Overpopulation In The Philippines Essay

In 2014, it is the 12th most populated country in the world. It has a growth rate of 1.89% per year. In 2013 population of 98,734,798 and 2014 population of 100,617,630 in the Philippines. In 2010, the census results show that the population increased nearly 16 million from the 2000 census results. The growth rate has slowed slightly from the previous census, down to 1.89% from 2.34%. The Philippines’ largest city is Quezon City, which contains 2,679,450 people and makes up parts of Manila with 16 cities, containing 25 million people which is more than a quarter of the Philippines population. The growth rate is so high that now three babies a minute are being born. CAUSES RELIGION -After its period under the Spanish empire the main religion in the Philippines is Catholic, this means that under their religion contraception is forbidden to be used. This leads to a higher birth-rate due to the lack of contraception used. LACK OF EDUCATION -The level of education is extremely poor, especially on contraception and sexual education. This is not helped by the Roman Catholic Church who are against contraceptives. GOVERNMENT -The government refuse to provide free birth controls for its citizens. -The country is also in turmoil, its church is very powerful (Catholic) EFFECTS  SOCIAL -Food shortages, shortage of housing leading to high density slums which spread disease quicker also increasing poverty. Unemployment is high as well as a depletion in resources. -Despite its economic growth, this still hasn’t translated into a higher employment rate. ECONOMIC -Low GDP as low food amounts, to stop this governments may have to rely on foreign debt -With high unemployment meaning that there is more economic strain on those that are in work. -The Philippines ranks in one of the worst countries by the World Bank of starting a business. This means that the government don’t collect enough income tax meaning they cannot improve the infrastructure and other aspects of the areas. -There are a high number  of Filipinos working abroad, there is a worry that these may be returning to the country, where will they live? Another problem with this is that these Filipinos with businesses take them elsewhere to prosper as in the Philippine sit is hard to start it up. ENVIRONMENTAL -Typhoon’s, destroy crops and housing causing shanty town populations to increase rapidly. -Higher pollution levels from the shanty towns, despite people picking out valuables through rubbish and selling them on.

Orwell disapproves of communism Essay

In both cases, the authors reinforce the declaration that intelligence is dropping by demonstrating depreciation in language. The Time Traveller describes the language of the Eloi to be very basic, with sentences and expressions often composed of not more than two words. In fact, he learnt a good amount of the language during his short stay. Wells is suggesting that since human intelligence is decreasing, the need for a diverse language, rich with adjectives and adverbs, is diminished. Hence humans only speak when they need to, and when they do, they’re speech has a very basic structure, composed mainly of a subject and a verb, for example. In â€Å"Nineteen Eighty-Four,† Orwell writes about a new language, called â€Å"Newspeak†, which the government is introducing. He explains plans to rid the world of plain English, or â€Å"Oldspeak,† and replace it with Newspeak, the idea being that if the government can control people’s speech, then ultimately, they can reduce the thoughts and decisions that people are capable of making. This way people can have uniform thinking, one of the endeavours of totalitarianism. Orwell has included a detailed analysis and explanation of Newspeak in an appendix, but the two fundamental rules behind the language are: to remove the majority of the words from the English language and replace them with modified versions of other words; and to abbreviate proper nouns and multiple-word phrases and statements, and respell them. The adjective â€Å"good,† for example can be modified to express adjectives such as â€Å"bad† and â€Å"excellent. † These, respectively, would be â€Å"ungood,† and â€Å"plusgood. † An example of the second rule of Newspeak is â€Å"Ingoc,† an abbreviation of â€Å"English Socialism. † The general suggestion that Wells and Orwell are making, is that the deterioration of language indicates that past political practices lead to a reduction in general intelligence levels. An interesting similarity is that the main character in both books stumbles across a female to whom they feel attached. Although the relationships between the Time Traveller and his female, â€Å"Weena,† in The Time Machine, and Winston and his female, â€Å"Julia,† is different, I believe they serve a similar purpose in the stories. The fact that both couples are eventually tragically parted suggests that in the futures in the books, love is not welcome. In The Time Machine, Wells describes how couples seemed to only exist in order to reproduce, and how nobody expressed any emotional attachment to anybody else. For a very short period, The Time Traveller and Weena show attachment to eachother, but Weena is killed off in a horrific setting, where the Morlocks drag her away while The Time Traveller is asleep. In Nineteen Eighty-Four, although neither Winston nor Julia is killed off, Orwell yet again shocks the reader in ending the two character’s love for each other. After being brainwashed at the Ministry of Love, both characters automatically lose all attachment to each other. Orwell has demonstrated that even Love, is under the power of the government. I believe that Orwell and Wells are targeting readers who have been or are in love. These readers or Nineteen Eighty-Four may be thinking to themselves, â€Å"Ah, but one thing the government cannot control is love! † And then, to the reader’s astonishment, Winston and Julia are no longer lovers. Why? Because the government did not want them to be. In many cases changes expressed in both books are much more extreme in â€Å"The Time Machine† than in â€Å"Nineteen Eighty-Four. † For example, in â€Å"Nineteen Eighty-Four,† although people have generally become less intelligent, they have not become so to the extent of the races of â€Å"The Time Machine;† people can still read, write and speak with great expression and effect, but only to the extent that the Party allows. I believe that this is because Wells is dealing with a much later date, and so can make radical changes and claim that over long periods of time, such changes are possible. Orwell was only writing thirty-five – or so – years into the future, and so modifications cannot be as extreme. Due to their hidden messages, both books seem to be targeting readers who would be capable of decoding the front-text. The Time Machine also discusses scientific and philosophic matters, which would be difficult to comprehend if the reader is not familiar with that area of science. Nineteen Eighty-Four also requires the reader to be psychologically mature, as it includes some pages that portray sex. The major difference between the two books is the political philosophies that they are criticising. â€Å"Nineteen Eighty-Four† suggests that Orwell disapproves of communism – especially Stalin and his reign of terror – and, obviously, totalitarianism. The general message in the book is that theoretical communism is not possible, and real communism always involves a tyrant. â€Å"In The Time Machine,† Wells is targeting capitalism. The Time Traveller states, â€Å"†¦ social difference between the capitalist and the labourer was the key to the whole position. † He believed that over time, industrial workers were banished to the underground and evolved to work here. I think that both books were an excellent read. The authors effectively included powerful messages in an engrossing storyline. The use of satire gave the texts their power. â€Å"Nineteen Eighty-Four† is amongst my favourite books, not only because Orwell, being the master satirist that he is, cleverly ridicules Stalin and communism in general, but also because Orwell has a unique style of communicating with the reader. His texts are informal and interesting, allowing him to form tight relationships with the reader.

