Obvious Needs

The political cartoon by Daryl Cagle suggests that the government isn’t fulfilling the needs of the people, needs that the people are clearly expressing in their signs such as jobs and “no-bailouts”.  The cartoon proposes that the ‘pigs’ (government) are claiming that they couldn’t possibly know what is expected of them.  The pigs are feigning ignorance to the surrounding situations and the people around them.  

One can pick out the visual irony pretty simply.  The speech balloons capture the pigs stating that they don’t know what is wanted of them from the people when below them the people are holding signs and hoping that their demands are met.  The way they sit on the piles of money seems to say, “Look at us, we are indulging on your dime and enjoying ourselves and we don’t know what you want from us.”

                The cartoon places the pigs on top of the people which suggests that they are higher in the society and that is a slight exaggeration.  The size of the pigs and the money bags compared to the people they are crushing is substantial. The size seems to say “I’m more important, my needs come first,” when this is not the case at all. Another form of exaggeration is the cigar smoke in the background; it is really thick and black. This seems to be common among wealthier people.  Making the government people pigs is an exaggeration in itself because it suggests that the government people are greedy which isn’t necessarily an exaggeration but could be seen as one by some.

The cartoon is just as rich with symbols as it is with visual irony and exaggeration.  The large money bags are a universal symbol of wealth and are widely recognized.  Cigars are also connected with wealth.  Suits and ties can symbolize a wealthier class of people. Pigs are often associated with greed which is fitting because the pigs in this cartoon are sitting on many large money bags.

                While the cartoon is missing some of the key features that most political cartoons have like iconography, caricature, and a caption it has many important features such as context, exaggeration, visual irony, and symbols.  I think that the cartoon brings up good points and kind of calls out to the government of this country to take care of its people before taking care of themselves since they have that obligation to.  The cartoon suggests that we as a people don’t want to hear the excuse of not being able to know what we want when we are clear to say what we want.

Native American-Themed Mascots

            All schools around the United States have mascots that range from Rams to Tigers to Bulldogs to Warriors.  A school bases many traditions off of a mascot and most all schools are honored to have a respectable mascot. Unfortunately not all mascots, like Native American-themed ones, are respectable and some tribes see them as offensive.

In the Arlee area we have Warriors, Scarlets, Chiefs, Maidens, Red Devils, Bulldogs, and the Savage Heat.  Around the United States we have the Cleveland Indians, the Fighting Sioux, the Braves, the Red Skins, the Apaches, and the Mohigans. The list goes on and on for Native American-themed mascots. Are all offensive? Are they all bad or dishonorable? Hot Springs Savage Heat used to be called the Savages.  The name was seen as offensive because it portrayed that Native Americans are hostile and violent, savage.  This characterization is not at all true, in this case the mascot was seen as offensive and the school changed the name. Some tribes do not feel honored because some mascots do disrespectful things while in an untraditional costume that isn’t regalia.  Some dance around and inappropriately poke fun at traditional dances.  In this case I believe that they should have to change their mascot if they can’t be respectful to the tribes surrounding the school.

 Schools in Oregon, when faced with a bill to change all of the Native American-themed mascot names fought back and said that they would get permission from the nearest tribe, however, after the legislature approved the bill the governor recently vetoed it saying that the legislation wasn’t strict enough. The people of Oregon are going to continue to fight for their mascots as the bill is set to have all the mascots’ changes by 2017.  The majority of tribes that are in Oregon don’t want the mascots to change they want them to stay. Most of the tribes feel honored and respectfully represented in cases of Native American-themed mascots. The tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation are actively involved and show support for area schools such as Ronan and Arlee.

            The students of Ronan High School are honored to be called the Chiefs and Maidens. The students of Arlee High School feel the same way about being Warriors and Scarlets. When I moved to Arlee three years ago I had my eyes opened up to the amount of work it takes to be a Warrior or a Scarlet. I found pride in being a Scarlet. I learned the amount of dedication it took to finally call myself a Scarlet. To me being a Scarlet is an honor unlike any I have ever had because I had to earn it. 

            Native American-themed mascots are sometimes seen as an honor.  The Browning Indians take a tremendous pride in their mascot.  They wear headdresses and war bonnets to state basketball games, an honor that the boys received and continue with tradition each year.  The mascot for Arlee High School is an elder in full regalia and his is honored during the homecoming football game.  We have an honor song played at every graduation, senior night, and homecoming game.  Our traditions as a school are intertwined with Native American traditions and the people of the valley find pride in being Warriors and Scarlets.

            To return to my questions from above there are no solid answers. Are all Native American-themed mascots offensive? Depends on how you view the schools actions. Are all bad or dishonorable? No but there are some that are.  Some schools want mascots changed to be more politically correct so they think that names and mascots should be changed.  Other schools value the traditions of the tribes around them.  I believe that if a Native American-themed mascot is not respectful and honorable to a tribe, helping to demonstrate some of the traditions of that tribe, they should have to change names and mascots so that there is no further controversy. I also feel that my opinion may not be best because I am not a Native American, I do not know what is seen as offensive or honorable within the Native American culture, so I can’t give the best opinion when it comes to this subject.

Go

 

I picked up my blocks and remembered to breathe. Sun, grass and dirt flashing through my mind.  I step out onto the track, a place I feel comfortable.  I find my lane and I begin.

Adrenaline courses through my veins as I kneel down and measure out my spot, one palm from the start line, place blocks. One foot, set left front block. Two feet, set right back block. Breathe. Check angle of both blocks and adjust if needed.  I knew this process by heart; I had them burned into my memory.  Breathe. Check the angle at the curve. Adjust. Breathe. Time to test my abilities.

My body has wanted this moment since I stepped off of the bus.  A chilly wind came up and caused my warmed skin to goose bump.  I jump up once, twice, three times and throw my arms back to stretch.  I slowly jog to the front of my blocks. Kneeling down I place my fingers just before the white line and stretch my legs back places one foot on the back right block and the other on the front left. Lean forward, spring up and go.  Check my breathing. Check my balance. Adjust if needed. I repeat this process until I feel adjusted enough then I wait. Breathe. Listen.

Orders come and soon I stand behind my blocks.  More orders and I come to my marks and when everyone stills, set. My chin, placed almost against my chest as I stare at the ground in front of me. The only though I have is to breathe; I have to let my body remember each movement as I had practiced for countless hours. Listen for the gun, you have this in the bag, breathe. Bang! Spring up and forward at the same time. Right foot, left foot, right again, go! Inner corner, don’t cross the line and go! Straight stretch, stride out, breathe, go! Inner corner, don’t cross that line, listen for others, breathe, go! Straight stretch, give it all you have left and go. Beat the ones to your right, pass the ones on your left, no one in your peripheral, keep them behind you and go. Hear the screams, the screams that aren’t just for you. I can pick out my Dad yelling, “Go Jess!” I hear Dori screaming, “Yes Jess!” as I cross the finish line and break that ribbon.  Inhale, exhale and smile. I turn around and hug each girl, giving them my congratulations. I walk back to the finish line and I get my time. Breathe, you did it.

I walked away from the track that day as a district champ in the 400 meter dash.  I also took home district champ for the 800 meter run. When I began my race I knew that divisionals was on the line. The end of my track season depended on my race. The race overwhelmed me and gave me a motivation. I wanted that race; it belonged to me and no one else. I set my mind and I followed through. I took a deep breath and went.