The eNotes Blog 15 Texts to Read in Honor of MLK,Jr.

15 Texts to Read in Honor of MLK,Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., dedicated his life to advocating for racial equality and battling discrimination and injustice. His talents as an orator and his dedication to nonviolent resistance were remarkable. Most of us are familiar with his rhetorical masterpiece, the I Have a Dream speech, but far too many are less familiar with the history of racial inequality in the United States. Today, were sharing stories, poems, speeches, and essays that provide myriad voices on the African American experience in the United States. From 19th-century slave narratives to contemporary novels about racial inequality, each work provides an invaluable look at the social and racial inequalities that have shaped- and continue to shape- American society. In honor of Dr. Kings work, lets continue to share stories, read more diversely, and embrace the heartbreaking and hopeful narratives that push us to advocate for a more equitable, empathetic society. 1. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Adichies award-winning novel centers on Ifemelus experience with the American dream as she becomes Americanized, recounting her experiences as a non-American black and the racism, classism, and economic disparity she faces. 2. Becoming by Michelle Obama Celebrated for its refreshing honesty, powerful storytelling, and compelling message, Michelle Obamas memoir addresses not only the challenges she faced as a young black woman pursuing education and success but also the racial issues she faced as a First Lady. 3. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates Coates penned this three-part, book-length letter to his fifteen-year-old son, Samori in an attempt to explain what it means to be black in the United States- particularly in the aftermath of the deaths of Michael Brown Tamir Rice, and Eric Garner.   4. Fences by August Wilson Wilsons play is a powerful exploration of Troy Maxons life, family, aspirations, and failures amidst the limitations imposed through systemic discrimination in sports- all set against the backdrop of the rising racial tensions of the 1960s. 5. The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander Civil rights lawyer Michelle Alexander challenges readers to acknowledge how inequality persists within our legal system by arguing how the United States criminal justice system remains unfairly biased against African Americans. 6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou A vivid retelling of her trauma, love of family, and coming of age, Maya Angelous autobiography represents a potent example of perseverance in spite of racial prejudice. 7. Still I Rise by Maya Angelou This poem contains a fascinating mix of tones- defiant yet playful, angry yet comical- while conveying a strong political and personal message of resilience in the face of racial discrimination. 8. Kindred by Octavia Butler Though in the realm of science fiction, Butlers early novel Kindred not only explores the privileges and power assigned to particular races and genders but also includes a thrilling tale of time travel. 9. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison Ellisons 1952 acerbic novel was immediately hailed as a literary masterpiece for delving into the harsh realities and truths about the effects of bigotry in American society on the eve of the civil rights movement. 10. Monster by Walter Dean Myers Written in the form of a screenplay by its main character, Monster contributes to the myriad stories of injustice perpetrated unfairly along racial lines in American law enforcement. 11. Native Son by Richard Wright With a new film adaptation arriving January 24, Richard Wrights novel remains a powerful reflection on the effects of poverty and the feelings of hopelessness experienced by those in inner cities across the United States. 12. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry Hansberrys 1957 play took its title from a poem by Langston Hughes, Harlem, and tells a story of generational tension and ideological conflict amid the racial injustices the Younger family must face together. 13. What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? by Frederick Douglass Although many are familiar with Douglasss autobiography, his 1852 speech in Rochester, New York, endures not only as a testament to his oratory and rhetorical powers but also as an account of the hypocrisy and injustices that have and continue to endure in the United States. 14. The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis Curtiss historical novel not only follows, as you might guess, the Watsons on their trip to Birmingham in 1963 but also has much to say about family relationships and African American life in the 1960s. 15. Everyday Use by Alice Walker Perhaps Walkers most popular short story, Everyday Use provides a poignant look at an individuals relationship to her cultural roots, the influence of materialism on happiness, and the importance of community.

Violence in the Media Essays - Criminology, Violence, Crime, Ethics

Violence in the Media Essays - Criminology, Violence, Crime, Ethics Violence in the Media For years the effects of violence and the media has been a controversial topic of debate. While some argue that violence in the media has no repercussions, others argue that it has a long lasting negative effect on people around the world, but specifically children. Within this debate there are many different sources of entertainment that are looked upon such as television shows, video games, movies, and even in the news. All of these sources seem to have an effect on people in general, however the effect leans more towards children. It has become evident that children are almost becoming a target by the violence for financial benefits through marketing. Many different researchers and research groups have studied the negative impact that entertainment sources have, and provided the information needed to help with the censoring and monitoring of violent publications. "We do not believe there is anything sexist or violent about the World Wrestling Federation. I think it's unfair of you to insinuate it when there are so many shows and so many different movies, and so many different social problems that really do contribute to violence in this country."- UPN president Dean Valentine, after a 7-year-old child in Dallas killed his little brother with a "clothesline" maneuver he had seen on a wrestling show (Gifford 30). Even with such sad displays of obvious evidence leaning towards violence in television affecting children and their judgment are still being considered as refutable and that there is no direct link between media violence and its effects on society. Violence has played a role in entertainment throughout history, but in the last 20 years incidents of violence in the media have increased and are concerning parents worldwide. Violence in entertainment has been around since ancient Egyptians entertained themselves by re-enacting the murder of their god, Osiris (Violence 1). However the intensity of violence has progressed overtime and has been a cause for many legal suits against these portrayals. Throughout entertainment history there have been many changes that have provided the world with the more modern view of the entertainment world. In 1930, major film studios agreed to the Hollywood Production Code due to the growing concern on the content within movies. The purpose in this code was to regulate what type of violence could be shown on screen. In the 1960s the Motion Picture Association of America gave filmmakers a lot more freedom by relaxing the guidelines within the code. With fewer restrictions came bloodier deaths in movies after the invention of exploding capsules of fake blood. When the 1990s occurred graphic violence became such a regular feature in Hollywood films that filmmakers thought it was alright to use it to portray a comedic effect (Torr 21). From the mid-fifties on filmmakers began creating low budget movies with crazy plot lines and obscenities to exploit the growing teenage market (Torr 35). While parents became glued to their new television sets, teenagers went out to the movies to explore their horizons. After the new regulations were passed the filmmakers were finding any way possible to appeal to the modern crowd, including the involvement of teen crime. When teen crimes became involved in the film industry many parents were outraged. The violent scenes by adolescents were thought to increase crime in adolescents. From these accusations came the overall consensus that all violent scenes in movies and on television are to blame for the rising rate of teens committing crimes. Parents and politicians tried in the past to make the media pay for their mistakes in influencing criminal behavior with legal suits. Compared to how entertainment was portrayed in the past, there is much more violence out today than there was 50 years ago. Now, because of the television and internet, violence can now be shown to millions of people from the comfort of their homes (Gifford 7). Many studies have been conducted that indicate the changes in media that have occurred over time. According to one study, it was found that between 1993 and 2001 incidents of physical violence increased by 378 %, and television shows in 2001 averaged about 40 acts of violence per hour (Violence 3). There has also been much research

