Booming Energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Booming Energy - Essay Example This technology was soon accepted by some of the leading companies such as Google, ebay, Walmart and many others. These solid oxide fuel cells produce energy that is 70% cleaner and 100% renewable. It is believed that a few years down the line, ‘Bloom’ might be a household name we reckon since it has considerable advantages over other renewable energy sources as well. Dr. K.R.Sridhar was part of a NASA workforce, attempting to come up with ideas to sustain life on mars. The first thing that occurred to him was the need for an energy source that would generate power and at the same time produce oxygen and hydrogen as a by product. The idea being, hydrogen could be used to power other hydrogen fuelled devices. With this idea in mind, they began working to produce a solid oxide fuel cell which did not comprise of expensive or rare metals but used a simple and highly available material, sand, to generate electricity. It does not contain corrosive or rare materials, making its availability rates rather high. On refining this idea, it occurred to the researcher that this technology could have a large impact on human growth in our planet, making the production of renewable and independent energy possible to everyone. The team decided that the technology which was available only in satellites would now be modified and made available to everyone. The syst em is designed to work not only as a power generator but also an energy storage unit which eliminates only a small percentage of carbon-di-oxide in comparison to the traditional power generation units which produce 50% more emissions. On completion of their NASA project, the team decided to continue their research and set out to work on transforming this remarkable idea into a product which would reach the world, making it a cleaner place. They worked on increasing its availability, efficiency and affordability. In 2001 they officially opened Bloom energy with their first client in

National curriculum frameworks Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

National curriculum frameworks - Assignment Example The learning objectives of the literacy framework are â€Å"aligned to 12 strands to demonstrate progression in each strand† (p.171). One of the literacy framework learning objectives for pupils to speak and listen for a variety of purposes and in many contexts; and there are four strands under this objective that will demonstrate progression – (1) speaking, (2) listening and responding, (3) group discussion and interaction and (4) drama (p.171). The second learning objective of the primary national framework for literacy is to â€Å"read and write for a range of purposes on paper and on screen† (p. 171). The progression strands related to this objective are as follows: The learning objectives of the literacy framework are â€Å"aligned to 12 strands to demonstrate progression in each strand† (p.171). One of the literacy framework learning objectives for pupils to speak and listen for a variety of purposes and in many contexts; and there are four strands u nder this objective that will demonstrate progression – (1) speaking, (2) listening and responding, (3) group discussion and interaction and (4) drama (p.171). The second learning objective of the primary national framework for literacy is to â€Å"read and write for a range of purposes on paper and on screen† (p. 171). The progression strands related to this objective are as follows:†¢ â€Å"Word recognition: decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling)†Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ â€Å"Word structure and spelling†Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ â€Å"Understanding and interpreting texts†Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ â€Å"Engaging and responding to texts†Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ â€Å"Creating and shaping texts†Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ â€Å"Text structure and organization†Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ â€Å"Sentence structure and punctuation†The literacy framework demonstrates that literacy skills, particularly reading and writing, need to be applied in all subject areas; including numeracy. The Speaking and listening statutory requir ements are also present in the literacy framework.The numeracy framework was renewed as well in 2006 with improvements observable in simplified learning objectives and a broad overview of the primary phase mathematics curriculum. Unlike the literacy framework, the mathematics frameworks contain seven strands that demonstrate progression which is aligned to the learning objectives.  ... One of the literacy framework learning objectives for pupils to speak and listen for a variety of purposes and in many contexts; and there are four strands under this objective that will demonstrate progression – (1) speaking, (2) listening and responding, (3) group discussion and interaction and (4) drama (p.171). The second learning objective of the primary national framework for literacy is to â€Å"read and write for a range of purposes on paper and on screen† (p. 171). The progression strands related to this objective are as follows: â€Å"Word recognition : decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling)† â€Å"Word structure and spelling† â€Å"Understanding and interpreting texts† â€Å"Engaging and responding to texts† â€Å"Creating and shaping texts† â€Å"Text structure and organisation† â€Å"Sentence structure and punctuation† â€Å"Presentation† The literacy framework demonstrates that literacy skills, pa rticularly reading and writing, need to be applied in all subject areas; including numeracy. The Speaking and listening statutory requirements are also present in the literacy framework. The numeracy framework was renewed as well in 2006 with improvements observable in simplified learning objectives and a broad overview of the primary phase mathematics curriculum. Unlike the literacy framework, the mathematics frameworks contains seven strands that demonstrate progression which are aligned to the learning objectives. The seven strands of the mathematics framework is (1) using and applying mathematics, (2) counting and understanding number, (3) knowing and using number facts, (4) calculating, (5) understanding shape, (6) measuring, and (7) handling data (p. 172). Teaching programmes,

Fallacious Statements Essay Example for Free

Fallacious Statements Essay In fairy tales we often read how the Princess is rescued by her knight in shining armor. The knight comes racing in to save her from anything that can harm her and take her away to live happily ever after. It sounds like the perfect ending to a love story. Is it right? In Princess’s Di story that was not what happened. It seemed she was in trouble, but her knight in shining armor must have been out of town. There were many speculations about what happened on the night Princess Di was killed. It would appear that during that night out the Princess was chased by the ever famous paparazzi and the driver lost control of the car and crashed. This crash killed Di and her companion. Is this the end of the story? Not according to the website dedicated to trying to uncover the conspiracy plot against Di. Was the crash really an accident, or was it a planned assassination of the Princess. Many people suppose that she was murdered. The question that comes to mind is why anyone would want princess assassinated. Some say it was because of her alleged relationship with Dodi Fayed. His father has launched a campaign to discover what really happened that night. Other speculations have been mentioned such as the rumor that she was pregnant with Dodis child and that would crush the royal family. One glance at the site of www. dianamurder. com would make any reasonable person begin to question the validity of the crash theory. This site informs the reader that on April 7th ,2008 coroner’s jury ruled Princess Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed were unlawfully killed through the reckless actions of their driver and the paparazzi in 1997`. Should this make the questions stop? It seems that many people continue to question the truth of how Princess Di was killed. Many questions have been left unanswered and they should be answered before the Princess can really be rest in peace.. To conclude I would like to submit few questions others have posed to make you begin wonder. According to www. dianamurder. com some questions left unanswered are: why were the photographers chasing her on motorcycles, if the driver was experienced? Why did the motorcycles over take a Mercedes? The one that really made me think was: why was the driver allowed to drive her if he was really drunk? If these questions have left you wondering then you are like many other people, who want to know the rest of the story. References: The murder of Princess Diana. (n. d. ). Retrieved March 09, 2009 from http://www. dianamurder. com/ENG 2001 aâ‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" WEEK 3 Peer Critique Evaluation Checklist (4 being the best) 1. Paper evidences clear understanding and 4 3 2 1appropriate use of Avoiding Fallacious Statements or Using Argument by Authority 2. Paper provides a clear position statement in an 4 3 2 1 Introduction that arouses reader’s interest 3. Paper provides a clear focus throughout 4 3 2 1 4. Reasons for position clearly stated and backed by 4 3 2 1 relevant evidence in the form of examples, quotes, etc. There are little quotesin the paper, the evidence is not very clear, those are mostly questions and assumptions that support the author’s position 5. Paper is written from an appropriate perspective 4 3 2 1 6. Ideas in paper are ordered logically with appropriate 4 3 2 1 connections within and between paragraphs The order of paragraphs is broken.

