The Essence of Chinatown Essay Example

The Essence of Chinatown Essay It is Chinese New Year. The hustle and bustle of trade, the haggling of prices fills the air as people jostle through the crowd to buy that kilogram of barbecued pork, or that bunch of golden rat-shaped decorations to welcome the year of the Rat. However, many people simply run through the epicentre of joyful noise and energy that can only be Chinatown without stopping to wonder at the past it possesses and the reason for its existence in a predominantly Chinese Singapore. Modern day Chinatown I stand silently at the start of Pagoda Street and look down from my vantage point of an overhead bridge to see a place that embodies the very story of Chinatown is the Chinatown Heritage Centre. Sitting right in the center of Chinatown, it is a quaint shop house that has been converted into a wealth of memories and untold stories. These stories are showed to the public on three different levels and exhibit the lives of early settlers. It traces the evolution and growth of both Chinatown and the Chinese people of Singapore, from coolie workers and maids to bosses and politicians. The Heritage Centre shows why Chinatown is the way it is in modern day Singapore. It tells the story of a place that never really sleeps through an exhibit called â€Å"Where the day never ends† and tells us of how Chinatown was always rampant with festive mood during celebrations like the Lunar New Year. Like present day Chinatown, the Chinatown of the past was an energetic place whenever Chinese festivals were around the corner. We will write a custom essay sample on The Essence of Chinatown specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Essence of Chinatown specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Essence of Chinatown specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer When asked about what the Heritage Centre taught him, a secondary school student whom I interviewed on location told me, â€Å"This place shows us that that every Chinese person had a stake in Chinatown. It also teaches me not to forget my roots,† The Heritage Centre, for many youth, also carries a cautionary tale against the four vices of life. An exhibit details the lives of people who have fallen to opium smoking, prostitution, gambling and secret societies and is still a relevant warning to today’s Chinese population in Singapore about the dangers of indulging in forbidden pleasures. A Prostitute’s Room I asked one shopper why she went to Chinatown to visit the Heritage Centre and I was told that, â€Å"Chinatown is the place many Chinese had lived in the past. I am a Chinese and I really like to know what my roots are,† What she said clearly highlights to us why Singapore needs a Chinatown: Cultural identity. The Heritage Centre tells us that Chinatown has existed ever since Singapore was conceptualised as a colonial state. The place was characterised by shop houses that possessed five-foot walkways and cramped quarters on the upper floors. Large scale immigration forced occupants of Chinatown to stay in small, cramped and sordid cubicles that lacked proper sanitation and facilities. People squeezed together, sometimes seven in cubicle. However, Chinatown was more than just a living quarter for the Chinese migrants who came by boat from mainland China. It was a retail location for uniquely Chinese goods, a uniquely Chinese socialisation ground which gave birth to the coffee shops that we see in contemporary Singapore. A life-sized model of such coffee shops can be seen in the Heritage Centre. Chinatown was, most importantly, a place representative of escape from oppression, poverty and injustice in mainland China. My late great-grand mother, who came from China with nothing but the clothes on her back once told me that, â€Å"Chinatown, although small, cramp and noisy, was the home away from home for many, a place where Chinese people put down new roots and built new lives for themselves and their descendants. † I believe that this spirit of emancipation and determination to make it in the world is what is so beautiful about Chinatown’s Heritage Centre. While Singapore is a multi-racial nation that does not discriminate creeds, race or religion, it is undeniably mixed in its racial denominations to a very high degree. As such, people need to hold on to their cultural identity. Unlike many other countries where Chinese are not the dominant race and thus need a Chinatown, Singapore’s Chinese population needs a Chinatown not to give them a sense of home, but to satisfy a deep-seated need to retain the uniqueness of being Chinese while becoming Singaporean all the time. Chinese, like all other races, need a place where we can identify with both culturally and, on a deeper level, spiritually. We need a place that tells us who we are and where we really came from and Chinatown provides us with that cultural belonging and identity. Chinatown is â€Å"where Chinese go to be Chinese and not worry about how we would be looked at, simply because it is Chinatown,† as said by a passer-by when I asked him what Chinatown meant to him as a Chinese person. When I started primary research, I did not expect such a deep-rooted sense of belonging to Chinatown in the Chinese people because even I, a Chinese, did not have great attachment for the place. However, I have come to understand that Chinatown is more than a place. It is a record book, a place that history has etched its mark on to educate and enlighten future generations of Chinese people. Therefore, the true idea behind why we need a Chinatown in Singapore is because the essence of the Chinese people is the essence of Chinatown.

