Writers on Writing The Value of Keeping a Diary, Journal, or Writers Notebook

Cecily: I keep a diary in order to enter the wonderful secrets of my life. If I didnt write them down, I should probably forget all about them.Miss Prism: Memory, my dear Cecily, is the diary we all carry about with us.Cecily: Yes, but it usually chronicles the things that have never happened and couldnt possibly have happened.(Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895) For reasons made clear by these eight writers, now is the perfect time for you to start keeping a diary, journal, or writers notebook. Sylvia Plath on Holding the RaptureNovember 13, 1949As of today I have decided to keep a diary again--just a place where I can write my thoughts and opinions when I have a moment. Somehow I have to keep and hold the rapture of being seventeen. Every day is so precious, I feel infinitely sad at the thought of all this time melting farther and farther away from me as I grow older. Now, now is the perfect time of my life.(quoted by Kathleen Connors in Word Crafts. Eye Rhymes: Sylvia Plaths Art of the Visual, edited by Kathleen Connors and Sally Bayley. Oxford University Press, 2007)bell hooks on Safe WritingKeeping a daily diary did not mean that I was seriously called to write, that I would ever write for a reading public. This was safe writing. . . . It was for me the space for critical reflection, where I struggled to understand myself and the world around me, that crazy world of family and community, that painful world. I could say there what was hurting me, how I felt about things, what I hoped for. I could be angry there with no thought of punishment. I could talk back. Nothing had to be concealed. I could hold on to myself there.(bell hooks, Remembered Rapture: The Writer at Work. Henry Holt, 1999)Anne Frank on the Patience of PaperJune 6, 1942Its an odd idea for someone like me to keep a diary; not only because I have never done so before, but because it seems to me that neither I--nor for that matter anyone else--will be interested in the unbosomings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Still, what does that matter? I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart. . . .Yes there is no doubt that paper is patient and as I dont intend to show this cardboard-covered notebook, bearing the proud name of diary, to anyone, unless I find a real friend, boy or girl, probably nobody cares. And now I come to the root of the matter, the reason for my starting a diary: it is that I have no such real friend.(T he Diary of Anne Frank: The Revised Critical Edition. Doubleday, 2003)Thomas Mann on Capturing DaysFebruary 1934I love this process by which each passing day is captured, not only its impressions, but also, at least by suggestion, its intellectual direction and content as well, less for the purpose of rereading and remembering than for taking stock, reviewing, maintaining awareness, achieving perspective . . ..(Thomas Mann: Diaries 1918-1939, selected by Hermann Kesten, translated by Richard Winston. Robin Clark Ltd., 1984)Northrop Frye on Confronting His ConsciencePrologue to the Diary of 1949Im not working hard enough, and I feel that a diary would be useful, as my job is mainly thinking writing, I need some machinery for recording everything of importance I think of. . . .I also hope it will be of some moral benefit, in passing a kind of value judgment, implicit or explicit, on whether Ive wasted the day or not . . .. The feeling of meeting my own conscience at the end of the d ay may cut down my dithering time.(The Diaries of Northrop Frye, 1942-1955, edited by Robert D. Denham. University of Toronto Press, 2001)The Long Monologue of Edward Robb EllisDecember 1, 1932This evening Ross said to me: It must take an awfully egotistical person to keep a diary. Surprised, I began to defend myself, citing several reasons for maintaining this journal--a chance to practice writing, the opportunity to analyze myself, the value of a diary as a reference volume.November 10, 1973[T]here is another way in which I saved myself from madness, and this is the fact that all my life I have tried to communicate with myself. My diary is proof of this effort. My life has been one long monologue. I will go mad only if I am ever unable to talk to myself.(Edward Robb Ellis, A Diary of the Century: Tales from Americas Greatest Diarist. Sterling, 2008)Journalist Edward Ellis began keeping a diary in 1927 when he was a sophomore in high school; he continued writing until his death in 1998.Gail Godwin on Diaries and FictionI need to write a diary just as I need to write fiction, but the two needs come from very different sources. I write fiction because I need to organize the clutter of too many details into some meaning, because I enjoy turning something promising into something marvelous; I keep a diary because it keeps my mind fresh and open. Once the details of being me are safely stored away every night, I can get on with what isnt just me. . . . I had to keep a diary for many years before I could begin writing fiction.