Something we lose in language arts/reading/English classes by stressing things like grammar, standardized testing, AP exams, etc. is the joy and curiosity and wonderment of trying new ideas and experimenting with style and thought because failure is punished instead of treated as a stepping stone.

Relevant also to conversations around servicing the AI industry/workplaces turning toward AI by teaching toward "AI literacy" in humanities classrooms.

Once again screaming about AI, but now focusing on the environmental impacts. Specifically, who is most hurt by such impacts? And who suffers the most in the academic structures that are set up now? And who stands to benefit the most in either situation? These things aren't coincidences.

This is maybe the worst part about being an educator in the AI era. AI companies are *stealing your time* by making you work around it/find it/adjudicate it. Time that, 4 years ago, you would have used to improve your materials, or stay up-to-date on some area of research.

One of the most exciting things about college teaching is that I can a) continue unlearning so many unhealthy biases and habits around education and grading and b) practice that in the classroom with my students!

The rise in attitudes like "Let's show students how to use AI since it's here to stay" is moderately concerning for academia and severely concerning for society at large. Discouraging students'/learners' willingness to experiment, fail, and develop critical thinking is disastrous in all disciplines.

Call me an extremist, but I think using AI for "simple" things like correcting grammar is still a terrible use of AI in a learning context (i.e. for a composition class) because it still removes learning opportunities. (And also grammar is not black and white.)

Gen AI corporations that steal and rip off published works to train their AI are winning lawsuits brought by these works' authors. We should be terrified of the impacts these acts are having on creative publications and the continued growth of AI. It doesn't stop there.

I am begging teachers to stop using/allowing/encouraging generative AI in courses (especially lower level) where students are still developing their own HUMAN critical thinking skills and applying their own HUMAN touch to work that is meant to be HUMAN. (Plus, Gen AI is not good at this stuff.)

I lost my beloved furbaby on June 20, 2020. It has been difficult navigating the world without her, but every year, I choose to celebrate the joy she brought me--and still brings me. Here's to another year amid the stars. 💜

The Associated Press using the passive voice to cover an American police officer shooting an Australian reporter (with a rubber bullet) and diminishing the reality of what happened is a perfect example of how not to report things that are happening. (1/5)

As queer rights are coming under fire regularly, pay close attention to the trends of which companies are "rainbow capitalizing" right now and which ones are not, especially compared to previous years.

Gender and sexuality are so beautifully varied and multidimensional. We must all remember that there is no "one size fits all" for queerness. The + in LGBTQ+ must not simply be a footnote: these expressions and identites must be warmly welcomed to the table. Happy Pride Month!

These old, wealthy Ivies might very well have these problems, but this administration doesn't give a flying anything about antisemitism. Their actions and supposed goals shouldn't be fooling anyone.

We have witnessed many atrocities in the past few months, but I need people to really sit with what the aftermath would be of the Supreme Court delivering a decision against Birthright Citizenship. This case is bigger than immigration.

Shout out to all of the faculty and students who made it through this semester in particular. What a time to be teaching and learning in spaces that are directly under attack from people who benefited from having access to the same resources themselves.

AI's impacts on the environment are (importantly) talked about often. Sometimes, questions of copyright infringement/IP theft also (and still importantly) come up. But generative AI, no matter how descriptive the prompt, does not result in the human's own creation. It is not their work.

I went to undergrad because it was an expectation, and I walked for my family. I went to grad school because I wanted to, and I walked for me. I'm so proud to be the first in my family to get BAs and an MA! I'm also very tired, so I'm going to withdraw for four years. Wake me up if America survives.

At least I'm getting my little humanities Master's next week as the country spirals closer and closer into the anti-humanities (and anti-humanitarian) fascist state that we all saw coming. Creating, whether creative or critical, is still important right now, so keep doing it!

One of my students (first-year composition) is writing a researched essay on the challenges as well as the exciting potential of implementing superconductors in everyday technology. All of these details should probably be going over my head... (1/ )

Teaching with a migraine today was a lot less challenging than I had expected, and it resulted in students really enjoying a group activity and asking if we can do more of that (as though the semester isn't currently barreling toward its end).

