I AM THE PRECARIAT

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.