Saturday, August 31, 2019

Comparing Poems Essay

Identity is different for every person, it is what separates us all and makes us unique. Identity can be split into many categories. In the poem ‘Nothing’s Changed’, segregation is used to show us the poets feelings whereas ‘Half-Caste’ is mainly focused on racial equality.  Each of the poets structure their poems in ways that express their feelings and ideas about identity; the differences in each vary. ‘Half-Caste’ consists of 4 stanzas, written with a lack of punctuation and in patois dialect that allows the reader the freedom to express the poem in a way that they wish. Also, the haphazard, informal way that the poem is written suggests it should be read aloud. This reflects John Agard’s strive for freedom. The phrase, ‘Explain yuself/wha yu mean/when yu say half-caste’, is a refrain. This refrain is repeated throughout the poem to question the reader. It is an aggressive confrontation between the reader and the poet that elicits an answer from the reader. ‘Nothing’s Changed’ is written formally so that the poet can express a controlled anger. Segregation is used to show the separate identities of blacks and whites. It is set out in 7 stanzas. The formal punctuation and structure is very organised which makes the poem seem like a story. Language is used to a dramatic effect in both poems, it reveals the poet’s ideas about identity. Firstly, in ‘Half-Caste’ there is a pun of the half-caste weather, ‘yu mean when light an shadow/mix in de sky/is a half-caste weather/’, this play on words mocks the phrase ‘half-caste’ which emphasises the poets feelings about a half-caste identity. In ‘Nothing’s Changed’, throughout the first stanza there is a series of onomatopoeias that give the reader the image of a man walking in a baron place. The mood of the poet is very much reflected in the language of ‘Half-Caste’ and portrays the image of anger, confusion and annoyance. An example of this language is: ‘Ah listening to yu wid de keen/half of mih ear†¦why I offer yu half-a-hand’. This gives the reader the representation of a ridiculous happening, which is disrespectful to the opposing person. ‘Nothing’s Changed’ also shares a similar mood of anger and frustration. The poet writes:  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœand the skin about my bones/and  the soft labouring of my lungs,  /and the hot, white, inwards  turning/anger of my eyes.’  This includes within it repetition, powerful, angry words and references to body parts that identify the person’s feeling of a painful anger. The poets use language to reveal their feelings about identity in both similar and different ways. They both project anger and confusion about the attitude of today’s society knowing that equality is not present. In ‘Nothing’s Changed’ the poet writes:  Ã¢â‚¬ËœHands burn/for a stone, a bomb,  /to shiver down the glass. /  Nothing’s Changed.’  This begins with a metaphor; ‘Hands burn’ which shows the person is feeling angry. The words ‘a bomb,/to shiver down the glass.’ Are extremely effective as the glass acts as a symbolic barrier between colours and to ‘shiver down’ this glass would be to break the differences/barriers between people of different colours. The poem ends with ‘Nothing’s Changed’, which basically sums the whole theory up: there always has been and always will be inequality within the world. This is similar to ‘Half-Caste’ because throughout this poem John Agard is saying that people have no respect for each other and never will. He hopes though by saying ‘but yu must come back tomorrow†¦de other half/of my story’ that one day the prejudice might be put aside and people will come back with a better attitude towards each other. The identities that both poets show to reveal their feelings are similar because they both feel as though they have been victimized. The similarity is that in ‘Half-Caste’ the man emphasises his thoughts by expanding things out of proportion to prove a point: ‘Ah listening to yu wid de keen/half of mih ear†¦why I offer yu half-a-hand’, and in ‘Nothing’s Changed’ the person also takes things and changes them into something worse. An example of this is when it says ‘whites only inn/No sign says it is:/but we know where we belong.’ This is saying that the restaurant is only for rich, white people even though he knows there isn’t a sign saying so (He knows that if he goes in he will be laughed at). Both poems are similar also because they are based on black people being discriminated against by white. Both of these poems were very interesting and presented me with a question, which was how could I break down the barriers people have to make them better people? The poem I favoured was ‘Nothing’s Changed’ because it was easier to picture as a story and I feel that the majority of people have felt like an outsider at least once in their life. ‘Half-Caste’ did bring a strong point across but I believe that it was brought across in a bizarre and confusing way whereas ‘Nothing’s Changed ‘ was easier to relate to from a past event.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Ramadan & Eternal Child †Irma Stern Essay

Irma was fascinated with the Arab culture of East Africa and she frequently visited Zanzibar. Ramadan is considered a key painting in Irma’s career. She began depicting beauty in the atmosphere of the painting, rather than the external image of the subject matter. This work shows an elderly Arabic man sitting hunched over and praying. We see how calm and peaceful the Islamic man remains even though he sit amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy bazaar. Irma displays a feeling of spirituality & wisdom, as the man is shown as aged. The focal point is the old man’s white turban, and the large form of his body. The vertical composition of this work gives off the sense of strength. The foreground is mainly composed of the man’s body while the background is full of unidentifiable shapes representing the busy market crowds. The figures in this work are strongly outlined. Tonal values have been simplified, and natural, neutral colours have been used, which is rare due to Irma’s usual preference to bright, lucid use of colour. Loose, quick brush strokes have been used, connecting Irma’s work to that of an Expressionist. The Eternal Child, 1916 This work was one of very few with the subject of children that Irma painted. After her divorce in 1934 she showed very little maternal instinct in her artworks. The Eternal Child was the first painting that Irma did that clearly showed the change in her style of painting, and was done with oil paints on board. It shows her individualistic way of capturing the subject matter, which, in this case, is a young girl. Irma spotted this girl on German train, and she painting this figurative artwork from memory. This way she could interpret reality however she liked. Max Pechstein greatly applauded this work as he saw that the painting could evoke strong emotions and reactions from the viewer. The girl’s large head and small body indicates fragility, as do her small hands grasping flowers. Irma is showing the damage of war on the youth. Children are defenseless and afraid, yet hope glimmers in their eyes. The young girl’s eyes are wide and hopeful, as are the bright flowers. The focal point of The Eternal Child is the pink,  founded face of the girl. The tonal values of the painting greatly contrast, and the background colour is flat giving the work a lack of depth. In fact, all the colours in the work are flat leading the painting to be seen as two-dimensional, though the detail of the face does have depth.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Innovative Widgets Customer Service Plan Essay

Vision †¢This is a statement of how you envision customer services being delivered in the future In five years’ time, Innovative Widgets will be the leader in customer service satisfaction, providing timely, responsive service with integrity, simplicity and a passion for excellence, while meeting or exceeding the customer’s expectations. Mission statement †¢This defines what a company will do to achieve its vision. It may include the company’s functions, goals and philosophies The mission of Innovative Widgets is to always convey a passion for the customer and to consistently deliver the best service experience. Innovative Widgets defines customer service as any activity provided by an Innovative Widget employee that enhances the ability of a customer to realize the full potential value of an Innovative Widget product or service before and after the sale is made, thereby leading to Customer Satisfaction and repurchase. Product standards †¢Provide a clear description of the product standards or specifications (page 27). †¢Use the information provided in the case study. †¢If the information for one aspect of the product is not available in the case study, use your own judgement to outline a reasonable standard. Product (widget) aspectProduct standard or specification DimensionsMean widget size = 10mm Tolerances+/- 3% variance (0.03) = all widgets including tolerances = 9.7mm – 10.3mm PricingCompetitive pricing which is determined by the size and materials MaterialMetal and plastic Delivery3 day guarantee delivery via courier or pick up 24 hours after order taken Customer information and market research policy and procedure †¢Outline policies and procedures for gathering customer information and conducting market research to identify customer needs using the RATER model Policy Customer information and market research policy and procedure Purpose To remain competitive as Australia’s leading manufacturer and distributor of widgets by identifying our customers’ needs Relevant legislation †¢Privacy Act 1998 (Commonwealth) †¢Australia’s Spam Act 2003 †¢Competition and Consumers Act 2010 Procedures Using the RATER model Innovative Widgets will identify customer needs †¢Customer service employees are to contact clients by email or telephone to understand their experiences and expectations †¢Customer service employees will use active listening skills to ensure all information is correct and up to date. †¢Customer service employees will obtain information of all customers using the RATER survey which will focus on the following criteria; Reliability: Deliver what we promise in service and product Assurance: Ensuring our customer have trust in our knowledge and confidence in our ability to deliver Tangibles: Always representing Innovative Widgets at a high standard Empathy: Being attentive to our customers using active listening and courteous language Response: Always going above and beyond in all customer interactions as well as internal customers. †¢Customer service Managers will analyse the survey results to determine customer needs Updated (date)CEO Innovative Widgets 2014 Customer complaints policy and procedure †¢Outline policies and procedures for responding to customer complaints Policy Complaints policy and procedure Purpose The purpose of this policy is to ensure the management of complaints is carried out consistently, fairly and transparently and in accordance with organisational requirements. Relevant legislation †¢Privacy Act 1998 (Commonwealth) †¢Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) †¢Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Commonwealth) †¢Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) Procedures †¢Greet the customer courteously and give them your name †¢Listen fully to what the customer is saying. Try to gather all the facts about the complaint and jot them down. Ask questions and summaries what they are saying †¢Never argue with the customer †¢Apologise for any product fault or poor service. Be sympathetic. Ask if the customer will allow us to send the faulty item to our quality department for testing. †¢When you have all the details about the complaint, ask the customer how they would like it to be resolved Updated (date)10/2011 CFO Managing records and data policy and procedure †¢Outline policies and procedures for managing records and data Policy Managing records and data policy and procedure Purpose The purpose of this document is to establish a framework for the implementation and maintenance of an appropriate records management system. Innovative Widget is committed to maintaining a records management system that meets its business needs as well as its legal and accountability requirements. Relevant legislation †¢Privacy Act 1988 †¢Anti-discrimination legislation †¢Do Not Call Register Act 2006 †¢Industry codes of practice Procedures †¢Innovative Widgets records and data are accurate, up-to-date and clear to ensure that they can be used for the benefit of the customer and service provision †¢They must be understood by anyone who needs access to them †¢They are to be treated as confidential and kept secure as per Privacy Act 1998 †¢Customer are allowed to see the information which Innovative Widgets hold about them †¢Any incorrect information must be changed or destroyed Updated (date)CEO Innovative Widgets 2014 Reflection Reflect on how the design of your plan will work to achieve quality customer service and legal compliance. You may wish to include †¢how procedures will work to ensure quality time and cost specifications agreed with customers †¢key provisions of legislation and mandatory standards and an explanation as to why they are relevant to aspects of your plan, particularly policies and procedures †¢best practice models and voluntary standards and codes of practice which inform your plan †¢customer service charters and the importance for public relations and product/service promotion; discussion whether a customer service charter should be developed for Innovative Widgets to explain the organisation’s customer service policy to customers. The main issue with the performance of Innovative Widgets is the implications of the continued bad customer service. In line with the Innovative Widget’s mission statement; to always convey a passion for the customer and to consistently deliver the best service experience. †¢Using the RATER model as the key training tool and used as the underlying aspect of all procedures, will ensure superior customer service; oAlways delivering what we promise in service and product (reliability) oEnsuring our customers have trust in our knowledge and confidence in our ability to deliver to the highest standard (assurance) oAlways representing Innovative Widgets in a positive way (tangibles) oBeing attentive to our customers, using active listening and courteous language (empathy) oAlways going above and beyond in all customer interactions as well as internal customers (responsiveness) †¢All legal aspects are covered to ensure legislation compliance which include; oPrivacy Act 1998 (Commonwealth), Australia’s Spam Act 2003, Competition and Consumers Act 2010, Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic), Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic), Anti-discrimination legislation, Do Not Call Register Act 2006, Industry codes of practice

