Othello Prelim Essay

When the aspirational values of an individual become all-consuming, the relationships of those close to them are destroyed, through the corruption of loyalty and trust. Both Shakespeare's Othello and Geoffrey Sax's Othello portray many elements of tragedy, by exploring the relationship of Othello and Iago/Jago, and the way his manipulations distort Othello's mind. Iago's zealousness in Shakespeare's play Othello reflect the elements of a fatal flaw in an individual, and the disruption of the Chain of Being, both being key features of a tragedy.Iago's words, â€Å"Men should be what they seem†, are ironic, as he hides his true self from Othello, who trusts him completely, in order to gain what he desires. His rejection, and pursuit, of the job of Othello's lieutenant eventually causes his demise, hence becoming his ‘fatal flaw'. Iago's continued pursuit of his goal leads to the deaths of many, which provides a metaphor for all audiences of the destruction our aspirations can cause.The imbalance in the Chain of Being is corrected in the conclusion of Shakespeare's Othello, however, Sax's Othello results in Ben Jago becoming successful, and achieving the position of Police Commissioner. Sax's Jago psychologically manipulates and abuses his victims, in contrast to the original play, where many are physically killed. Our modern audience expects this, however, because we, as well as Jago, realise that for him to achieve his goals, he has to be subtle in order to avoid detection in our age of fingerprinting and DNA sampling.In this way, Sax's Jago has to prepare his plans a lot more than Shakespeare's Iago, which leads to him gaining the position he wanted, rather than being captured. However, both have very similar plans, revolving around manipulation, especially Othello's mind and emotions. Othello's trust, thereby his loyalty, relies on his knowledge of the individual, particularly their past. In both texts, his slight uncertainty with his trust in Des demona/Dessie is due to their fast marriage and lack of knowledge of their lives before he met them.In Shakespeare's Othello, Desdemona's and Othello's sudden marriage, which finalises their relationship, is accentuated by Iago asking Othello â€Å"But I pray sir,/ Are you fast married? † This leaves us confused as to how these characters became truly familiar with each other before their marriage, and foreshadows what is to later come. Sax portrays Othello's niggling doubt towards Dessie as due to her silence about her boarding school days, when she met Lulu. However, Dessie defends herself against his accusations of her being secretive, by shouting, â€Å"It's always you talking and me listening!†This frame is a close-up, overhead shot of Dessie, emphasising how vulnerable she is to Othello, and foreshadowing the circumstances of her death. Othello's distorted trust enables Iago's plan to succeed, because he puts his loyalties in the wrong hands. Sax portrays Ben Jag o as a police officer, who we and also Othello, expect to be just and honest, as police uphold and enforce the law. Similarly, Shakespeare's Iago held a position that was expected to be trusted, as a part of the army who were assigned the role of protecting their country.This fallibility of Othello's trust and loyalty allowed Iago to manipulate him such that he was able to isolate him, and destroy his relationships with others. The relationship breakdowns in both versions of Othello cause vast amounts of chaos, because the Chain of Being is broken. Shakespeare's Othello decides that Desdemona is guilty before even consulting her, as seen when Iago tells him, â€Å"She did deceive her father, marrying you†, and he replies, â€Å"And so she did.†His truncated sentence bluntly expresses his view, implying that he has made up his mind, and nothing can change it. Similarly, Sax depicts Othello as already concluded that Dessie is guilty, by him saying, â€Å"You tell me wha t I want to know†¦ Tell me the truth bitch! † These words are accompanied by a low shot, looking up at a close-up of Othello's face, indicating the power Othello has over Dessie, and makes the viewer empathetic towards her, by feeling weak and insecure. However, we have recurring scenes that show how Desdemona is trying to keep their relationship together.Sax shows this by representing Dessie as a woman in a domestic violence household, especially when she says, â€Å"He needs me. † Similarly, Shakespeare characterises Desdemona as a dutiful wife, â€Å"It was his bidding†¦ We must not displease him. † Desdemona/Dessie's loyalty to her husband infuriates Othello more, as he believes it is more of a lie to keep the secret from him, rather than tell him outright, and it is the worst thing that Desdemona could do to him, â€Å"She's like a liar gone to burning hell.†All these little aspects of Desdemona/Dessie and Othello's relationship, in both Sha kespeare's and Sax's Othello, combine to cause the destruction of it, upon which the whole play is hinged upon. The end of a relationship is caused by many varying factors, but mostly a diminished sense of trust, whether it has a basis to be there, or whether someone values it so lowly that they put their own selfish desires over it.This is true in the case of Shakespeare's Othello, and the modern adaption Othello, directed by Geoffrey Sax. Iago/Jago's aspirations cause him to manipulate many people, with the purpose of destroying Othello's relationships, mainly with Desdemona/Dessie, to achieve the position that was â€Å"wrongly† given to someone else. This holds a mirror up to both the Elizabethan and our modern societies, critiquing our nature and values.

