gamer nation Essays - Video Game Culture, Video Game, Gamer

Gamer Nation Video games broke through the scene several decades ago. At first video games were viewed as a brain killing machine. No decent parent wanted their child to play video games, they rather their child read. None the less the growing popularity of video games dominated, and the negative stigma that?s been tied on with video games for years was thrown out the window. With the stigma long gone it was time for gaming to really grasp hold of the civilization. It was an endless evolution of gaming; the gamer nation promptly followed the rising movement. The passionate gamers followed their favorite systems and games like a religion. There are different types of gamers and they range widely and like Fed Ex boxes, they come in all different shapes and sizes. Casual gamers basically use their system has an entertainment hub. With systems now able to stream video, play blue rays, and surf the internet, there is so much to do beside games. They play not to win but just basically to play, they lose frequently but enjoy the game. They may own an older style X Box or PlayStation. They play their system once in a while and may only own a single game. They have no preference in game type or genre. They most typically got their system as a gift from a loved one. They mostly play by themselves, for the most part their system collects dust, due to lack of attention. They would be among first of our groups to trade away or sell their system. They are never quite sure how to correctly fix a problem, if one was to ever occur. They would simply throw the gaming system away and possibly buy a used one. They would only buy another system for the next entertainment experience, not the gaming. Gamerheads religiously love video games. They most likely own two of the most played consoles, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and use them both frequently. They play a wide range of genres on both of their consoles. They play games from Frogger to Madden, and are never shy of a little competition. They spend a lot of money on systems, games, and they like to own the newest electronics available. They will put off bills to get all of the newest games and accessories. They play all the time throughout every day and basically play every day. They get nothing in return for playing every day although they do it just for the thrill of the win and the satisfaction. They are very keen on observing any type of issue and fixing it. They will recognize a problem with the system by sound and have a high chance of fixing it. They will take time out of their day to watch a video or read a blog on how to fix a certain problem. This person may have a subscription to a gaming magazine. You may often see gamerheads wearing clothes and gear they purchased at a local gaming store to represent their favorite games. Pro gamers construct a career out of a game they love. This is a much smaller portion of the gamer nation. Pro gamers only play one system and a select few games for that system. They prefer competitive style games. They play a certain game such as Halo professionally and reap the rewards. They may do this to support themselves. With endorsements and depending on the times they win a competition, they could bring home six figures. They must travel the country for tournaments and the traveling is paid by the sponsor. They play extremely vigorously and look to win every game knowing the second they don?t someone will take their place. With thousands traveling all over the country competing in tournaments to determine if they get paid. These are the hardcore gamers sporting Major League Gaming (MLG) gear. When a problem occurs with the system the sponsor will just purchase a brand new system. They usually play a shooter- style game on the professional stage because most games played pro fessional are shooters. They dedicate their life to their career because it takes several hours a day worth of practice

Bin Ladens 1996 Declaration of War on the U.S.

Bin Ladens 1996 Declaration of War on the U.S. On August 23, 1996, Osama bin Laden signed and issued the Declaration of Jihad Against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Mosques, meaning Saudi Arabia. It was the first of two explicit declarations of war against the United States. The declaration summed up bin Ladens belief, categorical and uncompromising, that there is nothing more imperative, after faith, than to repel the aggressor who corrupts religion and life, unconditionally, as far as possible. In that line was the seed of bin Ladens stance that even the killing of innocent civilians was justified in defense of the faith. American forces were encamped in Saudi Arabia since 1990 when Operation Desert Shield became the first step in the war to oust Saddam Husseins army from Kuwait. Abiding by extreme interpretations of Islam that the overwhelming majority of Muslim clerics around the world reject, bin Laden considered the presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil an affront to Islam. He had, in 1990, approached the Saudi government and offered to organize his own campaign to oust Saddam Hussein from Kuwait. The government politely rebuffed the offer. Until 1996, bin Laden, at least in the Western press, was an obscure figure occasionally referred to as a Saudi financier and militant. He was blamed for two bombings in Saudi Arabia in the previous eight months, including a bombing in Dhahran that killed 19 Americans. Bin Laden denied involvement. He was also known as one of the sons of Mohammed bin Laden, the developer and founder of the Bin laden Group and one of the richest men in Saudi Arabia outside the royal family. The bin Laden Group is still Saudi Arabias leading construction firm. By 1996, bin laden had been expelled from Saudi Arabia, his Saudi passport having been revoked in 1994, and expelled from Sudan, where he had established terrorist training camps and various legitimate businesses. He was welcomed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, but not exclusively out of the goodness of Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader. To maintain good graces with the Taliban, Steve Coll writes in The bin Ladens, a history of the bin Laden clan (V iking Press, 2008), Osama had to raise about $20 million per year for training camps, weapons, salaries, and subsidies for the families of volunteers. [...] Some of these budgets overlapped with business and construction projects Osama engaged in to please Mullah Omar. Yet bin Laden felt isolated in Afghanistan, marginalized and irrelevant. The declaration of jihad was the first of two explicit declarations of war against the United States. Fund-raising may very well have been part of the motive: by raising his profile, bin Laden was also drawing more interest from the sympathetic charities and individuals underwriting his efforts in Afghanistan. The second declaration of war was to be delivered in February 1998 and would include the West and Israel, giving certain donors even more incentive to contribute to the cause. By declaring war on the United States from a cave in Afghanistan, wrote Lawrence Wright in The Looming Tower, bin Laden assumed the role of an uncorrupted, indomitable primitive standing against the awesome power of the secular, scientific, technological Goliath; he was fighting modernity itself. It did not matter that bin Laden, the construction magnate, had built the cave using heavy machinery and that he had proceeded to outfit it with computers and advanced communications devices. The stance of the primitive was appealingly potent, especially to people who had been let down by modernity; however, the mind that understood such symbolism, and how it could be manipulated, was sophisticated and modern in the extreme. Bin Laden issued the 1996 declaration from the southern mountains of Afghanistan. It appeared on Aug. 31 in al Quds, a newspaper published in London. The response from the Clinton administration was close to indifferent. American forces in Saudi Arabia had been on a higher state of alert since the bombings, but bin Ladens threats changed nothing. Read the Text of bin Ladens 1996 Jihad Declaration

Does Vonnegut Write Like Kilgore Trout and Eliot Rosewater Essay

Does Vonnegut Write Like Kilgore Trout and Eliot Rosewater - Essay Example The piece of literature will be used for comparison on how best it has been written. The piece of literature has been written by an author known as Vonnegut (Farrell, 10). His piece of literature is being compared with others written by the authors Kilgore and Eliot. Slaughterhouse-five by Vonnegut is a piece of literature that talks about world war 2 life experiences at the time and one thing that can be said about the piece of literature is that it is a fine piece of work. Everything is well expressed in the piece of literature, and there is an assurance that by the end of reading, the reader will have grasped quite a lot. The writing uses literature devices, and this makes the work all the more entertaining and splendid. Looking at the piece of literature, it is written in short and very descriptive sentences that bring the illusion of understanding and a sense of reading (Deneen, 46). The book is written in a setting that can be described as historic, geographic and scientific. Comparing it with the other author’s piece of literature, it is safe to say that this piece of writing is magnificent, easy to read and understand and though complicated, its short and direct sentences provide the reader with a much higher level of understanding. The reading is uncomplicated to interpret and comprehend (Marvin, 100). It places the reader in a situation much like the one the narrator places the main character; in war. The descriptions are vivid and bear meaning. This is a book that would be recommended for rereading since it captures the heart, soul and brings about the realization of one’s dreams and desires. The piece of literature has successfully integrated the aspects of tragedy and comic relief. These two are being used together to bring a blend of the events (Trout, 12). There is one phrase that captures the attention of readers, and it bears meaning to the story that is written. The phrase; ‘so it goes’, has been used frequently by the