Where are you going, where have you been - Loiuse Essays

Where are you going, where have you been - Loiuse Essays Where are you going, where have you been - Loiuse English 102 - Literature for Composition - Professor Stepp 09/15/2014 Where are you going, where have you been - Loiuse Where are you going, Where have you been " by Joyce Carol Oates' story is about a young girl, at the edge of adulthood. Just like any teenager she sneaks around, going to a drive-in restaurant to meet boys rather than to the movies like she told her family. She is rebellious and flippant and does not have a good relationship with her mother. She seeks to makes herself sexually attractive to explore he new self but her search for independence has a tragic outcome as she is yanked out of adolesence and places her firmly into adulthood. This habit of always needing to feel that she is beautiful is an indication that Connie is suffering from insecurity, or having an unstable sense of self. This insecurity makes her completely vulnerable to the will of others, and is one of the things that eventually leads her to run off with Arnold Friend at the end of the story. The character of Arnold Friend brings the magic of the evil type to the story. After much scrutiny it seems that Arnold is not just a simple villain. He takes great interest in Connie and he initially demonstrates his power by telling her details about herself as well as detailing what her family was doing. However, there is much more to Arnold. His supernatural abilities, though not particularly flashy, are definitely present. A closer examination reveals that Arnold Friend may be a personification of the devil. One hint is the fact that Connie could not figure out what his real age was; the devils reputation is that of agelessness. At first she describes him as a boy at the restaurant, then after she stares at him she realizes that he is much older than her when lines appeared at the corners of his mouth. although he pretends to be a couple of years older. She also notices that it seemed as if his hair was a wig. However, the most solid evidence that Arnold is the devil is the awkwardness of his stance. Connie noticed that it seemed that One of his boots was at a strange angle, as if his foot wasnt in it. It pointed out to the left, bent at the ankle. As the story climaxes and comes to an end, the extent of Arnolds devilish power becomes evident as Connie, interestingly, succumbs to his bidding and goes with him. This follows the premise that the devil does not take a soul as he has the power to do; he entices the person to give it to him instead. Arnold friend was the obvious villain, while Connie was the distinguishable protagonist with a rebellious spirit. Like any fairytale, she jumped headlong into trouble, leading to her tragic end. In the conclusion of this story, Connie was taken somewhere from which she could not return. Though she was not the only one to blame, Connie had become a different person to her family than who she was to the world. In one sense, Connie had already sold her soul to the devil by not being true to herself; Arnold Friend was simply there to collect.

Abuse of Legal and Illegal Drugs

Substance abuse is the use of substances with a maladaptive pattern that causes clinically significant damage or distress (American Psychiatric Association, 2000, p. 114-115). The difference in the use of drugs and drugs of abuse depends on three factors: drug use, drug usage, and drug influence on humans. Drug abuse usually involves drugs that use drugs in excess regardless of whether they are legal or illegal. For example, marijuana is illegal in some states, but illegal in other states. In this article I will explain issues of legal substance abuse and illegal substance abuse. I will explain the four medicines in each category. Among legally abused drugs, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and herbs will be discussed. Illegal drugs that are often exploited in this article are drugs that are the most commonly used or abused drugs in the world for cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin. Among these drugs, the risk of the drug itself is discussed and several types of treatments that at tempt to interrupt the use of drugs will be discussed. Drug abuse occurs when people voluntarily consume illegal substances or legal prescribing medications to change their mood or to become high. Regular drug use can lead to drug addiction or other physical harm. Drug abuse usually involves the sale, purchase or abuse of these substances, which can lead to arrests, criminal charges and imprisonment. The term substance abuse is often associated with illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana. Recently, dangerous design medicines such as bath salt and club medicine such as ecstasy are becoming increasingly popular. Legitimate substances such as tobacco and alcohol are also associated with dangerous abuse. Drug abuse includes both legal and illegal drugs. Defining a drug as a legitimate or an illegal substance does not determine whether the substance is responsible for dependence or abuse. Substances include alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, amphetamine, cocaine, inhalants, opioids, sleeping pills, and the like. Most people can safely use various substances as social conditioners (eg beer or other drinking alcohol or social alcohol). Heroin and cocaine can be used to treat pain under medical supervision, but it is well known that it is an addictive substance. The prevention and treatment of damage is often related to the problem of drug abuse. The use or abuse of legitimate or illegal drugs or illegal drugs or crimes before a crime may be a relevant factor for the victim and some victims may be injured after a crime as a means to alleviate pain or trauma Use and abuse. Studies have shown that victims of drug and alcohol abuse may be at risk of further damage and lead to a series of repetitive violent acts that gradually become destructive without intervention (Substance Abuse Treatment Center, 1997).

