Beware the Pure Spirit, Let the Flesh Instruct the Mind

I’ve been at odds for the better part of today. I’d glanced at the news yesterday and heard some of the rants and rhetoric that poured out of the lips of this expert-at-nothing “reality” celebrity. Reality is in question here, that is, he’s an image created to appeal to a segment of society for purposes of selling a tv show. He’s not authentic by any means, and yet his comments have put people on edge. It began to bother me this morning as I was getting ready for work.   To state that I have mixed emotions is to understate what has been playing in my mind all day. Here’s a brief look at the diverse and conflicting thoughts I have been processing today in relation to his “truth” speech: ·          Personal belief ·          Religious faith ·          Hate speech ·          Prejudice hiding behind religious text ...

I love this time of year. This is the weather that I thrive in, that is, nice warm days and cooler nights.  I didn't go to Bridge Day this year as I am finishing up my manuscript to Graduate Studies. I did have some time today to process plants for their winter storage and up keep. Here's what is going on in my world today: Harvest time for Castor Beans Took this picture the other day. She and her web are no longer there.  Quietly waiting  Kale sprouting  Aroids - my favorite ornamentals. Voodoo lily here.  Elephant ears

I'm writing the last chapter of my dissertation. I plan to defend before fall classes begin (optimal but not likely) or the first weeks into the fall semester (probable). To keep me on track, here's my outline for discussion. Already immersed in whittling this down as I have been writing already: Discussion Restate the purpose of the research, making note of intersections Identify the main themes the emerged from the data Under Place and Cultural Identification Rural Appalachia Religious orientation Seeking Health Services - Theme One  Rurality Quality of Services Accuracy in Treatment Positive Experiences with Health Care Professionals HIV and General Care Issues HIV Medicines Alternative Therapies Challenges in Obtaining Medicines Ancillary Support Specific Supporting Spiritual Practices  Adherence Issues Missed Dosages  Stigma - Theme Two MSM Religious Stigma (homophobia) MSM Appalachia as Place Related Stigma MSM Related Stigma MSM...

Purple Cherokee Tomato - an heirloom variety Finally! The big boys are coming up (voodoo lily) I've missed growing elephant ears. So here is one being guarded by a dangerous raptor Seed collecting - day lilies and japanese maple

I’m an admirer of both Queer Theory http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer_theory  Critical Race Theory   http://spacrs.wordpress.com/what-is-critical-race-theory/   and as someone who has definite leanings toward social justice issues, public health, and sexual minority causes…I feel as though I see the world through a slightly different set of eyes. Rainbow colored glasses anyone?  I observe, I critique, I document, and I (try) to contribute where I can. Today, I was faced with a myriad of student issues related to work and my responsibilities. I had an epiphany of sorts, where I could clearly see where race and SES intersected to produce disadvantages for students of color on an institutional / structural level. As a white male, I am knowledgeable enough to know that I am taught by my own white privilege NOT to see or recognize these things. But I did see it today and I’ve been wondering what my response and responsibilities are. I’m not trying to be colorblind no...

Notes from… Stigma As A Fundamental Cause of Population Health Inequalities – AJPH March 2013 Stigma is defined as a coocurrence of labeling, stereotyping, separation, status loss and discrimination in a context in which power is exercised. Discrimination at the individual level (i.e., the unequal treatment that arises from membership in a particular social group) and structural level (i.e., societal conditions that constrain an individual’s opportunities, resources, and well being) is a constitutive feature of stigma. Fundamental cause theory – posits that some social factors remain persistently associated with health inequalities over time despite dramatic changes in diseases, risk factors, and health interventions. ·          A fundamental social cause influences multiple disease outcomes through multiple risk factors among a substantial number of people ·          A fundamental social cause...