Mac Miller free essay sample

Mac Miller, is an American rapper from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He Is also a noted record producer under the pseudonym Larry Fisherman. He is signed to Pittsburgh based Rostrum Records, and released his debut album Blue Slide Park, on November 8, 2011, which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 despite being released completely Independently. HIS second studio album Watching Movies with the Sound Off was released on June 18, 2013.Malcolm James McCormick was born on January 19, 1992, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Karen Meyers, a photographer, and Mark McCormick, an His father is Christian and his mother is Jewish; Miller was raised Jewish and had a Bar He was raised in the Point Breeze part of Miller attended Winchester Thornton School and Taylor Lauderdale High School. [8] In high school, Miller decided to focus on his hip hop career, later noting, Once I hit 15, I got real serious about It and It changed my life completely I used to be into sports, play al the sports, go to all the high school parties. We will write a custom essay sample on Mac Miller or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page But once I found out hip-hop Is almost like a Job, thats all I Miller, a self-taught musician, plays piano, guitar, drums, and Miller first started rapping at the age of fourteen. [10] Before that, he wanted to be a singer-songwriter. [11] Prior to changing his name to Mac Miller, he was known as EX Mac and released the mixture But My Mackinac Anti Easy in 2007 at the age of fifteen. Miller was also part of rap group The Ill Spoken together with fellow Pittsburgh rapper, Baddie. The Ill Spoken released the mixture How High in 2008.In 2009 Mac Miller released two mistakes The Jukebox: Prelude to Class Clown and The High Life before getting signed to Rostrum Records. In 2009 at age 17, he made it to the final four in Rhyme Calisthenics, the MAC competition at Shadow Lounge. [12] In early 2010, Miller signed with Rostrum Records. [13] Rostrum president Benny Greenberg met Miller while recording with Wiz Shall at ID Labs. [14] Although Greenberg started giving Miller advice, he didnt show any interest in getting involved with his career until the artist began work on the K. I. D. S. Extirpate, when, as he later told Headwaiters, Greenberg noticed a maturation in his sound and approach to his By that point Miller had started attracting interest from different record companies but chose Rostrum due to its location in his hometown and association with Wiz Kalmia. [14] K. I. D. S. Was released by the label in August 2010. 11] The mixture was inspired by the movie Kids. A significant breakthrough came in late 2010 when Miller embarked on his first tour, the Incredibly Dope Tour, selling out every location. 14] In 2010, he won two awards at the Pittsburgh hip hop awards. 15] Miller has said that he became addicted to combination of Promethean and codeine known as purple drank or lean. which he began taking to manage the stress he was enduring during his Macadamia Tour in 2012. In January 2013, Miller was so bucked up all the time it was bad. My friends couldnt even look at me the same. I was lost. [21] At the time of Millers addiction, his childhood friend, Jimmy Morton, said: l saw him in that mentality I remember being in-?youre getting bucked p because you feel like you need to.Youre trying to get away from everything. For how much he was drinking, its unbelievable that he stopped. Its definitely one of the most impressive things hes ever done. Miller quit taking Promethean in November 2012, before he started the shooting of his upcoming reality show, Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family. [21] Miller was in a long term relationship with a girl he met in middle school for four years until April 2013. Many of the songs on his mixture Macadamia were about their relationship. [48]

Demonstrative Pronouns of Spanish

Demonstrative Pronouns of Spanish If youve already learned the demonstrative adjectives of Spanish, youll find it easy to learn the demonstrative pronouns. They serve basically the same purpose, acting as the equivalent of this, that, these or those in English. The main difference is that they (like other pronouns) stand for nouns rather than modify them. List of Spanish Demonstrative Pronouns Below are the demonstrative pronouns of Spanish. Notice that they are identical to the adjectives, except that most traditionally use accent marks, unlike the adjective forms, and that there is a neuter form. Singular masculine à ©ste (this)à ©se (that)aquà ©l (that, but further away in time, sentiment, or distance) Plural masculine or neuter à ©stos (these)à ©sos (those)aquà ©llos (those, but further away) Singular feminine à ©sta (this)à ©sa (that)aquà ©lla (that, but further away) Plural feminine à ©stas (these)à ©sas (those)aquà ©llas (those, but further away) Singular neuter esto (this)eso (that)aquello (that, but further away) The accents do not affect the pronunciation, but are used merely to distinguish adjectives and pronouns. (Such accents are known as orthographic accents.) The neuter pronouns do not have accents because they have no corresponding adjective forms. Strictly speaking, the accents arent mandatory on even the gendered forms if leaving them off wouldnt create confusion. Although the Royal Spanish Academy, a semiofficial arbiter of proper Spanish, once required the accents, it no longer does, but neither does it reject them. Use of the pronouns should seem straightforward, as they are used basically the same in both English and Spanish. The key difference is that Spanish requires use of the masculine pronoun when it substitutes for a masculine noun, and use of the feminine pronoun when it substitutes for a feminine noun. Also, while English does use its demonstrative pronouns standing alone, it also often uses forms such as this one and those ones. The one or ones shouldnt be translated separately into Spanish. The difference between the à ©se series of pronouns and aquà ©l series is the same as the difference between the ese series of demonstrative adjectives and the aquel series. Although à ©se and aquà ©l can both be translated as that, aquà ©l is used to refer to something further away in distance, time, or emotional feelings. Examples: Quiero esta flor. No quiero à ©sa.  (I want this flower. I dont want that one. Ésa is used because flor is feminine.)Me probà © muchas camisas. Voy a comprar à ©sta. (I tried on many shirts. Im going to buy this one. Ésta is used because camisa is feminine.)Me probà © muchos sombreros. Voy a comprar à ©ste.  (I tried on many hats. Im going to buy this one. Éste is used because sombrero is masculine.)Me gustan esas casas. No me gustan aquà ©llas. (I like those houses. I dont like those over there. Aquà ©llas is used because casa is feminine and the houses are distant from the speaker.)A mi amiga le gustan la bolsas de colores vivos. Voy a comprar à ©stas. (My friend likes colorful purses. I am going to buy these. Éstas is used because bolsas is plural feminine.) Using the Neuter Pronouns The neuter pronouns are never used to substitute for a specific noun. They are used to refer to an unknown object or to an idea or concept that isnt specifically named. (If you would have occasion to use a neuter plural, use the plural masculine form.) The use of eso is extremely common to refer to a situation that has just been stated. Examples:  ¿Quà © es esto? (What is this [unknown object]?)Esto es bueno. (This [referring to a situation rather than a specific object] is good.)El padre de Marà ­a murià ³. Por eso, est triste. (Marys father died. Because of that, shes sad.)Tengo que salir a las ocho. No olvides  eso. (I have to leave at eight. Dont forget that.)Quedà © impresionado por aquello. (I left affected by that.) Key Takeaways The demonstrative pronouns of Spanish are the equivalent of English pronouns such as this and these.The demonstrative pronouns must match the nouns they refer to in gender and number.Neuter demonstrative pronouns are used to refer to concepts and situations, not named objects.

