Abolitionism - African American Essay Example for Free

Abolitionism African American Essay With abolition is found the gateway towards freedom. The African American influence in this area was of great authority especially in rural districts such as Lancaster and Chester Counties (Pennsylvania). In these groups sometimes the blacks worked alone and sometimes they partnered with whites. With this movement, African Americans used brute force to gain what they wanted (Bordewich, 138). Abolitionism was a great aid in spearheading the rights of blacks serving as soldiers. The abolitionism movement was fueled with evangelical religion, which deemed slavery as a sin. With this motto, members of the movement (both white and black) demanded that slavery be done away with, and terminated completely (Glatthaar, 15). The abolition movement is one in which its essential existence is tied integrally with that of African Americans, for it is their freedom which is at stake and is the goal of the movement. In the abolition movement is found the beginnings of the Anti-Slavery Society that has this as its constitution, This Society shall aim to elevate the character and condition of the people of color, by encouraging their intellectual, moral and religious improvement, and by removing public prejudice, that thus they may, according to their intellectual and moral worth, share an equality with the whites, of civil and religious privileges; but this Society will never, in any way, countenance the oppressed in vindicating their rights by resorting to physical force. Here is established the beating heart of the movement, to liberate the black community, and restore to them their God-given rights as humans to live freely, without adversity, without a fundamental challenge to their worth as part of humanity. Conclusion The myriad of influences the African American culture and people had on the Civil War is vast in its subjects, from black soldiers, the abolitionists, to their role in religion, African Americans have proven that their participation in the Civil War is essential. Black soldiers were only given praise and trustworthiness after they had proven themselves in the field of battle as equal compatriots to the Northern white soldier. During the clandestine times of the Underground Railroad, African Americans showed their dedication, and their strength of will through traveling thousands of miles to be free, and then they traversed the same paths in order to allow for other fugitives to find their way to the North. In Frederick Douglass there was found a man who stood for what he believed, not only in speech, but also in action. His deliberate animosity to ignorance in owning slaves helped to fuel the fires of the abolition movement, and thus the public awareness and knowledge of what slavery truly is: a vile creature, distorted with hate, and allowed to live only through dictatorship, and autocracy. McPherson states of the Civil War, â€Å"The Lincoln administration and the Republican press, even antislavery newspapers such as the new York Tribune, declared emphatically that the purpose of the war was the restoration of the Union, and that the issues of slavery and the Negro had nothing to do with the conflict† (22). Without the establishment of the Underground Railroad, the Abolitionist movement, and the fight for freed blacks to become soldiers, the Civil War would not hold for a history about the emancipation of a race, but the unification of a country instead. The ultimate influence that the African Americans had in the Civil War was their participation in all aspects of it; they were not going to be denied their human right to be their own masters, and without their voices and contributions in the war, slavery might not be an old issue. Without the personal stories of African Americans such as Frederick Douglass then the war would be empty of freedom. As McPherson quotes of Susie King Taylor, In this ‘land of the free’ we are burned, tortured, and denied a fair trial, murdered for any imaginary wrong conceived in the brain of the negro-hating white man. There is no redress for us from a government which promised to protect all under its flag. It seems a mystery to me. They say, ‘One flag, one nation, one country indivisible. ’ Is this true? Can we say this truthfully, when one race is allowed to burn, hang, and inflict the most horrible torture weekly, monthly, on another? No, we cannot sing, ‘My country, ‘t is of thee, Sweet land of Liberty’! It is hollow mockery. The Southland laws are all on the side of the white, and they do just as they like to the negro, whether in the right or not†¦(313). African Americans made this their war. Through fortitude and strength of will, they placed their faith in the decency of the Northern states and abolitionists to see the truth of the hate and prejudice in the country. The Civil War would not be about freedom, and the extraction of the activity of slavery in America if not for African Americans. African Americans paved the way for their own rebellion by speaking up, by acting, by using their talents in the field of battle and fighting for themselves, for liberation, for their sisters, brothers, mothers, and fathers. Without the influence of African Americans, the Civil War would have been just about unification. Work Cited Bordewich, Fergus M.Bound for Canaan. The Underground Railroad and the War for The Soul of America. HarperCollins, New York. 2005. Elkins, Stanely. Slavery. University of Chicago Press. 1976. Glatthaar, Joseph T. Forged in Battle: The Civil War Alliance of Black Soldiers and White Officers. The Free Press. New York, 1991. McPherson, James M. The Negro’s Civil War. Pantheon Books. New York, 1965. McPherson, James M. Ordeal by Fire. McGraw Hill. New York. 2001 Tracy, O. 2005. http://www. teacheroz. com/index. htm.