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Hotel 267 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hotel 267 - Essay Example One of the major problems facing this hotel is the way the guests are handled on arrival. The rates of greetings at the entrance and manner of paying attention to the guest socially has reduced since the year 2011 to the year 2014. This factor seems to be deteriorating as time goes by. Customers need to feel welcome when they arrive at a hotel. They need to know that their presence is accepted and appreciate d and that the employees are going to serve their needs. It would therefore be better for the hotel’s performance if the management urges their employees to exchange polite pleasantries with the guests at the hotel be it the driver or the cashier. It will enable the customer feel encouraged to come again another day. The quality of the knowledge that the concierge practice has seems to be deteriorating since the year 2011 to 2014 which reflect a steady decline in the knowledge ability of the concierge. Something like this could discourage a lot of guests from staying at this hotel despite the quality expressed in other services within the hotel. This is because a customer needs to be assured of quality medical treatment should anything go wrong with their health during their stay at the hotel. The management should ensure that they hire concierge doctors that are knowledgeable about health conditions and how to go about treating them. The working order of matters within the organization has reduced. This shows that there is poor coordination of activities within the hotel which may disrupt the kind of attention being given to the guests. It would be wise if the management fixed this problem through coming up with strategies of running the hotel in an organized manner. It should be clear the duties of each individual and how they should go about them to ensure that there is no confusion in the running of errands and customer

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Volunteer Service Evaluation Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Volunteer Service Evaluation Paper - Essay Example It provides a holistic approach to an individual through a wellness approach of enhancing the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth while promoting creative, social and vocational living. For seniors seeking fulfilling and an active lifestyle they provide the Holiday Touch. According to Greeley place, their staffs understand that everybody is unique and their needs change over time and thus offer personalized care to help the seniors enjoy life. They are committed to improving the lives of seniors. To them providing comfort, care and security to the seniors is fulfilling and they feel it’s a calling and not a job. They organize for the seniors innovative programs and activities as well as travelling which is both fun and promotes personal growth. According to Greeley place all the daily chores are attended by the staff and what seniors do is just to create a cheerful and friendly community. They senior citizen also support other organizations and causes in society such as the American Cancer Society. Through individual participation in volunteering one gets firsthand experience on how to interact with people of special needs such as the elderly. You learn on what to expect in retirement as well as prepare for the same. It more fulfilling to see the elderly appreciated by society through attending to them and volunteering is a way of giving back to

What dose future hold for organanized labor in the u.s commercial Research Paper

What dose future hold for organanized labor in the u.s commercial aviation industry - Research Paper Example The decline in organized labor was to such an extent that by the beginning of the 21st century, it represented less than 10% of private sector workers although in the public sector organized labor still represented about 35% of all workers. In 2005, there was another setback to organized labor, when two of America’s most powerful unions – SEIU and Teamsters – resigned from AFL-CIO. The commercial aviation industry has been undergoing several setbacks due to rising prices for jet fuel, increasing uneasiness about the legacy carriers moving towards bankruptcy which can disrupt the market place, and issues such as public liability potential for unfounded pensions of major carriers (ENO, 2005). Strategies in the commercial aviation and airlines industry has been evolving based on two factors – growing concern for passenger safety and ever increasing and changing consumer demands and expectations (Appelbaum & Fewster, 2003). The strategy thus has to focus on ho w the HR department aligns the activities, policies and procedures with the employee and labor relations. Despite these challenges, passengers traveling by air is on the rise and is expected to double by 2025 (ENO, 2005). The aircraft operations are expected to triple which implies that public confidence in safety is back to normal. It is feared that public safety may be taken for granted in the future, which could lead to under funding of safety measures. It is very important that Air Traffic Management (ATM) system handles the growing congestion in the skies efficiently and safely. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the past two decades had failed to bring about significant improvement. There are inefficiencies built into the current labor contracts within the airline labor unions. According to a union representative the airline management cannot ‘plead temporary insanity’ regarding the

Monday, August 26, 2019

Hamiltons and Jefferson's political philosophy Essay

Hamiltons and Jefferson's political philosophy - Essay Example Hamilton’s and Jefferson's political philosophy There were two camps who came head to head over advocating different ideologies; on one side there was Alexander Hamilton, the secretary of treasury under Washington who advocated a strong centralized government, while on the other hand there was Thomas Jefferson, the secretary of state under Washington and the third President of the U.S. who was against a centralized government and favored a republican government that would have more to do with foreign affairs and less with the laws that have been imposed in any state of the country. Jefferson opposed a centralized form of government feeling that it would threaten the notions of freedom laid down by the Constitution. Jefferson did everything that was in his power to make sure that America did not become the â€Å"new† England under King George III, which would be disastrous to the cause of the revolution on which basis the American nation had been founded. Alexander Hamilton had a different point of view. Alexander Hamilton could be considered an elitist who advocated that rich and well-born are the chosen ones to rule the country (Nagel 76). Alexander Hamilton believed that a country like America would not survive if it gives too much freedom to its states as doing that would mean fueling their desire of their own independence. Hamilton was like a deputy to George Washington and was quite effective in formulating the policy of incorporation of centralized government in the United States.... According to Hamilton, I believe the British government forms the best model the world has ever produced...This government has for its object public strength and individual security. (Pollard 69) He viewed the British form of government in the exact opposite context as was seen by Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton was accepting the good points of a centralized government point of view in the British form of government against the bad points of freedom laid down by the same government. The section of the U.S. politics from which Hamilton originated was very concerned with the survival of the 13 states that made up the United States of America back in that time, regardless of what the role of government was defined. However, he was quite sure that the vision put forward by Thomas Jefferson, a republican form of government, was in no way practical for the survival of states. Jefferson interpreted the constitution as sacred text that defines the rights of the government. According to Jefferson the government shall be defined in the following way: "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." (Baghatur 239) He wanted to prove Hamilton wrong who proclaimed that a government with limited powers will not be able to guarantee the survival of

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Real and personal property Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Real and personal property - Essay Example Property is usually divided into two aspects; the first being the personal property and the second is real property. Real property is usually restricted to matter revolving around land or what is sometimes called ‘in rem’. On the other hand, personal property revolves around chattels or what may sometimes be defined as ‘in personam’. In modern law, property can be examined under a series of models.; the first one amongst these is property as a fact. The second is property as a right and the third is property as a responsibility. In the legal system, real and personal property ownership is governed by property law rights when considering the common law system. In the civil law legal system, there is a distinction between movable and immovable property. Real property is largely encompassed by immovable property while personal property is associated with movable property. Consequently, the rights associated with these types of property are entailed in property law. (Liuzzo & Bonnice, 2005) In legal terms, the process of declaring that certain property belongs to an individual is not adequate enough to constitute property. Instead, this matter is usually all embracing when certain persons need to have their rights to chattels or land respected and enforced by the law. It is essential for one to acquire property legitimately in accordance to the law so as to seek its protection. This is usually acquired by possession of a title to that property. There are a series of differences that arise when one considers the issue of personal versus real property. The most outstanding difference among them is with regard to immobility. Usually, real property can be considered immobile while personal property is mobile. This means that the rule governing the latter’s transference are radically different from those governing the former. Real property

