American Pragmatism final

People screaming at the top of their lungs for the rock band that they idolize; an individual buying all the books and imitating the writing style of his favorite author; a young girl imitating the clothes of her fashion idol; the aforementioned instances are familiar examples of people who are practicing the idea of fandom wherein they are becoming huge fans of famous personalities or things. The idea of becoming a fan is perceived by people in different ways.There are individuals who look at the idea of being a fan as simply liking something or someone in a degree that is not common to other people. On the other hand, there are also those people who negatively look at fans, as individuals who are going crazy or psychotic for something or someone to the point that they are becoming obsessed. There are even allegations that fans eventually become stalkers, who do untoward decisions and actions. The opposing perspective of the term â€Å"fan† entails a more in-depth study about the topic.To be able to fully understand the meaning of being a fan, it is necessary that it is given due attention and importance. In doing so, I conducted an interview with three individuals, who have different backgrounds but is idolizing the same pop star. The pop star that I focus on is Miley Cyrus. My main motivation for looking for individuals who idolizes Miley Cyrus is due to the popularity and influence of this personality. In 2008, Miley Cyrus is included in Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.Due to this, I want to find out the reasons why people idolize her and its corresponding effects to their life. Moreover, by conducting the interview with three individuals who idolize Miley Cyrus, I learn more about the idea of being a fan. Summary of Cavicchi’s Book and Argument Based on the book of Cavicchi (1998) the term â€Å"fan† is used as both descriptive and prescriptive when it comes to describing individuals that are regarded as fans. Cavicchi even states that,On the whole, it [the term â€Å"fan†] is used both descriptively and prescriptively to refer to diverse individuals and groups, including fanatics, spectators, groupies, enthusiasts, celebrity stalkers, collectors, consumers, members of subcultures, and entire audiences, and, depending on the context, to refer to complex relationships involving affinity, enthusiasm, identification, desire, obsession, possession, neurosis, hysteria, consumerism, political resistance, or a combination (39). The interest of Cavicchi with the concept of â€Å"fan† is rooted from the fact that Cavicchi himself is also a self-proclaimed fan.The book that he wrote entitled Tramps like us gives an in-depth research and analysis of being a fan, especially when it comes to its corresponding effects to the individual who is a fan of something or someone. Cavicchi uses Bruce Springsteen as an example for his central argument that fandom is actually a useful and me aningful behavior, which allows individuals to form their identities, establish communities, and make sense out of their lives and the society as a whole. Cavicchi (1998) points out that the contribution of Bruce Springsteen in the world exemplifies the advantageous effects of fandom.In the past, many critics have noted that the songs of Bruce Springsteen is unique from other singers in a sense that it actually exist in world of its own with its respective characters, settings, words, and images. The world that Springsteen creates is actually very relevant to other people wherein individuals who only have little knowledge or none at all about Springsteen can still relate with his music. Springsteen emphasizes the world of highways and factories, loners and underdogs, and many others. As such, the themes of the songs of Springsteen actually embody the ideals and struggles of most ordinary Americans.Being the case, Springsteen was able to substantially influence the American pop cultu re and also different societal debates. Springsteen has the ability to not only speak for his fans but actually to them with directness and sincerity, which actually touches the lives of his followers. Cavicchi uses three years of ethnographic research and his own experiences and impressions as a fan in writing his book. He provides an interdisciplinary study of the ways by which ordinary individuals who have special and sustained attachments to their idols actually were able to change and affect their lives because of fandom.Furthermore, it challenges the negative perception about the term â€Å"fan†, specifically the stereotypes of fans as being obsessive, delusional, and to the point of having mental problems. Cavicchi strongly emphasizes that fandom is a normal socio-cultural activity that aids in shaping the identity of individuals. Object of Fandom Destiny Hope Cyrus also popularly known as Miley Cyrus is an American pop singer, songwriter, and actress. Her rose to fame started when she stars in the Disney Channel as Hannah Montana.After the success of her television series, she released a soundtrack CD of the songs that she sang in the Hannah Montana Show. The popularity of the soundtrack CD in the American market, especially for teenagers enables her to create a solo music career with her debut album, Meet Miley Cyrus. In her first album, Miley Cyrus was able to create her first top single entitled â€Å"See You Again†. The increasing popularity of Miley Cyrus paved the way for her to launch her second album called Breakout. Both the albums of Miley Cyrus top number 1 on the Billboard 200.In addition, the single of Miley Cyrus entitled â€Å"Party in the U. S. A. † was recognized as the highest charting and fastest selling single that reach number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100. The influence of Miley Cyrus reaches different nations, which is proven by the record-breaking sales of her albums that reach more than 15 million records. Mil ey Cyrus also shines in the field of acting. Miley Cyrus first extended play was The Time of Our Lives. Miley Cyrus also performed in the concert/film Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert.In relation to this, Miley Cyrus also starred in Bolt wherein she recorded the soundtrack for the movie, which enables her to be nominated in the Golden Globe Awards. The hit show Hannah Montana was later produced in the film with Miley Cyrus as the lead star of the movie. Moreover, the prominence of Miley Cyrus in the society is recognized by Time magazine when she is included in the â€Å"100 Most Influential People in the World and she also ranked 35 on the â€Å"Celebrity 100† list of Forbes magazine for earning $25 million in 2008. Interviewee # 1The first interviewee is Zoe, a 16 years old girl that describes herself as an avid fan of Miley Cyrus. Zoe is a Caucasian American, who is currently studying in a public school. The interview was conducted through phone wherein the queries in the questionnaires were asked and were substantially answered by the respondent. The main interest of Zoe mostly deals with normal young adult hobbies like shopping and hanging out friends. In addition, Zoe also stated that she is very much interested in music, especially from modern pop artist. As previously mentioned, Zoe is a self-proclaimed Miley Cyrus fan.She said that she first get acquainted with the pop star through her series in the Disney Channel, Hannah Montana. Zoe immediately likes the character of Miley in the series and she also took notice of her exceptional singing abilities. Zoe said â€Å"Miley has an exceptional and unique singing voice that can really attract its listeners, once I heard her voice she already mesmerized me. † Zoe opted to have the complete albums of Miley Cyrus instead of just downloading it from the Internet, which she said is a way for her to actually give worth to the singing ability of her idol buy adding to her CD sales.In addition to this, Zoe is also a fan of Miley Cyrus in Facebook and she also follows her in Tweeter. The influence of Miley Cyrus on Zoe affects her fashion sense because Zoe admitted she is actually imitating the fashion sense of Miley. â€Å"I always look carefully at the outfits that she wear, as I really admire her unique fashion sense†, stated Zoe. Zoe explains in the interview that she has not really done anything outrageous as a fan of Miley, the only thing that she did is make a scrapbook of her idol, which other people finds weird.Moreover, Zoe strongly believes that Miley Cyrus exemplifies the normal life of a teenager that has to go through the awkward stage of adolescence, which Zoe can relate to. Zoe expressed in the interview that Miley Cyrus affected her life by making her believe in her dreams and do more things in her life, as Zoe said, â€Å"I can have the best of both worlds just like Miley†. Interviewee # 2 The second interviewee is Sama ntha, a 13-years old teenage girl who is a die-hard fan of Miley Cyrus. She is an African-American that is studying in a public school.Samantha’s interests usually involve watching television, playing computer games, and the occasional going out with her friends. Samantha exclaimed â€Å"I love Miley Cyrus so much! † when asked in the interview on who is her idol. She explains in the interview that she was introduced to the pop star sensation while watching Hannah Montana because her parents only allow her to watch limited channels and this include the Disney Channel. At first, she likes the comic banter between Miley Cyrus and her dad because Samantha can actually relate to it because she said that she has the same relationship with her father.Later on, Samantha is really entertained by the singing capabilities of Miley Cyrus. In relation to this, Samantha can actually relate to the lyrics of Miley Cyrus’ songs that talks about related issues about being a teen ager. Samantha keeps a collection of different Miley Cyrus memorabilia like bags, school supplies, and others. She even said that â€Å"almost all my things are Miley Cyrus inspired†. In addition, Samantha also applauds the acting capability of Miley Cyrus, especially when it comes to comedy that is why she even created her own fan page for Miley.Samantha informed me in the interview that she has not done any outrageous thing as a fan of Miley Cyrus because she believes that becoming a fan does not necessarily mean doing something â€Å"stupid†. Moreover, Samantha points out that Miley Cyrus is an inspiration to her and also to her friends because she represents teenager everywhere who are following their dreams despite the set-backs of the teenage life. Interviewee # 3 The last interviewee is an 18 years old Asia who is actually on her way of going to college.She requested that I do not state her name in the paper, as she is afraid that someone might know that she is a fan of Miley Cyrus. The hesitation of this girl in admitting that she is a fan of Miley Cyrus comes from the fact that most of her peers perceived Miley Cyrus as a loser. As a result, this girl does not have any Miley Cyrus memorabilia and she does not join any networking site about Miley Cyrus. The main reason of this girl for idolizing Miley Cyrus is because she can relate with the life of the pop star.She states that â€Å"Miley Cyrus is just a typical teenager who commits mistakes like her photo scandal and other boyfriend troubles . . . she is being real to herself and to her public. † The girl idolizes Miley Cyrus because of her courage to be true to herself and to others even if she is already popular. In relation to this, she also thinks that Miley Cyrus is a strong individual that can properly handle all the criticisms that come her way. Being the case, Miley Cyrus influences this girl to also be true to herself and never give up. AnalysisBased on the answers of th e three interviewees it is quite observable that most of Miley Cyrus fans are teenage girls who are undergoing the difficult and confusing stage of adolescence. Their main reasons for idolizing Miley Cyrus are due to her singing and acting talents as well as the way she handles herself. The interviewed fans of Miley Cyrus have not done any outrageous or stupid things for their idol because of the reason that they have other outlets in order to express their enthusiasm and support for Miley Cyrus such as buying her albums, patronizing her products, and joining/creating networking sites.However, in the situation of one girl, she cannot freely express that Miley Cyrus is her idol because of the negative perception of her friends when it comes to the pop star. From the answers of the interviewee it is clearly proven that Miley Cyrus becomes an influential and powerful personality in the society because she represents the life of most teenagers.Miley Cyrus’ songs, television serie s, and even her life exemplify the issues and problems of an average American teenager. Miley Cyrus has substantially contributed to the American pop culture because most of her fans can actually relate with her life. Moreover, Miley Cyrus has her way of actually inspiring the lives of teenagers through her songs and the characters that she portrays, which embody a strong woman that will not give up amidst the challenges of life.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Twelve

