The Role Of Physical Education In The Universities Essay

The Role Of Physical Education In The Universities - Essay Example Life is full of expectations and it is important that physical education is provided to students so that they can be fully equipped to meet difficulties in life. Therefore physical education is important as it teaches so much more than just education. Education is limited to the classroom only while physical education is within the field or play area of a school or university. It is important that physical education is given to students so that they become stronger and their minds can open up in a very good way. Their strength would focus on building up the society within the future. Also, physical education is a must in today’s times because it puts the students ahead of those students who do not receive physical education. These students remain alert and very active on a day to day basis. They can do their work tasks in a very quick way and get rid of the problems that are within their lives. Their minds become stronger and thus they are always on alert about the environment where they live in. It is a fact that physical education takes care of the mind and the body more than just education, which is boring at times. The sports and fitness classes within universities and schools are important because they look to make the students very fit and sporty. The physical education is necessary as so much more takes place than just physical education. The students become very fit and their bodies come in proper shape. They look like active citizens of society. They start contributing more and more when they are physical educated. These sports and fitness classes bring the best within the students and make them look like good human beings.

Slavery in Colonial Times Essay Example for Free

Slavery in Colonial Times Essay The colonization of North America was fronted by European explorers who discovered the existence of territories in the west. Prior to the colonization of North America, tribes who inhabited the region were in command over their lands and their people. The invasion of European colonizers has eventually brought about radical changes, mainly due to irresolvable conflicts, to the North American tribes’ way of life. Although slavery was notably practiced by European colonizers, native tribes also observed it. Slavery has become one important aspect of the people’s existence as the practice of slavery and servitude was sustained and adapted from the European culture. Slavery and slave trade was significantly practiced during the colonial period and has served a purpose for those who implemented it. In some instances, slaves were traded in order to put an end to the deteriorating population of North American tribes whose members were victimized by the war and also by illnesses brought about by ailments and infections without any known cure. This practice of slavery serves a communal and political purpose as it aims to bring back social order in a tribe. For economic purposes, acquired slaves, most especially those of African descent, were marketed to other slave traders. Moreover, captives were used to work and serve for people in higher classes of society. For others, slave trade was practices in order to fulfill debts or other neglected responsibilities. The concept of slavery being observed during the colonial times is not a big surprise to almost everyone who is aware of the present conditions of society. We have been hearing terminologies such as racism and discrimination, and as far as I know, this present societal problem originated from slavery. Slavery is inhuman and should be abhorred by everyone. I believe that ethnocentrism, or the belief of the superiority of one’s culture, is the main reason for slavery and slave trade during the colonial times. European colonizers made ethnic tribes and groups as slaves due to ethnocentrism. Since then, our society has been facing problems regarding social order and global peace.

Comparing and Contrasting the Novel and Movie Version of The Grapes of

Comparing and Contrasting the Novel and Movie Version of The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck wrote the The Grapes of Wrath in 1939 to rouse its readers against those who were responsible for keeping the American people in poverty. The Grapes of Wrath tells the story of the Joad family, migrant farmers from Oklahoma traveling to California in search of an illusion of prosperity. The novel's strong stance stirred up much controversy, as it was often called Communist propaganda, and banned from schools due to its vulgar language. However, Steinbeck's novel is considered to be his greatest work. It won the Pulitzer Prize, and later became an Academy Award winning movie in 1940. The novel and the movie are both considered to be wonderful masterpieces, epitomizing the art of filmmaking and novel-writing. Although both the novel and movie form of Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath are considered to be American classics, the novel provides a deeper understanding of the story's time and meaning. Absent from the film, the novel's interchapters provide a greater understanding of the time in which The Grapes of Wrath takes place. First, in the movie it is unclear why the Joads are forced to abandon their farm. It is described very briefly by Muley Graves, leaving the audience in a state of confusion. However, in the novel, Chapter 5 explains exactly why the farmers are forced to leave. In this interchapter, Steinbeck uses a dialogue between a farmer and a representative from a bank; the farmer is forced to leave because the bank, or the"Monster" as Steinbeck says, needs to make a profit, and if the farmer cannot produce any goods to pay off debts, then the bank forecloses the land. This happened to many farmers in the 1930's due to a dr... ...h provides a more sensational experience than the movie. The novel gives the reader a complete feeling of the time period. It describes in every detail the situation of the Joads, as well as other farming families forced to be refugees from their homeland. On the contrary, the film leaves the reader questioning as to what exactly is happening in America in the 1930's. The novel enthralls the reader with its beautiful descriptions of the setting, and its deep symbolism. On the other hand, the film is barren, dry of symbolism and color. The movie is focused solely on the plot, depriving the audience of Steinbeck's unbelievable writing skills. Despite the fact that both the movie and novel form of Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath are viewed as American classics, the movie is almost insufferable when compared to the wonderful masterpiece in the novel form of Grapes of Wrath.

