Thursday, December 26, 2019

9/11...a Turning Point - 1408 Words

9/11†¦A Turning Point There have been many turning points in American history; however none have had the same effects as September 11, 2001, and many people relate the day to the country’s loss of innocence. As a result of 9/11 many civil liberties were taken away, security was heightened, and there have been numerous effects on Americans. Although the attack happened on American soil, it can really be characterized as an attack on civilization itself, because people from more than 80 nationalities perished on that day (Hitchens). An American’s civil liberties are among some of the most important rights awarded to a citizen. After 9/11 some of those liberties were taken away by the expansion of executive power, the National Security†¦show more content†¦NRC). Anyone living in America felt there was an obvious need for heightened security following 9/11, and there is a good chance that these measures possibly halted further terrorist attacks. The aftermath of 9/11 affected many people across the country in different ways. The health of many that were near ground zero was negatively affected. There was a new found patriotism that arose from the despair, and people became more aware of their surroundings. As a result of the devastation brought on by 9/11, anyone within a reasonable distance of Ground Zero at the time of the towers’ collapse would have been exposed to the dust. The dust and debris contained numerous harmful chemicals which eventually led to health problems for those exposed to them. In addition, many concerned volunteers, contractors, and rescue workers were brought in from around the country to help in the recovery/clean-up effort at ground zero. These people were exposed to the fumes of smoldering fires as well as the dust, resulting in many health problems as well. Respiratory issues are among the most common, but many also suffer from mental trauma such as post traumatic stress disorder and depression (Geller) . A good consequenceShow MoreRelatedFrom Reagan to Obama: Turning Points in Presidencies1070 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿From Reagan to Obama Turning Points (ONE) Two Major Turning Points From Reagans Through Obamas Presidency Two major turning historical turning points during the era from Ronald Reagan through Barack Obama were: a) the end of the Cold War as Mikhail Gorbachev introduced democratic institutions into Soviet society; and b) the terrorists attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., changed the way Americans think about protecting their homeland and motivated the president (Bush) to launch a disastrousRead MoreAnalysis Of Mohsin Hamid s The Reluctant Fundamentalist890 Words   |  4 Pagesnegative aspects of American pre- and post-9/11. Her acceptance of Changez is overwhelming at first, embracing and reveling in his diversity. Yet, after the attacks, she is unable to forget her relationship with her deceased boyfriend, Chris, turning away from those around her into isolation. This overwhelming nostalgia proves to be Erica’s demise. This paper will assert that much like Erica, America suffered from its’ own nostalgia after the events on 9/11. Changing from a time of embraced multiculturalismRead MoreA New Paradigm Of Terrorism1537 Words   |  7 PagesSince the 9/11 terrorist attacks many have sought to argue that a ‘New’ paradigm of terrorism exists and therefore that the nature of modern terrorist threats has changed. However, terrorism itself has never been clearly outlined, and as such both Copeland and Duyvesteyn argue current threats to be a continuation of older trends of traditional terrorism. More so terrorism is subjective and therefore current threats depends upon who the target is and who is reporting the attack. On the other handRead MoreHuntington And Mamdani s Views On Culture And Islam733 Words   |  3 Pages Huntington and Mamdani make two very different arguments. They both make points about what causes conflict. Huntington describes his theories on a future â€Å"clash of civilizations† while Mamdani argues that 9/11 did not happen because of a clash of civilizations. Mamdani also disagrees with Huntington’s opinions on culture and Islam. Huntington believes that the world can be organized by civilizations based on culture instead of political or economic systems. Huntington focuses on two civilizationsRead MoreMetcalfe County Middle School : Cumberland Comes To Town1218 Words   |  5 PagesCumberland Comes to Town For the second matchup of the year, Metcalfe County Middle School took on Cumberland at home. The 6th grade team started out on, scoring 13 of their points in the first quarter and holding Cumberland to 2 points. The second quarter was low on field goals with CCMS making the only basket. The half-time score was Metcalfe 13 to Cumberland’s 2. Rebounding between the teams were even and Aubrey Glass led rebounding for the Hornets with 7, her game high. Bree Jolly led stealsRead MoreHow Did 9/11/01 Affect the Way We Live in America Today?958 Words   |  4 PagesHow did 9/11/01 affect the way we live in America today? There have been many turning points in American History; however none have the same effect as September 11, 2001, and many Americans relate the day to the country’s loss of innocence. As a result of 9/11 many American’s lives were affected emotionally, physically, economically, and politically. A month after the terrorist attack in the US, a war was launched by the United States. This war was known as the â€Å"fight back† war. It was theRead MoreThe Evolution And Relevance Of Immigration1510 Words   |  7 Pages The Evolution of Immigration: The evolution and relevance of Immigration in the United States. †Another way of indicating the importance of immigration to America is to point out that every American who ever lived, with the exception of one group, was an immigrant himself or a descendent of immigrants,†(Kennedy, 2). The United States is a nation of immigrants. There are, however, many Americans who are not accepting of the fact that immigrants were the reason why this country is able to haveRead MoreSeptember 11th Marks Of The United States1136 Words   |  5 Pagesmemorable event that spread across the United States and affected many people is what is known as 9/11. This event affected many innocent lives, those that survived as well as those that did not. September 11th marks in history as a horrifying even that now affects people’s societal, political, and personal decisions. It is marked down as a day no U.S. citizen would forget. On the day, September 11, 2001, those members of the Al Qaeda, known as what we call terrorists took over multiple U.S. planesRead MoreAl Qaeda And The United States769 Words   |  4 Pagesneighbors, and turning its bases in the Peninsula into a spearhead through which to fight the neighboring Muslim peoples. (Motives for the September 11 Attacks) In an essence, Osama Bin Laden was interpreting the Islamic Prophet Muhammad as forbidding the continued presence of â€Å"infidels† in Arabian territories. He considered the places that the United States occupied to be holy places that should not be influenced by Westerner influences and philosophy (Motives for the September 11 Attacks). AccordingRead MoreWhat An Interesting Mustache, Mr. Trump 984 Words   |  4 Pagesmost of us think of 9/11, the Paris attacks, and the war in the Middle East. Most of our generation has grown up with the War on Terrorism. We don t remember a time before  ¨Can Mr. Ahmed Come to the Security Office? ¨ and  ¨ISIS has killed another 400 People in an Attack Today†¦.† To us, the distrust and dislike of Muslims isn’t just normal, it’s commonplace. Americans took the 9/11 attacks personally while Muslims took the hit, with hate crimes still five times higher than pre-9/11 some fifteen years

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Comparison between Metropolis and Blade Runner - 820 Words

Comparison between Metropolis and Blade Runner From the silent epic of Fritz Lang Metropolis 1927 to Ridley’s Scott’s spectacular Blade Runner 1982 the connection between architecture and film has always been intimate. The most apparent concepts that connect these two films are the overall visuals of both films and their vision of city of the future. The futuristic city of both Scott and Lang are distinct in their landscapes, geography, and social structure. These two films sought to envision a future where technology was the basis by which society functioned. Technology was the culture and the cities would crumble without it. Metropolis and Blade Runner uses the themes relationships amongst female sexuality and male vision, and technology. However, Gender roles and technology seems to be the most important part in both films. Blade Runner became a cult classic. â€Å"The film may have survived long enough to benefit from a renewed taste for darker, more violent sci-fi. It’s appeal has less to do with a fascination for outer space (which does not feature beyond reference in a few lines of dialogue) than with a vision of earth and humankind in the near future† (Roberts and Wallis Pg 157-8). Both films have a timeless quality to it, as they are representative of the future of our planet earth. I find it so interesting that even though these films were made in different times their ideas about the futuristic city and society are almost identical. The futuristic aspect of theseShow MoreRelatedSimilarities Between West Runner And Blade Runner1606 Words   |  7 Pagesphysically and intellectually. The series follows the stories of different individuals in the amusement park both the vacationers, hosts and scientists. In contrast, Blade Runner is set in the year 2019, where Los Angeles has developed into a dark and depressing metropolis filled with decay. The film follows Richard Deckard, a retired ‘Blade Runner’, a job concerned with the assassination of ‘replicants’ which are artificial beings created to work on an off World colony. Deckard is called out of retirementRead MoreThe Dangers in Our Society556 Words   |  2 PagesApril 2014 Dystopia has never been a stranger to the science-fiction movie genre nor popular culture. Indeed, Metropolis (1927), set in a futuristic urban dystopia, is regarded as the first feature length science-fiction movie; Professor Saul Tobias of California State University, Fullerton, assigns his Liberal Studies 300 students to watch the dystopian science fiction thriller, Blade Runner; and The Hunger Games movie series set opening day and opening weekend gross records in North America. AlthoughRead MoreA Comparison of the Representation of the Future of The Matrix and Planet of the Apes3441 Words   |  14 PagesA Comparison of the Representation of the Future of The Matrix and Planet of the Apes Sci-fi films were born in the aftermath of the industrial and scientific revolutions of the 19th century. The first motion picture from this genre was ‘Le Voyage Dans La Lune’, a Georges Meties production from 1902. This is regarded as the first

Monday, December 9, 2019

Kathmandu Holdings Limited free essay sample

Kathmandu Holdings Limited Syndicate Case Study Report S2 2010 ? Executive Summary Kathmandu Holdings Limited (KMD) is a renowned specialist in quality clothing and equipment for travel and outdoor adventure in New Zealand and Australia, operating 97 stores across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. KMD commenced trading on the Australian and New Zealand Stock Exchanges in November 2009. This report will commence with an overview of the external and internal environments in which KMD operates and based on this overview, key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats can be identified. Subsequently, extensive stakeholder analysis will then be conducted to determine each of KMD’s stakeholders’ specific interests, and whether an alignment of interests between shareholders and those stakeholders exist. Measures will be recommended to monitor the generation of stakeholder value. A determination of a number of strategic initiatives appropriateness in the context of the SWOT analysis will follow, and an evaluation on the impact of these initiatives on each of the major stakeholders will be identified. We will write a custom essay sample on Kathmandu Holdings Limited or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page An implementation proposal will be provided that will assist KMD in aligning shareholder interests with other stakeholders. This report will conclude with a performance management system in the form of a strategy map and a Balanced Scorecard, containing objectives, measures, target performances and initiatives related to the strategic recommendations mentioned. The Consulting Team believes KMD possesses the capabilities and core competencies to exploit its key opportunities and strengths, while neutralising environmental threats and internal weaknesses.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Sea Essays (641 words) - Sea Turtles, Lepidochelys,