ENTERPRISE PROJECT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

ENTERPRISE PROJECT - Essay Example it has filled some of student’s spare time, they are now ready to concentrate on developing this business into a more efficient source of revenue while helping the environment by offering a suitable recycling of the personal computers and accessories. In order to secure funds from the angel investors, the company has decided to come up with a business plan which can be presented to the prospective investors. The plan would also be helpful in creating internal review of the targets, milestones and deadlines. Maverick Computer Breakers (MCB) operates with low overhead, but seeks capital for expanding their operations. Maverick Computer Breakers (MCB) has recognized various target segments which would be vigorously pursued. The biggest of them all is the  Individual Consumer segment which wants to upgrade to the higher version of the computers.   The other segment which can be pursued vigorously is the organization segments. This segment consists of the organizations which use computers for their regular operations. As the new and faster computers come into the market these organisation want to dispose of their existing machines. In the current scenario, either they are not aware of the disposal process or they do not have time to pursue the disposal. MCB would help them achieve the disposal of their existing machines at a reasonable cost. To establish Maverick Computer Breakers (MCB) as an important brand in the Computer breaking business that represents speed, efficiency and customer delight. The company will achieve this by using high quality customer service, doorstep PC collection facility, and extensive research into the computer recycling extending to e-waste recycling. By using this multi-channel approach the company expects to hit the niche market for Computer Breaking within our target market. Diagnosing the client’s needs by listening to their problem and providing a customized solution for a truly synergetic discussion which makes them understand

Human Rights Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human Rights Law - Essay Example United Nations Human Rights refer to the rights that are natural for all human beings irrespective of the individual’s status, race, color, sex, language, origin, or any other status. These rights are entitled to all individuals without any discrimination. These rights are guaranteed and taken care of by the law. By the International Human Rights Law, there are obligations for different Governments such that have to take actions and measure in particular ways or in certain cases they are restricted to act in certain manners, as well as to promote the rights of humans and allow individuals with their fundamental freedom and liberty (What are human rights?). The present study focuses on the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Body System, with a critical overview on their achievements for the international protection of human rights and the challenges that still remain. United Nations Human Rights Treaty Body System: The human rights treaty bodies comprise of certain autonomous e xperts who are in charge of monitoring the accomplishment of the core international human rights treaties. It is their responsibility to supervise whether every State is following the rules and policies in regard to the human rights obligated for the individuals. The independent experts constitute ten treaty bodies that are nominated by parties of the States and are in charge for the implementation of the human rights. The treaties that are monitored include the Human Rights Committee; Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women; Committee against Torture; Committee on the Rights of the Child; Committee on Migrant Workers; Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Committee on Enforced Disappearances; and The Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Monitoring the core international human ri ghts treaties

