Speech On Racism And Oppression - 1604 Words

The first day of this course I felt confident that I was educated on racism and oppression, however after reviewing my initial video from the first few weeks of class, I quickly comprehended that in fact I had not been appropriately educated on racism or oppression throughout my life. I was among many individuals in society who were convinced that they looked at all individuals equally, so color of skin was never a factor taken into consideration. Unfortunately, I didn t realize how damaging the colorblind approach was. In reality, I was ignoring racism as a whole, when telling myself that color of skin did not exist. †¨ Thus far we have been in class for 11 weeks and looking back on my video made me realize how much I have transformed my thoughts in just 11 weeks. I feel that I have always been,an open-minded person, but I didn t recognize how many aspects of racism I was failing to consider. I wasn t failing to recognize racism because I didn t care by any means, it is the fa ct that the norm in society is to disregard issues regarding racism, in hopes the issues will simply vanish. As a result, throughout the class I have become educated that it is required to accept my own whiteness, before I could attempt to develop my own white identity and potentially help towards overcoming racism as a social worker. According to the Hardiman White Racial Identity Developmental model, I feel as if while first entering class I was in the resistance stage. When entering class,Show MoreRelatedThe Media, Oppression, And The Islam915 Words   |  4 Pagespartiality. In the process of understanding the media, oppression, and the Islam religion, as well as how the elements are intertwined, the simple solution of education presented itself; a result that allows for a better understanding and recognition of discrimination in mass media. Education is the solution to prejudiced westernized media that has projected Islamophobia for years; triggering hatred, discrimination, o ppression, and pure racism- especially in the United States after the terrorist attacksRead MoreA History of Oppression: the Mistreatment of Australian Aboriginals1541 Words   |  7 PagesMistreatment of Australian Aboriginals Cases of oppression are very much present within our world’s history, and even in most societies today. Being rich in history, Australia is a large example of oppression in our world. Not only can we find koala bears and kangaroos in the continent of Australia, but also the world’s oldest existing culture of aboriginal people (Aboriginal Australia - EmbraceAustralia.com). For nearly 50,000 years, Australia has served as home to these ancient indigenous peopleRead MoreA Gathering Of Old Men By Ernest J. Gaines909 Words   |  4 PagesGathering of Old Men†, by Ernest J. Gaines, there are some events that corresponds to issues Malcom X responds to in his speech â€Å"The Ballot or the Bullet†. Mathu’s believes in his respect as an equal person and gains it by not fearing white people. However, the preacher Jameson fears the whites and is scared of the consequences of standing up to them. In the book, times have changed and racism is slowly dying. In the story, â€Å"A Gathering of Old Men†, Mathu was a character that was respected, because he fearedRead MoreThe Underlying Hate Of America836 Words   |  4 Pagesprejudice it can already be assumed who was wrongly accused. This is a prime example of underlying racism and white privilege. In today s society racism is still a large problem. Racism is a malevolent set of ideas that was race is inferior as opposed to others. It is a poisonous cycle that can never be solved until people can acknowledge their privilege, have more compassion and take a stand against racism. Lots of people have had the mindset that people not as privileged as them can get work, respectRead MoreCritically Examine How Black Feminism Emerged And Assess1229 Words   |  5 Pagesthat effected middle and upper class white women. Many white women adopted ‘colourblind’ approach when dealing with black women issues. Sojourner Truth, a women’s right actives and a slave abolitionist delivered her popular speech â€Å" Ain’t I a Woman? â€Å" this speech is important for the contemporary black feminism because it When the Black feminist movement emerged in the U.S in the 1960s, it addressed the impacts of the hetero-normative, capitalist, sexist, white supremacist patriarchy. ItRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Battle Royal By Ralph Ellison1372 Words   |  6 PagesIn the excerpt, â€Å"Battle Royal† by Ralph Ellison explores the defining issue of racism in America by highlighting the use of power white people use to oppress black people. He signifies the start of black people’s oppression through the inclusion of the white man’s role. Ellison expresses how white men exercises their power in many forms like political, class, and racial to continue to make blacks feel inferior. The idea of the white man’s power is exercised in â€Å"The Meaning of a Word† by Gloria NaylorRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of I Have A Dream Speech923 Words   |  4 Pagesto a pedestal and proceeds to speak a speech that will resonate in this country for years to come. Dr. King wro te his â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech for the March on Washington for which he presented his speech in front of thousands of Civil Rights protesters and activists. In this exhortation, Dr. King beats down the issues of human rights, Jim Crow laws, and racism with the rhetorical strategies of metaphors, anaphoras, and ethos. In King’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech, metaphors are used to illuminate theRead MoreModern America s Foundation Consists Of Equality And Their Values Against Discrimination1737 Words   |  7 Pagesvalues against discrimination. However, during the 1900’s equality was not as easy as it is today due to factors such as individuals viewing themselves as superior to others. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), this is the mentality known as racism. It’s defined as â€Å"the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person’s social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics...†(ADL). The persistence in the 1900’s of White AmericansRead MoreLetter From A Birmingham Jail And Barack Obama s A More Perfect Union1304 Words   |  6 Pagesjustice everywhere...Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I really thought that this was a very powerful sta tement and one that makes absolute sense. Barack Obama also stated something very similar in his A More Perfect Union speech stating the following ...I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together... Today racial inequality is ongoing whether you are aware of it or not. We have come a long way from segregated seats to publicRead More`` Apostles Of Disunion : The Rise Of The Confederacy That Fought For Slavery1064 Words   |  5 Pagesexperienced during years prior. In an attempt to end the debate, Charles B. Dew explains in his book, Apostles of Disunion: Southern Commissioners and the Causes of the Civil War, the Southern state’s motives to secede from the Union were primarily slavery, racism, and white supremacy which can still be traced within today’s culture through social media and their projection of beauty. Through the compilation of speeches, letters, and political documents made and perpetuated by secession commissioners, Dew provides