Characters on the Road Film Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Characters on the Road Film - Assignment Example The main character is Al Roberts, who believes that was not for the malicious destiny he would not be facing all the troubles in his life. The other character is Haskell, and Al believes that his death led to him been shunted into a different destination from the one he would have picked. In Al life journey, the other character, who is Vera, is introduced to the audience, as well as to Al’s life when he picks her on the road. After Al’s act of picking Vera, she becomes his companion while traveling and later she even gets the title of a spouse while Al thinks he is the gods’ helpless plaything. According to Al, in life’s journey, fate can put a finger on anyone without any relevant reason. The reason why Al comes up with this conclusion is as a result of the police car drawing on them beside him just in the final shot. Even after, Al picks Vera; she is neither a sympathetic nor an impartial observer in respect to Al’s predicament. In my opinion, the director of the film brings out the concept of helping another individual has no guarantee of them returning the favor; hence, it is crucial that one does not build high expectation after helping people. The film uses the concept of a flash back to show how much Al would have loved to have a certain part of his memory disappear, and the clear indication that Al is not content with what is happening to him because of the pain he portrays during the flashback. Therefore, in my opinion, human life is mostly a journey where individuals travel looking for greener pastures.

History of Urban Setting Schools in the United States Essay

History of Urban Setting Schools in the United States - Essay Example This essay discusses that quality education is important to students and a nation as well. When students excel in their academics, they have a chance of excelling in the job market as well. In the United States, the education sector has been a major priority, with numerous of reforms being implemented to improve students’ performance. Urban schools in the United States are located in the urban areas, with relatively high rates of poverty and mostly comprising students with limited English proficiency, therefore regarded as high need. The urban schools were formed with an aim of accommodating children from low income families. The ‘No Child Left Behind Act’ was implemented with an aim of improving performance of students especially in urban schools. In addition, the Act was implemented by former president Bush in 2002 with an aim of improving students’ performance, hence assisting them to succeed in the future. This paper discusses the history of urban schoo l setting in the United States, its crisis and the â€Å"No Child Left Behind Act† and its repercussions in depth. According to Gaskell, in the early years, wealth was accumulated by a limited number of individuals, and as a result, poverty levels in the urban areas increased significantly. The urban population in the United States increased as well, resulting into many differences, such as racism and inequality. The funding of schools between the wealthy and the poor districts faced inequality. The urban schools in the United States have over the years faced a declining level of test scores and high rates of violence. According to Stark (2011), urban schools in the 1800s were started with an aim of providing immigrant parents with affordable places for their children to stay during the day as they worked in mills, factories, or shops. By 1920, the urban schools served the middle-class clients who aimed for white-collar jobs; however, by the late 1920s, the working class†™s children had flooded the urban schools, hence changing their status due to financial constraints. Today, there is a sense of hopelessness in the urban schools, contributing to high levels of dropouts. According to Kincheloe (2006, p.95), teaching and learning practices in such schools do not value or encourage students’ performance. DSA (2012) adds that, quality education is a human right for all American students, and therefore, fairness and equality should be observed in the urban schools. Urban schools compromise of children from poor backgrounds; they amount to 11.5 million who live below the average poverty line, attending poverty-stricken schools, and lack computers and decent learning facilities. The urban schools force children to learn in unfriendly environment, which lack air conditioning. Moreover, urban schools record a high level of dropouts, especially among African American students. The performance of these schools in alarming, and this is an issue that n eeds to be addressed. No Child Left Behind Act A report of 1983 indicated that, there was a risk in the education sector, as 13% of 17-year olds on the country were considered illiterate, with scores in mathematics, physics, and English deteriorating (Jorgensen & Hoffmann, 2003, p.2). The rate of remedial classes in mathematics had increased by 72%; in addition, the school curriculum was of low quality, therefore of less benefit. The declining level of homework was also noted in the report, with less mathematics and science courses enrollment. The time students spent on schoolwork was much less; the schools’ administration did not encourage students to develop the required study skills such as time management, and emphasis on schoolwork (Jorgensen & Hoffmann, 2003, p.3). The 1983 report also indicated that, the teaching programs needed improvement; there was also shortage in the number of

