My First Aid Kits - Original Writing - 2007 Words

I rounded corners against the wet wind, squinting my eyes to avoid looking at our unnatural world. My fists pounded against multiple shop doors, the lighting out in all of them. A pharmacy was found after racing down three streets, the lights flickered and doors were shut. I kicked through the doors, my foot jammed between the electronic passages until it finally gave. â€Å"Don’t leave it open! You’re insane, shut the door!† The worker was on the floor behind the register and crawled out to scream at me. â€Å"I have an emergency, where are your first aid kits?† â€Å"We all have an emergency. We need the supplies, too. Leave.† He spat. â€Å"You have ample and I have children who need them, where are they?† â€Å"Get out of the store!† He screamed. An†¦show more content†¦The door was still open, and I ran to barricade it with a nearby movable shelf. â€Å"The kits are in the back corner, the medical center.† The man was on his side, watching me with wide eyes. â€Å"Thank you.† I grinned. Scouring the aisles, I picked up a medium fabric bag before heading to the medical station and filling it with half of the store’s content. Theft wasn’t on my conscious given that a part of our city was in danger. Laws wouldn’t exist if our world didn’t. Gauze, ointment, pain killers, bandages, and other supplies filled half the bag. After that, I went to the food and water isles, where I grabbed multiple nonperishable food items. I stuffed my bag until it overflowed. My hand shoved my knife into the belt on my waist and two six-packs of water made their way into my hands. In the dark, I saw a worker sticking a flashlight into my belt. A tall blonde girl gestured to where I fought the animal, and back to me. She knew about them. She made her way to the entrance and removed the door blockade. She nodded for me to go. â€Å"Thank you.† I spoke. â€Å"Take care of things.† She told me. I returned down three more streets, looking for the building location that I had already forgotten the place. I saw Alex in the street before I heard him. He dashed into the building after seeing me. I placed the drinks in front of the rescued group. A teenage boy with

Racial Profiling by Police Must Stop Essay - 1201 Words

The great era of civil rights started in the 1960s, with Martin Luther King, Jr.s stirring I have a Dream speech at the historic march on Washington in August of 1963. At the same time Birmingham Police Commissioner Bull Connor used powerful fire hoses and vicious police attack dogs against nonviolent black civil rights activists. Although these years proved to be the highlight and downfall of civil rights in America, even with the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act being passed, time has repeated these tumultuous events again in the present. Racial profiling has been one of many civil rights issues concerning the unnecessary stopping and arresting of people based on race,†¦show more content†¦At many times, these minorities have been stopped and arrested for illegal offenses, however we are not sure if these stories have been filed truthfully by law enforcement officers. Many police departments face issues concerning racist law enforcement officers who cause the problems of racial profiling. One such example comes from the Hillside Police Department, where several racial bias charges have been made against them. Racial slurs have become common in the Hillside district, where even the department supervisor does background checks on minorities IN the squad, even to kick them off the squad. In this department, only two officers are Hispanic and one is of African decent. The officers, many of whom are white, are encouraged to target minorities first to fill their ticket quotas for the month. Hillside officers defend themselves saying that Hillside is 40 percent black and 20 percent Hispanic. However, the actions taken by Hillside officer, such as targeting to fill quotas and background checking, seem disconcerting. The Reverend Jesse Jackson even needed to call for federal protection for whistleblowing police officers. Because of the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act, passed this year, other officials who witness this discriminating act are protected. It says, The identity of a law enforcement officer who complains in food faith to aShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay On Racial Profiling1488 Words   |  6 PagesRacial profiling existed back in the 18th century when black slaves were abused and oppressed by white men even those who didn’t own slaves. Throughout history, racial profiling still continues to be a controversial issue today. It’s practiced everyday. Racial profiling means using an individual’s race or ethnicity against them of committing a crime. This means oppressing other races to feel inferior and accusing others to a certain stereotype. Racial profiling is when a black person in ripped jeansRead More Racial Targeting and Profiling in the United States Essay1455 Words   |  6 PagesRacial Targeting and Profiling in the United States The practice of targeting individuals for police investigation based on their race alone in the last few years has been an increasingly prominent issue in American society. Numerous magazines, newspapers, and journals have explored the issue of race-motivated police actions. Recently, the ABA Journal did a study of New Jersey and Pennsylvania traffic stops from 1998 to 2001, concluding that black drivers were more likely to be pulled over andRead MoreRacial Profiling: Individual Prejudice or Organizational Protocol?1626 Words   |  7 PagesRacial Profiling: Individual Prejudice or Organizational Protocol? Racial profiling is generally defined as discrimination put into action based on a stereotype. No one is excluded from the potential to experience some form of racial profiling, regardless of one’s race, gender, or religion. Racial profiling has existed in various forms since slavery. During the reconstruction of the South, the first sense of racial profiling began with â€Å"Black Codes†. â€Å"Black Codes† were created to maintain a newRead MoreEthical Issues in Film1518 Words   |  7 PagesRacial profiling is a term society has become familiar with in the past few years; however, it is not a new phenomenon. Racial profiling according to Fredrickson, occurs when law enforcement officials rely on race, skin color, and/or ethnicity as an indication of criminality, reasonable suspicion, or probable cause, except when it is part of the description of a particular suspect (1). There are many opposing views on racial profiling; some believe it to be a useful tool u sed by law enforcementRead MoreThe Stop-Question and Frisk Program1419 Words   |  6 PagesThe black or white, either-or and this or that misconceptions that are common in conversations with children seems to be arising over the Stop and Frisk Law in New York City. It has long been an issue of debate over whether it is a form of practicing racial profiling since its implementation. Arguments between advocates and critics of the law appear to be so incompatible that people are simply taking sides rather than trying to push the discussion forward. Frankly, supporters and protestors of theRead MoreThe Problem With Racial Profiling1561 Words   |  7 Pages we have a problem in our justice system with racial profiling. Racial profiling is defined as targeting or stopping an individual based on his or her race without suspicion of a crime. On one hand, we have people who are completely against racial profiling. On the other hand, some believe that there is no problem with racial profi ling. I am very interested in finding out both sides of this argument. What are the rights and wrongs of racial profiling? I chose Jeffrey Toobin’s (2013) blog post RightsRead MoreEssay On Racial Profiling1514 Words   |  7 PagesRacial profiling is a very important issue that individuals in society face every day. This problem occurs in low income or poverty-stricken areas throughout cities and communities across the nation. Hundreds of anecdotal testimonials allege that law enforcement officials at all levels of government are infringing upon the constitutional rights and civil liberties of racial and ethnic minorities through a practice called â€Å"racial profiling (Ward, 2002). So what is racial profiling? According to theRead MoreMinority Attitudes Towards the Police and Public Perceptions Essay1179 Words   |  5 PagesLiterature Review: Minority attitudes towards the police and public perceptions Introduction-Background-Problem Individuals who seem to be more unhappy with police are African Americans. But there is little to no factors that truly engage citizens view of the police Brown and Benedict (2002). The specific parts on attitudes are reliable, but the literature seems to lead to mixed signals based on other variables Weitzer and Tuch (2002). Perceptions of the police includes factors like personal experienceRead MoreRacial Profiling1356 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: RACIAL PROFILING Racial Profiling: Are we Fighting it the Right Way? Racial Profiling: Are we Fighting it the Right Way? I would like to talk about an issue that is plaguing our community today and making the job of a Police Officer even more difficult than it already is. All for one reason, statistics!! Racial profiling to me is a lot like any other problem in our society today. Many have different opinions on why it happens, and what we should do about it if it does happenRead MoreRacial Profiling And The Criminal Justice System1204 Words   |  5 PagesAbstract Racial profiling is a major issue in American society. Its existence threatens every minority citizen of this country. Racial profiling is not fair and not effective because it relies on stereotypes and encourages discrimination. Examining cases that have occurred in the past and most recently help us fully understand this issue. Many studies and reports of racial profiling involve excessive use of force, police brutality, imposition of death penalty, traffic stops, stop and frisk issues

Malala Yousafzai Leadership, Courage, and Determination Essay Example For Students

Malala Yousafzai: Leadership, Courage, and Determination Essay Its hard to choose a specific leader I admire the most, but If I had to choose one, It would be Mall Housefly. From what I read from her autobiography, I greatly admire her acts of leadership, courage and determination for change. She may not be as known, but her story and her beliefs are Just as great as those we look up to today, such as Martin Luther King Jar. , Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln and so on. She is a young Pashas girl from Pakistan who is suppressed by the Taliban from getting an education because she is a girl. Like most all women in Pakistan, they are not given the basic freedoms that men have. Thus, when Mall was speaking out about her right to attend school, a Taliban fighter went onto her school bus and shot her point blank. Miraculously, she survived, and was taken to the U. K. Once recovered, she still fought for womens rights and lead peace protests and at the age of sixteen won the noble peace prize. Under the circumstances that she dealt with everyday, she still spoke out about her belief of being given the right to have an education, a place where the Taliban basically has complete control under a corrupt government and raids the villages almost every week. That is why I respect her so much, she is a young women who already has the determination of a leader and isnt afraid of putting herself at risk in order for her voice to be heard. One thing that I wish I could change about our school is creating an opportunity for more hands on work relating to clubs that help our community. For example, I think that it would be an amazing idea to have a club that went to homeless shelters around the area such as Lazarus house or even animal shelters. I feel as though making a direct impact on others is more life changing than raising money by Itself. There are so many students In this school who may not be very Involved, but I believe hat with greater Influence from others we can create an environment where students feel as though Its easy to become actively apart of your school In ways that benefits the community the most. Maybe this can be incorporated in existing clubs, such as key club, that emphasizes helping others. Another way of raising money, whether its for charities or the school itself, would be allowing students to vote for the themes of school events. Because this class emphasizes the impact of leadership through the use of lit, it allows people to truly understand what can create the most impact in your immunity. I also love the fact that once we are done fully evaluating the approaches of leaders from different cultures and time periods, we can apply the knowledge weve learned to apply It In an extensive service-learning project. By the end of this class I feel as though it will greatly improve the way I approach others with my ideals, Im constantly watching CNN, NBC meet the press and so on because I admire what these politicians/political analysts do. They take a stance, back it up with information and skillfully present it in a way thats best to get their message through. The point is, I want to be greatly involved in politics and whats going on around the world, whether it means Im a political Journalist, governor/congresswoman, news anchorwoman, diplomat or even replacing host of Pierce Morgan. I want to be actively involved in my Job where I am making a difference, debating with others, constantly meeting new people and most importantly, traveling the world. What interests me about this course is that it gives me an opportunity to understand in depth how to significantly make a difference. Also, that this class has everything that I truly love and appreciate, it incorporates politics/debate, speech skills, search, understanding others, history and reading. .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da , .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da .postImageUrl , .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da , .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da:hover , .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da:visited , .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da:active { border:0!important; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da:active , .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u01df8c9a9964705268802d33c04ea9da:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Black Plague EssayMost importantly Im very excited for whats in store at the end of the second semester when we actually apply what we have learned and hopefully get to present this achievement at graduation! That is why this class stood out to me and I hope to be able to show you everything that I have to offer! I volunteer at the Hosed house homeless shelter, Chicago marathon and walk for autism, I am actively apart of FCC, I have been in track and xx for three years now. I like to think of myself as an amateur photographer.

