I'm Still Here

Stereotyping happens everywhere you go; walking down the street, through the hallways of Troy High, or in your AP classes. Studies have shown that when people look at you, eight seconds later they have already judged and stereotyped you. People shouldn't fall into the ruthlessness of judging people by their attire, age, gender, culture, religion, etc.

This week, we watched some clips from some Indian related stereotypical movies or television shows. They all consisted of the same stereotypes such as stoic, warrior looking, menacing, and illiterate. Compared to the white man, they were savages and were no comparison. It is funny to see white man as the higher figure in situations when we were nothing but a bunch of savages ourselves; fighting all the time with our own people.

During the course of this hectic week, students got a chance to go see a public speaker who talked about stereotyping and the things we can do to prevent such events. He talked about how smiling or saying hello can make someone’s day brighter. Everyone should be accounted for and no one should be left alone. He talked about a poem he memorized and the main theme was I’m still here. It really got through to some people and people looked a little happier after seeing his presentation.

Thus, stereotyping anyone you don’t know is wrong. You don’t know them, you don’t know their story, or what they’re made of. So don’t judge, it’s as simple as that. I hope people will branch out of their comfort zone to make someone happy. It could save a life.

Tricksters and their Tales

This week we read Coyote and the Buffalo and reflected on the defining characteristics of a trickster. Tricksters have been used in cultures and society to tell stories since the beginning of time. The notable characteristic of a trickster is greed. For example, in the short story Coyote and the Buffalo, Buffalo Bull gives Coyote a cow to sever a piece of fat to eat everyday and then after rub ashes on the bit he cut off so it would grow back. The Coyote eventually grew restless of just eating the fat and fantasized about the taste of the warm liver. He finally gave in and killed the cow but didn't get a chance to sink his teeth into the liver like he had wanted. Crows attacked the cow and ate every piece of meat except the bones. Even then Coyote fell to the suave ways of a woman by letting her “cook” the bones for him and was left with nothing but a pile of sticks. The punishment of giving into his own greed was nothing to eat and the distrust of Buffalo Bull and his herd. Another important characteristic of a trickster is their so-called “cleverness”. They think they can outsmart anyone but in reality they are the ones being deceived. A significant example of a “clever” trickster is Wile E. Coyote from the famous show Looney Tunes. He tries and tries again to beat the Road Runner at his own game. He thinks he’s clever by being sneaky and creative in trying to capture the Road Runner but Road Runner always sees it coming and repeatedly makes a fool out of Wile E. Coyote. In the end, tricksters never prosper.