American History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 6

American History - Essay Example The harnessing of similarly skilled and unskilled populations into a cooperative entity to create products for marketing under a single roof was the most primitive form of a factory. Modern factories are highly sophisticated and expertly managed conglomerates which utilize the raw material and human resources in an energy efficient manner backed by highly sophisticated means of creating demand, transportation and marketing. The industrial revolution in the last few decades of the twentieth century has dictated much of the economic prosperity in the world and has become a natural part of our life. Our interpretation of historical industrialization is therefore much easier to envisage than what it could have been from a person living in the 18th or the 19th century. America was basically envisaged by its builders as a country whose backbone was intended to be agrarian rather than what actually happened during the course of history (McKinney, 2008). Thomas Jefferson initially promoted a n agrarian and subsistence farming based model for America which, to his dismay, gradually transformed into an industrial revolution based on innovation and enterprise, driven by profit which led to the emergence of market capitalism (McKinney, 2008). Historically, the period between the revolution and the civil war has been the most influential era which marked the emergence of factories, especially in the northern zone of the American republic in New England and Middle Atlantic states (Prude, 1997). This era saw the emergence of textile factories where mass production of the entity was undertaken under a single roof with the aid of innovative machinery which included powering by water mills. Factories were interpreted in those times as merely manufacturing units with some form of mechanization and use of mass labor (Prude J). In fact, in that era, any non-agriculture work situation was referred to as a factory before it acquired the modern