Courtly Love: Troilus and Criseyde Essay

Courtly love was an idea that was based on a love that was many times illicit and chivalrous. Geoffrey Chaucer was an expert at portraying courtly love in the Canterbury Tales and in Troilus and Criseyde. In Troilus and Criseyde it is more focused since the story revolves more around the two characters while in the Canterbury Tales there are many stories and they are about multiple topics. Like courtly love the story of Troilus and Criseyde originate in France, but Chaucer wrote his version somewhere between 1381 and 1386. He took the liberty of changing the story some, but it is basically left intact. The story is about a Trojan prince, Troilus and the daughter of a Trojan priest, Criseyde and it takes place during the famous Trojan War. Courtly love is a romance that is forbidden in some way. Many times it is adulterous and it can be sexual, but often times it is not. Even if sex is not a part of the romance, there is an extreme amount of sexual tension between the two lovers. If the affair was not adulterous, then at least one of the lovers was attached to someone else in some way. It could be that one were betrothed or promised by a parent to another. It could, in some cases, be considered adulterous if one of the lovers has promised their lives to a higher calling, as to the church, the military, or to service in some way to his/her country. The fact that courtly love was forbidden made the tension more intense and so was the attraction. There is something in knowing that a person cannot have another that makes it that much more excitable. Therefore the lust and longing was much greater. Troilus and Criseyde do not fit courtly love in that respect. They are not promised to anyone else, however, because of the Trojan War, it was difficult for them to have a proper romance. Criseyde’s father does crossover to the side of the Greeks against his own country of Troy. This leaves Criseyde to be seen as someone who is not loyal to Troy. The son of King Priam, Troilus, would not be a suitable lover to one from the family of Calkas. That is the closest that the story of Troilus and Criseyde come to being a forbidden or illicit romance. Early in the story, Troilus is struck by the god of love he pines for Criseyde until he is miserable. Courtly love often makes the two lovers despondent. While he is pining and singing of his love, Pandarus, a relative of Criseyde, begs him to divulge the name of the woman who has his heart. `Therfore, as freend fullich in me assure, And final cause of wo that ye endure; For douteth nothing, myn entencioun Nis nought to yow of reprehencioun, To speke as now, for no wight may bireve A man to love, til that him list to leve. (Chaucer, Book I lines 680-686) Troilus confides in his friend and Pandarus agrees to aide him in a plan to obtain the lady who he loves. This is also a part of courtly love. Many times elaborate plans are conceived in order for one lover to obtain or be able to see the other lover. This has even carried into present day. Many find the planning of the romance more excitable than the romance itself. The third party who is often involved in courtly love in this case is Pandarus. He goes back to Criseyde and reveals the account of Troilus being in love with her. Now, nece myn, the kinges dere sone, The goode, wyse, worthy, fresshe, and free, Which alwey for to do wel is his wone, The noble Troilus, so loveth thee, That, bot ye helpe, it wol his bane be. Lo, here is al, what sholde I more seye? Doth what yow list, to make him live or deye. (Chaucer Book II lines 316-322) He glamorizes so that she will be more intrigued. He also reminds her of her advance in age. He is generous of his time and devotion to the affair that will not be his own because he has been unlucky in love and truly wants to see two people have what has eluded him. The third party in courtly love does have pure intentions. Criseyde is reluctant to receive the love of Troilus until she gathers with her female friends. She hears Antigone sing of love and then she sleeps and dreams of a white eagle with whom she exchanges hearts. When she awakes, she knows that this was a sign and that she should receive the advances of Troilus. This is the sign that is common in courtly love. Often higher powers are involved in the relationship and they do send signs to either one or both of the lovers. In the case of these lovers, it is Criseyde who has the revelation. Courtly love is often ritualistic. In the case of Troilus and Criseyde, there is very little time for rituals of the heart. Criseyde is on the side of the enemy of Troilus and so the act of gifts, songs, and poems cannot be something that would take long in the case of these lovers. Most of the planning in the case of this romance is on the part of Pandarus instead of Troilus. Pandarus busies himself with delivering letters back and forth between the lovers. Criseyde plays her part of in courtly love in being demur. It is not that she is not interested in Troilus, but she plays hard to get in order to create the sexual tension that is needed to achieve the affect. Not only is Troilus excited, but Pandarus is enjoying himself as well. Courtly love has to be a secret. A few are allowed to know, but only trusted friends or servants are a party to the affair. The love is supposed to be so special and intense that it would be ruined if many knew of it. This is the case with Troilus and Criseyde. Pandarus plans a meeting between the lovers at the house of Deiphebus. Troilus is to pretend to have a fever and go to bed. Criseyde, who will be a guest at the house is to be bought in to his bedchamber. They are both instructed by Pandarus to not tell anyone else. In titering, and pursuite, and delayes, The folk devyne at wagginge of a stree; And though ye wolde han after merye dayes, But now to yow, ye lovers that ben here, Was Troilus nought in a kankedort, That lay, and mighte whispringe of hem here, And thoughte, `O lord, right now renneth my sort Fully to dye, or han anoon comfort’; And was the firste tyme he shulde hir preye Of love; O mighty God, what shal he seye? Pandarus brings Criseyde to the bedchamber of Troilus where he declares his intentions to her. By this time there is a lot of sexual tension between the two. This will not be the when they consummate their love, but they do agree that they both want the same thing from the other. This is when many more letters are exchanged by the two. They are once again building the tension in each other. Pandarus then invites Criseyde to his home for dinner, while Troilus hides and watches the two. Criseyde stays at his home because of the weather, and it is then that he persuades her to see Troilus in the bedchamber. Tension is built again as in any good example of courtly love. Criseyde faints, and Troilus is terrified that she is dead. She is revived and they talk of their love. It is then that they are able to consummate their love. Reson wil not that I speke of sleep, For it accordeth nought to my matere; God woot, they toke of that ful litel keep, But lest this night, that was to hem so dere, Ne sholde in veyn escape in no manere, It was biset in joye and bisinesse Of al that souneth in-to gentilnesse (Chaucer, Book III lines 1408-1414) Criseyde must then go to the Greeks and their king, Diomede. There is always something that will separate lovers in courtly love. Since Criseyde’s father, Calkas, has joined the Greeks it leaves her no choice. Troilus relents and believes that she will remain true to him. For mannes heed imaginen ne can, Ne entendement considere, ne tonge telle The cruel peynes of this sorwful man, That passen every torment doun in helle. For whan he saugh that she ne mighte dwelle, Which that his soule out of his herte rente, Withouten more, out of the chaumbre he wente. (Chaucer Book IV lines 1695-1701) However Diomede offers her his protection and we automatically see a new romance in the making. Troilus pines the whole time that she is gone. It becomes apparent after much time has passed that she is not going to return. Criseyde is invited to dine with Diomede and this is when he talks to her about love. She readily agrees to stay with the Greeks and become his lover. And after this the story telleth us, That she him yaf the faire baye stede, The which he ones wan of Troilus; And eek a broche (and that was litel nede) That Troilus was, she yaf this Diomede. And eek, the bet from sorwe him to releve, She made him were a pencel of hir sleve. (Chaucer, Book V Lines 1037-1043) While this is taking place, Troilus is being warned through bad dreams that all is not well for him and his relationship with Criseyde. When the dream was interpreted for him, he refuses to accept that she is not to return and has taken a new lover. He writes her many times and her letters are cool. Once he sees Diomede wearing a piece of jewelry that he gave to Criseyde, he knows the truth and he is devastated. Troilus is killed in battle and is then taken to a level of the afterlife where he enjoys great pleasures. God woot, that it a sorwe is unto me! And dredelees, for hertes ese of yow, Right fayn wolde I amende it, wiste I how. And fro this world, almighty God I preye, Delivere hir sone; I can namore seye. ‘ Gret was the sorwe and pleynt of Troilus; But forth hir cours fortune ay gan to holde. Criseyde loveth the sone of Tydeus, And Troilus moot wepe in cares colde. Swich is this world; who so it can biholde, In ech estat is litel hertes reste; God leve us for to take it for the beste! (Chaucer, Book V lines 1739-1750) Chaucer makes the point that earthly things are not worth the pain and grief that is given to them. Courtly love is not the kind of love that will last. There is always some fateful event or circumstance that will separate the two lovers.

Week 3#202 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 3#202 - Assignment Example It is important in making the young adults to understand the different stages of development (Gibbs, 45). Moreover, this theory is crucial in ensuring that the individuals develop a sense of both intellectual as well as moral development. This is very necessary for students in a learning environment. The theory of moral development is also very important in imparting the students with the principles of justice, universal liberty as well as imparts a sense of order in the society (Gibbs, 57). The video depicts some of the social rots that face the current society. It is sad that corruption has taken its roots into our society to an extent that it manifests in the policing system. It is the police who should be actively engaged in combating the cases of corruption and impunity yet they seem to take the front line in promoting corruption. This movie paints a very bad picture on the police and the society. It makes ne have very bad feelings towards the police sector. From my feelings about this video, it is very important that all the police should undergo thorough vetting before being employed to curb the cases of corruption. In addition, investigations should be done by independent bodies on these cases and those found guilty should be charged before a court of

Aspects and Management of Hazardous Waste Assignment

Aspects and Management of Hazardous Waste - Assignment Example As the discussion highlights  hazardous waste can cause damage if there is improper storage, during transportation, treatment or even in the process of disposal. Improper waste handling can also lead to contamination of surface and ground water supplies. People living near old and abandoned waste disposal sites particularly may be vulnerable to hazards caused by such waste. To remedy existing hazards and reduce cases such as this in the future, most governments closely monitor and regulate practices of hazardous waste management. This report aims at explaining the aspects that relate to handling, managing and transporting hazardous waste as well as how it can be stored such that it does not generate into non- reversible risks to the humans and the environment.  As mentioned in the introduction, hazardous waste is classified according to the chemical, biological and physical properties present. The properties are likely to generate materials that are reactive, toxic, corrosive, ignitable, radioactive or even infectious. Toxic wastes no matter how small traces of it are extremely poisonous. Such waste may have serious effects that lead to death or a violent illness. It may also manifest itself in the human body causing chronic effects that eventually cause irreparable damage. Some of the properties are cancer causing agents that may present after a long period of exposure. Other properties might be mutagenic, in the long run causing observable biological changes in the offspring of exposed humans as well as a nimals.

Healtcare Reform Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Healtcare Reform - Coursework Example Additionally, insurance policies were not flexible, and one could be denied adequate healthcare at any one time. Hence millions of people were not at the verge of affording such expensive insurance contribution. Currently, health care has adopted various reforms. More generic drugs production has lead to an increase in competition, spurring up a decrease in the drugs cost. Medicare has escalated the drugs cost for the seniors. A monitoring and evaluation body (PCORI) has been established to advice on the care improvement. In response to the rising cases of obesity and lifestyle related diseases, all restaurants have been forced to attach a label on their products so that the consumers can make informed choices (Odier, 2010). Insurance firms were previously notorious in dropping the coverage when one is sick, but currently the law restricts them to do so. Most significantly, children below twenty six years can remain attached to the parents’ insurance scheme. Other improvements include introduction of a state consumer assistance program to aid in citizens complains response, inauguration of fraud fighting tools, free preventive care, physician increase, especially in rural areas and 80/20 rule

Art History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Art History - Essay Example es of war thereby assisting then to instil the desire as well as the commitment of ending war, working collectively for peace and security in the society. Visual arts like paintings and sculptures are mostly considered in this case. Most of the considered paintings and carvings are found to depict an intersection of peace history and historical art. One of the historical arts is the Standard of Ur, which is based on the prehistoric art style of Mesopotamia. This Sumerian artefact was excavated from a royal cemetery with Ur, an ancient city in the modern-day Iraq. The main theme presented in this historical piece of art is the promotion of peace and societal security. This theme is attributed to the depicted war and security scenes. The function of this piece of art has been suggested to be a standardized team of keeping peace and security during the time it was created about 4,500 years ago. Some suggestions have also been raised that it was a chest for storing funds for use in works associated with warfare or even associated with civil and religious activities. Nevertheless, the scenes seem to show oneness in a war towards protecting the society. Side mosaics are part of the prehistoric style applied to show the war sides as well as the peace side. The first row of paintings seem to depict the preparation to war, the second one depicting the movement to the war, and then a victorious celebration of having conquered the enemy to promote peace and security. The visual art is considered to be parallel with merism, which is literary device used by Sumerians to describe the totality of situations by pairing the prevailing opposite concepts (Kleiner 24). Another piece of art is the Funerary Mask, which is an ancient Greek artefact discovered at Mycenae. The theme presented by the mask is that of death of a legendary Greek leader. This artefact is as shown below: As a leader, his superiority of being in a position to maintain peace and security through his authority

Demographics and Voting Patterns Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Demographics and Voting Patterns - Research Paper Example However, Obama used much of his manpower on the ground and as his winning-formulae (Perry 178). One of his tactics was the demographic voting patterns and he created firm grounds among the African-Americans, Hispanic and women. According to an Associated Press exit poll report, 71 percent of the Hispanics and 93 percent of the African-Americans voted in favor of Obama. Women in particular, helped Obama to win the re-elections. For instance, 55 percent voted in favor of the sitting President compared to 44 percent votes that were in favor of Romney (FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM, â€Å"Immigration and the 2012 Elections†). In October, 2012, the Pew Hispanic Center reported that Hispanic voted for Obama because immigration issues were vital to them. For example, according to an analysis of poll exit, more Latinos voted for President Obama over Romney by 71 percent and 27 percent respectively (Lopez and Taylor, â€Å"Latino Voters in the 2012 Election†). The women issues that attracted them to Obama’s recipe for his campaigns were him addressing the issues of healthcare, education and social amenities (Espo, â€Å"President Obama Wins Second Term in Victory over Mitt Romney†). President Obama.† Boston.com. Retrieved from:

