OBX Trip with Global & Native Spaces by Jada Griffis

Bodie Island Lighthouse

jagrif23 — 2025-03-13 20:59:14 UTC

Visiting the Bodie Island Lighthouse was interesting to me as I’m curious about lighthouses in general and had no prior knowledge of its existence. The lighthouse has a historical significance that prompts curiosity and encourages educational enrichment which aligns with the goals of the Global and Native Villages. Learning about this landmark prompts me to further explore coastal areas and their unique infrastructure.

European Lenses

jagrif23 — 2025-03-13 21:06:30 UTC

Our trip to the Fort Raleigh Center highlighted the bitter reality that many depictions of Native people are tainted by their European counterparts. A goal of both the center and the Native/Global villages is to shed light on marginalized communities and their injustices throughout history. Visiting the area further encourages me to be inquisitive and approach artwork with critical analysis

Deep Thoughts @ Wright Brothers Memorial

jagrif23 — 2025-03-14 19:29:13 UTC

I found this question at the memorial to be particularly profound personally and in relation to the advancements of Wilbur and Orville. I find that I often shy away from situations that are scary and out of my comfort zone which makes me comfortable yet prevents me from developing. Similarly, Wilbur and Orville felt fear but they harnessed it to make breakthroughs in aviation. From their story I obtained the moral lesson that fear should be used to motivate action as opposed to completely stopping it because of the positive developments that could arise. This lesson connects to the goals of the Native and Global villages as each prompt us to chase our dreams and promote change in the world that’s meaningful.

Shifting Perspective

jagrif23 — 2025-03-14 19:34:05 UTC

Seeing this image at the Wright Memorial struck me because it put my life into perspective. Not only was it incredibly humbling to see the planet Earth from space due to its sheer size and beauty, I realized that my struggles are temporary and insignificant to the achievements I will acquire as I grow older. While I may not accomplish something as huge as traveling to space, the work that I put in to obtaining a higher education will be rewarding in the future. This picture connects to the Native and Global villages because it demonstrates the vast presence of the Earth that houses numerous cultures and ethnic enclaves. The picture further instilled a desire into me to travel and explore other areas of the globe.

Black Excellence

jagrif23 — 2025-03-14 19:41:51 UTC

I appreciated the addition of information that recounted the lives and/or accomplishments of Black leaders that contributed to the success of the Wright Brothers. As I visited the memorial I couldn’t help but ponder the fact that many advancements of the time were hindered by the racism and discrimination that prevented Black Americans from being educated and recognized for their achievements. The image connects to the goals of the Native and Global villages as it highlights an ethnic minority that has been marginalized throughout history and present day. Both villages recognize marginalization as a major issue and fault of our society. Visiting the memorial gave me a newfound appreciation for engineering and the circular nature of experimentation.

The Euphoric Nature of Art

jagrif23 — 2025-03-14 19:49:44 UTC

Paintings like the one above that I witnessed during my time at the aquarium immediately captured my attention due to their immense detail and vivid use of color. I have always loved to stare at art work, especially paintings that depict nature or tragedies because they evoke emotion in such a unique and euphoric manner. The blurb beside it details that on the night of October 11, 1896 the men of Pea Island succumbed to a vicious hurricane that caused them to swim precariously through churning waters until they returned safely to shore. The detail of the artist allowed me to feel the panic and terror that fell upon the men on that day. This painting connects to the Global and Native villages as it prompts wonder and reflection which are goals of each of the spaces. It is through curiosity and analysis that we learn more about the world around us and continue to increase our knowledge. I will always have bountiful respect for those that can make intricate art pieces such as the one shown above. I hope to increase my painting skills and produce pieces like this one.

Native Precision

jagrif23 — 2025-03-15 19:49:07 UTC

During the last hour of our trip to the Frisco Native American Museum we received the opportunity to try crafting bracelets using Native techniques. The experience stood out to me because it was incredibly humbling and intricate similar to their culture in general. The many details and intricacies of each Native tribe make them beautifully unique and unfortunately I will never be able to experience the full potential of their legacy due to the colonial efforts of European settlers. The experience connects to the goals of the Native and Global villages because it encouraged dialogue, comraderie and inquiry. I would love to take another try at making crafts with Native roots and learning more about their incredible skill and precision. Unfortunately due to the time constraints my bracelet was left unfinished yet I was able to make something unexpected😅. When life gives you lemons.

…or beads!

Kachina Dolls

jagrif23 — 2025-03-15 19:59:23 UTC

Prior to visiting the Frisco Native American Museum I had no knowledge of Kachina dolls or their significance. I learned that there are Kachina spirits for every purpose and over 900 are documented in history. They were eventually integrated into most Pueblo tribes despite their creation by one tribe. I found this particular doll to be fascinating because it was formed as an argument/warning against incest while simultaneously praising the resilience of the human body to survive after genetic mixing within a family. The jarring features of the doll serve as a depiction of the incest’s effects on people. I would have never known about the message of the doll had we not inquired which connects to the goals of the Native and Global villages. It’s vital that we approach the world with curiosity and respect. Learning more about Native culture was deeply fascinating and impactful. In the future I plan to visit more areas dedicated to protecting and preserving Native culture as well as recounting its significance.

Superb Craftsmanship

jagrif23 — 2025-03-15 20:09:49 UTC

Similarly to my amazement at the precision and intricate skills of Native communities at beadwork, I was in awe of the cultural clothing I witnessed in the museum. I am particularly fond of the shoes I saw as I’ve always been fascinated by footwear. The unique details of each item showcased the brilliant talents of Native tribes at customizing their attire. This photo connects to the goals of the Global and Native villages as it calls attention to the beauty of Native fashion. I plan to do more research towards evaluating cultural attire and how it fluctuates between tribes.