Legal Drinking Age Essay Example for Free

Legal Drinking Age Essay People have always wanted what they cannot have. Starting in 1984, this is the attitude most lawmakers in America have taken with respect to underage drinking, since it was the time when many states changed their drinking age from eighteen to twenty-one. Lawmakers thought that if you raised the drinking age, people could drink more responsibly, because as you grow older, your brain matures and with maturity comes responsibility. Although this law, passed not even twenty years ago, was made for the safety of young adults, people now are arguing to have the law returned to the age of eighteen. Many college students, professors and teachers have a lot to say about this topic. From John McCardell, former head of Middlebury College, to the Mother’s Against Drunk Driving Association, people have different views on the responsibility that young adults take when it comes to alcohol. Some people, who view that you should be able to drink when you are a legal adult, collect statistics about car accidents, deaths related to alcohol consumption, and binge drinking. Others who oppose this change in age collect similar data but there is a twist on the information that they receive. When making decisions about laws, people have to consider all possible situations. Since not only lawmakers have involvement in this issue, they have to think about everyone who will be affected, whether it is people from the age of twenty-one or older or eighteen or older. In changing the minimum legal drinking age to eighteen, the lawmakers would be granting adults with the ideal of justice. Since they are adults, they would be given equal consideration and be treated purely as adults. Also, having faith in these young adults grants them with responsibility, forcing them to grow up more quickly while still in their late teenage years. By giving them responsibility, you have to consider the obligation of non-malficience, which is avoiding doing injury to others. If a young adult got into a car accident while under the influence of alcohol, it would be that person’s fault along with all of the alcohol they legally consumed. While deciding whether to lower the minimum legal drinking age, you have to take into account that you do not have control over people. Instilling faith in our youth, we have to trust that they will make smart decisions. John McCardell, former president of Middlebury College, argues that if the MLDA was lowered to eighteen, that eighteen to twenty years olds could only drink if they completed forty-two hours of instruction of the history, chemistry, psychology and sociology of alcohol. This class would also teach the dangers of alcohol and what risks there are if someone drank an exceedingly high amount of alcohol. If a person eighteen or older took this class, they would earn a special license that would allow them to purchase and consume alcohol. Fighting against McCardell, the Mother’s Against Drunk Driving Association says that â€Å"the sooner youth drink, the more likely they are to become alcohol dependent and to drive drunk† One way to control this would be to have this program also include sitting in on multiple Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. When deciding, lawmakers have to think about the ideals of maturity, potential, responsibility, fairness and prudence. Abigail Baird, Assistant Professor of Physiological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College, studied nineteen brains of eighteen-year-old college students. These students moved 100 miles to go to college and lived without their families. The control to this study was a group of seventeen twenty-five year olds. Professor Baird came to the conclusion that the twenty-five year old brain was more mature, especially in the regions of the brain known to integrate emotion and cognition, the areas that take information from our current body state and apply it for use in navigating the world. Maturity can range though. It is proven that brains mature at different times. Although there is not a test we can give to determine the maturity of someone, lawmakers have to instill trust and hope in young adults. The ideal of potential and prudence fit in with the fact that lawmakers can not single-handedly pick out who is mature enough to legally consume alcohol at the age of eighteen. With more developed brains at twenty-one, the risk for drunk driving and making poor decisions while under the influence are lower. According to the Mother’s Against Drunk Driving Association, the MADD, an estimated twenty-three thousand lives have been saved from the elevated age of drinking since it the law was passed in 1984. Although it has saved lives, McCardell says that â€Å"(raising the drinking age to twenty-one) forced alcohol consumption behind the closed doors of dorms and fraternity basements. Always unsupervised, done in secret and too often excessive, this style of drinking has no doubt been responsibility for the alarming rise in rates of so called ‘binge’ drinking seen at colleges† Looking further into McCardell’s statement, TIME magazine says that data does not show that binge drinking has gotten worse since states raised their drinking age. John Schulenberg of the University of Michigan and Jennifer Maggs of Penn State say, â€Å"During the past two decades, despite many social, demographic, political and economic changes†¦rates of frequent heavy drinking among those ages nineteen to twenty-two have shifted little.† Having the ideal of prudence, lawmakers have to take statistics under consideration. They have to choose the option of letting under-developed, eighteen year old minds be allowed to consume and purchase alcohol, or to keep the law at twenty-one and break the ideals of justice and fairness. Having the legal drinking age of twenty-one breeds disrespect for law by having so many people break it, marginalizes the role of teaching about alcohol use and condescends the age of majority. When you turn eighteen in the United States, you can vote, enlist and fight in wars, sign contracts, marry, own businesses, serve in a jury and many other things. In most other cultures, alcohol consumption legally begins when you become a legal adult. According to the Institute of Medicine, ninety percent of alcohol consumed by eighteen to twenty years-olds is consumed when the person is involved in heavy drinking. Having the legal drinking age of twenty-one forces young adult and teenage drinking behind closed doors without any supervision. This force comes from peer pressure, media and watching what people older than them do. Teenagers are attracted to the thrill, making them drink more and more. The consequences of binge drinking are scary and sometimes fatal. The consumption of alcohol by underage Americans is common. When young people consume alcohol, the fact that they are doing something illegal does not cross their mind. Since the law prohibits young adults from partaking in an activity that usually mark adulthood, it encourages violation and disrespect of the law. According to Public Health Reports, two in every one thousand instances of underage drinking results in arrests. According to the Journal of American College Health, young adults who choose to illegally drink are drinking recklessly. This excessive consumption has resulted in binge drinking, putting young people at greater risk of alcohol poisoning, assault, sexual abuse, vandalism and alcohol related fatalities. During the Prohibition in 1920, the culture was bathtub gin, speakeasies and rumrunners. In the last ten years, these acts have been mirrored but with keg parties, beer pong and flip cup. Having the legal drinking age remain at the age of twenty-one prevents adolescents from gaining access to alcohol, saves lives by preventing alcohol-related traffic fatalities from ages eighteen to twenty and protects adolescent and young adult brains from the negative consequences of alcohol. The results from the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey say that early initiation to alcohol leads to long-term alcohol problems. With the law set at twenty-one, it prevents alcohol from getting into the hands of the younger population by making it illegal to consume, purchase and possess alcohol. Many high school students are protected from this possible damage because their eighteen-year-old friends cannot buy alcohol for them. According to the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, people that drink in their adolescent years are more likely to have alcohol abuse issues later in their life. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that that the number of drunk driving fatalities amongst eighteen to twenty one year olds has decreased by thirteen percent ever since the law has been raised to twenty-one. That decline over the past two and a half decades is from quite a few factors, including safer vehicles, increased public awareness of the danger of drunk driving, mandatory seat belt laws, lower BAC limits and the use of designated drivers, which is a term that did not exist before the drinking age was raised in 1984. Also, the adolescent brain is affected differently by alcohol than the brain of a twenty-one year old. Having the drinking age of twenty-one will lead to a healthier population by not allowing adolescents to obtain it. The American Journal of Psychiatry scanned brains of young adolescents with alcohol abuse disorders and the brains of non-drinking peers. The study showed that the brains of young adolescents with alcohol abuse disorders show lower rates of activity during memory tasks and less developed brain structures than in their non-drinking peers. If the legal drinking age remains as it is now, America’s youth will be more protected. An alternate solution to lowering the age to eighteen and keeping the age at twenty-one is to only allow eighteen-year-olds, who have completed an intensive class about alcohol, to purchase and consume alcohol. John McCardell, former president of Middlebury College, is a proponent of this idea. His thought was to have a test similar to a driving test. You would have to take a class and pass a test in order to have a specific license for purchasing and consuming alcohol. The class would go over the history, chemistry, psychology and sociology of alcohol. It is also important that the young adults view people whose lives’ have been ruined because of alcohol. They could do this by attending Alcohol Anonymous meetings or going to visit rehabilitation centers and talk to people whose lives have been affected by alcohol. If eighteen-year-olds have this knowledge, then I think that they should be able to consume and purchase alcohol. Another alternate solution is to lower the age of purchasing and consuming alcohol to twenty. Not as young as eighteen, and not as old as twenty-one, the brain is significantly more developed at the age of twenty than it is at the age of eighteen. The consequences of lowering it by one year are not as risky as lowering the age to eighteen. Although some people will still fight against it, I feel as though it is a good middle ground between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one. A very high tech alternate solution is making all cars have an Ignition Interlock System. This device, installed in a cars dashboard, mandates that you breathe into a little slot before the car will turn on. Although the system is quite expensive, it is fool proof. After the engine starts, the device will require you to breathe in it again, just to make sure that a sober person did not breathe into the device for you. Currently used for people that have broken DUI laws, if these devices were put in all cars, it would be almost impossible for people to drive drunk. The only problem with the mechanism is that it would increase the value of cars by a great deal. Although it is expensive, installing an Ignition Interlock System in every car would prevent drunk driving. When considering both sides of the argument, we have to look at the total picture. Voting on whether to make the MLDA eighteen or twenty-one shows a full view of what people want since everyone eighteen and older can vote. The vote would directly target people that would be affected no matter what the outcome was. The lawmakers have to consider their obligations to the nation, since all lawmakers were elected into their position. They also have to consider the consequences of the option that they are giving people. Putting young people in situations where it is legal to drink and maybe would not be able to control their actions and drive drunk, endangering people around them. This would endanger others, so when making a vote, people would not only have to consider an individual but everyone around them After considering all of the information, the smartest choice for lawmakers is to keep the minimum legal drinking age at twenty-one. Although teenagers may still continue to break the law while purchasing and consuming alcohol, many high school students will be protected from legally purchasing and consuming because eighteen-year-old seniors will not be able to obtain alcohol. Also, the brain at the age of twenty-one is extremely more developed than the brain at eighteen. If an eighteen-year-old legally drank and got in his/her car to drive home, that inexperienced driver would be putting everyone on the road into danger. Since an eighteen year old, who probably started driving at the age of sixteen, would get on the road without any supervision and also while under the influence of alcohol, the risk of endangering him/herself is extremely high. By keeping the motto â€Å"for the common good in mind† the best decision for lawmakers is to keep the minimum legal drinking age at twenty-one. BIBLIOGRAPHY ABC News. Alcohol Laws: Should the Drinking Age be Lowered?. [Online] http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw.story?id=3529878page=2 The Harvard Crimson. Please Think Responsibly. [Online] Tuesday, September 16, 2008. http://thecrimson.com/article/2008/9/16/please-think-responsibly-it-certaintly-hasn’t/ TIME. Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered? [Online] Friday, June 06, 2008. www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1812397,00.html WSJ. College Presidents Stand Up for Common Sense? I’ll Drink to That. [Online] Friday, August 28, 2008. http://onlline.wsj.com/article/SB121996586419781419.html?mod=taste_primary_hs American Medical Association. Facts About Youth and Alcohol. [Online] http://www.ama-asn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/public-health/p†¦ug-abuse/facts-about-youth-alcohol/minimum-legal-drinking-age.shtml Choose Responsibly. Legal Age 21. [Online] www.chooseresponsibly.org/ Dartmouth News. Brain Changes Significantly After Age 18, says Dartmouth Research. [Online] February 6, 2006. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2006/02/06.html Wikipedia. Ignition Interlock Device. [Online] January 19, 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ignition_interlock_device

