A rhetorical analysis on How Society in the United States Views Research Paper

A rhetorical analysis on How Society in the United States Views Abortion and what impact the media has on that view - Research Paper Example 8 Works Cited †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 9 Abstract The aspect of imparting living status on the fetus has profound impacts on the abortion policies which, in most cases, are advocated through the media. The media, therefore, holds a specialized and centralized place in the heart of the abortion debate. US has one of the highly opinionated public on matters pertaining to abortion controversies. Abortion had already become a diabolical issue even before the famous landmark ruling on Roe v. Wade (1973) by the US Supreme Court. This ruling and other subsequent legislations only served to provide the impetus for polarization of opinions with no point of consensus. Many of the opinions that the public holds come courtesy of the media which is accused of being biased. Biased media leads to an influence of the opinions of the public wit hout necessary changing their attitudes. Preface The reason for choosing to do a rhetorical analysis on how society in the United States views abortion and what impact the media has on that view is because of the profound connection existing among media public opinions. The public usually relies heavily on the media to bring to its attention the different issues that happen and affect the country. In this regard, the media is very important in influencing how the public generates opinion on different issues of national interest. The abortion debate has been around for a long time and has become quite contentious due to a polarized public about the way forward. In any democratic society, such an outcome is expected since everyone is entitled to their own views. Much of this polarization is caused by the media which covers news disproportionately in a biased manner. This paper brings together an analysis of different resources that are borrowed from different fields so that the true a ssociation of the media and public perception of the abortion debate can be known. These resources are qualitative in nature and they trace the effects of how the media informs public polices through its partial way of information dissemination. As such, the paper employs a multidisciplinary approach of tackling the central issue of media influence on public debates along the continuum of time. Introduction The aspect of imparting living status on the fetus has profound impacts on the abortion policies which, in most cases, are advocated through the media. Many policies have been crafted to promote fetal rights, which have negatively impacted the women’s right to abortion (Iyengar and Hahn 23). As such, the media has played a crucial role in the analysis and communication of information to the public which has had potential bias. Previous research has shown that the presentation of information to the public impacts the public’s perception of different policies and thei r preferences. Bias in how media houses present information to the public is known to have been in existence for a long time now. Therefore, the public opinion on abortion is of two extreme positions and the media seems not to favor these two extreme groups according to research (Esacove 84). Way back before the famous landmark ruling on Roe v. Wade (1973) by the US Supreme Court, abortion had already

Analysis on state and local taxes on the poor Essay

Analysis on state and local taxes on the poor - Essay Example This is due to tax credits that reduce their tax liability. Stimulus measures that were enacted to offset effects of the 2998-2009 recession went further to reduce their tax burden. As of 2011, the lowest quintile would pay taxes equal to about 0.8 percent of their income. This is according to Creedy (2011). From the above explanation, the answer to whether the poor are taxed more than other groups can be draw. Creedy (2011) explains that they are not. This is simply because taxes are levied on a percentage. Low-income households will be taxed a smaller percentage of their income as compared to middle and high income households. Raising the minimum wage will have the effect of reducing poverty only in some geographical areas and not at the national level. This is because increased minimum wage will affect poverty based on the population density of an area. The higher the population density, the more the effect of the higher minimum wage. This is due to the fact that poverty is also a function of population density ad not individual households. This is explained by Cunningham

What Are The Motivations Of Dark Tourists?