Sea Turtle Each species of sea turtle is distinctive in appearance and behavior, all sea turtles have certain characteristics in common the shell consist of a carapace (upper part) and plastron (lower part), which are joined together by cartilage called a bridge. in most species with the exception of the leatherback scutes cover the carapace. Like all turtles sea turtles have no external ears, they hear best at low frequencies and their sense of smell is excellent. Though their vision underwater is good, on land they are nearsighted. Sea turtles spend most of their time underwater but must come up to breath. During routine activities sea turtles can dive for about three to five minutes. Sea turtles can sleep for several hours underwater, but their ability to hold their breath is shortened by high activity and stress. This is why sea turtles drown in shrimp nets and other gear in a short time. Adult sea turtles sleep near rocks or under ledges. Hatchlings and juveniles sleep on the surface with their front flippers pulled back over the carapace. Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi) Charming Tortoise of Kemp Ridleys are the smallest of the sea turtles. The Kemp's ridley is slightly larger than the olive ridley, measuring 24 - 28 inches in carapace length and weighing 78 - 100 pounds when mature. An adult is olive green on top and yellowish in color on the bottom, with a large head and powerful jaws. The carapace is circular to heart shaped. Hatchlings are dark gray and about an inch and a half long. Kemp's ridleys were first discovered and described in 1880 by Samuel Garman. But until the 1940's was not recognized as a species and was often confused with the olive ridley and the loggerhead. Confusion continued through the 1950's with many biologist convinced that the ridleys sea turtle was a sterile hybrid of the green and the loggerhead turtles. No one could find nesting beaches or an egg-bearing female. In 1963 an old film was discovered, made in 1947 by Mexican engineer Andres Herrera that showed nesting ridleys. The film showed an estimated 40,000 Kemp's ridleys nesting on an isolated beach now called Rancho Nuevo in Tamaulipas, Mexico, 200 miles south of Texas. Ninety-five percent of the population comes to the 17 mile strip of beach. The other five percent nest at the adjacent beach in Veracruz. No other sea turtle species goes almost entirely to one nesting spot to breed. The arribada (Spanish for "arrival") of Kemp's ridleys in Mexico occurs at irregular intervals between April and June. Arribadas may occur several times a season. Male and Females congregate to mate off the coast of the beaches using wind direction velocity , lunar cycles and water temperature to gather is a theory. Once mated females wait for ideal conditions to come ashore. Conditions generally are high wind and heavy surf. The high wind cools stressed females and hides traces of the nest from predators. Mass nesting is thought to be a predator "swamping" where females and hatchlings will die but many more will survive. Herrera's film is now being used as a base line to measure the rapid decline of Kemp's ridleys since 1947. forty thousand turtles declined to two thousand in 1966. In 1966 Mexican officials set up its first camp to monitor and protect turtles from egg takers. In 1977, Rancho Nuevo was declared a National Reserve by Mexico. Programs were developed to help protect turtles from poachers and predators. Now eggs are moved to protective enclosures to decrease the death to predators. Every year 50,000 hatchlings are released each year. Even with these programs nest counts in 1993 showed that there were only 400 nesting females. These small numbers result in broken up arribadas into small groups and solitary nestings. The remaining females lay fewer than 1000 nest each year. The range of Kemp's ridleys is limited for the most part to the gulf of Mexico where adult forge for crabs. their favorite is blue crabs that share the same habitat as shrimp. So ridleys sea turtle is often caught in shrimp net.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Emerging Market MNC Analysis Essays

Emerging Market MNC Analysis Essays Emerging Market MNC Analysis Paper Emerging Market MNC Analysis Paper Some of these firms were very successful and some had to withdraw back to their country of origin. In OTOH scenarios, those companies adopted to different business models, strategies analyze two different Macs, TCL and Acre, which fall in the category of electronic firms from emerging markets, in order to come out with a better understanding of their globalize process. TCL Overview TCL is one of the largest consumer electronics NC in the world. It was founded by Mr.. Lie Donnishness, the Current CEO, in 1981 in China. The company produces a wide diverse of electronic products such as TV, mobile phone and Internet access devices; in addition, it is one of the leading companies and was ranked sixth in the global TV arrest in terms of market share (TCL Annual Report, 2011), which is the main business for TCL. See figure 2. The company has a worldwide presence; it has more than 40 sales offices, 18 R centers, and 20 manufacturing bases (TCL Introduction, 2011). Many critics attribute the companys success to focusing on innovation as well as quality; as a result, TCL suppressed many leading companies such as Samsung and Sony. Acre Overview Originally known as Multitude, the Taiwanese company was founded by Stan Shih in 1976, which grew to become the fourth largest PC producer in the world and has a worldwide presence (Acre Overview, 2013). Moreover, Acre considered being one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (MEMO). The company was able to achieve this by having one of the most distinguish integrated operations, between parent company in Taiwan and subsidiaries, as well as between one subsidiary and another. Remarkably, in its globalize process, Acre took more flexible approach which differs from the control based American, European or Japanese models. Acre has a long term mission which is breaking barriers between people and technology (Acre Brands, 2013). Also, the company targets many different customer segments by having multi-brand strategy; it has 4 different brands which are: Acre, Gateway, machines, and Packard Bell (Acre Brands, 2013). 2 Market Presence (Question 1) TCL Market Presence TCL has a worldwide presence in terms of sales, manufacturing and operations. The company was able to have a big presence in all six continents through Joint venture and acquisitions (Donnishness, Lie, 2011). It distributes its products through more than 40 sales offices and agencies worldwide. Moreover, the company has 18 R centers in China, USA, France, Germany and Singapore. The company also owns 20 manufacturing bases globally, in China, Poland, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam. (Donnishness, Lie, 2011). See figure 3. The geographic growing patterns will be discussed in the following topic. Acre Market Presence Acre also has a worldwide presence in terms of sales, manufacturing and operations. Through its acquisitions, Greenfield investments, and multi-brand strategy, Acre was able to penetrate in all six continents and excel. It has four regional business units (Rabbis) in US, Europe, Singapore, and Taiwan. The main functions of those business units to sell, market and provide after sale services. Each one of those units has branches in many countries. See figure 5. 3 Patterns of Growing (Question 2) TCL Growing We can divide the company growth into four main phases. First phase (1981-1997), order to expand its business in the PRE market (Sandra Bell, 2010). Second Phase(1998-1999), expanding to neighboring country, which was having a Joint venture with Taiwan C.V. base, TCL-C.V. Computer Co. Was established (CAB, 1998). Third phase (2000-2004), expanding to the developed countries mainly in Europe; TCL had many international investment such as acquiring Schneider Electronics GAG in Germany (TCL Annual Report, 2002), a JP with Locate (Murals, D. , 2011), and a JP with Thomson (Elaine Quarterback, 2009), in this phase TCL focused on loss companies, hopefully they can turnaround those losses. However, almost all investments faced huge losses due to several reasons such as management style and the misjudged of its power to turnaround a loss company (Sandra Bell, 2010). Fourth phase (2005- present), in this phase TCL acquired partners shares in Jobs; for instance, TCL acquired Locate shares in the JP (Helen Yuan, 2005), as well as, Thomson shares in the JP (Sandra Bell, 2010). Further, they focused on building a global brand name through partnering with key distributes such KEA and Carefree. See figure 6. Acre Growing For Acre we can divide the company growth into four main phases. First phase (1976-1977), which includes the establishment of the company, and start selling to the local market (Milestones Innovations, 2013). Second phase (1978-1984), in the beginning of this phase the company started to target small neighboring markets such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Later on, it expanded its exporting to reach the US and some parts of Europe. This phase was remarkable in Acres life and considered to be the take-off (The Wall Street, 2007). Third phase (1985-2000), in this phase Acre started to invest worldwide (Milestones Innovations, 2013), they made a lot of acquisitions, Joint ventures, and green field investments such as the acquisition of Altos Computers Systems, a JP with Computed from Mexico to form Acre Computed Latin America (UCLA), and establishing Acre America Corporation in the US. This phase considered to be critical in the life of Acre, it went global, big losses were made, and the company was restructured more than three mimes. To summarize, the cost of learning in this period was high. Fourth phase (2001- Present), which represents the changing from manufacturing company to a service company, in another words, the company outsourcer manufacturing, and the main activities became sales, marketing, and after sales services , which is similar to NIKKEI business model (The Wall Street, 2007). See figure 6. 4 Entry Modes (Question 3) TCL Entry Modes TCL had two types of foreign direct investments; Joint venture and acquisition. They had Jobs with Taiwan C.V. base, Thomson (French company), and Locate (French many). However, the acquisitions were by acquiring Schneider Electronics GAG in Germany, Thomson shares in the JP, and Locate shares in the JP as well. Recently, they made some agreements and cooperation with Samsung (outsourcing agreement) (Marie Han, 2008), KEA (Anna Rainstorm, 2011) and Carefree (Sandra Bell, 2010). See figure 1. The Joint venture with Thomson was remarkable in terms of amount, nature and outcome. Both companies put together ?450 million (cash and assets), where TCL and Thomson shares were 67% and 33% respectively (TCL Annual 20,000 sales outlets. On the other hand, Thomson brought to the deal its factories in Poland, Thailand, and Mexico (Elaine Quarterback, 2009). The JP was not profitable and carried out losses for both companies. As a result, both companies came to an agreement, and TCL bought Thomson shares in the JP. Furthermore, the acquisition included Thomson TV plants in Mexico, Thailand and Poland, RD centers in USA, Germany and Singapore, and worldwide sales networks (Sandra Bell, 2010). Acre Entry Modes Acre had three types of foreign direct investments; green field, Joint venture and acquisition. The green field investments were mainly to establish regional operation units (in Europe, USA, Asia, etc ) which have sub-branches in many countries. The main functions for these units to sell, market and provide after sale services (Ping Lie Peter, 1998). The company also did some Jobs such as a JP with Texas Instruments to form TTL-Acre DRAM, as well as a JP with Computed to form Acre Computed Latin America (UCLA) (Ping Lie Peter, 1998). See figure 1 . Acres acquisition goals were mainly to achieve multi-brand strategy. The company acquired Gateway, machines, Packard Bell, E-ten and agree. These acquisitions enhanced Acres global presence, and made it able to target different customer segments (Acre Overview, 2013). 5 Factors for Investing Abroad (Question 4) TCL Factors for investing abroad In general, there are many factors that led Chinese companies to seek global market. For TCL there were 5 main factors: In 2000, competition inside the PRE electronics market was aggressive which led to a price war and industry margin was shrinking (Sandra Bell, 2010). In 2001, China became a WTFO member which helped a lot of Chinese companies to partner with companies from developed countries, as TCL had any agreements and Jobs. Lie Donnishness, CEO of the company, was thinking about going global since the Asian crisis in the late sasss, taking advantage of the Chinese stable economy to build a brand which was the company competitive advantage in his vision. The company also did some international investments to overcome trade barriers, such as the anti-dumping European policy (The Financial Times Limited, 2003). The company also overestimated its power to turnaround a loss company, which was a main drive for some acquisitions such as acquiring Schneider Electronics GAG in Germany (Sandra Bell, 2010). Acquiring Schneider Electronics GAG in Germany is a clear example for the last two factors. Acre Factors for investing abroad For Acre the main reason for expanding is that the market size at that time, early sasss, was small. They targeted small neighboring countries, however, as Shih stated the combination of many small markets is not small, also there was a potential since those small markets were becoming bigger. The following are some reasons for investing abroad and expanding operations to reach more regions: The industry became mature rapidly which led to an aggressive competition, price war, and giggling of the margin. As a result, all companies in the industry started to expand to less competitive regions (Acre Inc. History, 2008). The Taiwanese dollar became stronger, which made difficult to the company to make profit since its product became more expensive abroad (Acre Inc. History, 2008). Major Operational TCL Operational Difficulties It seems that all international investments made by TCL were unsuccessful and turned huge losses. This was due by many issues on the managerial and operational level, which will be discussed in the following paragraph. The main problem for TCL s that they underestimate the difficulties of managing global operation, and they also overestimate their ability to turn around a loss company, which represents a broader dilemma for Chinese companies Justine Ala, 2006). As Vincent Yang, SCOFF of ATE and TCL stated in the past three months of operations, we found out the challenges and difficulties are deeper than we thought. (Even Armadas, 2004). Furthermore, the desperate to go global and use acquisitions as a shortcut without evaluating partners and investments were a main drive for those wrongful investments, for instants, Schneider Electronics GAG, Thomson and Locate were cording losses, moreover, Schneider Electronics GAG were viewed as an old fashion brand in Europe (Sandra Bell, 2010). Moreover, TCL was slow to react to the market changes Justine Ala, 2006) lack of market know-how, lack of transparency, and lack to culture adaptation when they changed the German manager of Schneider Electronics GAG with a Chinese noel (Sandra Bell, 2010). TCL has no brand positioning issues since it managed this aspect in a very professional way, for instants, they were able to position the brand TCL to a high end clientele very successfully by sponsoring Golf ornaments three years in a row in China(Sandra Bell, 2010) , which represent the target market. The company also has many brand names such as TCL, ROW, and RCA, as well as some agreements to use others brand names such as Thomson and Locate, which serve different customer segments. Acre Operational Difficulties Acre started with 13 employees including Shih and his wife, and in ten years that number grew to reach 1000, and continued to grow. This fast growing led to create a big gap between available capabilities and capabilities needed, further, it also led to a shortage in qualified managers. As a result, Acre started to recruit many top-level and mid-level managers, where some were not qualified enough, such as Leonard Lie, former senior IBM executive who led the company to a disastrous situations. Another problem caused by the fast growing is that the company was restructured more than three times which led to more failed operations (The Wall Street, 2007). Chris Foster, an analyst at Technology Business Research in Hampton, stated The bottom line is Acre has a more volatile business model than HP or Dell (The Wall Street, 2007). Other difficulties such as changing the company name from Multitude o Acre after more than 10 years of building brand name (The Wall Street, 2007), aggressive competition which reduced the profit margin, and the shortening product life cycle, among other factors which led to more operational and managerial difficulties. However, the company in many scenarios managed those obstacles very well. The following are examples for successful managerial strategies and operations. Dependent innovation which made Acre beat IBM and offer 32-bit PC first. Employee ownership, delegated accountability, and management frugality helped in the fast growing. Overcoming the shortening of the product life cycle by developing a strategy transit. They also developed the 2-3-1 System. Two months for product introduction, three months for selling, and one month for phase-out (Ping Lie Peter, 1998). Multi- brand strategy which helped the company to target different customer segments, therefore, the company does not have any brand or positioning issues (Acre Brands, 2013). 7 Comparison Conclusion Both companies have a lot in common. Both of them started to invest in neighboring countries and later on expanded to other parts of the world. They also depend a lot n acquisitions and Jobs to penetrate international markets, which reflects their weaknesses to build an international brand and have a successful international operations. Last but not least, both of them have a worldwide presence and mainly targeted developed countries. See figure 6. It seems that Macs from emerging markets recognize brand/country image as primary problem; as a result they have used strategies to overcome this obstacle such as multi-brand strategy and global brand strategy.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Homemade Dry Ice Recipe

