B2
THE ASTORIAN • SATuRdAy, JuNE 1, 2019
Son disturbed Scotland: Our similarities help us
at his school celebrate our common humanity
Dear Annie: My parents, and, if you
husband and I bought are all on the same
a house in a safe page, have a meet-
neighborhood 12 years ing with their teacher.
ago primarily because It is remarkable, and
it has a great school wonderful, that Alan
district. We have two opened up to you. It
children, a boy and shows that you are a
a girl, and I am writ- great mom. I’m sure
ing about our oldest the teacher is aware
child, “Alan,” who is of the potential prob-
12. Alan is very sen- lem. It might make
sitive and wants for sense for the school,
everyone
to
or
Alan’s
get along. He
class,
to
have a
DEAR
can’t stand it
group
discus-
ANNIE
sion and allow
when people
all students to
fight.
Alan used
express their
to love going
opinions —
to school, but
and hear their
lately he has
classmates’,
been trying to
too.
stay home as ANNIE LANE
What
is
Creators
much as possi-
happening in
Syndicate Inc.
ble, saying, “I
your school
feel sick.” Yes-
district is not
terday, when he was unusual, and the more
home being “sick,” we can communicate
we had a long talk and openly and accept
he opened up to me. many different view-
He said there are four points and perspec-
boys in his class who tives, the more we will
don’t like three other all get along, just as
students because the your wise son wishes.
Dear Annie: I am
others are immigrants
from South Amer- responding to your
ica who are still learn- column about compet-
ing English. Alan likes itive, catty women. So
both groups of boys sad to spend your 70s
but feels like he is with “friends” that are
being pressured to take so challenging in yoga
sides against the Span- class. Not sure yoga is
ish-speaking students. all about that.
Alan has a best
Now going on to
friend, “David,” who my 80s, I’m hav-
is also quiet and sen- ing a great time with
sitive, and Alan said friends that love to
David does not want laugh, enjoy what we
to take sides either. He can and cannot do,
said that he wouldn’t find joy in groups that
be surprised if fights not-so serious about
started breaking out, life’s difficulties. My
and he and David just suggestion is to find
want to run for cover. different friends that
He said both sides get can laugh and enjoy
together at school and the good in getting
when school is not in older and wiser! —
session, and they say Staying Away from
awful things to each Negative People
Dear
Staying
other.
My husband and Away from Negative
I don’t really know People: Your vibe
where to turn. I have attracts your tribe.
read stories about par-
Dear Annie: The
ents who approached column from the per-
their school districts son whose in-law,
with similar com- a gentleman who
plaints, only to be worked really hard all
labeled politically on his life only to pass
one side or another. We on only a few months
don’t care about poli- after his retirement,
tics. We just want for was really moving. It
our son to be eager to truly underscores the
go to school and learn, fact that we need to
the way he used to work to live, not the
feel. Do you have any other way around. It
suggestions for how also struck me that
we can handle this? — you termed the letter
Concerned Mother
“incredibly beautiful.”
Dear Concerned It was, and I like that
Mother: You and hus- you subtly brought to
band might want to get light that “beautiful”
together with David’s is not always pretty.
Continued from Page B1
their own specific words for
fishing gear, boat designs, their
Nordic religions featuring sea
and weather gods and numer-
ous superstitions that reach far
back into the mists of history.
In more recent times, the
sailor towns of Scotland, such
as Scrabster, developed a wild
and masculine culture for
maritime workers and mem-
bers of the fishing fleet. These
men faced the temptations of
drinking, whoring and gam-
bling, just like in Astoria.
The Scottish mariners feared
dreaded British Naval “press
gangs” that could kidnap
them to a forced life at sea—
much like the young men of
Astoria who were “shang-
haied” and pressed into mar-
itime service.
Today’s Scottish coast con-
tinues to share many cultural
parallels with the Oregon and
Washington coasts. Their fish-
eries are also in decline, and
their fishing fleet is graying—
and shrinking. They are right-
fully proud of their coastal
heritage, and keep it alive
through museums, boat fairs,
folk festivals and college pro-
grams such as the one at UHI.
In some ways, their path
differs from ours. Struggles to
keep the salmon harvest prof-
itable have resulted in “farm
fishing,” raising fish in tanks
or ponds, something that
would not find much accep-
tance around here. Men on
Scotland’s north coast have
also found work in off-shore
drilling, something most Ore-
gonians would probably rather
not risk, for fear of polluting
the waters.
Two differences between
cultures made me smile. When
I told them about our beloved
FisherPoets Gathering, they
were incredulous. Fishermen
writing poetry? They could
not wrap their heads around
it. Not one person I encoun-
tered could imagine a Scottish
fisherman writing—much less
reciting—a poem. The other
difference—one that makes
me proud to be an Astorian—
is how many women have
entered our local maritime
workforce. From fishermen to
crabbers to bar pilots to offi-
cers to cooks to ship agents—
the women of Astoria have
become a respected part of
the maritime scene. This also
caused the folks in Scotland
to scratch their heads. Not a
single person I met knew of
a woman who fished, sailed
or navigated. They could not
fathom it.
The Pacific Northwest and
the Scottish Highlands are cul-
tural cousins on different seas.
Recognizing our similarities
helps us to celebrate our com-
Creative Commons
Scottish fishermen.
Creative Commons.
Scottish fishing fleet.
mon humanity. By recognizing
the differences between our-
selves and other small com-
munities that live on a coast,
we are able to celebrate what
makes us unique—for good or
for bad—and also what makes
Astoria such a special and
beloved place to live.
Julie Brown is a professor
of Literature and Humanities
at Clatsop Community Col-
lege. Last year, she was a Ful-
bright Scholar of Maritime
Culture in Scotland at the uni-
versity of the Highlands and
Islands. Brown holds a Ph.d.
from the university of Wiscon-
sin and is also a trained deck-
hand on the Lady Washington
tall ship.
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