Saturday, August 24, 2019

CRJS350(5) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

CRJS350(5) - Research Paper Example There was a crowd of onlookers a few meters away from the building and the Department store was still swallowed upin flames. Following his initial investigations, the Battalion fire chief informed me of his initial findings as outlined below. According to the Battalion Chief, there were about one hundred people in the group of onlookers around the building. In addition, he reported that he and his team found three cans of gas containers made out of plastic, all of which he presented me with at the scene.These cans each had an equal capacity of three gallons and all of them had remnants of a substance that smelled like gasoline. Furthermore, all of the cans had their spouts attached on them, though none of them was still capped. In this regard, one of my investigators took the three cans as evidence for further investigation. The battalion chief related that the fire had three points of origin. One point of origin is upstairs in the rear warehouse section, one in the upstairs ladiesâ €™clothing department, and one downstairs in the side entrance of the store where the outdoor and garden section is located. It is clearly an arson fire. The battalion chief further informed me that his team was able to contain the fire in about 45 minutes, and he released the scene shortly after that. I was aware, from local media sources that this scene was one of the 6,000 stores in the United States, and they are very successful. TheNevanon Discount Department store was two stories high and has a customer elevator in the front of the store and a freight elevator in the rear. I was also aware that this chain of stores has had employee relationship problems—specifically with gender inequality—and recently laid off 18 women for complaining. Identification and interview of witnesses The actions that can be taken pertaining to the crowd of onlookers that helped identify the offender included interviewing various groups of peopleto get all the necessary background in formation to establish whether the fire was accidental or incendiary (Munday, 1995).  In order to identify and interview the witnesses to the incidents, two actions I took two actions as follows. Firstly, I Contacted the Battalion Chief, identified the first first-in firefighters and responder, as well as documented their observations through interviews. Secondly, I identified the individual who reported the fire, the owner of the building (manager), the last person in the building just before the incident and one person who witnessed the fire, from the onlookers. I interviewed them and got the information from them about what transpired before, during and after the building caught fire, respectively (Quintiere, 1997). Scene security The two areas that I checked to ensure the scene could be searched safely included the normal entry points and the possible entry points for the potential suspect, as well as other ventilation points, including windows. This is because, it was necessa ry to know which points my team and I could use to move in and out of the building without destroying evidence (Hitt, 2000). Secondly, I evaluated the scene for safety hazards like smoke levels and structural collapse. This is because smoke contains carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas, which are very lethal gases and may result into serious respiratory problems, and possibly death, within few minutes after continuous

Friday, August 23, 2019

Should there be legislation for equal pay be for both men and women in Research Paper

Should there be legislation for equal pay be for both men and women in the same job - Research Paper Example These encompass long held theories regarding the female gender, sex discrimination and in some occasions hypotheses regarding women’s incompetence (Coolidge 9). However, the female gender has waged defense the on basis of huge their labor that goes unpaid and unnoticed besides meager remuneration in their respective workplace (Coolidge 9). Studies contend an average female loses an approximate $420,000 in her life (Coolidge 9). This does not comprise unrecognized household chores and childbearing matter that has prompted women to lag behind in their careers (Coolidge 9). A. Women ought to receive similar remuneration considerations with men (Coolidge 9). This is regardless of either former or present notions, which corporations, states’ regimes, men and society may be holding against them. Since, their contribution is similar to that of men except in various situations whereby nature exempts them from being active, for instance pregnancy. B. There should be no equal rem uneration amid the two genders. This is due to unequal contribution in the same job capacity despite the two genders having the same education or expertise. Mainly, women tend to be slow, reluctant, and not ambitious besides in certain situations excepting themselves due to pregnancy or other varied issues. II. Unequal remuneration amid the genders up to date is still evident (Drinan 18). This is regardless of numerous Acts instituted and implemented with an intention of ending gender disparity (Drinan 18). Since, the respective authorities lack effective measures meant to make adequate follow ups, mostly evident with transition of numerous regimes. For illustration, after President Carter instituting the 1980’s Act, both the following leaders failed to ratify it except Bill Clinton who gave it a light implementation, hence offering insignificant contribution in ending gender disparity (Drinan 18). Consequently, studies reveal that an average woman losses approximately $420,0 00 in her lifetime (Coolidge 9). This continues to widen both sexes’ pay gap regardless of the developing states boasting about their stable economies (O'Beirne 29). However, other arguments contend that, there are women who earn more compared to men especially in the challenging fields, for illustration engineering. Therefore, those claiming to earn little usually venture in the less paying jobs, which entail consistency to the extent female gender cannot keep up due to their inevitable natural exemptions (childbearing issues) (Coolidge 9). In addition, Britain studies reveal a decrease in the pay gap between men and women despite unproductive measures meant to ensure adequate follow-ups (Gavin 12). However, this trend is extremely slow due to wages’ stagnation especially by the low-income earners (Gavin 12). III. Women’s remuneration should equal the task(s) mandated to undertake in their respective areas because this ensures gender equality among the employee s (Kiama). A. Equal pay aids corporations in avoiding gender inequality, which according studies is the leading â€Å"dissatisfier'† in the workplace (Kiama). 1. Approximately 48% people contended that, unfairness especially in the workplace yields to employees’ demoralization. This is regardless of other varied aspects instituted by the employer to ensure good working environment (Kiama). 2. The 2010 (CIPD)’

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Ethnic group Essay Example for Free

Ethnic group Essay Discussion about race and ethnicity has increased steadily over the last several years. Recent discussion has centered on whether the differences between race and ethnicity are necessary, damaging, or beneficial. There is also much to be said about race relations across the globe and many questions to be pondered. Writing about race can be difficult, and discussion about race even more difficult. The idea is that with research and knowledge, it is much easier to have an intelligent, well-informed discussion about issues that affect all of us. Listed below are some possible essay topics: Race vs. Ethnicity Is the idea of â€Å"race† a human construction that is further separating people in countries across the globe? Does science support the idea that â€Å"ethnicity† more clearly defines us, and therefore, should be how we see each other? Discuss the inherent differences and similarities between race and ethnicity and the importance of them. Race issues in American TV shows and movies Explain through examples and research how different races are portrayed on television and/or movies. Are stereotypes exploited? Are stereotypes nullified? What about the presentation of race in cartoons, e. g. , the Disney movies? Race and the criminal justice system It is commonly believed that minorities are at a disadvantage when it comes to the justice system. Is this true? Are there disproportionate numbers of minorities convicted of crimes? Racial profiling Examine the hot-topic debate about racial profiling. Consider situations that might involve profiling: driving; airport screening; renting/buying housing; shopping and shoplifting; college entrance; and job hiring practices. Discrimination in hiring The topic of discriminatory hiring practices can be explored on its own. Available research will include news reports of instances and court cases. Also review the laws in place to prevent such practice. More possible topics: Should racial profiling be a legitimate law enforcement policy in some areas? †¢Should Affirmative Action for state university enrollment be continued? †¢Should the primary method of public school funding (property taxes in individual school districts) be amended to create more fairness in schools? †¢If a university offers â€Å"African-American Studies or Black Studies as courses, should it also offer European-American Studies or White Studies? †¢How do certain television programs perpetuate racial or ethnic stereotypes? †¢Should schools only purchase textbooks that offer revised or alternative perspectives on historical events? †¢What should be done about racial disparities in the sentencing of criminals? †¢Should the American government pay reparations and return land to Native Americans? †¢Should hate groups have the right to distribute literature on university campuses? †¢If research shows that certain racial or ethnic groups receive poorer medical care on average, how should this problem be corrected? †¢Should government organizations have staff that accurately reflect the racial, ethnic, and gender balance in society? Assignment: Choose one of the above listed topics, a combined topic from above, or a topic of your own choosing that somehow relates to the issue of race and ethnicity. Research the topic, choosing at least 3 sources that you can also easily print to bring to class. This will be an in-class essay with two days of writing that will be at least 4 pages. Type a works cited page and bring it to be turned in with the essay and the printed sources.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

