Reaction Paper on African Short Stories

Reaction Paper 3: South Africa is one on the most controversial countries in the world. It is located in the southern part, at the bottom of the continent of Africa as its name indicates. The country is known to shelter a diversity of languages and cultures. The country went through many violent events opposing the white minority dominating over all other races. Fortunately, a man named Nelson Mandela will change the course of history and impact Africa and the world in a great way.The role of this paper will be to reflect on the socio cultural and economic conditions of folks in South Africa by establishing the thread they all seem to have in common, to elaborate on the context that makes these conditions possible and in the end, we will try to suggest some solutions to these problems. In our study of the South Africans folks, we will use three important stories related to South Africa. These stories can be found in the book African Short Stories, edited by Chinua Achebe. Chinua Ache be is regarded as one of the most influential writers in African literature and all over the world.His trilogy of books about Nigeria and Africa are read all over the world and translated in many languages. He put together a number of stories related to Africa in a little book. These stories for the most part are talking about issues in life and particularly in Africa. The stories that we will use here are therefore related to South Africa. Theses stories are the bridegroom written by Nadine Gordimer, the coffee cart girl written by Ezekiel Mphalele and reflections in a cell put together by Mafika Gwala. All these stories are all reflecting one common thing, the conditions of life of black people in South Africa.The stories generally reflect the effects that apartheid had on the population of South Africa. It is important to clarify what the word apartheid refers to. Apartheid was a system in which racial segregation was the cornerstone and was encouraged and established by the nati onal government. It is important to note that a minority of white people formed the government and that the people that were racially segregated were people of other â€Å"color†, especially the Africans. In the stories presented in the book and on which we are reflecting, you can clearly see that black men and women are struggling.The neighborhood in which they live are extremely poor, the way they speak English is alarming, and the most important part is that the authors always made sure to display the apparent domination of the white people over the black people. Apartheid was the result of colonization. The minority constituted by white people had control over everything and was abusing that power to serve and maintain its selfish interest. As a result, all other racial groups were forced to live to serve the master, going through unimaginable suffering and pain.Apartheid was based on four main ideas: firstly, the population was structured in different groups according to their color. Secondly, only the white race was regarded as the civilized race. Thirdly, white interests should prevent before anybody’s interest. Finally, the white people formed a single nation along with the Afrikaans, formula that made them the largest racial group in the country. Apartheid was maintained by a series of repressive laws that were only made possible by the population Registration Act of 1950. That Registration was considered as the bible of apartheid.IT contained a classification of every person and based on that classification, the best interests of the â€Å"dominating minority† could be best served. People from African decent had their citizenship removed and all kinds of atrocities were committed. The white minority made sure that black people stayed non-educated because they knew that education was the road to emancipation. Luckily, one of the most popular world’s leaders, Nelson Mandela, succeeded in restoring black people rights just li ke Martin Luther king did with the black population here in the United States.Nelson Mandela, just like Martin Luther King applied a policy of non-violence to bring the apartheid system down. Some possible solutions to racial problems could be the adoption of non-violence doctrine like Gandhi and also education. Education can even be considered as the most important factor because leaders need to have an open spirit to be able to direct the masses. Another solution could be the use of religion to strengthen the mind. Religion can be essential and has always been essential in the black community. It brings peace of mind and strength in the war for justice and equality.