African American philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

African American philosophy - Essay Example Philosophy is a detailed system of ideas about human beings and the nature of the human existence and truth.Actually it is a complete guide for living. It deals in issues which are fundamental and consider the steps we take in life for progress. It also deals with our attitude and treatment of other people. The main branches of Philosophy are: Metaphysics, which deals with reality, Epistemology, which deals with knowledge, Ethics, which considers moral values, Politics, which accounts for legal rights and governments, and Aesthetics, which looks in to nature of art.While we start to think of African American Philosophy, the first point going to pop up is the attitude of the citizens in developed countries towards the men in Africa. When compared citizens of United States and Africa, we understand that the Blacks are considered to be second-class citizens in the United States. In fact they are not considered human beings at all. In the past, they were treated as slaves. They were made to work day and night, beaten with sticks and transported along with asses and horses. They were not given proper food. When they were sick, they were not given medical treatment. They lived miserably. They had no hope of future. Things have not changed much, according to Charles Mills. At least a section of the U.S. citizens still see the Africans as somebody who maintains lower standards of life. Even though slavery has been abolished that sort of mindset still continues.Law was enacted to strengthen the concept that Blacks are sub-persons. The pity is that not even an apology was given by the authorities for the misdeeds and torture towards the Blacks for centuries. In fact, many Americans feel that it is time to stop the little benefits given to the Blacks and to cancel the measures which objected to ill treatment of the Afro-Americans. They think that enough is enough and it is time to stop the concessions. They fear that it would amount to create discrimination against Whites . When we approach the problem from the side of African citizens, it is clear that an inferiority complex remains in their brains and minds. They themselves keep the wrong feeling that Blacks are second-class citizens. They have no hope of a happy future. They still live in poverty. The wages are comparatively much lower. Job opportunities also remain lesser. They are not likely to get good education or medical treatment. Just through an example, the consideration being given to Whites and Blacks could be compared. For the same crime the Blacks black may be sent to jail, whereas the Whites may be let free. In every respect the Blacks are treated harsh. In other words, their condition has not improved at all even before law. In fact, it has deteriorated, feels Charles Mills. Time has changed. But not much has changed for the Blacks. Their problems have not been addressed seriously. It has been wrongly said that the Blacks are not taking enough interest in the country, nor in their future and that they do not bother to be a part of the society. It is said that they do not try to come out of the negative situation they are in and for that they only need to be blamed. That is not a valid statement. It is nothing more than an excuse. It is absurd to think that they want to remain where they are. Do not forget, the part they played in nation building. Many numbers of roads, buildings and similar structures are there because of the manpower and work skills of the Blacks. It is silly to think that they are lazy. The Blacks think that they are not given justice. They only want their genuine rights. They are not expecting charity. They want the discrimination is buried for ever. The country belongs to them as much as it is for the Whites. The issues which have put them down should be modified to uplift them. But for the sweat of the blacks, The United States of America would have been nowhere. They have done enough to convert the country into a large nation. They have done much more than the Whites. They must be allowed to reap the harvest now.

Privacy Issues in the Workplace- Technology and Social Media Essay

Privacy Issues in the Workplace- Technology and Social Media - Essay Example ployer from jeopardizing the employees right to engage in union activities or other protected activities seeking to attain mutual aid or protection within and outside the company (National Labor Relations Board Web). However, under the recent technological advancements, privacy issues have increased with the new technological generating new privacy concerns for both the employees and the employer. Ideally, the new technological advancements allow the employer to gain access to employee’s information around his scope of work. Through the new technology, the employers can initiate telephone monitoring, social media monitoring, electronic mail and voice mail, video monitoring, computer monitoring, and other workplace privacy protections. Where E-mail/Internet is concerned, the employer can access all the emails and online conversation of an employee. Indeed, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, stipulates that an employer has can monitor electronic communications, e-mail and Internet surfing, and instant messaging of an employee where employee is using the employer-provided computer system (US Department of Justice Web). As such, it is the duty of the management to brief the employees on the application of this rule upon employment to avoid privacy issues. On the other hand, computer monitoring comes in handy where employers use computer software to access the screen or stored in the employees computer terminals and hard disks.  They can additionally invoke keystroke monitoring and count time spent away from the computer. Since the employer own s the computer and the terminals, he therefore has a right to monitor an employee’s computer usage. However, certain federal offer minimal rights against computer monitoring like the Fourth Amendment of the US constitution that restricts unreasonable search and seizure (Privacy Rights Clearing House Web). Employers can also initiate social media monitoring of the employees by accessing their Facebook and twitter