What Are The Motivations Of Dark Tourists? On the 27th of April 2008, Josef Fritzl was arrested in Amstetten, a small town in Austria. It has shown that Fritzl sexually abused his daughter, Elisabeth, since she was eleven years old. When she was eighteen years old he locked her up in the basement underneath his house. Fritzl forced his daughter Elisabeth to write a letter to her mother where she stated that she had run away from home and joined a sect. The sexual abuse led to the birth of seven children. Three of these children were raised by Elisabeth in the basement and the other three were raised by Fritzl and his wife. One of the children died a few days after it was born. Furthermore, Fritzl convinced his wife that the three children they raised were exposed by Elisabeth. When one of the children that lived in the basement, the at that time nineteen-year-old Kersten, got ill Elisabeth convinced her father that she needed to be hospitalized. Because Kersten was not registered anywhere, one of the doctors informed the auth orities. After this, Elisabeth saw a program on the television in her basement that made a call up for the mother of Kersten. Then she convinced her father to bring her to the hospital, which led to the hearings of Fritzl and Elisabeth and the confessions of the cruelties that took place. After twenty-four years Elisabeth was freed from the basement and reunited with all her children (Wikipedia, 2010). This affair has received tremendous attention in the media and therefore the case is known all over the world. The affaire encompasses a painful and shameful episode on a national and local basis. Furthermore, the house of Fritzl has become a touristic attraction. Amstetten is dealing with an increasing amount of tourists that come to visit the house. When tourists visit the house, they often take photos of the house and of themselves in front of it. The articles on the internet show that the local authorities find this shocking (HLN, 2010). The phenomenon that people visit places that are associated with death, suffering and violence can be described as dark tourism. Thanatourism is a similar concept and also involves the visiting of locations associated with death and suffering, but an emphasis is placed upon symbolically experiencing a painful death. Another related concept is black spots, which can be described as commercial cemeteries of famous people or locations where death an d suffering took place. The house of Fritzl belongs to such places and visiting this location fits the description of dark tourism and thanatourism. The house of Fritzl, where the abuse and cruelties took place, can be seen as a symbolic reflection of this affaire and its tragic events. Furthermore, the house serves as a tangible object that invokes the memory of the Fritzl-affaire (Yull, 2003: 10-13; Logan en Reeves, 2009: 1-3; Rojek, 1993: 136). The phenomenon that people visit the house of Fritzl inspired me to formulate the following research question: What are the motivations of dark tourists? The case of the house of J. Fritzl in Amstetten. It is interesting to find out why tourists visit the house, if the media attention has played a role in the decision of people to visit the house and if certain characteristics, such as age and gender, affect the motivation of these visitors. The case of Fritzl offers a fascinating and recent case to go more in-depth into the motivations of dark tourists. Scientific and Social Relevance The scientific relevance of this research question lies in the fact that the subject of dark tourism is relatively new within the academic field. Several articles have been published on this topic, but as Stone (2006) argues: despite this increasing attention the dark tourism literature remains both eclectic and theoretical fragile (Stone, 2006: 145). Some researchers have already focused on visitor motivations of dark tourist sites. For example, Yull (2003) investigated why people visit the Holocaust Museum in Houston. However, according to Stone (2006) and Sharpley (2009) research first and foremost has focused on describing the different dark tourist sites, rather than on the consumption and experiences of visitors. This research will contribute to the understanding of visitor participation in dark tourism by taking the visitors of the house of Fritzl as the focal point of this research. Furthermore, the existing research has not focused on the motivations of visitors to dark tour ist sites, comparable to the house of Fritzl and therefore this research will add to and fill the gap in the existing literature. The social relevance of this research is harder to determine. However, finding out what the motivations of visitors are, might provide useful and relevant information for directly involved parties, other than the scientific community. For example, this information could offer the local community of Amstetten and (in)direct victims of this case a better understanding of what is going on and with what reasons people visit this site of horror. For example visitors might be motivated to visit this place to pay respect to the victims or remember the cruelties that took place, instead of entertainment purposes. Furthermore, the results of this research could even be relevant to society as a whole, since dark sites similar to the house of Fritzl seem to increasingly pop up and attract visitors world-wide. This research seeks to provide insights into why people a re motivated to visit these morbid locations. Theoretical Concepts and Hypothesized Relations As mentioned previously, several theoretical concepts are related to the phenomenon where people visit places associated with pain, death and suffering. Academic attention to this phenomenon increased in the twentieth century and several theoretical concepts were introduced. These concepts are black spots (Rojek, 1993), dark tourism (Lennon and Foley, 1996: in Yull, 2003) and thanatourism (Seaton, 1996: in Sharpley, 2009). These dark concepts will be briefly discussed in a more or less chronicle order, based on introduction in the literature. Another concept of importance for this research is visitor motivations (Sharpley, 2009: 12-15). Dark Concepts Black Spots Rojek (1993) coined the term black spots and argues that these locations involve commercial cemeteries of famous people or sites where death and suffering took place. In his research, Rojek (1993) also mentions that people increasingly visit these dark sites and that entrepreneurs initiate tours around these black spots. Examples of black spots are the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Oswiecim-Brzezinka, Ground Zero in New York and the location where Princess Diana got killed in a car crash (Rojek, 1993: 136-145). Dark Tourism and Thanatourism Visiting places associated with death, pain and suffering is becoming increasingly popular. However, Sharpley (2009) argues that this is not a new phenomenon. In the Roman Empire, it was a common form of entertainment to attend a gladiators match. Another example are the public executions in the Middle Ages. Traveling to places where death and suffering are central elements can be defined as dark tourism. Furthermore, it involves consuming real or simulated places of death and horror. Visiting these places where actual cruelties took place by relatives or friends of the victims cannot be seen as a form of dark tourism. Thanatourism is a concept which strongly relates to dark tourism and was introduced in the literature in the same year as dark tourism. Thanatourism entails the visiting of locations associated with death and suffering, where visitors want to symbolically experience a painful death. This description points more to the motivations of visitors of dark sites. However, the term dark tourism is usually used in the academic field and no distinction is made between the concepts dark tourism and thanatourism. Therefore, I will use the term dark tourism in this research and make no difference between dark tourism and thanatourism (Lennon en Foley, 2000: 3-5; Yull, 2003: 10, 11; Sharpley, 2009: 3-19). Dark tourism involves the actual visiting of black spots. There are different black spots which are visited daily by tourists and therefore belong to sites of dark tourism. Furthermore, several tours are initiated around dark sites. Commercial motives, in terms of entrance fees, are often involved. Examples are the Jack the Ripper tour in London or the tour in Charleroi which shows you, among other dark sites, the house of the famous kidnapper and child molester Marc Dutroux. Visiting morbid museums, old prisons or battle field fall also under the category dark tourism. As discussed previously, the house of Fritzl fits the description of a black spots and inc reasingly attracts visitors. This research seeks to understand the motivations of these visitors (Stone, 2006: 145, 146, 152; HLN, 2010). Visitor Motivations For this research it is necessary to include visitor motivations as a theoretical concept. Motivations of individuals to visit regular tourist places include getting acquainted with other cultures and increase ones knowledge about these locations. Furthermore, motivations often involve entertainment purposes, such as having fun or seeking adventure. Relaxation, revitalization, being active and get close to nature are also common incentives to visit a certain location (Kozak, 2002: 225). However, these motivations of regular touristic locations might differ from motivations of tourists that visit black spots. Unfortunately, few literature is available that focus on visitor motivations of dark tourists. The literature that is accessible, uses similar research questions to the one is used in this research. Yull (2003) studied the motivations of dark tourists and focused more specifically on the motivations of visitors of the Holocaust Museum in Houston. Niemelà ¤ (2010) focused on visi tor motivations of the House of Terror museum in Budapest. This museum is built to remember the tortured and killed people during World War II. In addition, Poria, Reichel and Biran (2006) chose to investigate the motivations of the visitors of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Although the dark tourist locations used in these researches are museums associated with death and suffering and therefore differ from the dark site that is used in this research, similar motivations may be found. If different motivations are found, it could be argued that this difference is dependent on the specific dark tourist site. According to Yull (2003), motivations of dark tourist could involve entertainment purposes, such as providing a thrill, a novel experience or adventure. Furthermore, remembering the victims and the cruelties that took place or curiosity can also be motivations of tourist that visit the house of Fritzl. Although education might be more suitable as a motivation to visit a museum associated with death and suffering, individuals can also visit the house of Fritzl to learn something. For example, visitors might want to enrich their knowledge about the Fritzl-affaire. In addition, Niemelà ¤ (2010) argues that emotional involvement might also play a role in the motivations of dark tourists. Visitors might identify or have a personal connection with the cruelties that took place. Moreover, Poria, Reichel and Biran (2006) include two more motivations; tourists might visit a dark site, because it is famous or because they feel that the site is historically important (Yull, 2003: 146-159, 191-199; Niemelà ¤, 2010: 37; Poria, Reichel and Biran, 2006: 322). The media play an important role within the field of dark tourism. The media can report tragic events that take place all over the world. The attention that the media pay to tragic and horrible events serve as a stimulation for flows of tourism. Furthermore, media has the capacity to bring dark tourism sites to public consciousness (Yull, 2003: 125). Additionally, Lennon and Foley (2000) argue that the attention of the media to specific dark sites, might motivate individuals to visit the location in order to experience the reality behind the media representations. Since, the Fritzl-affaire received tremendous attention in the media, it will be likely that this attention has an influence on the motivation of visitors (Stone, 2009: 57; Seaton, 2009: 90; 95, 106; Lennon and Foley, 2000: 152). Operationalization of Theoretical Concepts In this section, the operationalization of the theoretical concepts will be discussed. To answer the question What are the motivations of dark tourists? The case of the house of J. Fritzl in Amstetten, I will conduct qualitative semi-structured interviews  [1]  with visitors of the house of Fritzl in Amstetten. This implies that a topic list will be made, consisting of topics that will be addressed in the interview. However, the order in which the topics will be discussed is not fixed and if necessary, the interviewer will probe for more information and adapt to new themes that are brought up by the interviewees. Furthermore, the interviewer can adapt to the level of comprehension of the respondents. The questions will be open, which means that no answer categories will be made (t Hart, Boeije and Hox, 2007: 274, 275; Gilbert, 2001: 123, 124). Several topics that will be addressed in the interview are outlined. First of all, it is important to include demographic factors of the v isitors, such as age, the country the interviewee lives in and the highest obtained level of education (primary school or less, secondary school, intermediate vocational training, higher vocational training, college or post graduate). Furthermore, the gender of the respondent will be noted during the interview. These demographic factors are included, because they are important background variables and might affect the motivations people have to visit the house of Fritzl. Other topics that will be included will focus upon the motivations of visitors of the house of Fritzl in Amstetten. It will be asked what attracted the visitors to visit Amstetten and what their primary reason is for visiting this town. I will seek to explore whether visitors come specifically for the house or if they have other motives or more than one reason to visit this town. Then, I will focus on the topic of why people visit the house of Fritzl. Although, similar answers to the research on dark tourist motivations described above maybe found, such as entertainment, curiosity, remembrance of the victims and cruelties that took place, emotional involvement, historical importance of the site or its fame, unexpected answers also need to be taken into account. Furthermore, it is essential to go in-depth into the answers and ask for further elaboration if necessary. Additionally, it needs to be explored whether visitors have multiple motivations to visit the house of Fritzl. Seeking to understand motivations of visitors of the house of Fritzl, demands for adapting to possible unexpected answers and the skills to react to this situation adequately. Furthermore, the role of the media will be addressed. Central themes will be, whether visitors are familiar with and interested in the Fritzl-affaire, if they have followed the case in the news, documentaries or on the internet. This will seek to explore whether media attention to the Fritzl-affaire affects the tourists in their motivation to visit the house. Next, I will focus upon if the visitors have previously visited other dark locations, where cruelties have taken place. It will be interesting to find out if there is a relationship between visiting the house of Fritzl and other dark locations and if we are dealing with tourists that have an interest in visiting dark sites in general. Plan for Data Collection For this research, the visitors of the house of Fritzl in Amstetten are the objects of study. Hence, it is necessary to come into contact with these visitors. For this research I choose to use qualitative semi-standardized interviews to answer the research question. Qualitative methods are used when a certain research topic is relatively new and unexplored. Furthermore, qualitative methods offer the possibility to go more in-depth into specific aspects of a certain phenomenon. Baarda, de Goede and van der Meer-Middelburg (1996) argue that qualitative interviews are a suitable method when ideas, motivations, opinions and experiences need to be investigated. Since this research seeks to explore the motivations of visitors of the house of Fritzl in Amstetten, it fits this description (t Hart et al. 2007: 253; Baarda et al. 1996: 18-20). I choose to use semi-structured, one-to-one interviews. This implies that topics will be formulated and addressed in the interview. Besides demographic questions, specific questions, answer categories or the order of the questions will not be fixed in advance. This gives the interviewer the opportunity to probe for more information if necessary or reflexively respond to new themes that might be brought up. This reflexive approach is essential, since motivations of dark tourists is relatively unexplored, especially in regard to locations comparable to the house of Fritzl. This may result in unexpected answers to be brought up. When standardized methods are used, this will not be possible. One-to-one interviews are used, because the interviewees will not be influenced by the opinions of others and may give them the feeling to speak more openly about their motivation(s). Furthermore, confidentiality and anonymity of the data will be guaranteed (Baarda et al., 1996: 18-24, 26-28; t Hart et al. 2007: 254, 261, 262, 267; Gilbert, 2001: 123-129). To interview the research participants of this research it is necessary to go to Amstetten, w hich is roughly a nine hour drive from Rotterdam. I will spend three days around the house of Fritzl and I will approach the visitors that come by. I will ask them if they are willing to participate in this research. This research requires purposive sampling, because I assume that only a small group of visitors of the house of Fritzl is accessible in these three days and this group will be likely to represent the visitors as a whole. Furthermore, using a probability sample is often unrealistic for small-scale or qualitative research (Gilbert, 2001: 62). The duration of the interview will be approximately twenty minutes and the amount of interviewees will depend on the willingness to participate. The aim will be to conduct ten to twenty interviews. Furthermore, the interviews will be recorded. Gilbert (2001) argues that recording is recommendable, especially when conducting non-standardized or semi-structured interviews. This, because this type of carrying out interviews requires an active participation of the interviewer within the conversation. By recording the interview, the data wont be lost and in contrast to making notes it wont obstruct or slow down the dialogue. It also signals that the responses of the respondents are taking seriously. Of course, the use of recording will be explained to the interviewees and their approval will be asked. Directly after the interview, notes will be made about the setting, the interview and the interviewee which can be used to recall the context of the particular interview (t Hart et al. 2007: 268-270; Gilbert, 2001: 61-63, 135-137). Plan for Data Analysis When the data is collected, the analysis of the data will begin. First of all, the recorded interviews will be verbatim transcribed. I choose to write down everything that is said, because then data wont get lost that might be of significance when the research progresses. Although, transcribing everything is time-consuming and labor-intensive, the low quantity of interviews makes it possible to do so. Furthermore, transcribing the data allows you to get familiar with the data and it helps facilitating thoughts and ideas about possible connections and underlying themes. Before analyzing, the transcripts will be checked by listening to the recordings once more and by carefully reading the written text. The demographic characteristics of the respondents will be shown on the first page of the transcripts. After this, I will offer the transcript to the respondents, so that accuracy can be checked and comments can be made. This improves reliability and validity of the answers (Gilbert, 200 1: 134-137). The transcripts will be read repeatedly with the aim to identify underlying themes and connections. By comparing and contrasting fragments within interviews and between interviews, fragments with an underlying connection will be categorized and labeled. Furthermore, it will show whether the earlier described motivations are found in the transcripts, or if new themes will be discovered. Similarities and dissimilarities between different respondents may emerge and might relate to their demographic characteristics. Eventually, the codified themes will be linked and compared to draw a full picture of the motivations of visitors of the house of Fritzl in Amstetten and answer the research question (Gilbert, 2001: 137, 138; t Hart et al. 2007: 176, 277). Discussion Gilbert (2008) describes six properties that a research question should have. The research question should be interesting, relevant, concise, answerable, feasible and ethical. For this research it is necessary to address two of these properties more in-depth, which are the feasibility of this research and its ethical dimensions. The research question, What are the motivations of dark tourists? The case of the house of J. Fritzl in Amstetten, is feasible to the extent that it can be answered within a relatively short period of time and with relatively low costs. Furthermore, the research participants are accessible. However, the search for visitors of the house of Fritzl might show difficulties. For this research I will spend three days around the house of Fritzl and approach the tourists that will visit the house. However, it is possible that on these particular days there will be no visitors at all. Consequently, finding research participants might be time-consuming and unpleasant ( Gilbert, 2008: 48). According to Gilbert (2008), it is of importance to take into account the ethical dimensions of a research question. While no specific approval is needed from institutions to conduct this research, this research involves a certain sensitivity. The reason for this, is that this study focuses upon an affair where people suffered and were mistreated. Therefore, this affair is sensitive to victims or relatives of these victims. Furthermore, this case might be sensitive to the neighboring residents or the whole community of Amstetten. Spending three days in front of the house of Fritzl to gather the research participants might be offensive to the residents. For example, they might be upset or feel that their privacy is violated. Consequently, it is necessary to work with discretion. Eventual publication of this research also involves ethical implications. Publication might cause harm to the different parties involved (Gilbert, 2008: 48, 49; Gilbert, 2001: 49-53). A la st brief comment I would like to make is about the weaknesses of Literature Baarda, D.B., de Goede, M.P.M. van der Meer-Middelburg, A.G.E. 1996. Basisboek Open Interviewen. Groningen: Stenfert Kroese. Gilbert, N. 2001. Researching Social Life (2nd edition). London: Sage Publications. Gilbert, N. 2008. Researching Social Life (3d edition). London: Sage Publications. t Hart, H., Boeije, H. Hox, J. 2007. Onderzoeksmethoden. Amsterdam: Boom onderwijs. Kozak, M. 2003. Comparative analysis of tourist motivations by nationality and destinations. Tourism Management 23, 221-232. Lennon, J.J. Foley, M. 2000. Dark Tourism: The Attraction of Death and Disaster. Australia: South-Western Cengage Learning. Logan, W. Reeves, K. 2009. Places of Pain and Shame: Dealing with Difficult Heritage. USA/Canada: Routledge. Niemelà ¤, T. 2010. Motivation Factors in Dark Tourism: Case: House of Terror. https://publications.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/14984/Niemela_Titta.pdf?sequence=3 6 October 2010 Poria, Y., Reichel, A. Biran, A. 2006. Heritage Site Perceptions and Motivations to Visit. Journal of Travel Research 44, 318-326. Rojek, C. 1993. Ways of Escape: Modern Transformations in Leisure and Travel. London: The MacMillian Press. Sharpley, R. 2009. Shedding Light on Dark Tourism: An Introduction. In: R. Sharpley P.R. Stone. The Darker Side of Travel: The Theory and Practice of Dark Tourism. Bristol: Channel View Publications, 3-22. Stone, P.R. 2006. A dark tourism spectrum: Towards a typology of death and macabre related tourist sites, attractions and exhibitions. Tourism 54 (2), 145-160. Stone, P.R. 2009. Dark Tourism: Morality and New Moral Spaces. In: R. Sharpley P.R. Stone. The Darker Side of Travel: The Theory and Practice of Dark Tourism. Bristol: Channel View Publications, 56-74. Yull, S.M. 2003. Dark Tourism: Understanding Visitor Motivation at Sites of Death and Disaster. http://etd.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/89/YUILL-THESIS.pdf?sequence=1. 7 October 2010 Websites HLN, 2010 http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/960/Buitenland/article/detail/314386/2008/06/16/Toeristen-op-de-foto-voor-horrorkelder.dhtml 6 October 2010 HLN, 2010 http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/1901/reisnieuws/article/detail/269697/2008/05/08/Ramptoerisme-bij-Oostenrijks-gruwelhuis.dhtml 6 October 2010 Wikipedia, 2010 http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritzl-incestzaak 6 October 2010

