Fuck John Wayne

Both poems address stereotypes towards Native Americans and from reading the writings I can understand how harmful stereotypes have been towards Native Americans. I remember taking an American Film class in junior college and watching early popular westerns with high profile acting legends like John Wayne. John Wayne in particular spoke harshly on camera towards Native Americans and perpetuated the red savage stereotype.  Many of the early western american films I saw in that class had a script that included actors pretending to be savage Native American bandits that raped white women and scalped americans. John Wayne isn't the sole individual responsible for current stereotypes towards Native Americans, but I feel his immortalized presence on screen during a great era for American film really was a dagger in the hearts of many Native Americans struggling to self identify in a country of many nations and cultures. After the ages of first contact, stereotypes have continued to be a barrier to Native Americans seeking to assimilate or be their own unique person who share the same interests and cultural norms as the average American.

 It's still very disturbing to me personally the more I hear about Native American tribes discriminating and stereotyping members of other indigenous tribes. Only Approved Indians by Jack D. Forbes illustrates this discrimination among fellow Native Americans. This self hate reminds me of the song "The hate that hate made", by Paris (who happens to be a UCDavis alumni). In the song Paris raps about the hate blacks have developed towards each other and says that this hate was created by centuries of hate and oppression towards blacks by the general population. Some people may not agree with this belief but the concept can teach us a powerful lesson about the damage oppression and stereotypes can have on a culture or person struggling to self identify. Self identity is important to people and it makes me sad to think that newer generations of oppressed cultures perpetuate stereotypes among fellow tribes and neighbors, all in a struggle to solidify their own  identity. Stereotypes only hurt people and creates hate and self loath. This country, this world, is a mixture of many different cultures and races. I feel that self identity is very important to everyone and is important. But we need to find a way to self identify ourselves without stereotyping and oppressing others when we struggle to identify ourselves. 

I should be sleeping.

I would be a Coyote. My coat would be a blend of ash grey balanced with a shining burnt-red muzzle, forelegs, and paws. Coyotes are intelligent, playful, and resourceful. They have a curious appetite and are comfortable journeying across rural plains or even wandering into populated urban centers. Coyotes are tough, rugged survivors and have endured and will adapt to the World changing around them. Their eyes are sharp and piercing. They think and react quick with speed and strength.  And we humans share the coyote's unserious laughter and humorous nature.  Coyotes roam around in both the day and night and I can understand that myself; as I'm writing this well past 3:00 in the morning.. Zzz

(This is me cramped at my desk in class)

Part 2.) This blog assignment has really made me think about the significance of animals in the Dine Bahane. Also in general there is definitely a significance of certain animals to the early native cultures such as the Navajo and Maya. Animals are regarded as spirit like and their gods and holy people are given animal traits or have the ability to transform into animals. In the creation stories, animals like coyote were present and had a role in entering the new world. These cultures lived along side coyotes and its interesting to me that they have been incorporated into native rituals and tales. there is a lot of information out there which discusses the significance of certain animals to many indigenous cultures. The significance of animals to the early indeginous cultures has been interpreted in many ways and hopefully some day the unique role of certain animals stories like Dine Bahane will be understood and enlighten people.

Blog # 1

1.) I chose the blog title "Bink", because that was my nickname growing up. I've been called Bink since as long as I can remember and it has stuck with me. It started when I was an infant. I'm named after my father and his father, so I guess there were too many James's in the house. When I was just a baby and used to fuss, my older cousins and dad would call me a little Bink, and for some reason it would always make laugh and smile. Then when preschool started and my dad told me I was going to school and asked if I wanted the teacher to call me James, Jimmy, or Jim like he goes by. I told him, "I thought I was a Bink..?". My dad said okay, Bink, and I went to my first day of school and for as long as I can remember growing up, teachers/friends/parents all called me Bink. That's how I got my nickname and the story behind why I chose my blog title.

2.) I want to talk a little bit about what I read in Part 1 of the Popol Vuh reading. I really enjoyed reading the tale of the two hero twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque. When reading the myth I felt as though this story must of been significant and told in order to teach a lesson about arrogance, and how it will lead to destruction. The story reads like a fairy tale, and revolves around the two main heros and their concern that man may become vain if they do not act to destroy Vucub-Caquix, an over proud being with vast riches and a false sense of divine right.  No question, this is only a story and not told as actual history, but I feel that doesn't mean the story isn't of any great importance. There is clearly a message to this story and one that was likely passed down from generation to generation. I know Mayan hieroglyphs have been discovered that depict the two hero twins that are from this story. So the story of the two hero twins must have grown to become important figures in both culture's worship and ceremony.