Various Lies

Monday, November 23, 2009

Are you taking the piss?

I'm all about cultural sensitivity and stuff, and I try and bit a politically correct to respect my fellow man. However, I do not subscibe to the rampant PC and CS bullshit that goes around and is used as an excuse to promote any old bollocks that any old bloke wants because it's his/her "right" to a certain belief.

Fuck. Off.

So, I was bloody surprised to find out that thanks to "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month" we're having a "Informative Session & Presentation" (WTF does that mean? As opposed to a what?) on...

"Medicinal Plants and Backyard Herbs"
Natural Healing Remedies Inspired by the Native American Culture (Cherokee)

Are you having A FUCKING LAUGH?!

We're a medical School. An accredited Medical College!!! FUCKING HERBALISM? ARE YOU TAKING THE PISS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!

From the speakers' bio: "Her early training in herbalism came from walking the fields and woods of west Tennessee as a child."

What the ever-loving fucking pisswank does that mean? I walked the fields and woods of South Hertfordshire as a child, but at no point have I thought that it entitled me to some motherfucking herbalist shamen-like knowledge, other than how to avoid stinging nettles and badger shit.

I've been warned about making waves about this because I'll be construed as a racist and "hater". Thankfully my girlfriend is 25% Native American & 75% Africa American.


And the best defence is a good offence...

8 comments:

Genomic Repairman said...

The only thing you find walking the wood of Tennessee is weed and whiskey stills. And why the fuck do we legitimize these kooks by inviting them to come speak.

tideliar said...

Point A) true dat. That's why i spend a lot of time walking the woods round here. Armed to the fucking teeth. :)

Point B) That's one of the annoying issues. Not only are we condoning, but also legitimizing by giving exposure at an AMC. This one can slip under the radar in the guise of cultural sensitivity, although the presenter certainly doesn't have a traditional Native American sounding name, which removes some of the legitimacy-issues and adds to the bullshit. This ain't Shaman Running Wolf explaining the cultural history of his tribe: that I can deal with.

chall said...

well, not to be a defender of PC but some stuff from nature are good... like the salix salix which is full with the same substance as aspirin.

That said, I don't really like homeopathic stuff. But hopefully she can tell WHAT substance in the herbal stuff that is active ..... then it might be less bad and more good?

tideliar said...

My cynicism often gets the better of me, but somehow I doubt it Chall :)

Cynnie said...

I would be so fired working there.
i have trouble keeping my mouth shut...especially when i sense big bullshit :(

microbiologist xx said...

How fucking stupid is that? This might make sense if you worked at the University of aromatherapy and acupuncture. I am all for raising awareness about native americans and other groups, but I don't think legitimizing herbal remedies is the best way to do that. Besides, isn't this a little stereotypical anyway. Like native americans are only involved in medicinal plants? How about a serious look at the prevalence of alcoholism among these communities? That is at least a public health topic.

tideliar said...

@Cynnie: I had to bite my tongue. Hard, especially the day of the seminar. I nearly went to get an "under cover" scoop...

@Mxx: A bloody good point. It's the sepia-lens version of history... the brave and noble primitive. What a load of bollocks. Check out "White Mans World", a spoof movie about that shit.

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