A Mexican American Cultural Experience

A Mexican American Cultural Experience America is the melting pot of the world. One can encounter many different cultures within a community. As a result, there are several options for cultural experiences available. One particular event that occurred within my community was a Mexican American Festival.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on A Mexican American Cultural Experience specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This was a festival acknowledging the Day of Dead which was celebrated throughout Mexico on November 1. At first, I thought it was another Halloween party, but it turned out to be something completely different. In Mexico, the Day of Dead (Dà ­a de Muertos) is a traditional holiday to remember all of ones family members and friends who have passed away. As tradition goes, families will visit the cemetery and decorate the graves with colorful flowers, candles, and other little adornments. At home, the memorial continues as the families create an alter wi th a picture of the person who has passed away and they decorate this alter with things that were of interest to the deceased when they were alive. This is followed by a huge family gathering including music, food, and fun for everyone. The belief is that during the Day of the Dead, the deceased love will return and visit their alter. There were several people from the Mexican culture at the Mexican American Festival. There were several families with many children, seniors, and groups of friends. Many of the Hispanic people were dressed in authentic Mexican clothes including sombreros and boots for the men and large colorful, flowing dresses for the women. Others were dressed like the current fad. There was a mixture of different clothing, but one could tell it was a Mexican celebration because many had authentic wear or things one would not normally see in the American culture. The entire hall was decorated with skeletons and skulls which is a traditional Day of the Dead decoration in Mexico. There were also pià ±atas hanging from the ceiling and the lights were lowered with some disco lights. Each table was nicely decorated with small skulls of many different colors.Advertising Looking for essay on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There was a huge dance floor in the middle of the hall and a food buffet in the back of the hall. All of the deco rations were symbolistic of the Mexican culture and were very colorful and festive. It was hard to believe that this was a celebration of death. On the largest wall in the hall was a huge piece of while bulletin board paper with some pens where many of the Mexican people wrote the names of the their deceased family members and friends. This paper was full of name. A form of Mariachi music or salsa music was playing and many people were dancing and having a good time. For awhile, they had a live Mexican band and other times, they had a D J who played discs. The form of dance was very different from the American way of dancing. It seemed that all of the couples were dancing in a similar 1-2 step fashion. At times it was a salsa dance and other times it was a cumbia or a bachata dance. Some were dancing as a couple and others were dancing in a circle of friends. The music upbeat and lively throughout the entire party. There was also a lot of traditional Mexican food that would be eaten during the Day of the Dead in Mexico. One thing that stood out were the sugar skulls. There were little skulls made out of marzipan. In addition, there were also several skulls shaped cookies and cakes. All of the pastries were in the form of skeleton and skulls just as it is done in Mexico. Dinner was also available for those who were hungry. The menu consisted of tamales, tacos, beans, rice, chicken mole, pozole, and corn on the cob. All meals were served with warm corn tortillas. The food was free with paid admission and there was mo re than plenty to go around. Plenty of hot sauce was also available. As for drinks, there were Coca Colas, fruit juices, tea, and of course, Corona, the most famous beer of Mexico. Even though people were drinking alcohol, it was a family event and all was very well-controlled. The Day of the Day is a very festive day that is celebrated in all parts of Mexico. The Mexican people who live here in the United States continue to celebrate their tradition. I enjoyed the festival and I learned a lot about the Mexican culture. The food, the dance, the decorations and the symbolism behind the reason for the festival was very culturally oriented, educational, and entertaining.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on A Mexican American Cultural Experience specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It gave me an entire new respect in the Mexican culture. By attending festivals such as this one, I feel that I better understand a small part of th e Mexican culture and it was an honor to be apart of such a sentimental memorial. It was a very important event for each and every participant and their Mexican pride was very evident. I believe that if more people could attend festivals such as this one; not only from the Mexican culture, but also from other cultures, much of the worlds racism might be eliminated. Racism stems from a lack of understand, and when one is offered opportunities such as this one, an opportunity for understanding the culture is available. Although I did not understand the language, I still had fun and for the most part, understood everything that was going on. Viva Mexico!

