Okay, so it’s 26
May 2013 and I’m back home in the States. In fact, I’ve been back in the U.S.
for almost a full year, much to my sorrow.
A lot has
happened since my last post, which has contributed to my lack of updates on
this blog: I ran a marathon; I started my final year of school, and I finished
my final year of school; I started working in a new department at Columbia, I
finished working in that same department; I was named valedictorian of my class
and graduated with a B.A. in Cultural Studies (minor in Women’s and Gender
Studies), and earlier this week I presented my thesis project at my very first
conference.
So, today is
actually the first day in almost a year where I’ve got nothing on the horizon
to distract me. With that in mind, I glanced at the desktop of my laptop in
order to clear out year-end debris, and noticed a tiny folder marked “To Be
Posted.” What could this possibly be,
I wondered.
Well, it was
three days’ worth of photos from my semester in London. In fact, it was my
final three days’ worth of photos. So, not being someone who’s able to leave
things like this undone, I am going to do my best now to pick up where I left
off, and get these photos up. I’ll also be doing my best to recount what was
going through my mind in these moments, but I can’t make any promises.
So, without
further ado, let’s go…
Sadly, I don’t
remember much about 02 June 2012, and the photos don’t offer too many clues
about what else may have been going on. However, from what’s left one thing is
clear: it was the day that my dear friend EN returned to the U.S. We met up at
the Hammersmith stop on the District (green) / Hammersmith & City lines (pink)
before making our way to Heathrow on the Piccadilly (dark blue) line.
Along the way, I
snagged photos of EN’s last moments in London, both on the tube and at
breakfast. An all-too-brief time later, we said our goodbyes, she boarded her
flight, and I boarded the tube…
Until we see each other again in Chicago...in about three days.
[NB: In the busy
year since, we’ve only managed to see each other twice, but that’s because she’s
been equally busy going through her final year, graduating, being awesome and
whatnot. In fact, as I type this she’s back in London visiting, as her
post-graduation trip. I wish Nic and I were there…]
One other thing I have photographic evidence of from that day is that on my way
back to KG & MM’s house, I stopped along the Hammersmith Bridge and watched
as boats started queuing up for the gigantic flotilla in honor Her Majesty,
Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee…
Boats lining up for the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
As of today—6 May 2012—that’s all I have left
of my time in London. As usual, I’m behind with this thing, but didn’t want
this milestone to pass by without saying a little something about it.
All in all, this timeframe marks the beginning of a period
of transition—things here draw to a close, as I begin the trek back to my own
weird version of ‘normality.’ And it’s not just the big things that are
concluding, like my semester as a University of East London student. It’s also
the little things, like the huge canister of coffee I’ve used throughout most
of my stay finally drying up (the day after classes ended, ironically). Let’s ignore the coffee for a second, though, and look at my
time as a student instead.
UEL Docklands Campus
Because the US Olympic team will be staying in UEL’s
dorms, the entire semester calendar was out of whack. Basically, we turned in
midterms, had two weeks of Easter Break, one week of classes, and then our
finals were due.
It was a whirlwind, crazy experience—and if you’ve been
following me on Facebook, you know the experience was both taxing and
moody-making. Nonetheless, I persevered, and in the end I think I handed in
three strong final works.
Most likely, I won’t know how I did on those final projects until I’m
back home, but I can talk about how I did on my midterms, as well
as offer some final feedback on my experiences in the corresponding modules:
‘Cultural Politics: Power & Contemporary Social Change’
(CC1202; you can find the module descriptionhere):
Though it served as mostly a refresher course for me, I did enjoy this course quite a
bit. The instructors, SM and DS, were my favorites, and really knew what they
were talking about. Also, I walked away feeling like I had a much better
understanding of Marx—though I still prefer Foucault for his focus on questions of identity.