Analysis of the Short Story: Super Toys Last All Summer Long Essay

What is real? I have been trying to answer this question since we started our project about robots. It’s a very complex question. The classical sense of what is real is something natural, something that is not man-made, for example the nature or the universe. But the world isn’t the same as it was for hundred years ago and the reality concept has moved in time with the technology. For instance I read an article where computers had been taken over the stock trading instead of real manpower. The robots are mechanical artificial agents and because of the advanced technology they’ve become much more real. They become more and more like us, and if computers can take over the stock trading what can robots, who look and act like humans, do to the world? But there must be a limit to how much robots can do if they’re still being seen as machines. In my point of view you are only real if you can feel and think on your own. In that way a robot isn’t real even though they’ve been supplied with human abilities like thinking and feeling by the aid of a programming from a computer. Having said that the robots are still in power to create real emotions in the recipient. This is demonstrated in form of Paro who is a little robot seal designed with the purpose to comfort lonely people. The problem with my definition of real is that love and feelings are artificial as well because it is a chemical reaction in our brain. So what if the robots were added the ability to feel and think would that make them just as real as us? The short story is written by Brian Aldiss in 1969. The story is fiction and an imaginary story of future time in an overcrowded world. The literary genre is science fiction, which is characterized by a fictive environment that has experienced innovations in science or technology, which has a big impact on the society and the individuals in it. This definition is consistent with the short story. There are two places of action and the structure is a pendulum composition because it swings back and forth between the two physical settings. The one setting is at home with Monica Swinton, David and Teddy, and the other setting is at lunch where Synthank celebrates the launching of their new developed and improved robots â€Å"The directors of Synthank were eating an enormous luncheon to celebrate the launching of their new product†, where Henry Swinton makes a speech. These crossovers from the one setting to the other are shown with a star â€Å"*†, which makes it clear for the recipient that we are having a change of place. The story begins with a presentation of Mrs. Swinton’s garden and afterwards we get a presentation of the involving characters. The short story’s many events happen in a chronological order and it follows the common thread through the story from the beginning to the end. The story is told in past tense and the narrator is a third person narrative. The narrator is an omniscient narrative because the narrator knows everything about the characters and their surroundings. The narrator creates sympathy for David because the omniscient narrative makes us identify with the robot and we get inside of his head and can see his good â€Å"heart† and understand his love, the love that know one else can see and understand. The language creates a very detailed description of the events and the surroundings. The language describes the surroundings with the use of adjectives â€Å"The lovely almond trees stood about it in perpetual leaf. Monica Swinton plucked a saï ¬â‚¬ron-colored rose and showed it to David. â€Å"Isn’t it lovely?† she said† and the events by using verbs, which creates thrill and excitement. The excitement is for example seen in line 7 – 10 on page 1 â€Å"Seizing the ï ¬â€šower, he ran with it across the lawn and disappeared behind the kennel where the mowervator crouched, ready to cut or sweep or roll when the moment dictated. She stood alone on her impeccable plastic gravel path. She had tried to love him†. The sudden action makes you believe that he’ll destroy the beautiful rose. This reaction from David is the reason why Monica is so despairing and disappointed. Further more the language isn’t readily accessible but manageable. There is in between some difficult words, which is an obstacle for the understanding of the text, for example â€Å"Lambent, engrossed, moist and mowervator†. The short story is written in 1969 so the choice of words is old and not always so familiar â€Å"Henry, Henry – oh, my darling, I was in despair . . . but I’ve just dialed the afternoon post and – you’ll never believe it! Oh, it’s wonderful!