The Importance of Employee Engagement

Change is a constant in today? s modern business activity. As Harvard Business School Professor John Kotter wrote in Fujitsu? s `Fit for Change? report, â€Å"the current rate of change within businesses is faster than the rate at which organisations are improving†¦many organisations just can't keep up with the speed of change. † (www. theinformationdaily. com, 2012). This more and more complex and competitive environment inflicts a greater pressure on the employees; given that the employees are the heart of organisations not approaching them appropriately is one of the main reasons of corporate failure (Argenti, 2009).Although there is not a lot of research done in this field as it is a relatively new concept (Saks, 2006), understanding the importance of employee engagement and implementing a well-developed internal communications plan is crucial for success, especially during change (Dolphin, 1999). The organisation should be guided by experts through all this complexit y if it wants to overcome all the tension that originates from the dynamics of change and survive. THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT Many authors claim that an organisation? accomplishments, financial performance and employee outcomes may be predicted by the levels of employee engagement. However, it is surprising that even if it is a logical assumption, it appears that employee engagement is waning and that disengagement among the majority of today? s workforce is costing huge amounts of money to organisations in productivity loss (Saks, 2006). At present, workers are well educated, have greater expectations than those of past generations, and aspire to have a better understanding of the company they work for (Argenti, 2009).According to Argenti (2009), most companies? senior managers exclude lower-level employees from taking part in most decision-making. According to Dolphin (1999), employee communication is too often conducted by in-experienced and junior personnel. Therefore , it could be said that organisations do acknowledge the importance of employee engagement to some degree but are not following an appropriate and effective two-way communication strategy that will engage their staff. ORDER AND CHANGEEvery organisation has a culture and identity of its own and these should be consistent, coherent, and clear. When an organisation suffers a big change, it might have the need to acquire a new identity and/or alter or even create a whole new corporate culture (Dolphin, 1999); to be able to direct this change effectively, there must be a well-defined vision. Most of the definitions of vision in this context make reference to an ideal or a future to which the organisational change should lead to (Palmer, Dunfard ; Akin, 2006).Without a firm vision and effective internal communications, the â€Å"changes introduced by managers may seem arbitrary and unneeded†¦ vision helps to motivate staff in working towards the change and engaging in what may appea r to be daunting or risky actions† (For Kanter et al. , as cited in Palmer et al. , 2006, p. 245). Sutton and Khan (1986 as cited in Jimmieson et al. , 2004, p. 12) argue that when a deep change is about to happen, workers â€Å"go through a process of sense-making in which they need information to help them establish a sense of prediction and understanding of the situation†.Palmer, Dunfard and Akin (2006) insist in the importance of having their employees well informed about the situation and about what is expected from them, To the extent that the strategic intent is not complemented by clarity as to expected actions, the chances increase employees will fail to convert a change initiative into supporting action at their level of organisation. The Key point here is that the lack of supporting action is not due to overt resistance or even apathy; it is due to the lack of clear understanding of what such supportive action would â€Å"look like. (Palmer et al. , 2006, p. 149) Organisations must therefore aim to achieve a balance between order and change. For instance, they can only operate efficiently if members execute their roles consistently, perform everyday operations, and uphold ordered structures, but they also need to stay open and agile enough to react to and anticipate the fluctuating stresses of today? s changing commercial environment. (Jacobs, 2004, p. 382). Carl Weick (1979, as cited in Jacobs, 2004, p. 82) highlights in his relational perspective the role of communication when dealing with the tension that arouses between these two elements and suggests that organisations are in essence the outcome of communication collaborations. Lewin? s Three Stage Model of Change (Carnall,2007, p. 70) can be used to help the organisation better understand this process. It consists of three stages: 1. Unfreezing. It is related to cultural change.Identifying both present behaviours and required behaviours necessary to achieve the organisation? s mi ssion and common goals and analysing the differences, with the participation of the company? s members, is the first step of â€Å"unfreezing† actual change. 2. Changing/Moving. Identifying the procedures and changes in the structure that will enable the execution of the new behaviours and the implementation and examination of accomplishments. 3. Refreezing. Instilling the new behaviours, attitudes, and values in the group.This is usually done by rewarding new behaviours, carrying out policies, implementing an effective communication, and educating members in order to support the new culture and behavioural principles; commitment to change is attained in this stage. However, as organisations and their environments are ever more uncertain and dynamic, many changes may occur at once and when one area is refreezing another might be unfreezing or moving. This has led Clark and Clegg to believe that `successful management in the future must be based on intelligence and creativity and the capacity to question and learn? â€Å"executives must learn how to combine continual change with the ability to sustain `business as usual? † (1998, as cited in Carnall, 2007, p. 78-79). An organisation is dynamic, it is persistently reinventing itself, and therefore must be monitored constantly. THE RISKS OF CHANGE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ORGANISATIONAL SUPPORT A possible reason for failure could be that organisations simply do not dedicate enough time or attention to understand the psychology of change. Employees? xperience is a critical factor that should be considered; it is how people adapt and react to change that makes a difference. Firstly, changes in an organisation are not linear by nature and thus uncertainty is the most common psychological condition that emerges as a result (Callan et al. , 2004); â€Å"much of what we refer to as resistance to change? is really ‘resistance to uncertainty’ meaning that the resistance originates from the proces s of dealing and handling change, not from the change itself (Carnall, 2007, p. 3). Secondly, Palmer, Dunfard and Akin (2006) argue that people? perceptions of how they believe that change will affect their personal interests will influence their readiness for it. People have a tendency to support changes that do not seem threatening to their interests and resist those that appear to be harmful. (Palmer et al. , 2006, p. 149). Managers should understand the potential risks of letting employees face changes on their own without a consistent support on behalf of the organisation. Doubt and uncertainty should be dissipated and substituted by safety, and mutual interests should be addressed to avoid feelings of threat.According to Argenti (2009) effective internal communications not only requires facilitating employees with relevant and sincere information but it should also reinforce their belief that they are significant assets to the company and that subsequently their matters are to o. Listening to them and allowing their participation in conversations regarding organisational change will keep them â€Å"excited about their work, connected to the company? s vision, and in a position to further goals of the organisation† (Argenti, 2009, p. 84). An example that describes poor attention to how stakeholders react to change (whether they are predisposed to welcome it or reject it from the beginning) is Kodak? s announcement of its reduction in workforce to its staff, and of its dividend cut to its investors. They ignored the importance of setting an adequate strategy to promote a positive response prior to change and this basically resulted in resistance to change from both groups which led the merger with Compaq Computers a failure (Palmer et al. , 2006, p. 1) REASSURING EFFECTIVENESS IN COMMUNICATION Before any action is taken, the organisation must have a sense of the present effectiveness of its internal communications. Argenti (2009) reveals that an exce llent way to measure the effectiveness of its actions is by executing communication audits and systematic temperature checks to discover the employees? attitudes towards the organisation itself, their opinion about the quality of the communications they are getting, and whether the messages are being understood.Once this is done, an internal communication framework can be implemented to work on solutions to any communication deficiencies and satisfy those requests. The Strategic Employee Communication Model and Best-practice Definitions (Appendix A) can be used in a change programme as â€Å"benchmarks against which to measure a company? s employee communication strengths and weaknesses as well as a model of effective change†. According to Barrett (2004), both the model and its different elements were inspired by research done in numerous Fortune 500 companies on what actually works in employee communication.The best companies integrated many of these definitions in their pra ctice scheme. This model links all principal factors involved in employee communication between them and to the company? s manoeuvres and strategy; it analytically breaks down communication into distinguishable and manageable portions and illustrates how interconnected and inter-reliant each portion is when employee communication is placed strategically within the organisation, a must in order to make change feasible. What moves this model from a tactical level to a strategic one is the direct connection to the firm? â€Å"strategic objectives and business planning process plus the overlay of supportive management with on-going assessment of individual and company communication. † (Barrett, 2004, p. 22). An example of a good communication in practice is what CEO Gordon Bethune did in Continental airlines. Every month, he held an open-house in his own office where employees were welcome to go and talk to him about any issues, suggestions, or complaints, and in numerous occasio ns he would go himself to meet the employees at their workplace.This platform for open, informal, and sincere discussion was his trait of leadership. He has been recognised for having significantly improved employee spirit and productivity as well as enhancing the global culture of the firm. This is illustrative of what should be done to have the organisation prepared in the eventuality of change. THE LEARNING ORGANISATION. FROM INDIVIDUALS TO A TEAM In order for the organisation to move as a whole it should behave and act as one.Organisations should provide the ground for individuals to move out of their sense of self, be flexible, and connect with and contribute to the group consciousness. Many authors emphasise the need of creating learning cultures within organisations in order to achieve success during change. â€Å"Teams, not single individuals, are the key to successful organizations of the future and†¦ individuals have to learn in the context of the team† (Append ix B). Hurst (1995, as cited in Carnall,2007, p. 65) for instance exposes that a performance organisation should evolve into a learning organisation when it faces complexity; â€Å"tightly defined tasks, control systems and rigid structures† should be replaced by â€Å"recognition, networks and teams†. His ecocycle model of eight stages points toward renewal through which the company reinvents itself, more explicitly, â€Å"in which people rethink what they seek to achieve, with whom and how, and thereby recreate the organisation†¦ it is certainly a learning process†. The complexity theory can throw some light on this perspective.As Darwin, Johnson and McAuley (2002, cited in Carnall,2007, p. 84) note, the basic idea that lies beneath the relevance of the complexity theory within the literature regarding organisational behaviour is that of a multifaceted adaptive organism described as a coherent network of agents interacting in parallel with no ? command an d control framework? and who are ? adaptively intelligent? (Appendix C). This view links to the idea of ? self-organisation? (Carnall,2007, p. 84). Emery (2004, as cited in Carnall, 2007,p. 85) also presents â€Å"an analysis of open-systems theory-based action research as an enabler of learning and change†.She starts off by stating that learning is fundamental for viable change and then argues that practitioners must deal with all individuals at every level of the corporation and all practical areas must be implicated in some kind of practise that will enable them to take part in this learning process. However, she highlights that there are certain obstacles that might get in the way such as certain attitudes of the elite members, fail to use a common language throughout the organisation, and diverse framework and priority schemes.Another issue to tackle is the fact that individuals have different learning rates and they learn in different ways (Carnall, 2007). That is where the role of internal communications plays a significant role. Professional practitioners should be able to identify where communications fail and target unlike audiences with different techniques to be able to engage them appropriately. We therefore can determine that the objective of education in the long-run would be to create a â€Å"strong sense of listening and of responsiveness [that will] permeate(s) the organisation† (Macleod, p. 9) by: -Forming engaging managers that will know how to communicate cultures and values and treat their personnel with respect. As MacLeod ((Macleod, p. 79) ) states in his report, managers who engage â€Å"facilitate and empower rather than control or restrict their staff; they treat their staff with appreciation and respect and show commitment to developing, increasing and rewarding the capabilities of those they manage. †. -Giving employees a voice and tools to address management with their concerns.They must feel â€Å"they are l istened to and see that their opinions count and make a difference†¦ [And that they are able to] speak out and challenge when appropriate† (Macleod, p. 79) CONCLUSION Employee engagement levels can predict an organisation? s accomplishments and performance as it is claimed by many authors. However, due to today? s complex environment it is more than necessary to build up a strong internal communications strategy. Employees should not be isolated from the organisation as a whole and should be informed and involved in it. The corporate culture should be coherent and the vision should be clear.If organisations fail to communicate all this properly and engage its employees into believing that change is not synonym of threat, resistance will appear. Resistance may lead to a break in the internal homeostasis and the consequences will show up as a failure when trying to move the organisation forward. REFERENCES Argenti, P. (2009) Corporate Communication. 5th ed. Singapore: Mc Gr aw Hill. Carnall, C. (2007) Managing Change in Organisations. 5th ed. Essex: Prentice-Hall. Dolphin, R. (1999) The Fundamentals of Corporate Communications. Butterworth-Heinemann. Jimmieson, N. t al. (2004) A Longitudinal Study of Employee Adaptation to Organizational Change: The Role of Change-Related Information and Change-Related Self-Ef? cacy. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology , 9 (1), p. 11-27. MacLeod, D. and Clarke, N. (2009) Engaging for Success: enhancing performance through employee engagement. [report] Department for Business Palmer, I. et al. (2006) Managing Organizational Change: A Multiple Perspectives Approach. s. l. : Mc Graw-Hill Saks, A. (2006) Antecedents and Consequences of Employee Engagement. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 21 (7), p. 00-619. www. theinformationdaily. com (2012) Making your organisation fit to change. [online] Available at: http://www. theinformationdaily. com/2012/12/21/making-your-organisation-fit-to-change [Accessed: 4 Mar 2013]. J acobs, G. (2004) Corporate creative thinking. In: Oliver, S. M. ed. Handbook of corporate communications and public relations. London: Routledge, pp. 382-384. Barrett, D. J. (2004) A best-practice approach to change communication. In: Oliver, S. M. ed. Handbook of corporate communications and public relations. London: Routledge, pp. 22-24. . APPENDICES Appendix A. Figure 2. 1 Strategic employee communication model (Barrett, 2004, p. 23) *Appendix B. Senge? s five disciplines: 1. Systems thinking: everyone must learn how to view things as a whole and that one set of events has impact on others 2. Personal mastery: ? the discipline of continually clarifying and deepening†¦ personal vision, of focusing†¦ energies, of developing patience, and of seeing reality objectively.? 3. Mental models: ? learning to unearth†¦ internal pictures of the world, to bring them to surface and hold them rigorously to scrutiny? 4.Build a share vision: leadership is the key to creating and co mmunicating the vision†¦ the leader creates vision but is prepared to have it reshaped by others 5. Team learning: teams, not single individuals, are the key to successful organizations of the future and individuals have to learn in the context of the team (Senge, 1990, as cited in Carnall, p. 164) *Appendix C. Darwin, Johnson and McAuley (2002, Carnall, p. 84) describe a multifaceted adaptive organism: 1. It is a network of ? agents? acting in parallel, often interconnected, ways but without any ? ommand and control? framework 2. These agents are ? adaptively intelligent? ; constantly seeking and making sense of patterns, testing ideas, evolving and learning. 3. Change is achieved through learning, evolution and adaptation. 4. Control of the system is dispersed throughout the system. 5. Coherence within the system arises out of competition and cooperation among the agents as they see advantage in alliances and other arrangements for mutual support. This view links to the idea of ? self-organisation?. (Darwin et al, 2002, as cited in Carnall, p. 84)

