I’m a sociologist and taught at a state college in western Massachusetts for 32 years before retiring in 2010. After working on and completing a documentary film, I moved with my wife Sheila to Philadelphia a little over a year ago. Philly was home for Sheila for many years in the ‘80s and, with a daughter and two of our five grandchildren here, we decided it was the right time to be closer to family. Being retired and moving to a new city brings with it a fair amount of anxiety. What’s my new identity? How will I continue to do the kind of research and writing I want to do? How will I spend my time? How will I make friends? Let me say that all of that is still a work in progress.
I do have the privilege of “time.” I have options when I get up in the morning and, while I have some volunteer, writing and family commitments, I can often simply take a good walk, read a novel or take public transportation to learn about a different community.
I have this privilege because I had a strong union while I was teaching which negotiated a well-defined benefit pension so I don’t need to seek work in my retirement. I grew up in a working class family where both of my parents were loyal union members. Coming of age in the ‘60s, I became an activist, focusing mostly on labor and anti-war activities. At the state college where I worked, I was chapter president of my union for seven years. With a strong interest in education, particularly public education, I continue to pursue my teaching now by being a volunteer tutor at a neighborhood school.
I have learned how underfunded the public schools are and could see directly the consequences of the corporate and political attack on public school education and teachers. This has led me to attend marches and rallies for school funding and a day of canvassing in a local neighborhood with a couple of teachers.
I decided to go to the 50th Anniversary March on Washington this past month. One of the reasons I wanted to go was because fifty years ago I was not able to attend because I had a summer job to help with my college expenses.
In thinking about all that I’ve been involved in since moving to Philly, I think of another privilege that I enjoy, and that’s good health. That certainly makes it easier to be an elder, and maybe an added incentive to continue being an activist.
I have this privilege because I had a strong union while I was teaching which negotiated a well-defined benefit pension so I don’t need to seek work in my retirement. I grew up in a working class family where both of my parents were loyal union members. Coming of age in the ‘60s, I became an activist, focusing mostly on labor and anti-war activities. At the state college where I worked, I was chapter president of my union for seven years. With a strong interest in education, particularly public education, I continue to pursue my teaching now by being a volunteer tutor at a neighborhood school.
I have learned how underfunded the public schools are and could see directly the consequences of the corporate and political attack on public school education and teachers. This has led me to attend marches and rallies for school funding and a day of canvassing in a local neighborhood with a couple of teachers.
I decided to go to the 50th Anniversary March on Washington this past month. One of the reasons I wanted to go was because fifty years ago I was not able to attend because I had a summer job to help with my college expenses.
In thinking about all that I’ve been involved in since moving to Philly, I think of another privilege that I enjoy, and that’s good health. That certainly makes it easier to be an elder, and maybe an added incentive to continue being an activist.
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