The Writing Anthology

Edited by Gabrielle Anderson and Christa Miller

Advisors: Valerie Billing and Mark Thomas A Publication of the English Department and the Art Department Cover Art by Jessica Popejoy-Geiken

Central College Pella, Iowa 2020 Dear Readers,

Welcome to the 40th edition of The Writing Anthology.

Founded in 1981 by now-retired Central College professor Dr. Walter Cannon, The Writing Anthology is a collection of exceptional student work from across the liberal arts curriculum. After reviewing dozens of submissions, our team selected the following ten pieces for inclusion in this year’s anthology. The difficulty of this selection process is a testament to the excellent quality of student writing at Central College, and we are immensely proud of all the hard work of our peers.

As we all learned this year, change happens quickly. However, transition tends to go slowly, bringing with it feelings of denial, shock, anger, frustration and stress. Transition can also bring us closer together and give us hope. The pieces chosen for this year’s anthology can change our perspective and shed light on uncomfortable topics, causing us to reevaluate our thoughts and beliefs. Now more than ever there seems to be an enthusiasm to learn something new, and a longing to explore new ways of conducting established practices. This year’s works put forth new ideas, and work to examine difference from multiple angles. As a whole, our team believes this anthology develops a unique statement in this historical moment about the importance of dealing with change and transitions.

Each year, the John Allen Award is awarded to piece of student writing that the selection panel deems to have superior rhetorical competence, high levels of readability, originality and insight. This year, we are pleased to announce that Emma Clodfelter will receive this honor. Emma’s essay “The Function of Stabilimenta in Spider Webs” is a intriguing scientific exploration into the possible reasons for spiders’ web design. Emma’s closely detailed study is fascinating for all disciplines as her writing style is engaging and challenges its readers to consider the natural world around them.

We would like to congratulate all of the student authors on their accomplishments and for producing such excellent work. Additionally, we thank the professors who recognized the talents of their students and submitted these essays to The Writing Anthology. Thanks also to Mat Kelly for his discerning eye, and for once again agreeing to design this year’s cover. Thank you to all of the talented artists for their outstanding contributions which make The Writing Anthology a well- rounded and visually-interesting publication. Finally, we offer our thanks to Steffanie Bonnstetter for her expertise, and to Jordan Bohr and the student workers of Central College Communications Office for their outstanding work in bringingThe Writing Anthology’s website to life.

Most importantly, we would like to express our gratitude towards our faculty advisors, Dr. Valerie Billing and Dr. Mark Thomas. Thank you for your flexibility and guidance during this historical year of changes.

Once again, thank you to all who made this year’s publication possible. We hope you enjoy the 2020 Writing Anthology!

Christa Miller ‘20 Gabrielle Anderson ‘22 Table of Contents

Bridging Cultural Difference in Albert Camus’s “The Guest” ������������1 Marin Harrington ENGL 362: World Literature ll Race Perceptions in “Recitatif” ����������������������������������������������������������������4 Allison Stuenkel ENGL 160: The Literary Imagination Day of the Dead ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8 Lauren McKee ENGL-290Y: Travel Writing in the Yucatan Blurred Boundaries: Soldiers/Terrorists, War/Peace ��������������������������10 Barbara Engleheart ANTH 370: The Anthropology of Violence Young...Love? ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16 Madaline Hucks PSYC-240: Psychology of Gender A Rooted Education ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������20 Alora Nowlin LAS 110: Problem Solving for Sustainability Aristotle and Alison Discover the Secrets of Their Dads ��������������������25 Emma Carlson ENGL 216: LGBTQ+ Literature and Culture Recycling Crisis ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������32 Lauren Goeke LAS 410: Ecotones: Exploring Literature, Science, and History

*The Function of Stabilimenta in Spider Webs ����������������������������������������������36 Emma Clodfelter BIOL 320: Evolution El efecto de la casa en la salud en comunidades mayas ����������������������42 Kayleigh Rohr SPAN 487: Senior Seminar in Hispanic Literature and Culture Art Credits ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������51

* John Allen Award Recipient Bridging Cultural Difference in Albert Camus’s “The Guest”

Marin Harrington ENGL 362: World Literature ll

Marin reads this story, not as the narrator’s existential crisis (as is so common), but as an illustration of how a cultural gap – in this case, between the French and Arab people – can be effectively overcome through a kind of wordless empathy. By looking at the story in this unusual way, Marin breathes new life into it, and reveals how contemporary the story seems. - Michael Harris

Differences between that remains essential in the his students for their nationality cultures—whether related to face of increased globalization or low socioeconomic class, race, nationality, gender, sexual Daru’s relationship with either. In fact, the class orientation, socioeconomic his profession as a teacher difference between Daru and class, or political affiliation— is a way of reaching across his students makes him more are frequently the root of differences, it and highlights self-reflective, and he displays conflict, and these types the emotional reflection in empathy towards them. After of conflicts are often well- which he frequently partakes. explaining that the school documented. Less discussed How people feel is often provides daily food rations to are the instances when different from how they want the children yet the children people unify despite their to feel, as evidenced by the do not have access to these cultural differences, or, even loneliness Daru alludes to rations when weather prevents more profoundly, expand when his students are not in them from going to school, their own worldview by school because of the region’s Daru refers to the children as understanding someone else’s extreme weather. Describing “victims” and says he feels like cultural perspective. Albert the scarce light emanating “a lord with his whitewashed Camus’s short story “The from his classroom window, walls, his narrow couch, his Guest” is grounded in cultural Daru thinks this weather is still unpainted shelves, his well, and differences, from the setting in “better than those three days his weekly provisions of water French-colonized Algeria to when the thick snow was falling and food” (2575). He struggles the relationship between the amidst unbroken darkness… to reconcile the privilege he two main characters: Daru, a Then Daru had spent long has over his students and never school teacher, and the Arab, hours in his room, leaving it displays hostility towards them. a prisoner. Despite its 1957 only to go to the shed and feed Daru recognizes the need to try publication and setting in a the chickens or get some coal” to understand the situations of colony which no longer exists, (2574). His feelings of isolation those who are different from the story maintains its relevance are something he wants to himself, and this informs much by exploring the various ways escape, and while they exist in of his empathy later in the story. humans can contemplate, part due to the weather, they are Daru must also navigate empathize, and connect amidst also fueled by the absence of the difference between how he cultural differences, a process his students. He does not judge feels about the physical land

1 upon which he lives and how overshadowed by political the Arab is with him, Daru he feels about the political motivations. Daru’s relationship simply responds, “Why? I have conflict that overruns the land. to place is further complicated nothing to fear” (2577). Daru He describes the land as “cruel by the need to assign everyone also equalizes the relationship to live in, even without men,” on the land to a specific between the Arab and himself but also feels attached to the political agenda. When debating by speaking to him in Arabic, region because “Daru had been whether or not he will follow not French (2578). The Arab born here. Everywhere else, he Balducci’s orders to take the is also allowed to sleep in a felt exiled” (2575). No matter Arab to prison, Daru asks, “Is bed in the same room as Daru the conditions of the land, Daru [the Arab] against us?” and despite his criminal status, is unable to leave it, as moving Balducci responds, “I don’t another attempt to coexist anywhere else would feel like think so. But you can never be despite cultural differences. It a displacement rather than a sure” (2576). The land is used is never entirely clear whether choice. There are also political as a backdrop for political and the Arab is innocent or guilty expectations that accompany social divisions, which affects of the crime of which Balducci living on the land, which Daru’s own relationship to it accuses him; the fact that Daru create conflict within Daru. and forces him to examine the makes the decision to treat He challenges the idea that he cultural tensions around him. him well despite this perceived must take the Arab to the police The most significant ‘moral’ difference between simply because Balducci, a way Daru communicates across them conveys an instinct to Frenchman, orders him to. Daru differences in “The Guest” is place humanity and simple acts claims that such a task is not his through his interactions with of goodness above mindlessly job, but Balducci tells him that the Arab. Upon learning that following orders simply wartime makes people servants the Arab supposedly slit his because they are a cultural to the place they live, citing cousin’s throat, Daru feels expectation. that, “In wartime people do “a sudden wrath against the All these various all kinds of jobs” (2576). The man, against all men with their types of interactions across physical space gets swallowed rotten spite, their tireless hates, differences lead Daru to make by the political atmosphere, their blood lust” (2577). Yet, an ultimate choice about his and Daru must figure out how Daru treats the Arab humanely feelings towards the Arab. to relate to the physical space despite this frustration. While While Daru’s politeness with this outside tension. Daru’s politeness towards the Balducci also holds complacent Arab manifests itself in small towards the Arab manifests attitudes towards the poor that gestures, these still indicate itself in small gestures, conflict with Daru’s own guilt a desire to at the very most these still indicate a desire about being privileged over his connect with—and at the very to at the very most connect students. When Daru resists least not alienate—the Arab. with—and at the very least Balducci’s orders to deliver the For example, Daru notes not alienate—the Arab. Arab to the police, Balducci that the Arab “might perhaps attempts to persuade him by be untied” before giving saying, “After that, all will be him tea and does not re-tie Despite the contrasts between over. You’ll come back to your the rope around the Arab’s them, Daru finds himself pupils and your wrists even though Balducci emotionally closer to—not comfortable life” (2576). The recommends doing so (2577). more distant from—the Arab harshness of the land that fuels When Balducci tells Daru to as the two of them spend more Daru’s pupils’ poverty gets keep a gun near his bed while time together. This closeness 2 presents its own challenges, to showing the Arab the road danger the Arab tried to help however, as Daru feels that the towards the police and the road Daru avoid, the two exemplify Arab was “imposing on him a towards the nomadic village an attempt—if not more—at sort of brotherhood he knew where the Arab might seek kindness across cultures (2852). well but refused to accept in the refuge and allowing the Arab “The Guest” by Albert present circumstances” (2580). to choose the best-suited path, Camus is an exercise in cultural Due to the power difference. The Daru holds over story understands the Arab as his the challenges ‘transport’ to the of intercultural police and the interactions political climate and the life- of the region, altering risks the differences that sometimes between the two accompany them, are evident and but the work make forging also encourages friendship a thoughtfulness Catalina Valdez, ceramic complicated and compassion. While the endeavor. The human Daru thinks, “[The Arab’s] outcome is bleak for Daru and connection, however, is stupid crime revolted him, but the Arab, the brief moment in undeniable, as the two sharing a to hand him over was contrary time in which they gain each space leads to the development to honor” (2580). To Daru, other’s trust is admirable and, of “a strange alliance,” demeaning the Arab’s dignity unfortunately, rare. Perhaps one according to Daru (2580). What is a worse act than potentially day the forces that break the results, then, is the potential to committing a crime. While the two apart will no longer exist, “fraternize every evening, over Arab decides to take the road but only if people first put in and above their differences, towards the prison (but the effort to see beyond their in the ancient community of not before trying to warn differences. dream and fatigue” (2580). Daru of something), and the Their differences might not be story ends with Daru finding ignorable, but the humanity a message that says, “You the two men find within each handed over our brother. You other is more prominent. Prior will pay for this,” signaling the

Works Cited Camus, Albert. “The Guest.” The Norton Anthology of World Literature: The Twentieth Century, 2nd ed., edited by Sarah Lawall and Maynard Mack, W. W. Norton & Company, 2002, pp. 2574 - 2582.

3 Race Perceptions in “Recitatif”

Allison Stuenkel ENGL 160: The Literary Imagination

This paper stands out especially because Allison narrates with such honesty the way in which reading this article helped her think in new ways about both Morrison’s story and her reading practices and implicit biases. Her writing is accomplished and sophisticated, and it illustrates the best of how humanities writing can address an audience outside of the academy. - Valerie Billing

Growing up in the and identity by leaving the segregation played a huge role diverse community of race of the two main characters in how our society functioned. Waterloo, Iowa, I have been ambiguous. The only clue Despite the Civil Rights exposed to people with we get from the narrator, Movement, white privilege still different cultures, ethnicities, Twyla, is that Roberta is “a exists. Therefore, I interpreted and races than my own. I girl from a whole other race” the vague “they” in this line as absolutely love learning and together they looked “like referring to white people and about the unique experiences salt and pepper” (Morrison commenting on the advantage of every individual and 160). Therefore, the audience white people have. In another trying to be cognizant of my is left to decide which scene, Twyla finds Roberta biases. However, the short character is black and which protesting school integration. story “Recitatif” by Toni is white. When I read this The two interact, and Roberta Morrison truly challenged story originally, I believed that claims her right to protest, the unconscious stereotypes Twyla was black from the first asserting “it is a free country,” I did not know I believed. sentence I read. I thought it was while Twyla retorts, “Not yet, In addition to this story, I made very clear that Twyla was read “Black Writing, White African American. Looking Reading: Race and the Politics back, I think it was because of Feminist Interpretation” the author of “Recitatif,” by literary critic Elizabeth Toni Morrison, is black, so Abel, which exposed me I unjustifiably assumed her to different interpretations main character would be of the about the perceptions of race same race. However, I now can and femininity in this story. point to specific passages that Although my initial reading of support my initial reading of “Recitatif” resulted in guilt and the story. One crucial line for self-criticism, Abel’s focus on me was when Twyla reflected how fantasies and experiences on Roberta’s acquired wealth, Mary Busker, copper influence our analysis changed commenting: “Everything is but it will be” (171). I viewed my perspective. so easy for them. They think these comments as Twyla The short story they own the world” (167). hoping for racial equality “Recitatif” challenges the Throughout the history of through integration, while reader’s perceptions of race the United States, racism and Roberta rejects the busing due 4 to racism. that Roberta receives and the viewed Twyla as black because It was not until I luxuries of her adulthood and she focused on historical discussed this short story feels inferior despite the fact context and cultural practices with my classmates that I that American social structures for her interpretation. She read realized that the race of these privilege those with white skin. Twyla’s name as culturally two characters was never Abel believes that Twyla’s black and made note that “Jimi mentioned. At this point, I felt sense of social and physical Hendrix appealed more to an intense sense of shame and inadequacy is rooted in a white white than to black audiences” embarrassment. I pride myself woman’s fantasy about the (Able 474). Rather than focus in trying to be aware of my ultimate strength of “black on the daughters’ interactions, biases. However, I made a lot women’s potency” (473-474). she focuses on their politics of assumptions by applying Abel is using this phrase in as mothers. For example, in my own context to this story. reference to Richard Dyer’s the bussing situation, Fragd My emotional reactions made analysis that discourses around read Twyla as “politically me want to explore various blackness possess “spontaneity, correct but politically naive interpretations to “Recitatif” emotion, [and] naturalness,” and morally conventional” and learn how literary critics and while black discourses see (475). In her interpretation, reacted to the interesting these as general contributions to Twyla supports integration, dynamic between characters of society, white readers see these but does not understand the different races. as qualities only black people deep underworking of racism The author of the have (qtd in Abel 474, ftn. 4). in American society. Roberta, literary critique also made In Abel’s interpretation, Twyla on the other hand, was “the generalizations, but she came is jealous because she does more socially adventurous, up with different results. not possess the same strong if politically conservative” Elizabeth Abel, who is a white qualities that Roberta has. white woman (475). Roberta is feminist writer, viewed Twyla In order to analyze the scene adventurous in her life choices as white because she focused about racial integration, Abel but still holds conservative on the social situations in which wrote to Toni Morrison who views about integration in the characters find themselves. explained that Roberta may not schools. Fragd also points to Abel also mentions that most want her upper-class children specific instances of coldness white readers read Twyla as to go to school with working- from Roberta as “a case white, while most black readers class children. Abel concludes of straightforward white read Twyla as black (Abel 471). that “Roberta’s resistance to racism” and her opposition to In Abel’s interpretation, Twyla busing, then, is based on class integration as “self-interested looks towards Roberta’s socio- rather than race loyalties” (Abel resistance” ( 475). Fragd thus economic status as something 476). Overall, Abel focuses reads Roberta as racist and she desires and feels like her argument on how the selfish. Abel offers these two she deserves. As Abel points two characters react to social different interpretations in out, “Twyla feels vulnerable situations. Analyzing the way her analysis of “Recitatif” to to Roberta’s judgement and the characters make decisions illustrate how we perceive perceives Roberta (despite her and address their circumstances race in literature differently anxiety about their differences) helped her determine their depending on our own identities as possessing something races. and experiences. she lacks and craves” (473). In contrast, Abel’s black Abel parallels the Twyla looks at the good food feminist colleague Lula Fragd competition between these