Jack did (eventually) find his bedchamber, but even though he knew he'd likely still have been happily asleep if he hadn't been determined to join Grace at breakfast, when he lay down atop his covers, intending to take a restorative nap, he found himself unable to do so. This was profoundly irritating. He had long prided himself on his ability to fall asleep at will. It had come in handy during his years as a soldier. No one ever managed to acquire the correct sleep, either in quality or amount. He would steal his slumber where he could, and his friends had been eternally jealous that he could prop up against a tree, close his eyes, and be asleep within three minutes. But not, apparently, today, even though he'd traded a knobby tree for the finest mattress money could buy. He closed his eyes, took his customary long, slow breaths, and†¦nothing. Nothing but Grace. He'd like to have said she was haunting him, but that would have been a lie. It wasn't her fault that he was a fool. And in truth, it wasn't just that he was completely desperate for her (although he was, and most uncomfortably, too). He couldn't get her out of his mind because he didn't want to get her out of his mind. Because if he stopped thinking about Grace, he would have to start thinking about other things. The possibility of his being the Duke of Wyndham, for one. Possibility†¦Bah. He knew it was true. His parents had been married. All that was needed was to locate the parish register. He closed his eyes, trying to push back the overwhelming feeling of dread that was bearing down on him. He should have just lied and said that his parents had never wed. But blast it, he had not known the consequences when he said that they had. No one had told him he'd be crowned the bloody duke. All he'd known was that he was so damned furious with the dowager for kidnapping him and with Wyndham for staring at him like he was something to be swept under the rug. And then Wyndham had said, in that smarmy, superior voice of his: If indeed your parents were married†¦. Jack had snapped out his reply before he had a chance to consider the consequences of his actions. These people were not better than he was. They had no right to cast aspersions on his parents. It was too late now, though. Even if he tried to lie and recant his words, the dowager would not rest until she'd burned a trail through Ireland in search of the marriage documents. She wanted him to inherit, that much was clear. It was difficult to imagine her caring for anyone, but she had apparently adored her middle son. His father. And even though the dowager had not shown any particular fondness for him – not that he had made much of an effort to impress – she clearly preferred him over her other grandson. Jack had no idea what had transpired between the dowager and the current duke, if anything. But there was little affection between the pair. Jack stood and walked to the window, finally admitting defeat and giving up on the notion of sleep. The morning sun was already bright and high in the sky, and he was suddenly seized by a need to be out of doors, or rather, out of Belgrave. Strange, that one could feel so closed-in in such a massive dwelling. But he did, and he wanted out. Jack strode across the room and snatched up his coat. It was satisfyingly shabby atop the fine apparel of Wyndham's he'd donned that morning. He almost hoped he bumped into the dowager, just so she could see him all dusty and road-worn. Almost. But not quite. With quick, long strides he made his way down to the main hall, just about the only location he knew how to get to. His footsteps were annoyingly loud on the marble as he walked forth. Everything seemed to echo here. It was too big, too impersonal, too – â€Å"Thomas?† He stopped. It was a female voice. Not Grace. Young, though. Unsure of her surroundings. â€Å"Is that – I'm so sorry.† It was indeed a young woman, of medium height, blond, with rather fetching hazel eyes. She was standing near the doorway of the drawing room he had been dragged into the day before. Her cheeks were delightfully pink, with a smattering of freckles he was sure she detested. (All women did, he'd learned.) There was something exceptionally pleasant about her, he decided. If he weren't so obsessed with Grace, he would flirt with her. â€Å"Sorry to disappoint,† he murmured, offering her a roguish smile. This wasn't flirting. This was how he conversed with all ladies. The difference was in the intention. â€Å"No,† she said quickly, â€Å"of course not. It was my mistake. I was just sitting back there.† She motioned behind her to a seating area. â€Å"You looked rather like the duke as you walked by.† This must be the fiancee, Jack realized. How interesting. It was difficult to imagine why Wyndham was dragging his heels on the marriage. He swept into a gracious bow. â€Å"Captain Jack Audley, at your service, ma'am.† It had been some time since he'd introduced himself with his military rank, but somehow it seemed the thing to do. She bobbed a polite curtsy. â€Å"Lady Amelia Willoughby.† â€Å"Wyndham's fiancee.† â€Å"You know him, then? Oh, well, of course you do. You are a guest here. Oh, you must be his fencing partner.† â€Å"He told you about me?† The day grew more interesting by the second. â€Å"Not much,† she admitted. She blinked, staring at a spot that was not his eyes. He realized that she was looking at his cheek, which was still discolored from his altercation with her fiance the day before. â€Å"Ah, this,† he murmured, affecting mild embarrassment. â€Å"It looks much worse than it actually is.† She wanted to ask about it. He could see it in her eyes. He wondered if she'd seen Wyndham's blackened eye. That would certainly set her curiosity on fire. â€Å"Tell me, Lady Amelia,† he said conversationally, â€Å"what color is it today?† â€Å"Your cheek?† she asked with some surprise. â€Å"Indeed. Bruises tend to look worse as they age, have you noticed? Yesterday it was quite purple, almost regally so, with a hint of blue in it. I haven't checked in the mirror lately.† He turned his head to offer her a better view. â€Å"Is it still as attractive?† Her eyes widened, and for a moment she seemed not to know what to say. Jack wondered if she was unused to men flirting with her. Shame on Wyndham. He had done her a great disservice. â€Å"Er, no,† she replied. â€Å"I would not call it attractive.† He laughed. â€Å"No mincing words for you, eh?† â€Å"I'm afraid those blue undertones of which you were so proud have gone a bit green.† He leaned in with a warm smile. â€Å"To match my eyes?† â€Å"No,† she said, seemingly immune to his charms, â€Å"not with the purple overlaying it. It looks quite horrible.† â€Å"Purple mixed with green makes†¦?† â€Å"Quite a mess.† Jack laughed again. â€Å"You are charming, Lady Amelia. But I am sure your fiance tells you that on every possible occasion.† She did not reply. Not that she could; her only possible answers were yes, which would reveal her conceit, or no, which would reveal Wyndham's negligence. Neither was what a lady wished to show to the world. â€Å"Do you await him here?† he asked, thinking to himself that it was time to end the conversation. Lady Amelia was charming, and he could not deny a certain level of entertainment that came from making her acquaintance without Wyndham's knowledge, but he was still a bit wound up inside, and he was looking forward to time out of doors. â€Å"No, I just – † She cleared her throat. â€Å"I am here to see Miss Eversleigh.† Grace? And who was to say that a man could not acquire a bit of fresh air in a drawing room? One had only to crack open a window. â€Å"Have you met Miss Eversleigh?† Lady Amelia asked. â€Å"Indeed I have. She is most lovely.† â€Å"Yes.† There was a pause, just long enough for Jack to wonder at it. â€Å"She is universally admired,† Lady Amelia finished. Jack thought about making trouble for Wyndham. A simple, murmured, It must be difficult for you, with so beautiful a lady in residence here at Belgrave, would go a long way. But it would make equal trouble for Grace, which he was not prepared to do. And so instead he chose the bland and boring: â€Å"Are you and Miss Eversleigh acquaintances?† â€Å"Yes. I mean, no. More than that, I should say. I have known Grace since childhood. She is most friendly with my elder sister.† â€Å"And surely with you, as well.† â€Å"Of course.† Lady Amelia acceded. â€Å"But more so with my sister. They are of an age, you see.† â€Å"Ah, the plight of the younger sibling,† he murmured. â€Å"You share the experience?† â€Å"Not at all,† he said with a grin. â€Å"I was the one ignoring the hangers-on.† He thought back to his days with the Audleys. Edward had been but six months younger, and Arthur a mere eighteen months after that. Poor Arthur had been left out of any number of escapades, and yet wasn't it interesting – it was Arthur with whom he had ultimately formed the strongest bond. Arthur had been uncommonly perceptive. They shared that. Jack had always been good at reading people. He'd had to. Sometimes it was his only means of gathering information. But as a boy he'd viewed Arthur as an annoying little whelp; it wasn't until they were both students at Portora Royal that he realized that Arthur saw everything, too. And although he had never come out and said it, Jack knew that he'd seen everything in him as well. But he refused to grow maudlin. Not right now, not with a charming lady for company and the promise of another at any moment. And so he pushed more happy thoughts of Arthur to the forefront of his mind and said, â€Å"I was the eldest of the brood. A fortuitous position, I think. I should have been most unhappy not to have been in charge.† Lady Amelia smiled at that. â€Å"I am the second of five, so I can appreciate your sentiments as well.† â€Å"Five! All girls?† he guessed. â€Å"How did you know?† â€Å"I have no idea,† he said quite honestly, â€Å"except that it is such a charming image. It would have been a shame to have sullied it with a male.† â€Å"Is your tongue always this silver, Captain Audley?† He gave her one of his best half smiles. â€Å"Except when it's gold.† â€Å"Amelia!† They both turned. Grace had entered the room. â€Å"And Mr. Audley,† she said, looking surprised to see him there. â€Å"Oh, I'm sorry,† Lady Amelia said, turning to him. â€Å"I thought it was Captain Audley.† â€Å"It is,† he said with a very slight shrug. â€Å"Depending upon my mood.† He turned to Grace and bowed. â€Å"It is indeed a privilege to see you again so soon, Miss Eversleigh.† She blushed. He wondered if Lady Amelia noticed. â€Å"I did not realize you were here,† Grace said after bobbing a curtsy. â€Å"There is no reason why you should have done. I was heading outside for a restorative walk when Lady Amelia intercepted me.† â€Å"I thought he was Wyndham,† Lady Amelia said. â€Å"Isn't that the oddest thing?† â€Å"Indeed,† Grace replied, looking acutely uncomfortable. â€Å"Of course I was not paying much attention,† Lady Amelia continued, â€Å"which I am sure explains it. I only caught sight of him out of the corner of my eye as he strode past the open doorway.† Jack turned to Grace. â€Å"It makes so much sense when put that way, does it not?† â€Å"So much sense,† Grace echoed. She glanced over her shoulder. â€Å"Are you waiting for someone, Miss Eversleigh?† Jack inquired. â€Å"No, I was just thinking that his grace might like to join us. Er, since his fiancee is here, of course.† â€Å"Is he returned, then?† Jack murmured. â€Å"I was not aware.† â€Å"That is what I have been told,† Grace said, and he was certain that she was lying, although he could not imagine why. â€Å"I have not seen him myself.† â€Å"Alas,† Jack said, â€Å"he has been absent for some time.† Grace swallowed. â€Å"I think I should get him.† â€Å"But you only just got here.† â€Å"Nonetheless – â€Å" â€Å"We shall ring for him,† Jack said, since he wasn't going to allow her such an easy escape. Not to mention that he was rather looking forward to the duke discovering him here with both Grace and Lady Amelia. He crossed the room and gave the bellpull a yank. â€Å"There,† he said. â€Å"It is done.† Grace smiled uncomfortably and moved to the sofa. â€Å"I believe I will sit down.† â€Å"I will join you,† Lady Amelia said with alacrity. She hurried after Grace and took a seat right beside her. Together they sat, stiff and awkward. â€Å"What a fetching tableau the two of you make,† he said, because really, how could he not tease them? â€Å"And me, without my oils.† â€Å"Do you paint, Mr. Audley?† Lady Amelia inquired. â€Å"Alas, no. But I have been thinking I might take some lessons. It is a noble pursuit for a gentleman, wouldn't you say?† â€Å"Oh, indeed.† Silence, then Lady Amelia nudged Grace. â€Å"Mr. Audley is a great appreciator of art,† Grace blurted out. â€Å"You must be enjoying your stay at Belgrave, then,† Lady Amelia said. Her face was the perfect picture of polite interest. He wondered how long it had taken her to hone the expression. As the daughter of an earl, she would have any number of social obligations. He imagined that the expression – placid and unmoving, yet not unfriendly – was quite useful. â€Å"I look forward to touring the collections,† Jack replied. â€Å"Miss Eversleigh has consented to show them to me.† Lady Amelia turned to Grace as best she could, considering that they were wedged up against one another. â€Å"That was very kind of you, Grace.† Grace grunted something that was probably meant to be a response. â€Å"We plan to avoid cupids,† Jack said. â€Å"Cupids?† Lady Amelia echoed. Grace looked the other way. â€Å"I have discovered that I am not fond of them.† Lady Amelia regarded him with a curious mixture of irritation and disbelief. Jack glanced at Grace to gauge her reaction, then returned his attention to Lady Amelia. â€Å"I can see that you disagree, Lady Amelia.† â€Å"What is there not to like about cupids?† He perched himself on the arm of the opposite sofa. â€Å"You don't find them rather dangerous?† â€Å"Chubby little babies?† â€Å"Carrying deadly weapons,† he reminded her. â€Å"They are not real arrows.† He made another attempt to draw Grace into the conversation. â€Å"What do you think, Miss Eversleigh?† â€Å"I don't often think about cupids,† she said tersely. â€Å"And yet we have already discussed them twice, you and I.† â€Å"Because you brought them up.† Jack turned to Lady Amelia. â€Å"My dressing room is positively awash in them.† Lady Amelia turned to Grace. â€Å"You were in his dressing room?† â€Å"Not with him,† Grace practically snapped. â€Å"But I have certainly seen it before.† Jack smiled to himself, wondering what it said about him that he so liked making trouble. â€Å"Pardon,† Grace muttered, clearly embarrassed by her outburst. â€Å"Mr. Audley,† Lady Amelia said, turning to him with determination. â€Å"Lady Amelia.† â€Å"Would it be rude if Miss Eversleigh and I took a turn about the room?† â€Å"Of course not,† he said, even though he could see in her face that in fact she did think it was rude. But he did not mind. If the ladies wished to share confidences, he was not going to stand in their way. Besides, he enjoyed watching Grace move. â€Å"Thank you for your understanding,† Lady Amelia said, linking her arm through Grace's and pulling them both to their feet. â€Å"I do feel the need to stretch my legs, and I fear that your stride would be far too brisk for a lady.† How she uttered that without choking on her tongue, he did not know. But he merely smiled and watched them as they moved as one to the window, leaving him behind and out of earshot.

