Bridge to Teribithia Essay Example

Bridge to Teribithia Essay Bridge to Terabithia In most novels involving children, the endings are clear-cut happy endings with the children learning a valuable life lesson in the process of their adventures. An exception to this is Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia. Though the valuable life lesson is still present in the story, its acquisition comes at a terrible price, effectively breaking the myth that life will always work out happily. Katherine Paterson is said to have written this novel based on something that happened in her life. She wrote the book because her and her son knew someone who died at a young age. Her name was Lisa Hill. She was walking home from school and then lightning hit her and she died. She later wrote a book not only because of Lisa, but also to make sense of a tragedy that doesnt make sense. She dealt with the fact of having a close friend die at such a young age. She changed Lisa into Leslie and her son into Jess. Jess and Leslie lived in a rural area outside of Washington. They lived in the early 70s, which was when Lisa died. Bridge to Terabithia is about two kids who battle their make-believe world and the real world. We will write a custom essay sample on Bridge to Teribithia specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Bridge to Teribithia specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Bridge to Teribithia specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Jess and Leslie meet when Leslie moves into the house next to his. Then they meet again when they both race in the 5th grade race. When they got off the bus one day, Leslie thought that maybe they could make up their own world and keep it only for themselves. They find a rope and Leslie said that the only way they could enter their world is if they swing on the rope. This make believe land that Jess and Leslie have come to adventure in, is a reincarnation of their real lives. I feel this is similar to the reason why Ms. Paterson wrote her novel. In the make believe land of ‘Terabithia’, Jess and Leslie fight the eveils and horrors of the unknown. These horrors are very similar to the daily issues that these two children face. These issues range from bullies in school to ogres in the woods, but happen to be one in the same. Further into the story, it takes an unexpected turn. When Jess goes with the music teacher he lusts after to a museum, he leaves Leslie behind. Leslie having plans with Jess in Terabithia, goes off into their magic world on the other side of the river. However, when she swings to the other side, like every other day, the rope breaks and she falls. Leslie never made it out of the river alive. When Jess got home and his parents notified him of this life altering situation, he was in denial. In my opinion, his denial was a coping method. Throughout the rest of the story Jess battles his inner turmoil and the feelings that he was to blame. The loss of his friend Leslie sets Jess on a path of self-condemnation, blaming himself for not being there for her. This feeling is common amoung individuals who lost someone close to them. Ultimately, Leslie had become the one constant is Jess’ life that he depended on and got to be free with. Once more, Jess uses Terabithia to deal with the issues his life has dealt him. However, instead of going to this land he creates the one thing that would help the most for the circumstance. Jess caught up with Leslies dad before he had time to leave town. Bill offers him the dog that Jess and Leslie had adopted. Jess tells him that Leslie would like her dad to keep him, ultimately leaving a piece of his daughter with him. Jess asks for the leftover lumber in Mr. Burkes yard. When he has the lumber, Jess puts it to good use. He creates the most elaborate bridge his mind will allow and deems it The Bridge to Terabithia. Jess hears a noise and he sees his little sister May Belle trying to cross the river. Only she’s too scared and calls for help. His rescue of May Belle is clearly symbolic of the fact that Leslies death does not leave the world hopeless and that it does not signify the end of everything. Her rescue is a renewal. This is developed when Jess brings her across the bridge to Terabithia. Leslie was an amazingly special person, but she wasnt the only special person in the world, and if Jess is to carry on with his life in a way that she would have liked, he must take advantage of the other precious relationships in his life. In doing so, he is preserving her memory as well. The building of the bridge shows that the magic was not in the rope, as Leslie had said, and it was not all in Leslie, either. Instead, it is in the heart of any person dedicated to seeking it. After the completion of his masterpiece, Jess finally allows himself to connect with his little sister, May Belle. He calls her the princess of Terabithia. I consider this a very important aspect of this novel because of the fact that throughout the rest, Jess is constantly pushing away May Belle. The growth it takes for him to accept, love and understand his little sister is very admirable. I find certain lines in this novel to be very compelling. For example, He believed her because here in the shadowy light of the stronghold everything seemed possible. Between the two of them they owned the world and no enemy, Gary Fulcher, Wanda Kay Moore, Janice Avery, Jesss own fears and insufficiencies, nor any of the foes whom Leslie imagined attacking Terabithia, could ever really defeat them. This quote comes in Chapter 4, just after they have finished building their castle stronghold in Terabithia, the first day that they have conceived of the game. It describes the sense of belonging that Jess feels in this newfound kingdom, where he and Leslie rule supreme, idealized and undefeatable and immortal. He sees it as a perfect escape from harsh r eality. It offers a ray of hope which he sorely needs as he struggles to make the transition between childhood and adulthood. In Terabithia, he lives by his own standards and according to his own impulses and personality. There, he feels himself to be the person he is struggling to grow into. I really love this quote because of the fact that it counts both Jess and Leslie as ultimately the protectors of their own goals. It is simple and yet can be interpretted in so many ways that will hold and rivet the audience. Towards the end of the novel, I find a real turning point in the following excerpt. He screamed something without words and flung the papers and paints into the dirty brown water†¦ He watched them all disappear. Gradually his breath quieted, and his heart slowed from its wild pace. The ground was still muddy from the rains, but he sat down anyway. There was nowhere to go. Nowhere. Ever again. He put his head down on one knee. That was a damn fool thing to do. His father sat down on the dirt beside him. I dont care. I dont care. He was crying now, crying so hard he could barely breathe. His father pulled Jess over on his lap as if he were Joyce Ann. There. There, he said, patting his head. Shhh. Shhh. This is the first part in the novel where Jess and his father really connect in a anyway. Whereas the situation is very much less than desired, it has brought them together in a way. This scene comes in Chapter 12, the day after Leslie has died, when Jess is just beginning to allow himself to feel his anger and grief. In throwing away the paint set, he is not only throwing away a reminder of Leslie, he is throwing away a part of himself as well, an acknowledgment of his artistic talent and calling. Howver, his father telling him it was â€Å"a damn fool thing to do† is the first time during this novel where the evidence of his father accepting him is present. The fact that he used the river to dispose of the belongings is another part I find specific. He chose the river because of the memory of Leslie dying there. This connects the art supplies and talent as also coming to rest in the river. A sense of finality is connected to the river. On the contrary to this though, I also feel like it is connected to the place. This not only is where Leslie ended, but also where the adventure always seemed to start. In this exciting novel there are many different themes. There is friendship, perseverance, and death. Jess and Leslie go through friendship. They are really good friends and have a lot in common. Together with their imagination, they create a whole, new world. Jess goes through death when he has to deal with the loss of his newly beloved best friend Leslie. Perseverance is throughout the whole novel. Leslie, May Belle, and Jess all show serious signs of perseverance. Leslies constant struggle to show Jess the amazing things he is capable of is an example, so is May Belle trying to become a part of their world of Terabithia. Overall, this novel touches base with a lot of the serious problems that children face. It shows the way that imagination is a coping mechanism instilled in the minds of every individual; it just takes a certain few to tap into all of its potential. Leslie helped a lot of people tap into what their minds sometimes fought against. Although she died at a young age, she left behind so much. Not only in the characters in this novel, but also in the people who dare read about the story. This is similar to the way people leave behind certain aspects of themselves to be remembered. Terabithia in general can act as a type of â€Å"memory palace†. There might not actually be much there for the outside observer, but to someone who helped create and live a live there, each corner of the woods holds a memory of the life they lived. The bridge that Jess builds acts as a sort of monument to hope. Leslie hoped that her and Jess could become friends and create a world together. Jess hoped for the opportunity to escape his life for anytime possible. I feel that this strongly connects to what we happen to be learning in class, because we try to connect the things we know to the things we are unsure of.