Popular Media

Running head: MASS MEDIA AND POPULAR AMERICAN CULTURE Mass media and popular American Culture Team B University of Phoenix In the last 50 years the mass media has grown exponentially with the advancement of technology. Our society has come a long way since the telegraph and the newspaper. The most used source of media today is the television. In today’s society over 250 billion hours of television is viewed annually by Americans. Children are exposed to more than 40,000 ads a year, and this number is climbing. Americans as a whole are exposed to thousands of images of sex, crime, advertisements, celebrity news, hidden subliminal messages and much more. Today’s society is not aware of the negative influences we expose ourselves and our children to on a daily basis. Surprisingly enough, 95% of the media is owned by only 5 companies, which are, Time Warner, Viacom, Vivendi Universal, Walt Disney, and News Corp. These companies own the major entertainment theme parks, movie studios, radio broadcast networks, and sports entertainment. These superior companies also own integrated telecommunications, wireless phones, video game software, electronic media the music industry and more. In earlier years there was diversity in companies, now there are just a few that have the power to influence the minds of your children. When children constantly watch violence and negative images over and over again it becomes traumatic on their psyche. Television is shaping the way young Americans think. Therefore they grow up thinking they have to look a certain way to fit in today’s society. We need to develop a mind of our own or we will become a culture filled with zombies with low IQ’s. As one examines the relationship between the media and popular culture it is evident that the affects of the media has had a great impact. The popular culture before the media was somewhat simple. The pop culture was primarily dictated by the elite and the religious sector. As time progressed pop culture began to be influenced more by certain types of media. One form that had a great impact on pop culture was movable print. Movable print opened the door to mass communication in 15th century by allowing information to be printed for the emerging middle class. This new age in pop culture gave way to the spread of illiteracy and the emergence of trade in the western civilization. As pictorial printing emerged so did the education of the lower classes. This new form of media was mass produced and allowed the door to be open for the mass movement and change in popular culture. The Reformation, led by Martin Luther was the first form of a mass movement influenced by mass communication. Along with this development was the ability to distribute new religious thoughts and ideas the masses, which in turn allowed people to begin to develop individual ideas on religion. As pop culture became more influenced by mass communication, more people learned to read and write. The Reformation can basically be credited to the start of mobilizing the masses and industrialization. As one examines where we are as a society, one can safely say that pop culture is greatly influenced by all forms of media. This idea will explored throughout this paper and how it relates to enculturation. The relationships among the media, advertising and the formation of normative cultural values are very important in the 20th century. Without putting them together to have the success that comes to many movies, business, and some of the top celebrities would make things a lot harder. The media is a good tool if used properly but can as we have seen make things bad for some people and their businesses. At the start the use of the media was to entertain as well as inform. The base ball games started off on the radio and after sometime TV became black and white. Then the idea came that there are people looking at these shows and the thought of advertising came into play. This enhanced television because now not only do you have people being entertained but now you can give ideas that could offer big bucks for business. If in this day and time we did not have the media to inform us as we need to be, how would we know that there is a new cold bug or that the weather is not going to be good on Sunday. The media is a very import to us in the 20th century without it how would things be if they were to go on as they are now. The media was used to inform us that Toyota the car company has several cars having trouble with their gas pedal getting stuck. This was important to know because if not then people all over the world would have had these issues with the cars and not have know that this needed to be fixed right away. But in turn Toyota used the media and advertising to get sales back up after the issues slowed down sales. The haste of technology has impacted our society and helped globalization move a little quicker. Although, the internet may seem to be taken away the personal part of communicating, it has globalized our country by having the opportunity to communicate with other countries around the world. The impact of a growing business is better known as face book. One of the largest most recognized websites that is very helpful in communicating with others around the world. Today’s popular culture has made face book one of the newest and innovated ways to communicate with friends and family at are long distance. In a way the internet has globalized and helped our country to become one by simply communicating with one other through this known site. Although, it may not be face to face round table discussion but it helps us in all ways possible. Popular culture has made this website a sophisticated site where all can be a part of. However, face book does have its changelings because it takes away from interpersonal communication restrictions. Cheryl stated â€Å"Technology's influence on interpersonal relationships is both positive and negative. The important thing to remember in forming a virtual relationship is not to lose sight of the fact that it is virtual reality. It is also important to maintain real relationships as well to keep a proper balance†. I believe this is true to the fact because of this technology people tend to forget about the true meaning of interpersonal communication, meaning communicating face to face. Everyone has their own opinions about both the positives and the negatives of mass media and its’ affects on popular culture. In the end it all comes down to the individual’s values and their perception on what is current and popular to them. It is the parent’s responsibility to teach their children about their heritage and culture, but sometimes that does not happen, and the child has to decide for his or her self what mass media and popular culture is good or bad in the aspect of the affects it has on them. Education has and always be the defining factor for our future and the future of mass media and pop culture. References Herr, Ph. D. , N. (). Television & Health . Retrieved from http://www. csun. edu/science/health/docs/tv. html Rayuso, .  (Copyright  © 2010 ). Mass Media Influence on Society77. Hubpages Inc. and respective owners. Retrieved from http://hubpages. com/hub/Mass-Media-Influence-on-Society William, Cheryl (2002). Http://www. Helium. com

Jobsintown.de Company Campaign Reflection

Jobsintown.de Company Campaign Reflection What is the campaign about? This campaign is a sensitizing platform that provides the necessary information regarding the prevailing job market conditions. The campaign, dubbed â€Å"Life’s too short for the wrong job,† is a creation of the Jobsintown.de Company which runs an online recruitment website. The primary target for this campaign is that potential job seekers, particularly those living in urban areas and are in the job search.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Jobsintown.de Company: Campaign Reflection specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Alternatively, some may be already employed but in fields that do not match their skills, knowledge, or potentials. The campaign targets all customers irrespective of income or education level. The company has identified a gap in the job market which it wants to fill by playing the agency role involving the linkage of job seekers, their customers, to the relevant e mployers. This has enabled the company to meet the ever-rising demand for this kind of service. What are the campaign’s objectives? Like other promotional activities, this campaign ad is aimed at making the agency service available to the public. Although the Jobsintown.de Company is keen in making claims from this particular advert, it is indirectly inviting public critiques and confrontations. This is likely to occur when the services rendered do not live up to the anticipated benefits. According to the class notes, any company that believes in putting its reputation on the line will always try harder than its competitors to fulfill its promises and maintain the reputation that it has already established with its clientele. The other objective of the company is to provide a wide range of services making the consumer to determine the ones that are in line with their needs. The company wants to offer different services across people from different social class and occupation. For instance, the photography that shows a person who is probably seeking the laundry services from a dry cleaner while the other one is doing the hand washing depicts a reflection of the society where people are in different social classes. There are those who are in need of certain services that are unaffordable to others hence the need to segment the market.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More What is the campaign’s strategy? How would you describe it? The company’s marketers have established that the best way to advertise and sell services is to ensure that there is satisfaction of genuine needs. In regards to this, the company has decided to use reflection advertising to reach its target audience. This choice not only makes the intended message special, but also unique. As described in the class notes, the use of realistic images tends to be more ap pealing to people especially when the practicality of the claims forms the basis of the customer’s decision. The company has managed to keep its message and purpose simple. This is critical in the process of ensuring that effective motivation prevails. The strategy adopted by the company will enable it achieve its goal of transforming the audience’s state of ignorance into a state of satisfaction. For that reason, the overall outcome will be good. Looking at the pictures given, it is evident that the company has strategized on how to show the problem to its customers and the corresponding action to be taken. The campaign packages itself as the opportune moment to effect a change in their job search routine. The company has done an extensive market research and, for that reason, the campaign will gain much acceptance and support from the public. Do you consider the campaign to be effective or ineffective? Why? It would be very subjective to claim that the campaign is in effective. However, some may find the ad to be offensive depending on the types of occupations highlighted. On the contrary, sometimes, the campaign ad offends in order to gain attention. Some of the pictures used in the ad are somehow disturbing in the sense that some certain fundamental issues such as hygiene are overlooked. In respect to this, this campaign ad is some sort of distraction marketing where the products are not as offensive as they made be deemed to be from their advertisements. In as much as the campaign may seem to be offensive to some extent, it is not deceptive. It would quite obvious that the consumers would turn against a service that exhibits deceptive advertising. For that matter the Jobsintown.de Company has played it safe in their campaign presentations.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Jobsintown.de Company: Campaign Reflection specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Who is this campaign for? How does it relate (or not) to you? The primary target for this campaign is those people who are already employed but in irrelevant fields. This campaign aims at realigning the skills, knowledge, and potentials with the relevant jobs. Additionally, the campaign is targeting a market segment that comprises of job seekers who have not yet found the kind of jobs that match their diverse skills. Although this campaign targets a particular market segment, it has the spillover social benefits such as supporting the freedom of media, stimulating the development of new services, and providing a channel to disseminate information regarding social issues. The statement â€Å"Life’s too short for the wrong job† is not only precautionary, but also educational especially to students who are yet to meet their career choices. The message derived from this campaign slogan is direct and straightforward.

