...American Literature I Prof. Ignacio Magaloni Over the last 5 weeks, there have been many interesting readings assigned. We have experienced readings from Native Americans and European Americans that settled here in America. Through these readings we have learned how each culture communicated with each other and expressed their views. We have also learned many different customs that each culture practiced or believed in. Early European Americans expressed how they felt leaving England and then later becoming a new independent country. As I look back, both cultures did believe in a God or Great Spirit and each one worked in a different way. This is one concept that caught my attention the most, the Native Americans believed deeply in the Great Spirit. In week five, we read stories of the Pontiac and other Native American Tribes. As I read through the stories they all had one thing in common and that was the Great Spirit. The Native Americans relied heavily on the Great Spirit for guidance and worshipped him greatly. “Our Great Father, over the great waters, is angry with the white people, our enemies. He will send his brave warriors against them; he will send us rifles, and whatever else we want-he is our friend, and we are his children.” (449) When the white men were trying to overrun the native Americans it was the Great Spirit who gave them advice to rely on the ancestor’s techniques to overcome the white men. The European Americans on the other hand viewed...
Words: 1162 - Pages: 5
...Alternate Gender Roles in Native American and Hindu Societies Sara Boater Anthropology 101: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Cal Overton January 09, 2014 While many cultures have defined societal gender roles that are specifically male or female, there are some cultures that also recognize that some individuals belong to an alternate gender role. Individuals that may participate in alternate gender roles are those that are born as male of female, but identify themselves as being the opposite of their biological sex. These individuals may also be only sexually attracted to members of the same sex as well. Some cultures recognize this alternate gender role, and even consider them to be holy, others may be more judgmental and may even harbor prejudice and hatred. While the reasons that people might identify themselves as a gender that is opposite of their own may be mostly the same from culture to culture, they way that they are viewed is usually quite different. It can also be said that many cultures choose not to even recognize alternate gender roles within their societies,which is usually because these individuals are highly misunderstood. Though many cultures end up fearing what they don't understand, there are two that have at one time embraced and celebrated the people that identified with the alternate gender roles. The Native Americans have their Two Spirits, and Indians have their Hijra. These two cultures may share many similar traits...
Words: 1711 - Pages: 7
...NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH CULTURE Native American Indian medicine historically was viewed with “superstition and thought” and “inferior to sophisticated medicinal practices of the early colonists’ (Portman, pg. 454) Many early colonists were treated with Native-American treatments and survived showing that such treatments were “successful in the context” (Portman, pg. 454) of the time period. Native-American healing practices are viewed as scared and are between the person seeking treatment and the healer. “There is a belief that the person being healed does not necessarily need to know all of the details of how the medicine man is healing them. The person “accepts that the medicine will work” Native-Americans “do not question things as much” and “accept that the healer or medicine man is going to heal them. The person does not need to know the details of why the healing occurs” (Portman, pg. 455) Native American healing traditions is defined as “to restore an individual to a healthy state using traditional medicines, such as healing and purification ceremonies, teas, herbs, special foods, and special activities such as therapeutic sings, prayers, chants, dancing and sand painting” (Portman, pg. 255) Native-American healing practices are directly related to four constructs: 1. Spirituality – Creator, Mother Earth, Great Father 2. Community – Tribe, Family 3. Environment – Daily life, nature, balance 4. Self – Inner passions, thoughts and values Spirituality...
Words: 1135 - Pages: 5
...made the earth, the animals and all humans, e.g., the union of Sky Father and Earth Mother. Fisher, 2014, p. 36 | Indigenous religions are typically polytheistic and pantheistic, involving a belief that the divine is manifested throughout the physical realm, often involving a supreme god, e.g., Great Spirit. They believe the dark gods of the spirit world are the ones to be afraid of or to placate. Indigenous peoples believe in the importance of maintaining a right relationship with the creator god and the numerous gods governing natural phenomena and forces. Fisher, 2014, p. 40 | Indigenous peoples consider themselves connected to all forms of life due to their pantheistic world view. They acknowledge a Circle of Right Relationships, requiring them to respectively cultivate and maintain order among all forms of life and the natural order. Humans are seen as capable of good or bad and under the influence of curses, vows, incantations, or evil spirits. In this sense, they may be animistic. Many have a special shaman or witch doctor who is supposed to help them connect to the spirit world. Fisher, 2014, pp. 34-36, 39 – 52. | Indigenous peoples recognize that both benevolent and malevolent forces exist in the spiritual realm. These forces can have an impact upon individuals, circumstance and events in the physical world. Good and evil are seen as forces that compete for dominance in a person and in the world. Sometimes there is an ethnocentric idea that ‘our’ group is the...
