Animal Cruelty

We’ve all seen it and done nothing, we’ve all heard of it and said nothing, we’ve all come across it and ignored it. Animal cruelty is something that happens daily and that is ignored a lot. But, what people don’t know is that there are many ways to stop it and to report the abuse and cruelty. Animal abuse and cruelty is just a very repulsive act of harm. It can happen anywhere, farms, houses, circuses, shops, street and even in shelters! According to dosomething.org, “4 to 5 million animals die in shelters every year” and “Elephants who perform in circuses are often kept in chains for as long as 23 hours a day from the time they are babies.” It’s very sad to see how animals are treated and used. According to PETA, “the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry” (peta.org). So animal cruelty just doesn’t involve neglect or abandonment, it also involves testing for new products on the market, for luxurious fur coats, and even for entertainment purposes like in a circus.

There are many cases and ways to classify animal cruelty. There are two types of animal abuse, passive cruelty and active cruelty. “Passive cruelty is typified by cases of neglect, where the crime is a lack of action rather than the action itself…” and another is “Active cruelty implies malicious intent, where a person has deliberately and intentionally caused harm to an animal, and is sometimes referred to as NAI (Non-Accidental Injury)” (pet-abuse.com). Both types of abuse are horrible and very painful and sad for the animals to go through. In my opinion, active cruelty is repulsive and very disturbing, “…but Zim go the third one, and stood over it, pounding…” (Bass 389). Its repulsive to see how some people do harm to animals and don’t feel guilty or bad about what they did. It’s especially sad when it happens to the ones that can’t do anything about it or they can’t defend themselves, like small unprotected puppies.

There are many cases and types of animal cruelty. The worst ones are those that are ignored, “I didn’t say anything, not even when Zim came huffing back up to the porch, walking like a man who had just gone out to get the morning paper. There was blood speckled around the cuffs of his pants, and even then I said nothing” (Bass 389). There are ways that someone can report the abuse of animals, two distinguished associations are ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). But there are steps you must take before you report an abuse because it can also be a little hard to tell if an animal is being abused, physical and environment signs are a big factor. According to ASPCA, an example of a physical sign would be, “Collar so tight that it has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet’s neck” and an environmental sign would be, “Pets are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary” (aspca.org). There are many, many more sometimes obvious and sometimes hidden signs to prove that an animal is going through abuse and suffering.

People should really be concerned about animal cruelty because it truly is a serious matter that needs a lot of attention. Some people don’t report abuse because of they are scared that the owners finding out or just because of the simple fact that they don’t know how. Those shouldn’t be factors in keeping an animal from being saved and getting the correct help or treatments if necessary. Every animal should be treated right and loved, animals have feelings too and they NEED love and the feeling that someone cares for them. So, if anyone ever sees animal cruelty they shouldn’t have to think twice before reporting it. Animals are essential for life.

Works Cited

ASPCA. 2012. 7 May 2012. < http://www.aspca.org/Home/Fight-Animal-Cruelty>.

Bass, Rick. “’Days of Heaven.’ from In The Loyal Mountains.” 1995. The Literary West: An Anthology of Western American Literature. Ed Thomas J. Lyon. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 384-395. Print.

DoSomething.org. 2012. 8 May 2012. < http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-animal-cruelty>.

Elephant chained. 19 Sep. 2011. Buzzle.com. Web. 8 May 2012.

Owner with dog. 8 Jul. 2011. vetskitchen.co.uk. Web. 8 May 2012.

Pet-Abuse.com. 2001-2012. 8 May 2012. < http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/animal_cruelty.php>.

PETA. 2012. 7 May 2012. < http://www.peta.org/issues/default.aspx>.

Skinny brown dog. 13 Nov. 2011. layingdownthelawlessness.wordpress.com. Web. 8 May 2012.

The Truth Behind Every Fur Coat - Animal Cruelty MUST be stopped. 23 Apr. 2010. furisbetteronanimals.webs.com. Web. 8 May 2012.

Texas and American etiquette, two different worlds.

Etiquette, what all human beings should be conscience of and practice daily. But, people from different places may have a different perspective and idea on what etiquette is to them. For example, Texas, Texas likes to be known for being their own little country inside a country. Texas is a very unique place, with a very different way of thinking and being in general. And as to what I mean by being a little country inside another is that even though Texas is a very prideful and American place, it differs from the American ways, specifically in etiquette, well according to Kinky Friedman.