Its an art essay which describes the developing of Arabian architecture in Spain

Its an art essay which describes the developing of Arabian architecture in Spain L'architettura araba in Spagna si ha a partire dal 756, anno in cui Abd er-Rahman divenne emiro di Cordova. Gli umayadi, con i loro seguaci siriani in Spagna, continuarono l'evoluzione dell'architettura umayade in Spagna e Africa settentrionale.La Grande Moschea del VenerdÂÆ'Â ¬ a Cordova, mutilata nel XVIsecolo, ÂÆ' una delle piÂÆ' belle opere che rimangono dell'architettura islamica. La prima moschea, priva di arcate intorno al sahn, stabilÂÆ'Â ¬ lo schema di ali parallele orientate nord-sud, schema che fu poi seguito da numerose moschee dell'Africa settentrionale. Il disegno degli straordinari archi doppi, legati in mattoni ed in pietra, che sostengono il soffitto ligneo, venne pure fissato in questa epoca, forse in base allo schema di un acquedotto romano. Tali archi risolvono il problema di adattare i corti fusti della colonna antica ad un alto soffitto mediante l'uso di un doppio ordine di archi. La loro forma rotonda, a ferro di cavallo, si diffuse in Spagna e nell'Afric a del nord.English: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore company headqua...Il sahn venne circondato da portici. Sotto Hakam II, furono costruite le tre volte sul masqura e la splendida lanterna di asse con il mihrab.Con l'opera di Hakam II l'architettura umayade era giunta all'apogeo.Hakan fu probabilmente influenzato dalla moschea di Qairawan, ove come a Cordova, ad una struttura di colonne erano state applicate delle volte a pietra. La cupola era dotata di profondi spicchi.In epoca romana la cupola scanalata era stata associata simbolicamente con la volta del cielo ed il medesimo significato rivestiva nelle chiese e nei palazzi bizantini. A Cordova cupole di questo tipo coronano le ali centrali delle moschee del venerdÂÆ'Â ¬. L'associazione simbolica della cupola a spicchi con la sovranitÂÆ' , era giÂÆ' nota all'architetto di Cordova ed al suo mittente.Provvide ad una controvenatura intrecciando gli stessi doppi ordini di archi che si intrecciano in tre dimensioni,

Comparison of Economics and Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Comparison of Economics and Marketing - Essay Example Marketing mainly is an art of making a product known to consumers by use of various marketing tools such as pricing and research, product promotions and price setting for a particular product. Economics and marketing are similar and different in several ways (Baker, Graham et al 73). Economics and marketing are similar mainly because of the business context in which they are applied. Goods and services are produced so that they are available for consumers who pay for them. In the economic system of a nation, consumers play a vital part as the target end after production. The key motivation for producers is to sell their products and services to consumers during a low consumer demand. This forms the marketing part of the production. Diverse schools of thought though argue that marketing is borrowed from economics. Trade off involving dissimilar alternatives impacts the behavior of consumers in marketing and economics. The alternatives are necessary for economics in that consumers try to decide on what to buy and not to buy based on unlimited human wants which needs satisfaction with inadequate means. In marketing, it is not just a matter of competing with competitors for buyers, but competition among unrelated different products in the market (Baker, Graham et al 84). This implies that in marketing consumers are convinced in the best brand and in the economic part, the brand has the best bargain for the cash. Consumers are willing to review the price of a commodity before they purchase it. Different consumers have a unique willingness to buying a product. This point explains well price discrimination working. Price discrimination is whereby consumers are buying similar products in the market for different prices based on their ability.

2,500 EDU essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

2,500 EDU - Essay Example They usually outperformed the expectations of the community they served. There was no need to educate them about their code of conduct. Good practices were internalised in the course of the practice of their profession. Now the scenario has changed drastically and more people are taking up these professions as their career. Naturally, career progression and financial compensation packages have become important. With increase in the number of patients and lifestyle diseases, healthcare requirements have increased manifold. The rapid advancement of diagnostic and preventive technologies has facilitated setting up of improved infrastructure for healthcare. More hospitals, clinics and specialist health care centres have been set up in both government and private sectors. The requirement of qualified and trained health workers has increased considerably over the past many years. Associations have been formed to represent and promote the interests of the healthcare professionals. The government also have realised the need for setting minimum performance standards for healthcare and social work organisations and their professional practitioners, considering the drastic increase in the number and diversity of such organisations. Codes of practice have been framed by the government as well as professional bodies in response to this need. The same underlying causes have also contributed to many fold increase in the number of educational institutions and education professionals. It is in this context that we examine the hypothesis, "Education professionals have codes of occupational practice that are similar to those of health and social work professionals". The role and nature of work of the teacher has changed very much over the years. Teaching had followed a more or less rigid pattern with the teachers prescribing what to learn from well defined reference materials. The teachers therefore had absolute control and autonomy.

