Marijuana as a Community Literacy

Photo courtesy of Google Images

   Although the use of marijuana is frowned upon by the law, the act is becoming more socially acceptable in today's society. Being a freshman at a highly pot-ulated university, I've grown to the conclusion that the use of marijuana is a way of culture and brings together a community that consists of many different types of people. To explore this certain community, I've dissected the characteristics of it into five parts: cultural values, important issues, language, insider knowledge, and outsider perceptions.

-Cultural values

  Marijuana has become a cultural aspect in college life and even in life outside of college. What promotes the use of marijuana is the media and the people around us. You see marijuana in movies and on television, hear it in songs on the radio, or even in an article of a newspaper. The culture has become so big that it is now socially acceptable to put this illegal activity in our media. This culture can be described as a large group of people who want to turn their boring free time into a fun and sensational time. People who use marijuana say they do it for many reasons. One reason is that it makes everything around you sensationally better. Activities listed below are just a few ones that stoners agree are much better when you are on marijuana:

            -Eating and drinking

            -Laughing and telling stories

            -Sexual activities or expressing love

Another reason why people use marijuana is that it is a way to relax and free your mind after a hard day at work. To sum up this community, marijuana is a culture in where people seek to enhance life and have fun during their free time.

-Important issues

   The main important issue in regards to the use of marijuana is it's legal standpoint. Although marijuana is becoming more decriminalized in many cities and states, pot smokers are still running into the law for the innocent act of enhancing their life. People of this community argue that marijuana should be legal in all states of the US for many reasons. Some of the major reasons are listed below: 

• Marijuana is clinically proven to be non-harmful to your body and safer than alcohol. Marijuana use has positive attributes such as its medical value and use as a recreational drug with  mild side effects.
• A regulated, legal market in marijuana would reduce marijuana sales and use among teenagers. It would also reduce the number of people using other and more harmful drugs. 
• Legalized marijuana would reduce the flow of money from the American economy to international criminal gangs.
• Prohibition has failed to control the use of marijuana. Although arrests are being made, a source says that over 25 million Americans are currently using marijuana.

   

-Language

Photo courtesy of media.photobucket.com

   People who use marijuana have essentially created their own language that is directly related to the plant. Numerous nicknames have been created to represent marijuana and the process of smoking the plant. While smokers are speaking of these nicknames, non-smokers who are not familiar with marijuana may have no clue what the smokers are talking about. Terms such as "bud", "spliff", "El", or "dank" are more than like not located in the vocabulary of those who do not use marijuana.

-Insider knowledge

   Being an insider and having experience with marijuana, I've gained a lot of knowledge about the drug. Topics such as ways to use the plant, safe places to use it, who to smoke it with, and even general knowledge about the plant are big points of interest. Ask any pot smoker their knowledge on these topics, and I guarantee you will hear numerous different answers. This is what makes marijuana a culture. There are so many ways to use the substance, which create many different groups of users.  Also, one main insider knowledge that stoners can agree with is that marijuana doesn't drastically impair you to the point where you cannot operate.

Outsider perception on marijuana is best described in this photo.
Photo courtesy of blog.wheresweed.com

-Outsider perceptions

   Outsider perceptions are opinions said by people who don't use marijuana. One of my favorite perceptions that I've encountered is that marijuana is a safe substance to use, but they don't use it because of drug tests. Others may argue that marijuana is a gateway drug and therefore they do not take part in the use of marijuana.

Ohio University History

This is the plaque on Cutler Hall

Manasseh Cutler, a graduate of Yale University, generally receives credit for the founding of Ohio University. The college was officially established on February 18, 1804 when the Ohio legislature approved the act (Ohio University).  

Sundial

In 1808, Ohio University built its first building, called the “Academy Building” (OUFatica) for five hundred dollars. The  “two-story, two-room brick structure … was the only building on the Green for nearly 10 years” (Athens COUNTY OHIO). Unfortunately, it has been noted that the Universities original documents were poorly kept. This is probably the main reason behind why so little information is available about the universities beginning. Though small, the “Academy Building” did house the universities first students. Graduating in 1815, Thomas Ewing and John Hunter became OU’s first graduates (Piccard, Ohio University, 2006). 