The Importance of Communication Essay Example for Free

The Importance of Communication Essay Foundations Workers at all levels of an organization, be they CEOs, middle managers, or entry-level staff, recognize that change is inevitable. However, the successful implementation of organizational change in response to changes in an organization’s external environment can be one of the greatest challenges top-level leaders face. Regardless of how far-seeing and meticulously planned organizational change may be, it will not be effectively implemented unless it is communicated to an organization’s staff in such a way that resistance is overcome, fears are assuaged, confusion is minimized, and buy-in by all affected individuals is secured. Kurt Lewin (as cited in Evans, Ward, Rugaas, 2000) was one of the first to develop a model of behavioral change in his 1951 book, Field Theory in Social Sciences. Lewin described three stages as being necessary in the implementation of a change in a person’s behavior. The first of these is unfreezing, the stage during which a person becomes ready to learn or acquire a new behavior, perhaps by recognizing the ineffectiveness of a current behavior or by learning about the benefits that would accrue if the new behavior were implemented. The second stage is the change itself, which will involve a trial period during which the person familiarizes him or herself with the new behavior. Finally, the refreezing stage occurs as the new behavior becomes habitual or ingrained with the individual. Thinkers in the management field have applied this model to the process of change within organizations. In order for change to be effectively and lastingly implemented, all staff affected by the change must go through this unfreezing-changing-refreezing process. Kotter (1995) lists eight steps that leaders of organizations should take in order to successfully implement change. One of the most crucial steps in the process, and the step during which many attempts at organizational  change fail, is communicating the vision of change to the staff via every possible means. He notes that a classic error made by leaders trying to implement change is under-communication of the change to the staff that will be implementing it. The most effective communicators discuss the change at every opportunity and incorporate the discussion into day-to-day activities such as performance reviews, employee training courses, and quarterly production meetings, thus making clear to employees not only the overarching vision of change for the organization, but also exactly where the employee fits into the process. Organizational leaders must also behave in ways that are consistent with the vision they are promoting: communication regarding the change should occur not only via words, but also via deeds (Kotter, 1995). Communication about change aids in the unfreezing of old behaviors, the transition during which new behaviors are adopted, and the refreezing of the new behavior into habit. In fact, Ford and Ford (1995) claim that change does not occur except in that it is mediated by communication; in other words, communication is the context within which change occurs. They describe four types of conversations that move the change process through its successive phases: initiative conversations, that begin the change process by focusing the participants’ attention on what needs to be done; conversations of understanding, during which the participants seek to make sense of the problem and start generating methods of addressing it; conversations of performance, which concentrate on producing the intended result; and conversations for closure, during which the change process is determined to be complete. This model of change as mediated by the conversations that instigate and guide it differs from previous thought in which communication about the change is presented as a single stage in the change process, although it expands upon Kotter’s (1995) call for communication regarding change to occur in as many contexts as possible within an organization. The model also helps to conceptualize the role of communication during the stages of unfre ezing (instigation), change (understanding and performance), and refreezing (closure). Current thinking in organizational change and communication The work by Lewin (Evans, Ward, Rugaas, 2000), Kotter (1995), Ford and Ford (1995), and other earlier researchers in the field lays an important  foundation for current work in the use of communication to effectively promote change within an organization. Deborah Barrett (2002) developed the Strategic Employee Communication model as a tool for organizations to use in assessing the effectiveness of their own communication channels when confronted with the necessity of organizational change. The model breaks down effective employee communication into four components which interact in well-functioning companies to reinforce strategic objectives. One important component is a top and middle level management that is committed to fostering communications â€Å"up, down, and across the organization† (Barrett, 2002). The second component is the communications themselves: messages that are both tailored to the audience they are intended for to maximize relevance, and that are consist ent with each other and with the overall strategic objectives of the organization. The third component is the mode of communication; it should rely on a variety of media but should take place primarily in person. The final component is a communications team or staff that is positioned in such a way as to be privy to the thinking behind the company’s strategic objectives so that the messages they produce reflect an understanding of the change. In companies that have effective communication networks, these four components are continually assessed against the background of progress towards the company’s strategic objectives. Barrett (2002) makes specific recommendations regarding how the effectiveness of employee communications during times of organizational change may be evaluated, giving an example of a survey instrument to assess perceptions of the current state of communication, suggestions for the development of ‘cascading workshops’ to spread the message of change throughout the organization, and methods of monitoring how well the mess age of change has spread and been internalized throughout the organization. The influence of Lewin’s (Evans, Ward, Rugaas, 2000) unfreezing – changing – refreezing model of change can be seen in Van der Waldt’s (2004) depiction of change communication as occurring in three phases. During the first phase of change, individuals within organizations face the loss of old ways of doing things, and should be supported in the initial phases of the change by communication that acknowledges this loss and that recognizes the difficulty that some individuals may have in letting go of the past. During the second phase of change, staff may face confusion and uncertainty as they  try to adopt the new way of doing things. Van der Waldt characterizes this as a ‘neutral zone’: a way-station between the old and the new, and notes that communication during this phase should recognize and attempt to assuage the isolation that may ensue from this confusion. The setting of short term, easily measurable and attainable goals will aid empl oyee morale during this time. The third phase of change occurs as staff begin to internalize the change and move forward, and communication at this time should be characterized by an acknowledgement of what individuals in the company have accomplished thus far and an understanding of the role the individual plays within the new system. A current topic in this area of research is the use of narrative techniques in communication about change. Organizational change is disruptive by nature, and involves the uprooting of old norms that have enabled a company to succeed (or at least survive) thus far, and the adoption of as-yet-untried practices (Denning, 2005). In order for the change to succeed, management and staff must voluntarily and enthusiastically severely disrupt their own established work habits and consent to move into the unknown. Stephen Denning, one of the champions of the use of narrative in change communication, argues that in these situations, the organization’s leaders must employ extraordinary communication techniques to achieve the level of buy-in necessary to make change work. The use of storytelling to bring reality and substance to a leader’s vision is one way in which change can be made real to management and staff. Denning (2006) describes eight different narrative techniques that can be employed in different stages of organizational change. An example of one of these techniques is the u se of ‘springboard stories’, which may be used to spark action and help muster enthusiasm for the change. Stories used in these situations should be simple and straightforward in content, the goal being to spark the listeners’ imaginations and to get them imagining stories of their own in reference to the change being introduced. Stories may also be used as devices to deflect or defuse rumors, and as preparation for the future after the change is implemented. The overall purpose of the narratives is to change the listener’s behavior in such a way that it is aligned with the leader’s objectives. Denning (2006) warns of the danger of becoming so involved with the crafting and telling of stories that the goal of the narrative is lost. Storytelling can also be a way to  get employees talking and thinking about what organizational change means to them and how change can be enacted. A small regional hospital in New Mexico employed an interactive narrative technique in which employees were presented with a role-playing scenario that likened the transformation of the hospital’s mission to an Indiana Jones-style journey that was titled ‘Raiders of the Lost Art’ (Adamson, Pine, Van Steenhoven, Kroupa, 2006). Within the structure of the game’s narrative, staff were presented with data regarding themselves, the community within which they worked, and their patients, and in this context were given scenarios about which they were encouraged to present ideas and feedback. By using this approach, hospital administrators were able to solicit employee feedback, involve staff in the development of strategic goals and objectives in support of the new mission, and gain buy-in by making employees a part of the change process. Change, communication, and information organizations Libraries and other information organizations are faced every day with the challenges that come from adapting to a rapidly changing external environment. Information organizations that are able to proactively incorporate change into their strategic planning will be in a better position to keep pace with the evolving demands of customers than organizations that merely struggle to catch up as change overwhelms them. Farley, Broady-Preston, Hayward (1998) identify four primary areas of change that affect academic libraries in particular: economics, technology, higher education, and organization. The rising costs of materials, combined with widespread reductions in funding, compounded by the additional financial burden imposed by the need to introduce new technologies, create an environment in which libraries must change in order to survive. The increasing sophistication of technological tools used by librarians has, in some larger institutions especially, created a need for staff reorganization to incorporate greater collaboration with technical support staff (Farley, et al., 1998). Given this environment, effective communication with staff regarding change is essential to the success of libraries and other information organizations. Horenstein found that communication with library staff about the implementation of change is also important in fostering high levels of job satisfaction amongst library staff (as cited in Farley, et  al., 1998). Yet, although there is a substantial body of literature dealing with change management in information organizations (Farley et al.), little has been written about the specific application of communication research to the needs of information organizations facing change. For instance, a literature review conducted in conjunction with a study described below (Chalmers, Liedtka, Bednar, 2006) uncovered no literature published specifically on library communications assessment since the 1980s. In a review for librarians of change management literature from the business world, Smith (2006) addresses communicating in times of change by developing a series of rules of effective communication drawn from the literature. One of these rules states that managers should recognize that not all organizations, and not all individuals within organizations, will react to change the same way, and that communications should be geared accordingly, echoing the above-described communication model that incorporates targeted messages (Barrett, 2002). Another of Smith’s rules emphasizes the importance of making communication about change a two-way process incorporating a variety of communication methods including written, verbal, large and small group meetings and one-on-one encounters, and formal and informal venues, applying Kotter’s (1995) message about incorporating change communication whenever there is opportunity to do so. Though Smith’s article is directed towards library professionals and, since it is published in the journal Library Management, is a useful vehicle for introducing concepts change communication research that librarians may not otherwise be exposed to, Smith does little more than review current literature and does not attempt to draw lessons from the literature to apply specifically to information organizations. On the other hand, Chalmers, et al. (2006) apply lessons from the literature of business communications to develop a survey that identifies the primary communication channels within the staff of a large academic library and assesses staff satisfaction with communication processes. They then provide recommendations based upon their experiences regarding how such an audit may be conducted in other similar organizations. The communications audit was conducted at California State University, Fullerton’s Pollak Library, in response to a perception of diminished morale and increased staff isolation in response to rapid changes in management  philosophy, staffing, and the introduction of new technologies. Library staff reported a relatively high rate (76%) of satisfaction with their level of informedness about changes within their own department, but indicated that they were less satisfied (46% satisfaction rate) with the degree to which they received information about the long range planning and goals of the library as a whole. Staff received their information both through formal library communications (newsletters, website, etc.; 80-98%) and informal channels (91%). Chalmers et al. describe how the survey instrument developed could be used to establish baseline data about intra-organization communication channels and identify areas of staff dissatisfaction with communication within the library . Future directions Although there is a significant body of work in the business management field that deals with effective intra-organizational communication in times of change, little of this work has been applied in a way that is specific to the needs of information organizations. Given that information organizations have been and are facing a period of rapid and intensive change, work that applies the change management lessons learned in the business world to the needs of libraries would be especially timely. In particular, case studies of information organizations that have implemented communication strategies and are monitoring the effectiveness of these strategies in facilitating change would be useful starting points for other information organizations facing change. In addition, the adaptation of existing theoretical models of intra-organizational communication to information organizations may provide a useful starting point for the development of communication strategies, goals, and objectives . In the greater body of business management literature regarding change communication, the primary focus of most research has been on top-down communication: methods by which leaders may effectively promote their vision amongst employees (Jones, Watson, Gardner, Gallois, 2004). Although several workers (Adamson, 2006; Chalmers et al. 2006; LeTourneau, 2004; Smith, 2006) emphasize the importance of feedback from employees to management, and communication between employees, there is little material that deals with methods to assess the importance of or to actively cultivate  these types of communications within an organization (Jones, et al., 2004). Additionally, communication and coordination between departments may become increasingly important during times of change; for instance, in libraries the introduction of new technology may necessitate greater collaboration between IT departments and reference, circulation, or other services. Further investigation into means of facilitating collaboration between formerly non-interacting departments during times of change would be a helpful addition to the current literature on this topic. References Adamson, G., Pine, J., Van Steenhoven, T., Kroupa, J. (2006). How storytelling can drive strategic change. Strategy and Leadership, 34(1), 36-41. Barrett, D. J. (2002). Change communication: Using strategic employee communication to facilitate major change. Corporate Communication: An International Journal, 7(4), 219-231. Chalmers, M., Liedtka, T., Bednar, C. (2006). A library communication audit for the twenty-first century. Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 6(2), 185-195. Denning, S. (2005). Transformational innovation: A journey by narrative. Strategy and Leadership, 33(3), 11-16. Denning, S. (2006). Effective storytelling: Strategic business narrative techniques. Strategy and Leadership, 34(1), 42-48. Evans, G. E., Ward, P. L., Rugaas, B. (2000). Management basics for information professionals. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. Farley, T., Broady-Preston, J., Hayward, T. (1998). Academic libraries, people, and change. Library Management, 19(4), 238-251. Ford, J., Ford , L. (1995). The role of conversations in producing intentional change in organizations. Academy of Management Review, 20(3), 541-570. Jones, E., Watson, B., Gardner, J., Gallois, C. (2004). Organization communication: Challenges for the new century. Journal of Communication, 54(4), 722-750. Kotter, J. P. (1995). Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review, 73(2), 59 – 67. LeTourneau, B. (2004). Communicate for change. Journal of Healthcare Management, 49(6), 354-357. Smith, I. (2006). Communicating in times of change. Library Management, 27(1/2), 108-112. Van der Waldt, D. (2004). Towards corporate communication excellence in a changing environment. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 3, 134-143.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Hassan Al Banna And The Muslim Brotherhood