Texas etiquette is unique and one and only. I have experienced this myself, having moved from California, it was like if I had entered another world. According to Friedman, “to the 6.1 billion people on this planet who are not Texans, the very idea of Texas etiquette may seem like a contradiction” (704). Like Friedman says, Texas etiquette consists of the way of the people, and what is socially correct in Texas. Urinating outside is seen as a way of the people, and is acceptable in mostly all places in Texas, which as many people know, it is usually socially incorrect in the U.S. Women in Texas have a traditional way of greeting each other, “look at yeeewww!” (705) would be the most correct response anyone could get. According to kwintessential.co.uk, In the U.S it is more acceptable to greet someone with a simple, firm hand shake and a “hello,” greetings are more casual and always smile. Even the way of table etiquette is different in Texas, a big juicy steak and its respective sides are like the traditional and best dinner plate that anyone can have, but not without saying grace first. In the U.S. table etiquette is very important and has to be very proper. Also mentioned in the website, food is often served family-style, which means that it is in large serving dishes and passed around the table for everyone to serve themselves, and it is acceptable and a must to never rest your elbows on the table, place your napkin on your lap and to leave a small amount of food on your plate when you are finished eating (kwintessential.co.uk). Also unique to Texas is the way they communicate. Ya’ll is the most common way to address a group of people. Saying Sir and Ma’am to elders and people of authority is a must! It is also the best way to show respect to others. While in the U.S, you will probably be considered a little uneducated if you say ya’ll or ain’t, in the U.S  they “expect people to speak clearly and in a straightforward manner” (kwintessential.co.uk).

What I have seen and experienced while in Texas, which is the best etiquette anyone can have, is kind and friendly manners to new comers in the state. It is a very welcoming place and also a place with a lot of unity, even when you’re not in Texas, you are able to tell when someone is a Texan just by the way of knowing each other’s etiquette. Texans are best at unity, sticking together and standing up for each other. In my opinion Texas is a very wonderful and more relaxed place to live, even though it is in the U.S, Texas is a very unique place with its own form of traditions and etiquette. To sum up Texas etiquette and according to Friedman, ““Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given.” That may be as close to Texas etiquette as any of us will ever get” (707). In the U.S, people like to say that it is a very united country and it is always kind and welcoming to new comers, but it is not always true, and I can confidently say that many people agree with the same thing. Even though the U.S. has its flaws, it is a wonderful country to live in and visit because it has many great qualities to it.

Works Cited

Friedman, Kinky. Social Studies. 2001. Print.

Handshake. 2012. smallbusiness.chron.com. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.

Kinky Friedman. 14 Apr. 2011. houstonpettalk.com. Web. 20 Apr. 2012.

Kwintessential. 2010. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. www.kwintessential.co.uk.

Texas Etiquette.  12 Mar. 2010. openlibrary.org. Web. 20 Apr. 2012.

Texas welcome sign. 20 Sep. 2006. eye-ride.com. Web. 20 Apr. 2012.

United States Welcome Sign. 2010. Travelpod.com. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.

Racism in The Searchers, respect and Comanche burial traditions

I think that everyone should be respected regardless of their color, race, traditions, culture etc. In the movie The Searchers directed by John Ford, we see a lot of racism towards the Comanche Indians. I believe that it is wrong and unfair to treat and despise someone just because they have different traditions and different ways other than the “white way” which was the only thing the main protagonist Ethan, played by John Wayne, cared about. There is a specific scene in the movie that was really disturbing and racist towards the Comanche Indians and their culture. The scene is when Ethan and his men came across a Comanche Indian dead body that was buried under a rock and Ethan being the revengeful man that he is he shoots the body even though he is dead already. Ethan knows Comanche traditions very well and he knew that if he shot the eyes of the dead body it’s spirit would wander forever. “Along the way, the searchers find a Comanche buried under a large sandstone rock. [This scene of the traditional Indian burial ritual is closely juxtaposed to the previous scene of the Christian funeral.] Ethan takes his gun and shoots two bullets at the Indian corpse, aiming at its eyes. Although Reverend Clayton interprets his senseless, excessive act as vindictive and contemptuous, Ethan explains how his defilement of the Indian has thwarted the spiritual belief of the Comanche, causing his spirit to wander forevermore” (AMC).

The Comanche death rituals and burial traditions are very unique and special to them. The author describes the burial ritual, “The knees of the deceased were folded and tied with a rope and then the body was washed. The deceased was dressed in finest available clothing and put upon a blanket. The face was painted red and the eyes were covered with some clay. The relatives of the deceased said farewell to their loved one. The body was then wrapped in blanket and tied with buffalo-hide rope and put on a horse and carried to the place of burial. The Comanche usually buried their dead in a cave, a ravine or a crevice among the rocks” (Popovic). The Comanche Indians as well as everybody else should have their traditions and culture respected because it’s the correct and moral thing to do. I don’t think any of us would be very happy if we come to see that our loved one was dug out of the grave and thrown somewhere just because someone didn’t like our culture.