Change In Heart Of Darkness :: essays research papers

Joseph Conrad once wrote, “the individual consciousness was destined to be in total contradiction to its physical and moral environment'; (Watt 78); the validity of his statement is reflected in the physiological and psychological changes that the characters in both his Heart of Darkness and Coppola’s Apocalypse Now undergo as they travel up their respective rivers, the Congo and the Nung. Each journey up the tropical river is symbolic of a voyage of discovery into the dark heart of man, and an encounter with his capacity for evil. In such a voyage the characters regress to their basic instincts as they assimilate themselves into an alien world with its primeval dangers. In Heart of Darkness, going up the river is described to be like: “travelling back to the earliest beginnings of the world, when vegetation rioted on the earth and the big trees were kings. An empty stream, a great silence, and impenetrable forest … '; (Conrad ?). The river, one which “resemble[s] an immense snake uncoiled … with its tail lost in the depths of the land'; (Conrad ?), is “dangerous, dark, mysterious, treacherous, [and] concealed'; (Karl 32). When the characters are unable to withstand the various temptations along this passage they helplessly sell their souls to corruption. In both the book and the movie, the various events along each individual journey help illustrate not only the physical deterioration of the environment and the characters’ health but also the psychological degradation of the characters’ conscience and consciousness. In both Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now, the various dramatic shifts in the environment from the onset of the river journeys delineate an increasing barbarity and savagery as the characters penetrate deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness. The direction of both journeys are formally established as a movement from “open and boundless to narrow and restricted spaces'; (Adelman 66), from the light of the sun into the darkness. Projected towards the wilderness, each journey reflects a voyage into the “gloom of over-shadowed distances'; (Conrad ?). In Heart of Darkness, the rivers begin to narrow as the ships approach Kurtz’s compound, and Conrad describes this last section of the river as “narrow, straight, with high sides like a railway cutting'; (?). In Apocalypse Now, the river towards the end of the journey is located between steep cliffs on both sides; these men are symbolically trapped within this valley, with no chance of escaping from the many h orrors they face.

Admission Essay for Michigan State University

I have been raised to believe that a tertiary education is not merely a way to assure that one is able to get a decent job later in life. My father, Mark Shook, told me once that aside from the stability a degree could offer in the future; we should desire to learn for knowledge sake. I believe that the Michigan State University shares such ideals.Your prestigious academe renders an education that aims to produce not only skilled graduates but individuals who are able to emerge themselves in diversity, guided by values and an open mind.MSU life would be grand, as I write this essay hoping for your favorable response, I imagine myself sharing the life I have come to know in Grosse Pointe but at the same time becoming a sponge learner to my educators and my peers. Our family is by community standards not as affluent as the majority that resides in the area. Nonetheless I have learned to deal with different kinds of individuals, forging friendships and socializing through my part-time j ob.My highly localized perspective would, in my opinion, find a place within MSU cultural discourse. Yes, to be honest it may not as exciting as the different lives and input others may give me and this I would be honest about. However, as of the moment a part of me is a canvas, from which others would be more than welcome to paint their own stories. My mind is raw with ideas and questions beyond what I have come to know, and this is part of what I am hoping that MSU would accept and find as a worthy contribution.I am not culturally exposed in the most sophisticated sense of the word; I had hoped and still hoping that I would be able to have the chance now. I have a piece of my life that I could share with your academic community. I could tell you all what it is like to be a Grosse Point girl. I could guarantee that even though we are considerably a small city and my family the average sort; I have taken every opportunity there is to culturally connect with others. I love music; the re are no words to describe how influential it has been in my life.It has allowed me my own personal space when in doubt of what life offers but more importantly it gave me the chance to appreciate the cultures of other people other than the one I have become accustomed with. I am hoping that I would, if you give me the chance, become a link of a culturally diverse chain that composes your academe. As part of my job, I mingle with customers; initially I saw this as merely part of my job description however later on it has become an important part of my day.Each person that enters the doors of the shop I work in has something to share. Those who talk had taught me to be a good listener, and a good absorber of thoughts. At sixteen, a lot of strangers have touched my life. Those who come in and tell me bits of their stories would often allow me a glimpse of where they are coming from. More importantly I am able to be an instrument for them to express their lives, to take pride in their experiences, or to rant of how at times life for them is difficult.There are those who come to buy their orders and leave, there are those who enter frowning and you know that a smile or two could really let them lighten up. It sometimes amazes me when average people are able to teach in fifteen minutes of you serving them; the pangs of existing in the status quo. I literally cut through borders, a listener but also one who knows when to speak up and share her thoughts. In as much as I may be able a student waiting to be a collage of cultural identities; I also bring to the table my humble share of experiences.At times there is no point in trying to portray the grandiose of lives; what matters is how true the person is. I have asked some of my peers of how they had answered their own admission essays; and some of them have opted to butter things up. I however, despite possible comments am satisfied with telling MSU who I am, what I can become through the said academe. I am a fresh mind, where hues are waiting to be fused, I welcome diversity as part of my holistic development as a person, and hopefully others share the same optimism.

Distinguish between Power and Authority

Power is the ability to coerce or force someone to do your will even if in some cases they may not want to. Authority is the skill of making people willingly do your will. It also the right to give orders, enforce obedience or make decisions.2. Compare and contrast the features of the leadership of bands, tribes, chiefdoms and state societiesA chiefdom is a form of hierarchical political organization in non-industrial societies usually based on kinship, and in which formal leadership is monopolized by the legitimate senior members of select families or houses. These elites form a political ideological aristocracy relative to the general group.3. Compare and contrast rank based societies and stratified state societies Power or privilege for some groups over the other it is called social stratification. It is a system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy social stratification is based on four basic principles.4. Discuss the dimensions of social stratification and how these dimensions define state society  refers to a system by which categories of people in society are ranked in a hierarchy. For example of the Titanic to show the consequences of social inequality in terms of who survived the disaster and who did not. Four principles are identified which help explain why social stratification exists. First, social stratification is a characteristic of society and not merely of individuals. Second, social stratification is universal but variable. Third, it persists over generations. And, fourth, it is supported by patterns of belief.5. What means are used in various societies to maintain social control? Cite  example to support your generalizations Societies have developed both informal and formal means of dealing with conflicts and the disorder that results from conflict. Informal means of social control include ridicule and ostracism. Formal means of social control include formalized laws and sanctions. Methods for judicial settlement of such laws range from the formal song duels of the Inuits to the formal court system of the United States.