Roles and Responsibilities of a Qualified Nurse

Roles and Responsibilities of a Qualified Nurse Professional Role Development The aim of this essay is to explore and discuss important aspects of the roles and responsibilities of the newly qualified nurse. It will look at and abroad discuss on different type of roles and responsibilities including transition. The roles and responsibilities of a qualified nurse include essential professional skills such as leading in care management and care delivery situations as well as maintaining standards of care. The focus of the essay will be discussing in detail two particular roles of the newly qualified nurse (delegation and patient group direction). It will discuss the meaning of these concepts and their importance for nurses and provide some practical contextual examples. It will also discuss the rational of chosen roles A new qualified nurse expected to be competent to work in all environments and situations. This emerging health care system requires a registered nurse workforce at all levels post initial registration capable of critical reflective thinking in order to create this system. Lofmark A (2006) claim that with registration comes a shift in professional accountability together with wider clinical management and teaching responsibilities. On becoming a qualified nurse, the expectations and dynamics of relationships changes fundamentally. Suddenly the newly qualified nurse is the one who must know the answer whether it is a query from a patient, a career, a work colleague or a student. The newly qualified nurse will encounter many challenging situations where she or he must lead care delivery. This includes dealing with care management within the team, dealing with patients/service users, dealing with other professionals and dealing with the required needs of the whole workplace environment. The NMC requires a student nurse to demonstrate professional and ethical practice, be competent in care delivery and care management and show personal and professional development in order to join the register NMC (2010). It is recognized that nurses should be provided with some form of preceptorship and supervision in their role for a period of four months time NMC (2006)) once qualified. Even in this period of preceptorship, there are new expectations and challenges faced by the newly qualified nurse. Mooney (2007) found that newly qualified nurses were faced with assumptions from others that they should know everything. This was also a high expectation they had of themselves. In meeting the NMC standards of proficiency, the nurse should have demonstrated the relevant knowledge and skills in order to practise in their career. However, it is important to recognise that not every nurse knows everything about everything in their career especially if they are practising in highly specialized fields. What they need is to be able to develop and adapt to changing situations. Therefore, for the nurse it is impossible to know everything but they should have developed the skills to find out relevant information, reflect on it, and apply this to their practice. In essence they should have learnt how to learn. There is a great deal to be learnt once qualified especially related to a nurses new area of work and a good deal of the development needs to take place on the job Lofmark A (2006). The study by Jackson. K (2005) suggested that a successful transition requires the nurse to develop a self-image relevant to the change in status to be able to do the job and that they meet the expectations with others with appropriate support. Mooney (2007) also points out that the duties faced by most newly qualified nurses were not patient contact centred. There were a lot of duties related to contacting and dealing with other professionals and services. These brought anxieties related to the responsibilities that might be faced as the nurses would become increasingly senior in their roles with others expecting them to provide the actions and the answers in complex situations. This highlights how the experience of nursing of transition from student to newly qualified nurse can be daunting. In the current environment there is an expectation that nurses have a preceptor one qualifying for aid in these transitions but the literature still suggests there is a difficulty in the transit ion process for such professionals. Hole. J, (2009) found that individual accountability, delegating duties without appearing bossy and some challenging clinical situations such as death and dying and specialised technological roles were found to be stressful by qualifying nurses. Issues of the preceptorship of newly qualified nurses become apparent and important in dealing with the transition from supervised student to autonomous practitioner. The approach taken throughout the rest of this essay will be to provide a discussion of the main theories, concepts, and issues related to the roles and responsibilities of delegation and PGD for newly qualified nurses. It will discuss the meaning of these concepts and their importance for nurses, and provide some practical contextual examples. The rational of choosing these two roles are because: Firstly delegation is a huge newly qualified nurses concern. According Hole. J, (2005) newly qualified nurses are not capable to delegate tasks to someone else and they end up overloading themselves. This is because an accountability issue or not knowing the staffs well as they is new to the ward. Secondly, it is a legal requirement that newly qualified nurses need to have knowledge of PGDs in order to work within legal and ethical frameworks that underpin safe and effective medicines management NMC (2010). For this reason, I personally was interested and picked them to discuss in order to develop my understanding and prepare me to successfully make the transition from student nurse to a registered professional. Delegation is a major function of an effective manager of patient care and is an essential skill when directing the activities of others at all levels in an organization. It is the means by which an individual is able to accomplish needed tasks with and through others. Although the delegator remains accountable for the task, the delegate is also accountable to the delegator for the responsibilities assumed. Delegation can help others to develop or enhance their skills, promotes teamwork and improves productivity Sollivan.E.J et al (2009). Therefore, delegation is the area where newly qualified staff experience huge difficulties. Often they do not feel confident enough to ask someone else to do something for them. Consequently, they try to do all of the work themselves and end up leaving late or providing less than adequate standards of care. Other members of staff will not mind if they delegate tasks to them as long as they apply the basic rules such as ensuring that it is something they are competent to do. When delegating, the delegator remain responsible for that care if he/she do not delegate appropriately as stated by NMC (2008). It is also important that the delegator explained clearly what it is he/she want them to do and why because he/she might genuinely busy or is it just something that he/she does not want to do. Hole.J, (2005) point out that as long as he/she asks the other member of staff in a courteous manner and stick to the rules, there will be few problems. However, there may always be someone who has the potential to react in a negative way to his/her request. These people are often known for this type of behaviour and it should be dealt with swiftly by the manager. This type of reaction experience should be discussed with the member of staff or if he/she not feels confident enough to do this, he/she should talk to the manager. As mention above this will be a difficult skill for a newly qualified nurse especially at first. They will need to get to know the other staff before they will feel truly comfortable delegating to others in the team. They may feel guilty about asking others to do tasks which they feel that they should be doing themselves. What they need to realise is that they cannot possibly do everything themselves and that they will need to work as a team in order to deliver good patient care. The new qualified nurses may well feel that they cannot ask others especially HCAs who have worked on the ward for years to do things for them. The nurse will probably feel self-conscious and embarrassed. The answer is that it is not what the nurse asks them to do that are important. It is how he/she asks them. Good communication is the key to successful delegation. The nurse should take a few minutes to discuss with the HCA/student with whom he/she is working who will be doing what during that shift. Share the workload and be realistic. Therefore the newly qualified nurses must not overload themselves with care they do not really think they can give. The member of staff would rather know what their workload is at the beginning of the shift so that they can organise their time effectively. If the delegator has to ask them to take on extra work during the shift, they will find this difficult Ellis, J.R. and Hartley, C.L, (2005). So the delegator should keep communicating with them during the shift, and if he/she is held up with relatives or an acutely ill patient, he/she should tell them and explain that he/she will try to help them as soon as possible. According to Hole.J, (2005) when the new qualified nurses are delegating, it is important to ensure that this is appropriate as it is their responsibility to ensure that the member of staff to whom they delegate is competent to perform the task. This means that if they delegate a task to a member of staff who is not competent and they perform the task wrongly, they are accountable for the harm caused to the patient. Although the member of staff responsible, they remain accountable. For example, they cannot assume that the HCA/student with whom they are working is competent in the skill of measuring and recording a patients blood pressure. Just because the member of staff has worked on that ward for a period of time, this does not mean that they have been taught correctly. They must assess their competence to perform the task before they allow them to do this independently. They can then justify their delegation of that skill if necessary. A Patient Group Direction (PGD) is a written instruction for the supply and/or administration of a licensed medicine (medicines) in an identified clinical situation signed by a doctor or a dentist and pharmacist. It applies to a group of patients who may not be individually identified before presenting for treatment NPC (2009), page 11. In simple terms, a PGD is the supply and/or administration of a specified medicine or medicines by named authorised health professionals for a group of patients requiring treatment for the condition described in the PGD. Conversely the health professional must be registered. RCN (2004) state that implementing PGDs may be appropriate both in circumstances where groups of patients may not have been previously identified for example, minor injuries and first contact services and in services where assessment and treatment follows a clearly predictable pattern such as immunisation, family planning and so on. Professionals using a PGD must be registered or equivalent members of their profession and act within their appropriate code of professional conduct. This differs from supplementary prescribers and independent prescribers who must also successfully complete specific prescribing training and be appropriately registered before they may prescribe. However, organisations using PGDs must designate an appropriate person within the organisation. For example, a clinical supervisor, line manager or General Practitioner to ensure that only fully competent, qualified and trained healthcare professionals use PGDs. Individual practitioners using a PGD must be named NP C (2009). A Patient Group Direction allows specified registered health care professionals to supply or administer a medicine directly to a patient with an identified clinical condition without him/her necessarily seeing a prescriber. For example, patients may present directly to health care professionals using PGDs in their services without seeing a doctor. Alternatively, the patient may have been referred by a doctor to another service. Whichever way the patient presents, the healthcare professional who works under the PGD is responsible for assessing the patient to ensure that patient fits the criteria set out in the PGD. In general, a PGD is not meant to be a long-term means of managing a patients clinical condition. This is best achieved by a health care professional prescribing for an individual patient on a one-to-one basis NPC (2009). The use of PGDs is widespread throughout the NHS and since April 2003, some non-NHS organisations have been able to use them suggested by NPC (2009). Organisations must ensure that staff responsible for the development / implementation of PGDs and those authorised to work under PGDs have the experience, knowledge and skills necessary to do so. However, different supplementary prescribers, nurse independent prescribers and healthcare professionals using PGDs do not have to become specifically qualified to do so. Alternatively, they must be assessed by their organisations as fully competent, qualified and trained to operate within a PGD. A suitably competent and experienced health care professional who will be working under the PGD should be involved in the writing of the PGD to ensure that the PGD meets the needs of the service. NPC (2009) suggests that there is no specific national training for healthcare professionals producing PGDs. Therefore, the role by RCN (2004) for nurse proposes that the registered nurse must be assessed as competent in medicines administration, must be trained to operate within a PGD and must follow the 6 Rs of medicines administration. Also In order to work under the PGD, register nurses need to be qualified for at least 6 months. They must assess the patients to ensure they fit the criteria as detailed in the PGD as well as ensuring the PGD meets the necessary legal requirements. Importantly, the supplying/dispensing or administration stage cannot delegate to another registered nurse or student nurse. The newly qualified nurses are not expected to be able to operate under a PGD until competent in medicines administration. However, they need to have knowledge of PGDs for their patient safety. For example, if patient under PGD admitted to the ward, the nurse must ensure that the medicines not stopped. The NMC (2010) code of conduct outline that newly qualified nurses to be fully understood all methods of supplying medicines. This includes Medicines Act exemptions, patient group directions (PGDs), clinical management plans and other forms of prescribing. They are expected to demonstrate knowledge and application of the principles required for safe and effective supply and administration via a patient group direction including an understanding of role and accountability. And also demonstrate how to supply and administer via a patient group direction. The newly qualified nurses may be involved with PGDs such as assisting and identifying areas where a PGD would offer more benefits than a PSD, understand the principles and processes of PGDs and be fully conversant with all the principles associated with dispensing and administering medicines they may also be working in a variety of settings where PGDs are used for example prison health care setting, nurse led service, walk in centres In my conclusion, I have learnt the roles and responsibilities of newly qualified nurses and I have developed skills and professional knowledge to work effectively with others. The Patient Group Direction helped me how the laws and policies are set up to ensure safe and effective delivery of care given to service users under a patient group direction. I am now prepared for the challenges I will face on being a newly qualified nurse by providing the knowledge and skills required to become effective and accountable practitioners. Clinical decisions will still have to be made in relation to meeting the needs of the people within my care. However, becoming a qualified nurse brings with its wider responsibilities in making and taking decisions related to the nursing team, other staff, and the work environment as a whole. These changes require a large shift from the experience of being a student and a mentored supervised learner, so it is essential that I am equipped with all the skills re quired to successfully make the transition.

john w booth Essay -- essays research papers

A History of John Wilkes Booth   The name of John Wilkes Booth conjures up a picture of America's most infamous assassin, the killer of perhaps the greatest president of the United States. However, J. Wilkes Booth (as he was known professionally) led a very prominent life as an actor in the years preceding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. This period of his life is often forgotten or overlooked. The Booth family name in the nineteenth century was strongly identified with the American theater scene; there was no greater name among American actors at this time. Junius Brutus Booth, Sr. came to the United States from England in 1821 and established the Booth name upon the American stage. He left his legacy to be carried by his sons Edwin, John Wilkes, and Junius Brutus, Jr. All of the Booth children but one, were born out of wedlock. John Wilkes Booth was born on May 10, 1838 in a log house. The family home was on property near Bel Air, Maryland, twenty-five miles south of the Mason-Dixon line. Elder brother Edwin supervised his younger brother's upbringing. Later Edwin and older sister Asia would write about their eccentric brother's behavior. Francis Wilson, who wrote a biography of Booth in 1929, stated that Booth opened his stage career in 1855 at the Charles Street Theatre in Baltimore and began performing on a regular basis two years later. Once Booth embarked upon his acting career, he wanted the comparisons between himself and his late father to cease. It was a common practice of theater companies to retain actors who would complement a touring, star figure. Booth eventually became one the these star figures, with stock companies for one and two week engagements. Often a different play was performed each night, requiring Booth to stay up studying his new role until dawn, when he would rise and make his way to the theater for rehearsal. Booth began his stock theater appearances in 1857 in Weatley's Arch Street Theatre in Philadelphia (the center for theater in this country at the time). According to one biographer, Booth studied intently in Philadelphia, but author Gordon Samples writes that Booth's lack of confidence did not help his theatrical career. William S. Fredericks, the acting and stage manager at the Arch Street Theatre, said the new actor did not show promise as a great actor. This negative opinion was also held by other Philadelp... ... putting together an operation, purportedly with Dr. Mudd and others, to capture the President and transport him to Richmond. By capturing Lincoln they expected to force the federal government to return Confederate prisoners of war who were confined in Union prisons and then return them to fight Union forces. After nearly five months of intense planning, the attempt to capture the president took place on March 17, 1865. Mr. Lincoln, however, disappointed the would-be captors by changing his plans. Instead of visiting a hospital outside of Washington, President Lincoln attended a luncheon at the National Hotel. This was the hotel Booth used as his temporary home while in Washington, DC. Two weeks later, the long Union siege of the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia ended. The Union Army marched in and Confederate forces under General Lee moved west. One week later, on April 9, 1865 General Lee was forced by General Grant to surrender. These Confederate failures, along with the failure of Booth's capture plot, apparently gave Booth the incentive to carry out his final fatal plan. Five days after General Lee's surrender, Booth assassinated Mr. Lincoln inside Ford's Theatre.