The Peculiarity of Class Stratification

The Peculiarity of Class Stratification Introduction Nowadays there are only a few communities which can be regarded as non-class societies. There hardly can be found a state which is not characterized by class stratification. Nevertheless, people still cannot agree on basic points concerning class stratification: the definition of class, origins of classes emerging. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Peculiarity of Class Stratification specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Thus, there are several theories explaining what the class is and why did classes appear. The only idea that all people share is that the existence of classes is a specific form of inequality. The essence of this inequality becomes transparent when comparing non-class and class societies. Theories concerning class existence In the first place it can be helpful to focus on the class theories provided by scholars. Thus, conventional Marxist approach to the class definition which can be formu lated as follows: â€Å"a relationship to the tools, labor and materials needed for necessary productions† (Gailey, 1985, p. 67). Basically, property and access to gaining income determine class stratification (Weber, 1998). However, this approach was developed and rethought be many scholars. For instance, stated that anthropologist Morton Fried, who was regarded as a Marxist approach supporter, transformed the definition and made the major stress on â€Å"unequal access to the basic resources that sustain life† (qtd. in Gailey, 1985, p. 67). As far as the class existence is concerned, some scholars (Fried is one of them) suppose that the major factor of class emerging was population pressure. Gailey (1985) points out that another scholar, Esther Boserup, suggested that the development of agriculture led to population growth, which in its turn caused class stratification. Nevertheless, Gailey (1985) claims that such theories are quite equivocal since population pressu re has little to do with class stratification. For instance, Wrigley argues that European industrial revolution, which is regarded as one of the most potent factors of class stratification, was accompanied by population decrease. Admittedly, the theories differ in some points. However, it is possible to note the thing which they all have in common: class stratification is one of the types of inequality. It is based on certain economical factors.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The difference between the class stratification and other kinds of inequalities To understand the essence of class stratification it is important to juxtapose it to other types of inequality such as gender inequality or status segregation (existence of castes). As has been mentioned above the class stratification is based on economical development of the society. At the same time, gender inequali ty is â€Å"associated with masculinity† (Gailey, 1987, p. 32). Thus, there are two groups: males and females. Males are regarded as a privileged group. This kind of inequality is based on historical factors. According to Gailey (1987) patriarchic societies grew from the assumption that aggressiveness, strength and power are characteristic features of masculinity, while females were characterized by patience and obedience. Another type of inequality is status inequality, i.e. the existence of castes. It was developed on the basis of ethnic segregation (Weber, 1998). After certain relationships between ethnic groups some started enjoying power and others became deprived of numerous rights. It is important to point out that this kind of inequality is also historically determined. More so, people do not have much of a choice, they are born to pertain to certain group. After having compared the three types of inequality it possible to state that class stratification is more flex ible. For instance, an individual can pertain to one class when born and then appear in many classes throughout his her life. Thus, a person can be born in a poor family than obtain certain education and even become a white-collar worker, then becoming a rich person. Of course, the person can become a bankrupt and these transformations can take place many times. Admittedly, as far as gender and ethnic segregation are concerned, such shifts from one group to another are much more difficult to implement. Class and non-class societies Of course, it may seem that the modern world is full of such inequalities. Nevertheless, there were times when there were no classes. In fact, even nowadays it is possible to find communities which live in non-class societies. The main difference between class and non-class societies is that class societies are individualistic or individual-oriented and non-class societies are collectivistic, i.e. they are dependent on their collective labor (Leacock, 19 82). In class societies many people do not produce anything but fulfill certain tasks. They buy products for money they gain. In non-class societies people used to produce what they needed and/or changed their goods on something they did not produce but needed. Thus, tribes produced food and could change it for cloths produced by other tribes. Admittedly, nowadays it is hard to imagine that such schemes are possible since the development of societies has led to class stratification.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Peculiarity of Class Stratification specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conclusion In conclusion, class stratification is based on economical factors. The major factor which influenced the class stratification was the development of societies (mainly economical development). It differs from other types of inequality by its flexibility. Reference List Gailey, C.W. (1985). The State of the State in Anthrop ology. Dialectical Anthropology, 9(1-4), 65-89. Gailey, C.W. (1987). Evolutionary Perspectives on Gender Hierarchy. In B.B. Hess M.M. Ferree (Eds.), Analyzing Gender: A Handbook of Social Science Research (pp. 32-68). Beverly Hills: Sage Publications. Leacock, E.B. (1982). Relations of Production in Band Society. In E.B. Leacock R.B. Lee (Eds.), Politics and History in Band Societies (pp. 159-171). New York: CUP. Weber, M. (1998). Class, Status, Party. In R.F. Levine (Ed.), Social Class and Stratification: Classic Statements and Theoretical Debates (pp. 43-57). Boston: Rowman Littlefield.

I Before E, Except After C

I Before E, Except After C I Before E, Except After C I Before E, Except After C By Maeve Maddox I’ve read that the spelling mnemonic â€Å"I before E except after C† is a useless rule â€Å"best forgotten.† I beg to differ. English vocabulary abounds with words borrowed from other languages, along with foreign spelling conventions. Any spelling rule we can come up with is certain to have exceptions. Nevertheless, spelling rules are worth learning because they provide a framework that makes the exceptions stand out. The â€Å"I before E† rule may not be perfect, but it is extremely useful. First, the â€Å"I before E† mnemonic in its entirety: I before E, Except after C, And when sounded like A As in neighbor and weigh. Let’s see how far this rule will take us with common words. I before E achieve believe belief brief chief die field fierce friend lie lingerie niece pie piece pierce prairie priest siege Except after C ceiling conceit conceive deceive receipt receive perceive And when sounded like A, as in neighbor and weigh heir neighbor reign rein skein surveillance their veil vein weigh Note: The words their and heir can be learned with this list. For one thing, the learner can associate their with they, which is pronounced with long a. For another, their is one of those high-frequency words that anyone who reads and writes at all should be able to master by completion of second grade. Heir can be learned with the mnemonic device of a â€Å"spelling pronunciation† that addresses the silent h as well as the ei spelling. Exceptions to the Rule caffeine counterfeit either forfeit foreign heifer leisure neither sovereign seized weird This list of 46 words is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a fair gauge of how far the old jingle can take you in spelling the ie/ei words you are most likely to want to write. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:35 Synonyms for â€Å"Look†Capitalization Rules for Names of Historical Periods and Movements7 Other Types of Pronouns