Hassan Al Banna And The Muslim Brotherhood For almost eight decades, the Society of Muslim Brothers, or Muslim Brotherhood, has been an integral part of the Egyptian political body. It was established in 1928, by Hassan al-Banna in the northeastern Egyptian city of Ismailia with the goal of restoring the Caliphate and implementing Sharia law. It quickly spread in Egypt and throughout the Islamic world at large. During this period, the Muslim Brothers acted as a political movement challenging the modern Egyptian state. Hassan al-Banna was born October 14, 1906 in Al Mahmoudeya, Al Behaira, Egypt to a traditional lower middle-class family. His father, Shaykh Ahmad al-Banna, a local imam and instructor of the Hanbali rite, was educated at Al-Azhar University. He wrote books on Muslim traditions and was a teacher at the local madrasah dÄ «niyyah where al-Banna received his first lessons in Islam. Shaykh Ahmad al-Banna also had a shop where he repaired watches and sold phonographs. Though Shaykh Ahmad al Banna and his wife owned some property, they were not wealthy and struggled to make ends meet, particularly after they moved to Cairo in 1924. Like many others, they found that Islamic learning and piety were no longer as highly valued in the capitol, and local craftsmanship could not compete with large-scale industry. Hassan al-Bannas religious proclivity, activism, charismatic appeal, and leadership potential were evident from an early age. When Hassan al-Banna was twelve years old, he became involved in a Sufi order. At thirteen he participated in demonstrations during the revolution of 1919, against British rule, and by the age of fourteen he memorized the Koran. From an early age Hassan al-Banna was attracted to the extremist and xenophobic aspects of Islam which were hostile to western secularism and its system of rights; particularly womens rights. While still in secondary school, he began to organize committees and societies stressing Islamic principles and morals. While still in his teens, al-Banna and his friends, or brethren, met frequently to discuss the situation throughout the Middle East. They argued about the problems of Arab society and expressed their grief at the decline of Islam. Their anguish was in large part a reaction to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire  [1]  , the end of the Muslim Caliphate  [2]  , the British occupation of Egypt  [3]  , and the resulting exposure of Arab society to western values. It was in Cairo during his years at Dar al-Ulum University that al-Banna joined religious societies involved in traditional Islamic education. He soon realized that this type of religious activity alone was insufficient to bring the Islamic faith back to its status in the public life of Egyptian people. He felt that more activism was needed, so he organized students from al-Azhar University and Dar al-Ulum University. He and his group started to preach in mosques and popular meeting places. During this period, al-Banna came to be influenced by the writings of Muhammad Abduh  [4]  and Rashid Rida  [5]  . When he graduated in 1927, he was appointed as a teacher of Arabic grammar in a primary school in Ismailia, a new small town in Egypt with a semi-European quality. It hosted the headquarters of the Suez Canal Company and a sizable foreign community. In Ismailia al-Banna started to preach his ideas to poor Muslim workers, local merchants, and civil servants, warning his listeners against the liberal way of life of the Europeans in town and the dangers of emulating it. It was here he won his first followers, who encouraged him to form the Society of the Muslim Brethren in 1928. For Hassan al-Banna, as for many other Muslims worldwide, the end of the Caliphate, although brought about by secular Muslim Turks, was a sacrilege against Islam for which they blamed the non-Muslim West. It was to strike back against these evils that in March 1928 along with a group of his Brothers, Hassan al-Banna created the Muslim Brotherhood. Similar to the groups that Al-Banna joined since he was twelve; the Brotherhood at first was only one of the numerous small Islamic associations that existed at the time where the members preached to anyone who would listen about the need for moral reform in the Arab world. These associations aimed to promote personal piety and engage in charitable activities. The Brotherhoods ideals were based on the notion that Islam was a comprehensive way of life, not simply a religious observance. In its infancy the Brotherhood was a religious, political, and social movement with the basic beliefs that, Allah is our objective; the Quran is our constitu tion, the Prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations. (Ikhwanweb) Al-Banna called for the return to fundamental Islam because according to him, contemporary Islam had lost its social dominance, because most Muslims had been corrupted by Western influences. The Brotherhood saw itself both as a political and a social movement. The groups activities focused on the secular regimes in the Arab world, starting with its own local, Egyptian government. The Muslim Brotherhood also worked to protect workers against the oppression of foreign companies and monopolies. They established social institutions such as hospitals, pharmacies, and schools. Al-Bannas hatred towards Western modernity soon moved him to shape the Brotherhood into an organization seeking to check the secularist tendencies in Muslim society by asserting a return to ancient and traditional Islamic values. Al-Banna recruited followers from a vast cross-section of Egyptian society by addressing issues such as colonialism, public health, educational policy, natural resources management, social inequalities, Arab nationalism, the weakness of the Islamic world, and the growing conflict in Palestine. Among the perspectives he drew on to address these issues were the anti-capitalist doctrines of European Marxism and fascism. In 1936 the Brotherhood had about 800 members, but by 1938, just two years into the Arab revolt in Palestine, its membership had grown to almost 200,000, with fifty branches in Egypt. The organization established mosques, schools, sport clubs, factories and a welfare service network. By the end of the 1930s there were more than a half million active members registered, in more than two thousand branches across the Arab world. (Meir-Levi) Robin Hallett reports: By the late 1940s the Brotherhood was reckoned to have as many as (2) million members, while its strong Pan-Islamic  [6]  ideas had gained supporters in other Arab lands. (Hallett) Its headquarters in Cairo became a center and meeting place for representatives from the whole Muslim world, also recruiting among the foreign students. The Muslim Brotherhood spread internationally founding groups in Lebanon (1936), Syria (1937), and Transjordan (1946). As the Brotherhood grew through the 1930s and extended its activities beyond its original religious and social revivalism, al-Banna became more obsessed with the idea of the restoration of the Caliphate. He believed this could only become a reality through Jihad  [7]  . This idea helped grow a multitude of followers. Al-Banna described in inciting speeches the horrors of hell expected for heretics, and consequently, the need for Muslims to return to their purest religious roots, re-establish the Caliphate, and resume Jihad against the Kafir  [8]  , or non-Muslim world. Al-Banna spelled out his ideas in a dissertation entitled The Way of Jihad. Hassan al-Banna saw Jihad as a defensive strategy against the west, stating that Islamic scholars: Agree unanimously that Jihad is a communal defensive obligation imposed upon the Islamic ummah (Muslim community) in order to embrace Islam, and that it is an individual obligation to repulse the attack of unbelievers upon it. As a result of unbelievers ruling Muslim lands and degrading Muslim honor: It has become an individual obligation, which there is no evading, on every Muslim to prepare his equipment, to make up his mind to engage in Jihad, and to get ready for it until the opportunity is ripe and God decrees a matter which is sure to be accomplished. (al-Banna) Al-Bannas ideas on the rule of Jihad for the ummah in a citation of the Five Tracts of Hasan al-Banna in which he goes back to the Hanafi-rules: Jihad in its literal significance means to put forth ones maximal effort in word and deed; in the Sacred Law it is the slaying of the unbelievers, and related connotations such as beating them, plundering their wealth, destroying their shrines, and smashing their idols. It is obligatory on us to begin fighting with them after transmitting the invitation [to embrace Islam], even if they do not fight against us. (al-Banna) The first steps that al-Banna took towards the Jihad that he envisioned came in the form of terrorism during the Arab revolt in Palestine from 1936-1939. One of the Muslim Brotherhood leaders, Hajj Amin al-Husseini  [9]  , Grand Mufti (Supreme Muslim religious leader) of Jerusalem, incited his followers to a three-year war against the Jews in Palestine and against the British Mandate for Palestine.  [10]  Under al-Bannas stewardship, the Brotherhood developed a network of underground cells, stole weapons, trained fighters, formed secret assassination squads, and created sleeper cells of subversive supporters in the ranks of the army and police who waited for the order to go public with terrorism and assassinations. Underground links between the Nazis and the Brotherhood began during the 1930s and were close during the Second World War. Documents from the British, American, and Nazi German governmental archives, as well as, from personal accounts and memoirs of that period, confirm that in return for the Nazi aid the Brotherhood was involved in the agitation against the British, espionage and sabotage, as well as other terrorist activities. The common link between them was their hated of the Jews and the common goal of the destruction of the Jews. Both were explicitly anti-nationalist in the sense that they believed in the insolvency of the nation-state in favor of a non-national unifying community. For al-Banna and the Brotherhood this was the ummah; and for the Nazis it was dominance of the master race. The Nazis also offered great power connections to the Brotherhood. As the Brotherhoods political and military alliance with the Nazis developed, these parallels facilitated practical connections that created a formal alliance. Al-Bannas followers easily introduced into the Arab world a new Nazi form of Jewish hatred. This was accomplished with Arab translations of Hitlers autobiography and political ideology, Mein Kampf, (translated into Arabic as My Jihad) and other Nazi anti-Semitic works, including Der Sturmer,  [11]  and racist cartoons, modified to portray Jews as the demonic enemy of Allah. When the question of Palestine came before the United Nations  [12]  , al-Banna and Amin al-Husseini jointly urged the Arab world to unite in opposition to the creation of Israel. The two men saw in the UN resolution for the partition of Palestine, an example of the Jewish world conspiracy, even though the plan provided for an Arab state in Palestine alongside the Jewish one. But in al-Bannas estimation, the creation of a state for the Arabs of Palestine was less vital than the eradication of Zionism and the annihilation of the regions Jews. In November 1948, police seized an automobile containing documents and plans thought to belong to the Brotherhoods secret apparatus or military wing with the identity of its members. This find was succeeded by a series of bombings and attempted assassinations. Consequently thirty-two of the brotherhoods leaders were arrested and its offices raided. Growing concern over the Brotherhoods rising influence and popularity, as well as rumors that the organization was plotting a coup against the Egyptian government, Prime Minister Mahmoud an-Nukrashi Pasha outlawed the group in December 1948. The government seized the Brotherhoods assets and incarcerated many of its members. Less than three weeks later in what is thought to be retaliation for these acts, a member of the Brotherhood, veterinary student Abdel Meguid Ahmed Hassan, assassinated the Prime Minister Mahmoud an-Nukrashi Pasha on December 28, 1948. Following the assassination, al-Banna released a statement condemning the assassination, stating that terror is not an acceptable way in Islam. The Egyptian government was not convinced of al-Bannas and the Brotherhoods non involvement. On February 12, 1949, al-Banna was at the Brotherhood headquarters in Cairo with his brother-in-law to negotiate with a representative from the government, Minister Zaki Ali Basha. The Minister never arrived and by 5 oclock in the evening al-Banna decided to leave. As al-Banna and his brother-in-law stood waiting for the taxi, they were assassinated by two men. Al-Banna was shot seven times and was taken to a hospital where he died shortly thereafter. After Egypt imprisoned and executed many Muslim Brothers through the 1950s, many of its members fled the country and spread the brotherhoods attitudes and viewpoints throughout the Arab world. The groups main ideological voice became Sayyid Qutb, who detested Western values and believed that the Koran justified violence to overthrow any non-Islamic governments wherever Muslims lived. Qutb is credited for the ideology that has sparked many violent Islamic fundamental groups in existence today such as al Qaeda. He spent time in the United States in 1949 studying education and became a very vocal spokesperson about the evils within American Culture. On his return to Egypt Qutb became a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and urged Muslims to take up arms against non Islamic governments. In 1964, Egyptian President Gamal Nasser granted amnesty to imprisoned Brothers which he was rewarded by the Brotherhood with three assassination attempts on his life. In 1966 the top leaders of the Brother hood in Egypt were executed to include Sayyid Qutb who was accused of plotting against the government. Many others that failed to escape the country were imprisoned. Nassers successor, Anwar-as-Sadat, promised the Brotherhood that sharia law would be implemented as Egyptian law. Like Nasser, Sadat released the members of the Brotherhood held in Egyptian prisons. The temporary peace between the Brotherhood and the Egyptian government lasted until Sadat signed a peace agreement with Israel in 1979. This enraged the Muslim Brotherhood who had deeply supported the Palestinians in their quest to take their homeland back since the 1922 British Mandate. On 06 October 1981 the Muslim Brotherhood assassinated Anwar Sadat during the annual victory parade held in Cairo to celebrate Egypts crossing of the Suez Canal. Al-Banna, as a first option did not propose violence as a means of creating an Islamic State but as the Muslim Brotherhood grew to an enormous size encompassing a large population with diverse and varying viewpoints many of its supporters in the did. Brothers, who broke away from al-Bannas Brotherhood usually connected to or formed Islamic extremist organizations characterized by the same ultimate goal through different methods. These societies openly recognize and practice their will to use violence against infidels in order to promote their brand of Islam. Although the Muslim Brotherhood denies involvement with off shoot organizations labeled as terrorist, many people in todays global security industry do consider the Brotherhood an underground terrorist group or at the very least a supporter of those organizations. However, the United States does not include the Muslim Brotherhood on their list of terrorist organizations. The United States does, however, regard many of the known off shoot groups such as the Islamic Jihad Group (IJG) and HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement) as terrorist organizations. (U.S. Department of State) Islamic Jihad and Hamas are only two of the groups whose founders and leaders broke away from the Muslim Brotherhood because they believed in committing immediate and extreme acts to foster an Islamic State. The events surrounding the 1976 Egyptian Parliamentary elections lead to the creation of Muslim Brotherhood splinter groups. Because Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat did not recognize the Brotherhood as a political party the members of the Brotherhood running for seats in the Parliament were forced to either run as independents or as members of the ruling Arab Socialist Union. The Brotherhood won 15 seats on parliament; six had won on the ruling partys ticket and nine won independently. Sadats success in co-opting several of the Brotherhood leaders into the political system angered many militant Brothers. The militant Brothers then disbanded from the Brotherhood in order to establish underground radical groups. These groups include Mukfirtiya (denouncers of the Infidel), Jund Allah (S oldiers of God), Munnazamat al Jihad (The Jihad Organization) and Al Takfir wa al Hijra (The Denunciation of Infidels and the Migration). The Islamic Jihad Group developed out of the Muslim Brotherhood whose members viewed the Egyptian Brotherhood leaders responses toward the occupation of Israeli as too moderate. (Moneeb) The Brotherhood favored the gradual development of a dominant Islamic State instead of seeking an immediate response through violence. This decision did not satisfy some of the members of the Brotherhood who were motivated to breakaway. These members, having been exposed to militant Islamic groups, such as the Jihad Group looked to satisfy their opinions in the formation of a new organization they titled the Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Hamas as well grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood in December 1987. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a Brotherhood spiritual leader, founded Hamas to be the Muslim Brotherhoods political arm in Palestine. Then in 1988 Hamas broke away from the Brotherhood when it published its official charter. Hamass winning of the January 2006 Palestinian Authoritys general legislative elections indicate Hamas is now the largest Palestinian militant movement. Hamas is well known for suicide bombings and other violent attacks with the goal to end Israel and to implement an Islamic state in its place. Throughout the history of the Muslim Brotherhood, members have been rounded up and arrested for their anti-government stances in Egypt. Members have fled to Europe, Africa, throughout the Middle East and to the United States. They have set up charities to assist the Palestinians and to convert non-Muslims and to aid the poor. The Brotherhood has began taking a more moderate stance in their approach to the governments of the world in an attempt to gain further acceptance and to distance itself from its violent past. The main problem within the Brotherhood is the clandestine cells and financial networks that act on behalf of the Brotherhood in arming and organizing militant fundamental Islamic groups to further the goal of a worldwide Islamic Caliphate. It is the secrecy and behind the scenes objectives that will forever link the group to the majority of Sunni Islamic terrorist organizations around the globe.