Words: 792 - Pages: 4
...Acceptance and Oppression Of Two Spirits and Hijras Marla Houston Ashford University Anthropology 101 Instructor Michelle Loose Celebration and Oppression Of Two Spirits and Hijras We see a number of cultures that have an identified third gender. “The baku in the Philippines, xaniths in Oman, serrers among the Pokot people of Kenya” (Khan, S et al., 2009). Throughout these cultures people are being revered, oppressed, celebrated, and mocked. Specifically, this will be a discussion of the differences between the Two Spirits of the Lakota Nation and the Hijra of South Asia, and how both cultures have changed throughout the years from cultural evolution and colonization. An example from Lakota Nation is “an old Lakota word, “Winyanktehca” has today been contracted to the simple word, “Wintke,” meaning, “two-souls-person” (Schützer, 1995). Two Spirit people are revered in the Lakota nation, they are considered sacred, spiritual and mysterious. When the European settlers arrived in the “new world”, they worked to change multiple aspects of the Lakota nation, including the treatment of the Wintke. Wintke are called to transform their gender in dreams from their deity. Schützer (1995) stated that she was given a choice “Lakota deities never order. [Her] gender transformation was called for by the Spirits” (Shützer, 1995). Schützer felt called by her ancestors, the spirits that she worshiped and held sacred, to change her life and her experience within...
Words: 2260 - Pages: 10
...--David Brooks When having a conversation with family, friends, or a colleague, are you aware of what you are saying? Are you aware of the devices that you use to shift the conversation in your favor or even to make your point more relatable? Contrary to popular belief, metaphors are a part of our everyday life; they are ubiquitous. We use them in everyday conversations more often than we may realize. Metaphors are powerful devices; often times we use them subconsciously, but they still manage to deliver the same validity. The aim of this paper is to bring the metaphors in our everyday life to light, by showing their explicit and implicit use in different areas of our daily life. Metaphors go beyond literature and transcend to other realms such as storytelling, spoken art, government, and advertisement. Before examining the everyday life of a metaphor, it is important to present its meaning and history to best explain how it became such an important part of our speech. Aristotle was the first to provide a scholarly treatment of metaphors and gives a detailed definition of the term ‘metaphor.’ He reports that a metaphor ”consists in giving the thing a name that belongs to something else; the transference being either from genius to specie, or from species to genus, or from species to species, or on the ground analogy.” (Poetics, 1954 ed., Ch 20). In the 20th Century, the term “metaphor” has expanded its scope and it has often been used as a shorthand term to describe...
Words: 1571 - Pages: 7
...In the wake of a society that is becoming more accepting, television is taking a crack at exposing people to the Native American/Indigenous lifestyles and beliefs. Recently, shows like Bones, Grimm, Sleepy Hallow, The Blacklist, Hannibal, Supernatural, Charmed, etc. are filming episodes dealing with Native American myths. But are the program creators of these networks accurately portraying tribal beliefs? In an investigation into the mass media and exploring the ploys and tactics of how closely television directors portray native mythology, I uncover the startling truths. Focusing on the television show Grimm, an American based series based off the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, who collected and published European folk tales in the early 19th century. The premise is that those brothers weren't writing fairy stories, but warnings about the creatures that live among us. The television show is set in Portland, Oregon where detective Nick Burkhardt has inherited the ability to see supernatural creatures, and as a "Grimm," he is tasked with keeping the balance...