NCAA ACT Scores What You Need to Qualify

NCAA ACT Scores What You Need to Qualify SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you’re a student athlete who wants to play in NCAA Division I or Division II sports in college, then this article is for you! We’ll review NCAA’s eligibility criteria for your GPA and ACT score,which NCAA compares using a sliding scale. More importantly, we’ll give you the tips and strategies you need to achieve the NCAA ACT scores required for passing the clearinghouse. First, let’s quickly review how your grade point average, or GPA, is determined. How NCAA Calculates and Considers Your GPA NCAA considers the GPA of your high schoolcore courses. These include the following: Four years of English Three years of math at the Algebra I level or higher Two years of natural or physical science (one lab if offered at any high school attended) One year of additional English, math, or natural/physical science One year of social science Four years of foreign language, philosophy, or comparative religion Check out your own high school to see which of its courses qualify as NCAA core courses. This means thatyour core course GPA might be a little different than the one reported on your transcript, which is an average of all the courses you've taken in high school. GPAs are calculated on a 4.0 scale. The chart below shows how letter and percentage grades translate to this 4.0 scale: Letter Grade Grade Point Percentage A 4.0 94-100% A- 3.7 90-93% B+ 3.3 87-89% B 3.0 83-86% B- 2.7 80-82% C+ 2.3 77-79% C 2.0 73-76% C- 1.7 70-72% D+ 1.3 67-69% D 1.0 60-66% F 0.0 0-59% Since NCAA compares your GPA and ACT score, let’s review how the ACT is scored. With this understanding, you’ll be able to determine exactly what ACT scores you need and how to achieve them. Review: How Your ACT Score Is Calculated For a detailed explanation of how the ACT is scored, check out our article here. The gist is that the ACT has four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.Each of these sections is scored on a scale from 1 to 36, and these four section scores are averaged together to give you a composite score, also out of 36. That said, your composite score doesn’t really matter for NCAA.Instead, NCAA adds your section scores together to get a sum score.So your sum score willbe at least 4 and at most 144 (36x4). Before you get a scaled score from 1 to 36, each section receives a raw score.Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly on each section. The chart below gives an example of how raw scores can convert into scaled scores. Why is this important? Once you know your target score,you can determine how many correct answers you'll need to get that score- and how many questions you can essentially ignore. Note that the ACT does not deduct any points for wrong answers, so you should still fill in answers to any questions you’ve skipped. You might get lucky and add a point or more to your raw score! An example of an official ACT score conversion chart (from raw to scaled). (Source: ACT.org) How NCAA Considers Your ACT Scores As you read above,NCAA adds your section scores from English, Math, Reading, and Science into a sum score.For example, if you got a scaled score of 20 on all four sections, your sum score would be 80 (20 + 20 + 20 + 20 = 80). If you take the ACT more than once, NCAA will take your best section scores from any dates.In other words, NCAA will mix and match your highest section scores to get your highest possible ACT sum score. Now, let’s move on to the really important part: how NCAA compares your GPA with your ACT score. NCAA Eligibility: The Sliding Scale For Division I players, NCAA uses a sliding scale that compares your core GPA and ACT scores. If you have a higher GPA, you can meet the eligibility requirements with lower scores. Conversely, if you have a lower GPA, you'll have to make up the difference with higher ACT scores. With a 2.8 GPA, for example, you'd need an ACT sum score of 57 in order to meet the NCAA ACT requirements. You could either aim to score the same on each section- say, around 15 out of 36- or a little higher on some sections and lower on others (depending on what your strengths are). By contrast, for Division II, up until 2018 you'll need a minimum core GPA of 2.0 and a minimum ACT sum score of 68. To reach this score, you could score around 17 (out of 36) on each section, or a little higher or lower in some. From August 2018 onward, however, Division II players will be on a sliding scale like Division I playersand will need at least a 2.2 core GPA. These charts show the sliding scale to qualify for Division I and Division II teams. You will need at least a 2.3 GPA to qualify fully for Division I and at least a 2.2 GPA to qualify fully for Division II. Students with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.3 may qualify for Academic Redshirt for Division I, meaning they'll get athletic aid and practice but will be unable to compete.Similarly, students with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.2 may qualify as Partial Qualifiers for Division II. Partial qualifying scores are in parentheses for Division I only. Division I Division II (beginning Aug. 1, 2018) Core Course GPA ACT Sum Core Course GPA ACT Sum 3.550 above 37 3.300 above 37 3.525 38 3.275 38 3.500 39 3.250 39 3.475 40 3.225 40 3.450 41 3.200 41 3.425 41 3.175 41 3.400 42 3.150 42 3.375 42 3.125 42 3.350 43 3.100 43 3.325 44 3.075 44 3.300 44 3.050 44 3.275 45 3.025 45 3.250 46 3.000 46 3.225 46 2.975 46 3.200 47 2.950 47 3.175 47 2.925 47 3.150 48 2.900 48 3.125 49 2.875 49 3.100 49 2.850 49 3.075 50 2.825 50 3.050 50 2.800 50 3.025 51 2.775 51 3.000 52 2.750 52 2.975 52 2.725 52 2.950 53 2.700 53 2.925 53 2.675 53 2.900 54 2.650 54 2.875 55 2.625 55 2.850 56 2.600 56 2.825 56 2.575 56 2.800 57 2.550 57 2.775 58 2.525 58 2.750 59 2.500 59 2.725 59 2.475 60 2.700 60 2.450 61 2.675 61 2.425 61 2.650 62 2.400 