Whos for the game and Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum est and Disabled Essay Example

Whos for the game and Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum est and Disabled Paper At the start of the First World War, war was portrayed as a glorious and credible cause. Fighting in a war on behalf of your country was deemed as the duty of any credible man. The ability to represent ones country on the battlefield was one of the greatest honours a man could have. Through the interference of war there was an outcry of patriotism. Men were overwhelmed with ideas of being able to fight for their countrys prosperity. Men flocked to sign up and fight for their country. Women forced their husbands and sons to go and carry out what was believed as their duty. The newspapers and the pro-war journalists who wrote in them played a very influential part in convincing men to recruit. One such journalist for the Daily Mail was Jessie Pope who composed unsophisticated war poetry encouraging men to enlist in the army. The patriotic ideals and the concept of war were all dismantled when soldiers returned from war and spoke of the horrors of war leading to a change in peoples attitudes towards war. Wilfred Owen was a soldier who experienced war and showed his hatred of it through his poetry. But before joining the British army, Wilfred Owen was an English teacher who visited hospitals during the First World War and subsequently became acquainted with many of the wars wounded. These visits deeply affected him and consequently led him to enlist in the British army. He said that he joined the army to witness the suffering and to be able to speak out against it. Wilfred Owen felt enormous pity and sympathy for his fellow soldiers. His famous poetry was written to show his horrifying experience of war and also to bring people out of the disillusionment that they were under. We will write a custom essay sample on Whos for the game and Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum est and Disabled specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Whos for the game and Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum est and Disabled specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Whos for the game and Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum est and Disabled specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer He also wanted to obliterate the image of war created by war propaganda. Wilfred Owen particularly hated Jessie Pope because of her lighthearted attitude towards war portrayed in her poems. Wilfred Owen was finally machine-gunned to death a week before the armistice was signed. Whos for the Game? was a poem written by Jessie Pope used as a piece of propaganda telling men to recruit. It exploits the fact that it was every mans duty to fight on behalf of his country. It is a lyrical poem with a strong, yet simple, rhyming scheme, similar to that of a nursery rhyme. This simple rhyming indicates that Jessie Pope was trying to get her message across clearly to the common man rather than making it more sophisticated. She makes it apparent that the image she has of war is that it is just a big game. The strong rhyming scheme helps her to get this point across because it makes the audience feel as if they really are in a game. Whos for the game, the biggest thats played, The red crashing game of a fight? Right from the beginning of the poem she mentions war as a game and repeats it in the second verse as well showing that she is comparing war to a game. In the second verse she uses the word fight which plays down the significance of war and it makes war seem as trivial as a fight. Wholl grip and tackle the job unafraid? And who thinks hed rather sit tight? In these verses she glorifies the men who fight in the war while she infers that those who do not, are cowards. This is a very insinuating way to put pressure on men who arent fighting in the war. Once again she bears reference to a game by using the phrase grip and tackle. Anyone who wasnt fighting in war would feel intimidated when they read these two verses. Wholl toe the line for the signal to Go! ? Wholl give his country a hand? She is asking the audience who is always ready and waiting to fight for their country. By using the word his she makes the reader feel personal about their country, and if it is their country they should help it. Many people were very patriotic during the war and this one line would make them feel like joining. Who wants a turn to himself in the show? And who wants a seat in the stand? She is feeding peoples self-esteem with these verses because she refers to war as a performance and a chance for soldiers to parade their skills. She portrays it as a chance for people to show off their talent. The second line says that those who do not fight in the war will only be onlookers of the performance. She compares the men that dont fight in the war to the fans in the stands at a match (war like a game). Who knows it wont be a picnic-not much- Yet eagerly shoulders a gun? An understatement of the hardship faced during war is made during the first verse which shows that she really hasnt had any experience of war and that she is trying not to put people off going to war. It also tells us that the knowledge she has about war is incorrect. In the second line she is motivating men to join the army because she knows that the opportunity to hold a gun and be able to use it will attract many men (boys with their toys). Who would much rather come back with a crutch Than lie low and be out of the fun? The message Jessie Pope is telling us in these verses is that if a soldier goes to fight in the war and in the process attains an injury, they are better off than someone who didnt fight in the war, as they missed out on the so called fun. She is saying that an injury incurred during the war is like a souvenir, which these soldiers will have of war, which is a very relaxed way of looking at an injury considering that a soldier could die because of a wound that wasnt properly treated. Come along, lads but youll come on all right For theres only one course to pursue, She is prompting the men and telling them that there is really only one path that they should follow and that is fighting for their country. She infers that these men have no choice but to recruit. She uses colloquial language (lads) so that she appeals to the common man, who will be the majority of the readers of this poem. This sort of language makes men think that she is conversing on a more personal level with them. Your country is up to her neck in a fight, And shes looking and calling for you. She crudely uses the stereotype of men being the protectors of women in these verses. She personifies the country as being feminine by using words like her and she. She uses more colloquial language when she uses the phrase up to her neck in a fight. The stereotypical view being used here is that there is a woman in trouble and that every man should try to help her because that is what they are supposed to do. Throughout the poem Jessie Pope repeatedly uses the word Who? because she is questioning the audience to see who is willing enough to fight for their country. In the final two lines of the poem Jessie Pope tells us exactly who this Who? she refers to is, and its You. the readers. She uses the word You to clearly emphasise who she is talking to. As the poem was published in the Daily Mail it would have been read by tens of thousands of people. Throughout the poem she uses simple language so that everyone can understand it and therefore it will have a widespread effect on the people. The image Jessie Pope is trying to portray in this poem is that war is like a game. The atmosphere of the poem is cosy which is totally opposite to war. The poem is not threatening at all and is inviting men to go to war. The poem continuously praises men who fight in wars while it calls those who dont, cowards. This is part of the way in which she wanted to appeal to the people because she knew that men who read this poem would feel intimidated enough to join the army. I feel that Jessie Pope was misinformed about war and felt she could explain war without experiencing it. As war progressed the feeling of patriotism demised and this happened as the death toll was escalating. People came out of the idea war is all things great and glorious and began to take in the realities of war. When soldiers returned they spoke from experience and therefore the reality of war. Poetry was written to explain war and how it is. One of the soldiers who became a poet was Wilfred Owen. Wilfred Owen wrote the poem Disabled about a young man who enlisted in the army for all the wrong reasons, lost his limbs and now leads a pitiful and bitter life thinking of his past. These wrong reasons are the various influences Owen sees this man as a victim of. It is a narrative poem with a sophisticated structure. The structure is such that it reflects the sincerity and the seriousness of the poets message. The poem starts with the man sitting in his wheelchair, longing for the dark, which is the only thing he is capable of doing. The darkness helps him escape his pathetic life. He is fed up with life and is waiting to die. And shivered in his ghastly suit of grey, His face has gone grey showing how he is in between life and death (black=death, white=life) because his soul is dead but his body is living. The next verse says how he is legless and how the happy voices of children are saddening to him, which is the opposite of a reaction you would expect from a normal person. He is sad because he knows he can no longer be a part of it even if he wanted to. When night finally comes, sleep is like a mother to him because it the only thing that provides relief for him from this hell of a life. About this time Town used to swing so gay It is evening and he remembers the atmosphere and the fun he used to have dancing with girls. But this was all before he threw his legs away in the war and he knows that none of it is ever going to come back. Now no one comes to him and everybody treats him like a disease. He used to enjoy life and girls but now the girls dont like him and this makes him miserable. Now, he is old; his back will never brace; And half his lifetime lapsed in the hot race He used to be good looking but in the time span of a year it looks like half of his life has gone. His back has become weak and he has lost the colour from his face. It looks like it drained while the blood was draining from his legs on the battlefields. He has become aged. One time he liked a blood-smear down his leg, After the matches, carried shoulder-high. He was a football star and had got cut once on his leg. He had enjoyed it because of all the attention he got. This contrasts to show that he has lost his legs now, but this time no one takes note of him. This shows that Jessie Pope was wrong to compare war to a football game because war can destroy peoples lives while a football game cant. If you lose a football match the consequences are insignificant in contrast to when you lose a war. He was drunk when he signed to join the army. He joined because a girl had said he would look good in the uniform (vanity) and also to please his girlfriend. These are the influences that Owen said this man was a victim of. Aye, that was it, to please the giddy jilts He asked to join. He didnt have to beg; Owen uses various styles of writing but in the above line he imitates everyday Northern speech. He was too young to join the army but when he asked to join the army the recruiting generals enlisted him despite knowing that he was lying because they needed men. This person had joined the army for the wrong reasons and wasnt interested in why the war was going on. He rarely thought of the Germans or the Austrians. The thoughts he had were of the weaponry and uniform he would receive and making smart salutes. He thinks of the Esprit de corps (army spirit) and pride in his unit. He hadnt bothered to think about the hardship that he would face during the war. He had always got a buzz when he was cheered for in a game and when they sent him off to war with all these cheers he felt very important like a hero. All this left him very optimistic about the war. Some cheered him home, but not as crowds cheer Goal. The reception he gets when he comes back from war is in stark contrast to what he had imagined. Only a few people are cheering and this is ironic to him. The only one person that inquires about him is the priest. This makes him feel bitter and betrayed that they only cheered him when he was of use, but now that he is no use to them they disregard him. He now has to stay in an institute where the liberty for him to make his own choices has been taken from him. He will have to do what people at the institute tell him to do and pathetically take any sympathy that he may get. He noticed how all the women took no notice of him and paid all the attention to men who were complete. This is mental torture to him because he is used to being so popular and getting all the attention. How cold and late it is! Why dont they come And put him into bed? Why dont they come? His final thoughts of the poem are of total depression. He has become so dependent on others that it is becoming intolerable. All he looks forward to is being put into bed. This point was mentioned at the beginning of the poem emphasising how pitiful his life is. He feels like his life isnt worth living. The verse why dont they come? is used twice to accentuate how dependant he has become. In Jessie Popes Whos For The Game? she mentions that it is better to take part in a war and attain a crutch rather than take no part. In Disabled Wilfred Owen replies to this statement by showing a man who went to the war and came back with a crutch. He describes all the physical and mental hardships this person goes through and disproves Jessie Popes statement. Wilfred Owens main message in Disabled is that people arent joining the army for the right reasons because of poems like Jessie Popes. Dulce et Decorum est is another excellent war poem written by Owen describing his personal experience at war. It is structured such that it appeals to the audience and informs the readers of the realities of war. He depicts a first hand account of the harshness and also the hardships faced at war. This is vividly portrayed in the opening lines: Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, He uses very dramatic words to describe the soldiers. Words such as old beggars and hags wouldnt usually be associated with the glory of soldiers. The use of the word cursed also suggests that the soldiers are unhappy. Owen goes on to talk about how committed men were and also how brave they had to be to survive this horrific predicament. He says that the men were so tired that they could barely stand up and he mentions that they have none of their reactions to such an extent that they hardly realise the gas shells exploding. Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind. He speaks of how everybody is stumbling to put their gas masks on and how one of the soldiers didnt have his mask on in time. He uses the word floundering to describe this scene. The word floundering is usually used to describe the state of panic a fish is when it is out of water. Dim, through the misty panes and the thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. He describes how he can hardly see anything as everything has a tinge of green because of the gas all around and this gives him the feeling that they are under a green sea. The use of the word drowning to describe the man contradicts his first description of the man floundering. In this section of the poem Owen uses his sensory style of writing to make us visualize the situation that he was in, and the images that come into our minds are striking as well as ghastly. He speaks of how helpless he was as the man was falling towards him. He uses three powerful words guttering, choking, drowning successively to emphasise the grotesque experience. As he remembers how they placed the man into a wagon he communicates with the reader on a more personal basis using the word you. His hanging face, like a devils sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the forth-corrupted lungs. Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud These four lines portray the man who had just died using very forceful and hideous words that make the reader cringe. He uses words such as devils sick of sin to compare the mans face to something unimaginable. These lines enlighten the audience of what soldiers have to go through and that not everything a soldier does is glorious, as it may seem. My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori. In these final lines Owen assumes a relationship of friendship with Pope to get his message across in a polite manner. He makes her seem ignorant for promoting the message that war is all things glorious, without personally experiencing it. He makes it apparent to the readers and to Pope as well that the glory of war is a lie and that no one that would have experienced the situation Owen was in, would encourage anyone to go to war. In the final stanza Owens main message in the poem is evident and that is: people are joining the army for the wrong reasons because of poems like Popes. He concludes his poem by stating that the old Latin saying about war is a lie. The old Lie: It is sweet and fitting to die for ones country. In conclusion it can be noted that mass propaganda took place at the beginning of the First World War because of the need to recruit men into the army. Jessie Popes views towards war were light hearted and she exploited patriotism, which is why she contrasted so much with Wilfred Owens views. This led him to write truthful poem through personal experience because of how much he hated Popes fickle views.