(Gail Godwin, A Diarist on Diarists. Writers on Writing, edited by Robert Pack and Jay Parini. University Press of New England, 1991)Franz Kafka on the Courage of StrivingDecember 23, 1911One advantage in keeping a diary is that you become aware with reassuring clarity of the changes which you constantly suffer . . .. In the diary you find proof that in situations which today would seem unbearable, you lived, looked around and wrote observatio ns, that this right hand moved then as it does today, when we may be wiser because we are able to look back upon our former condition, and for that reason have got to admit the courage of our earlier striving in which we persisted even in sheer ignorance.(The Diaries of Franz Kafka, edited by Max Brod. Secker and Warburg, 1948) More About Keeping a Diary or Journal Your Writing: Private and PublicVirginia Woolf on Keeping a JournalTwelve Reasons to Keep a Writers Diary

Yellow Press And Its Effects On The United States - 863 Words

During the 1800’s expansion was taking place and many countries were trying to gain independence from colonies. This was a point in history when many countries wanted to gain to gain more land, resources, stronger militaries and overall power. At this time Cuba was controlled by Spain also known as the Spanish. Cubans wanted independence but the Spanish and their military forces were too powerful to defeat by themselves. The Spanish treated the Cubans very harsh by starting concentration camps. Many Cubans were severely dying of starvation, and other countries such as America became aware of this tragedy taking place in Cuba. Americans used ‘yellow press’ as a way to communicate and to keep people informed about recent news. Yellow journalism was major key because publishers would exaggerate stories that would interest the public. Pictures of Cubans in concentration camps started reaching the press with bold headlines which made Americans sympathetic and they want ed to help liberate Cuba. At this time Teddy Roosevelt was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He was a very important asset to America because he led our military. The yellow press also advertised ads to recruit volunteers for the army which basically forced the public to support expansion in other countries. Teddy Roosevelt wanted to expand military forces overseas so there were bases and American presence in places such as the Philippines and Hong Kong. Many Americans served in the army and were awayShow MoreRelatedEssay on What ´s Yellow Journalism?748 Words   |  3 PagesYellow journalism is a writing style that used melodrama, romance, and hyperbole to sell millions of newspapers. But the number of newspapers selling went up drastically after the blowing up of the battleship USS Maine. At 9:30 on February, 15 the USS Maine sinks in Havana Harbor. 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In addition, the prosperity of America, especiallyRead MoreEssay on How Sensationalism Affects Eve1135 Words   |  5 Pages How Sensationalism Affects Everyone Involved In today ¡Ã‚ ¦s society journalism is under close scrutiny and is losing its credibility. Sensationalism effects both those who receive it in addition to those who report it. This essay will review the history of sensationalism in the media, clearly demonstrate how sensationalism effects ours views on journalism, and confront the ethical dilemmas that journalists must face between reporting objectively and reporting what sells. This will be accomplishedRead More Politics and the Media Essay2295 Words   |  10 Pagesthe media for a great deal of its information. The role of the press in American politics has become a major source of discussion and controversy in recent years (Davis, 1). The question raised in this paper is, Does the media present the news fairly, accurately, and completely? The short answer is no, the long answer will be examined throughout the following essay. This essay will examine the media and its influence and effects on politics and government. Publick Occurrences was the firstRead MoreAPUSH Essays1633 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Analyze the responses to TWO of the following to Secretary of State John Hay’s view that the Spanish American War was â€Å"a splendid little war†; William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt, Alfred Thayer Mahan, Emilio Aguinaldo When Secretary of State John Hay stated that the Spanish American War was a â€Å"splendid little war†, he received mixed responses from people such as William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt, Alfred Thayer Mahan, and Emilio Aguinaldo. Some people of the Philippines, especiallyRead MoreEssay on The Cause And Effect Of The Spanish American War953 Words   |  4 Pagestradition but was a logical extension of commercial expansion, something the US had been doing throughout its history (SparkNotes: The Spanish American War, 1898-1901,: Effects of the Treaty). President McKinley was not interested in wars of conquest or of territorial aggression. His interest in