The “Academic Building” was torn down during some point in the 1800’s and in place now stands a sundial that is located between Galbreath Chapel and University Terrace (Piccard, Ohio University, 2006). The sundial is not obvious to spot but is easily recognizable when looking for it. Written across its side is a brief metal plated description of what stood many years ago.

 

Cutler Hall

Currently, the oldest building still standing on campus is Cutler Hall. Originally named the “College Edifice”, the building broke ground in 1816 (Piccard, Ohio University, 2011).  In 1881 the building was remodeled. In 1914, in memory of the universities founder, the building was renamed Cutler Hall (Piccard, Ohio University, 2011). In the same year the graduating class donated the clock that still sits at the top of the building today (Piccard, Ohio University, 2011). After being abandoned in 1936, in 1945 president Baker was advised to destroy the building.  Instead the president decided against this and restored it to its natural appearance (Piccard, Ohio University, 2011).

Over the years, Cutler Hall has been used for many things. After serving as a dormitory, classroom  building, laboratory, library and museum, Cutler is now being used for housing the president’s administrative offices (Libraries). Cutler has played a large role in the universities history and the building is now considered a national historical landmark. Next time you walk through College Green on Ohio Universities campus, make sure that you stop and look at all of the history around you.

Me in front of Cutler Hall

Works Cited

         Athens COUNTY OHIO. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2012, from WELCOME TO OHIO UNIVERSITY!: http://www.athensohio.com/whattodo/visitors

         Libraries, O. U. (n.d.). Ohio University Libraries : University Archives. Retrieved May 27, 2012, from Cutler Hall being remodled to Victorian style, 1881-1882: http://media.library.ohiou.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/archives/id/827/rec/26

        Ohio University. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2012, from OHIO HISTORY CENTRAL: http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=786

        OUFatica. (n.d.). Athens COUNTY OHIO. Retrieved May 27, 2012, from Ohio University: http://www.athensohio.com/whattodo/historic-sites-attractions/ohio-university

         Piccard, D. (2006, July 18). Ohio University. Retrieved May 27, 2012, from Sundial: http://www.ohio.edu/athens/bldgs/sundial.html

         Piccard, D. (2011, September 19). Ohio University. Retrieved May 27, 2012, from Cutler Hall: http://www.ohio.edu/athens/bldgs/cutler.html

Interview about Appalachia and Ohio University - Dan Roy and George Peck


Appalachia, a term many may not know the true meaning of. We have learned a lot just this quarter as far as the geography of the Appalachian region, as well as the lifestyle of Appalachians. As a part of Appalachia in Athens, Ohio and at Ohio University, we can see the surrounding hills. We may run into people that are not quite like those we are used to back home. 

It is important to understand the Appalachian region. It is important to not ignore the place, and the people that live in that setting around you. For this assignment we decided to interview a few fellow residents to determine their knowledge (or lack-thereof) of Appalachia.


1. In what ways does Appalachian culture influences life at OU (independently owned businesses, local foods, music, art, etc.)

Austin: You can definitely tell the difference between a chain restaurant, and a local Athens restaurant

Alex: Im afraid to leave the dorms sometimes.

Zack: It really doesn't.It is not something that affects you very much.

2. What is the value of becoming more aware of Appalachian culture?

Austin: Learning about how people live here can help diversify you because most of the people who attend OU are not from here

Alex: Anytime you can become more aware of another culture, it can only help you as a person.

Zack: Being more sensitive to the lives and needs of those around us

3. How do you interpret "Appalachia" and why?

Austin: I view them not as different people, but more where they are from.

Alex: A mountainous area, because I do.

Zack: It is country livin', because that is how it is portrayed in popular culture.

4. Do you consider yourself to be Appalachian, why or why not?

Austin: No, because I was not born and raised here.

Alex: No, because I was born in Ohio.