Unusual Things to Do for Christmas

Unusual Things to Do for Christmas When you come home for Christmas break this year, bring some creative ideas with you. If you’re tired of celebrating things the same way year in and year out, make some suggestions for how to shake things up at your house this holiday. Whether it’s celebrating in a new destination or drastically changing the menu, there are lots of ways to make this Christmas different from any other. If you don’t have any ideas that strike you, take some inspiration from this list: Volunteer Christmas isn’t a day of sharing gifts and feasting for many people. People without homes or families are in need of care during the holidays and volunteering for a soup kitchen or spending time with elderly people in a retirement home can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Youll be surprised how many benefits volunteering can bring you. Go Camping Get away from all the commercialized expectations of Christmas and grab your tent and head out into the woods. Warming up by the fire and sleeping under the stars can be a refreshing change from Christmas party mayhem. Get Out of Town Go a step further and check out altogether by celebrating Christmas somewhere else this year. Whether it’s in a foreign country, or someplace warm like a tropical beach or just someplace different, it can certainly be an alternative to the usual Christmas routine. Celebrate Christmas Traditions From Around the World Make a pià ±ata and fill it with coins and candy like in Mexico. In Ukraine, a twelve-course meal is served and the family’s youngest child sits by the window to watch for the first star to appear in the sky, signaling that it’s time to eat. Or dust off the snow and fire up the barbeque Australian style. Or do everything by candlelight for the entire day like in traditional Swedish lore. Do you want to know more about other Christmas traditions? Check out the blog on interesting facts about Christmas. Some of them will really surprise you! Fast for the Day Most Christmas celebrations involve eating a lot of food and drinking a lot of alcohol. Whether you want to avoid packing on the pounds or simply don’t wish to participate in the gluttony, fasting on Christmas would certainly be a departure from the norm. Put on a Christmas Play Get your family members together and put on a play. Maybe it will be based on an existing play or film like A Christmas Carol or It’s a Wonderful Life or A Charlie Brown Christmas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Or maybe you’ll make up your own play that’s totally unique. In any case, it can be a fun and creative way to get into the festivities. You can invite other family members, friends and neighbors to come and watch. Decorate Your Car If you think that decorating Christmas trees is too boring, put some tinsel and lights on your car so you can spread Christmas cheer even if you’re just driving to the gas station to buy coffee creamer. However, you can make an unusual Christmas tree instead. Bring a Guest If you have a friend from school who doesn’t have a place to celebrate Christmas this year, bring them home with you and share your family traditions with them. Rent a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Depending on where you live, you might be able to rent one of these for the day and get taken around a park. Don’t forget to bring some carrots for the horse. Plant a Tree This can be a great way to celebrate and spend time together as a family. Also, you’ll enjoy the fruits of it in the years to come. If it’s a fruit-bearing tree, save some of them during the year and use it to make a pie to eat on Christmas day to commemorate the day you planted it. Go Vegan Whether or not you’re actually a vegan, it can be a creative way to celebrate this year. Look up some vegan entree and dessert recipes and get your meat-eating father to participate in making it with you. If you get tired from the same scenario of celebrating Christmas but you still want to party, here youll find funny party themes for Christmas that you might actually like. Enjoy a unique Christmas this year with some of these fun and unorthodox ways to celebrate!

3 key employee retention strategies to keep turnover low

3 key employee retention strategies to keep turnover low As an HR professional, you are keenly aware of the importance of employee retention- both for achieving target department milestones, as well as for the long-term success of your company. Beyond the sunk costs and organizational chaos that take place when there’s a constantly revolving door of employees entering and exiting a business, companies often cite employee retention as a key metric for effective daily operation and overall success.In fact, it goes further than that: companies that build reputations for consistently impressive employee retention rates bolster their brand identities- and you better believe that word travels fast, so you can count on active and passive future candidates discovering that people enjoy working at your organization for the long haul.Your company’s bottom line- and opportunities for achieving industry growth, attracting talent-rich candidates, and realizing long-term success- is dependent on effective employee retention, so you better have a strategy. If your HR team needs to take its retention plan to the next level, consider utilizing the following strategies for keeping turnover low in your organization.Know your industryThe truth is, not all industries are created equal- and neither is how employees are typically treated. What employees expect in one field may be completely different than another, and you better believe that all of the employees in your organization- including everyone from new hires to seasoned veterans- will have some level of expectation regarding how they should be treated by their employer and will respond accordingly based on their perception (regardless of whether or not it’s completely aligned with reality).This mindset isn’t relegated to just your most talented star employees or any specific department- it’s at the core of human psychology. How you’re treated or, more accurately, how you perceive that you’re treated, impacts your resultant behavior. This holds true at home, in the world, and on the job.hbspt.cta.load(2785852, '9e52c197-5b5b-45e6-af34-d56403f973c5', {});So, make sure you’re keenly aware of what the standards are for your industry, and make sure your company is on target in all key areas- including salaries, benefits packages, and additional perks. Even things like your office layout and organization are going to impact employee perception. So, if you want to keep turnover low and employee satisfaction high, make sure you’re meeting their expectations regularly, which includes both current and future industry standards (so be sure to stay on top of industry shifts and trends).Lead the wayNow that you know how important it is to meet industry expectations for employees in your company, create a plan to exceed them. That’s right- in today’s ultra-competitive job market, where hungry and lean new startups are emerging every day and are eager to source new talent for their teams- todayâ⠂¬â„¢s talented job candidates have options, and the laws of attraction apply in the professional world as much as anywhere else. Progressive companies know that investing time, energy, and resources towards developing truly innovative, first-in-class employee incentives will not only attract new talent, it will help keep your existing teams from thinking about whether or not the grass is greener somewhere else. Doing so will also have the added benefit of helping to bolster your company’s brand identity- and trust us, word will spread. Pique candidate interest, and then keep hold of their attention and loyalty as employees, by offering them industry-leading incentives to keep them satisfied and doing their best work over the long haul. Don’t just keep up with other companies- innovate.Listen to your employeesThis one might seem obvious, but you may be surprised to learn that the communications pipeline between employees and leadership in many organizations tends to wo rk slowly- and oftentimes seems as if it barely works at all. Big mistake- and one that your company should actively seek to avoid. Make sure the employees on your team have the tools to voice their opinions regarding the direction of the company and their place in it- think everything from offsite gatherings to regular feedback meetings and annual employee satisfaction appraisals- and make sure that it’s not just smoke but is treated like the valuable data that it is.If employees are telling you that something is working, then keep doing it; if something is broken, then fix it. Don’t forget, active and attentive listening is a key component of any healthy relationship, including the one between employer and employee, and great companies treat their employees as more than cogs in their machines.If you’re looking to reduce employee turnover in your company, consider using the strategies presented here to keep your teams happy and eager to come to work- and do the ir absolute best- every single day of the week. If you put in the work up-front, you’ll create a warm, thriving atmosphere that’s sure to retain talented workers who will bring the results your company wants.