5 two female characters As a reader, my past believing this assumption and with the tensions that arise experiences influenced my applying it to “Recitatif,” I was between white and black interpretations and perverted reinforcing another stereotype feminist writers. Instead of my ideas of the characters. A and trapped Twyla by my pointing to guilt, Abel uses white feminist reader, such as interpretation of her mother. As her literary analysis to open Abel and myself, can run the Abel points out, “our inability up a conversation about how risk of “potentially reproducing to avoid inscribing racially our racial biases affect every the structure of dominance she inflected investments and text we encounter. I found this wants to subvert” (Abel 488). agendas limits white feminism’s analysis interesting because This dominance can be the capacity either to impersonate instead of being rooted in institution of racism or even black feminism, and potentially shame, Abel focused on a new sexism. By inserting my own to render it expendable, or to learning opportunity. I was counter its specific credibility” intrigued that my interpretation (497). In other words, by of the character’s races did not As a reader, my past imposing my past experiences, fit the typical interpretation for experiences influenced I undermined the critical a white reader. Nevertheless, my interpretations and components of Morrison’s story. my interpretation, as well as perverted my ideas of the Similar to Able, mid- Abel’s and Fragd’s, are all characters. to-late twentieth-century black incorrect. As Abel points out, feminist Audre Lorde was “the text’s heterogeneous experiences into this story, also concerned with attacking inscriptions of race resist a I unknowingly reinforced structures of dominance and totalizing reading” (476). negative structures such as bringing awareness to the Instead of trying to define race, discrimination. When reading racism within the feminist we need to view race through this story, as well as throughout community. At the Second a new lens. When reading any my life, I have tried to work Sex Conference on October literary work, it is impossible against making generalizations 29, 1979, Lorde gave a to avoid our unconscious and have attempted to challenge speech in which she discussed assumptions, biases, and racial discrimination. However, the separation of feminists backgrounds. Therefore, as a by specifically reading Twyla as as a result of racism and critic, I need to be careful when black, I ended up strengthening homophobia. She argued that in reading race onto characters. the stereotypes that I work so order to work together against Abel argues, “there are as hard to avoid. For example, sexism, feminists must find serious, although very different, I was not surprised at all that unity. Yet, she asserted that problems with revaluing the Twyla’s mom “danced all “community must not mean a literalness of race as with night” and that her idea of a shedding of our differences, asserting its figurativeness” meal “was popcorn and a can of nor the pathetic pretense that (488). Characters that exist Yoo-Hoo” (Morrison 159, 160). these differences do not exist;” in books are not real, so they Although neglectful mothers instead women must “take do not exactly fit the mold of can be of any race, I assumed our differences and make having human qualities. Going that Twyla must have the black them strengths” (Lorde 215). forward, I need to be aware of mom because I grew up with Feminists must learn from each applying stereotypes towards black classmates who had other in order to fully challenge characters that are figuratively distant mothers with different patriarchal society, and not black or white. priorities than their children. By get tied down by racism. To

6 counteract our assumptions, period of time and after some in mind both the uniqueness of we need to “produce our small talk their attention is people of different races and readings cautiously and locate brought back to Maggie. At also their similar experiences. them in a self-conscious and the end of the story Roberta Ultimately, the race of these self-critical relation to black cries, “What the hell happened two characters does not define feminist criticism” (Abel to Maggie?” (175). Only in everything about them—every 498). Personally, I need to be the last couple of paragraphs person is unique. Therefore, conscientious about how I read of “Recitatif” is Maggie’s race our assumptions are typically characters and how being white of no importance to these two invalid because of the influences what I interpret. With characters. While they argued individual experience of every every piece of writing I analyze, throughout the story about her person and character. I should reflect on how my race, it ultimately does not Reading “Recitatif” by interpretation may be damaging matter whether Maggie was Toni Morrison truly opened to a non-dominant group, and black or white—what remains my eyes to the unconscious take steps to reconcile my in their minds is how others stereotypes I possessed and perceptions. treated her. Their mindset how my past experiences Throughout “Recitatif” moves past race to focus on and outlook as a young there are unifying moments victimization and guilt. As white woman influenced my between the two main Abel writes, “race enforces no interpretations. Through my characters that move past their absolute distinctions between analysis of Abel’s “Black racial identity. One character, either characters or readers, Writing, White Reading: Race named Maggie, plays a all of whom occupy diverse and the Politics of Feminist significant role because she subject positions, some shared, Interpretation,” I realized the is assigned different races by some antithetical” (495). Twyla importance of being reflective. both of the characters. Twyla and Roberta are no different Instead of feeling guilt and contends Maggie “was old in their concern for Maggie. shame, I need to realize how and sandy-colored,” while In the end, they are no longer my past experiences and social Roberta later yells at Twyla for divided by their race—they context influence my analysis. kicking “a poor black lady” both share a common feeling I am interested to apply this (Morrison 161, 172). At first, of sorrow and worry about objective approach to other Maggie serves as a point of Maggie. Another example of short stories. contention between the two their similarities is that both characters, as Twyla believes characters are unified in their that Maggie was not black desire to kill as well as love and cannot recall kicking her, their absent mothers (Abel 495). while Roberta remains adamant Both characters are children about her stance. Towards of neglect and lived together the end of the story, the two in St. Bonny’s orphanage. characters meet after a long When reading, I need to keep

Works Cited Abel, Elizabeth. “Black Writing, White Reading: Race and the Politics of Feminist Interpretation.” Critical Inquiry, vol. 19, no. 3, Spring 1993, pp. 470–498. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1343961. Lorde, Audre. “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master’s House.” Lesbian Culture: An Anthology, edited by Julia Penelope & Susan Wolfe, The Crossing Press, 1993, pp. 214-216. Morrison, Toni. “Recitatif.” The Oxford Book of Women’s Writing in the United States, edited by Linda Wagner-Martin and Cathy N. Davidson, Oxford U P, 1995, pp. 159-175. 7 Day of the Dead

Lauren McKee ENGL-290Y: Travel Writing in the Yucatan Lauren focused on our visit to the cemetery in Zinacantan on the Day of the Dead. Lauren’s essay does a great job of immersing the reader in her experience through close observation and attention to detail, and I love how she creates a sense of mystery and wonder, especially with her ending. -Kim Koza

I stood on the sidewalk *** told a different story. where the warm Mexican sun My friends and I all When I stepped inside greeted me. The air still held climbed into the same motor the church it became evident an edge of chilliness, enough taxi. I instantly warmed up as that Mayan and Catholic that the shadows were cool to we all desperately crammed traditions had been mixed stand in. A line of enclosed together to fit into the taxi. together. The smell of incense motor taxis waited in the street As the driver started up the permeated the room, and to take us to the cemetery. My mountain toward the cemetery, emerald green pine needles study abroad group and I were the wind gently blew my lined every inch of the in Zinacantán, Chiapas to see hair across my face. I peeked floor. Warmth slowly spread the town’s cemetery during through the thick plastic door throughout my body as the Dia de Los Muertos, or Day that enclosed the taxi to look at heat from the burning candles of the Dead. I had specifically the mountains as we drove. The and peoples’ breath filled the signed up for the fall semester fresh air and the view of the room. I peered in astonishment, because of this festival. The mountains were intoxicating. through the heavy smoke students from my college who The warmth and the swaying created by the incense, at the had studied abroad during the of the taxi threatened to lull me fall semester in Mexico said to sleep. Instead of sleeping, I am grateful that we didn’t Dia de Los Muertos was an I thought about San Juan have the opportunity to unforgettable experience. Chamula, where we had visited use our cell phones because The Day of the Dead is the town’s church. I had no what we saw could not be celebrated to honor the spirits pictures to show my family captured in a photo. of loved ones who have died. of the town, only the images Here, death is something that I had committed to memory. various statues of Catholic is celebrated, unlike in the Lisa Munro, our study abroad saints adorned with yellow and United States where grieving director, explained that the town orange marigolds. Some people often takes place behind closed forbids photography because were smiling and laughing doors. People believe that oftentimes tourists take pictures in the church, while others on Dia de Los Muertos their of Indigenous people without sat solemnly among the pine deceased family members their consent. I am grateful that needles. The sound of guitars come back to visit them. In we didn’t have the opportunity and accordions swirled around order for the spirits to cross to use our cell phones because the room, along with the light over into the land of the living, what we saw could not be that filtered through the stained family members must place a captured in a photo. The outside glass windows. I tried my photo of them on an altar. The of the church had a Catholic best to make myself small in celebration is a sacred time and style, with tall stained glass the church. I wasn’t entirely tradition for many in Mexico. windows; however, the inside comfortable being in a place 8 that was irrefutably sacred for were reflecting on what they of children holding kites and others. had experienced. running through the cemetery. When we stepped *** The view of the outside the church, men and As our motor taxi mountains made me feel small women were walking through reached the top of the mountain, as I wandered further into the town’s square. The men my heart began to beat faster; I the cemetery. We were high were dressed in blue jeans had waited for months for this enough that I could see clouds and had on black woven wool moment. When we reached our below us in the distance. As I ponchos with white cowboy destination, we climbed out of turned, taking in the view of hats. They seemed like cliche the taxi and began to walk up the cemetery again, I saw an western cowboys who would the steep, rocky hill that led to old man doing the same. His ride off into the sunset without the cemetery. I was embarrassed eyes glistened as he took in looking back. Most the scene. He wore of the women had a tan jacket and their midnight black well-worn cowboy hair braided and wore boots. His face was black wool skirts. The shadowed by a large women had on different cowboy hat, and he embroidered shirts, seemed absorbed in but almost all wore a old memories. He shawl that covered their looked like a man shoulders. These were who had seen and the traditional outfits for endured many trials Mayan men and women in his life. I wondered of that area. if he had grown up As we walked in Zinacantán and back towards the van, a Kaeanne Louks, acrylic, 11” x 14” visited this cemetery woman in the back of a pickup as I watched Mayan women since he was a little boy. No one smiled. I quickly looked over carry their babies and walk appeared to notice the old man. my shoulder, sure that she gracefully down the hill, and I As I stood there, he looked at wasn’t smiling at me, but, told myself I was only winded when I looked back, she was because of the high altitude. Families sat next to their closer this time and she looked When I reached the top, I could loved ones’ graves as they me straight in the eyes as she see over the largest part of the ate and drank. They were smiled. I saw her gold tooth cemetery. Hundreds of flowers, visiting with their loved and sparkling brown eyes. She each a different shade of ones, dead and alive. looked at me with pure delight dandelion yellow, violet purple, and kindness. Her wrinkled and tiger orange, were placed me, or rather through me, and face had been tanned by the on gravestones. The flowers had then walked away. I watched sun. As the truck drove by I felt been beautifully and lovingly as he disappeared into a group the impulse to run after it and arranged. Families sat next of people and I asked myself if hold her hand. I looked around, to their loved ones’ graves as I had seen a ghost. Deep in the hoping someone else had seen they ate and drank. They were mountains, in a cemetery filled her as well. I was disappointed visiting with their loved ones, with hundreds of flowers, I was to realize that everyone seemed dead and alive. Voices filled no longer sure what was real lost in their own thoughts and the air, along with the laughter and what was not. 9 Blurred Boundaries: Soldiers/ Terrorists, War/Peace

Barbara Engleheart ANTH 370: The Anthropology of Violence “Every society seemed to exhibit both This is an essay composed for my upper-level peaceful and violent behaviour, however seminar on The Anthropology of Violence. In various the interpretations placed upon it, Barbara Engelhart uses an interview with an them. ‘We are all capable of violence’ is one American soldier as prompt for further reflection of those truisms that seems to be, in fact, on how we define a soldier (versus a terrorist) and true, at least as far as societies as wholes furthermore how we think more broadly about war are concerned” (Mahmood, 1996: 15 f.). and peace. -Cynthia Mahmood In modern societies, which addresses the genocide soldiers into a mission against violence is typically categorized in Guatemala, the complexity Taliban fighters in the region. into justified violence, or and fluidity of concepts like He says: violence necessary for “the “guerrilla fighters,” “civilian,” greater good,” versus violence and “soldier” become obvious. A lot of the villagers we talked as evil, criminal and unjustified. When taking away the socially to, the locals we talked to, were There are two constructs for constructed connotations pro-Taliban, had enjoyed the which this differentiation has of these terms, a need for Taliban’s governance and how been naturalized so strongly distinguishing critera arises. fast they solve some of their that we usually would not even Questions such as “what makes problems. And there was this consider drawing parallels the general public believe that creeping realization that maybe between them: soldiers and some forms of violence are this isn’t gonna work. Whatever terrorists. more justified than others?”, ‘this’ is. It was maybe a little One of my best friends “which characteristics are off...”. When the reporter asks from high school is now a drawn upon to differentiate “And off what?”, he hesitantly soldier in the Israeli army, soldiers from criminals?”, answers “I don’t think they and having known her for and, in consequence, “how wanted us there. (The Daily, many years, I recognize that are the concepts of “heroism” 2019) her decision to enter the and “terrorism” constructed?” military service does not inevitably arise. The purpose of this paragraph make her a criminal, let alone To illustrate the is by no means to question a terrorist; however, upon ambiguity inherent in the role the problematic nature of closer examination, it becomes of soldiers, I want to start with Taliban violence; however, it increasingly clear that the line the analysis of an interview demonstrates quite well the of legitimization of violence, with a U.S. veteran who served colonizing effect of “peace i.e. the line between soldiers in the Afghanistan war. He talks missions” that do not regard and criminals, becomes blurry to a reporter of The Daily about the context of the local culture. when considering periods of a military deployment in 2008 In the case of Afghanistan, the war. Especially when reading in Marjah, an agricultural town attempt to establish a strong the book Buried Secrets by located in southern Afghanistan, centralized government, Victoria Sanford (2005), in which he led a group of eight thereby striving towards more