Gideon’s Freedom in Doris Lessing’s No Witchcraft For Sale Essay examp

Gideon’s Freedom in   Doris Lessing’s No Witchcraft For Sale Dr. Gosby’s Comments: This student did an excellent job of applying the ideas we discussed in class relating to the obedience to authority When Europeans moved into the bush of Southern Africa and realized that they were hopelessly outnumbered, they had to develop ways to create and maintain their authority over the native population. They had tremendous advantages in the obvious areas, as author Jared Diamond writes in his Pulitzer Prize winning book: The proximate reasons behind the outcome of Africa’s collision with Europe are clear. Just as in their encounter with Native Americans, Europeans entering Africa enjoyed the triple advantage of guns and other technology, widespread literacy, and the political organization necessary to sustain expensive programs of exploration and conquest. (398) The African natives, in this crippled state, had little choice but to submit to European authority. Many Africans lived a life of indentured servitude. Parts of their culture were mixed with that of their oppressors, and over time, so were their bloodlines. Some of their indigenous culture did survive, however. Shamanism, the practice of physical and spiritual healing by a medicine man that occurs in practically every hunting and gathering society, continued to thrive in Africa despite the oppression by European settlers. The concoctions and methods of this practice were well-guarded secrets, known only to certain African natives. The European medicine of the day was basically a version of our contemporary Western medicine in its infancy, and its doctors’ methods shared little, if anything, in common with the methods of the African medicine m... ...ignity. Noted philosopher Erich Fromm comments, "A person can become free through acts of disobedience by learning to say no to power"(380). Gideon's disobedience is his freedom.    Works Cited Anti, Kenneth Kojo. Women in African Traditional Religions. May 1996. http://cehd.ewu/cehd/feculty/ntodd/GhanaUDLP/KKAntiAfricanWomenReligion.html Diamond, Jared. Guns. Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1999. Fromm, Erich. "Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem." Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. Eds. Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen. New York: Longman, 2000. Getahun, Amare. Some Common Medicinal and Poisonous Plants Used in Ethiopian Folk Medicine.March 1976. . Lessing, Doris. African Stories. New York: Random House, 1980.

Parting The Waters Essay

The book â€Å"Parting the Waters† by Taylor Branch not only highlights the life and times of Martin Luther King Jr. , but also shows the parallel course King’s life took with the civil rights movement and even before it. This book provides a historical look at the Civil Rights Movement from 1964 to 1963. The first half of the book shows the origins of the civil rights movement parallel to that of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Some of the significant points raised by branch were as follows: The â€Å"birth† of the black preacher, John Rockefeller’s endowment, King’s early education and the immediate cause of the civil rights movement. Following their emancipation from slavery, the African-American people’s journey to freedom has actually begun. Despite the complete abolition of slavery, segregation took its place as most whites, especially from the South, found it hard to accept former slaves as equals and still sought to marginalize the black people. It was only in the church that blacks found leaders who were of strong character and would be the launch pad on their crusade for equality. As W. E. B. DuBois put it, the preacher is â€Å"the most unique personality developed by the Negro† (quoted in Branch 3). Next would be a footnote in the history of origins of the civil rights movement with the involvement of tycoon and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller whose involvement in the advancement of the African-Americans was attributed to his wife, Laura Spelman whose family were known abolitionists of the antebellum and civil war era. Because of this, Rockefeller provided an endowment for the creation of a school for blacks which would be named after his wife’s family (Spelman College) in Atlanta, once the heart of the Confederacy. The significance of these two circumstances would be that Martin Luther King’s maternal grandfather, and his father were preachers and his maternal grandmother Jennie Parks and his mother Alberta were students of Spelman College, therefore, a beneficiary of Rockefeller’s philanthropy (Branch 30). The education of his parents enabled the younger King to live a relatively comfortable life compared to other blacks who were not as fortunate as his family and lived in virtually a hand-to-mouth existence because segregation denied them the opportunities to better their lives. King’s education took him to Pennsylvania where he was exposed to liberal education that made him feel like an equal. He began his first public ministry at the age of 25, at the time the Supreme Court, the the Brown vs. Board ruling outlawed segregation in schools. But this was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The catalyst of the civil rights movement began when Rosa Parks, a seamstress from Montgomery, Alabama, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat at the bus. This incident had prodded King to take the lead in the civil rights movement and thereby set the course he took which would irrevocably change his life (Branch 150). In the second half of the book. It covers the crusade Martin Luther King had now taken up and led following his political baptism of fire, from the twilight of the Eisenhower years , the advancement of John F, Kennedy and eventually the dawning of the New South. Taking a leaf from Gandhi’s passive resistance approach, King endured sufferings and humiliations yet he took it in stride in the same manner as Christ and persevered. Under such conditions the U. S. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act, which ensures that all people born in the United States are accorded equal protection law and that race could not be used as a condition to deprive them of their civil rights (Branch 303). All in all, Parting the Waters proved to be an excellent start in the 3-volume history of the civil rights movement by Branch who would follow it up with â€Å"Pillar of Fire† and â€Å"At Canaan’s Edge. † One would notice that the titles allude to the history of the Hebrews as told in the book of Exodus in the Bible. Branch was somehow able to draw a parallelism of the odyssey of the Hebrews to that of the African-Americans on their quest for real freedom and equality. Works Cited Branch, Taylor. Parting the Waters. America in the King Years: 1954-63. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1989.