The Tudor Life In England History Essay

The Tudor Life In England History Essay People abusing the person in the pilloryThe Pillory and the Stocks; the pillory is a t-shaped box where the victim would place their head and arms inside. As others passed by they would throw food at the person and taunt and jeer at he/she, it was very humiliating. The stocks were used the same way, except that their feet were bound.http://www.duhaime.org/Portals/duhaime/images/pillory.jpg Ducking stools (especially for those women accused of witchcraft); Accused witches, were tested. They were dunked into a river to see if they were innocent or guilty. If the women had floated, they were considered a witch and would be sentenced to be burnt at stake, if they sunk, then they were innocent. Unfortunately if the women were innocent, she would have drowned anyway. Boiling in oil water or lead; (usually reserved for poisoners); for attempted murder you could be sentenced of the punishment of being boiled alive in hot water or lead. Cutting off various parts of the anatomy nose, hands, ears etc; depending on the crimes committed, you could be sentenced to decapitation of your body parts. If someone stole from the market, they could get their hand(s) chopped off. The gossips bridle or the brankThe Gossips Bridle or the Brank; for women who gossiped or spoke to freely, they would place a large iron framework over their heads, which formed a type of cage. There was a metal stripped placed so it could fit inside the mouth, and it would either have been sharpened or placed with spikes to a certain extent so that any movement of the tongue would inflict much pain and damage.woman wearing a brank The Drunkards Cloak; the punishment for public drunkenness, is quite astonishing. The drunk would be forced and fitted into a don barrel and wander through the town while local villagers laughed and taunted the drunk. Big holes were cut for the persons feet, head and arms. Being beaten; for poor Tudors who begged, they would be beaten until they passed the stones that marked the town parish boundary. The result was very gruesome and so were the beatings. Beheading; beheading was considered less degrading, noblemen would generally be placed with punishment of beheading. Sometimes it took several blows just to decapitate the head. The head would sometimes be placed on spikes on the London Bridge or other areas. This punishment was held in public for many to witness. Tudor schools: Not many children attended school, as they were mostly poor or had too much work in their lives (like farming). Although those that did go to school were mainly sons of wealthy and noble families. Remember that only boys would mostly go to school, as it usually wasnt considered worth the money to send a girl to school. Girls would either be kept home, attending with the house work or sent out to make money for their family. There were 2 types of schools in Tudor times The petty school ( teaching young children to read) The grammar school (teaching the children Latin and mathematics, religion etc) Boys began their school at the age of 4 and moved to grammar school when they were 7 years old. Basically it was meant that boys were educated to work, as girls were taught for marriage and operating a household. Boys were to attend 6 days a week. School started at 7:00 am in winter and 6:00 am in summer, both ending at 5:00 pm. This was a very large amount of time spent for the boys. Unfortunately no long holidays were offered to the boys. Schools would close for 16 days at Christmas and a short 12 days at Easter, and there were no summer holidays. A Tudor class could contain up to as many as 60 pupils! Much of the time was spent learning long passages from textbooks by heart, not only would this keep them quiet, but it would also save currency on buying books. The main subjects Tudor classes learnt were: Latin, Arithmetic, Divinity (religious Study), and English literature. Pupils would have to do writing with quill pens made from feathers, which would have to be sharpened frequently to make it work. Teachers were extremely strict with tolerance of the boys. They would often beat the boys with birches if they did wrong. A birch is specially designed type of cane used to inflict a lot of pain. It wasnt a useful method as some pupils would be too scared to attend school because of the beatings. Teachers used to give 50 strokes of the birch. But for wealthy pupils they could afford a whipping boy and whenever the wealthy pupil got in trouble, the whipping boy would receive the consequence. For school sports, it was a custom to bring money on Shrove Tuesday. Where then the schoolmaster would buy a fighting cock and tie it to a post. The game was that the boys where to take turns throwing sticks at the cock. If a boy hit the cock, it was his. If everybody hit the cock it belonged to the school master. Tudor cures/medicines Tudor times were very unhealthy. And from that it produced many illnesses and ridiculous cures. Following are some reasons why many Tudors had health issues : Open sewers ran through the streets and carried many diseases Toilets were only a hole in the ground outside the owners back door. Water came from village pumps, which meant that the water was taken from a local river, and that river would be full of filth from the town. Country people developed their own medicines for a cheap price, using herbs. But would you realise that you are buying from a person who didnt know the importance of washing their hands when handling your medicine. The Tudors did not realise that plagues were carried by fleas, making it harder to produce cures. People who travelled across certain areas carried different diseases that would spread to others and so on, causing a pandemic. The streets and villages were not so well looked after. Homeless people would sleep on the streets; people would get rid of their garbage in unhygienic ways. Littering on the streets was also a problem. These common illnesses had very interesting Methods of curing them: Headache; drink a mixture of lavender, bay, rue, roses, sage and marjoram. Or press a hangmans rope to your head Bad chest; consume a mix of the herbs thyme, campanula and hyssop. Rheumatism; wear the skin of a donkey Gout (swollen foot); capture a red haired dog and boil it in oil, also add worms, pigs marrow and herbs. Make it a mixture and place it on the affected area of the foot Deafness; make a mixture of the gall of a hare and the grease of a fox, then apply in the ear. Baldness; shave the head and smear with the grease of a fox. Or wash the head with a mixture of juice beetles. Or, crush garlic and gently rub it in the head and wash in vinegar. Plague; place the herb, rue alongside your windowsill. Small pox; hang red curtains around the bed of the patient; apparently the red light is the cure. Or burn leather which produces smoke to kill off the plague. Head lice; pour the liquid tobacco juice onto your scalp Jaundice (bad liver); carefully swallow nine lice dipped in ale, continue this each morning for a week. Tudor food: Tudor women, men and children in England drank beer, sherry, mead and cider and milk. This is because the water was not capable of being consumed unless boiled, only very poor Tudors would drink water. Common vegetables in the Tudor period were cabbages, onions, cauliflower, cucumbers, leeks, lettuce, spinach and turnips. The vegetables Brussels sprouts and broccoli were rare in the Tudor period. Common fruits were apples, strawberries, pears, plums, blackberries, melons, raspberries and lemons. It was believed that fruit was not good for you in the 16th century. So the rich ate preserved fruits like apple tarts. The poor could not afford preserved fruits. On certain days by law, Tudors had to eat fish instead of meat. This was made because of religious reasons, but in the Elizabethan era, it was to support the fishing industry as well. Poor Tudors had a dreary and unhealthy diet. They would only have a cooked meal once a day. Consisting of strips of meat or vegetables (if they could afford) also bread, cheese and maybe onions. This would give them very little energy for their day and make them extremely hungry. Their main source of food was bread.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4fswgLKXKMmy8uzGJ1sySwXAJISMk7iSZGX5C3r0u9l9TrtRLY5INnUlEQfIe90epNotSdRJDMqhU9YkM0qkTbCyGYZYb1GPybx9fJqIPwKsIoyfJSbDGV57yd2zLtnwd7WLrn61RFF-/s1600/Tudor-seamen's-meal.jpg A setting of what a rich Tudor would eatThe rich Tudors could buy or hunt a range of meats. And they could buy rare fruits and vegetables as well. The rich would eat enough meat, but not enough vegetables. They had an unhealthy diet. Many Tudors used spices. Most of the food was heavily salted. It also could disguise the fact of rotten meat. The spices include cinnamon, cloves, salt, garlic, vinegar and sugar. Sugar was a rare luxury; surprisingly it was also used on meat. It sweetened foods and even disguised some that were rotten. During Easter, hot cross buns were made, but not always eaten as they were considered and kept as lucky charms instead. During Christmas, Tudors enjoyed having mince pies. The pies had a great significance as they had ingredients that represented Jesus Christ. Which were raisins, currants, prunes, cloves, mace, black pepper, saffron and a few others. End of the Tudors: Elizabeth (the last of the Tudor line) died at the age of 69, in 24th march, 1603. After her death, many began to reflect one of Englands greatest periods. The Tudor period, lasting 118 years that altered the lives of the English people. http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/tudors/images/march/life.jpg Tudor Life

The Various Theories of Being an Only Child Essay -- Burrhus Frederic

The Various Theories of Being an Only Child This paper is going to show two of the various theories of being an only child. These theories come from a famous psychologist known as Burrhus Frederic Skinner and a psychology major at Northwestern University known as Alissa D. Eischens. But first it will mention the stereotypes given to the â€Å"only child† from an outsider’s point of view, then two cases that describe different childhood experiences that they had as an â€Å"only child† and how they dealt with it. Then it will go on and discuss a few statistics. The only child is automatically judged by people. We assume that their selfish, anxious, not fun to be associated with, difficult when it comes to making their way in a world that doesn’t centrally evolve around them. When an outsider is asked to describe the characteristics of an only child they will most likely respond with they are â€Å"spoiled brats.† They get all of the attention they want from their parents because there aren’t any brothers or sisters to compete with. However, only children seem to have a better self-esteem and are higher achievers. Not to mention their personalities vary greatly. Not having siblings around telling them what’s right or wrong to do by their standards allow the child to think on their own, without help from anyone other than their parents. (Sifford, pg 13) Here’s a case of one adult that remembers sharply about growing up as an only child. This person blames a lot of their issues on being an only child. The lack of peer interaction, and the great amounts of adult contact created a proneness to loneliness, selfishness, pride, and the need of belonging and approval. They never had to share and everything that their parent owned was also considered hers. She didn’t have to learn to share until a much older age than most kids with siblings. She never had to experience a brother or sister borrowing or simply taking items and losing, breaking, or simply not returning to them to her. The thing she remembers most about being a child was her loneliness. One specific case was when she over-heard her parents arguing one night when they thought she was asleep. The word divorce was briefly mentioned and she didn’t have anyone there to cry with or talk to. Occasionally her cousins would spend the night, but she never confided in them and waited until they left to show her real emot... ...sex. A little boy may play with dolls and not think anything of it. Oppose to if the boy had an older sister or an older brother to tell the child that playing with dolls was â€Å"girly.† The child may never pick up the doll again. The extrovert characteristic will appear in a more social setting. The child is more desperate for the for the friendships children of their age, than with siblings of all different ages. (Eischens, The Dilemma of the Only Child. 3/05) I grew up with an older brother and at times of course I wished that I was the only child, but as we grew older, we have both learned to almost depend on each other under different circumstances. We look out for each other in the long run and were there for each other during hard times. Our parents went through a divorce when we were both much younger and we had each other. We both have a couple friends that are the only child and they do fit both of the theories mentioned by Skinner and Eischens. I have taken into consideration that these theories do not apply to every child that is an only child, just a majority. Children react different to different situations, regardless if they have a brother or sister their or not.

Contemporary History in Anil’s Ghost Essay -- Literary Analysis

There is always a problem of historical inaccuracies in fiction. When certain historical events become a part of the narrative (especially when these events are controversial), it is important to understand what they mean in the author’s conception of history and reality in general. Far more important is to understand their place in this conception when we see that the author’s depiction of facts is unusual and what he does seems to be not the reflection of existing reality but the deconstruction of a different one. Terrorism, civil war, separatism – it is hard to remember the themes that would be more complicated and controversial in the modern world, because questions like these never have a certain answer. Michael Ondaatje’s Anil’s Ghost is a good example of a novel that deals with the most important problems of contemporary history. Anil’s Ghost, first published in 2000, and is dedicated to events of Sri Lankan Civil War. Michael Ondaatje claimed in interviews that his book is not â€Å"just about Sri Lanka; it could be Guatemala or Bosnia or Ireland† (Scanlan 302) – so it can be suggested that the author is trying to describe not this particular conflict, but the situation in general. In another interview Ondaatje says: â€Å"Anil's Ghost is a more faithful or more nonfictive version. It's a fiction. It is a novel, and it is also a point of view† (Coughlan). Sri Lanka is mentioned as one of the places in which the war â€Å"always seems to be there, and nobody goes to it anymore† (Champeon). The conflict that still takes place is set between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a separatist group. Different issues state that at the moment the number of victims is about 80.000 people. The action takes place at the end o... ...every country with the similar circumstances and not only in Sri Lanka. The experience of civil war is reconstructed in destinies of main characters – everyone of them has his personal tragedy and deals with it the way he can. And when neither the executioner nor the victim can be identified, it becomes important to give the identity to at least one of the murdered. It has to be named, and the problem has to be named, too. Through the historical situation the author tries to show us the necessity of personal choice in the times when there is no choice for the nation or the whole country. Anil’s ghost is many different ghosts – ghost of innocent people, who disappeared or died, ghost of the past, which has to be dealt with; ghost of Sarath, who finally becomes a martyr. And these ghosts don’t seem to be Anil’s only. In some reasons they belong to each other.

