Stormie+Adson

= **Misuse of Public Space** = toc __Defiling Sacred Land__ The sacred mountain of the west. In Navajo they call it ‘Dook’o'oos liid’, in Hopi they call it ‘Nuvatuqui Ovi,’ now known as the San Francisco Peaks. It is one of the four sacred mountains surrounding the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is located between the four corners and the four mountains, Mount Taylor, Blanca Peak, Hesperus Mountain, and San Francisco Peaks. This is where the Navajo and Hopi reservation is located, one of the largest reservations in the United States. On the Hopi and Navajo reservation's border town, the sacred mountain, or San Francisco Peaks, is in danger of being polluted with recycled water. The //Skibowl Ski Resort// wants to use recycled sewage water to create snow that has been disappearing from the mountain these past years. The recycled water would create more snow so that the Ski lodge would stay in business, but the recycled water could have harmful effects on the environment. On the other hand, Native and non-Native protesters are keeping that project at bay. The San Francisco Peaks are on a border-town on the Navajo and Hopi reservation. (Navajo Times). The trouble with border towns along reservations is racism towards diffrent Native tribes. Racism was at its worst in 1790’s, but is making a comeback with the term “Injun rolling” (Navajo Country). The term “Injun” refers to an “Indian” or, in correct terms, Native American; it is highly offensive towards Natives. The word “Rolling” in the context is what the word usually means, rolling. In the 70’s, hate crimes against natives were on a high; many natives people where beaten or murdered by other races. In addition, the Native voice has been ignored or overlooked in court for quiet some time. Fortunately, these hate crimes have been occurring less in recent times, but the tension is still there. A local Native American woman, (1st name) Begay states that she “experienced racism and hatred for being a strong advocate for the preservation and protection of Dook’o’oos liid’ ” (Navajo Times). Also, incidents where Natives were harassed for religious ceremonies taking place on the peaks and even just being a Native on the peaks, were brought to attention by the Native people. The tension is rising between the races, but it is manly the court's decision on what will happen to the San Francisco Peaks. The Court's ruling will determine the conditions of the San Francisco Peaks, because the San Francisco Peaks are part of the U.S territory. Although the mountains belong to the United States, the Native Nations use the mountain for religious practices or purposes. On the other hand, The //Skibowl// area is a place of business open to the public. The business owns that piece of land but is in a disagreement with the Native people on how to treat the land. As stated in the article the San Francisco Peak is “Sacred to 17 tribes in the region” (Navajo Times). Past treaty made with American Indian tribes and the first amendment,"The right of Religion", could help make. The Native people have a right to practice their religion and opposing that would be a violation of their civil rights. Therefore, the decided action upon what to do with the San Francisco Peaks must accommodate both parties. One main problem with decideing what to do with the San Francisdo Peaks, is other non-natives do not understand the relationship or culture Natives have with the land. The culture and history of the Native people is complex and different from other cultures. There is a deep connection of walking in beauty with earth or “mother earth”; this is one of the main ideals in most Native cultures, having balance with the world in body, mind, and environment.