Frankenstein as a gothic novel Essay -- English Literature

Frankenstein as a gothic novel The gothic tradition highlights the grotesque, relies on mysterious and remote settings, and is intended to evoke fear. All of these are evident in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, especially in chapter five. The settings in the novel are striking and distinctively gothic. Appropriately, the creature first breathes on a "dreary night of November," in a remote laboratory at Ingolstadt. The eerie atmosphere is typical of the gothic tradition. Victor, unafraid of the dark, spends his time in "vaults and charnel-houses,† he boldly visits the cemetery at the dead of night. details such as the creaking doors, the soft blowing of the wind in the still of the night, and the quiet footsteps in the house all lead to a feeling of fear and suspense. On a certain level, Victor's interest in creating life is an extension of his desire to escape death. By assembling the body parts of the dead, Victor makes a "monster", a massive, grotesque being, with the mind of a new born baby; and like a tormented spirit, the creation haunts Victor’s mind. Analysis: Chapters 3–5 The first three chapters give the reader a sense of impending doom, and chapter four depicts Victor on the way to tragedy. The creation of the monster is a grotesque act, far removed from the triumph of scientific knowledge for which Victor had hoped. His nightmares reflect his horror at what he has done and also serve to foreshadow future events in the novel. The images of Elizabeth â€Å"livid with the hue of death† prepare the reader for Elizabeth’s eventual death and connect it, however indirectly, to the creation of the monster. Victor’s pursuit of scientific knowledge reveals a great deal about his perceptions of sc... ... comments such as â€Å"I fear, my friend, that I shall render myself tedious by dwelling on these preliminary circumstances† both remind the reader of the target audience (Walton) and help indicate the relative importance of each passage. Shelley employs other literary devices from time to time, including apostrophe, in which the speaker addresses an inanimate object, absent person, or abstract idea. Victor occasionally addresses some of the figures from his past as if they were with him on board Walton’s ship. â€Å"Excellent friend!† he exclaims, referring to Henry. â€Å"How sincerely did you love me, and endeavor to elevate my mind, until it was on a level with your own.† Apostrophe was a favorite of Mary Shelley’s husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, who used it often in his poetry; its occurrence here might reflect some degree of Percy’s influence on Mary’s writing.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Leadership in Thoughts from the Tao-te-Ching and The Qualities of a Pri

Leadership in Thoughts from the Tao-te-Ching and The Qualities of a Prince Lao-Tzu’s â€Å"Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching† and Machiavelli’s â€Å"The Qualities of a Prince† both have the ultimate goal of making better leaders. The tactics that each writer chooses to present as a guide for the leader are almost opposite of each other. Today’s American government would benefit from a combination of the two extreme ideas. Lao-Tzu’s laissez-faire attitude towards the economy, as well as his small scale, home defense military is appealing to a liberal person. Machiavelli’s attitude towards miserliness and lower taxes, while being always prepared for war, would appeal to a conservative person. The writers are in agreement on some issues, such as taxes, but other ideas, such as government involvement in the everyday lives of citizens are completely opposed to one another. Lao-Tzu believes in moderation and small government. He states that a leader should stay within his country and govern his people only. He stresses that when the maser governs, the people should hardly be aware that he exists. A leader who is loved is better than one who is feared. The worst is one who is despised (22). Lao-Tzu also believes that war is not necessary when all follow the Tao. He states that â€Å"violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon itself;† therefore, if you have a neutral position, you will not be harmed (24). He believes that people are inherently good and not greedy. Man’s greed...

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Argumentative Essay: Gun Control Does Not Reduce Crime :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

Americans are faced with an ever-growing problem of violence. Our streets have become a battleground where the elderly are beaten for their social security checks, where terrified women are viciously attacked and raped, where teen-age gangsters shoot it out for a patch of turf to sell their illegal drugs, and where innocent children are caught daily in the crossfire of drive-by shootings. We cannot ignore the damage that these criminals are doing to our society, and we must take actions to stop these horrors. However, the effort by some misguided individuals to eliminate the legal ownership of firearms does not address the real problem at hand, and simply disarms the innocent law-abiding citizens who are most in need of a form of self-defense. Â   To fully understand the reasons behind the gun control efforts, we must look at the history of our country, and the role firearms have played in it. The second amendment to the Constitution of the United States makes firearm ownership legal in this country. There were good reasons for this freedom, reasons which persist today. Firearms in the new world were used initially for hunting, and occasionally for self-defense. However, when the colonists felt that the burden of British oppression was too much for them to bear, they picked up their personal firearms and went to war. Standing against the British armies, these rebels found themselves opposed by the greatest military force in the world at that time. The 18th century witnessed the height of the British Empire, but the rough band of colonial freedom fighters discovered the power of the Minuteman, the average American gun owner. These Minutemen, so named because they would pick up their personal guns and jump to the defense of their country on a minute's notice, served a major part in winning the American Revolution. The founding fathers of this country understood that an armed populace was instrumental in fighting off oppression, and they made the right to keep and bear arms a constitutionally guaranteed right. Â   Over the years, some of the reasons for owning firearms have changed. As our country grew into a strong nation, we expanded westward, exploring the wilderness, and building new towns on the frontier. Typically, these new towns were far away from the centers of civilization, and the only law they had was dispensed by townsfolk through the barrel of a gun. Crime existed, but could be minimized when the townspeople fought back against the criminals. Eventually, these organized townspeople developed police forces as their towns grew in size. Fewer people carried their firearms on the street, but the firearms were always there, ready to be used in self-