Los Zetas Drug cartel as an Explanation of Marginalization and Research Paper

Los Zetas Drug cartel as an Explanation of Marginalization and Violence in Mexican Politics - Research Paper Example Los Zetas operates successfully as a criminal gang due to its affiliation to powerful politicians in the provinces that it controls. The influence of drug cartels in Mexican politics is historical with wide ramifications on the people of the area. Los Zetas explains the historical and current trend of marginalization, violence, corruption and influence of illegal drugs on Mexican politics. This people will discuss by giving illustrations on how Los Zetas explains marginalization, violence, corruption and illegal drugs influence in Mexican politics. Background of Los Zetas Los Zetas started as security group for the top members of the gulf cartel in 1999. The founding members of Los Zetas were fourteen former Mexican Special forces who offered security services for the Gulf cartel, which is considered the most notorious drug cartel in Mexican history. Osiel Cardenas Guillen who was a member of the gulf cartel since the Mid 90’s founded Los Zetas. With the help of three Military personnel, Guillen managed to consolidate himself as the kingpin of the group on the Mexican gulf through the elimination of his rivals in the Gulf cartel. The ruthless and professionalism of the group made it easy for Guillen to effectively scare and take over the territories of his enemies. By 2004, Guillen had been captured and his main bodyguard Arturo Guzman had been killed. The remaining members of the group took over the reins but with Guillen still controlling the group. Accusations of Guillen and Los Zetas being protected by powerful politicians in the state of Tamaulipas has always been considered as one of the reason that made it easy for Guillen to operate easily in the gulf of Mexico. ... Los Zetas transformed itself into a full drug cartel with the weakening of the Gulf cartel and the ascendancy of Heriberto Lazcano who was a founding member of the security group. Los Zetas success is attributed to the disintegration of the Gulf cartel. By 2010, Los Zetas had fully made itself independent from the gulf cartel and with Lazcano as its head, furthermore, the group recruited its members from states as far as Texas in the US and in Guatemala. it increased its financial base from being simply a drug cartel, into assassins for hire, running prostitution rings, casinos, music piracy, controlling the mining industry and even working as muscles for some politicians. Currently, Los Zetas and its allies face the rivalry from the Sinaola cartel, which is the other powerful cartel in Mexico. Areas that Los Zetas controls Los Zetas is considered a newer drug cartel compared to its rivals. It is estimated that los Zetas controls 11 states or more in Mexico. Apart from Mexico, Los Ze tas can be found actively in Texas and in Guatemala. The drug cartel is considered the biggest one in geographical terms when compared to the Siniola drug cartel, which is the chief rival of the group. Los Zetas is found in states such as Nuevo Laredo, Coahuila, tabasco, Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan, Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacan, Oacxaca and even parts of Mexico City. The group has become ruthless because of its ability to recruit corrupt members of the police force. The group is also known to have training camps where members of Guatemala military train new recruits. All those happens even in the presence of elected government, judicial and police officials. Marginalization as a cause of thriving of Los Zetas success In order to understand the success of Los

The case of Hamdan v Rumsfeld Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The case of Hamdan v Rumsfeld - Essay Example de by Senate and Congress and the changing of the language in the bill whereby even though the courts would be stripped off jurisdiction in Guantanamo Bay cases, the pending cases would still be heard by the court. The fact that the legal language and points argued presented by the defense was based strictly on law and almost every one of them had the Supreme Court judges agree to them was evident that the case and ruling were solely based on strict construction. The ruling would however have been based on judicial activism had it been based on Columbia or Virginia as the ruling would have been political. The decision for the judges to base their ruling on strict construction was an indication of the judicial arm of the government being impartial and this boosts the society’s trust in this arm of the government. Allegation shave been made in the past about how the court prejudiced the courts are and the judges show much support to the politics and administration of the day rather than do what is right. This decision however completely changed that view and especially for the immigrants and people of other races who are considered minority like the Yemeni driver. The society will also start believing in the bill of rights as the decision which was based on the sixth amendment and the third Geneva Convention upheld fairness for all and accorded the prisoners in the military prison in Cuba a fighting chance for their cases to be heard and for them to be proven guilty or not as prisoners of war. The society can now start having more faith in the judicial system and believing that everyone has a fighting chance and a chance to be heard in court and the ruling made fair (Walsh and Craig 28). The social contract emphasizes that the individuals are the real people behind the government and even though they have appointed leaders as state people to govern them, they are just considered the guardians of the people’s rights (Rousseau, 26). These guardians are supposed