Words: 1935 - Pages: 8
...Washington State University H D 350 Cross Cultural Experience # 2 The Lummi Nation of Ferndale, Wash. conducts service learning projects each academic year with an aim to help the students and faculty of their Northwest Indian College (an accredited university that serves both local and distance learners from a variety of northwestern tribal backgrounds) deepen their connection to native tradition and culture, and does so by holding large formal gatherings that feature guests speakers who host workshops and other experiential learning programs. The themes are often centered around honoring the environment and local elders, restoring traditional tribal crafts and a more subsistence-oriented livelihood to the public realm, and addressing the disparities that continue to disproportionately challenge Native youth and communities, including addiction, early parenthood, and high unemployment. Within the sacred confines of the traditionally constructed log building that serves as the college’s cultural learning center, dozens of visitors gathered together for an awe-inspiring, uplifting, and at times hypnotic, four-hour invocation that preceded the workshops that would begin later that afternoon, to continue on until the end of the following day. The theme for the gathering was “Planting Seeds for Seven Generations” and featured Grandmothers Flordemayo and Rita Pitka Blumenstein, both from The International Council of 13 Indigenous...
Words: 1879 - Pages: 8
...Introduction Chapter I General Information on American Poetry 1.1 Historical and Cultural Contexts of 20th Century American Poetry 1.2 American Modernism Chapter II The Life and Work of Some of the 20th Century American Poets 2.1 Thomas Stearns Eliot (1888 – 1965) 2.2 Marianne Moore (1887 – 1972) Conclusion Bibliography INTRODUCTION Development in learning English has widely opened the door to the unknown world of foreign literature. While learning a new language may require the devotion of a learner, it exposes the original beauty that is hidden under the names which, I’d like to mention, culture, traditions and literature. It is clearly seen from the history that a nation cannot exist without its customs, spoken language and written literature. Having all these nuances in mind, I dedicate my course paper to revealing all the perfection of literature which is expressed through poetry. There are as many definitions of poetry as there are poets. Wordsworth defined poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings;" Emily Dickinson said, "If I read a book and it makes my body so cold no fire ever can warm me, I know that is poetry;" and Dylan Thomas defined poetry this way: "Poetry is what makes me laugh or cry or yawn, what makes my toenails twinkle, what makes me want to do this or that or nothing." Poetry is a lot of things to a lot of people. One of the most definable characteristics...
Words: 1396 - Pages: 6
...WrightBright Hub Education * Teaching Tools * ------------------------------------------------- Classroom Management * ------------------------------------------------- Education Industry * ------------------------------------------------- Student Assessment Tools * ------------------------------------------------- Teaching Methods * Preschool and Early Ed * ------------------------------------------------- Infant Development * ------------------------------------------------- Parenting Tips and Advice * ------------------------------------------------- Preschool Crafts and Activities * ------------------------------------------------- Preschool Lesson Plans and Theme * ------------------------------------------------- Preschool Teaching Strategies * ------------------------------------------------- Toddler Activities and Ideas * Elementary School * ------------------------------------------------- Grade School Activities * ------------------------------------------------- Lesson Plans for Pre-K and K * ------------------------------------------------- Lesson Plans: Grades 1 - 2 * ------------------------------------------------- Lesson Plans: Grades 3 - 5 * ------------------------------------------------- Parenting Grade Schoolers * ------------------------------------------------- Teaching Younger Students * Middle School * -------------------------------------------------...
Words: 2013 - Pages: 9
...all facets. For America, this idea is more than just a military strategy, it is a culture. Ian Ralston, a professor at Liverpool John More University said, “The U.S. has become the most powerful, significant world force in terms of cultural imperialism and expansion.” The American ideals of democracy and freedom are radically different from other countries’ values. The atomic bombings in World War II helped establish America’s dominance and foster American exceptionalism. 60% of Americans believe that being America means being free. Combining United States dominance in the world and the inherent American values allows America to bring rights and privileges to United States citizens and people all around the world. The Manhattan Project and the nuclear bombs led to the America’s place as a strong world power and a culture of American...