Three questions for corporate social responsibility Essay

Three questions for corporate social responsibility - Essay Example The ability of large corporations to influence how the economy is moving is perhaps one of the most important reasons why their governance should be taken seriously. The administrations of these corporations should always be put under the microscope and watched closely so that they do not end up doing business which is unethical and which might end up making investors lose confidence in it. Consequently, it has become necessary for corporations to have strong boards to oversee their activities since without them they would lack direction. While this should be the case, most corporations are often lax in their governance since their major aim often tends to be to make profits at any cost (Morrison 2004, p.122). There is the suggestion that companies only take their governance seriously when they feel that they are at risk of not only losing their customers, but also their clients as well. Companies need to find proper validation for their actions and to ensure this; they have to take their governance seriously. It is a fact that those companies or corporations that have strong principles of governance are the ones that are the most successful and this is the reason why this matter should be taken most seriously (Leighton and Garven 1996, p.809). Without strong governance, corporations are likely to cause their own collapse because it is often too late for them to correct those mistakes that they have made, and a major example of this is the current financial crisis caused by financial institutions. Corporate governance is not all about public relations and corporate social responsibility but is separate activities that should be evaluated separately. However, the latter activities are often used by corporations to promote an image of good governance, often ignoring the fact that it any crisis, such as the financial crisis, occurs, then these activities would be of little significance in saving the corporation. Q2 The agency dilemma is a situation where individua ls place their money in the hands of directors of the companies in which they are investing, since these directors are better placed to watch over the money. While this is the case, the agency dilemma states that these managers are not likely to give the money the attention it needs since it is not theirs but belongs to someone else (Letza et al 2008, p.21). This means that they would not care whether the owner of the money gets a profit or a loss as long as they get their commission out of it. Such a situation would therefore put the investor in a dilemma because he would not know whether to trust others with his money or not since the possibility of being protected against sustaining losses would be low indeed. Agency theory is similar to the agency dilemma because it involves shareholders signing a contract with those who run the company that they are investing in to take care of their interests. While this is the case, it means that the shareholders have to let go of any decisio n-making authority towards their investment and trust to the directors or managers to act in good faith on their behalf. Consequently, it is not often easy for the shareholder to gauge whether the manager of a company will act in his best interests or not. In fact, according to the agency theory, while directors are obliged to act in the interests of their clients, this is not often the case and the former will often work for their

