Ldcarlson7@cs.com wrote:
>
> Hi again,
>
> The totem pole and culture study. I think that if the intent is to learn
> more about another culture by emulating an object,from that culture, then it
> is a valuable experience. Cultures who are offended by an 'outsider'
> adopting an aspect 'of theirs', might look at how they are promoting
> themselves in order to be 'understood' and respected.
Laurie's got a point, but I don't know about the word "emulating." If
she means copying the cultural artifact, I don't think the students
learn anything by using that culture's symbols and motifs. If, however,
she means having the students use the original totem as a basis for
designing their own, with symbols and motifs from their own cultures
(whether ethnic or social, like skater or hip-hop culture), then I think
the activity is valid. One could even change the form so it's not a
totem "pole." We all have totems in our lives.
In Arizona, there is great controversy among the various tribes copying
and selling artifacts from other tribes (i.e., Navajos carving Hopi
katsinas).