expansion was to make the United States first in international commerce and as a means to implement its humanitarian and democratic goals (Faragher, J., Buhle, M. J., Armitage, S. H. ,2008, Out of Many,Read MoreThe Chiricahua Named Chihuahu A Different Opinion Of Their New Home1194 Words   |  5 PagesAfter the arriv al of Dr. Walter Reed on a tour of duty as post surgeon it is determined that ten more Chiricahua have died from a combination of yellow fever and tuberculosis. The conditions were made worse by the fact that the Government was supplying food that went against their own tradition such as fish and pork, causing them to sell their persona; effects in order to obtain necessary food to eat further lowering the overall moral of a decimated people. All of this is found out by the aforementioned

How far is it right to see Anthem for Doomed Youth as entirely a poem of protest and criticism Essay Example For Students

How far is it right to see Anthem for Doomed Youth as entirely a poem of  protest and criticism? Essay Although I believe that Anthem for Doomed Youth is a poem that contains strong opinion from Owen, I do not think that it was aimed to be entirely a poem of protest, or of criticism. However, from the title of the poem, it is easy to see how it could be immediately viewed as such. The use of the word Anthem to describe the poem gives the impression that Owen wishes to make a point, as it is a strong word that implies anger. As well as this, Anthem is generally used to represent a group of people, rather than individuals, such as a National Anthem which represents a country, and because of this the reader begins to see where Owen might be trying to make a point it seems to be the beginning of a strong statement throughout the poem. However, although some readers may believe Owen used this word to show his criticism of the system, I believe he also used it as an anthem has a strong link to honour the National Anthem is always played when someone (an athlete, for example) has achieved something to be proud of. I think that Owen was trying to link the poem to honour even from the title, as well as making a strong statement even before the reader has started the poem. However, when the word Anthem is combined with Doomed Youth makes it seem slightly sarcastic as if Owen is almost mocking the idea of honour itself. The strong statement in the title is continued by Owen into the opening stanza of the poem in the first line, the soldiers are called cattle. Straightaway, this word tells the reader than Owen is angry at something, as cattle is a strong and harsh word to use to describe soldiers fighting for the country. As well as this, it again groups all the soldiers together, rather than acknowledging them as individual people. Again, this could easily imply that Owen is trying to make a point about something, as it is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as if he wants the idea to remain in the readers mind. Referring to the soldiers specifically as cattle also has an effect; cattle need to die for others (in that we need to eat meet to survive), and in making this link I believe that Owen wants us to think about why these soldiers are going to fight, and effectively makes us feel guilty. In linking them to animals, Owen also implies that he feels the soldiers are stupid another sign that p erhaps he is trying to make a point as it would have been a rare opinion to think ill of your soldiers. Phrasing the first line as a question also makes the first line sound very aggressive, almost as if Owen is accusing the reader of something. This makes the line sound very harsh, and adds to the tone already created in the poem, which is a strong feeling of anger. This is a very clever opening line technique, as it grabs attention and makes the reader involved from the very first line, as they are questioning their own feelings. Overall, the first stanza appears to contain a lot of anger there are strong sounds throughout, for example rifles rapid rattle, which gives the impression that a speaker saying these words would almost be spitting them out. The alliteration also sounds like a stutter, which gives the impression that a speaker would perhaps be overcome with the anger he feels. The adjectives used in the first stanza are very dark and depressing, for example monstrous, which give the first stanza overall a very depressing feel. As well as the anger shown, the first stanza contains many allusions that Owen is not happy with the attitudes of the public towards soldiers, despite appearing to think little of them himself at first. The repeated use of the word only at the start of successive lines implies that Owen feels soldiers are not really given enough of anything for example honour, respect and support. The way that the word is repeated emphasises this, as if Owen has at the back of his mind consta ntly how soldiers deserve more than they receive for what they risk. He also mentions the soldiers hasty orisons. I believe that inputting hasty here, again shows that Owen feels what they