Does Turkey need regulation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Does Turkey need regulation - Essay Example It is a delicate balancing act to be sure, and one that Turkey should consider tackling. The article discussed here presents multiple ways that society can work to counter the so-called ‘advertising effect’. Discussed in this paper will be three of those options that were recently mentioned. One possibility that can be explored is the banning of advertising in public spaces. Many cities in Turkey, in particular Istanbul, are heavily populated with millions of people. This makes the area a prime target for companies to lure consumers into purchasing their product. As a result, massive advertising takes place in nearly all public spaces, creating not only an eye-sore, but creating a form of ‘visual pollution’ (Gannon and Lawson 16). One proposal is to ban all forms of outdoor advertising. This would include ads on taxis and buses, and particularly billboards – effectively eliminating them. Other major cities, such as Sao Paulo, Brazil, have implemented such measures, and it has been met with cleaner streets and most positive comments made by members of society. There are some critics, however, that argue this goes too far in limiting companies effectively reaching the consumer. They argue for legislation targeted on advertising that is not aesthetically pleasing to the eye. In other words, punish the advertising polluting companies in the city, but allow those that produce visually appealing promotional pieces to continue. This is an interesting concept, but would be a nightmare to police. Another recommendation is to begin taxing the very nature of advertising. This proposal stems from the idea that countless millions of pieces of advertising material are printed everyday, just to go unread and serve to pollute the environment. Because such forms of advertising are largely unregulated, and the printing of basic flyers is relatively cheap in comparison to other forms of advertising, companies continue to produce such material in t he hope that even a few consumers will be lured in. As a result, needless pollution is occurring, particularly in Turkey where these massive advertising efforts appear to be in full effect. The proposal is to begin to tax such advertisements in an effort to get companies to pay up and clean up their act, or to stop the needless advertising all together. This is a unique proposal and one that is similar to other taxing efforts designed to clean up areas of the environment. This could gain traction in the coming years if massive advertising efforts continue. One other proposal worth mentioning is to establish statutory regulation of the advertising industry as a whole. As it is currently, the industry in largely unregulated. In America and the United Kingdom, there are regulations in place, and even the outright ban of certain types of advertising in some localities. Turkey lags far behind in this area, so the introduction of such standards could help matters immensely. This can begin by asking Parliament to strengthen existing local powers and allow them to restrict certain forms of outdoor advertising. In addition, there should be a legal process whereby consumers can ask for proof of certain claims made by advertisers or charities in their comments on television commercial or infomercials. This will force advertisers and such

The Rise of the Soloist documentary from MyMusicLab Term Paper

The Rise of the Soloist documentary from MyMusicLab - Term Paper Example Rarely in popular music does one see a group performing without highlighting the work of one performer. Most often, the vocalist drives the music, expressing himself through the lyrics and the sound. As well, one can see the break away of the drum, guitar, or bass soloist as they create an interlude between the verses. If one thinks about it, most music is now created from the advent of this rise in popularity of solo performers. The many pieces from the period reflect this shift, but the way in which most music is created in modern popularity has the soloist focus so that the emotional content is given to the audience through focus on one person. The instrumental background becomes secondary to the focus that the audience puts on the work of the soloist. After all, when Elvis hit the stage, who was cheering for the band? In many ways, this shift in focus could signify the single most significant change that influenced modern music. Creating expressive music through the use of the point of view of one individual is the core of the modern sound. While a soloist was not new, the idea of a freely emotional expression from a single person did seem to form during this time. Period. The use of the voice, or any other instrument, as a focal point that set the tone, mood, and tempo, slowing and speeding up as his or her interpretation allowed has allowed the audience to go on the journey that the soloist creates. This journey is a far more personal event with the freedoms that were discovered in the Baroque

The Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Speech Essay Example for Free

The Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Speech Essay In no other place were the overall dreams of African Americans better stated than in the speech delivered by Martin Luther Jr. on August 28, 1963. Martin Luther aptly stated what had been the silent hope of many African Americans who had suffered segregation, slavery and unfair treatment from their Caucasian masters. Martin Luther however, spoke not from a victim standpoint, but from the standpoint of a person who knew that what America was witnessing that day was just a pointer to better things to come. His speech was full of hope, yet he agreed that a hundred years after the signing of the emancipation proclamation, the black people were not yet free, they were still poor in a country that glowed in prosperity and they were not yet accepted as part of the greater American society. This however, did not deter him from being hopeful. He still believed that there was hope in the promissory note depicted by the words of the American constitution as well as the Declaration of Independence that the right to life, liberty and happiness would be available to everyone regardless of their skin color. Though he knew that the black people had been denied many things, he refused to believe that the situation would be like that forever. He chose dialogue over strife as evidenced by his speech and though many blacks may have been overjoyed by his advocacy for them, the weight of the words must have touched a nerve with the white majority. Martin Luther propagated the real meaning of democracy in his speech, which would include eliminating social injustices and embracing brotherhood (Demetrice, A. Perry, J. Jr). Being a straight talker, he spoke plainly about what the African Americans would do if they were not granted citizenship rights. â€Å"The whirlwinds of revolt will shake the foundations of this country until justice is done† he said. He told the Caucasians that their destiny was tied to the African American’s. In this speech, Martin Luther King Jr. did what many slave revolts had been unable to do; convince the white community that America needed to have equality among all the races present if the country was to develop. The Nat Turner Confession Nat Turner on the other hand, started the slave rebellion in Antebellum South by organizing black men to slaughter white men. In the jail where he was incarcerated after the rebellion, Turner confessed about his life and what had led him to stage the rebellion. In the confession, it was evident that Turner too felt the pinch of slavery and deep within, just like Martin Luther , had the dream that one day, the black people would be free. His approach was different from Martin Luther’s as he utilized violence in a bid to air the slave’s grievances. Turner believed that he had been divinely elected to set the black community free. This was the same reason he had given for returning to his master after running away. He claimed that he had received divine revelation and that he must serve his earthly master. His time in slavery however, allowed him to prepare for what he termed as his great mission, which was to execute the white people. Respected among his peers for his great insight, Turner was able to convince them easily to take part in the insurrection. Evidently, the black community was fed up with the ill treatment, but had no channels through which they could vent their frustrations. When Turner suggested the insurrection, they were all too willing to follow him (Gray, T. R, 1831). Overall, Nat Turner and Martin Luther King Jr. were two people with common goals of emancipating the black community from slavery. Their approaches were different in that one choose diplomacy, while the other choose a revolution. Reflection of the African American History in the Speeches Both the Turner confession and the Martin Luther King dream speech portray a part of African-American history that revolved around slavery and the denial of basic freedoms and rights by the white community. In his speech, Martin Luther portrays his dreams well about what he hoped America would become. As such, we get the picture that for each dream that he put forth, the opposite was exactly true in real life. Racism was at its worst, with the blacks suffering the blunt of it. This is evident when he says that the â€Å"whites only† signs rob their children off their dignity. A striking difference between the blacks is evident when Martin Luther says that whereas the Negroes in Mississippi are denied the right to vote, those in New York believe they have no reason to vote The two speeches further reveal that not all white people were opposed to the emancipation of the black people and that indeed a significant number of Caucasian Americans respected and admired the black people. In Martin Luther’s speech, he says that the presence of white people during his speech delivery was evidence enough that not all white people are to be distrusted. This however suffices the norm during those days that blacks would always view the white people suspiciously. Nat Turner also acknowledges that his master realized his great potential and remarked that he would not be of any useful service as a servant. It is also revealed by Turner that slavery was a deeply committing work, such that he could only pray when his slavery duties allowed. He also reveals that it was not uncommon for the slaves to run away from their master’s farms and seek refuge in some of the states that had declared freedom for the slaves. The difference between the two speeches is that the Martin Luther speech was read 100 years after the signing of the emancipation proclamation, while the Turner confession was given when blacks were still under slavery in many states. The two therefore have different aspects of African American history with Turner’s giving some insight in to what life was during the slavery era, while Martin Luther’s gives snippets on the slow progress that the white society made before accepting the free black community as part of the larger American society. According to the Martin Luther speech, despite the signing of the emancipation agreement in 1862, the black people were still crippled by ties of segregation and discrimination. As such, the black could not access basic services with as much ease as the whites did. Poverty was also widely spread among the black community especially because they worked for little wages and did not own property like their masters. Martin Luther says that the black community was still in an island of poverty, while their country was an ocean of prosperity. In addition, he compares the Negroes to people who find that they are actually in exile in their own land. Martin Luther also reflected the hopeful nature of the black community who with each new day hoped that something better and more promising would come their way. He said, and in a way captured the belief of many black people, that the vaults of American opportunities had not run dry and that more opportunities would open up for the black people. A part of the heritage that has been associated with the slavery era is the Negro spirituals as stated in the Martin Luther speech. Reflections of the speeches on the Contemporary African American culture Through the daring and courageous acts of Nat Turner, many African Americans were able to know that slavery is a thing that they did not have to put up with. As a result, many of them started clamoring for freedom, calls that eventually led to their emancipation. The white slave owners were also more aware of the brewing insurrection among the slaves and as opposed to earlier times when they could boss the slaves around, they started giving them some level of democratic space. This was done in order to avoid mass revolts. The fact that the whites and blacks learnt to respect each other and even appreciate each other’s contributions may have an indirect impact on the relation between whites and blacks in contemporary society. Martin Luther on the other hand advocated for human rights, a common characteristic in today’s society. Although not a preserve of the black community alone, human right violations are always met by protests that seek to let the ruling class know that the masses are not comfortable with the negative social developments. As such, Martin Luther advocated for the proper collection of facts, determination of whether justice exists, negotiating with the parties concerned and if this fails, then direct action would be the next best thing (africanamericans. com). Today, the black community is among the minority groups who shout the loudest whenever their rights are infringed upon. The Speeches also teach the contemporary society that oppressed people cannot remain in that position forever and that eventually their yearning for freedom will supersede the forces that try to keep them down. With the African-American, the oppression awakened them to the fact that freedom is real and that it can also be gained through persistence. In a contemporary setting, the speech reflects the fact that discontent if channeled into the right and creative outlets can bear desirable results. Advocacy is such one combination which always provides an alternative to confrontations. The words of Martin Luther resonate well in the contemporary world. For example, one of his famous quotes is â€Å"Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere†. No black leader can vouch for this statement better than the world leaders of all races, colors or creeds who have witnessed injustice sprout and eventually become a wide spread catastrophe that attracts protestors to the streets. The strong belief that Turner and Martin Luther fought for the cause as well as the rights and freedoms of the black community have led to what has been branded the African-American communism. Understandably, having faced the same fate of segregation and discrimination based on their skin color, African Americans were inclined to social groupings that would advance their cause in the social, economic and political circles. Maybe not the kind of brotherhood that Martin Luther had referred to in his dream speech, but still a form of brotherhood that shares the same history. The fact that Martin Luther fought with words, marches and sermons is a clear indication that words are more powerful as a means of getting a truce. One stands a better chance of getting more people to support his or her arguments. At one point in his speech, he urged the black people to refrain from physical confrontation and instead use soul strength to fight against physical force used against them. He also asked them to avoid guilt for things they had done in their struggle towards seeking freedom Conclusion The fact that American is revered as the world’s largest democracy is no small fete. Knowing the history of the country, it is right to say that the country has made enormous steps into ensuring that each of its citizens is well protected by the law and that personal liberties are upheld at all times. Issues relating to racism keep on emerging and it would be wishful thinking to imagine that they will easily disappear. The fact is that as long as there are color differences between the different people in America, the racial question will always arise. Today however, an emerging trend has seen to the branding of the black culture as a fashionable thing and no longer is the black community seen as the underdogs. The evolving of the society to embrace a more inclusive culture where people are judged by their merits and not by their skin color is a true realization of Martin Luther’s dream that one day America will embrace brotherhood. The Martin Luther King dream though told at the height of uncertainty about the future of the black community has proven true as today, people from all races get to live and work in America without much racism. Even in the mild cases of racism, general respect between the people is still maintained in the full knowledge that there is no difference between individuals except maybe their skin color, which does not count for anything. Today the rights of the black worker are respected just as much as those of his white counterpart. In the likely incident that there is oppression in the work place, both suffer the same fate. The social divide today has more to do with economic groupings and social classes as opposed to racism. Through self-determination and utilizing the opportunities provided to them by government institutions, the black community has successfully managed to bridge the economic gap that existed between the white community and them. The journey for the black community in the US has been most dramatic. It has seen the rise and fall of heroes who will forever remain in the memories of the community on whose behalf whom they struggled so much. Martin Luther King Jr. will for example, remain as a civil rights hero who was not afraid to stand up and defend what he believed was right. Under the same ideals, he did not shy away from being put in jail as he upheld the same beliefs. Bibliography Luther, M. Jr. Beyond Vietnam: 1987 www. africanamericans. com/MLKjrBeyondVietnam retrieved 4th December 2007 Demetrice A. W Perry J, Jr. African American Literature an Anthology Second Edition. Topeka Blvd: Topeka Bindery (2001) Gray, T. R. The Confessions of Nat Turner: Leader of the late Insurrection in the Southampton, VA. (1831) www. wfu. edu/~zulick/340/natturner. html retrieved 4th December 2008