10 equality in society and in this doubts and were likely aware After a brief pause for thought, way adapting it to Western of the problematic nature of the veteran answers: standards, did not sufficiently the mission, superiors required take into account pre-existing its continuation. This problem Yeah, it’s tough. I mean all political structures and the goes hand in hand with the these years later you kind of fact that power in this country fact that even though soldiers have these two directions where was traditionally dispersed you either say it was all worth rather than centralized. While it: That we were fighting for military officers on site early something that was important on expressed doubts about and worth my friends’—our the mission and the soldiers friends’—lives. Or you start recognized the skepticism of peeling it apart and looking at the population in Marjah in everything. In some attempts, the face of their presence, the you figure out why we did what U.S. government decided on we did. the continuation of the war at And then something like this all costs. The soldier explains: comes out. These documents “truth was rarely welcome, that kind of just stare at you. bad news was often stifled, The people that you kind of every data point was altered to trusted. That said `Hey this depict the best picture possible. Anna Brooks, marker, 9” x 12” battle will go down in history. Surveys, for example, were This is the turning point in the totally unreliable but reinforced are commonly perceived to war.’ You know, as an 18-year- that everything we were doing have more power than ordinary old, as a 19-year-old, you was right and we became a self- citizens, they are actually wanna believe that. That’s … licking ice-cream cone” (The subjected to the volition of you think what you’re doing Daily, 2019). Considering this higher officers, who, in turn, are is some net-positive. You think remark, it becomes questionable commanded by governments. the bombs that you drop, the whether the inhabitants of the Looking at it this way, it seems people that you kill … that town, which was affected by that these soldiers’ freedom they should have died. But, you U.S. military missions that often of action might be even more know… here we are, it’s 2019, involved civilian casualties, saw limited by governments than we’re negotiating, the U.S. is the soldiers as saviors. Rather, that of civilians. Further on negotiating with the Taliban. from the point of view of in the interview, the reporter Who is to say that Marjah had locals, the U.S. military might asks: “I’m curious what you to happen at all? (The Daily, have reminded them more are feeling when you start 2019) of terrorist acts. The second reading these documents question this quote raises is how inside this secret history of This quote illustrates the it can happen and be accepted the war in Afghanistan in arbitrariness with which people that people far removed from which commanding officers in in the case of Marjah were the actual violence are given many cases, I have to imagine killed by soldiers without a the power to make decisions your superiors, are candidly clearly-defined purpose, thereby on courses of action, while expressing their own doubts and again making a clear distinction the opinions of local people misgivings about the mission between soldier and criminal remain disregarded. While that you and your colleagues from the perspective of locals agents on site expressed their were on” (The Daily, 2019). questionable. From the outside, 11 not least due to simplified or “more just world.” Ironically, are two universes of discourse distorted representations of while this narrative about U.S. that slip past each other during war missions by the media, soldiers might be shared with any attempts at “peace talks,” one might get the impression the general public at home, traditionally described. of purposeful, thoroughly other militant groups with Once the originating thought-through operations exactly the same incentive— narrative of heroism begins in which every soldier knows sacrificing their own life for a to fray, we run into trouble. about the frame conditions more just world for oppressed The American soldier at that they will find themselves communities—are categorized Marjah becomes disillusioned in. Actual accounts of war as terrorist organizations by when he finds out that critical experiences, however, often the U.S. This irony could information has been kept revolve around confusion, define the Taliban, the U.S. from him. The militant Sikh “snapshots of memories,” enemy in Afghanistan (which drops his strict moral standard and insecurity about the next is celebrated by a wide swath when he comes to learn that steps (The Daily, 2019). One of Afghan society), or the other fighters, some prominent, question I can’t answer for militant Sikhs of India studied have tortured, kidnapped, and myself is how anyone can by Cynthia Mahmood. This performed other atrocities in the bear the irresponsible decision situation is also well-depicted name of victory. As Mahmood of keeping the truth from by Tim O’Brien in The Things describes, the perception soldiers in order to influence They Carried (1990) in the of the battles or specific their decisions. The soldier’s Vietnam era, in which he military missions as being of account of the situation gives evokes a warscape in which “extraordinary quality” may the impression that the reality no heroes exist; all is blood, lead to the assumption that of war was actively concealed filth, and guilt, and justified “ordinary morality does not from him and his companions, and unjustified violence can no apply” (Mahmood, 1996: 205). while the myth of the need to longer be differentiated. When the “quotidian moral establish a more just society Certain parallels with hesitation” is replaced by what with a central government was the described experiences of the resembles all kinds of sacrifices utilized to justify the military U.S. soldier can be found in Dr. “for the greater good,” the campaign. Cynthia Mahmood’s account scale for acceptable behavior In this sense, the of the militant Sikhs who have might be altered significantly. mythology of heroism was been trying to establish their The likelihood for soldiers spread to motivate young men own state in which they are no to commit atrocities in the to take up the counterintuitive longer suppressed by the Indian absence of quotidian morality task of risking life and causing government (Mahmood, 1996). is, as has been witnessed in death. The American soldier at Young Sikhs feel the weight of various instances (e.g. My Marjah explicitly mentions two all history on their shoulders Lai in Vietnam, the Dachau incentives that were given to when they venture into battle; massacre, the Rape of Nanking, him by superiors: that of being they are seen as “terrorists” the Guatemalan genocide, part of a historically significant by Indian authorities but as etc.) increases. While this is an event and of the “turning point heroic revolutionaries by their example of a shift in perception in war,” both of which seem own communities. “One man’s in which soldiers become to be closely connected to freedom fighter is another criminals, Mahmood (1996) wanting to be remembered and man’s terrorist” only begins demonstrates the opposite honored by future generations to scratch the surface, writes transition—terrorists shifting as a hero in the creation of a Mahmood. What we have here towards a self-perception as 12 soldiers: “Where breaking of this outburst of violence justified. As Mateo’s testimony the laws of a (perceived) in the book Buried Secrets shows, his role in the genocide unlawful power is seen as a (Sanford, 2005) demonstrate had shifted from civilian to revolutionary act, criminality how slippery the relationships guerrilla to refugee to soldier itself becomes militancy. The between victim and perpetrator, before his 17th birthday. Even boundary between crime and peacekeeper and murderer, though this might be an extreme political action blurs, because civilian and soldier, civilian example, it still shows that the every flaunting of the law is and guerrilla can become in differentiation between justified experienced as an assertion times of war. Is this the “fog” and unjustified violence, and of sovereignty” (Mahmood, we so often hear of? Even the thus the army’s “assertions 1996: 204). Here again, the author/anthropologist has to of the military’s ‘right’ to kill trope of heroism in the fight continually think about and communists” (202), becomes against an “unlawful power,” negotiate her role. nonsensical. e.g. a government, replaces One especially striking The conclusion that can the image of a criminal or example that illustrates the be drawn from these examples terrorist. This reasoning also transition of just one person is that the assertion of violence, offers an explanation of a between most of these roles even if depicted as justified shift in the moral standards of is the Mam-Mayan survivor or necessary by a state, has to militants: “. . . this conscious Mateo. Sanford writes about be evaluated critically. In the refusal to play the game of him: case of Guatemala’s society, the oppressor, the decision to in particular, the Mayan part start a new game of one’s own, By the time he reached fourteen of the population suffered with one’s own rules and not years of age, he had survived greatly not only at the hands India’s, is what is responsible a massacre, buried his father of guerrilla fighters, but also, for the failure of militant Sikhs in the mountains, joined the or even particularly, from to condemn rather obvious guerrilla and fought with state terrorism. Rather than atrocities committed by other them in the mountains for one protecting the non-violent parts militants” (Mahmood, 1996: year, and spent two years in a of society, the Guatemalan 205). Again, the consideration refugee camp in Mexico. Just state (backed by the United of the “broader picture,” of before his fifteenth birthday, States) largely contributed to “the greater good,” and the within one month of his return the genocide. Furthermore, perception of war missions to Guatemala, he was forcibly it has been shown that as “epoch-making” seems to recruited into the Guatemalan government officials ordering reduce the inhibition level to army where he was a soldier (killing) missions are usually exercise violence, while at following the orders from far removed from the place of the same time enhancing the superiors for more than one execution of these missions and tolerance for violence. year. (Sanford, 2005: 202) consequently run the risk of Coming back to the lacking realistic assessment of fluidity of concepts such as Even this brief passage the situation on the ground—a soldier, civilian, terrorist, and undermines the troubling scenario that occurred in the hero, I want to bring in another justification proposed by case of the Marjah mission in example of collective violence the Guatemalan army that Afghanistan as well. in which these categories the killing of a specific In line with these became, at times, indistinct: social group, in this case considerations, Mahmood the genocide in Guatemala. of communists, proceeded voices another crucial The accounts of witnesses purposefully and is thus insight about the problematic 13 effect of framing groups of ascription of the status of a boys who fight in all kinds of society as terrorists. She criminal is psychologically conflicts, although their home writes: “Hysterical calls to more painful than the physical communities rarely want to condemn terrorism from a pain of torture: “What hurts is accept these commonalities. distance, to find better ways being treated like a criminal, In Violence in War and Peace of technologically defeating not the roller on one’s legs” (2004), Nancy Scheper-Hughes terrorists as we find ourselves (Mahmood, 1996: 210). As and Philippe Bourgois use a less and less capable of this man’s pain suggests, collection of anthropological politically defeating them, categorizing the socially work to explore the fact that are of a piece with the failure marginalized and excluded as violence itself occurs in both of imagination that considers criminals is unlikely to create wartime and peacetime, as freedom fighters as nothing conditions in which dialogue societies define them. The more than serial murderers” can lead us from war to peace. title intrigues, and is part of (Mahmood, 1996: 22). It In this context, the blurriness that we now becomes clear that a blind Mahmood’s conclusion that recognize inheres in human condemnation of terrorism “[the] simplistic trope of the violence. How do we get from cannot be the solution to Sikh-as-terrorist has done a state of more to a state of less the Sikh problem in India. enough damage both to India violence? Rather, the historical context itself and to the academic Furthermore, when of and the treatment of Sikhs study of India; it’s time that considering my epigraph above, in previous decades needs to it be replaced by a ‘thicker’ it seems that neither war nor be taken into consideration. conception” is one guideline peace should be understood as One aspect of re-establishing for the perception of collective an extraordinary state. Violence peace then seems to be to violence that might allow for of various levels and qualities understand acts of violence in a more efficient and more seems to be a part of human all their complexity. Labeling productive approach to the life that does not disappear. and categorizing certain restoration of peace (Mahmood, Neither prayer nor celebration people under the umbrella 1996: 275). “Conflict provides the magic required term “terrorists,” on the other transformation” is perhaps to turn one into the other. If hand, causes problems on all the better term here, as we anything, anthropologists sides: people on the outside know that conflicts are rarely who study violence know that are more likely to experience “resolved” but may indeed it is quotidian, courageous, irrational fear of the unknown, be “transformed” to a more and face-to-face effort that unpredictable, evil terrorist positive and coexistent state can move us slowly further that makes any constructive (Lederach 2005). away from bullets and toward approach to talking about this This is where the conversation. Constant scrutiny violence difficult. Militants—in anthropological study of of seemingly justified violence, this case, individuals from the war and peace enters state awareness of ongoing power Sikh community—are more and military discourse. struggles, compromise and likely to feel treated even more Anthropologists like Mahmood, cooperation, and reflection unjustly and misunderstood, Sanford, and Lederach and evaluation, as well as which will certainly not enter warzones without a balanced inclusion of the reduce their motivation to preconceptions and get to know voices of all parties involved fight. One interviewee of the combatants face-to-face. These might be some of the tools that militant Sikh community even anthropologists recognize contribute to sustaining peace went as far as to say that the the similarities among young (Jordan, 2015: 587). Conflict 14 is an enduring part of human of the predominantly German- As instances of genocide have nature, but it can be transformed speaking population that was shown, these motives are far toward positive and purposeful involved in the genocide. from basic animalistic instincts change (Lederach 2005). Even now, when traveling to such as survival or competition. A final aspect I other countries and hearing On the contrary, sometimes consider fundamental for all people address the topic of the they even seem “noble” when of the aspects of peacekeeping Nazi regime, I always feel a considered in isolation from mentioned above is memory. certain kind of guilt, a certain their effects: creating a “better” As time passes, some of accusation, and sometimes I society is one motive brought the atrocities humans have even feel that people want me to up frequently in this context. committed will be forgotten. take some kind of responsibility Zygmunt Bauman (2000) has From generation to generation, or at least to acknowledge even compared the motivations histories of violence will the fates of people affected, of genocidaires like the Nazis to recede from consciousness. due to the fact that I am from those of gardeners, who believe At first we might think, “Oh, Austria. This is to say that yes, that in pruning weeds they but what is wrong with that? in some ways I think memory are creating a beautiful flower Isn’t it good that people forget might have negative effects garden. From this perspective, about violent, uncomfortable and is undeniably contented it becomes clear that the past events in order to forgive? to negative feelings. Then, collective memory of outbursts Will the memory of horror however, I ask myself: what is of violence that kill millions not just be a burden to future the alternative? plays a crucial part in the and present generations?” If we forget the prevention of their repetition. As a student in an Austrian horror that came along with From the American middle school learning about violence, what motivation do soldier at Marjah, who may the Holocaust, I remember we have to prevent it from wonder now whether he is asking myself, “Why tell us happening again? What can a hero or a criminal, to the about these atrocities in that ensure “Never Again”? Even militant Sikh who bravely much detail? Should we now though the notion of humans stands up to an oppressive feel bad because our ancestors as inherently aggressive and Indian government but is jailed might have participated in inherently programmed to as a terrorist, human beings these crimes against humanity? be violent is too simplistic are complex, and society’s Can’t we just let it go?” These an explanation for the rise of evaluation of them even more national memories of violence violent conflicts (Nordstrom, complex. The anthropologist were always connected to 1998), I can think of too many chooses understanding first. a certain consternation, other motives, mostly resulting That alone is a full-time, a guilty conscience or from ideological differences lifelong task. embarrassment for the actions that lead to collective violence. References Bauman, Z. (2000). Modernity And The Holocaust. Ithaca, Ny: Cornell Univ. Press. The Daily. (2019). [Podcast]. Retrieved 30 November 2019, From Https://Www.nytimes.com/2019/12/16/ Podcasts/The-Daily/Afghanistan.html Jordan, K. (2015). War Propaganda, War Crimes, And Post-Conflict Justice In Serbia: An Ethnographic Account, The International Journal Of Human Rights, 19:5, 572-591, Doi: 10.1080/13642987.2014.992882 Lederach, John Paul. (2005). The Moral Imagination; The Art And Soul Of Building Peace. Oxford University. Mahmood, C. K. (1996). Fighting For Faith And Nation: Dialogues With Sikh Militants. Philadelphia, Pa.: University Of Pennsylvania Press. Nordstrom, C. (1998). Deadly Myths Of Aggression, Aggressive Behavior, 24, 147 – 159. Notre Dame, Indiana. O’brien, T. (1990). The Things They Carried: A Work Of Fiction. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Sanford, V. (2005). Buried Secrets: Human Rights And Truth In Guatemala.. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Scheper-Hughes, N., & Bourgois, P. (2004), Eds. Violence In War And Peace. Malden, Ma: Blackwell Pub. 15 Young...Love?

Madaline Hucks PSYC-240: Psychology of Gender In this reflection paper by Madaline Hucks on domestic abuse, she poignantly, authentically, and vividly describes how her own experiences in a past relationship map onto the “Power and Control Wheel” of abuse and the circular stages of domestic violence. Madaline’s paper showcases an accurate and all-too-real understanding of intimate partner abuse and she deftly weaves together course content, emotion, and raw personal experience into a powerful narrative that will stick with you long after you have read it. - Randall Renstrom Adolescence is a time wheel is intimidation, which would earn an immediate, bone- when both boys and girls are uses words and actions to make crushingly intense squeeze discovering themselves and one feel fearful, in addition to to my slim fingers, forcefully interacting with their peers destruction of property. For the intertwined with his. If I was in new ways. First kisses and sake of this paper, let’s call this caught driving somewhere I hand-holding are hallmarks boy Jason. Jason was much was not “supposed to,” or with of this time, and one’s first larger than my then-slender five people he did not approve of, “puppy love” may take over feet and four inches, towering he made threats of hiding my their hormonal and dramatic over me at six-foot-two with keys. One day, an argument selves. But what happens when a muscular build. If I did in my parents’ garage ended this lovesick admiration goes anything that displeased him, he in him taking my key fob and wrong? Domestic abuse is would look at me with daggers smashing it to pieces on the often thought of as a violent concrete floor. Needless altercation between two to say, I did not drive adults, but it can take many anywhere for awhile. different forms. This type The next piece of the of abuse between people wheel is emotional abuse, in any sort of intimate which includes putting one relationship is characterized down, name calling, playing by a cycle of power and mind games, causing control. Sadly, domestic feelings of guilt and making abuse is not limited to one feel as if they are going adults and can be seen in “crazy.” Jason was very teenage relationships as James DeYoung, nickel manipulative when it comes well. At the tender age of 16, in his eyes. Glancing in another to this topic. My naturally dark I entered into what would be person’s direction in public locks were not well suited to my first long-term relationship. or challenging anything he him. He made me feel so bad It was much darker than a said in front of others required that within a month of dating, typical first love is expected to some degree of punishment in I bleached my entire head be. Following the power and his eyes. Jason held my hand blonde. In addition, he would control wheel model (figure 1), whenever possible to show often use names such as “slut” this is my evaluation of my first ownership of me. Even if my or “whore” in order to get me experience with young... love? actions were unintentional, to act the way that he wanted. The first point on the anything I did that irritated him Jason was no stranger to mind 16 games, and he played them liked being my only confidant person I talked to before I went well when it came to the way and would do whatever it took to sleep. If I had talked to him I dressed. Any tight piece of to make sure I was not letting for the night, there was no more clothing such as skinny jeans, anyone else into my life. My talking with my family or being leggings, or a v-neck shirt was few friends that I had were on my phone at all. Once that off limits. These articles, along gone within a couple months call from him had ended, my with shoes or jewelry that he of dating. He would send them phone was to be shut off. I was did not like, would be hidden. horribly mean messages behind so fearful of him by this point When I was getting ready for my back and threatened them so that I didn’t even put up a fight, school in the morning, I would they would not tell me anything. I just did as he said to avoid the call him to ask him if he had I did not find this out until after consequences. seen a certain piece of my the breakup. He also attempted The last portion of the clothing and he convinced me to harm my relationship with wheel I will discuss is quite that I lost it or that my cleaning my family, stating that they serious, involving coercion lady was stealing from me. were not really looking out and threats. Falling into this Often, my mom would find for me and the only person category is making or carrying “lost” clothing items stuffed in a who could do so properly was out threats and threatening to drawer in the basement or at the himself. Taking it a step further, commit suicide if one tries to bottom of the big garbage can, leave, among other things. As with only him to blame for such He had broken my spirit Jason went to another school actions. He also liked me to to the point that I was and could not physically have wear a shirt that matched his to afraid to lie to him, so his eyes on me 24 hours a “look like a cute couple,” even I just submitted to his day, seven days a week, he though we did not go to the requirements. would tell me that I was being same school and no one would watched. He said that he had see that we were matching. If he decided to infiltrate my spies at my school watching me not that, he told me that I had hobbies and the activities I was during the day to see if I ever to wear his oversized, baggy in at that time. Dance class and slipped up and disobeyed the sweatshirts to school so no one show choir were my passions, rules that he set for me. Being would “look at me and think I and he slowly began taking terrified of the repercussions, I was pretty, so I could not cheat them away from me. He would submitted. The part-time job I on him.” To ensure these rules ensure that I wore baggy clothes had at a local grocery store was were followed, he would call with his school name on them monitored as well. Oftentimes me every morning and ask what to practice to make sure “every he would sit outside in my I had “chosen” to wear that day. guy there knew I was taken.” car and watch me through the He had broken my spirit to the Every performance he would big windows. If that was not point that I was afraid to lie to sit in the audience and criticize enough, he would periodically him, so I just submitted to his me afterwards if I “looked like I come inside and walk around requirements. was having too much fun” with the store, all while keeping The third part of the other people on stage. As our his eyes on me. I was not to wheel that I want to discuss relationship progressed, Jason smile at anyone, especially is isolation. Isolation entails did not even have to be with me boys, because, to him, that controlling what one does and in order to control my actions. was cheating. The one thing who one sees and talks to—all Every night he would call me, that scared me most was his while using jealousy to justify as he lived in the town over, suicide threats. I never wanted the abuser’s actions. Jason and demand that he be the last to be the reason someone was 17 harmed, and he convinced Jason drank often, in addition to his unhealthy dating beliefs. me that if he killed himself, I to using a number of drugs In addition, he was originally would be blamed for it legally. which could impair thinking from a large city in which gangs Looking back now, this seems and judgement. I suspect social are prominent. Coming from absolutely ridiculous. However, learning also played an integral one of these gangs himself it was very real at the time. role in his actions. Coming had exposed him to many ugly Every time he called I was to from a very dysfunctional home parts of the world and could answer my phone, regardless of with non-married parents, have affected his perception of whether I was in class or not. who were substance users women and how to get—and One day, towards the end of our themselves, was his model. His remain—in control. Perhaps relationship, I let these unhealthy it go to voicemail. behaviors The threatening and negative texts came to attitudes were follow, along with the only ways 100 more phone that he was calls from him. taught to treat Jason, thinking people in order that he was losing to get his way. his grip on me, Arguably, the decided to send power and me a series of control aspect pictures with a is a key part haunting message. in maintaining Pictures of him this cyclical sitting in my hell. Jason bedroom with a desperately very large gun wanted to were sent to my have power phone. He said if over someone I did not call him to make him in two minutes feel superior, that he was going stronger, and to kill himself more masculine. and it would be All these factors, all my fault. That combined with is enough to get a wide-eyed, anyone to listen. naive teenage To this day, this girl, created the Figure 1 incident still perfect storm for him. horrifies me. The cycle of There are many factors own dad fathered 15 children abuse was largely a part of that contribute to domestic with 13 different women and what kept the relationship abuse. Analyzing the situation was very abusive to each party. afloat for almost a year and a now, many of these things were Learning that example as a half. Phase one of the cycle at play. Even though he was 16, child most certainly contributed is when tensions build in the 18 relationship, in the form of abuse. Analyzing the power the maladaptive behaviors and control wheel revealed the discussed above. Phase two is relationship to be just that-- when some type of violence abusive. Long after we have occurred. In my situation it was parted ways, these experiences often screaming and serious still influence my attitudes suicide threats. Phase three is towards dating. A broken mind what really perpetuated the and spirit takes time to heal abuse in my opinion. This is the from abuse, and, contrary to time in which the abuser tries what he thought, cannot be to make up for their actions patched up with a dozen roses, by apologizing, promising it like a bandaid over a cut. will never happen again, and begging for forgiveness. It was during these periods that I thought that he would change, and we could really be together forever. He would buy me flowers after every fight we had to try to make up. On the outside, Jason looked like a dutiful boyfriend who spoils his girlfriend. If only others knew that for every bouquet I received, I had been rung out like a towel the day before. This cycle of abuse, along with the attributes of the power and control wheel, contributed to the absolute torture that was my first relationship. Intimidation, emotional abuse, isolation, coercion, and threats should never rear its ugly head in any sort of relationship. When my Lizzy Budiselich, ceramic innocent heart went looking for puppy love, I thought I had found it—only for it to take off its mask to reveal something much more grim. Looking back on this time in my life I knew that he had treated me despicably, but never considered it to be “bad enough” to be domestic 19 A Rooted Education