ART of Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ART of Architecture - Essay Example and provide a brief explanation about what makes this place appears to be quite special, â€Å"The Grand Army Plaza† located in Brooklyn, US has been taken into concern for discussion. â€Å"The Grand Army Plaza† can be apparently observed as a monument type, which was founded in the year 1916. It was a great experience to visit this monument and also the place wherein it is located, as these resemble uniform culture along with heritage including ethical considerations (New York Architecture, n.d.). The following pictorial illustration provides a brief idea about the aforesaid monument: Based on the above analysis, it can be affirmed that the factors including concreteness, specificity and definiteness play an imperative role in holding as well as arousing the attention of the viewers to visit a particular place or any historical place for gaining a brief knowledge about a specific subject matter. It is worth mentioning that apart from playing the above discussed role, the three constituents mentioned above also support in determining the effectiveness or the attractions of the historical places in the context of delivering quality works for the visitors with adequate understanding of different facts relating to conceptions and emotions among others. From a logical and future perspective, it can be apparently observed that the historical monument â€Å"The Grand Army Plaza† has been designed by taking into concern varied artifacts and geometries with the intention of attracting the viewers and most vitally to mark a sign of excellence as well as ethnicity am id the Americans and also the viewers worldwide. Thus, it will be vital to mention that better logical and most vitally appropriate incorporation of the above stated constituents will eradicate all complexities and help in delivering works with utmost quality (Strunk & White, 2014; New York Architecture, n.d.). Therefore, from the above analysis and discussion, it can be affirmed from a broader understanding

I dont have a specific topic. i want my topic to be something on Research Paper

I dont have a specific topic. i want my topic to be something on sociol trend - Research Paper Example This paper points out the causes of HIV infection among the youth and measures to reduce infection in the society. HIV infections not only affect the youth but also the whole nation, as there will be a lack of enough support from government to satisfy all their needs, which leads to poor living standards (Opie 291). With the youth, being highest affected and sexually active, the rate of infection is bound to increase in most of the countries, as the young comprise more than half the population of nations. Child infection at birth is a rampant way in which infection occurs to youths, as most parents do not admit to their statuses and therefore ends up infecting their children (Kapungwe115). Governments are spending lots of revenue on health care of HIV infected people to provide care and medication. Friedens claims that more than five billion dollars used as costs of HIV-positive people among the nations. Governments should increase awareness and incorporate new syllabuses in educatio n systems to cater for these HIV/AIDS control and prevention measures. A research done by the CDC researchers in 2010 found that, among the youth aged 18 to 24 years, 65% in every 100, 000 people have HIV, which is an increase from previous researches. In 2010, 82.8% of the new infections were men and with a high possibility of the gay and bisexual men. African Americans in US have over half of the population infected due to their sexual orientation and their lack of awareness on how to prevent infections. Some causes of these infections seem broad and depends on the background of the infection. Substance abuse and use is a major contributor to the HIV infections. For instance, high school students have been found to use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs which makes them highly vulnerable to engage in risky situations. Drug dependent youths who have run away from homes due to drugs have high risks of infection as they might have unprotected sex for money, drugs, or shelter. These are what are increasing the rate in which infections among the youth in different nations (The, Washington, 2006). In addition, lack of awareness among the youth is another contributor to the infections since a large number of youths are not concerned with protecting themselves. Drug use and abstaining from sex can be a good way for the youth to protect themselves from being infected but the youth requires clear information on HIV and elimination of infections and usage of condoms, and how to negotiate for safer sex. Health messages to the youth can have a great impact in their lives as many end up regretting for not having the knowledge and understanding of how to protect themselves. This thus increases the stigmas such people have. As Brown, Kate, Lea points out , â€Å"One of the most surprising elements of AIDS stigma is its ubiquitous nature even where the epidemic is widespread and affecting so many people, such as in sub-Saharan Africa. (51)† With this lack of awareness a mongst the youth, infections are bound to increase as the some governments are doing less to make the less fortunate aware of these risks and prevention measures (Mwiturubani 157). In most African countries, a bigger percentage do not Have access to formal education which gives awareness of current issues and many youths do not have the general knowledge of infections and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Unemployment among the

Accounting as the Important Function of Every Business Organisation Essay

Accounting as the Important Function of Every Business Organisation (Halfords company) - Essay Example Accounting’s main or primary purpose is to identify the activities of the business organisation, recording and measuring the transactions of the business and communicating the financial information to all the interested persons like the shareholders, investors, creditors, management, employees, government etc. The financial information generated from accounting in form of financial statements helps managerial decision making and other important investment decisions. Accounting is an important function of every business organisation. Accounting has various purposes and objectives. Among the various purposes, the main purpose of accounting is to record the transaction of the business enterprise in a systematic manner and to provide information about the financial position of the business enterprise to all its stakeholders. Accounting’s main or primary purpose is to identify the activities of the business organisation, recording and measuring the transactions of the busine ss and communicating the financial information to all the interested persons like the shareholders, investors, creditors, management, employees, government etc. The financial information generated from accounting in form of financial statements helps managerial decision making and other important investment decisions.... Figure 1: Performa of a purchase account in a ledger (Source: National Institute of Open Schooling, n.d, p.125) Thus the ledger is the collection of accounts maintained by the company. The ledger provides balance of the particular account on a particular date like the amount of sales on a particular date can be found from the sales account. Apart from these main books the company can also maintain sales day book and purchase day book to record its credit sales and credit purchase respectively. 2 (b) Every business organisation usually had a number of business transactions. Similarly Halfords would also have a number of transactions during a particular accounting period. The most common transactions that the company would certainly have during an accounting period are as follows:- Cash sales: Cash sales denote selling goods and services on cash. This means that the amount of goods sold or services rendered is immediately received by the company. This transaction is recorded by debitin g the cash or bank account and crediting the sales account. Cash purchase: Cash purchase signifies purchasing goods or services on cash. In cash purchase the amount for the goods purchased or services availed has to be paid immediately. This particular transaction is recorded in the books of accounts by crediting the cash or bank account and debiting the purchase account. Credit sales: Credit sales denote that the goods or services have been sold on credit. In credit sales the amount of goods sold or services rendered are not paid immediately but after a certain period of time (which is known as credit period). This particular transaction is recorded by debiting the debtor’s account (the person to whom the goods are sold) and crediting the

Effective Presentations Essay Example for Free

Effective Presentations Essay Presentation is used to summarize, defend or even argue important ideas to an audience. Thus, the beginning of the presentation gains the attention of audiences and establishes its purpose. Selecting the context, designing the learning experience and producing efficient, effective and appealing presentation can be easy though it is the hardest part (Courses Surveys, 1977). To produce an appealing presentation, one should keep the design short and simple in order to produce effective design. The color should be used to emphasize a word or use a transition to disclose the answer to a question. The designer should evade the confusion. It is better off to have extra white space than having irrelevant piece of clipart that can be distracting. Fewer words should be chosen rather than more words and use closely cropped photographs than cluttered distance shot (Courses Surveys, 1977). The viewers should be kept focused and interested. This can be done by using key phrases and including only essential information. The word should be limited and simplified and avoid using of much bullets per slides. The presentation should be easy to follow by keeping the important information visible. The punctuation and font case should be considered. For instance, use of all caps makes the statements more difficult to read. The font size and type used should be simple and easy to read. Thus the designer should avoid using fancy and script fonts as they are hard to read on the screen. The font type and size should be visible to the audience and uniform throughout the presentation (Courses Surveys, 1977). Consequently, the background colors and that of the text should be contrasting. It is preferred to use dark text on a light background. Color should be toned down to make the light colors easy on the eyes. Patterned or textured backgrounds reduce readability of the text. The color scheme used should remain consistent throughout the presentation. In addition to that, when using a theme or template for a design, it should be appropriate to the audience. Therefore, a layout should be straightforward and clean if the design is aimed for business and if aimed the audience to be young children, it should be full of colors and variety of shapes (Courses Surveys, 1977). The number of slides should be limited to ensure that the presentation will not be too long and drawn out. This prevents the problem of continually changing the slides during the presentation which can be a distraction to the audience or viewers. For the presentation to be effective and more attracting there should be a combination of photos, charts, graphs and even embedded digitalized video with text to add variety and keep the presentation interested to the viewers. In addition, excessive use of animation and transition should be avoided. This is because the audience can be distracted by too much of the transitions and animation bearing in mind that slide shows is meant to be a visual aid but not a focus of the presentation. Also animation should be consistent in the presentation by using of animation schemes and the same transitions should be used throughout the presentation (Courses Surveys, 1977). Finally, the designer or rather the presenter should make sure that his/her presentation can run on any computers. This can be done by using PowerPoint’s package for CD or Pack and Go features when burning the presentation to CD. This will facilitate the presentation to be viewed by much audience. Summarily therefore, an effective and efficient presentation is usually planned, organized, and tailored to a specific audience to help facilitate the behavior change, desired by the presenter. Presentations always engage face-to-face communication and can be made on a one-to-one basis or can be given to a very large group (Courses Surveys, 1977). References Courses, E. Surveys, T. (1977) The Computer for the Professional: Effective Presentations Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® tutorial, Preparing Presentation Slides Tutorial, Presenting Effective Charts and Graphs Tutorial, and 8 Secrets to a Knockout Business Presentation, New York: Prentice Hall.

