Cross Post: Halloween Fun! And More of The Harvest.

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/halloween-fun-and-more-of-the-harvest

Cross Post: Loving the Direction the Novel Draft Is Taking, Dangerous

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/loving-the-direction-the-novel-draft-is-taking-dangerous

Cross Post: Posted More of The Harvest and Also, a Labor Article Draft

Dear Followers, I am sorry I haven't posted in so long.  I have been busy with Union work and midterm grades.  The Union work has kept me occupied with very late meetings and phone conferences, but I am glad because after some intense interviews, we are hiring an attorney to negotiate our contract.  I have also been busy working on reports, the chapter union newsletter, and an article which I am posting below.

It deals with the Janus vs. AFSCME case, which will be dangerous for public sector unions.  I am publishing it to the People's Tribune, if they will take it.  I am also posting in on the union blog:  hwclocal1600.wordpress.com/ tomorrow, after I get some good feedback.

I finally manged to write more of The Harvest, and I am every happy with how the work is blossoming.  (However, as ever, the WiFi is testing my patience and not uploading the MS Word document.  Stupid tech.)  I really like the character 147-Paul, who is someone I hadn't quite fleshed out, but is coming to life.  No pun intended because he is an android.  I hope you enjoy the next installment.

Love your characters. Love your Unions!  #Resist
=========
Billionaires Taking the Right of Unions in Illinois:  What Is Really at Stake in the Mark Janus vs. AFSCME Case?
By: Dr. Jesú Estrada

            “What is Disgusting?  Union Busting!”  That is the slogan I heard so many years ago during the strike of 2004 in the City Colleges of Chicago.  At the time, we were up against a corrupt mayor and a growing anti-Union sentiment.  With little public support, our three-week strike led to few labor victories for City College employees; however, the right to collective bargaining is crucial if we, teachers, firefighters, police officers, are to survive.  Unfortunately, that anti-Unionism is a sentiment that has since devastated states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, but now a greater threat comes from Illinois.
            If the Supreme Courts rules in its favor, the Mark Janus vs AFSCME case promises to give public sector unions nation-wide a decisive blow.  Framed as a right to free-speech and claiming that unions don’t represent or speak for him, Mark Janus wants the right for all workers to not pay fair share dues.  In Illinois and across the country, that would devastate public sector unions.
            Bankrolled by corporations and billionaires like Governor Rauner, the bill is being sponsored by the National Right to Work Foundation and the Liberty Justice Center.  These entities fight for corporate interests, not the working class, not for your interests.  Ironically, Janus argues that AFSCME has backed politicians that have ruined the state’s budget, when the root cause is Gov. Rauner who refuses to release funds.
            Currently, members do have a right to not join the Union, but the Union still bargains on their behalf, and dues are used to fund negotiations, as will be the case for our Contract Campaign.  In fact, because of those healthy dues, we are hiring an attorney to negotiate our Contract, Margaret Angalucci.  The Security Guards, likewise, will have Robert Bloch representing them.  Without dues, these hires would not be possible.
            These members who refuse to join the Union and are currently Fair Share are also represented by the Union.  They benefit from all the rights that workers have are guaranteed benefits and protection under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but unions do far more than negotiate contracts.  They advocate for fair working conditions and in our case, academic freedom.  Unions fight for healthcare benefits that are so necessary in an increasingly difficult economy.  Our Union has historically awarded scholarships to students, both documented and undocumented.  Again, we can do so in great part because of our union dues.
            The Janus case is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court, and labor analysts think it will be decided by the summer 2018.  Make no mistake, in the current political regime, we will not win this case.  However, we can get organized.  We can recommit to the Union with the new member forms the American Federations legal team has provided for us.  Your Union officers and labor organizers, in the weeks ahead, will be working very hard to re-card all of our members.  We are also listening to your criticism and concerns, so that we can improve the work the Union does for you.
            Recently at an event, Karen Lewis President of the Chicago Teachers Union, spoke about the threat this case posed for public sector unions.   She agreed that attacks on Fair Share dues would devastate unions.  However, she also said something quite profound that may offer a light at the end of the tunnel.  She said when labor organized historically, it made a big mistake in not lifting everyone else with it.  Perhaps, it’s time that we considered how we fight not just for our rights and benefits, but for the rights and benefits of others in the community.  Perhaps, after the Janus case, unions will have to fight harder for members and turn to more militant actions with full member support to meet our demands.  I hope we can get there without having our unions decimated.
            I have worked in right to work states like Arizona, and the conditions were dismal.  Health benefits were a privilege, and there was little to no recourse if there was a dispute with management.   I was at the mercy of unfair bosses.  Do you want to be at the mercy of your supervisor or management?  Do you want a Union that is only functioning at 80% capacity?  What kind of Union do you want to work for you?
            We all have an important role to play in the days ahead, and whether you believe in unions or are annoyed by dues, one thing is for sure, we are all better off with a union that is stably funded.   