Advantages and Disadvantage of technology Free Essays

Technology changes and improvements have been applied in all sectors of the economy as well as the arms of the government.   Many employees and employers and the society in general embrace technology in different perspective depending on the impact it will cause on their lives. The police department as many other sector has also been embracing technological changes to be able to deal well with the increasing cases of crimes. We will write a custom essay sample on Advantages and Disadvantage of technology or any similar topic only for you Order Now    Generally, any technology will either have a positive or negative impact on all stakeholders. The recent technology that the police have continuously used is the use of stun guns and patrol car video surveillance to tackle criminal activities and provide protection to the citizens. Use of the stun guns. Stun guns are weapons that are aimed at disabling a victim temporarily by delivering high voltage electric shock.   There are various means in which the stun gun is used to a victim.   The aim of the stun gun to disable a victim but many people have ended up being killed by the used of guns. Tasers are a type of stun gun now being used by the police in the United States â€Å"[Tasers] are designed to incapacitate by conducting 50,000 volts of electricity into your body.   The electrical pulses induce skeletal muscles spasms that immobilize and incapacitate, causing you to collapse to the ground†, (Indyhack 2007). According to Eliot, more than 150 people have died in the US because of being struck by tasers since January 2001, and 61 in 2005.   Most of the death victims died because of being subjected to multiple or prolonged shock.   The police have been drawing the tasers so quickly even in cases that the use of such extreme force is not necessary.   For instance, Deputies fired Tasers at a teenager who ran after not paying $1 bus fare, a 71 – year who refused to get into a police car, and partially deaf man who could not hear deputies ordering him to stop†¦About three out of four of those shocked by Seattle police were unarmed, (Indyhack 2007). Apart form the abuse of the Tasser weapons by the police, the use of the Tasser can have side effect on the victim, in the long run. There is no any scientific proven research done to allay fears about the electrocuting of human beings by use of the gadget. Taser only relies on two studies.   The studies were done by company paid researchers’ on a single pig in 1996, and on 5 dogs in 1999, (Indyhack 2007).   Because of lack of scientific research, health hazards cannot be ruled out. Despite these problems associated with the use of the stun gun police, have vehemently defended the weapon use.   They argue that the weapon can be used rather than police handguns especially on victims who are armed with different weapons other than guns, or on victims who are mentally sick.   In this case, many lives will be saved because of the use of the less lethal weapons. Patrol car video surveillance Many people because of the fact that it has played a big role in preventing crime have welcomed the video surveillance technology.   This system is one of the technologies that have quite well used to control criminal activities in most cities, homes, business building and public places. It has been widely accepted by many people that the surveillance system has highly reduced the cases of criminal activities, â€Å"Instead of being perceived as an Orwellian intrusion, the cameras in Britain proved to be extremely popular. They were hailed as the people’s technology, a friendly eye in the sky, not Big Brother at all but kindly and watchful uncle or aunt†, (Arroyo, 2002). The problem with using the surveillance is when it is combined with other technologies such as biometric facial recognition, thermal sensing, infrared, and other that greatly enhanced human visual capabilities (Arroyo 2002). If this system is used in line with the audio recording, the system will violate Title 1 of the Electronic Communications Act.   This is because the combination of the surveillance style and audio recording without a person’s knowledge is violating the person’s privacy.   This is especially a big problem if the police use the systems without being controlled, as they infringe on many rights of the people. The other problem that is associated with this system is that it also implicates on peoples free social life.   The monitoring of peoples’ movement in the society implies that a person will not be a free man in his own society, as someone somewhere is watching his movements. This system seems to undermine the people’s way of life as well as compromising it. Therefore, despite the fact that the surveillance might reduce many cases of criminal activities as some people argue, it at the same time causes destruction to the way of living of people and inducing the to conformity as one is not sure whether he is being watched or not.   Those who argue for the use of the surveillance system, they do see that the issue of security has become more important than only the social part of life. Hence arguing for the continued use of the system. Conclusion Both use of the stun gun and the surveillance machine can be of much beneficial to the society only if they are applied in the correct manner that does not in any way infringe on a person’s rights.   Or else, as much as they are being applied as now, they have left many people’s rights abused. How to cite Advantages and Disadvantage of technology, Papers