Strategic HRM Case Study

Strategic HRM Case Study Introduction An organization is constructed of people. These people who assemble together as an organization’s workforce are recognized as human resources. Human resources department clutches all the scopes of employee concerns like recruiting, training and motivating. Basically, the function that focuses on how to manage the people within an organization is known as Human Resource Management (HRM). HRM deals with issues related to people such as compensation, recruiting,  performance management, organization development and employee concerns like- safety, wellness, benefits, motivation, communication, administration, and training. HRM thrives to manage the workplace  culture  and environment. Effective HRM enables employees to contribute efficiently and productively to the overall company direction and the accomplishment of the organizations goals and objectives. HRM is not managed using the traditional approaches anymore. Rather, the increased use of outsourcing has created the urge for building up new and innovative ways to manage the workforce in today’s workforce. It calls for comprehensive and thorough strategies to respond to the contemporary issues of globalization and diversity. Company overview: Complete IT (CIT) is an UK based IT support Service Company that has been providing with local IT support to SMEs for over 20 years now. They tend to maintain the highest levels of technical expertise and accreditations to resolve IT issues. They hold the motto of not just fixing problem, but finding ways to improve systems and positively impact on their clients’ tea, and business. Their services range from reactive support to proactive management of the clients’ IT, but each built specifically for each client. They promise to deliver IT support with passion and commitment with a friendly, honest and simple approach. 1. Role and Importance of Strategic HRM 1.1 Strategic HRM Strategic HRM is known as the preventive management system of the employees in an organization. More elaborately speaking, it is a technique of managing human resources that brings a strategic outline to upkeep long-term business objectives and outcomes. There are three major theories of strategic HRM used in today’s HRM. Like many other companies, CIT also uses these theories into application. Universalist Approach: Also known as Best Practice Approach, this theory assumes that high performance output in an organization can be achieved via a set of HRM practices. These practices are described in a set of four policy goals- Commitment: Confirming the faithfulness of employees to the organization so that they provide with their best of performance. Strategic Integration: The integration of the HRM to the company’s strategic planning so that HRM can be a part of company’s overall strategy should be ensured. Moreover it should also be ensured that the line managers use HRM strategies in their everyday work. Quality: The fact that employees should always be kept satisfied and motivated in order to bring out their optimum performance so that they can deliver products and of the highest of quality should be ensured. Flexibility: Today’s workforce seek out flexibility in their workplace. Administration should ensure this aspect in order to keep the staff driven enough to deliver the maximum productivity. However, it is to be noted that Guest believed all of these theories shall work only together, and not individually, to attain the company objectives. Fit or Contingency Approach: HR plans and practices must be coordinated with the organization’s plans and practices for the maximum performance to be produced. This synchronization of HR and Company strategies can be labeled as the â€Å"vertical fit†. This approach is also known as the â€Å"best fit approach†. The best fit approach:The best fit approach supports that HR strategies and organizational policies have to be aligned. There are three available simulations of this best fit approach- Lifecycle model: Organizational development is done in four stages Start-up, Growth, Maturity and Decline. The HR department should be well aware of the company’s ongoing stage so they can select the correct strategies to match up the company’s current stage. Strategic configuration: In this model it is said that companies can be on the operative front if they can implement tactical configuration policy (market-type structure or internal type structure), coordinated with company types (namely Defenders, Prospectors and Reactors, Analyzers), and (classified as; Machine Bureaucracy, Divisionalised form, Simple Structure, Adhocracy Professional and Bureaucracy). Best fit and competitive strategy: three competitive strategies are; Quality, Cost-Leadership and Focus (Niche). Companies should adopt competitive strategies in order to maximize performances. This is more important because of the increasing competition in today’s business world. It is always better to have a competitive edge and to use that edge in the best way possible. The Configurationally Perspective: This model deals with the importance of the outline of several HR policies and in what way these outline of HR policies (independent variables) affect the Organizational performance (dependent variable). The term configuration is explained differently by various scholars and writers for two reasons. The first one being â€Å"the scope to which HR policies are associated into an overall HR structure† and the second one- â€Å"the notch of fit amid an overall HR structure and an administrative type†. 1.2 Importance of HRM In CIT, HRM is perceived as one of the most consequential drives of the corporation. HR management’s significance can be classified into the following subsequent activities: Enrollment and Training: Recruiting new people and training them as per the organizations’ needs are the key responsibilities of HRM. To fill up the vacant position in the organizations, HR managers plan test and trials for potential candidates. HR also fixes the terms and conditions of the contract that takes place between the employee and the organization. Performance Evaluations: HRM prompts the workforce to bring out their finest performance. It provides with feedbacks to the employees that creates a proper communication between the employees and the employers. Nourishing Work Atmosphere: Work ambiance is a crucial aspect for employee satisfaction and high level of performance. HRM manages to maintain a decent, safe and clean working environment for its employees. The performance of the workforce largely depend on the work atmosphere and company culture. So, HRM strives to keep up the best possible work environment for its staff. Handling Disputes: Inner disputes and conflicts among colleagues is a very common element in organizations. It is always the HRM’s duty to mediate in such situation so as to resolve such clashes and therefore establish an order in the workforce. While it’s important to take care of the disputes in a fair manner, the HRM must also be very cautious in handling such cases as sometimes, the methods can easily create employee displeasure. Increasing Public Relations: Developing public relation with numerous interested parties and stakeholders of the organization is a vital role played by the HRM. HRM stands responsible for organizing meetings, seminars, workshops etc. to interconnect with these parties. In some cases HR department even helps into business and marketing planning. 1.3 Analysis of different Frameworks of HRM The Harvard Analytical Framework for HRM: Produced by Beer et al. (1984), is a good equilibrium between the Universalist Approach and the Fit Approach. CIT relates this model in its HR management. This framework works on the conjecture that the problems of managing employees can be explained when the general managers of the company have their own perspective about how they want the employees to be involved in the company and what sort of policies are best for this method. Ulrich’s Multiple Role Model: Ulrich et al. (2009) proposes a multiple competency framework involving of four potentials for HR mangers other than recruiting, training, and motivating. It is specified below: Figure 2: Ulrich’s Multiple Role Model HR roles are demonstrated in this framework into two axes. The horizontal axis designates the leading focus of HR—either Future Strategic or Day to Day Operational, and the vertical axis indicates leading actions of HR, either process and systems or people connected. These two axes form the four qualities of HR- Strategic Partner, Change Agent, Employee Champion and Administrative Expert. CIT’s HR managers ponder in these features with attention. 2. Formulation Implementation of HR Strategies 2.1 Analyzing the Strategic Human Resource Process Strategic HR Process can’t be constructed of any single approach, it can always vary between organizations. CIT uses a specific model for Strategic HR process that encompasses of the following key facts: Structuring the strategic course: When the HR policies are backed up by the company’s mission, vision and objective, this process is constructed. In CIT, the entire HRM process is established by concurring the company leaders’ long term objectives. So the entire process of recruitment, training, motivating and additional processes are planned to achieve long term company goal. Developing the HRM System: Since CIT is an IT based firm, it allows its employees to work from home by using internet. Also, CIT believes in creating variety in their workforce in lieu to which they are engaging female employees in definite positions. Planning the total workforce: Defining the essential future workforce depending on the company’s progress and necessity is a very challenging activity of the HRM, especially now-a-days. Producing the required human resources: The key focus of this process is to recruit, contract, organize, formulate and convey staffs grounded on the tactical provisions of the management’s workforce strategy. Dedicating to HR progress and performance: HR development process marks on the growth and use of business proficiency and the cooperating elements, all of which lead to a thriving organizational performance. A good encouragement program for the employees should comprise a mix of base pay, bonus, profit share, priority in company share etc. in overall. (Robert C. B., 2003). Evaluating and supporting managerial aptitude and performance: Basically, there is no exact approach to precisely measure the changes in HR policies or how performances affect the company’s output. This can be overcome by the usage ‘balance scorecards.’ 2.2 Roles in Strategic Human Resource Management The strategic roles of top management, front-line management, HR executive, HR specialists are the ones that sums up the roles of strategic HRM. Their roles in CIT are described below- Strategic Part of Top Management: The long term business goals of the company are set by the idealistic leaders of the company- the ones who forms the top management. This set consists of the CEO, CFO and President. They ensure the concurrence of the company growth and objectives with those of the individual departments. Strategic Part of Front-line Administration: According to Eduardo Salas et al (2001), front line managers ‘bring HR policies to life’. This means that if the managers are against a new HR strategy, it would be problematic to device the strategy which will gradually lead to dissatisfaction among employees. Tactical Role of the HR Director: Because they are the part of the top management, the HR Directors hold a great position in the strategic planning. They ensure the integration of HR policies and tactics with overall business goals and supervise the implementation of those plans. Strategic Part of HR Authorities: HR executives have various tasks like new preparation programs, performance management, granting employees, improving the work atmosphere etc. therefore, at any given point, they should work on a priority basis. 2.3 Development of HR Strategies There is no single way to advance HR strategies. For example, CIT uses the six step method proposed by Gratton (1999): Figure the superintendent association: Comprising people from all parts of the professional. Envisaging the upcoming: Building a shared idea for the regions of strategic prominence. Identifying present abilities and pinpoint the gap: Assessing the company’s present point and analyzing the break between company’s upcoming goals and current condition. Shape a map of the system: This is done to safeguard the small stages taken can be expressed into a whole plan. Model the refinements of the structure: All possible future results should be taken into account to evade any unexpected change or uncertainty in the strategic plan. Bridge into action: Involving line managers, creating guiding principles, forming cross-functional collections to recognize objectives and performance devices. 2.4 Implementation of HR Strategies HR strategies implementation can always vary from organization to organization, it has no perfect model. CIT practices the following tasks to implement HR policies. Supporting employees to understand the strategy: Employees must have the proper understanding of the ‘what and why’ of the policy to actually execute it in the workplace. A failure to comprehend the company policy properly will prohibit the employees from using their full level of talent to achieve company objective. Improving employee responsibility to the strategy: It is always known that change causes disharmony. Any kind of modification in strategy can easily cause displeasure among employees. Employees must be given the understanding that accepting the current change will lead to a better outcome. Reforming local work with the strategy: The proper understanding of the strategies by the employees is not always enough, it must also be executed by dismissing off-strategy works and starting on-strategy works with new vigor. Generating inter-departmental assistance: Creating bridging relation among the employees of different subdivisions is always a little challenging because of their different work nature. Activity 2 3. Contemporary Issues in Strategic HR Management 3.1 Identification of Contemporary Issues Affecting Strategic HRM Strategic HRM is mostly affected by the following issues- Job Stress: The adverse reaction that people tend to show when they’re incapable of coping up with the pressure and atmosphere of work can be defines as Job Stress. It can lead to illness, absenteeism, low efficiency rate, frustration, personal problems etc. Work-Life Stability: Everyone is always busy in today’s competitive corporate world. The use of advanced technology allows employers to engage employees in work even after office hours, via internet. Diversity: In any organization today, people from diverse backgrounds come together to work. Globalization has become a major issue in today’s HR management. Downsizing: Many companies are economizing their workforce due to recent economic recession, as a measure of cost cutting. 3.2 Analysis of Contemporary Issues Affecting Strategic HRM The increasing challenges in HRM management are forcing today’s organizations to consider strategic HRM in a different way. Recruitment procedure is now a two-way approach. Employers can use a resume record or ‘corporate poaching’. Because job switching has become a very common issue today, keeping employees, specially the most adept ones, motivated and satisfied is becoming much tougher. Even CIT has not been able to keep a hold of many of its most capable employees. So, they’re now forming new strategies to keep their staff driven. Activity 3 4. Assessing the range of HR Strategies its Application This section discusses different types of strategies in HR and their application in business organizations. 4.1 Range of HR Strategies The ranges of HR strategies include different tools. The ones used by CIT are discussed below: Strategies for improving organizational effectiveness: Concrete leadership from the upper management. A strong management team. Continual pressure to renovate and expand. Ability to react fast to opportunities and threats. Strategies for Learning and Expansion: This ensures the correct training of the employees in order to achieve organizational goals. This is related with housing a learning culture, encouraging organizational knowledge, providing for individual learning and launching a learning organization. Strategies for Performance Measurement: Performance Management â€Å"carries a mean of joining business strategy and technical assembly to direct the whole organization to achieving mutual organizational objectives† (Purcell et al, 2005), it delivers the best means to attain organizational goals. Strategies for Employee Relations: Here, the intents of the organization about what is required to be done and what is needed to be altered in the customs in which the organization maintains its relationships with employees and their trade unions is explained. It is to be noted that employee policies are different than strategies. Strategies are dynamic. 3.2 Application of HR Strategies CIT attempts to achieve its organizational goals by applying all the strategies defined above, including resourcing strategy and reward strategy. It can be quite impossible to measure the exact amount of return these applications of HR strategies bring; nonetheless, there are some indicative measures that can help us towards greater understanding of the impact of change in HR policies. For example, if the workforce management program has been integrated properly with the company’s goals and company is performing well, it can be said that we are getting good return on HR strategies. Another example of good HR outcomes is found on Michael Armstrong et al (2006) research reports on hospitals which decreased mortality rate by creating efficient HRM. Conclusion It can be concluded that human resource management is one of the crucial activities in today’s organizations. No workplace can be run proficiently without correctly trained and motivated employees. And with the increasing globalization today, proper Human Resource Management is becoming more and more challenging.

Main Factors Leading To The Cuban Revolution History Essay

Main Factors Leading To The Cuban Revolution History Essay What at the time seemed so surprising about Cuba in 1959 was that such a thoroughgoing social revolution happened there, given its relative prosperity. The answer is to be found in the particular historical conditions of the country. Cuba had, since independence from Spain, been prone to political instability and had undergone many attempts at change ranging from reformist governments, revolution and dictatorship. All of these attempts, and the reasons underlying them, played a part in the eventual triumph of Fidel Castros revolution and, in the failure of previous attempts at changing Cuba, lay the seeds of the new order on the island. As Ruiz (1968, p.7) points out, the 1959 revolution represented no sharp break with the past. The conditions for revolution had long been present and previous responses to them conditioned the path that the revolution of 1959 would take. What, then, were the factors in Cubas history and in its social and political life which made that revolution possi ble? Having identified them, one must turn to a discussion of the conditions during Fulgencio Batistas dictatorship from 1952 to the end of 1958 and the course that resistance to it took, and how that resistance, with Castro at its head, eventually triumphed. The historical conditions which contributed to the triumph of the revolution were categorized by Wright (2001, p.2) into four main areas: firstly, anti-American sentiment, provoked in Cuba by economic and political dependence on America since independence, secondly the negative effects on Cuban society and its economy of overdependence on sugar production, thirdly, the fragmented and divided nature of Cuban society and lastly, the weakness of Cuban political institutions, their lack of legitimacy, and the unpopularity of a political class tainted by corruption. To this last point may be added the propensity of Cuban politics to descend into violence, a trend dating back to the independence struggle against Spain. United States forces occupied Cuba after it had gained independence from Spain in 1898 and its influence was to be a constant in the political and economic system of the island. The most glaring and most resented example of United States intervention in Cuba was the Platt Amendment of 1902. This put limits on how much Cuba could borrow from foreign countries and the negotiation of treaties. It also allowed the United States the right to intervene for the maintenance of a government adequate for the protection of life, property and individual liberty (Williamson, 1992, p.439). In effect, Cuba became a protectorate of the United States. The Platt Amendment represented a humiliation to many Cubans and a betrayal of the independence struggle, and remained a contentious issue even after its repeal in 1934. It linked advancement and progress to the need to rid the country of foreign interference and became a key question in Cuban politics. American intervention at such an early stage cut across the process of building confidence in, and legitimacy for, the new institutions of the state recently freed from colonial rule and identified the whole political system from its start with foreign domination. It also influenced the conduct of politicians who relied on the support of America to settle political disputes, which were many in the first 20 to 30 years of the Republics life (Thomas, 1971). Early Cuban elections were fraudulent affairs and United States intervention was called upon on a number of occasions. An armed challenge to the government elected in 1906 resulted in United States intervention and resulted in direct rule until 1909. Further interventions took place in 1912, and again in 1917 when the election result was challenged by an armed revolt by the defeated party. Another important intervention came during the dictatorship of Gerardo Machado. The American ambassador first replaced the dictator Machado and then supported the army backed overthrow of his successor, Ramon San Martin Grau (Argote-Freyre, 2006). A sense of the humiliation and moral decay suffered by Cubans is offered by Arthur Schlesinger Jr. (McPherson, 2006, p.40) who said of Havana in 1950 that it resembled a giant casino and brothel. American tourists were picking up 14 year old Cuban girls and tossing coins to make men scramble in the gutter. He went on to say that nobody could be surprised if Cubans hated America. American political and economic influences on Cuba were closely linked. Investment from the United States had been steadily growing from the last days of Spanish rule. It increased in the 1920s as many Cubans had been ruined by the slump in the price of sugar in 1920, and by 1927 amounted to more than a billion dollars (Wright, 2001, p.4). Two thirds of all Cuban exports went to America in the 1950s (Paterson, 1995, p.35). By the 1950s, American interests controlled 90% of the telephone and electricity system, 50% of railways and 40% of the banking sector (Girling, 1980, p.49). This economic control had a number of effects on Cuba, one of which was in the way it limited the room to manoeuvre of Cuban governments. According to Ruffin (1990, p.77) economic dependence severely restricted political leadership in Cuba. Politicians for the most part acted in defence of American interests. For much of Cubas Republican history the need to appease American interests, and those of their followers in Cuba, made it difficult to influence any reforms which conflicted with those interests. The increasing American control over the Cuban economy meant a tightening of American political influence over Cubas affairs and meant that defending those interests became a prime concern for Cuban political parties. Legislation, such as much needed land reform, became subservient to the interests of the sugar producers who owned vast areas of land. In 1933, the government of Grau fell in part because the Americans refused to recognise it due to the reforms which it attempted to implement. Most Cuban politicians were unable or unwilling to upset the Americans and to disrupt the industry to which Cuba owed so much of its prosperity but which also fatally undermined its institutions (Ruffin, 1990). Taking on America was daunting, given Cubas dependence on American markets. Nowhere was this dependence on American markets more apparent, nor the need for change greater, than in the reliance of the Cuban economy on sugar production. The overdependence on sugar, which accounted for 85% of Cuban exports in the 1950s, (Wright, 2001, p.5) skewed not only the Cuban economy but also its political life and brought many social problems in its train. Decisions taken in Washington concerning quotas, duties and so on can and did have a profound effect on the Cuban economy. Cuba produced 3.6 million tons of sugar in 1923, rising to 5.2 million tons in 1925 and 7 million tons in 1952, falling to 4.7 million tons in 1954. Prices underwent similar swings which made economic planning difficult (Williams, 1970, p.480). The consequences of this dependence were many. Peasants were displaced creating an army of landless rural workers. Furthermore, as work on the sugar plantations was seasonal, from December to April, many were unemployed for a good part of the year (Ruffin, 1990). This unemployment, unlike the rise and fall of employment in other industries, was endemic to the system in Cuba appearing predictably every year when the sugar harvest was over. In addition, sugar attracted investment away from other crops and industries. Sugar companies owned or rented 70-75% of Cubas arable land (Sheer Zeitlin, 1964, p.24) and Cuba had to import much of the food which it needed. Other negative effects were to be seen in the financial sector. American banks were attracted to Cuba to underwrite the costs of the sugar industry. The 1920s was a key decade in this respect. Many who had borrowed in the boom years saw their fortunes wiped out during the depression and the stock market crash of 1929. The Cuban banking system collapsed, and the gap was plugged by foreign, mainly American banks. Whether the crop was good or bad or whether prices were high or low also had political and social consequences. Dulles (cited in Paterson, 1995, p.35) in a comment to President Eisenhower said that a reduction in the amount of Cuban sugar coming into America might easily tip the scales to cause revolution For example, Machados regime from 1925 to 1933 was marked by the convulsions caused by the fluctuations in the price of sugar and the collapse in the economy following the Wall Street crash of 1929 and which provoked a wave of strikes and street violence which were countered by a range of repressive tactics. On the other hand, the good years could help to provide a measure of political and social stability, as during the 1940s. There were social aspects to the sugar system as well. To meet the demand for labour in the good years, manpower was imported from Haiti, Jamaica and China sharpening already tense racial relations (Patterson, 1994). The existence of large numbers of workers who were unemployed for most of the year outside of the sugar harvesting season between December and April was always a potential focus for social and labour unrest. According to Sheer et al. (1964) all the mischievousness of the sugar system were aggravated by the fact that many Cubans saw them as having been inflicted by American business interests. The insurgents who had fought in the war of Independence targeted the cane fields and sugar mills burning many. It was during the American occupation when the industry was built back up again. Hostility to dependence on sugar and America constituted a grievance around which diverse groups in the fractured Cuban society could unite. Cuba also suffered from the fragmentation of its society throughout its history (Gott, 2004). Cuba, unlike other countries in Latin America lacked political elite, often composed of large landowners, with ties to the Catholic Church and the Military. In Cuba the old aristocracy had been wiped out during the independence struggle between 1868 and 1895, and there did not exist a powerful landowning class with close ties to the land (Williamson, 1992, p.439). The large sugar plantations dated from the last days of Spanish rule and much of them were in foreign hands. Nelson argued (Thomas, 1971, p.1111) that there was no national middle class. What middle class existed was based overwhelmingly in urban areas. The upper reaches of Cuban society threw in their lot with the system installed by the Americans. Native industry was underdeveloped and the ruling class interests were identified with those of their American allies. The lower classes were also fragmented. Most of the poor lived in the country while only a small urban working class existed in the towns and cities. Class divisions in Cuba were largely along rural urban lines. Some figures relating to rural housing conditions may help to illustrate this division. While Cuba in the 1950s could boast of relatively high figures in Latin American terms for ownership of consumer goods such as TVs, radios and telephones, the countryside painted a different picture. 97% had no refrigeration facilities, 85% no running water and 91% no electricity (Williams, 1970, p.479). Furthermore, seasonal workers were unemployed for a large part of the year and such an insecure life, in terms of employment, coloured their relationship with other groups and with society as a whole. Ruiz (1968, p.147) sums it up by his comments that no social or ideological bonds united workers or integrated them into the structure of society. Racial and ethnic divisions were also a feature of life in Cuba. Fear of a black takeover retarded the development of the independence movement in Cuba. Blacks made up a considerable proportion of the Cuban population and were disaffected with their treatment after their role in the independence struggle and by the history of slavery on the island. This disaffection was on occasions exploited by politicians in the early years of the Republic. They made up a considerable part of the army assembled by the Liberals after their defeat in the 1906 elections. A revolt of disaffected blacks took place in 1912 which was ruthlessly suppressed with the loss of 3,000 lives. This event would alienate blacks further from the mainstream of Cuban society (Gott, 2004). Fear of the black population also surfaced in the wake of the 1933 revolution. As the most impoverished section of the population, blacks seized upon the excitement of the times as an opportunity to improve their lot and played a leading role in the agitation on the sugar plantations where soviets were established. Despite the enthusiasm of many blacks for the revolution, thousands of blacks from Haiti were deported evidencing the degree of racial feeling in Cuba (Gott, 2004, p.141). Other institutions in Cuban society lacked popular support or respect and did not constitute a focus for unity or action. The Catholic Churchs position in Cuba had been weakened from independence with the separation of church and state in 1900. The Church was also seen as a white Spanish institution and therefore lacked influence among the black population. Also, unlike other Latin American countries, the Church did not form an alliance with the ruling elite or the military (Gott, 2004). Lastly, the political apparatus itself reflected the fragmentation in society. The parties were unrepresentative and by the 1950s the old mainstream parties were discredited and the way was open for others to fill the gap. Batista tried it with his dictatorship from 1952, but it was Fidel Castro who capitalised on the failure of democratic parties to address Cubas many and varied problems. This failure of democratic politics affected those groups who were to later make up the opposition to Batista and who helped in the success of Castros revolution (Gott, 2004). Weakness, incompetence and corruption were endemic to the Cuban political system from its earliest days. The first President Estrada Palma, led a class of politicians who, according to Thomas (1971, p.472) only sought the spoils of war after their role in the independence struggle. There was not a great deal of ideological differences between the Republican and Liberal parties. They suffered from the start from the involvement of America which wrested prestige and legitimacy from political institutions. Furthermore, the lack of democratic institutions prior to independence had not prepared Cubans well for eventual self government. The tradition of taking up arms, forged under Spanish colonial rule, was also frequently resorted to, which called into question the credibility of the entire political system. The possibility of calling in America as the arbiter of disputes was the default fallback position. The far from auspicious start represented by the fraud surrounding the first elections