My Argument Paper

Stefanie Markel 1/2/2012 English Composition II Maria Mahon Adoption vs. Artificial Insemination Argument Essay When starting a family, parents are given several options. Unassisted pregnancy, where a couple gets pregnant with no outside interference, artificial insemination, or adoption are several options that a couple would consider when deciding to start a family. The two that I will focus on are the latter two, adoption and artificial insemination. Adoption is a special, somewhat heartbreaking subject for me, however, for the sake of this argument, it needs to be addressed. I will touch on the pros and cons of each technique of starting a family. My position is that the decision to adopt or be artificially inseminated is an informed decision that each person should make after reviewing all of the information that one can gather. IF it were me, I would prefer artificial insemination, for of course, my own personal reasons. The adoption process brings to light several pros and several cons that a couple or single parent would need to consider before proceeding. Before considering adoption, one would need to consider these things, 1. cost of adoption, 2. ) domestic or international adoption, 3. ) and cost of caring for child, 4. ) opened or closed adoption. One pro of adoption is if you are not able to have a child of your own, there are many children out there that need a home and family to care for them. Depending on the situation a child is in, you may be saving that child from abuse, neglect, poverty, or malnutrition from environmental challenges (if a dopted internationally you may see this more so than domestically). On the other hand, it may be a situation of an underage mother that has no help or ability to care for the child. Another pro of adoption is that you would be able to have a child even if you as couple or as a single mother cannot conceive on your own. A con of adoption is that it is expensive; there is a lot that goes into approving someone to be able to adopt a child. And the time that it takes for an adoption to be finalized can take months up to years. The end result of holding a child in your arms is the biggest pro of all. Now a con in the child’s point of view would be not knowing who your biological parents are or your heritage. As a child who was adopted grows older, he/she may have questions that can be difficult at best to explain depending on the circumstances of the adoption. This is where my experience comes in; however, my experience is an exceptional situation. I was adopted by my maternal grandmother at the age of 10 years old. This was an open adoption. This made things very difficult. My mother did not just have my grandmother adopt and then leave me be. No, she was in and out of my life constantly, usually when it was convenient for her. This made things difficult for my adoptive mother to deal with. This is not usually a normal situation. My children, not by my choice, however, were also adopted last year. The adoptive parents do not allow me contact, this is a closed adoption. I hope to one day change this. (personal experience) While my mother gave up her rights willingly, I did not willingly sign the papers giving up my rights, I was forced to. These are two extreme situations of adoption. When my children get older, they will ask the questions of who they are and where they come from of their adoptive parents, then my hope is that they will come find me so that we may eventually have a mother/children relationship. The second option that is available for prospective parents is artificial insemination. This is a slightly less expensive option to become parents, depending on what route you take. A pro to this, is that you can become a natural parent, by this I mean the child is yours biologically. Now depending on the situation, you may be seeking to have a child, but do not have a partner. Or your partner (male) may not be able to help conceive a child. These are just two reasons that you would choose this option, there are many reasons, and all are different for different people. In this process, at least one process that is, you can go to cryogenic clinic, select the donor you wish, and have a doctor inseminate you. To choose a donor, select age, race, medical history (personal and family), profession, hobbies. This will bring up donors to choose from. Another con is that even though you can select pretty much everything about a donor, your child will not look like your partner, and could eventually raise questions later. Another con, as a single parent choosing this option, as your child grows older, they may ask questions that you cannot answer, as well as the question to find their biological father. In conclusion, of the two options given, each have their pros and cons but they both have a wonderful ending result, a child to love. No matter what choice you choose, remember a child is a precious responsibility and nothing to take lightly. When it comes time for me to choose, it may be possible for me to choose both, having been adopted I do know the benefits to the child in a normal situation. And I would love to experience pregnancy again, although I may not have a partner, I do know that I will have lots of support if I decide to do the second option. I would very much like to give a child a home someday and get them out of whatever situation they are in. References Adoption. com, retrieved 1/4/2012 from http://forums. doption. com/thanks-life/62158-seeking-adoptees-pro-life-pro-adoption-testimonies. html Adoption. org, retrieved 1/3/2012 from http://www. adoption. org/adopt/pro-adoption. php Personal Experience of being adopted and having my children taken from me and being adopted by foster parents LifeScript: Healthy Living for Women, retrieved 1/3/201, http://www. lifescript. com/Health/Conditions/Womens- health/Pregnancy/The_Pros_And_Cons_Of_Artificial_Insemination. aspx WebMD, retrieved 1/3/2012 from http://www. webmd. com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/artificial-insemination