ESL PAPER based on ''outcast united'' Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ESL PAPER based on ''outcast united'' - Essay Example In fact, the coaching style of Coach Luma was what the kids needed to push themselves hard and to be better than what they actually are because it is only their selves that they got in a foreign country. This kids cannot afford to be lax because they do not have any support system to fall back on so they need to be pushed hard. In addition, the fiery style of Coach Luma may be acceptable to these kids who may have been desensitized already having seen violence and murder from their respective countries of origin. They may not take offense with the strong language and style of Luma because they are used to it already. Had Coach Luma Mufleh been a â€Å"nice† coach, these kids may perceive it as soft and thus weak that they would not respect the coaching style. This coaching style of Coach Luma is not applicable to affluent suburban town due to many reasons. First, their circumstances are different. Kids in affluent suburban town have very strong support system and they do not need to be berated to push themselves hard. These kids may be spoiled and Luma’s coaching style may not sit well with that instead of being motivated to train harder, they may fight back at the coach. In addition, there may be parents watching during training. If Coach Luma will do to the affluent suburban kids what was done to the refugee kids, the coach may be in a big trouble with the lawsuits that will be filed by the parents. Kids from affluent suburban cities are also sensitive and are not used to being berated. They are used to American treatment that kids are being treated nicely and protected by anti-child abuse law. If Coach Luma yells at them, the coach may be sued. Child abuse is a serious case in America. This is not to say that Coach Luma’s coaching style is bad. It is just that it can only be applicable and effective to a certain set of

Identity Formation and Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Identity Formation and Globalization - Essay Example The term "globalisation", in essence, refers to the change of spatial and temporal limitations, which is the reduction of distance because of the remarkable reduction in the time required to bridge spatial differences which has, in turn, caused the slow integration of economic, social and political space across state borders. Even though, globalisation is often solely related to the financial field, which is with processes of distribution, production and consumption along with financial services and growing global trade, financial globalisation is intractably interwoven with changes in the cultural, social and political fields. In addition, globalisation is an extremely multifaceted and complex occurrence. There is, on the one hand, the tendency towards synchronisation, homogeneity, unity, integration and universalism. Also, there is the tendency for localisation, differentiation, heterogeneity, particularism and variety. These procedures are intricately intertwined. They represent, in reality, two sides of the same coin. Hence, the phrase "globalisations" is at times used to show that globalisation is not an ever-present or standardised process, but involves a variety of manifests, terrains differently in diverse contexts. The term – "globalisation" – is used to show that globalisation has different effects for individuals in diverse contexts (Cunningham, 2001). In this rapid globalising planet with all its challenges, struggles for identity have come out as one of the most outstanding traits of the cultural, social and political field.... According to the cultural scientist, this outburst has since 1996 prompted an avalanche. A few other features of modern life have succeeded in drawing the same amount of awareness. "Identity studies" has not only turned into a thriving industry, but the concept of identity has also turned into the prism through which a majority other features of modern life are premeditated. Even traditional issues of social analysis are reformulated and refurbished to fit into the identity dialogue (Cunningham, 2001). Hence, discussions on "equality" and "justice" are discussed in terms of acknowledgment of the right to a separate identity. Culture also is studied in terms of categorical, individual and/or group differences and thoughts such as "hybridity" and "creolisation". In addition, political dialogues often centre on group or individual rights. Talks about identity are, nevertheless, not limited to the ivory towers of academic circles. Also, struggles of identity have become an essential elem ent of intra-individual procedures, as well as of the political, and social scene. As such, struggles and discourses of identity have significant and extensive implications for policymaking on every level. Also, in an endeavor to develop national, local and global people-centered rules, with regard to information and communication technologies, as well as the media, cognizance will have to be taken of these struggles and discourses. Given the importance and prominence of these struggles and discourses and their far-reaching effects, this paper will look at a number of definitions of identity. In addition, it will give attention to the complicated relationship between processes related to globalisation on a variety of levels and struggles for identity. In echoing on identity discourses on

Managerial accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Managerial accounting - Essay Example It  states  that, in measuring net income  for an  accounting period, the  costs  incurred in that  period  should be matched against the revenue generated in the same period† (Business Dictionary.com). Decision relevance on the other hand focuses on those cost and revenues aspects that the conventional accounting principle of matching may ignore. The main difference between the fundamental accounting principle and the decision relevance theory is that the former tends to focus on the amount actually paid for any expense incurred whilst ignoring any other incremental costs that may be incurred in the future if any company wishes to undertake any given project. Besides such issues, the conventional accounting principle also ignores the impact of opportunity costs. Decision relevance on the other hand tries to focus on all such costs which might be incurred due to the incidence of any given project. Opportunity costs are also given a high regard in decision releva nce and they are considered as an important aspect in any given decision. According to the conventional accounting principle, Option A seems to be more appropriate as it reduces the loss which is to be endured by the company. Under this principle, the company bears a loss of ?31.9 million (?31,966,666.66) and if the company follows Option B it faces a loss of around ?33.2 million (33,200,000). There is an evident saving of ?1.2 million (?1,233,334) if Option A is selected under the Conventional accounting principle. Option A leads the company to close all its operations and tend to receive the Revenue from the existing catapults produced. Under Option A the existing catapults produced by the company would generate ?15 million and the costs incurred in this regard would be approximately ?49.6 million (?49,666,666). On the other hand the revenue generated under Option B would be ?35 million (?35,000,000) which would be much higher than the revenue generated from Option A, this increas ed revenue would be generated because of the increased sales of the existing 500 units of catapults and the extra 500 units to be produced by the company. The costs to be endured under Option B are ?68.2 million (?68,200,000). The increased revenue generated by selling 1000 units at a higher rate are over shadowed by the increased costs tolerated by the company. Such increased costs have put up extra burden on the incremental revenue generated from Option B. As a result of these inflated costs, the loss generated through Option B would be References Business Dictionary.com, â€Å"

The difference in Representation and Performance in Gender in the Dissertation

The difference in Representation and Performance in Gender in the Musical Genre of the 1930s in contrast to that of the Popular Musicals of the late 1970s and early 1980s - Dissertation Example However, it is not as simple as it looks. The films of Hollywood in the early 1930s at times turned the Horatio Alger myth on its head. The film Wild Boys on the Road (1933) followed the youth in Depression-era as the story of the film focused on them looking for work instead of success. They usually had dashed images of hope, poverty, crime, rape and also the accidental amputation. The heroines of that time no longer got ahead by being good girls that usually married a rich husband. The film Red Headed Woman (1932) and Baby Face (1933) the women were shown with the role of selling their bodies to the highest bidder of the time or using their wiles to trade from a mailroom clerk in order to become the head of the company. Buhler believes that â€Å"the Operetta-style topic also represents the musical place in the film where both characters can exist happily together.† (Buhler, 2000:197). On the other hand the heroes of the films did show dogged determination in their way to su ccess, but some of them did give up in trying finding their desired success through the legitimate means and were usually outside the law in order to achieve their goal. The gangster films that were made were Little Caeser (1931), Public Enemy (1931) and Scarface (1932). Some other films that were made during that period implied a critique of the capitalist system that was there in some of the countries. This system showed the depicting people struggling everyday against the establishment institutions which were the government and other big businesses. Although most of these films ended up in punishing the ones who transgressed the middle-class morality or the civil law, the audience sympathy to a greater extent went with those particular individuals who were fighting against the... This "The difference in Representation and Performance in Gender in the Musical Genre of the 1930’s in contrast to that of the Popular Musicals of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s" work outlines contrast analysis of the shows of different periods and how the gender was represented at those times. The Gold Diggers of 1933 was directed by two people, Mervyn LeRoy and Busby Berkeley, the first one dealt with the plot and the latter was for the musical numbers. If the backstage story of the film was not integrated with action and if the songs were cut out completely without harming the continuity, the film could not have gained the worth it had in the minds of the audiences of that time. Even though Berkeley’s dance was had extravaganzas of the early 1930s era, it could have been impossible to settle them into the movie but on the screen they did have the origins which were dated back to the 19th century stage spectacles. These evolved from the revues that wer e popular on the Broadway in the teens and the twenties. They were not only a series of unrelated acts like vaudeville shows but were a series of the musical and comedy specialties which were structured around a loosely defining theme. These themes many only have been about the female body’s decorative display. The intimations of the chorus numbers Berkeley did on stage were shown in style, where the showgirls become more of the factory assembly lines or the airplanes which brought in more attraction for the audiences throughout the country.