The Crucible Relationship to Red Scare free essay sample

The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, was an indirect comparison between the Salem Witchcraft Trials, and the Communist Red Scare. Though not directly stated in his story, the events of the 1680s and 1690s witchery accusations were very similar to those of the 1920s Red Scare, communists accusations. There was a widespread hysteria in the late sixteenth century of witchcraft in New England. In Salem Massachusetts, adolescent girls began to show strange behavior and accusations of witchcraft against several west Indian servants steeped in Voodoo Lore (page 87, American History) The Red Scare was a nationwide fear of communists, socialists, and anarchists that grabbed the attention of Americans in 1919 following a series of anarchist bombings (law2. umkc. edu). Communism is a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party (dictionary. com). Joseph McCarthy, the United States Senate in 1850, accused Dean Acheson, the U. We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible Relationship to Red Scare or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page S. Secretary of State, of knowing 205 communists in the State Department. He also stated that he himself knew of 57 communists in the department, and called for an investigation. (apl. rg) McCarthyism, the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, especially of pro-Communist activity (dictionary. com), destroyed the lives of many innocent individuals as did the Salem Witch Trials. In both cases, anybody could be accused of being a communist or witch, with little to no evidence. Many lives were ruined, and some were lost. The conspiracy of communism and witchery made it so that everyone wanted to be the same, and conform to the norm. If someone was different, one might be accused of being a communist or witch. Author Miller claimed to have written , The Crucible to explore the theme of hysteria and fear in a community. Just like the people of the Red Scare, the people of Salem, Massachusetts took their hatred out on the people of the community without knowing the true facts. Miller kept many, but not all, of the real-life characters, though he made changes, interpreted and developed the motivations behind the accusations of witchcraft and different people’s choices to confess.

The film industry

The period before, during and after the Second World War was a time when people in different nations were not particularly familiar with the details of combat and politics in far away parts of the world. The film industry has helped familiarize people with what was really going on and films â€Å"Why We Fight† were one of many that showed American people the reality of war.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The film industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The violent battles of Europe were rather far from the western civilization and so, films were used to transfer the atmosphere of the battle to the citizens and soldiers. The visual depiction of battles was very effective, as stories and newspaper articles were not able to present the images and general conditions of the violent conflict. The films were made a necessary attribute of soldiers who would be facing combat and the first-hand camera work docume ntaries added a great deal to the effect of movies. The messages and more particularly propaganda were another major part of the film industry. It would depict a certain nation in a specific perspective that would send the message to the viewers. For example, the movie â€Å"Soy Cuba† showed the hardships that Cuban people had to suffer and the real affects of the Cold War. It has been said that the United States were shown in a negative light but the overall message of the production was to depict the suffering of simple citizens who had no intentions to partake in any armed conflict. It also describes how morality and ethics become lowered during the intense conflict between nations and people lose their humanity. A similar message is sent by the movie â€Å"Battle of Algiers†, as it shows how Algerians were fighting for their independence from French. The cruelty and human abuse that took place is shown in the most open and truthful way and the suffering of both Alg erians and French, was illustrated in most vivid terms. It is interesting that the tactics that were used by the revolutionaries were not of open combat and were later shown to soldiers in order to demonstrate what to expect from guerilla tactics. This serves as another reminder that during war, people will resort to any means necessary in order to save themselves in the fight for independence and freedom of their country or nation. A movie that represents yet another fight against the regime is â€Å"Battleship Potemkin†. The sailors of the ship refused to follow orders that were demeaning and inhumane. The unity of people against tyranny is portrayed through their selfless sacrifice and unification for the common goal.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The movies of the pre and post war era have been known to show patriotic but also humane qualities that people exhi bited in the face of fear and death. Many times, it has been proven that patriotism does not mean raising arms against fellow citizens or following orders and political interests that go separately from freedom and liberation from oppressors. The movies have had a profound effect on people’s understanding of world affairs and the fight for what is right. Visual techniques, as well as character play have proved to be the display of people’s emotions and determination to serve justice and freedom. The idea and plot were so powerful that these movies are still viewed today and are considered masterpieces out of time.x This essay on The film industry was written and submitted by user Baylee Walsh to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Will Lowman Essays - English-language Films, Death Of A Salesman

Will Lowman Essays - English-language Films, Death Of A Salesman Will Lowman Charley says something in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman that sums up Willys whole life. He asks him, When the hell are you going to grow up? Willys spends his entire life in an illusion. He sees himself as a great man that is popular and successful. Willy exhibits many childlike qualities. Many of these qualities have an impact on Willys family. His two sons Biff and Happy pick up this behavior from their father. He is idealistic, stubborn, and he has a false sense of his importance in the world. Willy is like an impetuous youngster with high ideals and high hopes. Children always have high hopes for their future. They all want to be astronauts or millionaires. Willy always believes he can achieve that kind of success. He never lets go of his wasted life. He dreams of being the man who does all of his business out of his house and dying a rich and successful man. Furthermore, Willy also dreams of moving to Alaska where he could work with his hands and be a real man. Biff and Happy follow in their fathers footsteps in their lofty dreams and unrealistic goals. Biff wastes his life being a thief and a loner; furthermore, Biff, along with happy try to conjure up a crazy idea of putting on a sporting goods exhibition. The problem with Willy is that he never grows up and deals with his obstacles. Willy is also a very stubborn man. He is like a little child that wants to do something their way even though they know that another option would be the wiser choice. Charley practically sets a potential job into Willys lap and he refuses it. Willy just was fired and needed a job. He refuses one. Willy is too stubborn to let go of his old job and take a new one. He still believes that he is at the top of his profession. When Willy does not get his way he acts just as a child would. He has tantrums such as when he basically challenged Charley to a fight after he told him to grow up. Biff is also stubborn like his father. He never gives up being a child. He steals and lies. Biff cannot handle being ignored, so he steals a pen. Willys childlike stubbornness hampers him throughout his life. Willy, like most children thinks that he is more important than he actually is. During the whole story, he brags himself up, calling himself a great salesman. He says that he is known everywhere. When his funeral is to occur, Willy believed that it will be a major event. Many will come to pay their respects to New Englands greatest salesman. He is just an old broken down man who never was good at his job. Willy is not well known. Few attend his funeral. When one is a child, they believe that they are more important than they really are. As people grow older they realize that they are just one of many in the world. Willy Loman never does realize this fact. Biff and Happy never realize it either. They continue to believe that the Lomans are an extraordinary family above all others. After Willy dies, Happy proclaims that he will continue his fathers quest as the great salesman. Biff believes that the Lomans are not liked because they are rough and tough men who use their hands. Willy goes through his entire life believing that is a great, well known, and well-liked salesman. Willy Loman is a child trapped in a mans body. He never lets go of his dreams. He does not come to grips with his failure as a salesman, father, and husband. Willy runs away from responsibility, and he asks others for handouts when in need. These traits have a negative impact Biff and Happy throughout their lives. At the end of his life he lives with delusions of what his life was and is. Willy never does grow up.