Saturday, August 17, 2019

David Beckham

Comm 423 The Value of David Beckham Dik Yi Tse (230052113) Ryan Darmasubrata (230055322) The purpose of this paper is to evaluate one of the most phenomenal transfers in the football world. The transferred of David Beckham from Manchester United to Real Madrid has becoming the talk of not just football fans but the financial expert for the last 2 years. Unlike most transfers, the David Beckham transfer has revolutionized player transfer in the football world. It became the standing point on how football player is not valued according to their skills on the field but rather on their skills outside the field. The paper will evaluate the cause, the reasons and the effect of the transfer based on both technical and financial aspects. In order to evaluate the transfer based on its financial aspect, we will use analytical theory of production and competition between firms. [pic] [pic] Variable cost satisfies the following formula: [pic] [pic] Return function: [pic] C: variable cost S: unit price of the product K: fixed cost ?: rate of diffusion r: discount rate T: duration of the facility With the formulas above, we try to justify the returns of the football clubs under different environment. From the calculations, we can see the change of revenue for the football clubs between fixed costs at different levels of market size. David Beckham David Beckham is an English footballer, widely regarded as the biggest icon in the sport. He currently plays for Real Madrid and he is the captain of England national team. David Beckham is especially noted for the quality of his crossing and the ability to hit free-kicks particularly from long-range and swinging corners. He is also famed for his celebrity lifestyle trappings, media attention and marketing potential. Early on in his career Beckham secured a number of lucrative sponsorship deals including Brylcreem, Adidas, Vodafone (which ended in July 2005) and Diesel. Despite the USA's uneven acceptance of soccer, Beckham's recognition in the USA is strong enough to enable him to appear in print and television advertising for various sponsors, including Gillette razors. He has become more well known in North America since the success of the British film Bend It Like Beckham, about a British Sikh girl who idolizes David Beckham and harbours ambitions of being a football player. David was born on May 2, 1975 in Leytonstone, London to Ted and Sandra Beckham. David's parents were Manchester United supporters and he accompanied then to many of the games. He signed for Manchester United as a trainee in July 1991 and he was instrumental in helping the club win the FA Youth Cup in May 1992, scoring in the second leg of the final against Crystal Palace. His Premier League debut eventually came at home to Leeds United on April 2, 1995. Partially as a result of injuries to key starters, David established himself in the first team during the 1995/96 season. David's match-winning performances during 1996/97 helped United to win another Premiership title and reach the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League. On a personal level, he was voted Young Player of the Year and second in the overall Player of the Year poll. Manchester United's 1997/98 season was one to forget as they finished second to Arsenal in the League, lost to Barnsley in the FA Cup and were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Monaco. David enjoyed a memorable moment, when he was selected for England's World Cup Finals squad. He’s been a team member ever since. Beckham captained England for the first ime in a friendly match in Italy and retained the armband for the friendly with Spain and the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Finland, against whom he scored an important goal at Anfield. Beckham made his 85th appearance for England in 2005 and is expected to captain the team at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. If so, he would become only the six th England player to represent his country at three World Cup competitions (although Sol Campbell and Michael Owen are expected to achieve this feat at the same time), and the fourth (after Billy Wright, Bobby Moore and Bryan Robson) to captain the team at more than one World Cup. Beckham is also a reasonable candidate to record 100 appearances for his country. He captained his country for a landmark 50th time in the friendly international against Argentina in November 2005. Beckham is one of only four players to have appeared 100 times in the Champions League. The reasons for transfer Manchester United First reason: David Beckham only had 2 more years contract with Manchester United and under the Bosman rule, every player can sign another contract with another team in the term of 6 months before his contract expired. Because of the clause of the Bosman transfer rule, any club can get David Beckham signature without paying any fee to Manchester United, if David Beckham decide not to sign any new contract within the next one and a half years, Manchester United would lose their biggest asset without getting any returns. Second reason: David Beckham relationship with his manager was in the midst of trouble. David Beckham popularity has divided his concentration between his job on the field and on the runaway. With having conservative method of running a football club, Sir Alex Ferguson, Manager of Manchester United had concern that David Beckham was not performing as best as he should. Hence arguments had arisen in numbers of occasion. Third reason: Pepsi and Adidas played a big role in forcing David Beckham to move to Real Madrid. For Pepsi, it would be more profitable for them to have David Beckham to play in Real Madrid because Real Madrid has three other players that have sponsorship deals with Pepsi. But the biggest influence came from Adidas, which is the main sponsor to David Beckham. Manchester Untied is sponsored by Nike, Adidas biggest competition in the industry and Real Madrid is sponsored by Adidas, so it would be so much better for Adidas to have David Beckham to play in Real Madrid instead of Manchester United. Fourth reason: Manchester United needs more young players in their squad, while the average age of their rosters has reach 30 years old, Manchester United needs to find another potential young player to maintain their reputation, the sale of David Beckham would bring the necessary capital for the investment. Real Madrid Real Madrid is a very successful club with champion’s reputation at their back, their starting lineup is filled with star players, hence their advantage was also their biggest weakness. With many star players in their team, Real Madrid has a high fixed cost in their operation, but most of their star players are not very commercial. Majority of the players are just big names within the industry or in the European market. Real didn’t have any network in the Asian and North American market at the time. With football to be the number one sport in Asia, Real Madrid was missing majority of the action. As a result in 2002/03 season, Real Madrid only spotted themselves the 8th on the list of the richest club in the world. Real Madrid needed to find a player who would pioneer their marketing strategy to the whole world. They are not only looking for someone who can bring sponsors to their stadium, and not just a poster boy for the campaign, but also has the skills to show in the field. This is the ultimate reason why Real Madrid was very determined to get Beckham. The effects of David Beckham to Real Madrid Real Madrid's revenue from club merchandise, such as shirts, jumped 67 per cent in Beckham's first season alone, and climbed another 6. 5 per cent in the year to June. Overall commercial income, which includes money from deals with the likes of Siemens, Adidas and Pepsi, which have all grown in value with the â€Å"Beckham effect†, now stands at around ? 80m a year. Real Madrid also earned ? 48m (26 per cent of turnover) from match-day income (primarily ticket sales), ? 44m (24 per cent) from television, and ? 6m (8 per cent) from promotional activities such as lucrative overseas tours and friendliness, which have also become better earners because of David Beckham. And whereas Real Madrid's annual wage bill (? 98m) now equates to 52 per cent of turnover, and is falling towards an expected ratio of 47 per cent next year. With the financial improvement, Real Madrid is now the richest club in the world, beating Manchester United who wo n the title 8th consecutive years. 2005 Football clubs revenue ranks[1]: 1 Real Madrid (Spain) $330 million Manchester United was No. 1 when it had David Beckham. Now Real Madrid has him and became No. 1. 2 Manchester United (England) $295 million Slips out of the top spot for the first time in the nine-year history of the rankings. 3 AC Milan (Italy) $280 million Nearly 60 percent, or $165 million, of its revenue is from broadcasting – more than anyone else. 4 Juventus (Italy) $274 million Averages only 26,600 fans but moves up from No. 5 last year thanks to a lucrative TV contract. 5 Chelsea (England) $264 million Its otherworldly payroll makes it No. in annual net losses, which reportedly were $244 million. Evaluating the transfer [pic] In determining the justification for the transfer, we use the analytical theory to prove that even though Real Madrid paid a large sum of transfer fee and obligated to pay a high salary to David Beckham, the acquisition would profit Real Madrid more because the larger market size that David Beckham can open for Real Madrid. To make the calculation to be accurate as possible, we had made some assumptions for the numbers used in the calculation. Reader should keep in mind that because Real Madrid is a private organization, it is very hard to find the actual data about their current and past financial statements. Nevertheless, we did our best to present the numbers as it would present the actual case scenario. Fixed cost (K), because we do not have the actual numbers for the fixed operation cost from Real Madrid, we use the assumption that fixed cost would be equal to the salary of the players. We know that there are other things that contribute to the clubs fixed cost but for the sake of the formulation we are ignoring that. The fixed cost increased from $98 million to approximately $117 million because of David Beckham. Discount rate (R), according to our research, the closest number that we found for the discount rate during that time in Spain, was the checking account interest rate, provided by the banks in Spain. Hence we use this number as our discount rate. Term of project (T), David Beckham was 28 years old when Real Madrid bought him from Manchester United, using the assumptions that most football players can play until the age of 34 years old, we use the length of project to be 6 years. Uncertainty rate (sigma), if Real Madrid did not buy David Beckham, they would have an uncertainty rate of 50%, that is they either succeed or not. With David Beckham on their squad, they have bigger uncertainty because they have to add the possibility that will David Beckham can work together with his teammates and produce something positive for the team or will he have some problems in adjusting to the new Spanish strategy. From the marketing strategy, they would also be concern that if David Beckham’s fans would still like him in Real Madrid jersey. The value of product (S), we used the assumption that major football clubs would want to have a success in both the domestic and international competition but as an organization major football clubs also want to bring profit for their business. Because of these factors we concluded that the value of S should be 2 instead of 1. Market size, we use the assumption that Real Madrid previous market size which is the European market to be 100 and the new potential market involving the Asian and North American market would be 145. The 45% increase due to that in North America, football is not that popular, North American people would prefer to watch and buy basketball, American football, baseball or hockey. For the Asian market, the increase of market size would come from people that buy the merchandise, there is a little chance that they would come to the actual game. Analysis & Conclusion From the calculation, it proved that bringing David Beckham to Real Madrid squad was a positive move. The transfer has solved Real Madrid’s problem of having high fixed cost and low returns. David Beckham has managed to open the Asian and North American market for Real Madrid to expand, hence now Real Madrid with high fixed cost on their organization can work and do business more efficiently in larger market size environment. With the emerging of internet and globalization, major sports clubs have tried to improve their business strategy by purchasing international players that can open more potentials market for their business. Another example besides David Beckham is the Chinese International Basketball Player, Yao Ming. Yao Ming was purchased by the Houston Rockets Basketball Club in US. With the help of Yao Ming, NBA (National Basketball Association of America) and Houston Rockets have managed to gain substantial market in the Asia. NBA opened merchandise stores all over Asia and has extradition match between American Basketball Club and the Chinese Basketball Clubs. Their website subscriber, www. NBA. com, has increase significantly during the past 2 years. With major website subscriber coming from the Asian market, it is only for certain that the expansion program will continue with other Asian basketball players coming to the NBA. In baseball, The Seattle Mariners imitated the strategy by purchasing a Japanese National Baseball player, Ichiro. Ichiro is now a market symbol for the major league of baseball, tourist flow from Japan has increased significantly to Seattle. American baseball has gain more popularity because of Ichiro. Ichiro merchandise is one of the top selling merchandise in the league. The main reason for this trend among major sport clubs is the revenue coming from the selling of merchandise and television broadcast license. With the improve technology and internet, fans in other parts of the world can watch their favorite player and club match through website and live television broadcast. The distance and time factors have been eliminated by the technology, hence potential customer is closer in today time. Another factor for the trend is the sponsorship revenue coming from companies that want to put their brand on the team’s jersey. With sponsoring a sport club, major companies can make brand recognition by associating their brand to a specific sport clubs or players. The better the clubs perform, the better publication that the sponsor company will achieve. The last reason is the revenue coming from exhibition games. An exhibition game is when a sport clubs have a friendly match with other sport club from different country. Higher fee has to be paid to attract famous clubs to come to do exhibition match. Today sport industry is not just about winning a game but also about how much money the games will generate for the clubs, the revenue and reputation are the two main factors that influence the livelihood of a sport club. The higher the fixed cost, the more necessary for club to find a player that can open bigger potential market. REFERENCES Chen, J. 2005. The Physical Foundation of Economics: An Analytical Thermodynamic Theory. 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Z ? ? ‘ ’ oeo? O? EAEA â€Å"? †¹? †¡ †¡Ã¢â‚¬ ¡{†¡? †¡Ã¢â‚¬ ¡? †¡? †¡Ã¢â‚¬ ¹wo†¹g? jDeloitte Football Money League 2006.