Week discussion questions

Personally when I complete tasks on my lists I feel a sense of accomplishment and have more desire to tackle some of the harder tasks on y list. I will begin to implement this time management skill with this class, and carry it over to block 2 through Gateway Community College. 2. Plan a schedule that has important work, fun activities, and rest. I get so busy with what I think needs to be done that I forget to include fun things In my schedule. Having fun and enjoying my time is something that is very important because It helps decrease stress.Because I have a four year old who feeds off of my emotions It Is vital that I don't show my stress and that I enjoy my time with him rather than worrying about what tasks are not getting done. 3. Create a designated study time, and stick to It. I plan to implement an hour of study time each morning and actually hold to It. Every semester I tell myself I will study more but I never seem to find the time to and I find myself scrambling at the l ast minute to cram for the upcoming exam.If I set aside time and It Is a part of my dally routine I can avoid all insights the day before the exam and feel better prepared for whatever It Is I will be doing that day In school. What resources might you have available to use for professional and personal development? I have my education to use for professional and personal development. In school I am learning more than Just the science and theory behind nursing.I am learning how to analyze my thinking and the thinking of others, how to make and achieve goals, critical thinking skills that can be used both at work and at home, and how to manage my time wisely. With the program I am In through Gateway Community College and The university of Phoenix I am able to network with other nursing professionals and build relationships that I can use as references later or as guidance on what field and where I should be looking for a Job. I have support from family, friends, and lacerates availabl e to lad In my development.They are there to encourage me to keep going when I feel Like Glenn up, and to help me emotionally get through this rigorous program. By pointlessness done that I forget to include fun things in my schedule. Having fun and enjoying my time is something that is very important because it helps decrease stress. Because I have a four year old who feeds off of my emotions it is vital that I don't show my not getting done. 3. Create a designated study time, and stick to it. I plan to implement an hour of study time each morning and actually hold to it.Every time and it is a part of my daily routine I can avoid all insights the day before the exam and feel better prepared for whatever it is I will be doing that day in school. My time wisely. With the program I am in through Gateway Community College and The University of Phoenix I am able to network with other nursing professionals and build relationships that I can use as references later or as guidance on what field and classmates available to aid in my development. They are there to encourage me to keep going when I feel like giving up, and to help me emotionally get through this

Free Essays on Tragedy In Oedipus Rex

If we look closer at the term ‘tragedy’ it represents serious and important actions, which turn out disastrously for the protagonist. From this definition we can clearly label Millers’ ‘Death of a Salesman’ and Sophocles’ ‘Oedipus Tyrannus’ as tragedies in their own right. Dramatic tragedy from ancient times to the nineteenth century generally has one central character who moves from good to bad fortune, through suffering to awareness. Sophocles wrote ‘Oedipus Tyrannus’, a classical tragedy during a period of both extraordinary intellectual and artistic energy and crisis. Under its leader Pericles, Athens became the most powerful city-state in Greece. In a society as deeply traditional as ancient Greece, old ways of thinking often persist alongside the new, thus Greek tragedy and particularly Sophoclean tragedy is a kind of dialogue between the old and the new. According to Aristotle, ‘The plot of Greek tragedy involves the fall of a noble man caused by hamartia.’ Oedipus has essential features of a tragic hero; moral stature and greatness of personality. Willy Loman does not possess either moral stature or greatness of personality; he seems more pathetic and ‘worm-like’ than respected. This may be one of the reasons why the twentieth century tragedy ‘Death of a Salesman’ has been neglected the title of a ‘tragedy’ by some critics. Miller himself has stated, â€Å"The inevitable conclusion is, of course, that the tragic mode is archaic, fit only for the very highly placed, the kings or the kingly..† This may be true when we think of other tragic literature; Lear, Hamlet and Macbeth were all of high stature. Euripides wrote, ‘sad stories of great men last longer.’ In this case Willy Loman would not have been a memorable character at all. Oedipus’s suffering and defeat does arouse both pity and fear. We feel pity because he is not in control of his downfall: the Gods determine his forthco... Free Essays on Tragedy In Oedipus Rex Free Essays on Tragedy In Oedipus Rex If we look closer at the term ‘tragedy’ it represents serious and important actions, which turn out disastrously for the protagonist. From this definition we can clearly label Millers’ ‘Death of a Salesman’ and Sophocles’ ‘Oedipus Tyrannus’ as tragedies in their own right. Dramatic tragedy from ancient times to the nineteenth century generally has one central character who moves from good to bad fortune, through suffering to awareness. Sophocles wrote ‘Oedipus Tyrannus’, a classical tragedy during a period of both extraordinary intellectual and artistic energy and crisis. Under its leader Pericles, Athens became the most powerful city-state in Greece. In a society as deeply traditional as ancient Greece, old ways of thinking often persist alongside the new, thus Greek tragedy and particularly Sophoclean tragedy is a kind of dialogue between the old and the new. According to Aristotle, ‘The plot of Greek tragedy involves the fall of a noble man caused by hamartia.’ Oedipus has essential features of a tragic hero; moral stature and greatness of personality. Willy Loman does not possess either moral stature or greatness of personality; he seems more pathetic and ‘worm-like’ than respected. This may be one of the reasons why the twentieth century tragedy ‘Death of a Salesman’ has been neglected the title of a ‘tragedy’ by some critics. Miller himself has stated, â€Å"The inevitable conclusion is, of course, that the tragic mode is archaic, fit only for the very highly placed, the kings or the kingly..† This may be true when we think of other tragic literature; Lear, Hamlet and Macbeth were all of high stature. Euripides wrote, ‘sad stories of great men last longer.’ In this case Willy Loman would not have been a memorable character at all. Oedipus’s suffering and defeat does arouse both pity and fear. We feel pity because he is not in control of his downfall: the Gods determine his forthco...