Alora Nowlin LAS 110: Problem Solving for Sustainability

We once produced three thousand pounds of produce for our own cafeteria, but once we lost grant funding for a garden coordinator and changed leadership in Central Market, suddenly the garden-to- table connection was lost. How might we begin using our own food again in our own cafeteria, I have asked? And until now, no one has taken up the challenge. Alora’s essay tackles this problem with a creative mixture of original interviews and case studies from other colleges or schools with subsistence gardens. I love how she uses research to answer a truly burning question for herself and for our campus community. More than that, I am impressed by how she weaves her own awakening to sustainability issues (her own capacity for change) into her call to action for the college. If she can come to care about the garden, she argues, so can the administration. It is a bold and inspiring argument. -Joshua Dolezal

One of the most valuable Environmental Design (Global), addition to sustainable buildings skills we can learn today is how I wasn’t interested in the lights such as Roe, Central College to live sustainably. This is easier that dimmed when the sun was also has a strong focus on said than done. There is not a shining or the PSA that came sustainability in academics. As class that can teach you how to over the intercom of a room a part of the core requirements live sustainably in the course when the windows were opened for graduation, each student of a single semester, since the when it was too hot or cold must take at least one class that resources that are available to us outside. To me, sustainability pertains to global sustainability, are ever-changing. The things was simply a word that was but there are also many other we once seemed oblivious to used in politics in order to guilt classes that offer a sustainability are now common knowledge, people into recycling. What focus such as Environmental and the needs of each individual I didn’t know was Central Ethics, Food Justice, and are unique according to their College made a vow to change Principles of Ecology (Global). environment. Even though this naïve idea, and in just five Even with such a dedicated we cannot teach a single class short months, for me, they did. focus on sustainability, there on sustainability and expect In recent years, campus are still aspects of campus in the student to be prepared for gardens and farms have which Central College has anything that comes after, we become increasingly popular room for improvement. The can teach them how they can as sustainability has become college garden is one of these live sustainably in the moment a more frequently discussed areas. Since the garden was to better adapt in the future. topic. Many institutions, founded 15 years ago, it has Before coming to Central including everything from served many purposes (Global). College, I had no real interest in elementary schools to Currently, the produce that is sustainability. My criteria was universities, have been grown in the garden is donated strictly monetary and based on implementing sustainability to a local food pantry, and the majors offered. So when education through the form although this is a great cause, I first took a tour of the Roe of gardening and farming the food pantry has begun their Building, a building honored (Cobb 145). One of the things own garden and they are no with a platinum certification Central College prides itself on longer in desperate need of by Leadership in Energy and is sustainability education. In the campus garden’s produce 20 (Campbell). Since there is not such as tools, workers, crops, sustain itself. Similar to Warren a high demand for produce and maintaining equipment. Wilson College, Bowdoin from the garden, the amount of Luckily, the garden is already College in Maine also assigns food that is being grown has in use, so there are some start- a dollar value to the produce decreased over the past few up costs that can be avoided. they grow, based on the local years. At its peak, the garden When it comes to the Market, market for organic produce produced around 1,500 pounds Iwan Williams, the director of (Caiazzo). Bowdoin College of produce; this past year, it was dining services, says it is run differs from Warren Wilson in only able to produce about 300 like a business because money that the funding of the garden pounds (Campbell). There are is limited (Williams). Typically, comes from the dining services many factors that have caused the cheapest option is what the budget, as well as support from this decrease in production, but Market will choose; however, the garden club. This means the one thing that we can learn it is important to note that that the garden is an extension from it is that we have a chance of the dining services, but it to make Central College more A few years ago, $80,000 of is managed by separate staff sustainable. As an institution (Caiazzo). Both of these schools the Central College dining that strives to promote and provide different models for exhibit sustainability, we services budget went to locally their garden and dining hall need to cultivate a garden that sourced produce. This past relationship. If the Central can be used to not only teach year, it was a quarter of that College garden and Central students about sustainability, number at only $20,000 going Market could establish a more but to also make the institution to locally sourced produce business-like partnership in a more sustainable by providing similar way to Warren Wilson produce for Central Market. If sometimes the cheapest option College or Bowdoin College, it my views on sustainability can comes from what is available at would allow the Central garden change in just five months at the moment. When analyzing to support itself, and therefore Central College, imagine what cost, it is cheaper to use a fresh, be sustainable. In unison with could happen for the garden in local tomato than it is to buy the decreased production of the the next fifteen years. a canned sauce (Williams). If garden, dining service spending Sustainability is not we were able to grow large on locally grown produce has easy, at least when you are enough batches of tomatoes to also decreased. A few years ago, first starting. It takes time, process, money could be saved $80,000 of the Central College dedication, and even money without having to worry about dining services budget went to in order to correct old habits. the negative consequences of locally sourced produce. This For me, it was reminding sourcing processed produce past year, it was a quarter of that myself to use my reusable from elsewhere. One way that number at only $20,000 going water bottle instead of taking a Warren Wilson College has to locally sourced produce plastic bottle from the fridge. addressed the issue of the cost (Campbell). If we could grow For Central College to use difference between self-grown produce in our own garden, we garden produce in the cafeteria, produce and outsourcing is could offer it at a comparable a few different steps would by paying the market-value of price. Instead of only spending need to be taken. The first the produce to the garden or $20,000 on local produce and thing that must be considered farm directly (Cobb 170). This the rest on out-sourced goods, is financing the garden; there exchange allows the two to act we would be fostering an in- are many different things as separate entities, and it gives house relationship between that have to be accounted for the garden or farm the chance to the financial aspect of the 21 dining hall and the sourcing of blue-collar and green-collar supplying their dining services produce. workers (Paskus 38). Even with produce and acting as Another important though they both have jobs a liaison between the garden thing to keep in mind when that may seem contradictory, and the cafeteria (Ross 103). discussing finances in an they can find a common With a single person in charge institution is the value of interest in the well-being of of relaying information, the education. As the associate their community (Paskus 38). connection between garden and professor in the Department of Although Iwan, the Director dining services will allow for a Horticulture and the director of of Dining Services, and Brian smoother exchange of produce, the Hahn Horticulture Garden Campbell, the Director of allowing dining services to be at Virginia Polytechnic Institute Sustainability Education, better prepared. and State University, Holly would be expected to have The final consideration Scoggins has a lot of experience different priorities, their when it comes to implementing when it comes to campus focus is the same: the well- self-grown produce into the gardens. She states that gardens being of students. They both Central Market is maintaining are necessary for teaching acknowledge that there is a the garden. There are three students about plants, and “the disconnect and that it would concerns when it comes to value of this function cannot be need to be addressed in order labor for garden produce: understated” (Scoggins 528). shortage of workers in Central Iwan Williams recognizes this Market, shortage of workers as well; even though dining in the summer months, and services has to be run like a increasingly hectic schedules business, there also has to as the school year starts. The be a focus on education. We Central Market always seems want to provide students with to be looking for student the best education possible, workers, and this high demand and that is the main focus of is reflected in the pay scale. Central College (Williams). Students who work in the If we can use our garden to Central Market have higher- teach our students to have a paying jobs than most other more sustainable relationship student workers on campus with food, we can justify minor (Newendorp). Another benefit price increases because, as an of working at Central Market institution, we have to prioritize is students are given a free education. Sally Evoy, acrylic, 11” x 14” meal for every shift they work, In addition to not having meaning they do not have a set source of income for the for garden produce to be used to use one of the fourteen or garden, there is also a clear efficiently in Central Market. nineteen weekly meal swipes disconnect in communication This is not a unique issue, as (Zinc). Although this sounds between the dining services schools like Unity College have appealing to students, their and the garden. Laura Paskus, faced similar problems (Ross meal swipes often go to waste a writer who focuses on 102). In order to overcome the at the end of the week because environmental issues, knows communication gap at Unity they used a free meal or two about the strength and power College, a student gardener during the week. For example, that comes from cooperation was given an updated job title student worker Madison Zinc between groups such as the that allowed them to focus on works in Central Market three 22 days a week. She has the meal usually miss the most labor is Scattergood Friends School. plan which allows students to intensive and productive part Scattergood Friends School use nineteen meal swipes a of the growing season (12). is a private boarding school week, but with the three extra By involving people in the located in West Branch, Iowa. swipes and her hectic schedule, garden, we can help to foster One of the most unique features she typically has at least six a stronger relationship with of this school is their campus left over (Zinc). This seems food and a stronger community. farm where students are given counterproductive because it Each year, there are positions the opportunity to learn about is portrayed as a benefit to the open for students to work in the farming through hands-on work. students, but there is little to no garden, especially during the Mark Quee is the manager of reward. Instead of charging the summer (Campbell). Although the farm, and he is charged with full price for a student’s meal they are paid the same wage the task of ensuring that there plan, a student who works in a as the students who work in is enough labor to maintain position for the dining services the dining hall, the wage they the grounds. One of the ways or should be given Quee overcomes the lack of a reduced cost for student availability during peak their meal plan and harvest time is by planting their wage should crops that have a higher cold be lowered in order resistance later than normal in to reflect a more order to delay the harvest as transparent and long as possible (Quee). Then, beneficial income. the school year starts with what The promise of a many schools would call a reduced meal plan J-term, or a short period where will attract students students explore a specific because they see the Megan Rohr, acrylic, 11” x 14” academic interest (Quee). At savings upfront. Central Market make is not enough to offset Scattergood, students are given workers are vital because staff the cost of remaining in Pella one day a week where they is needed to process the fresh for those who do not live there spend four hours harvesting produce in order to prevent already during the peak harvest and maintaining the farmland waste. season. Central College already (Quee). Classes switch off The next consideration offers research opportunities days, and this helps to give for staff is in the garden. for students during the summer, students a chance to learn about Rebecca Laycock Pederson, where they offer on-campus sustainability and farming a postgraduate research housing as a benefit, and while also giving much needed student, and Dr. Zoe Robinson, the garden would provide support to the regular gardening a professor from Keele an excellent opportunity for staff. After the majority of University, recognize that one undergraduate research focused the crops are harvested or of the most important things to on campus gardens. It is also the J-term ends, the farm is consider and understand when important to consider worker maintained by designated it comes to campus gardens is availability during the school crews of students and staff “participant transience,” more year, which is an issue that (Quee). Although a J-term simply known as staff turnover many institutions with campus would not be very feasible at (Pederson 12). In their review farms and gardens struggle the college level, there are over of university gardens, they with. One such school that thirty sustainability classes acknowledge that students found a solution to this struggle at Central College in which 23 students would benefit from majestic mountains for coal when it comes to changing your having hands-on experience in and leaving behind a wasteland lifestyle. However, in this case, sustainability. If each class took (Reece 93). Unlike the miners it is not as difficult as it seems. one hour, every other week, in Appalachia, there are many Central College has made a there would be enough time and places that are working to promise to every student that it student participation to maintain encourage students to become will provide the best education the garden. more connected to the land. For possible and that students Central College example, at Aaniiih Nakoda will become responsible and is dedicated to creating a College in Montana, five to engaged citizens. In just five community of students who seven students are hired to work months, Central College has feel that the college is a at the garden and greenhouse taught me the importance of second home, not a box on the in the summer (Morales). The sustainability, and now the checklist to complete in order students often have to work college, the faculty, and the to move to the next stage in life. through the summer heat students, as a team, must work Gardening can help foster this and swarms of mosquitoes to identify ways in which we deep sense of community and to complete tedious labor. can become more sustainable. family. In his work “Moving Although this sounds like a The garden is one place where Mountains,” author and job that very few people would we lack sustainability; although environmentalist Eric Reece want, many students return to there are obstacles such as warns of something similar to this job year after year because financing the switch, promoting participant transience. When of the bonds they make with the better communication, and people don’t have a specific land and each other (Morales). maintaining the grounds, these attachment to the place they are By promoting student workers obstacles can be overcome. We working or staying, especially if in the garden, we can help bring must work together to use the they view it as only temporary, our community here at Central garden produce in the Central they tend to disregard the College even closer while Market in order to live up to the wellbeing of others there. This teaching the importance of sustainability standards we have was especially prevalent in the sustainability. set for ourselves, and to ensure Appalachia Mountains where Sometimes, doing the the integrity of our community. miners were stripping the once right thing is difficult, especially Works Cited Caiazzo, Matthew and Jeremy Tardif. Personal Interview. 18 Nov. 2019. Campbell, Brian. Personal Interview. 7 Nov. 2019. Cobb, Tanya Denckla. Reclaiming Our Food: How the Grassroots Food Movement Is Changing the Way We Eat. Storey Publishing, 2011, pp.145-70. Global Sustainability Education, Central College, https://www.central.edu/academics/programs/global-sustainability-education/. Pedersen, Rebecca Laycock and Zoe Robinson. “Reviewing University Community Gardens for Sustainability: Taking Stock, Comparisons with Urban Community Gardens and Mapping Research Opportunities.” Local Environment, 17 Apr. 2018, p. 12. Quee, Mark. Personal Interview. 15 Nov. 2019. Morales, Manuel and Scott Friskics. “Growing a Healthy, Sustainable Community: The Aaniiih Nakoda College Demonstration Garden and Greenhouse Project.” Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education, vol. 30, no. 3, Spring 2019, https:// tribalcollegejournal.org/growing-a-healthy-sustainable-community-the-aaniiih-nakoda-college- demonstration-garden-and-greenhouse-project/. Newendorp, Donna. Personal Interview. 21 Nov. 2019. Paskus, Laura. “The Union Makes Them Stronger.” The Future of Nature: Writing on a Human Ecology from Orion Magazine, edited by Barry Lopez, Milkweed Editions, 2007, p. 38. Reece, Erik. “Moving Mountains.” The Future of Nature: Writing on a Human Ecology from Orion Magazine, edited by Barry Lopez, Milkweed Editions, 2007, p. 93. Ross, Nancy J. “Bringing You Fresh Food from Local Farms and Our Garden: A College Class Designs a Program to Meet Peer and Institutional Needs.” Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, vol. 37, no. 2, Mar 2005, pp. 102-3. Scoggins, Holly L. “University Garden Stakeholders: Student, Industry, and Community Connections.” HortTechnology, vol. 20, no. 3, June 2010, p. 528. Williams, Iwan. Personal Interview. 4 Nov. 2019. Zinc, Madison. Personal Interview. 20 Nov. 2019.

24 Aristotle and Alison Discover the Secrets of Their Dads

Emma Carlson ENGL 216: LGBTQ+ Literature and Culture Emma wrote this paper for the final project assignment in LGBTQ+ Literature and Culture. She chose the option to respond to at least two of our course texts through a creative medium, then provide an explanation of her response. -Valerie Billing for smoke and mirrors (Alison) maybe i didn’t inherit your eye for aesthetics

for smoke (mirrors and) (and mirrors)

but you made of me a magician still.

maybe not the exact same kind as you, but a magician still.

we know a good trick when we see one, don’t we, dad? we also know when we can’t oil the cuffs, when we are no harry houdini, when we confine, when we cannot

break out

and breathe so i make you and you make me and we live vicariously. 25 it’s your last act that’s landed no one knows how why you vanished they have their theories. but they don’t know.

not like i do. do i know?

you have made yourself inimitable in your curiosity

you have secured your seat amongst roanoke and ufo’s and life’s great mysteries

…

you strolled before a sunbeam and bursted into light light that crawls across mom’s stage, through the theatre of our family to the few and far between failures of your facade and i want to call you a fucking fraud how dare you force me beneath the blinding bulbs of grief of a premature memoir

of making your show mean something?

‘cause you were shit, dad. shit at guessing cards, at getting the bunny out of the goddamn hat, at knowing whether or not you had us fooled.

26

but we’re both shit magicians in the end: we reveal our secrets for just a second of being seen; pulling back the curtain, revealing the fakes and, worse still, the reals.

dad. you didn’t stroll before a sunbeam because mom got the guts to leave this decrepit performance.

right?

no. that was a long time coming. you knew that. you had to know that.

no. you strolled before a sunbeam

because you ceased to amaze.

my own war (Aristotle)

i’ve never been to vietnam.

mom says it was real bad.

mom also says, “your father was beautiful” like that’s supposed to make sense. beautiful how? an impermanency, certainly. but beautiful like adonis? like dante? 27 more likely, i think and all i do is think is you were beautiful as a baby is; just a big-eyed bambino who saw something too violent. maybe ‘copters c R as h i n g, Cutting.

ensue the carnage and chaos and

(how does it feel to house a whole other country in your head?)

i can’t find you and i’m always looking for you, dad under the monsoons you never mentioned. and the water reeks of chlorine, of dante, of my own war. don’t ask me about him. please. i don’t know how i’ll answer. i don’t know if i’ll be silent like you. i’ve got bambino eyes, too. how long ‘till i’m ugly? how long ‘till i only see the rain? i’m afraid we are different. is no one else ashamed? is no one else alone? i’m afraid we are the same. am i doomed as the soldier? will i ever come home?

will dante, too, tell my kids, “he was beautiful”? will dante, too, pretend i’m coming home?

