Author: penhorwood.19

Text Review Assignment

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Yellowstone Review

Yellowstone is a TV Series that is writes about conflicts and struggles of a cattle ranch as they dispute between local Native American tribes, National businessmen and local authorities. The ‘Yellowstone Ranch’ is one of the largest land ranches in Montana and borders a large Native American Reserve. A good portion of the plot is about the Chief of the Native tribe wanting to take back all the land that the Ranch owns, claiming it belonged to their ancestors. Then, to throw more trouble into the mix, businessmen from Utah and California try to buy surrounding land for development for resorts and high-end luxury homes. Throughout the series, there is contradiction due to race, socioeconomic class, power, injustice, crime, gender and much more.

To look at nationality and race, there is a clearly defined narrative that each group in the series wants to push. The ranches want to grow and expand their ranch since ranching is in their roots. The Native Americans want the land to live off and bring back to ancestorial ways. Lastly, the businessmen want the land to profit from. This is a classic example of single story as each person has their perspective. What can we learn from each group and what take a ways are good about their perspective? This issue reminds me of “Black Panther” and the discussion of what Wakanda can do for the world to make it a better place. If these 3 groups in the series look past pride and begin to work together, is there a way to accomplish everyone’s goals?

Lastly, a heavy (and under addressed in the US) in this series is the issue of Native American injustice. “Yellowstone” provides a way to learn about the history of America’s ancestors while providing a way to see their perspective. It provides great insight on how they merge their culture with modern day living. However, it begs the question, if they are merging with modern day culture are they staying true to their culture or is modern day society causing them to blend in and lose their sense of identity? In what ways in our own lives can we identify and help a sub-altern group without erasing who they are at the core?

Sports Teams Mascots

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A few weeks ago was traveling in St. Louis and one thing they are known for outside of the Arch is the St Louis Cardinals baseball team. Once one of America’s favorite baseball team this reminds me of the Cleveland Indians baseball team, who is now named the Cleveland Guardians. This name changed happened over the summer of 2021. Some people protested and argued that the sports team being named the Indians was offensive and racists. This long-lasting team named started in 1915, over 100 years ago. Cleveland is not the only sports team to change their name or drop the Native American reference. This week I am in Nebraska for the Nebraska vs Ohio State football game where the Buckeyes face the Cornhuskers. What is a cornhusker many people have asked and why are they called that?

Many people have mixed opinions about this name change and the first thing I wondered was what the Native Americans think. Now I haven’t spoke with any personally but if I was in their shoes, I would love to have sports team named after me. I know the Native Americans are people who honor their past and their ancestors and I would be honored to have a professional sports team named after my family history. However, other must not think the same. Only 47 full blood Indians have played professional baseball since 1897. This leads me to believe that the don’t have a large voice in the professional sports arena and take on the characteristics of a subaltern. This begs the question, the people who want this name change, is it really about racism and preserving correct Native America History?  “All Americans, and all Cleveland baseball fans, should get to learn the history—happy and sad—of our nation, including its original inhabitants. And if that were the real goal, the MLB would maybe do something to promote it. It could starting by paying its commissioner a little less than $11 million, perhaps, to publish some books and documentaries. But we know it won’t do that, because education is not the real goal behind Cleveland’s name change.” (May Davis)

When I think of Nebraska I think of very small towns, corn fields and beef farms. Are the Nebraska Cornhuskers and offensive name to the local farmers and small-town communities or is this an embrace of culture and an identity to celebrate? I believe it is the former, proving an insight into society and traditions in the Midwest corn belt region. I think of other collegiate team like Wisconsin fans who wear cheese hats because they are known for their productive in Wisconsin.

I believe that if this was really about racism or cultural identity and helping the native people of this country then we should be consulting them on this decision and do more to promote their history. Is this the way culture is shifting: If it offends one singular person, we must eliminate at the expense of communicating history and truth? Maybe the identities we give sports team is a fun way to educate about history, culture, and traditions.

 

Works Cited

https://www.newsweek.com/cleveland-indians-name-change-isnt-about-protecting-native-americans-opinion-1613242

https://www.mainepublic.org/arts-and-culture/2021-07-25/this-penobscot-baseball-player-inspired-the-cleveland-indians-name-for-all-the-wrong-reasons

https://www.aaanativearts.com/how-many-native-americans-have-played-major-league-baseball

 

Martin Luther King- A Letter from Birmingham Jail – Context Presentation

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UN/CHOSEN SUFFERING 

As Dr. Martin Luther King sits in the jail cell he formulates a letter that is quote lengthy. However, there are many great points in this letter that we can learn from today. King speaks on action and the power that action has within ourselves. Similar to our Dairy of Systemic Injustice assignment where we are to give evidence of impact rather than just intent. “He went on to explain that the purpose of direct action was to create a crisis situation out of which negotiation could emerge,” King.  In this letter he talks about the uncomfortable jail cell. This is clearly unchosen suffering. Often times in life we are in a position that we didn’t choose to be. However, King speaks on the importance of our response to these situations, specifically though our actions. How do we respond when life throws us for a loop or when we are in a valley.

Then there is chosen suffering. This is suffering that we put on ourselves for the purpose of gain. What I mean is the suffering pushes us to be greater. An athlete goes through a physical workout that is painful but on the other side when they finish they are in better shape. This is chosen suffering. Often times in life, greatness is on the other side of suffering and pain. I think King was a great living example of this. He committed his life to the movement that he believed in. He gave personal loss, time, money, heartbreak and ultimately his life to better the world for others and the future that world come after him. This leads to the question: What are we all doing in our own lives that is uncomfortable for us personally but ultimately brings about more good in the world? What suffering are we choosing so that we can make in impact and not just have good motives?