North Carolina Gubernatorial Election

The election for governor of North Carolina proved to be tightly contested race; with Richard Vinroot the republican candidate gaining support in the weeks immediately prior to the election. Mike Easley had an early advantage, being the democratic incumbent. Easley was the better-known and better-financed candidate, which helped him to an early advantage. However, during the final weeks of the campaign the advantage swung to Vinroot as undecided voters were swept up in a republican surge lead by the momentum gained by presidential candidate Bush. With the gubernatorial race growing ever closer, the candidate†s stance on issues began to stand out as the determining factor for many voters. Thus, Democrat Mike Easley was able to gain an advantage not because of party affiliation, but the due to his stance on important issues, one important issue being education. So how did the numbers stake up? Well the final elections showed Mike Easley receiving 1,492,170 votes or 52 percent of the vote; Richard Vinroot received 1,335,862 votes or 47 percent of the vote; the rest of the vote being split between the Libertarian and Reform candidates . The 2000 North Carolina gubernatorial election was closely contested and would be decided not mainly according party affiliation, but by the candidate†s stance on major issues. The Democratic candidate for governor Mike Easley has a strong background, which brought him public favor and votes. Michael F. Easley is 50 years old, was born in Nash County, received a degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, and gained a law degree from North Carolina Central University. Easley served as a District Attorney, which gained him a reputation due to his prosecution of drug traffickers. Easley was elected the Attorney General of North Carolina in 1992. He was re-elected in 1996 by a large margin receiving 60 percent on the vote. While he was Attorney General, Easley gained a strong reputation, Easley sought to reduce violent crimes by pushing for a new sentencing structure and removal of the prison cap. Easley was fairly successful, â€Å"Since he took office in 1993, the rate of violent crime in North Carolina has fallen by more than 15%. Easley also gained a strong reputation due to his efforts of attacking consumer fraud, creating a Citizen†s Rights Division, and increasing the environmental section with the creation of an Environmental Crimes Task Force. As Attorney General, Easley also contributed to the national tobacco settlement, and â€Å"Brought nearly $5 billion in revenue to North Carolina to protect farmers, communities and the public health. 2† Mike Easley†s stance on important issues played an important role in the election. One important issue, which Easley highlighted, was his plan for patient†s rights. His plan includes patient privacy and a system that would provide prescription drugs for the elderly. While campaigning Easley outlined his plan for patient†s rights, however he made it apparent that his major concern was his â€Å"No Excuses† approach to education. The main points in Easley†s plan are smaller class sizes, and a pre-kindergarten program. The staple of Easley†s plan is not to raise taxes, with financing coming from a state lottery. Easley†s focuses on three aspects in his education plan; character education, alternative schools, and dress codes. Easley†s education plan states, â€Å"In order to enhance academic performance and safety in our public schools, we must nurture the personal character of young people while demanding that all students be disciplined and appropriately attired. † Candidate Mike Easley brought his strong reputation, and stance on important issues to the gubernatorial campaign in order to gain popular support. Richard Vinroot the Republican candidate for governor also brought his strong reputation and background to the campaign trail. Vinroot like Easley also had a long list of credentials and a strong background, which helped him win public favor. Vinroot was awarded a Morehead Scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill were he received a degree in business administration and later his law degree. Vinroot is also a Vietnam veteran and was awarded a Bronze Star for his service. In 1991, Vinroot was elected mayor of Charlotte and was re-elected in 1993. As mayor of Charlotte Vinroot focused on crime, while he was mayor crime dropped 17 percent. Vinroot also focused on taxpayer relief. One of the major issues in Vinroot†s campaign was also education. Vinroot made it apparent that he supported tax paid vouchers, which gives parents a choice to send their children to the school of their choice. Vinroot†s plan supports home schooling and vouchers for children to attend private schools. Vinroot also supports a pay system for teachers based on merit. Vinroot†s main stance during the campaign was that he continually promised to never raise taxes and offered real change in education. Richard Vinroot gained public support in the gubernatorial campaign with a strong personal background, and by pronouncing never to raise taxes. The Reform candidate, Douglas Schell, and Libertarian candidate, Barbara Howe, offered voters additional choices for governor. However, both candidates played an insignificant role in the election with each candidate receiving about one percent of the vote. Similarly to Easley and Vinroot, both candidates† main issue was education. Howe†s education plan was a tax-based scholarship system giving the student an option when it comes to education. Schell†s stance on education was a plan for initiating a minimum salary for teachers, and focusing on discipline and school standards. However, both candidates were severely under funded; lacking the resources like Easley and Vinroot were able to attain. Thus, the Reform and Libertarian candidates played an insignificant role in the election. Richard Vinroot the republican candidate for governor hoped to ride the coattails of George Bush. Vinroot did gain support because of Bush strength in North Carolina, but this only helped make the race contested. However, Vinroot was unable to seize upon Bush†s support in North Carolina to become governor. Vinroot tried to play the connection with Bush to the fullest, thus making a late comeback. Unfortunately for Vinroot, several other factors caused Mike Easley to seize the election. The election showed that image, personality, and more importantly stance on issues wins votes rather than party affiliation. An important factor is swaying voters to Easley was his standing on important issues, especially the education issue. Easley was able to gain votes by strongly opposing tax-paid vouchers for education. In addition, Easley†s plan for education was more widely accepted including his pushing for a state lottery to pay for education. Some distinctions that caused the party splitting in North Carolina, was Easley†s stance on education. Image and personality also played key factors in Mike Easley†s election win. These traits where made apparent to voters in the campaigning through the numerous television ads and in the debate. Television ads played an important role in the campaigns of both candidates. Easley, due to better finance was able to run more television ads, allowing him to run more issue-focused ads. Conversely, Vinroot ran many ads attacking Easley in an effort to label him as a liberal, and associate of Al Gore. Vinroot†s attacks gave him an aggressive image, which hurt him in the election. Vinroot†s aggressive image was also apparent in the one television debate, Vinroot even grabbed Easley†s arm during the debate. Television ads also helped contribute to Mike Easley†s election win, especially the ads Easley ran the weekend before the election. Easley†s last television ads played upon the popularity of actor Andy Griffith, who endorsed Easley in those final ads. Image and personality are important to voters and these characteristics favored Mike Easley. The first North Carolina governor of the 21st century won an election that became tightly contested due to party affiliation. However, in the end it was not party affiliation that was the determining factor in the election. The determining factors in the election were the candidate†s stance on major issues, namely the issue of education, and the candidate†s image and personality. Richard Vinroot made the election contested by playing heavily on the popularity of George W. Bush; this did not however carry him into office. Voters broke party lines and voted for the candidate who best addressed their needs. Mike Easley was able to win because he promised to improve education without raising taxes due to a state lottery. Richard Vinroot had a chance in the gubernatorial election by trying to ride the coattails of George W. Bush, but when it came down to it voters concerned themselves not with party affiliation, but concerned themselves with the current issues, with the greatest emphasis on the issue of improving education.

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 55

Case study - Essay Example In addition, active care will mean routine patient evaluation of circulatory status with exercise and at rest. From the active multidisciplinary approach, Mr. P will reduce hospitalization incidents that result to increased hospital costs that have ended up depressing his wife. Since Mr. P demonstrates some degree of clinical instability, further medical therapy is required following evidence-based guidelines. Through active care clinic visits, Mr. P’s condition is manageable through the use of antidiuretics and fluid sodium restrictions with the therapeutically intention of treating edema and restoration of extracellular fluid compartment to normal (Cooper, 2011, p. 21). Proper management of Mr. P’s edema will contribute greatly in eliminating shortness of breath or labored breathing. In addition, the use of antidiuretics will promote Mr. P’s response to drugs like ACE inhibitors and beta blockers that are approved for managing patients with cardiomyopathy that results to systolic dysfunction of the heart’s left ventricle. However, patients demonstrating intolerance to ACE drugs require additional Isosorbide dinitrate and Hydralazine hydrochloride or Angiotensin II receptor blockade (Costantini, Boyd, Huck, Carlson, & Buchers, 2001, p. 178) Daily weight checks are essential in ensuring that the Mr. P does not have any weight changes due to fluid retention which is also reflected in shortness of breath and moist crackles on lungs. The best way to identify weight gain will be to know Mr. P’s dry weight or weight taken in the absence of edema. Mr. P will be trained on how to calculate his weight gain by subtracting his presently measured weight from the dry weight. (Costantini, Boyd, Huck, Carlson, & Buchers, 2001). Since he is managing edema, the resulting difference is expected to decrease with the right patient compliance. For both Mr. P

Mechanical Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis A Prospective Study Essay

