Yes and no because while Napoleon did back up his point of view with facts, I don't believe that TGD is the only reason for alcoholism in Rural Alaska. Many things can contribute to alcoholism such as home life, work/school, financial issues and problems with a relationship.
While TGD may have been a big factor in starting this infectious problem, saying it is the only reason for it is stretching it a bit too far.
Do you think that the problem in Emmonak is worse than other villages, or do you think that the writer has taken a problem common state-wide and presented it more strongly than others have been able to show?
I believe that Emmonak is like many other villages at this time. Fuel is expensive, just like food. Now because of these high prices, families are very often strapped for cash. It is not just happening in Emmonak. I've heard of this same problem in other villages as well. Emmonak has a voice to finally express what is happening state-wide.
--Johnnie S.
Johnnie,
ReplyDeleteThink back to the period during which the Great Death took place. The Yup'ik people were well-rooted in a civilization of their own devise, which had worked well for them for hundreds of years. They had no concept of work or school as we now know and categorize them. Certainly, they did work hard to survive and teach their children skills and tradition. They did this not out of a cash and acquisition philosophy as Westerners brought but a subsistence philosophy necessitated by the difficult climate and a sense of honor for the world that gave itself to them for their survival. I think witnessing halves and more of their communities killed by a disease they could not cure certainly contributed greatly to the despair that then led the survivors to this Western "medicine" of alcohol as a possible cure for that despair and began a cycle with which we still struggle today for the reasons you noted. What else do you think contributed to the sense of despair Napoleon cites as the root of this problem in Alaska?
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When you consider Emmonak and it's recent energy plight, why do you think it gained the eye of the press in the ways other communities have not on this issue?
I like the line, "Emmonak has a voice to finally express what is happening state-wide." How did the community achieve this?
Perhaps take another glance at the article:
http://www.adn.com/rural/western/story/654652.html
Thank you for your thoughts, Johnnie.
Johnnie is right about the Alcohol thing,it
ReplyDeletemostly starts from the family and work,also
relationships so many natives have hard times,
but i think they make it worst by drinking.
Tasha&Charles.
yes you are right about the fuel crisis and that a lot of villages are having problems with fuel and food. It is good that they spook up but they should of done it in a more formal way. Like just saying we are low on fuel and food so we would like some assistance with this problem from our state and any others who would like to help. Kinda like big community. Thanks thats all.
ReplyDeleteCharles
Yeah I believe its the people who abuse their money with drugs and alcohol, and the people who don't harvest food for the winter. The people who don't abuse their money and harvest food they are doing good, but their problem is that the stove oil and gas prices are way too high.
ReplyDelete-Sophie