Category Archives: journalism

What do Folks Think about Indian Issues?

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

We wanted to know how people feel about Indian issues in the Pacific Northwest and recently discovered that opinions are mixed. In fact, opinions are pretty lumpy. Take, for example, the issue of sea lions at the Columbia River.

Posted in authenticity, journalism, Native Science, salmon, science, writing | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Indian Authenticity

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The timing was perfect. I finished presenting a paper at an academic conference in Phoenix on authenticity, specifically the media portrayal of the ancient skeleton Kennewick man. And then authenticity hit the fan. I was surrounded by stories of Indian … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, framing, Geronimo, Indian, journalism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Indian Mascots on the Agenda

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Oregon media are twitterpatted over the school mascot issue. Really? Too much hand-wringing, too late. Naming school sports teams Redskins, Indians, Braves and Chiefs has long been on the radar of American Indian activists: hardly a new issue. But in … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, framing, Indian, journalism | 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

When Science is Exclusive

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I did a quick double-take while researching a chapter for my book on science and culture. It’s like those visual double-take games in magazines, when they put two pictures side by side and you’re supposed to find the discrepancies from … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, framing, health, Indian, journalism, Native Science, science, science communication | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Porn and the Eye of the Beholder

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

An information campaign raised public ire when it produced a billboard that shocked some viewers. The poster shows a woman without clothing, her breasts (all four) hooked to a pump. She’s on her hands and knees, reflecting the imagery of … Continue reading →

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Indian Sovereignty: Worthwhile?

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

An illuminating article discusses Indian sovereignty and gambling at the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and defines sovereignty as equal to the entities of the federal government, individual states and tribes. The article from this week’s Economist (a British publication) does … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, framing, journalism, news bias | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

When the Masses are Stupid

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Even smart scholars sometimes make the mistake of assuming the masses are stupid. During election fever, media critics in particular view publics as empty slates ready to be inscribed with persuasive messages. For example, pundits wring their hands over negative … Continue reading →

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The Republican Brain, the Indian Brain

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

An intriguing talk at a recent conference I attended discussed the Republican Brain. Seems that scientists have been studying how people respond to different scenarios and then measure their responses, both on a written questionnaire and by looking at brain … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, human origin, Indian, journalism, Native Science, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Thinking Creatively

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Jonah Lehrer’s piece on Groupthink skewers the efficacy of brainstorming while lauding the idea that water-cooler conversations that bring together folks from disparate backgrounds can lead to creative thinking.

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