On Louisiana exceptionalism and united Francophonie

This is another deliberately provocative post. From a flyer just received: This will allow for the sharing of results stemming from this experience, and to discuss a possible adaptation to this model to Louisiana’s reality in the context of an inclusive and united Francophonie, and the necessity to invent new forms of cooperation. [emphasis added] … More On Louisiana exceptionalism and united Francophonie

Further heresy

I think I might be breaking up with Marc Bousquet. He is right about how the university works. The Los Angeles Times even quoted me making many of the same points, thirty years ago when we were founding what is now this union. But at the current crossroads it may be that adjuncts are not … More Further heresy

The upshot

So I was reelected by a landslide to that position, and my candidate for co-chair lost by a 3% margin. This puts me in a toxic situation for the next two years given the counterpart with whom I have been saddled and given that a majority of the committee we serve voted for that person. … More The upshot

Life after tenure

This is apparently the current meme. Meanwhile I railed against negativity in the writing group today. I have never been an adjunct so I speak from “privilege” but believe me when I tell you I have been through more kinds of academic hell than most people still left standing. In particular I know what it … More Life after tenure

Writing du jour

…more of my bad style. I do not get to move a millimeter from here this summer, which is why I must place myself on virtual immersion. Read a lot in Spanish and Portuguese and also listen to people whose style I like, talking. Los proyectos de identidad mestizos no son exclusivamente latinoamericanos. Desde el … More Writing du jour

The Discourse of Hispanism and the Elision of Difference

You can see how long I have been obsessed with the topic of my alleged book: this abstract is of a talk I gave in 1996. This presentation would be a critique of Hispanocentrism in the discourse of Spanish-American literature and culture. I would argue that the discourse of Hispanism (including the important pan-Hispanic movement … More The Discourse of Hispanism and the Elision of Difference

That discerning eye

I told you, vision is the thing. Goode, 25: in Covarrubias’ dictionary of 1611, “raza” is said to refer to thoroughbred horses, which are branded with an iron so they can be known. Race is important to know but hard to see. Far from being free of racial thinking, Spain is the first racial state. … More That discerning eye