Zack: No, because this isn't my home. This is not where I am from. 

5. How can the university encourage better communication with the surrounding area? 

Austin: Have more required programs to get out into the community and help them, get to know history.

Alex: Why is it important? 

Zack: Invite locals to participate in university business more often.

The View of Appalachia

  

   Appalachia is large area in the North-East part of the United States that is extremely mountainous.  People have been living in these hills for a long time and the culture they have developed is one of their own.  The culture is unknown by many people that live in this area partly because schools do not talk about it in depth.  Our goal was to figure out the the perspective of Appalachia by OU students and their thoughts of living here.  We interviewed six people and asked them an array of questions and this is what they had to say.

                                    

 

 By: Garrett Couche and Spencer Geissel

Appalachia and OU

 Surprise! We live in Appalachia. This has been our home for about the past few months. While Ohio University is in Athens, a town most certainly in Appalachia, Athens is a lot different than most other Appalachian areas. This was something I wanted to investigate, and talk about with people.

I went to find out what people thought of Appalachia as a general term, and how that term applied to Athens and Ohio University (who are so intertwined that it is hard to have one without the other). Freshmen audio production major Mitchell Toler talked about his thoughts about Appalachia, and had this to say “(Appalachia is) a culture that is disconnected with current events outside of their little area, and generally have poorer living conditions compared to the rest of the country.”

While this is the case, (Athens is one of the poorest counties of the state of Ohio) I think the assessment that they are disconnected really depends on whom it is we’re talking about.

I have a professor who talked about his experience of being in Athens, and one time during class he pointed out that sometimes Athens can be behind when it comes to technological advancement. An example can also be found in the library on the second floor where it describes why wireless Internet is not as widespread in different areas from across campus.

Freshmen Caitlin McDaniel talked about how the students have in some ways diluted the Appalachian culture in Athens because of the four-year turnaround most students experience. She also pointed out that the culture could be enhanced since some students become involved in arts and political ideas that are reflected here. She also gave an example how one of her professors came to Athens to teach, and has assimilated into the culture, now being a member of the Athens community for over thirty years.

The most important thing to realize about Appalachian culture is that the culture doesn’t define the people who are there, but the people define the many cultures that they are parts of.

Appalachian University

     Growing up in a town just west of Columbus, I have become accustom to vast amounts of flat farm land.  As I make my way down to Ohio University which is situated in the heart of Appalachia all that I know changes.  You see beautiful rolling hills, and can easily become lost in the scenic views.  Everywhere you look you’ll find something that catches your eyes and makes you want to stop and take in the views.  I myself have never considered being a part of the Appalachian culture I see myself as more of a visitor in their world.  I decided to ask a few questions to some of my friends and see what their responses are maybe they have different views of what Appalachia means to them here is what they thought.

Do you consider yourself Appalachian being a student in the heart of Appalachia?

1)      “No, since I’m not originally from the area and I do not spend enough time outside of the university.”

2)      “Absolutely not in no way I’m from the city.”

3)      “Not really I do a lot of things around Athens but not enough to be considered part of the culture.”

In what ways does Appalachian culture influence you here at Ohio University?

1)      “A lot you see it all over campus from the food to some of the local stores that you can’t find anywhere else.”

2)      “Quite a bit just take a drive around Athens; you see townies and their huge farmers market on the weekends.”

3)      “Not so much I really just stick to my routine and try to live the same way I do at home I like to keep the same habits.”

How do you interpret “Appalachia” and why?

   1)      “A lot of really tiny very close nit communities that really don’t like outsiders.”

   2)      “Small towns that are old and pretty much set in their way not much will change them.”

   3)      “I think it’s really cool if you actually take the time to go outside of campus and do some exploring. You’ll end up find so cool stuff to do.”

Living in Athens have you become more excepting of the local Appalachian culture?

   1)      “Yea and especially the way that they value that hard working spirit.”

   2)      “It took me awhile at first it was like being in a different world but after being here 3 years I would say yes.”