The ancient cultures of the world Essay Example for Free

The ancient cultures of the world Essay Food plays a very important role in the development of civilizations and cultures. The cultures that were able to come up with abundant food supply were able to raise large populations that aided in them being able to control large empires. The less sufficient populations were easily conquered by the others. It is clear that food played an important role in all of this. Yet, as the world turns, there is less and less emphases being placed on being able to control food supply as countries all over the world are able to trade with each other for food items. Dominance is no longer hinged on the amount of food but in other matters. The role of food is not being understated but rather just reduced in rank as other important matters take precedence pursuant to the fact that food supply has more or less been secured especially in the developed countries and cultures. 1. The ancient cultures of the world such as the early Native Americans, Incas, Mayas, Egyptians, etc. , all ate what was available from the land around them. For example, each early Native American tribes had a specific diet based on the geography of the region of the United States they were located in. Culture, however, did have an impact on how and why many early civilizations ate the foods that they ate. Some early Native American tribes ate buffalo because it was not only a source of food, but also a source of clothing and shelter. Culture in some instances has affected what certain religions can and cannot eat. For example, Muslims and Jews cannot eat pork, while Hindus cannot eat meat. In the US, freedom and equality has allowed many different cultures to practices what they wish. Many different types of food cultures are evident throughout the United States. US society, though, has changed some of those practices and made them more practical and efficient to fit society’s needs. For example, instead of spending all day cooking for a certain religious holiday, a family can go out and buy the foods they need already cooked and ready to eat. This is something that does not often occur in other parts of the world, but fits in with the convenience of US society. It is interesting to point out, however, that while it is argued that culture plays a big role, religion perhaps exerts a bigger role. The abundance of meats and pork in those regions would have made these ideal foods that were convenient and could sustain the growing population much easier than alternative foods that were often tied up with rituals. Perhaps, the better perspective would be that food is connected to culture and not to necessity or geography. 2. Food began as fuel for the body in its simplest form, but has transformed into an important part of culture and religion. I think culture and geographical location play a very important part in the foods that we eat. Foods beginnings were very natural, but the changes in the way we harvest, grow and prepare foods have changed food to a very unnatural process. It does seem as though food has always played an important part in the culture and religion of society. Food in the United States seems to be on a path to becoming less important in the religious and cultural values as we have so many different cultures that are being combined into one society. I feel that the informality of meals in today’s society is changing the way that we look at food as a part of our daily lives. Meals were times for family in the past and now, it seems like we are always in hurry and trying to eat when we can, rather than making it a social or cultural event. The change that food has had in culture over the years can be attributed to its abundance. As so aptly pointed out, food has become less important and less part of society as a cultural event because of the abundance. In a country that has no problem with food supply, the United States, by ensuring a steady supply of food, has diminished its cultural and social impact. 3. I believe that geography had a lot to do with what people ate historically. Because traveling was so much more difficult, it was impossible to go around at the rate we can so they were stuck in the region that they lived. I think a lot of food customs were built that way. Back then though, I believe that it was â€Å"natural† because they hunted and gathered wild plants and animals instead of raising them how we do now. Historically, all of an animal was used. Every edible part was eaten and all the non-edible parts were used in some capacity. I think that idea paired with the animals being wild made it natural. Nowadays, I totally agree that it is an unnatural, but essential process. We do need the food to survive and with the population of the world, there is no chance all the wild animals would be enough to eat off of and to preserve. I do believe that the foods we eat has everything to do with the culture we were brought up in. Watching the video Bugs for Breakfast totally proves this point. Eating is just as much important to cultures as the special traditions. Heck, most traditions involve eating traditional food. There is no way to separate food and culture. We don’t eat for just necessity like the past. We eat for pleasure. Food is appreciated differently these days according to the difficulty that we have had acquiring it. Hunter gatherer communities made sure that every part of the kill was used because there was no guarantee when the next kill would be. Yet, as man learned how to domesticate and raise food, the priorities became difficult and man now had a luxury to refuse the parts that they don’t want.

