Journal 8

Another intriguing article from Majory Stoneman Douglas about the speculation and awe into the beginnings of man and their migration throughout the continents, mainly North America. Although he cannot be certain for most of his writing in what he assumes was the origin of the North American man, evidence surely points in the direction of his "painting" of the journey of man. I really enjoyed the author's side notes where he sort of gives life to the evolution and migration of man. Speaking of groups making the trek across Asia to the North American continent, and their food sources giving explanations for the make up of the texture of the continent. People burning forests and fields to trap animals for food. What kind of animals? Well he gives insight into that as well when speaking of ancient Native-American legends and dreams that speak of animals long lost in the history of modern man, burried somewhere between the layers of recycled land and uplifted shores. The origin of Florida and that no one is really "native" to the Americas. If it is true, then no human life actually began in the western hemisphere. It was simply evolved from other cultures and upright walking species in Asia and Europe.
One interesting thing is that the author Majory Stoneman Douglas, wrote these two articles "nature of the everglades" and "People of the Everglades" to convince the government that the Everglades should be perserved as a National park. People argued that this area wasn't some beautiful geyser, or eroded rock canyon that could explain any real significance to its existance and the existance of life around it. Douglas, rather, convinced them that the area should be named a national park and preserved to keep the history and mystery of Florida alive. Native cultures thrived off of the land as she explains in her article "people of the glades" and it was a vital role in the beginnings of life on the North American continent. It seems that history, however mysterious and doubtful our research is, was greatly impacted by the Everglades, and that deserves recognition.