http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Proftitutes/~3/81572108/mla-conferen Sooo...I have been at the MLA conference this week. My favorite new word is "Jewtastic!" That was a brilliant grouping. I enjoyed several presentations; I can't wait to read them all!

Overall, I am impressed by the quality of the MLA conference. It is diverse, and there are TONS of things to do. Good show.

BUT (there is always a but(t))....

I have encountered some of the most ARROGANT people I have ever met in my life. Now, certainly, these people do not represent the entire membership, so don't get your panties in a wad. BUT, I just have to comment (ever so briefly) about arrogance.

Example One: I was talking to a professor of gender studies at BIG ASS U about my summer learning community using the theme of "women and war." She liked the concept until she discovered that I was partnered with a military history class. Why? Well, duh, "WON'T THAT CLASS BE MOSTLY MEN?" Well, I have no idea who will be in that class, but, really, isn't celebrating gender a joint mission? All of the women of the world can celebrate being women, but it would be nice if the other half of the population (the one still making all the rules) would recognize and celebrate our brilliance, too.

Example Two: This professor of SOMETHNG IMPORTANT at REALLY IMPORANT U and I were talking about technology. In her opinion, it is damaging the academy, and it is CRUCIAL that we put an end to all this techno-speak. So, image her distress when my biscotti chomping paused (um, the biscotti was like a brick, I might add - it is any wonder I still have teeth), and I said, "Oh, I disagree. I am looking forward to opening the lines of academics through open access academia." WELL!!!! Needless to say, she was not impressed with little Community College Cookie telling her, BIG STARNESS, that technology is an important tool in both composition AND literature (say, liter-AH-Chur). I thought she was going to whip out a banner and sing a song or something; she looked distraught and exclaimed, "No! We must save the academy!" She pounded her breast, and I offered her a bite of my biscotti. She swore to make bumper stickers that say, "SAVE THE SCHOLARS!" But, I was too far gone thinking about my latest book purchase....a WHOLE ditty about keeping the internet free and uncensored.

Example Three: Evidently, people like four-year faculty and hate two-year faculty. Yeah well. I saw a colleague I had met at a conference a while back, and she said, "Oh, I guess you havn't found another position? Are you interviewing here?" Um....I wasn't LOOKING for another position. I happen to ADORE community college teaching; I happen to LOVE community college students. She was being kind, but the looks I got from others were, well, um, condescending. Oooooohhhhh, you are at a community college....ahhhh, I see. Um...you see what? You see what you want to see, fella. Some of the most brilliant people I know teach community college English at my wee little community college. So, there. Stick this biscotti....