Managing Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Managing Diversity - Essay Example Center of discussion in this paper is diversity management that has attracted not only a lot of interest but also debates all over the world. Many countries are now making improvements in their diversity management strategies in order to accommodate the increasingly diverse labour market. Diversity management entails various actions by organisations aimed at maximising the inclusion of workers from a diverse background. These employees are recruited into not only formal but also the informal structures of the various organisations by use of deliberate policies. The recruitment may also be done through deliberate programs, specifically designed for promoting diversity management. As a way of countering the increasingly diverse working population all over the world, many organisations have put in place particular measures aimed at appropriate recruitment of employees, their inclusion, as well as the retention of these employees. Focus has been put on those employees from underprivilege d or minority groups within various societies. Various organisations in Europe have instituted laws that promote equal right, as well as policies aimed at enhancing affirmative action, so as to assist the less privileged groups to get jobs in both familiar and unfamiliar labour territories. It has been discovered that the exclusion of such workers from influential positions has seriously contributed to their limited contribution to the well being of their respective organisations. This has in turn given them very little chances to gain from these organisations maximally. (Subeliani and Tsogas 2005, p. 838). The various policies and initiatives for diversity management have been proven to have created conducive working environment in these organisations, especially to the underprivileged groups. It has indeed worked positively in recruiting individuals who are getting jobs for the first time, and those that are occupying higher positions for the first time too (Mathis and Jackson 201 0, p.200). The emergence of a global economy and that of multinational organisations has taken diversity management considerations beyond just the dynamic nature of labour market in a specific nation, but that across nations. The management of diversity of labour force in a national context is known as â€Å"intra-national diversity management. On the other hand, managing labour in an organisation with citizens from different nations is referred to as cross-national diversity management. In this sense, a company may be operating in different countries and as such, needs policies and programs, for diversity management, to be applied not only in its headquarters but also in its branches in the various countries. Moreover, cross-national diversity management policies work better when organisations put into consideration laws and culture of the countries in which they operate (Arredondo and Arredondo 1996, p. 178). According to Thomas (2005), diversity management goes beyond the simple consideration of the less privileged groups. It also considers differences and similarities within a workforce. He argues that diversity management entails handling the employee dynamics within the whole workforce, and not just a particular section of the workforce (Klarsfeld 2010, p.325). The European Union has shown its almost unrivalled commitment to promote equality in its labour market through

Fashion of America in the 1906's Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Fashion of America in the 1906's - Essay Example The essay "Fashion of America in the 1906's" talks about the fashion and trends in America during 1906. This inspired me to study the fashion events for understanding trends and comparing the old trends with the new ones. American first fashion design program was founded in the 1906. Persons established the Seventh Avenue of New York City as the home of American fashion. Seventh Avenue is respected being the first fashion-designing centre in New York. Parsons offers a bachelor degree in fine arts, fashion designing, and fashion marketing. Seventh Avenue is playing its role as an international fashion centre to educate the American youth on fashion aspects. Many artists appeared on the art horizon in the early 20th century with some exceptional work in the field. That period of the century is also known as the period of making and breaking. Eakins, Winslow home and Charles Russell displayed talent in painting and landscaping. Alfred showed mastery and soon became the famous photograph er of America. Newspaper changed from two columns to four-column tabloid style paper in the first decade of the 20th century. Newspaper â€Å"the Christian science monitor’ was found in 1908 in America. Fiction stories gained fame in women as women go the material of their interest in fiction books. Mary Jonson’s â€Å"to have and to hold† and â€Å"the Virginian† are the masterpieces that still entertain the people in America and outer world. These books and newspapers have gone through continuous updating with the passage of time. and are still liked by many Americans (Druesedow & Mitchell 34). The decade brought progressive education in all the fields of fashion life of American people. After the persons, other educational schools were opened for girls in 1900s (Thomas 2011). Men fashion also started getting touch of romance at the start of new century. Men in America used to wear long trousers with half sleeve shirts. Youths were crazy of motoring in smart dress. Use of goggles and hats increased amongst the youngsters especially for motoring and biking (Wilcox 48). Broad shoulder dressing was commonly used in 1906s. Cotton knit lightweight shirts got fame as beach and sportswear. Smart and slim women wore straight corset with long hips in order to give a small look to their waist. Automobile advancement also had long lasting effects on dressing of the people in 1906s. Women started wearing smaller skirts as for ease of travelling in the new model automobiles (Scheips 129). Hobble skirts were particularly used for walking and jogging. High button shoe that we still see some Hollywood stars wearing them, were first introduced in the first decade of the century (Thomas 2011). Americans adopted bobbed hairstyle after its first appearance in 1908. Hats got a lot of fame in 1906s and both the genders used hats extensively in the normal life. Different designs of hats were introduced catering for modern dressing. Large and small hats of different cloth and colour were very famous in 1900s (Wilcox 52). Advancement of technology brought about many changes in human life in that decade. Teddy Bear became a famous cartoon and his fashion spread fast in 1905. Job opportunities for railway, ships and different business opportunities changed the human lifestyle in that part of the world (Hall 58). Wright brothers made first human journey in 1903. This was a remarkable achievement of human mind in field of aviation. Cadillac and Ford introduced cheap cars for common Americans in the same decade (Scheips 125). Sunday

Physical Security Essay Example for Free

Physical Security Essay Securing networks or systems within institutions and corporations is not enough. At present, security is not only concerned with the ethereal aspect of it but also with the tangible dynamics of physical security. Although physical security seems too basic, establishing even the most sophisticated network security is useless if its physical environment does not keep it sheltered and protected. Security threats that have something to do with the physical aspect of institutions include burglary and theft. In this case, even the most established digital security system that functions within the computer networks will not be able to prevent these crimes. A breach in physical security makes the network or digital system of the institution susceptible to power interruptions that disrupts the security system, addition of hardware devices that may used to hack or spy into the system, removal of hardware devices that paralyzes the system, copying confidential data from the system through USBs, CDs, and such, logging in the system directly without authorization, etc. Stewart, 2004) The importance of high standard physical security systems and policies ensure that aforementioned situations that seek to jeopardize the position of institutions that might affect all its aspects, especially its finances, are avoided. Having a secure digital system is impressive, but having a secure digital system and physical environment is highly recommended. To uphold high quality standards of security, both the digital and physical aspects of security should be merged. Sturgeon (2004) defines this as marrying digital and physical security. Physical security involves the use of high-tech gadgets such as cameras that will be used for close monitoring, 24-hour video coverage and storage, video recording triggered by movements, wireless and mobile installments within the physical environment, etc. (Physical Security, 2008) The physical security approach is based on four principles or strategies. First, physical security follows the necessity of protecting the network or institution, detecting security threats and possible risks, responding to these threats and risks, and allowing recovery for the network or institution from damages or indemnities brought about by security breaches. This process requires setting up of security systems that will accomplish these four phases of protecting (with the use of controlled access systems that restricts involvement of the public to authorized personnel only), detecting (using surveillance systems and frequent check-up of the physical areas of institutions), responding (well-trained security officials and network protocols that carry out these responses to security threats and risks), and recovering. (Operational Security Standard on Physical Security, 2004) Second, physical security builds up on hierarchical zones that protect or safeguard access to the security system. These hierarchical zones include the public zone (areas accessible to the public), reception zone (area wherein the boundary between the public and restricted zones is determined), operations zone (areas private to personnel), security zone (areas private to only authorized personnel or visitors), and the high security zone (areas private to authorized and escorted personnel or visitors). Within these zones, technological facilities and security officials are installed and designated respectively to carry out four phases in the previous approach discussed. (Operational Security Standard on Physical Security, 2004) The third approach in physical security is controlling access to determined hierarchical zones. This approach has something to do with controlling access most especially to restricted areas. It does not only control individual access, but is also concerned with the entry of materials considered to be potentially threatening or risky to security, such as mobile phones and other technological gadgets, harmful objects such as knives, guns, and such, etc. Although institutions should consider this approach in physical security, controlling access should not limit or restrict authorized individuals too much, allowing them ease in visiting each zone within the institution. Aside from security officials designated at every zone, there should also be systems that carry out state-of-the-art security protocols, such as technologies installed within the institution that asks for PIN or access numbers, access cards, biometrics, etc. Fourth, physical security systems should be designed to increase security levels in times of emergency or security threats. (Operational Security Standard on Physical Security, 2004) These four approaches, as recommended by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat follow the requirements of a strong and efficient physical security system. The concepts supported by these four approaches suggest how physical security systems and policies should be established in order to ensure that it will serve its purpose. However, accomplishing all the requirements in establishing a physical security system and a set of policies is not enough. Institutions should make sure that these elements of security are assessed and evaluated to ensure that it is properly sustained and it is up-to-date with trends in security technologies and processes. Part of the evaluation process includes frequent training and drills for security officials, checking-in with technological innovations that improve quality of security measures and systems, and observing existing systems to determine much-needed replacements or tweaks. With all these information in mind, physical security is a vital part in institutions that should not be neglected nor taken lightly. It complements digital network security systems, such that it prevents it from being jeopardized or subjected to external control, manipulation, and possible damages that affects the operations within the institution. Establishing a solid physical security system require that all aspects of the physical environment within an institution is identified. Mapping out requires that the institution determines where security is most needed and where access is most likely to be controlled. Aside from going over the basics and technical details of physical security systems, institutions should provide time and effort to evaluate the system in order to ensure that it functions efficiently according to its purpose, and that it meets the highest requirements of quality standard physical security.

