A&S Week- Peotry of the Earth by Kareem Wilson

The second event I attended was Poetry of the Earth and the poet was actually a local artist(sorry I forgot his name). The first thing that struck me was him asking the entire group to come closer together because we were so spaced out; usually people will allow you to sit wherever but he clearly fed off of the energy we gave him as a crowd and must have needed us to be that close. Secondly, his passion not only for his Native American heritage but his passion for poetry, was inspiring, motivating and simply amazing. It really gave me a model of sorts that no matter what you love to do, if you pursue it with passion anything is possible and no success is to small. Hearing his story of how he was just a college kid looking for free donuts and got turned on to poetry was very inspiring as well; sometimes, in search of our dreams we find our true purpose. Even more motivating was the fact that his last poem, They Will Remember Us, was written the night before in which he stayed up until 4 am and still had to be to work at the next morning – talk about dedication!! I really enjoyed his presence and the energy the poet gave to us; it was a very electric and captivating experience. 

A&S Week Sacred Ceremonies -Kareem Wilson

Sacred Ceremonies from around the world was offered a very interesting look at some of the ways Native Americans practice traditions. I must say that the instruments she brought in where very unique to Native American culture; the drums,  and the caterpillar shaking thingy made up of caterpillars that did not breach there cocoon and become butterfly. Also, hearing some of her stories about the traditions and how many of if not all of those traditions are wiped out because Native Americans where “white-washed” and made to practice the cultural ways of Western Civilization. Another interesting part of the presentation was her recollection of the trip she took to Africa with (forgive me for spelling this wrong if I do) Go Go Nomzomati and how she met a woman who was from a totally different culture but still proceeded to greet Go-Go in her customary way, with hand claps and bowing while proceeded to ask Go-Go for her blessing and prayer for her sick husband. All-in-all this was definitely an eye opener about how we are all citizens of the Earth and no one persons culture can trump that of another. 

Permanent Collection

What makes someone better than the other? Wealth? Race? Religion? Sex? Are we not all human, elevated by words? Are we not the same but wear a different skin, a different face? Who decides who is better than another? Do the clothes we wear it the cars we drive determine who will get farther in life? The questions we all wonder, few ask, and none seem to answer.

Whale Rider

How do you write something that words can not convey? How do you express something that you don’t know yourself? How do you fit in when you were born to stand out? Sometimes the most unlikely person, is the most likely to succeed.

In our day and age, the fight gets harder to be the best. Gender, ethnicity, and religious views, give you a leg up or an anchor down in the world. But, hopefully, we can come to an era where none of this matters. Where, just being the right person for the job is the main priority. Until then, the struggle continues.

Native American Comedian

You can either laugh through the hard times, or you can cry. It’s all a matter of opinion. Homer Shadowheart learned to laugh at the hardships that made up his life.

Though slightly inappropriate at times, he put on a good show. What was cool about it, though, was that all the stories he told were true. They all happened and he decided to share it with everyone. He was very open and witty, which made the crowd accept him a bit easier.

It was very enjoyable and I’m glad I went.

Dupont State Forrest Falls,

2012 Dupont State Forrest Falls

Background photo

5th floor Academic building, 2012

The Story of the Weeping Camel, Mike

So, in general this movie is about a family of Mongolians that live out in the desert that are completely self sustainable. They breed their own animals for their dairy as well as tend to all the duties to attain any raw food materials they need from the animals they maintain. The family is nearing the birthing season for their camels, and the last camel to be born is a white calf. After the camel is born however, the mother disowns the baby, and does not want to feed it. She does not like it essentially. Thus leading to why the movie is named what it is, the story of the weeping camel. The calf then cries for its mother’s milk, yet is still rejected until later in the movie.

The movie then goes on to show some of the daily happenings, ritualistic practices they still uphold, as well as to some of their culture, yet the main focus is really just on the baby camel and its mother.  

Nature Hike 4/7/13 Kadijah Brookes

Jean boogs heritage center

Wetlands

Creek

Tooo in touch with nature

Latta Plantation Kareem Wilson

Going to Latta Plantation wasn’t the most exciting thing that I could have spent my Sunday afternoon, especially since I had just finished a shift at work that began at 4 am. But after going, I came away with a different perspective and outlook on this lush and serene historic landmark. I would first say that the actual place is huge, it seems as though it tools us 20 minutes to get from the road to the end. We then got to experience the lake, the actual plantation grounds, and the rock overlook of the lake. I would say that after seeing the actual plantation house and the grounds, it made me wonder what were conditions like for the people? How were the conditions for the slaves? What was their daily life like? I would say the coolest part was the rock overlooking the lake. It seemed like a great place to kind of get away from everything and gather one’s thoughts and be at peace in nature. Overall, I would say that while I probably didn’t agree at first, going to Latta Plantation on a beautiful Sunday afternoon wasn’t that bad of a trip.