A midsummers night dream Essay

Additionally, The nobles are a mirror image to the Mechanicals. The Mechanicals are completely opposite to the nobles. The nobles speak in Shakespeare’s elegant verse and are very rich and are also educated. Unlike, the mechanicals that do not speak in elegant verse but in proses and are lower class and are not well educated. The forest represents magic, instinct, love and dreams. It is symbolised by the fairies’ use of rhyming verse, and night. The prosaic Mechanicals here in the forest are another mirror image to the supernatural fairies. The Fairies are elegant; and speak in a four beat verse chant. â€Å"So shall all the couples three. Ever true in loving be† However, The Mechanicals are clumsy and earthly and speak in prose. â€Å"I, One snout by name, present a wall. The mechanicals add understanding to the audience through love. In the mist of a supernatural war, the humble Bottom demonstrates something about the blind nature of love through his combination of dignity and foolishness. † Reason and love keep little company together† Bottom adds understanding to the audience’s understanding by this quote. He explains that reason and love have nothing over love Bottom figures this out because he is ordinary, ands proving Theseus wrong. The Mechanicals’ main contribution is humour. This has the effect of diffusing tension. It grounds down the elevating romance of the lovers and the fairies, and adds to the audience’s enjoyment. Shakespeare creates humour through various language techniques. One way in which he does this is by the comic effects of the names of the characters. Bottom name might prefer to a person’s backside or an â€Å"ass† in which his head is turned into the head of an â€Å"ass†(donkey) In the play-within-a-play, flute plays Thisbe. The name Flute refers to a flute instrument, which is to a sour fruit â€Å"citrus†. This reflects his personality as he is bitter, serious and gets annoyed. High, pitched. In the play Flute has to put on a high voice as he plays a woman. Also Quince name refers Also the Mechanicals contribute humour by the misuse of their words. The mechanicals mix up their senses a lot in the play. â€Å"The flowers of odious savours sweet† an oxymoron is used here as Bottom mixes up his senses. The effect on the audience is obviously humour as it is a stupid mistake. As flowers do not smell horrible! The mechanicals also mix up senses† I see a voice†¦. And I can hear my Thisbe’s face† L187-188 [Bottom] Bottom un-deliberately mixes things up again by saying he sees a voice and hears Thisbe’s face. The effect on the audience is humour. The Mechanicals enhance the audience’s understanding of the theme of love and it transforming power. Shakespeare uses humour to show the ugly can be made beautiful though love. ?† What angel wakes me from my flowery bed†¦I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again† As the audience knows, Bottom cant really sing but the fact that love can change something ugly into something beautiful is what the Mechanicals add to the audience’s understanding of the play. The contrast of the lazy Bottom and the beautiful Titania with her high status, her language and power underlines the transforming power of love and shows how people behave foolishly because of love. Although Bottom is ugly and uneducated he speaks wise words. † Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful† Shows that even though Bottom is ugly and clumsy his wise words about love† Bottom shows the audience that love is unreasonable. The effect on the audience is that love is not about status, beauty or law. Which is what the Athenians believe love is about. Humour is used to explore the idea of drama and the conventions of the theatre in the play-within-the-play when Quince begins his prologue he takes away the drama and the tension from the play. He does by adding a speech before the play by reminding the audience a few things before the play starts † I am to entreat you, request you are desire you to con them† Quince takes away tension in a humorous by telling the audience before hand that the Mechanicals are a little bit rubbish. Throughout the play-within-the-play Bottom dominates the play but misguides his own talent in many ways. Bottom throughout that play tries to dominate but makes silly while humorous mistakes. â€Å"O grim-looked night†¦O†¦O†¦O† Bottom repetition is entertaining as he is trying to make himself look like a good actor, He is trying to create this impression by using â€Å"o† a lot in his sentences. When Shakespeare uses the actors as the setting. Which are the wall and the moon. It shows the contrast of Shakespeare use of imagery to represent the scene, as there were no props and stage settings in those times. Also Flute says his lines all at once as the actors in the Elizabethan times would only know their own lines not the other actors. Which would be very humorous for the audience as the actors would be all jumbled up. The Mechanicals add enjoyment and understanding through the theme of love and through humour. The Mechanicals also contribute humour. And finally the Mechanicals increase the audience’s perceptive of the theme of love and it transforming authority by using Bottom to say something intelligent about love. William Shakespeare uses the Mechanicals in the play for many reasons. Shakespeare uses the mechanicals to add understanding to the audience throughout the play. Also he uses the mechanicals for the audience’s enjoyment. â€Å"A Midsummer’s Night Dream is still popular for performers and audiences today as it is a play with bizarre and magical dreams and magic happenings thought out the play. Finally, because it is a humorous yet a moral play which anybody can learn from.

Concept Developed Within Classical Sociology

Choose any one concept or argument developed within classical sociology. Critically evaluate the use of this concept or argument by contemporary sociology in trying to understand a current social issue. In my essay I am going to discuss the current economic upheaval, its impact on modern society and how Marx and his theory of alienation are still relevant today. The topics covered will include classical Marxist sociological thought and modern concepts with regard to the current economic situation, for example, Industrial Action, job insecurity and the erosion of the welfare state. I will argue that people in society today, whether they are private or public sector workers or those claiming welfare are still exploited and alienated by capitalism just as they were in Marx’s day. Marx saw alienation as a process in which humanity is turned into a stranger in a world created by labour (Classical Social Theory, Craib 1997) by this he meant that the worker became a commodity and part of a production line, losing themselves and their identities to the means of production. The shift away from the freedom of human interaction through to the way in which society and social relations impose themselves upon is summed up (at least as far as capitalism is concerned) in the theory of alienation. ’ (Classical Social Theory, Craib 1997). Marx was convinced that the division of labour was the reason that man was alienated from his labour. He saw the proletariat exploited for his labour by the bourgeoisie who owned the means of production. Marx defined labour as â€Å"mans self confirming essence† and noted that capitalism had transformed human labour into an object, an external thing. Classical Social Theory, Craib 1997). It is important to understand Marx’s theory of alienation as I will be discussing its relevance in today’s society and the impact of this theory when applied to modern society. Employers only employ workers if they possess skills that are of a use value to them. In essence there is no point in employing someone who produces work of a value that is less than what they are to be paid. This is the exchange value of the workers labour power. The difference between the endeavours of the worker and the pay supplied by the employer is the surplus value, which is the profit that the empl oyer retains. This is Marx’s definition of exploitation that exists within the wage-labour relationship. In simple terms the worker is working for a wage to sustain them but also to ensure the employer gains a profit. The contrast between the two will always favour the employer not the worker. It is not that the employer overtly seeks to exploit the worker; it is in Marx’s eyes a natural consequence of capitalism. The employer pays the worker not out of the goodness of their heart but as a means of increasing their own wealth. Marx therefore perceived capitalism as being in a state of constant crisis. It is the existence of this exploitation that for Marx causes the crisis to occur. If as a worker I produce ?10,000 of goods in a month (value of labour power to employer) but I am only paid ?1,000 a month for this labour (exchange value of labour power) I do not receive sufficient pay to purchase the value of the goods I have produced. (Classical Social Theory, Craib 1997:pg94) In simple terms a crisis occurs in capitalism when goods produced by the workers are not sold. A consequence of this is that workers will be made redundant; this causes the economy to enter a depression or financial slump. This slump is only reversed when those goods are sold and companies can begin production once more. This is a very basic economic explanation of the cycle of growth and recession that has afflicted capitalism throughout its history. (Classical Social Theory, Craib 1997:pg95) The phenomenon of recession has been a constant threat within capitalist societies, not only in Marxist terms does the worker suffer the alienation and exploitation from his labour, he or she now has to contend with many other threats caused by the unstable nature of the economic system. The worker now faces the prospect of many other economic uncertainties, such as redundancy, pay freezes and pay cuts. The current worldwide recession that has plagued the banking financial sector has caused tremendous hardship for those ill equipped to deal with it. This has lead to a number of changes within the employment market. The fear of job insecurity has never been higher; the days of a job for life are now a thing of the past. Giddens refers to a concept of ‘trust and risk’. In this instance Giddens states that trust refers to the confidence that society has in individuals and its significant institutions. We live more than ever in a globalised community and society, our lives are shaped and influenced by people and institutions; we are never likely to meet. Giddens talks about society having trust in ‘abstract systems’, he uses the example of food regulation and banking systems. The current financial crisis we find ourselves in has lead to an all time low in the faith we once placed in the banking and financial world. In Britain a number of large banking corporations have had to have their losses underwritten by the tax payer. The consequence of this has been for the coalition government having to implement widespread cuts and policies to curb the financial deficit. Public sector workers and those who rely on the welfare state have been hit hardest by the new financial constraints forced upon them. (Giddens 2006:122,123) Those responsible for the current economic crisis, i. e. the banks have not suffered as a result of their mistakes in the same way that the worker or the welfare claimant have. As Marx would say, yet again the owners of the means of production have not been penalised but rather it is the proletariat who has had to incur financial hardship and exploitation. Recent examples of this include, Workers in two unions at Southampton City Council are to start indefinite industrial action from 23 May in a row over proposed pay cuts of up to 5. 5% and Postal workers in London have voted to go on strike in protest at job losses. The Royal Mail cites the need for voluntary redundancies to increase efficiency and profitability but the unions disagree, saying that forced redundancies will have to be implemented. These are two examples in the current economic crisis where workers are paying the price for a recession created by the actions of an unregulated banking system. The welfare state has also suffered in this harsh new financial reality, whilst those at the top of the banking fraternity have suffered no penalty or sanction, in fact quite the reverse, the city continues to hand out excessive bonuses. The glaring unfairness and difference that exists between those in control of the financial institutions and those who are beholden to them has never been more stark. In a bid to reduce the national debt, the coalition government has imposed budget cuts across the entire public sector. NHS, councils, the police have all had severe budget cuts. It will be the poorest in our society who will suffer as a result of these new financial constraints. This new tentative financial situation means that the worker and the claimant now face an uncertain financial future. In conclusion, if Marx were alive today he would see that nothing has changed, capitalism still retains an iron grip upon society and those who live in it. Wealth and inequality continues to widen every year. This has a serious and detrimental impact upon those in our society who can ill afford to suffer the financial hardships that have resulted from the mistakes and risks taken by those who own the means of production. Alienation and exploitation is now so widespread and there has never been a more pressing need for the works of great sociological thinkers like Karl Marx and what he had to say regarding the exploitive nature of the capitalist state. It is of crucial importance to highlight the inequality that exists within modern capitalist society. If we want and desire a fairer society for all we need to recognise those within it who suffer the most. The work of Karl Marx and particularly his theory of alienation has enabled society to understand the relationship that exists between the bourgeoisie and proletariat. The worker will continue to be alienated under capitalism but now the ever increasing unfairness and exploitation suffered by the many as a result of the mistakes made by capitalist institutions will insure that wealth inequality will continue to increase. References Giddens A, 2006, Sociology Polity Press, Cambridge Craib I, 1997, Classical Social Theory, oxford University Press Oxford http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13508478