Effects of Alcoholic Drinks to College Students Essay Example for Free

Effects of Alcoholic Drinks to College Students Essay Although alcohol may give you a feeling of elation and aroused senses due to a lessening of inhibitions during the early stages of alcohol intoxication, alcohol is a depressant. It depresses the central nervous system—leading to slowed reactions, slurred speech, and ultimately, to unconsciousness. Alcohol progressively affects different brain areas. Alcohol first affects the part of the brain that controls inhibitions. When people lose their inhibitions, they may talk more, get rowdy, and do foolish things. After several drinks, they may feel â€Å"high,† but really, their nervous system is slowing down. Alcohol acts fast because it is not digested like food. Instead, it moves directly into the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine. It takes a long time for alcohol’s effects to wear off—as it takes approximately one hour for the liver to process the alcohol in one drink. ALCOHOL’S DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN Difficulty walking, blurred vision, slurred speech, slowed reaction times, impaired memory: Clearly, alcohol affects the brain. Some of these impairments are detectable after only one or two drinks and quickly resolve when drinking stops. On the other hand, a person who drinks heavily over a long period of time may have brain deficits that persist well after he or she achieves sobriety. Exactly how alcohol affects the brain and the likelihood of reversing the impact of heavy drinking on the brain remain hot topics in alcohol research today. We do know that heavy drinking may have extensive and far–reaching effects on the brain, ranging from simple â€Å"slips† in memory to permanent and debilitating conditions that require lifetime custodial care. And even moderate drinking leads to short–term impairment, as shown by extensive research on the impact of drinking on driving. A number of factors influence how and to what extent alcohol affects the brain (1), including * how much and how often a person drinks; * the age at which he or she first began drinking, and how long he or she has been drinking; * the person’s age, level of education, gender, genetic background, and family history of alcoholism; * whether he or she is at risk as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure; and * his or her general health status. BLACKOUTS AND MEMORY LAPSES Alcohol can produce detectable impairments in memory after only a few drinks and, as the amount of alcohol increases, so does the degree of impairment. Large quantities of alcohol, especially when consumed quickly and on an empty stomach, can produce a blackout, or an interval of time for which the intoxicated person cannot recall key details of events, or even entire events. Blackouts are much more common among social drinkers than previously assumed and should be viewed as a potential consequence of acute intoxication regardless of age or whether the drinker is clinically dependent on alcohol (2). White and colleagues (3) surveyed 772 college undergraduates about their experiences with blackouts and asked, â€Å"Have you ever awoken after a night of drinking not able to remember things that you did or places that you went? † Of the students who had ever consumed alcohol, 51 percent reported blacking out at some point in their lives, and 40 percent reported experiencing a blackout in the year before the survey. Of those who reported drinking in the 2 weeks before the survey, 9. 4 percent said they blacked out during that time. The students reported learning later that they had participated in a wide range of potentially dangerous events they could not remember, including vandalism, unprotected sex, and driving. Binge Drinking and Blackouts| †¢ Drinkers who experience blackouts typically drink too much and too quickly, which causes their blood alcohol levels to rise very rapidly. College students may be at particular risk for experiencing a blackout, as an alarming number of college students engage in binge drinking. Binge drinking, for a typical adult, is defined as consuming five or more drinks in about 2 hours for men, or four or more drinks for women. | ARE WOMEN MORE VULNERABLE TO ALCOHOL’S EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN? Women are more vulnerable than men to many of the medical consequences of alcohol use. For example, alcoholic women develop cirrhosis (5), alcohol–induced damage of the heart muscle (i. e. , cardiomyopathy) (6), and nerve damage (i. e. , peripheral neuropathy) (7) after fewer years of heavy drinking than do alcoholic men. Studies comparing men and women’s sensitivity to alcohol–induced brain damage, however, have not been as conclusive. Using imaging with computerized tomography, two studies (8,9) compared brain shrinkage, a common indicator of brain damage, in alcoholic men and women and reported that male and female alcoholics both showed significantly greater brain shrinkage than control subjects. Studies also showed that both men and women have similar learning and memory problems as a result of heavy drinking (10). The difference is that alcoholic women reported that they had been drinking excessively for only about half as long as the alcoholic men in these studies. This indicates that women’s brains, like their other organs, are more vulnerable to alcohol–induced damage than men’s (11). SUMMARY Alcoholics are not all alike. They experience different degrees of impairment, and the disease has different origins for different people. Consequently, researchers have not found conclusive evidence that any one variable is solely responsible for the brain deficits found in alcoholics. Characterizing what makes some alcoholics vulnerable to brain damage whereas others are not remains the subject of active research (34). The good news is that most alcoholics with cognitive impairment show at least some improvement in brain structure and functioning within a year of abstinence, though some people take much longer (35–37). Clinicians must consider a variety of treatment methods to help people stop drinking and to recover from alcohol–related brain impairments, and tailor these treatments to the individual patient. Advanced technology will have an important role in developing these therapies. Clinicians can use brain–imaging techniques to monitor the course and success of treatment, because imaging can reveal structural, functional, and biochemical changes in living patients over time. Promising new medications also are in the early stages of development, as researchers strive to design therapies that can help prevent alcohol’s harmful effects and promote the growth of new brain cells to take the place of those that have been damaged by alcohol.  ¦ As well as damaging their health, university students who drink too much alcohol may also be damaging their academic performance. Alcohol: The Benefits of Moderate Drinking Drinking alcohol in moderate amounts can have positive influences on physical and mental health. While alcohol is one of the most widely abused substances on the market, it is also one that features certain benefits for drinkers who consume it in safe amounts. For individuals who consume low levels of alcohol, benefits like reduced stress, increased cardiovascular health and decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes offer a wealth of reasons for consumers to drink in moderation. Reduce Stress, Anxiety and Tension. Research shows that the consumption of alcohol in moderate amounts can lead to certain psychological benefits. Low levels of alcohol can trigger stress reduction, easy feelings of anxiety and help consumers to reduce tension. In addition, low levels of alcohol consumption can also cause the consumer to feel more pleasant and relaxed. Studies on sleep show that people who drink in moderation get more sleep on average than do those who indulge in excess. These psychological effects of moderate drinking are positive ones that can be beneficial to the consumer. A Longer Life The positive psychological effects of drinking in moderation can be associated with the studies that show moderate drinkers tend to love longer than people who dont drink at all or those who drink in excess. Studies from a number of different countries including China, the United States and England indicate that longevity is highest among groups of people who drink alcohol in moderation. Increased Cardiovascular Health Several studies have shown that drinking alcohol in moderation has a positive correlation with certain aspects of cardiovascular health. In particular, the risk of developing coronary artery disease is significantly lowered in conjunction with moderate consumption of alcohol. Another link between alcohol and cardiovascular health shows that moderate consumption of alcohol has a positive correlation with survivability in the event of a heart attack. Those who drink low levels of alcohol are more likely to live and less likely to experience another heart attack. Alcohol produces several positive effects on the body when consumed in low levels. For example, it increases levels of good cholesterol (HDL) and lowers levels of bad cholesterol (LDL). Alcohol also acts as a blood thinner once it enters the human body, much like common aspirin does. Thus, when consumed in moderation, it can reduce the likelihood of developing blood clots in arteries. Decreased Risk for Type 2 Diabetes While consuming alcohol in large quantities has been proven to put drinkers at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, some studies show that drinking in moderation might have the opposite effect. The relationship between alcohol and type 2 diabetes is the focus of a great number of ongoing studies. Findings show, however, that moderate drinkers are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than heavy drinkers. All of these health benefits associated with moderate drinking serve as an incentive for consumers to limit their levels of alcohol intake. Too much alcohol eliminates the health benefits described above. The best way to maximize on the health benefits of alcohol is to consume it in low levels. Negative Effects of Drinking Alcohol on Physical Fitness While occasional alcohol use may not have a major impact on physical activity, there is a clear link between sports, exercise and drinking alcohol. In fact, alcohol is the most widely used drug by athletes which is why alcohol related difficulties seem to be more common among those who exercise regularly. It is clear that drinking in excess can negatively influence exercise. Studies done to determine the influence that alcohol has on exercise Studies have shown that consuming alcohol has the following influence on exercise: *Diminishes the use of amino acids and glucose by the muscles of the skeleton *A detrimental influence on the supply of energy *An impairment in metabolism while exercising In addition, persuasive evidence implies that continual use of alcohol is connected with unfavorable effects on systems of the body and organs, including the liver, brain, heart and blood vessels. Exercising while under the influence of alcohol Drinking alcohol has a negative influence on motor skills, stamina and aerobic ability. Alcohol has the following effects on motor skills: *Delayed reaction time *A decrease in hand-eye coordination *Less precision and balance Alcohol has the following effects on strength training and short term athletic functioning: *A decline in athletic performance as a whole. *Decreased times in cycling and running *Weakened pumping power of the heart *Impaired temperature control while exercising *Weakening of grip strength *Decreased jump altitude *Lower 200 and 400-meter running performance *Becoming tired more quickly while participating in high-intensity workouts Alcohol has the following effects on aerobic performance: *Dehydration *Considerably diminished aerobic performance *Hindered 800 and 1500-meter running speeds *An increase in health risks after working out in hot atmospheres for an extended amount of time Working out with a hangover. A hangover is caused by a number of factors including, dehydration and toxicity from the alcohol. The symptoms include a gloomy mood and headache. Unfortunately, these side effects can cause a decline in athletic performance. Working out with a hangover has been shown to considerably decrease aerobic adequacy by as great as 11 percent. Long term effects that alcohol has on exercise performance Long term, heavy (more than two drinks each day) alcohol use can impair exercise in the following ways: *Hindering the cardiovascular reaction to exercise *Cause nutritional deficits from changes in nutrient consumption, digestion and metabolism. *Cause muscle injury, wasting and feebleness in several muscles, including the heart. *Changing the bodys hormonal atmosphere It is also important to note that women might be more susceptible to the toxic results of alcohol on the heart. It is clear that drinking in excess can negatively influence exercise. Alcoholism is a growing problem in the United States and is even a problem in teenagers, too. Unfortunately, there are a variety of negative effects that are associated with the consumption of alcohol. While the negative effects can either be long term or short term, all of them start with the first drink of alcohol. Negative effects may not become apparent immediately, but as time goes on, the adverse effects of alcohol will become more and more noticeable and, in some cases, they can even lead to death. Diseases One of the negative effects that alcohol tends to have is the increased risk for multiple serious diseases. Increased consumption of alcohol can lead to serious medical problems such as cirrhosis of the liver, which often results in death. Infections, sleeping disorders and sexual dysfunctions can also be caused by consumption of alcohol. Recent studies have also shown that consumption of alcohol can actually raise the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer, throat cancer and intestinal cancer. Consuming alcohol can be very serious and there are many grave negative effects that are caused by alcohol. Avoiding alcohol can help you avoid these adverse effects and perhaps even save your life.

