About

Posted on November 30, 1999 | Category: Uncategorized

Aloha, and welcome to my blog. Alright, so I am not of Hawaiian heritage, but I did live on Oahu for a while. Anyhow, my name, as you might have guessed by now, is Jonathan Haynes and I deal with many historical, cultural, aesthetic and photographic topics especially around Rhode Island on this blog. Rhode Island just happens to be where I live right now.

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Believe it or not blogging does not pay extremely well. Therefore, the amount of content I am able to deliver is heavily dependent upon support from you, the reader. You do not even need to make a direct donation in order to contribute, although it would certainly be appreciated. Just consider doing your Amazon, B&H, and other shopping through the links provided on this site. It does not cost you any more than if you go directly to the sites. Also, if you feel compelled to make a direct donation you can do so through pay pal, or may contact me at admin@jonathanhaynes.com for other methods. Remember there is no such thing as too small a donation.




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If you are unable to contribute in any of those ways that is understandable, but I ask that you consider contributing in the form of comments, or perhaps you might consider becoming a contributing writer. Also you can contribute by telling your friends and family about this blog and adding links to your myspace, facebook, email signature, or website. Also feel free to offer up any other suggestions you may have and again you may contact me at the above email (unless of course you are a spam bot). If you are already a loyal supporter of my blog I thank you.

I do not really identify with any one racial or ethnic group my background is pretty diverse in terms of culture, however in terms or God I believe I cannot take a pluralistic approach, because God’s character must be specifically defined. I must know my God, and I must base my hope on what I believe is truth. In other words I am rejected by postmodernism, because I believe there must be absolute truth, there is just too much evil in the world for me to believe that everything contains good. Although, do I do believe everyone should be free to seek the truth, I do not believe everyone has it. Hence, while I love cultural diversity in terms of the arts and am always open to consider something that someone fully believes is true, noble, right, pure, lovely or admirable; I cannot accept something that is not at least testable in some way. I am extremely interesting in Axiology, and often find many diverse things ethically and aesthetically which can and should be valued; unfortunately not all diverse things are of value. I believe in seeking out what is good, pure, fine, noble, excellent, etc; and leaving what is not.

I think I may someday focus some more topics on Hawaii, the most racially ethnically diverse state in the nation. Hawaii is a working case study in multiculurism; and a lot of good comes from it, although it also does seem to encourage a lot of division. Many different racial groups often live in microcommunities, and can be slow or unwilling to allow others in. When groups do clash, it can sometimes actually be violent, and often directed against the largest minority group hollies (white people). White people, particularly Christian missionaries, are often accused of “stealing” the islands from the Polynesians; hence the military (which represent another large population in the islands) also have a number of separate communities throughout the islands, especially on Oahu. Although the missionaries were instrumental in getting Hawaiians to abolish cruel religious practices such as human sacrifice, and helped destroy idols which were used in such ceremonies; they did not steal the islands. Although, Westerners were instrumental in providing Kamehameha the Great with the munitions that subsequently allowed him to untie the islands; and it could be argued that the Hawaiians were coerced by Western trade interests, into handing over the islands. However, Hawaii is now a well established state, and if the US is to return Hawaii to Hawaiian control, then would also like the UN to figure out who stole the land from my ancient ancestors in Europe or wherever and go demand they give back, because I am currently landless. At least native Hawaiians are entitled to a free home under a 99 year lease, and while some are regrettable living in poverty most are not.

Despite all of this conflict, there is still much good will or the spirit of Aloha amongst many islanders, form all different racial groups Native Hawaiians included. In fact it is quite a statement of the willingness to forgive that even the Japanese now live side by side as with others as friends despite the events which transpired on December, 7 1941. Also many Japanese even go to visit the Arizona Memorial. Conversely, the American Japanese do not live in relative harmony with islanders despite many having been imprisoned during the war.

As far as Rhode Island goes, it is truly surprising how many folks, around the world, do not know where Rhode Island is; or that Rhode Island is even a state, and one of the original thirteen colonies. Hopefully, after visiting my blog you will realize where Rhode Island is, and that it is indeed a significant state; despite its small size. Although, Rhode Island is sometimes viewed as the neglected step child to New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts; Rhode Island is a historically rich state that was implemental in adding the bill of rights to our Constitution, and has always had an independent and determined spirit. In fact sitting on top of our state house is a statue of the independent man. At one time Rhode Island even contained the playground of the rich, with the summer “cottages” (The summer cottages of the rich of course come with around 120,000 square feet) of the Vanderbilt and many other families in Newport, RI, and the former Naval Academy. More recently, Rhode Island has gradually evolved into a more tourist centered economy and took on the nickname of the Ocean State in 1972 in order to help grow the tourist sector. Today the economy is pretty much a service oriented economy with very little manufacturing, although Rhode is considered the birth place of American Industry will the famed Slater Mill in Pawtucket, and still has a some jewelry industry, and has sod and other sparse agriculture.

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