and the armed revolt against the government of Estrada Palma and the subsequent American intervention set the tone for electoral politics in the early years of Cuban democracy. Competition was not so much based on principle, rather as a crude struggle to see who would control the resources of the state which provided the means for personal enrichment, with the unfortunate turning readily to violence when hindered (Thomas, 1971). In a society dominated by sugar, and foreign owned industry, control of government jobs and access to the states resources proved to be a source of patronage and of enrichment for many. For example, between 1943 and 1949 the government payroll increased from 60,000 to 131,000 (Goldenberg, 1965, p.110). Many other corrupt practices existed such as the granting of permission for the sale of lottery tickets and it has been estimated that the dictator Machado made $3,000,000 a year from lottery collectorships (Sheer Zeitlin, 1964, p.46). These corrupt practices also provided a means of securing the loyalty of those who benefited from them. Electoral fraud was also a fact of life in a system where none of the parties had genuine mass appeal. Gott reports (2004, p.114) that in the early elections, armed supporters of the different parties would be present at polling stations and in the elections of 1916 the number of votes cast outnumbered eligible voters (Gott, 2004, p.127). The government of Gerardo Machado promised a new start. It initially was reformist and enjoyed a degree of popularity. However, it suffered from the uncertainty and turbulence of the 1920s in Cuba, occasioned by fluctuations in the market price for sugar and the eventual collapse of the Cuban banking system. In 1928, and despite a pledge not to govern for more than one term, Machado was elected unopposed for a second time. He also extended the length of his term from 4 to 6 years. It was a measure of the low standards of the Cuban political system that this flouting of democratic practice was supported by all the other parties in the Congress. There was a huge amount of social unrest, strikes, assassinations and bombings to which Machado responded with brutal repression (Gott, 2004). By the late 1920s a new generation was emerging of Cubans born in the Republic who expected more from it and who charged the old guard of betraying the ideals of the revolution which had won independence. Students, always to the forefront in Cuban political affairs, were particularly impatient for change, and groups such as the Directorio Estudiantil were to play an important role in the revolution which would topple the dictatorship of Machado (Thomas, 1971). The situation in Cuba was fast escaping from Machados control. The strikes, violence and worsening economic situation raised fears of social revolution and engendered a feeling of insecurity and uncertainty. Groups like the ABC, a terrorist organisation made up of middle and upper class students, replied to Machados notoriously brutal police force in kind, killing many of them in the street (Gott, 2004). The American government began to take an interest and sent their ambassador Sumner Welles to Cuba to try and settle the dispute. He tried to convince Machado to go, and when he eventually resigned, faced with the dire situation on the streets, the Americans sought to replace him with someone acceptable to them and amenable to American business interests on the island. Carlos Manuel Cespedes was appointed but proved unable to facilitate the unrest. He was brought down by a group of low ranking army officers led by Fulgencio Batista, a mixed race Cuban whose origins were far removed from the traditional military elite. Ramon San Martin Grau was eventually installed as the new president in 1933 (Argote-Freyre, 2006). The 1933 revolution promised great things for Cuba. The revolution was led in by a new generation untainted by the past and pledged to honour the promises of the independence struggle. There was a strong nationalist hint to their programme and it seemed as if some of Cubas most pressing social and economic problems would be addressed by a new wave of clean politicians. Their hopes were however to be dashed by a combination of American hostility, the betrayal of the revolution by Batista and internal divisions between moderates and radicals. The new government nationalised sugar mills and decreed that 50% of the workforce in all businesses had to be Cuban born. The American government refused to recognise Graus government, fearful of the effects it would have on American economic interests on the island. Batista, waiting in the wings, and mindful of the importance of American backing, especially given the internal opposition to Grau, helped to topple the revolutionary government in 1934 and so began the first of his reigns in Cuba, ruling through his control over a succession of puppet presidents until 1940, and in his own right until 1944. The army had become a player in the government of Cuba for the first time, a development which set a dangerous precedent (Gott, 2004). The 1944 elections were won, surprisingly to many, by Grau in elections which were accepted by all to be fair. Batistas rule had been positive in many aspects and had introduced a new, strongly social democratic constitution in 1940, the restoration of which would be a key demand of the 1950s revolutionaries. The peaceful handover of power to the man who had been vanquished in 1933 promised well for Cubas democratic future. However, the two terms of office of Graus Autentico party, formed after the defeat in 1933, were to prove some of the most corrupt in Cubas history and were probably the last nail in the coffin of peaceful, progressive democratic change on the island. Thomas (1971, p.737) asserts that Grau did more than any other single man to kill the hope of democratic practice in Cuba. Corruption was nothing new in Cuban politics however, for many, the governments of Grau and Prio Socarras were particularly foul and tainted not only by corruption but the actions of armed gangs, according to Thomas (1971, p.741) at least 10, who were tolerated and even used by governments between 1944 and 1948. The actions of Grau and the Autentico party were all the more disheartening for having been responsible by the hero of the 1933 revolution and the party which he founded in its aftermath. The party was able to plunder the countrys inflated repositories by the rise in prices for sugar during the years of the Second World War. The government of Prio Socarras which succeeded that of Grau was described by Sweig (Gott, 2004, p.145) as the most corrupt and violent in Cuban history. When Batista took power following a coup in 1952, it did not meet up with much initial opposition. Cubas political class had by now become totally discredited and many were doubtful if electoral politics could even begin to solve the countrys problems. In a sense Batistas coup was a response to this disillusion but in itself was a continuation of the misfortunes facing Cuban society and could provide no new way forward. Each generation of Cubans had been disappointed by politicians and had seen their hopes dashed leading to a rejection of the leaders of the previous generation. Cubans had no dependable political role models to look to (Wright, 2001, p.6) in changing and difficult times, making it easier for new departures and new methods to gain a hearing. This would have been significant in the revolution of 1959. Having looked at the factors in Cuban history which led to Batistas dictatorship, the problems which the country faced, and their influence on the revolutionary movement of the 1950s, it is time to look at the years of the dictatorship and the opposition which it brought forward in order to fully understand how Fidel Castros revolution triumphed and the path which the final phase of the Cuban revolution took. Cuba was, despite all its problems, a relatively prosperous society and there was some evidence of diversification in industry and a greater involvement by Cubans in the sugar industry. However, many inequalities and divisions remained, and the revolution which toppled Batista did not only seek to unseat an unpopular dictator, but also sought solutions to Cubas economic and social problems. In this respect it echoed the previous attempts at reform of the 1933 revolution and the promises of the 1940 constitution. Other factors were the absolute unpopularity, which was shared by a wide range of groups across society, and weakness of the Batista regime and the appeal and leadership qualities of Castro who at the end emerged as the leader of the new order in Cuba. Batistas regime in contrast was supported only by America, the rich, and the old discredited politicians of Cubas past and had no real social basis of support. The key to the survival of the regime lay in the continued support of America, and once lost, there were few to turn to among the decadent and discredited Cuban politicians who could broaden its appeal (Thomas, 1971). Fidel Castro was a product of the Cuban middle class and a member of the Ortodoxo party, formed in 1947 in response to the corruption of the two Autentico governments of the 1940s. Together with Ernesto Che Guevara he came to personify the revolutionary movement in Cuba. However, his 26th of July movement was not the only force opposed to Batista. Opposition, originated, as so many times before, with the students who were joined by the Autentico and Ortodoxo parties, Cuban intellectuals, and other revolutionary groups. Support for Castro was later to extend across a broad spectrum of Cuban society. The Civic Resistance Movement which supplied logistical support had as leading figures a former director of the National Bank, brokers and doctors (Paterson, 1995, p.30). There was little in Castros radical, but not overtly socialist programme, which would alienate the less radical elements of the anti-Batista opposition or justify outright American hostility and was based on the nationalist sentiment of the war of independence and the anti-American feeling which was an outcome of its perceived betrayal and harked back to the frustrated revolution of 1933. It promised an end to the endemic corruption which had plagued Cuban politics and a restoration of the 1940 constitution (Gott, 2004). The years of Batistas dictatorship were marked by resistance answered with repression. As the repression grew ever more brutal, more Cubans were alienated from Batistas regime. The contribution of the urban resistance to Batista has often been overlooked in favour of the more romantic guerrilla war waged by Castro and his followers when they took off to the mountains of the Sierra Maestra after the failed attack on Santiago in 1956. Resistance involved strikes, sabotage, assassination and propaganda. It was, as Wright asserts, (2001, p.16) the resistance in urban centres which pinned down the Batista forces and enabled Castros to grow in strength in the mountains and who also played a crucial role in supplying Castros guerrillas. The weakening of this resistance in the face of Batistas repression strengthened Castros position. An interview carried out with the American journalist Herbert Matthews and published in the New York Times in 1957 was a key event in the development of the war and a boost to Castros personal standing at home and abroad. It contradicted Batistas claims that Castro had been killed and the guerrilla defeated and aroused a lot of sympathy for the rebels in America. A failed attempt to assassinate Batista carried out by the Directorio Revolucionario Estudiantil in March 1957 could have changed the course of the revolution but its failure increased repression and eliminated another potential rival to Castro (Wright, 2001). Meanwhile Batista floundered on. An American arms embargo was evidence that he was losing American backing. A failed general strike in April of 1958 gave credence to the idea that only armed struggle would shift Batista. That Castros forces would be the most likely to lead it, was given a boost following Batistas disastrous offensive against the guerrillas in May 1958. Without American backing and unable to defeat the rebels militarily, Batista was condemned. In a bid to win American support and add a veneer of legitimacy to his regime he called elections in November 1958 from which most withheld, highlighting the isolation of his regime. Meanwhile a strengthened Castro began to emerge as the most likely to unseat Batista and his campaign spread outside of his mountain stronghold. After the fall of the city of Santa Clara in December Batista realised his regime was doomed and escaped to the Dominican Republic on New Years Eve 1958 (Paterson, 1995). The revolution had triumphed. The explanation of the 1958 Cuban revolution can be found then, in the history of the country: the anti-American sentiment of a broad spectrum of Cuban society, and the perceived betrayal of the ideals of independence by successive governments, the closely linked phenomenon of overdependence on the sugar trade and the subsequent underdevelopment of the countrys industrial base, the deep social divisions and finally, the weak legitimacy of its political institutions, the violent and undemocratic nature of Cubas political life and the low prestige of its politicians, all served to alienate Cubans from the political process and to seek answers from a new breed of leader. Events rooted in Cubas history made the revolution possible. As Johnson (1970, p.60) observed revolution often happens in countries which have already experienced change and where more change is necessary. Castro in his evocation of historic Cuban grievances which also harked back to previous reform programmes in 1933 and 1940 appealed to a wide range of anti-Batista opinion, but that Castro would be the one to lead it and to take it in a Communist direction was not inevitable. Castros revolution, regardless of what happened after taking power, was not a socialist revolution. It triumphed because it, as Perez contended, did not preach class war (Gott, 2004, p.166). The Soviet Union played no part in his triumph, and indeed the Cuban Communists did not ally themselves with Castro until 1958. Rather in its focus on the betrayal of independence, and his echoing of past failed attempts at reform, Castros programme was the culmination of a process begun on Cubas winning of independence. The ambivalence of America also played a part in Castros victory. The American position on Castro was not clearly defined (Gott, 2004, p.164) and in Castros success in not provoking greater intervention from the force that could have decisively swayed the outcome of the revolution was a key factor in the revolutions success. Another contributing factor was the weakness and indecision of the Batista regime and its identification with the failed policies and methods of the past. Batistas regime fell in part because it was as Julien (Goldenberg, 1965, p.146) observed rotten to the core.