My Hair and I Essay -- Personal Narrative Writing

My Hair and I At some point in a woman's life, she is, if like most women, unhappy with her hair. A woman with straight hair wishes for curly ringlets. A woman with curly hair wants stick-straight locks. Thick and coarse desires to be fine and thinner. Fine and thin begs for thick hair. I was one of those women. My hair has an energy, personality, and life of her own. I refer to my hair as "she" because, although by technical definition my hair is not a separate living being, and although I have no proof of her life to show others, I know that she not only grows and reproduces (two characteristics by which many measure life), but she responds to stimuli, shows emotions, and can reason. For much of my life, my hair and I were diametrically opposed in appearance, personality, and temperament. On my head is a thick mane of jet-black coarse curly hair. Each hair is muscular, with enough heft and hutzpah to hold a 5-pound dumbbell. I, in contrast, am a very petite girl with the arm strength of a gnat. My hair is wild. I am demure. My hair is boisterous, I, except occasionally, am composed. My hair is an extrovert, gaining energy from those around her. I am an introvert, preferring to curl up with a good book. For many years, I coveted anyone's hair that was anything that my hair wasn't. Despite our differences, we have come to a mutual understanding. And, now, I can say, with some confidence, that my hair and I are friends, not just forced to be together because of genetics. But I can admit this only after years of hard lessons and experience. I can't remember the day my hair and I parted ways. We used to get along when we were young! Displayed in the ponytail fountain on top of my head, she was quite cooperative.... ...at night, I loved my hair, every single strand of it. I loved her ability to be straight or curly, sleek and sexy or fun and bouncy. I found myself brushing my hands through my hair, and she cherished the affection. I bought every hair product Pamela used in my hair, hopeful I could shape my hair myself. And, although it took a few weeks to learn Pamela's styling techniques, my hair and I quickly found a rhythm. We realized we didn't have to be enemies. We experimented with dozens of different hairstyles, lengths, products, and appliances, and my hair was amused by all of them. As much as possible, I tried to enjoy her assets, and she tried to respect my needs. Of course, occasionally, my hair would turn her mood at an inopportune time, but I was no longer caught by surprise when this happened. My hair and I have happily co-existed like this for many years.

An Analysis of the Correlation Between Socioeconomic Status and Obesity Essay

Conflict theory is based entirely in power and how those in power do all they can to hold the majority of the population down and to keep them from gaining power, so as to secure their own position. Conflict theorists would say that obesity is a product of the living conditions, stress and poor quality of food and health education. Obesity is seen as deviant and problematic and therefore conflicts with the ideal society of being fit and thin. The more obese the less power and stature you have in society. Conflict theorists might say that those that are in power, law makers, Fortune 500 CEO’s, for example, make cheaper good, make goods more unhealthy, and so the poor might only be able to afford cheap, unhealthy bulk food and become susceptible to obesity. Conflict theorists might say that food education might be controlled by larger government forces, for example the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture. These are the members of society who look out for their own bottom line and corporate interests from sponsors and lobbyists. They might limit education about food intake and what is healthy and unhealthy, they might suggest certain foods like beef or milk is healthy to appeal to the dairy industry, to keep our politicians funded with billions of dollars in donations. There is also the argument that by keeping people obese it allows for discrimination at work, in which they must work harder at getting raises because they cannot keep up with their thinner counterparts. Obese people have difficulty with their social lives and early death and numerous health complications that might further ensure the status of the powerful few at the top of the food chain. The Structural Functionalism theory argument is that obesity is a necessary part of society. Functionalist’s major argument is that everything that exists must have a meaning and must be useful towards society as a whole. Functionalists might argue that obese people will bring attention to the problems in health care and obesity might help in teaching those in power more our emotional connection to food and to further explore man’s relationship with eating and nourishment. The obese population might inspire others to be healthier and might inform and educate society as a whole about the dangers of obesity and its overall impact. Functionalist would say that to the obese would be bring an overall benefit to society. The symbolic interactionist theory demonstrates the effects towards obese people when they feel they are being perceived in a negative or unflattering way. The verbal and nonverbal cues that a fit or thin person demonstrates might create an obese person to withdraw even further from society and or turn to food as a coping mechanism thereby increasing weight. Obesity is most correlated to social discrimination and a feeling of being unworthy or weak due to the inability to resist food, for personal and emotional reasons. Obesity in society is a symbol of unhealthiness and unattractiveness which produces feelings of disgust, but obesity is a symbol in and of itself because our society makes us associate those things with obesity. There are cultures and societies around the world where being obese means status and power and it was seen as sexy and desirable. Everything we do is socially constructed as is our reactions and treatment of obese people.