receive is inadequate he could have easily omitted this word. By writing it here it draws the readers attention to the fact that the soldiers do not even have enough time to complete their prayers, which may contribute to the feeling of injustice for the soldiers. In this respect, I believe that it is a poem of criticism as I feel Owen is condemning the attitude towards the soldiers. Along with anger, there is a strong sense of mocking in the first stanza Owen uses words that have trivial connotations for example shrill and patter. This implies that he is mocking the overall attitude to war, and the attitude towards dying for your country. As a result of this, the opening stanza also comes across as very bitter and resentful, which the reader feels increases the likelihood that Owen is trying to make a point with this poem. The reader also recognises the anger as we realise that Owen would probably have fou ght in the war himself, and so the feelings would seem a lot more important and personal to him, which is perhaps why they seem so intense. Search for My Tongue SummaryThe language overall in the second stanza is much more gentle and calm, especially when compared to the language in the first. As seen earlier, in the first stanza there are many strong words and sounds which gave the verse its feeling of anger. The language here also creates the tone; the sounds are much softer and contribute largely to the overall feeling. Examples of these words are shine, glimmers, and tenderness. These words give a much more positive feeling to this part of the poem, due to the connotations they have, for example shine and glimmers both have strong associations with light, which is why they have this effect. They also allow the reader to feel more reflective about the poem, as the slower pace and calmer feeling allow the reader to take time to evaluate how they feel. The sounds of the words are also a lot softer, which contribute to the calm feeling in this area of the poem. I believe that this really turns opinion against Anthem be ing entirely a protest of criticism because this area of the poem doesnt appear to be arguing the point that has been shown to us so far by Owen. The last line in this stanza is perhaps the best example of the different language the use of the word dusk is probably the most positive word possible to use all the alternatives, such as darkness, night, black and so on are all considerably more depressing. This shows the change in attitude Owen has had from the first stanza, where many of the words were probably chosen for dramatic effect. The phrase a drawing-down of blinds is also a contrast from the first stanza; it is quite a comforting phrase (considering that it refers to death) and is more synonymous to sleep than to death. Again, this shows the contrast because previously I believe Owen would have chosen the phrase to create the most impact, in order to give his protest more force. Although, even in this line, it would be possible to see Owen as trying to show his protest once more; by putting each in the line it could be seen as trying to make the point that the death will happen over and over again. However, I believe that it just makes this line more personal, as to me each separates each soldiers death out from the mass death happening every day. The tone of the poem overall changes often; however I believe by the end of the poem the initial anger has almost been forgotten due to the very different second stanza. It is almost like a continuous thought process; as if Owen is writing down his feelings as they occur to him. For example, the first line of the second stanza is What candles may be held to speed them all? It is this line where the reader sees the change in the tone of the poem; it is here when Owen appears to have a change of heart, very suddenly. It is as if it is here when Owen realises what true honour is at this precise point in the poem, and this would explain why he goes from writing to make a point with so much anger becoming seemingly more reflective about everything. The question mark also implies that he really does not know the answer, making it seem more like an overall though, and an exploration of his feelings rather than a true protest poem. I believe that this would explain the sudden change in the l anguage of the poem. The main emotion changes three times in this poem; from anger, to sadness, to acceptance, and I believe that this could have been intentional by Owen, as it represents the mourning process after the death of a loved one. It is effective overall because he does it subtly constructing the poem so that it could be used as a thought process means that there are multiple ways of viewing it, giving the reader the chance to think for themselves. I believe that although Owen does make individual points throughout the poem, that this overall was his main aim rather than to make a protest or criticise. It appears, although there is some criticism towards the beginning of the poem, that it is more a reflection of the feelings of Owen himself.