Words: 1705 - Pages: 7
...“The World and its Double” Transcript - Terence McKenna (3) seconds paused | ^ stressed word | @ laughter | CAPS - loudly | … pauses | <hh> inhalation | / \ rising and falling intonation | A: Audience | 1. This is simply a high-visibility, flashy way of reminding people whose eyes fall upon that text that the world (1) has a double. 2. The world is not entirely, or completely, what it seems to be. 3. Culture – and by culture, I mean any culture, anywhere, any time – (1) gives you the message that everything is humdrum, everything is normal. 4. In other words, culture denies experience. 5. You know – we all have had, and even a population of non-psychedelic people have had – prophetic dreams, intimations, unlikely strings of coincidences, all of these sort of things. 6. These are experiences which cultures deny. 7. Cultures put in place – I’m sure you’ve heard this word – a paradigm, and then what fits within the cultural paradigm is accentuated, stressed, and what doesn’t fit inside the cultural paradigm is denied, marginalised, argued against; 8. And we live at the end of a thousand-year binge on the philosophical position known as materialism, in its many guises. 9. And the basic message of materialism is that the world is what it appears to be: 10. a thing composed of matter, and pretty much confined to its surface. 11. The world is what it appears to be. <hh> 12. Now, this, on the face of it,...
Words: 1172 - Pages: 5
...detailed documentation of Native American history. It centered more around the Cherokees than any other textbook could considering it helped visualize who the Cherokees were as people and not what they went through during such a political time period. Ehle used an abundance of historical facts to convey the Cherokee way of life before and during the Trail of Tears like no author of any textbook ever could. Furthermore, the way Ehle helped the audience envision the Cherokees is what I really enjoyed about this book. Starting out Ehle shapes the Cherokees in a way that helps the audience distinguish that they were not entirely blameless for what actually happened. He helps us take a look into the darker sides of the Cherokee culture we many not read in our textbooks or generally many websites that describe the culture. White Americans are generally blamed for always pushing themselves forward and at the rise to the top stepping over whomever comes their way, but now we see who America was stepping over. Regarding this, Cherokees were not so different from White Americans. Just like many other races the Cherokees held the belief that their race was the utmost superior. Anglo-Saxons of this time shared this view upon themselves. Cherokees held themselves to a higher standard and even had a yearning to rid their lands of white settlers believing they were more important as people than the whites. In a like manner to white settlers, they captured African Americans as slaves and used them...
Words: 1239 - Pages: 5
...Elements of Religious Traditions Religion comes in a number of varieties. What one group of people believes will find another believes something completely different. With all the various religious rituals and beliefs it is hard for anyone to understand all the customs and worship. Humans are constantly striving to find a sense of tranquility and harmony and searching for what will give them that sentiment and understanding. People bring thoughts from the religion they are brought up or predisposed too. under or from the principal religion of their circle. For example they may think that all religion has a sacred book, worships a heavenly being, or that it has a set of commandments (Molloy & Hilgers, 2010). Religion has eight elements, belief system, community, central myths, rituals, ethics, characteristics emotional experiences, material expressions, and sacredness (Molloy & Hilgers, 2010). Each religion has its own belief system and thoughts. It is no surprise that each religion characterizes in a different way the nature of sacred reality, the cosmos, the natural world, time and human purpose. Religions also vary in their way of thinking toward the role of words in conveying the sacred in their connections to other customs. Some religions speak of the sacred as transcendent, existing primarily in a space further than the everyday world. In other religions whereas sacred reality is spoken of as being immanent that is, it is within nature and human...
Words: 1037 - Pages: 5
...principles, and the world understood by processes of reasoning, rather than by reference to God or gods, or other supernatural concepts. From the perspective of government and governance, secularism refers to a policy that separates religious authority from the state .The opposite of secularism is usually theocracy; that is, where religion has a major role in government. Religion in the Civil War pervaded virtually all aspects of American society. Not all Americans held religious beliefs and values, but many did. Religion was not confined to one particular group, but soldiers and civilians, Northerners and Southerners, freed and slave, males and females, and Jews and Christians all made use of religion. Furthermore, a reciprocal relationship existed between the Civil War and religion, with both influencing and being influenced by each other. As a result, religion during the Civil War did not remain a static entity during 1861-1865; instead, it became an institution that constantly changed and adapted itself, as well as its devotees. Americans used religion to interpret their experiences during and after the war. People on both sides of the conflict believed in a God who was actively involved in their affairs. To them, the war was not a secular event, but one guided by God. The God of the Civil War judged, chastised, and liberated people. Religions is a very serious topic, there is all types of beliefs on religion. Enlightenment thought gained influence in Europe and elsewhere...
Words: 2108 - Pages: 9
