If you would like to know why I’m not at the SiG small undergraduate German program meeting, here’s why: I don’t have the money. My conference budget is already gone for the year, I don’t qualify for first year attendee grants, and I’m paying off my massive student loans. 1/

Last year I had to ask my husband to front me money to attend because I could pay for the flight and lodging but not the registration. This prohibitive cost of ACTFL needs to be discussed more, asking who’s not a part of the conversation. I have attended for years without any 2/

Compensation and it’s draining, not to mention the ongoing number of microaggressions I’ve encountered in those spaces. So, no, I’m ACTFL adjacent but not there. Attending ACTFL would mean not being able to see my kids one time this year. I choose my kids. 3/

I thought I might have enough credit to charge it but even there I don’t have the funds. This isn’t me on here to complain. I’m trying to provide a real example of why academia is not inclusive and how inclusion should also highlight the socio-economic situation of instructors.