Free College Admissions Essays: Jewish Self-discovery :: College Admissions Essays

Jewish Self-discovery "Sarah, we need your help in the Ukraine this summer. Can I count on you?" This question changed my life profoundly. I was asked to be a counselor on JOLT, Jewish Oversees Leadership Program, an opportunity to interact with young campers in an impoverished country and positively influence their lives. Little did I realize that this experience would impact mine so greatly. JOLT, an outreach program, runs an annual overnight summer camp in the Ukraine with counselors from the United States and Israel. These counselors are carefully selected because of the rigorous programming and the many physical hardships of living in the Ukraine. Over one hundred local children come to Charkov to learn about their Jewish background. As one of the counselors, I had the privilege and extraordinary task of exposing them to the beauty of our religion and heritage. I remember the anxiety and excitement that I felt as I exited the plane with twenty other high school students, embarking on my summer teaching experience, wondering if I was fully prepared. The moment the busloads of children arrived, I attached myself to a group of kids and started singing and dancing with them. Despite my initial fears, we began to form a bond. My role changed from that of a teenager to that of a responsible counselor. Not only was I here to teach them about Judaism through classes and activities, but more importantly I was acting as a role model. For the majority of Ukrainian children, we were the first Americans they had ever met and, therefore, were watched vigilantly and constantly emulated. This humbling realization made me feel rather self-conscious at first. However, their desire to imitate also heightened the impact of that which we taught them. They wanted to learn. Although an immense language barrier lay between the campers and me, we managed to communi cate through translators, hand signals, songs, and broken English and Russian. With the help of a book that contained both the Hebrew and Russian, I taught Hebrew to a group of ten children who had never before been exposed to Judaism. Glieb, a ten-year old boy rapidly rose to the top of the class. In addition to the mandatory hours of daily learning, he was motivated to extend these sessions. So often at night after the fun and entertainment, he and I would practice reading Hebrew and we discussed, in simple terms, aspects of Jewish ritual that fascinated him.

Comparing Three Poems ‘Half-Caste’ Essay

Each of these three poems talk about certain problems faced by specific groups of people in today’s society. The poems have been written specifically to illustrate to people who have been brought up with derogative ideas about different types of people, that there are people who are different, but are neither superior nor inferior to themselves.  The main themes that run common in all 3 poems are the ideas of individualism, respect, culture and equality. The poem ‘Half-Caste’ by John Agard talks about the stereo typed judgement about half-caste people in society today. John Agard’s main argument in the poem is that being a half-caste person does not make you half a human being. He talks about how people make ‘assumptions’ about half-caste people.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"†¦and when I’m introduced to yu I’m sure you’ll understand why I offer yu half-a-hand†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This quote suggests that non half-caste peoples attitudes towards half-caste people is that they are not human, and do not do everyday things the way they would do themselves. Agard exaggerates his ideas in order to make his argument a lot clearer.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"..an when moon begin to glow I half-caste human being cast half-a-shadow†¦Ã¢â‚¬  It is obvious that half-caste people do not caste shadows different to anyone else, but the emphasis on the ridiculousness of the mere idea of a different type of shadow makes the idea of half-caste people being ‘different’ just as ridiculous.  He explains quite cleverly how degrading the term half-caste can be by comparing half-caste people like himself to very worldly ideas that you would not title ‘half-caste’. â€Å"Yu mean when light an shadow mix in de sky is a half-caste weather†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His examples are all of things that people would associate with beauty, such as nature, art and music. His point being that if people call humans of two colours half-caste, then everything else with mixed colours must be aswel. People wouldn’t think twice about labeling a human half-caste, but when talking about nature or music and it would again be completely ridiculous to call Tchaikovsky’s composition a ‘half-caste symphony’. The poem itself also relays the message of individualism. It is written in phonetics to demonstrate his own personality with the language being English, but with his own Guyanan dialect. The readers are then forced to read the poem in a certain way, which enforces the message behind the poem.  Tom Leonard also uses this effective technique in his poem from ‘Unrelated Incidents’. This poem talks about status and social acceptance. Leonard talks about how people are reluctant to sit secure in the knowledge of a person with an accent, compared to someone who speaks with what is thought of ‘proper’, standard English in an English accent. He puts across the idea of how naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve and narrow-minded people can be. â€Å"†¦if a tokaboot thi trooth lik wanna yoo scruff yi widny thingk it wuz troo†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚  He suggests that people would believe anything from the mouth of a ‘proper’ speaking person, no matter how insane it may be and totally dismiss what a person with an accent like his, is saying. Even if it was the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so to speak. The way in which he has put this idea across is by using what is very commonly known to be quite English a typical example of where this sort of discrimination occurs. The news, where you will mainly hear the news read from a person who speaks with the ‘right’ accent. â€Å"This is thi six a clock news thi man said n thi reason a tok wia BBC accent iz coz yi widny wahnt mi ti talk aboot thi trooth wia voice lik wanna yoo scruff†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The poem is a parody of a typical British news broadcast, it is ironic the way in which Leonard has used his own dialect and spoken in the style of the commonly known news. It is obvious that Leonard is frustrated and angry at the fact that him and others alike would be looked down upon because of the way they talk. Similarly with John Agard we can see the resentment towards those people who treat half-caste people differently and Tom Leonard with the way society looks upon people with accents that differ from their own. However, Sujata Bhatt’s â€Å"Search For My Tongue† discusses society and culture from a different perspective. The problem she finds herself faced with is trying to make a correct balance with her own culture and heritage and the culture in which she lives in. She explains her fear of losing her ‘mother tongue’ and never being able to be totally accepted by the ‘foreign tongue’. Her concern with the mother tongue being lost is very explicit in the poem: â€Å"And if you lived in a place where toy had to speak a foreign tongue, you mother tongue would rot, rot and die in your mouth until you had to spit it out†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She explains how hard it is to keep your mother tongue healthy in a place where there is no use for it, and eventually it would become useless and you would eventually forget it about it. She talks not just about language but her whole culture and how she was brought up, what she was brought up to believe and live by and how society and different cultures sometimes make you forget. However she gets across to the reader that somehow, sub-consciously while she dreams, she dreams in her own language and reminds herself of her language and that she is still who she has always been and always will be.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"modhama pakay chay†¦ it blossoms out of my mouth.† The tongue is described to blossom out her mouth jus as she thinks she has forgotten it. This imagery of blossoming is beautiful and emphasises how important it is to be who you are because it is beautiful from whatever background and culture you belong to.

Analysis of “Uphill” by Christina Rossetti Essay

â€Å"Uphill† by Christina Rossetti is an allegory about life and death. Rossetti is considered one of the finest religious poets of her time and her many spiritual beliefs are conveyed in her poem â€Å"Uphill†. H.B. de Groot said, â€Å"Undeniably, her strong lyric gifts are often held in check by her moral and theological scruples† (Groot). The dialogue style Rossetti uses mimics the parables told by Jesus in The Bible. In â€Å"Overview of Christina (Georgina) Rossetti† one author stated that during her adult life, Rossetti turned down two marriage proposals, due to her strong religious convictions. Instead of marrying, she used her convictions to script eloquent poetry that reaffirms faith for the faithful and provides faith for the hopeless. Rossetti’s use of metaphors, symbols, and biblical allusions in â€Å"Uphill† conveys the idea of life and death and represents the difficult journey to salvation and the promise of eternal life in heaven. In â€Å"Uphill,† Rossetti uses metaphors to invite the reader to draw comparisons between one’s journey through life, death, and eternal rest. The first question and answer the speaker mentions is a metaphor to depict the road being traveled, conveying that it is difficult and long, much like life: â€Å"Does the road wind up-hill all the way?/Yes, to the very end† (Rossetti 1-2). In lines five and seven the speaker develops the metaphor of night and darkness to mean death: â€Å"But is there for the night a resting-place?/May not the darkness hide it from my face† (5/7)? The speaker seems doubtful and unsure about the process of death and provokes the speaker to ask questions about the after-life. Assurance of such a place is found in line eight when the inn is used as a metaphor to describe heave, a place that: â€Å"You cannot miss†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (8). The author uses symbols to assist the reader by evoking a deeper subconscious meaning of one’s uphill trek towards heaven. The title of the poem â€Å"Uphill† serves as a symbol for the difficulties encountered along the speaker’s journey. In lines six and eight the words _roof_ and _inn_ are symbols for the security felt, â€Å"†¦when the slow dark hours begin./You cannot miss that inn† (6/8). Rossetti uses the word _bed_ in lines fifteen and sixteen to  represent the final resting place for those seeking eternal life in heaven: â€Å"Will there be beds for me and all who seek?/Yea, beds for all who come (15-16). Beds invoke feelings of comfort and warmth and peace. The speaker hopes to find the same comfort and peace in heaven with an eternal place to sleep. The Biblical allusions Rossetti uses in the poem help the reader understand what happens after death. Matthew 7:14 explains that the path to salvation will be difficult and long and is referenced in line three when the speaker asks how long the day’s journey will take: â€Å"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it† (_New International Version_, Matthew. 7.14). In the Bible, Christ teaches that there are two ways; right and wrong, good and evil. The road to the narrow gate is not only constricted, but also uphill. It is a struggle and often not the easy way, which is why only few endure it. But it is the only path that will lead you to eternal life. All other ways may be easier, but lead to destruction. In lines eleven and twelve, the speaker receives assurance that by knocking, the doors will be open at the end of the journey, a Biblical allusion to Matthew 7:7. This verse states that if one asks, seeks, and knocks that the door will be open: â€Å"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened† (Matthew 7.7). In John 14:2 Jesus comforts his twelve disciples by saying: â€Å"There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come get you, so that you will always be with me where I am† (John 14.2). This verse serves as a point of reference to lines fifteen and sixteen in the poem: â€Å"Will there be beds for me and all who seek?/Yea, beds for all who come† (15-16). Christians believe that there is a dwelling-place in which devout believing souls would abide forever. Believers gain comfort in knowing that He has already prepared such a special p lace that is vast and sufficient in room for all his people. Rossetti’s poem is a beautiful illustration of ones journey through life as illustrated by the questions the speaker asks throughout the poem. In the  beginning the speaker is anxious about the journey that lies ahead and asks: â€Å"Does the road wind up-hill all the way† (1), but by the end of the poem the speaker is peaceful and assured about the final resting place: â€Å"Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak† (13)? Rossetti links one’s journey to life, death, and eternity by using metaphors throughout the text. Symbols are layered throughout the text to assist the reader with identifying heaven. Rossetti’s use of Biblical allusions allow the reader to grasps what eternity will be like for those that believe and stay the course of the _uphill_ journey. The difficult life and death decisions made along the journey towards salvation and eternity in heaven are made evident throughout the poem with the use of metaphors, symbols, and Biblical allusions. Works Cited â€Å"Christina Rossetti.† _Contemporary Authors Online_. Detroit: Gale, 2006. _Literature Resource_ _Center_. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. _English Standard Version_. Bible Gateway. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. Rossetti, Christina. â€Å"Uphill.† _Literature; An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing_. Seventh Edition. Ed. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 7th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013.