Helicoprion Facts and Figures

Helicoprion Facts and Figures Name: Helicoprion (Greek for spiral saw); pronounced HEH-lih-COPE-ree-on Habitat: Oceans worldwide Historical Period: Early Permian-Early Triassic (290-250 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 13-25 feet long and 500-1,000 pounds Diet: Marine animals; possibly specialized in squids Distinguishing Characteristics: Shark-like appearance; rolled-up teeth in front of jaw About Helicoprion The only surviving evidence of the prehistoric shark Helicoprion is a tight, curled-up coil of triangular teeth, a bit like a fruit roll-up, but considerably deadlier. As far as paleontologists can tell, this bizarre structure was attached to the bottom part of Helicoprions jaw, but exactly how it was used, and on what prey, remains a mystery. Some experts think the coil was used to grind away the shells of swallowed mollusks, while others (perhaps influenced by the movie Alien) think Helicoprion unfurled the coil explosively like a whip, spearing any unfortunate creatures in its path. Whatever the case, the existence of this coil is proof that the natural world can be stranger than (or at least as strange as) fiction! A recent fossil analysis, conducted with the aid of a high-resolution CT scanner, appears to have solved the Helicoprion enigma. Apparently, this creatures whirled teeth were actually housed inside the bone of its lower jaw; the new teeth gradually unfurled into Helicoprions mouth and pushed the older ones further away (indicating either that Helicoprion replaced its teeth unusually rapidly, or that it subsisted on soft-bodied prey like squids). In addition, when Helicoprion closed its mouth, its distinctive tooth whorl pushed food further into the back of its throat. In this same article, the authors argue that Helicoprion was not, in fact, a shark, but a prehistoric relative of the cartilaginous fish known as ratfish. Part of what makes Helicoprion such an exotic creature is when it lived: all the way from the early Permian period, about 290 million years ago, to the early Triassic, 40 million years later, at a time when sharks were only beginning to obtain a tentative toehold (or finhold) on the undersea food chain, competing as they did with comparably fierce marine reptiles. Amazingly, the early Triassic fossil specimens of Helicoprion indicate that this ancient shark somehow managed to survive the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event, which killed a whopping 95 percent of marine animals (though, to be fair, Helicoprion only managed to struggle on for a million years or so before succumbing to extinction itself).

History Lectures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

History Lectures - Essay Example In the years that followed, humans started to come up with ways to develop reliable food supplies through the planting of crops and domesticating of animals (Levack, Muir, Mans, & Veldman, 2010). People began to live longer, and as a result, were able to increase their population. Most people became farmers, increasing food supplies to the point of excess, with which they would trade and barter with others (Levack et al., 2010). With these initial commerce practices, the civilized societies slowly emerged. Around 6000 B.C.E., the picture in Southwest Asia presented that of farming and interactive communities. From these communities, the Sumerians from Southern Mesopotamia, slowly emerged, and they built cities to govern their ways of life (World History, 2007). It is important to note that the existence of these cities were dependent on the ability to control the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers because most of these cities relied on water for their sustenance and for the support of their farms and their livestock (Dellapenna and Gupta, 2008). As in contemporary rule, the traditional Sumerian cities were also ruled by a leader; these cities were controlled by kings. The people from these times worshipped the sun and the moon and sometimes inanimate objects and they built temples to honor their gods. They made a valuable contribution to society with their introduction of cuneiform writing which is now the basic foundations of our current writing and reading (Levack et al., 2010). War and conquest were common themes during these early times. The Sumerians were no exception, as they were conquered by the Akkadian empire (Northern Babylonia which is now a portion of Iraq) (Abrams and Wang, 2003) and made a part of a multi-ethnic empire being exposed to various languages and cultures. Other societies emerged at this time, bringing about the Assyrian and Babylonian cultures. A significant contribution by the Assyrians (later