28 As popular stand-up herself and her queer father. muscles and tweed like my comedian John Mulaney once Primarily, the piece depends father wanted the velvet dryly remarked in a special: on the metaphor of magic. This and pearls—subjectively, “None of us really know choice was loosely inspired for myself” (98-99). It’s not our fathers” (Mulaney). And by Alison’s stinging comment an ideal situation for either while it was said in the spirit on the manner in which her party. As many queer people of morbid comedy, it also father exercises his artistic are, they’re accustomed to rings a little true. For better abilities: “He used his skillful compromising their identity for or for worse, there exists an artifice not to make things, the sake of social acceptance, ambiance of mystery in many but to make things appear so they understand the necessity father-child relationships. what they were not” (Bechdel of living their truths through This ambiance can be further 16). Much like a magician, one another. complicated by the father At first, Alison doesn’t and/or the child being queer. Through their interactions, directly admit she wants the In Alison Bechdel’s graphic it’s evident that Alison and masculine clothing for herself. novel Fun Home: A Family her father use each other Like a magician ducks behind a Tragicomic and in Benjamin as a medium for expressing curtain, she hides behind what Alire Sáenz’s novel Aristotle aspects of identity forbidden she feels is the obvious shame and Dante Discover the Secrets to them. of her overly feminine father— of the Universe, parenting— something anyone, queer or particularly parenting by Alison’s father specializes in not, might be embarrassed of. the father figure—plays an deceit and concealment. Alison, Back to the main point, Alison essential role for the main attempting to survive in the and her father, for the most characters’ development of world as a fellow queer person, part, understand why they want their queer identities. Aristotle models his behavior. I observe one another to appear a certain and Alison’s queer identities this in my piece, writing from way. I reference this in my enable them to ultimately better the perspective of Alison, lines, “we know… / when we understand their dads and have “maybe i didn’t inherit / your are no / harry houdini / when their dads better understand eye for aesthetics / for smoke we confine, / when we cannot them, arguably more fully and mirrors / but you made of / break out / and breathe / so i than they could if they weren’t me / a magician / still” (1-6). make you / and you make me queer. To illustrate this theory, Through their / and we live / vicariously“ I have written two pieces of interactions, it’s evident (11-26). Just as magicians, accompanying poetry. The that Alison and her father contortionists, and escape artists intent of these pieces is to speak use each other as a medium must be aware of their physical to how queerness can be a for expressing aspects of limits, Alison and her father vehicle for both father and child identity forbidden to them. must be wary of the social limit to better empathize with and For instance, Alison recalls to their self-expression or, in accept one another for who they getting into frequent disputes this metaphor, their act. Though are. with her father over what they are personally constrained, The first poem, titled the other should wear. She they can still perform through, “For Smoke and Mirrors,” remarks, “While I was trying and subsequently better depicts Alison, a college- to compensate for something empathize with, each other. aged butch lesbian, as she unmanly in him, he was trying Had either of them been struggles to understand the to express something feminine heterosexual and cisgender, this complex similarities between through me… I wanted the give-and-take never would’ve 29 worked. Since they both have / beautiful like adonis? / like disconnect with other boys a fairly good grasp of what it dante?” (7-13). By attempting his age. Unable to identify feels like to have one’s identity to see his mother’s perspective with them, likely because of caged in, this vicarious behavior by applying it to his own queer his queer identity, he searches is permissible between them. experience of loving another for grounding in his father. I boy, Dante, Aristotle can then allude to this search in “My The second poem, titled better cut through the confusion Own War” as I write, “i’m “My Own War,” is written from of how his mom and dad came afraid we are different / is no the perspective of Aristotle—a to be together. one else ashamed? / is no one fifteen-year-old boy who is But there’s a much else alone? / i’m afraid we are frustrated by his inability to bigger topic at play in this the same. / am i doomed as see what his mom sees in poem. Arguably, war is one of the soldier? / will i ever come his dad, a Vietnam veteran the biggest themes of Aristotle home?” (44-49). Aristotle suffering from PTSD. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets fears he is entirely unique (and also fears that as he endures of the Universe. The obvious thus incomprehensible) while his own internal war, he will example of war is the one simultaneously fearing he’s follow in his father’s footsteps that Aristotle’s dad fought in. too much like his father. The by becoming removed from Aristotle did not fight in a war apprehension of following in those who love him. Since like his father, but he was very young, Aristotle he is a veteran in his can remember attempting to own right. Though understand his father’s distance he doesn’t always and subsequently becoming realize it, Aristotle is angry when the answers were constantly battling dissatisfying. He recalls a with himself— charged conversation with his particularly when mother in a fit of fury after it comes to Dante. his father wouldn’t play with This is something I him: “‘How could you have attempted to capture married that guy?’... ‘Your in Aristotle’s brief father was beautiful.’ She but cutting remark didn’t even hesitate. I wanted in my poem: “how to ask her what had happened does it feel / to to all that beauty” (Sáenz house a whole other 12). Obviously, a haze of country / in your indignation and childish hurt is head?” (24-26). This clouding Aristotle’s judgment, is meant as a cruel but even though he phrases it jab, but there’s a cruelly, he’s genuinely trying genuine question Anna Brooks, marker, 9” x 12” to comprehend his parents’ beneath the malicious surface. his father’s footsteps creates a thoughts. This is something I Does it feel like how Aristotle tense, inner conflict about what reference in “My Own War,” feels? Is Aristotle an alien he truly wants. as I write: “mom also says / compared to how everyone else In seeking to understand ‘your father was beautiful’ / functions? the battle scars and emotional like that’s supposed to make Throughout the novel, baggage of his father, Aristotle sense. / beautiful how? / … Aristotle experiences a unearths his deepest, most 30 uncomfortable truth: he’s setting, as Aristotle would feel immense prevalence of the been carrying his own war, his no shame and thus be unable to misconception that indicates own unspeakable country, all understand why his father kept otherwise. Often, non-straight, along. He remarks as much himself so distant. non-cisgender individuals are after discussing it with his blamed for being inconsiderate mother and father, thinking, Before making my to others’ negative reactions “All of the answers had always concluding statements, I would to their mere existence. We been so close and yet I had like to address the purpose then attempt to make ourselves always fought them without behind the unconventional more palatable, denying any even knowing it… My father formatting of my poetry. I took flamboyance, out of fear we’ll was right. And it was true heavy inspiration from Trish be called callous or indifferent. what my mother said. We all Salah, an Arab-Canadian poet But, we are suffering for a fight our own private wars” who writes with a style that trait we don’t possess. As is (Sáenz 359). Out of shame, can only be described as queer. evident through the stories of both Aristotle and his father Such as Salah does in her poem Aristotle and Alison, for many bury their conflicts. Shame, an “Wanting in Arabic,” I wanted reasons, the queer path is a emotion frequently present in to toy with abrupt line breaks, difficult one to take. Precisely the young queer experience, sentence fragments, and abrupt because it is so difficult, we is easy to underestimate in stops. These elements, when foster a lasting empathy for all terms of emotional impact if obscurely broken, cultivate a things different and all things not endured firsthand. So, had more accurate representation of that make people feel ashamed Aristotle not employed his human thought and experience or afraid. Why wouldn’t we, queer experience to empathize than when they’re held in when we know firsthand with his dad’s embarrassment respect to such an established just how awful it feels? Of and trauma, it’s unlikely that format as a Shakesperian course, it’s fair to say that I’m Aristotle would have come to sonnet. Following Salah’s overgeneralizing here. Not all this realization. Following their blazed trail, I held more queer people have this outlook, confession session, Aristotle freedom to candidly explore nor should they feel obligated freely admits to himself, “For the father-child relationships of to develop it. But more once in my life, I understood Aristotle and Alison. than enough of us are better my father perfectly. And he So why does any of equipped than our heterosexual, understood me” (350). It’s from this matter? What significance cisgender counterparts to take Aristotle’s romantic love for is it that queerness holds the on the complex task that is Dante that this mutual empathy potential to be a vehicle for understanding our parents for is discovered. Such an intimate which parents and children may the people they honestly are. moment of vulnerability would arrive at better understandings And, on the likely chance that have been much less organic of one another? In short, they’re worthy, accept them, and significant in a heterosexual it matters because of the too.

WORKS CITED: Bechdel, Alison. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. Houghton Mifflin, 2006. Mulaney, John. The Comeback Kid. Chicago, Illinois. 2017. Sáenz, Benjamin Alire. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Simon and Schuster, 2012. Salah, Trish. “Wanting in Arabic.” Wanting in Arabic and Poems, TSAR Publications, 2013.

31 Recycling Crisis

Lauren Goeke LAS 410: Ecotones: Exploring Literature, Science, and History This sense of wonder assignment for LAS 410 invites students to pursue a topic of their choice connected to our class goals. I appreciated Lauren’s narrative of travels and contrasts as well as her passion for researching solutions to help solve the “recycling crisis.” Lauren would like to thank Director of Sustainability Education Brian Campbell for his guidance in research for this project. -Mary Stark I vividly remember across the country. According national park, I noticed the my trip to Alberta, Canada to Forbes, this small soap bridges across parts of the in the summer of 2018. The company is able to make highway. They were green wheels touched down on the eleven million dollars in sales crossing paths for wildlife, so landing strip. I found myself per year, while also caring animals weren’t separated by in a foreign land where the about the environment. Their the highways or forced to cross landscape, people, and priorities offices feature LED lights, in front of cars. A genius idea. were completely different recycled carpets, reclaimed When we arrived at the from my home in St. Louis, wood, and solar power. The third overflow parking lot, we Missouri—and different most impressive aspect of the waited in line for forty minutes from the college I attend in company, however, is their for a bus, which drove us Pella, Iowa. My parents, my recyclable product packaging. twenty minutes to the national friend Caitlyn, and I stayed in Instead of using plastic that park. When we finally arrived Canmore—population 14,000 sits in a landfill for hundreds of at the park, I could not believe (“Banff Facts”). When we years, like most of the beauty my eyes. The glacier water stumbled upon the weekly industry, they use durable, was blue and clear, and the Canmore market, we were paper-based pots. They also mountains were more beautiful happily surprised. Fresh fruits, started using cornstarch than any I had seen before. vegetables, meats, jam, coffee, peanuts in their packaging We hiked up a mountain path, and baked goods filled the instead of Styrofoam packing stopping along the way to booths. We ate fresh foods peanuts. The owners hope take in the landscape. In her in biodegradable bowls with this environmentally-friendly collection Li Bai: A Homage wooden spoons while listening business concept inspires other To, the poet Jean Elizabeth to live music. People shopped corporations in the future Ward writes, “You ask me why for local soap and shampoo (Chhabra 2017). I dwell in the green mountain; bars, artwork, clothes, jewelry, Approximately fifteen I smile and make no reply and alcohol. My parents miles away from Canmore is for my heart is free of care. purchased glass bottles of mead the town of Banff. This glorious As the peach-blossom flows made from local honey, and town is home to the Banff downstream and is gone into Caitlyn bought a necklace made National Park, a 2500-mile the unknown, I have a world from an old “B” typewriter key. sanctuary that, in 1885, was apart that is not among men.” Caitlyn and I strolled Canada’s first national park. The following day, we into a store that, even from The park is a tourist destination rented mountain bikes from twenty feet away, smelled for around four million people a local shop and rode around insanely good. The Rocky every year. It features thousands Canmore for a few hours. The Mountain Soap Company, a of 120 million year old glaciers sun beat down on us harshly, natural beauty store, originated and mountains (“Banff Facts”). and we needed a short break. in Canmore before expanding As we drove towards the As we stopped at a picturesque 32 spot along a river, two local the breath out of me. I barely in order to make up for these women took a break from their remembered to reach up and losses (Cannon 2018). Scott run to jump into the icy cold grab the tree to stop the current County, Iowa used to get 75 water, pulling themselves out from sweeping me away. I dollars per ton of mixed paper before the current could pull could not stop smiling and in 2017; a year later, they them too far out. They told us decided to run and jump in one received two dollars per ton. it was a popular spot to do so, more time before biking back Rock Island County brought in and recommended that we set into town. 50 dollars per bale of paper in up our hammocks right above My vacation in this 2017; in 2018, they paid five the rushing water. We set up gorgeous and environmentally dollars to get rid of each bale our hammocks, one on top aware paradise had flown (Gaul 2018). of the other. As my What went wrong? The hammock stretched United States began recycling from a tree coated years ago. According to the in brown sap to the Environmental Protection long branch that Agency, the number of items dangled over the recycled has increased year crystal-clear Bow after year (“Municipal Solid River, I wondered Waste” 2016). Early on, how this would end. however, the U.S. made a I jumped, landing in mistake by not building enough the hammock, fully recycling facilities to handle aware that it would Mary Busker, glass everything being recycled. not be possible to remain dry by, and I found myself back In order to solve this issue, when getting back on land in central Iowa writing a the United States, along with afterwards, due to the position sustainability blog post for my several other countries, started of the hammock. An hour work study job. Did you know sending its recyclable materials passed as I listened to the water, that central Iowa sent twenty to China. China has been fish, and birds, including a tons of paper to the landfill “the world’s recycling bin” nearby woodpecker. I could see each day for four months last for over 20 years, processing the fish and the bottom of the summer? Twenty tons per day. “at least half of the world’s river, something that seemed And this was not a mistake. So exports of waste plastic, completely foreign to me; any what happened? Mid America paper and metals,” and the rivers near my hometown of St. Recycling said that they could U.S. sent 16 million tons of Louis are mucky, brown, and not find a single company waste to China in 2016 alone disgusting. to buy the paper. They tried (Mosbergen 2018). China was Here, in Canmore, stockpiling the paper for a happy to accept the waste in the Three Sisters mountain while, but eventually they ran the recent past because they peaks command the sky in out of room and had no choice used the recyclables to feed the background. Trees stretch but to add it to the landfill the large manufacturing sector. as far as the eye could see. waste. In 2017, Des Moines As of the beginning of 2018, I felt incredibly relaxed and made a profit of $320,000 from however, China no longer connected to nature. We waved recycling. This fiscal year, it accepted twenty-four kinds to people rafting down the river is expected to have a $50,000 of waste. They have also said as we fell into the water. The deficit. The city’s solid waste that cardboard and scrap metal water felt icy cold and knocked fee is increasing two percent can only have 0.5 percent food 33 contamination, which would contamination is to eliminate Plastic is not a profitable be impossible for Americans to single stream recycling. recyclable. According to Slate meet currently. The effects of Canmore does three-stream Magazine, plastic bottles are this sudden change by China recycling with mixed paper, worth very little when oil prices have been felt worldwide glass, plastic and metal, which are low (Grabar 2019). Instead, because countries do not have results in less contamination we should consider eliminating a place for this much waste. and easier sorting. For other single-use plastics, especially Around 38 American states, recyclables, there is a depot plastic water bottles. Many including Iowa, have seen in town that accepts items Americans buy plastic water noticeable effects (Rosengren such as car batteries, bike bottles instead of using reusable 2019). The states most affected tires, electronics, light bulbs, water bottles, and much of are on the coast, since they have paints, and batteries (“Beyond this plastic makes its way into always sent everything overseas Curbside Recycling” 2019). the oceans. In fact, over eight and do not have domestic More recycling million pieces of plastic go markets to sell their recyclables infrastructure must be built into the ocean every day. It is to. across the United States. estimated that there are over This disaster is not Doing this would create new five trillion pieces of micro entirely China’s fault, though. jobs, save landfill space, and, and macro plastic floating in The United States has sent a most importantly, help save the ocean (“Plastic Pollution” high percentage of recyclables our planet. This is our chance 2019). The problem isn’t just that were contaminated with for the American recycling plastic bottles, either. Millions food as well as non-recyclable industry to flourish. The key to of people use plastic bags when items. In other words, the solving our recycling problem they shop. In fact, two million United States filled China’s ultimately lies in our ability plastic bags are used worldwide landfills with trash. Americans to make recycling profitable. every minute and a trillion need to be educated regarding Why cut down more are used what can and cannot be trees when we have every year More recycling recycled. Americans try to thousands of tons (“Plastic recycle dirty food containers, of paper going to infrastructure must be built Bags” batteries, coffee cups, and landfills? Paper across the United States. 2014). Why Christmas lights, as well is not a worthless Doing this would create new not use a as plastic bags. We need to item that we should jobs, save landfill space, reusable understand that anything have to fight to sell and, most importantly, help bag instead? with food on it is considered to someone. Paper save our planet. This is our Doing so contaminated. A peanut butter needs to be worth chance for the American could help jar is not recyclable unless you more in a recycling recycling industry to us eliminate wash the peanut butter out. plant than it is in flourish. plastic bags. A beer bottle must be rinsed a landfill. There is In an effort first (Mosbergen 2018). If proof that recycling to encourage Americans were more educated can be profitable. As I showed people to use reusable bags, on proper recycling, costs above, cities across the country the United Kingdom charges could be cut down for recycling made hundreds of thousands around six cents for each plastic companies. Fewer employee of dollars on recyclables in bag at stores with at least 250 hours would be spent sorting 2017, and now they are losing employees (Howell 2016). trash from recyclables. One thousands of dollars sending Another unnecessary plastic possible option to reduce those recyclables to landfills. item is plastic straws. Every 34 year, 100,000 sea turtles and Canmore, Canada. The Rocky use plastics is difficult, but I am marine mammals, in addition to Mountain Soap Company’s willing to take on the challenge. 1 million seabirds, die because In fact, I have started the of plastic waste. (“Plastic plastic-free month challenge. Pollution” 2019). Alternatives Can you reduce your waste? As to plastic straws include metal, Edward O. Wilson said, “the silicone, paper, plant-based, and great dilemma of environmental bamboo. Another plastic is the reasoning stems from this microbeads in face washes and conflict between short-term beauty products. These small and long-term values. To select beads drain into the oceans. values for the near future of Why not buy environmentally- one’s own tribe or country is friendly products instead? relatively easy” (40). Instead, I am not suggesting we must think long-term about that the United States should Alisabeth Gremminger, glass our descendants and the future accept the rest of the world’s environmentally-friendly of the Earth. recycling, but we should be able business concept can be applied to manage our own recycling. I here in the United States to save hope that the United States can both money and the planet. I one day be as sustainable as know that living without single-