†. The environment in the story is very beautiful, almost perfect. The garden is described with positive words and it makes associations to paradise, for example â€Å"In Mrs. Swinton’s garden, it was always summer†. The Swintons’ house lies in a rich part of the city with no windows. The house and their belongings are very advanced and technical, and it’s clear that there has been a big technological development, for example Monica has her phone on her wrist â€Å"She punched the Post Oï ¬Æ'ce number on the dial on her wrist but nothing came through† and â€Å"The Swintons lived in one of the ritziest city-blocks, half a kilometer above the ground. Embedded in other apartments, their apartment had no windows to the outside; nobody wanted to see the overcrowded external world. Henry unlocked the door with his retina pattern-scanner and walked in, followed by the serving-man†. It seems like they don’t really have contact to the outside wo rld and live in a small bubble of isolation. The humans are described so stunning that they almost seem inhumane, which is quite ironic. â€Å"Their wives were elegantly slender, despite the food and drink they too were putting away. An earlier and less sophisticated generation would have regarded them as beautiful people, apart from their eyes†. Eyes are the human sign of a soul and if there is no life in their eyes is there life at all? In this quote the question about who is real yet appears. The atmosphere in the first setting, the home, is filled with unspoken words and questions, â€Å"â€Å"If she loved me, then why can’t I talk to her?†. They also seem very shallow because they do everything to look good; they use a machine that makes them slender no matter how much food they’ve eaten. There is a tense atmosphere between Monica and David because they aren’t able to communicate with each other and something in their mutual understanding has broken down. Monica misunderstands David’s intensions for example the episode with the rose and the fact that she thinks David is hiding away from her and avoiding her but when David comes down in the living room to see her she is the one who turns away and avoids David â€Å"His mother stood in the middle of the room. Her face was blank; its lack of expression scared him. He watched fascinated. He did not move; she did not move. Time might have stopped, as it had stopped in the garden. At last she turned and left the room. After waiting a moment, David tapped on the window†. David and Monica are both shortcoming because they can’t find a way to express their caring for each other, which makes them unable to reach each other. They are suffering from loneliness and isolation even though the world is overpopulated and the technology is more advanced than ever before â€Å"She remained alone. An overcrowded world is the ideal place in which to be lonely†. The robots are partial developed to avoid this loneliness but instead they increase it. â€Å"You’re being silly, David. Mummy’s lonely. That’s why she had you†. â€Å"She’s got Daddy. I’ve got nobody ’cept you, and I’m lonely†. David is three years old â€Å"At the age of three, he showed no fear of the ultrasonic dryer in the kitchen†. David’s verbal communication is malfunctioning and he has a hard time finishing his sentences and expressing his love. In spite of the defection he loves his mother very much which is expressed in the text several times, for example David’s letters â€Å"Darling Mummy, I’m your one and only son and I love you so much that some times –†. In these messages David also expresses a hate for Teddy because he feels that Teddy is taking his place as the Swintons’ son. Even though David has feelings like a human and other human abilities such as talking, thinking, painting and running, he is a robot, which is told in the ending. I assume David is one of those robots Henry is talking about with synthetic flesh and a mini computer for brain. David tries to define what is real but even though he feels like a boy of flesh and blood he ques tions it because his surroundings make him feel unreal â€Å"I hate that old psychiatrist—he makes me feel like I’m not real†. The other robot in the family is Teddy. The name Teddy gives associations to a little bear. There are many signs that indicate that Teddy is a robot for example â€Å"The speech pattern of his master’s voice activated him† and â€Å"Why waste time talking to this machine†. Teddy sees Monica as his mother but when she refuses this relation he doesn’t seem hurt like a human would have been. Teddy is very helpful when David needs him, for example when writing the letters to their mother. Teddy is also patient, kind, attentive, comforting and listening â€Å"The bear’s eyes regarded the boy unï ¬â€šinchingly. â€Å"You and I are real, David.