Category Archives: writing

When Words Harm

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

  And Actions Matter  In my profession (writing and researching words, and thinking about their meanings) we argue: words mean. Exactly what they mean and how is worthy of conversation, especially because humans create the meanings we attach to words. … Continue reading →

Posted in american, american indian, democracy, nativescience, social justice, social media, White gaze, writing, zen | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Kondo as a Verb

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

(We discovered a spoon with the Rous insignia) No one enjoys moving, do they? I am in awe that my mother moved us—sometimes once a year—when my step-father worked overseas on construction projects with oil companies. We moved every year … Continue reading →

Posted in allmyrelations, american indian, authenticity, communication, family values, framing, memory, native american, Native Science, press, writing | Leave a comment

When is a shoebox more than a shoebox?

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

I have a fistful of postcards in search of a letterbox. Today we’re in San Francisco, heavy with rich coffee and notes to friends, and I’m searching for a blue repository for our Bay Area greetings. Our trip last month … Continue reading →

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Raccoon

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

The Little Thief There’s a raccoon roaming our neighborhood wearing a brassiere like ear muffs. That’s the story I tell myself. My bra’s gone missing. I washed my bra and hung it outside to dry. It was tethered to a … Continue reading →

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Muggles for Science

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

Why we need politicians who are vigilant We took to the streets Saturday (April 21, 2017) to join the March for Science. Thousands met in downtown Portland at the waterfront to hear speakers try to raise our emotions about science … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, Climate change, communication, salmon, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pets for Supper?

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

Feasting on Bugs, Bunnies & Dogs Some folks dine on dog-meat. In Indonesia, raising dogs (and cats) is practical, according to a recent New York Times article. Dogs and cats “require far less space and feed resources than growing cows,” … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, Bangkok, Francis Parkman, Lakota, writing | 2 Comments

When Honor Meets Disrespect

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

Cultural Mores & Travel I gasped when I spotted a bloke on the river boat in Thailand. His baggy sleeveless top–sometimes called a muscle shirt–revealed a black-inked Buddha covering the whole expanse of the left side of his front torso, … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, Bangkok, family values, immigration, Indian, native press, Native Science, nativescience, Vacation, writing, zen | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Time to Move the Pipeline

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

Today’s New York Times Editorial A major shift in news coverage occurred this summer as citizens gathered in North Dakota to protest construction of a 1,134-mile oil pipeline. And, for once, mainstream news media witnessed and reported on the events. … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, Dakota pipeline, native american, Native American Heritage Month, native press, new york times, risk, sioux, SKeleton, social justice, writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

How to be authentic

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

National American Heritage Month   November comes on the heels of several events that focus attention on North American Indians. That’s good news. And bad news. The good news is that the spotlight reminds us that critical, life-changing events impact … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, communication, Dakota pipeline, journalism, native american, Native American Heritage Month, native press, social justice, writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

POLITICAL NEWS: Part 2 of 3

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

Lipstick on a pig? A toad?  (My last blog, Stuck on the Tar Baby, takes a look at what it means in the worlds of journalism and public-relations to frame $2 billion in “free” press coverage in today’s presidential campaign. … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, american indian, politics, propaganda, public relations, social media, writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment