Monday, September 30, 2019

Alberto Ginastera

Alberto Ginastera was an Argentinean music composer born in 1916 to an Italian mother and Catalian father in Buenos Aires and died in 1983. He is a legendary classical music composer in the Latin America whose artistic skills cannot be matched with that of other artists of his time.He is known for setting up a dance and music conservatory at Buenos Aires and forming an organization, the International Society for Contemporary music where he became its secretary general. He is also credited for his ability to integrate current music composing techniques into the old Argentinean folk music. This research paper is going to specifically focus on the life of Ginastera and will in-depth discuss about his career achievements and why he is popular.Ginastera developed his interest in music at quite a tender age and achieved much while he was still a child for example, he entered the conservatory when he was twelve but this was not without some influence from other artists such as Schoenberg, B artok and Stravinsky (Sadie 231).He made significant artistic work that was capable of making him a winner of various awards such as the Argentine School Song Award, three municipal prizes, National Fund for the Arts Annual Award, Bicentennial Cinzano Award and the three municipal prizes. He composed all genres of music be it operas, orchestra, violin concerto, piano work, choir works among others something that made him a true representative of Argentinean musical nationalism.In 1941, Ginastera was able to secure himself a job in Buenos Aires at the National Conservatory and the Liceo Militar. In 1942 he received funds to go to the United States from Guggenheim fellowship but his plan was impeded by the Second World War but nevertheless, he was able to produce a lot of great works like the Twelve American Preludes which was played in 1944 and another one which was a dedication to all those who perished in the fight for freedom called Elegiac Symphony that was played in 1944 (Way, J oseph).In 1945, he entered into politics and together with other Argentine intellectuals signed a manifesto aimed at protecting human rights and democratic principles but because of his involvement in anti fascism politics, he was fired as the conservatory’s director in 1952.After Peron regime was overthrown in 1955, he was reinstated as the director but resigned in 1958 to become a director of the Catholic University’s Facultad de Ciencias y Artes Musicale something that helped him to revisit the United States where he performed his second quartet in 1958 (Sadie 228)One of his works to come to the public domain was known as the score for the ballet Panambi which was conducted by Juan Jose Castro and was a five movement orchestral suite that was first introduced in Buenos Aires on 27th November 1937. The second widely recognized and an award prize winning (Association Wagneriana) piece of work was the ballet with choreography produced in 1940s (Sadie 228).In this piece of work, Ginastera tried to harmonize his primitive rhythm with modern technology something that skyrocketed his prominence long before he would graduate but the one that gave him an international recognition was the first Quartet which was played in Frankfurt’s International Society for Contemporary Music and the 1958’s outstanding work as a German critic termed it entitled the Second String Quartet that was performed in Washington DC by Juilliard Quartet (Sadie 227-229).According to Elena Dabul, he classified his classical music into three categories that were determined by the use of the music he composed. The three categories were; Objective nationalism which was a period between 1934 and 1948 where he dealt with music concerning Argentinean cultures and produced works like the 1941’s wheat dance, the land workers and ballet Estancia which was all about Cattle ranch’s life. In making Estancia dances, Gisele Ben-Dor preferred the second thoughts expre ssed in Ginastera’s Panambi suites to Andrei Borejko’s Largo Label.Her performances were different fro that of other artiste as they would last a minute longer. The other category was Subjective nationalism which started from 1948 to1958 where he detached himself from traditional popular elements and took no revolutionary moves or position. It is during this period that he produced his masterpiece, the first String Quartet where he would use rhythms to create folk-like songs.The third and last category is the Neo-expressionism that is from 1958 all the way to1983 where he performed works like the second String Quartet which was done in 1958, the 1961’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, operas, Don Rodrigo and Bomarzo operas of 1967 (Compositores and Interpretes).Ginastera in an interview in 1962 referred himself as a slow composer because he would take quite some time to think about his music before he would compose it, a period he referred to as gestation and t he one according to him the moment which was the most trying is when it came to translate the intellectual ideas into something tangible which he likened to a child birth. Unfortunately, not all music that he composed was released to the public for example the Duke of Bormazo because of its provocative nature was banned.The Argentinean president banned the opera on grounds that it portrayed sexual obsession however, the opera was reproduced in 1968 in New York. Contrary to the expectations of many, the same work would make him an international figure for example the opera Bormarzo (Sadie 229).Alberto Ginastera an Argentinean music composer was a prominent figure in his days and was able to make music with a difference something that made him to be known internationally. He composed music of all genres thereby becoming a representative of Argentinean music nationalism. Though his music moved with times, not all of his recordings were made public as some were considered extreme and un fit for the public. Some of his work of art includes the Bomarzo operas, the Piano concertos and the First and the second string quartet.Works cited:Elena Dabul. Alberto Ginastero. Accessed at   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://members.tripod.com/~ostinato/ginas.htmlCompositores and Interpretes. Alberto Ginastero. 2004. Accessed from http://www.ciweb.com.ar/Ginastera/index2.phpSadie, Stanley Ed. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. 7th Edition,    Macmillan Publishers Limited.1980.Way, Joseph. Alberto Ginastero (1916-1983). Sierra Chamber Society Program Notes. 2000. Available at http://www.fuguemasters.com/ginaster.html  

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Comparative Analysis of “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” and “The Dance” Essay

The Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907, Museum of Modern Art, New York), is an oil on canvas painting by Pablo Picasso. This is an image of five nudes grouped around a still life. Of the five figures, four of the figures are facing the viewer. There is a disjunction in the fifth figure as she is crouched on the floor, her back away from the viewer, while her face, or mask, addresses the viewer. This vertically aligned painting measures 8’x7’8†³ and was painted after the Blue and Rose periods. The Dance (First Version, 1909, Museum of Modern Art, New York), is an oil on canvas painting by Henri Matisse. This is an image of five nude women linking arms in an oval. This horizontally aligned painting measures 8’6†³x12’9†³. This painting lacks detail and complexity. The artist has used four colors throughout the painting. These colors are green, pink, black and blue. Picasso painted Les Demoiselles d’Avignon after a notorious place of prostitution. The viewer is both attracted to the advances of the demoiselles, yet at the same time, recoiled with the horror of these prostitutes. This art belongs to a style of art known as Cubism. The savage, inhuman heads of the figures are the direct result of Picasso’s recent exposure Iberian art from the sub-Saharan, Western African region. The emphasis on abstraction, flatness and angularity prevalent in the painting are attributes of Iberian art. Through this painting Picasso has lost the interest of naturalistic curves of the anatomy and has chosen to create planes. The figures seem flat, two-dimensional and weightless. We can divide the painting into portions, i.e., the three-fifths on the left and the two-fifths on the right. The left hand portion relates to the colors of the Rose period, while the shift in colors towards blue on the right is reminiscent of the Blue period. The primary difference between the left and the right sides however lies in the heads of the two figures. The figures on the right are missing ears, their mouths are oval, their chins pointed and their nose oddly shaped. The ears, eyes, nose and mouth seem to be disjuncted and perhaps even dislocated for these two figures. Their shapes when compared to those of the left are grotesque. The excessive use of shadowing adds to the exaggeration of the African-like faces. Another  example of disjunction within the painting is the right leg of the women in the far left seems to morph in a block. In the Dance the viewer is no longer addressed by the gazes of the women. There is no audience-artwork participation. The women are no longer concerned with the audience. The dance seems to originate with the figure in the foreground, following a clockwise rotation. The painting offers soft linear contours that is pleasing to the viewers eyes. There is a disjunction which appears when the women in the foreground is unable to clasp the hand of the figure to her left. This is where the tension arises. This break in unity shows that the circle is not complete. It shows the that the dance cannot continue eternally. The fact that one link in the chain is missing causes an unbalance. This unbalance is captured in the figure to the right of the figure in the foreground. It seems that since the figure in the foreground hastens her movement in order to clasp her hand with the figure on the left. This sudden movement throws the figure on her right off balance. The five figures in the Dance are portrayed as caricatures rather than as real women. Les Demoiselles d’Avignon is radically different in style to any of the paintings we have examined up till now in class. The simplicity of the painting may suggest that it was intended to be a rudimentary experiment in form. It is almost as if the painting is layered with broken glass, and the viewer is expected to view this new, distorted image. In the painting, spatial depth and symmetry are destroyed. The space in which figures stand almost seems sculpted rather than painted. By observing the women on the far right, between the curtain, we notice how planar her body really is. Through the painting Picasso has distorted the ideal form of the female nude, which he has reconstructed into harsh, angular shapes. Within the painting are several sexual references. The pointed edge of the table in the foreground can be seen as a representation of penetration. From the posture of the second women from the left we can view her as either standing up or lying down. Though in the painting, the figure is painted standing vertically, the posture indicates that the position is more suited  for a horizontal position as though she was on a bed. This dual pose can be read perhaps as the rhythmical oscillation of a sexual act. The watermelon placed at the edge of the table can be considered a phallic symbol. The way the watermelon slice extends beyond the table and towards the women can also be seen as another reference to penetration. Picasso has approached the theme of eroticism in a less conventional manner. In the Dance the viewer is no longer involved in the painting. One cannot read the painting on a higher level. Unlike Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. There are no phallic symbolism. There is no eroticism expressed within this painting. It is the simplicity of the painting the audience appreciates. Matisse has gone back to the very fundamentals; creating a painting of minimum detail and a very simple background. He has used blue in the background to represent the sky while using green to represent the grass. I am not suggesting that his painting was too simple to be considered a masterpiece. The simplicity is the beauty of it. Both the paintings consist of five nude women, whose identities are unknown. Each artist has painted the basic forms of women, leaving out genitalia to illustrate that they were concerned with only the forms of the figures. Both paintings offer an aura of high energy. The energy derived from the Dance is a result of the urgency the dancers have in forming the perfect circle and their inability to do so. In Les Demoiselles d’Avignon the energy originates from the savage power these women possess. The fear deriving from barbaric intensity of these two figures on the right dispel the alluring qualities the three figures on the left portray. In the Dance the artist has created the painting out of contours while in Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Picasso has firmly defined planes with minimum of contours. Les Demoiselles d’Avignon illustrates Picasso’s intense fear of women, his need to dominate and distort them. Even today when we are confronted with this painting, it is hard to restrain a momentary fear. The Dance captures the beauty of women and dance through the traditional beauties of art. Picasso no longer considers the themes of traditional beauty of art nor the realistic portrayal of his subject. The Les Demoiselles d’Avignon stands as  a cruel representation to the delight of the senses that Matisse’s the Dance exalts.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Discussion Board 1-2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion Board 1-2 - Essay Example This generally relates to the fact that crises often involve numerous problems that have different magnitude and require different techniques to handle longitudinal effects. Crisis intervention theory is not specific in defining the exact strategies to handle crises. The theory also does not present unique strategies that are absent or untouched by other standard psychotherapeutic theories. Critical analysis and study of crisis intervention theory confirm that many and common views touched by other theories such as Systemic, Cognitive Behavioral, Attachment, Psycho educational and Psychoanalytic are present in it. Furthermore, the fact that crises result to various and different conditions makes it necessary to recognize the appropriateness (Jackson-Cherry & Erford, 2014). Some victims of the Hurricane Katrina suffered from cognitive problems probably due to overwhelming distresses. To overcome such conditions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may be necessary to understand the situation and conduct effective recovery plan (Jackson-Cherry & Erford, 2014). Some crises such as raping and sexual assaults have threatened to destabilize family systems leading to crises. Crisis intervention theory in isolation lacks proper frameworks to resolve such problems. This makes Systems, Ecosystems, and probably Structural theories important tools to analyze the underlying circumstance and design coherent and relevant

Friday, September 27, 2019

U.S. Employment Regulations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 18

U.S. Employment Regulations - Essay Example This paper illustrates that the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) implements the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Act provides policies for minimum wages, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor. It gives exemptions for minimum wage and overtime pay. The Act obliges employers of covered employees to pay them a minimum wage of not less than $7.25 per hour. Youth employees, who are below 20 years of age, may receive a minimum wage of not lower than $4.25 an hour, during the first 90 successive calendar days of employment. Employers are not allowed to terminate existing employees to hire youth or people whom they can pay the youth minimum wage. Furthermore, employers can adopt a piece-rate basis in paying employees, as long as the latter get at least the required minimum hourly wage rate and overtime for hours worked that are more than 40 hours in a workweek. In addition, the Act allows the employment of particular individuals at wage rates below the statutory minimum wage, as long as they get certificates from the Department of Labor. They are the following: â€Å"Student learners; full‑time students in service establishments, agriculture, or higher education; and individuals whose productive capacities for the work to be performed are impaired by physical or mental disabilities†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . The Act does not provide limitations for hours or days per week of work, as long as the employee is not less than sixteen years old. Nevertheless, the Act obliges employers to compensate covered employees for overtime pay, which is not less than one and one-half times their standard rate of pay, for all hours that exceed 40 in a workweek, unless employees are considered as exempted.  

Thursday, September 26, 2019

How Far Do You Agree that Video Games Have Had a Negative Effect on Essay

How Far Do You Agree that Video Games Have Had a Negative Effect on Society - Essay Example There is a constant need to update oneself in the field of technology. Although video games are considered a separate industry of computers and online games it is extremely popular all around the world. It is for this reason that the need arose to study the effects of video games on society. Research has it that these games have had negative impact causing the society to collapse due to globalization. Video games are a virtual mode of entertainment. This form of entertainment received much attention when there was any better to be done in order to utilize time. Eventually the senior generation and traditional values became things of the past. One of the major negative effects of video games is the violence caused by it. The violent form of entertainment made the world scarier place forcing the youth to carry guns to places like school for their own protection which indirectly increased the chance of getting shot (Gentile, 2003). This vicious circle was a result of addiction to video games which included online games as well. The negative impact could easily be controlled if allowed access in a proscribed atmosphere. Unfortunately the world of gaming dragged the feeble mind into an abyss from which it was very difficult to pull oneself out. Another very significant downbeat influence of video games is the desensitization towards the harsher realities of life. The actual violence which occurs all around the world seems to be of lesser importance with the next level of the game in mind. The preoccupied mind fails to integrate the daily life situations with personal interests (Gentile, 2003). â€Å"Highly involving games would be more likely to disrupt cognitive rehearsal of thoughts related to positive mood† (Vorderer & Bryant, 2006). This implies that negative moods are likely to be generated with the exposure to violent and aggressive video games. Studies link exposure to violent content of these games (Gentile 2003). Video games became the center of disc ussion ever since the over-playing of these games started to reflect among children and especially teenagers. A lot of research has been done on the effect of video games hence there is much hype about the negative aspect of gaming. Games are good for human mind. But society in the modern world is surrendering to the latest development in technology allowing experimentation on younger minds without putting disclaimers on games which are easily accessible through the internet. Video games have become a source of comfort for the teens. They console them in times of loneliness and alienation from their own family (Ritzer, 2004). Social trends in the United States have been observed to go in a decline because of lesser interaction among people. This is because they spend more time on the computer mostly playing video games or using the social media network which has confined their socialization to a box instead of open gatherings (Sparks, 2006). It is a fact that video games are not age restricted. They are played by people of all age groups. The rate of playing video games increased from two hours a week to two hours a day in the 1980s. Everyone, however, does not agree that video games have an adverse effect on children. Psychologists point out that this may not be the case. Video games can damage the cognitive development of people and lead

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Live-Action American Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Live-Action American Film - Essay Example Thereafter when the posse moves out of the train, the director transitions the angle of the camera to ensure that it is level with the Posse however that the camera has been positioned behind them which mean that the audience only sees their backs (Dirks 1). Hill subsequently changes to the use of a telephoto lens to show that the posse is far creating a scenario where they do not tire of the chase thereby creating an image that is familiar. The telephoto lens ensures that the identity of the posse is not revealed to the audience and ensures that the audience can only relate to Butch and Kid. This is because the director has created a sense of the unknown and makes the audience want to know more about the posse (Dirks 1). The use of a zoom feature is used to ensure that the audience feels that they are a part of the fast chase. In one of the chase scenes, the camera zooms in on the posse then slowly zooms out to the location where Butch and Kid who are climbing up a mountainside not too far from the posse and therefore the audience can see how fast the posse is gaining on them(Dirks 1). Another example of the manner in which Hill makes inventive use of storytelling is in his use of music in the film. The music was limited to four sequences; in the first, Butch Cassidy (takes Etta who is Sundance’s girl out for a morning ride on the bicycle. The music that is used is â€Å"Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head† that was written by Burt Bacharach (Dirks 1). The second sequence uses an orchestra theme that is used to set out a montage of photographs of Butch, Etta and Sundance as they travel to New York City. The third use of music is seen when it is used to show the robbing adventures of Butch, Etta and Kid in Bolivia and here a pop them is performed by both a chorus and an orchestra. Music is also used briefly as an underscore in a later scene

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Social Welfare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Social Welfare - Essay Example This situation is especially terrifying because social service is supposed to help people who get into troubles, but when social workers dont trust you it feels like the whole world is against you and you have no support of society. The most surprising thing in this entire situation is that Barbara Ann got support where it wasnt expected at all - from homeless people. It turns out that those who are already living in difficult conditions of constant surviving are more likely to be helpful and supportive than those who are supposed to provide you with help, according to their civil responsibilities. Actually, the fact that representatives of the societys so-called misfits are more humane than the societys supporting service makes me suspicious about my safety. The life circumstances of Barbara Ann are totally complicated and tragic, but as far as there happened to appear the people who believed in her story and helped her, there is a chance for her to improve her life some

Monday, September 23, 2019

Managing Change Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Managing Change - Case Study Example The company that refuses to face up to the challenge of change will be swept away by the flood tide of this very change, the literature on change management implies. It follows that the company that manages change well could reap enormous benefits. Organizational change is a challenge, which may be imposed or initiated. It could be the outcome of a merger, the setting of a new organizational direction, or a newly installed information technology system (Concept Systems Online). In this paper's discussion of change, it relates to a plan of a progressive furniture manufacturer in the US to expand its operations into cyberspace, a process that follows the just mentioned concept except for the part about the merger. For one, it sets a new direction for the organization and it calls for the installation of an unfamiliar IT system. It can also be said that the change is initiated by top management and imposed by circumstance. Management initiated the move following assessment by the firm's finance and accounting department that profits do not reflect the rising manufacturing costs and that raw material inventories waste expensive rental space in public warehouses. The website option is then set to be imposed by suggestions that tran sferring part of the firm's business online can take care of this sort of production problems and ensure its continued profitability. This is where change management is called into play because e-commerce is strange territory to a small-town company run on paternalism by an outdoors type of man who involves himself in the design and technical work and shares lunch with employees, most of whom have been with the company from the start and thus strong on loyalty. Although without formal training in business and management, the hands-on company president reads and attends business seminars, which gave him an open mind about change. However, the reaction of employees to the online plan was frosty, indicating their lack of enthusiasm on this idea of change. This represents a big challenge to change management, which this essay precisely seeks to address, in a way that would illumine how to meet the challenges and how to carry out the appropriate change management methods and models set forth on the subject. Chad's Creative Concepts Chad Thomas, founder and president of the company called Chad's Creative Concepts, started entertaining the idea of going online when a conflict arose over the firm's production of standardized line of furniture on top of the custom-design products. The company was catapulted to prominence by custom-made wooden furniture that brought "a bit of the outdoors" into homes. As the market for this innovative and unique product boomed, Chad's decided to add standard-design furniture to its product line. Lately, the standard-design furniture accounts for 40 percent of the firm's sales turnover but only 25 percent of the dollar value of sales. The customized furniture makes up 60 percent of sales and 75 percent of the sales' dollar value, which means this product line remains the company's bread and butter. For this reason,

Sunday, September 22, 2019

My Favourite Place Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

My Favourite Place - Essay Example There are several places which are usually quoted as the rivers source. The first of which is the Thames head, which is close to the village of Kemble. Another is Seven Springs, which is near where the Churn River rises. In addition, many rivers, canals and brooks all feed the Thames. As previously stated, the river is long and also very wide, and goes through many cities, towns and villages. Some of them are Oxford, Abingdon, Lechlade, Wallingford, Reading, Eton, Marlow, Staines, Windsor, Henly-on-Thames, Weybridge and Maidenhead. .Among its crossings are various places like the Thames Barrier, Thames Tunnel, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Millennium Bridge and many more. Furthermore, you can see many magnificent buildings from the Thames, one of them being the Parliament. The long Thames combines together so many features, so many sights, and so many architectural wonders and important structures built near it, that it is virtually impossible not to fall in love with it. It provides so much entertainment and pleasure to all of those who walk beside it on its walkways. The Thames has a unique charm that is, in my opinion, unmatched by any other place. Just by walking along the river, or sailing in it, it is possible to sense the wonderful atmosphere of the river, which is almost magical. Firstly, there is the London Millennium Footbridge, which links the Bankside with the city. Around it you can find many important places, both art-wise and religious-wise. These include the Tate Modern, which is Britains national museum of international modern are, Bankside gallery, a notable art gallery, the famous Globe Theatre, and also St. Pauls Cathedral, an undoubtedly architectural wonder, as well as the place where the Bishop of London sits. Secondly, the entire area of Greenwich is, in my opinion, quite charming. Greenwich attracts a lot of tourists, being known as the location of the Greenwich Mean

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Role of Merchandiser Essay Example for Free

Role of Merchandiser Essay The merchandiser is responsible for particular lines of merchandise. For example, in a department store, there may be merchandisers for menswear, women’s wear, children’s wear etc. the basic duties of the merchandiser can be divided into four areas: planning, directing, co-coordinating and controlling. Planning: Though the merchandisers may not be directly involved in the actual purchase of merchandise, they formulate the policies for the areas in which they are responsible. Forecasting sales for the forthcoming budget period is required and this involves estimating consumer demand and the impact of changes in the retail environment. The sales forecasts are then translated into budgets to help the buyers work within the financial guidelines. Directing: Guiding and training buyers as and when the need arises is also function of the merchandiser. Many a times, the buyers have to be guided to take additional markdowns for products which may not be doing to well in the stores. Inspiring commitment and performance in the part of the buyers is necessary. Coordinating: Usually, merchandise managers supervise the work of more than one buyer, hence they need to coordinate the buying effort in terms of how well it fits in with the store image and with the other products being bought by other buyers. Controlling: Assessing not only the merchandise performance, but also the buyer’s performance is part of the merchandise manager’s job. Buying performance may be evaluated on the basis of net sales maintained mark up percentages, mark down percentages, gross margin percentages and stock turn. This is necessary to provide control and maintain high performance results. As a key aspect of merchandising involves selection of merchandise or products to be sold in the retail store, the job of the merchandiser also involves visits to suppliers or manufacturers of select goods. This is likely to involve working closely with retail buyers. They negotiate a price, order the goods, agree on a delivery date, complete all the necessary paperwork, and keep in ouch with suppliers to make sure that the goods arrive on time. Merchandisers work closely with the visual display staff and department managers to decide how goods should be displayed to best attract customers’ attention. This might involve planning and setting up sales promotions and advertising campaign. In some organizations, this is a separate role carried out by a visual merchandiser. Merchandiser may also travel to different stores to actually check the response to various items in the merchandise. To enjoy working as a merchandiser, it is essential that the individual has a mathematical ability to work out budgets and understand sales figures. He/she should be able to understand what the customer wants and translate that into specific products. The ability to work in a team is also essential, as the merchandiser would have a team of buyers reporting to him / her. Many retail organizations also have a Divisional Merchandise Manager (DMM) or similar position, wherein the person would be responsible for merchandising activities for particular liens of merchandise. For example, the children’s wear DMM supervises those buyers who purchase merchandise such as baby clothes, clothes for new born, clothes for boys, clothes for girls and accessories. Typically, the role of a divisional merchandise manager, immaterial of the size of the retail organization, would involve the following functions: 1) Forecasting sales for the forthcoming budget period: This involves estimating consumer demand and the impact of changes in the retail environment. 2) Translating the sales forecast into inventory levels in terms of rupees. To do this effectively, the DMM needs to understands and provide for the inventory levels that would be needed to achieve of sales 3) Inspiring commitment and performance on the part of the merchandisers and buyers: Typically, as divisional merchandise managers are senior within the organization, it is believed that they can guide the merchandisers in terms of vendor selection, merchandise lines that can be developed and future trends. 4) Assessing not only the merchandise performance but also the buyer’s performance in order to provide control and maintain high performance results.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Public Awareness of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs

Public Awareness of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs Introduction Stroke is defined as a sudden neurological deficit caused by impairment in perfusion to the brain (M. Bornstein, N 2009). The WHO estimates that by year 2030, 80% of all strokes will occur in low and middle income countries and high quality of health statistics are essential for planning and implementing health policy in all countries. Of all neurological diseases, stroke is the most preventable. The need to increase public awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs has been identified as critical to addressing the large gaps in knowledge. An important aspect of improving understanding of stroke was to prevent strokes from occurring in the first place, by increasing public awareness of the risk factors (Britain, G 2009). Act F.A.S.T(face, arm, speech, time) campaign was laughed and organized by MOH in most of the countries and which has been effective in improving the public’s recognition of the symptoms of stroke . There are a lot of researches had been done to know the effectiveness of campaign and programs. This paper will review two articles to test the stroke awareness and risk factors in general population. Methods Two articles were chosen from Bio Med Central, using key words of stroke, awareness, risk factors, warning signs. The criteria were established with articles of data collection strategies, identification of the main study, full text and up to date published in between 2007 to 2008. Abstract The abstract is a brief description of the study placed at the beginning of the article about 100 to 150 words and it allows readers to assess whether to read the full articles of the report (POLIT, D. F., BECK, C. T 2010). Both articles illustrate background objective, method, results and conclusions in one paragraph clearly and concise, which stimulates the reader to read full articles. In (W Wahab, K. et al. 2008) article, author conducted the cross sectional study of ability to identify one risk factor of stroke warning sign at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in southern Nigeria whereas in (Hickey, A. et al. 2009) article, discovered lack of public awareness about stroke warning signs and risk factors which contribute to reducing mortality and morbidity from stroke. Introduction/Research problems Successful fundraising professionals reveal that only 10 percent of their time is actually spent soliciting major gifts whereas the other 90 percent is spent researching prospects and developing strategies. For that reason, it is extremely important for an organization to allocate resources to establish a prospect research program (Ciconte, B. and Jacob, J 2009). (BASTABLE, S. B. 2006) said an introduction should provide the reader with an understanding of how the study fits into what is already known about the research topic and provides a justification as why this particular piece of research is important. Central phenomena, concepts, the study purpose, the hypotheses (POLIT, D. F., BECK, C. T. 2010) were briefly described in these two articles. In Hickey, A. et al. (2009) article, the author has discussed needs of increase public awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs in older adults, at higher risk for stroke with relevant references and the study was conducted across two jurisdictions the republic of Ireland and northern Ireland. In (W Wahab, K. et al2008) article, author has discussed due to the spite of high case fatality rate from stroke in Nigeria, the study was designed to assess the knowledge of warning signs in patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus or both conditions that are modifiable risk factors for stroke. Research question Both articles have been introduced in a general way at the end of the introduction, it is worth restating it before the methods section to refocus the reader’s attention though there is no actual research question is posted nor hypothesis. Literature review (Gliner, J. and Morgan, G 2000) explained that in most journals, the introduction and literature review are together in one section which is untitled in APA format, but some journals will separate these two titles. As can see, there are no subtitles of literature review in these two articles. However, the reader felt that both articles used primary sources briefly summarize the existing knowledge, which provided a state of evidence and solid basic. Some of the studies mentioned in the literature review for both articles were consider up to date as the oldest reference is dated as 1998. Research Approach Both articles, study were conducted using questionnaire by interviewers. In Anne article mentioned the reason why this approach was adopted. (POLIT, D. F., BECK, C. T 2010) stated that quantitative researchers use several criteria to assess the quality of a study, referred to as its scientific merit. Quantitative research is identified with traditional scientific method that gathers data objectively in an organized, systematic, controlled manner so that the findings can be generalized to other situations, population which can find in these two articles. Research Design Both articles used experimental research; which maintains the greatest control over the research settings and takes the form of randomized controlled trails (RTC) where participants are randomly selected into the different groupings. The RTC is generally considered the ‘gold standard’ of study designs (Kirch, W 2008). In (Hickey, A. et al 2009) article, study involved a cross sectional survey of randomly selected community based older people in the republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. (Houser, J 2012) described that the quantitative studies, the design will detail how the subject will be selected and assigned to groups, the way the intervention will be applied, a measurement strategy, and a plan for data analysis. Ethic approval has been granted and informed consent was provided in both articles. Sample In both articles, researches used simple random sampling, which is the most basis form of probability sampling (REIS, H. T., JUDD, C. M 2000). The sample size was enough in these two studies. However (Offredy, M. and Vicker, P 2010) concludes that there are no simple rules we can apply that is the correct size sample for the research. Sample size depends largely on aims and purpose of the research, as well as the current time and methodology used to undertake the research study (SMART, J. C. 2009). In (W Wahab, K. et al 2008) article, the study was conducted at the Irrua specialist teaching hospital from January to march 2007 with 225 eligible patients was approached for the study. All participants were recruited with a diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes mellitus or both were interviewed about knowledge of stroke warning signs by attending doctors. In (Hickey, A. et al 2009) article, the study involved 2033 participants of a cross sectional survey of randomly selected aged of 65 + in the republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Interviews were conducted in participant’s own homes asking knowledge and warning signs of stroke by trained market researchers. This article did not mention duration of the study has been conducted. Both articles declared ethical considerations and consent taken. Data Collection and Analysis In both articles, the researchers used the questionnaire that was used and re corrected in pilot study to collect the data. In (Hickey, A. et al 2009) article, no information is given as when the data was collected. But the researcher has clearly explained the appropriateness of the methods and survey data was statistically adjusted prior to analysis to avoid potential bias. Descriptive and comparative analyses were carried out using the Stata version 8.2. The chi square test was used to examine differences between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in recognition of stroke risk factors and warning signs. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effects of demographic variables and the presence of risk factors on stroke. In (W Wahab, K. et al 2008)article, researcher excluded those who participated in the pilot and history of stroke to avoid bias as they have been primed to seek for information. Researcher failed to describe the appropriateness of methods. Data was analyzed with statistical package for the social sciences version 11( SPSS Inc), a very widely used computer program designed to aid the statistical analysis of data in the course of research (KEMP, R., SNELGAR, R 2006) , means and standard deviations were determined. Means were compared using Chi-Square Test to analyze variances. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to determine independent predictor of ability to identify warning sign from among baseline variables. Reliability and Validity Validity is the one if the obtained results are truthful and believable. In order to determine the validity, the researcher generally poses a series of questions, and will often look for the answers in the research of others to know the measurements accurately.( Kirk and Miller 1986) identified three types of reliability referred to in quantitative research, which relates to: (1) producing the same results under same measurement conditions (2) the stability of a measurement with respect to time; and (3) the similarity of measurements in a given time period. This has not been discussed by the researchers in both articles. Results Overall, both articles results was statistically analyzed and presented in a way that average reader could understand. Tables are clear and promote clarity of the text. (Hickey, A. et al 2009) article’s table 1 showed significant demographic differences between the samples. Adjusted odds ratio analysis indicates that higher levels of knowledge were significantly associated with having second level education or grater and geographic location. Less than half of the population correctly identified stroke risk factors in table 2. In (W Wahab, K. et al 2008) article, table 1 results showed that primary education was the highest educational attainment in 30.2% of the respondents. In table 2, no warning sign was identified by 60.4% while 39.6% was one sign identified. Gender (Male), 11 or more years of education emerged as the independent predictors of ability to identify at least one warning sign in table 3 on multiple logistic regression analysis. Discussion In(W Wahab, K. et al 2008) article, the authors have interpreted the findings and made comparisons with India, Australia and Developed countries studies. The authors have discussed the finding related to research questions, aim clearly and stated that their study has potential limitations as its cross sectional and hospital based nature that the results might not be completely generalized to the community. They also suggested for further community based study to ascertain the generalizability of their results and there is no obvious bias seen in the discussion. In (Hickey, A. et al 2009) article, the discussions were clearly explained the findings related to research hypotheses and analyze with US and mass media campaigns to be more effective. Limitations of their study is possible bias however the research team sought to minimize the possibility by having all interviewers receive the same training and work from a standardized script. Also suggested that need more longitudinal study investment in future. The authors had brought attentions to the National Health Service in UK system to provide a similar program me in Republic of Irelands. Conclusion The authors had suggested the need for substantial population health education with regard to stroke prevention and management is critical to a future reduction in Anne article. Recommendations were clear, relate to findings and encouraged for further study in (Hickey, A. et al 2009) article. In (W Wahab, K. et al 2008) article,conclusion were mentioned clearly includes the finding, suggestions related to aims. Also recommended to do regular community education programs through mass media, radio and television using the appropriate local language. Both articles references were accurate and well written for overall. Implementation Time is brain, May is the National stroke awareness month, a month dedicated to raise awareness about the nation’s fourth leading cause of death and disability (Stroke.org 2013). This annual event is sponsored by the National Stroke Association, intended to engage individuals, community organizations and business in the effort to educate the public about how to prevent stroke through risk factor management, response to stroke symptoms and spread hope from stroke recovery. I am working in an acute local hospital; medical unit specialized of gastro logy and neurology. From my experiences, most of the family members are not aware of stroke. Today, patient education is a topic of significant interest to nurses in every setting in which they practice. As teaching is a major aspect of nurse’s professional role, I do explore information to patient or family members regarding the stroke and awareness of stroke, risk factors provide with booklet from the hospital. There are also stroke specialize nurses in my hospital, who are giving moral support, needs for the patients and family members. Health promotion role of hospital nurses was to emphasize the need to influence, and help patients modify health beliefs and lifestyle together with disease related teaching (Piper, S 2009) The focus of care is on outcomes that demonstrate the extent to which patients and their significant other have learned the knowledge and skills necessary for independent living (BASTABLE, S. B. 2006). It is important for every nurse to teach public and learning will continue to increase in this era of healthcare reform.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Traditions and Values in American Education :: Learning Schooling College Papers

Traditions and Values in American Education The question of whether colleges and universities serve to pass on to students the great traditions and values of Western culture is one of many issues that I would like to discuss as it pertains to my high school teaching. The Presence of Others has given me the opportunity to read the opinions of several educational thinkers on this subject, and from them I have formed a clearer idea about the value of a broad education which would necessarily include the traditions and values of Western culture. To begin with, I should like to discuss Cardinal Newman, who in the 19th century argues for liberal studies because he felt that education is preparation for life. Its purpose is to train the mind for whatever problems arise in an individual's future by grounding him in cultural traditions and values. He describes a liberal education in the following way: "A habit of mind is formed which lasts through life, of which the attributes are, freedom, equitableness, calmness, or what in a former Discourse I have ventured to call a philosophical habit."(Lunsford & Ruszkiewicz 48). I very much agree with this idea. In my opinion a student should be educated broadly, not like me, for instance, who was very well trained in math but not prepared for anything else, and now I am finding it hard to fill in the empty spaces, but the need to know more and learn more is strong in me, so I keep trying. But the point is that even though I am educated, I feel ignorant . That's my reason for saying that students in high school and university should get a broad education. And I am happy that my children have not been trapped by a special talent as I was, and that they are interested in the every area of their education equally. They will be getting the education that I was denied; and they will learn the traditions and values through their history and literature classes, for example, which will better prepare them for life here in the United States especially, where citizens must be able t o participate in the democratic process. I will use as an example my son Gagik, who was enrolled in the magnet law program at Monroe High School. But even though he wasn't in a mth program, neverthless, he was able to take higher math up through calculus.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Comparing Rappaccinis Daughter and the Movie, (Film) The Truman Show :: comparison compare contrast essays

Rappaccini's Daughter and the Movie, (Film) The Truman Show There are stunning parallels between Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter" and the film The Truman Show in terms of character, action, and structure. The basic premise of the two plots is the same. Both stories deal with the capture of a young person who is to be groomed to live in a private, controlled environment to make them happy, but where they are never able to leave. In "Rappaccini's Daughter," this role is fulfilled by Beatrice, whose father creates her own personal Edenic garden, from which she can never escape. In The Truman Show, this is Truman's role. A corporation adopts him before he is born, televises his birth, and televises his entire life. He literally lives in a bubble, designed especially for the show featuring him. Both stories feature a father figure who creates the action and attempts to play God. Both The Truman Show and "Rappaccini's Daughter" have the same general plot structure. At the start of the action, the little world created for the main character is portrayed as a perfect place without drawbacks. In Truman's town, everything works well, like clockwork, and everyone is happy. Everything is ideal. Rappaccini's garden is a beautiful place, where all of the flowers are harmonious and the Beatrice is very happy. Giovanni is enchanted by the garden; he feels that Beatrice and her garden are perfect. This initial stage is followed by a realization of loneliness. Truman reaches out to the girl at college whom he sees at events, but with whom he is never able to speak because, subconsciously, he realizes that she is more substantive, and as we — the omniscient viewer — learn, she is a window to the reality. Truman longs for reality, although he does not know it. He only knows that he is not totally happy in "paradise." She is a contrast to the girl he is supposed to, and does marry, because the girl is as real as his wife is fabricated. Truman subconsciously recognises this. Beatrice recognizes on a conscious level that she really does like human company, after many years of depravation of it.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Akron Zoo :: essays research papers

External Environment Like any other organization, Akron zoo is effected by many external environmental factors that may directly affect its yearly attendance and its ability to break even to continue to operate. The first externality that the Akron zoo faces is the climate. Because most zoos operate out in the open, its attendance is affected directly to the weather. Due to its northern climate, the zoo conducts its open season from mid-April until mid-October. Variations in weather also affect crop yields and prices of fresh animal foods, thereby influencing the costs of animal maintenance. Unfortunately, the Akron zoo can not do anything about the weather. The only other option it may have would to be to open more indoor activities, but that would be too high of a cost risk because the payback may have not been worth the construction in the first place. Zoo’s still remain as important part of any community and to the hearts of young children every year. It is estimated that more people annually visit zoos than enter all U.S. national Parks and that approximately and that 35% of people who attend zoos are adults. Cultural events that happen in the city of Akron and nearby areas help increase attendance at the parks. The biggest cultural event in Akron is the annual Snow Bowl. Not only does this event help increase attendance, In its 12-year history, Snow Bowl has raised over $388,000 for the animals at the Akron Zoo. Other events such as the annual Nocturnal Golf Tournament, annual birds seed sales and annual Sunday Sundae Zoobilation have huge effects on zoo attendance on the day/weekend of the events. On weekends where cultural events are going on, the Akron Zoo should try and sell items that would attract people who are visiting such as having certain products directly affiliated to the Snow Bowl at a slightly higher price that out-of-towners would be willing to pay for. Akron is located just south of Cleveland, Ohio.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Education Theatre Essay