Storge device of computer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Storge device of computer - Essay Example It can hold or store information both permanently and temporarily, and can be external or internal to a computer or any similar computing medium. The computer is a multipurpose electronic device and as such has many kinds of data storage devices. Broadly, some of these devices may be classified as the removable data Storage Devices while others as the non- removable data Storage Devices. There two classes of computer storage devices; one is the primary storage devices, and the other one is the secondary storage devices. The primary memory is the volatile memory while the secondary memory is the non -volatile memory. The volatile memory is the type of the memory that is easily erasable and the non -volatile memory is the type where the contents may be erased. Primary storage also referred to as internal memory or main memory, is the only memory directly accessible to the CPU. The CPU thus a reads instruction stored there and performs them as required. All data actively operated on is likewise stored there in a uniform manner. Primary computer storage devices are smaller in size, are internal to the computer and are developed to hold data temporarily. Primary computer storage devices have the fastest data access speed. Examples in this class of primary computer storage devices include random-access memory (RAM) and cache memory. Random-access memory (RAM) for instance are small in size but quite expensive. Secondary storage can also be known as auxiliary storage or external memory, differs from primary storage in that it is never directly accessible by the CPU. These usually have large storage capacity, and they store data permanently. They can both external or internal to the computer. The computer often uses its output/ input channels to access secondary computer storage devices and channel the desired data using intermediate region in

Close Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Close Analysis - Assignment Example es that Sir Doyle, captures in his text and uses to reveal some of the hidden facts about the lives of the characters in a way that teaches his audiences real life lessons relevant to other characters in the story and readers today. In â€Å"The Adventure of the Speckled Band† the theme of truth has appeared severally with characters showing unique reactions after learning of the real facts about their lives. Arthur Conan Doyle explains how Mrs. Helen Stone’s reacts to being told the truth of how her twin sister died. Even though we are not directly told how she learned of it, Mrs. Helen responds in a way that depicts that she hates her stepfather for hiding the truth from her. However, she trusted that she would be in London as Sherlock Holmes continues with his investigations. Moreover, when Mrs. Helen is given the information that Sherlock and Watson came to meet her stepfather, she finds out that she was followed by her father to London. This fact made Helen suspicious of her stepfather and lost confidence in him. In real life, this happens such that family members hide information from each other, occurrences that creates enmity between them once the truth comes out. The relationship between Mrs. Helen and her stepfather was undermined after Helen discovered the truth about him. Such instances have been frequent in the modern day leading to family breaking-ups. In a more spectacular way, the characters surrounding Mrs. Hellen also emphasize on the theme of truth as they hid the real cause of death of her twin sister. Though she was relieved that she came to know the truth about her sister’s death, she felt bitter that she was given the wrong information. She also came to known that the information that her stepfather used a snake to murder her sister was ironical. It made her sad especially that her stepfather killed her. â€Å"Though, of course, she is still sad to learn how her sister has been murdered by their stepfather† this text shows the reaction

Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease Research Paper - 1

Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease - Research Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that food is not only important for the maintenance and development of an individual, but also in the performance and reproduction of life. It has been estimated that during a person’s entire lifetime, a person consumes approximately 30 tonnes of food on proportion in professedly endless dietary categories. However, as digestion takes place, the food is broken down into basic nutrients necessary for the well being of the individual. Therefore, it is safe to assume that food is chemistry. In the process of digestion, the mixture of chemicals present in the food is broken down into four basic categories: nutrients, non-nutritive naturally occurring components (which include antinutritive and natural toxins), man-made contaminants and additives. Taking that into consideration, it is safe to say that nutrients make up for more than 99.9% of the food contents. Nutrients can be classified into carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, fats, and min erals. These constituents are referred to as macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients can be described as primary sources of strength and building elements for humans, whereas micronutrients, on the other hand, are only required in comparative volumes. Micronutrients can be obtained in vitamins, minerals and trace elements, and are still essential in ample amounts to ensure proper performance of all body cells. Furthermore, micronutrients such as water do not necessarily provide individuals with energy. The majority of micronutrients are critical nutrients for life processes, often synthesized by the body. For that reason, these necessary nutrients can be received from the food that we eat. Most significantly, macronutrients are constituent and indispensable ingredients of our diets, often found in carbohydrates, water, fat, and protein.

