This campaign and project relies on the limited resources–in every sense of the word–of a single, principal author administrator, along with the contributions of a small (but rapidly growing) number of volunteer contributors.
The bottom line: we could use, and appreciate, any support you are able to provide. Below are just some of the ways that your generosity–in whatever way, and to whatever degree, you’re able to extend it–makes a huge difference to not just me, but also the many-many more people (at Harvard, and many other places like it) who have been subject to the type of mistreatment, harassment, and discrimination I have.
When I say this is more than a fundraising campaign for me, I mean it.
SOME WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR GOALS
(1) Donating to Our GoFundMe Page.
Whether we like it or not, money is at the core of everything–and this situation is no exception. As you know from my videos, Harvard has literally bankrupted me. Moreover, they’ve loaded me up with student-loan and credit-card debt by prolonging my doctoral program with a series of manufactured, make-believe obstacles and administrative snafus. In other words: made me pay, metaphorically and very-much literally, for the mistakes of others.
In other words: we need good ol’ fashioned dollars (or euros, or whatever) to “keep the lights on”: pay for basic expenses, keep this project going, and even prevent Harvard University Housing’s fourth or fifth eviction attempt (update coming soon).
All of this is the direct result of Harvard’s financial aid and services officers “starving me out” by–among other unconscionable (and illegal) tactics–denying me, for very suspect (and clearly targeted) reasons, my federal right (under Title IV of the Civil Rights Law of 1965) to fund my own education. More than once, more than twice. Transparently.
There’s a reason Harvard is under several federal investigations for their abuse of federal funding.
And, get this: ignoring my repeated attempts to impart on them the hardships I was going through as a result (of their actions, or inactions after their actions). This includes outright food insecurity.
Any amount–even five bucks–makes a huge difference. Not only does it “add up,” but it also grows our voice against this injustice (and many similar ones) against students who are the children of “regular” working people. In other words: most of us.
(2) Sharing This Site and Social Media with Your Friends and Network.
Silence is where justice goes to die. No one knows this better, and how to “weaponize” it, than Harvard. It’s why they have a long history–one that I’ve witnessed first-hand in my over-a-decade at the place–of doing whatever it takes to shut people like me/us up.
World’s best at silencing criticism or “bad publicity”–at any and/or all costs.
You can help prevent this by continuing to share this page, our videos, and our social media. Or just telling someone about it–old-school word of mouth.
You’ve all seen the news (or even my own videos).
- The now-infamous “Involuntary Leave of Absence.”
- Stopping or removing peaceful protesters with force (for years)–quietly and quickly;
- Drowning students (as in my case) with years of non-stop bureaucratic red-tape until they can’t fight it back anymore;
- Thinly supported threats of harming students’ university status and futures over the smallest things;
- And, of course, even using their team of fancy lawyers to drown you in litigation–which they can, and routinely do, drag on for years and years.
The list, unfortunately, goes on.
Harvard is not only ruthless, it’s fearless. Except for one thing: its precious “Harvard” brand.
The only way our collective voice, announcing “Shame on Harvard,” can be effective is to shine light on these Harvard. They are better than this, but only if we hold them to it.
(3) Listening, Following, and Sharing Our Podcast
Our recently launched The Class of 99 Podcast is companion project to this website–a place to tell the stories of regular people (like me) enduring the work, sacrifices, and general BS we have gone (or are going) through just to get a fair shake and improve ourselves.
In short: a place for the other 99% of us. More laid back and, I hope, entertaining that the sometimes-heavy content on this site.
While including some of my Harvard-related stories–and there are a lot of good ones, I assure you–I also tell stories of my life before, and beyond, Harvard. After all, this place isn’t my entire life.
But it’s also a place to tell your stories too. We’ve all had to deal with an A-hole boss, been screwed over, had to fight 10 times harder for what everyone else gets, and sometimes even won those battles.
The list goes on.
Follow the link above, or find it by name on your favorite place to listen to podcasts.
We’re not limiting the project too much right now. Instead, we’re letting it grow organically–through the more-or-less weekly episodes and the (we hope) increasing participation of our listeners.
Check it out. There’s already a few good stories up there.
(4) Lending Us Your Legal and Professional Services.
If you–or someone in your network–is a legal professional, especially in the list of areas implicated in this “situation” (e.g., civil rights, civil litigation, discrimination, housing, education, dealing with “high-profile” cases, and the list goes on), it would be a tremendous help to have access to your skills, expertise, and experience.
We’ve already had some wonderful people extend their generosity in this area–limited, by necessity, but incredibly valuable–and it’s helping us in countless ways. But the job’s not finished.
If you have experience and skills in any of these areas, any level of sharing of your talents would be of great help. That includes:
- Visual or other creatives (production/design);
- Legal experience, knowledge, and practice in near-any area;
- Reporters, bloggers, writers, or others in the media world;
- Computer/network professionals;
- Accountants and financial professionals;
- Professionals in higher education
- Members of federal/local regulatory agencies (DOE or DOJ)
- Elected members of local or national office (or their staff or people acquainted with them);
- Public relations and advertising
- Printing/publishing
- Production in television/radio/internet media
- Experienced podcasters
- Members of a wide range of legal, civil rights, employment, etc. advocacy groups
You name it.
Please err on the side of: it-will-be-helpful. In other words, don’t be surprised how valuable and useful your professional skills, talents, and experience can be to the goal(s) of this project and campaign–and beyond.
(5) Sharing Your Own Story. Wherever You Experienced It.
Whether it’s at Harvard or elsewhere, please tell us what you’ve endured in achieving–or trying to achieve–your goals at these “prestigious” institutions and private companies.
You can do so either “off the record” (your confidentially will be firmly protected) or “on the record.” That can be in whatever form you’re most comfortable with: writing, interview, a short conversation (video or telephone), e-mail, or–as is already planned for some future video updates–an on-camera interview-style format.
Needless to say, we will respect any/all limitations and requests in sharing your story and experience. If you want something left out, blurred, or otherwise protected, all you have to do is tell us.
Our goal is to help people like me/us, not hurt them more than they already have been.
(6) Your Own Ideas or Ways to Help.
This list in hardly comprehensive. There are countless ways that you can lend a hand. Your generosity will make a difference. Please reach out to us. We’ll be thrilled to hear your idea(s) for growing this project and achieving its goals–both for me/us, as well as the countless others who have stories that are like mine, but have remained in silence and darkness for far too long.