Outline the main elements in Karl Marxs social theory and examine the Essay

Outline the main elements in Karl Marxs social theory and examine the strengths and weaknesses of his theory. Explain why Marxs social theory has had such a - Essay Example Ideologies in this context refer to the values, feelings and ideas by which people perceive their particular societies which the upper-class controls so as to prevent people in the lower-class from knowing how society truly operates. For example, literature can be used to form a society’s ideology as was prevalent in eighteenth century England. The fundamental conception behind Marxism is identified as materialism, socialism and the unification of action and structure. Marx’s idealistic view of socialism involved actions that would better serve society within the realm of unselfish inspiration, a society not interested in existing social inclinations. The wealth of a nation should be divided not according to greed but to need. He sees the technological advances as the basis for entire societies to be redistributed in accordance to the requirements of the upper class. Marx â€Å"sees the source of these changes in changing technologies, ‘productive relations,†™ which bring changes in the way people are organised or ‘social relations.’† (Sowell, 1985: 70). His theory does not suggest philosophical concerns or the study of social structures alone but the actions necessary to implement social change as well. One of the most often used axioms in the Marxist ideology is that their ambition is ‘not to study society but to change it.’ According to Applebaum (1988: 15), society should â€Å"understand how Marx sought to bridge the concerns of both philosophy and science in developing a theory that operates simultaneously at the levels of structure and action [†¦] the philosophic critique of consciousness, the ‘scientific’ analysis of capitalist economic institutions, and the historical study of politics and society.† This is the intent of this discussion along with identifying various strengths and weaknesses of the theory and to examine the reasons why Marx’s social theory has

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell Essay Example for Free

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell Essay The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell’s 2000 bestseller, discusses how some trends becomes gigantically popular while others fade away in the background without even leaving any mark. The Tipping Point, he says, is â€Å"the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point,† (12) where the â€Å"unexpected becomes expected, where radical change is more than possibility† but already a certainty. (13-14) It is when certain ideas, products, messages or behaviors suddenly turn into something of an epidemic, where everyone or majority of the people all of a sudden gets caught up in it without warning. We know right away that a certain trend has become an epidemic: its spread demonstrates contagious behavior, little changes had affected its growth tremendously, and it happened fast. According to Gladwell, these characteristics of an epidemic can be rooted to three factors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     The Law of the Few is discussed in the second chapter aptly titled, â€Å"Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen.† Gladwell explains that phenomenal trends can be attributed to the few people that, through word-of-mouth, are able to influence others to either love or hate the trend. Gladwell explains that â€Å"the success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts.† (33) Connectors link different people to each other and are referred to as â€Å"people specialists† (59). Mavens, on the other hand, are â€Å"information brokers† that possess, share, and acquire information on a lot of different products, prices, or places. (62, 69) The third type of influential people would be the salesmen, who can persuade and convince others into believing what they want.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Stickiness Factor is a trend’s unique quality of being memorable, or of being able to â€Å"stick† to the minds of the public. The elements that make something sticky are not really wonderfully big or exciting; in fact, they are actually the small and seemingly trivial things that appear to be counterintuitive to the norm or conventional wisdom. For instance, the makers of Sesame Street thought it would be a good idea to educate children through television, even though experiments and educational experts saw television as having low involvement. (99-110) The simple idea of using television to teach children surprisingly became a success, which had been followed by other educational viruses such as Blue’s Clues. As Gladwell puts it, â€Å"there is a simple way to package information that, under the right circumstances, can make it irresistible† or sticky. (132)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Finally, the Power of Context consists of the conditions and circumstances of the times and places in which trends occur. The environment and historical moments where the trend originates are also responsible for making it phenomenal. Contextual changes are responsible for tipping an epidemic, as is in the case of the crimes in New York City, wherein crime became a contagious behavior due to the circumstances in the city. (140-143) However, Gladwell also adds that Environmental Tipping Points can be changed and reversed, and even prevented. (167) Another element in the third factor would be social groups, which makes people â€Å"susceptible to peer pressure and social norms and any number of other kinds of influence that can play a critical role in sweeping us up in the beginnings of an epidemic.† (171) Socialization plays a large role in context, because the popularity of a trend also depends heavily on how the public responds to it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In his conclusion, Gladwell redefines Tipping Points as â€Å"a reaffirmation of the potential for change and the power of intelligence action.† (259) After investigating two case studies that further exemplify the Tipping Point and its factors, he suggests that we reframe the way we think about the world, and accept that change is possible and constant. Work Cited Gladwell, Malcolm. The Tipping Point. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2000.

A Day in the Mind of an Anorexic Girl :: Papers

A Day in the Mind of an Anorexic Girl I am drifting, floating gently as if through clouds. Suddenly I am awake and my eyes open to complete darkness! Then I am no longer floating, as my feet hit the ground and I waver slightly, managing to stay balanced. I am in a massive, dark, open space but can vaguely make out jumbled images beginning to appear. I find myself trapped in a girl's mind. Not just any girl however; she has an eating disorder known as Anorexia Nervosa. As she opens her eyes, the vast space is lit up and I experience the confusion that is her mind. It is not a pretty sight. Everything seems to be mixed up. There is a sky above my head. Although it is light, it is not blue. It is more of a misty grey. The scenery is in complete disorder, with jagged pieces of what looks like rock and everyday items such as clothes, stationery and bits of paper lying haphazardly about the room. I turn around to see what the area behind me looks like and, as I do, a single red door appears as if out of nowhere, on one side. It has no hinges, and does not appear to be resting on anything, so I go to take a closer look. I turn the knob slowly and I carefully ease open the door. Behind it I see a girl, skin and bone, so thin that her eyes seem sunken into her face. She walks up to a mirror and, instead of seeing her true reflection, I see what she sees. She sees a large overweight girl who almost seems to grow fatter as you look at her, suffocating her! The girl looking in the mirror pulls her thin, dry, blonde hair back and takes a closer look at the distorted image of her face. Then, she lifts her large T-shirt slightly. It hangs loosely and reveals a tiny, shrunken torso. She pulls helplessly at her paper thin skin but the reflection, instead, shows the girl holding a handful of flab.