Target Corporation Essay Example for Free

Target Corporation Essay Target Corporation is one of America’s biggest corporations according to Fortune 500. Target is a retailer that operates general merchandise and food discount stores. Being one of the biggest and one of the leading retailers in the America, Target enjoys a strong market position to promote market opportunities and adds to their bargaining power. Here are the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of Target Corporation. Strengths 1. Advance technology increased customer preference for Internet shopping. 2. Target Corporation continues to expand by announcing their plan to open more stores in Chicago, Seattle, and Los Angeles. 3. Target Corporation is the second biggest concession retailer in United States. 4. Target Bulls eye logo is recognize by Ninety-seven percent of American consumers. 5. Target is the leading gift card seller than any other retailer in the United States. 6. Target is opening 220 stores in Canada, which is the first international expansion. Weakness 1. Target stores do not sell firearms and tobacco products. 2. Target settled to decrease their transactions on all supplies having polyvinyl chloride. 3. Target Corporation received criticism and controversy from members of the gay and lesbian community for their donations to anti-gay groups. 4. Negative publicity in 2004, when Target decided to block Salvation Army from seeking donations at its stores. 5. Target Corporation does not have the advantage competitively due to higher prices than other retailers do. Opportunities 1. Corporation ranked at number 38 in Fortune 500 as of 2012 (Fortune, 2012). 2. Target ranked number 64 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine list of 100 Best Corporate Citizens (CRM, 2012). 3. Target ranked number 25 on Fortune magazine list of World’s Most Admired Companies (Fortune, 2012). 4. Target received a score of 100 from The Human Rights Campaign on its 2013 Corporate Equality Index (Human, 2012). 5. Target ranked number 30 on DiversityInc magazine list of Top 50 Companies for Diversity (DiversityInc, 2012). 6. Target ranked 28 in America’s Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities by DiversityBusiness.com (DiversityBusiness, 2012). 7. Target ranked number 22 on Forbes magazine and the Reputation Institute list of America’s Most Reputable Companies (Smith, 2012). 8. Universum ranked Target number 38 on its Ideal Employer List as surveyed by American MBAs, and number 28 as surveyed by American undergraduates (Light, 2012). 9. Target r anked among the 2012 Best Companies for Hourly Workers by Working Mother Media (Working, 2012). 10. The National Conference on Citizenship and Points of Light, in partnership with Bloomberg LP, ranked Target number 16 on the first comprehensive ranking of the Civic 50 (Bloomberg, 2012). 11. Newsweek magazine ranked Target number 85 out of 500 on its U.S. Green Rankings 2012 (Newsweek, 2012). 12. Target scored an 87 B on the 2012 Carbon Disclosure Project SP 500 Report, an increase over 2011 ranking score of 77 C (Carbon, 2012). 13. Target named to the 2012 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) World Index (Dow, 2012). 14. Target named a member of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2012 Million Dollar Club for its commitment to supplier diversity and Hispanic Business Enterprises (USHCC, 2012). 15. Target named as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute (Ethisphere, 2012). 16. Target named as one of the Top Corporation for Women’s Business Enterprises by The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC, 2012). 17. Regaining of overall economy is worthy opportunity for Target Corporation because it will surge requirement for the products. Threats 1. Target Corporation competing with Wal-Mart, Kmart, and other retailers. 2. The Attorney General and 20 California District Attorneys filed a claim in Alameda County claiming that Target has been unlawfully dumping hazardous wastes in landfill on June 2009. 3. Customer perception that Target Corporation products are more costly than other retailers. The strengths and opportunities are the most relevant parts of SWOT analysis that make investors invest in Target Corporation. On January 13, 2011, Target declared its first international expansion into Canada and it makes the investors to be excited for the opportunities for this corporation to do well internationally. Additionally, Target Corporations continue to be recognized, rank, and awarded by different magazines and association for being one of the best companies in the United States. Those recognitions and awards make the corporation more valuable and that value of the company and their name has marketing importance that give them staying power for years to come (Target, 2012). Stakeholders are groups of people who have an interest in a company or business organization. Internal stakeholders are those members of the business organization such as owners, managers, staffs, and employees. However, external stakeholders are not part of the company such as customers, suppliers, community, and government. Every internal stakeholder has their own needs and hoping that the company can provide or fulfill their need. For many owners, their business in their biggest asset and owner will protect it to secure his/her financial future. For bigger corporation like Target, they make sure they follow the national and local law to avoid lawsuit and bad publicity. Shareholder is an individual that own shares of stock in the company therefore they have right to vote on decision about the organization. Shareholder primary need is to increase the value of their stocks and improve their value in the company by buying more stocks to have bigger influence on the decision within the company. Managers and employees needs are almost the same. They need job security with benefits, good pay, health insurance, and flexibility. In addition, the most important needs for all internal stakeholders is profit because this is the driving force that control the future of the company and can provide all of the them their personal needs. External stakeholder needs are different from the internal stakeholder since internal stakeholder is the one providing and fulfilling to satisfy external stakeholder needs. Customers are the most important stakeholders because they are the only reason that we have business like Target Corporation. Customers have so many needs that managers and employees trying to provide to them as much as they can. Customer needs are friendly representative, discount prices, quality of products, professionalism, and outstanding customer services. Supplier most important needs are to have a good business relationship with the corporations because it gives them stability on their own organization. Community needs is to improve their own community for creating job, charity organization and by increasing the value of their community. Target Corporation can provide it to them since they can create thousands of jobs in the community and donating funds to different organizations within local communities. Government needs from Target Corporation is for them to support the community by providing jobs, donations to charities and most of all is for the company to follow the government policies and regulations. Target Corporation in the most parts fulfilled most if not all of the stakeholder needs. Target Corporation is one of the biggest and successful companies in United States so the owners and shareholders needs of profits, stability, and financial security are easily meets. For managers and employees, the company provided them flexibility, health benefits, retirement plan, life insurance, vacation, discount such as 10% for member and childcare, disability coverage, training and development resources, career planning and option for group legal plan. For community stakeholder, Target Corporation provided 5% of Target’s profit to local communities. They have partnership with community organization such as Diversity Best Practices, The Executive Leadership Council, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility and NAACP. In addition, they encouraged their team member to volunteer their time, expertise, and talents to support the community projects. For government stakeholder, Target Corporation has a strong partnership with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support disaster efforts. They also have safety and preparedness partnership to other government service such as Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and American Red Cross. For supplier stakeholder, they actively engage with diverse supplier to support all section of the company. In addition, they develop diverse supplier relationships with Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, N ational Minority Supplier Development Council, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and National Veteran Owned Business Association. For customer who is the most important stakeholder, Target Corporation provides them quality products, outstanding service, competitive price, number of selection, best values, and convenience shopping. For the most part, Target Corporation meets stakeholder needs. I am sure they are few people think that their needs are not met or satisfied the way they want it but you cannot satisfy everybody. The important thing is Target Corporation continues to look on how they can improve to support their stakeholder. They continue to launch customer satisfaction survey, ask their employees, and work with the government and communities to improve their company relationship with stakeholders and this is how Target Corporation can fulfill the need of stakeholder. Target Corporation continues to make improvements to remain the number two retailer stores in the country. Target financial performances are doing great and continue to progress every year. Reports show Target Corporation’s revenue stay in an upward trend regardless of the world’s economy. Additionally, reports also show sales increasing in an upward trend year to year (Target, 2012). By reviewing Target Corporation financial report, I learned that this company should continue to improve for the next five year. Target Corporation bought the leaseholds for up to 220 stores in Canada for their first international expansion. This expansion will improve their sales, revenue and can help them compete with their main competitors: Walmart and Costco. The only concern for Target Corporation is their competition with Walmart and Costco since both company make bigger net sales the last four years. Target Corporation management can use their financial report to compare them with Walmart and Costco to analyze the best way to compete with them. On comparing Target, Walmart, and Costco, Walmart is the largest retailer in the country and it generated more than three time s the combined revenue of both Target and Costco. See figure 1 for Target Corporation, figure 2 for Walmart Corporation, and figure 3 for Costco Corporation’s historical financial reports. Target Corporation technologies compare to Walmart and Costco is about the same. I do not see any advantages between these three retailers concerning technologies. This globalization influenced the company business strategies since Costco and Walmart are having success outside the country. Target Corporation finally expanded internationally due to their main competitor, and to compete with them, they have to expand outside the country. Benchmarking is a process of comparing an organization performance to other organization using objective and subjective criteria. The process compares organizations to those in the industry reviewing its status to use as standard in their own company. Target, Walmart and Costco are three of the top retailers in industries in best practices, operational processes and procedures, and products ranked by reputable magazine and community organization every year. Being ranked in world’s most admired companies, top 50 companies for diversity, America’s most reputable companies, and many more recognition demonstrated that thi s three companies are the benchmark for their industry. The recent economic trends are influencing the business from traversing from enormous changes in global politics to the blasting existence of social media and online technology into our everyday lives. Through all of this, nevertheless, business must go on, but it is not business as usual. The importance of customer has never more important than it is today. With the influx of computer technology, customer worldwide knows what is accessible in the market to buy and how to locate it online at the lowest cost. Through this power has come the capability to form markets, and express the products they want. Advertisements, information sharing, and recognizing the importance of personalized search were some of the strategies the company has used for adapting to changing markets. With the rise of Internet and a population that gradually analyses world travel as just another part of life, online search become the most powerful tool (McClimans, 2011). Target Corporation has implemented tactics to achieve their strategic goals by going international and opening new stores (CityTarget) aimed at the urban market. Target Corporations procured the leaseholds for up to 220 stores in Canada and CityTarget are established to open in Chicago, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, Puerto Rico, and Charlotte (Target, 2012). The tactics Target used by expanding their corporation will help them compete with their competitors to meet the consumers demand. Target Corporation can also implement pricing and marketing strategy to achieve their strategic goals. Pricing strategy does not always means lowering price to gain industry dominance, but that is the obvious choice. Using low price tactics presenting rebates, special sales and discount with inexpensive financing and delayed payment. Marketing strategy seeks to target specific consumers with messages that are most likely to draw their attention. It involves seasonal advertising and special promotions as tactics to achieve their goals (Duff, 2012). The role of human resource management plays in helping the company achieve its business goals has change from the conventional hire and fire to a planned manager at the table with operations, finance, and other business focuses that are not centers of profits for the company. Human resource must ensure that its practice, processes, and policies supplement the organizational strategies. Human resource management should understand the business strategy by developing mission statement that relate to the employees, conduct a SWOT analysis, develop consequences and solutions, and evaluation of action plans. Some of the human resource management functions are to handle rewards and compensation certain roles and positions in order to boost performance echelons. Recruitment is another important mission including the selection and retention of employees. Additionally, human resource management balancing the employees and organizations expectations to associated business success and to satisfied employees needs (King, 2012). Target Corporations is one of the biggest, reputable and profitable company in United States so if I have the opportunity to invest with them, I will without hesitation. Target Corporation continues to rise and make significant profits year after year. Figure 1 shows Target’s financial history for the last five years and by looking at it, the trends will likely continue to do well in the future. In conclusion, Target is the second largest discount retailer in the country, second only to Walmart. It has proven its successfulness through the number of stores domestic and internationally, and through the figures of net sales, net income, and free cash flow. Target Corporation logo is recognize by over ninety-seven percent of consumers in United States. In addition, Target Corporation is devoted to promoting diversity and committed to community by donating five percent of profits to charities while encouraging their employees to volunteer in the community projects. Target Corporation continues to expand by going internationally and opening new stores CityTarget in urban areas. Target is growing and bringing new customers as it expands. Target Corporation understands their markets, and this giving them the edge to grow and compete with Walmart in the future. References Bloomberg BusinessWeek. (2012). Civics lesson. Retrieved from http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/2012-11-08/civics-lessons CR’s Magazine. (2012). 100 Best Corporate Citizens. Retrieved from http://www.thecro.com/files/100Best2012_List_3.8.pdf Carbon Disclosure Project. (2012). Carbon reductions generate positive ROI. Retrieved from https://www.cdproject.net/en-US/Pages/HomePage.aspx Costco Wholesale. (2012). Home. Retrieved from http://www.costco.com DiversityBusiness.com. (2012). Top 50 organizations for multicultural business opportunities. Retrieved from http://www.diversitybusiness.com/news/supplierdiversity/45201282.asp DiversityInc. (2012). Top 50 companies for Diversity. Retrieved from http://www.diversityinc.com/target/ Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. (2012). Annual review 2012. Retrieved from http://www.sustainability-indexes.com/review/annual-review-2012.jsp Duff, V. (2012). What are business tactics and strategies? Chron. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness .chron.com/business-tactics-strategies-5148.html Ethisphere. (2012). 2012 world’s most ethical companies. Retrieved from http://www.ethisphere.com/wme/ Fortune Magazine. (2012). World’s most admired companies. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/most-admired/ Human Rights Campaign. (2012). Corporate equality index. Retrieved from http://www.hrc.org/corporate-equality-index/#.ULdSJKUWFFI King, W. (2012). What role does human resource management play in a business? Ezine Articles. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Role-Does-Human-Resource-Management-Play-In-A-Business?id=563848 Light, J. (2012). Ideal employer list. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703512404576208702115862760.html?mod=WSJ_Careers_CareerJournal_4 McClimans, F. (2011). 5 trends influencing