When Do PSAT Scores Come Out The PSAT Results Release Schedule

When Do PSAT Scores Come Out The PSAT Results Release Schedule SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The wait for PSAT results can be nerve-wracking. It's likely your first time taking an SAT-like test, and the PSAT can give you a sense of what range your final SAT score is likely to be. Plus, if you score high enough, there's a lot of potential scholarship money available. So when is the wait over? When are PSAT scores released? In this guide, we explain when you'll get your PSAT results, walk you through the complete PSAT timeline, and offer some suggestions on what to do once you have your scores. Exclusive Free Bonus: Download a free guide containing our top 5 strategies for improving your SAT score by 160 points. After you get your PSAT score back, you'll want to know how to improve it. When Do PSAT Scores Come Out? First off, how long does it take to get PSAT results? You'll usually get your PSAT scores in December, six to eight weeks after taking the exam. Scores for the 2018 PSAT were released online December 10-12, 2018. The exact date on which students received their scores varied depending on where they took the test. The College Board doesn't have the 2019 PSAT score release date finalized yet, but based on past years, we expect 2019 PSAT scores to be available online beginning around December 9, 2019. However, note that your guidance counselor and school will be able to see your scores one week earlier- around December 2. Those who took the PSAT outside the US will get their scores a little later than those in the US will and can expect to see them around December 10, 2019. PSAT Results Timeline Now, let's go into more detail: how long does it take to get PSAT scores? Here's a complete look at the PSAT timeline for 2019-20 so you can see exactly when you'll take the test and when you'll get your scores back. Bonus: Do you know what score you need on the PSAT? Check out our guide on what's a good PSAT score to help you set a goal! Step 1: Take the PSAT in October The PSAT is generally administered in mid-October, though there are a few possible dates. The 2019 PSAT test dates are as follows: Primary Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Alternate Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Saturday Date: October 19, 2019 The exact logistics of taking the PSAT depend on your school. Some schools make each 11th grade student take the test, some offer PSAT sign-up, and others don't administer the PSAT at all (meaning you'll have to arrange to take the test somewhere else). To make sure you're not stuck without a PSAT score, ask your school by September 1 how they plan to prepare for and administer the test. If you don't like your school's method, you'll have plenty of time to consider other options and make plans accordingly. Step 2: Get Your PSAT Scores Online in December PSAT scores will come out in mid-December 2019 (the exact date you get yours depends on what state you took the test in). Once PSAT scores are released, you can access them online by signing into your College Board account: If you haven't made a College Board account, you can do so here. Once you've logged in, click "PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 Scores" to get to your PSAT scores. You’ll then be taken to a page that has your PSAT results. For more details on how to get your PSAT scores, including what to do if you can’t see your PSAT scores online, read our complete guide to the PSAT score report. Step 3: Schools Distribute PSAT Paper Reports In addition to the online reports, the College Board is still sticking to its tradition of giving paper PSAT score reports to schools and then having schools distribute those to students. Assuming the College Board sticks to its schedule from last year, you can expect to get your paper score report sometime in January 2020, but the exact date hasn't been released yet. PSAT Results: What Now? Here are some options for what you can do once you get your PSAT scores back. Option 1: Plan for the National Merit Scholarship If you scored high enough on the PSAT (and are a junior), you might qualify as a Semifinalist for the National Merit scholarship competition. Each year this program awards Semifinalist status to the top 1% of PSAT scorers, or about 16,000 students. Becoming a Semifinalist for this program is contingent only on your PSAT scores. The exact score needed to qualify varies depending on the state, so if your aim is to win a scholarship, it's a good idea to get a feel for what score you'll need before you take the PSAT. If you become a Semifinalist, note that becoming a Finalist requires a little more effort, including keeping up your GPA. Lay the groundwork for becoming a National Merit Finalist senior year by doing some research into what’s required. Option 2: Retake the PSAT as a Junior (If You Took It Early) If you're an early bird who took the PSAT as a freshman or sophomore, it's a smart idea to retake the PSAT your junior year, especially if you're hoping to qualify for National Merit and want to eventually get a super high SAT (or ACT) score. What's great about taking the PSAT as a freshman or sophomore is that it exposes you early on to the types of questions you'll see on the SAT. What's more, it lets you get a feel for where your weaknesses lie and what skills you need to hone in your prep, ultimately raising your chances of becoming a National Merit Semifinalist and hitting your SAT/ACT goal score on a first or second attempt. Option 3: Prep for the SAT (or ACT) The main purpose of the PSAT is to prepare students to take the SAT, either later on in their junior years or in the fall of their senior years before they apply to colleges. In fact, your PSAT score is intended to be a good estimate of how you’ll do on the actual SAT. This means that if you get 1200 on the PSAT and take the SAT without any prep, you’ll likely get around the same score. What's more, since the structure of the SAT is so similar to that of the ACT, you can use the PSAT to prepare for the ACT as well. (Note, though, that there are a handful of differences between the two tests, the biggest of which is the inclusion of a Science section on the ACT. In addition, it's probably a better idea to take the PreACT instead of the PSAT if you plan to take the ACT.) Don't despair if you get a low PSAT score. Instead, analyze what went wrong and then use that information to improve your knowledge and skills so that you can do better on the SAT or ACT. The process of analyzing your errors will be helpful even if you scored extremely well on the PSAT, since the content on the PSAT and SAT aren't exactly the same. PSAT scores only go up to 1520 instead of 1600 as they do on the SAT. The reason for this is that the SAT has higher-level reading passages, tests trickier grammatical rules, and includes more trigonometry and harder math. So even if you get a perfect score on the PSAT, you're not guaranteed a perfect SAT score! Your PSAT results will include information about whether you’re meeting the benchmarks for Reading, Writing, and Math, as well as a more detailed look at which subskills you excel at and which ones you need to improve. Rather than beating yourself up over what you did wrong, try to focus on figuring out why you did poorly on a given section. Was it because you’d never taken a standardized test before and got nervous? Maybe you felt rushed for time on certain parts, or just flat out didn’t know some of the material covered. Whatever the reasons for your issues, make sure to start your SAT or ACT prep by addressing your weaknesses revealed by the PSAT. For more advice on what to do with your PSAT scores, read this article! What's Next? Want to see how your score stacks up against other students’ scores? Find out with our coverage of the most recent PSAT percentiles and Score Selection Index. Learn all about the National Merit scholarship competition with our in-depth articles on how to become a Semifinalist and how to win the scholarship. Already taken the PSAT as a junior? Start to plan out when you’ll take the SAT with our up-to-date list of test dates. Alternatively, if you took the PSAT as a freshman or sophomore, find out when the next PSAT will be offered. Finally, when you get your scores back, you'll probably want to know how to improve your score for the big test: the SAT. We've researched hundreds of student stories and academic studies and found the 5 principles you need to follow to improve your score. Click the link below and enter your email address to get the best SAT prep advice you can get anywhere. Follow these 5 strategies to improve your SAT score by 160 points or more.

The Analytic Method of Teaching Phonics

The Analytic Method of Teaching Phonics Are you looking for ideas for teaching phonics to your elementary students? The analytic method is a simple approach that has been around for nearly one hundred years. Here is a quick resource for you to learn about the method, and how to teach it. What Is Analytic Phonics? The Analytic Phonics method teaches children the phonic relationships among words. Children are taught to analyze letter-sound relationships and look to decode words based upon spelling and letter patterns and their sounds. For example, if the child knows bat, cat and hat, then the word mat will be easy to read. What Is the Appropriate Age Range? This method is appropriate for first and second graders and struggling readers. How to Teach It First, the students must know all the letters of the alphabet and their sounds. The child will need to be able to identify the sounds in the beginning, middle and end of a word. Once the students are able to do that, the teacher then selects a text that has a lot of letter sounds.Next, the teacher presents the words to the students (usually site words are selected to start). For example, the teacher places these words on the board: light, bright, night or green, grass, grow.The teacher then asks the students how these words are alike. The student would respond, They all have ight at the end of the word. or They all have gr at the beginning of the word.Next, the teacher focuses on the sound of the words make by saying, How does the ight sound in these words? or How does the gr sound in these words?The teacher picks a text for the students to read that has the sound they are focusing on. For example, choose a text that has the word family, ight (light, might, fight, right) or choose a text that has the word family, gr (green, grass, grow, gray, great, grape). Finally, the teacher reinforces to the students that they just used a decoding strategy to help them read and understand words based upon the relationships letters have with one another. Tips for Success Use books that have predictable, repetitive sentences.Encourage children to use picture clues for any unknown words.Teach students about word families. (now, how cow) (down, frown, brown)Encourage students to look for consonant clusters at the beginning and ends of words. ( bl,fr,st, nd)When teaching analytic phonics, make sure to emphasize  the importance of each sound.

Employment law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 6

Employment law - Essay Example The company application form does not have a separate equal opportunities section. The managers notes are inconclusive as to why this young man did not get the job at interview the first time, and the second time on paper he was as well qualified as any of the other applicants who were interviewed, the form just shows that the manager wrote â€Å"unsuitable – no interview† on the top. At no time have any of his supplied references being taken up, including the one from his work experience at Mans. On this second recruitment application occasion there is one application form from another local young person called Paul Jones which shows almost identical qualifications, with work experience at another very similar company to Mann’s, who was offered an interview but withdrew their application, and did not come along. Lindsay is seeking advice on how to respond to the questionnaire, what happens if it goes to Tribunal (including how to avoid it), and also advice on what needs to be done to prevent such claims in the future. The following report will discuss and also evaluate how the company should respond to allegations that it racially discriminated against an Asian candidate for one of its vacancies. Employment (previously also known as industrial) tribunals presently consider the legal implications of alleged unfair dismissals, and also the actions of employers that that have discriminated against potential as well as actual employees. In order to do this effectively Employment Tribunal have been given the necessary legal authority and power to investigate and then subsequently pass judgement on alleged cases of discriminatory recruitment practices as well as unfair dismissal. In the vast majority of alleged unfair recruitment or dismissal cases disputes or disagreements are brought to the attention of the relevant Employment

Am I Blue written by Beth Henley Tell how a literary device was used Essay

Am I Blue written by Beth Henley Tell how a literary device was used in the drama - Essay Example Through their dialogue the audience learns that John is a future farmer. He currently is in a fraternity at college. John plans on getting a business degree before going into the family farm business. He is a virgin and planning on visiting a prostitute that night. All of these life plans and history are told in a relatively short time. Ashbe tells John that she is a thief, practices voodoo, and even offers to sleep with him in this one Act play. All of this information comes out in the dialogue within a short amount of time. Only dialogue relays the information. If a Hollywood movie had been made about these two, the running time would be beyond the normal two hours. Henley put so much information into her dialogue by throwing both of her main characters together and having them bear their souls to each other. The dialogue might not be what an ordinary individual might engage in, but it is believable. The dialogue is believable because of the characters. If the two characters had not been tragically flawed, John being an over pressured virgin, or Ashbe being a thief, the dialogue would not have worked. The dialogue also works because both characters are young. The young are not as guarded as an older group. The characters are what make the dialogue believable. The timelessness of the dialogue also contributed to the play’s success. Only one term, which was â€Å"cathouse†, made reference to an older time. However â€Å"cathouse† could be a term that is used today. It is a term that could be reflected in New Orleans’ culture. Other than that one term all of the dialogue does not reflect a certain time or place. Am I Blue is unique due to the dialogue. All of the information and timelessness related by the dialogue could not be achieved with action alone. The dialogue is what makes the play interesting and consuming. When the audience is finding out about John and Ashbe through the interesting

War on terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

War on terrorism - Essay Example Terrorism has been defined as the indiscriminate use of tactics like bombings, shootings, and kidnappings against unarmed civilians to achieve ideological and political goals. Terrorism traditionally was considered to be localized as a tactic used by insurgent or paramilitaryThe September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon changed the nature and threat of terrorism. The attacks of 9/11 brought a dangerous phenomenon by which small cells of determined religious and fundamentalistThe United States launched the â€Å"War on Terrorism† as a response to the events of 9/11. These operations were initiated and instigated with the purpose of smashing the command and control centers of insurgent groups, disrupt their logistics, wipe out their training camps and sanctuaries, kill or capture terrorist leaders and their followers. This research paper provides an in depth analysis and examination of the activities which have been launched as part of the war on terr orism. It also scrutinizes the shortcomings and defects of the policies initiated by the American government.Global terrorism fueled and instigated by Al Qaeda remains a potential threat to the security of the United States and its allies. Al Qaeda is the code name used for a number of Islamic fundamentalist organizations that seek to overthrow the pro Western governments in the Islamic World, liberate Palestine, and unite the Islamic world.