Changing of Women Rules in Global Business Essay

Now, the role of women in today’s society is becoming increasingly visible and important than in comparison with the situation of 30 years ago. More and more women have started to try their self in different areas of human society, such as politics, science, business, journalism, charity etc. And areas such as entrepreneurship and business is no exception, on the contrary, they have become a priority because the people who are successful in business will always be respected and considered, especially in the world â€Å"men’s rules. Since ancient times, men do not take women, as it was believed that a woman’s place in the family sphere, it is unusual and should stay at home, manage the household, raise children, take care of her husband and so forth, but those days are long gone, and the woman is free to do what though no one can deny them. While many may disagree with that, especially in societies living on the old foundations, and Sharia law, where the woman stays at home and raises her children. And I must admit that in the West and in the more developed countries, women with all other than for example in Muslim countries. Women are much freer in their choice and the right activities. That is, they are not worse than men; at least the governments of these countries have taken measures to gender equality and discrimination against women. Equality of rights is the essential foundation of any democratic society that aspires to social justice and respect for human rights. The modern woman in this world are becoming more and more independent, hence, with men moving into the background taking place with them on a social level by changing their stereotypes, which were considered by it since childhood, but when she decided to climb the social ladder, it must prepare for the development of foreign territory. And the higher it will go up, the less it will be around the fairer sex. Thus, for a higher level of women need to learn the rules of conduct in a man’s world. The participation of women in business in the developed world and the familiar phenomenon is not surprising in the business world and society. Most commands respect the fact that women are showing remarkable abilities and business acumen. This paper is designed to explore the nature of women’s social position and description of the main characteristics of their social status and studies of women in today’s economy and business, market pressures on its social health. 1. The paradox of female companionship. According to the UN Population Division, 49. 7% of the population is women. It is difficult to understand the true customs and traditions, to experience how people live in a particular country. Moreover, even more difficult to provide an accurate picture of the situation of women in different countries – where the image of a woman’s life is not as noticeable, where the woman does not participate in economic and political life of the country, where, as a rule, she plays the role of a wife, mother, mistress of the hearth . But sometimes those women, about which we firmly There are certain stereotypes are not living the way we imagine, have certain rights and status in society. It is known that Japanese women live in a society where â€Å"dominates and rules the man. The dominant role of men in this country has developed historically for a long time, and, as in all countries of the East, the predominant role is expressed everywhere: in the business environment, and the arts, and in politics. But the beauty and uniqueness of Japanese women, her desire to agree, its great patience, a sense of harmony and balance in all things, the willingness to sacrifice were known to ancient times and carried the glory of a Japanese woman around the world. Japanese wife running the business is reconciled with the fact that her husband is found not more than a couple days a week. It may seem that the Japanese woman is under the yoke of patriarchy and pressure from the men. However, this is not the case. That Japanese has more rights than women of other countries in Asia and the Orient. Japanese woman confides education of children and the decision of their fate, it is completely given the right to dispose of her husband’s earnings and decide what expenses and how much need to be done, the Japanese women work, and some of them are financially stable and resting on the feet. Japanese women are able to hide their feelings, build diplomatic relations with her husband, seeking from him a lot more than European women. But even with a lot of rights, under the influence of civilization, becoming more independent, educated and self-confident, a Japanese woman still accompanies her husband to the door, with reverence and obedience to lower our heads bowed her husband followed. In Iran, is rarely seen without a black woman, at least – a green curtain that hides her hair, the shape, and sometimes even the face. From the outside it seems that the women in this traditional and patriarchal country have virtually no rights and are entirely dependent on men. In fact, it is in Iran, women live an active and fulfilling life. Active and energetic Iranian women evolved over many centuries. O daughters of checks that are cutting their beautiful hair and wore a military armor, as well as men to defeat the enemy, there is still a legend. Therefore, even the leader of the revolution in Iran, Imam Khomeini said that â€Å"for the revolution is to thank the women. † The case for women of the East, we can say that their situation is not so bad as we describe the Western media, so whether women in general to engage in politics or business to the detriment of his personal life and family. After all, we all know what this means, when a woman chooses a career, not a family. In Western countries, a woman does not want to lag behind men because society is so constructed that causes compete with the opposite sex, and to claim their rights. Thus, women put themselves under the family or career choice and the choice often falls on the first option. As a result, it leads to divorce or refraining from family relationships. Frequent quarrels and not paying enough attention to children, that leads to the child becoming self-contained and further experience severe stress. Also, women in these countries often lead dissolute lifestyle, drinking, smoking, etc. And it is for these reasons that many women somovolno decide to start a family, abandoning the business activity, and not because someone is prohibited for them or criticizes it. 2. Concept of â€Å"Businesswomen†. The modern woman in this world are becoming more and more independent, hence, with men moving into the background taking place with them on a social level by changing their stereotypes, which were considered by it since childhood, but when she decided to climb the social ladder, it must prepare for the development of foreign territory. And the higher it will go up, the less it will be around the fairer sex. Thus, for a higher level of women need to learn the rules of conduct in a man’s world. The participation of women in business in the developed world and the familiar phenomenon is not surprising in the business world and society. Most commands respect the fact that women are showing remarkable abilities and business acumen. Business women are self-employed, as the rules inherent in the following personal qualities and characteristics. Women, as a rule, the nature carefully and meticulously know how to count money. If you want to explore the firm’s position in the market, the women successfully cope with it. Diligence and thoroughness, determination and precision, care of women in the work known to all. Ingenuity and flexibility of thinking, the ability to analyze and evaluate the readiness to make decisions, communication skills and social competence – these are the qualities that a woman and needed her as an entrepreneur and manager. In most of the female population is at least half the workforce. At the time, the women are still facing difficulties in fully participating in the production process; they are, however, increase their buying power. Demographic studies show that an increasing number of women, who increasingly have to make decisions of financial issues. This trend is reflected in our developing world, where most of the immigrants were women. Women play an important and growing role in the global economy; they make a significant contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) by increasing the level of consumption of goods and especially the use of services. It is assumed that the increased participation of the female population in the labor market contributes to the potential growth of the economy, especially in the west. In most developed countries among students, first degree, as well as incomplete higher (the minimum period of training – two years), more girls than boys. To business and to the success of women are moving a lot of reasons and motivations. Below are some of them: – The desire to create the present and future of their own work; – Hope unification into one work and personal life; The desire to realize their hopes and their style of business activity; – Waiting for a good reward for their efforts and increase their personal wealth, – Ability to reveal his â€Å"I,† his abilities as the previous post did not contribute to this; – The tendency to take risks, find a way out of risk situations; – The value of the specifics of growing back, which founded the company; â₠¬â€œ The impact of friends and acquaintances; 3. Statistics and facts. In 2004, the U. S. percentage of girls among the students was 60%.  In the UK, this level is fixed at around 67%, in Germany – 61%, and in Sweden – 53%. Japan and Korea are among the leading countries in Asia: 65% and 52%, respectively (information is based on a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). In general, this trend must modern employment opportunities, as well as increase the cost of living are not cheering. In general education strengthens position in the labor market, increasing its potential earnings. Migration of women to the private sector is not accidental. It is here that women managers can achieve some success. Business requires knowledge of financial problems, Mastering accounting, psychology, communication, and marketing. The rapid growth of economy â€Å"women† – the burning topic of conversation, reports impress with reference to The Financial Times. â€Å"According to the Boston Consulting Group, women control $ 12 trillion in global spending and are the driving force for earnings growth on a global scale, 5 trillion dollars,† – says journalist Lucy Warwick-Chin. From 2000 to 2007, in the U. S. he number of wealthy women, not less than one thousand five hundred dollars for investment, increased by 68%, while the number of wealthy men – only 36%. Therefore, the economy women are called a force to be reckoned with. It is expected that its global economic impact in the coming years will be greater than that of Brazil, Russia, India and China combined. In some countries, women understand the strength of the economy is better: the powers of women in the U. S. are much higher, and their contribution to the economy – more than British women and other women of the world. Why women are more successful in the manual? a) Women make better leaders – they know how to think about several matters and, at the same time, to plan for the future, while men are able to concentrate on one issue, preferring to solve problems in series; b) Women are inherently more organized and able to act effectively because they mother. Take responsibility – it’s in the nature of women; c) Purposeful Women and men consistently better eye for detail analyze and take into account the nuances of the work; d) Women – more sociable, they tend to trust behavior. They are better at organizational and planning functions, adapt faster to changing conditions, regardless of the subordinates, contributes to these productivity improvements; e) Women leaders know best â€Å"key† people are products of their business are focused on the customer, the new product (or service) that is needed by the market; Women managers not only achieve lasting results of enterprises, but also create new jobs, successfully solve social problems as a team, and, especially, women, and the city in general. Organization is fully aware of the distinctive features of the motivation and methods of women will be more successful. Women take over 80% of purchasing decisions; they account for 70% of firms startups. This is the most important target group in the world. Conclusion: A woman in business today has become increasingly strengthening its position in the modern world women leading a significant percentage of all business structures. There is also a tendency to increase the number of women in business – every year the percentage coming into the business men and women favor the women. From this we can conclude that the role of women in society as a whole is growing every year. Already, many men in business recognized for a number of their women preeminent – in fact, in many areas of business activity, the stronger sex surrendered their positions. Thus, a woman in the business has a number of objective advantages over men, there are literally ome grown women – hairdressing salons, beauty salons, retail trade, in general, any commercial enterprise, requiring attention to detail, with little or average number of staff personnel. The proportion of women is higher in small business, then – medium businesses. In the large, the more international business, men continue to lead – but in the management of the business often are forced to have female staff, as its presence in certain circu mstances treats business tactics – activities. According to psychologists, a woman in the business of building a more cautious relationship with its business partners, avoiding excessive risk-taking, â€Å"sharp turns. † It is particularly sensitive to the issues of corporate culture, introducing an element of warmth and â€Å"nepotism† in the business life of the strict rules of the organization. These factors, among other things, increase the profitability of new technologies that increase productivity. Female leader, as a carrier of emotional start, can acutely feel the psychological climate in the team, to understand what was going on the conflict, and, perhaps, to prevent its onset. In conclusion, I would like to give an answer of the American writer and historian G. Wils on the question of the most significant changes: â€Å"For the past 40 years, the status of women has changed as it has not changed over the past four centuries. No change has not affected so deeply social. Changed relationship between wife to her husband, mother to child, woman to woman.

