Standing on the rotary in front of the Cambridge campus, with my banner which reads ‘Same work? Same pay’, tethered around my neck, I get to look into the faces of thousands of people as they drive by. I wave at every vehicle and smile, and am amazed at how many smile and wave back. I tell my students – ‘people are everything’, and they are! People are fascinating, so for me participating in our picket line is an opportunity to learn about human nature, to look for patterns and trends in behaviours, in order to better understand our motivations and values.
My observations are not scientific, but I see enough to deduce that people are on our side. They honk their horns, they smile, they wave, they give me and my friends, a thumbs up, and occasionally bring us Tim Bits and coffee. Now lest, you think I have flown away with the fairies, and let my rose-tinted glasses get the better of my judgment; I need to break it to you that not everyone I observe is so endearingly supportive.
Brace yourselves, as I need to explain. I am a rare breed – I don’t drink coffee, I also don’t drink tea, which leaves most folks mystified as what to offer me. So, when freshly donated coffee arrives at our picket line my comrades, in a unanimous show of solidarity, temporarily desert their posts to grab a cup of the steaming brew. I am alone, and in that brief moment of solitude something unusual happens.
A large four-wheel truck slows and comes to a halt in the middle of the roundabout. Inside I see a large man with an equally large grey beard, next to him is a similarly aged woman. They seem oblivious to the chaos their grinding halt has caused, as a fast accumulating trail of frustrated vehicles snakes behind them. “Jeepers” I think to myself in anticipation of a fender bender, expecting a question about directions to the 401; but no, they are glaring at me as if I were the devil incarnate, and then I hear the man shout; “If you don’t like your job, get another one!”. He points at me jabbing his finger in the air as he pulls away. Then in an instant they are gone, but presumably they are feeling very pleased with themselves, and in their own minds victory is theirs.
My colleagues see what has happened and rush to my side, supportive and concerned. It is over, but the ghosts of his words echo in my mind. I am enraged. Ignorance manifests itself in diverse ways, and it occurs to me that he had no idea what this dispute is really about, and would most probably not be interested in understanding.
He judged me (just as I am now judging him!) based on a fleeting glance, knowing nothing of who I am.
I don’t just like my job; I love it!
At this point some outside of our profession, may be wanting to stick their fingers down their throats. But, and this is a big ‘but’, they have not walked in my shoes; they don’t understand that despite the increasing bureaucracy, the occasional difficult student, and the seemingly never-ending grading; this is quite possibly the best job in the world!
There; I have said it; and I meant it! I get to spend my days amongst the rising generation, who although imperfect, have a vitality and creativity that is inspiring.
They frustrate me with their sense of entitlement, their pettiness, their reluctance to accept responsibility, their tendency to blame anyone and anything but themselves, their infinite ability to procrastinate, their disorganization, and their lack of long term perspective, but they are wonderful! Wonderful and inspiring! Creative, passionate, opinionated, curious, generous and warm hearted! They can be kind, compassionate and empathetic! They fill me with hope that the future is worth stepping into. (Fingers down the throat again, but I care not; this is who I am, and why I am standing, smiling on our picket line day after day.)
To the grey bearded man, who will never read these words; I love my job, and never want another.
I deserve to be treated with respect; to be fairly paid for all the extra miles I tread supporting our students, not just empowering them with new skills, but seeking to inspire and influence them for the good; to build their self-belief, and most importantly of all; to believe that good things will come as they work hard and as they do their best.
People are everything!