Mechanical Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis A Prospective Study - Essay Example The reader's attention is caught and the reader is encouraged to read the report further, even though the author has not noted anything about the implication of the results. In addition, the abstract is presented in the form of the summary. Introduction is quite long (occupies two pages out of seven) but the author has set a good basis for the research, its purpose and limitations. At the beginning of the article, the authors provide general information about plantar fasciitis: how and why it occurs, what are the symptoms, why it should be treated, what the outcomes of treatment/non-treatment and other factors that are necessary to understand the aim and results of the research. The authors have taken 5 studies of plantar fasciitis treatment: one of the studies was devoted to traditional treatment: anti-inflammatory therapy which is proved to be highly ineffective, the other four studies were devoted to the mechanical therapies with the majority of author agreeing that the mechanical treatment is much more effective and can lead to 100 % beneficial result. Currently there is the debate regarding which therapy is more effective. The last sentence of this section states "the purpose of this prospective, randomized study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three different mechanical modalities -over-the-counter arch supports, custom-made orthoses, and night splints-used in the treatment of plantar fasciitis." Thus the authors have made it clear what the following section will be about. It is very important that the authors have not only provided the justification for the necessity and value of this research, they have also used evidence from already existing researches - more than 30 references have been made. However, the authors did not set the criteria for evaluation of the results for validity and reliability. From the other side, it has been stated that the results will be visible and can be reported by patients; therefore, the measurement is obvious. The literature review is long enough to include the major studies that are of interest to the reader and are closely related to the issue covered. The authors did not omit anything and covered both sides of the argument: traditional v. mechanical treatment of plantar fasciitis and made it clear that the traditional treatment will not be taken into consideration at all due to low rate of effectiveness. The selected samples of the sources are limited, but the studies mentioned are not only summarized by commented as well. Method and Sampling The method section is highly organized and clear. Authors have presented and discussed all factors that were taken into account during research. It is stated that there were 255 patients aged 21 to 70 with plantar heel pain without previous trauma, out these patients 65 percent were women. The selection was random and there is a note about why some patients were not taken into a study. The section gives the answers to all possible questions: in the introductory part the author have established the basis for selection of treatment therapies (rigid over-the-counter, injection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), duration, number of hours being on feet, pre-study examination, follow up and visits, random assignment to groups and receiving of the consent.

Discuss the interpretation of First Industrial Revolution as an Term Paper

Discuss the interpretation of First Industrial Revolution as an Industrious revolution - Term Paper Example Due to the introduction of improved methods, production could be made at a much larger scale than before. Improvements in methods of production and production possibilities in large scale allowed the manufacturers to produce better quality products at lower cost and within a lower period of time than it could produce previously. There are debates regarding the origin of the industrial revolution. According to some authors and historians, the beginning of the revolution was in Britain. The industrial revolution has been often termed as British invention. However, according to some other sources the roots of the revolution is unclear. Several European countries participated in the revolution and made it a global success. Some researchers have claimed that the term was first coined in France. Significant improvements can be found to have taken place during this period in France in economic as well as social spheres. These combined changes were named as ‘revolution industrielleâ₠¬â„¢ in France and it was considered to be an economic counterpart of the political revolution that was taking place in the country during the period. Industrious revolution One thing is apparent from this discussion; it is that the industrial revolution took place as a result of considerable hard work and diligent attitude of the people that took the leading position in this revolution. The industrial revolution is the outcome of an ‘industrious revolution’ that took place in different parts of the world to improve the status of production units in the economies that participated in this activity. It took the form of industrial revolution when many countries from Europe as well as Asia took part in it. The phase of industrious revolution was prior to the industrial revolution between the 17th century and the 19th century. According to some scholars, this revolution was the forerunner of the industrial revolution (Craig and Thomas 248). The phenomenon of industrious rev olution refers to the spending behavior of households during the 17th century. Therefore, it relates to the production as well as consumption of products and services. The simplistic explanation of the cause of revolution is that there was an unprecedented rise in demand for goods and services in the market. The industrious revolution took place before the industrial revolution took shape. Understanding of the industrious revolution would allow readers to understand the context of the industrial revolution better. According to information revealed by various sources, the first industrial revolution took place in the early Modern Period. The period of revolution was characterized by availability of excess of money as well as excess amount of food crops. This was the result of development of new technology and methods of production. However, the force that led to these technological advancements took shape during the pre-industrial revolution period, known as industrious revolution. D uring this period England moved from being an economy with sporadic technological changes to an economy in which persistent technological advancements took place. Well known historians, Joachim Voth and Jan de Vries have

Americal Labor Issues (as it relates to unionized labor) Essay

Americal Labor Issues (as it relates to unionized labor) - Essay Example It will also emphasize on the fact that this influence is often felt in a radical sense in many working environments. The paper will give the function of unions and how unions are lawfully the employee's only representatives, which represent both union and non-union members. The only method an employee has for manipulating important decisions such as strike votes, contract approval, or strategies of negotiation is to join the union. As a result employees have to join so that they can be represented in the negotiations of union regarding wages and working conditions (Tait 2005). It will portray how for a lot of American employees, union membership may be their only choice as union members have authority over non union members when it comes to working conditions as well as wages. In the analysis section of the paper in order to portray the authority union members have over non union members a few cases, of union's mishandlings of workplace affairs that have hurt non-union workers will be given .