My CW1 (midterm)
assignment was, literally, just the first draft of my final piece. A reflexive work, it explored gay men’s participation in the act of
marthoning/triathloning as a form of body-modification and self-surveillance
(in the Foucauldian sense) rooted in the discourse of HIV/AIDS and the idealized
(gay) male form. On CW1 I scored First-Class marks (the equivalent of an ‘A’),
and the assessor’s feedback listed my work as 'a very substantial and scholarly
case study that uses excellent examples.’ Based on the early feedback I
received on CW2, I’m fairly confident that I’ll receive First-Class
marks on the completed work as well.
‘Realism, Fantasy & Utopia’ (CC2202; you can find the module
description here): Whereas DS was the co-instructor in the aforementioned class, this module was solely
hers. And it was amazing—by far, it was the most brilliant of the courses I took
at UEL. My love of this class was not solely based on our phenomenal guide,
however—equal credit goes to the amazing friends I’ve made therein, amongst
them TvH, RAS, SV, and AR!
As far as my midterm goes, I also received
First-Class marks on this one. It was a rather easy assignment, wherein we
merely had to explain the concepts of realism, fantasy, and utopia. As a funny
aside, one of the critiques DS offered of my work was that she felt I was too
quick to privilege the perspective of the artist/author—she and I have
subsequently agreed to discuss this further, as this is an argument I tend to
get into with everyone. I strongly feel that too much credit is already given
to the reader, and that rather than privileging either the author or the reader, one needs to pay equal lip-service
to both perspectives. After all, to overlook the author’s intent de-historicizes
and depoliticizes the work.
Based on the early feedback I received on my final
essay—a critique of American Horror Story
as a heteronorm-affirming Gothic text—I think DS and I are much more
in-sync this time around. This second piece was approached from a Feminist and
Queer theory perspective, and DS seemed really excited when she read the draft
version. I’m hoping for First-Class marks on this essay and, with her help, I’m
hoping to submit it to the Watercool
Journal for publication—if accepted, that would be the second piece I’ve
had electronically published in a peer-reviewed journal!
‘Culture, Power & Resistance in the 21st Century’ (CC3202; you can find the module description here): By far—by leaps and bounds, and fathoms and light-years—this was my least
favorite of the three classes. The instructor was highly disorganized, often
came across as condescending toward me, and lacked time-management skills. I
highly recommend that Columbia students do not take this class.
As a result of
myriad problems I had in this class—which, to be completely fair, included the
resistance I developed after one too many failures to meet what I consider good
teaching practices—my CW1 assignment from this class only garnered a 68 (i.e.,
‘B’ / 2.I classification). I don’t hold out hopes for a higher score from my
CW2 assignment, as the instructor replied with his feedback right before the
deadline—5 full days after the date
he agreed to. Fortunately, I suspected something like that might happen, and so
I asked DS for feedback as well. With her help, I was able to turn my work into
something that should at least enable me to pass the class.
Overall, my experience with UEL was a good one. I definitely
miss my home-uni, despite it’s countless problems—and I definitely miss
CCC’s technology infrastructure, ‘cause UEL’s is atrocious—but the University
of East London has been a nice classroom-away-from-home, and I will be
eternally grateful for this amazing opportunity!
So, what now?
Well, as I noted earlier, it’s a time of transition. The
biggest thing on the horizon once I return to Chicago is my participation in
the Chicago Marathon (26 miles). Given that I’ve never run that distance
before—in addition to triathlons, I’ve only ever done a half-marathon—I’ve had
to start training here. Yesterday I went for my first 3 mile run of the season.
It wasn’t bad, but it was a bit chilly—9˚C/48˚F, with a cold drizzle—and a bit
slower than I wanted. Ah, well. By the time I return to Chicago on 5 June, I’m
supposed to be running 7 miles.
Speaking of the marathon, I should probably take a brief
second to tell/remind folks why I’m doing it. You see, for the third year in a
row, I am part of the amazing Team to End AIDS (T2) but, this year I’m putting
my bike and wetsuit aside, and solely workin’ the running shoes! (Get it?
‘solely’ and ‘running shoes’? It’s a shoe-joke.)