Hbs Case “Marriott Corporation: the Cost of Capital”

Marriott Corporation: Questions for HBS case â€Å"Marriott Corporation: The cost of capital† 1)Are the four components of Marriott's financial strategy consistent with its growth objective? In my opinion, the four components of Marriott's financial strategy are consistent with its growth objective. As we find in the case, the four components of Marriott's financial strategy: Manage rather than own hotel assets, Invest in projects that increase shareholder value, Optimize the use of debt in the capital structure, and Repurchase undervalued shares; are aligned with the growth objective.Marriott wants to remain a premier growth company. This means aggressively developing appropriate opportunities within our chosen lines of business—lodging, contract services, and related businesses. In each of these areas, their goal is to be the preferred employer, the preferred provider, and the most profitable company. 2)How does Marriott use its estimate of its cost of capital? Does t his make sense? In the case is stated that Marriott required three inputs to determine the opportunity cost of capital: debt capacity, debt cost, and equity cost consistent with the amount of debt.The cost of capital varied across the three divisions because all three of the cost-of-capital inputs could differ for each division. This is the most logical approach due to the fact that the projects related to a particular division should be evaluated using the division’s WACC rather than the corporation’s WACC. 3)What is the Weighted Average Cost of Capital for Marriott Corporation? In order to calculate the WACC for Marriott’s Corporation I’m going to use the following formulas: 1. Weighted Average Cost of Capital: 2. Levered Beta: Marriott’s structure: D= 60% E=40% Marriott’s corporate tax:Tc= 175. 9 / 398. 9 Tc=0. 441 Marriott’s Pre-tax cost of debt: Debt rate premium above government= 1. 30% U. S. Government Securities Interest Rates : Maturity 30 years = 8. 95% Kd = 0. 0895 + 0. 013 Kd= 0. 1025 Marriott’s after tax cost of equity: Leverag. TcAsset BetaEq. Beta MARRIOTT 41%0. 4410. 7991. 11 MARRIOTT 60%0. 4410. 7991. 47 Ke = rf + Beta * (MRP) Rf=8. 95%(U. S. Government Securities Interest Rate) MRP=7. 43%(Exhibit 5) Ke = 8. 95% + 1. 47 * ( 7. 43%) Ke=0. 20 WACC = (1 – 0. 44) * 0. 1025 * 60% + 0. 2 * 40% WACC=0. 1139 The Weighted Average Cost of Capital for Marriott Corporation is 11. 9% a)What risk free rate and risk premium did you use to calculate the cost of equity? Risk free rate †¢30 years Maturity U. S. Government Interest Rate (8. 95%) Risk Premium †¢Spread between S 500 Composite returns and long-term U. S. government bond returns between 1926-87 (7. 43%) b)How did you measure Marriott's cost of debt? I calculated Marriott's cost of debt adding Marriott’s debt rate premium above government (1. 30%) to the 30 years Maturity U. S. Government Interest Rates (8. 95%). 4)What ty pe of investments would you value using Marriott's WACC?I will use Marriott’s WACC to evaluate projects that do not refer to a single division. This can be projects that add are related to the whole company and affect each division. In example, a project related with branding that will increase Marriott overall reputation and value 5)If Marriott used a single corporate hurdle rate for evaluating investment opportunities in each of its lines of business, what would happen to the company overtime? Using a single corporate hurdle rate for evaluating investment opportunities in each of its lines of business will lead to accept bad projects and reject profitable projects.In the case that the IRR of the return was slightly above Marriott WACC you would accept the division’s project although you might be operating bellow the division’s WACC and loosing money. 6)What is the cost of capital for the lodging and restaurant divisions of Marriott? In order to calculate the c ost of capital for the lodging and restaurant divisions I will use the same formulas than in question 3. Hotels ReturnEq. BetaLeverageRevenuesAsset Beta HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION13. 30. 7614%0. 770. 697 HOLIDAY CORPORATION28. 81. 3579%1. 660. 435 LA QUINTA MOTOR INNS-6. 40. 8969%0. 170. 397 RAMADA INNS, INC. 11. 71. 3665%0. 50. 667 Average0. 549 Restaurants ReturnEq. BetaLeverageRevenuesAsset Beta CHURCH’S FRIED CHICKEN-3. 21. 454%0. 391. 417 COLLINS FOODS INTERNATIONAL20. 31. 4510%0. 571. 365 FRISCH’S RESTAURANTS56. 90. 576%0. 140. 550 LUBY’S CAFETERIAS (Operates cafeterias. ) 15. 10. 761%0. 230. 756 McDONALD’S22. 50. 9423%4. 890. 805 WENDY’S INTERNA TIONAL4. 61. 3221%1. 051. 149 Average1. 007 LodgingRestaurant D/V50. 0%75. 0% E/V50. 0%25. 0% Tc44%44% Kd10. 05%8. 70% Rf8. 95%6. 90% Rprem1. 10%1. 80% Ke15. 31%29. 74% Eq. Beta0. 8562. 696 Asset Beta0. 5491. 007 Rf8. 95%6. 90% EMRP7. 43%8. 47% Sales % from total41. 00%13. 00% WACC10. 6%11. 08% a)What risk-free rate and risk premium did you use in calculating the cost of equity for each division? Why did you choose these numbers? Risk free rate Lodging division †¢30 years Maturity U. S. Government Interest Rate (8. 95%) †¢Is a long-term investment Risk Premium Lodging division †¢Spread between S&P 500 Composite returns and long-term U. S. government bond returns between 1926-87 (7. 43%) †¢Is a long term investment Risk free rate Restaurants’ division †¢1 year Maturity U. S. Government Interest Rate (6. 90%) †¢Is a short-term investment, and the next available option is a 10 years rate which is too long.Risk Premium Restaurants’ division †¢Spread between S&P 500 Composite returns and short-term U. S. Treasury bill returns: between 1926-87 (8. 47%) †¢Is a short-term investment, and I used a 1 year Maturity U. S. Government Interest Rate as the risk free rate. b)How did you measure the cost of debt for each division? Should the debt cost differ across divisions? Why? I calculated each division’s cost of debt adding the division’s debt rate premium above government to the U. S. Government Interest Rates that best represented the divisions behave. Risk free rate Lodging division 30 years Maturity U. S. Government Interest Rate (8. 95%) Risk free rate Restaurants’ division †¢1 year Maturity U. S. Government Interest Rate (6. 90%) The debt cost should differ across divisions because each one operate as independent business with different behavior. c)How did you measure the beta of each division? In order to measure the beta of each division, I got the average Asset Beta of the companies that where more similar to the division, and I leverage it with the capital structure of the particular division. 7)What is the cost of capital for Marriott's contract services division?How can you estimate its equity cost of capital without publicly traded comparable companies? In order to calculate t he cost of capital for the contract service division I will use most of the formulas I stated on question number three. Additionally, as we do not have data of similar companies that we can use to extract the contract service division’s Asset Beta, I will calculate the WACC for the contract service division using the following formula: Marriott’s Asset Beta = (Lodging Asset Beta * division’s % of total sales) + (Restaurants Asset Beta * division’s % of total sales) + (Contract services Asset Beta * division’s % of total sales)Cleaning the equation in function of the Contract services Asset Beta, you find the Contract services Asset Beta. MarriottLodgingRestaurantContract Services D/V60. 0%50. 0%75. 0%60. 0% E/V40. 0%50. 0%25. 0%40. 0% Tc44%44%44%44% Kd10. 25%10. 05%8. 70%8. 30% Rf8. 95%8. 95%6. 90%6. 90% Rprem1. 30%1. 10%1. 80%1. 40% Ke19. 87%15. 31%29. 74%21. 91% Eq. Beta1. 4700. 8562. 6961. 772 Asset Beta0. 7990. 5491. 0070. 964 Rf8. 95%8. 95%6. 90%6. 90% EMRP7. 43%7. 43%8. 47%8. 47% TA %100. 00%41. 00%13. 00%46. 00% WACC11. 39%10. 46%11. 08%11. 55% The contract service’s WACC is 11. 55%