Types Of Peripheral Devices

Types Of Peripheral Devices What is Information Technology (IT)? Information Technology can be known as being the study, design, development, implementation support and management of any computer based information systems. This relates particularly to software applications and computer hardware. Information Technology deals with using electronic computers and software to convert, store, protect, process, retrieve with security or transmit any information. Everything from data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, software design, database design and management and administration of systems is included in the term of information technology. Information Technology is very important and useful in our daily life and many fields. In 21st century is known as Information Technology era, whereby computer is an important device in many fields. During the past, users are only using desktop which the size of the monitor is big, thick, and cannot carry everywhere but in 21st century computer are designed with more thinner and small size. Furthermore, laptop and notebook also being release with easy carrying and convenience to bring everywhere. Besides that, previously users are using diskette to store their document and data, which provide limited space for users to store their documents. However, nowadays many different types of storing devices are produced like external hard drives, thumb drive, rewritable CDs, and so on. These storing devices are able to allow users to store more of their document and data, even provide more space for users to store media file such as songs and videos. Define Question 1 What are peripheral devices? Peripheral devices are the devices that are connected to a computer internally such as CD-ROM or internal modem and external scanner, printer and Zip drive. They can be externally such as keyboard, mouse, printer, and external modem. Answer for Question 1 There are several types of peripheral devices such as monitor, mouse, keyboard, scanner, webcam, speakers and printer. One of the types of peripherals device is monitor. Monitor is a display device that is packaged as a separate peripheral. Some monitors have a tilt-and-swivel base that allows users to adjust the angle of the screen to minimize neck strain and reduce glare from overhead lightning. Monitor is the most important piece of equipment necessary for a user to operate the machine. The monitor displays the computers user interface and open programs, allowing the user to interact with the computer, typically using the keyboard and mouse. Monitor controls permit users to adjust the brightness, contrast, positioning, height, and width of images. Previously, the computer monitor was built using cathode ray tubes (CRTs), which made them rather heavy and caused them to take up a lot of desk space. Nowadays, monitor is built using LCD technology and is commonly referred to as flat screen displays, A mouse is a pointing device that fits under the palm of your hand comfortably. Generally, users use mouse to move the pointer on the screen to an object such as button, a menu, an icon, a link, or text. The mouse is the most widely used pointing device on desktop computers. With a mouse, users control the movement of the pointer, often called a mouse pointer in this case. A mouse connects to a computer in several ways. A newer type of mouse, called an air mouse, is a motion-sensing mouse that allows users to control slide shows, media players, and objects by moving mouse in predetermined directions through the air. Air mouse is similar like a remote control. Many types connect with a cable that attaches to a serial port, mouse port, or USB port on the system unit. A wireless mouse is a battery-powered device that transmits data using wireless technology, such as radio waves or infrared light waves. Some users prefer a wireless mouse because it frees up desk space and eliminates the clutter of a cord. A keyboard is an input device that contains keys users press to enter data and instructions into a computer. Desktop computer keyboards typically have from 101 to 105 keys. All computer keyboards have a typing area that includes the letters of the alphabet, punctuation marks, numbers, and other basic keys. Keyboards for smaller computers such as notebook computers contain fewer keys. Many desktop computer keyboards also have a numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard. Keyboards are also often have a WINDOWS key(s) and an application key. When pressed, the WINDOWS keys display the Windows Start menu, and the APPLICATION key display an items shortcut menu. Most of todays desktop computer keyboards are enhanced keyboards. An enhanced keyboard has twelve or more function keys; it also has a set of arrow, two ALT keys, and two CTRL keys. Function keys, which are labeled with the letter F followed by a number, are special keys programmed to issue command to a computer. The command associated with a function keys may vary, depending on the program with which users are interacting. Modern keyboards also come equipped with special buttons located outside the normal keys that control volume, email function, and the computers main media player. Keyboards are connected either through a hard wire or via a USB adapter. An optical scanner usually called a scanner. A scanner is a light-sensing input device that reads printed text and graphic and then translates the result into a form the computer can process. Scanner is a device that captures images from photographic prints, posters, magazine pages, and similar sources for computer editing and display. Scanner translates images of text, drawings, and photos into digital form. The images can then be processed by a computer, displayed on a monitor, stored on a storage device, or communicated to another computer. Scanner usually comes with software, such as Adobes Photoshop product, that lets users to resize and otherwise modify a captured image. There are four types of scanners which are flatbed, pen, sheet-fed, and drum. A Web cam, also called a PC video camera, is a type of digital video camera that enables a home or small business user to capture video and still images, send e-mail with attachments, add live images to instant messages. The term webcam is a combination of Web and video camera. Webcams have the ability to broadcast live images over the Internet, make video telephone calls, or chat rooms. During a video telephone call, both parties see each other as they communicate over the Internet. Webcams connect through a hard wire or through a wireless connection via a USB adapter. In some modern laptop and netbook computers, small webcams are built the top of the screen. Webcams can be also used for video chat sessions with other user. Instead of broadcasting the video on the Web, users can set up a video chat session with one or more friends and have a conversation with live audio and video. Examples of video conferencing software include CUworld, Live Meeting, and WebEx. The speaker receives audio input from a device such as computer or an audio receiver. Speakers are one of the most common output device used with computer systems. Speakers are transducers that convert electromagnetic waves into sound waves. This input may be either in analog or digital from. Analog speakers simply amplify the analog electromagnetic waves into sound waves. A speaker systems ability to accurately reproduce sound frequencies is a good indicator of flow clear the audio will be. The sound produced by speakers is defined by frequency and amplitude. Speakers typically come in pairs, which allow them to produce stereo sound. This means the left and right speakers transmit audio on two completely separate channels. By using two speakers, music sounds much more natural since our eras are used to hear sounds from the left and right at the same time. High-fidelity stereo sound is becoming more important as computer and communications technologies continue to merge. A printer is a device that converts computer output into printed images, accepted text and graphic output from a computer and transfer the information to paper. Personal computer printer can be distinguished as impact or non-impact printer. Early impact printer worked something like an automatic typewriter, with a key striking an inked impression on paper for each printed character. The best-known non-impact printer is the inkjet printer, of which several makes of low-cost color printers are an example, and the laser printer. The inkjet sprays ink from an ink cartridge at very close range to the paper as it rolls by. The dot-matrix printer was a popular low-cost personal computer printer. Its an impact printer that strikes the paper a line at a time. The laser printer use a laser beam reflected from a mirror to attract ink (called toner) to selected paper areas as a sheet rolls over a drum. Define Question 2 Storage device is a device which allows users to save and store their data and files permanently and can be delete if necessary. Every computer stores applications software and system software. A computer locates an operating system in storage, usually loads it into memory (RAM), and hard disk. When a user issues a command to start application software such as a Web browser or a word processing program, the operating system locates the program in storage, such as on a CD, loads it on memory, DVD, and hard disk. In addition to programs, users store a variety of information and data on mainframe computers, notebook computer, desktop computer, smart phones, and Tablet PCs. Answer for Question 2 There are several types of storing devices which are available such as primary storage, secondary storage, hard disks, external hard drives, USB flash drives, smart cards, compact disc re-writable (CD-RW), and online storage. Primary storage is also known as memory, main memory, internal memory, or RAM (for random access memory. It is working storage that holds data for processing, instructions (the program) for processing the data, and processed data (the information) that is waiting to be sent to an output. Primarys storage is in effect the computers short term capacity, determining the total size of the program and data files it can work on at any given moment. Primary storage, which is obtained on RAM chips, is also temporary. Once the power to the computer is turned off, all the data and programs within memory simply vanish. Secondary storage consists of devices that store data and programs permanently on disk or tape. Secondary storage is nonvolatile- that is, data and programs are permanent, or remain intact when the power is turned off. A storage medium, also called secondary storage, is the physical material on which a computer keeps information, instructions, and data. A hard disk is a storage device that contains one or more circular, inflexible platters that magnetically store information, instructions, and data. Home users used hard disks to store music, digital photos, videos, e-mail messages, presentations, web pages, databases, spreadsheets, and documents. Current personal computer hard disks have storage capacities from 160GB to 1 TB and more. The system unit on most notebook and desktop computer contains at least one hard disk. Hard disk is read and writes storage media. Users can write and read on hard disks any number of times. An external hard drives is separate free-standing hard disks. It connects with a FireWire port or USB port on the system unit. USB hard drives commonly use the USB 2.0 interface because it supports data transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps. USB 1.1 only supports transfers of up to 12 Mbps, which would make the hard drive seem slow to even the most patient users. External hard drives are exactly like the hard drive on any computer, except they are outside of the computer. Fortunately, external hard drives can be daisy chained which means they can be connected one after the other and be used at the same time. This allows for virtually unlimited amounts storage. Firewire drives may use either Firewire 400 or Firewire 800, which support data transfer rates of up to 400 and 800 Mbps respectively. External hard drives are a great backup solution because they can store an exact copy of another hard drive and can be stored in a safe location. A USB flash drives also known as thumb drives or pen drive, is a flash memory storage device that plugs in a USB port on a mobile device or computer. With a USB flash drive, user easily transfers music, picture, document, and video from one computer to another. USB flash drive is the premiere way store data in a compact and portable fashion. Early flash drives could store only a few megabytes of data, but modern flash drives can store several gigabytes of information. Current USB flash drive has storage capacities ranging from 256 MB to 64 GB and data transfers rates of about 12 MBps. Since they are small in size but have large storage capacities, flash drives have replaced most previous portable data storage mediums such as removable hard disks like Zip disks and floppy disks. Because they have a built in USB connection, flash drive also do not require a special disk drive to be used. Instead, they can be used on any computer with a USB port, which nearly all modern computers have. A smart card is a card which is similar in size to an ATM card or credit card. When users insert the smart card in a specialized card reader, the information on the smart card in read and, if necessary, updated. Smart card stores data in a thin microprocessor embedded in the card. Uses of smart cards include storing vaccination data, medical records, identities information, and other health care information. Besides that, smart card even can storage a prepaid amount of money, like for student purchases on campus; tracking information such as customers purchases or employee attendance and authenticating users such as for building access or Internet purchases. CD-RW is stands for Compact Disc Rewritable. A CD-RW is an erasable multisession disc users can write on multiple times. CD-RW allows users to write and rewrite information, instructions, and data. Many personal computers today include a CD-RW drive as a standard feature so that users can burn their own discs. The process of writing on an optical disc is called burning. To write on a CD-RW disc, users must have CD-RW drive and CD-RW software. Furthermore, CD-RW disc can create audio CDs. Users can save and record their own music on a CD. Online storage is a service on the Web that provides hard disks storage to computer users, for free or for a minimal monthly fee. Online storage allows users to store large video, audio, and graphic files on an Internet hard disk instantaneously, instead of spending time downloading to a local hard disk. Moreover, users can view time-critical data and images immediately while away from main office or location; for an example, doctors can view x-ray images from another office, home, hospital, or while on vacation. Conclusion and Recommendation In conclusion, Storage holds information, instructions and data, which includes music, videos, pictures and documents for future use.

Argument Anlysis of What Makes a Serial Killer by La Donna Beaty :: essays research papers

La Donna Beaty clearly States in her argument, ?What Makes a Serial Killer her opinion and different theories on what causes a human being to become a serial killer. Beaty states that there are many serial killers and victims of them, but she is unsure about what causes a person to become a serial killer. Furthermore, she asked many questions, but there was no definite answer. For example, using examples of serial killers including Jeffery Dahmer and Ted Bundy, but only to draw up more questions. However, she wrote many expert opinions too, using them to her advantage in proving her argument, and giving a statement from a respected author and expert on serial killers named Ann Rule (pg315). Rule states that 3,500 to 5,000 people become victims of serial killers. She also states that 350 serial killers are at large in our society (pg315). Additionally, Beaty also presents an early theory that was completely incorrect. This was about how to identify a serial killer by looks. Beaty then gave her expertise by stating that a serial killer could look like or be anything they choose to become. They are most likely to be males and 92 percents are white (pg316). No doubt, that she appeals to logos by providing evidence about general characteristics of serial killers she quotes that in 1911, an Italian criminologist Cesare Lombrosco concluded that ?murderers as a group [are] biologically degenerate [with] bloodshot eyes, aquiline noses, curly black hair, strong jaws, big ears, thin lips, and menacing grins?. In addition, Beaty also claims that a violent society was the cause of many people becoming serial killers. The reason that Beaty suggests that a violent society is a motive for people to become serial killers is because culture finds violence acceptable and tends to approve it in many circumstances. She also present statistical research done in 1970, which shows that one out of every four men and one out of every five women believed that it was appropriate for a husband to hit his wife under certain situations. Obviously, she appeals to pathos in this paragraph by bringing up the experts feeling about children ?The experts feel that children demonstrate increasingly aggressive behavior with each violent act they view? (pg317). Another theory Beaty used was that family context can be one of the causes that makes a person a serial killer. She stated ?Most killers state that they experienced psychological abuse as children and never established good relationships with the male figures in their lives?.

Personal Narrative - First Football Coach :: Personal Narrative Writing

Personal Narrative - First Football Coach One December morning, right before Christmas break, I was talking with a friend when our football coach came over to talk to us. I really respected and admired my coach and we always got along very well. My coach told us he was leaving Melbourne Central High School to go work in California. I had no idea what to say. I was in utter disbelief I was barely able to mutter a simple "Good Luck". One of my goals for the upcoming year was to have a good football season, just for my coach, because I really felt he deserved it. Most days I would have lunch with the coach where we would talk not only about football but also life and current events. When he left, I lost not only a coach but a friend and mentor. I knew I would always miss him. I did not believe that his departure, however, would threaten my football career or my love of playing. I was wrong. New coaches bring the winds of change. With the new coach came a new philosophy about the team. Everything was different from the color of our uniforms to our positions on the field. I think the best symbol of this is the change from green color helmets to gold. During pre-season conditioning, we got to know the new coaching staff. At the beginning of the season, the team was excited and ready to follow the new coach. But as the season progressed we all realized changes taking place with the new coach were heartbreaking. The new coach affected me as a football player and as a person. The football coach often lied and was very manipulative in his attempts to manage the team, its players and me. The entire season was a difficult one with this new coach and I would often come home upset. I turned to my father for advice and he would remind me to never forget the lessons my previous coach taught me about football and about life. My first coach was a great role-model. He taught me to have the courage to stand by my beliefs and to resist intimidation and manipulation.