Take a moment to watch this short video, as it tells you a little more about the journey I'm about to embark upon:
However, in order to train with T2 I have to raise (a minimum) of $1200 by July 1st for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC).
HIV/AIDS continues to be a very real problem today, even though it’s not always
talked about in the US. In fact, every 9 1/2 minutes someone in the United States
is infected with HIV, and each year people grieve for loved ones whose lives
have been claimed by the disease. Fortunately, AFC—which was founded in 1985 by
community activists and physicians—is leading the fight against HIV/AIDS, and
striving to improve the lives of people in the Chicago area who are affected by
this pandemic. By funding prevention programs and vital services such as
medical care, food and housing, AFC works to stop new infections while helping
to keep people with HIV/AIDS alive until the day there’s a cure.
So here’s the skinny:
On top of wanting to overcome a new physical challenge (and achieve a
fit-in-the-British-sense body), I desperately need help in raising $1200 for
the AIDS Foundation of Chicago this year. As of right now, I only have $540 to
go! Not only will sponsors be joining me in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but
they will also be supporting me in the pursual of a personal goal that—even a
year ago—I never considered possible.
All one has to do is visit my fundraising page and click on the ‘Sponsor Me’ button in the upper left-hand corner (or, if interested in making alternative
payment arrangements—which includes sponsorship by volunteerism—just let me
know). Any and all donations are appreciated, including those from people
living outside of the U.S., and they’re tax deductible to boot!
AC, JD, AT, Nic, and Me after completing the 2011 Chicago Triathlon with T2.
Other than that, the plan is simply to make the most of my
remaining 30 days abroad.
I’ve certainly already started in regards to
celebrating my time here—a certain less than stellar photo of me drinking a Mojito
out of a suitcase attests to that (thanks, TvH and LD). But I’ve got some other
things planned too. For instance, on Wednesday I’m going to go watch as The
Queen and Duke of Edinburgh make their way to Westminster for the State Opening
of Parliament. Also, I’m meeting my friend BC—she and I met during my trip to
Morocco—for coffee tomorrow morning. And, finally, I’ve officially scheduled my
final international sojourn during this trip: I’ll be going to the Netherlands
(Amsterdam) from 13-16 May, and since I’m going by bus(!) I’ll have a chance to
see the northern part of France and Belgium as well!
Amsterdam's Red Light District. [NB: This photo is not mine!]
Oh, yes, the next few weeks will be very exciting!
In fact, it may well be one of the most gorgeous I’ve
experienced during my time in London!
Having
successfully submitted all of my midterm assignments (a.k.a. ‘CW1s’) as of
yesterday, I made up my mind to take full advantage of today and
tomorrow—especially since both days were/are supposed to be sunny, clear, and between
21-23˚C (69-73˚F).
We found this shirt in the Historic Stables Market. I told Nic it should be his next tattoo.
EN
and I spent most of our time between the Camden Lock and Historic Stables
Markets. In many ways, it reminded me of the souq in Marrakech—just without the bartering (though there was a bit of that going on too).
I
definitely want to go back, and soon!
Oh,
and have I mentioned the amazing piña colada that EN got—actually served
in a pineapple? It was epic. (But, as for me, I couldn’t pass up the
opportunity to have a bit of mulled wine, which I haven’t had an opportunity to
enjoy since the days of my former coworker Jim’s amazing Christmas parties—the
only thing it was missing was the fresh cranberries!)
It may have only been 3:00 PM here...but it was 5:00 PM in South Africa. That counts, right?
After leaving
Camden Town, we started walking aimlessly toward the southwest(ish), for a little less than a 1.5 miles. We didn’t
have any plans—we just weren’t ready to call an (early) end to such a gorgeous
day. Eventually, we found ourselves wandering through the lovelyRegent’s Park. It was absolutely
spectacular, and reminded me quite a bit of Brookside Botanical Gardens back home (in Maryland). I wish Mom could see it in person, because she loves
going to Brookside for family photos—alas, since she is not here in person, I
had to try and grab photos on her behalf:
Oh yeah, and EN and I decided to climb some trees, because...well, they were there and we could.
