I’ve been brainstorming research topics for the past week or so, trying to find a topic I can really get into and do a good job on.

My first thought was possibly something that relates to the Salem witch hysteria, but it is a very broad and, possibly, overspeculated topic. I’m still partially considering it; however, if I can think of a way to put a new “spin” on it to make it original and interesting to research. Why? I recently finished reading H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward”, a fiction that, while based in modern times, concerns a character who fled from Salem during the “Salem scare”. It’s only really mentioned in passing, but it’s interesting to contemplate what it would have been like for other persons during this time who may have seemed very “witch/wizard-like” like alchemists, people who used herbs for ailments and for remedial effects, and the like. The infamous Salem witch trials are surely only the beginning of what, while somewhat short-lasted, must have been difficult and distrustful times for those living in Salem and the surrounding areas.

Beyond that, I’m a bit at a loss for ideas. Or, rather, my ideas, while interesting to me, are either too broad or too well-researched.

January 31, 2008 – “Ethnocentrism” (Jamake Highwater’s documentary)

Today in class we watched a documentary on ethnocentrism and the Native Americans. It’s interesting to note that I recently studied ethnocentrism in my Anthropology 101 class, so the term isn’t unknown to me. While watching Highwater’s film, I tried to avoid biasing myself so I could properly understand the subject. I may have only succeeded partially, since I didn’t quite agree with some of his observations.

For example, Highwater compared the “ritual” dances of the Native Americans (or, rather, as it was pointed out in class, his sect of Native Americans) to that of European ballet in a manner that I didn’t find very partial at all. I think that dance in general is something that applies more to individuals than to a People as a whole; after all, some people enjoy it, some people don’t, and some are completely indifferent. What sort of culture you’re raised with doesn’t necessarily change that.

I suppose what bothered me the most about the documentary was his attitude that Native Americans had done things “Right”, and that the White People were, and still are, bent upon the destruction of the known world. Which obviously isn’t the case. It’s, rather, a clash of cultures, and you’re going to get bias when someone from one of the cultures is doing the explaining. I’m of the opinion that to effectively study a culture, you need to completely disengage yourself from culture yourself.

Research and reflections pertaining to Dr. Berg’s History 151 class.