Our way of life is our religion, and our teaching. If we are relocated by force, we will die slowly. The people would not be in balance with mother Earth and sky Father and the spiritual people. In every way, here we are connected to the land. We belong here. (NAVAJO RELIGION as quoted by Mary T Begay, Navajo Elder). This being so, Natives and other groups do not want the Skibowl buisness to defile the sacred land or cause environmental issues with plant and animal life. It would be certain the recycled water contains chemicals or steroids that can cause harm to the environment. If //Skibowl// is allowed use of the recycled water for snow, then the event will cause many Native people to be scared spiritually (Navajo Times) The Native people have publicized their reasoning against the //Skibowl// useing recycled water through the newspapers, internet, protesting and in court. The Native nations have protested on the Mountain to the Ski lodge but have used vandalism to get their point across. Using spray paint and mud, protesters vandalized the buildings and signs with ‘anti-snowmaking messages” (Navajo Times). Vandalism is a crime and is punishable by law; also, it is not the best way to get a point across legally. However, it does grasp the attention of the media, like the takeover of //Alcatraz Island// or the //takeover of Wounded Knee// in the 70’s by A.I.M, American Indian Movement (Fortier). During those protest from A.I.M, the media's attention was needed to gain support for thier cause and that reason is applied today to bring attention to an issue on debate, that issue now is artificial snow on the San Francisco Peaks. The reasons for the protest are legitimate and understandable. The only thing that is puzzling is the court’s decision in the 1980’s about the expansion of the ski slopes. The first amendment was overlooked to continue the expansion of a business. Although, It does provide jobs, but at what price? The __mental scaring__ of a race? It is difficult to seek help when the world sees through one view. Currently the court has sided with the //Skibowl// Ski Resort and the case is ongoing. The San Francisco Peaks case of involves environment preservation and religous practice. //If it is true, what has been taught to me, when I have heard it countless times at ceremonies, at sweat lodges, at flea markets, if it is true that our cultural survival is at stake, then declare a state of cultural crisis and take action accordingly.// (Navajo times quoted by Begay, //Peaks protesters cite rights violations)// Moreover, it is true that our culture is fading form this world and when reclaiming that culture we are viewed as ‘Tree huggers’. The different policies and ridicule have been drawing us away from that reclaiming, such as the policies of the termination policy of the 1940’s-1960’s, the Americanization of the 1790’s-1940’s, the re-location act of 1954; a few of the policies the United States government put in action against the Native Nations. These acts have only made us stronger in knowledge and as a nation. This event with the San Francisco Peaks will only make the Native Nations stronger and, in addition, allow Native people to continue their cultural practices and allow that culture to pass down to the next generation of Native Americans. Hopefully, the courts will rule in favor of the Native American’s case, because the San Francisco Peaks are not just a mountain; it is a holy place of culture and prayer.

Video: //We Shall Remain, Episode 5 Wounded Knee part 1-8:// media type="youtube" key="F_nTpeoYkyM" width="425" height="350" //We Shall Remain, Ep. 5// Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 [|Part 5] Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 //The Navajo Nation flag conatins the images of the four sacred mountains,// //Mount Taylor, Blanca Peak, Hesperus Mountain, and San Francisco Peaks.// //All four represented by the colors Yellow, Blue, Black, and White (Shown// //black for some reason), the colors// //represent stones such as turquoise,// //white shell, etc.// //The San Francisco Peaks. In Hopi, the mountain is called ‘Nuvatuqui Ovi'// //and in Navajo, it is called 'Dook’o'oos liid’.//

Works Cited:

Bitsoi, Alastair L. //In Navajo Times, Traditionals prefer dialogue to protests in Peaks controversy//. N.p., 22 Sept. 2011. Web. 10 Oct. 2011. Bitsoi, Alastair L. //Peaks protesters cite rights violations//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. Yurth, Cindy, and Tséyi' Bureau. //Peaks issue moves to international stage//. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2011. Nieves, Evyeln. //In Navajo country, racism rides again//. N.p., 2 Sept. 2006. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. Fortier, James M., prod. //ALCATRAZ IS NOT AN ISLAND//. Narr. Benjamin Bratt. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. //NAVAJO RELIGION//. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.

**Dangers of Fashion**
__ Dangers of Fashion __

Is it glamorous or glitzy? Glitzy matches our modern fashion trends and beauty methods. Beauty and fashion are the topics of debate; determining if people take fashion too far and how western civilization views beauty. The Western views of beauty are beginning to spread to other parts of the world, thus beauty becomes more difficult to achieve with all the qualities set by America. For example, body features such as the torso, face, and height must be a certain measurement. Having such standards causes many females, and maybe even males, to have less confidence in their appearance. When people are unsatisfied, they buy products such as make-up, clothes, diet, and products. We then become consumers for the people who make beauty distorted. In general, we try to ‘improve’ our overall appearance to satisfy others as well as ourselves, instead of being ourselves.