Transactional Leadership and Transformational Leadership

Transactional Leadership and Transformational Leadership Compare and contrast between Transactional Leadership and Transformational Leadership. What are the significant differences between the two leadership models? Give relevant examples. 1.0 What is Leadership? Leadership has been described as the process of social influence in which one person can enlist or procure the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. It is the way of organizing a group of people for the purpose of achieving a common goal. A leader is the person to who is capable of guiding, inspiring and associating others with the dream goal. In addition, there are various types of leadership models which include transactional leadership, transformational leadership, and charismatic leadership and so on. In this contest, transactional leadership and transformational leadership will be compared and contrasted. 2.0 Description Transactional Leadership Transactional leadership is a term used to classify a formally known group leadership theories that inquire the interactions between leaders and followers. A transactional leader focuses more on a series of transactions. This person is interested in looking out for oneself, having exchange benefits with their subordinates and clarifies a sense of duty with rewards and punishments to reach goals. The transactional leadership style developed by Bass is based on the hypothesis that followers are motivated through a system of rewards and punishment. The transactional leaders view of the leader / follower relationship is one of quid pro quo or this for that. If the follower does something good, then they will be rewarded. If the follower does something wrong, then they will be punished. Transformational Leadership Transformational leadership is defined as a leadership approach that causes change in individuals and social systems. In its ideal form, it creates valuable and positive change in the followers with the end goal of developing followers into leaders. Enacted in its authentic form, transformational leadership enhances the motivation, morale and performance of his followers through a variety of mechanisms. These include connecting the followers sense of identity and self to the mission and the collective identity of the organization; being a role model for followers that inspires them; challenging followers to take greater ownership for their work, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of followers, so the leader can align followers with tasks that optimize their performance. The theory behind transformational leaders, on the other hand is based, on the hypothesis that leaders can exploit a need of the follower. These particular needs are not based on quid pro quo transactions, but higher order needs. These needs are those of the total person, and are closely aligned with the internal motivational factors of the follower. So at one end of the spectrum we have transactional leaders that are making many deals with those being led. On the other end of the spectrum, we have transformational leaders, which are looking to satisfy a greater need of an individual. 3.0 Mission Transactional Leader: approaches followers with an eye to exchanging one thing for another à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Burns pursues a cost benefit, economic exchange to met subordinates current material and psychic needs in return for contracted services rendered by the subordinate à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Bass Here, transformational leaders make exchange of work with their followers for benefit or rewards. Followers are motivated with the rewards being given. Transformational Leader: recognizes and exploits an existing need or demand of a potential followerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (and) looks for potential motives in followers, seeks to satisfy higher needs, and engages the full person of the follower à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Burns The leader who recognizes the transactional needs in potential followers but tends to go further, seeking to arouse and satisfy higher needs, to engage the full person of the follower à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ to a higher level of need according to Maslows hierarchy of needs à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Bass Here, transformational leaders tend to focus on the move to change the followers and the organization. In addition, as explained by Bass, the transactional leaders focus on the organizational work within the organizational culture as the way it exists; on the other hand, the transformational leaders try to bring changes to the organizational culture. 4.0 Personal characteristics Transactional Directive Dominating Action-Oriented Transformational Self Confident Assertive Seizes Opportunities Tolerates Risk Uses Systems Thinking 5.0 Characteristics of Transactional leaders 1. Contingent rewards: Transactional leaders link the goal to rewards, clarify expectations, provide necessary resources, set mutually agreed upon goals, and provide various kinds of rewards for successful performance. They set SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) goals for their subordinates. These leaders work on some aspects which include; Exchange of rewards for effort contracted. Rewards for achieving goals promised. Accomplishments recognized. Clear goals and recognition once they are reached is held to result in individuals and groups achieving expected levels of performance. 2. Management by exception (active): Transactional leaders actively monitor the work of their subordinates, watch for deviations from rules and standards and taking corrective action to prevent mistakes. These personalities also include; Standards specified by leader. Deviations are searched from the rules and standards. Corrective action taken quickly if necessary. May involve follower punishment. 