I have a BA from Yale and a Master’s degree from the University of Iowa. I have no debt, I have published two books, and I have been employed as faculty in college and graduate schools since I was in graduate school in 2004. I believe so strongly in the importance of education and empowerment through language and communication that I have also started a language arts outreach program for children and teens, and I volunteer with the youth in my community.

When a close friend got into a great college, I agreed to co-sign her loan from Wells Fargo (remember how much I believe in education?). Wells Fargo DENIED me (and her) on the basis of: 

MY “EMPLOYMENT INSTABILITY.”

Yes, I have worked at different institutions during my years as a professor. This is normal in the field of higher education when you are a young, pre-tenure professor (I just turned 30). Would I be a more “stable,” trust-worthy member of society if I had chosen not to educate and had instead worked for the past seven years at a “stable,” trust-worthy institution… like Wells Fargo? How can these corporations sleep at night? Oh wait – they CAN’T! Because they’re NOT PEOPLE. And it seems they don’t care about the people either. My friend wants an education, and I want to be heard and valued as a member of society. 

WE ARE THE 99%