This space has been quiet for the past few days and will likely remain so for the next couple. I’ve just returned from San Francisco and have a stack of papers to grade before my principles exams come in on Friday.
The PAAs were really fantastic. I got to meet some really talented scholars, listen to some interesting paper presentations and got really good feedback on my own paper. Conferences are hard. There’s so much time sitting and listening, something academics aren’t very accustomed. Despite years of training, it seems to be a skill we lose upon graduation, our hands itching to shoot up and say our piece. But my discussant (who I discovered was a CU grad, too!) was great and I’m so grateful for everyone’s attendance and the spirited discussion at the end of the session. I hope to be able to return next year for the meetings in New Orleans and make this a part of my regular circuit. In particular, the Economic Demography workshop on the Wednesday just prior to the start of the meetings, showcased six quality papers that were so great to hear. My advisor organized it, natch.
On a sadder note, Amendment 1 passed in North Carolina today. My facebook and twitter feeds were full of disappointment from all sides and, as one of my former homes, I took it a little personally. It’s hard to see how national polls show a plurality supporting gay marriage or at least civil unions when states keep passing ridiculous laws that will be difficult for the next generation to dismantle. At the same time, how is it reasonable for a state to put forth such a controversial amendment when the side that would have likely opposed it has a candidate running essentially unopposed. Maybe that’s the point, but really, not cool, North Carolina.
I will try to post more on the PAAs, my paper, the Economic Demography conference and more in the next week. I’d love to share some details about some of the papers I saw presented as well, and hope those will come into the public eye soon.
For now, though, thank goodness for Chocolate Fudge Brownie.
ERIN K. FLETCHER 