Sippi Lovin'

I saw the Star Tribune online has changed Jeff Weise’s front page photo from the original and more socially acceptable snapshot to an updated two-horned devil photo...gotta love that. While I am tempted to rant and rave about the depravity that Red Lake has become; more than 4 in 10 residents is unemployed and nearly 39 percent of the families on the reservation live below the poverty line, I will resist the temptation. In my mind, there is little doubt that the hardship this community is facing played a role in the shootings. However, school shooting incidents alone likely won't support this claim. Naturally, I could cite studies of violence in depressed communities to support my assertion, but I suspect I am preaching to the choir. Very quickly, before I do move on to more uplifting banter, let me say that I find it disheartening that issues of poverty on the reservation will likely once again be overlooked in this time of mourning. Apparently these are issues we needn't concern ourselves with.

As we slowly progress towards the more exciting news of the month, let me share with you this most titillating paragraph from Pyszczynki, Greenberg, Solomon, Arndt, and Schimel’s journal article, “Why do people need self-esteem? A theoretical and empirical review.”

The crux of the terror management answer to the question, “Why do people need self-esteem?” is that self-esteem functions to shelter people from deeply rooted anxiety inherent in the human condition. Self-esteem is a protective shield designed to control the potential for terror that results from awareness of the horrifying possibility that we humans are merely transient animals groping to survive in a meaningless universe, destined only to die and decay. From this perspective, then, each individual human’s name and identity, family and social identifications, goals and aspirations, occupation and title, are humanly created adornments draped over an animal that, in the cosmic scheme of things, may be no more significant or enduring than any individual potato, pineapple, or porcupine. But it is this elaborate drapery that provides us with the fortitude to carry on despite the uniquely human awareness of our mortal fate.

As I reread the paragraph now, I can see that if you were in the midst of a formidable soul searching expedition, that passage may have just set you teetering on the edge. If so, feel free to call or e-mail and I’ll do my best to straighten everything out.

Alas, here we are, the uplifting portion of my post: incase someone has yet to hear the first-rate news, let me announce that Alfie has made a most glorious return to cyber space. Not only has he been offering insightful comments everywhere from the Ritz to Knudson blogs, but posting on his own site as well. Oh gracious God, how can we thank thee! (By the way, how did it come to be that “God” needed to be capitalized? Per, will you be the one to answer this as well?)

Additionally, I received the good word last night about my pending summer employment. Because I am on assistantship and don’t receive funding over the summer months, USM offers some of its graduate students opportunities to teach classes for a small stipend. I was afforded this opportunity and will be teaching Abnormal Psychology to a large handful of unsuspecting twits come June. Everyone is welcome to experience the spectacle for themselves.

Moving on up to bigger and better things. Michelle’s older sister, Amy, won a close primary election for city council in Rochester on March 1st and continues to plow forward with her grassroots campaign in preparation for the general election on April 5th. Her victory was a surprise to most everyone, save Amy and her closest supporters, and has her closest competitor, Gene Peters, reexamining the race.

Finally, my little brother takes home the biggest excitement prize of all with his sacking of a Fulbright Scholarship to study the publishing industry in Australia. He’ll be departing this July with a fat wad of cash in his pocket. Congrats little bro.