Mining in the Philippines Essay

A. Introduction The Philippine Government believes that a well-developed minerals industry is an option that can catalyze economic development and community empowerment. Minerals are part of its national patrimony, hence there is a big responsibility to maximize the benefits that can be derived from their utilization with due regard to the protection of the environment and without sacrificing the interests of communities. The legal and administrative framework governing the minerals industry in the Philippines is contained in Republic Act No. 7942 (otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995) and given flesh by its revised implementing rules and regulations (Administrative Order No. 96-40) and its subsequent amendments. These policies advocate the sustainable development of mineral resources in the country. While both the Mining Act and its regulations provide a strong focus on environmental and social management, they continue to be the subject of debate by some non-government organizations who are questioning the compatibility of extraction and utilization of minerals with sustainable development. Also, they have questioned the constitutionality of the major provisions of the Mining Act governing the participation of foreign-owned corporations in the exploration, development and utilization of these mineral resources by filing a case at the Supreme Court in February, 1997. After eight years of study, the high court initially decided to sustain the charge of the contesting parties. However, after successful presentation of arguments by Government and industry on the merits of allowing foreign investors to participate in the development of the minerals industry, the case was finally resolved in December 1, 2004 when the high court reversed its earlier decision and upheld the constitutionality of the contested provisions in the Mining Act. With this legal impediment removed, exploration and development activities in the Philippine minerals industry is due to become vibrant once again. Compared to previous policy regimes on mining, the Mining Act calls for a greater responsibility from Government and the industry. Mining companies are expected to work closer with stakeholders to improve the quality of life within the communities where they operate. As regulator, Government, on the other hand, has the responsibility of establishing and maintaining the enabling environment for a sustainable development of the industry. Minerals development in the country is led by no less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines. In her declaration of a policy shift in mining â€Å"from tolerance to promotion†, minerals development was elevated among the priority economic activities in the country during her presidential tenure. Early this year, she signed Executive Order No. 270 which approved a national policy agenda on revitalizing the minerals industry based on the principles of sustainable development. From this order, a Minerals Action Plan (MAP) was subsequently formulated by Government to chart a roadmap for the future development of the minerals industry. Minerals development is now an important component of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan 2004-2010.

The Legal Environment of Business Essay Example

The Legal Environment of Business Essay Example The Legal Environment of Business Essay The Legal Environment of Business Essay Assume that you are the supervisor of an employee who has been accused of sexually harassing a fellow co-worker. What steps would you take to handle the situation? What are the potential legal issues of which you must be cognizant? How would you help your company avoid a potential charge of discrimination (by the employee bringing the internal charge) and/or retaliation (by the individual charged with the alleged violation)? Harassment of any kind can be down right nasty. The role of a supervisor is twofold. They must protect the well being of the company they represent as well as keep their employees informed and safe. It takes special innate and learned character traits to be an effective supervisor. One important trait I suppose would be the ability to represent three different parties at the same time. The parties being: the company, the staff in which they supervise and self. Let’s take this scenario as a case to study. For the sake of this illustration, I am Ashley. Jamie is hired as a set designer for a major company in L. A. She is a young, educated, spirited and married. One of the things that Ashley liked about Jamie when she hired her was her personal sense of style. The company sends Jamie all over the world to build movie and theater sets, whoever, most of her work is done in the companies L. A. warehouses. Given Jamie’s natural personality, she is always smiling, complementing others on their work as well as their personal appearance. A typical greeting from Jamie would be, â€Å"Good morning Gwen. I love your shirt. That color really looks great on you†. Another example would be, â€Å"Mr. Thomas, looking sharp†! That’s typical of what she would say to one of the board members. The industry Jamie works in is all about fashion, style and design and she is no exception. She always wears outfits that show she thought about it. Everything about Jamie demands attention in the most unintentional way. She isn’t loud and grandiose. In fact, even though she loves to give complements and highlight the good in others, she doesn’t like a lot of attention placed on her. Miles was hired one year after Jamie, also as a set designer. He was about five years Jamie’s senior and was recently engaged. Just as Jamie was with everyone, she smiled when she talked to Jamie and complemented his work and his appearance. Well one day, Miles made a comment to Jamie that made her feel uncomfortable. He said, â€Å"Jamie, what is your husband doing that keeps you smiling all the time†. She was really offended but she didn’t want to make a big deal out of what could very well have been nothing. She just ignored him and kept working. She thought that would be the first and last time he would say anything so inappropriate to her again so she just went on about her work as usual. But it didn’t stop. In fact it got worse. The comment that pushed Jamie over the edge if you will, is when the crew was working on a new set in Hawaii. It was during summer so it was really hot and humid. Jamie was wearing a simple white tank top and some blue jeans that had been cut off just above her thigh area. She was sitting straddled about a huge palm tree that had fallen down during the island’s last hurricane. Miles says, in front of everyone, â€Å"Hey Jamie, I sure would like to be that palm tree right about now†. Jamie was livid! She told him off real good and then went to talk to her supervisor Ashley about the sexual harassment she feels she has been experiencing at the hand of her co-worker Miles. Brabners says, â€Å"It is now unlawful for an employer to subject an individual to harassment. Harassment is defined as unwanted conduct on the grounds of a recipients sex or unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. (2008) Ashley is genuinely concerned about the accusations that has been brought to her attention and takes immediate actions. According to the Supreme Court, in order for the company not to be held liable for Miles’ alleged misdeeds, Ashley has to be sure to use reasonable care to prevent and correct the sexually harassing behavior. If everyone involved unreasonably failed to take advantage of the complaint procedure or other preventive opportunities provided by the company and termination, demotion or reassignment is a result, then the company is clear of liability. (391, Beatty) The first thing Ashley did was talk to both Jamie and Miles separately and they gave written statements to their perception of what happened. She was conscience not to take sides or express favor of one side over the other. During this process, she had each of them bring someone out side of the company with them for personal support as well as to be a witness to Ashley’s none biases position. Both Jamie and Miles were instructed to keep the situation confidential and to not discuss any parts of the accusations at work or to anyone in affiliation with the company whether during company hours or not. After a month long internal investigation, Miles was offered a lower paying position in another department. He refused and threatened to sue. He didn’t stand a chance at winning because evidence had proven that he had indeed been sexually harassing Jamie as well as other female and homosexual employees. Ashley really could have fired him but instead she offered him a position that he more than likely would refuse. He voluntarily ended his employment as predicted. The way Ashley chose to handle this situation save the company from a law suit from either Jamie or Miles. She also saved the company from having to pay unemployment because Miles quite voluntarily. He was never denied employment. Even after he was found guilt of sexual harassment, he could have continued working for the company yet he refused. Prevention is the best tool for the elimination of sexual harassment. An employer should take all steps necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring, such as affirmatively raising the subject, expressing strong disapproval, developing appropriate sanctions, informing employees of their right to raise and how to raise the issue of harassment under Title VII, and developing methods to sensitize all concerned. Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Sex U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission After that incident, the company had everyone go through sensitivity training which dealt with handling every thing from race to religion in the work place. The company also developed a peer mediation group system. This process is to be used before it goes to upper management. This way an issue can be resolved without the treat of unfavorable consequences. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects individuals against employment discrimination on the basis of sex as well as race, color, national origin, and religion. Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations, as well as to the federal government. Title VIIs prohibitions against sex-based discrimination also cover sexual harassment. According to The U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, this includes practices ranging from direct requests for sexual favors to workplace conditions that create a hostile environment for persons of either gender, including same sex harassment. (EEOC) Harassment of any kind is unacceptable and more laws are being passed to protect the civil rights of all people. We all have a responsibility to make where we work safe in every way. This includes sanity. Reference: Beatty, Jeffrey F. nd Samuelson, Susan S. (2008). Legal Environment Third Edition. Thomson Higher Education. Mason, OH. Brabners, Chaffe, and Street. (2008). Discrimination on Grounds of Sex. Retrieved May 5, 2008 from discriminationonline. com/employer/sex_discrimination. asp Lectric Law Library. (2008). Guidelines For Employers On Sexual Harassment. Retrieved May 5, 2008 from lectlaw. com/files/emp32. htm The U. S. Equal Emplo yment Opportunity Commission. (2008). Sex-Based Discrimination. Retrieved May 5,2008 from eeoc. gov/types/sex. html