Georgia - Crime Victims Rights

Georgia - Crime Victims' Rights You Have The Right To Be Notified Of: Arrest of the accused.Availability of victim service programs.Availability of compensation for victims of violent crime.Any court hearings where release of the accused will be considered.Release of the accused.Court proceedings during prosecution of the case.Motion for new trial or appeal dates.Change of status of the defendant, if you request this in writing. You Have The Right To: Express your opinion on the release of the accused pending court proceedings.Express your views on the outcome of the case prior to plea negotiations or sentencing of the accused.Complete a Victim Impact Statement. Notification To Victims Of Crime The Office of Victim Services will notify registered victims when any of the following occurs: The inmate is released from prison having completed the court ordered incarceration.The inmate has been approved for transfer to a work release transition center.Removal from transition center to be returned to prisonEscape of an inmate from custody.Recapture of an escapee.The release from prison after completing the confinement portion of the sentence to begin a court ordered probation period.A scheduled parole release from prison.An offenders parole is revoked and the parolee is returned to the custody of the Department of Corrections.Transfer to the custody of another authority outside of the Georgia Department of Corrections.The death of the inmate while in the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections Services to Victims of Crime A toll free number is available for crime victims to contact the Office of Victim ServicesRegistration of crime victims for notification of the release of their offender from the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections.Notification of an inmates release or escape from the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections.Advocacy on behalf of victims concerning their particular needs in the correctional process, including but not limited to: situations involving harassment by inmates, compliance with court mandated conditions, unwanted contact, etc.General information regarding the status of offenders in the custody of or under the supervision of the department of corrections.Referrals for crime victims to other state, federal and community based services.Notification of execution dates along with preparation and orientation for the survivors of homicide victims who choose to be present at an execution. Victim Information and Notification Every Day V.I.P. is an automated information and notification system used by the Georgia Department of Corrections to provide registered victims or their families with access to information about their offender 24 hours a day, everyday. V.I.P. Hotline: 1-800-593-9474. V.I.P. also functions as a notification system. Through computer generated telephone calls, victims who have registered with the Georgia Department of Corrections will automatically receive notification of the release of their offender from custody. The information and notification services of the V.I.P. system are available in both English and Spanish. How to Register with V.I.P. The V.I.P. hotline may be used to obtain updates on the following inmate information: The current location of incarceration.The parole status/eligibility.Maximum or scheduled release date.The system will advise you if the offender is not in custodyNotification Calls Registered victims will automatically begin receiving computer-generated telephone notification calls when any of the following occurs: The inmate is released from prison having served the court ordered term of incarceration.Release from prison after completing the confinement portion of the sentence to begin a court ordered probation period.Upon being paroled from prison.The escape and recapture of an inmate.The death of the inmate while in the custody of corrections.Notification calls will be placed to the registered phone number every hour. The calls will continue for a 24-hour period or until the victim enters the assigned PIN, confirming the notification process has been completed.

12 Tips for Clipping Unnecessary Words

12 Tips for Clipping Unnecessary Words 12 Tips for Clipping Unnecessary Words 12 Tips for Clipping Unnecessary Words By Mark Nichol In workshops and in writing guides, the admonition â€Å"Use fewer words† is one of the cardinal rules. Although I resist the excision of allegedly superfluous adverbs and adjectives, I heartily acknowledge that many other parts of speech are often unnecessary. Here are other ways to reduce word count: 1. â€Å"The standards define the process to the mobile phone using two different methods for invocation.† Whenever you see the word different, consider whether it’s necessary. By default, it’s almost always not: For example, if two methods are described, they’re almost certainly by definition different: â€Å"The standards define the process to the mobile phone using two methods for invocation.† 2. â€Å"Currently, many of the digitized publications have not been properly paginated.† By the same token, currently is almost always superfluous; the context generally makes clear that the statement refers to the present. Again, when the default setting is obviously relevant, omit the word: â€Å"Many of the digitized publications have not been properly paginated.† 3. â€Å"Ethics, on the other hand, is future oriented, that is to say a present choice is based on a future desire, intent, or consequence.† For one thing, the phrase beginning â€Å"that is to say† is an independent clause; it should be separated from the preceding phrase by a semicolon: Furthermore, that four-word phrase is extraneous: â€Å"Ethics, on the other hand, is future oriented; a present choice is based on a future desire, intent, or consequence.† (Alternatively, a colon is usually correct.) 4. â€Å"That’s how the newspaper described a new credit card two entrepreneurs, Jon Doe and Jane Roe, will soon make available.† It’s obvious, not to mention trivial, how many entrepreneurs are involved. After the number is deleted, the appositive consists solely of the word entrepreneurs, so no punctuation preceding or following the names is required: â€Å"That’s how the newspaper described a new credit card entrepreneurs John Doe and Jane Roe will soon make available.† 5. â€Å"Low-income residents with leaking pipes can call out a plumber to fix leaks for free.† You are free to employ the idiomatic phrase â€Å"for free† in conversation and informal writing, but in your professional prose, omit the unnecessary for: â€Å"Low-income residents with leaking pipes can call out a plumber to fix leaks free.† 6. â€Å"This is the reason why the imposition of restrictions on fertility treatments requires extra caution.† â€Å"The reason† and why are interchangeable terms, so they are redundant to each other: â€Å"This is why the imposition of restrictions on fertility treatments requires extra caution.† 7. â€Å"Even if the state has the power to narrow down the population that is entitled to such treatment, it must exercise restraint.† The phrase â€Å"that is†- and its variant â€Å"that are† as well as â€Å"who is† and â€Å"who are†- is often superfluous: â€Å"Even if the state has the power to narrow down the population entitled to such treatment, it must exercise restraint.† 8. â€Å"This step gives both the patient and the physician the freedom to decide whether or not to enter into an agreement for medical treatment.† Whether implies a choice, so â€Å"or not† is extraneous: â€Å"This step gives both the patient and the physician the freedom to decide whether to enter into an agreement for medical treatment.† 9. â€Å"By signing the consent form, they manifested their intention to have a child and agreed to each and every stage of the treatment.† â€Å"Each and every,† and pals like â€Å"first and foremost,† are infections of bloviation from speechifying and have no place in written discourse (and won’t be missed if omitted from oration): â€Å"By signing the consent form, they manifested their intention to have a child and agreed to each stage of the treatment.† 10. â€Å"It is for this reason that medical treatment should not be administered to a patient without consent.† It is a weak way to start a sentence, and often a sign that the sentence can be tightened up somewhat: â€Å"For this reason, medical treatment should not be administered to a patient without consent.† 11. â€Å"The reason is that in some countries, genetic parenthood is the fundamental prerequisite for the application of family law.† The words that follow â€Å"The reason is that† comprise the explanation, so the phrase superfluous: â€Å"In some countries, genetic parenthood is the fundamental prerequisite for the application of family law.† 12. â€Å"His past history indicates that you should not count on him to adhere to his future plans.† This sentence opens and closes with redundant phrases; history is always in the past, and plans are always in the future: â€Å"His history indicates that you should not count on him to adhere to his plans.† 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 Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Whimsical Words7 Patterns of Sentence StructureWhat the heck are "learnings"?

The Beginnings of Feminist Oppression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Beginnings of Feminist Oppression - Essay Example The transgressions of sexual behavior have been attributed to Eve and have resulted in the subjugation of women for 2,000 years. The story of the Garden of Eden has been characterized by sexual overtones and depicts sex as sinful. Yet, it has forever been the greater sin for the woman. Eve was the temptation that Adam succumbed to. Paul writes in Corinthians that, "Let those who have wives live as though they had none" (17). Paul preaches that marriage and therefore women are a necessary evil. According to the original scriptures as taught by Paul and later Augustine, woman's only purpose is procreation. Laws were written and the foundation of the church was based on this institutional bias against women.The monopoly on morality has been used by individuals as well as the church to maintain power. Augustine declares that Adam's sin, the sin of the carnal knowledge of Eve, transformed the "structure of the universe itself". The eventual result was the punishment of death. To validate its authority the Catholic Church adopted Augustine's belief that "death comes to us by will, not by necessity" (145). The continued belief that sex equates to sin, and henceforth death, has been handed down and promotes the church as the only moral authority and our only hope for salvation.Elaine Pagel's book, Adam, Eve, and the Serpent, is a straightforward explanation for the bias we see in our laws and prejudices towards women. It helps to explain why a woman's sexuality may be condemned.

Unit 3 Proposal designs Assignmnet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Unit 3 Proposal designs Assignmnet - Essay Example The organization has offices in 19 countries across the world, and this includes Africa, Asia and the Americas. For purposes of achieving efficiency in fighting hunger, this organization developed a multi-purpose food product. This food product is rich in proteins, and is always used a relief food substance. The organization also developed the applied nutrition programs, aimed at improving the health condition of mothers and their children (Karsh and Fox, 2009). The motivating factor that made the organization to tackle problems of hunger and poverty is based on the notion that hunger and poverty limit an individual desire to achieve his or her goals (Freedom From Hunger, 2014). To achieve this objective of fighting hunger and poverty, the organization has introduced five main programs which it believes are useful in fulfilling its mission and objectives. These programs are, saving for change, the malaria initiative, reach initiative, credit with education, and health protection and micro-finance initiative (Freedom From Hunger, 2014). Under Malaria initiative, the organization provides anti-malaria drugs to poor women and their children. It also treats them for free and educates them on how to prevent the emergence of the disease. Under Credit with education, the institution offers small loans to women for purposes of starting small businesses that can make them self-sufficient (Gregory, 2013). Saving for change on the other hand is an initiative aimed at providing financial services to areas where micro-finance institutions cannot reach. The reach initiative on the other hand promotes the development of innovative ideas that can help to fight poverty, while the health and micro-finance protective initiative helps to create health policies that can help improve the health status of the vulnerable (Zunz, 2012). In conclusion, my interest in this foundation stems from the fact that it is concerned with improving the