Macbeths Weak Mindset, Lust for Power, and Quest for Blood in Shakespe

In the story of Macbeth the character Macbeth is portrayed as an honest and trustworthy man. In the beginning of the story Macbeth meets three witches that tell him that he will be the Thane of Cowdar and eventually become King. Essentially Macbeth does not believe this and ignores it. Macbeth tells his wife about the series of events with the witches and his wife begins Macbeth’s quest for all power. In the story Lady Macbeth is the force that provokes Macbeth to commit all of these evil deeds. In the story it is easily noticeable that Macbeth can be convinced to do just about anything, but after he is no longer being convinced to do these acts it is realized that Macbeth has a lust for power, a quest for blood, and a weak mindset. It could not be more obvious that Macbeth had a weak mind-set in the story of Macbeth. It is first noticed when he begins to take into thought what the three witches told him about being king. It is also noticed when he lets his own wife convince him to murder King Duncan to acclaim the throne. Essentially Macbeth does not want to kill King Duncan, but due to some persuading words from his wife Macbeth kills Duncan and regrets it terribly. After Macbeth murders King Duncan his wife has to consol him and make him wash the blood from the murders off of his hands. Furthermore, Macbeth shows off his weak mindset by allowing his mind to become a vicious murderer. The weakening of Macbeth’s mind seemed to begin around the time that King Duncan announces that his son Malcolm is heir to the throne and this is when Macbeth begins to ponder murder. Mainly until act four it is Lady Macbeth who dominates over Macbeth. In the story Lady Macbeth repeatedly pushes Macbeth into doing things he knows is wrong and doe... ...tp://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=11&hid=104&sid. Griffin, Gillian. "Lady Macbeth's Daughter." Booklist 1 Aug. 2014: 56. General One File. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. . "'Macbeth,' MN." Back Stage, National ed. 27 Aug. 2014: 25. General One File. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. . Stuckey, Connie. "Death of a Valentine." Booklist 1 Dec. 2014: 27+. General One File. Web. 17 Dec. 2014.. Wilhelm, Jeffrey, et al. Glencoe Literature: The Reader’s Choice Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill, 2014. "'Macbeth,' MN." Back Stage, National ed. 27 Aug. 2014: 25. General OneFile. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. .

The Distortion of Indonesian Culture :: essays research papers

I.Pendahuluan Kebudayaan,adalah sebuah pola yang terintegrasi dari pengetahuan manusia, kepercayaan, dan perilaku. Kebudayaan, dapat didefinisikan, berisi bahasa, ide-ide, kepercayaan, kebiasaan,larangan-larangan, hukum,institusi, teknik, hasil karya seni, ritual, seremoni dan komponen lainnya yang terkait. Perkembangan kebudayaan tergantung kepada kapasitas manusia untuk belajar dan menerima pengetahuan yang kemudian diwariskan kepada generasinya. [1] Dengan melihat kebudayaan, sebagai contoh kebudayaan Jepang, atau kebudayaan Barat dapat dilihat nilai-nilai yang memiliki banyak perbedaan yang dijalankan didalam kedua masyarakat yang disebutkan diatas.Kebudayaan barat membentuk masyarakat yang memiliki keterbukaan, critical thinking, dsb. Di Jepang terbentuk masyarakat yang masih menganggap nilai-nilai luhur nenek moyangnya, dan nilai kekeluargaan sebagai pegangan. Kebudayaan terbentuk melalui pola-pola hidup yang diterapkan oleh masyarakat, yang dipengaruhi oleh kondisi internal dan eksternal masyarakat itu sendiri. Dalam kondisi internal, bentuk kebudayaan dipengaruhi oleh hubungan kekerabatan, seremonial, bahasa, hukum dsb. Oleh kondisi internal, kebudayaan dipengaruhi oleh lingkungan geografis, dan oleh berbagai faktor, kebudayaan lain yang mempengaruhi kebudayaan tersebut. Kebudayaan yang kemudian membentuk masyarakat selanjutnya. Namun, kebudayaan tidak lantas terus-menerus sebagai panutan statis pembentuk masyarakat tetapi juga dibentuk lagi oleh masyarakat. Hal ini adalah proses kreasi-interaksi antara budaya dan masyarakat. Budaya sangat berpengaruh, budaya mencerminkan pengalaman sejarah suatu bangsa, yang tertanam dalam tradisi mereka, dan membentuk sikap dan pengharapan mereka terhadap dunia. Budaya bisa menjadi pendorong atau beban yang menghambat atau mempercepat perubahan [2] Dengan membicarakan kebudayaan di Indonesia, cukup rumit memang untuk memahami keseluruhan budaya di Indonesia; melihat Indonesia yang multietnis dan multilinguistik, dapat disimpulkan bahwa kebudayaan di Indonesia sangat beraneka ragam dan rumit. Jika ditelusuri lagi, melihat kebudayaan masyarakat Indonesia, berarti kita harus melihat kembali proses sejarah perkembangan suku-bangsa di Indonesia, dari zaman perunggu, besi, zaman pra-tradisonal, zaman tradisional, pra-modern, dan akhirnya masyarakat modern kontemporer yang ada sekarang ini. Masyarakat suku-bangsa di Indonesia telah melewati banyak tahap-tahap kreasi-interaksi kebudayaan seperti yang disebut diatas tersebut. Mulai dari scope internal di antara suku-suku bangsa indonesia sendiri, maupun oleh pengaruh eksternal kebudayaan kolonial yang menjajah bangsa ini selama tiga setengah abad. Kemudian kesadaran para pemuda-pemuda lintas etnik yang menyepakati kesatuan budaya-budaya Indonesia yang beraneka-ragam dalam sumpah pemuda 28 Oktober 1928 dan mencapai puncaknya pada kemerdekaan bangsa ini sebagai suatu bangsa yang berdaulat penuh. Namun dinamika kebudayaan Indonesia tidak sampai di sini, masyarakat kontemporer Indonesia masih mempengaruhi kebudayaan Indonesia masa mendatang yang memang tetap rumit. Apa yang akan saya angkat pada essai singkat saya tentang kebudayaan Indonesia adalah sedikit dari kerumitan yang ada dalam kebudayaan Indonesia dalam interaksinya dengan masyarakat lain yang memiliki kebudayaan yang lain pula. Pada essai ini saya menanggap bahwa kebudayaan Indonesia telah sangat terdistorsi oleh kebudayaan lain yang mempengaruhi kebudayaan dasar bangsa Indonesia yang baik,seperti budaya gotong-royong, kekeluargaan dan sebagainya.