Homemade Dry Ice Recipe Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide. Its extremely cold and sublimates into carbon dioxide gas, so its useful for a wide variety of projects. While its almost certainly less expensive to get dry ice from a store, its possible to make it yourself using a CO2 fire extinguisher or pressurized carbon dioxide in a tank or cartridge. You can get carbon dioxide at several types of stores (sporting good stores and some cookware stores), or you can order it online. Homemade Dry Ice Materials CO2 fire extinguisher or carbon dioxide tank.Cloth bagHeavy-duty gloves.Duct tape (optional) Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are labeled as such. If a fire extinguisher doesnt specify carbon dioxide assume it contains something else and wont work for this project. Make Dry Ice All you have to do is release the pressure on the gas and collect the dry ice. The reason you use a cloth bag is that it will allow carbon dioxide gas to escape, leaving just the dry ice. Put on the heavy-duty gloves. You dont want to get frostbite from the dry ice!Place the nozzle for the fire extinguisher or the CO2 tank inside the cloth bag.Either clamp your gloved hand around the mouth of the bag or else tape the bag onto the nozzle. Keep your gloved hand clear of the nozzle.Discharge the fire extinguisher or, if you are using a CO2 canister, partially open the valve. Dry ice will immediately begin forming in the bag.Turn off the fire extinguisher or close the valve.Gently shake the bag to dislodge dry ice from the nozzle. You can remove the bag and use your dry ice.Dry ice sublimates quickly, but you can extend how long it lasts by storing the bag in the freezer. Safety Precautions Dry ice freezes skin on contact. Be particularly careful to keep your hand away from the mouth of the fire extinguisher or outlet of the CO2 tank.Dont eat dry ice. If you use the dry ice to cool drinks, be careful not to get it in your mouth. Dry ice is not edible.Dry ice generates pressure as it sublimates. Dont store dry ice in a sealed container or it may burst.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Who's to blame for homelessness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Who's to blame for homelessness - Essay Example We will also try to find the answer of the most fundamental question i.e. should help be provided to these homeless people? Who should provide this help government or nonprofit organization? Although there exists, alternative views about providing help to these homeless people I strongly support all help that is provided either by federal or nonprofit organizations. Homelessness Over the last twenty years a sharp rise in the no. of homeless people was observed. This can be attributed to many factors such as poverty, unemployment, family crises, sociopolitical conditions, family disintegration, violence, mental health and other catastrophes. In order to fully understand homelessness we first need to establish what exactly is termed as homelessness. Given below is the definition of homelessness as defined by Homeless Assistance Act 1987. A homeless person is can be described as â€Å"one who has no fixed, regular, and adequate place to spend the night time or an individual who lives i n a refuge, welfare hotel, transitional program or place not ordinarily used as normal sleeping accommodations, such as streets, cars, movie theatres, abandoned buildings, etc† (Chesnay).This definition does not include temporary residence with friends and family. Some people believe that this definition of homelessness is too narrow. They are of the opinion that to tackle homelessness properly we need to concentrate on its definition because that in turn will define the size of the homeless population and will determine our policy to the situation. O’Sullivan has outlined three categories of homelessness they are visible homelessness, hidden homelessness and at risk of homelessness. If we make use of all three categories it will help us tackle and prevent homelessness. Prevention Strategies Effective prevention depends on the two variables they are Identifying what we are trying to prevent Demonstration of result i.e. actually stopping or reducing frequency of occurren ce of the event. According to the public health model developed by Klein and Goldston, there are three types of prevention which are Primary Prevention Secondary Prevention Tertiary Prevention Primary Prevention Primary prevention strategy is a proactive step which is designed to prevent the action from happening for the first time or happening at all. From the perspective of our issue at hand it prevents homelessness from happening for the first time. Various issues leads to homelessness such as less income, family violence, physical and mental health and release from institutions or transitions from the social welfare program. Our primary strategy here for homeless prevention is to target these factors which involve community decisions and hence design our prevention strategies accordingly. (Martha R Burt) Secondary Prevention Through secondary prevention we focus on the early intervention so that before it becomes a severe problem risks can be identified. Secondary prevention in case of our issue at hand i.e. homelessness means diverting and focusing our attention to those people who have become homeless for the first time. The aim is to resolve their issues and help them getting out of this situation and taking measures which prevent it from happening again. The

