I am the precariat.
I am a founding board member of a charter school where we not only have a 95% graduation rate, but most of those graduates have from 15 to 60 college credits. This year we are graduating a girl with not only an honors high school diploma, but with a Bachelor's Degree from Purdue University, at the age of 18. Oh yeah, by the way, in 12 years I have not made a dime from this work.
I advise and consult for a new Jazz Fusion group consisting of 4 major album-credited, A-list musicians. No charge.
I initiated a fund raising drive for my high school alma mater (not the charter school) who I found out dropped their band and choir programs (formerly among the best in the state for decades). I put on shows and benefit concerts and finally persuaded the school board to hire a full time band teacher, and then later a choir teacher. The city is overjoyed. Sans renumeration for myself.
I also jumpstarted the Arts program at that school. They now have 2 3D printers, an X-Carve machine and a professional pottery kiln. No commission.
Last year I was the keynote speaker at the graduation of my high school alma mater and gave a serious speech about self-worth and net-worth in the age of automation. There was no honorarium.
I had a hit talk show at a radio station for 5 years. I got an occasional meal and sometimes reimbursement for equipment I would buy with my own money. No salary, no commission.
I am 59 years old with a Bachelor's degree , some grad school and numerous certificates. I still have a few student loans to pay. I sing, compose and produce music for people who think playing music means playing around. I have no retirement pension forthcoming. My healthcare is neither Blue Cross nor Blue Shield. It's VA.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to conclude, I AM THE PRECARIAT.
A portal into the development of an important and emerging jazz fusion quartet.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Friday, February 19, 2016
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)