Personality: Carl Jung and Myra

1. Which personality type does Myra display, according to Freudian theory? Provide evidence for your answer. What caused it?Myra must have experienced neurotic anxiety in the presence of her husband’s â€Å"authority† as she previously must have experienced unconscious feelings of destruction against her parents because of fear of punishment, so she exaggerates her cleanings and frequently portrays herself as a martyr who does so much for others and asks so little for herself, when in reality she usually over sees the cleaning and tells others what to do, and her husband or children help her.This same neurotic anxiety makes her aggressive towards her neighbor as once grass went flying into her garden from her neighbor’s while mowing; and as a result Myra threw a fit and did not talk to the neighbor for two years. Myra displays a disturbing pattern of establishing relationships and then ending them by being rude. She sometimes criticizes people to their faces, or she just stops calling them. Moreover, this neurotic anxiety makes her concerned about spending money and she refrains from expending it despite being middle class and really not poor. As a defense mechanism, Myra has developed an anal fixation, which manifests in her obsession with neatness and orderliness.2. Why does Myra feel that cleaning the house is her responsibility? How would Jungian theory explain Myra adopting this traditional role? According to Jung the mind or psyche has two levels; conscious and unconscious. Unlike Freud, Jung believes that collective unconscious refers to humans’ â€Å"innate tendency to react in a particular way whenever their experiences stimulate a biological inherited response tendency.†This explains why Myra unexpectedly reacts with love and persistence to the house cleanliness, tidiness and orderliness although she had negative or at least neutral feelings toward the job, especially when we know that her mother always took care of their house and thought that it was the woman’s responsibility to do so; and Myra has learnt how to clean â€Å"correctly† from her mother who punished her when she did not clean something thoroughly enough.Of course, her mothers belief of house cleanliness was passed to her from her mother and so on through generations until it became a collective unconscious which Jung sees as autonomous forces called archetypes which, when evolved, â€Å"can be conceptualized† into persona, shadow, anima, animus, great mother, wise old  man, hero, and self.3. How could radical behaviorism explain Myra’s cleaning behavior? Find examples of reinforcement of punishment that might have influenced Myra’s cleaning behavior.According to Freud, Myra’s ego which is â€Å"the only region of the mind in contact with reality† and it is governed by the â€Å"reality principle† has made the decision on cleanness and neatness of her house and yard, besid es arranging things in order. And because the ego is partially conscious, partly preconscious and partly unconscious, her ego can make decisions on each of these three levels. Myra exaggerates in cleaning her house, tidying her yard and garden and arranging her things in order as her ego consciously motivates her to choose excessive neatness, tidiness and arrangements because she feels comfortable and proud of her estate and things being like this and people compliment her for this.Meanwhile she may be, on her preconscious level, only dimly aware of her previous experience when her friends or neighbors first praised her for the way she cleans the house, tidies the yard and the garden and arranges her things. Besides, she may be unconsciously motivated to be excessively clean, neat and orderly â€Å"due to her childhood experiences of the toilet training† and cleaning the house with her mother so as to avoid pain resulting from her parents punishment and gain pleasure of their love and security. Also it has been settled in her superego what she should and should not do because of her experiences with reward and punishment she must have received from her parents during her childhood. Thus she can be dominated by the superego, which results in her â€Å"guilt-ridden or inferior-feeling person;†4. How could Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory explain Myra’s traditionally feminine cleaning behavior? According to Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, the way we react to expected events is usually more powerful than the event itself. Myra’s traditionally feminine cleaning behavior can be explained on the basis of her observing her mother cleaning and perhaps financially managing the house as well as having the same belief that her mother had as housework is the main responsibility of a woman.Myra’s behavior is also reinforced by the compliments she receives from her  neighbors and friends who overtly express their admirations of her clean house, tidy yard and beautiful garden. This accords with Bandura’s idea that reinforcement can be vicarious whether it is direct or indirect. According to Bandura’s triadic reciprocal model that includes behavioral, environmental, and personal factors, Myra has the capacity to regulate her life; and her behavioral cleanliness has turned into a consistent way of evaluating and regulating her social and cultural environment, seeing that her house is cleaner, tidier and more beautiful than any house in the neighborhood or any of her friends or relatives’ houses.5. Which of Horney’s needs motivate Myra? Which of Horney’s neurotic trends does Myra demonstrate? Provide evidence for you answer. In accordance with Horney’s Psychoanalytic Social Theory, Myra has been influenced by cultural impacts of her society. Modern culture is based on completion (her exaggeration in cleanliness, tidiness and orderliness compared to other s) which triggers off basic hostility (in dealing with her friends and neighbors), which, in return, results in isolation, (her break up with friends and not participating in productive volunteer work), that brings about â€Å"intensified needs for affection† (her feeling of doing everything alone without being helped by anyone and illustrating herself as martyr or victim).Childhood at any stage is considered the source of most problems as a result of traumatic events. During her childhood Myra was physically punished by her parents; the thing which generated a feeling of lack of genuine warmth and affection and developed into anxiety and hostility towards others. From her behaviors of exaggerated cleanliness, hostility, saving money, and refraining from participating in productive volunteer work, Myra demonstrates some basic neurotic needs:(1) Need to restrict her life within narrow borders: she does not participate in any productive activities such as volunteer work, and sh e prefers to spend all her time and energy working on her house and yard. (2) Need for security and power: she economizes on everything and does not spend money, which represents a source of power to her. (3) Need to exploit others: she breaks up with friends and relatives who do not return her invitations to meals. (4) Need for social recognition or prestige: she tries to be the best at cleaning and orderliness and criticizes others as not equal to her.(5) Need for personal admiration: she likes people admiring her house cleanliness, her yard and garden tidiness and beauty, and her orderliness. (6) Need for perfection and unassailability: she always cleans, tidy and rearrange her house, garden, yard and things so as not to be criticized; on the contrary she always criticizes and blames others.

