Category Archives: cinema

Entertainment’s Whitewash

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

But not so invisible  The crowd cheered when the speaker slammed the entertainment industry, charging that, when Americans tune into television, they see a “virtual whitewash in programming.” The timing was perfect: lack of diversity in entertainment programs was high … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, cinema, communication, film, framing, Indian, mascots, native american, native press, Native Science, Redskins | Tagged | Leave a comment

Blinded by perspective

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Ninety years ago John Noel joined a group of determined mountaineers to capture on film their adventures climbing Mount Everest. Noel’s 1924 silent film has been refreshed and recently celebrated a North West premiere to a packed house. And while … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, cinema, epic of everest, Francis Parkman, george mallory | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to be a lady, Oscar Wilde style

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I owe a debt to Oscar Wilde in my transformation to being a lady. The term lady is heavy with meaning. As children my sisters and I were encouraged to be ladies. When we got rambunctious or rude our mum … Continue reading →

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Being Tonto

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Finally got up the nerve to see The Lone Ranger. The movie earned jibes from Indian Country and was slammed by the critics all summer. My Facebook pals panned the film so I figure I can’t critique it without viewing … Continue reading →

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Who will be the watchdog?

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

My guilty pleasure is rejoicing in investigative journalism. What a pity the pleasure isn’t the venerable New York Times or 60 Minutes. It’s Newsroom: a scripted, created—invented–story of journalism that airs on cable but I have to wait until it … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, cinema, ethics, film, framing, His Girl Friday, journalism, news bias, Portland, Pulitzer, Rosalind Rusell, social media, writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cookie Full of Arsenic

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I’d hate to take a bite of you. You’re a cookie full of arsenic. That’s just one of the unforgettable quotes from the movie, The Sweet Smell of Success my students viewed this week. Set in 1950s against the backdrop … Continue reading →

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Not Quite, Sherlock

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

We teach students to be critical—to look beyond the obvious. Question assumptions. Just like Sherlock Holmes, whose exploits are finding new audiences in 2013, we should look beyond the surface.

Posted in cinema, neuroscience, science, science communication | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Transforming Authenticity

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

What is authenticity? One of my Osage relatives said that when he was being instructed in dance he asked his elder over and over again if he was doing it correctly. “Is this right?” Finally the elder looked my relative … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, cinema, Geronimo, Indian, journalism, native american, Native Science, Osage | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Exterminating Indian Identity

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Soon I will be bound for Phoenix to present a paper on American Indian identity and authenticity: a topic of keen interest. Critics often complain about Indian stereotypes, ranging from the issues surrounding sports mascots to non-Indians playing Native roles … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, cinema, ethics, film, human origin, Kennewick Man, Native Science, repatriation, science, writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

John Sayles Sighting

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

My trip to New York included a John Sayles sighting. And it’s not the first one. Sayles, who is among cinema’s most thoughtful filmmakers, came to Portland last year to talk about his book, A Moment in the Sun, set … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, cinema, journalism, writing | Tagged | 2 Comments