I’m Outta Here

One of my favorite writers, Steve Almond (who's also written and edited for several Village Voice Media papers), resigned last year from his post as adjunct professor of English at Boston College to protest the administration’s decision to invite Condoleezza Rice to be the commencement speaker. He delivered the resignation as an op-ed piece in the Boston Globe, prompting tons of passionate folks to either smear him for his move or praise him for his nobility. Now, I’m not a fan of Condi either, but my immediate reaction to this was that it was a selfish act—because he left students behind to fend for themselves, students he could have influenced to take further, more rational action. Now that he’s coming here to read from his forthcoming essay collection (Not That You Asked): Rants, Exploits, and Obsessions (Random House, $21.95), what do you think of his resignation? Selfish? Noble? I don’t feel the debate has been properly put to rest.
Tue., Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.