e-culture: Need for Greater Cultural Literacy
September 28, 2001


IN THIS ISSUE
Tragic Events of September 11
Valuable Cultural Opportunities
The Karankawa Trail
Southern Utah From A - Z
Great Plains Journal
Volunteers Greatly Needed
Searching for Magellan



On September 11, we all experienced a tragedy that ranks among the worst in United States history.

Texas is no stranger to tragic events. The Great Storm of 1900 didn't come with a proper name, rating or much advance warning, but it was said to be angry and mighty. On September 8 and 9, at the dawn of the Twentieth Century, 6,000 to 10,000 people died and 3,600 homes were lost in the storm surge that swept over Galveston Island. In 1937, a natural gas explosion in a New London, Texas school killed 280 children and 14 teachers. Uncontrolled fires and explosions on April 16 and 17, 1947 devastated Texas City in the nation's worst industrial disaster. 576 died, 5,000 were injured and over 3,300 homes were destroyed.

Many technological developments and warning systems have diminished the potential loss of life, as well as property, in future natural and industrial disasters. Ironically, our modern technology, which allows us to travel and communicate faster, has brought the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center closer to us all. The alarming rise of man-made, calculated violence seems far outside of our technological grasp. The bombings of the World Trade Center in 1993, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995, and the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 stem from religious, political and ultimately cultural conflicts. Preventing hate-generated violence presents the ultimate problem of reading the human mind. Some Americans inevitably turn to arming themselves, preparing for conflict where there should be none in their modern lives.

Ours is an extensive history of conflict that includes slavery, genocide of American Indians, persecution of Mexican-Americans and internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Through education and interaction, we have set into motion a gradual process, highlighted by the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and decreases in crimes against Asian- and Mexican-Americans in recent decades, that has helped bring security and improved quality of life to many Americans. Our social, political and judicial processes have brought about nearly acceptable conditions for diverse cultures to coexist in our country.

The recent attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon using hijacked civilian airplanes is the most devastating single incident of cultural conflict in our nation's history. Americans overwhelmingly agree the attack was cruel and unjust, and most expect retribution.

The aftermath of the attack may bring many new problems to our country -- intolerance, violence or despair. Americans may look to technology to identify terrorists and prevent future acts of terror, but we must strive for improved cultural literacy to prevent unwarranted persecution and violence against innocent people. Whatever our government's course of action, citizens' opinions, which are currently closely unified, will again diverge. Through the campaign against terrorism, conflicts may arise among groups that presently agree on the dire and inexcusable nature of the initial offense. Many will not understand the resentment of Americans that is prominent in some Islamic countries, especially as sympathy and unity with Americans has increased in many other nations. Those concerned with human rights may be alarmed at the conditions refugees face in Afghanistan, or other war-torn countries, while others may feel driven to vengeance at any cost. Through extensive media coverage, we may witness the misery and hopelessness of innocent victims of sanctions or an armed offensive, or even continued civil war in divisive regions.

Some Americans are not even aware of the proclaimed motives of radical organizations that provoke conflict with the United States. Meanwhile, many Americans, as well as Europeans, have demonstrated escalating disdain concerning the effects of economic globalization on poorer nations. These issues are not difficult to understand, but they are not among the concerns of most Americans. In great irony, MTV may be delivering the most balanced perspective on the situation through its MTV News segments, as it must deliver information to a skeptical and potentially volatile audience.

The United States is a major force in the world that can be both magnetic and polarizing. Our foreign activity ranges from concerns for human rights, such as our efforts through the United Nations to protect Muslims and diverse ethnic groups in Eastern Europe, to national corporate and consumer interests in oil-producing nations. Our consumers are not well educated; they do not lead in determining the nation's needs and dependencies. There are many blatant examples over the past two centuries of our consumer nation, under the business direction of powerful industrialists, like William Randolph Hearst and Cornelius Vanderbilt, naively taking the road of convenience over the road to economic balance. While tremendous economic desparity characterized the rifts between cultures in our nation's history, it is now a major problem in our small world, where our actions affect others minute by minute and our consumer lifestyle is televised throughout much of the world to provide entertainment and increased profits. We can look inside our homes and to our neighbors for an explanation to many of our problems.