Analysing the Financial Performance of Garner Ltd †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Financial Performance of Garner Ltd. Answer: The main objective of this report is to focus on the calculation of various ratios of Garner Ltd for the year ended 2007 as well as 2008 for analysing the financial performance of the company. The report will mainly focus on profitability and liquidity position of the company through various ratios like profitability ratio and liquidity ratio. The ratios can be calculated as follows Ratio Formula 2007 2008 Current ratio Current assets/current liabilities 2.21 1.27 Quick ratio Current assets less inventories / current liabilities 1.68 0.97 Debt ratio Total liabilities / total assets 0.38 0.40 Inventory turnover ratio Cost of sales / average inventory 3.68 Accounts receivable turnover ratio Credit sales / Average accounts receivable 6.00 Gross profit percentage Gross profit/sales * 100 40.00 41.67 Profit margin Profit/Sales *100 9.00 10.00 Return on total asset EBIT/Net assets 0.49 0.52 Return on owner's equity Profit after tax / Total equity 0.18 0.21 Looking at the liquidity ratio of the company that is the current ratio and quick ratio of the company, it can be identified that both current ratio and the liquid ratio of the company is in decreasing trend (Bodie, 2013). The current ratio of the company decreased to 1.27 in 2008 as compared to 2.21 in 2007 whereas, the quick ratio of the company decreased to 0.97 in 2008 as compared to 1.68 in 2007. As the liquidity ratios indicate the capability of a company to pay off its short-term obligation, the decreasing trend is indicating that the companys ability to pay-off its short term obligations is decreasing (Waemustafa Sukri, 2016). Looking at the profitability ratios like percentage of gross profit as well as profit margin and return on total assets ratio, it can be identified that all the profitability ratios are in increasing trend that indicated that the company is strong, stable and have a good growth prospect for the future year. The growth prospect and upward moving profitability ratios will definitely attract the investors for investing their fund (Babalola Abiola, 2013). If the stability ratio of the company that is the debt ratio and liquidity ratios are considered, it can be identified that the debt ratio of the company has been slightly increased to 0.40 in 2008 from 0.38 in 2015 (Nyabwanga et al., 2013). A debt ratio of generally 0.5 or lower is considered to be reasonable as it indicates that the company is less risky or to be more specific, the liabilities of the company is just 50% of its assets. Further, though the liquidity ratios are in decreasing trend, the company is still in better position to pay-off their current obligations. Therefore, it can be said that the company is stable and will be considered as solvent over the coming years (Haslem Longbrake, 2015). From the above analysis, it is concluded that from all the aspects like profitability, stability and liquidity, the company is performing well and will be considered as stable from the investing prospect. The company will therefore, be able to borrow money, avail good credit terms and attract the investors to invest their fund. However, as the liquidity ratios are in decreasing trend, Garner Ltd shall look into the matter as further fall will threaten its repaying capability of short-term obligations. References Babalola, Y. A., Abiola, F. R. (2013). Financial ratio analysis of firms: A tool for decision making.International journal of management sciences,1(4), 132-137. Bodie, Z. (2013).Investments. McGraw-Hill. Haslem, J. A., Longbrake, W. (2015). A discriminant analysis of commercial bank profitability. Nyabwanga, R. N., Ojera, P., Simeyo, O., Nyanyuki, N. F. (2013). An empirical analysis of the liquidity, solvency and financial health of small and medium sized enterprises in kisii municipality, Kenya. Waemustafa, W., Sukri, S. (2016). Systematic and unsystematic risk determinants of liquidity risk between Islamic and conventional banks.

Business Ethics When the Work

Work-life balance is a flexible working program that has become common in several organizations in the US. Some firms have introduced flexible working hours for their employees, who need to balance between family and work responsibilities. Work-life balance is a trend that has picked up in various places of work in the US. This work-life balance has an impact on relationships that employees have with each other. Workers who have children have found flexible working hours more rewarding for their careers and family lives.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Business Ethics: When the Work-Life Scales Are Unequal. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The workplace environment is experiencing a lot of changes. Employers have realized the importance of offering their employees flexible work schedules, which help them balance between work and family life. However, the work-life balance approach is not getting support from all workers as expected. Workers with no children and families to care for, feel that their colleagues who have families use this as a pretext to avoid performing their duties. They feel that they shoulder the burden of their absentee colleagues because they have to perform extra duties. It is difficult for working class parents, especially mothers, to balance their commitment to work and family effectively. However, some workers are very supportive of their colleagues who are forced by family circumstances to stick to flexible working hours. These workers understand the importance of their colleagues being involved in the lives of their children. A flexible work schedule makes such workers more effective. This is because of the satisfaction they get from performing their work duties and spending time with their children. Employees who are away from their work stations can be telephoned or emailed if an urgent issue that needs their input comes up at work. This has created a lot of harm ony between workers, in firms which have work-life balance schedules. Many firms are finding it difficult to implement flexible work systems. Some employees do not have children but still need time to attend to their family members, who need their attention. Employees who care for their elderly parents or grandparents feel that their colleagues who have children are favored more by the work-life balance schedules than them. They claim that they also deserve to be given flexible work schedules, which allow them to care for their elderly relatives more. Human resource specialists argue that, for a flexible work program to succeed, all employees with alternative interests away from work need to be considered.