Author Archives: Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

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About Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Professor and researcher who studies science communication, particularly issues that impact American Indians. Dr. Coleman is an enrolled citizen of the Osage Nation.

Talking about race

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

American Indian posers I’m glad we’re talking about race, although the heinous acts that led to the conversation should never be lost in the discussion. Problem is, the very word race stems from difference—not just cultural—but perceived biological and intellectual … Continue reading →

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Kennewick Man’s back in the news

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

But it’s the same old story A science writer called me with a head’s up. The Journal Nature was ready to release news that scientists would soon announce the 9200-year-old skeleton from the Pacific Northwest was indeed related to modern-day … Continue reading →

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Best brand money can buy

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

You can’t avoid the Bruce-Caitlyn Jenner story if you use social media, watch TV or shop at a grocery store. Photos and stories wave from every media channel that catches your eye. When I first saw the busty woman in … Continue reading →

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The Chocolate Diet Hoax

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

First do no harm There’s something creepy if you have to lie to get what you want. So it bothers me when someone gets trapped into doing something she might not do without a nudge. For example, Portland took the … Continue reading →

Posted in framing, health, journalism, science, science communication, scientific hoax, social media, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When images harm

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The Mascot Ruling in Oregon One lesson I’m learning is that conflict requires you to get inside the head of your opponent. And while this perspective presumes you’re wearing battle fatigues, the point is to understand someone else’s viewpoint in … Continue reading →

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Drinking a cup of tea, I stop a war

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Memorial Day We learned that freedom of speech is sacrosanct: that you should always allow someone the courtesy of saying something idiotic and extreme for fear that anything that quashes freedom could sanction yours. That sort of freedom was always … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, framing, freedom of speech, Indian, journalism, Memorial Day, native american, Native Science, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

How gaze affects our behavior

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Researchers are looking at how someone’s gaze affects our behavior. For example, researchers in England placed posters with staring eyes near bicycle racks and found fewer bikes were stolen. My colleagues figure we respond viscerally to a pair of watchful … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, biking, communication, framing, heuristics, native american, native press, Native Science, science communication | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grousing over chickens

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

It’s a battleground Since when do we treat folks who disagree with us as enemies? Is your commute to work a war zone? Do you battle your way through the grocery store? Are there thieves camped outside your door? One … Continue reading →

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A stick of gum for Mother’s Day

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

My earliest memories of travel meant loading up at daybreak in the back of the family station wagon with three of my sisters and armloads of pillows stuffed in between. While our parents planted themselves in the front we bundled … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, family values, Mothers Day, Osage, writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

A blow to freedom

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The class assignment is to take an important and controversial issue–current or past–and dig deeply to find the hidden parts of the story. Stories like the Boston Tea Party of 1771. Most of us learned the event signaled the critical … Continue reading →

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