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Operation Market Garden Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Operation Market Garden - Essay Example The basis of the attack was the stunning and unanticipated victory of Operation Overboard of June 1944 as well as in the battle for Normandy. General Eisenhower the absolute allied commander, had evaluated the combat power of the German forces and approved the operation, risky as it was. The allies’ alleged that the German forces were so demoralized and jumbled, thus could not withstand further attacks. Eisenhower strategized to attack the German forces along the whole front and eventually end the war (Schultz 20). The operation Market Garden failed mainly due to planners assumptions. The Allies got into a near dilemma in Normandy after the great success as they were exhausted and required some time to reorganize themselves. Deficiency of material supplies nearly brought the operation to a halt. Another setback was when the allies they anticipated collapse of the German forces. They therefore, predicted the war was coming into a conclusion. Many commandants now put their focus on the probable promotions they would get due to this achievement. Another reason was that the Germans had reorganized themselves by early September. German forces had an advantage since the terrain they had to defend was small which enhanced communication (Schultz 26). The consequences of the failure of the Operation Market Garden were include, it demoralized the allies, which prolonged the war. In addition, the allies suffered losses where 10% officers were killed and 50% captured while several others were critically injured. Eisenhower and Montenegro also suffered public scrutiny (Schultz

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The Nature vs. Nurture Debate Essay Example for Free

The Nature vs. Nurture Debate Essay The nature versus nurture debate is of constant discussion amongst psychologists today. In the 17th century the French philosopher Rene Descartes set out views which held that people possess certain inborn ideas that enduringly underpin peoples approach to the world (Bee, p.3). On the other hand, the British philosopher John Locke took a more empirical approach emphasizing the role of experience as fully contributing to behavioral development (Bee, p.3). Since the days of Descartes and Locke, the empirical nurture approach has possibly tended to have the best of the argument but the debate is far from being settled. Nature is our genetic gift; it determines our basic physical layout, hair and eye color. It determines the types of emotions and motivations we can experience like happiness, sadness, and fear. A person maintains his mental ability only based on what he is born with genetically on the nature side of the debate; therefore stating the environment plays no role in determining his mental aptitude. Nurture is the experience during our lifetime; the assumption that what makes children turn out the way they do, aside from their genes, the environmental part of child development, is the experiences they have at home in particular the experiences they have with their parents and society. This side argues that the environment and surroundings of a person affect their mental ability and are influential in the development of that person. A nature-nurture debate is concerned with what causes something to develop. The debates of nature vs. nurture tend to be historical rather than current. Today, most psychologists see development differently: they believe biological predispositions guide development in certain directions, but experience as influencing how that development manifests itself. The two sources are seen as interconnected, not as opposing alternatives, and it is the way that they interact which is the focus of interest.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The Rock :: Essays Papers

The Rock He is a three-time world wrestling federation champion and a two time intercontinental champion. He was born on May 2, 1972 is 6’5 and weighs 275 pounds. He goes by the name Dwayne Johnson, calls himself the â€Å"People’s Champion† and otherwise known as â€Å"The Rock.† Other than having the pretty face that Hollywood was looking for, The Rock had to go through many steps as an â€Å"actor† before he became well known. However, the rock graduated from the University of Miami as an all -American Football player. Right away, he was entered into the realm of entertainment. This in turn was called a secondary effect because The Rock being a football player was entertainment and attracted the media’s attention. He was as Gabler states, â€Å"a performing artist.† (Gabler pg. 4) He was ready to enter the world of a celebrity and a star. Inside Wrestler magazine says that The Rock has the â€Å"same ‘X’ factor† as the Phantom of the Opera, â€Å"able to choreograph a rowdy mass of wrestling fans with a simple catch phrase, a dramatic pause, or a little lift of the eyebrow†(March 2001). The public considers the Rock to be a celebrity being that he has gone from music, to commercials, to sports, and journalism. He has starred on Saturday Night Live, That 70’s Show, and will soon be featured in the sequel to â€Å"The Mummy† as the Scorpion King. He is an entertainer who loves performing for the crowd. As he himself said, â€Å"Always entertaining the fans and knowing that I’m entertaining them-that’s the goal, to entertain the fans and nothing compares to that.† Each time he appears somewhere knew it adds to his popularity more and more. You start to conform to this so- called â€Å"reality.† The Rock plays many different roles and has many different names, that one might wonder which he really is. When he is wrestling, he is the Rock and when you research about him, as we did for this paper, we found out his birth name being Dwayne Johnson, and then of course, what he likes to refer to himself as, the â€Å"People’s Champion. These are just a few examples. He takes upon the role of an â€Å"actor† in so many different aspects that he himself becomes comfortable with what he is playing, and eventually this in turn takes over parts of him as a person.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

My Bio

My name is Latisha Anderson 33 year old native from Raleigh, North Carolina. I graduated from East Carolina University College of Nursing in Greenville, North Carolina in May 2009 with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Many say that I am a unique nurse due to the fact I am the first African American woman to complete a nursing program from a wheelchair. At the age of 17 years old I was shot in the neck and paralyzed from breast on down. I do have a success story on line. If you type my full name Latisha Anderson in Google search engine and I think on the second search page you will find a link with my name and it has the pulse magazine link which is ECU CON alumni magazine and on page 6 you can read my success story and see me in my standing wheelchair. I landed my first job at a private psychiatric/chemical detox program hospital that treats patient ranging from ages 5 years old on up. I started out PRN; therefore I had the advantage of working on all the different units with the different age groups. After about three months of diligent working my ADON offered me a permanent position on the acute inpatient psych unit which housed twelve acute patients. I worked third shift and was the charge nurse and the only nurse that worked that unit. I decided to pursue my passion of wanting to serve those who have served my country. efore I became disabled i wanted to join the marine corps and I was 37 days away from my 18th birthday and being enlisted but I became paralyzed that did not stop me i just had to pursue my goal from a different angle. I currently work with the Veteran’s Administration in Augusta, GA. I want to pursue my Masters in Nursing with an Emphasis in Leadership because i want to obtain a leadership role. Nurses are in roles where they can have a major impact with creating policies, laws and advocating for their consumer in the healthcare aspect in politics.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

A Model of Christian Charity & Letter to Philip Sidney

Winthrop, as mentioned before Is a dedicated Puritan, which are English colleens who believed that the Church of England was corrupt and needed to be â€Å"purified,† During this time period many Puritans and those of other religions were ridiculed and discriminated because of their faith. Many restrictions were placed on them, and additional taxes were added tot their Income. Winthrop believed the only way to purify the church was to leave England now and begin a new way of life. In his essay describes his perfect society as the inhabitants begin one with God and each other.He implies that a move now is the best way to begin purification. Hastily, and English writer and geographer saw many benefits form the colonization of the New World. With his background in geography he knew that North America would be filled with various types of raw materials and wild life. His letter gave examples of this variety mentioning the different types of wood such as cedar, oak, walnut and sund ry. He explained how these resources would not only benefit the colonies but also benefit England.He believed the resources available loud be able to be divided equally among the colonies and England. He also saw the financial benefits that they could come from colonization. Money was the most important reason for his proportions to colonize. Money was big factor in his argument. In these essays both Winthrop and Hastily emphasized that the best way to receive their desired outcome was to go now. To Hastily going now would be the best way to receive the maximum benefits from the North American raw materials.Winthrop believed leaving now was the only way to purify the church, saying that thing could be done for the church in England. Also stating the by leaving now would make the purification process to go faster. They also shared the ground on which they settled which was Massachusetts. They each believed a colony near the coast would help the more economically. A Model of Christian Charity & Letter to Philip Sidney By larders published an essay to inform his followers of his solution to the problem if the corrupt Church of England.This solution in fact was moving to the New World. Richard Hastily, in 1582, sent a letter to Philip Sidney to inform of the great believed the solution to their issues was to go and colonized North America. Winthrop, as mentioned before is a dedicated Puritan, which are English citizens who believed that the Church of England was corrupt and needed to be â€Å"purified. † During this time period many Puritans and those of other religions were ridiculed additional taxes were added tot their income. Winthrop believed the only way to coast would help the more economically.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

MR250 Unit 7 Reading Essay

MR250 Unit 7 Reading Essay MR250 Unit 7 Reading Essay MR250 Unit 7 Reading-Chapter 8 Cardiology and Hematology The cardiovascular or circulatory system consists of the heart and the blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, veins) (see Figures 8-1 and 8-2). The purpose of the system is to provide rapid delivery to the tissues of oxygen from the lungs; nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and water from the digestive system; hormones from glands; and white blood cells from bone marrow and lymphoid tissue, while removing waste products and delivering them to the lungs (carbon dioxide), liver (broken-down red blood cells), and kidney (surplus water, nitrogenous wastes) for excretion. Anatomy in Brief The heart is a pump- actually two synchronized pumps, each handling a different segment of the circulating blood at any given moment. The right atrium(antechamber) and the right ventricle receive venous blood from the systemic circulation and pump it into the lungs for gas exchange. The left atrium andleft ventricle receive freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs and pump it through the arteries into the systemic circulation. The contraction of a heart chamber is called systole; relaxation and refilling is called diastole. Valves in the heart (one for each of the four chambers) prevent back-flow of blood from a chamber during systole. The heart is encased in a protective sac called the pericardium. The names of the coronary arteries and branches are frequently mentioned in angiographic and surgical reports. The major vessels are the left main coronary artery, the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, the right coronary artery (RCA), and the circumflex coronary artery. Names of branches of these take on additional terms, such as the left anterior descending diagonal (LADD). Other vessels to remember are the circumflex marginal, distal branches, and the posterior descendings. The major conduits are the aorta and pulmonary artery. The valves are aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid. Terminology Review anemia Deficiency of red blood cells. arrhythmia Irregular rhythm of the heartbeat, with or without an abnormally slow or fast rate. ascites Swelling of the abdomen due to effusion of fluid into the peritoneal cavity. auscultation of the heart The physician notes the quality and loudness of heart sounds heard through a stethoscope at the four valve areas. bradyarrhythmia A pulse that is both irregular and abnormally slow. bradycardia Abnormal slowness of the heartbeat (pulse less than 60/min). bruit A rough vascular sound, synchronous with the heartbeat, heard on auscultation over a narrowing in an artery. cardiomegaly Enlargement of the heart. clubbing Club-shaped deformity of fingertips, seen in chronic pulmonary disease. cor pulmonale Dilatation, hypertrophy, or failure of the right ventricle due to acute or chronic pulmonary disease. crepitant rale A fine crackling rale. dependent edema Edema of the lower extremities, aggravated by the dependent (downward hangi ng) position. diaphoresis Sweating. dyspnea Shortness of breath. edema Swelling due to the presence of fluid in tissue spaces. effusion An abnormal accumulation of fluid in a body cavity, such as the pericardium. ejection fraction (EF) The percentage of the blood contained in a ventricle at the end of diastole that is ejected from the heart during the succeeding systole, normally 65% or higher. embolism Obstruction of a blood vessel by a detached blood clot, air, fat, or injected material. exudate A material deposited in or on tissues as a result of inflammation or degeneration and consisting of protein-rich fluid, inflammatory cells, and tissue debris. fibrillation Rapid, random, ineffectual twitching of cardiac muscle, instead of normal regular systolic contractions, due usually to metabolic or coronary vascular disease. Whereas atrial fibrillation can continue for years without serious impairment of health, ventricular fibrillation is rapidly fatal. gallop rhythm A cardiac rhythm that simulates the sound of a galloping

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Does Your Brain Need More Positivity Theres Hope.