3. Management by exception (passive): Transactional leaders intervene only when standards are not met or when the performance is not as per the expectations. They may even use punishment as a response to unacceptable performance. These leaders have some uniqueness which include; Leader awaits emergence of problems before acting. Intervenes only if standards are not met. 4. Passive-avoidant/Laissez-faire: The leader provides an environment where the subordinates get many opportunities to make decisions. The leader himself abdicates responsibilities and avoids making decisions and therefore the group often lacks direction. This can also be explained as; Agreements are not specified; there are no expectations set; and goals and standards are avoided. 6. 0 Characteristics of Transformational Leadership 1. Charisma or idealized influence The degree to which the leader behaves in admirable ways that cause followers to identify with the leader. Charismatic leaders display convictions, take stands and appeal to followers on an emotional level. This is about the leader having a clear set of values and demonstrating them in every action, providing a role model for their followers. 2. Inspirational motivation The degree to which the leader articulates a vision that is appealing and inspiring to followers. Leaders with inspirational motivation challenge followers with high standards, communicate optimism about future goals, and provide meaning for the task at hand. Followers need to have a strong sense of purpose if they are to be motivated to act. Purpose and meaning provide the energy that drives a group forward. It is also important that this visionary aspect of leadership be supported by skills that allow the leader to articulate his or her vision with precision and power in a compelling and persuasive way. 3. Intellectual stimulation The degree to which the leader challenges assumptions, takes risks and solicits followers ideas. Leaders with this trait stimulate and encourage creativity in their followers. 4. Individualized consideration or individualized attention The degree to which the leader attends to each followers needs, acts as a mentor or coach to the follower and listens to the followers concerns and needs. This also encompasses the need to respect and celebrate the individual contribution that each follower can make to the team (it is the diversity of the team that gives it its true strength). Transformational Leaders Motivating for performance beyond expectations. Inspiring for missions beyond self interest. Instilling confidence to achieve performance. Transformational leadership goes beyond transactional leadership. Transactional Leaders Motivating for performance at expected levels. Initiating structure to clarify the task and roles. Stressing the link between reward and goal achievement. Uses agreed upon performance to motivate. Performance beyond expectations 7.0 Assumptions Transformational leaders People get inspired by a person then they will follow that person. Great things can be achieved by person with vision and passion. Things are gotten done by the way they are injected with enthusiasm and energy. Transactional Leaders Followers/Employees are motivated by reward and punishment. Orders are given by the superiors, and the subordinates have to obey the orders. These subordinates are not self-motivated rather they need to be intimately monitored and controlled in order to get the work done from them. 8.0 Differences Transitional leaders Transactional leaders are aware of the link between the effort and reward Transactional leadership is responsive and its basic orientation is dealing with present issues Transactional leaders rely on standard forms of inducement, reward, punishment and sanction to control followers Transactional leaders motivate followers by setting goals and promising rewards for desired performance Transactional leadership depends on the leaders power to reinforce subordinates for their successful completion of the bargain. Transformational leaders Transformational leaders arouse emotions in their followers which motivates them to act beyond the framework of what may be described as exchange relations Transformational leadership is proactive and forms new expectations in followers Transformational leaders are distinguished by their capacity to inspire and provide individualized consideration, intellectual stimulation and idealized influence to their followers Transformational leaders create learning opportunities for their followers and stimulate followers to solve problems Transformational leaders possess good visioning, rhetorical and management skills, to develop strong emotional bonds with followers Transformational leaders motivate followers to work for goals that go beyond self-interest. In addition, the below table will give a detailed contrast of the differences between Transactional leadership and transformational leadership. Transactional Leadership Transformational Leadership à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leadership of the status quo. Effective in stable organizations and contexts. More likely to be observed in a well-ordered society. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leadership of change (within leaders, followers and organizations). Important in times of distress and rapid and destabilizing change. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Focuses on social and economic exchanges between leaders and followers, using contingent rewards and administrative actions to reinforce positive and reform negative behaviors. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Focuses on organizational objectives and organizational change by disseminating new values and seeking alternatives to existing arrangements. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leader-follower relationship sees each exchange needs and services to satisfy their independent objectives. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leader-follower relationship sees purposes of both become fused, leading to unity and shared purpose. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Motivates followers by appealing to their own self-interest (for example, pay, and promotion). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Attempts to raise follower needs (following Maslows hierarchy) to higher levels (for example, self-esteem) and to develop followers into leaders. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Based on directive power acts. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Based on interaction and influence. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Follower response based on compliance. Supervision likely to be important. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Follower response based on commitment. Supervision may be minimal. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leadership act takes place but leaders and followers not bound together in mutual pursuit of higher purpose. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Founded on peoples need to make a living by completing tasks. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Founded on peoples need for meaning. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Focuses on situational authority, politics and perks. Involves values, but typically those required for successful exchange relationships (for example, reciprocity, and integrity). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Focuses on personal power, values, morals and ethics. May be demonstrated by anyone in an organization in any type of position. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Emphasis on day-to-day affairs, business needs short-term goals and quantitative information. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Transcends daily affairs, concentrating on long-term issues. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leader-follower relationship may be established quickly. A relatively impersonal relationship maintained only as long as benefits outweigh costs. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ May take time for leader-follower bonds to develop. A personal relationship that may persist when costs outweigh benefits. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Tends to be transitory. Once a transaction is completed, relationship may need to be redefined. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Tends to be enduring. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Emphasizes tactical issues. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Emphasizes missions and strategies for achieving them. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Typically involves working within current systems. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ May involve redesigning of jobs to make them more meaningful and challenging. Emphasizes realization of human potential. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Supports structures and systems that emphasize outcomes. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Aligns structures and systems to overarching values and goals. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Follower counseling focuses on evaluation. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Follower counseling focuses on personal development. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Atomistic worldview and moral altruistic motives based on teleological perspective (that is to say, based on consequences). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Organic worldview and moral altruistic motives based on deontological perspective (that is to say, based on promises). In addition to the above table, their differences can also be categorized as the following; Basis Servant or steward Leadership Transformational leaders have idealized vision. They are likable and honorable hero that worth imitating and identifying. They lead to promote change in the environment. On the other hand, Transactional leaders have the basis of exchange process. They work on mutual need satisfying, giving rewards for job performance. They lead to promote stability in the workplace. Leadership development Transformational leaders tend to have more power. They empower and energize their followers excel. They re-engineer their followers. On the other hand, Transactional leaders design structures, control and reward system in their workplace to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Lead by example Transformational leaders are charismatic. They handle and meet individuals needs. As well, they upgrade the level of the needs. On the other hand, Transactional leaders possess different types of leadership style, using the right style at the necessary time. Proactive change agent Transformational leaders make an effort to inspire their followers to help them change and transcend their selves for greater purposes. On the other hand, Transactional leaders reward their followers in terms of their performance. They are reactive to change at instances. Vision creator propagandist Transformational leaders make effort to create a vision of desired future state. They communicate pain of change that worth the effort. On the other hand, Transactional leaders focus on company goals and objectives. They make sure the needed goals are achieved. 9.0 Examples Transactional Leadership In this kind of leadership, a clear chain of command is established. The leader motivates his subordinates by presenting them rewards and punishments. All requirements for a subordinate are clearly stated with corresponding rewards. If they fail to satisfy those requirements, they will receive a corresponding punishment. A couple of famous examples of transactional leaders are Joseph McCarthy and Charles de Gaulle. Transformational Leadership Transformational leaders lead by motivating by their followers. Leaders appeal to their followers ideals and morals to motivate them in accomplishing their tasks. Basically, these kinds of leaders empower their followers using their own beliefs and personal strengths. Simply put, they inspire their followers. Famous transformational leaders include Martin Luther King Jr. and Walt Disney. 10.0 Conclusion Finally, the transactional style of leadership is viewed as insufficient, but not bad, in developing the maximum leadership potential. It forms as the basis for more mature interactions but care should be taken by leaders not to practice it exclusively, otherwise it will lead to the creation of an environment permeated by position, power, perks, and politics. On the other hand, transformational Leadership by definition, seek to transform. When the organization does not need transforming and people are happy as they are, then such a leader will be frustrated. Like wartime leaders, however, given the right situation they come into their own and can be personally responsible for saving entire companies.

Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie Essay -- Reservation Blues, Sherma

In the novel Reservation Blues, most of the characters struggle with their identity at some point. Victor has an especially strong urge to rebel against his Native American heritage, which is apparent in his violent, arrogant demeanor and his obvious problem with alcohol. Victor is tied to his past and has trouble coping with his life as it is, and is in a constant battle with himself, his surroundings, and other people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Early in the book, Victor is portrayed as somewhat of a bully, and he and Junior are even referred to as, "two of the most accomplished bullies of recent Native American history." (page 13) Victor's closest and most meaningful relationship in the book is his friendship with Junior. It's unclear why Junior is best friends with Victor, but both of the men seem to need each other and depend on each other more than they might be willing to admit. Victor never had a real relationship with his father, who moved to Arizona and then died of a heart attack. His mother had met another man and fallen in love with him very soon after Victor?s real father left.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Victor doesn?t seem to be very attached to his Native American culture. When his father left, his mother married a white man, so Victor grew up with a significant figure in his life being white. He seems to follow his mother?s example to some extent, and is frequently attracted to white women. Although Victor doesn?t seem to care about being Native American, in some way, his tendency to t...

The Multicultural Education Essay -- essays papers

The Multicultural Education John Searle addresses the â€Å"major debate†¦ going on at present concerning†¦ a crisis in the teaching of the humanities.† [Searle, 106] He goes on to defend the canon of works by dead white males that has traditionally made up the curriculum of liberal arts education. I disagree with many of his arguments, and believe that multiculturalism should be taught in the university, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. Openmindedness will take much more than just minimal changes in curriculum. In order for works by different races and women to be judged and studied alongside works by white men, they have to be seen as equal to works by white men. They have to be studied for their literary content, not for the statement they make about feminism or race. We don’t just need to evaluate them by the same standards, we need to change the standards. The standards set by the traditional liberal arts education have been set by white males and are inherently biased. Ne w standards need to be set that are as openminded as we want students to be. This is a trend that needs to be started way before college. A diverse curriculum should be taught throughout a person’s education, because that is what will produce well rounded, openminded individuals that will change the tradition of oppression in society. Searle says, â€Å"We should not be embarrassed by the fact that a disproportionately large percentage of the major cultural achievements in our society have been made by white males.† [Searle, 118] To this, I say yes we should! We should be embarrassed that there are people who don’t see that this â€Å"disproportionately large percentage† is not due to the overwhelming intelligence of the white male, but to centuries of oppression. Our culture hasn’t nurtured the intellectual efforts of women or minorities, their ideas and pursuits have been repressed, probably out of fear. We have a society dominated by white males, it shouldn’t be surprising that literature is too. We need to change the way our society view women and minorities. Trying to do this by changing the curriculum of college students is pointless. We need to start from the beginning, with the children. Children need to be taught that they exist as a part of the world, rather than just as a part of America. If worldliness is encouraged at a young age, it will replace the â€Å"us† and â€Å"them† mentali... ...be expanded to new ideas and cultures. University education should be an extension of, not a replacement for, grade and high school education. I think that, in general, we are on the road to a more openminded society. Children and young adults are more accepting than their parents and their grandparents, and I think if we encourage and appreciate this trend, it will continue on to their children. But, it is not the case in all families, and even if it were, family is only one of the influences in a child’s life. As they get older, they are increasingly influenced by outside factors, such as school, the media and culture. We need to encourage children and open their minds with all the tools we have available to us as a society. Children are the ones that will make up the bulk of the influential population in twenty years. Broadening their horizons is broadening the future’s horizons as well. As we change the way our society views women and minorities, as they are embraced as equals, we will start to see literary works of the same caliber, if not better than the works encompassed by the traditional canon. Then , we will be on the road to having a more diverse university education.