Cross: Be Here and Authentic

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/be-here-and-authentic

Cross Post: Meetings, Meetings, Meetings--Novel, Niet Yet

thttp://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/meetings-meetings-meetings-novel-niet-yet

Cross Post: Got Awesome Editor Feedback on My Story Collection!!!

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/got-awesome-editor-feedback-on-my-story-collection

Networking with New and Old Writers

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/networking-with-new-writers

Cross Post: Te Quiero Mas, Y Mas, Y Mas, a Novel Excerpt and Not so Short Story

I wrote another section of The Harvest. I am pretty happy with it and am developing the androids more.   

I am also revising my long short story, "La Bruja del Barrio Loco, " posted here (just scroll down a bit to the Scrib'd file).  Except for the pacing, I am not sure how to make major changes, which is not a wonderful reality to admit in a blog.  That is why I need an ideal reader, universe!  Send one over quick, before I start more projects.

See, I think I spent so much time working on that story, that it doesn't need radical changes.

Regardless after I finish reading it, I am going to print it and cut it up and stitch it back together.  In fact, my son wants me to read it to him, which I will.  He has a good ear and asks great questions.

Oooooh, and my friend has an awesome idea for the cover.  I can't wait to see it!

Keep at it.  #Resist

Sex and Androids

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/sex-and-androids

Yes, my novel draft posted on the first time!  Woooooh.

So about this next bit.  Well, it wasn't planned at all, but I added another android to the story line.  They will play an important role in how Ashley and Allen reunite, which yes, I have already written in my head.

I am going to explore that age old question:

     Who will save man, or woman, when she loses her humanity?  Will
     they save themselves?

I don't want my answer to be such a fucking downer like some sci-fi novels, short stories, movies, and shows.  You know what I'm talking about.

So, here it is:  The Harvest

On a totally random note, I just discovered Rupi Kaur and was informed about the plagiarism conflict or alleged plagiarism with another Tumblr poet.  I am a noob when it comes to Tumblr poetry.  Regardless, I was introduced to Rupi Kaur by my U.S. Latin American students, and I have to say that I like how she reads and performs.  Young people seem to really like her work.

On page the poems may seem obvious and oversimplified, but I like her work.

My friend and poet Todd Heldt, who is not an internet sensation, yet, but has published a number of books created a contest on Facebook to spoof Kaur's poetry.  Of course, as a woman of color, I was deeply offended.  But as someone who likes to have fun, I created the following and am hoping to win the coffee cup prize.

(Rupi Kaur, if you are reading this, which is 100% unlikely, I think you are an amazing woman and an accomplished writer.  Respect.)

Have fun today.  #Resist  (Respect all poets.)

When the Weebly and the WiFi Are So Slow You Want to Cry

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/when-the-weebly-and-the-wifi-are-so-slow-you-want-to-cryfir

I Had an Aha, a Rare Aha

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/i-had-an-aha-a-rare-aha

I Showed Up and So Did My Writing Energy

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/i-showed-up-and-so-did-my-writing-energy

Cross Post: It's O.K. To Be Shitty, First Draft (More of The Harvest)

Editorial toilet paper is coming soon.  Actually, I clean up a lot of shit on my own, but I can't wait to finish this full draft, so I an tear it up and reconstruct it and agonize about that process.

I'm so lucky this doesn't have to put food on the table.

Anyway, I went over some sections and added another page.  I'm taking it page by page.  I'm at 150 double spaced pages.  Yay!  You can read the ongoing draft, here:  The Harvest.

Stop judging your first drafts.  #Resist.