I was recently asked to be part of an important dialogue on the condition of indigenous people, and those not represented by wealth or political voice, in the Americas. Much of the outside world seemed irrelevant to the subject prior to the events of September 11. My topic was to be the "Gray-eyed Man of Destiny," and I was urged not to discuss the subject in advance of the presentation. It occurred to me that it would be difficult to discuss it with anyone, as few Americans know the exploits of the "Gray-eyed Man," Captain William Walker, the filibuster and imperialist who adversely affected our relationship with Latin America for more than a century after his execution in Honduras.

American luxuries are not free of consequences for other people. There have been movements in the past to question the working conditions of people who produce our goods, and the poverty and violence they may face. These problems not only exist far away across the Pacific, but also in our neighboring countries and states. The haunting voice of Holly Near, as she sings "There is a Woman Missing," informs us of the names of women lost to violence in South America. Now add to that list the names of hundreds of women killed or missing in Juarez, our neighbor near El Paso.

Americans should have the opportunity to visit Zuni and Wounded Knee to better understand our history. We often do not recognize the importance of the natural environment in the religion and culture of many Native people, inhibiting their ability to teach heritage and pride in their culture to new generations. Rather, we let many go hungry or provide them with poor nutritional food sources. As consumers, we expect cultures to readily assimilate to our far-reaching economic system, or remain left out of our prosperity.

Our cultural and economic interaction on Native land is often preserved on ominous signs, such as those warning of uranium contamination in English, Spanish and Navajo. Cultural infringement is often the result of our economic priorities and blind consumerism, here and abroad.



Cultural literacy is dependent on clear and broad understanding of history, particularly history from multicultural perspectives. There has never been a more important time in our history to become a culturally-literate nation. And, there have never been more opportunities to do so. Diverse cultures and religions are interested in finding new audiences for the preservation of their heritage and are widely recognized in public venues, where they are demonstrating their creative arts -- their talent and belief in creating and expressing interest in life, rather than destruction. The vast wealth of cultural art available to us is our greatest opportunity for learning and experiencing a good quality of life. There is such profound meaning and realization in so many great creations that they seem to be the very reason we have life and energy: Satyajit Ray's film, "Two Daughters" ("Teen Kanya"); James Earle Fraser's sculpture, "The End of the Trail"; Talip Ozkan's recording, "The Dark Fire"; Dorthea Lange's photograph, "Migrant Mother"; Willa Cather's book, "Death Comes for the Archbishop"; Maria Tallchief's performance, "Firebird"; Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poem, "Dog"; Carlos Riquelme's dramatic role, Amarante in "Milagro Beanfield War"; and so on.

If the events of September 11 have forced us to look at life differently, we should look at it with greater interest and conviction. We have seen many signs of rising violence, and even more subtle signs of human hardship. If we are to face more strife in the future, we should do it with a better understanding and respect for many cultures that share our love of life and creative energy.

Edward James Olmos recently said, "There is only one race -- the Human Race. Within it there are many cultures." When you think about the value interaction with people of different cultures brings to your life, you can see that you would be left with little interest in life without it.


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Valuable Cultural Opportunities

Anne Siems, New Paintings
James Gallery
307 Sul Ross
September 7 - October 6
www.jamesgalleryhouston.com
713-942-7035

Spirits of the Cloth
Contemporary quilts by African-American artists
Blaffer Gallery
University of Houston
September 22 - December 21
www.blaffergallery.org
713-743-9530
Free

2nd Annual Houston Grand Taiko Festival
Featuring Matsuriza, Kaminari Taiko, Takahamarya Mitsujuroku and Lee's Golden Dragon Dance Troup
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Hermann Park
October 5 and 6, 7:00pm
www.kaminaritaiko.com
713-466-5666
Free
Place this graphic on you desktop as a reminder:
Taiko Festival Flier

Houston Dragon Boat Festival
Allen's Landing on Buffalo Bayou
Downtown Houston
October 6, 8:30am - 4:00pm
www.houstondragonboat.com
Event Schedule:
http://www.houstondragonboat.com/events.htm
Free

The 11th Annual Turkish Festival
Wortham Plaza, Downtown Houston
October 13, 10:00am

The 5th Annual African-American Arts Festival
Featuring Reginna Belle, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and the art of Dr. John Biggers
Project Row Houses
2500 Holman
October 13 and 14
Saturday, 11:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday, 12:00pm - 7:00pm
$5.00 donation

http://www.houstonculture.org/events


Please send calendar items to info@houstonculture.org.

