the size of a watermelon, my pants are black and dirty, and I’ve been resting today with the help of some advil.  I wish I had the energy to write about the YouTube debate that was televised last night.  Perhaps later when I recover a bit more.

more more more…later later later…

i totally fell off the bus today