A Christmas Carol Quotations

'A Christmas Carol' Quotations Charles Dickenss novel, A Christmas Carol (1843), is the famous redemption tale of the wicked Ebenezer Scrooge. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by spirits, including his former business partner Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come. Each ghost has a different message for Scrooge about how his penny-pinching and indifference has affected himself and others who care about him. By the end of the story, Scrooge has become enlightened and vows to change his mean, miserly ways before its too late.   Famous Quotations The Ghost of Jacob Marley Marleys ghost tells Scrooge why he has  appeared to him on Christmas Eve, wearing the chains he forged in life. It is required of every man, the ghost returned, that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and, if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. The Ghost of Christmas Past After reliving his past and seeing his kindly former mentor Fezziwig, Scrooge is overwhelmed. He tells the Ghost: Spirit! said Scrooge in a broken voice, remove me from this place.I told you these were shadows of the things that have been, said the Ghost. That they are what they are, do not blame me! Ghost of Christmas Present There are some upon this earth of yours, returned the Spirit, who lay claim to know us, and who do their deeds of passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness in our name, who are as strange to us and all out kith and kin, as if they had never lived. Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us.   The Ghost of Christmas Present is telling Scrooge not to blame his past bad behavior on anyone else or any divine influence.   Ebenezer Scrooge   Scrooge takes a long time to get on board with the spirits, but once he does, he panics that hes run out of time to redeem himself. You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of underdone potato. Theres more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are! Scrooge says this to the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley. Scrooge is doubting his senses, and cant believe that the Ghost is real.   Ghost of the Future, he exclaimed, I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me? After visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, Scrooge most fears the visit of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. When he sees what this spirit has to show him, Scrooge begs to know whether the course of events can be changed: Mens courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead, said Scrooge. But if the courses  be  departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!   When he wakes up on Christmas morning, Scrooge realizes he can make amends for his past cruelties.   I will  honour  Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!

FDR and his policies essays

FDR and his policies essays Franklin Roosevelts policies toward Europe and Japan leading up to the American entry into World War II was in my opinion, duplicitous. President Roosevelt seemed to be more concerned about the United States current interests rather than thinking ahead toward the future. International problems that England and France had with Germany were not given the recognition they warranted because Roosevelt felt that problems within our own country were more important at the time. Even so, Roosevelt was blinded by certain opportunities that kept him from seeing major conflicts that could have been avoided otherwise. The Pacific Trade policies were placed into effect by Franklin Roosevelt against Japan. These policies forced Japan into choosing either to go into war or to surrender. Knowing very well what capitulation could lead to, Japan chose war over surrender due to, it would seem, economic reasons. American citizens were more than likely wondering what was up President Roosevelts sleeve considering Japan was, and still is, Americas leading export market. The Good Neighbor Policy was a policy of non-intervention that Roosevelt expanded on, based off of Hoovers ideas. This new policy pleased the government because of the dispose of interventionism that Theodore Roosevelt felt was the right course of action. In 1933, Roosevelt stated, The definite policy of the United States from now on is one opposed to armed intervention. The Good Neighbor policy looked to be as a way to distance the United States from interventionist policies that were created earlier on. The Neutrality Act that was put into effect in 1937 made it look as if the United States were a silent accomplice of Hitler . The act was not helping the Chinese who, at the time, were fighting off the Japanese. In 1939, it became apparent that the Neutrality Acts seemed to be helping Germany while Britain and France we...

Gambling Casinos Essays - Gambling, Entertainment, Free Essays

Gambling Casinos Essays - Gambling, Entertainment, Free Essays Gambling Casinos Gambling Casinos: A Plague on Society Gamblers no longer need to trek to Las Vegas or Atlantic City to find the action they so badly crave. It is available today in their own hometowns. Legalized gambling is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. Gamblings tremendous popularity is evident in the recent increase in the number of off-track betting parlors (OTBs) and riverboat casinos that dot the midwest and the Mississippi Delta. Billboards on major highways depict the action and excitement available at such facilities. For most of the industrys patrons, gambling is fun and a form of harmless entertainment. For the four to six percent of gamblers who become problem or pathological (compulsive) gamblers, however, it can be a devastating illness that negatively affects every aspect of their lives. Im worried that the more legalized gambling havens that open up, the more problems we can expect as a result of them. The greatest social cost of legalized gambling is the probable increase in problem and pathological gambling. In Connecticut for example, the Foxwoods Resort Casino opened up in 1995 and the number of pathological gamblers sky-rocketed. In 1994, there were 235 calls to the Gambling Anonymous hotline and in 1995 (after the casino opened), there were 588. In 1997, the state of Connecticut also launched a massive media campaign for community awareness of the social problem and encourage to get help for people with gambling addictions because at least 70,000 adults in Connecticut have gambling problems. Pathological gambling is a progressive disease that devastates not only the gambler, but everyone with whom he or she has a significant relationship. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association accepted pathological gambling as a disorder of impulse control . It is an illness that is chronic and progressive, but it can be diagnosed and treated. Some of the costs are: physical and psychological stress, significant increase of substance and alcohol abuse, major depressive disorders and attempted suicide. The gambling addict is basically a slave to the habit. He needs the stimulation that winning money creates and this possibility keeps him going. The underlining problem is a self-image of himself as a failure and this destroys his self esteem. Many of them have been laid off work or ousted from a relationship and gambling tends to distract one from thinking about ones failures. Besides the negative effects that gambling can have directly on an individual, there are overwhelming economic and social costs of widespread casino gaming that many states (particularly the ones which allow legalized gambling) have to deal with. In 1996, Professors William N. Thompson and Ricardo C. Gazel of the University of Nevada Las Vegas conducted a BGA (Better Government Association) study on the effects of riverboat gambling on the state of Illinois. Thompson and Gazel found that the social costs of one pathological gambler is $10,000 a year, this includes the economic cost of debt, insurance, crime, incarceration, and clinical treatment. In Wisconsin, Thompson and Gazel did a study of Indian gaming, and they concluded that there was no net economic impact- none whatsoever. Thompson said: All that was happening was poor people- the players, were losing their money, the poorer players- the Indians. Theyre paying your taxes. With local players instead of new tourists, Thompson says, there is very little, if any, job creation; gambling simply initiates a massive transfer of money from the owners of local business to the owners of casinos. Because they havent been around long enough, no one knows yet what the impacts of Indian gaming will be. The only thing that I would say in respect to the people living where Indian gaming is legal, is that youre rolling the dice with the quality of life, Thompson said. Ten years from now, he predicts, somebody will do a study and realize the real economic and social impacts of gaming. Another big concern for the future is video gaming, which many local businesses want to compete with casinos. Thompson calls video gaming the crack cocaine of gambling. Be careful of wide-open video poker all over the place, he warns. You could really screw this place up. Gambling is a big business in America. Gambling is a three hundred billion dollar business