Importance Of Employee Productivity

Importance Of Employee Productivity Abstract Employee productivity is very important for the success of the company in todays global competitive environment. Organizations now realized that key asset is the human capital. Employees get stress in the working environment and this slows down their productivity. There are different factors like poor air quality, open space, noise pollution, temperature, lighting, interior together effect the productivity of employees. The objective of the repot is to increase the productivity in the workplace with a particular focus on the design and interior of the office. The design of the office gives solution to all the elements which contribute in the slow productivity of employees. Environmentally responsible material and furnishings were selected to protect the health and well-being of both employees and global ecosystems. Introduction This is the era of globalization. The business environment in America is growing by giving tough competition to each other in all aspects (Marilyn, 2001). To stay in the market and deal with these changing trends, the organization or firms are focusing on internal operations like productivity, team work, and resources. They now realized that their key asset is human capital. Around 50% of North Americans work in offices, and a large percentage of these work in open-plan offices. Because people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, and much of it in their workplaces, the physical environment in offices should be carefully designed and managed. The physical conditions that tenant experience are important determinants of satisfaction, comfort, well-being, and effectiveness. Changes in modern business practices have considerably changed the way we work in the office (Kate Charles etal). When doing modern knowledge work, employees are required to analyze and integrate complex information , create new ideas, learn new skills continuously, and work in collaboration with colleagues. According to Marilyn (2001) the employees recognized their power and are now searching for new ways of giving their maximum productivity. Companies have come to realize the importance of comfort in the workplace environment in order to retain quality personnel, increase productivity, and maintain a competitive edge (Luparello, 2004). It is very important to increase comfort level of employees in order to increase profit for organization, firm and corporations. Another study was done by Ernesto (1997) in which he analyzed that on an individual level, most people experience some degree of stress in their daily lives and in their workplaces. To deal with this growing problem of work-related stress, employers must identify the specific sources of stress and take clear measures to address them (Allie, 1996). Good workplace design can make a big difference in staff satisfaction, attraction, motivation, and retention. It can also affect the level of knowledge and skills of workers, how innovative and creating they are, and how they respond to business and technological change. Poor workplace design, by contrast, is linked to lower business performance and higher level of stress experienced by employees (Amble, 2005). Vangen (1999) notes that the design of the workplace may be a significant driver in reducing employee stress. Consequently, by addressing such issues as poor acoustics, poor lighting, and poor indoor air quality, employers can go a long way towards reducing workplace stress. Karen (2004) during his research noticed that companies will look toward designs that will provide, open, technologically advanced, flexible, comfortable, and secure spaces-all the necessary components to attract and retain high caliber employees and maximize productivity. Welch (1996) focused on stress re duction issues. There are numerous, well-studied strategies that employers can apply, including anti-stress seating zones, ergonomic furniture, physical fitness centers (DiNubile Sherman, 1999). Knisley (2005) gave the idea that lighting level must be separated for individual workstation so they can perform better. However, it is important to note that this area of study is still in its relative infancy, and there is much research to be done on the subject (Beehr, 1998). An office building must have flexible and technologically advance working environment that are safe, healthy, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and accessible. It must be able to accommodate the specific space and equipment needs of the tenant. Special attention should be made to the selection of interior of the office. Karen (2004) during his research noticed that companies will look toward designs that will provide, open, technologically advanced, flexible, comfortable, and secure spaces-all the necessary comp onents to attract and retain high caliber employees and maximize productivity. Aims and Objectives The core objective of this repot is: To increase the productivity in the workplace with a particular focus on the office design. To explore interior design techniques that may reduce employee stress and enhance productivity while using environmentally responsible materials and furnishings Justification It is very important to understand the work place environment where workers are exposed to stress. Therefore, all the workers involved in the business are the major constituent of an organization. As the time passes workers gain experience and became more important tool of the organization. It is evident from different researches done in past that poor working environment is one of the cause of stress. It is very important to give them healthy work environment so they remain more useful for longer period. Office design has a direct correlation with high efficiency of workers. According to a report by the Rocky Mountain Institute in Boulder (Training, 1997), employees could do a much better job if employers paid attention to the work environment. Factors increasing workers productivity The following factors will reveal the way in which the physical, technological, and logical systems work together to promote work process and increase employee productivity while decreasing their stress: Open space and productivity Nowadays, there is a blurring of the hierarchy in the organization, and people are working in a more collaborative environment. Evidence abounds that a more open environment can facilitate team members contributions to productivity. Work spaces are designed to increase informal interaction, not just to save cost and space (Wah, 1998). One of the ways to enhance an open environment and increase interaction between employees is by using the cubicle, which was introduced in the 1970s. However, one problem with using a cubicle is that employees may feel some level of stress due to lack of privacy (Bencivenga, 1998). At the same time, the need for occasional privacy can be accommodated in a variety of ways: separate telephone rooms, conference rooms, and glass walls that can be shaded if necessary (Asirvatham, 1999). Indoor air quality In practical terms, poor air quality can make it harder to concentrate and work effectively leading to symptoms such as headaches, drowsiness or eye, nose or throat irritation. The indoor air quality is determined, to a large extent, by the buildings ventilation system. Researchers have recorded that approximately one third of all employee sick leaves are due to symptoms caused by poor air quality (Mendell et al, 1999). A single source of contamination, in the form of a contaminated carpet, was found to have a marked impact on the typing speed and error rate of occupants in an office building (Wargocki et al, 2002). Evidence indicates that, while the physical attributes of the workplace such as air quality and lighting can have an impact on the productivity of occupiers, it has been known for some time that what might be termed the psychosocial aspects of the working environment can also be significant contributors (or inhibitors) towards greater productivity. These aspects may relat e to the ability to interact with colleagues, the degree of social equity and community in the workplace and the provision of a stimulating visual environment. Access to windows and view, opportunities for interaction and control of ones immediate environment are some of the factors that contribute to improved workplace satisfaction. A substantial portion of the US population suffers from communicable respiratory illness, allergy, asthma symptoms, and symptoms of sick building syndrome. There is evidence that changes in the building design, operation, and maintenance can significantly reduce these illnesses. A decrease in these health problems would lead to lower health costs: a reduction in sick leave, and shorter periods of illness, which might increase work productivity. These benefits can be economically translated into billions of dollars (Fisk, 2000). Lighting Daylight provides important benefits to workers, including better visual acuity, a connection to nature, and enhanced productivity (Means, 2002). According to the Steelcase Workplace Index survey (released Dec. 1, 1999), 56% of the office workers responding said that poor lighting in the workplace caused them tired or watery eyes, while another 30% said it caused headaches Therefore, daylight was used