Does Your Brain Need More Positivity Theres Hope. Stinking Thinking. I was introduced to the concept of â€Å"Stinking Thinking† (ST), first coined by Dr. Albert Ellis in the 1950s, through the Wright Foundation for the Realization of Human Potential. As you might guess, stinking thinking is the stream of negative thoughts that runs through pretty much every human being’s head as they go through life. Last Tuesday, Election Day, I noticed quite a bit of stinking thinking flying around. I wanted to address that in some way, without taking sides, more in the spirit of the speeches Hillary and Donald delivered following the results that created a positive vision for the future. How to Identify Stinking Thinking Here are some categories of stinking thinking, along with an example of each: Overgeneralization: All men are [insert favorite term]! All or Nothing: If I can’t win, I quit. Magnification: I gained 5 pounds. I’m a whale. Cant/Wont: I cant do it! Always/Never: You never take out the garbage. Jumping to Conclusions: He said he was busy this weekend, so he must not want to see me. Mind Reading: She hates me. I know it. Fortune Telling: If Trump wins the election, [insert conclusion here]. Projection: You are all judging me! You must think I’m a total idiot. Prejudice: I could tell he was a thief just by looking at him. Dismissing the Positives: 10 good things happened, but it’s the one bad thing that counts. Magical Thinking: I am sure it will all work out somehow. Helpless/Hopeless: No matter what I do it wont make a difference. Emotional Reasoning: I feel bad, so I must be bad. Should Statements: I should have thought of that. I need to do better. Blame and Shame: Its your fault we can’t pay the bills. Looped Thinking/Obsession/Perseveration: I can’t believe I did that again. What was I thinking? I’m stupid. I can’t believe I did that again. Do any of these sound familiar? I know I’m really great at a lot of these categories, as are most humans. This might be a depressing thought for some (watch your stinking thinking about stinking thinking!) but there are up sides too. What are the positives of stinking thinking? I’m encouraged that once we acknowledge we all have stinky thoughts, we can feel less alone and judgmental of ourselves when we have them. We can watch out for them in ourselves and others, actually noticing them instead of having them run us entirely. And once we realize we’re engaging in ST, we can come up with more fragrant thinking to replace it. What if you were to choose thoughts that are more reflective of what is actually happening, outside of the ST in your head? They would likely be humorous, compassionate or forgiving. For example: Sometimes things go wrong. It’s human. I wonder what he meant by that. Ill ask him. The soup didnt turn out, but the rest of the meal was great. I will keep an open mind. I can do it. I feel upset, but that doesnt make me a bad person. I am excited to learn from this mistake. I can see how this will turn out OK. This second set of possible thoughts leaves a lot more room for possibility, doesn’t it? Pick one†¦ or two†¦ Perhaps there’s an area in your life where you’ve noticed some stinking thinking? Maybe it’s the election, a relationship, your work or career, your family, or even the way someone looked at you when you walked down the street today. Notice the thoughts you’re having, and notice that those are just thoughts. They are not the truth. If you identify the category of thought you’re engaged in then maybe, just maybe, you’ll be able to come up with a new thought to replace the stinky one. Regardless of political preferences, I think that’s what our country needs right now. And I’m grateful to all the speech writers and leaders who are focusing on the relationships and future we want. It takes wisdom and vulnerability to move away from stinking thinking, and I’m hoping we can do it. Perhaps thats magical thinking on my part, but I really do believe that this can all turn out OK. Click here for more on the categories of ST. - And here’s a quote that inspired me this week – free of odorous thoughts. I’ll leave you with this inspiring message from a wise Buddhist teacher: This is part of the magic of turbulent times: if we feel our tenderness, we will discover our deep strength. This allows for bravery Rather than cower, we have the courage to join with others in responding from the heart and mind of goodness. – Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche Save Save Save Save

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Fluid management in dialysis patient Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

Fluid management in dialysis patient - Essay Example When a patient is on dialysis, circulation of the blood is on one side of a semipermeable membrane, while, on the other side, a special dialysis fluid is circulated. Blood composition must be closely matched by the dialysis fluid. Urea and creatinin, metabolic waste products, are diffused through the dialysis fluid membrane and discarded, while necessary substance diffusion is prevented by its presence in the dialysis fluid. (Answers.com). Dialysis treatment is demanding for the patient, as they must spend four hours during thrice weekly sessions hooked up to these machines. (Sonnier, 2000, p. 5). Because patients must observe strict dietary and fluid restrictions, there is a great mortality rate that is directly related to non-adherence with the dietary and fluid restriction protocol. Patients must self-care when they are on dialysis, and must comply with their prescribed regimen that is assigned to them when they start dialysis for the first time. Self-care and compliance are different, yet related, terms. There are reasons why patients do not self-care or comply correctly with their prescribed health regimen, and there are solutions that have been put forth. The solutions include increased education about the necessity of self-care, empowerment through education regarding how to self-care and behavioural modification. Self-care is defined as é  he patients deliberate actions regulating his/her functioning and development for health and well-being.(Ricka, et al., 2002, p. 329). Self-care is pertinent to the patients survival and well-being. Compliance is a related term, what that focuses mainly on the correlation between medically prescribed therapeutic regimen compliance and the outcome behaviours. (Ricka, et al., 2002, p. 331). Dietary factors that require compliance include regulating protein intake; limiting electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium; taking vitamin supplements; and lowering fluid

Friday, November 1, 2019

The Developing Manager Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

The Developing Manager - Assignment Example This essay discusses that delegation involves assigning duties to workers so that they can complete them on behalf of the manager. Delegation enables managers to assign duties to employees who have the right skills; this enables companies to achieve their targets because workers complete numerous duties simultaneously. The author of the report has the skills of determining the workers who are suitable to complete certain tasks because he matches their skills with those required to carry out certain duties. If the organization lacks workers who can complete certain tasks efficiently, he organizes for them on the job trainings that fill their skills gaps.From the report it is clear that  leadership involves showing individuals the right way to follow when they are completing their tasks. Managers should possess this skill because they cannot manage successfully if they are not efficient leaders.  Problem-solving skills enable managers to solve conflicts that arise in their organiza tions successfully. The author uses his problem-solving skills to resolve conflicts among workers and departmental managers in the organization. He finds solutions that end the conflicts in a way that satisfies all the parties who are involved in the problem. This increases the satisfaction of workers and it motivates them to work hard for the organization.  Team management is a skill that enables leaders to organize various players in a company so that they can work in union. The author manages teams by first determining the workers who should work in a team.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

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

Business Management - Case Study Example Over time, our activities will be decentralized to enable our services be enjoyed by potential patrons in the outskirts of the capital city. Internet service is woefully inadequate in Ghana, besides, in places where it does exist, it is still at its infancy. In view of the technological wind currently blowing across the world, the people of Ghana should not be left off this experience. It is based on this realization that XZYZ Inc can capture the enormous business potential on the domestic market. It is against this background that the primary focus of the company will be to offer high standard internet service that will be defined by speed and reliable connectivity. By so doing, we will be progressively headed towards becoming the main entryway for data communication by offering ground-breaking products, at affordable prices, and above all with the highest levels of customer service. At the core of the success of every business entity is the strategic role planning plays in the overall operational agenda. Therefore in collaboration with the top management hierarchy of the company, the goals of the company will be identified and streamlined along the conventional managerial standards ( Javashree 2008). Cardinal to the pla Cardinal to the planning policy is the ability to strike a compromising balance between what our goals (as stated in the opening part of the manual) are measured against the resources available to the firm. As part of the policy, the regulatory framework that will be used to determine all aspects of our operations right from financing, legalization, marketing down to customer service will be spelt out. In many ways our plan will be constructed on short term, medium term and long term basis that will factor in an appreciable level of flexibility to accommodate any unforeseen changes in the industry as we progress. Mohr & Puck (2006), has advocated for the establishment of a self-regulatory check and balances scheme into the plans of every business entity in order to avoid needless pertinent misrepresentation of roles and responsibilities. Organizational Structure XYZ Inc will be structured in a manner that will reflect our overall goals. The quality and caliber of staff to be hired will also be carried out along these same lines. In the broader sense, XYZ Inc will be operating on the principles of contemporary managerial structures, which includes among other things, the top management level; middle level management; and first level management (Javashee 2008). A team of highly skilled personalities will constitute the top management level. It will be complemented by the hiring of highly skilled individuals who possess valuable technical know-how in information technology and in their respective professional backgrounds. This is the category that will be heading the various departments such as finance and accounting, marketing, plant management and what have you. It is expected that taking cognizance of the huge human capital base of Ghana, attracting and hiring the right professional experts will not pose