Political Philosophy and Individualism Essay

Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that emphasizes â€Å"the moral worth of the individual†. Individualists promote the exercise of one’s goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance and advocate that interests of the individual should achieve precedence over the state or a social group, while opposing external interference upon one’s own interests by society or institutions such as the government. Individualism makes the individual its focus and so starts â€Å"with the fundamental premise that the human individual is of primary importance in the struggle for liberation. † Individualism thus involves â€Å"the right of the individual to freedom and self-realization†. An individualist enters into society to further his or her own interests, or at least demands the right to serve his or her own interests, without taking the interests of society into consideration. The individualist does not lend credence to any philosophy that requires the sacrifice of the self-interest of the individual for any higher social causes. Jean-Jacques Rousseau would argue, however, that his concept of â€Å"general will† in the â€Å"social contract† is not the simple collection of individual wills and precisely furthers the interests of the individual (the constraint of law itself would be beneficial for the individual, as the lack of respect for the law necessarily entails, in Rousseau’s eyes, a form of ignorance and submission to one’s passions instead of the preferred autonomy of reason). Individualists are chiefly concerned with protecting individual autonomy against obligations imposed by social institutions (such as the state or religious morality). (Encyclopedia Britannica) Individualism, political and social philosophy that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual. Individualism once exhibited interesting national variations, but its various meanings have since largely merged. Following the upheaval of the French Revolution, individualisme was used pejoratively in Franceto signify the sources of social dissolution and anarchy and the elevation of individual interests above those of the collective. The term’s negative connotation was employed by French reactionaries, nationalists, conservatives, liberals, and socialists alike, despite their different views of a feasible and desirable social order. In Germany, the ideas of individual uniqueness (Einzigkeit) and self-realization—in sum, the Romantic notion of individuality—contributed to the cult of individual genius and were later transformed into an organic theory of national community. According to this view, state and society are not artificial constructs erected on the basis of a social contract but instead unique and self-sufficient cultural wholes. In England, individualism encompassed religious nonconformity (i. e. , nonconformity with the Church of England) and economic liberalism in its various versions, including both laissez-faire and moderate state-interventionist approaches. In the United States, individualism became part of the core American ideology by the 19th century, incorporating the influences of New England Puritanism, Jeffersonianism, and the philosophy of natural rights. American individualism was universalist and idealist but acquired a harsher edge as it became infused with elements of social Darwinism (i.e. , the survival of the fittest). â€Å"Rugged individualism†Ã¢â‚¬â€extolled by Herbert Hoover during his presidential campaign in 1928—was associated with traditional American values such as personal freedom,capitalism, and limited government. As James Bryce, British ambassador to the United States (1907–13), wrote in The American Commonwealth (1888), â€Å"Individualism, the love of enterprise, and the pride in personal freedom have been deemed by Americans not only their choicest, but [their] peculiar and exclusive possession. † The French aristocratic political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–59) described individualism in terms of a kind of moderate selfishness that disposed humans to be concerned only with their own small circle of family and friends. Observing the workings of the American democratic tradition for Democracy in America (1835–40), Tocqueville wrote that by leading â€Å"each citizen to isolate himself from his fellows and to draw apart with his family and friends,† individualism sapped the â€Å"virtues of public life,† for which civic virtue and association were a suitable remedy. For the Swiss historian Jacob Burckhardt (1818–97), individualism signified the cult of privacy, which, combined with the growth of self-assertion, had given â€Å"impulse to the highest individual development† that flowered in the European Renaissance. The French sociologist Emile Durkheim (1858–1917) identified two types of individualism: the utilitarian egoism of the English sociologist and philosopher Herbert Spencer (1820–1903), who, according to. Durkheim, reduced society to â€Å"nothing more than a vast apparatus of production and exchange,† and the rationalism of the German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1788), and the French Revolution’s Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789), which has as â€Å"its primary dogma the autonomy of reason and as its primary rite the doctrine of free enquiry. † The Austrian economist F. A. Hayek (1899–1992), who favoured market processes and was distrustful of state intervention, distinguished what he called â€Å"false† from â€Å"true† individualism. False individualism, which was represented mainly by French and other continental European writers, is characterized by â€Å"an exaggerated belief in the powers of individual reason† and the scope of effective social planning and is â€Å"a source of modern socialism†; in contrast, true individualism, whose adherents included John Locke (1632–1704), Bernard de Mandeville (1670–1733), David Hume (1711–76), Adam Ferguson (1723–1816), Adam Smith (1723–90), and Edmund Burke(1729–97), maintained that the â€Å"spontaneous collaboration of free men often creates things which are greater than their individual minds can ever fully comprehend† and accepted that individuals must submit â€Å"to the anonymous and seemingly irrational forces of society. † Other aspects of individualism pertain to a series of different questions about how to conceive the relation between collectivities and individuals. One such question focuses on how facts about the behaviour of groups, about social processes, and about large-scale historical events are to be explained. According to methodological individualism, a view advocated by Austrian-born British philosopher Karl Popper (1902–94), any explanation of such a fact ultimately must appeal to, or be stated in terms of, facts about individuals—about their beliefs, desires, and actions. A closely related view, sometimes called ontological individualism, is the thesis that social or historical groups, processes, and events are nothing more than complexes of individuals and individual actions. Methodological individualism precludes explanations that appeal to social factors that cannot in turn be individualistically explained. Examples are Durkheim’s classic account of differential suicide rates in terms of degrees of social integration and the account of the incidence of protest movements in terms of the structure of political opportunities. Ontological individualism contrasts with various ways of seeing institutions and collectivities as â€Å"real†Ã¢â‚¬â€e. g. , the view of corporations or states as agents and the view of bureaucratic roles and rules or status groups as independent of individuals, both constraining and enabling individuals’ behaviour. Another question that arises in debates over individualism is how objects of worth or value (i. e. , goods) in moral and political life are to be conceived. Some theorists, known as atomists, argue that no such goods are intrinsically common or communal, maintaining instead that there are only individual goods that accrue to individuals. According to this perspective, morality and politics are merely the instruments through which each individual attempts to secure such goods for himself. One example of this view is the conception of political authority as ultimately derived from or justified by a hypothetical â€Å"contract† between individuals, as in the political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679). Another is the idea, typical in economics and in other social sciences influenced by economics, that most social institutions and relationships can best be understood by assuming that individual behaviour is motivated primarily by self-interest. Individualism with its endorsement of private enjoyments and control of one’s personal environment and its neglect of public involvement and communal attachment, has long been lamented and criticized from both the right and the left and from both religious and secular perspectives. Especially notable critiques have been made by advocates of communitarianism, who tend to equate individualism with narcissism and selfishness. Likewise, thinkers in the tradition of â€Å"republican† political thought—according to which power is best controlled by being divided—are disturbed by their perception that individualism deprives the state of the support and active involvement of citizens, thereby impairing democratic institutions. Individualism also has been thought to distinguish modern Western societies from premodern and non-Western ones, such as traditional India and China, where, it is said, the community or the nation is valued above the individual and an individual’s role in the political and economic life of his community is largely determined by his membership in a specific class or caste.

Ap World Ccot on China

CCOT From 100 C. E to 1000 C. E there were many changes along with continuities in the political and cultural life of the Chinese peoples. For example a big change in the political life of China was a series of nomadic invasions. A large continuity in bureaucracy may have changed just a little bit but it was always present in China. Through its history a big continuity in Chinese culture could be Confucianism. Even though Confucianism does not disappear, Buddhism becomes very popular when the Han Dynasty collapses and nomadic tribes invade offering hope in light of chaos.There were many changes in political history of China. A large change was the nomadic invasions of China. It caused the Han Dynasty to collapse and endless wars. It also gave women more rights because Buddhism brought better living conditions for women and believed women were as equal parts, which let Buddhism spread. Bureaucracy was a large continuity in Chinese political life. Many emperors lived under a bureaucrac y, which in turn meant that people under the emperor’s rule dealt with bureaucracy.In 220 C. E, when the nomadic peoples were invading China, and endless wars led the collapse of the Han Dynasty, the concept of Confucianism does not agree with chaos the Chinese looked to Buddhism that â€Å"offers hope in the light of chaos† although Confucianism does not disappear the expansion of Buddhism in Chinese culture is a big change. Confucianism was very popular throughout Chinese history. It is still practiced today and will continue to be practiced.Confucianism has set rules and roles for everyone in Chinese society because Confucius saw people getting along by being content with the roles they played in society. Its rules and roles did not go very well in chaos, which is why Buddhism became very popular in 220 C. E. Even though Confucianism lost power it still remained in many Chinese households. Continuities and changes are inevitable in Chinese history whether it be cult urally or politically. Buddhism and nomadic invasions were large changes, but Confucianism will always be in the Chinese culture and bureaucracy will also be a big continuity.

How Do Maya Angelou and Grace Nichols Communicate What It Means to Be a Black Woman in Today’s Society Essay