The Impact of Social Media on Political Leaders

The Impact of Social Media on Political Leaders Introduction Since the start of the internet boom, in the early nineties, there has been a significant growth in the number of networked people. In fact, the number of networked people has increased from a few million people, in the early nineties, to a few billion people in the 2000s.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Impact of Social Media on Political Leaders specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A formidable force that has increased the number of people who are online is the growth of social media. Indeed, social media has attracted many actors in the political sphere (including nongovernmental organizations, regular citizens, and even governments). This development raises important questions for different governments because it makes them think of how such online developments affect their state interests, and how they can position their foreign policies to benefit from such developments. As the telecommunication la ndscape becomes sophisticated and concentrated, people are enjoying more access to information and better ways of airing their grievances. As seen from recent developments in the Middle East, social media has prompted politicians to change their strategies to take advantage of this new communication landscape. For example, in Vanilla, social media increased the pressure on politicians to avoid loosely coordinated politics and adopt a more effective approach for communicating their strategies and actions, for the betterment of their people. In other parts of the world, social media has led to government changes and democratic reforms. People have also used social media to express dissatisfaction with poor governance, as a demand for better leadership. Such was the case in the Philippines when parliament impeached President Joseph Estrada. Initially, during his hearing, the Philippine congress ruled that the government would not present crucial evidence against the impeached president .Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, a few hours after this declaration, there was widespread public outcry from Filipinos, who later took to the streets, demanding that the government present the evidence against the president. Using social media, political activists mobilized Filipinos to go to the streets and demand for unbiased trials. Concisely, the citizens feared that their corrupt president would find his way back to power. Therefore, through several text messages written, â€Å"Go to EDSA,† millions of Filipinos thronged the streets of Manila in protest. Motivated by the fear of losing public support, Philippine’s congress quickly reversed their decisions and allowed for the presentation of evidence against the president. The government later found the president guilty of corruption and forced him out of office. The same script has occurred in other parts of the world. For example, Spain witnessed a social media revolution that ousted Spanish Prime Minister, Josà © Marà ­a Aznar. Aznar had earlier blamed Basque Separatist movements for organizing Spanish bombings in the country’s transit routes. Soon after the people removed him from power, the communist party of Moldova also relinquished power after massive demonstrations rocked the country, partly coordinated by social media. The party relinquished power because the citizens were dissatisfied with fraudulent elections. Besides governments and political parties, the church has also received negative attention from social media. For example, recently, there was widespread condemnation against the Catholic Church for defending child rapists, after evidence leaked to social media, regarding the widespread child rape acts in the church.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Impact of Social Media on Political Leaders specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Nevertheless, despite the widespread success that online communication exhibits in advancing political agendas, there are many examples of the failure of social media to provide substantial political changes. For example, in March 2006, Belaru political activists used social media as a platform to organize street protests to oust President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s, amid accusations of vote rigging. These street protests first swelled, and then faltered soon afterwards. This protest angered the President and increased his determination to control the spread of social media in his country. The same social media failure occurred in Iran, when protestors tried to demonstrate vote-rigging attempts by the government, which left Mir Hossein Mousavi (a presidential candidate in the 2009 Iran elections) a loser in the elections. The government embarked on a violent crackdown that soon led to the end of the revolt. The same outcome oc curred in Thailand when technologically savvy street protesters crowded the streets of Thailand to demand for political reforms, but soon after the government launched a violent crackdown on the protestors (killing dozens of people), the protests ended. From the above outcomes, it is difficult to predict the outcome of social media reforms. Therefore, it is equally difficult to predict the impact of social media on the actions of political leaders. However, the unpredictable response by political leaders towards social media movements surface from the above illustrations. Clearly, some leaders respond positively to these movements, while others violently oppose them. This paper, seeks to investigate the impact of social media on political leaders.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Research Objectives To investigate how online communication determines the way political leaders interact with their supporters To explore the impact of social media on introducing transparency in political leadership and governance To establish how political leaders marshal their support through social media To find out the extent that social media influence how politicians communicate with their supporters To investigate if political accountability increases through the use of social media Importance of Study Academic Importance For a long time, people perceived social media as a platform for people who do not have any significant social interaction skills to interact with other people in the real world. However, with the rapid spread of social media, it is increasingly difficult to find people who do not use social media, at least once a day. Indeed, people have adopted social media as part of their everyday life, and just as technology has found significant meaning in human li fe, online communication derives significant meaning in human interaction. Today, the scope of social media in human interaction occurs at unprecedented levels. Indeed, almost all aspects of our social interactions (whether at political, social, or economic levels), are influenced by social media, somewhat. This expanded scope of social media has prompted many researchers to investigate the impact of social media on not only economic, social, but also political levels. Economically, researchers have investigated the impact of social media on business-customer relations by exploring how businesses can better transform their operations to reflect new consumer tastes and preferences. Socially, researchers have investigated the impact of social media on human interactions by exploring how online communication redefines traditional patterns of communication. Politically, people use social media to redefine the way citizens communicate with their governments, and how citizens can better a rticulate their grievances and concerns towards their governments. Indeed, recently, researchers have used social media to explain most revolts in the Middle East. The recently ended Middle East revolt is one such event that has recreated renewed interest regarding how social media eases democratic reforms. Despite the growing interest of social media on political reforms, one area that many researchers have failed to explore is the impact of social media on the political leaders who drive these political reforms. Instead, most researchers have focused on evaluating the impact of social media on political institutions and movements. Therefore, there has been minimal interest regarding the impact of social media on political figureheads or personalities. Meanwhile, in most countries, these political leaders control political institutions and other structures of power. Indeed, it is difficult to ignore the varying personality and behavioral traits of political leaders. Therefore, this paper investigates the impact of social media on political leaders and their actions. The findings of this study therefore help to build the body of knowledge regarding social media and its impact on political leaders. Professional Interest As online communication continues to transform different political systems and ways of interaction, the importance of diplomacy and Intergovernmental relations continue to gain credence in today’s global society. Considering I am an employee of the Crown Prince Court, that represents the government of Abu Dhabi, I find it crucial to highlight the importance of understanding the role of social media in political leadership, because the Crown Prince Court supports the activities of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the ruler of the Emirates. As a body given the mandate to support the private and public duties of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, it is similarly crucial to understand how online commu nication simplifies the President’s duties. This may happen both locally and internationally because the government of Abu Dhabi mandates the Crown Prince’s Court to support the president’s local and international duties. Therefore, through the understanding of the impact of social media on political leaders, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s court can better understand how to improve the interaction/communication between the President and the citizens of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Through general correspondence, the Crown Prince Court may similarly understand how to gather information from the citizens and provide a customized solution to every concern identified. In addition, since the Crown Prince Court helps to manage the private affairs of the Crown Prince, it would be interesting to understand how the court may improve its functions using social media. This initiative would also be instrumental in creating a stronger impact for the Crown Prince’s corporate and philanthropic initiatives on the citizens. To this extent, the understanding of social media and its impact on political leaders create significant professional interest. Methodology Research Design The methodology for this report will mainly rely on the political discourse analysis method. This research methodology seeks to investigate the prevailing social systems, which lead to the creation of reality. The political discourse analysis method has widely been used in other political spheres, such as, the identification of suitable policies for the creation of practical solutions to solve social problems. In practice, people have used the political discourse analysis method to understand political systems around the world. Most of the analyses show different polarizing outcomes. For example, people have used the political discourse analysis method to understand the exchange of political views in America. This analysis has shown polarized results, where observers demon strate the polarization of Americans along republican and democratic lines. The discourse analysis method will therefore be useful in this study to describe how people talk about things, present them, and use them in their daily lives. Comprehensively, the discourse analysis method shows how these social constructs link to power relations. Through this analysis, it will be easy to understand how social constructs affect political leaders. Data Collection The main data collection method for this paper will be secondary research. The main motivation for using secondary research is its ability to provide an accurate understanding of the research problem by providing a background to the issues surrounding the research problem, and providing different insights from varied authors who have written about the research topic. Through this ability, it is also easy to see how secondary data provide the platform for comparing different views regarding the research topic. Besides these advantage s, using secondary research is also a cheaper alternative to data collection. Furthermore, the use of secondary research saves time. The secondary research sourced will provide a structured framework for the study because it defines the scope, depth, and breadth of the topic. Moreover, the use of secondary research will aid in providing a broader understanding of the research topic by incorporating other research dynamics that do not exist in the objectives of this paper. Peer reviewed journals form the main sources of secondary information for this paper. The above research sources will provide the groundwork for a meta-analysis, which will combine the findings from different data sources to form the framework for the research findings. Therefore, the meta-analysis will estimate the true â€Å"effect size† of the data collected from the secondary research sources. Comprehensively, it will be easy to achieve a systematic review of the research problem by eliminating the less- precise effect size of the research information collected from the secondary research sources. Several advantages may manifest from this meta-analysis. For instance, it will be easy to establish the diversity of the information obtained from the different types of information sources used as secondary research. Through the meta-analysis, it will be equally easy to derive the statistical testing for all the factors involved in the research process. Even though the concept of generalizing findings is a limitation of this study, the meta-analysis will help to generalize the findings of this research to different, but related contexts Data Analysis The main data analysis technique incorporated in this study is the coding technique. As an interpretive tool, the coding technique will sort and evaluate the expansive information obtained from the secondary data analysis process. Indeed, since the diversity of the secondary data chosen will present diverse information regarding the research topic, the coding technique will aid in sorting out this information and categorizing them into easily understandable data. The coding technique works by assigning different codes to related pieces of information. Comprehensively, the coding technique will therefore work by assigning codes to related information, so that it is easier to analyze related literature, as opposed to having many confusing and dynamic information sources (which are difficult to comprehend). The coding technique will therefore be beneficial in providing a structured impression of the overall findings. The member-check technique will similarly play a complementary role to the coding technique in evaluating the credibility, transferability, and accuracy of the information analyzed from the coding technique. In detail, after the categorization of data (into related subjects) by the coding technique, the member-check technique will ensure that the information sourced is factual. Indeed, the member check techniq ue works by evaluating areas of disparities between the outcomes of the data analysis process and the initial sources of information. The member check technique will therefore ensure that the data analysis process reflects the opinions, ideas, context, and attitudes of the authors. The same process will also ensure that there are no significant disparities between the sources of data obtained and the overall outcomes of the data analysis process. Literature Review Public relation is the main profession informing the process of investigating the impact of social media on political leaders. Theoretically, this topic also underlines social networking as the main foundation describing the research topic. Indeed, there are several studies, which show how online communication affects electoral processes and political systems in today’s technological world. Recent research studies investigating the impact of social media on political systems focus on the ongoing Arab spring. Mostly, researchers understand the Arab uprising through the contribution of social media in mobilizing people and aiding political reforms in Tunisia and Egypt. One paper that will be useful in this study is a study by Abdelhay (2012) titled, â€Å"The Arab uprising 2011: new media in the hands of a new generation in North Africa.† This paper sought to draw the link between information and communications technology and the Egyptian and Tunisia political uprisings. The paper also sought to investigate further the new opportunities that online communication has brought to the Arab society, in terms of their ability to speak about social ills, public governance, and newer ways of improving their lives. Abdelhay (2012) therefore describes the relationship between today’s technologically savvy generation, new media and the potential political ramifications of this transformation of the political class and public governance. A related report that concerns the Arab spring uprisings trace to a research paper by Mansour (2012), which discusses the role of social media in aiding the country’s political reforms. The paper incorporated a study that investigated the views of a few Egyptians (sampled through the snowball technique) regarding their involvement in the Egyptian revolts (through social media). This paper is useful to this study because it explains the role of social media in influencing the actions, beliefs, and attitudes of the citizens towards their governments. Indeed, through the understanding of how social media influenced Egyptian political reforms, this paper draws significant comparisons regarding how social media may influence the actions of political leaders to quell such revolts, through democracy or violent crackdowns. An article by Payton (2012) titled, â€Å"Social media and the blogosphere,† also provides a clear direction for this study because it highlights the way different audiences react to social media messages. Howeve r, Payton (2012) analyses the impact of social media on ethnic audiences by evaluating how online communication promotes social activism. Payton (2012) provides a significant understanding of how online communication affects political leaders because she shows how people react to social media and political activism, within this sphere. Therefore, through her discussion, it is easy to predict the outcome of social media on different audiences. In an article titled, â€Å"The use of the internet by political parties and candidates in Scotland during the 2010 UK general election campaign,† Baxter (2011) discusses the use of social media, by politicians, to communicate their campaign messages to the electorate. As the title suggests, Baxter (2011) sought to investigate how political parties and political personalities used social media to design their campaigns in the 2010 UK elections. To achieve this objective, Baxter (2011) analyzed 18 websites of different political parties, and the activities of 12 politicians, to understand how social media affected their political operations. From his investigation, Baxter (2011) was able to establish the high level of social media adoption by UK politicians in the recently ended 2010 elections. His paper directly relates to the subject of this report because Baxter (2011) discusses the impact of social media on political leaders. Therefore, Baxter (2011) provides a tool for comparing the findings of this study to the evidence presented in his report. Tà ¼rke (2006) explores the extent that information communications technology has changed how people interact within different political structures. He acknowledges that today’s political structures are greatly complex and dynamic. However, he says social media has presented new opportunities of interaction, which were hitherto unknown (Tà ¼rke 2006). Therefore, Tà ¼rke (2006) explores how varying social and political dynamics harmonize to present a new model of interaction between politicians and their supporters. To this extent, Tà ¼rke (2006) contributes to this research process by explaining how online communication redefines how political leaders (and their followers) interact today (using social media). This way, it is easier to understand how online communication redefines and reshapes political interactions and governance structures. A related research paper that closely resembles the analogy by Tà ¼rke (2006) is a research paper by Gadekar (2011) titled, â€Å"Web sites for e electioneering in Maharashtra and Gujarat, India. † This paper sought to understand how different political leaders (and political parties in India) used social media to communicate their political messages in the 2009 Indian elections. This paper investigated more than 30 websites run by political parties, and political leaders, to investigate how they used this online platform to mobilize support for their political objectives. The studies occurr ed in two Indian states, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Gadekar (2011) provides a significant contribution to this study because he broadly explains how politicians have used social media, in the past, to advance their political agendas. More specifically, Gadekar (2011) uses a different environment (India) to investigate how online communication works in other social environments. This way, it is easy to compare how political leaders use social media to undertake their political activities in developing and developed nations. Through a research paper titled, â€Å"The use of the Internet in the British European Parliament Election, 2009,† Jackson and Lilleker (2010) investigate the impact of Web 2.0 applications in Europe’s political processes. Mainly, both authors sought to understand how the online platform improved the interaction between political leaders and their followers. The research paper focused on understanding the political intrigues of the 2009 European parlia mentary elections by evaluating the web contents of different political leaders, plus how such online tools changed their interaction with their supporters. Jackson and Lilleker (2010) also provide an insightful analysis into how political leaders use social media to interact with their supporters. Therefore, like Gadekar (2011), it is simpler to understand how Jackson and Lilleker (2010) show the use of social media in advancing political agendas. This analysis also shows how such an insight will explain how political leaders change their strategies by adopting social media as a political tool. Comprehensively, these studies are beneficial to the understanding of how social media impact political leaders. References Abdelhay, N 2012, ‘The Arab uprising 2011: new media in the hands of a new generation in North Africa’, Aslib Proceedings, vol. 64 no. 5, pp. 529 – 539. Baxter, G 2011, ‘The use of the internet by political parties and candidates in Scotland du ring the 2010 UK general election campaign’, Aslib Proceedings, vol. 63 no. 5, pp. 464 – 483. Gadekar, R 2011, ‘Web sites for e-electioneering in Maharashtra and Gujarat, India’, Internet Research, vol. 21 no. 4, pp. 435 – 457. Jackson, N Lilleker, D 2010, ‘Tentative steps towards interaction: The use of the Internet in the British European Parliament Election 2009’, Internet Research, vol. 20 no. 5, pp. 527 – 544. Mansour, E 2012, ‘The role of social networking sites (SNSs) in the January 25th Revolution in Egypt’, Library Review, vol. 61 no. 2, pp. 128 – 159. Payton, F 2012, ‘Considering the political roles of Black talk radio and the Afrosphere in response to the Jena 6: Social media and the blogosphere’, Information Technology People, vol. 25 no. 1, pp. 81 – 102. Tà ¼rke, R 2006, ‘Towards productive and sustainable forms of interaction in governance’, Kybernetes, vol. 35 no. 1, pp. 164 – 181.