The Truman Show Essays

The Truman Show Essays The Truman Show Paper The Truman Show Paper National Product of a small country. You have to remember the show has no breaks for adverts so therefore there are product placements throughout the film. For example every morning Truman is always pushed against a billboard for a few seconds by the two twins advertising Kaiser chicken, etc, Mococoa drinking chocolate, the Chefs Pal, etc. Even though the show has a very retro feel to it, the cars in the programme are always the latest models and are always the top brands of car. Trumans car itself is very new and made by one of the worlds top brands. By the show having the latest brands of car it means the Truman Show producers can ask the car companies to pay top dollar in order to have their car featured on the show, It also probably works out cheaper for the shows producers to have car companies provide cars then them buying prop cars. We are informed in the film that everything in the show is for sale and everything is available from the Truman Show catalogue, for example you can buy Truman cushions, t-shirts and baseball caps. When we are in Truman bar there is an old episode playing when Truman meets Lauren for the first time and the member of staff tell us, all you can watch that on the Truman Show video collection. The viewers can even buy videos of the Truman Show, to watch at their pleasure. I think this could be Peter Weirs way pf telling us that the modern world is full of product placements and advertisements, that the world us a very commercial place to be living in, in this century. In the last half of the film Truman starts to realise that everything isnt quite what it seems and that something is seriously wrong in his life. In Seahaven all the cameras are hidden; in the radio in Trumans and behind the mirror in Trumans bathroom. There are many cameras in different positions so the viewers get a better view of what Truman is doing. As for us (the viewer watching The Truman Show film) the whole concept of the film is not reality, but the worlds of the production team and the audience of the T.V show are filmed as if they are. Peter Weir does the opposite of normal filming i.e. we can see the mask of the camera lens i.e.when Truman is in his car and the camera is behind the dial in his radio. Peter Weir shows us the mask of the camera because he is creating a surveillance theme on Truman and to show that its not reality. Peter Weir also used hidden cameras in surprising places like in the mirror and the dogs collar. This distinguishes that we are watching the world of Seahaven (The Truman Show T.V). Peter Weir uses high angles at Truman meaning that he is the star of his own show. There is also a shot were the camera turns upside down, the camera was in the pencil sharpner and whilst Truman was sharpening his pencil the camera was upside down this also suggest that Trumans World will turn upside down and that everything will change sides. Christoff the director of The Truman Show T.V also does adverts for the show because The Truman Show T.v is being broadcasted world wide and will have a lot of dedicated fans buying products that are advertised via the show. When Meryl is advertising the multi purpose knife/kitchen gadget, Meryl is in the centre of the shot and purposely holding the product so the camera will have a good direct shot at the product. Our perspective is manipulated, as the product is shown bigger then it is in real.The camera does a close up on the product to show the viewer what they are advertising. When Meryl has stopped advertising, Truman asks her what the hell are you talking about! he says this because he had noticed a change in Meryls behaviour and wanted to know what was going on. The whole concept of advertising is to separate money from The Truman Show t.v ; this is the real motivation behind the show.  Wendy Stites, the films visual consultant chose the costumes for the actors to ware. Wendy got her ideas from a book called Everyday fashions of the 1940s. Wendy worked with Marilyn Mathews a cloths designer, Marilyn said Our challenge was to avoid making costumes too Cornish and also not to make them too tied into a specific period of time. By this they concentrated on checked patterns (which Truman wares) and red,black and yellow are worn by the other actors. Truman stands out because he often has creases on his cloths and the texture is rugged. All the other chracters i.e Meryl wares clothes that are perfect with no creases or any signs of ware. Meryls cloths are steroetypically feminine; as the colours she wares are mainly pink and femine colours. We often saw that trumans clothes were rugged and had creases on them. This may suggest that truman is having a mid life crisis.

Venomous Sea Snake Facts (Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae)

Venomous Sea Snake Facts (Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) Sea snakes include 60 species of marine snakes from the cobra family (Elapidae). These reptiles fall into two groups: true sea snakes (subfamily Hydrophiinae) and sea kraits (subfamily Laticaudinae). The true sea snakes are most closely related to Australian cobras, while kraits are related to Asian cobras. Like their terrestrial relatives, sea snakes are highly venomous. Unlike terrestrial cobras, most sea snakes are not aggressive (with exceptions), have small fangs, and avoid delivering venom when they bite. While similar to cobras in many respects, sea snakes are fascinating, unique creatures, perfectly adapted to life in the sea. Fast Facts: Venomous Sea Snake Scientific Name: Subfamilies Hydrophiinae and LaticaudinaeCommon Names: Sea snake, coral reef snakeBasic Animal Group: ReptileSize: 3-5 feetWeight: 1.7-2.9 poundsLifespan: Estimated 10 yearsDiet: CarnivoreHabitat: Coastal Indian and Pacific OceanPopulation: UnknownConservation Status: Most species are Least Concern Description Yellow-bellied sea snake (Hydrophis platurus), illustrating the body shape of a true sea snake. Nastasic / Getty Images Aside from analyzing its DNA, the best way to identify a sea snake is by its tail. The two types of sea snakes have very different appearances because they have evolved to live different aquatic lives. The true sea snakes have flattened, ribbon-like bodies, with oarlike tails. Their nostrils are on top of their snouts, making it easier for them to breathe when they surface. They have small body scales and may lack belly scales entirely. True sea snake adults range from 1 to 1.5 meters (3.3 to 5 feet) in length, although a length of 3 meters is possible. These snakes crawl awkwardly on land and may become aggressive, although they cannot coil to strike. You can find both true sea snakes and kraits in the sea, but only sea kraits crawl efficiently on land. A sea krait has a flattened tail, but it has a cylindrical body, lateral nostrils, and enlarged belly scales like a terrestrial snake. A typical krait color pattern is black alternating with bands of white, blue, or gray. Sea kraits are somewhat shorter than true sea snakes. An average adult krait is about 1 meter in length, although some specimens reach 1.5 meters. Habitat and Distribution Sea snakes are found throughout the coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. They do not occur in the Red Sea, Atlantic Ocean, or Caribbean Sea. Most sea snakes live in shallow water less than 30 meters (100 feet) deep because they need to surface to breathe, yet must seek their prey near the sea floor. However, the yellow-bellied sea snake (Pelamis platurus) may be found in the open ocean. The so-called California sea snake is Pelamis platurus. Pelamis, like other sea snakes, cannot live in cool water. Below a certain temperature, the snake is unable to digest food. Snakes may be found washed up on shores in the temperature zone, typically driven by storms. However, they call the tropics and subtropics their home.   The so-called California sea snake is actually the yellow-bellied sea snake. Auscape / UIG / Getty Images Diet and Behavior The true sea snakes are predators that eat small fish, fish eggs, and young octopuses. True sea snakes may be active during the day or at night. Sea kraits are nocturnal feeders that prefer to feed on eels, supplementing their diet with crabs, squid, and fish. While they have not been observed feeding on land, kraits return to it to digest prey. Some sea snakes host the sea snake barnacle (Platylepas ophiophila), which hitches a ride to catch food. Sea snakes (kraits) may also host parasitic ticks. Sea snakes are preyed upon by eels, sharks, large fish, sea eagles, and crocodiles. Should you find yourself stranded at sea, you can eat sea snakes (just avoid getting bitten). You can tell this is a krait because it has nostrils on either side of its snout. Todd Winner/Stocktrek Images / Getty Images Like other snakes, sea snakes need to breathe air. While kraits surface for air regularly, true sea snakes can remain submerged for around 8 hours. These snakes can breathe through their skin, absorbing up to 33 percent of needed oxygen and expelling up to 90 percent of waste carbon dioxide. The left lung of a true sea snake is enlarged, running much of its body length. The lung affects the animals buoyancy and buys it time underwater. The nostrils of a true sea snake close when the animal is underwater. While they live in the oceans, sea snakes cannot extract fresh water from the saline sea. Kraits may drink water from land or the sea surface. True sea snakes must wait for rain so they may drink the relatively fresh water floating on the seas surface. Sea snakes can die of thirst. Reproduction and Offspring Olive sea snake two days old, Reef HQ Aquarium, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Auscape / UIG / Getty Images The true sea snakes may be oviparous (lay eggs) or ovoviviparous (live birth from fertilized eggs held within the females body). The mating behavior of the reptiles is unknown, but it may be linked to the occasional schooling of large numbers of snakes. The average clutch size is 3 to 4 young, but as many as 34 young may be born. Snakes born in the water may be nearly as large as adults. The genus Laticauda is the only oviparous group of true sea snakes. These snakes lay their eggs on land. All sea kraits mate on land and lay their eggs (oviparous) in rock crevices and caves on shore. A female krait may deposit from 1 to 10 eggs before returning to the water. Sea Snake Senses Olive sea snake, Hydrophiidae, Pacific ocean, Papua New Guinea. Reinhard Dirscherl / Getty Images Like other snakes, sea snakes flick their tongues to gain chemical and thermal information about their environment. Sea snake tongues are shorter than those of regular snakes because its easier to taste molecules in water than in air. Sea snakes ingest salt with prey, so the animal has special sublingual glands under its tongue that allow it to remove excess salt from its blood and expel it with a tongue flick. Scientists dont know much about sea snake vision, but it appears to play a limited role in catching prey and selecting mates. Sea snakes have special mechanoreceptors that help them sense vibration and movement. Some snakes respond to pheromones to identify mates. At least one sea snake, the olive sea snake (Aipysurus laevis), has photoreceptors in its tail that allow it to sense light. Sea snakes may be able to detect electromagnetic fields and pressure, but the cells responsible for these senses have yet to be identified. Sea Snake Venom Sea snakes bear close observation, but may bite if threatened. Joe Dovala / Getty Images Most sea snakes are highly venomous. Some are even more venomous than cobras! The venom is a deadly mixture of neurotoxins and myotoxins. However, humans rarely get bitten, and when they do, the snakes rarely deliver venom. Even when envenomation (venom injection) does occur, the bite may be painless and initially produce no symptoms. Its common for some of the snakes small teeth to remain in the wound. Symptoms of sea snake poisoning occur within 30 minutes to several hours. They include headache, stiffness, and muscle pain throughout the body. Thirst, sweating, vomiting, and a thick-feeling tongue may result. Rhadomyolisis (muscle degradation) and paralysis ensue. Death occurs if the muscles involved in swallowing and respiration are affected. Because bites are so rare, antivenin is next to impossible to obtain. In Australia, a specific sea snake antivenin exists, plus the antivenin for the Ausatralian tiger snake may be used as a substitute. Elsewhere, youre pretty much out of luck. The snakes are not aggressive unless they or their nest are threatened, but its best to leave them alone. The same caution should be applied to snakes washed up on beaches. Snakes may play dead as a defense mechanism. Even a dead or decapitated snake may bite via reflex. Conservation Status Habitat destruction and over-fishing are threats to sea snake survival. Hal Beral / Getty Images Sea snakes, as a whole, are not endangered. However, there are some species on the IUCN Red List. Laticauda crockeri is vulnerable, Aipysurus fuscus is endangered, and Aipysurus foliosquama (leaf-scaled sea snake) and Aipysurus apraefrontalis (short-nose sea snake) are critically endangered. Sea snakes are difficult to keep in captivity, due to their specialized diets and habitat requirements. They need to be housed in rounded tanks to avoid damaging themselves on corners. Some need to be able to exit the water. Pelamis platurus accepts goldfish as food and can survive captivity. Animals That Resemble Sea Snakes Garden eels look a bit like snakes. Mark Newman / Getty Images There are several animals that resemble sea snakes. Some are relatively harmless, while others are venomous and more aggressive than their aquatic cousins. Eels are often mistaken for sea snakes because they live in the water,  have a serpentine appearance, and breathe air. Some species of eels can give a nasty bite. A few are poisonous. Some species can deliver an electric shock. The sea snakes cousin is the cobra. Cobras are excellent swimmers that can deliver a deadly bite. While they are most often found swimming in freshwater, they are at ease in coastal saltwater, too. Other snakes, both on land and water, may be confused with sea snakes. While the true sea snakes may be recognized by their flattened bodies and oar-shaped tails, the only visible trait distinguishing sea kraits from other snakes is a somewhat flattened tail. Sources Coborn, John.  The Atlas of Snakes of the World. New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications, inc. 1991.Cogger, Hal.  Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Sydney, NSW: Reed New Holland. p.  722, 2000.Motani, Ryosuke. The Evolution of Marine Reptiles.  Evo Edu Outreach.  2: 224–235, May, 2009.Mehrtens J M. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp., 1987