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Impacts of Drug and Substance Abuse of Youths

Impacts of Drug and Substance Abuse of Youths Drug and substance abuse continues to be a major problem worldwide, and in particular, Malawi. It is estimated that there are over 12 million abusers in United Stated of America and 500,000 cocaine users in South Africa (Fabiano Maganga,2002, pp124-127). It is a common knowledge that most of the drug and substance abusers are youth and young adults, i.e. the most productive age groups. Most teenagers begin to experiment with substances at an early age which may lead to drug and substance dependence or addiction. This may occur through the progression from experimentation with drugs/ substances to their occasional use and they lead them to the development of tolerance and physical dependence (Malunda Mpinganjira, 2009, p.147). The most common drug in Malawi is cannabis, also called hemp or chamba and the smoking of hemp is increasing rapidly, particularly among young people. Almost every school has some boys and girls who smoke chamba indicating that the drug is very easy to obtain (Fabiano Maganga, 2002, pp.124-125). Risk factors that predispose people to drug/substance abuse are lack of mental or emotional resources against stress, a low tolerance for frustration, and the need for immediate relief of tension or distress (Malunda Mpinganjira, 2009, p. 147). According to Arterburn Burns (1989, pp42-46), biological predisposition, peer pressure, parental attitudes and parenting style are also some of the factors which lead adolescents to indulge in such malpractices. The EAM (1998, p.27), says lack of recreational facilities for the youth makes them to find other forms of recreation such as drugs and drinks. Drug and substance abuse among the youth is associated with a broad range of high risk behaviors. This type of behavior can have profound health, economic and social consequences such deviant behaviors, unprotected sexual intercourse, interpersonal violence, destruction of property and perform poorly in the studies (Malunda Mpinganjira, 2009, p.147). According to Kabwila (2000, p.19), Many cases of indiscipline in schools, homes, sports and entertainment places are as a result of abusing drugs, alcohol, and other substances. Peschke (1993, p.249) said; Death caused by smoking far exceed the death rate from Aids and traffic accidents. The excessive drinking of alcohol is not illegal but it can have serious effects on both the individual and society. Alcoholism is the/ number one socio- medical problem. Alcohol makes a person irresponsible and much more likely to engage in unprotected sex, therefore, a factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS. It can also lead to illness, particularly diseases of the liver (FabianoMaganga, 2002, p.125). Therefore if deaths caused by smoking exceed the death rate from Aids and traffic accidents it is important to analyze the causes and effects of drug and substance abuse among the youths so as to draw out measures of how to help them. According to Malunda Mpinganjira (2009, p.148), drug and substance abuse is worsened by complex socio-economic challenges such as unemployment, poverty and crime in general. Most of the youth that are involved in drug and substance abuse are led into a life of crime. Police records reveal that 90% of the criminals arrested in this country are between the ages of 17 and 30 years of age (Dzonzi, EAM, 1998, p.88). Therefore it is of great importance to examine possible factors related to the abuse of drugs and substances among the youths so as to draw out measures of how to help them. Background information Mkanda Zone is one of the areas affected by drug and substance abuse. It is a Trading center, North of Mchinji District which borders with Zambia. A lot of businesses are being carried out in this area; shops, dealers, and local businesses. Many adolescents especially school going age in this area are engaged in drug, substance as well as alcoholism. Drug and substance abuse is linked to other kinds of irresponsible behavior such as unprotected sex or violence. Such risky behaviors may lead to economic, social, and health problems as individuals as well as nation. For example, some youth participate in deviant peer groups, unprotected sexual intercourse, interpersonal violence, destruction of property and others. Secondary schools are facing a lot of problems because of students who are involved in substance abuse, as a result there are many indiscipline cases happening at school. Some of the students who abuse drugs and substances will not perform well in their studies or they will just drop out of school leading to high number of illiterate people. Adolescents use drugs and substances for various reasons such as peer group pressure, family problems, developmental stage, stress and relief, availability and others (Mueller, 1999, p.317). For a country to develop it needs its young people to become educated, to work hard and become active and responsible citizens. No matter what, the issue of drug and substance abuse remain a major problem among the children and teenagers. Parents and educators should be aware of the extent of drug and substance abuse and its effects. It is therefore important to determine the reasons and nature of substances abuse in youth in Mkanda area in order to be able to suggest measures which could be applied to prevent and control the substance abuse problem. Statement of the problem The youth today are more rebellious, more troubled emotionally, more confused sexually, less idealistic, more critical of values and standards of adult culture and more disengaged from them (Dzonzi, EAM, 1998, P.86). One of the major critical decisions that Malawian youth comes face to face with is on the use of drugs and alcohol. According to Kabwila (2000,p.19), Many cases of indiscipline in schools, homes, sports, and entertainment places are as a result of abusing drugs, alcohol and other substances. It has been said that almost every school has some boys and girls who smoke chamba (Fabiano Maganga, 2002, p.124). Most of the youth that are involved in drug and substance abuse are led to a life of crime. Police records reveal that 90% of the criminal arrested in this country are between the age of 17 and 30 years of age. These crimes are committed daily in Malawi by young people most of them as a result of direct consequence o involvement in drug and alcohol abuse (Dzonzi, EAM, 1998, p.88). When it comes to the subject of drugs and substance abuse, parents, teachers, pastors, police officers, politicians feel out of their depths, understandably so because there is a lot of confusion and inaccurate information around, this is made worse by some highly charged and emotive news stories on the subject (EAM, 1998, p.86). In light of the above, the main research question of the study; Why do most of the youth use substance? From the major research question, the following are some of sub questions: Which substances are used by most of the youth? What are the effects of drug and alcohol abuse on education? Which strategies can be developed to prevent substance abuse among youth? Purpose of the study The major aim of this research was to carry out an investigation why most of the youth nowadays are engaged in drug and substance abuse and even alcoholism in selected secondary schools in Mkanda area. Even though such lessons are taught from their earliest ages (primary school), the syndrome seems to be on an increase. The following were the specific objectives of the study: Investigate reasons why most of the youth in Mkanda area are involved in drug and alcohol abuse. An explanation of the mostly abused drug among the youth in secondary schools in Mkanda area. Identify the effects of being involved in drug and alcohol abuse on their education. Identify the strategies to prevent drug and substance abuse among the youth Significance of study Today, drug and substance abuse continues to grow at rising rates among children and the youths. Young people today are exposed to drugs earlier than before. The study on this topic will be of great importance to the nation of Malawi. Firstly, the findings of this study will be used to educate the youths and their parents on drug and substance abuse in Mkanda area and other areas in Malawi. Not only will the findings of this research educate the youths and their parents but also will help educators and other professionals involved in youth ministries to understand the prevalence of youth drug and substance use and abuse in order to develop effective evidence-based strategies and policies which will be used to control the problem of drug and substance abuse. Surely, creating a drug free society reduces consequences that may arise and produce responsible citizens. Hypotheses Drug and substance abuse is influenced by biological and psychological factors. The researcher in this research paper has the following hypotheses: Locally availability of such substances at lowest prices. Lack of other entertainments. Lack of role model. Limitations This study will be conducted in few schools due to lack of time. Responded might not be willing to complete the questionnaires in which will make the researcher some delays to compile the results. Some respondents will not be free to express the truth from the matter fearing that they are going to be arrested since it is a sensitive issue. Money for travelling to gather information is also an issue to be considered. Time is also limited to carry out this research effectively. Language (English) will also be a problem to those with low levels of education. Delimitations The researcher will not disclose names of those who indulge themselves in the business of selling these illegal drugs and those who are involved in the smoking Indian hemp. The researcher will also not give some money to those who will be involved in answering questionnaires. Definitions of terms and Acronyms Adolescent: The developmental transition between childhood and adulthood. Drug: A substance which has a physical effect on human beings. EAM: Evangelical Association of Malawi HHHIV/AIDS: Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome Substance: Any kind of matter . Substance Abuse: Refers to the use of substances for purposes other than what they are intended for or in excess. Youth: Any person aged in the range of 15-24 years old. CHAPTER 2:  REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE This chapter reviews the related scientific literature. The chapter is divided into five sections. The first section presents an overview of types of drugs and substances in general. The second section deals with the commonly abused drugs in Malawi. The third section contains some of misconceptions associated drug and substance abuse mostly among the youths. The fourth section is concerned the reasons why most people indulge themselves in drug and substance abuse. The next section deals with the effects of drug and substance abuse on an individual. Types of drugs and substances Drugs come in various forms and can be taken in numerous ways. Some are legal and others are not (access. Ewu.edu/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦education/substance-use-and-abuse/drug-facts.xml). Stimulants. Stimulants are drugs which speed up the bodys nervous system and create a feeling of energy. They are also called uppers because of their ability to make you feel at awake. Stimulants have the opposite effects of depressants. Constant use of stimulants can have very negative effects on the user such as compulsive drugs seeking behavior, anxiety, confusion and insomnia. Examples of such drugs are cocaine, methamphetamines/ amphetamines, Ritalin, caffeine and nicotine (Mueller, 1999, p.372). Depressants. These are drugs which sedate and slow down the activity of the central nervous system. Teens who want to relax or reduce their level of anxiety will often turn to depressants. Many teens will use stronger and more toxic doses in order to enter into the state of euphoria and excitement before the sedating power of the drug takes effect. (Mueller, 1999, p.316). Mueller says these depressants are highly addictive, and long-term users develop physical and psychological dependence on these drugs. Commonly Abused Drugs in Malawi According to Kabwila, (2000, pp.19-20), the term drug refer to a medicated substance taken orally or through injection in order to relieve pain or suffering. Drug and substance abuse refers to the use of drugs and substances for purposes other than what they are intended for or in excess. Continuous use of these drugs leads to addiction. Addiction is defined as a state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by the repeated consumption of a drug and involves tolerance, psychological dependence, usually physical dependence, and an overwhelming compulsion to continue using the drug which detrimentally affects both the individual and society (Wilkerson, 