Children of the City Essay

Amadis ma Guerrero was born in Ermita, Manila in 1941, hegraduated from the Ateneo de manila in 1965 from theUniversity of Santo Tomas in 1959. His short story â€Å"Children of the City† is a departure from his usual style. It won the PalancaAwards in 1971. Setting This story happened in the late 1980’s. Everything occurredin the dark perilous busy streets of Manila. Boulevard . streets of avenida Characterization -Victor He is a boy from Intramuros. At the age of eight, he loses hisfather and his mother abandons him for some other man. He ishired as a newsboy by his uncle and starts his life on the streets.Innocent and young, he ponders on the menace and vices of hiscolleagues and the people all around him. -Victor’s Dad A good-natured man and a loving father to Victor, he was apart of a worker’s strike. The man loved his son dearly and hisdeath brought a huge blow to Victor. -Victor’s Mom She loved Victor’s dad but never cared felt any affection forher son. She took her husband’s death grievously. But later on,she ignores Victor, becomes a prostitute, then leaves Victor to hisUncle to go away with her new lover. -Tio Pedring Victor’s uncle, he adopted victor after the leaving of hissister. He forces victor to become a newspaper boy. -Nacio He is a newspaper boy. He was victor’s new friend. Thoughfull of cruel vices, Victor took his death as another major loss. Summary The father of the boy Victor got involved in a strike. He actsas though it was nothing and takes Victor to night walks aroundManila. He takes Victor’s mind off vices and promises Victor abright future someday.One day, during the strike. Victor’s father was shot dead inthe heart. His wife mourned greatly and his son was subdued. Thewife began to disappear late at night and come home early dawn.She refuses to take care of Victor. And then, she comes homewith some goon, telling that the goon will be Victor’s new dad.Victor didn’t like the stranger at all. As often as possible, he triesto stay out of his mom and her lover’s way.And then, Victor just woke up with his mother and the mangone. His Uncle Pedring introduces to take care of him. Herecruits Victor to a newspaper job. The man does not treat Victorwell unless he brings home money.During his job, Victor meets Nacio. Nacio was also anewspaper boy. He taught Victor various tricks in newspaperselling. They become close friends.Victor’s job grew prosperous. Soon, his â€Å"Boss† starts to trusthim with a ration of 20 papers a day. He becomes contented withhis life until-Nacio was run over a car. He was dead. Victor grieved for hisfriend just like the way he did with his father. He gets beaten upwith the other kids.His colleagues beat him up whenever he refuses to smoke orsay curse words†¦ Victor was defiant at first. But after long, tiredof being tossed around like a stray dog-Victor finally gave up. Moral lesson The story ended when the author realized how cruel theworld is†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ And Victor, swirled the life of the city: this city, flushed withtriumphant charity campaigns, where workers were made to signstatements certifying they received minimum wage, wheremillionaire politicians received Holy Communion every Sunday,where mothers taught their sons and daughters the art of begging, where orphans and children from broken homes slept onpavements and under darkened bridges, and where best friendsfell out and betrayed one another.† This world is mean indeed†¦ people become the way theyare, not because of fate, but of how the people around themrevolve. Children of politicians study at universities and tend toget spoiled. Whereas, orphans are shunned downwards and areleft to fill the streets and crawl under the powerful’s shoes. The story shows us the way life turns and how what webecome rests upon our defiance and decisions. This has been ahackneyed phrase through the decades but it portrays some kindof truth.

