.
Feedback

A Response To Angry Readers

A response to angry readers and why I blog on the Patch.

 

There have been a lot of angry comments on my blogs inquiring about who I am, “who pays my way”, and why I blog on the Patch. I decided that it would be appropriate to shed light on some of these concerns.

First some background information. I come from a working class family. My father was a blue collar construction worker; my mother sacrificed and dedicated her life to raising me and my younger brother by being a stay at home mom (which I believe is way more than a full time job!). Importantly, my humble and devoted parents taught me the important lesson; to not only live within your means but below them.  Neither of my parents nor relatives are active in any political organizations or committees. I happened upon politics by looking to make my community better.

I went to SUNY Albany on a partial academic scholarship, received a private scholarship, and took out Stafford loans to pay for the rest. I worked in retail throughout college, both in Albany during the school year and back in Rockland when I returned.  I also am first generation college educated.

After an internship at the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and graduating Cum Laude with a double major in English Honors ( I wrote an undergraduate honors thesis) and Women’s Studies, I joined the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Program in Westchester County. I earned a small stipend, I think around $9,000 for the year, and was awarded a little under $2,000 to go towards my student loans. During my time in AmeriCorps, I learned how to write grants and received successful funding for numerous programs targeted to help youth and homeless people. After the year ended, I applied for jobs in Rockland and was hired by a local nonprofit. About a year into that job, I joined the Young Democrats, and rose up the ranks. See being involved in politics did not get me a job, my hard work and determination did.

While working full time, I attend graduate school part time at Marist College. This December, I will be graduating with a Masters Degree in Public Administration.  I currently have a 3.973 GPA. Ironically, the only class that I didn’t earn in an “A” in was Politics and Policy which I achieved a grade of “A-”.  Again, I received a small academic scholarship and used savings and loans to pay for the rest. Fortunately, I was eligible to finance my education through interest subsidized Stafford Loans.

And yes, I will be traveling, as a delegate, to the Democratic National Convention but there is no nefarious deal that has afforded me the ability to do so. When I found out a couple months ago that I would be a delegate, I started to budget. I shopped around and found the lowest cost flight available. While in Charlotte, I am staying with other young Democrats to offset the cost of the hotel room. The week that I will be out of work will be taken as vacation time, something I believe most of us have in our jobs. So to answer one reader’s question, I, me Joe, am paying my way.

So why do I blog on the Patch?

As Audre Lorde said, “I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.”

I know that there are some of you that “misunderstand” “or look to “bruise” my words. That is fine. I know I’m not going to change your minds. What I do know is that there is a silent majority who are more progressive than you think. Since starting my blog, I have received Facebook messages and comments from strangers thanking me for sharing my perspective.  

Second, I am comfortable speaking my truth and I decided to share my opinions with my community in this forum. I stand by and choose my words carefully. And I do have an agenda (as I think most of you do as well). To reacquaint yourselves to my agenda please see a past blog post:

And most importantly, I write for those who are intimidated by the vitriol that comes from the conservative right, those who are forced to be silent, and those who are harmed and oppressed by the (neo) conservative policies and beliefs I oppose.  

So contrary to what conspiracies are out there, I am not wealthy, do not have PhD and am not bought by any political party or person. I am a caring, working class, young professional who is trying to make our world a little better.

Be on the look out for my next post, which I hope to write while I am at the DNC next week. And thanks for reading!

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from New City Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Loading comments ...
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Kathleen May 21, 2013 at 08:55 am
CANDLE Night at the Rockland Boulders Game Join CANDLE for a fun(d)raising game on May 23rd as theRead More Rockland Boulders take on the Trois-Rivieres Aigles. Proceeds from tickets purchased through CANDLE* will support programs that educate & empower youth and reduce substance abuse and violence in Rockland County and beyond.
Heywood Jablohme May 21, 2013 at 02:48 pm
I agree with most of your points, but surely you are not implying that teachers are expected toRead More produce funding to correct school roofs, right? I think you got a bit off topic here, but I agree that our educational infrastructure is in disrepair and is in desperate need of rehabilitation. Maybe if our teacher's unions allowed a little more leeway we could allocate funding a little more appropriately and fund the important things instead of overpaying paying dinosaur teachers who lost interest a long time ago and fight any and all forms of teacher benchmarking.
WGMom May 20, 2013 at 09:10 am
It's entirely true that every professional has out-of-pocket expenses. But as someone who worked asRead More a corporate trainer, I can guarantee you I NEVER had to pay out of pocket expenses for supplies to teach classes. Every piece of paper, supply, and even snacks for the participants were fully covered expenses. If I had to spend out of pocket money to procure supplies, I could submit for a reimbursement, and receive it, no questions asked. I am now in school to become a high school teacher and I can see the stark difference in how the education of folks in a corporate environment is incredibly different, and privileged, than the public school environment. I've sat through numerous classes in the Clarkstown and Ramapo districts, doing observations required for my education certification, and while Clarkstown certainly benefits from certain advantages, the shabbiness of being a public school is still there. Furniture, such as teacher desks, that looks like it was purchased in a garage sale 30 years ago... faculty bathrooms that are dark and dingy, nearly crumbling, and sorely in need of updating. Etc. The public expects teachers to have professional training, act professionally, but they lack sometimes basic resources and are expected to function in an environment that feels more like a dungeon than an institution of learning. The citizens of Clarkstown, if they could get a tour of some of the facilities they are expecting children to learn in, and teachers to teach in, would be very surprised. We do supply some great technology, but then we put it in classrooms with windows that won't stay closed when it's windy, as one example. I spent most of my time in South, which is the best of the bunch, facilities-wise. Clarkstown North is a mess, Woodglen's woods are littered with fallen trees no one's cleaned up after Sandy, Laurel Plains had to be shuttered thanks to that whole foul stench... the district is in a situation where there are major capital improvements that are going to be needed. Buildings are aging, and it seems it's only the most basic of upkeep that happens. The district can't even fix the roofs of the buildings without applying for a state grant.
Heywood Jablohme May 18, 2013 at 07:17 am
What professional doesn't spend $500 per year on out of pocket expenses related to their jobs?Read More Staples offering 10% (or 5 in some cases) is hardly an example of the community getting involved. Thankfully, there are other examples of the community and PTA's getting involved and providing needed services. Clarkstown and surrounding areas hardly have substantial unmet needs in their classroom, thankfully.
Truth4all May 16, 2013 at 11:37 am
I guess better late than never. LaCorte is serving his 4th year as Mayor and was Trustee for I thinkRead More 4 years before that. This year is the only time he has brought the idea to the village about participating in this program. He is motivated by the opportunity of getting positive press for his County Executive campaign. The village should have been involved in this program ( as well as the Americorps program) long before this. On a positive note, hopefully the Village will continue this worthwhile partnership for many years to come.