1971, p.87). In Malawi, the mostly abused drugs are cannabis, mandrax, cocaine, valium, petrol, alcohol and tobacco (MIE, 2011, p.88). Cannabis is locally known as chamba, and tobacco (cigarettes). Alcohol can be traditional beverages such as chibuku and kachasu, and imported alcoholic drinks like beer (Bisika, 2004, p.29). According to Bisika, Malawi has been used as a transit route for other drugs like mandrax, heroin and cocaine (p.29). The main primary drug of abuse among students is cannabis (79.3%) followed by alcohol (19.3%). The predominant secondary drug of abuse is alcohol (30.4%) and cannabis (20%). The commonest method of use for the primary drug of abuse is smoking (77%) followed by drinking (23%) (Bisika et al, 2004, pp53-54). Cannabis. The cannabis plant or hemp is the source of marijuana (chamba), and THC. The commonly used form of cannabis is the dried leaves, buds, and stems of the plant (Mueller, 1999, p.315). Teenagers refer to marijuana as Mary Jane, pot, grass, or weed. Cannabis leaves are prepared and used in the following ways: Prepared like tea and swallowed. Baked into cakes or cookies and eaten. Snuffed like tobacco and inhaled. Smoked like cigarettes-inhaled. Smoked in pipes. Cooked as relish. In Malawi, cannabis is grown widely throughout the country and the production is about 399.3 hectares according to the Cannabis Survey which was commissioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2003 (Bisika, 2004,p.31). Bisika et al. found that the main commercial growing areas of cannabis are Nkhatabay, Mzimba, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, and Ntchisi. Other districts like Dedza, Ntcheu, Chitipa, and Zomba grow in small scale. Bisika came up with hospital records of cannabis related admission patients from 1995 to 2003. Records shows that in 1995, there were 205 patients at Zomba Mental Hospital (the only government-institution that caters for mentally ill patients), but in 2003, the number raised up to 269. According to a psychiatric nurse at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, findings shows that the most common abused drug in Malawi seems to be cannabis (p.30). Bisika further found that police records shows that there are many cases of cannabis trafficting. Narcotics. These are drugs which depress the central nervous system and at the same time relieve pain such as pain killers like panado. Alcohol. In Malawi, alcohol is consumed by the general public and is not as stigmatized as cannabis. According to Arterburn Burns (1989, p.64-67), alcohol is a food because it has calories, is a drug because it alters moods, and is a poison because in large quantities its toxic. The alcoholic is any person who consumes so much alcohol that he or she becomes addicted to the chemical. Braathen (2008, pp.30-31), listed several types of alcohol. Carlsberg is referred to any bottled beer manufactured by Carlsberg Breweries in Malawi such as green, brown, stout and special. Chibuku is another alcoholic product from Chibuku products Malawi Limited made from maize porridge which is much cheaper than Carlsberg beer. Kachasu is another type of alcoholic beverage, made from maize bran mixed with sugar and water and is left for some days to ferment and then is brewed. Kachasu is a strong spirit brewed by local women. Misconceptions Associated with Drug and Substance Abuse Some people indulge in such practice because of the misled information they get from friends which is not true (Kabwila, 2000, p.53). The following are some of misconceptions people have in their mind: Drug and substances give them energy to do work Assist them to ease their tension and stress Relieve their frustrations Make them feel high or enjoy themselves Give them pleasure and leisure Make them more intelligent Give then to do courage to do work Make them to forget their problems. In addition to the above misconceptions, there are also some traditional beliefs in Malawi that encourage the use of cannabis (chamba). Bisika et al. quoted the SENDU report for 2002 reported that some mothers use cannabis to treat measles (2004, p.32). Furthermore cannabis will give them confidence in their relationship with the opposites sex while some think that cannabis can improve their sexual potency. Why Teenagers Abuse Drug and Substances Alcohol, tobacco illicit drugs such as marijuana (chamba) and steroids are some of the most abused drugs and substances (Malunda and Mpinganjira, 2009, p.15). Peschke (1993) came up with some of the causes for one to be indulged in drug and substance abuse like that some seeks the pleasure (p.253). Life is boring so many teenagers find drugs and substances, alcohol to be an exciting form of recreation that is cheap, easy, and fun to do with a group of friend. (Mueller, 1999, p.317). Curiosity and experimentation. Many children will satisfy their curiosity about unknown world of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs by trying them to find out just what smoking, drinking and doing drugs are like (Mueller, 1999, p.316). Teens in their developmental stages like to discover what is good for them. Some young people are always curious about something that is mysterious, adventurous, dangerous, and illegal (Wilkerson, 1971, p.90). Although curiosity is given an excuse for having started a habit, it is often later found out that some character defect perpetuated the drug taking. Peer pressure. The strongest motivator for a young person is the desire for acceptance by peers (ArterburnBurns, 1989, p.43). Young people indulge in such malpractice because of peer pressure. With the desire to fit in and be accepted and loved, children and teens who feel insecure and unloved at home give in the pressure. (Mueller, 1999, p.317). These are also called the social addict or the social give-ins; young people who take drugs because it is the sociable thing to do- everyone is doing it. (Wilkerson, 1971, p.91). Youth think that taking drugs is a prerequisite for belonging to some groups. Most teenagers often begin using and abusing drugs and substances as a result of peer pressure. Lack of adequate family support, failure of parental supervision and excess unsupervised free time also contribute to increased drug/substance use and abuse among teenagers.(Malunda and Mpinganjira, 2009, p.17). Availability. Children and teens find drugs and alcohol easy to get. Even though its illegal to buy cigarettes until the age of eighteen, more students are reported buying cigarettes without asked for proof of age. But the most unbelievable source of alcohol for many teenagers in their parents. ( Mueller, 1999,p.317). Some of the reasons why teenagers are involved drug and substance abuse advertising. Advertisements are especially effective as smoking and drinking recruiters. Tobacco industries and Breweries industries promote their products.(Mueller, 1999, p.318). Teens are fair game for advertising messages that suggest that drinking and smoking lead to maturity, sophistication, beauty, fun and acceptance. Biological Predisposition. Genetic predisposition plays a big role in siblings to chemical dependency. Children from such families whereby both parents are alcoholics, the risks is even higher. Reports from drug and alcohol center shows that usually 50% of the patients come from families where a parent is an alcoholic (ArterburnBurns, 1989, p.43). It is increasingly clear that alcoholism, or the potential for addiction, is passed father to son and from mother to daughter not because of bad home environments, but because of family inheritance pattern. (p.44). Life Crisis. Family problems are another factor for drug and substance abuse for teens. Children who come from homes where there is divorce, separation, an absent parent, discord, marital conflict, unreasonable pressure/expectations, poor communication, abuse or alcoholism are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. Escapers. These are young people seeking to escape from boredom, responsibility, frustration and anxiety.(Wilkerson, 1971, p.91). The life a normal teenager is filled with all kinds of stresses so drug and alcohol often becomes coping mechanisms for teens that have no other way to grow constructively through adolescence. ( Mueller,1999,p.318). Mueller also says that todays pop-culture icons and role models send pro-substance abuse messages through their lyrics, videos and lifestyle, movies, TV, and even fashions. Some teens want to look grown-up. When teens realize they arent children anymore, they dont want to look like children, so they will make an extra effort to look older than they really are. (Mueller, 1999, p.318). Mueller also says that todays pop-culture icons and role models send pro-substance abuse messages through their lyrics, videos and lifestyle, movies, TV, and even fashions. Effects of drug and substance on individual Drug and substance abuse have carries many risks on individual, family as well as the nation at large. Below are some of the abused drugs and substances along with their effects. Alcohol. Medical evidence shows that chronic alcohol abuse leads to severe brain damage which also leads to insanity. Alcohol also causes liver disease called Cirrhosis- hardening of the liver which prevents the free flow of blood causing the liver not to function properly because of many toxins that remain in the blood leading to severe brain damage (Dzonzi, 2004, p.86). Fabiano and Maganga ( 2002, p.125) says Alcohol makes a person irresponsible and much more likely to engage in unprotected sex, therefore high risks of spreading sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) such as HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, alcohol robs peoples money instead of buying basic needs such as food, clothes and good housing; they spend the money on alcohol. The World Book Encyclopedia (1994, p.362), says alcohol can damage the liver, brain and heart, some users lose interest in school or work or have difficulty meeting the responsibilities of a job or family. Fabiano and Maganga(2002,p.124), says alcohol affects a persons ability to concentrate and heavy drinking. Cannabis (marijuana,hashish and THC). The cannabis plant or hemp is the source of marijuana, hashish and THC (tetrahydrocannabinal). According to Mueller (1999, p.315), short-term effects of cannabis include increased heart and respiratory rate, reddening of eyes and sleepiness. Continued use of cannabis leads to more respiratory problems, lung cancer, loss of energy, confused thinking, slow reactions, impaired memory and apathy. Users of cannabis are likely to be violent and to commit crimes and continued use of hemp lead to mental illness. (FabianoMaganga, 2002, p.125). Another effect of hemp is that the mood-altering chemical THC affects hormones in men and causes a temporary loss of fertility (ArterburnBurns, 1989, p.76). Tobacco. Long-term smoking of tobacco leads to cancer, heart diseases and respiratory diseases. Also tobacco smoke is one of the contributing agents to pollution of air (Dzonzi, 2004, p.87). Other drugs (mandrax, cocaine and heroin). These drugs are more likely than hemp to cause mental illness, infertility, impotence, suicide or death from an overdose (Fabiano Maganga 2004, p.126). The World Book Encyclopedia (1994, p.362), says alcohol can damage the liver, brain and heart, some users lose interest in school or work or have difficulty meeting the responsibilities of a job or family. REFERENCES Access. Ewu.edu/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..education/substance-use-and-abuse/drug-facts.xml. Arterburn, Stephen Burns, Jim (1989). Drug-Proof Your Kids; A Prevention Guide An Intervention Plan. Pomona, California. Bisika,Thomas et al.(2004). Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS in Malawi; Results from a Rapid Situation Assessment. Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi. Braathen, Stine H (2008). Substance Use and Abuse and its Implications in a Malawian Context- Pilot Project 1. SINTEF Health Report; Oslo, Norway. Dzonzi,Lot(1998). Evangelical Association of Malawi. Lilongwe, Malawi. Fabiano, Margaret Maganga, John (2002). Malawi Secondary Social and Development Studies. Macmillan, Malawi. Kabwila, V.P.(2000). Junior Secondary Population and Sexual Health Education in Social Studies. Malawi Institute of Education; Zomba, Malawi. Malunda, Henry Mpinganjira, Mercy (2009). Jhango, Social and Development Studies Book 4. Jhango Publishing Company, Blantyre. Malawi Institute of Education (2011). Life Skills and Sexual and Reproduction Health for HIV and AIDS Education for Primary School in Malawi; A Training Manual, Domasi, Zomba. Mueller, Walt (1998). Understanding Todays Youth Culture. Wheaton, Illinois. Peschke, Karl. (1993). Christian Ethics: Moral Theology in the Light of Vatican II. New Delhi, India. Wilderson, David and Don (1971). The Untapped Generation. Zondervan Publishing House; Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Vietnam War Short Stories Essay -- Literary Analysis