Research Process and Terminology Paper Essay

The aim of this paper is to address the linkage between foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and the number of natural disasters. By using the data of 94 countries in the period of 1984 to 2004 and applying a variety of empirical tests, the result appears that natural hazards have significantly negative effects on FDI of countries. A. Economic Effects of Natural Disasters and The Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment Economic Effects of Natural Disasters There are three patterns that concern with the economic effects of natural hazard. The first two strands concentrates on the primary or short-term effects and long-term effects of hazards on economy. While the short-term effect strand achieves abundant evidences of negative disasters’ impacts on GDP, the long-term effect strand cannot reach a clear conclusion. The third strand focuses on the capacity to mitigate the destructive effects of natural risks. A brief conclusion is that the negative impacts of risks can be diminished by country’s institutions. Determinant of Foreign Direct Investment There are three types of foreign direct investment, namely: (1) Operating new (2) Moving an existing (3) Moving a part of existing The first type is considered as location decision and categorized in pull factor, the latter two types are relocation decision and belong to push factor. Following this logic, propositional pull factors to put in models are the level of openness and the size of the economy. Obviously, the push  factor in models is natural risks. Other determinants which are mainly focused are institutions, such as government infrastructure, political freedom, corruption, etc. B. Data and Methods The data for analyzing impacts of natural disasters on FDI flows are taken from the EMDAT, which provides by the institution Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) and World Bank. Some observations were dropped because of missing data, the data which is used in this research contains an unbalance panel with 1,822 country-year observations from 94 countries (29 in Africa, 17 in Asia, 22 in Europe and 26 in Americas) in the period 1984-2004. Table 2 presents descriptions of dependent and independent variables. (TABLE 2) At this point, it is important to look again at two primary variables which devoted to results of empirical tests. The first key variable is FDI, which is measured by the total net inflows of foreign direct investment as a percentage of GDP. FDI is the dependent variable in all models. The second key variable relates to natural hazards. Since both recent and longerterm risks have its impacts on investors, the authors deliver four variables that are concerned with the number of natural risks happening in four time period: Total events in the prior year, total events in the prior 5 years, total events in the prior 10 years, total events in the prior 25 years. Table 3 shows the correlations between FDI/GDP and each of four variables referring to the measures of natural risks. (TABLE 3) It is undoubtedly true that both the counted measure as number of natural hazards and the monetary measure as the estimation of â€Å"dollar value of damages† affect decision makers. While it can be argue that result as the dollar amount of damages may have substantial influence on investors’ decisions, it is obvious that estimating the consequence of natural disasters is complex and not as accurate as â€Å"counts of disasters†. For this  reason, models will mainly focus on counts of disasters. Moreover, the research emphasizes on five types of natural hazards that severely devastate infrastructures, physical capital and labor forces. As such, these five types are earthquakes, floods, volcanoes, landslide and windstorms (include hurricanes). The following two variables which refer to the degree of openness and incentive in trade and investment are Trade and Investment. The former is taken from World Bank’s 2008 World Development Indicators and the latter is provided by Political Risk Services Group, assembled by the IRIS Center at the University of Maryland. Regarding to a country’s reliability for trade and investment, the investment variable is the estimation of three factors: contract viability/risk of exportation, repatriation of profits and delay in payments. These three factors are rank from 0 to 12 and the higher value illustrates the higher risk in investment. The final three variables in the base model are Inflation, Gov. stability and Rule of law. The Inflation variable is the inflation level of each country in a particular year and taken from 2008 World Development Indicators. The other two variables are collected from the International Country Risk Guide, with reflecting the level of stability of government and adhesion to the rule of law. The higher value implies the better environment for investors. Those variables contribute to the base model as this form: FDIit = ÃŽ ±0 + ÃŽ ±1Total events in the prior # yearsit + ÃŽ ±2GDP per capitait + ÃŽ ±3GDP growthit + ÃŽ ±4Tradeit + ÃŽ ±5Investmentit + ÃŽ ±6Inflation + ÃŽ ±7Gov. stabilityit + ÃŽ ±8Rule of lawit + ÃŽ ³i + ÃŽ ³t + ÃŽ µit This research also employs ÃŽ ³i as country fixed effects over time and ÃŽ ³t as year fixed effects for all countries. C. Results and Their Implications The below table indicates the linkage between foreign direct investment and natural disasters by applying the base model. It can be seen from Table 4 that all four natural hazard variables have significantly negative effects on FDI in each of models. Moreover, there is a decline trend in coefficients of disaster variables when measuring in Total events in the prior 1 year to Total events in the prior 25 years, which suggests that relatively recent risks have more significant influence than long term risks on investors’ decisions. The next two variables, which are GDP per capita and GDP growth, are positive as expected and significant. However, although both Trade and Investment variables have positive effects on FDI, only Trade is significant. The Inflation variable is negative and significant in all four models. Only Gov. stability variable has unexpected side and both Gov. stability and Rule of law are not significant in all models. The authors also employ the empirical tests to find out different effects of five particular types of disasters. The result is presented in Table 5. The outcome demonstrates that all other non-disaster variables have the same reaction and all damage variables are negative in side. However, Windstorms is significant in all three cases, Volcanoes is significant in two cases while Landslides, Earthquake and Floods are significant in only one case. Hence, there is evidence to support the view that each type of hazards has its effects on FDI, the clearest evidence is found on Windstorms. Regardless the inaccurate in estimation of dollar value of damages, the research generates the final test by using the base model with â€Å"dollar value of damages† in place of â€Å"counts of disasters†. The result is displayed in Table 6. Similarly with the above case, all non-disaster variables have the same result as the base model case. Though disaster variables are negative and significant in all case, they do not decline from recent to older events. A draw conclusion may be policy makers equally focus on relative recent and longer-term risks or maybe there is error in data. D. Conclusion To sum up briefly, there are four important conclusions. First and foremost, natural disasters have significant and negative effect on foreign direct  investment. Second, there are some evidences to support the view that decisions of foreign investors are deeper affected by relative recent events in comparing to longer-term events. Third, different types of natural hazards are considered to have different impacts on foreign direct investment, the most severe impact is found on windstorms. Finally, regardless the intricacy and inaccuracy in monetary measuring the value of damages, the model which focuses on dollar value of damages also addresses the same result with the base model: natural disasters discourage foreign direct investment.