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Employees in firms who offer flexible work schedules should focus on how their duties are going to be done during the period they are away. This will lessen the burden that is shouldered by their colleagues when they are away from work. Firms need to monitor the time each worker spends at the workplace, to determine every individual’s productivity level. A work-life balance program can only be effective if all employees communicate with each other easily, regardless of their locations. Workers also need to notify their colleagues if they are planning to leave their workstations early. Flexible working programs need to be fair to all workers to reduce resentment between them. Organizations need to meet crucial deadlines and performance targets. Implementation of a work-life balance program should ensure that productivity levels in the organization remain consistent. This case confirms that many firms face difficulties when implementing flexible work programs for their employees. All employees need to be given equal consideration when a flexible work program is being implemented. This essay on Business Ethics: When the Work-Life Scales Are Unequal. was written and submitted by user Nayeli C. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Myth of the Melting Pot Essays

The Myth of the Melting Pot Essays The Myth of the Melting Pot Paper The Myth of the Melting Pot Paper Allison Bergonia English 100 20 september 2013 Myths of the Melting Pot Modern America is considered to be a melting pot, in which a variety of races, cultures, or individuals gather into a unified whole. The ideas of being a new American for people who have migrated from their homeland to America are to leave behind all their past cultures and practices and embrace their new American ways. Is that what really happens? If it was, would there be still racism in America? The number of people immigrating to America has risen over the years, but so has the number of active hate groups. The idea of unity in the melting pot of America is a yth because of racism, stereotypes, prejudice, and cultural segregation of its people. Most people would say that racism is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race. Its more than that. Its the belief that those characteristics of each race determine whether or not the race is superior or inferior to the other races. Racism has dated back to hundreds of years in the past. Even former president Thomas Jefferson said, l advance it, therefore, as a suspicion only, that the blacks, whether originally a distinct race, or made distinct by ime and circumstances, are inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind Oefferson, 502). To Thomas Jefferson emancipated slaves as well as the owned slaves and their physical and mental characteristics were not up to par with their white owners. Not Just because of their status as slaves, but because what race they were. Only because they were a bit different from the white people that owned the land at the time. One of the most interesting, yet unsettling facts was that many of Americas founding fathers practiced the principle of ethnocentrism and did not eem to consider this an act of racism. Ethnocentrism has been defined as a generalized rejection of all out groups on the basis of an in group focus (Parrillo, 505). An example would be how some races have been identified as dirty, violent, or law breaking. This grew even more in the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 1 1 . It is very important to understand that prejudice is rejection of a person or people based on the group or race in which they share similarities. That is not to say that either of these should be acceptable if the intent is to improve the social condition. Another barrier to improving racial and ethnic relations is created by how the media presents situations that have occurred involving people of race and ethnic background. For example, during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina many of the pictures portrayed people of different ethnicities finding food from a grocery store. However from the two pictures the white couple were considered survivalists while the single black male was considered a looter, People complained that the captions accompanying the images were racially suggestive: black people loot and white people find (Harris and Carbado, 525). Its not very fair to say one is looting and the other as having found their supplies by looking at their race, but this is how to do with the reinforcement of prejudice and self-worth by presenting stereotypes that clarify class standings often portraying race and ethnic diversity in a negative way. This is a form where self-justification serves as a source of prejudice is the dominant groups assumption of an attitude of superiority over other groups. In this respect, establishing a prestige hierarchy ranking the status of various ethnic groups results in differential association (Parrillo, 508). This also clarifies how the myth of difference and hierarchy is established since the weaker group will submit to the stronger group and thereby establishing a so called pecking order. Sometimes the pecking order is very subtle, such as the idea that an Africa-America could become president gave hope to the idea that racial and ethnic relations could improve. Many people of all races and ethnic diversity considered this a turning poi nt in history. That hope crashed quickly after the smoke cleared and the illusion faded in the knowledge that the president did not have the power to make this happen. Erin Kaplan makes this very clear when she wrote, Its a schizophrenic attitude: we are