How do Maya Angelou and Grace Nichols communicate what it means to be a black woman in today’s society? In this essay I will compare two poems. The two poems I will compare is Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I rise’ to Grace Nichols’ ‘Of course when they ask for poems about the ‘realities’ of Black women’. I think Maya Angelou’s ‘Still in rise’ has a rather different message to Grace Nichols’ poem. I think they are interesting to compare because Maya Angelo is lively and spirited about writing a poem about how strong black women are and how it is to be a black woman in today’s society. Whereas, Grace Nichols is more disgruntled and irritated about writing her poem. The first poem I will scrutinize is Maya Angelo’s ‘Still I rise’. The title ‘Still I rise’ shows strength and optimism as it is a short but strong meaning title. It means that Maya Angelou will always defend herself. It makes you feel no matter what you do to Maya Angelou she will just get back up again. This makes you believe that Maya Angelou is a strong person. In the first verse, Maya Angelou starts off using an accusatory tone when she says ‘you may write me down in history with you bitter, twisted lies’. This gives the impression that she is talking to white people when she says this. I think this means she doesn’t like what white people have wrote in their history books about black people’s past as it is over exaggerated and a lot of lies. Near the end of the first verse, she uses the simile ‘but still like dust, I’ll rise’. This is once again reinforcing the idea that she is a strong black woman. By using this simile she is also comparing herself and her race to dust and this suggests that you can’t get rid of black people and that they are everywhere you go, as dust is hard to get rid of and it is everywhere as you can’t control or capture it. In the second verse, Maya Angelou is more lively and spirited when she says ‘Does my sassiness upset you? ’ This suggests that she is getting more confident as she progresses through the poem. She also uses two rhetorical questions to grip the reader’s attention ‘why are you beset with gloom? Also, in the second verse she shows more confidence when she uses the phrase ‘‘cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells pumping in my living room. ’ The use of informal language ‘cause’ shows this. This phrase also makes me think that she feels powerful, rich and important. In the third stanza, she uses a lot of similes such as ‘Just like moons and like suns’ I think she has put this simile in because it is natural imagery and she wants black people to be described as this because it is not only a part of nature but the sun and moon are beautiful; vital to the world. In the next line she continues with the natural imagery by saying ‘With certainty of tides’. This is also natural imagery as she is comparing the black race with tides. I think she chose to use the natural imagery of tides here because not only is it once again vital to the world but it also creates a sense of power as tides and waves are incontrollable, powerful and constant and waves always come back so I think maybe she was also trying to reinforce the idea that she and her race are strong. However in the fourth verse, she stops using natural imagery and changes into an interrogative mode when she says ‘did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? ’ Here she uses negative lexis such as ‘broken’ to create an image of a typical slave to the reader. I think she does this here as she wants to show people that herself and her race are not slaves and that you should not dwell on their past and think of them as slaves. In the fifth stanza, it’s more about her culture when she uses the simile ‘cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines’ I think she is implying here that she is not rich in wealth but she is rich in culture and in spirit. I think this changes the atmosphere to a more relaxed mood as she is embracing her culture. Also, when she says ‘diggin in my own back yard’ it gives you a sense of black soulful language and reinforces the fact that she embraces her culture and language. However, in stanza six, it is a more harsh verse as she uses an accusatory tone once again. She creates an atmosphere of fury and annoyance by using onomatopoeia and harsh sounds such as ‘cut’ and ‘kill’. I think this was put in so people would remember the way white people treated slaves and how violent they were towards them. I think she is trying to give an insight of how it must have felt to be a slave and make people feel guilty for treating them so unfairly. At the end of this verse, she repeats herself ‘But still, like air, I’ll rise’. I think she does this to not only make people believe she is a strong, black woman, but to also make the poem memorable for the reader and make it stand out. Also, when she uses the simile ‘like air’ it makes you think that you can’t hurt her because she is ‘like air’ and you can’t cut or hurt air. I think air was a good simile to use here because air rises and I think Angelou was implying that she will rise above all expectations people have for her, black women and black men. Also, by using the word air Maya Angelou is trying to indicate that herself and the black race are now free as black people are now free from slavery. In the seventh stanza, the atmosphere changes and you can see Angelou’s pride in her culture and race. I think Maya Angelou is trying to create a different image for black women as she says ‘does my sexiness up set you? . This suggests that she is trying to make a new image for black women that is sexy and more elegant because before they were seen as only slaves. In the third and fourth line of this verse, she says ‘that I dance like I’ve got diamonds, at the meeting of my thighs’. By using the word diamond she is implying that black women are rare, precious and tough as those are the main characteristics of a diamond. I t hink she is suggesting black women should be treasured and kept safe as they are too precious to lose. In the last stanza, Angelou breaks free from the previous set structure of the quatrains and it’s a more symbolic structure; it does not have a pattern to it. I think this is because it is supposed to imitate the slaves breaking free. Also, it has a random lay out and I think this is reinforcing the idea that you can’t capture black people like slaves anymore and that black people shouldn’t be treated unfairly anymore. The last verse also has more energy to it as it speeds up more. I think this is because when black people broke free from slavery they were lively and more spirited and had more pride in their culture and race. Also, in the last verse, Angelou uses metaphors instead of similes now such as ‘I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide’. I think she changes from similes to metaphors in this verse because she has gained more confidence and pride. It has also become a more happier, lively verse again as she uses more positive lexis such as ‘daybreak’ and ‘wondrously clear’. This is because she is happy and proud of being black and wants black women and men to be perceived as happy and lively. She has not only broken free from the quatrains in this last verse, but she has also broken free from the AB rhyming sentences and is now using rhyming couplets as well as repetition of the words ‘I rise, I rise, I rise’ to show confidence, power and pride of what it means to be a black woman. Overall, throughout the whole of the poem, I believe that Maya Angelou was trying to change the perception of black women and make black women feel as confident and as proud as Angelou does of being black. Throughout the poem Angelou’s tone differs. As in the beginning, although she started with an accusatory tone, she went on and used positive lexis such as ‘hopes springing high’ this then changed from a interrogative mood to a more lively and spirited atmosphere. However, as the poem continues she starts to use negative lexis again and the interrogative mode re-appears making the poem seem more harsh to the reader, although, when you read on the poem ends in a more lively and happier tone as she uses more absolute phrases and starts to use metaphors rather than similes now; ‘I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide’. Angelou’s use of sound imagery is interesting as she makes the reader imagine not only pretty, natural images, but harsh, cruel images as well. For instance, ‘Just like moons and like suns’ and ‘Shoulders falling down like teardrops’. I think she does this so we all can see what she wants black people to be perceived as and also what black people used to be perceived as. Overall, I think Maya Angelou wrote this poem to change the perception of black women in today’s society. The second poem I will analyse is Grace Nichols ‘Of course when they ask for poems about the ‘realities’ of black women’. This is a poem with a slightly different message. Whereas, Maya Angelou’s poem was overall lively and spirited, Grace Nichols poem takes on a more sarcastic side of what it’s like to be a black woman, compared to a white woman, in today’s society and how she feels about being asked to write a poem on what it’s like to be a black woman. The heading of Grace Nichols poem’ Of course when they ask for poems about the ‘realities’ of black women’ shows a sarcastic side as she has put realities in inverted commas. This gives you the impression that she doesn’t want to write this poem as black women are no different from white women or any other race. The first verse of the poem starts with ‘what they really want at times is a specimen whose heart is in the dust’. When she uses the word they in the beginning I think she is talking about white people, racists and those that misunderstand her race. Also, when she says the word specimen it makes you think of a different species; something that needs to be studied. I think this is what she feels racists think of the black race. When she refers to ‘whose heart is in the dust’ this makes the reader believe she thinks people pity her race. When she says ‘a mother-of-sufferer’ she is referring to ancestors of slaves and this then links to ‘trampled/oppressed’ which is the typical slave image. She’s is saying here that ‘they’, meaning white people or people that misunderstand her race, want a slave to write a poem about how it is to be a black person living in today’s society. Grace Nichols then moves on and says ‘they want a little black blood undressed and validation for the abused stereotype already in their heads’. This means that racists want a black, vulnerable person to be proof for the typical slave image, that’s a black stereotype, in their minds. When she says ‘black blood’ she is implying that black people are completely different to any other race and even have different blood, even though black people are no different from white people. She is also implying, when she says ‘For the abused stereotype already in their head’, that the stereotype has been put into people’s heads by white, biased history books. When she says, in the next verse, ‘a perfect song’ she is referring to someone that is proud of their race and would like to write a poem about being black, for example Maya Angelou. Within the next few lines, Grace Nichols talks more about how not all black women are the same and how they can’t be categorised. When she says’ I say I can write no poem big enough to hold the essence’. This means she can’t write one poem for black people or any other race as there are too many personalities and individuals to put them all into one category. When she says ‘of a black woman or a white woman or a green woman’ she is then showing her sarcasm again when she says ‘green woman’ as you can’t have green women and what she is trying to say is that we are all equal . ‘And there are Black women and Black women’ this is once again reinforcing the idea that there is not just ‘the’ black woman. There are different types of black women and they are not all the same and are individuals. In the next line she uses a very good simile when she says ‘like a contrasting sky of rainbow spectrum’. I love this simile as she is saying that there isn’t only one colour black and that when you put all the different colours together it makes something beautiful, such as a rainbow. She is also using natural imagery here and it makes you think of how special black people are to this world. As you go on in the poem, she uses the well known phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ very well as she says ‘touch a black woman you mistake for a rock and feel her melting down to fudge’. I think this is implying the phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ as it is saying if you insult a black woman when you think she has ‘thick skin’ she could really be vulnerable inside. In her poem, she does not only talk about different types of people and race, but she also introduces the fact of the different types of language. ‘If need be we’ll trade a piece-a-pussy’. Here she uses her own language of Creole and mixes Caribbean English with English to create a sense of her own Caribbean culture and how proud she is to be black and have her own, unique culture. Also, during her poem, Grace Nichols refers to some famous black women as she says ‘and there are black women so dangerous in South Africa they prison them away’. Here she is talking about Winnie Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s wife. She also refers to Maya Angelou throughout her poem as she says’ and there are black women strong and eloquent and focused’. Here she talks about Maya Angelou and how proud she is of her race. However, at the end of the poem, she ends on a positive note as she says’ the twisted self-negating history we’ve inherited’. I think this means even though they see their history as twisted and cruel, she wants black people to focus on the present and make their history better than that of the ancestors that were slaves. She also says ‘crushing out with each dancing step’. This shows me that she wants to crush out their past history and therefore ends on a positive note. Overall, throughout the poem, I think Grace Nichols was trying to make black women proud of their culture and race and that they are no more different than white people or any other race. I think Grace Nichols didn’t have a set structure for the poem as it is sporadic and a random layout. I think she did this because there is not a set pattern for black women and that the layout represents this. Also, the layout is random and unique and that’s what she wants black women to be perceived as instead as being in a set pattern and categorised. Grace Nichols repeats several thing throughout her poem. ‘of a black woman or a white woman or a green woman’ is repeated a lot to emphasize the point that all races are equal and it doesn’t depend on colour for how we are treated. She also repeats the phrase ‘crushing out with each dancing step’ to make her point that you shouldn’t judge people by their past and that you should forget about you and your ancestors history and create new history. I think Grace Nichols used Creole to emphasize how she is proud of her culture and that black women should be proud as well and celebrate their own culture. I think these poems differ in messages and tones as Maya Angelou’s poem ‘still I rise’ her message is that black women should be proud about their culture and to be black and that Maya Angelou wants to change the perception of black women so that it is not the typical lave image but it is more sexy and elegant. Also, I think Maya Angelou was lively and spirited throughout most of her poem, although she had some accusatory tone and interrogative mode. However, Grace Nichols’s message was different from Maya Angelou’s as Grace Nichols wanted black women to be treated fairly and equally as any other race are and that she doesn’t think its right to define black women all in one category. Also, she didn’t think it was right to be asked to write a poem about how black women feel living in today’s society as it is no different from any other race woman. Grace Nichols’s tone throughout was mainly accusatory and angry. In some ways the two poems are similar as they both feel that their race should not be treated as slave just because some of their ancestors were in captivity as slaves in past history. Also, they both feel that their race should now think about the present and not focus on the past and believe you should forget about slavery and the past. They both also want black people to celebrate their culture. I think Grace Nichols’s poem portrays the black race better as Maya Angelou categorises the black race even though they are all individuals and can’t be put into just one category. Whereas, Grace Nichols says all the way through her poem that black people are individuals and all unique and you can’t categorise them. Also, I think Grace Nichols write not just about the good things about being a black woman, but she also write about the bad things, whereas, Maya Angelou doesn’t.