3 Reasons to Ditch Your Novels Prologue

3 Reasons to Ditch Your Novels Prologue 3 Reasons to Ditch Your Novels Prologue 3 Reasons to Ditch Your Novels Prologue By Maeve Maddox The prologue is a legitimate story-telling device, but many readers admit that when they see the word Prologue, they skip at once to the page that begins with the words Chapter One. Sometimes a prologue is the ideal way to present information essential to the readers understanding of the story. Mystery writers, for example, often begin with a prologue written from the killers point of view, or perhaps that of the killers first victim. On the other hand, such a scene can be written as Chapter One as Martha Grimes does it in The Dirty Duck. Writers of historical fiction may wish to provide background information to orient the reader in an unfamiliar period. Writers of fantasy or sci-fi may write a prologue to equip the reader with unfamiliar assumptions held by the inhabitants of the strange world theyre about to enter. Too often, however, what some writers call a prologue is undigested back story, mere scene-setting, or what should be Chapter One. Ditch your prologue if 1. it seems boring even to you and you can hardly wait to get to Chapter One. 2. its a lengthy narrative of back story that could more effectively be doled out in small bits as the story progresses. 3. all it does is create atmosphere without having much to do with the story. Reconsider that Prologue (Update: link no longer active) Prologues and Epilogues Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:7 Types of Narrative ConflictThe Writing Process3 Types of Essays Are Models for Professional Writing Forms

Why Students Hate Monday

Why Students Hate Monday Hashtag: #FelizLunes (Happy Monday) Thank God Its Friday Not Monday So what is #FelizLunes about? We frequently hear of TGIF or Thank  God its Friday but we seldom find people excited about Monday. In fact, lyrics of the Bob Geldof’s â€Å"I don’t like Mondays† proposes that†nobody gonna go to school today†. The definition â€Å"Manic Monday† suggest that the day is commonly associated with depression, a feeling caused by the significant emotional pressure of coming to school or work. No wonder why the Bangles wished â€Å"it were Sunday cause that’s my fun day†, Fleetwood Mac’s â€Å"Monday Morning† see people â€Å"look more like a zombie on Monday†, and The Mamas The Papas are â€Å"crying all of the time† whenever Monday comes. A study of students’ perception of Monday morning suggests that their hesitation to come to school is not exactly about the day but the confusing and frustrating subjects scheduled on Monday. Others hate Monday because they need to wake up early, nothing interesting to do, and too tired from Sunday’s activities. WHY SOME STUDENTS HATE THEIR TEACHER? The difference between Monday and Friday according to literature disappear when someone developed a sense of personal growth or when work and life become inseparable. This model of personal growth and creativity suggest that students who hate Monday and seeing the difference between weekday  and weekend, and school day and holiday are not yet interested in personal growth. The work-based model of education, which is generally to developed students’ natural growth and creativity in one’s work, for instance, focuses on giving students the best professors, online resources, communication facility, and infrastructure where they can, in self-determined phase, collaborate, explore, and research. The Role of Teachers in Creating Happy Monday Most students hate the first day of school simply because Monday marked the end of the two enjoyable leisure day and beginning of long and challenging school week. However, Monday according to one article can be a day to look forward to if one can turn it into a less depressing day. Motivation plays an important role in TGIM or â€Å"Thank  God Its Monday† and for students, this is about looking forward to something enjoyable at school. For instance, a student who is really motivated about learning will wake up early and come to school Monday. In contrast, if the student is fearful of the classroom and more concern over his or her safety rather than education then Monday is a hateful day. Choices that students make and their drive to satisfy their needs for education are significantly affected by the school environment. For instance, a positive attitude towards learning can be developed by facilitating a learning environment that meets student needs. These include making the classroom an environment where mistakes are occasions of learning rather than opportunities for criticism. Classroom competition is also a motivational factor for adopting a more positive attitude for coming to school. Broadening the curriculum to include topics that interest students can improve a boring reading and writing classroom. Other motivating factors include a use of examples with which students can easily connect, an inclusion of more relevant reading materials, and students’ assignments with topics that they have not yet explored. Moreover, classroom activities that occasionally involved parents or members of the community can satisfy students’ social needs and eventually change their attitude towards learning positively.

George Orwell's 1984 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

George Orwell's 1984 - Essay Example The ideology followed by the government is Ingsoc, or English Socialism, and represents what the socialist revolution has evolved into in the English speaking state of Oceania. The single party government is totalitarian and has a carefully constructed structure to perpetuate its rule. This structure is founded on basic principles of restricting freedom of thought, surveillance of population, perpetual war, and obliteration of history and facts. Strictly enforced class difference is also part of the government’s philosophy of a way to stay in power. Restriction on independent thinking is enforced by creating a new language called Newspeak, devoid of any words or phrases even remotely linked to freedom or independent thought. Everyone in the state is expected to learn and adopt Newspeak and the party’s rationale is that, over time, all vocabulary relating to freedom would be removed from the language and, therefore, thought could be controlled. The party believes that since all crimes and negativity originate initially from a thought, people in the state can be controlled by controlling thought itself1. Another dimension of thought control is the concept of Doublethink. Doublethink allows the government to construct realities by introducing lies which could be told blatantly, believing them to be true. This is done by manipulating distortion of belief where contradictory meanings of words and situations are accepted. The government, depending on its needs, could change the context and use alternate meanings to suit itself at any time. Changing these contexts and creating justifications to lies is done through obliterating or changing history itself. Any references in history which are contrary to desired contexts are removed and, as a consequence, a lie is taken as reality. In Orwell’s words, this was â€Å"controlled insanity† through which the government controlled