encouraged by the black persons potential enough to give him a Job, but are we ever wary of giving him power. This is why as soon as Obama stepped into the White House, he had to be punished. Whites are used to controlling black opportunity, to giving and taking it as they see fit. President Obama in that way was never president-in-waiting, he was an opportunity the bright and capable intern who deserved a shot. But being in charge was not part of the deal (Kaplan, 545). America is known as the land of equal opportunity. Sure there are opportunity in Jobs for all races and even education. The myth of unity is truly the fantasy about this amazing land of opportunity that so many immigrants wanted and expected once they arrived in America. Instead, the citizens and the life style established in local communities rejected them. The cognitive level of prejudice encompasses a persons beliefs and perceptions of a group as threatening or nonthreatening, inferior or equal, seclusive or intrusive, impulse gratifying, acquisitive, or possessing other positive or negative characteristics (Parrillo, 505). We focus on most of the negative racial stereotypes about people that we drive them away from our communities and force them into places like the ghetto or less fortunate places because we dont give them the opportunity that they dream of and that they really deserve. Racial segregation even takes place in schools. Kids found it easier to get along with their own race. When I was in high school kids were first separated into little cliques of the average high school, like football players, band kids, kids who went to certain clubs, and leadership, etc. Then there were the sub-cliques which were by race. All the white cheerleaders would hang out separately from the others, the ghetto football players would hang out together, and Asians in drama would stay together. Even though my high school was known for its diversity, everyone was still segregated. The kids would make stereotypical comments about one another. As one of the Asian kids in high school I had a lot of Asian friends. There was even a place in my high school where all of the Asian kids would hang out after school called Asian avenue. People would always ask me if I was good at math or say that I only get good grades because I was Asian, since the stereotype is that Asians are uper smart. Social norms the norms of ones culture form the generally shared automatically accepting the prevailing prejudices, an individual is simply conforming to those forms (Parrillo, 515). I gave into this social norm of how Asians were smart and got good grades. In conclusion, America is considered a land of opportunity, but for some that was true, while others were Judged by the way they looked and cultural differences. There have been barely any attempts to stop the hate crimes in the media and on the street. With a new president in term people hoped for a change, however many were disappointed by the outcome. The land of equality is a lie to many who are looked down upon Just because of the color of their skin. Each time change might occur the hierarchy manipulates it into submission and causes tension to rise. Harris, Cheryl l. and Devon W. Carbado. Loot or Find: Fact or Frame? Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. By Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle. 9th ed. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2013. 524-538. Print. Jefferson, Thomas. From Notes on the State of Virginia. Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. By Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle. th ed. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2013. 497-502. Print. Kaplan, Erin Aubry. Barack Obama: Miles Traveled, Miles to Go. Rereading America:Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. By Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle. 9th ed. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2013. 540-552. Print. Parrillo, Vincent. Causes of Prejudice. Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. Ed. Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and B onnie Lisle. 9th ed. Boston, MA: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2013. 504-516. print.

Should Abortion Be A Woman Decision Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Should Abortion Be A Woman Decision - Essay Example Only the individual can disseminate the information and make their own decision based on what they believe to be right but everyone should know both sides on equal terms so as to make the decision that is right for them. This paper will first present the ‘right-to-life’ then follow with the ‘pro-choice’ argument. The right to choose is the foundation upon which this country was built. Those who are pro-abortion trumpet this slogan while proclaiming a woman’s ‘God given right’ to make her own choices without government interference. This simple ideology is embraced by some but the arguments are flawed when the realities of abortion are examined. Studies have shown that most women are coerced into committing this murderous act of a living human and that there is no such thing as safe abortions as many are led to believe. Pro-abortion proponents generally espouse that the rights of a non-living tissue that feels no pain are non-existent. This discussion exposes these untruths that have been reported and are widely perceived as facts. It also explains the framers’ intent for the legal and moral direction of American society when they drafted the Constitution, the document that defines the laws of the nation. There is little freedom of choice for women who are experiencing an unwanted pregnancy. The women themselves usually wish to bring their baby to full term. Other powerful influences in her life such as husbands/boyfriends, parents and friends are generally the forces that exact pressures on her to terminate the pregnancy. â€Å"Eight out of 10 women surveyed after abortion said they would have given birth if they’d had support and encouragement from family and friends† (Reardon, 2002). It’s the abortion that, in many cases, is unwanted by the woman, not the baby. Most often, the father of the child, not wishing to accept responsibility, may beg or even