Business Ethics Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Ethics - Case Study Example s ethical dilemma has to do with meeting the needs of its affected customers as well as the public at large while also maintaining or preserving its good name. This is almost impossible to accomplish because informing the public about the risk of consuming its products would naturally negatively affect the organization’s reputation. However, informing the public about the danger of consuming other foods until they are further tested would be the ethical or moral thing for the company to do even if it would result in the damage of the company’s organizations. Naturally, the Nutrition Foods Inc. has to come up with ways of dealing with this ethical problem before it degenerates any further. In the first place, the organization’s executives have to conduct assessments into determining how its products are being handled (Willenken, 2012). In such organizations, the process of product distribution is where employees are most likely to infect the produce unintentionally. The organization also has to make immediate moves that show customers that they remain the main and first concern of the organization (Vickers, James, Smallbone and Baldock, 2005). To implement these principles, the Nutrition Foods Inc. has to come up with contingency plans that will address this issue while also preventing the possibility of such an ethical dilemma arising again. There are different theories that can be used in determining the steps to be taken in order to deal with this problem. Ethical theories of teleological nature are usually consequentialist (Ridge, 2009). This means that they tend to emphasize the importance of taking ethically correct actions which will create a balance that will re-instate good actions over the bad (Worsfold, 2005). To use this theory in making decision, the Nutrition Foods Inc. will have to consider different possibilities in dealing with the ethical problem if faces. For example, when considering whether to clean up the scandal internally without

Religion, Rationality, and Violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Religion, Rationality, and Violence - Essay Example According to research findings, religious violence or terrorism is a modern socio-political syndrome arising from the far-fetched religious thinking. This has vividly projected cosmic images of war. Religions have sought the restoration of order by the affirmation of life through the violence of cosmic war. Many schools of thought have held the maxim that for religion to do more good than harm in our society, then religion has to dress up the armor of temper of rationality and fair play that Enlightenment values gives to society. Religion qua religion is inherently violent; the Enlightenment must redeem it. Harrison, Everett F., ed. (1960) Christianity for example, has been known to have harbored the worst violent legacy the stretches back into the black age. Questions being pondered are whether Christianity should get the Enlightenment redress. The exposition of a religious Hitler can be depicted in most fanatical scenario’s perpetrated around the globe the most lunatical believers. Mother Teresa, with all her shortcomings, is a typical embodiment of what modern Christianity is contrary portraying. Harris, Harriet A. (2004). Religion Islam has been demonised as a rhetorical device, to try to persuade fundamentalist Christians. Harris brings out comparisons with the "terrorists" that Christian's are so afraid of. In so doing, Harris paints all of Islam with a rather broad brush and makes some serious errors of cause and effect. For example, he contends that Middle East terrorism is indeed because of religion and repeats the old propaganda about virgins in paradise, while completely ignoring class issues, imperialism, occupation and invasion, poverty, desperation, and political manipulation by Arab states for entirely secular reasons. Barthel, Manfred and Mark Howson, trans. (1982). The only evidence he offers in favor of his thesis is that the World Trade Center hijackers were middle-class and hadn't experienced political repression, a contention that he doesn't bother to defend and that also doesn't support generalization from al-Qaeda to all of Islam or even all of Islamic terrorism. He's way too eager to use a current political bogeyman to support a different argument and in so doing falls into the sloppy and simplistic reasoning that he's criticized through the rest of the book. Harrison, Jane. (1996) Harris does a good job pointing out the reasons why atheists find fundamentalist Christianity so absurd. The sections on Biblical inerrancy and on the Bible as a moral force are particularly good, although if one hasn't already realized that the Biblical text cannot support its supposed moral lessons without a great deal of strain and selective reading, I don't think Harris will convince. And that raises the strategic problem: Harris is preaching to the choir, will make those who already believe what he believes feel better about their beliefs, and is unlikely to make much impact with his supposed target audience. First, the basic argument over religion faces a communication gap before it ever reaches the level of argument and analysis. People don't tend to seek out polemics against their closely held beliefs unless they're just looking for reasons to get angry or ways to undermine an argument. Harris says that he's writing this book to provide ammunition, but while that ammunition can turn away or argue down evangelicals who are trying to convert an atheist, I doubt it ever does much to convince them their belief is wrong. Second, I think Harris misses, or at least fails to address, the basic reasons why people believe. His target is religious faith, but he's attacking it in the way that one would attack a scientific theory. Religious faith is not, in

American Export Trade Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

American Export Trade Business - Research Paper Example Between 1992 and 2013, average exports by the United States is estimated to be US $103197.71 million and the maximum level in these two decades has reached in December 2012 at US $188686.00 million (â€Å"United States exports†). US primary export items are capital goods, industrial supplies, food and beverages, automotive vehicles, engines and vehicle parts; high tech manufacturing goods remains one of the most important categories of exports. However, in the twenty first century US started to lose comparative advantage on manufacturing of such goods. This paper aims at researching the stake of current US high tech trade deficit and how an improvement in the trade condition would help to improve living standards in the US economy. US export trade The Department of Commerce’s U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis released their annual report of international trade of the US in goods and services for the year 2012 in December that year. The report reveal s that exports of commodities and services by the country increased by 2.1 percent in 2012 since the month of November in 2012 and reached a record figure of $2.20 trillion. The trade deficit in US decreased since the country’s imports have fallen by 2.7 percent during this period (â€Å"U.S. export fact sheet†). Figure: Exports of United States between 2011 -2013 (Source: â€Å"United States exports†) Exports have been an important part of the U.S. GDP and in 2012 the share of exports in GDP was 13.9 percent. This share has improved in 2011 from 2008 (12.9 percent) and has remained steady since 2011 (â€Å"U.S. export fact sheet†). Capital goods form the largest category of export commodities for the US. In 2012, this category of exports was worth $526.7 billion. The leading manufacturing sector for export commodities has been named as the â€Å"motor vehicles and parts sector† (â€Å"U.S. export fact sheet†). High-technology exports The ma nufacturing sector in the US contributes a large section of the country’s GDP that other sectors and has been a driver of economic growth in the country since 1947. This sector is highly engrossed in international trade than other sectors. The manufacturing sector strengthens the growth process by bringing in technological innovation in the other industries. Production of high-technology products require high intensity of R&D. Industries that produce high tech products in the US are aerospace, pharmaceuticals, electrical machinery, computers and scientific instruments (â€Å"High-technology exports (current US$)†). The US manufactured goods account for nearly 35 percent of the total worth of high technology products traded in the international market. Till 2008 US enjoyed high trade surplus owing to high revenue income from export of high tech manufactured goods and royalties earned from the sale of technical know how. 57 percent of the country’s exports were ma nufactured goods. US outpaced its rival countries in the field of technological research and industrial development. Advancement in technology has support the manufacturers in the US

Religion, Rationality, and Violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Religion, Rationality, and Violence - Essay Example According to research findings, religious violence or terrorism is a modern socio-political syndrome arising from the far-fetched religious thinking. This has vividly projected cosmic images of war. Religions have sought the restoration of order by the affirmation of life through the violence of cosmic war. Many schools of thought have held the maxim that for religion to do more good than harm in our society, then religion has to dress up the armor of temper of rationality and fair play that Enlightenment values gives to society. Religion qua religion is inherently violent; the Enlightenment must redeem it. Harrison, Everett F., ed. (1960) Christianity for example, has been known to have harbored the worst violent legacy the stretches back into the black age. Questions being pondered are whether Christianity should get the Enlightenment redress. The exposition of a religious Hitler can be depicted in most fanatical scenario’s perpetrated around the globe the most lunatical believers. Mother Teresa, with all her shortcomings, is a typical embodiment of what modern Christianity is contrary portraying. Harris, Harriet A. (2004). Religion Islam has been demonised as a rhetorical device, to try to persuade fundamentalist Christians. Harris brings out comparisons with the "terrorists" that Christian's are so afraid of. In so doing, Harris paints all of Islam with a rather broad brush and makes some serious errors of cause and effect. For example, he contends that Middle East terrorism is indeed because of religion and repeats the old propaganda about virgins in paradise, while completely ignoring class issues, imperialism, occupation and invasion, poverty, desperation, and political manipulation by Arab states for entirely secular reasons. Barthel, Manfred and Mark Howson, trans. (1982). The only evidence he offers in favor of his thesis is that the World Trade Center hijackers were middle-class and hadn't experienced political repression, a contention that he doesn't bother to defend and that also doesn't support generalization from al-Qaeda to all of Islam or even all of Islamic terrorism. He's way too eager to use a current political bogeyman to support a different argument and in so doing falls into the sloppy and simplistic reasoning that he's criticized through the rest of the book. Harrison, Jane. (1996) Harris does a good job pointing out the reasons why atheists find fundamentalist Christianity so absurd. The sections on Biblical inerrancy and on the Bible as a moral force are particularly good, although if one hasn't already realized that the Biblical text cannot support its supposed moral lessons without a great deal of strain and selective reading, I don't think Harris will convince. And that raises the strategic problem: Harris is preaching to the choir, will make those who already believe what he believes feel better about their beliefs, and is unlikely to make much impact with his supposed target audience. First, the basic argument over religion faces a communication gap before it ever reaches the level of argument and analysis. People don't tend to seek out polemics against their closely held beliefs unless they're just looking for reasons to get angry or ways to undermine an argument. Harris says that he's writing this book to provide ammunition, but while that ammunition can turn away or argue down evangelicals who are trying to convert an atheist, I doubt it ever does much to convince them their belief is wrong. Second, I think Harris misses, or at least fails to address, the basic reasons why people believe. His target is religious faith, but he's attacking it in the way that one would attack a scientific theory. Religious faith is not, in