throughout the office to promote productivity. In addition, a combination of indirect and direct electrical lighting was used to provide an even, glare-free ambiance, while task lighting was added to increase light levels for specific tasks (Steffy, 2002). Slater (1984) found that task lighting had the greatest impact on performance compared with down lighting and side lighting. The design of office environments must place emphasis on providing each occupant with access to natural light and views to the outside. Knisley (2005) found that in todays dynamic workplace, employees are shifti ng among a variety of tasks during a typical day. A high light level is needed for reading documents with small text, a medium light is more appropriate for meetings, and an even lower level is required for keyboard tasks on a computer. In addition, each employees personal light requirements may differ based on age, vision, or preference. The open office area would have pendant ambient lighting that would provide primarily indirect lighting but also some direct lighting to create an even, glare-free environment. In addition, task lighting will be added to each desk as needed. Lighting in conference rooms would be manually dimmable to provide light adjustment that supports different activities. Accent lighting will be installed to emphasize certain decorative features on the walls. In addition, daylight sensors would be installed to control electrical lighting level based on daylight contribution and thereby maximize efficiency. The following discusses some specific solutions for the lighting: In addition, a study conducted by the Commission for Architecture the Built Environment and the British Council for Offices found that even simple things such as good lighting and adequate daylight can reduce absenteeism by 15 per cent and increase productivity by between 2.8 per cent and 20 per cent (Amble, 2005). Windows have also been found to play an important role in employee stress. There is a relationship between lack of windows in the workplace and employees feelings of job dissatisfaction, depression, and tension. A view of natural elements such as trees, vegetation, plants, and foliage was found to buffer the negative impact of job stress (Leather Di Beals, 1998). Control noise levels. Cooper, Dewe, and ODriscoll (2001) suggest that poor noise conditions can have a severe impact on a workers physical health and psychological well-being.Unpredictable noise has been found to increase arousal levels but such noises also require more attention and cause distraction. Telephones ringing, doors banging, mobile phones ringing and coworkers shouting across the room could all be termed unpredictable noise, unless they occur with such frequency as to become the norm. Technical Connectivity Technology has become an indispensable tool for business and industry. Given that technology is driving a variety of changes in the organizational and architectural forms of office buildings. The design made must include easy access to this technology. Temperature It should not be too surprising to learn that performance levels of workers, whether in the office or factory environment, drop off when it gets too hot or too cold yet that is the finding of many research projects conducted over extended periods of time. In other words, there is an optimum temperature or band of temperatures to maximize performance. This is true particularly when considering the effects of temperature on physical performance although the link is less evident when considering effects on mental performance. To put it another way, the band of temperature that secures optimum mental performance is wider. Despite this finding, building management systems are typically operated to achieve a narrow spread of acceptable temperatures in the office environment. Wyon (1974) found that typewriting speeds were approximately 40-50% slower when temperatures rose from 200C to 240C. In a later study, Wyon et al (1979) concluded that certain office-based tasks can be improved by tem peratures up to 260C. Interestingly, when other tests were performed (assessing creativity, spelling, vocabulary and manual dexterity), the researchers found no material difference in performance as the temperature levels changed within a broad range. What the above research shows, if anything, is that the ideal temperature for a specific office-based activity may not be ideal for another activity or, occupiers are more resilient than is imagined and can cope adequately with a range of temperatures The vast majority of health research has focused on Building Related Illnesses (BRI) and the relationship to indoor air quality and the thermal environment. Occurrences of Building Related Illness can be very costly to an organization, especially when symptoms are associated with reduced work performance, absenteeism, or temporary abandonment of the building. Not surprisingly, one of the driving forces behind the sustainable design movement is the improvement of indoor air quality Use mobile furniture Adjustable and mobile furniture is a good option for growing businesses with limited space; you can easily reconfigure cubicles and workstations and rearrange your office to accommodate growth, partition departments, or separate equipment areas and other noisy parts of the office. Mobile furniture was selected to provide flexibility in accommodating team meetings and gatherings of different sizes and to adjust more easily to future changes (Sterk, 2005). The furniture should be extremely durable to avoid early replacement Relaxation, and exercise rooms An important component of stress management programs is relaxation centers that are analogous to fitness centers (Ernesto, 1997). The purpose of these facilities is to provide employees with an area, equipment, and qualified staff to encourage learning and practicing stress management and relaxation techniques. Special relaxation rooms are also mentioned by Stevens (2001). These rooms are totally enclosed and soundproof Therefore, the design strategy included support spaces such as meditation, exercise, and relaxation rooms. These rooms would provide employees with comfortable, stress-free venues to enhance creativity and productivity. The meditation room would have a view to the outside landscaping as suggested by Leather Di Beals (1998), who found that a view of natural elements such as trees, plants, and foliage could buffer the negative impact of job stress. Both the meditation and relaxation rooms would also be insulated and soundproof to limit noise distractions. Conclusion Based on the research cited in this study, it is clear that the stress levels, health, and productivity of people in their workplace can be greatly influenced by the environment and physical work space they occupy on a daily basis. It is important to continue to educate the business community regarding the direct benefits of providing an improved work environment. Good working environments can help employers recruit and retain well-qualified employees, and any improvements in the well-being of employees are in the best interests of the employers themselves. Before embarking on a design project, the designers must review the literature to identify the design theories and research that will guide design decisions (i.e. researchbased design). In this project there were two areas of interest: 1). reducing stress among employees and 2). Creating greater productivity for the company. Of equal importance is the need to educate the community about the benefits of using environmentally respon sible furnishing and finishing materials, which are now widely available. Increased use of these materials not only benefits the individuals in the workplace, it contributes to protection of global ecosystems. The research that supports this study suggests that a company that provides a well-designed work environment not only enhances the wellbeing of its employees but also increases productivity and may ultimately reduce its healthcare costs. Furthermore, it will set an example in the community as an environmentally responsible employer and member of that community. Recommendations An outcome of the research includes a series of recommendations targeted the designs of work place. Hire professional designers or engineers to ensure compliance with safety standards and codes. Provide designs in accordance with good practice as well as applicable building, fire, health codes and regulations. Conduct preliminary hazard analysis and design reviews to eliminate or mitigate hazards in work place. Provide engineering controls in place rather than rely on personal protective equipment or administrative work procedures to prevent mishaps. To reduce auditory distractions, put fax machines, copiers and other noisy office equipment in a separate area surrounded by cubicle walls Try to keep noisier employees, such as customer service representatives or salespeople who spend a lot of time on the phone, away from those who require quiet work spaces. Consider using panel systems, carpeting and ceiling tiles to absorb sound and provide privacy. During the planning stage, identify all necessary technological systems (e.g., voice/cable/data systems such as audio/visual systems, speaker systems, Internet access, Consider and accommodate for wireless technologies

Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye - Pecolas Mother is to Blame Essay

Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye  - Pecola's Mother is to Blame A black child is born and twelve years later that same child asks, "How do you get someone to love you?" The answer can't be found in Mrs. MacTeer's songs or in the Maginot Line's description of eating fish together, and even Claudia doesn't know because that question had never entered her mind. If Claudia had thought about it, she would have been able to explain to Pecola that although she didn't know exactly how you made someone love you that somehow she knew that she was loved. That love was expressed on those cold autumn nights when Claudia was sick and loving hands would gently touch her forehead and readjust her quilt. Those were the same loving hands that told Claudia that they did not want her to die, and those were the loving hands of her mother, Mrs. MacTeer. Unfortunately, Pecola had no loving hands to comfort her.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In America, in the 1940's, white supremacy reigned and the values of the white dominant group were internalized by the black community in Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. These images were reinforced in children's literature, on billboards and even on the giant theater screens. Although the effects of this propaganda rippled throughout the black community, its most devastating consequences were inflicted by Pauline Williams. Perhaps it was because she had always been a dreamer and she had to fantasize in order to escape her daily grind that the silver screen was able to captivate her. Once her education was complete, and she had been indoctrinated by the standards of this medium, she could never look at the world the same way again. Everything was now assigned a category; there was good and evil, white and black, beauty and ugliness, a... ..., she became Mrs. Breedlove in name only. She did not breed love; instead she procreated shame, guilt, and ugliness. Although it is true that Cholly's behavior was ugly, and he was dangerously free to gorge his own appetite, I believe that it was Pauline who forced the family to wear their ugliness. Pauline cultivated her child, Pecola, with ridicule and shame, and so she ripened, and felt unworthy. Pauline, more than anyone else, knew Cholly's character, yet she refused to believe, and protect her child from his lustful advances. As a consequence, Pecola turned to Soaphead Church for her protection, and his path led her into insanity. However, Soaphead Church was just her guide, Pecola's road to madness had already been paved the day she was born, by her mother! Works Cited: Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. Afterward by Toni Morrison. New York: Penguin, 1994.

Ethics of stem cell research Essay

The employment of human embryonic stem cells is a significant breakthrough in the filed of biomedical research. The capability to isolate, culture, harvest and manipulate stem cells presents a huge potential to generate new cells that will technically replace non-functional or degenerate cells in a patient’s body. Such revolutionary technology may possibly serve as a new treatment method for incurable and debilitating diseases. Amidst the excitement within the scientific world for the promises stem cell research brings, there is a growing debate on the ethics that are associated with this novel technology. The collection and manipulation of embryonic stem cells in the laboratory is dependent on the destruction of embryos. Such procurement of biological material therefore warrants the termination of an embryo which directly represents the very beginning of a human being (Robertson, 1999; Leies, 2005). Society has thus questioned whether the scientific world has ignored the absolute value of life in exchange for excellence in biomedical research. In a newspaper article from the Washington post entitled â€Å"Clash over stem cell research heats up,† Rick Weiss (2006) describes how stem cell research is perceived by two sides of the issue. Both sides have aggressively used the media in helping them air out their concerns and excitement, respectively, over the use of embryonic stem cells. The newspaper article was written and published a few days before the Senate would meet to determine the fate of embryonic stem cell research in the United States. The stem cell research bill was initially reviewed in 2001 and indicated that research efforts on embryonic stem cells in the United States will not be funded due to ethical reasons. This new bill will thus take control of the 2001 restriction and will therefore allow funding of research programs on embryonic stem cells that have been created as of August 2001. The bill aims to preserve and protect human embryos from their destruction, yet several scientific groups have claimed that this restriction has hampered their research efforts on regenerative medicine, and has also resulted in the lag of research output. More importantly, other countries that are not restricted from performing embryonic stem cell research have gained a 5-years’ worth of research advantage over the United States. The controversy regarding the ethical issues of embryonic stem cell research impacts the entire human population. Each individual in the society has a susceptibility to contract a disease that might possibly need the use of stem cells that can replace defective ones in the body. We have heard of a number of public figures that have suffered from diseases that could have been resolved through the use of embryonic stem cells. The late former President Ronal Reagan suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and the late actor Christopher Reeve experienced spinal cord injury. Both of these individuals are prime examples of people who could have benefited from the results of embryonic stem cell research. Stem cells may be cultured and manipulated to differentiate into specific types of cells such as astrocytes or brain cells for Alzheimer’s patients, and neural cells for patients with spinal cord injury (Snow, 2003). However, nothing has been done since 2001 because the federal government has put a hold on any research activities that involves stem cell manipulation and experimentation. A solution to current debate on the ethical issues associated with embryonic stem cell research is the comprehensive explanation of the definition of embryonic stem cells. It is imperative that the non-scientific public understand the principles and techniques behind the generation of embryonic stem cells. It is also important that the public know that harvesting embryonic stem cells is not much different from abortion. It is also essential to understand that the body of a human female biologically destroys or discards hundred of eggs cells through the natural course. The scientific group, in turn, should be patient enough to explain the area of embryonic stem cell research. I think that the ethical debate on the use of embryonic stem cells for research originates mainly from the miscommunication, misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the concept of embryonic stem cells. In addition, the public only relies on the information that is released by senators and stem cell research activists, who have actually distorted the concept of stem cell research. Should the scientific world be humble enough to example the basics of stem cell research, including the misnomers and benefits of the research, the ethical debate on this issue would decrease and might even vanish. The debate on the ethical issues of stem cell research is just one of several topics that have been under intense scrutiny by the public eye. Other issues of human concern include the employment of genetically modified organisms (GMO), organic foods, genetic engineering and biotechnology. It should be known that these technological innovations were basically created to improve the quality of life and not to destroy existing life forms. Everything that interacts with human beings has its benefits and disadvantages, yet these biomedical breakthroughs are the usual focus of attention of the public. However, if we weigh the benefits and risks of stem cell research, we will realize that the benefits of stem cell research far outweighs the disadvantages that may result from the use of this technology. We should always remember that decades ago, so many lives were lost from bacterial infection because antibiotics were not discovered yet. Today, antibiotics are a common treatment regime for bacterial infections, which is a huge benefit to human health, but it also has resulting in the creation of drug-resistant strains of bacteria. The same setting may also be observed in terms of stem cell research, but we should intelligently consider both sides of the technology.