The Vietnam War was the first war in history to be broadcast on national television. Due to the increasing popularity of television ownership and the introduction of the nightly news programs such as CBS and NBC, the horrors of war found a place in living rooms across the country. Between 1965 and 1975, nine million people served in the Vietnam War, and of those nine million, 58,156 were killed or declared missing in action ("Vietnam War Statistics."). Of the 58,156 soldiers killed, 11,465 of them were under the age of twenty ("Statistics about the Vietnam War"). After surviving the war, Tim O’Brien and Susan O’Neill wrote short stories and novels including Tim O’Brien’s â€Å"The Things They Carried†, and Susan O’Neill’s â€Å"The Boy from Montana†. By putting audiences in the shoes of the grunts led by Lieutenant Jimmy Cross and the surgical gloves of Agnes Reedy, Tim O’Brien and Susan O’Neill immortalized the st ruggles experienced by their compatriots and themselves. â€Å"The things they carried† is a short story about Lieutenant Jimmy Cross leading his men through Vietnam. O’Brien describes all of the things carried by the men as a way to symbolize all of the burdens they had. One thing that Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries is a pack of letters from Martha, a girl he was in love with (O’Brien). One night Ted Lavender, one of the men in Lieutenant Cross’s squad, left to use the bathroom and on his return, is shot and killed (O'Brien).This causes Cross to realize that his main priority is to lead his men, not swoon over a woman (O'Brien). â€Å"The Boy from Montana† is a short story about Agnes Reedy’s account of watching a boy die in the field hospital she worked at in Vietnam. She says that she thought that all death was the same, but one day s... ...Short Stories of Vietnam. New York: Ballantine, 2001. 3-11. Print. Roush, Gary. "Statistics about the Vietnam War." Vietnam Helicopter Flight Crew Network (VHFCN). 2 June 2008. Web. 18 Mar. 2012. . Taormina, Agatha. "Author Profile: Tim O'Brien." Northern Virginia Community College. Www.nvcc.edu, 10 Mar. 2011. Web. 16 Mar. 2012. . "Tim O’Brien Interview: The Things He Carried." Interview by David L. Edelman. Wordpress, 19 Oct. 1994. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. . "Vietnam Veteran's Terminology and Slang." VIETNAM VETERANS HOME PAGE. 22 Mar. 2000. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. . "Vietnam War Statistics." The Mobile Riverine Force Association. Web. 18 Mar. 2012. .

Thursday, October 24, 2019

A Crash Course on Racism and Contemporary Society Essay

When you see the word crash, it always summons to mind an unfortunate event that has to deal with vehicles. Someone even told me that it is prohibited to say this word when you are boarded on an airplane because you might cause panic among another passengers. Planes, cars and even computers crash. Crash basically means collision. Similarly, the title of Paul Haggis recent movie is Crash (2005). However, viewers will see not only collisions involving cars, but collisions involving race, culture and classes. The movie †Crash† tackles the cross-cultural panorama of Los Angeles urban life, involving people interconnected to each other in vestiges of crime, racism, corruption, obligation, indignation and chance over a two-day period. The storyline superimposes the complexity of the multifaceted narratives of their lives entwined under the numerous social and psychological issues usually hidden inside the closet of the American consciousness. The Plot: Crash or Clash The story revolves around two cops, one senior and the other junior. The other jaded and abusive, the other one is a novice and willing to learn the ropes. These cops are played by Matt Dillon and Ryan Philippe respectively. One day, when they were assigned in their beat site, they pull over and eventually harass a black couple (Terrence Howard and Thandie Newton) because the SUV they’re driving vaguely fits the description of a carjacked vehicle that was reported. More complications swiftly supersede within 24 hours, these characters all cross paths again in separate incidents of incredibly high tension that challenge both the prejudices that have formed between them and the assumptions we draw out from their different perspectives about race and culture as a whole. It turned out that Christine (Thandie Newton) was surprised that she encounters Sgt. Ryan (Matt Dillon), the racist cop who sexually molested her during a traffic stop the previous night, the officer on the scene who pulls her from the burning car. To further intricately muddle the conflicts, characters encounter and reencounter one another in highly convenient ways. For example, a young African-American criminal Peter (Lanrez Tate) is murdered. Fortunately, he has a brother, Graham (Don Cheadle), an LAPD detective, who discovers Peter’s dead body in the desert. Prior to learning of his brother’s death, Graham is thwarted by the district attorney’s office into suppressing evidence that may partially absolve a white police officer charged with killing a black cop. Incidentally, the district attorney (Brendan Fraser) is looking for a conviction that would help him gather enough support from the black community, since he is trying to manage a potential media scandal. He and his wife (Sandra Bullock) were carjacked in Sherman Oaks by two young black men. Moreover, more table-turning events are revealed in the lives of the characters because actual carjackers is Peter and his friend (Larenz Tate and rapper Ludacris). Surprisingly, the carjackers and their victims – these four are, in turn, connected through other events to a young Hispanic locksmith (Michael Pena) desperately trying to make a better life for his 5-year-old daughter after moving out of a crime-ridden neighborhood, and to a struggling Iranian shopkeeper (Shaun Toub) desperately seeking to lay blame for the vandalization of his convenience store, and to a pair of internal affairs detectives (Don Cheadle and Jennifer Esposito), whose lives and jobs are complicated by politics, tested principles and personal secrets. As film involves various crashes and clashes, forcefully it does not just invoke commonly hackneyed racially charged confrontations found in some films, but it almost subliminally showcases how passive prejudice and pre-conceived notions are often prevalent in simple day-to-day life. Thus, people could just collide and all these complications happen within a blink of an eye, unaware that they are villains and victims all at the same time of the milieu they are placed in. Although the dominant illusion that Crash could perpetuate among its viewers about its own narrative is that each character does something virtuous in one situation, and something unconscionably racist in another. Entirely, this is not the case because some characters could be deemed as purely good people. The Latino locksmith Daniel exists solely to incur racist threats and insults from other characters, then to belie their opinions through his role as the most upstanding of family men. Unfortunately, other characters display no redeeming traits, like the DA’s wife, Jean Cabot (Bullock) is depicted as a self-involved rich and uptight woman who is there to speak the unspeakable ‘truth’ when justifying her fear of black men. Eventually, she stops just short of calling Daniel a wetback, and undergoes a quite insincere transformation that resulted from her inability to understand that her housekeeper Maria (Yomi Perry) is nice to her when she fell down some steps and fractured her leg, and nobody else has given her sympathy. She had no choice, but be nice to the person who helped her (Sicinski, 2005). Craig Detweiler (December, 2005) analyzed that Haggis portrays the film as a depiction a fine interconnectedness of realistic portrait of pertinent issues with a subliminal touch of magic realism. The movie offers a range of familiar types, attempting to prick his viewers’ consciences without being overbearingly preachy or nearly jingoistic. As the film kicks off, tempers are already surging as invectives and epithets are blurted out without batting an eyelash. Prejudices are looking for confirmation. â€Å"I am angiy all the time, and I don’t know why,† laments a frustrated housewife. The first half of the film whips up the melting pot of complications, with racist assumptions spilling out of the characters ears. Viewers relish a platter of racism and crime, seasoned with sexual harassment, a broken health-care system and the purchase of firearms. In the softer second half, Detweiler explains that the isolated moments suggest a possibility of redemption for the characters. A motorist hassled by the cops for â€Å"driving while black† turns out to be a conflict-avoiding â€Å"Buddhist for Christ’s sake. † But that doesn’t dissuade the police from violating his humanity and that of his wife. A statue of St. Christopher shows up at surprising times, but it ultimately proves ineffectual. A protective icon inspires a random act of violence. As Christmas unfolds in the movie, we see images of the nativity that could only summon unrealized prayers for â€Å"peace on earth† (Detweiler, 2005). Circumscribing the â€Å"circle† that goes around the film’s plot, a realization could smack its viewers that in the small world we are living in, we are connected to each other, like it or not. Conclusion Racism is a topic well-tackled among discussions. We are aware that it is generally loathed by people and we heard calls of putting a stop to it. We have seen the fall of Apartheid, we have seen those protests voicing out equality, but people still commit racism unconsciously as they encounter each other in their daily lives. Is prejudice primarily a question of color? How do differences of language and culture play into our misunderstandings? What must be done to bridge understanding and permanently inculcate the ugly face of prejudice regarding our differences? The film Crash does not present the ultimate panacea to racism and prejudice. But certainly, it is a mirror of what American society has become. It is presenting a consciousness about the interconnectedness of people and the situations that made them come up with their own realizations. Thus, the film invites its viewers to come up with their own realizations about the contemporary cross-section of American society and provide a space about perspectives on how to deal with their own prejudices. Works Cited Detweiler, Craig. Cultural Collisions. Sojourners Magazine. Washington, (December 2005), 34 (11): 45-46. Sicinski, Michael. Crash, Film Review. Cineaste. New York, (Fall 2005), 30 (4): 51-54.