Impacts of Knife Crime

Impacts of Knife Crime Britain is in the grip of a knife crime epidemic. This is the impression one gets from the media: every week seems to bring new stories of stabbing and murder among city youth. But why are these youngsters engaging in such activity? This quote suggests that young people who carry knives do so protection, status and peer pressure. The media also plays a part by reinforcing the idea that everyone else is carrying a weapon. Finally, the quote claims socially excluded young people from dysfunctional families are more likely to use knives. The first part this essay will first give an overview of the labelling approach and social construction theory, it will then go on to consider whether young people are in fact engaging in knife crime because of the above reasons, or whether it is simply a consequence of the labelling process. The labelling theory devotes little effort in explaining why certain individuals begin to engage in deviance. Rather, it stresses the importance of the process through which society defines acts as deviant and the role of negative social reactions in influencing individuals to engage in subsequent acts. The labelling theorists shift their attention away from individuals and their actions and toward the dynamic of social definition that particular acts or actors are deviant. The first labelling theorist was Frank Tannenbaum (1938), he suggested the person who is labelled, subsequently becomes the thing he is being described as. Whether that label be given by those who would punish, or by those who would reform. In either case the emphasis is upon the conduct that is being disapproved of. The harder the criminal justice system works to reform the evil, the greater the evil will grow and the harder it will become to suppress the bad behaviour. He claimed the way out was through a refusal to dramatize the evil. The less said about it the better. The more said about something else, still better.   Taylor et all (1973) reinforced the labelling theory by suggesting that the way a stop will be put to deviant behaviour is: to create a society in which the facts of human diversity, whether personal, organic or social, are not subjected to the power to criminalize.   Sociologist Haword Becker(1963), recognised deviance is not a quality that lies in the behaviour itself but in the interaction between the person who commits an act, and those who respond to it. A good way to demonstrate this point is by referring to the study of opiate use  by the sociologist Alfred Ray Lindesmith, his findings demonstrated how a person becomes aware of their addiction. In essence it is not the drug that makes the person an addict, the addiction is a result of social definition. When others label them as addicts, then the person too comes to define himself as an addict. In other words behaviour is not inherently deviant or normal but is defined and labelled that way. So how does the labelling process work? Erikson (1975), the founder of the labelling theory, describes two main stages to the labelling process. The first stage involves primary deviance, which is the initial criminal act, after which a person may be labelled as deviant or criminal, but does not yet accept this role. So the person does not view himself as a criminal. It is this lack of viewing that separates primary deviance from the next stage, second deviance. Secondary deviance involves a status degradation ceremony This begins by a formal confrontation between the deviant and the officials, as in the criminal trial; this is then followed by an announcement of the verdict, and finally the deviant is assigned with a special role, like a prisoner which redefines his position in society. According to Tannenbaum (1938), formal proceedings signify the dramatization of evil, whereby the act is publically announced and defined as immoral. News of the formal sanction will then spread across the community leading to others also labelling him as deviant. The individual finally accepts the criminal label; their self concept is changed from normal to deviant. According to Lemert, This becomes a mean of defence, attack, or adaption to the problems caused by societal reaction to primary deviation.  This process can also take place in a more subtle fashion as well. For example, the family of deviant may become withdrawn and distance themselves from hi m in disappointment, regardless of whether a formal charge has occurred. Accordingly, the labelling theory suggests: if the individual accepts this negative criminal label that has been applied, they are then more likely to continue engaging in the behaviour that the label was initially meant to control. In other words the label leads the deviant individual to follow a self-fulfilling prophecy conforming to ascribed label, causing them to lead deviant careers. For example, if a person is caught carrying a knife, but is not apprehended or labelled as deviant, that person is more likely to forgo such behaviour in the future. However, if the person is apprehended and labelled as a criminal, then the person is subsequently more likely to change his identity as a rest of the exclusion felt by the individual from normal routines or conventional opportunities, and increased contact with the deviant groups. Having explained the theory, this essay will now interlink the labelling theory with the quote. The quote itself suggests most young people carry knives for: protection, status and peer pressure. The perceived need for protection is compounded by the sense, reinforced by the media coverage of stabbings, that everyone is carrying a weapon, as well as experience of victimisation. In terms of socially excluded young people from dysfunctional families are more likely to engage in knife use. For young people, the transition from childhood to adult can be rather confusing, their adult identity is not yet developed and so they often become bewildered as to their own position within society. George Herbert Mead claimed an individual develops a sense of self through how others perceive them, he coined this as the looking glass self. He suggested as children develop, they become more aware of their own social position and others around them, and subsequently become concerned about the demands and expectations of others and of the larger society. To demonstrate this point, he used a basketball game as an example, to show children, like basketball players, must take into account the roles of all players, as well as consider their own role.  [8]   This symbolic interaction to the study of deviance focuses on the process by which the wider social audience creates deviance and deviants by defining the acts and actors that way. The problem with defining young people as either knife carriers or knife users is that the term knife crime encompasses a very broad range of offences, and makes no distinguish between actual carrying and using. Furthermore, knife crime statistics are equally as difficult to quantify due to lack of clarity. The offences recorded involve sharp instruments these might actually refer to screwdrivers, broken bottles or glass, not a knife. Similarly offences listed as threatening another person with a weapon might involve sticks, rocks or other objects as well as knives. Furthermore certain types of knife may be carried legally if the carrier has a good reason, for example if it is work related, or for religion purposes. So there is some confusion as to who should be labelled when the definition itself is so br oad, a clearer definition is required in order to prevent sensationalised use of the term. If deviance is therefore just a label, where does the label come from? And how does the label come to be applied to specific behaviour and particular individuals? According to the sociologist Howard Becker(1963), moral entrepreneurs are often ones who create the rules about what constitutes deviant or conventional behaviour.  He believes that moral entrepreneurs use their own perspectives on what they believe is right or wrong to establish the rules by which they expect the rest of society to live, usually for their own political agendas. Furthermore, it has been suggested that these rules as to what is right or wrong are not randomly distributed across the social structure, but are instead more likely to apply to the powerless, the disadvantaged, and the poor. Because of existing stereotypes, which portray criminals as members of lower classes, minorities, urban dwellers, and young adults, individuals who belong to such groups are more likely than others to be labelled delinquent.   So the labelling process is a clear case of double standard, one rule for the rich and one for the poor. A perfect example to show this inadequacy is the recent MP expense row, those in power were stealing from the rest of society, yet their power enabled them to put the issues of youth violence, weapon use and gangs at the fore front, sending out sensationalised messages of a broken society  to exploit their own agendas. So the crime of the powerful is somewhat ignored by shifting societies focus on crimes of the middle and lower class. So is the quote correct in assuming knife users are generally from dysfunctional families? A dysfunctional family is one who has very few values or discipline within the household. An interesting theory to incorporate here is the control theory; this is concerned not with why people commit crime, but why so many refrain from doing so. It suggests those children who grow up with parents who exercise fair and consistent discipline are less likely to offend, and more likely to stay committed to conventional definitions of right or wrong behaviour. Those children who typically engage in knife crime or any other crime for that matter are said to come from broken homes, where they have not experienced love or care. Linking this back to the labelling theory, which suggests the powerless, low class are more likely to lead deviant careers, because they lack bonds with society and law. Subsequently, young people who have dysfunctional families within these communities will more likely conform to stereotypes they face. More so, if their parents informally label them as deviant which is very likely in cases of minorities from lower class; because they engage in more objective deviance.  This appraisal from the parent will influence their further delinquency. The quote also suggests the mass media also plays a part in ones decision to carry a knife, but is this true? Does the medias public labelling have an impact on a young persons decision to carry a knife around for protection? The media is one of the most persuasive features of society. The messages and information society receives through the media plays a huge impact on influencing their opinions and understanding. It sends out an image of the world as unrealistically clear-cut and understandable.  The media messages are in fact cleverly selected and edited, in order to offer identifiable values, interest and normative expectations. Stanley Cohen researched the social reaction of the Mods and Rockers disturbance in 1964; he claimed the media created a moral panic by labelling them as folk devils and exaggeration the initial events.  The original incident simply became an opportunity to exploit and enhance the social status of the moral entrepreneurs. In terms of knife crime or any other crime for that matter, the media is able to cultivate in their audience a belief that the larger social environment is dangerous and frightening, for example, when the mail screams that Shock figures reveal no part of Britain is safe as knife violence spreads everywhere, Thugs committing 350 knife assaults EVERYDAY, as blade menace spreads to rural areas, Britain on alert for deadly new knife with exploding tip that freezes victims organs, these are just a few examples to demonstrate the medias exaggeration. In the last headline, the knife was only sold in America, designed to kill sharks and bears, so no risk was being posed in Britain. But these types of sensationalised reports enhance social control, because the frightened audience are easily manipulated and easily accept what the media presents, and knife crime becomes wider and threatening then it actually is. The media has its good elements too; it helps raise knife crime awareness and also brings to the forefront campaigns against knife crime. The bad news is that the huge publicity devoted to raising awareness has the preserve effect of normalising it. The crime reduction charity Nacro, for example, argued: the suggestion that it is in any sense the norm to carry weapons is likely to increase the number of young people who do so, simply because they fear attack and wish to have the means to protect and defend themselves.  Furthermore the Mothers against Murder and aggression Wales found the way knife crime is portrayed in the news gives out the message that all teenagers are armed, which is a frightening concept, Almost everyone carrying a knife does so because they feel they have to protect themselves as everyone else is doing so.  So the media, like the labelling theory, labels certain groups of people, in this case young people, without any proper justification. Furthermore headl ines such as war on young thugs contributes to the concept that for some young people there is a war being waged against them and they be fighting back.  Furthermore the negative connotations of youths, when the vast majority are law-abiding, can add their sense of being under attack. As a consequence these labelled youths may begin to believe stereotypical beliefs surrounding them, or they may think that these beliefs exist based on their learned perception of what people think about criminals; fearing rejection, they may withdraw from interaction with conventional peers. Goffman (1963) suggests labelling can cause the interaction between normal people and stigmatized youth to be uneasy and embarrassing. These awkward experiences are felt by those who bear the stigma as well as those who do not. According to Goffman (1963 the very anticipation of such contacts can lead normals and the stigmatized to arrange life so as to avoid them. Therefore non labelled adolescents and labelled adolescents may tend to avoid one another in order to avoid uncomfortable interaction dynamics. Feeling isolated from the mainstream of society, and being locked within their deviant role, they may seek others similarly labelled to form deviant subcultures.  The deviant subculture will represent a source of social support in which deviant activities are accepted. A social shelter will be provided by the subculture away from those who react negatively towards the deviant status; it will offer alternative values, habits, interests and attitudes. So if an individual is labelled as deviant from society, then that labelled person is increasingly likely to become involved in social groups that consist of social deviants and unconventional others.  Tannenbaum and Becker highlight the role of deviant networks in explaining how public labelling can increase the likelihood of deviance. A final step in the career of a deviant is movement into an organised deviant group. The deviant group provides opportunities that encourage, support and facilitate deviant behaviour. These deviant sub cultures are made up of leaders and followers, solidarity of intention, clarity of purpose. These characteristics may seem positive in an adult world, even necessary for achieving adult identity and self esteem. However this hierarchy proves to be negative in terms of delinquent groups. Those at the top of the hierarchy, the leaders are often given a prestige status, one which would not be given in the mainstream society. With regards to knife crime, these leaders of the gangs side step the risk of being caught carrying a knife, by pressuring the younger member of the gangs to carry them, some as young as seven, this is often referred to as golf caddy. This often leads to an arm race among young people who feel increasingly threatened by peers carrying blades and so carry knives to protect themselves. So as the quote suggested, protection is rightfully a number one motive for knife carriers. Furthermore, young people will carry knives, out of respect, maybe trying to make a name for themselves on the street and gain respect,  so the status which they lack from mainstream society is obtainable within the subculture, To conclude, having gone through the factors within the quote, it seemingly appears that the quote is incorrect. The factors listed within the quote are simply all a consequence of the labelling theory. Society itself is quick to judge and put a label on everything, it was not so long so ago when gun crime was the cause of concern, and now it is knife crime. The term knife crime itself needs a clearer definition, so a distinction can be made between knife use and knife carrying. Furthermore, those who enjoy the power to label need to put an end to class biasness, as the powerless appear disproportionately in official statistics on deviance, which gives an inaccurate account of knife crime. Moving on to the factors themselves, status is something young people crave in order to develop their own adult identity. Once officially labelled through a status degradation ceremonythe individuals criminal status becomes their master status. The peer pressure elements falls into the equation onc e the individual has united with deviant subcultures, as peer pressure is part of the gang culture. The media also plays a big part, by publically labelling certain subcultures as delinquent. So all the factors form one vicious circle, which an individual will have to go through once labelled, This could be avoided, if the courts refused to dramatise the evil by implementing a system whereby minor crimes would not involve formal sentencing and the status degradation ceremony that goes with it. Instead a rehabilitative therapy and out of court settlement could be introduced in order to give young offenders the opportunity to reform and integrate back into society, not excluding them further.