Brittle Stars - Ophiuroidea - The Animal Encyclopedia

Brittle Stars - Ophiuroidea - The Animal Encyclopedia Brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) are a group of echinoderms that resemble starfish. There are about 1500 species of brittle stars alive today and most species inhabit marine habitats with depths greater than 1500 feet. There are a few species of shallow water brittle stars. These species live in the sand or mud just below the low tide mark. They often live amongst coral and sponges as well. Brittle stars inhabit all the worlds oceans and live in a variety of climate regions including tropical, temperate and polar waters. Brittle stars are subdivided into two basic groups, the brittle stars (Ophiurida) and the basket stars (Euryalida). Brittle stars have a star shaped body. Like many echinoderms, they exhibit pentaradial symmetry, a 5-sided radial symetry. Brittle stars have five arms that join together at a central body disk. The arms are clearly delineated from the central body disk, and in this way brittle stars can be distinguished from starfish (starfish arms blend with the central body disk such that it is not easy to delineate where the arm ends and the central body disk begins). Brittle stars move using a water vascular system and tube feet. Their arms can move side to side but not up and down (if they are bent up or down they break, hence the name brittle star). Their arms are extremely flexible from side to side and enable them to move through the water and along substrate surfaces. When they move, they do so in a straight line, with one arm serving as the forward directing point and other arms pushing the body along that path. Brittle stars and basket stars both have long flexible arms. These arms are supported by calcium carbonate plates (also known as vertebral ossicles). The ossicles are encased in soft tissue and jointed plates that run the length of the arm. Brittle stars have a nervous system that consists of a nerve ring and that encircles their central body disk. Nerves run down each arm. Brittle stars, like all echinoderms, lack a brain. The have no eyes and their only developed senses are chemosensory (they can detect chemicals in the water) and touch. Brittle stars undergo respiration using bursae, sacks that enable gas exchange as well as excretion. These sacs are located on the bottom of the central body disk. Cilia within the sacs direct water flow so that oxygen can be absorbed from the water and waste flushed from the body. Brittle stars have a mouth that has five jaw-like structures around it. The mouth opening is also used to expel waste. An esophagus and stomach connect to the mouth opening. Brittle stars feed on organic material on the sea floor (they are primarily detritivores or scavengers although some species occasionally feed on small invertebrate prey). Basket stars feed on plankton and bacteria they catch by suspension feeding. Most species of brittle stars have separate sexes. A few species are either hermaphroditic or protandric. In many species, larvae develop inside the body of the parent. When an arm is lost, brittle stars often regenerate the lost limb. If a predator catches a brittle star by its arm, it loses the arm as a means of escape. Brittle stars diverged from other echinoderms about 500 million years ago, during the Early Ordovician. Brittle stars are most closely related to sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Details about the evolutionary relationship of brittle star to other echinoderms are not clear. Brittle stars reach sexual maturity at about 2 years of age and become full grown by 3 or 4 years of age. Their life span is generally about 5 years. Classification: Animals Invertebrates Echinoderms Brittle Stars

Political Theory-Facism Failure essays

Political Theory-Facism Failure essays Although it may be difficult to say one school of political thought is superior to another, we can certainly distinguish between and assess the various types. Most every political systems ideology focuses on the attainment of a content, peaceful, and productive society, whether it be a pure Democratic society, Socialism, Agrarian Republicanism, or Communitariansim. The instrumentation one must use to evaluate the disciplines of political thought must be the successful achievement of their intended goals, its adaptability to a society, and the historical results of their implementation into a society. In order to evaluate any political thought, one must first acknowledge that no political ideology has been implemented in its purest, intended form. For example, the United States is certainly not a true democracy. In this example, the political philosophy has been tainted by those in power and eventually evolved into an altered hodgepodge of political theories. To clarify, the U.S., under Franklin D. Roosevelts and again during Lyndon Johnsons leadership, displayed clear attributes of socialism due to their social welfare programs. Once this has been established, the goals of a political philosophy can be assessed. Using the aforementioned tools, one ideology we can examine is fascism. This school of thought seeks to revitalize the social, economic, and cultural facets of a nation through ethnic or national pride. However, it rejects ideas such as freedom and individual rights, and often presses for the destruction of elections and legislatures. While the goal of the political thought is well meaning, the costs to its achievement is clearly very high. When fascisms adaptation to society is examined, it becomes even simpler to judge it as a political thought. The first societies, or nations, to adapt this frame of politics were Italy and Germany in the earlier half of the 20th century. These ...