The Effects of The Bombing of Pearl Harbor essays

The Effects of The Bombing of Pearl Harbor essays Many events have happened in the past century to change society and the way the world lives. Some of these things have been for the better and some have been more tragic. December 7, 1941 marked a day in history never to be forgotten, this was the day that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The attack on Pearl Harbor affected many people in a way that would change their lives forever. The attack on Pearl Harbor caused many people to lose their lives, it caused American to enter World War II and it also caused the economy to change. The attack on Pearl Harbor began as part of Japans larger plan to conquer Southeast Asia (Arroyo 12). The Japanese wanted to do this to secure oil, rubber, tin and other natural resources that they lacked (Arroyo 12). Since America supplied more than half of Japans supply of these materials Japan was reluctant to push the United States too far, but they also had intentions of getting control of its own sources of raw materials (Attack 1). The attack happened in the early morning of December 7, 1941. President Roosevelt proclaimed this day a date which will live in infamy (Attack 1). The attack took place on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Because of this morning 2,403 people lost their lives (Attack 1). Among these people were husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends to many people. Of these 2,403, there were 2,335 which were servicemen and 68 were civilians. In addition a bomb that hit the U.S.S. Arizona killed 1,177 servicemen. Others that suffered injuries were numbered at 1,178 (Remembering 5). In memory of all those that lost their lives there is a memorial above the sunken remains of the Arizona. Many more lives were killed as America entered World War II. By the end of World War II, 104,985 American sailors and marines were wounded and 56,683 were killed (Kennedy 1). ...

What you can learn from the 2017 Washington State teacher of the yearÂÂ

What you can learn from the 2017 Washington State teacher of the year   We all want our lives to be filled with purpose and to have a positive and lasting impact on the world around us. After all, having a life filled with meaning is a key component of a personally satisfying existence. This is not just a â€Å"nice to have† or something pleasant to daydream about when you’re going about your daily routine- according to a recent Psychology Today article, â€Å"the need for purpose is one the defining characteristics of human beings. Human beings crave purpose, and suffer serious psychological difficulties when we don’t have it.† The article goes on to declare that â€Å"†¦when we don’t have a sense of purpose in our lives†¦ it makes us more vulnerable to boredom,  anxiety, and depression.† Not a good recipe for happiness and success!Not only does having a sense of purpose, focus, and direction in life provide us with a baseline for happiness, it makes our lives less complicated and stressful and allow s us to get up each morning with an enhanced self-esteem and healthy focus and direction, empowering us to channel our mental and physical energies toward productive pursuits.Are you looking for guidance to find a sense of purpose in your life? All of us at one point or another have found ourselves at a point where we had to make decisions about the focus and direction we want our lives to take. When you’re at such a crossroads, it’s often a wise idea to look towards those who have blazed their own trail and found success, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose in their lives.One such intrepid trailblazer is Camille Jones, the 2017 Teacher of the Year in the state of Washington. Camille is a dedicated and focused professional who has dedicated her life to teaching students the core components of STEAM- science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. As of this writing, she works with children of varying ages and abilities at Pioneer Elementary in Quincy, a school with a pproximately 400 students in a small rural town in Central Washington.Camille found her path for success in life, and there’s a lot we can learn from her approach. Let’s take a closer look at the lessons this extraordinary teacher has provided us.Trust your instincts.Camille Jones defied conventional wisdom that a STEAM education is meant for older students and saw tremendous value and opportunity in introducing younger children to embrace science and technology at a young age. She trusted her instincts rather than following the crowd, and the students she has worked with have benefitted tremendously as a result. When you’re making decisions in your life, be sure to listen to your instincts.Preparing for the future.Camille recognized early on that students who are well-equipped at an early age with a multi-faceted education in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math are best positioned for future opportunities and success. If you’re searching for new opportunities in life, you’d be well-served to have a similarly nuanced and all-inclusive education.Discover your purpose.Camille saw a real problem in the world- students who were being ill-prepared for future competitiveness and success in the global job market. She recognized that dedicated and focused individuals were needed to address it and took on the challenge. This infused Camille with a sense of purpose and meaning that she has used to make a difference.Follow her lead- find a challenge to dedicate your life to and focus your time, energy, and efforts towards making a positive and lasting difference.Push yourself.Camille recognizes the importance of getting outside of your comfort zone and challenging yourself and others to reach their full potential. She does this every day with her students and says, â€Å"I’m looking for kids who would benefit from being pushed a little harder†¦ I see kids who are struggling to buy into the idea that they should try things that are hard. And kids who are succeeding become better advocates for challenging work. When you do something difficult and new, your brain grows. It changes your attitude and your perspective on the rest of your education.† Bottom line- don’t be afraid to push yourself to achieve new levels of success.Pay it forward.Camille knows that we are all working together towards a shared and common future, and empowering those around us benefits all of us. Jones has found great success in challenging and guiding young minds towards tackling the needs of the future, which will help create a brighter future. When trying to decide your life’s purpose and direction, don’t forget that making a positive and lasting impact on others is not only valuable and important, it’s also essential for our shared future.There you have it- strategies for finding your successful path in life from a real trailblazer. Use these strategies to find your purpose in lif e and achieve new levels of success and happiness. Good luck!

The Souls of Black Folk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Souls of Black Folk - Essay Example Du Bois specifically relates that â€Å"the problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the color-line† and this concept is further expanded on in the work with the concept of life behind the veil of race. He refers to this paradoxical condition as double consciousness stating that "double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others". Over time the concepts introduced by Du Bois have become instrumental in approaching the race issue in America. The author’s work also reflects on the progress of race, the obstacles present to such progress and future possibilities for the nation as it entered the twentieth century. Overall Du Bois examines life for African Americans in the years following the American Civil War with particular focus being placed on the works of the Freedman’s Bureau’s function in the reconstruction efforts. The author indicates that the Bureau’s failures stemmed from a combination of so uthern opposition and â€Å"national neglect† as well as mismanagement by courts which were biased â€Å"in favor of black litigants†. However the Bureau was successful on some fronts such as its contributions to the foundation and progress of African American schools. ... Instead the author argues that â€Å"the right to vote†, â€Å"civic equality† and â€Å"the education of youth according to ability† are critically important for sustainable progress of the African American racial group as a whole. The author also relates his personal experiences as a school teacher in rural Tennessee following which the author reflects on the state of material progress in Atlanta where accruing wealth seems to be the only target for people. The basic contention is to show that accruing wealth should not be the only focus of African Americans. Instead the author argues that there ought to be â€Å"standards of lower training† as well as â€Å"standards of human culture and lofty ideals of life†. Du Bois contends that African American colleges ought to train the â€Å"Talented Tenth† who would then provide contributions to lower education as well as playing the roles of liaisons for better race relations. Following this Du Bo is has examined the state of rural life for African Americans through a discourse on Dougherty County, Georgia in order to represent living conditions in the southern Black Belt region. The contemporary conditions as well as the historical conditions have been presented in order to make a strong case. It is shown that cotton is still the lifeline of the local economy while only a very few African Americans are allowed to enjoy the newly found economic success. The contemporary legal system and the tenant farming systems have been compared to the days of slavery and it has been proved that there are little differences if any and that the differences are merely superficial. The derivation of African

On Commercial Photography's Impact on Modern Visual Culture Essay

On Commercial Photography's Impact on Modern Visual Culture - Essay Example The cultural influence which has altered the way in which photography is viewed the most is the commercial photographs. There are also public photographs which have intertwined with various ideologies for different level of influence. However, the movements within photography intertwine together to take a specific approach to creating and capturing the perfect image for a given subject matter. Impact of Different Types of Photography The impact of commercial photography is one which has grown since the early 1900s, specifically with the focus from corporations. The first concept of the photography which was used was based on the corporate image and the approaches which were required for those working in this specific field. The corporations were known for having difficult work pressures, specifically with the growth of the industrial age. Work stations, factory style lines in the various places and the need to reproduce mass amounts continued to be a main component with the corporati ons. To alter this, photography and advertisements were added into the mix, specifically which was able to present a different image to the consumer and change the focus of the internal environment. The image presented was then one which was based on value of the product as well as the overall environment of the corporation (Brown, 2008). The initial impact of commercial photography then led to the idealization of cultural production. The images which were taken became significant in creating a sense of identity of the product, image of the corporation and the response which was associated with society. The concept of cultural production was based on the outlets which were presented with the photography as well as how this was associated with the idealization of individuals. Fashion, food, sports items, cars and other high – end products used commercial photography to create a sense of identity in culture. From this, many began to respond with imitating the photography and be ing a part of the cultural production. The photography then not only painted an image about a specific corporation, but also related to and communicated with groups in society which may have been interested in the brand product (Frosh, 2001). The second concept associated with photography is the public photograph. This particular image is one which is similar to the commercial image, specifically because it captures groups, individuals and different components which make up society. Usually, the images are associated with making a statement about what is occurring within the public and is based on creating a level of accountability or recognition through the picture. The impact of this is based on the needed communication for a given situation while bringing awareness to the public arena. When the photographs are displayed, an individual is able to see the reality of the situation and becomes engaged with the public issues. Within this particular photograph, there is the ability to create an icon with a specific aspect of society. The importance of this comes from creating public judgment while responding to situations based on the level of communication that is a part of society (Hariman, Lucaites, 2003). The concept of public photography is important in terms of creating a set of private images that would be seen in a given segment of society and making them into a public spectatorship. The impact which this has is based on the sociological response which is created from the image and