Works Cited Antisdel, Brent. “Wasted.” CITYVIEW, 28 Dec. 2018, www.dmcityview.com/feature-1/2019/01/02/wasted-2/. “Banff Facts.” Banff.com, www.banff.com/banff-helpers/banff-facts/. “Beyond Curbside Recycling.” Town of Canmore, canmore.ca/municipal-services/ waste-management-recycling/beyond-curbside-recycling Cannon, Austin. “Paper Recycled by Des Moines Residents Was Diverted to Landfill Due to Lack of Buyers.” Des Moines Register, 17 Dec. 2018, www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2018/12/02/ des-moines-what-can-cant-recycled-paper-metro-waste-authority-mid-america-china-paper-trash/2148661002/. Chhabra, Esha. “This Canadian Company Has $11 Million In Annual Sales While Putting The Environment First.” Forbes Magazine, 23 Jan. 2017, www.forbes.com/sites/eshachhabra/2017/01/23/ how-this-canadian-company-has-11-million-in-annual-sales-while-putting-the-environment-first/#75628a4a5085. Gaul, Alma. “Bottom Drops out of Q-C Recycling Market.” Dispatch-Argus-QCOnline, 22 June 2018, qconline.com/ news/local/bottom-drops-out-of-q-c-recycling-market/article_8d5164bb-7275-5567-81fc-8f7b2496ecb9.html. Grabar, Henry. “Recycling Isn’t About the Planet. It’s About Profit.” Slate Magazine, 5 Apr. 2019, slate.com/ business/2019/04/recycling-dead-planet-profit-americans-commodities-china.html. Howell, Dominic. “The 5p Plastic Bag Charge: All You Need to Know.” BBC News, 30 July 2016, www.bbc.com/news/ uk-34346309. Mosbergen, Dominique. “China No Longer Wants Your Trash. Here’s Why That’s Potentially Disastrous.” The Huffington Post,25 Jan. 2018, www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/china-recycling-waste-ban_ us_5a684285e4b0dc592a0dd7b “Municipal Solid Waste.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 2016, archive.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/ web/html/. Petrov, Svilen. “The Island of Garbage in the Pacific Is Already Bigger Than 3 Countries.” Maritime Herald, 9 Jan. 2019, www.maritimeherald.com/2019/the-island-of-garbage-in-the-pacific-is-already-bigger-than-3-countries/. “Plastic Pollution - Facts and Figures.” Surfers Against Sewage, 2019, www.sas.org.uk/our-work/plastic-pollution/plastic- pollution-facts-figures/. Rosengren. “How Recycling Is Changing in All 50 States.” Waste Dive, 1 Feb. 2019, www.wastedive.com/news/ what-chinese-import-policies-mean-for-all-50-states/510751/. “Town of Canmore Census.” Town of Canmore, canmore.ca/town-hall/community-statistics/census. Ward, Jean Elizabeth. Li Bai: an Homage To. Lulu Books, 2007. Wilson, Edward O. The Future of Life. Vintage Books, 2002.

35 The Function of Stabilimenta in Spider Webs Winner of the John Allen Award

Emma Clodfelter BIOL 320: Evolution I choose Emma’s paper because I was captivated by how she presented the problem on designs in spider webs. She was very successful at providing the necessary background information to understand the biological problem, including the currently proposed hypotheses and critiques for each one, leading to her proposed work. -Paulina Mena Introduction The spinnerets are covered Perhaps the most which makes the stabilimenta with spigots, which are small unique trait of spiders is their seem counterintuitive (Rao, et tubes that expel the formed silk silk. Despite other insects al. 2006). (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). The producing silk at some stage The stabilimenta, or exact placement and number of in their development, spiders web decorations, are zig-zags spinnerets varies from species remain distinctive due to both of aciniform silk that form to species, and spiders are the sexes using silk throughout a conspicuous design, the only silk-spinning organisms their entire lifespan (Brunetta function of which is unknown with abdominal spinnerets and Craig, 2010). The many (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). species grouped together under Many hypotheses have been Spiders, with the exception of the label “orb weaver” all spin proposed, such as making primitive species, produce six a web as a means of trapping the web visible to animals or more varieties of silk in their their prey (Rao, Cheng, and that may crash through it, different glands, and each kind Herberstein 2006). Spiders attracting prey, and making the has its own function (Brunetta all have spinnerets in their spider look larger to potential and Craig, 2010). The silk itself abdomens that are connected predators (Brunetta and Craig, is formed by proteins, which to many silk-producing glands 2010). Not all spiders use can make the silk glue-like, (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). stabilimenta, and members of woolly, strong, elastic, etc. in This allows the spider to the same species may decorate order to make a web that can utilize different kinds of silk their webs in different ways withstand speeding insects, for different purposes, such (Beccaloni, 2009). Because of support the weight of the as being sticky to snare prey how visible the web becomes spider, trap the insects, and so (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). It is when stabilimenta are present, on (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). thought that the many functions there must be an advantage that The silk is so strong because of their silk has allowed spiders would balance out this trade- it has a core-shell structure; to survive in so many different off. The function may vary in the core is the strength- environments without radically different species, as well, which determining factor, and it is altering their body shape or complicates the experiments composed of the two spider silk lifestyle (Brunetta and Craig, and results. proteins, hydrophobic spidroin 2010). Spiders’ webs have The silk-producing I and hydrophilic spidroin II become less visible over the glands use ducts to transfer (Doblhofer, et al. 2015). Most course of their evolution, the silk into the spinnerets of the spider silk genes come (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). from the same gene family 36 (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). Craig, 2010). Aciniform silk, are not any more reflective The speed at which spiders which the stabilimenta are than the other types of silk spin their webs is affected composed of, are thought to (Zschokke, 2002). However, by temperature—heat makes be most similar to the original these results conflict with spiders work faster, and cold silk gland that appeared in the other research that suggests makes them slower (Vollrath, common ancestor of spiders that the stabilimenta are the 2003). There is also evidence (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). most reflective part of the web to suggest that the conditions Females use it for the formation (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). of silk-spinning determine the of egg sacs and wrapping up Therefore, my hypothesis is that strength of the silk, not just the prey; males use it for depositing the stabilimenta do attract prey. genes, as silkworms can spin sperm before bringing it to the It is thought that the silk of nearly equal strength if palpal organs (Brunetta and stabilimenta vaguely mimic they spin it in the same fashion Craig, 2010). Aciniform silk flowering grasses, but the as a spider (Vollrath, 2003). is the strongest spider silk that spiders do not use the same Vertical orb weavers in has been tested, and it is also pattern repeatedly, which the superfamily Araneoidea waterproof (Brunetta and Craig, prevents their prey from use the spiral in their web to 2010). learning to avoid their webs catch their prey (Brunetta and Some observations (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). Craig, 2010). The capture of orb weavers have led to Some researchers observed that spiral is a combination of two the conclusion that species when Argiope argentata spiders silk proteins, the stretchy in the Cyclosa genus use the decorated their webs daily with flagelliform silk and the sticky stabilimenta to camouflage different patterns, there were aggregate silk protein glue their location in the web. These more insect hits than when the (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). spiders litter their webs with spider did not use decorations or Flagelliform silk is translucent, debris and spin the stabilimenta used the same ones consistently which makes it hard for insects in a spiral-like pattern, but this (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). to detect, and it can withstand is only notable in these species, However, the stabilimenta the speed of flying insects when not in other spiders that use have also been noted to attract they hit the web (Brunetta and web decorations (Beccaloni, wasps, so spiders that decorate Craig, 2010). The aggregate silk 2009). The problem with the frequently eat well, but do is a glue that is applied to the hypothesis that the stabilimenta not live as long as their non- web fibers as a fluid (Brunetta prevent birds from flying decorating counterparts, due to and Craig, 2010). The aggregate through the web is that spiders wasp predation and parasitizing silk beads up and scatters can rebuild their webs in a (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). light, which may help attract short amount of time. Although These observations were insects (Brunetta and Craig, this does not disprove the made on only one species, 2010). Unlike other spider hypothesis, it makes it seem so repeating their methods silks, the aggregate remains less likely than the idea that with many other species of wet and absorbs water from the the stabilimenta are used to orb weaver and comparing humidity in the air (Brunetta attract prey. This hypothesis the results would provide and Craig, 2010). Spiders that states that the stabilimenta more evidence to support the do not use aggregate silk glue attract prey by reflecting UV hypothesis of prey attraction. If use woolly cribellate silk, light, but this is not supported the function of the stabilimenta but this is less sticky than the by the findings of Samuel is prey attraction for the aggregate silk and does not Zschokke, whose research majority of species that use reflect any light (Brunetta and indicated that the stabilimenta it, then the expected results 37 would coincide with what likely to catch prey when the tits to compare how insects the researchers found when decorations were present, and insect-eating birds viewed observing Argiope argentata. and that the combination of the treated and untreated webs For their experiment, they decorations and web barriers (Tseng, et al. 2011). They photographed the spiders in caused a decrease in predation found both that the paint did their webs under UV light rates by birds (Tseng, et al. conceal the decorations, and against a background of 2011). These tuft decorations that the untreated decorations flowering grasses (Brunetta and consist of silk, insect carcasses, were visible to insects and birds Craig, 2010). They took note eggs, and debris, and they may (Tseng, et al. 2011). of all the stabilimenta patterns serve a similar function to, or Their results showed used by spiders and recorded may include, the stabilimenta that there was no significant damage to the web that (Tseng, et al. 2011). The difference in prey-capture rates indicated insect hits (Brunetta experimenters designed three between treated and untreated and Craig, 2010). After these treatments for the spiderwebs: webs, but in the 2010 study, the initial observations, they removal of the web decorations, treated webs with concealed randomly selected decorations had webs to transplant significantly lower stabilimenta onto prey-capture rates and changed the than the webs with designs at random visible decorations the next day (Tseng, et al. 2011). (Brunetta and Craig, Predation from 2010). Then they wasps did not vary marked and trained between the groups stingless bees—the (Tseng, et al. 2011). prey of Argiope However, this may argentata—to forage be because the T. in the particular sites brevispina spiders with the webs and have a thick, spiny recorded the number cuticle as a means of bee hits in the of protection from webs (Brunetta and Hallie Taets, cut paper, 12” x 12” x 4” wasps, so their Craig, 2010). They found that removal of the web decorations decorated barrier webs likely bees hit decorated webs more and the barrier webs, and no did not evolve as a defense frequently, but after getting treatment as a control group against wasps (Tseng, et al. caught and escaping once, the (Tseng, et al. 2011). They used 2011). There were only six bees learned the pattern and video monitoring to keep track bird interactions, two of which avoided the web, but would get of the spiders’ prey-capture did not involve an attack, caught again if the decoration rates and predation rates and this only happened in the pattern was changed (Brunetta (Tseng, et al. 2011). To find untreated control group, whose and Craig, 2010). how the UV-reflectiveness of decorations and barrier were An experiment that the decorations compared to present (Tseng, et al. 2011). tested for the prey-attraction the decorations concealed with There were four bird attacks in ability of web decorations paint, the researchers developed total, three in the group without found both that Thelacantha a photoreceptor sensitivity barrier webs or decorations, brevispina spiders were more model with honeybees and blue and one in the group without 38 decorations only (Tseng, et al. away from the middle of a discoid stabilimenta pattern, 2011). There is still uncertainty the web, shuttling is when whereas adults utilize cruciform whether the decorations were the spider shuffles between stabilimenta (Li, et al. 2003). solely responsible for attracting sides of the web, pumping is The study found that prey, as they could not be when the spiders pump their juveniles in decorated webs separated from the barrier webs bodies while on the web, and had different responses than (Tseng, et al. 2011). However, juveniles in undecorated when the barrier webs were webs (Li, et al. 2003). They present without decorations, shuttled more frequently, they caught less prey (Tseng, et shifting was about the same, al. 2011). and fewer than 10% dropped Birds seemed to attack (Li, et al. 2003). Adults with less when barrier webs with stabilimenta in their webs decorations were present, and also responded to stimuli although there was a small differently than adults with sample size of birds, this may plain webs (Li, et al. 2003). suggest that the decorations They did not drop or shift make the barrier more visible as frequently, and they to deter predators (Tseng, et pumped more often (Li, et al. 2011). The researchers al. 2003). The researchers did find that the decorations suspect that shuttling in reflected blue light in addition juveniles is associated with to UV light, which is visible the stabilimenta as a means to birds and insects (Tseng, et of making the spider harder al. 2011). The stabilimenta in for predators to spot in the Hallie Taets, marker, 9” x 12” other orb weaver webs conform web (Li, et al. 2003). They to insect-form vision, but the dropping includes dropping out also suspect that the discoid tuft decorations do not, which of the web to hide in the leaf stabilimenta may block the suggests that they are imperfect litter below (Li, et al. 2003). juvenile from view or provide mimics that nonetheless still These researchers believe a barrier between it and the function advantageously that stabilimenta may aid in predator if the spider shuttles to (Tseng, et al. 2011). deterring predators because they the opposite side of the web (Li, Another set of are only found in diurnal orb- et al. 2003). The researchers researchers studied the Argiope weavers that build their webs believe that since the adult A. versicolor spider, an orb weaver, in open, visible areas (Li, et al. versicolor build their webs in to see if predator-avoidance 2003). This does not mean that exposed areas, the wind loosens behaviors varied between adults the stabilimenta cannot also webs that lack cruciform and juveniles, and if these attract prey, as it is possible stabilimenta, which may explain behaviors were stabilimentum- that stabilimenta may have why pumping is more common specific (Li, et al. 2003). Tactile more than one function (Li, et on webs that have it (Li, et stimulation and air movement al. 2003). The researchers also al. 2003). This study seems were used as artificial stimuli noted that all species in the to find a connection between to elicit any of four responses: genus Argiope that have been the stabilimenta and predator- shuttling, pumping, dropping, studied have been observed avoidance rather than prey or shifting (Li, et al. 2003). using stabilimenta (Li, et al. attraction, but this function may Shifting involves moving 2003). However, juveniles use only be in some species. 39 An important factor attraction hypothesis, the idea family. Although it would be of in discovering the purpose that the stabilimenta imitate value to choose a species from of stabilimenta is whether it UV-reflective floral guides a different genus, more research evolved once or multiple times or gaps in vegetation has not needs to be done in many independently, and whether been directly tested (Bruce, species to determine habitat, the vertical orb weavers that 2006). Therefore, this would predators, diet, and more to aid use it are closely related or be a prime topic of study in in determining the function of not. It is currently believed testing my hypothesis. Other their use of stabilimenta, as it that the use of stabilimenta pieces of supporting evidence likely varies between species evolved independently at least have already been found, such due to environmental context. nine times and has appeared in as juvenile Argiope versicolor By choosing a well-known and three families and twenty-two with decorated webs catching previously-studied genus, I can genera (Bruce, 2006). These more Drosophila flies, but only easily compare my results to families include Araneidae, when UV light was present, other studies. This may also Uloboridae and Tetragnathidae indicating that the stabilimenta provide insight into whether (Bruce, 2006). These families are reflective (Bruce, 2006). species within the same genus are not closely related to each Another study that involved use stabilimenta for the same other (Fernández, et al. 2018). the removal of web decorations purpose or not, which will allow Web decorations vary from showed that the spiders researchers to see how different being only stabilimenta to caught less prey without the selective pressures affected the including debris such as egg stabilimenta, further supporting function of stabilimenta. sacs, plant matter, and dead the idea that web decorations For my study, I would insects, which may impact attract prey (Bruce, 2006). The like to find the difference their function (Bruce, 2006). main criticism of these studies between the amount of prey The pattern of stabilimenta can is that they often compare the captured in decorated webs and be described as belonging to webs against artificial, colored undecorated webs, as well as one of six different categories: backgrounds rather than natural measure the reflectiveness of cruciate, linear, discoid, spiral, backgrounds, which may alter both types of webs, in order tufts and a silk mat (Bruce, the way the reflectiveness of to test my hypothesis that 2006). As previously discussed, the stabilimenta is perceived the stabilimenta attract prey members of the same species (Bruce, 2006). Decorated webs with UV light reflection. For may use more than one pattern also tend to be smaller than ease of comparing my results throughout their lifetime, which undecorated ones, so it is best to other studies, I will do a is best observed in the webs of to compare decorated webs similar experiment to what juveniles compared to the webs as a control with webs whose Craig described, but instead of of adults (Bruce, 2006). stabilimenta have been removed transplanting web decorations The Argiope species for the experiment (Bruce, onto webs, I will remove the have been studied most heavily 2006). decorations from a sample so far, which would make it Materials and Methods: of webs and compare them beneficial to study other species Therefore, I would like to untreated, decorated webs of orb weavers (Bruce, 2006). to test the proposed mechanisms (Brunetta and Craig, 2010). I The genus Allocyclosa has been of prey-attraction with a natural would make sure to measure the studied as well, and it seemed background. My species of amount of UV reflectiveness to demonstrate predator- interest would be Argiope against the natural backgrounds avoidance with its stabilimenta aurantia, as it is well-known the webs are already up against. (Bruce, 2006). As for the prey- and part of the Araneidae The A. aurantia spiders build 40 their webs in a variety of places, I will focus on how they both hypothesis, then I should find but are most commonly found see the stabilimenta. Using a that the spiders with their in dense vegetation (Enders, photoreceptor sensitivity model stabilimenta removed will 1973). They also tend to choose derived for honeybees, just as consistently catch less prey than areas that are not heavily another study did (Tseng, et spiders with their stabilimenta shaded, but are protected from al. 2011), I will transport the intact. The significance of this the wind (Enders, 1973). The portion of the web with the would be determined using a spiders show no preference for stabilimenta to a lab and use two-sample t-test. If I fail to which plant species they built a spectrometer to measure the reject my null hypothesis, then I their web between (Enders, reflectiveness. I will also use a would expect for there to be no 1973). A. aurantia mostly feed combination of video footage significant difference between on insects belonging to orders and careful inspection of the rates of prey capture between Odonata and Hymenoptera, insect remnants in the web to the stabilimenta-absent webs but they will still catch orders identify the species caught. and stabilimenta-present webs. Coleoptera, Hemiptera, This experiment will carry I must also keep in mind that Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, and on from the start of June to if I reject the null hypothesis, Diptera (Howell and Ellender, the end of August in order to this does not mean that every 1984). Adult A. aurantia will take advantage of the summer species that utilizes stabilimenta commonly feed on bees from activity of insects and spiders. is using it for the same purpose. the family Apidae, specifically It will also cover a variety More research will need to be honeybees and bumblebees of habitats that A. aurantia is done with other species in other (Howell and Ellender, 1984). found in, as the surrounding genera before the scientific The odonates they usually catch vegetation may impact how community is ready to reach are dragonflies and damselflies the stabilimenta are perceived a consensus. However, more (Howell and Ellender, 1984). by the prey. The spiders in the studies should shed light on Because Odonata experiment will be left in their this biological mystery and and Hymenoptera are these natural habitat. increase our understanding of spiders’ most important prey, If I reject the null orb weaver spiders. Works Cited Beccaloni, J. (2009). Arachnids. Berkeley: University of California Press. Bruce, M.J. (2006): Silk decorations controversy and consensus. Journal of Zoology 269: 89-97. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00047.x Brunetta, L., & Craig, C. L. (2010). Spider silk: evolution and 400 million years of spinning, waiting, snagging, and mating. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. Doblhofer, E., Heidebrecht, A., & Scheibel, T. (2015). To spin or not to spin: Spider silk fibers and more.Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 99(22), 9361-9380. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-015-6948-8 Enders, F. (1973). Selection of Habitat by the Spider Argiope aurantia Lucas (Araneidae). The American Midland Naturalist, 90(1), 47-55 doi:10.2307/2424265 Fernández, R., Kallal, R. J., Dimitrov, D., Ballesteros, J. A., Arnedo, M. A., Giribet, G., & Hormiga, G. (2018). Phylogenomics, Diversification Dynamics, and Comparative Transcriptomics across the Spider Tree of Life.Current Biology, 28(13), 2190–2193. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.06.018 Howell, F., & Ellender, R. (1984). Observations on Growth and Diet of Argiope Aurantia Lucas (Araneidae) in a Successional Habitat. The Journal of Arachnology, 12(1), 29-36. Retrieved from www.jstor.org/stable/3705100 Li, D., Lai Mun Kok, Seah, W., & Matthew L. M. Lim. (2003). Age-Dependent Stabilimentum-Associated Predator Avoidance Behaviours in Orb-Weaving Spiders. Behaviour, 140(8/9), 1135-1152. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4536081 Rao, Dinesh & Cheng, Ken & Herberstein, Marie. (2006). A natural history of web decorations in the St Andrew’s Cross spider (Argiope keyserlingi). Australian Journal Of Zoology. 55. 9-14. 10.1071/ZO06010. Tseng, H., Cheng, R., Wu, S., Blamires, S., & Tso, I. (2011). Trap Barricading And Decorating By A Well-Armored Sit-and-Wait Predator: Extra Protection Or Prey Attraction? Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 65(12), 2351-2359. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41414702 Vollrath, F. (2003). Web masters. Nature, 426(6963), 121-122. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/426121a Zschokke, S. (2002). Ultraviolet Reflectance of Spiders and Their Webs.The Journal of Arachnology, 30(2), 246-254. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3706267