Primo Levis Survival in Auschwitz Essay -- Primo Levi Survival Auschw

Primo Levi's Survival in Auschwitz Reading the novel Survival in Auschwitz by author Primo Levi leads one to wonder whether his survival is attributed to his indefinite will to survive or a very subservient streak of luck. Throughout the novel, he is time and again spared from the fate that supposedly lies ahead of all inhabitants of the death camp at Auschwitz. Whether it was falling ill at the most convenient times or coming in contact with prisoners who had a compassionate, albeit uncommon, disposition, it would seem as though the Gods were always smiling upon him. Although throughout the novel primo is characterized as a very willing and competent individual, one can not say that his personality or his training as a chemist were the sole factors of his survival. For the purposes of this essay, it is necessary to further address the possibility that maybe Primo Levi was just a lucky guy. The very first lines of the novel support without a doubt the fact that even Levi (Hà ¤ftlinge # 174517) himself is aware of the capacity that luck plays in his life. He begins the novel with the phrase â€Å"It was my good fortune to be deported to Auschwitz only in 1944, that is, after the German government had decided, owing to the growing scarcity of labour, to lengthen the average lifespan of the prisoners destined for elimi- nation† (Levi 9). So, had he been captured prior to 1944, his story might not have been told. Seeing as life in Monowitz (aka Buna or the Là ¤ger) was particularly brutal upon his arrival, one can only imagine the conditions that existed before the Nazi war machine experienced its labor shortage. When compelled to consider the conditions in which Levi was forced to live, it is clear to see that the will to survive must be complemented by another factor, as this will alone is not at all strong enough to sustain life. Not only are the authority figures brutish and sadistic, but the code among the prisoners themselves is even more cutthroat. In addition, the â€Å"cuisine† is terrible and is summed up in the following passage: â€Å"...every two or three hours we have to get up to discharge ourselves of the great dose of water which during the day we are forced to absorb in the form of soup in order to satisfy our hunger†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Levi 61). Furthermore, the camp is arranged in a hierarchical system with each group of prisoners having corresponding... ...urvivors, how fortunate was he to be among them! Primo Levi’s voice in this novel is so emotionless, that one is forced to jettison all biases regarding the Holocaust until completion of the novel. He does not concern himself with how the reader will look at his role in the story he tells; it is his story, thus the reader need only read and formulate their own conclusions. Because his is the story that so many will never get the chance to tell. He comes off as the quiet submissive type, yet underneath this faà §ade is a very perceptive and clever human being. In fact, the saying â€Å"still waters run deep† just about sums up Levi’s personality. Recalling what was just written of Levi’s personality, it was premature to say that pure luck was the only guiding force in Levi’s survival; some credit must be given to the individual also. So it is of utmost importance to mention that his determination to survive and to provide an accurate, albeit, de tailed account of what he had endured was also a major factor in Primo Levi’s Survival in Auschwitz. Works Cited Levi, Primo. Survival in Auschwitz: The Nazi Assault onHumanity. Trans. Stuart Woolf. New York: Collier-Macmillan, 1987.