Second Language Acquisition 'Interlanguage and explicit knowledge' Literature review

Second Language Acquisition 'Interlanguage and explicit knowledge' ( part) of the project - Literature review Example First of all, the project looked at the Second Language Acquisition (SLA), the notion of competence as well as a detailed description of interlanguage and explicit knowledge. Furthermore, the collected data was analyzed and the results of the research were provided, in particular TLU results of the occurred errors were explored to identify the gaps and variability in the speaker’s implicit knowledge. Last but not least, the study looked at the identified errors made by the L2 speaker and explored to what extent those errors were consistent or whether, they showed any patterns to the variability. Lastly, the implicit and explicit knowledge were compared and the implications for SLA were researched. Literature review on SLA, Interlanguage, Explicit/Implicit Knowledge (this part needs to be corrected, all that is highlighted, especially in red). 16Second Language Acquisition (SLA) Second language acquisition (SLA)process refers to the way that6someone acquires one or  a few for eign  or  second  languages. Scholars who study second language acquisition look at the  process of  acquisition in a  classroom setting and in the context of natural environment where learners use the language in a casual conversational interaction (Carter and Nunan, 2001: 87). The notion of communicative competence in the second language acquisition, tends to include sociolinguistic and grammatical competences, insofar as the abilities in a second language (L2) to evoke using language in socially and linguistically appropriate ways (Brown, 2006: 195). Figure 1: Components of Language Competence Source: Brown (2006: 195). Figure 1 shows the sub ­categories of language competence which are the common paths to be followed when analyzing the learner’s ability to use the language. Interlanguage The orientation of the interlanguage was derived from the Corder’s (1967) Error Analysis Approach and was proposed by Selinker (1972).  It represents â€Å"a separ ate linguistic system based on the observable output which results from a learner’s attempted production of a Target Language  (TL)  norm’†(Palotti, 2010: 160). According to Corder’s Error Analysis Approach, the influence of the first language (L1) on the L2 could not be denied and the L1 can be taken as the starting point to predict the language errors made by the L2 learner (DeBot et al. 2005: 34). Selinker identified four major sources for transfer that might shape the interlanguage’s structure. These include transfer of strategy, transfer of communication, transfer of training as well as transfer of other languages that the learner has already acquired or one’s native language (Brown 2006: 225). These ‘transfers’ are the major sources for analyzing L2 learners’ interlanguage characteristics. Implicit and Explicit Knowledge There are two types of knowledge that have been identified in the second language acquisition (SLA) which lend itself to this research. The ‘implicit knowledge’ refers to a knowledge that the learner is generally not consciously aware of whereas, ‘explicit knowledge’ refers to a declarative knowledge of the language that the learner can describe if necessary and is usually aware of (Littlemore 2009: 63). The major differences between explicit and implicit knowledge are identified by Ellis consist of: (2009: 16) ? Implicit and explicit knowledge involve different access mechanisms and implicit know

International law extra Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International law extra - Essay Example It was however difficult to pinpoint the location of the 48th Battalion responsible for the Tet offensive. After gathering intelligence reports, the military authorities collectively decided that the 48th Battalion was near the village of My Lai. American military authorities then planned to seek out and neutralize the 48th Battalion through the elements of the Task Force Barker. Their orders from their military officers were to clean out the area and destroy the villages. The civilians however were to be spared. When the different platoons, including Charlie Company, were deployed to the suspected area, they met no resistance, no Viet Cong, no 48th Battalion. Only Vietnamese civilians appeared to occupy the village. And for William Calley and other members of the Charlie Company, they felt it was their time to take revenge for the men they lost in combat and for the atrocities that the Viet Cong committed against them. â€Å"Soldiers shot old men sitting outside their homes, women carrying water, children searching for places to hide† (Olson & Roberts, p. 22). Not one of these Vietnamese fired back, and yet they were gunned down by the soldiers. Calley ordered his men to shoot all the civilians because their superior officers ordered them to. Some of the soldiers disobeyed the orders and others reluctantly carried out the orders. Calley was in his element. He happily pulled the trigger on every man, woman and child at the My Lai village. And in the end, Charlie Company â€Å"rounded up and killed as many as 500 unarmed women, children, and elderly Vietnamese in the hamlet of My Lai 4 in Son My, South Vietnam† (Wilkins, p. 77). Lt. Calley was court-martialed, charged with the murder of Vietnamese civilians. Four officers and nine enlisted men were also charged with murder. However, most of these charges were dropped and only a few, especially the charges against Calley, made it through to trial. Private