Tappan Zee Bridge Essay -- Road Route Roads Essays

Tappan Zee Bridge "A symbolic span over which Westchester and Rockland Counties will move virtually overnight, twenty years into the future" When Governor Thomas F. Dewey made this pronouncement in December of 1955, it does not seem as though even he knew how true his words would be. It took till 1989 and "Field of Dreams" to coin the phrase "If you build it they will come", but someone could have very well made the same observation during the 1950s in reference to Rockland County New York. Both of these statements cannot fully impress into the minds of readers that changes that came with the opening of a single roadway. After World War II ended there was a great difference between the number of people who wanted to buy houses and the number of houses that were available. This caused an increase of house building and a change in people's way of life. Those decades marked the beginning of the baby boom and the suburbanization of society. Areas around major cities were the most influenced by such changes and Rockland County, New York, a suburb of New York City, was no different. Every spot in Rockland County lies less then fifty miles from Columbus Circle in Manhattan. This close proximity, along with the "country-like" atmosphere, attracted many people to the area. This area was not easily accessible because it was cut off from New York City by the Hudson River. The building of the Tappan Zee Bridge in 1955 became the gateway to Rockland County and its country atmosphere. Many people flocked to this area and it soon changed dramatically from a rural landscape and agricultural economy to a bustling sub urb. The changes that came with this transformation including, population growth, land usage, and infrastructure forever cha... ...e the same dream. This dream crowds the suburbs, which are supposed to be open and roomy. Instead, growth creates mini-cities; pushing the dream suburb farther and farther out, away form the city. A prospective homebuyer seeking an affordable home on more then a quarter acre, in a country setting is rarely available. Instead prospective buyers in Rockland County see the same suburban sprawl that plagues Long Island and Westchester. Because the land has become so expensive it longer is profitable to build houses for families just starting out. Instead huge houses are built on small lots to take advantage of the land. This practice has now become the norm for developments around Rockland County. Today you can no longer look at Rockland County to fulfill that dream. Instead you must now go further and further north towards Orange or Dutchess Counties to find the subur.

