Author Archives: Carmen

Counterstereotype

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Dope is an entertaining take on racial stereotypes and digitized social scene experienced by three black high school seniors in a dangerous neighborhood.  Malcolm, the protagonist, has perfect SAT scores and excels academically; he refutes the black stereotype.  After an unfortunate encounter with a local drug dealer, he has to get rid of an enormous amount of illegal narcotics. He strategically does so during the college admissions process, eventually receiving an acceptance letter from Harvard after all the drugs are sold.  The loyalty of his friends helped him on a journey of self discovery.  The film tells the reality of a disadvantaged people without being dull.  

Although there is only so much a movie could convey to the audience, I left the theater feeling optimistic that a change will come to eliminate racial stereotypes.  Overall, Dope is a fantastic movie for people who wish to catch a glimpse of the story of Malcolm and black adolescents like him.  

NO! STOP! Leave me alone!

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Tonight’s workshop was led by Kathleen, a karate instructor from the school’s PE department.  We started off by saying our names and what we knew about self defense.  Not surprisingly, most fellow scholars did not know much about it.  To give us some background information, Kathleen first told us self defense was about defending your rights while respecting those of others.  She then had us switch to a neutral power position, legs shoulder-width apart, arms on either side of the body and the back straight.  I felt that the atmosphere of the room changed immediately.  The looks on others’ faces became more serious and less friendly.  We then tilted our bodies and have our dominant arms behind the other.  Kathleen explained that the first step of defending yourself is to not let anyone coming any closer to you.  Establishing a stern stance discourages the offender from making a move.  However, if they choose to attack from the front, push their head away with the heel of your dominant hand, grab their hand and shoulder, kick them in their soft spot, and quickly push them away from you.  That was the first striking technique taught in the workshop.  We then practiced the drill some more and moved on to breaking out of wrist holds and choke holds.  

What I took away from the workshop was that you have to be aware of your posture and how you hold your body.  Self defense is strategic.  Not using the right amount of force or the correct technique could jeopardize your chance of getting out of danger.  This was my first experience learning self defense and I look forward to taking actual classes in the future.  Although no one should have to use these skills, it is crucial to know how to extract yourself from imminent threats in this imperfect world.

Fall and Walls

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Spending a couple hours looking at art can be spiritually freeing.

A week ago I did just that down in the Commons.  We took a stroll on the crisp autumn day finding colorful murals everywhere.  As a student, I spend most of my day indoor so it was nice to leave the campus for a break.  We started the tour in a garage with some large scale spray painted murals.  It was interesting to see art in places like this, where people typically do not spend much time in.  Yet, once you saw a piece that you like, it completely caught your attention.

I appreciated  Caleb’s explanation and description for each piece that we saw.  The context of creation is vital in developing a better understanding of the work and appreciation for the artist.  One interesting fact to learn was that a mural celebrating the four Indian chiefs stirred so much controversy that strawberries were added to it to wall.  According to a Cherokee legend, the angry First Woman returned to her husband after seeing some luscious and sweet strawberries created by Unetlanvhi.  Strawberries are a symbol of good luck and were added as a feminine representation.

Lastly, I came across a poem written by Mary Naylor and it captured the day perfectly.

Grinning pumpkins, falling leaves,
Dancing scarecrows, twirling breeze,
Color, color everywhere,
Autumn dreams are in the air! Autumn is a woman growing old,
Ready to let what is dead go,
Her youthful radiance has faded, and that’s sad,
But underneath she discovers a
spread of colors she didn’t know she had. Little children screech and run,
Ghosts and goblins having fun,
Color, color everywhere,
Autumn dreams are in the air! Around her a kaleidoscope of leaves are whirling.
Deep within her visions stir of new life that will be,
A budding, a flowering, a promise unfurling.
Autumn is a woman growing old,
Ready to let what is dead go. Calico kittens, rain falling rat-a-tat-tat,
Big full moon, funny black cats,
Color, color everywhere,
Autumn dreams are in the air!

Body and Personhood

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Tonight’s workshop was held by Lyn Staack, the Youth Community Educator at the Advocacy Center.  She instructed us to share our thoughts towards food, body, and exercise with a partner.  At first, I did not realize the social and cultural connections between our favorite childhood food and personhood.  As Lyn continued with her poem reading and commentary, I started to see how the outside world, especially the media, could influence how we eat, how we act, and how we see our body.  She also asked us to act out how we exercise and think about what we feel about the pose.

The workshop challenged me to think about why we perceive our body a certain way and why we put certain food in our body.  A more important aspect of body image is how we react to other people’s opinions.  Do you avoid certain foods because of the stereotypes?  Do you eat certain foods only because of your family?  Would you change your diet or exercise routine if only your personal desires are taken into consideration?  These are some questions to be answered when you think about your body.  Ultimately, are you happy with your body and who you are?

Now You Know

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Thanks to House Professor Blalock, I learned a bit more about the history of West Campus yesterday.  It was fun to be down in the secret tunnel beneath Rose House.  I almost felt like a special agent on a mission (with about thirty other Rose Scholars).  Watching the dining staff preparing for dinner from the back of the kitchen was not something I expected from the tour.  The reception at the Professor’s apartment was delightful; Pepper certainly attracted our attention with his timid appearance.

Also, I have always wondered what those two little doors in Lyon Hall were for!  They actually lead to a memorial for those Cornell students who sacrificed during the the first World War.  It felt very sacred and spiritual in there.  The light passing through the stained glass presented a sense of serenity.  Although it was a little crowded when all the Rose scholars entered the shrine, feelings of honor and solemnity washed over me.  These Cornellians shall never be forgotten and their service during the war will forever be recognized.

What Does It Say About America?

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Last week was the first time I attended the Becker-Rose Café series because my Wednesday evening course was canceled that night.  Professor Eric Cheyfitz’s brief talk about the circumstances of Native American lives was an excellent refresher on that segment of American history quickly went through by my high school teachers.  What surprised me the most was that only a few hands were raised when he asked whether we have learned these topics in high school.  There was a pang of indignation, then a sense of apprehension.  I was not born in America but I did learn about the unfair and demeaning treatment received by the natives at the age of Colonialism and beyond.  However, it then occurred to me that this fact was not so surprising after all.  I remembered there was such a thing called “Holocaust denial,” and thought it similar to this situation.  Americans could get so uncomfortable discussing black slavery and racism, how willing are they to learn or teach about the ethnic cleansing of native tribes?

However, I am no expert on the matters.  I read about the Wounded Knee Massacre, the Trail of Tears, the Indian Removal Act, etc.  What I did not know was that there is a reservation about 45 minutes from my home and an Indian-operated casino 20 minutes away.  What I took away from the seminar was that it is important for Americans to learn about what the natives have and are still going through, such as the crimes committed on reservations, workplace discrimination, poverty, etc.  Acknowledge their sovereignty and struggles is the least we can do while inhabiting a land that is never rightfully ours.

Big Red (and Green) Peppers

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The Pepper Party at the Cornell Plantations was an informative and family-friendly event.  I was uncertain whether I should go to this event but I am glad that I did (mostly because of the food).  There were many information booths and I learned some interesting facts about peppers.  I even attempted to make a piñata with papier mâché and gummy candy shaped like peppers.  My three failed attempts and the artistic abilities of the bubbly four year olds really put me to shame.

IMG_5259There was an information booth at which a lady talked about the chemical structure of capsaicin (what makes chili peppers hot) and the hotness scale.  I immediately had a horrendous flashback of orgo, which I still need to study for.

I was glad to try some dishes made with peppers.  The chicken mole was cooked in a way that every bite brought a rich flavor and sweetness.  Though I would have preferred it to be served spicy and with some spanish rice.  The shredded chicken was a bit cold, which was perfect for the torrid heat of the afternoon.  After finishing the bean chili, my stomach was full.  I was a little disappointed that I did not see sriracha at any of the tasting booths.  However, this event in general was a satisfying experience.  The botanical garden was beautiful and I would definitely return with some friends over fall break.