What are the TWO most important things we need to create, and what are Essay - 1

What are the TWO most important things we need to create, and what are the TWO most important obstacles we need to overcome, in dealing with the digital divide - Essay Example consists of the people who have effective access to computer and information technologies and second category comprises of those who do not have accessibility to such resources. There is no doubt that digital technologies and computer have revolutionized the human life largely (Dickard & Schneider, 2002). The paper emphasizes on the importance of equal distribution of resources in all segments i.e. race, education, socioeconomic status etc. Other factors that affect digital divide are existing social economic cultural and learning inequalities. In purview of the complexity of the issue, US federal and state government, internet and computer industry have formulated various focused strategies to spread computer and internet accessibility to every individual. Education is probably the most important issue that affects the ability to gain from technology and minimize the issue of digital divide at greater extent. Generous quantum of time and financial resources are required to provide quality computer education to children at schools and especially to those students who do not have facility of computer at their homes. In this article, Harouna Ba (2009) also explains and throws light on the generalized access model consisting of four universal categories. This model includes technology for disabled people, youth development plans to boost youth leadership, research policies and youth media. Moreover, the introduction of home level programs is mandatory to educate society to its. Another significant thing, on which we need to exercise our focus, is formulation of product and services design industries. The prime drivers of this mission includes the goal of widening and extending the use of internet by developing alternative designs, maintaining lower cost of computing and technical training, and easy accessibility of the training institutes (Centre for Educational Research and Innovation, 2000). These procedures are most likely to help making technology designs and

Music and dance an aspect of Caribbean culture Essay

Music and dance an aspect of Caribbean culture - Essay Example It is acknowledged that the creolization of the Caribbean culture may well be the key to understanding the numerous and interrelated forms of music and dance expression. In Caribbean music and dance, one can find an ever-changing mixture of percussion and vocal styles traceable to West Africa; as well as melodic and harmonic forms derived from European culture. Caribbean musicians have blended and simmered these musical influences, transforming the various ingredients into something new and unique. And of course, there is continual cross–fertilization among the islands, as variations are made to keep the music fresh, making for the Caribbean’s vital input into the international music scene. One by one rumba, beguine, calypso and reggae have taken not only the United States but the entire world by storm. Part of the power and allure of the Caribbean music is its constant rediscovery of the island’s African heritage. The steel drum of Trinidad evokes the drum choirs of West Africa, salsa and even reggae are drawn from the call-and-response style of West Africa. The music and dance culture of Caribbean lands have changed with the growth of national pride and numerous American influence. In recent years, Jamaican reggae has exerted the greatest influence on the international market of any Caribbean music. The music of the Caribbean is dance music, meant to provide a few moments of freedom from the routines of daily existence. According to, â€Å"the dances of the Caribbean nations mostly are comprised of social dances..†