If only everyone was respectful enough and not judgmental, I’m sure that every race and culture would be very happy and feel respected and wanted at all times, but we know that it’s an impossible thing. The Searchers is a very wonderful movie with a lot of meaning behind it but it is also a very racist movie but in all it was a great movie to watch and learn from. As for the Comanche Indians, I think they are very unique in their traditions and despite the movie and how it trashed their ways, they still show to be very prideful and a content Indian tribe.

Works Cited

AMC Filmsite: The Searchers. 1956. Web. 13 March. < http://www.filmsite.org/sear.html>

Catlin, George. A Comanche Village. 1834. Texasindians.com. Web. 31 Mar. 2012

Chief Scar. Screenshadowsgroup.com. Web. 31 Mar. 2012

Indian burial. Texasbeyondhistory.net. Web. 31 Mar. 2012

John Wayne scenery picture. Dvdjournal.com. Web. 31 Mar. 2012

Popovic, Mislav. “Native American death rites.” Traditions and Customs from all over the world. 2009-2012. Web. 31 Mar. 2012. < http://traditionscustoms.com/death-rites/native-american-death-rites>

The Searchers. Dir. John Ford. Perf. John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter and Vera Miles. 1956. Warner Bros. Pictures, 1956. DVD.

Changed Marriage, Family and Women Roles

In today’s world it is normal to see a father out grocery shopping with his baby girl, or at the park, or anywhere in general. Before, in western Indian times it was rare to see a father “spending time” with their children, well it was usually never seen.  When you hear people talking about marriage and raising a family, all you hear is that the husband needs to do this and the wife need to do this and that. But the related type of conversation has changed immensely throughout the years. The roles in marriage have changed a great deal, and what used to be seen as normal husband and wife roles are now done equally between the couple. In the traditional American society, “the husband has traditionally held the role of the breadwinner, and the wife lived the role of the caregiver” (Hawke 70). According to Winnemucca, in Indian culture when a woman accepted to marry a man she accepted all the duties that came with it, “She is to dress the game, prepare the food, clean the buckskins, make his moccasins, dress his hair, bring all the wood, in short, do all the household work” (Winnemucca 68).

It is surprising to hear that someone still lives by those “roles”, especially in the year 2012 because now that women are more educated and have many more opportunities like men do, the roles have changed and become almost fully equal. In a typical American marriage and family, the husband can now take care of his kids, fulfill household duties just like the wife can. The wife can now also go out a pay bills, get the vehicle oil changed, practically do things that she couldn’t do before. The women is today more independent. According to Hawke, “The American Women’s Suffrage Movement focused on the abstract philosophy of equal treatment for women and the legal measures to achieve this goal” (Hawke 71). With that said in mind, women seemed to be invincible when wanting to gain equality in genders and in rights. After this movement of feminism, the role of the women took almost a whole 360 degree turn. Women were able to make enough money and have the sufficient tools needed to survive on their own without husbands or a male figure. It is almost like how Sarah Winnemucca described the women’s duties when they accepted to get married, it was tough but they had to cater to their husband and take care of mostly everything themselves and on top of that take care of the children (Winnemucca 68).

Women to this day have showed themselves to be strong and able to come up on their own. Although the feminism movement brought many good things, it also brought some negative aspects to marriages. Hawke says that “It must be admitted that in some cases, a lack of clear gender roles weakens the marriage. However, when a husband and a wife have the freedom to bring to a marriage his or her whole self, and not just live a traditional gender role, the American marriage has been strengthened by feminist theory” (Hawke 73-74). Many of these things are true and I’m sure that they have been proven, but in my personal opinion the number one thing that makes things clear between humans is communication with each other. Roles have come along way, but what it very clear is that both the woman and man in the relationship strive to have a happy marriage and the perfect family.

Works Cited

Hawke, Lucy A. "Gender Roles within American Marriage: Are They Really Changing?" ESSAI: 5.23 (2008): 70-74. Web. 21 Feb 2012. Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/essai/vol5/iss1/23

Newcombe, Bertha. An Incident in Connection with the Presentation of the First Women’s Suffrage Petition to Parliament in 1866. 1910. Women.qmul.ac.uk/index.htm. Web. 22 Feb. 2012.

Russell, Charles Marion. Stone In Moccasin Woman 1890. Encore-editions.com. Web. 22 Feb. 2012

Winnemucca, Sarah. “From Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims.” 1883. The Literary West: An Anthology of Western American Literature. Ed. Thomas J. Lyon. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 65-69. Print.

Zak, Eugene. Happy Family. 1st-art-gallery.com. Web. 22 Feb. 2012.