62 2.625 63 2.375 63 2.600 64 2.350 64 2.575 65 2.325 65 2.550 66 2.300 66 2.525 67 2.275 67 2.500 68 2.250 68 2.475 69 2.225 69 2.450 70 2.200 70 above 2.425 70 2.400 71 2.375 72 2.350 73 2.325 74 2.300 75 (2.275) 76 (2.250) 77 (2.225) 78 (2.200) 79 (2.175) 80 (2.150) 80 (2.125) 81 (2.100) 82 (2.075) 83 (2.050) 84 (2.025) 85 (2.000) 86 Once you know your GPA and what ACT score you need to qualify, how can you get these scores? Read on for our top tips and strategies. How to Hit Your Target ACT Scores for NCAA: 5 Tips Once you've figured out your target ACT scores(based on your GPA using the sliding scales above), what steps can you take to achieve them? Read on for our top five tips for ensuring you do well on the ACT and qualify for NCAA. #1: Play to Your Strengths Since NCAA adds together all your section scores, all sections of the ACT are equally important and require test prep. However, since there is no minimum score needed per section, you can achieve your target sum score with any combination of section scores. In short, you can play to your strengths. What subjects are you stronger in? Which subjects aren't your forte? If you love English but feel as though math messes with your head, you could, for example, aim for a higher score on the English and Reading sections than you do on the Math section. While you definitely need to prep for all sections, it's OK to define different target scores for English, Math, Reading, and Sciencedepending on your strengths and what you can realistically achieve with the time you have to prep. #2: Devise a Strategy Once you have your target scores defined, take a look at the sample raw score chart above. How many questions do you need to get right in order to hit your goal score? If you need an 18 in English, for example, this means you'll need to get 17-19 questions right (aim for at least 19). That's less than ⅓ of all the English questions! As you’re taking the ACT, don’t waste time on the really hard questions; seek out questions you can confidently answer. At the same time, don’t leave any questions blank. As I mentioned above, there's no penalty for wrong answers, so you might as well guess. If you skip any questions, leave a little time at the end of the section to fill in the rest on your bubble sheet. You might also be able to improve your scores by retaking the ACT. Start early to make sure you have enough test dates. #3: Get Training As with the rigorous hours you put in for your sport, you need to step up to some serious training for the ACT. Doing well on the ACT isn't just about showing up and being smart- it’s about how prepared you are. Studying will help you get better, just as practices allow you to improve as an athlete. This isn’t a metaphor- it’s how any skill is developed. Believing that you can grow and get better is a big part of clearing the way for growth to actually happen. As you've probably felt during exhausting practices and games, a huge part of performing is winning this mental battle. These values of dedication, effort, discipline, and internal motivation will help you on the ACT and carry you through your career as a student-athlete in college. Figure out your strengths, drill your weaknesses, and keep up your drive and hunger to achieve your goals. #4: Find Time Finding time for test prep is easier said than done, especially with your packed schedule of school, homework, practices, games, and a social life. Create a schedule and set aside specific time for ACT studying to ensure you prep enough. As you take official ACT practice tests, time yourself the way the real test will be timed. This will let you get used to the pacing of the questions in a short amount of time, and help you understand your own stamina and what you need to do to keep up your focus and energy levels. #5: Use the Right Materials You wouldn’t train for baseball with a Wiffle ball just as you shouldn’t train for the ACT with subpar materials. High-quality test-prep questions are a must for preparing you for the ACT and breaking down the skills and content you need to master within each section. These include official practice tests, prep books, and websites. For more tips on prepping for the ACT,check out our free ebook. In addition,ACT Questions of the Dayare an easy and convenient way to add some extra test prep. These can be accessed online or on your phone. By starting months ahead of the test, ACT QOTD will familiarize you with a variety of problems and help you figure out what types of questions, if any, need extra attention. Conclusion: GPA and ACT Score Requirements for NCAA By being aware of NCAA ACT and GPA requirements well ahead of your application deadlines, you will have enough time to train for the ACT, retake the test if needed, and ensure that you meet the NCAA eligibility criteria. As an athlete, you likely know that training and practice make all the difference. By applying those same skills of self-discipline and internal motivation to your ACT prep, you will be able to take your career as a student-athlete to the next level at the college of your choice! What’s Next? Ready to start prepping for the ACT? Check out these free ACT practice test PDFsand learn key strategies to make the most of your test prep. In addition, get tips on how to make your own ACT study schedule. Need help setting a target ACT score?Go through our step-by-step guide to figure out what ACT score you should aim foras well as how you can achieve it. Be strategic on the ACT, but make sure you’re going about it the right way. Check out the top mistakes students make when guessing on the ACT. Want to improve your ACT sum score by 16 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT sum score by 16 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses. We also have expert instructors who can grade every one of your practice ACT essays, giving feedback on how to improve your score. Check out our 5-day free trial:

Best Ways to Study for Economics Exams

Best Ways to Study for Economics Exams Exams are coming, or they might already be here for some of you! Either way, its time to study. First things first, dont panic. Look at how to study for an economics exam that is a few weeks out, and then consider how to cram the night before a test. Good luck. The Best Way to Study for Economics Exams One to Three Weeks in Advance Congratulations on starting to study early! Heres what to do: Ask your instructor for an exam outline and what to expect on the exam.Create an overview. Review your notes and any assignments you had.Review the courses main ideas.For each big idea, review its sub-topics and supporting details.Practice. Use old exams to get a feel for the style of questions you might be asked. Hints Be realistic. No one can study for 8 hours a day.Make sure you get plenty of food, sleep, and relaxation.Try to study in the same place at the same time every day.At the beginning of each study, period review the last thing you studied for 10 minutes.Rewrite your notes. It can help you retain information.Read your notes out loud.If you dont complete a particular task, dont worry just carry it over to your next session.Dont simply memorize facts. Ask yourself broad open-ended questions about the material thats been covered. The Night Before the Exam Sleep!Try to stick to  review. Dont try to learn anything new.Picture yourself succeeding. One of the key elements for many world-class performers is visualization. The Day of the Exam Eat. Dont skip the meal before your exam because not eating can result in tiredness and poor concentration.Arrive just a few minutes before your exam to avoid the usual wide-spread and contagious panic During the Exam Use a cheat sheet even if youre not allowed to bring one into the exam.Make a cheat sheet of the material you are certain will help. Take it to the exam; throw it out before you sit down, then recopy it from memory, somewhere on the exam booklet, as soon as you can.Read all of the questions (except multiple choice) before beginning, and write notes on the paper for anything important that occurs to you as you read.If youre having a problem with one question move on and return to the problem question if you have time left at the end.Watch the clock. The Best Way to Study If Your Economics Exam Is Tomorrow   While no one really recommends cramming, sometimes thats what you have to do. So here are some hints to get you through it: Pick the most important subjects in your study material.Look over your lecture notes, or someone elses if you dont have any, and see what the lecturer focused on. Concentrate your cramming on these broad areas. You dont have time to learn specifics.The key to cramming is memorization, so it only works for knowledge questions. Focus on material that can be memorized.Spend 25% of your time cramming and 75% drilling yourself.  Recite  and repeat the information.Relax: being upset at yourself for not studying earlier wont help and may hurt your performance in the classRemember how you felt while studying and while writing the exam and plan to study earlier next time! Hints Be realistic. No one can study for 8 hours a dayMake sure you get plenty of food and sleepTry to study in a quiet placeRewrite your notes. It can help you retain informationRead your notes out loud The Day of the Exam Eat. Dont skip the meal before your exam because not eating can result in tiredness and poor concentration.Arrive just a few minutes before your exam to avoid the usual wide-spread and contagious panic During the Exam Use a cheat sheet even if youre not allowed to bring one into the exam.Make a cheat sheet of the material you are certain will help; take it to the exam; throw it out before you sit down, then recopy it from memory, somewhere on the exam booklet, as soon as you can.Read all of the questions (except multiple choice) before beginning, and write notes on the paper for anything important that occurs to you as you read.If youre having a problem with one question move on and return to the problem question if you have time left at the end.Watch the clock.

Culture and public policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Culture and public policy - Essay Example rld, Russia and western powers, India and China have strengthen the claim of Samuel Huntington about a clash of civilizations in today’s world (Neumayer & Plà ¼mper 2009, p. 712). On the basis of scholarly research and available data, the paper will prove the existence of clash of civilizations in today’s world. In order to prove the thesis, the paper will analyze the Huntington’s theory of clash of civilizations. Also, by analyzing the religious and political aspects, paper will show that the catastrophe of civilization conflicts is mainly based on the political factors like, the US’ excessive dominance, emerging multipolar power system and religious factors like, Islamic radicalism, Islamophobia etc. Samuel Huntington’s book, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, triggered widespread debate in the field of political and public affairs. Also, the Huntington’s article about the clash of civilizations, which was written in 1993 in Foreign Affairs, raised massive controversy than any other article that was published in Foreign Affairs since the 1950s (Chiozza 2002, p. 711). Consequently, Samuel Huntington is considered as the most critical and thought-provoking author in the field of global affairs in last few decades (Chiozza 2002, p. 712). According to the Huntington’s point of view, interstate relationships in the post-Cold War era will be mainly influenced by the factors of civilizations. As the nation remains the main actor on a global level, its interests, behaviour, and integrity will be based on its civilizational background (Huntington 1993). In other words, potential corporations and conflicts will exist within civilizations is th e major speculation of Huntington about the future of global politics. Huntington claimed that in the new world, the most lethal, dangerous, and extensive conflicts won’t be between economic or social classes, but between people from different cultural backgrounds. According to the

Reading and Writing Without Authority Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reading and Writing Without Authority - Essay Example From this discussion it is clear that the reporter suffers the same predicament just like Janet’s. When he does a research, or even a simple paper, he just throws in information and data that the author thinks is relevant in the paper without really appreciating what the texts are trying to say.   This goes with class discussion where he blurts some information about a subject matter.   He guesses ever student has been through this awkward stage and eventually overcame it with efforts.  The reporter knows that this kind of learning is not effective because his claims are sometimes conflicting not to mention that it can be logically unsound.   It is also susceptible to mistake and error.This paper outlines that instead of merely getting information and throwing it in the paper, it would be better to understand and appreciate what the texts are really trying to say and enjoy it in the process.   After the initial write, it would also be effective to check whether hiscl aims are consistent after giving it a sleep and reading it anew with a fresher mind.   The reporter finds this approach very effective because he sees mistakes that he was not able to see before.   When the author fully understands it, he can then put it in the paper the way he understood it and it would appear in the writing.   Ideas will flow smoothly without awkward transitions not to mention that the final result of his composition reads great.   He will also practice so that he can write just like Roger’s in Reading and Writing Without Authority.