Discussion Board 4-2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion Board 4-2 - Assignment Example Credit cards can be used as well. Once the Board recommends the issuance of a license, the license issuance fee of $100 or $250 should be submitted. Also, A copy of one’s driver’s license or social security card and current fingerprint clearance from the Department of Public Safety must be provided as well as one’s Social Security number on the application form. An official copy of any required examination and a self-query form acquired from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) and the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB) should be submitted in their unopened envelopes with the application packet. To meet these requirements, I would need to study hard and review well for my board exam. I would also need to ensure I do not commit any criminal acts in order to have a clean result when I get my fingerprint clearance. I should also make sure that I have enough money saved up to pay for the required fees. Most importantly, I would need to make myself emotionally, physically and psychologically ready going through these steps because this is really the start of my

Plato Thought on Education Essay Example for Free

Plato Thought on Education Essay â€Å"The object of education is to turn the eye which the soul already possesses to the light. The whole function of education is not to put knowledge into the soul, but to bring out the best things that are latent in the soul, and to do so by directing it to the right objects. The problem of education, then, is to give it the right surrounding. † (Plato) In the fifth century B. C. E Plato was born into an aristocratic Greek family. As a youngster his intention was to be engaged in politics. However in his twenties his thoughts were change after coming into the circle of Socrates, who was to be the lasting influence on his thought. Hence, following the execution of Socrates on accusations of the corruption of youth Plato abandoned direct involvement in politics and turned to writing and education. Plato was well known for his works which were all written in the form of dialogues. In the Republic, written about 385 B. C. E and in the Laws, his last work, on which he was still at work at the end of his life Plato addresses childhood in the context of education. Plato saw education as â€Å"the one great thing†, no scheme of human life was so important to him, since he rejected birth as a criterion for distributing the function of education. He believes that the aim of education was the harmonious development of human personality with the central purpose was to produce the right type of individualities in the state. Therefore, Plato saw the state primarily as an educational entity. His scheme of education was greatly influenced by Spartan system of education. In the Spartan system the family had no control over the education of its members. The state was controlling all aspects of education. In the Republic, Plato devotes much attention to the education of the child as a future citizen. He believes that the child belongs to the state and its education is the responsibility of the state in addition education must be compulsory for all. Furthermore, Plato was not concerned with training children for a trade but rather with giving them an education in virtue, which is to produce a keen desire to become a perfect citizen who knows how to rule and be ruled in turn. Education was seen as the correct channelling of pains and pleasures, aiming at establishing a nature in which goodness of character has been well and truly established so as to breed a familiarity with reason, since Plato saw reason as mans true nature, therefore it has to be nurtured from childhood by irrational means. In Plato views education was to begin before birth therefore he recommends that the care of the soul and body of the child begin with prescribed walks for the pregnant woman before birth. For the first two years of life children should be kept well wrapped up, even though they should be taken to the country or on visits. Also, they should be carried until they are old enough to stand on their own to prevent subjecting their limbs to too much pressure. This was necessary since the main importance of movement lies in its influence on the early development of a well-balanced soul and the cultivation of the body is mainly for the souls sake. Another aspect of education was the formation of character. Plato saw storytelling as the main tool in the development of character. Since stories should provide models for children to imitate, seeing that as ideas taken in at an early age become indelibly fixed. Moreover storytelling must begin at an earlier age than physical training. Physical training may take two or three years, during which nothing else can be done; since weariness and sleep are unfavourable to study. Physical training was vital as the exercises were an important test of character. Additionally a childs character will also be formed while he or she plays Plato attached much importance to childrens games. Even though the sexes are to be separated at the age of six, he believes that children are to be brought together for games. Teachers must provide children with miniature tools of the different trades, so that they can use the childrens games to channel their pleasures and desires toward the activities they will engage in when they are adults. However, children and adults should not imitate base characters when playing or acting, for fear of forming a habit that will become second nature. In addition to storytelling and play, reading, writing, music and arithmetic were an integral part of Platos educational system. Beginning at the age of ten a child is required to spend three years on reading, writing, and the poets, and another three learning the lyre. Then they would study elementary mathematics up to the age of seventeen or eighteen. He thought that all of this was to be done with as little compulsion as possible in, order to for them to learn enough to fight a war and run a house and administer a state (Republic, bk.7, 535-541). This period of education could not be extend or curtail neither by the child nor father either out of enthusiasm or distaste. Children were expected to work on their letters until they are able to read and write, but any whose natural abilities have not developed sufficiently by the end of the prescribed time to make them into quick or polished performers should not be pressed. Enforced exercise does no harm to the body, but enforced learning will not stay in the mind (Laws, bk. 7, 536). Plato also felt the necessity of moral education. The members of a society should learn that they are the members of one society and that they should live in the spirit of harmony and co-operation. Plato realizes that the better way of imparting moral instructions, is the sanction of supernatural authority. Plato also believes with conviction that a nation cannot be strong unless it believes in God. Certainly, Platos views on education have significantly influenced educational thought to this day and have become the basis of many educational policies His system of education includes instructions for the training of body, mind and soul. Plato also believed that an ideal state, embodying the highest and best capabilities of human social life, can really be achieved, if the right people are put in charge. Since the key to the success of the whole is the wisdom of the rulers who make decisions for the entire city, His view of philosophy as an educational activity and of education as the development of reason, the responsibility of which lies squarely with the state, is still a living educational challenge.