African Americans Essay

The African American journey has been one of trials and tribulations which they suffered greatly to achieve freedom and success. The battle has led the citizens of this nation to have witnessed the first African American President of the United States. The journey that has brought African Americans to the present situation has seen intermittent successes and numerous setbacks. Perseverance from many generations has brought about a gradual but progressive change. The journey begun in a state of slavery, through the act of slavery racism was seen in its rarest forms. The long journey emerged from African Americans being sold to white traders and transported across the Atlantic Ocean. Slaves were auctioned off and sold to the highest bidders. African Americans were considered personal property of the white man and viewed as economic commodity. Their strength and endurance was formed as a result of working in the fields and kitchens from sunrise to sunset. The slaves lived off of the bare necessities in life. This act of slavery existed for decades and helped to shape the course of American history. From slavery to the March on Washington and many other events, African Americans have fought for their rights in United States, and have achieved their identity through many historical movements. The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution officially abolished slavery and freed the slaves to make a life for themselves as the Reconstruction Period. During the Reconstruction Era (1867) African Americans still suffered hardships under the leadership of Andrew Johnson who became president after Lincoln had got assassinated in 1865. Andrew Johnson had no intention of helping the African Americans he wanted to punish the slaveholders in the South. Andrew Jackson opposed giving African Americans the freedom to vote or equal rights. 1870 the 15th Amendment was ratified and became a law that specified African Americans: Historical Journey from 1865 to the Present 3 African American men had the right to vote. Voting was part of African Americans receiving civil liberties. The Civil Rights Movement and racial oppression were very significant moments in the American history. Exploitation was seen based on the color of one’s skin. Oppression was the way to keep the African American’s voice unheard. The dominant race manipulated America and shaped it according to the value of one race in society. Gaining equality was the essence of the struggle for African Americans in which white society pushed to prohibit African Americans from gaining any form of equality. Americans were uninformed and unaware of how corrupt the government officials were. During the historical journey of the African Americans the government failed to have all humans’ best interest in mind. The African American Journey Devastation of trials and tribulations were prevalent among the African Americans before 1865. The Civil War put a new twist on how society tuned into a racist world. Racism was very powerful and demanding during this period in life. Racism still prevails in the present tense only in more subtle ways. Before 1865 issues with slavery depicted lynching, segregation, low wages for job performances and derogatory defamation of character within a race due to skin pigmentation. Slavery and degradation never killed the desire of freedom and a promising future for African Americans. This was one of the foremost occurrences of hatred and dehumanizing of man because of the color of their skin. This exemplified the state of condition the African Americans were placed and recognized that another race was superior or had power over another race. African Americans were considered powerless over their own lives. The Emancipation African Americans: Historical Journey from 1865 to the Present 4 Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment were passed by a strong leader named Abraham Lincoln, which declared all of America’s slaves were free by 1865. In 1865, African Americans were finally feeling like human beings and not like property that endured brutality, harsh whippings, no rights as humans and cruel punishment. The passing of various civil liberty movements’, education, employment and voting privileges improved. Fox (2014) stated that southern blacks were impatient in seeking voting privileges. The U. S. Constitution gave all blacks a nominal right to vote, but southern blacks were often blocked at the polls, and racial apartheid was the foundation of a rigid caste system. The Thirteenth and Fifteenth Amendment abolished slavery and Americans were making strides to work things out. After the release of slaves the black codes of law were passed laws, statues, and rules enacted by southern states after the Civil War to gain control over the slaves again and protect the white man’s property from retaliation. The slave owners were worried that they had to do the Plantation work themselves after the slaves were freed, and blacks would want revenge on them because of the hardships of oppression over hundreds of years. Progression of African Americans throughout the 18th and 19th centuries was a struggle. The relationships between blacks and whites were, frustrating and intense, primarily because the concept of reigning in superior positions over African Americans lives in respect to finances, social activities, cultural values or political affiliations has not changed significantly. African Americans fought for equal opportunity and their rights as a human race. They struggled to fit in with society. Despite the developments and changes, many fiscal and visual (how they were perceived) characteristics of African Americans at the end of the nineteenth century did not African Americans: Historical Journey from 1865 to the Present 5 differ from that of the mid-1800s. 1865-1876 was considered a time of change for African Americans but racism continued to cause much pain and despair for African Americans. Two significant events that surfaced to support the emergence of African Americans was the Harlem Renaissance Movement (1920) and the Civil Rights Movement. The Harlem Renaissance contributed to the talents and cultural beliefs of African Americans. They were able to bring perspective and pride to their lives. Harlem Renaissance was defined as: The Harlem Renaissance was the name given to the cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem between the end of World War I and the middle of the 1930s. During this period Harlem was a cultural center, drawing black writers, artists, musicians, photographers, poets, and scholars. Many had come from the South, fleeing its oppressive caste system in order to find a place where they could freely express their talents (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2002, p. 1). African Americans felt they were able to make specific contributions to society and start communicating their feelings, beliefs and values to others. The Harlem Renaissance Movement brought different racial groups together in appreciation of the music and poetry but did not have much success in breaking the racial divide between the races that were expressed in the Jim Crow excerpts. â€Å"The Renaissance incorporated jazz and the blues, attracting whites to Harlem speakeasies, where interracial couples danced. It contributed to a certain relaxation of racial attitudes among young whites, but its greatest impact was to reinforce race pride among blacks† (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2002, p. 1). The 1964 Civil Rights Movement gave African Americans the right to take a stand against racism. Racial discrimination was a major problem that caused havoc in the lives of African Americans. Several events emerged from the Civil Rights African Americans: Historical Journey from 1865 to the Present 6 movement that made a significant impact on the lives of African Americans- the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Black Power Movement. The events above promoted a means of outlawing racial discrimination. Segregation was protested through political and social protest rallies and campaigns. The Black Power Movement gave African Americans a voice to be heard. Political and religious reasons were heard as their voices resonated throughout society. â€Å"The African American movement gained political legitimacy because it politicized the grievances of collective memory and appealed to a common ancestry to regain for this people cultural, political, and economic rights by rejecting subordination and White cultural supremacy or hegemony† (Jalata, 2002, p. 1). Before the Civil Rights Movement America was considered in the realms of practicing apartheid. All African Americans were humiliated, denied their civil rights and liberties, dehumanized and suffered tremendous hardships. Several movements initiated progress for African Americans. They were finally gaining their rights to live as human beings and become a part of society. â€Å"But the awkward truth is that when it comes to the goals laid down by the civil rights movement in general and Brown in particular, America is actually going backward† (Younge, 2014, p. 10). A school in Little Rock marked a turn in events for African Americans. This was in 1957 when the governor issued an order to the National Guard troops to stop the nine black children from entering the school. The order was denied and a mob of white students intimidated the black students. Federal soldiers escorted the black students into the school and were protected by the armed guards. The governor, African Americans: Historical Journey from 1865 to the Present 7 Faubus, closed all of the city’s schools to prevent integration. The African Americans prevailed regardless of the circumstances. According to Pearson Education (2000) other events that marked a period of setbacks and progression in the lives of African Americans are: †¢1931 NINE BLACK YOUTHS ARE INDICTED IN SCOTTSBORO, ALA., ON CHARGES OF HAVING raped two white women. †¢1947 JACKIE ROBINSON BREAKS MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL’S COLOR BARRIER WHEN HE IS signed to the Brooklyn Dodgers by Branch Rickey. †¢1952 MALCOLM X BECOMES A MINISTER OF THE NATION OF ISLAM. OVER THE NEXT several years his influence increases until he is one of the two most powerful members of the Black Muslims. †¢1963 MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS ARRESTED FOR MARCHING AGAINST ANTI-SEGREGATION. †¢1966 THE BLACK PANTHERS WAS FOUNDED. †¢1967 THURGOOD MARSHALL WAS APPOINTED TO THE SUPREME COURT. †¢2002 HALLE BERRY AND DENZEL WASHINGTON RECEIVED OSCARS FOR BEST ACTORS. †¢1992 RACIAL RIOTS ARE SEEN IN LOS ANGELES AFTER ACQUITTING FOUR WHITE BOYS FOR beating Rodney King. African Americans: Historical Journey from 1865 to the Present 8 †¢2005 CONDOLEEZZA RICE BECOMES THE FIRST BLACK FEMALE U. S. SECRETARY OF STATE. †¢2009 BARACK OBAMA BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT. Many problems that exist today seem to be repeating themselves. America seems to be making an upturn and the ugly faces of racism are reappearing. Younge (2014) stated that schools are re-segregating, legislation is being gutted, it’s getting harder to vote, large numbers are being deprived of their basic rights through incarceration, and the economic disparities between black and white are growing. In many areas, America is becoming more separate and less equal. Overcoming hurdles was nothing new to Obama and Colin Powell. Both men achieved success in American society. Obama became the first black president and Colin Powell became Secretary of State and served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Barack Obama is the first African American President of the United States and that is considered a very important step forward in this country. His administration has been one of struggle and plight to succeed because of the turmoil going on in the nation. Obama has succeeded in great ways without the support of many Republicans in the house. Asked â€Å"So, how has being Black affected your ability to govern? ,† Obama replied in part: â€Å"By virtue of being African-American, I’m attuned to how throughout this country’s history there have been times when folks have been locked out of opportunity, and because of the hard work of people of all races† (Cooper, 2012, p. 11). Obama has been successful in making equal opportunity a solution to African Americans: Historical Journey from 1865 to the Present 9 many problems. He has slowly opened the doors to more people and made equal opportunity happen through vigilance and determination. A great historical event occurred when Obama was elected as President. This surprised many Americans in the world. This symbolized a step forward towards racial equality in the history of African Americans. This election captured several important turn of events that said we have made great accomplishments. This completed the Civil Rights Movement and what it stood for, an emergence of a post-racial society, the elimination of multiculturalism and the possibility of ending the black struggle. There were several activist that would not have concluded that the black struggle has ended. Those people were Marcus Garvey, Ella Baker and Huey P. Newton. Their beliefs were based on specific facts that unifying scattered people of African descent, inspiring racial pride, and ultimately creating a separate, independent country should be the goals of racial uplift. Garvey thought black people were oppressed and divided as a race. Because they were ‘scattered as an unmixed and unrecognized part’ in numerous nations they were dependent upon the other races for kindness and sympathy. Many people have struggled to explain the plight of the African American race but the journey was one of hardship, courage and endurance that built character. The African American race has come a long way from cruelty and hardship inflicted during the 1800’s. The journey encompassed freedom, voting rights, civil liberties and equality. African Americans: Historical Journey from 1865 to the Present 10 References Blackpast. org. (2007). African American history timeline 1901-2000. Retrieved from http://www. blackpast. org/timelines/african-american-history-timeline-1900-2000 Cooper, K. J. (2012). The President’s Report Card. Crisis (15591573), 119(4), 6. Retrieved from http://search. ebscohost. com. proxy-library. ashford. edu/login. aspx? direct=true&db=f5h&AN=88314705&site=eds-live Educational Broadcasting Corporation (2002). The Harlem Renaissance. Retrieved from http://www. pbs. org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_harlem. html Fox Piven, F. (2014). 50 and FIGHTING. Planning, 80(6), 10. Retrieved from http://search. ebscohost. com. proxy-library. ashford. edu/login. aspx? direct=true&db=f5h&AN=96548704&site=eds-live Jalata, A. (2002). Revisiting the black struggle: Lessons for the 21st century. Journal of Black Studies, 33(1). Retrieved from African Americans: Historical Journey from 1865 to the Present 11 http://search.ebscohost. com. proxy-library. ashford. edu/login. aspx? direct=true&db=edb&AN=7268500&site=eds-live Kirk, J. (2009). THE LONG ROAD TO EQUALITY. History Today, 59(2), 52-58. Retrieved from http://search. ebscohost. com. proxy-library. ashford. edu/login. aspx? direct=true&db=aph&AN=36590274&site=eds-live Pearson Education. (2000). African American history timeline. Retrieved from http://www. infoplease. com/spot/bhmtimeline. html Younge, G. (2014). The Awkward Truth about Race. Nation, 298(24), 10-11. Retrieved from http://search. ebscohost. com. proxy-library. ashford. edu/login. aspx? direct=true&db=aph&AN=96204081&site=eds-live.

