Prayer for the Indentured Educated Class

I don't normally write about my religious beliefs, but since this is Christmas Eve, I will share my thoughts about this special season. As a Christian, I am excited about tomorrow. It is on this day, each year, that we come together and remember that hope is alive and well. It is in our churches, around our dinner tables, and with our loved ones, that we are reminded that there is so much possibility for good in this world. We are reminded to treat one another - whether it is a friend or a stranger - with kindness and good will. I realize it is a cliche to say, but we should all be mindful of being kind towards one another every day. It should not be for just a day or for this season. While human beings have a tendency to act selfishly, neglect those they love, and hurt others, we all have the capacity to avoid these types of behavior. In the very least, we can try to do good works each day. Good works can be the simplest of things, like complimenting a stranger or simply opening a door for someone in need. It can also be part of a much bigger, challenging objective, one that you can choose to pursue as a career.

This season, which is imbued with so much joy, opens my heart and allows me to fight harder for the indentured educated class. I have been waging this battle for well over 3 years. There are times when I am extremely frustrated and feel helpless to change a crisis that could so easily be fixed - the desperate notes continue to land in my inbox, and, sadly, they are from new people. This work has also exposed me to a lot of negative things in this world. But that is not my focus. Instead, I pay very close attention to the kind words of support that I receive on a daily basis from readers. These words of support and love inspire me to continue fighting. I have come to the realization that this fight, on behalf of the indentured educated class, is my calling in life. Of course, I wish it weren't such a serious problem. Unfortunately, millions of us know that that is not the reality. The problem has been magnified. And for many of you, your situations are worsening. I want you to know that I am sorry for that. Rest assured, you are not alone. Moreover, there is someone who is fighting for you. It is a gift to be able to fight such a battle. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

So, for those of you who will be celebrating the birth of Christ tomorrow, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

-Cryn

Founder & Exec Director
All Education Matters

Defaults On The Rise

Once again, I bring up the loans that are in default. It is getting worse, much worse. I just received a note earlier this week from a borrower. It was a comment as a matter of fact. They were insisting that borrowers rise up and refuse to pay the predatory lenders. Occupy pushed this agenda as well. And I was under the impression that there would be a debtors' revolt, but I was wrong. Even though more and more people are falling off the grid, thanks to their crippling debt, they have not risen up collectively to revolt. Rest assured, I am not casting judgment on distressed borrowers. However, my forecasting was incorrect. There are many reasons why borrowers have not risen up. First, there are historical circumstances that are peculiar to the U.S. that make it difficult to resist collectively. Then you add to the fact that these borrowers are not revolting in terms of their labor, but a system, a cruel system, that has turned them into a new indentured class. How does an indentured class effectively revolt? This is the tricky question that so many of us can't seem to answer properly. Second, if you default on your federal loans, Uncle Sam punishes you in severe ways. The pain lasts for a lifetime. They garnish your wages. They garnish your social security checks. They garnish your disability checks. They squeeze everything out of you. This is one of the reasons why there are more student loan debt refugees. In fact, I have been receiving more emails from people who have left the country. Interestingly, some of them have told me that lenders, such as Sallie Mae, have actually tracked them down. They have received phone calls overseas. One man told me that he is not too concerned, but did admit that it the call will probably cause restless sleep.

Sadly, there are ways in which we could solve this problem. Can we expect the problem to be changed? Is that asking for too much?

Seeking Testimonials: Single, Recently Divorced, or Unhappily Married Women

Are you a single, recently divorced woman who is struggling to pay back your students loans? Or perhaps you are miserable and married, but feel stuck because of your debt?

Seeking interviews with women of all ages who are in these situations.

If you wish to remain anonymous, that request will be honored.

Contact me at: ccrynjohannsen@gmail.com.

-Cryn
Founder & Executive Dir.
All Education Matters

Quick Thought

More people are defaulting than ever and student loan debt has surpassed $1 trillion. Despite this evidence, and other troubling facts, many insist that we're not experiencing a full-blown student lending crisis. I am at a loss for words.