buy custom Citizens of America essay

buy custom Citizens of America essay Affirmative Actions: History, Critics, Majorities vs. Minorities, and Current Issues Citizens of America hear it all the time even as early as pre-school when they as kids would gather and rise up out of their seats every morning to say the nations pledge: I pledge allegianceto the republic [United States of America]for which it standsone nationwith liberty and justice for all. Even before the pledge of allegiance was officially recognized by congress as our nations creed in 1942, America (post-revolutionary and presently) has always strived to contour socially, politically, and morally to what the very essence of this pledge stood for, as written by Francis and Edward Bellamy in 1892: united American nationalism and trust in its government (Longley, par.1-2). However, America, being the socially diverse and multi-cultural creature it is, its no surprise that such national creeds like the pledge of allegiance will inevitably be interpreted differently amongst citizens (all from a plethora of different backgrounds) even dismissed and disapproved by others, no matter h ow patriotic they claim to be. This especially holds true for the controversial dogma created only by the pledges last two words: For all. After all (though still amended a couple of times before what it states now) the original pledge was supposed to include the words equality and fraternity but the Bellamy boys were smart and omitted the words for knowledge that their primary distributors, as well as many post-civil war readers, were against equality for African Americans and women and for fear that their piece would not be published (Baer, pg.63). Today when comparing other nations from around the globe to theirs, most Americans like to think that everybody is included in every aspect of its nations dream, that since the U.S. runs on a democracy and its society is divided by class and not caste systems, that everybody has a chance at reaching the high points of success stigmatized by the culture of the times. And while this ideal holds true, that every citizen in the U.S. does ha ve a running chance at becoming whatever they want to be in accordance to social standards, it definitely does not mean that every citizen was placed initially on the same starting line as others. This is because even though citizens proclaim things like liberty and justice for all American society as far back 1600s has penalized individuals opportunistic ventures for a better life, job, education, etc. based on things like race, gender, religion, sexual orientations, etc. But as stated before, American society has always tried to contour itself to its early proclamations (e.g. the pledges, for all and the Declarations, all men are created equal) of being an immigrant founded country in which anybody from anywhere can live to pursue happiness and be free from stifling persecutions found in other countries. However, what about persecution that was initialized domestically? Monumental historical events such as the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, for example, were both domesti c struggles that sought to equalize the American individual racially and push for a new society in which a white, male persecution would be absent and those of minority status can begin to enjoy benefits once previously denied to them. From these events originated other struggles for equality such as Americas Affirmative Action policy and the movement it created in the late 80s (Rubio, 114). The fight for affirmative action is one that, in itself, is also becoming a bit of an American historical movement. This is because affirmative action is basically doing what both the Civil War and Rights Movements aimed to achieve: the suppression of white male supremacy, however, condensing the fight down to workforce sectors and their employment opportunities and hiring regulations while also including other public domains for personal-advancement, such as higher education institutions. As with almost all social movements, affirmative action has been met with vocal proponents and opponents ha rvesting very conflicting views on the subject. The numerous clashing of such oppositions has made Affirmative Action a continually evolving social movement even today. But even given its long history of intensive social and legal battles, Affirmative actions overall mission was/is always to fairly and gradually bring minorities up to that same starting line that white, male Americans have pushed off of for so long. The essence of modern Affirmative Action movements can be traced as far back as past American historically significant events like the slave trades, The Civil War, and the Reconstruction era. Though it is really the period beginning from 1945 to the early 70s and the social, political and legal events that occurred during these years that best represents the most noteworthy evolutionary steps that shaped affirmative action to what it is today. The 1940s was a shaping decade for the United States. After WWII struggles, America during this time was in a state of political and social content and the nation could finally consider itself as a world power and presence (Rubio, 114). The U.S. government now had the responsibility of building itself up domestically. This was primarily through legislation that helped establish new while expanding previous public entities like schools and education, housing, and jobs/employment (Rubio, 114). However the policies that helped enforce this type of funding greatly benefited whites and denied blacks several of their privileges. These unfair government regulations and ordinances is what stirred the first pre-civil rights movements, leading the next decades into a national fight for social/racial equality and opportunistic uniformity. For instance, the regulating of the Federal Housing Administration G.I. Bill (or formally known as the Servicemens Readjustment Act of 1944) was preferential to white veterans only it did not explicitly say it (Rubio, 117). Instead the bills guidelines were constructed in a way that only adhered to the needs of white vets while dismissing black veteran needs as unnecessary disallowing the huge beneficial advantages this piece of litigation gave to men returning home from war and their families (Rubio, 117). Black men were not the only ones omitted from the benefits of the G.I. Bill. Women as well felt the discrimination as they too were denied the bills education and employment benefits (Rubio, 118). Of all the disadvantages FHA regulations brought to minorities (more so black men and their families) the most notable would probably be housing aids and the polarity of race in neighborhoods of working and middle class families that came from it. This was due to the G.I. Bills housing financial aid it gave to white veterans which gave them the chance to live in the growing suburbs of America. The growing American dream of the 40s and 50s wa s pictured as a white, financially stable family residing in a peaceful suburb (Rubio, 120). The FHAs ordinances help to spur this American dream notion and slowly more white families felt influenced to move out of the cities, where the danger of nuclear disaster (Cold War scares) and the cohabitation with blacks were absent, and into the suburbs (Rubio, 122). In the end, the FHA (as well as racist contractors who denied their services to black Americans) successfully created homogenized residential areas where entirely almost all of Americas black population lived in the city and whites predominately lived on the peaceful outskirts of it (Rubio, 122). The differences in residency not only showed blacks that their race was not a part of the overall American dream, but it also effected them in other aspects, like job opportunities which in turn effected their income making opportunities as well (Rubio, 122). Even after the popular Shelley v. Kraemer (in which a black man was denied l iving in an all white neighborhood after buying a home because 30 out of 39 owners signed a restrictive covenant which stated no blacks could be able to purchase residence there) FHA discriminatory practices lingered up till 1955 (Shelley v. Kraemer, par. 1)(Rubio, 123-124). Because of governmental administrative injustices like that of the FHA and the social polarity they created against black and white cultures, America during the 50s and 60s was met with black opposition against the unchallenged control of the white man in almost all aspects of American society. These acts of opposition collectively created what Americans know today as the African American Civil Rights Movement. The African American Civil Rights Movement was a definite foundation of modern day affirmative actions practices, the combined sum of Black movements against white privilege produced the compromise with the status quo known today as Affirmative Action (Rubio, 140). Major legal battles, protests, marches and strikes of the Civil Rights Movement helped to bring down barriers created to keep the black American behind the curve. There was the Supreme Court Case Brown v. Board of Education of 1954 in which parents and community groups, backed by the NAACP, filed suits challenging s egregation of public schools. The case was successful in striking down the separate but equal doctrine of Plessy v. Ferguson and mandating the desegregation of schools across America (Brown v. Board of Education, par. 3). The decision of Brown led to a racial uproar in the south, where bitter white southerners enacted more measures to distance themselves from black Americans. On the other hand, it gave black southerners the confidence to question the constitutionality of all forms of social/public segregation, not just public education (Montgomery Bus Boycott, par.10). This led to the challenging of southern segregation laws like the Montgomery law, which required racial segregation on all buses (Mntgomery Bus Boycott, par.8). The fight for bus equality ignited when one woman, Rosa Parks, was arrested on December 1, 1955 for refusing to abide by the ordinances of the Montgomery law which states all black bus passengers must give up their seat to accommodate white passengers (). Rosa Parks arrest prompted monumental Civil Rights leaders, such as Jo Ann Robinson, E.D. Nixon, and Martin Luther King to organize what will be later known as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, one of the most collectively participated movements of the time. After over a year of legal battles, protesting, boycotting, and picketing the massive boycott was successful and in 1956 Browder v. Gayle district court ruling overturned litigation such as the Montgomery law and stated that segregation of white and negro bus passengers deprives citizens of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment (Montgomery Bus Boycott, par.16). The black struggle for equality during the Civil Rights Movement not only led to desegregation of public entities (school, transportation, etc.) but it also helped spur colorblindness within the private sectors as well, like the workforce. This was mostly because black activists efforts were both diligent and highly contagious to public opposition which was, at times, very violent. Being in a time when Cold War fears were high as well, and domestic anarchy a constant worry, America took its first steps to crafting anti-discriminatory litigation and push to make African American full citizens (Rubio, 144). The 1964 Civil Rights Act, for example, was congress initial push for nondiscriminatory practices regarding employment and education and is viewed to be the basic statutory framework for [modern day] affirmative action (Dale, par. 2). The acts Title VII created equal opportunity regulations for public and private employers with 15 or more employees (Dale, par.2). Title VII also for the first time gave judicial power to give relief funds to those deemed as victims of workforce discrimination (Dale, par.2). Though these regulations were created to remedy past discriminatory practices of an employer, they were hardly ever strictly enforced (Dale, par.2). Title VI of the act prohibits racial or ethnic discrimination in all federally assisted programs and activities, including public and private educational institutions (Dale, par.2). It also required schools and colleges to take affirmative action to attain a more diverse student body (Dale, par.2). The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was viewed by activists as a good start in integrating races in the work place and schools while also providing some sort of resolve for past discriminatory practices (History of Affirmative Action, par.4). But white backlash and riots of the mid-1960s convinced civil rights leaders that there needed to be more extensive measures to ensure blacks could compete equally with whites (History of Affirmative Action, par.4). After making his historic speech endorsing the need for affirmative action before Howard University, Lyndon Johnson issued Executive order 11246 which [required] firms under contract with the federal government not to discriminate and to use affirmative action so that applicants are employed fairly and employees are treated without regard of their race, creed, color, or national origin (History of Affirmative Action, par.4). Even presently, Executive Order 11246 requires all employers with 50 or more employees and those with federal contra cts of up to $50,000 to file written affirmative action plans that include minority and female hiring goals and timetables (Dale, par.5). The order also helped create administrations like the Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCC) to help enforce this policy (History of Affirmative Action, par.5). Although Johnsons Executive Order 11246 was a clear and definite step towards racial opportunity equality in America, the orders initiative was often too vague to uphold it in court while also making it a bit difficult for the OFCC to enforce it (History of Affirmative Action, par.6). Even though being such a vocal proponent of affirmative action, Johnson left office without any definite, long-term affirmative action (History of Affirmative Action, par. 7). It was now up to the Nixon administration to pick up the issue of affirmative action and to promote the first serious affirmative action plan ... that required government-determined, numerically specific percentages of minorities to be hired (History of Affirmative Action, par.8). Nixons administration did this by reforming an old plan that the Johnson administration had set forth of hiring standards set forth the construction industry in the city of Philadelphia (History of Affirmative Action, par. 8). This plan became known as t he Philadelphia Plan. The