â€Å"CAN you still remember your Grade I teacher? † This was once the by-line of an advertisement of one financial institution. This is also the base concept of the play â€Å"Ang Guro† staged by Stairs Production and Imagination Beyond Events Philippines at West Negros University Gym last Saturday, January 21. The musical play was written by occupational therapist Paul Ballano. This is his form of loving tribute to his Grade I school teacher, Mrs. Cecilia Resontoc, who was instrumental in making him pursue, work and reach his goals, despite all odds. As Paul fondly recalled after the curtain call, Mrs. Resontoc made him believe in what he can do, what he can achieve, and what he can become. The soft–spoken yet talented singer Karel Marquez performed the lead role perfectly. Comely, gentle yet versatile, Karel took in the part of Ms. Amelia Resontoc, a young high school teacher who has the knack of understanding and motivating her students. With her strong convictions, she encouraged her students to keep on going by singing â€Å"The Climb†, as she accepted each of their individual differences in â€Å"True Colors. † Izzy Trazona, one of the Sex Bomb Dancers, showed off her acting and dancing prowess as one of the talented yet late bloomer students of Ms. Resontoc. Sheila Asuncion, who plays the mother of Karel, not only played her role well but also belted out one powerful, heart–rending rendition of â€Å"The Prayer† together with the lead singer. Together with Charina Ramirez, Kath Jarabelo, Zac Celadania, Yab Aragones, Jake Duquiatan, Vida Masakayan, Jess Ibasco, Juddie Fe Suarez, Ahmee Galguerra, Owen Siy, Sweet Reyes, Jen Galope, Kiana Rodriguez, Armand Go, and playwright Paul, they composed the powerhouse of a cast which made the play a natural success. Moreover, the play’s universal theme on the crucial role that teachers play in the molding of the country’s young minds and the nobility of the teaching profession are great ideas which need to be brought to light. No wonder why the Department of Education and the West Negros University supported the staging of the musicale. The stage set and backdrop were to the minimum. Same with the costumes. But the plot thickens with almost real-life dialogues and scenes which every teacher and student or school administrator in the audience could easily identify with. The different personalities of teacher and students, and the varied circumstances which caught each web of each other lives provided the audience with hearty laughs, and flowing tears. The end of the play may have been tragic, but all good works do not go in vain. Especially that of the noble teacher Ms. Amelia Resontoc. Directed by Sweet Grace Ballano, â€Å"Ang Guro† may still have to undergo some minor refinements in stage blocking, but it has carved a better niche for itself in the world of stage plays. The cameo roles which some WNU dancers and students did in the play are also worth mentioning. But because the play is conceptualized and brought to different schools all over the country with no thought of a bigger profit, except to fulfill the writer’s dream and to bring forth the messages of acceptance, honor, love and understanding. It’s just quite sad to note that not everybody in the teaching profession or those who are enrolled in education courses have watched the play. But still, like a good book, or a worthy movie, the musicale â€Å"Ang Guro† has touched hearts and minds. And if all the student-members in the audience took leave of their seats to go thank their teachers in the audience and give each a warm hug, such is indicative that the musicale has brought its message across its audience’s hearts. Thus, warm kudos to the members of production and the cast of â€Å"Ang Guro† and to the wonderful people and sponsors in Bacolod who brought the musicale here. Well, what or who then is the â€Å"guro†? Probably they could be as specific as Socrates, Anne Sullivan, Marva Collins, Mary McCloud Bethune, Bel Kaufman or, from the namesake of the lead player in the musicale, Mrs. Cecilia Resontoc – all of them having one thing in common: they were all teachers in their own time. Or in generics, a â€Å"guro† can just be a â€Å"he† or a â€Å"she† – nameless or faceless yet gentle and wonderful beings who have long been forgotten but whose valuable lessons and strength in character will always be remembered by their students. So, at this point, can you now recall your Grade 1 teacher? Or even your other teachers? I hope you can. I would like to end with a part of a speech of John Schlatter of Cypress, California which I adapted. â€Å"Throughout the course of the day I have been called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of the lost article, money lender, psychologist, substitute parent, and a keeper of faith†¦ I am allowed to see that life is reborn each day with new questions, burst of ideas and young friendships†¦ I know that if I build with love and trust, what I build will last forever†¦ I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance, and apathy. But I have great allies: curiosity, intelligence, creativity, faith, love and laughter which all rush to my banner with indomitable support†¦ I AM A TEACHER. † Dear teachers, our hats off you. GOD BLESS.

Society at Home

Bonnie Fellhoelter Paola Brown English 102 17 March 2008 Argument Paper â€Å"Are you hot? Are you cold? Are you wearing that? Where’s your books and your lunch and your homework at? Grab your coat and your gloves and your scarf and hat. Don’t forget; you got to feed the cat! † (1) Anita Renfroe wrote these catchy words for the song â€Å"Momisms†, sung to the familiar tune of the William Tell Overture. Her words best describe a typical day of mayhem through the eyes of a mother. Mothers who stay at home know that at times, their lives can be discombobulating. Despite the chaos, stay-at-home mothers get the tremendous responsibility of only having one chance of raising their children in such a way that makes a difference in their children’s lives and in society. Throughout history, society has looked upon the male as the breadwinner: the one expected to work and support the family. The mother has been viewed as the nurturer: the one to stay home and raise the children. During the 1960’s, women wanted more rights, power, and the ability to get higher paying jobs. Women were given this right so they expressed this new found freedom by going to work outside of the home. As women sought employment, their children were left to the care of babysitters and day care workers. Because society has redefined the role of a mother to be one who is an important element in the workforce, the loss of the mother in the home has led to the Fellhoelter 2 decline of the family unit, and thus, to society. This forfeiture has created a generation for whom social morals and values are not as important as they once were. Perhaps this is due to a working mother being absent from the home where she is unable to personally instill these ethical standards in her children, thus leaving her children to receive their value system from strangers. â€Å"Society truly does begin at home†, asserts Sibyl Niemann, so, in order to return to a culture with better morals and values, the importance of the role of the stay at home mother should be restored. (2) In this way, stay at home mothers can improve society. It is disappointing when mothers are devalued for staying at home to raise their children. Richard Lowry states, â€Å"There is something valuable in a mother’s caring for her own child. † (4) In general, no one can take care of your child in the same way his or her mother would. A mother’s care is usually superior to daycare since she naturally wants what is best for her child. â€Å"According to a non-partisan Public Agenda survey in 2000, roughly 80 percent of parents with children five and younger say a stay-at-home parent is best able to give children the â€Å"affection and attention they need. †Ã¢â‚¬  (qtd. n Lowry 4) A mother’s individual care can also curb the aggression that is evident in day care centers. â€Å"A study done by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), reports that, kids in non-maternal care tend to be associated with qualities such as â€Å"gets in lots of fights,† â€Å"cruelty,† â€Å"explosive behavior,† â€Å"talking too much,† â€Å"argues a lot,à ¢â‚¬  and â€Å"demands a lot of attention. †Ã¢â‚¬  (qtd. in Lowry 1) Teachers who work in a preschool environment, like my daughter, are frustrated with how badly the children usually behave. Workers in day care are governed by strict rules which prevent Fellhoelter 3 disciplining children the way one can do at home. This causes a disregard and loss of respect for others because many children grow up thinking they can do what they want. Today, many of the younger generation act like they are owed something. In the workplace, it is shocking to see the way they treat others with their degrading manners and think there is nothing wrong with their behavior. They also tend to have lazy work ethics and â€Å"cop an attitude† when asked to do anything extra. This makes it difficult for many employers to find hard working and respectful employees. It is important to note that not all children in daycare grow up to be aggressive and unproductive adults. Even though many women in the work force find raising children to be a very difficult task which leaves them feeling lonely and bored, they do a fine job of balancing their jobs with raising successful children. These women enjoy being able to show their children the advantages of working outside of the home. They are able to â€Å"teach their children how to be independent, inquisitive, and ambitious†, as well as â€Å"learn the value of personal fulfillment and goal setting. † (Karaim 1) Reed Karaim also proclaims that, â€Å"successful working mothers give their children one of the best gifts any parent can: the example of a life lived to its potential. † (3) I think that all of these examples are helpful in raising successful children, however, I believe a stay at home mom can also teach these same qualities in the home. I know this to be true because I was fortunate to remain at home and raise my children. I was the one who was the nurturer and demonstrated love and compassion to my children by hugging, cuddling, and kissing them. I was personally involved in teaching them throughout all the stages of development and shared in the joy of my children’s accomplishments. There is something special about hearing your child’s first word and watching them take their first Fellhoelter 4 step as they giggle with glee. I was able to mold my children’s character by instilling good values and morals that taught them to be independent and set goals for themselves, such as being on time for work and appointments. These attributes have helped to contribute to society in a positive way and leave me feeling as if I have done a good job. Despite the seemingly successful results of a stay at home mom’s efforts, â€Å"our culture no longer values the household supported by a sole breadwinner. † (Niemann 3) This is demonstrated by the many women who currently do work outside of the home because they feel the need to contribute to their families’ well being. According to Niemann, â€Å"everything—from buying a house to applying for a college loan for one’s son or daughter—seems structured around the two income family. (3) A household that has a dual income helps â€Å"boost many families into middle class. †, says Karaim. (2) This allows their children to experience the comforts, options for education and opportunities that they might otherwise not have had. As tempting as this extra income may be, couples should be careful that this does not impact t heir relationship as husband and wife. When spouses compete for power in the workforce and then return home too tired to deal with the many needs of their children, the harmony of the family unit can suffer. This is because husbands often feel threatened by the success of their wives. Steven Rhoads claims that â€Å"men are more likely to divorce women who are ambitious. † (5) Lowry explains that â€Å"just the specter of divorce creates a kind of intra-marital arms race. The wife works to hedge against getting abandoned, but her very act of working, research shows, makes it more likely that the marriage will fail—a dismaying downward spiral. † (3) Since divorces negatively impact society, we should refocus on preserving marriage and on strengthening the family unit. Fellhoelter 5 When men and women are happy and comfortable in their roles as the fatherbreadwinner, and mother-caregiver, marriages can thrive. Women who do remain at home should not hide behind their children or husbands but instead should be proud of their role. They should be vocal about how productive they are with their children and family. This allows working women and men to see and appreciate the importance of the role of a stay at home mom. Perhaps they will see for themselves the advantages of remaining at home and raising their children. According to Lowry, â€Å"most women would like to stay home and care for their children, but society pressures them into believing that a career is more important than family. † (1) Unless some changes are made, the family unit will continue to decline. Less time spent with children building character increases the risk for disregarding and disrespecting others. The current attitudes of â€Å"you owe me†, â€Å"I deserve it†, as well as â€Å"it is all about me† will probably continue to get worse. Even though being a stay-at-home mom may have periods of loneliness, boredom, frustration, and feelings of futility, the rewards of being personally involved with raising one’s own children greatly outweigh the negatives. One of the greatest accomplishments in life is being a stay-at-home mom where one can teach and model good behavior and moral fortitude. By emulating these morals and values, children enter into adulthood with the necessary tools needed to produce a successful society. As tough as this unpaid task may be, this self-sacrifice of staying at home to raise ones’ children can be the most society enhancing job a woman can do.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