Relationship Between Parent and Child Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Relationship Between Parent and Child - Essay Example Julie, as known by her father, started out as a â€Å"warm, sensitive, sweet child and very easy going† child. She was a bubbly little girl who was curious and creative and had a very positive disposition. Her profile was painted by her father with loving words, projecting an ideal daughter that brought her parents much joy and pride. This kind of personality usually results from having a secure attachment with her parents while growing up. In the first few years of life, a child with a secure attachment can learn how to balance separation and reunion. She is unafraid when she gets separated from her parents, trusting that they will be back for her. On the other hand a child with an insecure attachment to his mother manifests panic, anger and a desperate search for her, thinking that she will never come back. When the mother returns, a host of responses may be observed of the child. Some children would be delighted and warmly embrace the parent; others would appear to be indif ferent, withdrawn, hostile, uncertain or confused. The kind of response the child had led the psychological observers to develop the attachment categories of secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant and disorganized. Schore (2001) claim that infants’ attachment experiences are stored in the early maturing right hemisphere of their brain, which have long term effects on how they cope with stress in the future. Hence, it is suffice to say that attachment is crucial to the emotional development of the child, and this is reflected in Julie’s personality as a child.... He allowed them to make mistakes because from these, they learn too. He claims, â€Å"I never confronted the children directly when they made a mistake, I but always guided them until they got it right. I wanted to enrich their environment in order to boost their self-esteem and their confidence.† This reflects Vygotsky’s (1978) theory of learning where it is believed that children learn within a ‘zone of proximal development’ (ZPD) or the distance between a child’s independent problem-solving level and that obtained under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers (Wertsch, 1985). It is the space between what a child can do by himself and a more challenging level that he can achieve with help from someone. In the case of Julie and her sister, their parents provided ‘scaffolds’ or temporary supports in the process of learning which are gradually taken away when the children are already capable of learning without them. Mo st common conflicts/disagreements/challenges between parent and child Anthony remembers Julie as a very well-behaved child so there weren’t much conflicts or disagreements between them. The only challenging thing that he remembers is her insistence to choose her own clothes every morning, careful not to repeat outfits within close periods of time. If she had no choice but to wear pants two days in a row due to laundry problems, she would throw a fit. â€Å"That is the only time that I can remember when Julie would get mad, scream and cry and go to her room†. Otherwise, it was smooth sailing with Julie because she was quite mature for her age. The misbehaviour that Julie displayed was a manifestation of her growing up into a young lady who wants to prove that she is capable of making her own

