I’m not using my name on this blog, nor am I using the name of my institution or city/state. I will never name specific individuals nor will I disclose information that would make others easily identifiable.
That being said, I know that a lot of you who are reading this--perhaps even most of you--do know who I am, where I live, and where I teach. Keeping my identity absolutely "secret" from all parties is not really necessary (or even possible). However, I am publishing this blog anonymously, primarily in order to prevent my name and institution from being blasted all over the Internet and on search engines.
There are a couple of reasons for this. First, I need to respect the privacy of my students, as well as my colleagues and family. If you know me, you probably also know some of those people--but if you don't, it isn't my place to reveal information about others. Second, I'd like this blog to be focused on issues, not on personalities or particular institutions. The precarious status of English as a discipline, and of the arts and humanities in general, is (unfortunately) not confined to any specific place; whatever is happening in particular locations is echoing elsewhere. For those of us who care about the survival of the humanities, the challenge belongs to all of us, regardless of where we live or where we teach (if we do). Therefore, it's important for us to discuss these issues with the broader picture in mind. Whenever I use specific situations for discussion or exemplification, I will use information that is already available to the public rather than disclosing anything that is confidential or proprietary.
If you write in the comment stream, please refer to me using my blog name ("Underground Professor") even if you know who I am. At the same time, if you pass along this link to someone who knows me, there's no need to keep my identity shrouded in secrecy--just don't put it here. :) My identity doesn't need to be a total mystery--I will stand behind anything I say here--but I do want to use discretion, for reasons elucidated above.
Finally, please bear in mind that whatever I say here represents my individual views and beliefs, not those of my institution (whether you are aware of my institutional affiliation or not). Although I "profess English" for a living and my professional experiences have obviously done a great deal to shape my thinking, in this blog I am expressing myself as a private citizen, not as a spokesperson for any institution or professional organization.
That being said, I know that a lot of you who are reading this--perhaps even most of you--do know who I am, where I live, and where I teach. Keeping my identity absolutely "secret" from all parties is not really necessary (or even possible). However, I am publishing this blog anonymously, primarily in order to prevent my name and institution from being blasted all over the Internet and on search engines.
There are a couple of reasons for this. First, I need to respect the privacy of my students, as well as my colleagues and family. If you know me, you probably also know some of those people--but if you don't, it isn't my place to reveal information about others. Second, I'd like this blog to be focused on issues, not on personalities or particular institutions. The precarious status of English as a discipline, and of the arts and humanities in general, is (unfortunately) not confined to any specific place; whatever is happening in particular locations is echoing elsewhere. For those of us who care about the survival of the humanities, the challenge belongs to all of us, regardless of where we live or where we teach (if we do). Therefore, it's important for us to discuss these issues with the broader picture in mind. Whenever I use specific situations for discussion or exemplification, I will use information that is already available to the public rather than disclosing anything that is confidential or proprietary.
If you write in the comment stream, please refer to me using my blog name ("Underground Professor") even if you know who I am. At the same time, if you pass along this link to someone who knows me, there's no need to keep my identity shrouded in secrecy--just don't put it here. :) My identity doesn't need to be a total mystery--I will stand behind anything I say here--but I do want to use discretion, for reasons elucidated above.
Finally, please bear in mind that whatever I say here represents my individual views and beliefs, not those of my institution (whether you are aware of my institutional affiliation or not). Although I "profess English" for a living and my professional experiences have obviously done a great deal to shape my thinking, in this blog I am expressing myself as a private citizen, not as a spokesperson for any institution or professional organization.
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