Gender and Power in The Arabian Nights Essay -- The 1001 Arabian Night

Gender and Power in The Arabian Nights Works Cited Not Included Contemplating the relationship between gender and power, one undoubtedly notices that tradition regards men as the holders of official office and power. Historically, men have also always been the leaders of their families, and turned to in times of trouble or need. Making generalizations is normally a weak approach to any task; in this case however, it is necessary to do so in order to illustrate how drastically opposite the situations prove in various selections from "1001 Arabian Nights." Rather than men taking critical roles of power, the women characters, especially at crucial moments in the plot, empower themselves far beyond the male figures, and, consequently, prove much more important to their respective plots. The stories offer a different perspective on the gender-power relationship and, consequently, ask readers to reconsider their notions of the traditional relationship between gender and power. In "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp", Aladdin's character is that of a lazy vagabond lacking motivation to pursue anything in life. In fact, Aladdin's idleness is so grave that he causes his own father's death. The gender-power relationship is introduced almost immediately with Aladdin's father's death; because of the death, Aladdin's mother is forced to provide for the family and care for her only child. Traditionally, the father in a family has been the one to work, while the mother cared for the children. Thus, Aladdin's mother is empowered almost immediately in the story as she is forced to take on both the role of matriarch and patriarch. Aladdin's mother is again empowered by her desire to help her pathetically useless son. Aladdin, who "fell helplessly ... ...tory, and indeed has more impact on the story than any of the men. Through her striking empowerment, Scheherazade even saves her own life, as well as those of any other virgins the king may have taken. Ultimately, the stories of "1001 Arabian Nights" indeed leave readers no choice but to re-evaluate their classic perceptions of the gender-power relationship. In the stories discussed above, there is simply no question that the action of the stories and the important moments in each revolve entirely around the women. Those who regarded the gender-power relationship as a non-issue must now think again. It is difficult to disprove a widely spread notion such as the one at hand here, but one can always try. It seems clear, however, through these examples, that perhaps classic perceptions that the male is more powerful than the female really should be reconsidered.