I also tried to
get photos of some hot, shirtless sunbathers making use of the park, because,
well they were also there and I could. Except I couldn’t, because I was afraid
I was being too obvious!
Noticing how
close we were to Soho (only about 1.6 miles), we made our way over for some
delicious coffee at LJ’s Coffee House. It
was during today’s visit that I realized just how similar LJ’s is to the first
gayborhood coffee shop I fell in love with: Washington, DC’s own Soho Tea & Coffee. The vibe is very similar,
from the music (e.g., Madonna) to the artwork by local artists that’s displayed (and for sale)
on the wall. I spent many happy, happy hours at Soho’s as I was coming into my
own, and I think that’s why LJ’s has resonated with me in the way that it has.
Tomorrow’s
plans, which I hope will be equally wonderful, include going with JvE (and
hopefully RAS) to Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill, followed by a trip to
Kensington Palace and Gardens!
So,
I'm taking a moment to post about something that's not (totally) related to my
time abroad. You see, my home-school (Columbia College Chicago) has been going
through this asinine prioritization process recently. Basically, the high
mucky-mucks are looking to justifytheir own exorbitant salaries by cutting
wherever they think they can...all in the name of the students, of course.
Well, Louise Love—the interim provost and not a stranger to controversial administrative decisions—included
the following statement in her recent prioritization recommendations:
“Unfortunately, the one major that is
offered by the [Department of Humanities, History, and Social Sciences] seems
to have strayed from its founding principles. Originally envisioned as an
interdisciplinary liberal arts option, the Cultural Studies major and its
faculty have become somewhat isolated by emphasizing cultural studies as a
unique discipline. The program has even alienated some of the most
distinguished members of its own department. Therefore, I recommend that the
major in Cultural Studies be phased out and the minor continued.”Dr. Louise Love's Prioritization Recommendations.
Putting
aside for a moment the fact that her rationale seems completely political and
personal in nature—note, for instance, the fact that she doesn't mention any
way(s) in which this approach is detrimental to students—it friggin' threatens
the program that I've devoted my academic life to for the last
three-going-on-four years! (Not to mention the fact that because it is such a
rigorous program that I've had virtually no social life in all that time
either!)
So,
I have joined many of my peers in writing letters to Dr. Love—as well as Dr.
Carter (the president) and Mr. Turner (Chairman of CCC's Board of
Trustees...but that email bounced back)—in hopes that she will either rescind
her recommendation, or that it will be rejected by Columbia's higher-ups.
If
anyone would like to join us in voicing your support for this amazing
discipline's continued presence at CCC, please feel free to write either Drs.
Love (llove@colum.edu) or Carter (wcarter@colum.edu) to tell them as much.
Thank you!
My
letter:
Dear Ms. Love,
My name is Brett King and I am currently
a third-year Cultural Studies major / Women’s & Gender Studies minor at
Columbia College Chicago. Since January of this year, I have also been part of
the Cultural Studies exchange program with the University of East London. I ask
you to grant special attention to this last part for two reasons:
(1) If not for the magnificent guidance
and instruction I have received at the hands of CCC’s Cultural Studies faculty—in
particular, Drs. Esterrich and Gunkel—and the amazing courses I have been able
to take as part of the Cultural Studies program, I would not currently have
this opportunity to live and study in my favorite city, nor would I have encountered
those ‘little things’ about life at another institution that make CCC seem all
the more special; also,
(2) It is only
because I am on the other side of the
Atlantic that I have not directly joined my peers in protest to your recent
prioritization recommendations. Regarding your recommendations I was deeply
troubled by what I saw across the board, but it was specifically your
recommendation to phase out the Cultural Studies major that concerned me most.
If I might be so bold, I hope you will
allow me a moment to contextualize exactly why this move is so troubling to me,
beyond the fact that
Cultural Studies is my program of study.