Great Expectations and April Raintree Essay

A key theme in Great Expectations and April Raintree is the growth and change of the characters towards their acceptance of social class. This will be proven by Pip not accepting himself in the lower class and April not accepting herself in the native class. Then, there will be proof of how Pip and April attempted to change their social class. Finally the proof of how Pip accepted himself in the social class he was in and how April accepted herself as a Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis. Pip did not accept himself in the lower class. He wanted to be in the upper class just like Miss Havisham is. Pip was ashamed of his family and its lower class status. How he wasn’t as fortunate as Estella who is a member of the higher class, especially when Estella insulted Pip saying that he is â€Å"common† and how he has â€Å"coarse hands†. He did not have a reason to think about his class status before this, and now that he does, he’s disturbed to think he might be just â€Å"common.† This ensured Pip to not accept himself in the lower class. He didn’t see any good from it. Pip felt he needed to impress Estella. She was the one who changed Pip’s perspective in everything. Before meeting Estella, Pip really looked up to Joe, blacksmith or a gentleman, Joe’s class status makes no difference. It is not until later, when he learns that the world cares about class, that’s when Joe’s status mattered to Pip. After seeing Estella’s house and everything she had, he wanted more to look forward to. Pip did not accept his life in the lower class. April is a young woman who has so many issues with her family and the people in her life. April always hid her feelings of shame from her sister Cheryl. April did not accept herself in the native class. Although she did not look native, she was sometimes ashamed that her sister Cheryl looked more native than she did. â€Å"There were two different groups of children that went to the park. One group was brown-skinned children who looked like Cheryl in most ways. They were dirty-looking and they dressed in real raggedy cloths. I didn’t care to play with them at all. The other group was fair-skinned and I envied them especially the girls with blonde hair and blue eyes. They seemed so clean and fresh. Some of them were freckled but they didn’t seem to mind. To me, I imagined they were very rich and lived in big, beautiful houses. I wondered what their lives were like and I wished we could play with them. But they didn’t care to play with Cheryl and me. They just called us names and bullied us.† (Pg. 6) Since April was young, she always wanted to be with the people who were fair-skinned. She didn’t like seeing her sister being called names especially, when they had to live with the DeRosiers. Half breeds were all that was said in that house. â€Å"I heard you half breeds were dirty but now I can see that it’s true.† (Unknown :() At one point, April hated being Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis. She felt that being Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis changed her life because when you think of Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis, you think of living off the streets and bums on Main Street. She wasn’t any of these and she didn’t want to be labelled as them. She was not happy being the person she knew she was. April did not accept her life in the native class. Pip changed his social class by going off to school to become a gentleman. He was lucky to have a benefactor. â€Å"I’ve put away money, only for you to spend. When I was a hired-out shepherd in a solitary hut, not seeing no faces but faces of sheep till I half-forgot wot men’s and women’s faces wos like, I see yourn. . . . I see you there a many times plain as ever I see you on them misty marshes. ‘Lord strike me dead!’ I says each time-and I goes out in the open air to say it under the open heavens-‘but wot, if I gets liberty and money, I’ll make that boy a gentleman!’ And I done it.† (pg. 340) Magwitch reveals himself as Pip’s secret benefactor and how he got all his wealth. This quote changed Pip’s idealistic view of wealth and social class by forcing him to realize that his own status as a gentleman is owed to the loyalty of a lower-class criminal. Year after year, he moved further away from Joe and his lower class. â€Å"Pip, dear old chap, life is made of ever so many partings welded together, as I may say, and one man’s a blacksmith, and one’s a whitesmith, and one’s a goldsmith, and one’s a coppersmith. Divisions among such must come, and must be met as they come.† (pg. 236) Joe comes with a smart and content attitude toward the changes in Pip’s social class that have driven them apart, and he shows his goodness and loyalty by blaming the division not on Pip but on the unchangeable nature of the human condition. Pip as a gentleman makes a lot of money and as he gets wealthy, he forgets his family and the people that are important to him. In other words, he worries about trying to impress people, rather than being moral. April Raintree changed her identity of a native by marrying a rich white man named Bob Radcliff. She always wanted to be rich and forget about her heritage. She moved away from Winnipeg to Toronto. She tried running away from the life she did not want, to try to live a life she wanted. â€Å"You think I don’t know why you married Bob? It was to get away from me, that’s why. I’ll be you wished you were an only child. I bet you wished I was dead.† (pg. 155) It was almost like she did not want Cheryl in her life at all. â€Å"You never loved that man. You loved his money. You figured you were going to be Miss High Society.† (pg. 158) April did not love Bob Radcliff; she only married him for his money. Pip learns from his mistakes growing up. After realizing what kind of person he has become, and how he has treated his loved ones, he felt he was better off being in the lower class. Pip realized that wealth and class are less important than affection, loyalty, and inner worth. When he is finally able to understand that, besides the esteem in which he holds Estella, someone’s social status is not what so ever connected to that someone’s character. Bentley Drummle is a symbol to this because even though he is a minor character, he gave an important message. Drummle is an upper class member. He gave Pip proof that social class has no connection to attitude, personality or moral worth. Drummle’s negative example helps Pip to see the inner worth of characters such as Magwitch and Joe, and Pip eventually scraped his immature fantasies about wealth and class. Everything changes for Pip after he learns the class status of his benefactor because he realized that Magwitch , a kind-hearted man who was never able to come out of the status into which he was born but in the end he was able to get wealthy. April realized that she wasn’t happy with Bob, so they got a divorce. From that divorce, she received a good amount of money. She immediately went back home to her sister, but things were not good between Cheryl and April. After Cheryl committed suicide, April found her diaries and read them. She finally realized what Cheryl has gone through while April wasn’t in her life and what she thought of everything especially what she thought of April. April accepted being Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis then and there. Like her sister, she is proud to be Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis. Since she loved Cheryl, she was glad that a part of Cheryl was alive in her son, Henry Liberty. â€Å"All life dies to give new life.† (pg. 184) It was tragic that it had taken Cheryl’s death to bring April to accept her identity but she would strive for a better tomorrow now. For her sister and her son, her parents and her people. In conclusion, Pip accepted himself in the social class that he used to be in. Even though he remained in the higher class, Pip realized that he still cared for his loved ones in the lower class. For April, she accepted herself in the social class she was born in. Even though Cheryl’s life had to be taken away before April realized how important her heritage was. Pip carried a snobby attitude for a great portion of his life. He treated the people he loved without realization of how he wasn’t respectful towards them. April had tried hiding, she had attempted to be someone she’s not, she had tried being with someone she didn’t love, and she had also undertook to blocking her own sister out of her life. No matter what April did, she couldn’t get away from what she really was inside. She was born Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis. She just didn’t feel proud of it nor did she want to be Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis. Pip and April both had issues with the people in their lives and they both found their true identities from being ashamed of their social class to peace with their lives.