Case study Wilson Lumber Company Essay

QUESTION 1 WHY HAS WILSON LUMBER BORROWED INCREASING AMOUNTS DESPITE ITS CONSISTENT PROFITABILITY? Although the company seems to be profitable, it has faced shortage of cash. It happened due to increase in Accounts Receivable as well as Inventories. On the other hand, Accounts Payable does not increase that rapidly and difficulties regarding cash collection become evident. Furthermore, the cash collection cycle becomes larger (59 days in year 2003, while more than 70 in year 2006). QUESTION 2 HOW HAS MR. WILSON MET THE FINANCING NEEDS OF THE COMPANY DURING THE PERIOD 2003 THROUGH 2005? HAS THE FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF WILSON LUMBER IMPROVED OR DETERIORATED? EVALUATE WILSON LUMBER FINANCIAL HEALTH. During 2003- 2005 the company borrowed money (long term loan) from bank to finance its operations. In general profitability ratios are positive, however, could be higher. That might be a signal of cost reduction. On the other hand, the company becomes less liquid and its liquidity ratios keep dropping within all years. Both liquidity rations inform that there is lack of cash in the company. The leverage ratios show that company has increased its long term debt and now company becomes more financed by debt than equity. As the debt grows, the interest rates become larger and thus the interest coverage ratio becomes smaller. The activity ratios point out that the cash collection cycle becomes larger therefore company faces some serious issues regarding cash collection (59 days in 2003 whereas 78 in year 2006). QUESTION 3 TO ESTIMATE THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH RATE (SGR) THAT WLC CAN SUSTAIN WITHOUT  FURTHER WEAKENING THE BALANCE SHEET ASSUMING: NO CHANGE IN THE RATIO OF SALES TO TOTAL ASSETS, NO CHANGE IN THE RATIO OF TOTAL LIABILITIES TO OWNERS’ EQUITY NO EQUITY ISSUES OR REPURCHASES A RETURN ON BEGINNING EQUITY OF 20 % ( THE 2005 LEVEL), AND A CONTINUATION OF THE POLICY OF PAYING NO DIVIDENDS. QUESTION 4 HOW ATTRACTIVE IS TO TAKE THE TRADE DISCOUNTS ? IF MR. WILSON IS OFFERED A DISCOUNT OF 2% FOR A PAYMENT MADE IN 10 DAYS AND  DOES NOT IN FACT 50 DAYS; IF MR. WILSON OFFERS HIS CUSTOMERS TERMS OF 2 % DISCOUNT FOR PAYMENT IN 10 DAYS WHAT WOULD COST. A. 2/10/50 (0.02/(1-0.02))*(360/(50-10))=0.18 % Is 18% interest B. 2/10/30 (0.02/(1-0.02))*(360/(30-10))=0,36% Is 36% interest I would prefer to take a discount because it has a lower interest rate. QUESTION 5 DO YOU AGREE WITH MR. WILSON’S ESTIMATE OF THE COMPANY’S LOAN REQUIREMENTS? HOW MUCH WILL HE NEED TO FINANCE THE EXPECTED EXPANSION IN SALES TO $ 5.5 MILLION IN 2006 AND TO TAKE ALL TRADE DISCOUNTS? We calculated that Mr. Wilson would need an estimate of 982000 not 750000 to finance the expected expansion. As well after viewing the liquidity ratios who tend to decrease in last years, it would be risky to take such a loan. QUESTION 6 AS MR. WILSON’S FINANCIAL ADVISER, WOULD YOU URGE HIM TO GO AHEAD WITH, OR TO RECONSIDER, HIS ANTICIPATED EXPANSION AND HIS PLANS FOR ADDITIONAL DEBT FINANCING ? As financial advisor I would urge Mr Wilson to take the loan, despite the fact of low liquidity and increase in debt throughout the last years. The loan from Suburban National bank is not sufficient for meeting the needs of Mr Wilsons company, furthermore, the debt continues to rise due to the buy-out of Mr Holtz; this also has increased the low liquidity of the company. However, the reasons why I would recommend taking the loan are: So far Mr Wilson was unable to take advantage of the trade discounts (2% off if paid within 10 days), however by taking loan he will be able to do so, in addition, this will also help to increase the profitability by reducing the costs. The EBIT is also increasing steadily, however with the necessary loan Mr Wilson could increase its earnings by one third in only one year. The economic value added also has increased significantly, especially in year 2004 and in year 2005. Despite the significant loan Wilson Lumber Company borrows in year 2006, they will still manage to generate economic value of 12, 55 thousand dollars. Also very good indicator that Mr Wilson should take the loan is the return on invested capital which is actually higher than cost of capital (WACC). Even in year 2006 it is estimated that the ROI will be higher than WACC, while in the next year the ROI will continue to grow. QUESTION 7 AS THE BANKER, WOULD YOU APPROVE MR. WILSON’S LOAN REQUEST, AND, IF SO, WHAT CONDITIONS WOULD YOU PUT ON THE LOAN ? WHAT ABOUT WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND HIM? As a banker I would approve the loan as the company itself does not show great risks. Most of the bad indicators (low liquidity) are created by the limited loan provided by Suburban National Bank and also by the customers who does not pay immediately. The rather big inventory also is not that bad  indicator as it also has it benefits- can be ready for unexpected orders. Good indicators which show that Mr Wilsons Company is performing are the increase in sales, net income, and return on equity. If Mr Wilson would like to take the loan, first he would have to agree to such conditions: Maintain the capital at agreed level; Reduce the inventory; Additional investments in fixed assets could be made only with the prior approval of the bank; The accounts receivables must be reduced, by reducing the payment time for customers.