Beck Depression Scale Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Beck Depression Scale - Essay Example One final goal of assessment is to get a clear understanding of the structure and functioning of the family. The MFT has specific information that he is looking to obtain during the assessment process. First and foremost, the MFT wants to gather as much information as possible on the problem the family is faced with. This includes the length of the current problem, the family's history of conflict, the family's history of solutions, and the family's motivation to rectify the current problem. The MFT also wants information about the structure of the family, such as any cultural or religious influences, socioeconomic status, and the hierarchy of the family. At the same time, the MFT wants to understand how the family functions; their conflict resolution strategies, how well they communicate with one another, each member's role in the family, and individual and collective goals. Finally, the MFT is interested in finding out what the family's goals are for therapy. There are many different ways in which the MFT can gather this assessment information, but they all fall into two broad categories: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative assessment allows the therapist to make inferences about certain behaviors and reactions of family members during an assessment task, whereas quantitative assessment is in the form of a standardized instrument, usually a pencil-and-paper questionnaire or scale. There are many advantages of using qualitative assessments. The family plays a larger, more important role in the assessment process, the assessment becomes part of the treatment process since this type of assessment tends to be therapeutic in and of itself, the therapist can pick and choose different techinques that fit nicely with his specific theoretical orientation, it allows the therapist and family to work together in assessing the information obtained, the family is often more committed to therapy because of the vital role they play in the assessment process, individual family members learn from one another and can learn how each member is affected by the family as a whole, allows the family to be viewed in a three-dimensional context, and it can be used with families from various cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds (Deacon & Piercy, 2001). There are many qualitative techniques available for the MFT. Qualitative assessments include the use of art, guided imagery, photographs, role playing, sculptures, free association, metaphors, and circular questioning. The idea behind this type of assessment is that it takes the focus off of the individual, and places it on the task at hand, often making the clients less defensive and more emotive (Deacon &Piercy, 2001). While there are many advantages to qualitative assessment, it is not for everyone. Some therapists and clients may not feel comfortable with such exercises, and these exercises may in fact exacerbate any anxiety felt towards therapy instead of relieving it (Deacon & Piercy, 2001). In such a case, these exercises should not be pushed. If these activities are forced, the information gathered will most likely be scarce. Deacon and Piercy also note that while qualitative assessments can provide the therapist with a wealth of information, it cannot provide certain informa tion that can only be obtained through quantitative asse

Compare a success project with a fail project Essay

Compare a success project with a fail project - Essay Example most Hong Kong citizens use this as their main mode of transport, with the trains making over 5 million rounds every working day (Mass Transit Railways 2014). The trains have specific times for each destination, which they keep no matter what because it is a part of MTR’s objectives and initiatives too. As of last year, Mass Transit Railway owned half of the public transport market share, ranking it as the top means of transport preference in Hong Kong. Unlike most of the train systems in other countries, MTR integrates the Octopus technology enabling people to pay their fares using the master cards; significantly, this has been in place since 1997 and it is one of the facilitators of the system’s success because travelling is easier with it. Essentially, a research by the Hong Kong government prompted the production of the Mass Transit Railway; typically, the research basis was the increasing problems caused by road jams because of the countries rapidly growing economy. The first construction began immediately after the government released the study and around ten years later, there was the launching of the first track (MTR Corporation 2004). Due to the multiple cases of road congestions, most of the citizens immediately switched to the trains as modes of transport. Appreciably, since then, there have been more consequent lines built, aiming to cover more land and areas with the highest populations. Through the journey, the government has faced challenges based on areas to expand the network and what strategies to apply; however, it is among the most successful railway projects in the world today, especially because it covers a very wide area moving even into China’s main land. The Miami Metrorail, also referred to as The Metro, is also a large railway transport system that covers parts of Florida, the United States and a bigger part of Miami. Miami Dade Transit governs and oversees every operation of The Metro; moreover, it is one of the core agencies of

Cultural Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Cultural Industry - Essay Example CULTURAL INDUSTRIES Cultural industries are considered to be integral parts of any society and its demonstration and appreciation of aesthetic qualities. The firms providing cultural and aesthetic products have gained much popularity over the last few decades and have recently been termed as industries. Ever since then, more and more firms have entered the production and distribution of cultural production within the boundaries of capitalism. Development of a profound understanding of cultural industries is crucial for the purpose of distinguishing it from other industries producing and distributing traditional goods. It is also important to delineate what products or firms should not be included in the domain of cultural industries. The term 'cultural industry' denotes several aspects of both the words 'culture' and 'industry'. The debate associated with this term generally encompasses the boundaries that could put a firm or industry into the realm of cultural industries. Also, the combination of word culture with industry makes one get into the understanding of conflicting nature of arts and capitalism. Associating the word industry with culture entails a combination of both the aesthetic and capitalistic notions. Garnham elaborates that in cultural industries, "symbolic forms are in general produced, distributed, and consumed in the form of commodities and under conditions of capitalistic market competition and exchange" (2000, p39). Cultural industries implicate a group of firms that are involved in the commodification of notions such as arts, culture and aesthetics in a pure capitalistic manner. From production to distribution, cultural industries remain... The researcher of this essay states that in modern times, most of the goods and services being produced are given a touch of artistic aesthetics while considering consumer tastes, styles and fashions. This blurs the differentiation between cultural and traditional products for the consumer. This essay begins by defining cultural industries through various aspects and draws them apart from traditional industries. It also divides the conception of cultural products into two distinct categories viz. entertainment and fashion. Finally, the researcher of this essay elaborates the impact that capitalism can have on the promotion and free flow of pure cultural products because of cultural industries. When culture is combined with industry or the notion of capitalism i.e. production and distribution of arts for the purpose of profit, which is mainly achieved through branding and other aspects of marketing, it has profound impact on the promotion of artistic genre. The researcher aims to argu e that not every commercial product can be categorised as cultural a product, because there is a fine and visible line that differentiates these two entirely distinct sectors. The researcher also argue that commercialisation or industrialisation of cultural products hampers the flow of artistic work to consumers in the purest form. In conclusion, the researcher states that commercialisation of cultural products through capitalistic means of marketing and branding has the capacity to restrict the free flow of art from artists to the consumers.

Compare a success project with a fail project Essay

Compare a success project with a fail project - Essay Example most Hong Kong citizens use this as their main mode of transport, with the trains making over 5 million rounds every working day (Mass Transit Railways 2014). The trains have specific times for each destination, which they keep no matter what because it is a part of MTR’s objectives and initiatives too. As of last year, Mass Transit Railway owned half of the public transport market share, ranking it as the top means of transport preference in Hong Kong. Unlike most of the train systems in other countries, MTR integrates the Octopus technology enabling people to pay their fares using the master cards; significantly, this has been in place since 1997 and it is one of the facilitators of the system’s success because travelling is easier with it. Essentially, a research by the Hong Kong government prompted the production of the Mass Transit Railway; typically, the research basis was the increasing problems caused by road jams because of the countries rapidly growing economy. The first construction began immediately after the government released the study and around ten years later, there was the launching of the first track (MTR Corporation 2004). Due to the multiple cases of road congestions, most of the citizens immediately switched to the trains as modes of transport. Appreciably, since then, there have been more consequent lines built, aiming to cover more land and areas with the highest populations. Through the journey, the government has faced challenges based on areas to expand the network and what strategies to apply; however, it is among the most successful railway projects in the world today, especially because it covers a very wide area moving even into China’s main land. The Miami Metrorail, also referred to as The Metro, is also a large railway transport system that covers parts of Florida, the United States and a bigger part of Miami. Miami Dade Transit governs and oversees every operation of The Metro; moreover, it is one of the core agencies of