most major revamping of the Philadelphia Plan by the Nixon administration was setting minimum standards, or specific targets for minority employees in several trades (History of Affirmative Action, par.8). Overtime, the Philadelphia Plan survived an array of both legal and congressional battles before being viewed as a legitimate piece of legislation (History of Affirmative Action, par.10). Eventually, the Philadelphia Plan was incorporated with Executive Order 11246 which in turn affected all federal government contractors, who were required for the first time to put forth written affirmative action plans with numerical target (History of Affirmative Action, par. 10) . Soon after the Philadelphia Plan was put into action, legislation at the federal and state levels were passed creating new affirmative action plans/implementations using Nixons creation as model (History of Affirmative Action, par.12). This is because of the plans unique dynamic of [mixing] of numerical targets and [the] requirements of good faith effort [which] was a milestone in the history of affirmative action (History of Affirmative Action, par.12). The Philadelphia Plan has helped fuel modern day offshoots of affirmative action legislation which are still currently enforced today (History of Affirmative Action, par.12). Peoples Opinion, Critics, Majorities vs Minorities Affirmative action was received differently by different groups of people within the United States society. At the inception of affirmative action in the United States of America the people were divided on the issue. Some supported it stating that it would help the American society deal with issues of discrimination. On the other hand, a group of people mostly made of the whites rejected affirmative action stating that it would introduce preferential treatment of a certain group of people especially blacks and women to acquire positions that they do not qualify for (CRS Report for Congress, 2005). In the past the majority of US population was white. They enjoyed most of the opportunities while the other groups suffered. White males in the United States enjoyed unfair advantages in school and college admission, employment opportunities, and job promotions. The white community were favoured in places like health facilities and educational facilities because they enjoyed the advantages given to them as the majority. They also enjoyed the right to vote and took leadership roles that allowed them to make important decisions that affect the whole society. Therefore, they did not support affirmative action because they viewed it as an action that would threaten the opportunities they enjoyed. They opposed it completely. They viewed affirmative action as a move that had a preferential treatment for people who did not deserve it (US Census Bureau, 2003). On the other hand, minority groups in the United States comprised of women and racial groups, such as black Americans. These groups supported affirmative action because they viewed it as an action that would help them redress the discrimination and atrocities that had been committed against them. These included the denial of fair education, voting, and employment rights. It was through affirmative action that they would receive fair treatment and enjoy all the rights that were previously disapproved by other people. Affirmative action served as compensation and counterbalance for the tendency to underrate women, blacks, and other members of minority groups. These minority groups had been discriminated to the extent that they remained poor and could not access jobs to earn money to satisfy their basic life necessities. Affirmative action would help redress all these issues. Through civil rights movements and womens rights movements minorities in America fought for the implantation of the affirmative action to ensure that their grievances are redressed amicably (Lader, 2010). Critics of affirmative action oppose affirmative action stating that it gives preferential treatment on certain groups while discriminating on other groups. A notable criticism of affirmative action is the view that affirmative action policies that focus on helping black Americans violate the Fourteenth Amendment of the constitution and civil right laws. Critics state that affirmative action destroys the ground that has been set up for all persons to compete and benefit from. This view is logical when considered in a context that overlooks historical injustices that black Americans and other minority groups including women were subjected to. Other critics of affirmative action state that it stigmatizes and undermines the credentials of other minorities that are qualified in certain areas. They state that affirmative action degrades the effectiveness of qualified persons in minoriity status. However, this view does not make significant difference because it does not introduce stigmas that were not existent in the lives of the minorities. Critics also state that affirmative action was introduced as a temporary program that was meant to start a process of redressing the injustices that minority groups were subjected to before the 1960s. For instance, former governor for California Pete Wilson considered affirmative action a program that gave preferential treatment on the basis of historical injustices not applicable in the present world. Therefore, the use of affirmative action in the present world where all people enjoy similar rights and have a level playing ground to achieve their potential is unfair (Bardes, Mack C. Shelley, Schmidt, 2011). Supporters of affirmative action state that it is the only way to achieve equality among all people in USA. They state that the society exposes people to many forms of inequalities that can only be solved through institutional help, for instance historical injustices. Therefore, affirmative action compensates minorities for the past injustices laid against them. Affirmative action also prevents majority groups from enjoying unearned privileges in education, employment, and other opportunities in the society. It also helps create a fair society discouraging systematic exclusion of people who would have been otherwise excluded from important societal decisions and opportunities. They also state that affirmative action provides all ethnic and racial groups an equal representation at all levels of the society. In addition, it improves group decision-making by discouraging single dominance of entities in the society. There are also people and groups who did not and do not support affirmative action. They state that affirmative action is a type of discrimination in its own way. They state that affirmative action discriminates against non-minority groups by introducing institutional discrimination. They also state that affirmative action fills job places that could have been taken by productive people with less productive people. They also state that by preserving opportunities for minorities, affirmative action destroys the spirit of hard work in the American society (Lader, 2010). President Richard Nixon led supporters of the affirmative action and gave the first forceful plan named Philadelphia Order that would ensure the implementation of the affirmative action. This was a test case that would guarantee fair hiring of people in construction jobs in Philadelphia. This was followed by a series of civil rights movements and womens rights movements that led to the implementation of the affirmative action. All forms of discrimination were fought in job places and educational institutions. Universities such as university of Texas and university of Michigan implemented affirmative action programs in their institutions. All states in the United States of America implemented affirmative action programs. The White House also formulated its guidelines on affirmative action. In response to affirmative action issues presented by the opposing sides the Supreme Court has always based its decisions on public opinion. For instance, in 1995 the public was equally divided in regard to affirmative action. The Supreme Court restricted affirmative action allowing some of its proposals while restricting on others. However, in 2003 the public support for affirmative action overweighed its opposition. Thus, the court permitted certain issues of affirmative action that were not granted in the ruling made in 1995 (CRS Report for Congress, 2005). Current Issues In the 21st century, the United States will become a mosaic of minorities as population dynamics continue to change the demographic landscape. (Sterret, 2005) With our growing rates of immigration increasing steadily the more conflict arises on the issue of affirmative action. Also, with the continuous rise for minority power in the workforce the problem of affirmative action is still very much controversial, which many people choose to shy away from in choosing to speak about it. The use of affirmative action policies in government agencies have been banned by voters in the states of California, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington, and Arizona while Utah is on the brink of doing the same (Not so black, 2010). Proposition 209 came into law in November 1996, which banned every form of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, or ethnicity at any public entity in California. It was the first to come to action on banning affirmative action. ). In 1998, Initiative 200 passed a law in Washington with a 48.22% vote to stop affirmative action by state and local governments. Michigan Proposal 2 prohibits affirmative action programs in state agencies and institutions, which became law in December 2006, with 58% voters supporting to ban this practice (Chace, 2011). Initiative 424 was passed in 2008 in Nebraska with a 48% vote. The Arizona civil rights amendment Proposition 107 was passed in 2010 with a 59.5% to ban affirmative action (Chace, 2011). Higher educational institutions must adapt ways that will create a positive opportunity for all students while achieving excellence. It is a constant struggle for colleges and universities to strive for greater diversity. There have been a lot of unanswered questions in dealing with affirmative action. According to Current Issues Involving Affirmative Action and Higher Education although many agree that the achievement of racial and ethnic diversity in both student bodies and faculties is a desirable goal, there is no agreement on the means that should be used to attain this goal. (Sterret, 2005). In regard to colleges and universities, Sterret explains Arredondos discussion in a study in 2001. It was made evident that although colleges do not admit to using any quotas and separate admissions practices between ethnic backgrounds, it is still used today. However, there is a slow decrease in the use of affirmative action in higher institutional programs. Research shows that public 4-ye ar colleges and universities in the U.S. considering minority status in admissions have fallen from more than 60% to about 35% (Chace, 2011). The Supreme Court was involved in its first affirmative action case in twenty-five years in the year of 2003.The cases involving the University of Michigans law and undergraduate programs stirred up some controversy. In the cases of Grutter v. Bollinger and Grutz v. Bollinger, the Supreme Court ruled that race can be taken into account in the admissions process with an emphasis on individualized consideration. However, limitations were to be made in the admissions criteria dealing with race. University of Michigan stated that, we fought for the very principle that defines our countrys greatness. Year after year, our student body proves it and now the court has affirmed it: Our diversity is our strength. (Peterson, 2003) Despite the Supreme Courts decision in 2003, in 2006, 58% of Michigan citizens voted to restrict all of their universities from using affirmative action (Schaefer, 2011, p. 109). Although the United States have seen a significant increase in diversity amongst colleges and universities, legal and political challenges have already limited affirmative action in California, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Maryland, Washington, and Georgia (The commission, affirmative, 2003). Therefore, in place of these policies legislation have implemented percentage plans in California, Texas, and Florida. The emphasis is then placed on admission based on a set percentage of the students high school rank instead. In dealing with affirmative action in the workforce, there has been an increase in female elected into office (Leiter Leiter, 2011). There has been an increase from 8% of the state legislative seats to 24%; from 11% of statewide elective positions to 23%; and from 3% of Congress to 17%. These numbers still dont account for the growing population of women however it is a start in the progress of minorities. There has been a shift in 57% of people that said that more women would be a positive change for government. Throughout the past decade there have been a great increase in opposition to affirmative action. This is clearly evident in the various states today that have already went ahead and banned affirmative action policy. The issue on affirmative action has gone under major scrutiny for years and years and it seems that matters will not be completely solved any time soon. Many states politicians are making the move into banning the use of giving preferential treatment in relation to race to acquire various positions. Although the use of affirmative action is being shied away from there still remain numerous amounts of organizations that include race in their selection process. Research does show that there is a positive association between diversity and work-group performance. Diversity creates conditions that can inhibit group interaction processes and group effectiveness. (Kellough, 2007) Although many view diversity as a positive the stance on affirmative action remains unclear. Affirmative action was created to help minorities and women have a place in society. It was created to help those that suffered discrimination in the past to apply for jobs or other opportunities knowing that they at least have a fighting chance. As a result, this topic has been misconstrued and turned into a negative, which causes tremendous controversy. The debate about affirmative action is still one that has not been answered fully. It is only through an open-minded and honest discussion about the topic where a glimpse of achievement can start to shape. Rather than prolonged controversy, citizens and institutions should be willing to engage in a sincere, open dialogue about issues to ensure that future generations also enjoy the American Dream. (Sterret, 2005) Buy custom Citizens of America essay