Audience Analysis Essay

Communication is one of the most important skills that an individual can possess when presenting to a group of people. The audience should always be focal point of the presenter as communication is an important foundation and can often determine the success or failure of a message being received. When communication is done properly it can build respect and trust between groups and help identity the issues at hand. The presenter must have a good understanding of the audience’s culture in order to effectively communicate with the group. In this assignment I have been asked to present quarterly sales information in an in-person meeting to a group of stakeholders that includes managers, salespeople, and customers. I have been asked to answer a number of different questions before I present my information to the audience. The following questions will be answered in this paper. 1.What are audience characteristics you need to consider?2.What communication channels would be appropriate and why?3.What are some considerations that you must keep in mind given the diversity of the audience?4.What would you do to ensure that your message is effective?Before you can prepare a presentation you must consider the characteristics of your audience. I know that my audience consists of managers, salespeople, and customers of this particular organization. Because I have identified my audience I now have a better understanding of the audience’s knowledge of the subject. I also understand their interest in the subject; I understand that the different groups of individuals may only be interested in certain results of the quarterly sales information that is being presented. Managers and salespeople may have different subject knowledge than the customers. I will needs to address the different needs of all parties in attendance. I will have to customize certain parts of my presentation in order to address the specific needs of each group within the audience. I will also need to understand what the audience is expecting to learn from my presentation. I should be able to meet and exceed their expectations and the audience should walk away with their questions answered and explained as well as have a better understanding of the quarterly sales information that was presented to them. Because this is an in-person meeting certain communication channels are more appropriate than others. Power-point presentations would be an appropriate method of communication between the presenter and the audience. This is an effective method because it not only allows the presenter to discuss the statistics; but will also allow the present to show the audience the statistics in detail and all together as a group. Printed handouts or documents are another method of communication that would be considered appropriate in an in-person meeting. This method allows the audience to take part in reading the information provided and also gives them something to take with them from the meeting for future reference. Because the majority of the information is being presented orally, the presenter must consider their own body language and speech effectiveness to the audience. Body language and speech are both very important as the audience will be feeding off of the enthusiasm of the presenter. If the presenter gets the attention of their audience it is important to keep it in order to effectively communicate the information. Because there is diversity in the audience certain considerations must be kept in mind when presenting quarterly sales information. Each group will have different levels of interest in the information being presented. The customers will probably not have the same level of interest in certain aspects of the presentation as the managers and salespeople. Another consideration that the presenter must keep in mind is the information that is being communicated to the group. There is a certain amount of statistical data that the organization might not want all the members of the audience to know about. This information might be better presented in a manager’s only meeting. Other considerations that a presenter may want to keep in mind given the diversity of the audience is the average age, gender, culture background, education, economic status, and group memberships of the attending audience. These considerations individually may not have a big impact on the methods of communication chosen by the presenter, but together will allow the presenter to understand the diversity of the audience to which the information is being communicated. To ensure that the presentation is a success and the information is received effectively I would make sure that I have a concrete agenda and use it. I would also make sure that I interact with the audience, for example when presenting the sales data I might ask the audience if anyone has any suggestions to help increase the sales in a particular area. I would ask some open-ended questions to help encourage audience participation. I would also ask the audience to participate in constructive group discussions and would frequently check for group consensus on particular issues and decisions. At the end of the meeting I would survey the group through E-mail, fax, letter to ensure that the information that was presented was received and understood. I would also make myself available to answer any questions that may need clarification on an individual level. References Locker, K., & Kienzer, D. (2008). Business and Administrative Communication (8th edition). McGraw-Hill, 2008 New York, NY. Retrieved from the University of Phoenix web-site. Payne, B. (2008). Effective group Communication. Retrieved on April 24, 2009 from the world wide web at: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nreninf.nsf/childdocs/-C835B1CE4BC7F1D04A2568B30004FC37-4FEBC5DEBF535AC1CA256BC8000410EB-5D3323C8EDE7C7EB4A256DEA00294D0A-B59DCFB30DB614C3CA256BCF000AD4E0?openPearson, Allyn & Bacon (1995-2009). Demographic Characteristics of Your Audience. Retrieved on April 24, 2009 from the world wide web at: http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_public_speaking_2/24/6223/1593259.cw/index.html . Copyright  © 1995 – 2009, Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Allyn & Bacon. McGee, J. Important Characteristics of your Audience. Writing and Designing Print Materials for Beneficiaries: A Guide for State Medicaid Agencies. Health Care Financing Administration, Baltimore, MD. HCFA Publication Number 10145. October 1999, page 66, and the Plain English Network Web site at http://www.plainlanguage.gov. Retrieved from the world wide web on April 26, 2009 at: http://www.talkingquality.gov/docs/section3/popups/characteristics_pop.htm