Impotance of Discipline Essay Example for Free

Impotance of Discipline Essay Discipline is the basis of the whole universe. The Earth, the Sun, the Moon and other plane s, all are governed by a set of laws to maintain perfect harmony and beauty. There will be chaos without this order. Similarly, discipline is one of the basic requirements of a civilized life. Every society has to set certain norms for its people to maintain peace and order. The strength of a nation lies in discipline. It helps to make progress, fight external invasion and maintain national unity. Citizens of a disciplined nation work in a spirit of cooperation and utility. History tells us that whenever a country is torsi by internal strife, its morale drops and opportunist neighbour often takes advantage of the situation. However, discipline does not mean negation of personal liberty. It means a self- imposed discipline. In a democratic country like India, if people object to a certain law, then they can mobilize public opinion and force the Government to withdraw it. But it is possible only if they do not take the law in their own hands. They must act with restrain and organize peaceful agitation; otherwise there is every possibility of violence and threat to public and national property. The importance of discipline in educational institutions is well-recognized. Unfortunately, we notice that discipline in our schools and colleges has considerably declined, Students are disrespectful to their teachers; they misbehave in the classrooms organize strikes; take the law into their hands. This is certainly an alarming trend. Undoubtedly, it is discontentment that leads to breakdown of law and order. The urgent need of the hour is to make an in-depth study of the education system whether it is still relevant to our needs and growing population. In order to improve the atmosphere in the educational institutions the government must look into the genuine grievances of the teachers and the students. Over-crowded classrooms, poor teaching, poor salaries of the teachers all contribute to indiscipline and discontentment. The rapid growth in our population has led to more students seeking admission. The number of schools and colleges has not increased proportionately. Besides, to check the students from flocking to colleges, there is a need to vocationally education at the 10+2 stage, offer facilities for industrial and technical training after school to help them become self-reliant. This will also check the rising unemployment. Teaching, being a grossly under played job, does not attract the best and dedicated people. This affects the quality of teaching and makes students feel disillusioned. As a result they become restless and start cutting classes. The government has recently taken certain concrete steps to improve the situation. Discipline is the life -breath of the army. Military discipline imposes upon members of the armed forces a certain code of conduct. It demands of its officer’s loyalty to the country, a spirit of fellowship and a readiness to cope with an emergency. No army can fight successfully without discipline. The importance of discipline in the social and political life of a nation is also very great. An element of apathy and resignation has been the cause of our country still being so backward. We have made so much progress in technology and science, but still as people we have not been able to shake off our backwardness. Indians are known for their warmth and friendliness, yet they are narrow-minded, bigoted and indifferent One has only to go to government offices to see it. Workers shirk their duty, they are indifferent to their responsibilities, spend their office hours in canteen and pay no attention either to the long queues of people waiting or to the rising pile of unattended urgent files. Thus, the work accumulates. Both the public and the government suffer for their negligence. It is only when they will impose self-discipline and perform their duty with dedication that things will improve. People create chaos even in public places by their indiscipline behaviour. They show utter lack of order while boarding buses, trains. Out ¬side cinema halls, they promote malpractices in the form of black-marketing of tickets. Eve-teas ¬ing is another example of irresponsible behav ¬iour on the part of our youth. Today, women don’t feel safe in our cities because of unruly behaviour of goondas. In the political sphere also there is a need for discipline. Personal ambition and petty jealousy are the driving force for the men in power. This is a source of great pain to the people. The ruling party itself is divided by internal politics. It cannot set an example for the nation to follow. This has lowered the image of the ruling party in the eyes of the common man. The government must take immediate steps to improve its image and restore people’s faith in the party. This can be achieved only if each party member follows a certain code of ethics. Discipline is important even in the domestic life. Parents must raise their children in congenial atmosphere and teach them the right values. They should set an example for their children by leading orderly and peaceful lives. It is often seen that children from broken homes become very aggressive and indiscipline. They pose a danger to the society. Children must grow in secure, happy homes to become balanced adults, Perhaps the best service to the country lies in an effort of parents to bring up their children in a disciplined manner. Discipline though difficult is essential for personal growth as well as national prosperity. Absence of it can lead to failure, defeat and backwardness. Today in society, it is very important to learn to live in harmony with fellow human beings in a spirit of co-operation and mutual co-existence. All this is possible only if every individual follows a personal code of ethics and the one laid by the law for the prosperity of the nation and the progress of the society.

Rise And Fall Of Military Rule

Rise And Fall Of Military Rule Militarism was the dominant force in the politics of Latin America in recent history. The rise of military rule in twentieth century Latin America has, to a large extent, shaped the political life of the nations in the region and also produced literature on this form of authoritarianism known as bureaucratic authoritarianism. These authoritarian regimes were unparalleled in their brutality and suppression of civil society and political movements. The bureaucratic authoritarian regime was the predominant political trend in Latin America during the mid 1960s which began with the Brazilian coup of 1964, Argentina in 1966 and 1976, Chile and Uruguay in 1973. This essay begins with the military intervention from earlier years (1930) which will be distinguished from the succession of coups that began with Brazil in 1964, and then treats the factors that brings about military rule in the region, the rise and decline of military dictatorship in Latin America with focus on Brazil, Chile and Argentina. The kind of regimes the military puts up, the reasons behind their fall with particular emphasis and evidence on the fact that military rule is bad for development in the region and the possibility of a comeback of military dictatorship in the 21st century Latin America will also be highlighted. It is pertinent to distinguish the succession of coups that began with brazil in 1964 from earlier interventions between 1930 and 1964.The military frequently intervened in national politics after 1929 the Brazilian military acted as arbitrator in domestic conflicts in 1930, 1937 and 1945.The Argentine militaries overthrew the radicals in 1930, the conservatives in 1943, and Juan Domingo Peron in 1955 (Wynia, 1990).In later years, they interfered occasionally to subdue dictatorial presidents and help set up democratic governments as it happened in Venezuela in 1945 and 1958. Military rule was temporary during this period, Latin America armies engaged in breakthrough coups targeted at replacing one group of civilian leaders with another preferred with the use of their weapons. In contrast, the generals who took over after 1964 came to stay. There are several reasons as to why the military constantly intervenes in the politics of Latin America, professional military officers in the 1960s and 1970s blamed the poor conditions in Latin America on the corruption of civilian politicians and the institutions of liberal democracy, they concluded that economic development and political stability could only be achieved with the establishment of long term military rule. Economic crisis prompted military interventions in that they could result in popular unrest which could provoke disorder; the governments inability to control the situation is a basis for military coups. The military was also motivated to create a more orderly political process distinct from what they were used to in the past of which they themselves contributed to with all the periodic coups. They were determined to create a new political order which they did with the use of force. Military intervention in Latin America is also influenced by foreign governments who use local armies to defend and uphold their interest as at when due. Conspiracies involving foreign agents are covertly organised like the Chilean coup of 1973 of which Allende was overthrown and eventually killed and General Pinochet assumed president fully supported by US authorities (Livingstone, 2009). Revelations from the US senate investigations proved how foreign agents can trigger military interventions. The fact is that military intervention really made no difference in the economic development in the region nor did it bring to an end political unrest rather, resistance began to grow as many became affected, dissidents were either jailed or killed and many people began to disappear, so was the situation of things after the military took over the political life in Latin America. The military of Brazil in 1964 adopted the national security doctrine which states that the nations interest supersedes that of the individual, citizens are mandated to do everything possible to protect the nation. A succession of authoritarian regimes governed Brazil from 1964 to 1985. The military overthrew the Goulart government which was having difficulties controlling the state of the economy which had deteriorated rapidly in 1962 and 1963.The Brazilian generals created a regime in which they would govern the nation as leaders of the armed forces rather than hand power over to a single officer who would eventually become a one man dictator. However there was the need to elect one amongst them to serve as chief executive to enhance orderliness and also to prove to the public that someone was in charge. General Castello Branco was immediately elected as the new president by congress and served until 1967.during his regime, inflation was reduced but not as expected, his government was still unable to achieve economic stabilization. (Wynia, 1990) President Artur Costa e Silva was the next military president to rule from 1967-1969, his authoritarian government used dictatorial measures to achieve its idea of rapid economic development. General Ernesto Geisel assumed presidency in 1974 after Costa e Silva suffered a debilitating stroke in 1969 and years of guerrilla movements. Thereafter president Joao Figueiredo took over in 1979 and ruled until 1985.During this era of military rule in Brazil, political activists and dissidents were jailed as well as anyone who contended with the authoritarian rule. The military interdicted labour movements, political parties and student organisations, civilians had no say whatsoever. On the economic scene, the implementation of structural adjustment programs aimed at controlling inflation actually achieved a certain measure of success and rapid economic growth thereafter causing the military to brag of performing a miracle when in actual fact it was just a case of the military being in the right place at the right time. Wynia (1990) states that what propelled Brazil to speedy economic growth was mainly the combination of foreign and state investments supplemented by domestic private efforts in commerce and agriculture. the use of authoritarian rule to enforce harsh austerity only made the plights of the peasants worse, the miracle began to fade, inflation had risen to over a 100 percent, foreign debts mounted reaching $80 billion in 1982 also the world recession in 1981 and 1982 depressed the value of Brazilian exports (Skidmore and Smith, 2005). This period marked the beginning of the decline of military regime in Brazil. The Argentine military assumed power in June 1966 with the intention of a revolution after the removal of president Illia from office. Three successive army generals attempted to rehabilitate the country politically and economically. General Juan Carlos Ongania took over presidency and considered his regime irrevocable stating repeatedly that there would be no elections for a long time. Ongania made some economic progress by opening the mining industry to foreigners and slowing down price increases, however, his regime was more of the technocrat than the politician. He repressed the national labor movement and jailed its leaders, there was rising resentment throughout the country and in a bid to put an end to it, the military ousted Ongania from office and General Roberto Livingston was named president (Fernandez, 1973). General Livingstons leadership was not any better despite all his political promise of Argentina returning to democratic normalcy. By March 1971, Argentines became openly dissatisfied at the economic and political crisis, the military stepped in once again, removed Livingston and General Lanusse was named president. Lanusse intention was to achieve a new political order and opted for a relegalization of political parties, he took even a greater gamble by allowing Peron return to presidency. The military returned after the Peronista government of 1973 and fell apart with the death of Peron a year later, Isabel his wife and successor could neither hold the government together. General Jorge Rafael Videla took over in March 1976 and launched a vicious campaign dirty war against the opposition, guerrilla movements were on the rise seeking the overthrow of the government and the installation of a socialist regime along Marxist-Leninist lines. The junta embarked on an all out war against its opposition, there were the desaparecidos, those who disappeared and were never heard of (Skidmore and Smith, 2005).The dictatorship affected society in Argentina, people lived in fear and the economy suffered. Videla handed over presidency to General Roberto Viola in 1981; Viola was replaced by Army commander-in-chief general Leopoldo Galtieri who went to war over the Falkland/Malvinas Island with Britain. The British defeated and humiliated the Argentines and also blocked European trade with Argentina for three months to punish Galtieri economically, the Argentine economy went from bad to worse. In 1983, there was a transition from military to civilian government with radical party candidate Raul Alfonsin emerging as president. The new regime was committed to prosecute military officers involved in the killing or disappearance of more than 10,000 people. Nine military commanders-in-chief were charged for crimes committed and sentenced to prison.No other Latin America government had dared prosecute its officers for crimes committed during a military regime (Skidmore and Smith, 2005) The government of General Augusto Pinochet seized power on September 11, 1973 by overthrowing the elected government of socialist president Salvador Allende (Arturo, 1984). The Chilean coup of 1973 was justified by the new military government as necessary to restore order, avoid class warfare and salvage the economy, the government set out to impose on Chile a bureaucratic authoritarian regime. The first four years of the junta brought about terrible human rights abuses, thousands of civilians linked with the Popular Unity parties were murdered, tortured, jailed, brutalized or exiled. International organisations and the Roman Catholic Church condemned the widespread violations of human rights in Chile and as such, the church came into constant conflict with the junta. General Pinochet emerged dominant figure; his government was a one-man dictatorship with the rest of the junta under his command. He made himself commander in chief of the military and chief executive of the state, Pinochet alone commanded power. Caistor (2006) reveals Pinochets use of brutal force to impose order on the country in a reign of terror that killed more than 3,000 Chileans and thousands tortured or forced to live in exile abroad. The United States under the Carter administration criticised Pinochet for the 1976 assassination of Orlando Letelier, the former Chilean ambassador to the US under the Allende regime. On the economic front, Skidmore and Smith (2005) states that civilian technocrats known as the Chicago boys introduced significant changes in the economic policy. They reasoned that what restricted Chiles economic growth was the governments intervention in the economy which results to reduced competition, artificially increased wages that leads to inflation. The ec onomic boom proved to be short-lived, there was an economic crisis by the end of 1981, exports and foreign credit fell sharply, unemployment soared to 30 percent, real wages fell and GNP dropped 13 percent in the same year. (Edgardo, 1986) General Pinochet stepped down in March 1998 after seventeen years as a military dictator; he was arrested in London in October 1998 at the request of a Spanish magistrate to prosecute him for human rights violation of Spanish citizens. The periods of protracted military rule in Latin America failed to bring about enduring economic recovery or re-ordering the Civilian political system which were some of the reasons why the military claimed to have intervened in the politics of the region. They have proved unable to cope with crisis on the economic front, bereft of ideas once an initial policy has turned sour (Cammack, 1985). In essence, military rule can be argued to be bad for development as it does not produce durable solutions to political and economic issues. Its interest is more of selfish purpose is and always ready to shut down any opposition with the use of force, the people have no say whatsoever. The twenty first century augurs very well for Latin America societies with the decline of military rule. Finer (1976) provides an explanation as to why these military regimes fall from power. He states that the military suffers from two crippling political weaknesses: their technical inability to administer and their lack of legitimacy to rule. The failure of the armed forces to establish legitimacy affected their downfall, legitimacy is necessary because a government cannot adequately rule by using force alone. However, this does not mean that a regime cannot rule without legitimacy, but as Finer implied, the threat of physical compulsion is not an efficient, i.e. an economical, way of securing obedience. (Finer, 1976:16). Futhermore, rule by force alone will eventually be challenged by anyone strong enough to try, this explains the fact that military coups are often always followed by a succession of counter coups The decline of military rule in Latin America can also be associated to the fact that the generals were not properly prepared for the task, their education hardly offered any preparation for the reorganization of complex economic and social institutions. Military regime seems to follow a similar direction in the region, starting boldly with achieving economic stabilization which eventually declines as a result of economic crisis or social and political reconstruction. However, the military of Latin America may be out but definitely not down. It is rather utopian to say the military have abdicated from politics for good because recent coups though short-lived prove otherwise. On the 28th of June 2009, president Zelaya of Honduras was ousted in a military coup because the left- wing leader was seeking a change in the constitution to allow him stand for re-election; arrested in his pyjamas, he was sent into exile in Costa Rica. According to the Guardian (2009), Zelaya described his arrest as a coup and kidnapping. Similarly, short-lived coups in Ecuador and Venezuela shows that the military still has a hold of political affairs. The Ecuadorian coup of January 2000 saw President Jamil Mahud deposed by Ecuadors Indians with the support of military leaders. Also, in 2002 there was a brief seizure of power when Venezuelas Chavez was ousted by the military and detained at an army base. Interestingly, a recent edition of US magazine Newsweek, predicts that this year 2010 will see the fall of Venezuelas Chavez following a coup. In my opinion, the Chavez coup predictions is wishful thinking, the Obama administration will never duplicate what they did in Honduras. A civil war will break out if Chavez is ousted and a war against Venezuela implies a war against Ecuador, Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua and possibly Brazil and Argentina; knowing that if Venezuelas leader is taken out by the US, they will be next. Furthermore, in November 2009 Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo in an attempt to avoid being removed from office via a coup, fired his military chiefs and vowed that he would not be forced out of office before the end of his tenure in 2013. As aforementioned, there is no guarantee that the military will not leave their barracks once again and get involved in political affairs although it cannot be compared to the 20th century when military rule was dominant in Latin America. However, the military is acquiring new roles both nationally and internationally; many of the regions armed forces have become overwhelmingly internationalized providing humanitarian assistance, security and stability needed to ensure political, social and economic development (Ross, 2004) Conclusion The role of the military in 20th century Latin America caused more harm than good; military intervention really made no difference in improving the economy rather resistance began to grow as people became affected by military dictatorship which constantly violated human rights. However, there is the potential for military coups in Latin America today but the risk of their intervention is reduced because of its legacy of the past. Ideally, the role of the military is to provide security and stability rather than harbour political ambitions.

