Anthropology

| | | | | | | |

Symbology in “The Women of Brewster Place” (I of II)

Posted on

Book authored by Gloria Naylor. Book review originally written in 1996 for an English Writing & Composition class Initially, Gloria Naylor’s book The Women of Brewster Place seems to be stories of various women struggling under the inequities of poverty and racism. However, due to her use of symbology, thoughtful study can reveal a deeper…

| | |

Why do women say “let’s just be friends”? (VI of VI)

Posted on

Conditioning by personal choice To the selfish all are selfish.— Aesop These are all unpleasant situations which I suspect many people have had to deal with at one point or another. Faced with potential scenarios like those mentioned above, I’m not surprised many women use the “dreaded phrase” frequently. What I consider a shame is…

| | |

Why do women say “let’s just be friends”? (V of VI)

Posted on

So why does this matter? A friend noted I sounded a bit annoyed here. I am. I don’t know why, but for some reason our culture teaches men to assume women are always seductively inclined towards them — often long before the woman is more than just marginally friendly. Quite frankly, it’s bloody annoying. Lest…

| | |

Why do women say “let’s just be friends”? (IV of VI)

Posted on

Some anthropological context You’re dangerous, ’cause you’re honest…you tell me things I know you’re not supposed to…Well, you lied to me ’cause I asked you to;Baby, can we still be friends….— U2, Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses Interestingly, I read an anthropological study many years after these incidents (I’ll have to try to re-locate…

| | |

Why do women say “let’s just be friends”? (III of VI)

Posted on

What’s gone before If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we would all be millionaires. — Abigail Van Buren Interestingly, the guy I was talking to then bitterly asked why the women weren’t more honest with the men, as well as with themselves. Now that one I could answer for him,…

| | |

Why do women say “let’s just be friends”? (II of VI)

Posted on

So what does it really mean when someone says, “let’s just be friends”? I can’t speak for all women, but I can speculate based on discussions I’ve had, and on my thoughts in similar situations: To politely create or keep distance To defuse situations where the person feels pressured or scared Because that’s what they’ve…

| | |

Why do women say “let’s just be friends”? -as well as, “Why do I keep hearing that line?” (I of VI)

Posted on

Originally posted June 2004 Credits: For all those who’ve been part of my emotional relationships. If you helped, thank you for your encouragement, patience, and kindness — you know who you are. And if you were part of the problem, it would be inappropriate to name names. ;-) I’ve been teasingly told my previous Firestarter…

| | | | | |

“Here I Stand: My Struggle for a Christianity of Integrity, Love, and Equality” by Retired Bishop John Shelby Spong (III of III)

Posted on

The inadequacy of institutionalized religious responses to the jarring reality of real life issues is part of Spong’s self-questioning. He finds hope as well as pain, however, in his search, expressing the excitement of thoughtful study and discussion with like-minded others in an effort to find a Christianity of integrity, love, and equality. It’s clear…

| | | | | |

“Here I Stand: My Struggle for a Christianity of Integrity, Love, and Equality” by Retired Bishop John Shelby Spong (II of III)

Posted on

In a similarly challenging situation several years later, Spong has people come to his house, purporting to be friends who represent his entire congregation. They suggest strongly that he, as a white man, should vote according to the racist status quo, and inform him his future in the town and as a priest is at…

| | | | | |

“Here I Stand: My Struggle for a Christianity of Integrity, Love, and Equality” by Retired Bishop John Shelby Spong (I of III)

Posted on

Originally posted October 2005 Credits: for Peter McWilliams, author of the fascinating Ain’t Nobody’s Business If You Do: The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in Our Free Country and a victim of the so-called “War Against Drugs,” who first let me know of Spong’s wonderful writing. Also for Retired Bishop Spong himself, for making me think…