3)      “I’ve always been a very open person so for me it was kind of like learning something new and interesting.”

     It’s pretty clear to see that even though you live in the same city you still might see people in different ways.  Everyone has their own view points and these questions really showed them.  All of these students that I interviewed are juniors and have spent three years in Athens.  They still do not fully understand what it means to be Appalachian or even really understand the culture. Students really need to take the time and learn more about the heritage of where they are going to spend the next 4 years of their life. 

University in the Hills

The Appalachian Mountains started forming nearly 480 million years ago.  This means they are OLLLLDDDDD!!! During the history of people settling near this mountain range a very specific and dynamic culture of people started to form and develop called Appalachia.  Along with this developing culture the first university in Ohio, OHIO university, put its roots right in the heart of the Appalachian culture.  Many people have a broad range of views on the culture from good to extremely bad stereotypes.   I wanted to figure out what students at Ohio University feel about this culture, our school being in the middle of it, how it affects our lives and many more.

The first person I interviewed was my best friend at school here.  He is a 19 year old male from Cleveland Ohio.  I asked him, "How does Appalachian culture affect your life here at OU?"  He replied in kind of a giggle at first and he said he really doesn't know.  He isn't someone who really pays attention to how the culture affects him.  But then I asked, "What about the small town feel and closeness of Athens?" Then he started to realize what Appalachian culture was really about and said, "Okay now that is what makes this place special to me, I come from a big town where I probably don't know half the people that live there but here, here its different."  I started to realize for myself that this is special, not everyone who goes to college gets to feel apart of a community.  Imagine trying to find a sense of community at Ohio State it would be impossible, now a big reason this is possible at Ohio University is the Appalachian culture.  This culture is based on the fact of family, community, and helping an neighbor.

The next person I interview was Kyle Dean. Kyle is a local who was raised right here in Athens and plays on the baseball team here at OU.  The first question is asked Kyle was, "Kyle do you consider yourself Appalachian?"  He thought long and hard about it and then finally said, "Yes."  He went on to explain that he defines Applachian as someone who has grown up in a small rural town near the Appalachia Mountains who has their culture.  I immediately followed this answer with, "What are their cultures?"  He said, "Someone who is always looking to help another person in need, a person who loves where they grew up, and appreciate the small town morals their town has."  The more I was thinking about it the more I thought cities like Pittsburgh, or Cincinnati cannot really be Appalachian because it's hard to find people who live in the city that have this type of culture.  This lead me to ask, "Is Ohio University Appalachian?" He exclaimed, "Absolutely!"  He kept on explaining that OU defenitely has the Appalachian culture coming out of it.  People seem to really care about others here from the students, facaulty, and even the residents of Athens he grew up with.

The last person I interviewed was my sister.  My sister graduated Ohio University in 2007 with a degree in Marketing and Finance.  Jamie absolutely loved her experience at this university and since I've gone her she has came and visited me three times.  She was someone who was very involved in Ohio University and has had way more experience with the school than I have.  So I asked her, "Has OU changed since you have gone here?" She replied, "No, not really. I mean some of the stores have changed on Court Street and some of the policies have changed but other than that OU is still the same.  It is still the place that I love and the reason I keep coming back to visit is because of that.  OU is a special place that incorporates the total college feel because of how amazing the city of Athens is."  I started to think about Athens and she is right, Athens is the place that makes OU great and that is mainly because of the Appalachian culture Athens incorporates with the university.  Since Jamie has more experience at this place than I do I ask, "How do we as students become more involved with Athens and it's culture?"  She lit up before she answered and explained that as students we need to respect Athens and the residents.  We are guests in their town and culture and we need to embrace that.  She suggested we go out and talk to the people who work at these small town businesses and even go work for them to see what they are about.  She also said, "You are going to get the most out of your college experience if you understand the culture and go out and experience it and not ignore it." I don't think truer words could be spoken, it's OUR college experience and I want to talk about Athens and OU the way my sister talks about it so I think we should all go out and find out more about the Appalachian culture at Ohio University.