The Mood in Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden Essay -- Poetry Analysis

The Mood in Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden The poem, "Funeral Blues", by W.H. Auden tells about a person's grief and is successful in creating a very sad and depressing mood. This is achieved by the poet's use of language, word choice and sentence structure. The way in which the author describes his feeling - along with the use of rhythm and rhyme - was created in a very effective way which made it clear to the reader. In the first stanza the depressing mood is created straight away by the poet's use of commands, which created the impression that he wanted the whole world to come to a stand still: "Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone" These particular commands are demanding silence from everyone as he is requesting silence from everyone as he wants the clocks to stop ticking, the phone to stop ringing, the dog to be quiet and basically every aspect of normal, everyday life to come to a halt. By doing this the author has made it obvious that the person he has lost was his whole world and he feels as if the world cannot go on anymore without this person. W.H Auden also made effective use of rhythm and rhyme in order to create the atmosphere, which exists at a funeral: "à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦with muffled drum, Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come." By the use of the word 'muffled' I was given the impression of a foggy, depressing and cold day with the coffin being removed from the black hearse. I thought it to be effective when 'drum' was mentioned as normally it is at state funerals for very important people where drums are used. The impression I received was that it... ...der to swallow pills. This is then continued as the next line is telling of the complete despair that he feels and shows the lack of hope and happiness he possesses: "For nothing now can ever come to any good." The use of the word nothing also shows he does not see a future for himself anymore. As it is a short sentence and if you follow the rhythm intended it is a drowsy beat which again extends the overdose idea as it is him falling asleep and puts him out of his misery but at the same time the ending remains sad and does not give a happy ending. In conclusion, Funeral Blues by W.H Auden was successful in creating a very depressing mood that was full of despair and contained absolutely no hope. This was effective by the use of simple language, sentence structure and most importantly the use of rhythm and rhyme.

The Powerful Words of Amy Tan, Maxine Hairston, and Mike Rose Essay

The Powerful Words of Amy Tan, Maxine Hairston, and Mike Rose The power of words is immeasurable. Words help people to voice their opinions and express their thoughts and feelings. Our everyday lives are shaped by communication and in general language. A persons language can often influence success and happiness. America is viewed as a melting pot for numerous different people and their respective languages. Language is so vital in our society that a person of diverse ethnic background can face many tribulations throughout their everyday life. Many renowned writers and other professionals have expressed their personal opinion about the value of words over the last few years. Chinese-American author Amy Tan is one of the many writers who understand the importance of the simplest words in the English language. Tan, author of the Joy Luck Club, was born and raised in San Francisco by her Chinese parents. Tan graduated from high school and pursued her college education at five different universities from 1969 through 1976. Contrary to what her teachers had always tried to push on her, Tan steered away from studies in math and science and earned her B.A. in English and Linguistics. She describes that her educational choices were rebellious in nature. In Tans essay she describes the hardships of growing up with a mother who encountered problems with the English language. When I was growing up, my mothers limited English limited my perception of her, Tan explains. She describes situations where her mother was treated rudely and explains that apologies were always proposed when Tan would interrupt with flawless English. Tan also discusses the educational problems that multicultural students have within the classroom today. She ... ...ven the impression that it would harm her childrens education. The essays written by Tan, Hariston and Rose all address an issue within our educational system that demands immediate attention. In the land of the free with so many various freedoms for citizens, every student should be proud of their own ethnic background. Never should students be steered away from their goals or looked down upon because of their grammatical abilities. Overall students should be proud of their ethnic background and proud at the same time to be an American. Works Cited Hairston, Maxine. Diversity, Ideology, and Teaching Writing. College Composition and Communication 43.2 (May1992): 179-195. Rose, Mike. Lives on the Boundary: The Struggles and Achievements of Americas Underpreparred. New York: Free Press, 1989. Tan, Amy. "Mother Tongue". Three Penny Review. 1990.