Geography of Environmental Injustice and Health Inequalities

Geography of Environmental Injustice and Health Inequalities Geography of Environmental Injustice and Health Inequalities in the Nigeria Abstract The unfair distribution of toxic wastes and other acute and chronic health hazards on vulnerable populations, which have contributed to negative health inequalities in less developing nations, such as been observed in Nigeria is term as global health inequalities. The link between environmental injustices, risks, and health inequalities has not been well established in Nigeria, in understanding its impact on futures health outcomes. The issue of environmental injustices and health inequalities is treated as a distinct issue from the problems associated with health, well-being and environmental sustainability. This research aims to understand health outcomes and its associated future health burden taken into consideration in the link between pursuing environmental injustice, and health inequalities in the oil producing region of Nigeria. Ultimately, examine the conceptual issues relating to environmental injustices, health inequalities, and non-communicable diseases that challenges the development of better future health outcomes programmes and planning for environmental justices in Nigeria. Introduction Global Environmental Injustices, is the unfair circulation of toxic wastes and other acute and chronic health hazards on vulnerable populations, which have contributed to negative health inequalities in less developing nations, such as been observed in Nigeria (Schroeder et al., 2008: 551; Roberts, 2007: 286; Adeola, 2000: 686, 2001:45) has been observed in Nigeria for over 50 years due to the exploration of crude oil. According to Roberts (1985), the industrialization of any region is greatly influenced by the presence of rich mineral deposits, resulting in the heavy industrialisation of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The Niger Delta region is the location for most of the oil exploration activities in Nigeria, resulting in many people and companies attraction to the area. The migration flow and influence of the various companies has adverse impact on health outcomes. In addition, environmental risks such as oil spillage, gas flaring, and other wastes resulting from oil production polluting the environment could affect health and well-being on the residing communities (Nabofa, 2011). Another major cause for concern is the cumulative effect of the crude oil contents on the health and wellbeing of the people over a long period of time (Khursid et al., 2008). Ajayi et al., (2009), revealed in a study carried out on natural radioactivity and trace elements in crude oils implications for health, that Niger Delta oil, although, has low metallic contents; however, the cumulative effects of the radioactivity and metallic properties on health outcomes is alarming. Therefore, communities in the oil producing areas live with a lot of externally generated factors; resulting from additional pressure to highly stressful ways of living, leading to specific risk related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), for instance skin cancer and psychological disorders (Ilo, 1998; Loewenson, 1998; Kathari and Nababasing, 1996; Fuentes et al., 1994). According to Ana et al. (2010), It is apparent that populations living in highly industrialized communities such as Port Harcourt with higher environmental risk factors may be more vulnerable to pollution-related morbidities including a higher predisposition to cancers of the lung, skin. and eye. It is thus, apparent, that the major driver of environmental injustices is the activities of Multinational/Transnational Corporation engaged in the oil business. As the major revenue generation for the country, oil production had been followed by countless environmental problems, associated with other broad inequalities in livelihood, wealth, well-being, poverty; interactions and inequalities in the distribution of burden and responsibilities of the health outcomes. Statement of Problem Literature on environmental justice have emphasised that there is growing concern about the health outcomes associated with intensive oil and gas activities in many communities (Palinkas, et al.,1993) as well as concentration of these occurrences in poor communities (Gill, et al.,2011). The link between environmental injustices, risks, and health inequalities has been established internationally but in Nigeria, this link has not been established in understanding its impact on health outcomes. The issue of environmental injustices and health inequalities is treated as a distinct issue from the problems associated with health, well-being and environmental sustainability. Are the questions of health outcomes and its associated future health burden actually taken into consideration the link between environmental injustice, and health inequalities? Can Nigeria (Government, Multinational companies, and the communities) especially the oil producing region achieve health equity without promoting environmental justice and empowerment of the vulnerable population as a result of the burden of NCDs? These questions will be examined with conceptual issues relating to environmental injustices, health inequalities, and NCDs that challenges the method of developing better future health outcomes programmes and planning for environmental justices in Nigeria. Objective of the Study According to Pearce et al., (2010), One potential driver for the increasing geographical differences in health is the disparity in exposure to key characteristics of the physical environment that are either health promoting or health damaging. Thus, the objectives of the study are: to examine linkages between environmental injustices, health inequalities and health outcome; to study and understand the reasons for the prevalence increase in health inequalities and the consequences on the future especially in the Niger Delta region; to clarify conceptual issues relating to environmental justice and inequalities as it relates to Nigeria and to evaluate what considerable impact establishing the link will have on the goal of environmental justices. Justification of study The politics of oil in the Niger Delta region have promoted the lack of transparency and accountability throughout the region. There are inadequate environmental assessments on the impact of the oil industry on the health of the people. While NCDs rates of causing respiratory ailments, and other illnesses are increasing, the government do not want to fully acknowledge their contribution to these health outcomes. It is imperative to undertake a conceptual clarification of what environmental justice and health inequalities mean in the context of the oil producing communities in Nigeria within the theoretical framework of justice theory, and health inequalities. This will lead to a more imperatively comprehensive spatial distribution studies with a multi-disciplinary approach to identify health consequences within the oilÂÂ   and non-oil producing regions (Ogri, 2001: 20; Dung et al., 2008; Ana et al., 2009) so as to properly assess environmental health disparities through the use of Geospatial techniques. The research will contribute to literatures on the global environmental injustices and health inequalities and the growing need for environmental justices. In addition, understanding these linkages would assist regulators and operators in the oil producing regions to address questions of social and environmental justice; through suitable allocation of scarce resources for rapid response, distribution of cost and benefit and promote community level participation for sustainable development and better health outcome and well beings Time scale Schedule The first year will be devoted to the review of relevant literature, proposal writing, and fulfilling additional training requirements. Included in the first year is the initial generated data period (initial generated data period for the literature review and data collection). The second year will be for the actual fieldwork and the analysis of the data; the first six months will be used for data collection and the next six months for data analysis. The third will be devoted to writing up of the thesis. Methodology Study area The Niger Delta region of Nigeria, consist of 37 million inhabitants, constituting about 22% of Nigerias population (Aaron, 2005), with a population density of 265 per square km. it is made up of nine states with more than 1500 communities hosting several oil and gas companies. The oil and gas resources of the Niger Delta accounts for over 85% of Nigerias gross domestic product (GDP), over 95% of the national budget, and over 80% of the nations wealth (Forest, and Sousa, 2006). The region is home to the oil wealth that made Nigeria the highest producer of petroleum in Africa, and the sixth in the world (Yakubu, 2008). Methods Spatial clustering methods and Quantitative risk assessment methods will be used to explain the first and second objectives of this research. Spatial clustering methods will be used to make sense of the complex geographic pattern between the environmental risk and health records in this research. Knowing whether this pattern and cluster exist and where they are located will provide important information for policy formulation and health research (Cromley and McLafferty, 2002; Croner et al., 1992). To avoid the bias of latency and migration, that can present itself in the cause of the research, only information on long term residents in the communities will be used. The spatial distribution of environmental risks will be used to provide a means for determining communities likely to become susceptible to health inequalities and NCDs. For this assessment, communities in the area were treated as substitute for human population and settlement while land, vegetation and rivers were considered the medium of land use. The thiessen polygon will be developed in ArcGIS environment to demarcate boundaries of the communities (because there are no community boundary shapefiles available) and determine the number/different environmental risk sites in each thiessen polygon that represents a community. Quantitative risk assessment will be used to characterise the effects expected from the exposure to an environmental risk, estimating the probability of occurrence of health effects, while estimating the number of occurrence in the population and recommending acceptable concentration of the risk in the air, water or food (Hallenbeck, 1993) Overlaying cluster maps with other spatial maps will provide clues about the cause of disease, while identifying variations in health outcomes linked to differences in the physical and social environment. Clarification of conceptual issues, (the 3rd objective) will be achieved by discussing the results of the analysis carried out within the study and existing studies on environmental injustice and health inequalities to provide justification for the research. Data and Source Secondary data will be collected from published government statistics from the states that make up the sample communities such as maps, etc. Data were also collected from relevant government agencies such as the health board and teaching hospitals information, and local government and chieftaincy affairs. The data will majorly focus on the use of some selected indicators of development vital for health well-being and basic amenities needed to support effective living. The local government areas will serve as aerial units of analysis while the choices of socio-economic indices will be based on the appropriateness of the variables and the availability of the data covering all the LGAs in the study region. The selected indicators that cut across health include number of NCDs, hospitals; doctors; midwives; hospital beds/ 000 populations (2014 census). In addition, GPS data of all environmental risks sites from 1985-2015, will be acquired from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Nigeria (DPR, is the regulatory agency of oil and gas activities in Nigeria). The data were used to assess the environmental risks spatiotemporal distribution and determine exposure susceptibility in the areas. The datasets will contain information on geo-coordinates of individual risk sites, date of occurrence, date of survey and quantity of discharge. Analysis Spatial Analysis description for Average Nearest Neighbour Analysis, Getis-Ord General G tests for High and Low Cluster, and Cluster and Outlier Analysis will be performedin the study (see Appendix A). These spatial analyses were undertaken to measure the spatial pattern and relationship between risk that are spread over a given geographical region (Ebdon, 1985). It helps in assessing and determining the closeness and patterns of the environmental risks sites near settlements. The methods with generate geographical distribution, cluster and pattern analysis of environmental risk and spatio-temporal nature of the incidents. To examine the degree of deprivation among the local government areas in health variables, the Gini index descriptive statistical technique of date analysis was used. The Gini index of concentration examines the extent of concentration of each of the indicators among the local government areas. The Gini Coefficient ranges from zero to one, (0-1) with zero representing perfect equality, and 1 total inequality Intellectual and User Benefits The intellectual contribution of the study will be to enhance the understanding of the effects of socio-economic and cultural characteristics upon the spatial pattern of environmental injustice and health inequalities. The benefits of this research are a direct contribution to developing policy on health management strategy and planning for equality, environmental policy and its applications especially within vulnerable populations. For the researcher, there will be the academic benefits of doctoral research and training in health geography and the development of expertise in research methodology techniques. By working closely with interested parties, the researcher will gain insights into the relationships between academic research and the needs of users. Ethical considerations Full consent will be provided to all research participants with the full research disclosure and confidentiality according to the ethnical research procedure of the University of Edinburgh. Summary and conclusions As the major revenue generation for the country, oil production had been followed by countless environmental problems, associated with other broad inequalities in livelihood, wealth, well-being, poverty; interactions and inequalities in the distribution of burden and responsibilities of the health outcomes. The research aims to undertake a conceptual clarification of what environmental justice and health inequalities mean in the context of the oil producing communities in Nigeria within the theoretical framework of justice theory, and health inequalities. Leading to a more imperatively comprehensive spatial distribution studies with a multi-disciplinary approach to identify health consequences from the oil industry versus non-oil producing areas. Thus, properly assess environmental health disparities through the use of Geospatial techniques. The research will contribute to literatures on the global environmental injustices and health inequalities and the growing need for environmenta l justices. About me Right from my secondary school, Geography had been an extremely interesting field of study to me because of the vast range of topics involved and how it relates to every subject in one way or another, for instance, Health Geography and Public Health. Geography is the study of the world, and geographers proudly holds the keys to the worlds problems. These problems extend to, injustice, health, eco-systems, development, globalisation and natural disasters, all of which are areas which attract me. Geography has been essential for interpreting and solving the concerns of the world, and by furthering my geographical knowledge through the PhD studentship, it will enhance my ability to tackle the imminent problems relating to environmental injustice, crime, pollution. I have a particular interest in the human side of Geography and especially the topics of: health, medical, hazards and the environment. My interest in the PhD research which will covers processes functioning in time as well as space, linking health over the life course with processes of environmental change, human migration, human relations and length of exposures to different environmental risk factors. I am keen to explore the various spatial questions of how and why human health/environmental injustices varies from one area to another at the rate of population increase. I will be interested in examining how individual health- related practices and health outcomes relate to mans varying experience of physical and social environments and injustice. Dissemination The research outcome will be communicating with colleagues and your supervisors as well as with the wider community and, the funding body supporting your research. The dissemination activities include internal seminars, publications, conference presentations and exhibitions. References Aaron, K. (2005) Perspective: Big Oil, Rural Poverty, and Environmental Degradation in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 11, 127-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/2013.18178 Adeola, F. (2000). Cross-National Environmental Injustice and Human Rights Issues: A Review of Evidence in the Developing World. American Behavioral Scientist, (43), 686-705. Adeola, F. (2001). Environmental Injustices and Human Rights Abuse: The States, MNCs, and Repression of Minority Groups in the World System. Human Ecology Review, 8(1), 39-59. Ajayi, T., Torto, N., Tchokossa, P., and Akinlua, A. (2009). Natural Radioactivity and Trace Elements in Crude Oils: Implication for health. Environ. Geochem. Health 31(1):61-69. Ana, G., Sridhar, M., and Asuzu, M. (2010) Environmental risk factors and hospital-based cancers in two Nigerian cities. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology Vol. 2(8), pp. 216-223. Ana, G., Sridhar, M., and Bamgboye, E. (2009). Environmental risk factors and health outcomes in selected communities of the Niger Delta area, Nigeria. Perspectives in Public Health, 129(4), 183-191. Cromley, E and McLafferty, S (2002). GIS and Public Health, Guilford Press. Croner, C., Pickle, L., wolf, D., and White, A. 1992. A GIS approach to hypothesis generation in epidemiology. In A. W Voss (Ed.), ASPRS/ACSM techinal papers, Vol 3. GIS and cartography (pp. 275-283). Washington, DC: ASPRS/ACSM DOI: 10.5897/JTEHS12.056 Dung, E., Bombom, L.; Agusomu, T. (2008). The effects of gas flaring on crops in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. GeoJournal, 73, 297-305. Ebdon, D. (1985) Statistics in Geography. 2nd Edition, Blackwell Publishing, Hoboken. Forest, J., and Sousa, M. (2006) Oil and Terrorism in the New Gulf: Framing U.S. Energy and Security Policies for the Gulf of Guinea. Lexington Books. Fuentes, A., Ehenreich, B., and Boston, M. (1994). Women in the Global Factory. Philadelphia: South End Press. Gill, D., Picou, J., and Ritchie, L. (2011) The Exxon Valdez and BP Oil Spills: A Comparison of Initial Social and Psychological Impacts. American Behavioral Scientist, 56, 3-23. Hallenbeck, W (1993). Quantitative risk assessment for environmental and occupational health (2nd ed.). Boca Raton. FL: Lewis. http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/ajp.150.10.1517 Ikporukpo, C. (2004). Petroleum, Fiscal Federalism and Environmental Justice in Nigeria. Space and Polity, 8(3), 321-354. International Labour Organization ILO (1998). Economic and Social Effects of Multinational Enterprises in Export Processing Zones. Geneva: ILO Kathari. U., Nababsing, V. (1996). Gender and Industrialization. Port Louis, Mauritius: Editous de I Ocean Indeen. Khursid, R., Sheikk, M., and Igbal, S. (2008). Health of People Working/Living in the Viccinity of an Oil-polluted beach, near Karachi, Pakistan. East Mediterr. Health J. 14(1):179-82. Loewenson R 1998. Assessment of the health impact on occupational risk in Africa. Current situation and methodological Issues. Epidemiology, 10(5): 632-639. Nabofa, O., and Suoke Onohwosafe, P. (2011) The Need for Environmental Epidemiological Studies in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria, Ethno Med, 5(3): 201-204 Odigie, O. (2012) Environmental Justice and Poverty Alleviation: Roadmap to Sustainable Development in Nigeria NIALS Journal of Law and Public Policy Vol. 1 NJLPP, pp. 152-180. Ogri, O.O. (2001). A review of the Nigerian petroleum industry and the associated environmental problems. The Environmentalist, 21, 11-21. Palinkas, L., Petterson, J., Russell, J. and Downs, M. (1993) Community Patterns of Psychiatric Disorders after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. American Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 1517-1523. Pearce, J., Richardson, E., Mitchell, R., and Shortt, N. (2010). Environmental justice and health: the implications of the socio-spatial distribution of multiple environmental deprivation for health inequalities in the United Kingdom. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 35(4), 522-539. Roberts (1985). Biology: A Functional Approach. London: Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd. Roberts, T. (2007). Globalizing Environmental Justice. Environmental Justice and Environmentalism: The Social Justice Challenge to the Environmental Movement, 285-321. Salako, A., Sholeye, O and Ayankoya, S. (2012) Oil spills and community health: Implications for resource limited settings. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences Vol. 4(9), pp. 145-150. Schroeder, R., St. Martin, K., Wilson, B., and Sen, D. (2008). Third World Environmental Justice. Society for Natural Resources, 21, 547-555. Yakubu, L. (2008) Nigeria Loses N5.8b Daily to Gas Flaring. The Guardian, 5th August Appendix A Average Nearest Neighbour: Getis-Ord Genral G Test: Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis (Global Morans I): Outlier Analysis:

Biography Of Karl Marx :: essays research papers

Karl Heinrich Marx was born on May 5, 1818, in the city of Trier in the Rhine province of Prussia, now in Germany. Marx was an economic theorist who composed the idea of communism which included the idea of all the people owning all the property and infrastructure. These theories played a large role in international politics and the cold war in the mid to late 20th century. Marx was the oldest surviving boy of nine children. (Perhaps this is where his theory on equality of resources began. Competing with eight brothers and sisters for attention would have seen an unequal distribution of the parent’s resources to the children) His mother, born Henrietta Pressburg, was from Holland. Both parents were Jewish and were descended from a long line of rabbis, but, a year or so before Karl was born, his father--probably because his professional career required it--was baptized in the Evangelical Established Church. Karl was baptized when he was six years old. Even though Karl was baptized as a youth he still faced discrimination because of his Jewish background. (Marx may have seen from this discrimination that religion wasn’t necessary and was “ the opium of the masses) In October 1835 Marx matriculated at the University of Bonn. The courses he attended were exclusively in the humanities, in subjects such as Greek and Roman mythology and the history of art. He participated in the usual student activities got involved in a fight and spent a day in jail for being drunk and disorderly. Mark left the University and enrolled at the Berlin University to start a law degree. Here Marx joined a Hegelian club these clubs followed the teachings of a philosopher called Hegel. The club denounced religion particularly Christianity. In January 1842 Marx began contributing to a newspaper newly founded in Cologne, the Rheinische Zeitung. It was the liberal democratic organ of a group of young merchants, bankers, and industrialists. By October 1842 Marx became editor of the newspaper. Marx built up the circulation and began writing controversial editorials. Eventually the Prussian authorities suspended production of the newspaper because it was seen as being too controversial. In June 1843 Marx married his fiancà ©e of seven years, Jenny von Westphalen. They moved to Paris which was at the time the centre of socialist thought. Marx met his life long buddy Frederich Engels here and they wrote the French – German yearbook.

Brownie: White American and Octavia Essay

The short story â€Å"Brownies† written by Z. Z. Packer is told in first person by a young introverted African American girl named Laurel, known as â€Å"Snot† to her friends from school. The story reflects back during a summer camp outing at Camp Crescendo that involves a small group of young African American fourth grade girls from the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. In this story the author provides countless details of how the effects of social segregation and racism can have a negative impact on our children and our entire society. Arnetta, the leader of the Brownie pack disliked sharing the summer camp with the young girls of Troop 909 from day one because they were white. Referring to them as â€Å"Invaders†, because in the suburbs of Atlanta they were rarely seen or even thought about(358). While riding in their bus on their way to the cabin and after they had already passed the Troop 909 girls at the front gate, Arnetta asked, â€Å"Did you smell that? † Trying to make fun of the girls she threw her head up and with her nose pointed to the sky she said they smell like â€Å"wet Chihuahuas†. By the end of the day and with a plan to entice her Brownie troops to start a fight with the Troop 909 girls, Arnetta stated that she heard one of them call Daphne a nigger and that they couldn’t let them get away with that. When asked to confirm that one of the white girls said it, Daphne was hesitant to answer until Arnetta gave her an elbow followed with a mean stair down. Daphne was not the type of girl that would stand up for oneself and was too scared to speak up. Even at their Woodrow Wilson Elementary school, if someone doesn’t fit into their little group or doesn’t land a perfect ten after jumping off the swing at the playground, Arnetta and Octavia would reply using the word â€Å"Caucasian†. This was just another way in belittling other people and displaying that Caucasian race was below that of the African Americans. Octavia was considered to be Arnetta’s right hand woman. Octavia was quick to tell anybody to shut up and readily made fun of even her Brownie troop friends. Janice, the muscle of the group and maybe not the sharpest tool in the shed had a country accent that came along with an bubbly personality was even referred to as â€Å"Miss Caucasian† when she wouldn’t leave Arnetta and Octavia alone. One day during lunch time while Janice was standing alongside the water’s edge, Octavia had the temptation but not necessarily the courage to push her into the water. Octavia even disliked Daphne for beating her out in the school poem contest and even referred to Mrs. Margolin, the Brownie troop chaperone as â€Å"Big Fat Momma†. Once they decided that the bathroom would be where the fight takes place, all they needed was to hope they could catch them their alone without their troop leader. As they walked through the woods on their way to the bathroom Janice spoke out, â€Å"this smells like my mother’s air freshener†, than one of the other girls stated the trees in the woods are Pine trees. Janice was shocked to hear that they could get the smell of trees onto an air freshener. As they approached the bathroom they could hear the Troop 909 girls talking. Arnetta suggested that Octavia, Janice and herself would go in first while the rest of them wait outside. After minutes of waiting outside Elise, Drema, Dephne, and Laurel went inside to see what was happening. Octavia looked over at Elise and said, â€Å"I think they’re retarded†. One of the white girls replied, â€Å"We ARE NOT retarded(366-367)! † Once Arnetta and Octavia came to the realization that these girls were mentally challenged, they felt remorseful from their actions and wished to leave without being caught teasing the white girls. Octavia tried to scare the girls by mentioning to them, that if they told on them they would be considered tattletales. As one of the white girls replied, I like tattletale, the Troop 909 leader walked in. Minutes later both Mrs. Margolin and Mrs. Hayes were at the center of the debate. The lady that ran Troop 909 never got mad or raised her voice and always kept a smile on her face as she talked. She said she wasn’t going to blame anybody for their actions or their behavior and cited that maybe what caused this incident actually could of happened. The troop leader clarified that her girls were not retarded but considered slow learners. That they might not have the best of parents and could of possibly heard a bad word or two from their parents. Even after the situation was over and things had calmed down, Arnetta pointed to a small girl and insisted that she heard her say the word. After the white troop leader made the statement that it was impossible because she doesn’t speak, Arnetta made another acquisition that it then came from the girl wearing the complete Brownie uniform. At that point nobody was believing in Arnetta’s story. On the bus ride home Elisa and Arnetta still felt it necessary to continue to make fun of the white girls from Troop 909. When Daphne gave Laurel her prized journal, Daphne could not think of anything to write in it. Than Laurel remembered a time when she and her father were at the mall and they came across some Mennonites who her father insisted that they would do anything you asked of them. Nobody on the bus besides Daphne believed in her story even after she told them that they had actually painted there front porch. until she told them that they sat on the bus and as they return home on the bus, Laurel tells them of an incident in her family involving a white Mennonite family. As she tells the story, she comes to an unsettling realization about racism and the nature of human life.