There are new methods for changing ones’ looks, and that is surgery. Surgeries are good for injuries or other physical problems, but are mostly used for altering the body to satisfy the want to be perfect and is argued that surgery is used to ‘improve’ the image. It can be acceptable for minor alterations, but it can become dangerous. ‘Fashion in China’ was a topic on the //Oprah Winfrey show//, which is where I heard and saw the most extreme types of surgery. There is a procedure that adds a few inches to the person’s height. To do this, surgeons break the patient’s legs and then place metal braces around the leg. This pulls the leg out longer, so when the bone grows back it grows taller as well. Another over the top surgery occurring in China is on the eyes. The eyes have a fold which gives a ‘feminine’ physicque and is common in many regions, but some people don’t have that feature. So, surgeons cut and patch the eye area to make that fold, but is considered dangerous and risky to work around the eyes ,because it could cause eye irritation or difficulties with vision. Although, a surgeon makes the the diffrence and if it's a faulty surgery then that can cause physical scaring or worse death. A majority if women, mostly models, have died or damaged some part of their body from using surgery. Look it up on the internet; the //Google// search engine brings up many different websites, pictures, and articles of hazardous surgeries. Overall, the option of surgery is both good and bad, but it all depends on how it’s used.

While searching for beauty, the ideas of health, mental and physical, are pushed aside. Obsession with one's looks can lead to damage of the body and mind. Anorexia and bulimia are the most common health issues in recent times due to people purging and bingeing their bodies. Also an addiction to prescription drugs has become a common issue. Over using dietary pills and other medicines like depression pills or pain relievers is an outlet for emotional and physical pain the body is having. Mental and physical torture causes the need for an outlet to release stressed emotions.

Even after bingeing and purging the body, manipulation of image is used to correct the remaining ‘flaws’. That manipulation comes from a program called //Photoshop//**//,//** a wonderful program for touching up photos and creating art. I’ve taken a computer graphics class and I myself have had to edit photos of people as a project. During this project in computer graphics Skin is clear, bodies are reshaped, hair fixed, and facial structures are reshaped. All of the work was done to where it was unrecognizable that they had been altered.

Also, imagery is used frequently in the fashion world to convey a feeling of a product to the consumer. To get the world’s attention, sex appeal is used. Women and men are put on magazine covers, billboards, and televisions, exposing the body to get that attention. That gives the feeling of being sexy and sexy in modern times is considered ‘beautiful’. That logic is idiotic, the subject is taboo, but sexy comes from the word sex and that is private between two people. Nonetheless, I can say the distortion and exposure of the body has made beauty unattainable and graphic, and in turn makes it more difficult to find comfort in your looks.

There is still hope for beauty; the ideals of ‘being yourself’ and ‘love yourself for who you are,’ is beginning to be advertised. One major corporation that sponsors this is //Dove//. //Dove’s campaign for real beauty// supports self-esteem for girls and women. Stories of acceptance and struggles are captured and brought forth to the world; these experiences are told from adults, teens, and children. I find it shocking for young girls to be worried about their looks and try to achieve something that’s fake. Also the clothes in department stores are making more form fitting clothes for females with different body types such as apple, pear, triangular, and hourglass figures. The stickers read “Curvy Fit!” or “Form fitting,” and it is great to know that designers acknowledge there are different body types than just lean or rectangular. It is nice to know the world is changing, even if it’s just a little.

The conclusion is just be yourself and love yourself; the only opinion that matters is yours and we are all beautiful in our own way. It is difficult to love yourself but baby steps into this phaze could make things easier. The only thing not helping is the images of big busted women, thin models, and flawless faces everywhere in today’s media.