Human Resource Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Human Resource Questions - Essay Example hor further asserts that communication also allows human resources to channel the problems that may be facing in their work environments (Smith, 2013). Minus proper communication frameworks, employers rarely understand what human resources require to feel comfortable in their working environments. At this point, labor unions provide a solution that may seem the best alternative to the human resources. Another significant strategy is providing human resources that are considerate to their need in the working environment. Fredericks (2014) is of the assumption that upon employment the perception of the employee on their organization is developed. For this reason, the terms of the employment contract may influence their decision to whether or not join a labor union. For instance, working hours stated in the contract should be reasonable. In an instance where an employee would be required to work for long hours, the compensation should be worth the requirements (Lim, 2012). With proper consideration of employee needs in creating employment contracts on matters such as payment, incentives, working hours and conditions minimize the probability of the human resources to later join labor unions (Lim, 2012). Negotiations between labor parties may be undertaken from different resolution alternatives. Employees may decide to strike to increase the willingness of the employer to address their needs (Maas, 2010). On the other hand, the employer may develop a more peaceful and non-weapon negotiation frameworks. For instance, mediation between conflicting parties and the use of arbitration to solve the problem (Maas, 2010). The mediation process involves creation of a proper communication framework between conflicting sides. Through proper communication a common ground between the conflicting parties may be found (Rahim, 2015). The process may be done by representatives from both parties. However, the process may have disadvantages. Firstly, the superior nature of one party