41 El efecto de la casa en la salud en comunidades mayas

Kayleigh Rohr SPAN 487: Senior Seminar in Hispanic Literature and Culture This paper deals with the impact of home and housing on health in Mayan communities, particularly in Yucatán. Kayleigh’s expansive investigation draws from areas such as human rights, environmental studies and the biological sciences in order to illustrate the interdependency of housing and access to culturally-appropriate health care. In choosing her piece for submission to the Writing Anthology, I considered Kayleigh’s coherent and sensitive integration of the diverse factors at play in improving health care in Mayan communities. I was also impressed by the fact that she conducted--completely on her own accord--personal interviews for this project with our Mérida program director, Lisa Munro, and a Central alum, Liberty Wickman, who works for a health-related non-profit in Mexico. -Kathy Korcheck

I. Introducción ambiente apropiado; los hábitos es reflejada en la desigualdad La Comisión Nacional saludables y la protección en la acción pública, ya que para el Desarrollo de los contra efectos adversos para el gasto público en salud ha Pueblos Indígenas de México la salud (Bello, et al). La casa dejado cerca de la mitad de la (CDI) define como indígenas influye la salud en varias población fuera de los sistemas a las personas que forman maneras: la ubicación, las de seguridad pública, según parte de un hogar donde el tradiciones, la intervención (o Loewenberg (1680-1682). jefe(a), su esposo(a) o alguno la falta de intervención) del Un grupo étnico que ha de los ascendientes declara ser gobierno, y la pobreza. Por experimentado considerable hablante de idioma indígena. Su eso, hay diferencias entre las marginalización en México es la estimación publicada para 2015 maneras en que se debe tratar a gente maya. Las comunidades correspondió a 25.6 millones de un paciente de varias culturas. mayas están situadas en el sur personas (Bello). Sin embargo, Entonces, se tiene que adoptar de México, específicamente hay un problema grande en las una comprensión crítica de la en los estados de Chiapas, comunidades indígenas: mucha relación entre vivienda y las Oaxaca, Campeche, Tabasco, gente vive en la pobreza grave, tradiciones con la salud para Quintana Roo y Yucatán, y lo cual impide la habilidad de mejorar el tratamiento de los también en Guatemala (“Maya tener una vivienda saludable. pacientes. Civilization”). Hoy en día, hay Los criterios para definir una México tiene niveles casi seis millones de personas vivienda saludable, según la promedio de salud inferiores a mayas, y son el grupo indígena Organización Panamericana los esperados para su desarrollo. más grande al norte de Perú. de la Salud (OPS) y la A pesar de haber mejorado Los grupos más grandes Organización Mundial de la con el tiempo, el país lo ha incluyen los yucatecos, los Salud (OMS) incluyen: la hecho a un ritmo menor que lo tzotziles, y los tzeltales (“Maya ubicación y la tenencia seguras; adecuado. También, contrastes Civilization”). Los yucatecos el diseño y la estructura diferentes existen entre regiones viven en la península de adecuados; el espacio para geográficas, grupos étnicos, y Yucatán en un clima tropical, una convivencia saludable; niveles socioeconómicos. La y los tzotziles y tzeltales viven las instalaciones básicas; el desigualdad en los indicadores en los altiplanos de Chiapas. 42 Otros grupos grandes incluyen independientes de su voluntad. en regiones rurales, lo cual los cakchiqueles de Guatemala está relacionado con varias y los kekchis de Belice. Cada Esta cita es parte de la enfermedades. Muestra la grupo habla un idioma maya Declaración Universal de relación entre la ubicación de diferente, pero todos son de la Derechos Humanos que fue la casa y disponibilidad de familia lingüística maya. Es un firmada por los países de la varios recursos necesarios. Por testimonio a las diferencias de ONU, incluyendo México y lo tanto, la vivienda deficiente cada subgrupo de los mayas. Guatemala. Los estados también afecta múltiples dimensiones Las regiones mayas han deben asumir responsabilidad de la salud. Existe evidencia sido sometidas a una intensa para garantizar que toda la de que, en parte, las malas agitación política en las últimas población disfrute de un nivel condiciones de la vivienda décadas, con importantes de vida adecuado. El artículo contribuyen a aumentar pérdidas de vidas y devastación reconoce que los alimentos, la la exposición a peligros económica. Si bien muchos ropa, la vivienda, la atención biológicos, químicos, y físicos, mayas han sido asesinados médica, y los servicios sociales que afectan directamente durante guerras civiles, en otros son componentes esenciales de los procesos fisiológicos y países como Guatemala se han un nivel de vida adecuado para bioquímicos. Además, las visto obligados a abandonar la salud y el bienestar. Definir preocupaciones sobre la sus hogares y buscar refugio los estándares que deben vivienda deficiente son un en países como México, evaluar estos componentes factor estresante psicosocial que Estados Unidos y Canadá. Este es difícil, ya que los estados puede conducir a problemas fenómeno les hace pensar en con diferentes historias y de salud mental (Krieger & la presencia (o la falta) de los capacidades económicas y Higgins). Muchas personas ven derechos para las personas sociales tienen diferentes ideas la falta de una casa como un afectadas que incluyen los de un nivel de vida adecuado. fracaso personal, y puede causar derechos a una casa digna y un Por estas razones, el sentimientos de depresión sistema de salud adecuado. acceso insuficiente al derecho o ansiedad. Finalmente, un a la vivienda es una amenaza refugio es parte de la base de II. La vivienda al derecho a la integridad la jerarquía de necesidades Según la Organización de las física y mental de las personas de Maslow. La base está Naciones Unidas (ONU): afectadas, y pone en riesgo compuesta de las necesidades el derecho a la salud, a la fisiológicas (necesidades Toda persona tiene derecho educación y al libre desarrollo fundamentales para la a un nivel de vida adecuado de las personas. Según Krieger sobrevivencia), como comida que le asegure, así como a su y Higgins, condiciones malas y agua suficientes. Entonces, familia, la salud y el bienestar, están directamente relacionadas se necesita refugio antes de y en especial la alimentación, con una amplia variedad de se pueda apreciar seguridad, el vestido, la vivienda, la enfermedades, incluyendo sentimientos de pertenencia, y asistencia médica y los infecciones respiratorias, asma, más. servicios sociales necesarios; heridas, y salud mental. Por Además, la ONU tiene asimismo derecho a los ello, la vivienda inadecuada explica que las personas seguros en caso de desempleo, es un tema de salud pública. indígenas son más susceptibles enfermedad, invalidez, Por ejemplo, una característica a vivir en condiciones viudez, vejez u otros casos especialmente alarmante es impropias y experimentan de pérdida de sus medios de la falta de agua aceptable discriminación sistémica con subsistencia por circunstancias y salubre, especialmente frecuencia en el mercado 43 inmobiliario, especialmente espacios para la convivencia y a los documentos, la base para en términos de servicios recreación, mediante acciones establecer los derechos de las básicos, la vulnerabilidad de que faciliten el acceso al comunidades indígenas es estar desplazados, tenencias financiamiento público y evidente, y estas comunidades inseguras de las tierras privado para la construcción y deben recibir el apoyo necesario tradicionales, y las alternativas mejoramiento de vivienda, así para competir con comunidades culturalmente inapropiadas de como ampliar la cobertura de no indígenas, incluyendo vivienda ofrecidas del gobierno. los servicios sociales básicos. el derecho a un sistema de La ONU también dice que (Smart, et al) salud bien equipado para las personas indígenas luchan proporcionar cuidado necesario contra la discriminación en las Entonces, es claro que el y apropiado. políticas y leyes que causan derecho fundamental a una También, la vivienda desacertadas asignaciones de vivienda digna protege a todas debe garantizar la expresión recursos para obtener una de la identidad cultural y la vivienda, como créditos y diversidad. Es importante que préstamos (Smart, et al). cada persona se sienta segura En respuesta, la ONU cita en su identidad en su casa y articulo 11 (1) del Pacto pueda practicar sus creencias, Internacional de Derechos y eso es clave para mantener la Económicos, Sociales, y diversidad en el mundo. Pero, Culturales que establece para lograrlo, es fundamental el derecho a la vivienda a que cada persona tenga refugio cada persona. Junto a eso, en un lugar seguro, limpio, artículo 2 (2) instituye todos y digno, especialmente para los derechos del pacto que preservar la salud mental y tienen que ser ejercitados física. Más allá de este punto, sin discriminación (Smart, es clave que cada persona et al). Cuando los artículos reciba asistencia médica dentro son juntados, el derecho a de un radio de su comunidad una vivienda digna debe Mel Maskevich, ceramic aceptable, o sea, que no tenga ser ofrecido sin obstáculos las personas y, por tanto, no que viajar muchísimo para por razones discriminatorias. debe ser limitada a sólo algunas recibir la asistencia necesaria Para añadir, la Constitución poblaciones. Y si eso no es para sobrevivir. Sin embargo, mexicana declara que es la el caso, es la responsabilidad el sistema de salud no está tan responsabilidad del gobierno del gobierno de intervenir disponible a las poblaciones de ayudar a las comunidades a para resolver el problema indígenas en comparación con mantener un estándar de vida y asegurarle los derechos a las poblaciones no indígenas. apropiado: cada persona. Además, la Por eso, parece haber una Declaración de las Naciones incidencia más alta de algunas Para abatir las carencias y Unidas sobre los derechos de enfermedades, mortalidad rezagos que afectan a los los pueblos indígenas de 2007 materna, y más. Entonces, la pueblos y comunidades reconoce que las comunidades conexión entre la vivienda y la indígenas, dichas autoridades, indígenas deben tener el salud es clara y es importante tienen la obligación de: (…) IV. derecho para determinar sus reconocerla. Mejorar las condiciones de las políticas y programas de la comunidades indígenas y de sus vivienda (Smart, et al). Gracias III. El sistema de la salud 44 El sistema de la salud es importante porque la gente a curandero and they have no está equipado para ayudar entiende la importancia de las very clear physical symptoms el número de habitantes en las prácticas tradicionales y tiene and are not caused by a comunidades mayas. La falta de la sabiduría para consolar a los physiological illness,” según médicos licenciados y clínicas pacientes: “un servicio de salud Lisa Munro, PhD, quien ha creado un desafío muy logra proporcionar seguridad trabajaba en Guatemala con grande para la gente indígena, cultural, entendida como la grupos indígenas durante su y por eso, muchas personas capacidad de sus agentes de tiempo con el Cuerpo de Paz. no tienen acceso a un sistema comunicarse completamente El susto es una enfermedad de salud. Sin ayuda médica con sus pacientes desde que puede afectar a cualquier necesaria, los problemas se un punto de vista político, persona, y es conocido como amplifican, y es como un efecto económico, social, espiritual, y la pérdida del alma y “puede de dominó. Hay una “falta lingüístico” (30). La capacidad definirse como un ‘impacto de medicamentos, insumos de interactuar efectivamente psicológico’ de intensidad médicos, de laboratorio, y considerar a la gente como variada que se padece a vacunas, material de curación, personas con derechos consecuencia de factores instrumental, equipo médico implica además obtener el diversos entre los que se y su mantenimiento” (CDH). consentimiento informado sobre encuentran los de índole También, la falta de personas los procedimientos médicos sobrenatural, fenómenos con la educación necesaria a los que se las someten y naturales y circunscritos en es una causa de la falta de construir una nueva cultura en experiencias personales que médicos debido a razones salud con la participación más emergen como eventualidades financieras, la ubicación, y activa de los usuarios de los fortuitas del todo inesperadas” las creencias tradicionales. servicios. (Guzmán, Chávez y Mónica). Según Freyermuth-Enciso, “en En estas regiones, hay También, se clasifica como la los países latinoamericanos una influencia de la medicina pérdida de una entidad anímica. las personas que acceden a la tradicional. Las prácticas Algunos de los síntomas educación médica son parte de medicinales muestran el papel incluyen una falta de apetito, una élite social” (30) porque de la casa porque las tradiciones decaimiento, y palidez. Los aceptan a los estudiantes con forman la idea de cuáles tipos tratamientos del susto son las calificaciones más altas en de prácticas son necesarias. variados. El susto debería ser los exámenes. Sin embargo, sin Las tradiciones originan en las tratado “como una totalidad la presencia de una educación creencias de la familia y son en la que pueden reconocerse básica, es muchísimo más ampliamente enseñadas en la elementos específicos, más difícil lograr las calificaciones casa. Muchas comunidades o menos al determinar un necesarias: “en los [lugares] mayas tienen un curandero complejo mórbido e incluso donde la educación básica (sanadores tradicionales) complicaciones” (Guzmán, es deficiente, pierdan la debido a la presencia de Chávez, y Mónica). Entonces, oportunidad de acceder a esta enfermedades específicas, es importante que un médico profesión” (30). También, como el susto o mal de ojo pueda reconocer estas Freyermuth-Enciso dice que (enfermedades psicológicas enfermedades y referir al “la clase social es un elemento que causan síntomas físicos). paciente a otro sitio para que distingue las prácticas Los curanderos son necesarios proveer el cuidado apropiado. culturales sobre los distintos porque estas enfermedades Ahora, según Lisa consumos incluido el de los “are not recognized by Munro, hay una exigencia de bienes de la curación” (30). Eso Western science; they require curanderos en Los Ángeles 45 debido a la presencia de trabajo seguras y saludables, la indígena (Loewenberg). inmigrantes latinoamericanos vivienda y la pobreza (Smart, et También, en esta región ha allá. Muchos de los inmigrantes al). Para el Centro de Derechos ocurrido en los últimos once buscan curanderos después de Humanos en Chiapas la crisis años el mayor número de sus viajes a los Estados Unidos crónica del sistema de salud muertes maternas en Chiapas, porque muchos de ellos han chiapaneco es un reflejo más por lo que ha sido foco de tenido experiencias traumáticas. de la crisis general y de la preocupación de las autoridades Entonces, demuestra la incapacidad de gobernar en el de salud tanto a nivel federal importancia de su cultura a estado, lo cual es obvio entre como estatal (Freyermuth- pesar de su localización física la violencia y las tasas de Enisco 30). Los problemas en en el mundo; sus tradiciones muertes, la corrupción en la el encuentro médico explican son una fuente de confort, como estructura del estado y la falta las tasas altas de muerte la casa. Eso es un testimonio de intervención del gobierno (especialmente materna) así a la importancia del papel de para resolver los problemas como los porcentajes de la los curanderos tradicionales, como la pobreza, educación, población que fallecen sin especialmente porque es casi justicia, salud, y muchos más solicitar atención médica. imposible recibir el cuidado (CDH). Por ejemplo, según Se complica en la medida semejante afuera de las Freyermuth-Enciso, la tasa de en que las mujeres viven prácticas de los curanderos. la mortalidad materna es tres en condiciones de profunda Demuestra el efecto de las veces más grande en Chiapas inequidad que se demuestra tradiciones (que empiezan que el resto de México (30). en las dificultades para asistir en la casa) en la manera que Un 70% de las mujeres que a la escuela. Muchas veces, alguien busca la atención vivían en comunidades de son analfabetas y monolingües médica. Entonces, los médicos menos de veinte mil personas y (debido a la falta de educación deben entender esta situación generalmente, de poblaciones por mujeres en su comunidad de porque si hay un paciente que indígenas, era analfabeta o origen) y viven sin el derecho está buscando un tratamiento cumplía sólo la educación de decidir sobre su propia salud tradicional, el médico puede primaria. La percepción de los y cuerpo debido a esta falta prescribir los próximos pasos. médicos de ser desacreditados (Jiménez Acevedo & Núñez y la desconfianza de la Medina). El sector de salud ha IV. Los derechos población hacia ellos profundizado el problema por La