Roma People And The European Union Politics Essay

Roma People And The European Union Politics Essay The term Roma refers to a variety of groups of people who describe themselves as Roma, Gypsies, Travellers, Manouches, Ashkali, Sinti, as well as other titles. For the purpose of this paper, we will use of the term Roma to describe the group in question. This is in no way intended to downplay the great diversity within the many different Romani groups and related communities, and it is not intended to promote stereotypes. Our basic question is what is the status of the Roma people today, within the context of the European Union? For millennia, the Roma have been an integral part of European civilisation. Today, with an estimated population of 10-12 million people, Roma are the biggest ethnic minority in Europe; Roma communities are present in all 27 EU Member States. And in contemporary times, most Roma are EU citizens. An issues is that their situation is characterised by persistent discrimination and social exclusion. Thus, Roma are very exposed to the risks of poverty, unemployment, stereotypes and social prejudice. Its vital to understand that the Roma population is heterogeneous. Following the elimination of traditional labor activities and of nomadic lifestyles in some Member States, urban migration, but also migration from Eastern Europe to the western EU states, there have been a lot of changes affecting the Roma people. However, there is a very big gap between the living conditions (in the fields of health, education, labor and housing) of the Roma and the majority population. And a concentrated effort toward EUs integrated policy towards the Roma is needed, preferably a multidisciplinary one, dealing with the problem from multiple angles, not just from an economic of sociological point of view, and also one whose results have to be quantifiable, state-wide but also centrally. This is our hypothesis. Legal Framework in the EU The European Union has established a strong legal anti-discrimination framework; the most important documents on the issue consist of Article 13 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, Council Directive 2000/43/EC on Racial Equality and the Council Directive 2000/78/EC, that establishes a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. The European Union also has a strong legal framework dealing with Roma discrimination, that is based, among others, on article 13 of the Treaty of the European Community, the Directive 2000/43/EC on racial equality and the Directive 2000/78/EC concerning the prohibition of discrimination in employment and vocational training. Its important to note however that it is the duty of the Member States to translate these Directives into their own national legislations.   The European Commissions mandate also includes stimulating the use of EU Structural Funds by EU Member States for supporting Roma inclusion.  This process is supported by the EURoma network, composed of representatives from 12 Member States,  whose goal is to promote the use of Structural Funds in order to enhance the effectiveness of policies targeting the Roma and to promote their social inclusion.   Roma people in Romania According to official data, Roma population in Romania included, according to the 2002 census, 535,250 people, of which 325,000 people (60%) lived in rural areas. Roma population is, numerically speaking, the second ethnic minority group in Romania, after the Hungarians. However, these census numbers might or might not reflect reality, for there are probably more Roma who havent been accounted for because they refused to participate in the census or might have avoided stating their nationality. According to a study by the National Agency for Roma, the socio-economic situation of Roma ethnicity remains still quite difficult: Roma score on a high level of poverty. Roma communities are affected by various problems: high levels of unemployment (28%), low income, low educational and vocational training (with visible effects in the labor market participation), improper living conditions and limited access to public services. Many Roma are working as day laborers, thus without having a stable source of income. According to OSI (Open Society Institute) research conducted in 2007, 4.9 percent of Roma people in Romania lacked a birth certificate. Among nonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ËœRoma citizens, less than 1 percent lacked a birth certificate. Similarly, surveys in 2007 and 2008 indicated that between 1.9 and 6 percent of Roma lacked identity cards, compared to 1.5 percent of nonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ËœRoma. The lack of identity documents leads to exclusion from participating in elections, receiving social benefits, accessing health insurance, securing property documents, and participating in the labor market. Another survey, conducted by the ICCV (Institutul de Cercetare a Calitatii Vietii), points out that the proportion of illiterates among Roma is disturbing: more than one third of the Roma (38.6%) are functionally illiterate, 19% of men and 27% of mature women only attended one school year. 18% of Roma children aged between 7 and 16 years have never been to school. Among the conclusions of the study are the following: Roma population categorically refuse to be a part of the education system. The problem is that the Roma population lives, usually in secluded and / or notorious neighborhoods, and schools located in these areas, where Roma children might study, have inferior learning conditions. NGOs and the media report that discrimination by teachers and other students against Romani students served as an additional disincentive for Romani children to complete their studies. However, other Roma are largely or fully integrated into society. Scholarships in schools and universities were created for Roma by the state creating positive discrimination whose impact on improving integration in Romania remains to be seen. On the downside again, in schools where students are predominantly Roma, repeater rates reach 11.3%, almost three times higher than the national average. Because of the low quality level of the school, almost 20% of Roma students enrolled in the fourth grade are functionally illiterate, according to the ICCV. The EU, Romania included, has launched a program entitled Decade of Roma Inclusion to combat this and other problems. Roma situation differs from country to country, but integration problems remain in developed countries. A report by the European Roma Rights Center (ERRC) emphasizes that, in 2005, the Roma in France for example, counting around 500,000 individuals are the target of dramatic levels of discrimination. The report notes that civil, political, social and economic community are frequently violated and concluded that the authorities fail integration of minorities in the Hexagon (France). The most important communities of Roma live in Central and Eastern Europe, but, similariy to Romanias case (where the official 2002 census claims numbers of 535,000, while a EU report dating from 2004 says there are 1.8 million Roma) their number varies between official censuses and unofficial estimates: Czech Republic has between 11,000- 200,000 Roma, Slovakia, between 95,000- 550,000, Hungary, between 200,000- 600,000, and European reports on this minority are often negative. In each of the three of the EU countries mentioned above, unemployment among Roma reaches 75% -80%; when they have access to education, most often the children study in special schools and the wider community is a victim of racial prejudice coming from the majority population, according to Amnesty International. EU Strategy for Roma integration The European Commission has set up a programme to tackle the main difficulties involved in the integration of Roma people. There are EU funds available to help, and countries are encouraged to make greater use of them on a national level. To this effect, one important tool is the European Social Fund, which currently stands at around 12 billion Euros and amounts to 10% of the EUs budget. The purpose of the fund is to provide support for projects that seek to improve social cohesion in the Union. The second European Roma summit, was being held at the beginning of April 2010- on the International Roma Day, and was set-up as a forum to discuss the Commissions new strategy and to renew commitments. Representatives of EU institutions, EU countries and civil society organisations, including Roma groups, have participated in the conference and also present were World Bank Director Theodore Ahlers and the investment banker and philanthropist George Soros. The direct involvement of Roma organisations and representatives was a key feature of the event. The agenda included the implementation of rules against discrimination and racism by member countries of EU. Concerning this, the Commission had taken legal action against 24 EU countries which have not fulfilled their obligations in this respect and for 12 of these cases, the proceedings are ongoing. The focus shifted in the EU in 2009 from an analysis of the problems to an exploration of how existing instruments could be made more effective and how the situation of the Roma could be addressed more explicitly across a broad range of policies, including employment, social inclusion, health, education, housing, youth and culture. But the enforcement and development of specific EU legislation in the areas of non-discrimination, freedom of movement and anti-racism has continued. The European Platform for Roma inclusion- composed of key players in Roma inclusion from EU institutions, international organisations, Member States governments and civil society, was launched in April 2009 to exchange good practice and experience and to stimulate cooperation among its participants, with a clearly stated objective: to increase the coherence and effectiveness of the parallel policy processes at national, European and international level with a view to creating synergies. Most Member States report a stronger focus on internal coordination and on involving the Roma communities. Some Member States have begun to use the opportunities of complex programming and combined cohesion policy instruments. Among the findings of the forum, it seems that Member States want to mainstream Roma issues and to use mutual learning in order to explore how to improve their current initiatives on desegregation and on access in the areas of education, employment and basic social services. Another new effort of The European Commission deals with the implementation of a pilot project on Roma inclusion (5 million Euros for 2010-2012), initiated by the European Parliament, addressing early childhood education, self-employment through micro-credit, and public awareness particularly in countries with high Roma populations. The pilot project will also explore methods for data collection and counterfactual evaluation to assess the impact of the interventions in these three fields. Specific problems concerning the workforce As a fact, working age Roma lack sufficient human capital. Apart from barriers such as labor market discrimination still affecting them, the vast majority of working age Roma lacks the necessary qualifications to participate effectively in the labor market. The next figures will portray the cases of 3 member states, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Romania, and also a non EU state, Serbia, in order to get a grasp of how serious the educational problems are among various European Roma communities. Note: Data included in figures 1, 2 ,3 and 4 comes from the World Bank. This is seen dramatically in Figure 1, which shows the proportion of working-age Roma that have completed at least some secondary education or more. Only 1 in 5 Roma of working age in the Czech Republic and as few as 1 in 8 in Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia are equipped with these necessary education skill levels. Working age members of the majority populations in these countries are 4 to 6 times more likely to have these educational qualifications. Figure 3 shows the average monthly net income that employed Roma earn compared to that of the majority population. Employed Roma earn 31% less in Bulgaria, 48% less in Serbia, 55% less in Romania, and 58% less in the Czech Republic. Specific problems concerning demographics and education The health situation of the Roma conditions their life expectancy and their demographics are different from the european average. The European Roma population is significantly younger than the overall population (an average of 25.1 years old in seven Member States, compared to 40.24 years in the whole EU; 62.38 percent of the Roma population is under 29 years old, compared to 34.98 percent in the EU-27). There is no official information on the average life expectancy of Roma, but this is expected to be significantly lower than the overall EU population (which is around 63 years old in Romania) The child dependency index is 57.77 compared to 23.33 in the EU, while the elderly dependency index reaches 4.11, much lower than the EU of 24.93. There is also a gradual decline in birth rates among Roma, however, the replacement index (reflecting the number of people with ages between 15 and 39 for every 100 people aged 40 to 64) remains significantly higher among Roma (231) than for the overall population (101). As we have seen from the figures above, Roma citizens in some Member States influence the demographic pyramid in a specific manner. Educational systems are selective and, despite efforts by Member States to overcome segregation, a great deal of the systems that have been ostensibly designed to combat segregation are often used in practice to increase disparities between social groups and disadvantage the poor profoundly, especially in the case of Roma. There is a constant need of specific educational policies to address Roma families and also policies that encourage active participation. Although the proportion of young Roma enrolled in education and higher education systems has largely increased in some Member States, their level of qualification is still below the EU average. However, in the absence of formal qualifications, the position of Roma in the labor market can be improved by creating a system of recognition of practical skills. Indeed, Figure 6 shows that among Roma who completed secondary education the average earnings are much higher than the average earnings among Roma who completed primary education: 83% higher in Bulgaria, 110% higher in the Czech Republic, 144% higher in Romania, and 52% higher in Serbia. Romanias efforts aimed towards the Roma through structural funds Surprisingly, there is a great deal of implication concerning this matter with the local, Romanian authorities, and a lot o projects concerning Roma and their social integration are on their way. Most projects are co-funded by the European Structural Funds, are managed centrally and focus primarily on education (including early childcare), vocational and professional training, labour market insertion and social inclusion. According to the information provided by the Romanian Managing Authority, a total of 11 projects are being or will be implemented multiregionally or statewide with an aggregate budget of 37,819,853 Euros and are planned to benefit 61,634 Roma men and women. Most projects are short-to-medium-term (2-3 years). We can note that 6 major projects (employment and early education) are directly managed by the National Roma Agency. Our hope it that perhaps these efforts will actually wield some quantifiable results. Figure 5 source: EURoma report- Roma and the Structural Funds There are currently several integrated projects that rank as highly important. First, a transnational pilot project, Together on the labour market, is managed by the National Roma Agency is being implemented in 8 cities, in partnership with the Fundacià ³n Secretariado Gitano from Spain as transnational partner during the period 2008-2010. In the following period, 2010-2013, the project aims to be expanded nationwide. At a cost of 4,908,749 Euros for a period of two years, the project has ambitious aims: to benefit 6,670 Roma women and men through personalised support for labour insertion, vocational training adapted to the demand of the Romanian labour market. With a budget of 4,770,000 Euros, another employment activation project, Strategic steps for improving access to education for Roma children, presents ambitious outcomes and outputs: to increase the qualification on the labour market of 2,000 persons, including 1,000 Roma, the development of social economy structures, the increase of job opportunities addressed to vulnerable groups, the establishment of 8 Regional Centres to supporting social economy structures, the creation of 8 Regional Partnerships, and the development of 80 social economy projects. Within the education field, the All in kindergarten, all in the first grade. Integrated programmes for increasing the access to education and the educational level of the children within under-privileged communities, mainly Roma, during 2008-2009 project, is managed by the central government with a budget of 5,000,000 Euros. Although no data is yet available on its results, it had some ambitious and specific targets. The general objective of the project is to prevent and correct early school leaving for children aged 5 to 8 within 420 disadvantaged communities (a high proportion of them being Roma children). It seeks to increase access to pre-school and school education for 8,000 children within disadvantaged communities, mainly Roma, trough participation in Summer kindergarten and School after school educational programmes. Its potential outputs are ambitious: A 75% decrease in school dropout rate for pupils in the first grade belonging to the 420 disadvantaged communities; 6,000 Ro ma children benefiting from the school-after-school programme and 10,000 Roma parents receiving counseling regarding child education. Three other projects target pre-school education. Two are managed respectively by the Amare Rromentza Roma Centre and the National Agency for the Roma, with more than 4,000 combined beneficiaries. The third, titled Strategic steps for improving access to education for Roma children is managed by Romani CRISS and will have as a general objective the reduction of early school leaving risk among Roma pupils. With a budget of 4,872,060 Euros, it will develop desegregation plans within 90 schools from 4 regions of the country -North-West, Centre, South-East and Bucharest-Ilfov over three years, including intercultural training for 150 teaching staff and awareness-raising initiatives regarding the benefits of education to 20,000 planned Roma beneficiaries. Finally, an integrated project, Education of Roma children- the way to a guaranteed employment, is being managed by the National Roma Agency and implemented for three years (no exact dates provided). It aims to increase of the educational level of the Roma children from rural and urban areas nationwide and the development of human resources. With a budget of 4,943,831 Euros and targeting 4,800 beneficiaries (50% women), it could help to find ways to articulate education and employment policies through effective local implementation of equal opportunity and desegregation measures, and if it demonstrates long-term sustainability. Economic costs of Roma Exclusion: As expected, the fact that Roma people sit on the margins of society leads to some macroeconomic consequences. These consequences have been thoroughly analized and documented in a recent, 2010 report by The World Bank. Note that some of the issues presented in the report have surfaced in the previous chapters of this paper. A summary of the findings is presented in the following table: Figure x: The economic costs of Roma Exclusion The vast majority of working-age Roma lack sufficient education to participate successfully in the labor market. As a result, European countries are losing hundreds of millions of Euros annually in productivity and in fiscal contributions to the governments. Lower bound estimates of annual productivity losses range from 367 million Euro in the Czech Republic, 526 million Euro in Bulgaria, to 887 million Euro in Romania. Lower bound annual fiscal losses range from 202 million Euro in Romania, 233 million Euro in the Czech Republic, and 370 million Euros in Bulgaria. Toward inclusive growth: bridging the education gap is also the economically smart choice to make Better educated Roma can expect much higher earnings. Compared to Roma with primary education, Roma who complete secondary education can expect to earn 83% more in Bulgaria, 110% more in the Czech Republic, 144% more in Romania. The annual fiscal gains from bridging the employment gap are much higher than the total cost of investing in public education for all Roma children; by a factor of 7.7 for Bulgaria, 7.4 times for the Czech Republic, 2.4 times in Romania. The share of Roma among the working-age populations will rise as majority populations in Eastern and Central Europe are aging rapidly. Equal labor participation among the Roma is essential to shoulder the nationally rising costs of pensions, health and other costs of aging. source: The economic costs of Roma exclusion, World Bank Report, April 2010. Conclusions We consider that Roma are mostly discriminated because of a certain lack of education, but also because they are sometimes perceived as social outcasts. And this is sometimes a matter of choice, even tradition, which makes this a very tough area to cover and improve. Education is a milestone to consider, and perhaps the key to solving a lot of Roma related problems. We have seen that there are trumendeos efforts on a local but also European level, which we believe is a positive sign. The use of structural funds could be a very powerful tool when used properly. While targeting Roma education might lead us to certain cultural barries, we have to do our best to understand these limitations and figure out a way to please both parties. There are a lot of opportunities and advantages what will come with a better integration of the Roma people, and some steps have been taken into this direction, both socially and economically. However, there is one problem that should be noted. The issue of results, and more specifically, how do we make the efforts quantifiable? We see a lot of projects through structural funds in Romania, but we should also bear in mind their specific results and goals. The centralisation of these results should be a priority, otherwise they risk getting by unnoticed. Have the goals been achieved? They the programmes succesful, but just how much? How can they be improved so they reach the broader audience rather than smaller groups? Bibliografie www.euractiv.ro www.ecursuri.ro 3. www.ec.europa.eu Home http://www.romadecade.org/ http://www.anr.gov.ro http://worldbank.org/