The character of Thomas Jefferson Essays - Thomas Jefferson

The character of Thomas Jefferson Essays - Thomas Jefferson The character of Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson: The Man, The Myth, and The Morality Thomas Jefferson was a man of the greatest moral character who has been excoriated routinely over the last 30 years by historical revisionists and presentists. His commitment to America and his vast contributions to the framing of society as it is today are overlooked in favor of base analysis of his character that, while not flawless, is that of a morally upright person who has deeply held convictions and lives by them. Jefferson was born to a prominent family of Virginia tobacco growers. Plantation life is based largely around the work of slaves, so Jefferson was surrounded by them from the time of his birth in 1743 until the day he died. One of the harshest criticisms of Jefferson comes from the fact that, while he vehemently opposed slavery, was indeed a slave owner himself. As historian Douglas L. Wilson points out in his Atlantic Monthly article Thomas Jefferson and the Character Issue, the question should be reversed: ...[T]his was of asking the question... is essentially backward, and reflects the pervasive presentism of our time. Consider, for example, how different the question appears when inverted and framed in more historical terms: How did a man who was born into a slave holding society, whose family and admired friends owned slaves, who inherited a fortune that was dependent on slaves and slave labor, decide at an early age that slavery was morally wrong and forcefully declare that it ought to be abolished? (Wilson 66). Wilson also argues that Jefferson knew that his slaves would be better off working for him than freed in a world where they would be treated with contempt and not given any real freedoms. Another way that Thomas Jefferson shows his moral character is in his most famous achievement, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. This document is probably the most important document in the history of the United States, and one of the most important in the history of the world. Jefferson writes that all men are created equal and argues that every man has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jeffersons document shows not only his strongly held beliefs in freedom, but his acceptance of and belief in the views of the Age of Reason. He believed himself to be a person who was doing what was morally right, not for the fame that would eventually accompany it. In fact, he didnt want to write the Declaration to begin with. In 1776, the song Not Me, John shows how Jefferson was pushed into doing it, despite the fact that he would have actually rather gone home to see his wife. When nobody else would do it, he acquiesced and agreed to write it. His quote, What will posterity think we were demigods? Were men no more, no less (1776), shows how as a contemporary of such philosophical greats as Voltaire and Mill, he did what he did because it was what needed to happen not in any way, shape, or form because he wanted to be remembered as a demigod, a status he actually had anyway, according to Wilson, until the 1960s. Another thing that Jeffersons character is criticized for and blown out of proportion is his liaison with a slave, Sally Hemings. Historian Fawn Brodie argues that it was not scandalous debauchery with an innocent slave victim, but rather a serious passion that brought Jefferson and the slave woman much happiness over a period lasting thirty-eight years. True, their affair started when she was only 14 years old, but to criticize this is terribly presentistic. In colonial times, especially in the middle and southern colonies, girls were married off between the ages of 13 and 16; it was not considered defilement and abuse like it is today. In fact, his relationship with Hemings could actually be considered to be a positive thing for him on two fronts: Since she was 52 when he died, Jefferson obviously did not lust after her solely on a physical basis; also, he promised his wife when she died that he would not remarry. He fulfilled his promise only because he found a woman to love whom he was not expected, indeed not allowed, to marry. This is a weak front on which to criticize Jefferson. Given Jeffersons contributions to American society, it is almost impossible to find him to be morally weak and coarse. Those who do are presentists, cynics, and nay-sayers who are simply looking

Landforms Assignment ( The himalayas) Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Landforms ( The himalayas) - Assignment Example Mountain fronts of Himalayas as corollary related to orogen-scale structures. The conspicuous three primary structures of Himalayas ranging from north-south include main boundary thrust (MBT), main central thrust (MCT), and Himalayan frontal thrust (HFT). The major topographic breaks of Himalayas remain in association with the three thrusts. Himalaya’s structure has six primary lithotectonic zones, which occur in parallel belts. The regions include trans-Himalayan batholiths, Tibetan Himalaya, Indus-Tsangpo Suture zone, Lesser Himalaya, Lesser Himalaya, Sub-Himalaya, and Greater Himalaya. The tectonic environments within Himalaya zones also vary. Immense collision of tectonic plates resulted into the formation of island-arc margin in Western Himalayas and Andean-type margin within the central eastern part of Himalayas. Trans-Himalayan zone has a linear plutonic complex structure. Trans Himalaya zone have its surface partly covered by continental molasse sedimentary rocks and forearc rocks. Trans Himalaya assembly of rocks originates from magmatic rocks uplift and their subsequent erosion. Igneous complex of the area consists of granites, gabbros, and diorites. The magmatic rocks originate from partial melting of subducting NeoTethyan slab underneath Asian plate. However, the igneous rocks, on the contrary, represents Andean-type environment. ITZS defines the region of collision between Kohistan-Ladakh arc and Indian plate in Tibetan Lhasa block in the east and Western Himalayas. ITZS also demarcates the area along which subduction process consumed Tethys Ocean. ITZS covers more than 2000 km in length with complete successions of rocks that may consist of diamonds that explain the higher pressures during subduction and rapid extrusion along suture zones. There are also traces of glaucophane schists along the narrow belts along ITSZ in Pakistan. Tethys Ocean also consists of red sandstones and

Assignment 9 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assignment 9 - Essay Example Therefore, human relations based on the school scenario are important, as it provides a strong foundation that enables the staff to be able to focus on their self-development thereby enhancing a better and effective working environment. It is through great relationships that most organizations are able to prosper. One major development is the increasing importance of the interpersonal skills in every work setting in all organizations. It is well noted that technical ability in this age of information is not enough in achieving organizational success. Interpersonal skills as well as communication skills are major rating factors when it comes to hiring employees. For example, the school board hired most of their staff based on their interpersonal skills. The board rated their staff’s interpersonal skills because they wanted to know how well the staff will relate to their co-workers and students in terms of their speaking and listening skills (Wiles & Bondi, 2004). Based on the organizational settings of the studies within our textbook, organizational culture simply refers to a collection of shared beliefs, rituals, values, myths and stories that tend to give a feeling of unity among the organizational members(Wiles & Bondi, 2004). It is quite clear that the culture depicted by most organizations is simply a reflection of the beliefs, behaviours and the values that are brought up by a group of individuals. Therefore, the success of any organization is also built on its abilities to portray a good image and outcome of the organization’s objectives. Communication is referred to as the means through which we are able to create a common understanding between others and ourselves. In order to bring out the aspect of self-development, people should be able to learn on how to communicate effectively. It is through the development of communications skills that employees are able to boost the working relationships that exist among them. For