falta de una dificultan en las comunidades la oferta de atención médica garantía para los derechos en la atención primaria de las mediante una persona que regiones indígenas y rurales urgencias, obstaculizando no sabe el idioma local, lo es un problema grande que la canalización de pacientes que impide el cumplimiento se atribuye a la falta de un al ámbito hospitalario del bienestar de las pacientes sistema de salud sostenible. enclavado. También, se impide porque no reciben información Los derechos incluyen el la permanencia prolongada suficiente, clara y cierta. acceso a instalaciones sanitarias del personal de salud en la Para mejorar las adecuadas y servicios, así comunidad. relaciones entre los pacientes como las medidas apropiadas Una región donde este y los médicos, es necesario de los Estados en relación con problema es muy evidente es la considerar las prácticas determinantes socioeconómicos región Altos Tsotsil-Tseltal, que y los principios de la de la salud, tales como está compuesta de dieciocho interculturalidad. Se tiene que la comida, el agua y el municipios, en los que 54% de construir lazos de confianza y saneamiento, las condiciones de la gente solo habla el idioma el proveedor de los servicios 46 de salud debe reconocer la Salud en la Sierra Madre, la Las organizaciones no necesidad de una autorreflexión gente en las comunidades está gubernamentales (ONG) son sobre sus prácticas. Las aprensiva a CES en el principio, organizaciones que operan prácticas deben reflejar un y hay mucha duda. Entonces, independientemente de conocimiento general sobre CES trabaja mucho para ganar cualquier gobierno y cuyo la población a la que atiende; la confianza de la gente e propósito es abordar un los médicos deben ser abiertos indicar que va a quedar en la problema social o político. de aprender sobre la cultura comunidad y proveer servicios Estas organizaciones completan y la gente. Una organización médicos por mucho tiempo. El el papel de los servicios que trata de aprender sobre la propósito de CES es integrar públicos donde el gobierno población a la que sirve es falta. Por ejemplo, hay muchas Compañeros en Salud (CES). ONG que proporcionan el CES fue fundado por Paul cuidado médico necesario para Farmer en Haití. La meta de algunas de las comunidades Farmer es construir un sistema indígenas. El problema con esta beneficioso para la gente situación, según Lisa Munro, es indígena y crear confianza que las ONG “are not beholden entre la gente y los médicos. to the people they serve but. . Por ello, la relación médico- .to the board of directors and do paciente replica las relaciones not make decisions that help the aprobadas por la comunidad people, but. . .the organizations y las familias. Un aspecto que that they serve. Because of funciona para esta meta es que this, so many non-profits keep los empleados y voluntarios the state from doing anything; se reúnen con la gente y Catalina Valdez, ceramic the government looks at the les preguntan sobre lo que el conocimiento de medicina people like they don’t need help quieren para servicios médicos. occidental con las creencias to do anything because they También, ofrecen programas de la gente indígena. Según have a [non-profit] and don’t para formar a las mujeres para Wickman, CES “encourages see a need to change.” Por otro proveer examinaciones básicas them to support traditional lado, cuando la presencia de (presión arterial, mediciones treatment. Although [their las ONGs creció, el sector de de glucosa, exámenes de salud treatments] might be a placebo asistencia médica privada lo mental, y más). Ahora, hay casi effect, traditional treatment hizo también y más personas 100 mujeres en Chiapas que does help provide great care empezaron a asistir estas proveen cuidado culturalmente on a comfort level and bridge clínicas (Chary y Rohloff). Las apropiado para la gente the gap between clinical care clínicas privadas proporcionan indígena. También, las mujeres and modern medicine.” Liberty cuidado personalizado y los pueden eliminar los obstáculos Wickman ha hablado sobre servicios son mejores en de distancia: por ejemplo, clases que tienen los empleados comparación con los servicios “some people live two hours de CES con las parteras de las clínicas públicas, que from the clinic so a lot of these tradicionales donde les enseñan muchas veces no tienen un women may live closer and go a los otros sobre sus prácticas. horario concreto, no son to their houses and see them in Un fenómeno que ubicadas efectivamente, y no their native tongue” (Wickman). ha contribuido a la falta de tienen las medicinas necesarias. Según Liberty Wickman, quien intervención apropiada del El problema con las clínicas trabaja por Compañeros de gobierno es “ONGismo.” privadas es que el gasto para 47 una consulta con un médico Organización Mundial de la Primero, la situación cuesta más de dos días de Salud (OMS/WHO), física de la casa presenta trabajo, según Chary y Rohloff. algunos problemas. La A pesar de que muchos de Housing is a complex ubicación es perfecta para el los voluntarios de los ONGs construct that cannot be café y el chocolate, y para tienen intenciones buenas, hay represented merely by the ganar pago de estos productos, problemas con la manera en que physical structure of the home. pero es difícil plantar y crecer funcionan las clínicas. Primero, The WHO understanding frutas y vegetales debido al hay una falta de comunicación of ‘housing’ is based on a clima, especialmente si no efectiva. Muchas clínicas tienen four-layer model of housing, van a venderlos. Entonces, la traductores de inglés y español, taking into consideration consumición de nutrientes es y también para español y el the physical structure of the muy limitada. Según Liberty idioma indígena, pero no hay dwelling as well as the meaning Wickman, “Due to a limited traductores suficientes para of home, and the external fruit and veggie intake, people ayudar a todos los pacientes dimension of the immediate have a reduced vitamin intake. presentes (Munro). Por eso, hay housing environment, and the Also, meat is expensive, mucha comunicación mala entre community with neighbors. and most do not have access los médicos y los pacientes. to a market, leading to a Otro problema es que muchas Las condiciones inadecuadas lot of chronic malnutrition clínicas, especialmente de los de la casa pueden causar and stunting. A lot of these Estados Unidos, proporcionan efectos sanitarios directos. people live in a food desert.” medicinas que no están Algunos ejemplos incluyen Segundo, la ausencia de agua disponibles en las regiones la presencia de moho o una corriente crea charcos de agua que sirven. Por ejemplo, los falta de servicios higiénicos. y muchos problemas: “due pacientes reciben medicina Las estructuras adecuadas son to a lack of running water por un mes, pero después de determinadas por la calidad there are pools of water which un mes, es casi imposible de la casa y son responsables become breeding ground for recibir más de la medicina y por la funcionalidad de la larvae.” Otros problemas que se regresa a la salud mala otra casa y la protección contra son desafíos grandes para vez. Representa una desventaja amenazas de la seguridad. En superar incluyen la pobreza y para las personas que viven una comunidad, los factores la presencia de tradiciones y en comunidades rurales sin parecen independientes de papeles familiares. Muchísima acceso a un hospital o farmacia las condiciones de la casa; un gente indígena vive en la modernos porque no tienen ejemplo es la etología social que pobreza: “In Mexico, 71.9% una manera de continuar el depende de la educación, las of the indigenous population, tratamiento sin la presencia de características socioeconómicas, which includes 8.3 million asistencia extranjera. y más (Loewenberg). Estos people, was in a situation elementos afectan cómo vive of poverty in 2016” (The V. La conexión entre la casa y la la gente en la comunidad. Yucatan Times). La pobreza salud Finalmente, el ambiente de la es un ciclo que perpetúa otros En gran parte del mundo, casa inmediata está relacionada problemas: “more than 30% hay complicaciones con los con la distribución de las casas of the indigenous people in derechos y las tendencias en la comunidad, que afecta Mexico did not have access to en las regiones indígenas, y las relaciones con los otros a balanced meal, 8 out of 10 México y América Central miembros de la misma y la did not have social security no son excepciones. Según la presencia de servicios públicos. and 56.3% did not have basic 48 services (concrete floor, running neumonía y bronquitis. La zona entonces muchas prefieren water, electricity) at their maya de Yucatán es donde las la estufa original porque homes” (The Yucatan Times). autoridades de salud reportan el creen que producen mejor Estos servicios básicos tienen mayor número de enfermedades comida (Herrera Portugal, una gran influencia en la salud respiratorias causadas por el Franco Sánchez, Pelayes en varias maneras: la falta humo que genera quemar leña Cruz, Schlottfeldt Trujillo, de agua corriente, la falta de o carbón dentro del hogar. Pérez Solís). Por otro lado, comida suficiente y saludable, y En México, alrededor de 19 Kirk Smith de la Universidad más. millones de hogares en las de California Berkeley y Otro elemento muy poblaciones indígenas, rurales su equipo investigador han peligroso para la salud es la y urbanas marginadas, utilizan determinado que la calidad presencia de humo en la casa la leña para cocinar, otros ocho del aire ha mejorado con la debido al uso de las estufas millones alternan la leña con el implementación de las estufas tradicionales. Las estufas uso de gas (Herrera Portugal, nuevas, pero los resultados usan leña para la fuente de Franco Sánchez, Pelayes Cruz, demuestran que el proceso de combustible que crea problemas Schlottfeldt Trujillo, Pérez mejorar la calidad será largo. respiratorios para mujeres y Solís). También, la necesidad de Aun así, la frecuencia de las niños cuando cocinan. El humo recoger madera suficiente para enfermedades infantiles es más de la leña contiene un grado las estufas quita tiempo que alta que las recomendaciones extenso de sustancias tóxicas, se puede pasar en la escuela, de la Organización de la incluyendo el monóxido el trabajo, o en la casa con Salud Global (Nijhuis). En de carbono (CO) que la la familia. Nijhuis dice que conclusión, la presencia Organización Mundial de la familias pasan más de veinte del humo en la casa por las Salud (OMS) define como “el horas o más cada semana estufas tradicionales afecta la asesino de la cocina.” Según recogiendo leña, y “Only 11.4 salud de cada miembro de la Nijhuis, % of indigenous households familia, y a pesar del hecho in Chiapas own a stove, and de que hay alternativas, son The typical cooking fire this rate declines to 8.6 % difíciles de adoptar. Entonces, produces about 400 cigarettes’ for Tzeltal communities in muestra que las tradiciones worth of smoke an hour, Chiapas. Illnesses as a result of son tan integradas en la casa and prolonged exposure is this exposure take millions of que es imposible separar una associated with respiratory lives every year.” Sin embargo, de la otra. Sin embargo, con infections, eye damage, heart la comunidad no acepta tan el cambio del conocimiento and lung disease, and lung fácilmente un tipo de estufas de la salud, es importante cancer. In the developing world, nuevas y muchas personas que los estándares cambien health problems from smoke dudan de este estilo por razones para proteger cada vida. Pero inhalation are a significant económicas. Las estufas también, se tiene que respetar cause of death in both children tienen que ser asequibles y las tradiciones de cada cultura. under five and women. fáciles de obtener y utilizar, Entonces, es la responsabilidad especialmente porque los de los catalizadores del cambio En las comunidades de la gastos en gasolina para cocinar de considerar la importancia de Huasteca, ubicadas en la costa son una parte significativa de la tradición cuando tratan de del Golfo de México y cerca los ingresos de las familias cambiar elementos de la casa de Veracruz, existe una elevada rurales. También, el estatus y la cultura. En general, es un incidencia de enfermedades de las mujeres es influido por buen ejemplo del efecto de la respiratorias, principalmente sus habilidades de cocinar, casa en la salud y cómo puede 49 afectar a cada miembro de la o no) afecta el derecho a un y que tiene la sabiduría sobre familia. sistema de salud adecuado. la cultura del paciente para Los derechos a una vivienda proveer el cuidado apropiado VI. Conclusión incluyen la ubicación y y los servicios necesarios para La casa influye la tenencia seguras, el diseño y la proteger la calidad de la vida. salud en varias maneras: estructura adecuados, el espacio Algunos factores clave son la la ubicación, los recursos para una convivencia saludable, tasa de la mortalidad materna y disponibles, las tradiciones, y las instalaciones básicas, el la falta de clínicas en regiones el estatus de sistema de salud ambiente apropiado, los hábitos indígenas, y para mejorarlas, en los estados mexicanos. saludables, y la protección tiene que haber un cambio en Para las comunidades mayas, contra efectos adversos para la estructura del sector de salud las implicaciones influyen la salud (Bello, et al). Estos en el gobierno. Aunque cada los derechos de las personas, derechos incluyen la calidad de grupo étnico es muy diferente y y todos los elementos están vida en varias maneras como tiene opiniones diferentes sobre interconectados. Por eso, se el mantenimiento de la salud. el estilo de vida (incluyendo la debe analizar el sistema de El acceso a un sistema de salud vivienda), cada persona debe la salud a través de varias adecuado es un derecho también tener acceso a servicios de la perspectivas. El derecho a una e incluye acceso a un médico salud adecuados y apropiados. casa digna (y si se cumple que habla el idioma apropiado Obras Citadas Bello, Pamela, et al. “Healthy-Sustainable Housing Index: A Pilot Study to Link Architecture and Public Health in a Semi-Urban Community in Mexico.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 16, no. 3, p. 295. 2019. CDH Fray Bartolomé de las Casas. “Crisis Del Sistema De Salud En Chiapas.” 14 Apr. 2017, frayba.org.mx. Chary, Anita, and Peter Rohloff. “Privatization and the New Medical Pluralism Shifting Healthcare Landscapes in Maya Guatemala.” Lexington Books. 2015. Guzmán, Chávez, and Mónica. “El Sol Como Fundamento Curativo De Las Terapias Mayas Yucatecas En El Período Colonial.” Estudios De Cultura Maya. UNAM, Instituto De Investigaciones Filológicas, 2006. Freyermuth-Enciso, María Graciela. “La Mortalidad Materna y Los Nudos En La Prestación De Los Servicios De Salud En Chiapas. Un Análisis Desde La Interculturalidad.” Liminar. Estudios Sociales y Humanísticos, vol. 12, no. 2, 2014, p. 30. Herrera Portugal C., Franco Sánchez G., Pelayes Cruz M., Schlottfeldt Trujillo Y., Pérez Solís B.L. “Daño al ADN en mujeres expuestas al humo de la leña en Chiapas, México / DNA damage in women exposed to firewood fuel smoke in Chiapas, Mexico.” Argent; pp. 56-61. Dec 2009. Jiménez Acevedo, Hilda y Gerardo Núñez Medina. “El sistema de salud de Chiapas ante la transición demográfica y epidemiológica.”Cuadernos del CENDES, vol. 33, no. 92, pp. 79-103. 2016. Krieger, James, and Donna L Higgins. “Housing and health: time again for public health action.” American Journal of Public Health vol. 92, no. 5, pp. 758-68, 2002. Loewenberg, Samuel. “The Plight of Mexico’s Indigenous Women.” The Lancet, vol. 375, no. 9727, pp. 1680–1682, 2010. “Maya Civilization.” Mystery of the Maya - Maya Civilization, Canadian Museum of History. Munro, Lisa. Personal interview. 19 Mar. 2019. Naciones Unidas. “El Derecho a Una Vivienda Adecuada.” Naciones Unidas. Nijhuis, Michelle. “Three Billion People Cook Over Open Fires ― With Deadly Consequences.” National Geographic. 16 Aug. 2017, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2017/07/guatemala-cook-stoves/ Smart, Sebastián, et al. “Derecho a Una Vivienda Digna En Latinoamérica.” Trust.org, Thomson Reuters y TECHO, 31 Oct. 2017. The Yucatán Times. “In Mexico 8.3 Million Indigenous People Live in Poverty.” The Yucatán Time., 10 Aug. 2018. Wickman, Liberty. Personal interview. 12 Feb. 2019. World Health Organization. “Health of Indigenous Peoples.” World Health Organization, 3 Feb. 2016.

50 Art Credits

Jessica Popejoy-Geiken Cover Design

Catalina Valdez, ceramic 3

Mary Busker, copper 4

Kaeanne Louks, acrylic, 11” x 14” 9

Anna Brooks, marker, 9” x 12” 11

James DeYoung, nickel 16

Lizzy Budiselich, ceramic 19

Sally Evoy, acrylic, 11” x 14” 22

Megan Rohr, acrylic, 11” x 14” 23

Anna Brooks, marker, 9” x 12” 30

Mary Busker, glass 33

Alisabeth Gremminger, glass 35

Hallie Taets, cut paper, 12” x 12” x 4” 38

Hallie Taets, marker, 9” x 12” 39

Mel Maskevich, ceramic 44

Catalina Valdez, ceramic 47

51