The supreme court, in the case of kelo v. The city of new london

The supreme court, in the case of kelo v. The city of new london In America, there have been severe allegations that activist judges have grown. This has been the result of some decisions that have been taken by judges that have not gone down well with most politicians and other people. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The supreme court, in the case of kelo v. The city of new london specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Diverse views are raised on the ruling of judges. For some activist judges exist and for others, there does not exist any judges that are activists; rather those you disagree with in their judgments do turn out to be so (at least in your sight.) sensitive cases that have drawn a lot of hullabaloos has been those involving same sex, stem cell operations, abortion among others. The original dissent on cases relating to eminent domain was set up by Justice O’Connor. In her previous ruling she stated that it was allowed for private property to be transferred to anoth er private individual for economic development as long as it is bound to be improved and used in a way that is beneficial to the public in itself or in the process of development (Bodenhamer Ely 14). This precedent has opened leeway for abuse. The case of Kelo vs. The City of New London is one of eminent domain. It was worked out following the precedent set by Justice O’Connor. The facts of this case relate to the use of eminent domain. New London, which is a city in Connecticut, ceased some property that was not for public use and sold it to some people who were to develop it for private purposes (Merriam Ross 180). The city was of the opinion that by coming up with these developments, jobs would be created in the process. Equally there was to be an increase in revenues from taxes. Kelo Susette and some other people who had lost their land by this repossession placed a suit in court against New London. The issues relating to the case included: the property owners raised a n argument that by its actions, the city was in essence violating the Fifth Amendments clause that deals with takings. In this clause, a provision is made for the government to accord just compensation for any private property taken by them. Another issue arising was the determination of whether taking this property and selling it to private developers was in essence a public use of the land. The Supreme Court of Connecticut ruled in favour of New London. In his ruling, Justice John Paul Stevens, stated that the taking qualified to be for public use in relation to the takings clause. The city by taking the land did not intend to benefit a certain group of privates but was intended for an economic development plan. Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Further the judge noted that the Fifth Amendment was not after the literal public use but rather broader interpretation that coul d include public purpose. The bench of judges was accused of being an activist in this case. Upon this ruling, there was outrage and politics in New London became rife. This forced there to be council elections. Due to the claims of activism among judges, Pfizer, which was the drug company that had been allocated the land for a public purpose, announced that it was getting out of the deal and was not going to develop the property again. This was as an aftermath of the public outrage on the seizure of the land. The research center that they had initially set up had to be shut down. Another aftermath of this case is that States were left struggling to clearly define what eminent domain was to envisage. States were asked to consider their individual standards for eminent domain. This case is considered to be activist because the court was accused of having to strain what would otherwise be the plain implications by the constitution to end up achieving their predetermined desirable end s. The main reason the Fifth Amendment Act was formulated was to protect government infringement into private property. Public use of the land should then have indicated that the land be applied generally for public purposes and not be given to a private developer. The court was accused of having abused the precedent that was set by Justice O’Connor. Concerns were further raised that the court put an emphasis on what originally was supposed to be a public use to be a public purpose. Basing on this, there is created an endless way in which the clause can be abused. Work Cited Bodenhamer, David Ely, James. The Bill of Rights in modern America. Indiana: Indiana University Press, 2008. Print. Merriam, Dwight Ross, Mary. Eminent domain use and abuse: Kelo in context. Chicago, Illinois: American Bar Association, 2006. Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The supreme court, in the case of kelo v. The city of new london specifically for you for only $ 16.05 $11/page Learn More

AP World History, How to write CCOT Essay

The spread of Buddhism and development of Neo-Confucianism represented cultural changes in China. Buddhist monasteries gained political and economic influence through acting as advisors to rulers and through generous grants of land. Empress Wu, a ruler during the Tang Dynasty, used Buddhist principles to rule and was considered a Bodhisattva by Buddhists. Pure Land Buddhism offered the promise of a better afterlife while Chen Buddhism emphasized meditation. The increased popularity of Buddhism in China was a result of the political and economic chaos following the decline of the Han. Buddhism was a salvation doctrine that offered succor to the poor and oppressed. Increasing numbers of sons in the gentry class dropped out of society and became monks, which led to an anti-Buddhist backlash during the Song period. Chinese leadership transitioned from the Han through the Tang. After the fall of the Han there was a period of disunity and chaos called the Three Kingdoms period. Eventually, the Sui asserted their rule, building the Grand Canal and invading Korea and Japan. When the Sui fell due to overexpansion, the Tang took power and established a cosmopolitan rule, extending Chinese territory over the Silk Road and integrating central Asian cultural elements such as Polo and wearing pants. The fall of the Han was caused primarily by pressure from outside invaders on China’s Northwest border – the Great Wall proved ineffective. The re-establishment of dynastic rule resulted from core Chinese values inherent in the Dynastic Cycle and Mandate of Heaven. The effects of the Fall of the Han and subsequent rise of the Sui and Tang Dynasties was cultural change as outside cultures influenced China, including the influence of Indian Buddhism and central-Asian nomadic culture. Confucianism was a cultural continuity throughout the time period. The Han had established the Confucian exam system although test-taking was limited to members of the elite. Under the Sui and Tang the examination system became an important way to establish merit-based government, and examinees were responsible for memorizing and analyzing the Confucian classics. Confucianism and later neo-Confucianism clearly defined the relationship between husband and wife, as evidenced in the â€Å"Three Submissions† women were supposed to obey. Even during the heyday of Buddhist influence, Confucian ideals about the family and roles in society influenced many or the elite and peasant class. Ultimately, Confucianism re-asserted itself in the form of Neo-Confucianism, which incorporated elements of Daoism and Buddhism, and Buddhist influence was squelched. As a result Buddhism is a tiny minority religion in China today, while Confucian values continued through later dynasties. Globally, salvation religions were spreading rapidly during this period as classical empires fell and insecurity became widespread. Christianity was similarly making headway Western Europe, as the collapse of the Roman Empire led to chaos and disruption.

International Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

International Human Resource Management - Essay Example According to Greg J Bamber, R. D (2004) he provides that this knowledge facilitates the functioning of key major organizational learning tools (Bamber 2004). Therefore, from this it can be argued that firms that successfully make use of tacit skills and knowledge can develop organizational learning strategy that ensures that knowledge and skills among the employees is spread through the organization. This improves the overall performance needed for firm’s improvement because more experienced workers can share their knowledge and skills with new employees. Therefore Multinational companies incorporate in their workplace systems, structures and processes. This is aimed for the achievement of multinational flexibility, global efficiency and worldwide learning (Bamber 2004). Japanese firms in the recent years have become of the most performing firms in the world enabling the Japanese economy become third largest economy and second largest developed in the world respectively. It is notable that these firms have realized these achievements attributed to their unique model of organizational learning that is largely adopted in Japan. According to Benson, J. and Debroux, P, (2004) the concept of organizational learning is one of the key major focuses in the Japanese organizational model (Debroux 2004). This focus and emphasis has enabled these firms to effectively make use of the tacit skills and knowledge of employees for their organizational learning purposes compared to other firms in other economies. Tacit knowledge is basically the gained knowledge by employees in organizations through the relevant experience and education that they explicitly not aware of. Tacit knowledge plays a significant role in the overall performance of the firm enhanced by an ap propriate organizational learning model. Japanese firms through its organizational models majorly in the human resource have