British Culture Chaoxiaoqian

My questions are Why does Helena stay with Jimmy and leave Jimmy, why does Alison come back to Jimmy. These are very tricky questions like twisted twines. Here I just air my views, expecting to be complemented by yours. The reasons for Helena staying with Jimmy might be probed from the following: Superficially looking, Jimmy is a person basically worth while. Jimmy is a young man with education, ideas and penetrating insights. Alison breaking through her family's strong obstacles to marry Jimmy from side reflects Jimmy's charms and attractions. Jimmy seems a natural desire and magnet for women if his working-class background?poverty and walled situations are ignored for the moment. As Helena said she took Jimmy to herself because â€Å"she finds that she desires him and wants to have him for a time†. It is an outburst of impulse catalyzed by special occasions. At that time, without digs, Helena had an appointment on the next day and had to lodge in Jimmy's attic; Jimmy is then immersed in bereavement without comfort while Allison and Cliff left him successively. Witnessing Jimmy's bitterness and helplessness, out of her female compassionate nature, Helena offered Jimmy her hand and herself as well. For solace and release, Jimmy dramatically accepted his natural enemy. Thus the two naturally and reasonably moved together. Exploring the in-depth reason, Helena's staying with Jimmy might be considered as a challenge she made for herself driven by her instincts of curiosity and conquest. Helena wanted to make out why the seemingly compatible couple always brawl and torture each other, why Jimmy is always angry?dissatisfied and cynical,always trying hard to be offensive, provocative, irritating. Determined by her inborn authoritative personality and her middle-class inclination to sustain the status quo,she takes Jimmy as a challenge and an attempt, an enemy territory to conquer, to justify her middle-class convictions and consciousness. She expects Jimmy to be changed, back into normal, behaving like anyone else and taking reality like a real man. Naive?romantic and over-confident as Helena is, she fails to change Jimmy. Conversely and ironically, she was within an inch of being changed. Helena was inevitably to lose the war because Jimmy's anger was socially deep-rooted. He had the complex of inferiority and superiority. He showed contempt for uneducated Cliff, irony for educated Alison. He was well educated, but his situation was no better than the two he looked down upon. It was an affliction and sarcasm to him. He lived at the sea of isolation?desperation and inarticulate agony. Without being heard or understood. He found no target to attack, therefore everything became his target. Jimmy was a man born out of his time. To change Jimmy Helena should change the times first. It is difficult and impossible for Helena to change the time, and so with Jimmy. To bridge the systematic and fathomless class and value gap was never a easy task and doomed to be futile and fruitless. Jimmy and Helena's combination was the effect of passionate impulse. It was a kind of insanity or wrong-doings as Helena herself later commented. Once waken up from the dream, the end of their relation was approaching. Helena was a woman of conventionality by nature, she couldn't forget the book of rules anytime. She still believed in â€Å"right and wrong†! Gnawed by the worm of conscience and sense of guilt, she can't †be happy without the book of rules†, she can't †be happy when what you're doing is wrong, or is hurting someone else†. Moreover she lost the war waged against changing Jimmy, the war to restore everything into normal. Unless Jimmy and Helena don't confront with each other face to face, or they will certainly fall into the state of war, the war of ideas, class, values, social reality. There was no middle road to compromise. Helena's exeuntting also meant she lost the war against conventionality, against status quo. Her story is more than a morality one, it further proved every desire or attempt to change the suffocating and inanimate society over-confident and all for naught. Everyone would inevitably subordinate himself to conventionality. My understanding of Alison's return is explained as such: Alison might feel regret about her past behaviors. Though she is the seeming victim of Jimmy's irrational assault, she knows that Jimmy has reason to do so on her. After her abortion, something dormant was aroused from the bottom of her heart and she came back to Jimmy, though shilly-shally. As a young woman, she is a †monument of non-attachment†. †She hasn't had a thought for years!† She is a woman in her 20s without enthusiasm, animation and sincerity. Nothing Jimmy could do would provoke her. Her marriage with Jimmy was a kind of physical and responsive affinity rather than mental and spiritual one. She was nicknamed as ‘Lady Pusillanimous' by Jimmy. Moreover, as a middle-class woman by nature, she kept her arrogant and uppish manner in communicating with the working-class people which was especially exposed when she wrote letter to her mother, discussed Jimmy with her father and Helena, refused to see the dying Mrs. Hugh with Jimmy. She had the sense of inborn class superiority which is a fatal and permanent weapon to sensitive Jimmy. She did betray Jimmy in a sense. In a word, she has never given herself to her husband with the honesty which she knew he demanded and needed. Actually, she knew she should shoulder some responsibility for Jimmy's anger and offered Jimmy more understanding and communication. The problem of their marriage was not sheer Jimmy's fault. Alison left Jimmy in pursuit of peace and relaxation. Tortured by Jimmy's distorted allegiance and loyalty demands for her, Alison wanted to escape from the role of hostage and the war Jimmy declared on †those sections of society†. But Alison never succeeded in escape. Things didn't go in the way as she expected. Alison's coming back could be interpreted as a subjugation to conventionality?reality and failure of Ostrichism. Alison is easily to get used to everything and she is also on the verge of burst. Tortured by Jimmy's distorted allegiance and loyalty demands for her, Alison wanted to escape from the role of hostage and the war Jimmy declared on †those sections of society†. She leaves Jimmy, in pursuit of peace and relaxation. But Alison never succeeded in escape. Things didn't go in the way as she expected. Her abortion brings her shock and disillusionment, awakening something dormant in her heart. She then clearly sees a depressing?aimless?hopeless and futureless reality, without light and outlet. By then she understood Jimmy's anger and discontent to some extent. Without a bright future, Alison had to revert to the past, though vague, remote and suspended it is. She wanted to find herself a position in the conventional and accustomed role of wife. The unpleasant past seems a more lovely memento In comparison with the suffocating and smoldering reality. Finally Alison and Jimmy decide to pick up the bear-squirrel game. It is a seeming communiquà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ by Alison and Jimmy, protesting the reality and fighting against the â€Å"cruel steel traps, lying about everywhere, just waiting for rather mad, slightly satanic, and very timid little animals.† This could be regarded as a faint flicker of hope offered by the protagonists who had a in-depth perception and understanding of life.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Communication Climate In the Film “On Golden Pond”