Hip-Hop and R&B Essay

It is safe to say that expressing oneself is exerted differently amongst individuals and forms, and in many cases an art is created. The list of different art forms, artists, art-type etc. extends, and a popular art form on this list includes music. Music is a category in relation to art, but also contains many categories within itself. It is a broad subject that connects from: Country, Pop, Gospel, Opera, Hip-Hop, Rap, Tech, R&B etc. I am an individual who sees the beauty and greatness in all music, but happens to be passionate about two particular genres previously listed. R&B and Hip-Hop are two genres of music that are capable of dissection into small details, separating their differences and similarities. When I listen to and/or observe these two genres, I tend to notice certain contrasts and comparisons. The two music genres, Hip-Hop and R&B, share many similarities and differences especially involving the formatting, lyricism, and tone and/or melodies. Hip-Hop and R&B songs are both constructed with different instrumentals, but sometimes vary in style. R&B songs tend to portray more of a relaxed, sensual feel, whereas Hip-Hop songs are more for dancing actively. Two of my favorite R&B and Hip-Hop songs at the moment, â€Å"Paint This House† and â€Å"Senile†, exemplify this. In these songs, like many others, certain keys are used promoting a base sound. Base appears often in Hip-Hip songs, and is usually recognized by its distinct sound in relation to a â€Å"boom† noise. Parties and clubs show how this sound incorporated with music affects people. Along with the crowd, the Hip-Hop songs’ instrumentals, inclusive of a base, makes people want to dance; as also, the case with me. The instrumental also plays a role in the vocalization of a song, leading to an artist’s approach to the song. When I hear certain R&B beats, I automatically think of how I would sing on it and lyrics. The simple formation of the instrumental affects my mindset and mood, leading to sadness, anger, or happiness etc. related lyricism. The occurrence of these emotions in songs could also display its genre. Various artists belonging to these groups outline their songs based on their  genre. The artist’s genre affects the song’s lyricism with the two genres’ different purposes. There have been countless times that I have altered the way I sing or rap a song, because of its genre amplifying or altering my mood. A television show I watched one time, broadcasted an interview with the R&B artist Brandy; an interview in which Brandy exemplified how the instrumental she received, moved her and in a sense, her voice. Most Hip-Hop artists’ songs differ in lyricism from R&B songs, to appeal to different audiences. Some people only enjoy certain types of music, leaving the void filled by artists that make such songs. Certain vocalization could also prove to attract people, like high-pitched vocals on songs. With the exception of a rapper on an R&B song, singers display more vocal-play on songs. With the melodies singers create, R&B songs differ from Hip-Hop songs; though Hip-Hop artists sometimes create melodies without always singing. Pop and rap songs played on the radio today provide examples of a method of singing, without having to actually sing much; this method is known as Auto-tune, which makes a computerized noise. A singer can also create a Hip-Hop song, though Hip-Hop songs are usually rap-oriented. Different R&B artists have experimented with rap in their music, reciting rap-influenced lyrics with a melody. Various cases even show how singers use Hip-Hop instrumentals at times, but sing personal, self-written, or unrelated lyrics. I have covered songs with friends in which I sang and was at an advantage on certain vocal parts, seeing as how I naturally sing. This ability allows me to alter songs in a different way, including Hip-Hop songs. ​Music is one factor possessing the ability of creation through countless amount of ways. A slight noise could trigger my instinct to create a melodic beat from it, and sing random lyrics. This effect is not only the case with me, but many musical geniuses existing today or previously. Music serves as a stress-reliever, escape etc. so it ultimately affects the production of a song. It is these changes in the formation, that leads to noticeable similarities and differences of a song. The music genres, Hip-Hop and R&B, play a major role in society differentiating whilst also relating; this, in terms of different factors shaping the production of a song. To make a song,  many aspects could be assessed connecting from choice of words, beat etc. These particular aspects are the main ones I pay attention to when listening to music, providing a platform in which to compare and/or contrast in many ways.