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The Karankawa Trail

Our field trip to Clear Lake will take place this Sunday, September 30, leaving at 10:00am.

Meet at Dawn Donuts, 8057 Kirby Dr # F, Houston, TX 77054, (713) 790-0076

Dawn Donuts is on the Kirby side of the Business Center that houses Toys-R-Us (which faces Old Spanish Trail). They sell kolaches, donuts, juice and soft drinks. We will buy lunch across the street at Antones, in the Fiesta parking lot and carpool to Clear Lake.

We will visit Armand Bayou Nature Center and Pine Gully on Galveston Bay, a little-known State Archaeological Site.

You will need to bring about $3.00 for admission to Armand Bayou and a little extra cash for lunch and to stop at Dairy Queen on the way back. You will also need to bring water and you may want to bring any camera equipment you like to use outdoors.

In the event of rain, we will reschedule. Please call 713-521-3686 for more information.

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Southern Utah From A - Z

From Arches to Zion, we will explore the canyonlands of southern Utah. We will present day hikes for every level of ability, from the easy path to Delicate Arch through the narrows of the Fiery Furnace and up sheer canyon walls to Angels Landing. In any season, the dramatic scenery and fascinating history of southern Utah offers something for everyone.

The slide presentation will take place on Monday, November 12, 2001 at 7:00pm. REI is located at 7951 Katy Freeway. Call 713-688-3500 for more information.

This will be a great opportunity to learn about our winter travel plans.

See the complete schedule of in-store events:
http://www.rei.com/storelocator/houston

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Great Plains Journal

We are creating a section that will feature cultural experiences, encounters and adventures in the region that includes Texas, Oklahoma and the Louisiana Purchase territory. Stories will feature the mysterious El Cuartelejo, the Sand Creek Massacre and an account of twelve strange nights in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. The first feature about migrant Indians is titled, "Their Tears Dried in the Sun." Look for it to be edited very soon. If you have stories, thoughts or ideas you would like to contribute, please contact us at info@houstonculture.org.
http://www.houstonculture.org/greatplains

The Great Plains Journal will compliment the Canyon Journal and others that are currently held up in the works administration department, our blue supercomputer.
http://www.houstonculture.org/canyon

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Volunteers Greatly Needed

We are looking for a section editor who would like to write about interesting Houstonians.
http://www.houstonculture.org/people


There are many volunteer needs. Please see the list currently posted in our on-line office.
http://www.houstonculture.org/office


For more information, please contact Sahn at sahn@houstonculture.org. We are planning a social event at the Haak Vineyard and Winery for October.


Artists and organizations, please send us your contact information.
http://www.houstonculture.org/listings

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Searching for Magellan

We are looking for a modern-day Ferdinand Magellan who has experience on the Mississippi River, particularly the Pilot Town stretch south of New Orleans. We are preparing to test the little boat, Jornada de Cabeza de Vaca, against the current of the mighty Mississippi in November, probably near St. Francisville. This is the next step in a process that will lead us to safely experience the historic crossing at the mouth of the Mississippi River by Cabeza de Vaca. Please forward any names of boat captains with experience on the Mississippi River or on the Louisiana coast mark@cultural-crossroads.com.


For other fun adventures on the seas, check out the Floating Neutrinos.
http://www.floatingneutrinos.com



Please send interesting information our way and stay in touch.

Mark

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M A R K   L A C Y / mark@cultural-crossroads.com


Houston Institute for Culture
http://www.houstonculture.org

World Music on KTRU
http://www.houstonculture.org/world

Read Cabeza de Vaca On Line
http://www.houstonculture.org/spanish

Our Educational Youth Camp
http://www.houstonculture.org/camp