Climate in movies can be developed in a variety of ways, depending on the theme, characters, and genre. The movie On Golden Pond has an award winning cast. Two of the actors are father and daughter in real life, Henry and Jane Fonda. The task of creating a communication climate is centered on an important contemporary theme: the challenges of aging, bonds between male and female, man and child. These topics are all issues that theatre-goers can relate to. The communication climate, thus, becomes a central element story development and creating pace while keeping the viewer’s interest peaked. The film opens with breath-taking view of New England landscape, panning in and out of the quiet, peaceful lake. This reinforces the emotional attitude of the film from the beginning. Enter crotchety old Norman Thayer and soft-spoken, yet affirming wife, Ethel. The film-maker, well-aware of the highly publicized problems revolving around Henry Fonda and his son and daughter, uses this to add impact to the film’s emotional sentiment. Norman and Ethel arrive to their remote vacation home without anyone in sight. Ethel’s hands are full and she cannot open the door. She needs Norman’s help and knocks on the door. â€Å"Someone’s at the door,† says Norman, not even looking up from his book. â€Å"It’s me you old poop,† Ethel says. This brief dialogue speaks volumes about who is the enabler in this marriage. Norman’s age and life-long frustrations are clouding his memory and his ability to keep up with life. Norman expresses his concerns over death in subtle ways. He vents his frustration on loved ones by being irritable, short-tempered, and using quick-witted sarcasm. It’s obvious that sarcasm has been a life-long sentiment in the Thayer household. The sarcasm between Norman and his daughter Chelsea has built walls that have silenced their ability to express true feelings for one another. Thus, Norman uses discomforting messages for the majority of the film. Here’s an example of Norman’s sarcasm regarding his daughter’s new love. â€Å"She’s fallen in love with a dentist,† says Ethel, full of compassion. â€Å"Good God! They’ll be staring at our teeth all the time,† is Norman’s response. The humor of the scene makes its mark while viewers are led to question Norman’s love and respect for his daughter. Does he, on a subconscious level, regret his lifetime of treating Chelsea unfairly? The film, unfortunately, treats the stereotypical grumpy old man with simplicity, never reaching into the heart of the matter. In fact, the only recognition between Chelsea and Norman comes in the closing scene of the film where they embrace as Chelsea says, Goodbye Norman†¦er dad. † This verbal message does hold impact but the true reconciliation between father and daughter remains unknown. Ethel, in contrast to Norman’s character, uses confirming messages entirely through the film. Her deep love for Norman is shown by her willingness and unconditional acceptance of Norman’s less than joyous persona. Norman creates more humor in a scene that normally would lead people to show a little respect; for, an elderly woman who also lived on Golden Pond died recently. Norman doesn’t even bat an eye as he informs the mailman of this news and says, â€Å"one of the lesbians expired. † More disconfirming messages by Norman. The film maker shows Norman with his guard down in a scene where he gets lost hunting for strawberries near the house. He runs back until he bumps into their property. Norman waits for the mailman to leave before stating his angst to Ethel. It is one of the rare times, maybe the only time, that Norman uses confirming messages. â€Å"(I had to) Come running back to see your pretty face. I could feel safe. I was still me. † â€Å"You’re my knight in shining armor. † Ethel responds as she held his face gently in her hands. â€Å"You're gonna get back up on that horse and I’ll be right behind you. And away we’re gonna go, go, go. † Ethel, once again, uses her confirming voice to heal. Billy Ray Jr. upon meeting Norman shows respect. It’s Norman’s 80th birthday celebration. Billy Ray Jr. tries to make a connection. â€Å"I just had a birthday two weeks ago. † Norman says, â€Å"Hmm. We’re practically twins. † Billy Ray Sr. also shows respect for Norman, using confirming messages. â€Å"Love your house,† says Billy Ray Sr. â€Å"Thank you. It’s not for sale,† retorts Norman. Their dialogue continues as Norman uses more disconfirming messages and Billy Ray Sr. uses confirming messages. â€Å"Norman? You mind if I call you Norman? † â€Å"I believe you just did,† says Norman coolly. In closing, communication is what creates the climate of the film. Dialogue and body language are what keep the story moving along at a jovial clip. It is a wonderful film with a message about how challenging life can be for individuals when communication has little honesty. When people put up fronts and refuse to share their feelings, it leads to disjointed relationships and people wind up feeling hurt. This pain can cause further distress on a person’s life. The only solution is to share feelings and believe in the power that results when a cohesive family bond develops.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Music Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Music Report - Essay Example She did a solo piece on her violin which she has been playing for the last three years. Being a student of Dr Rife, and considering that her instructor was present, she had to give a good account of herself. She started out on a pianissimo and the audience held their breath. The performance was quite amazing and by the time she hit the crescendo, the hall was in uproar. She played out the long notes beautifully. However, the student encountered one problem: nervousness. Maybe it was the presence of her instructor, Dr Rife, or the overwhelming audience. The burden of expectation clearly weighed down on her. Nevertheless, she was able to gather courage and improved her performance as the evening wore on. Then came Dr Rife and the Rhythm Kings Band. The band brought together great talents, including Dan Tobias on the trumpet, Pete Reichlin on the trombone, Pat Mercuri on the banjo and guitar and Lenny Pucciatti who was working the drums. Dr Jerry Rife played the clarinet. The various instruments combined powerfully to get the audience on their feet. The accompaniments balanced well with the vocals, especially in the band’s rendition of the spiritual, Down by the Riverside. The performance of the spiritual resonated well with the audience although the band gave it a feeling of jazz. This was something new, listening to hymn played in the jazz style. I loved this version of the hymn as it injected freshness into an otherwise drab song. The performance had its downside nonetheless. There were moments when the percussions were louder than the vocals. Consequently, it was not easy to make out the lyrics of the songs. There were also moments when the crescendos were so high that they were almost deafening. I generally dislike high notes as they interfere with my brain. I also dislike accompaniments that shroud vocals. I prefer music that is cool enough to allow even a conversation to take place. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performances. They

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 36

Marketing - Essay Example In the paper we will analyze how the companies operating in retail businesses are currently managing their customers through marketing with the help of tools like BCG Matrix, Mintzberg intended strategy, 7P/8P analysis and techniques described in the case. The companies operating in retail businesses starve for obtaining customer loyalty. Conventional wisdom of loyalty describes that customers show loyalty towards companies and brands that tend to go above and beyond others. But according to Dixon & Freeman (2010), customers are more loyal to the companies that exceed their expectations in terms of products and services. Many retail companies like Tesco, Wal-Mart and M & S offer a refund or free product or even some other benefit in lieu of that in case the product has undergone expedited shipping. This helps them in retaining loyalty of their customers even in case of delay in product delivery or service. Product: The products of the companies operating in retail format vary from format to format. Whilst companies like Tesco and Wal-Mart have SBU structure and their products have similarity of being a departmental and multipurpose stores whereas the companies like GAP, Zara and French Connection are mainly apparel stores with specialized products. The product of a company is the first phase of generating loyalty from them. A product delivered in acceptable and good condition delights the customer whereas a product which defects and expedited delivery upsets him and tends to reduce his loyalty. Providing service to customer performs an integral part of gaining loyalty from them. According to Dixon & Freeman (2010), bad service by a company has its ripple effects in a way that it even repels perspective customers from a company. The research showed by them highlights that only 25% of the customers say positive about their experience of service with a company whereas almost 65% of them are likely to speak negative about the experience.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

HR case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

HR case study - Essay Example It is generally accepted that this high rate is due to the above-average aptitudes of the personnel in the department has its own in-house set of training courses and purchases â€Å"space† in various seminar classes. These programs are geared to making the employee significantly more valuable to the department. The managers in the programming department have been very proud of the development of their personnel and feel that education from all sources has improved departmental performances. Recently, however, the system seemed to backfire in the programming department. Ezra Brooks, a very bright and aspiring young programmer for whom management had high hopes, quit. Ezra had found that the extensive intraorganization training, the invaluable work experience, and a newly awarded college diploma represented a fairly lucrative portfolio of credentials, which he took to a large national accounting firm. Ezra had expressed a desire to stay, but he was told that there were no anticipated openings at managerial levels in the computer area. Ezra’s manager had a dilemma. Loss of Ezra meant a ten-month setback for the project Ezra was working on. He also felt that the extensive training Ezra had received at the company’s expense was little utilized compared to what Ezra would have contributed had he remained with the company. However, the manager’s greatest concern was that Ezra was the first in a group of several employees who would graduate from college under company sponsorship in the near future. Ezra had shown to the remaining group that if the firm would not recognize his achievement and aspirations, other employment could be easily found. The case clearly reveals that Ezra Brooks is a valuable employee for the organization. He has been given training to improve his computer programming skills such that he could easily secure his aspired job in some other big firm. Since he seems to be under no obligation to say back and complete the ongoing

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

A Job to die for Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A Job to die for - Essay Example (Business Insider) The number of fatalities per 100,000 workers determined this. More dangerous occupations included: Police Officers, Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors, Taxi and Truck Drivers, Farmers, Structural Iron and Steel Workers, Aircraft Pilots, Logging Workers and Fishers (Business Insider). Less dangerous jobs included Grounds Maintenance Workers (Business Insider) Security Guards (The Daily Beast) and, unsurprisingly, Teachers and Librarians (Media Bistro). Construction is understandably dangerous- the risks are apparent. Accidents happen, no matter the occupation, and when accidents take place amongst unfinished buildings and massive machines, there is a great threat of injury or death. But still, Construction is out-dangered by, for instance, farming. In this case, farming is more dangerous because there is still heavy machinery around, but less safety checks and available aid. If someone is injured on a construction site, there will usually be someone around wh o knows what to do, who knows to call for help. But farming takes place primarily in rural areas, where there may not be a hospital or neighbor within miles. Thus, if a piece of equipment injures someone, their chances of reaching help in time are much less, increasing the fatality rate. Another job that is more dangerous than construction is being a police officer. While one might speculate that the most imposing threat, that which takes the most fatalities, would be violent criminals. But no, interestingly, the â€Å"most common cause of death† for Police Officers is â€Å"Transportation incidents.†(Business Insider) This means that, since Police Officers are on the road so much, they are under constant threat from automobile accidents. For the â€Å"safer-than-construction† occupations, Teacher and Librarian were the safest. This was most likely since they spent most of their day inside, in a safe environment. Transportation is not part of those jobs, so driv ing would not be included as a risk. In my research, I found something interesting. Rather than real threatening sounding hazards, the one factor that caused the most causality at work was transportation incidents like car accidents. I then saw the connection- the most dangerous jobs were those in which the workers were moving around the most on a vehicle. Fishermen were constantly on the open sea, pilots often in the air flying, truck and refuse collection drivers were always on the road. And police officers frequently drove between calls. In fact, 6 of the top 10 most dangerous jobs had a â€Å"most common cause of death† of â€Å"Transportation incidents.† (Business Insider) To fight the threat, our most effective course of action should be to reduce the rate of transportation related fatalities. In A Job to Die For it is proposed that distractions are what make transportation related fatalities so prevalent. Thus, to reduce the danger of occupations, we should redu ce distractions. One option would be to fine people who text-messaged while they drove. Another would be to put restrictions on being on the phone while driving. Even surfing the web while

Monday, September 9, 2019

Composition Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Composition - Annotated Bibliography Example While it may not be as complete and detailed as other biographical accounts of Hoover, it does provide enough information about his disposition and temperament when it comes to individuals whom he considered as enemies of the state. Since the research deals with the government abuse of power while Hoover was in the FBI as described by Stout in The Doorbell Rang, this book would help in explaining the character of the said director. The FBI: A History presents a detailed discussion of the history of the country’s principal crime-fighting force. It also attempts at providing analysis on the key events that occurred during the history of the FBI. It particularly highlights the era when J. Edgar Hoover was at the helm of its organization. This book by Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones is relevant to the research since it helps in clarifying the historical context of Rex Stout’s The Doorbell Rang. Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations. Intelligence Activities and the Rights of Americans. United States Senate, 1976. Web. 27 January 2012. http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/cointelpro/churchfinalreportIIce.htm This is basically a report submitted by a senate committee headed by Sen. Frank Church in 1976. The said committee made and investigation of all the actions that the FBI did during the time when J. Edgar Hoover was its director. The document was actually one of the very first systematic and comprehensive attempts at exposing the FBI and the CIAs abuse of power, such as the spying conducted on American citizens. This also provides substantial proofs of Hoover’s violations of the privacy of individuals, which is the gist in The Doorbell Rang. Since the research is on the theme of how The Doorbell Rang serves as a critique of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI, it is only right that the book become a principal reference. The book written by Rex Stout is part of the Nero Wolfe detective story series. However, unlike the rest of the Nero

Sunday, September 8, 2019

DEAF COURSE QUESTIONS Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

DEAF COURSE QUESTIONS - Coursework Example (True) 7) 50% of children are born to hearing parents, 50% to deaf parents. (False) 8) Deaf people are less intelligent because the lack of speech affects thinking. (False) 9) Amy Rowley, who requested an interpreter for her education, was a Deaf student whose case was the first Supreme Court decision on IDEA. (True) 10) Deaf mothers usually use more touch and visual contacts with their babies . (True) Alexander Graham Bell: b) had a Deaf wife and mother but never supported American Sign language. American Sign Language: b) is a natural means of communication for Deaf people that has its own unique grammar independent from English. Who was/is a famous Deaf individual? c) Marlee Matlin Educators and other professionals decided at the Milan congress in 1880: b) Sign language will be prohibited among all Deaf people and in all schools around the world. Martha’s Vineyard was: c) an island where everyone spoke Sign language in the 19th century due to the large number of hereditary deaf people 1. Do Deaf people have their own culture? If yes, describe the various expression of Deaf culture. If not, explain why not? Deaf people do have a culture which is called ‘Deaf Culture’. ... Deaf people also consider sign as their first language, which in America is American Sign Language (ASL). Deaf people also have their own folklore which they tell each other in ASL. Deaf people are usually very open and blunt. In deaf culture, people greet each other with a hug. Deaf communities also have their own â€Å"Deaf Olympics† and deaf people also participate in performing arts and activities such beauty pageant as well as social interactions for Deaf people. 2. What is the difference between American Sign language, Signed Exact English and cued speech? Describe the similarities and differences in grammar, creating signs (words), and lexicon. American Sign Language (ASL) is the most commonly used sign language in United States. It grammar is totally unique from that of English. It lacks the use of tense and number as well as articles that are commonly used in English, and has its own elaborate grammatical features that are not present in English. On the other hand, th e Signed Exact Language (SEE) is an artificial system that attempts to visually represent English languages through codes. Though based on ASL, not only it modifies the ASL hand shapes in order to represent English more accurately, it also contains new signs for representing morphemes which may be dropped by the signer. Cued Language (CL) is neither and sign language, nor a coded system for English. Rather, it acts as a way of communicating in English using signs by making sounds visible to the hearing impaired. CL is not restricted to English language only and has been adapted to 25 languages and dialects. 3. Various authors described language, social, and personal Deaf identities. McKee added that Deaf people identify with the Deaf world. What are the

Saturday, September 7, 2019

CHANGING CLOTHES IN CHINA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

CHANGING CLOTHES IN CHINA - Essay Example Considerably, the understanding of the different clothes of the said country gives a clear presentation as to how the people within the region developed from being traditional towards becoming liberated and more expressive until the present times of modernity. How did the revolution affect the recognition of culture on the part of the Chinese people Truthfully, the changes in the people's clothes also denoted the changes that were happening within the Chinese community. As the years pass, the classical understanding of China with regards their culture and traditional being has been replaced by the trends of the west and the undeniable fact that globalization has already entered the classical years of the Chinese life thus suggesting a much more different approach to clothing on the part of the natives. As the foreigners started coming in and out of China for tourism and other businesses in concern, it could be observed that the clothing of the Chinese people also began to develop. It is considerably undeniable that the clothes of the Chinese society began to take new shape and has begun to flood the international market. Apparently, the Chinese clothing line is considered to be one of the major products that bring in profit to the national economy.

Friday, September 6, 2019

The Underground Railroad Essay Example for Free

The Underground Railroad Essay The Underground Railroad was an important element in the fight for and promotion of freedom for blacks enslaved within the United States during the 19th century. However, in order to understand its importance to the development of U. S. society it is necessary to understand its historical and contextual basis. Leading off from the Mexican-American war which ended in 1848 there was increasing tension between Americans living in the northern section of the United States and those living in the south particularly over the issue of slavery (Epps, 2004). Those in the North had long demonstrated their intolerance for the continuance of slave practices in the Union and those in the South had long expressed sentiments that the practice of slavery would continue. This variance in viewpoint soon led to the North-South divide which also took on a strongly political aspect. Blacks in the South, jealous of their counterparts in the North and craving freedom from a lifetime of slavery, had long been exploiting this variance in viewpoint with regard to slave since the 1780s by finding opportunities to escape their plantations in the South and find refuge in the North or in Canada. This practice kept increasing as the divide between the North and South widened. Run-away slaves were often quite welcomed in the North and some sympathizers, beginning with the Quakers, assisted them in their escape. The practice of helping slaves cross over into the North and Canada was figuratively referred to as the Underground Railroad or the Liberty line. The literal Underground Railroad was a network of safe havens (Hicks, Montequin Hicks, 2000, p. 27) in the form of safe houses, churches and shelters (Anonymous, 2003, p. 10) to which safes running away could turn to facilitating their onward progress to the North, which represented freedom. The network of safe havens stretched from the states in the South to as far as Canada (Hicks, Montequin Hicks, 2000). The concept of this network as a railroad is evident in the codes that those involved used to refer to various components of the movement. Slaves that were running away were referred to as passengers, persons who were guiding them along the different routes were called conductors and the places at which they stopped were named stations. Thus the Underground Railroad was not a physical place or space but a movement aimed at liberating blacks from slavery. Numerous individuals collaborated in making this movement into the success it is now proclaimed to have had. Some estimates are that about 30, 000 blacks were able to escape via the Underground Railroad (Anonymous, 2000, p. 10) and still others put the figure at twice as much. Though the precise numbers are not known it is still very evident that the work of the individuals involved in the Underground Railroad movement was quite effective in bringing many blacks out of a lifetime of slavery. As has been noted before the movement began with the work of the Quakers. Over the lifetime of the Underground Railroad countless other individuals, the majority of whom were black but including whites and women, were involved in the process. One of the names most notably associated with the Underground Railroad is Harriet Tubman. She had herself been a slave when she took the opportunity, in 1849, to head north along the Underground Railroad. She subsequently became actively involved in helping other blacks escape slavery. It is reported that she made a total of nineteen round trips between the North and South bringing to freedom approximately 300 African slaves (Chism, 2005, p. 47). The persons who facilitated the slaves moving between safe houses on the Underground Railroad, were putting themselves at considerable legal risks and thus activities had to be carried out as clandestinely as possible. There were laws designed and implemented specifically to curb the rate of assistance that escaped slaves were given in the North. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 gave owners the power to retrieve their slaves from whatever state they escape to, even in the North. This act proved to be unsuccessful so it was later reinforced with additional provisions in 1850. Under the new act persons were obligated to return runaway slaves to their owners and law officials in all states were mandated to upkeep this law and participate in active slave recovery (Williams-Myers, 2005). With these stringent legal conditions it was indeed with fear and trepidation that many slaves took on the challenge of running for the North. The efforts made by the conductors, the keepers in the safe houses and all who facilitated the journey, are indeed commendable since they reached out to humanity without regarding person safety. Several states northern states, as a result of the large genesis of African Americans into the North, soon became de jure slave settlements. In Mid-West states such as Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan as well as in Northeast states such as Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine (Sayers, 2004, p. 437) large numbers of newly escaped blacks took up permanent residence and began to make a life in freedom. The Underground Railroad indeed represents not only the struggles towards emancipation but also, according to Williams-Myers (2005) â€Å"a moral challenge to an immoral mindset† References Epps, Garrett. (2004, Summer). The Antebellum Political Background of the Fourteenth Amendment. Law and Contemporary Problems, 67(3), 175-211. Williams-Myers, A.J. (2005, Jul). Some notes on the extent of New York Citys involvement in the Underground Railroad.  Afro-Americans in New York Life and History, 29(2), 73. Sayers, D. O. (2004). The Underground Railroad Reconsidered. The Western Journal of Black Studies, 28(3), 435-443. Hicks, B., Montequin, L. Hicks, J. (2000, Jan). Learning about our community: From the underground railroad to school lunch. Primary Voices K – 6, 8(3), 26-33. Chism, K. (2005, Mar). Harriet Tubman: Spy, veteran, and widow. OAH Magazine of History, 47-51. Anonymous. (2003, Feb 13). Researchers to study Natchezs role in Underground Railroad. Black Issues in Higher Education, 19(26), 10.