Author Archives: Faith

Get Right Church (and let’s go home)

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I was initially taken aback by the movie.  Last Friday was the first time I had seen the classic film, “The Blues Brothers”.  It reminded me of popular discussions regarding the appropriation of black culture.  I wasn’t offended when I watched  the movie.  Many parts of the movie reflected my own culture and it’s history but in a comical way.  I even felt as if some parts were funny but for some reason I was still uncomfortable.

There was a hyperbolic scene imitating a black baptist, pentecostal, or AME church’s worship on any given Sunday morning.  There were deacons flipping like acrobats led by the very secular singer who I had recognized to be James Brown.  Were non POC Rose Scholars laughing because they knew it was all an over exaggeration or is this how they will go on imaging black christian culture?  Will they ever develop a serious appreciation for the history of blues and the credit due black people or will it always be a joke?

This comedic church scene frightened me because it had no context.  I grew up a deaconess and minister’s daughter in a black baptist church in northwest D.C..  The gospel music moved me and still moves me today.  No, clouds don’t part and sun beams don’t shine through the stain glass windows of the church when someone is introduced to my faith but I’ve seen the power of the music in more subtle ways.  I want people who don’t understand to see the power of the music.  I want them to understand before they laugh.

There are lots of other concerns I have that I won’t give the attention they deserve.  I’m worried that the worship of my culture is unfairly compared to historically white anglo saxon worship.  I went to a PWI boarding school for girls in high school.  My first 2 years there, on Sundays, they only took us to all white (except for me) episcopal and catholic churches.  The worship was quiet.  Very quiet.  I know some people like this better and connect better with God this way but it shouldn’t be viewed as the proper way to worship.  I’m scared this Blues Brother’s scene and others like it will lead people to subconsciously view traditional black gospel worship as exotic, unproductive, and maybe even improper.

P.S.

I sorta like James Brown.  We shouldn’t tell my parents because they made me skip his songs on old soul Christmas C.D.s.  They don’t like how James Brown’s Christmas songs distract from the true meaning of Christmas.  I wonder how they’d feel about him being depicted as a pastor.

Factory Fresh

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The Rose Cafe this week was especially interesting to me since I study plant sciences.  I did not know Cornell had a hydroponics lab.  Rose scholars had the privilege of learning about hydroponics from some of the main researchers and specialist at cornell.  The hydroponics business is growing and thriving.  While I have never seen hydroponics lettuce sold in the U.S. it is very common in Japan and other Asian countries.  The consumer appeal it it’s locality and freshness.

The science behind it was explained simply.  In summary, each system consists of an air pump for gas circulation, a water reservoir with the necessary nutrients and a floating platform to support the growing crops.  Beyond this setup there are more complicated systems like nutrient film techniques and aeroponic systems.  The hydroponics labs here at Cornell have been studying the effects different light have on hydroponic growth habits.  They measure this using photosynthetic active radiation tests to identify how much light is being used by each plant.  Right now they are mainly experimentally with LED lights.

Developing Ithaca

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I’m very glad I attended John Schroeder’s discussion on housing in Ithaca.  His knowledge of the city’s developmental history gave me a new perspective on Ithaca.  I count this lecture as one of the many experiences showing me the differences between a big city like my hometown and a small city like Ithaca.  The most surprising to hear about was the extremely high land tax enforced throughout the area.  Professor Blalock brought up the subject; a subject that is definitely swept under the rug.  Home ownership is extremely precious in an area like Ithaca.  Not because housing is scarce like in an area like my hometown in D.C. but simply because of the New York laws I am unfamiliar with.

I was especially pleased to be able to discuss urban development after learning about natural preservation of urban areas with Tod Bittner.  The two topics have plenty of overlap as Ithacans in general are very proud of the natural features scattered throughout the town.  While development is important environmental sustainability is held at equal value.

Stress Less

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Last week I attended my first Rose Table Talk.  The topic was stress management.  It was helpful to hear management strategies from GRF Seema and many other fellow Cornellians.   This event was different from any other event I have attended this semester.  There was less structure so I was able get to know some of my fellow rose scholars.  The diverse group made for an even more eye opening discussion.  We represented many different majors and ethic groups. The more we shared stories I found that we all were a part of different clubs and student organizations on and off campus.  Our live were all very different but in some way shape or form all of us kept busy.  It’s good we were  learning about stress management!

Cornell is Georges

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I didn’t even know Cascadilla Gorge was on Cornell’s Campus!  I signed up to go hiking and little did I know, I was in for a super treat from mother nature.

During my first time seeing Cascadilla Gorge I was led by the very knowledgeable Rose House Fellow Tod Britter.  Myself and the rest of my housemates learned everything from Gorge Safety, to geological formation, to American History.  Despite endless renovations the gorge is just as beautiful as it has always been.  After a long hard search for long lost plans, Tod was able to find documentation of the gorge trail reconstruction in 1912.  I can conclude that from the old picture and descriptions Cornell has done an amazing job of preserving this natural wonder.  Who knows?  Next time I venture to the Ithaca Commons I may go via the Cascadilla Gorge Trail!

American Perspectives Meet Malawian Perspectives on Climate Change

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I was fortunate enough to be able to spend more time with Ruth before she returned to Malawi.  I was eager to hear more about her life as she had shared with myself and the other Rose house students last week.  Ruth on the other hand was more interested in hearing about our lives and our culture as students here in the U.S.. “What do we think about climate change?” and “How does climate change affect us?” were some of the questions Ruth asked us.  I was surprised she wanted to know about us.  My colleagues shared bringing about a truly eye-opening discussion about global perspectives on climate change.

“It was fine.”

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On Wednesday, September 20th Ruth Magreta of Malawi shared her inspiring story with the members of Flora Rose House.  Malawi.  A country I do not often think of.  It’s a country that doesn’t come up in my everyday conversations.  Ruth shared stories of her life growing up.  She encouraged us to pick up on the drastic socioeconomic differences between the United States and Malawi.

Ruth lived not too far from a small village.  She showed us pictures of her neighbors’ small huts.  Her family did not suffer so much from hunger and sickness as did her neighbors.  There was severe flooding and occasional drought.  Their education facilities have minimal resources.  Ruth cooked most of the family’s maize porridge meals without help.  In this way, she accepted the traditional gender roles in Malawi.

This however was not a sob story.  With every fact Ruth would anticipate our empathy.  She off-put our sorrows by saying, “It was fine.” She didn’t know that there was better.  The village was all she knew and “It was fine.”

Ruth then told us about her research.  On a separate note, it was inspiring to see another woman of color in plant science.  At Cornell this is not common.  I’m often the only black girl in my lectures.  I’m a minority in my major and a minority in the black community where no one can understand my passion for plant science.  Ruth was very passionate about her studies.  One day I will be like Ruth raising a family and simultaneously taking on projects to improve international horticulture.

I am grateful that Ruth brought Malawi to us.  Maybe one day I will go to Malawi.

From a Judge’s Perspective

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Last week I had the pleasure of going to a Rose Cafe featuring Judge Scott Miller.  The judge was was extremely humble.  He wasn’t always a judge and he was gracious enough to share the story of how he got to where he is today.  Before he was a judge he was a lawyer.  His day to day was extremely eventful.  There were funny cases and sad cases.  Every question asked of him was answered with with extreme thought and care.  Each response had corresponding story.  He was a really good story-teller.  I was on the edge of my seat for most of the hour.