Happy International Asexuality Day! It's so vital that we acknowledge and embrace the varied sexual and romantic experiences of human beings. Asexual people have for so long struggled to be recognized by hetero and queer individuals alike, and we have a long way to go--but progress is being made!

Decades of US infrastructure being dismantled piece by piece in what amounts to a hostile Nazi takeover that has been warned about for nine years now speaks volumes to the indifference and evils of an America that has barely progressed beyond the 60s. The time to act began well before today.

Having successfully defended my thesis yesterday and now looking toward revisions this week (amid other responsibilities), I can confidently say that no, I still have no idea what I'm doing. But I did do the thing.

Knowing that the fascists would absolutely despise every chapter of my thesis is *almost* motivating enough to get me over this writing slump--a very delicate balancing act, if you will.

Amid the news of corporations bowing to fascism and abandoning DEI policies, some companies are doubling down on DEI support, including Costco and e.l.f. The future is not guaranteed in the private sector, and even some public entities have simply chosen to rename their DEI initiatives.

If I hadn't deactivated my Facebook, I'm sure I'd have dozens of screenshots from 2015-2021 about how devastating the aftermath of the Cheeto's election would be for many years to come. Everything happening right now was foreseeable even prior to "Project 2025."

People really saw a fascist running for president *again* and said, "But Kamala Harris isn't good enough." And if anyone still thinks racism or sexism didn't play a significant role in the election season, then I have some used and broken items to sell you at fantastic prices!

Feeling snow in my hands for the first time in I can't remember how long was truly worth being a week behind on work.

Hell isn't just freezing over: it has snow in a place that doesn't usually get snow, and what a great post-birthday weather to get to experience!

I'm grateful to no longer be surrounded by white people who steal MLK's words for subtle evil. MLK was unequivocal about his condemnation of white moderates: "First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate." (1/ )

I'm far more concerned with the mass accumulation of worldly data within American corporations and US government entities than I will ever be with China.

As we spiral closer to the 20th, do remember: - "Your best" is good enough even if you aren't at 100%. - Fascism/ists HATES when people teach critical thinking, show compassion, and give space to non-conformity. - It cannot be solved overnight. - There is no definitive handbook for resistance.

My recent book, Pitfalls of Prestige: Black Women and Literary Recognition, will be featured at the @ohiostatepress.bsky.social 2025 MLA book booth - *and* you can order online at 30% off through the end of February using code OSUMLA! Hope to see folks at the book exhibit/around the conference.

It's really fortunate that a public university can pour millions into sports so that people have a distraction from elevators being non-operational and not repaired in any meaningful, responsible, diligent time whatsoever. Thinking, of course, in general and not at all about anywhere in particular.

ABC, NBC & CBS dedicated about 16 minutes of airtime last night to the California wildfires without once mentioning climate change. Since the news failed do it's job, here's a short summary of the role of climate change and wildfire risk: www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfir...

No resolutions, only existential dread.

What do you mean Christmas is in four days when it's still November and we're still unpacking?

After somehow encouraging 90% of my class to complete the end-of-semester survey and receiving overwhelming positive (largely "Excellent") responses to each question, I am stunned and delighted (and relieved) to say that maybe my first semester of teaching went okay after all.

It's so vital that we raise up art, fight to ensure it can grow and flourish, celebrate its importance in history and culture and humanity. At the same time, it's also vital that we hold artists accountable and make ethical decisions about how we engage with and promote art, too.

Things unessential yet somehow occupying an unfillable space: - a hairbrush, well worn - old ointment - several bottles of medication - old paperwork - 2 tags, well worn - 2 leashes, well worn - 2 collars, well worn - 1 urn I don't think you would have liked the new house, but you're there anyway.

"I don't know why you were told 8, our usual start time isn't until closer to 10" wasn't on my Moving Houses Bingo, and yet it somehow still fits.

For the record, I'm perfectly okay skipping my birthday if it means not inaugurating someone in 2025.

I've gained several hundred new followers since I posted this doc of #neurodivergent study tips (hello there!), so I'm sharing it again #adhd #academiasky #medievalsky #historysky #education #teaching