//** References **// media type="youtube" key="tbb8D-u8ues" width="425" height="350" //Video 2:// Oprah Winfrey Show, China's Cosmetic Surgery Boom // Oprah Winfrey Show, Harpo Studios //

//One extreme surgery, making oneself taler by a few// //inches of by a foot.//

**Corperal Punishment**
__Physical Punishment __ Corporal punishment, the sound of that phrase is frightening enough without the actual meaning, which is to strike someone’s body as a form of punishment. Corporal punishment for the discipline of a child would most likely be spanking, but in recent years, that form of disciplines considered ‘child abuse’. The physical punishment of spanking or slapping the wrist should be acceptable for parental discipline, but not in schools. The discipline of a child should be up to the parents, and even then, there should be limits to how far a punishment should go as far as spanking. There needs to be a balance on disciplining a child with physical punishment, as well as limits to how far a punishment can go without being abuse.

Corporal punishment for a child is mainly spanking and once allowed in schools for students. Now, spanking is banned in 31 states and this includes New Mexico, since the House and Senate voted for the ban in April of 2011 (Pollon). The topic on corporal punishment in schools is very sensitive, because there are faults to using that type of discipline in school, such as, children with disabilities, different minorities, or children of different social class are most likely to receive corporal punishment (pollon). As quoted by New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, “The decision on whether or not to use corporal punishment on a child is one that is best left to a parent,” which is true. The school district should do what they can to uphold their school policies, but actions of spanking a child in school should end and be the parents decision on how to punish their child.

Parents do have the choice on whether or not they want to use corporal punishment on their children is entirely their choice, but there are limits to a punishment. Slapping, unnecessary hitting, or pushing is going too far with corporal punishment. A smack on the wrist or leg, with an explanation of what the child did wrong, is a good method for a young child to learn about what is wrong. For example, in the story “Who’s Irish?” the grandmother used spanking to punish her granddaughter, Sophie, for running around naked. Even if spanking was effective in teaching her not to do that, her mother did not approve of this form of punishment. This brings up the next topic of agreement between family and spouses on how to go about punishment. The grandmother and her daughter in Gish Jen’s story did not agree on proper punishment and even when the grandmother was cooperative with her daughter, Sophie was uncooperative. The mother used talking as a form of discipline, to where the grandmother used corporal punishment as a form of discipline. Both women did have great views on raising Sophie and both should have combined their views to have a proper type of punishment. Both parties have to agree on punishment, or the child can get away with whatever he, or she wants.

In my family, my mother and father agreed on how to discipline my brother and me. They made sure we would not label them as ‘good guy’ or ‘bad guy’, meaning one is disciplinary and one is not. My mother would use a smack on the wrist or talk to me and my brother, she mainly uses talking to tell us our mistakes and why what we did was wrong. So far that method worked very well on us, we were never troublemakers, and my mom liked that. My grandmother, however, was stricter than my mother, but she also had twelve children she cared for so it's understandable. She basically had the same method as my mom, but was more restricted with television and toys. My grandmother also used a strong influence of Navajo culture when raising my aunts, uncles, and mother, though we did not receive such a strong influence from our culture. Also, the background to where my mom came from is diffrent from my upbringing in the city to where she was raised in a rural area. Here in the city everything is there and there are many spoils in the city such as accessories, toys, and other items. As to on the reservation or in a rural area the spoils of the city are less likely to be around. All these aspects of were a child was raised and their culture also go into play with discipline.

The views on corporal punishment have changed in the 2000's, but should still be used to discipline a child in a family. There should be limits on how far corporal punishment can go and an agreement in the family on how that type of punishment should be. A child should be loved and care for, but there has to be a balance between that and discipline.

//Graphic Design against Paddleing (found on google.com)//

Works Cited: Jen, Gish. Who's Irish? N.p.: The New York Times Company, 1999. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. Pollon, Zelie. New Mexico bans spanking of children in schools. N.p., 7 Apr. 2011. Web. 21 Nov. 2011.