Correctional Facility

Andrea J. Paige January 30th, 2013 1. What is the biggest problem facing correctional facility today? The biggest problem that correctional facilities are facing is prison overcrowding. This is because most court officials have the thought that locking people up and throwing the key away is the best solutions to the problem of crime, when in fact it’s really not better for society because crime still rises in fact it is better for political court officials. They know this is not helping but if it gets them voted for because society thinks it’s safer then lock them up and throw the key way.What should the primary goal of corrections be? The primary goal of corrections should be to rehabilitate the offender. If rehabilitation is successfully done it would help the offender to become a productive member of society after they are released from prison. These things would have to take place from the moment they arrive at the prison like drug treatment, vocational training, an d therapeutic counseling to try and find the source of the offenders’ issues. 2. Describe restorative justice and its pros and cons.Restorative justice is justice that tends to the needs of the victim as well as the offender and also the community that is involved instead of punishing the offending party. The victim takes part in this process to encourage the offender to take responsibility of their actions by attempting to repair the damage that has been done. The pros to restorative justice is that it is considered fair and also the offender may experience how the victim felt at the time of the incident. The cons are how you measure the crime or the needed punishment and how does one judge what the appropriate punishment is. . 3. What is the most effective management style for a prison? Fully explain and give examples. The autocratic management style shows to be the best for the prison system because why does the inmate need to be able to help set rules inside of the prison nor do the employees. There needs to be set rules for everyone to follow inside of the prison because with too many people controlling the rules at some point some things will be out of order. 4. How has the changing legal context influenced the growing problems of mentally disordered offenders in corrections?There have been some recent changes in the way the law is carried out that makes it more difficult to send mentally ill offenders to non-correctional programs. A lot of patients who were housed in hospital are now doing time in prisons because of an increase of these types of offenders being caught with drugs so the mentally ill drug user are experiencing harsher sentences. 5. In planning and designing reentry programs what steps are to be taken? Fully explain The target for each of the reentry facilities will be different according to the needs of the local community.Inmates will be moderate to a high risk to recidivate. The incentive to participating in the reentry program w ill be only with the possibility of gaining employment prior to release, participating in the various treatment programs, family reunification and working with a caseworker and also some of these services will also be needed: Reentry Planning Teams, Urban Location for SCRF, Availability of Wrap-A-Around Services, Availability of Employment, County’s Mental Health, Public Health and Social Services Departments

Hate Crimes and the Homosexual Community Essay

Abstract In this paper I am talking about Hate crimes against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. I show that though Hate crimes are classified as crimes that are evoked by sexual orientation, race, identity, gender, or religion. Hate crimes are more common amongst the gay and transgender men. I show states with highest conviction rate in 2012. I also show the upward incline in numbers since 2005 until now. I offer explanations as to who commits these crimes and why. Lastly I show the progression of time and how prejudice and hate crimes although upward in numbers are really being accepted in our communities. Hate crimes and the Homosexual community After the Civil war the Government passed the first Hate crime Law in America. Recently, in 2009 sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability were added to the categories covered by the law. According to ( Stotzer,2012) these crimes are more common among homosexual men and the transgendered community, because most hate crimes are committed by heterosexual men. Even though lesbian women are victims of hate crimes, statistics show that hate crimes are more common among homosexual men and the transgendered community, because heterosexual men commit most hate crimes (Stotzer, 2012). Studies also find that twenty in 200,000 lesbians, gay men and bisexuals reported being victims of hate crimes. 52 in 200,000 gay men reported being victims of hate crimes. Yet only twenty in 200,000 reported being victims of hate crimes. Hate Crimes against Homosexual and Transgendered â€Å"There were 15,351 anti-homosexual hate crime offenses during 2002-2011†. (Potok, 2012, para. #). According to the (Intelligence Report, winter 2010, Issue Number: 140. The numbers show that gay men are two times more likely  to suffer a violent hate crime attack than Jews. Gays are 3 times more likely to be attacked than blacks, and five times more likely than Muslims. FBI reports say that hate crimes against gay men have been on the rise since 2005. Violent hate crimes against LGBT people grew by 48 percent from 2005 until 2011. In 2010 Census.gov shows that half of all hate crimes were based on sexual orientation bias (Census.Gov, 2010). In 2011 reports show that there were 26 transgendered murders reported in the USA alone. In 2010 the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey in USA found that approximately 75% of sexual-orientation related hate crimes were of a violent nature.(Stozer, 2010) Physiological Research on Straight Men Who Kill or Physically Harm Homosexuals Mison (year) states that â€Å"[a] murderous personal reaction toward gay men should be considered an irrational and idiosyncratic characteristic of the defendant and should not be allowed to bolster the alleged reasonableness of the defendant’s act†(Dressler, 1995, p.4). Helena L. Alden and Karen F. Parker also state â€Å"that homophobia and gender stratification directly influences the incidents of hate crime victimization† (Alden, Parker, 2004). People who commit hate crimes are not limited to but mostly are Caucasian lower-class men who commit the crimes for fun or simply in resentment toward a certain group (Comstock 1991: 60-62; McDevitt and Levin 1993). Studies say that most men who commit these crimes have no physiological defects or problems. This means that these men are committing these hate crimes knowing exactly what they are doing. These studies ultimately prove that the victim is not at fault for the attack. These crimes are being committed out of sheer hate, hence the name â€Å"Hate crimes†. Examples of Hate Crimes against Homosexuals Matthew Shepard In 1998 the sad and horrifying murder of Matthew Shepard woke people up to just how serious hate crimes are getting. Matthew Shepard was only 21 years old. He was first robbed, then beaten within inches of his life and left for dead by two men. The two men told shepherd they were Homosexual and wanted to hang out with him. Matthew went with them and was led to a desert where he was beat to death. They did not charge the men with a hate crime;  therefore it kept them from receiving the maximum punishment. Following the attention and emotion evoked by Matthew Shepard’s death People’s eyes begin to open, both in the public and in the political office. 11 years after Matthew’s murder Obama passed an act to include sexual orientation, identity and gender. In honor of Mathew this act was named after him and James Byrd Jr. The Act is the first federal law to extend legal protections to transgender persons (James, 1998). Gwen Araujo Gwen Araujo – born Edward â€Å"Eddie† Araujo was a pre-operative transgender teen. Eddie was born as a boy and began living life as a girl at the age of 14. Her name was legally changed to Gwen Amber Rose Araujo two years after her death. In the early hours of Oct. 4, 2002, Gwen was killed by a group of men in her hometown of Newark, California then buried in a homemade grave after they found out she was born male. The men were convicted of second-degree murder in connection to the killing of Gwen Araujo who was beaten, tied up and strangled, according to previous media reports. (Heinrich, 2006) States That Have Highest Rate of Hate Crimes against Homosexuals New York and California are the two states with the highest anti-gay hate crime rates.in 2011 in California a three fourths of hate crimes were motivated by the sexual orientation of the victims. The majority of hate crime reported in that category targeted gay men. â€Å"These crimes continue to disproportionately affect LGBT people of color,† (Marroquin, 2012, p. #). The second highest state is New York with a percentage of 19.6 in 2010 and 39.4 in 2011. (Lovett, 2011). In 2011, the most common reported types of bias motivation in hate crime incidents involved: race/ ethnicity religion, and sexual orientation leading at 40.6 percent.(Lovett,2011). Incidents with a sexual orientation bias increased 15 percent, from 119 in 2010 to 167 in 2011 (Lovett,2012). Consequences of hate crimes and conviction rates Haider (2001) states that â€Å"Hate crime policy implementation is shaped by the support and efforts of officers, the tractability of the problem, the support of police leaders, and the presence of state hate crime policies, police resources, and public opinion.†(p.1). The Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990 required the U.S. Department of Justice to collect data on incidence  of hate crimes. This Act was passed by Bush in 1990. As a response to the murders of Matthew Shepard president Obama passed the most recent act in 2009. This Bill helps protect the LGBT community against hate crimes. Hate crime laws seems to be good but due to lack of enforcement a lot has still gone undone. There are still many hate crimes unsolved as well as unreported. Numbers have not gone down but, they have gone up. (Parfaite-Claude, 2012). Conviction Rates are shockingly low. According the Attorney General’s Report, only 51% of cases filed as â€Å"Hate Crimes† result in Convictions . Conclusion In conclusion, No matter what state you are in the statistics say that anti-gay hate crimes are leading in numbers. Sadly, Crime against persons is number one. Second is crime against Property. What must be taken into consideration is that more than half of anti- gay hate crimes are not reported, Due to fear, pride, or embarrassment. Although America has come a Long way with its hate crime laws and convictions, something more must be done. The enforcers of the law must do their jobs and remain loyal to their promises to their communities. In effect the people will feel more protected, which will in turn help them to feel more comfortable in reporting crimes. The key to overcoming hate crimes is to overcome hate. References Gay men more likely victims of hate crimes. (2012, May 23). Windy City Times Altschiller, D. (2009). Hate crimes: V.1: Understanding and defining hate crime; v.2: The consequences of hate crime; v.3: The victims of hate crime; v.4: Hate crime offenders; v.5: Responding to hate crime. Choice, 46(12), 2418-2418. Brownworth, V. A. (1992, Hate crimes: Confronting violence against lesbians and gay men. Lambda Book Report, 3, 34-34. Coker, C. T. (2011). Hope-fulfilling or effectively chilling? reconciling the hate crimes prevention act with the first amendment. Vanderbilt Law Review, 64(1), 271-299 Dressler, J. (1995). When â€Å"heterosexual† men kill â€Å"homosexual† men: Reflections of provocation law, sexual advances, and the â€Å"reasonable man† standard. 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