First and foremost, I do not consider
myself a ‘typical’ CCC student: on my next birthday I will be 31 years old; I
have been in a loving, stable relationship for the last eight years; and, I
have not relied on my parents for financial support for the last 12. This means
that the choice to attend Columbia—the choice to pay the already exorbitant tuition costs
(a large chunk of which is dispersed amongst members of the administration whom
I’ve never had the opportunity to meet or even see)—was carefully considered in
terms of how it might benefit me in the long run. I found the eventual
rationale I was looking for in the Cultural Studies program.
When I was first considering a return to
school—I dropped out the first time (2000) due to a combination of financial
reasons and the loss of a family member, which necessitated my working
full-time—I gave Columbia only the most cursory of glances. My partner was
enrolled here as a graduate student at the time, and he and his peers held
considerable contempt for the school as a result of the ineptitude of their
program’s leadership and systemic problems they saw within the administration.
Personally speaking, I saw a lot of what CCC offered as being less academically
and mentally stimulating than what I was looking for. In short, I wanted
something real,
something that could help me feel as if I was making a difference in world,
something that would help me actually ‘create change’ in more than someone’s
wardrobe. And then I came across the Cultural Studies program’s website, and
saw reflected in their mission statement a program which would give me that ‘something’
I was hungry for!
(As an interesting aside, there is
actually a quote from Dr. Carter himself under the ‘Students’ section of the
Cultural Studies page, which says: “You chose your major because you had to. It
was your passion: a strong and genuine desire to make the arts and media your
life’s work. That passion will serve you well.” Dr. Carter is/was absolutely
correct about this. I chose Cultural Studies because I was possessed by an
overwhelming desire to do so; and, through my work therein, I have established
networks with prominent figures in my area of interest, and even had my own
work on soap operas’ usage of gendered transmedia considered by television
scholars like Michael Niederman.)
Within your prioritization recommendation
you write of the Cultural Studies major having been “envisioned as an
interdisciplinary liberal arts option…[and] a unique discipline.” As with Dr.
Carter’s quote above, you are absolutely correct: it is both of these things,
operating simultaneously, which serves as the basis for so much of this program’s
greatness. And yet, sadly, you make this duality sound like a bad thing when in
fact it’s not.
Excepting the Math and Science courses I’ve
taken at Columbia, there is not a single class wherein my Cultural Studies
instruction has not come in handy: First Year Seminar—check;
Oral History—check; Human Sexuality—check; and the list goes on and on. Cultural
scholars like Foucault, Hall, and Williams have their work referenced in some
way by almost every discipline taught at Columbia, and, because of the rigorous
material and the high-expectations of the phenomenal Cultural Studies faculty,
I have consistently found myself in a unique position of understanding such
issues in my non-CS classes. Furthermore, because I am able to see things from
such a multifaceted perspective, every single instructor I’ve learned under at
both CCC and UEL—regardless of the subject (and including some of HHSS’ most
distinguished members, such as Drs. McCarthy and Silverstein)—have commented in
some way on my exceptionality as a student. In a great many respects, I owe
this exceptionalism (and the solid 4.0 GPA that goes with it) to the high
quality and high expectations of the Cultural Studies program.
There is still so much about the Cultural
Studies program that I want to make mention of, such as the incredibly
successful CSA conference which we hosted (and I volunteered at) last year, but
I won’t in the interest of time. (That being said, please feel free to contact me
for more insights if you so desire.)
I hope you will find reflected in the
length of this letter a close approximation of the unbending passion and commitment I have towards CCC’s Cultural Studies program. Truly, words cannot
express the debt of gratitude I owe for what I have found in my Cultural
Studies classes, namely the ability to live-up to Columbia’s ‘create change’
motto to the fullest. As such, it is my sincerest—and most vehement—hope that
you will reconsider and withdraw your proposal for the elimination of the
Cultural Studies major.
In solidarity with the Cultural Studies
students and faculty at both Columbia College Chicago and the University of
East London, I am yours,