Reverse Racism Definition

Reverse Racism Definition Acts of racism make newspaper headlines daily. Theres no shortage of media coverage about racial discrimination or racially motivated violence, be it plots by white supremacists to kill  President Barack Obama  or police killings of unarmed black men. But what about reverse racism? Is reverse racism even real and, if so, whats the best way to define it? Defining Reverse Racism Reverse racism refers to discrimination against whites, usually in the form of programs meant to advance ethnic minorities such as affirmative action. Anti-racist activists in the U.S. have largely deemed reverse racism to be impossible, as the power structure of the United States has historically benefited whites and continues to do so today, despite the election of a black president. Such activists argue that the definition of racism isnt just one individuals belief that a certain race is superior to others but also includes institutional oppression. Explains white anti-racist activist Tim Wise in A Look at the Myth of Reverse Racism: When a group of people has little or no power over you institutionally, they dont get to define the terms of your existence, they cant limit your opportunities, and you neednt worry much about the use of a slur to describe you and yours, since, in all likelihood, the slur is as far as its going to go. What are they going to do next: deny you a bank loan? Yeah, right. In the Jim Crow South, for example, police officers, bus drivers, educators and other agents of the state worked in tandem to maintain segregation and, thus, racism against people of color. While ethnic minorities during this time may have harbored ill will towards Caucasians, they lacked the power to adversely affect whites lives. On the other hand, the very fate of people of color is determined by institutions that have traditionally discriminated against them. This explains, in part, why an African American who has committed a certain crime is likely to receive a stiffer sentence than a white person who committed an identical crime. What Makes White Racism Distinct? Because American institutions havent traditionally been anti-white, the argument that whites can be truly victimized by reverse racism is difficult to make. Still, the assertion that reverse racism exists has persisted since the late 20th century when the government implemented widespread programs to make up for historic discrimination against ethnic minorities. In 1994, Time magazine ran an article about a small minority of Afro-centrists known as melanists who posit that those with an abundance of dark skin pigment, or melanin, are more humane and superior to lighter-skinned people, not to mention prone to having paranormal powers such as ESP and psychokinesis. The idea that one group of people is superior to another based on skin color certainly fits the dictionary definition of racism. Yet, the melanists had no institutional power to spread their message or subjugate lighter-skinned people based on their racist beliefs. Moreover, because the melanists spread their message in pred ominantly black settings, its likely that few whites even heard their racist message, let alone suffered because of it. Melanists lacked the institutional influence to oppress whites with their ideology. What separates white racism from any other form †¦is [its] ability†¦to become lodged in the minds of and perceptions of the citizenry, Wise explains. White perceptions are what end up counting in a white-dominated society. If whites say Indians are savages, then by God, theyll be seen as savages. If Indians say whites are mayonnaise-eating Amway salespeople, who the hell is going to care? And such was the case with the melanists. No one cared what they had to say about the melanin-deprived because this fringe group of Afro-centrists lacked power and influence. When Institutions Favor Ethnic Minorities Over Whites If we include institutional power in the definition of racism, it’s virtually impossible to argue that reverse racism exists. But as institutions attempt to compensate ethnic minorities for the racism of the past via affirmative action programs and similar policies, the government has found that whites have experienced discrimination. In June 2009, white firefighters from New Haven, Conn., won a â€Å"reverse discrimination† Supreme Court case. The suit stemmed from the fact that white firefighters who excelled on a qualifying test to receive promotions were prevented from moving up because their colleagues of color had not performed so well. Rather than allow the white firefighters to promote, the city of New Haven dismissed the test results for fear that minority firefighters would sue if they weren’t also promoted. Chief Justice John Roberts argued that the events in New Haven amounted to racial discrimination against whites because the city would not have refused to promote black firefighters if their white counterparts had performed poorly on the qualifying exam. The Case for Diversity Initiatives Not all whites who find themselves excluded as institutions try to right past wrongs feel victimized. In a piece for The Atlantic called â€Å"Reverse Racism, or How the Pot Got to Call the Kettle Black,† legal scholar Stanley Fish described being ruled out of an administrative position at a university when the powers-that-be decided that a woman or ethnic minority would be a better candidate for the job. Fish explained: Although I was disappointed, I did not conclude that the situation was ‘unfair,’ because the policy was obviously†¦ not intended to disenfranchise white males. Rather, the policy was driven by other considerations, and it was only as a by-product of those considerations- not as the main goal- that white males like me were rejected. Given that the institution in question has a high percentage of minority students, a very low percentage of minority faculty, and an even lower percentage of minority administrators, it made perfect sense to focus on women and minority candidates, and within that sense, not as the result of prejudice, my whiteness and maleness became disqualifications. Fish argues that whites who find themselves excluded when white institutions try to diversify mustn’t protest. Exclusion when the goal is not racism but an attempt to level the playing field can’t compare to the centuries of racial subjugation that people of color experienced in U.S. society. Ultimately, this kind of exclusion serves the greater good of eradicating racism and its legacy, Fish points out. Wrapping Up Does reverse racism exist? Not according to the antiracist definition of racism. This definition includes institutional power and not just the prejudices of a lone individual. As institutions which have historically benefited whites attempt to diversify, however, they sometimes favor ethnic minorities over whites. Their purpose in doing so is to right the wrongs of the past and the present against minority groups. But as institutions embrace multiculturalism, they are still forbidden by the 14th Amendment from directly discriminating against any racial group, including whites. Thus, while institutions engage in minority outreach, they must do so in a way that doesn’t unjustly penalize whites for their skin color alone.

Was Reconstruction a Failure or Success Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Was Reconstruction a Failure or Success - Essay Example Slavery may have temporarily ended but the much anticipated improvement of the lives of Negroes did not happen.   For example, the change that happened in most black nuclear families was mainly to seek their independence from white authority.   Slave quarters may have vanished but tenant farms replaced them which have very little improvement from its previous state.   Perhaps what made the failure â€Å"splendid† was because the period gave Black Americans an idea of what their future might be as free men and the possibility of reaping their own labors as free citizens and not as bondage towards plantations.   Despite little improvement in their economic conditions, the African Americans were given the right to vote by the Freeman’s Bureau.   Many of the Black American’s were also educated that gave them an idea of what a real freedom would be.   One converging account why the Reconstruction failed was also attributed to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln whose great project – the Reconstruction remain unfinished.   The way his successor President Andrew Jackson handled the Reconstruction only highlighted that it was only Lincoln who was capable of handling the transition of Blacks into modern American society.   President Jackson was not able to compromise with the Republicans but instead created a political gridlock that disabled his ability to continue Lincoln’s Reconstructionist policy in the South.  ... President Jackson was not able to compromise with the Republicans but instead created a political gridlock that disabled his ability to continue Lincoln’s Reconstructionist policy in the South. The Republicans left on their own was also equally inadequate as it negated President Andrew’s intention to continue the Reconstruction policy of Lincoln and instead instituted its own brand of hatred politics towards the defeated Confederacy by instituting black supremacist government. Corruption and ineptness followed whereby the Freedmen did not know how to exercise responsibly the newly found political power entrusted upon them and instead squandered them away. Instead of ending segregation between races, the black Southerners contributed to the failure of Reconstruction by imposing their own brand of discriminatory policies whereby the whites retaliated and overthrow the â€Å"dominance† of the black government and restored the home rule or white supremacy (Fitzgerald , 2008). And so the old status quo was restored and this time, with more hatred among the Southerners (the white community) that it made them unalterably opposed to any idea of ending segregation, readmission or reintegration of blacks into American society. This served as the final nail on the coffin of Reconstruction which was doomed to fail with the death of Abraham Lincoln. There are several evidences why the Reconstruction failed. First, the Southerners reasserted â€Å"home rule† or reinstitution of white supremacist policy in the South and the emergence of Klu Klux Klan who were clod in white garments in imitation of the African American’s ghostly superstition. This