Write an ethnographic research essay that primarily focuses on Gender identity and the Native American experience
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Navigating Gender Identity: An Ethnographic Exploration of the Native American Experience
Introduction
Gender identity is a complex and multifaceted aspect of individual and cultural identity that intersects with social, historical, and spiritual dimensions. Within the Native American experience, gender identities have long been recognized as diverse and fluid, reflecting unique understandings of gender roles, expressions, and relationships. Through ethnographic research, we can uncover the rich tapestry of gender identity within Native American communities, exploring how traditions, colonization, and contemporary movements shape the experiences of Indigenous peoples. This essay embarks on an ethnographic journey to illuminate the nuances of gender identity in the Native American context, highlighting the ways in which culture, history, and resilience converge to shape individual and collective understandings of gender.
Two-Spirit Traditions and Gender Diversity
Native American cultures have a long history of honoring and recognizing gender diversity through the concept of Two-Spirit identities. Two-Spirit individuals are revered for embodying both masculine and feminine qualities, serving as mediators, healers, and spiritual leaders within their communities. Ethnographic studies have documented how Two-Spirit traditions reflect a holistic understanding of gender that goes beyond Western binary frameworks, celebrating the interconnectedness of all living beings.
For example, research has explored the roles and responsibilities of Two-Spirit individuals in traditional ceremonies, storytelling, and community governance. Ethnographers have observed how Two-Spirit identities challenge colonial notions of gender normativity and offer alternative models of gender expression that honor the interconnectedness of all aspects of life. By centering Two-Spirit traditions in ethnographic analysis, researchers can uncover the resilience, creativity, and spiritual wisdom embedded in Indigenous approaches to gender identity.
Colonization, Assimilation, and Gender Disruption
The impacts of colonization and assimilation policies have disrupted traditional Native American understandings of gender identity, leading to cultural erasure, stigma, and trauma for Indigenous communities. Ethnographic research has documented how historical traumas, boarding school experiences, and forced assimilation practices have contributed to the marginalization and invisibility of Two-Spirit individuals within mainstream society.
Studies have revealed how colonial narratives of savagery, primitivism, and deviance have pathologized Indigenous gender identities and expressions, perpetuating stereotypes and discrimination against Two-Spirit individuals. Ethnographers have also explored the ways in which contemporary movements for decolonization, cultural revitalization, and LGBTQ+ rights advocacy are reclaiming and celebrating Indigenous gender diversity as a form of resistance and resilience.
Contemporary Two-Spirit Activism and Empowerment
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of Two-Spirit activism and empowerment within Native American communities, reclaiming ancestral wisdom, fostering community support networks, and advocating for recognition and rights for Two-Spirit individuals. Ethnographic research has highlighted the ways in which Two-Spirit activists are challenging heteronormative frameworks, advocating for social justice, and creating spaces for healing and affirmation within Indigenous contexts.
For instance, studies have documented Two-Spirit gatherings, pride events, and cultural celebrations that center Two-Spirit voices and experiences. Ethnographers have observed the emergence of Two-Spirit leadership in political movements, healthcare advocacy, and educational initiatives that address the unique needs and challenges faced by Indigenous LGBTQ+ individuals. By amplifying the voices and experiences of contemporary Two-Spirit activists, researchers contribute to a deeper understanding of the intersections between gender identity, culture, and social justice within Native American communities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ethnographic research offers a profound insight into the complexities of gender identity within the Native American experience. By tracing the historical legacies of Two-Spirit traditions, the impacts of colonization on gender diversity, and the resurgence of contemporary activism for Two-Spirit empowerment, researchers shed light on the resilience, creativity, and resistance embedded in Indigenous approaches to gender identity. As Native American communities continue to navigate the intersections of culture, history, and contemporary challenges in relation to gender identity, ethnography serves as a vital tool for amplifying marginalized voices, documenting cultural resilience, and fostering dialogue on issues of gender justice and Indigenous rights.