† It specialized in comfort†. Teddy’s abilities are properly the abilities he is programmed to have; therefore the circuits of teddy’s brain and its capacity are limited. In the text Teddy is categorized as a super toy which is a robot with a computer for brain and without life â€Å"There have been mechanicals on the market with mini-computers for brains—plastic things without life, super-toys—but we have at last found a way to link computer circuitry with synthetic ï ¬â€šesh† Monica Swinton is married to Henry Swinton and is twenty-nine years old, has lambent eyes and a grace full shape. Monica paints â€Å"She could take up her painting†. She desperately wants a child and when Teddy and David haven’t satisfied her needs she is still very lonely and the desperation for a child of her own is even bigger. This desperation finds expression in the choice of replacing her robot child with a biologically child. She has tried to love David but she has given up because he can’t reciprocate her love, and when she can’t understand him and his way of loving she can’t find a way to love him. Monica doesn’t like time very much because it goes by her because she feels it is a waste of time living in this world and it seems like the only thing that can save her is a baby. â€Å"I don’t think Mummy likes time very much. The other day, lots of days ago, she said that time went by her. Is time real, Teddy?†. Henry Swinton is Monica’s husband and the managing Director of Synthank. He is very successful and he only cares for the development of the robots, not the ethics or the consequences of his development. His relationship with David doesn’t seem very strong because David only talks about his mother and Henry appears as a career father who is very busy with his work. He wants, like his wife, a child of their own. The most important symbol in the short story is the rose. The roses appear several times and have a common importance â€Å"Monica Swinton plucked a saï ¬â‚¬ron-colored rose and showed it to David. â€Å"Isn’t it lovely?† she said†, â€Å"Roses occasionally suï ¬â‚¬er from black spot†. â€Å"These roses are guaranteed free from any imperfections† and â€Å"First I’m going to have another rose!† Plucking a bright pink ï ¬â€šower, he carried it with him into the house. It could lie on the pillow as he went to sleep. Its beauty and softness reminded him of Mummy†. A rose symbolizes love, which is the feeling David and Monica can’t show to each other, and the key to the shortcoming. Love is also of crucial importance when defining what is real. The quote from line 42-43 on page 4 the rose symbolize the robots because it says roses occasionally suffer from black spot, meaning they aren’t perfect but Henry replies â€Å"These roses are guaranteed free from any imperfections†, meaning the new developed robots are perfect. But for me this perfection is artificial. The people at the luncheon with Henry also seem artificial because their eyes are without life and they wear plastic face-masks to look pretty â€Å"Some of them wore the plastic face-masks popular at the time†. So maybe the humans have become just as artificial as the robots. Another symbol is the crayons, which Teddy suggests David to use on his letters â€Å"Why not do it again in crayon?†. The crayons help David coloring his letter in a figurative sense and when David can’t express his feelings verbally he can express them in the aid of colors. It also symbolizes that life isn’t in black and white but much wider. The theme of the story is not only one thing but several things. In my point of view an appropriate theme is unreal vs. real because the story’s main focus is on the question: What is real and what isn’t. Another theme is love, which plays a big role between the characters and in the story in general. Technology and the future are also themes in this story because the plot criticizes a possible future where the technology is very advanced, and instead of making the world better it makes it worse and depressing. This brings us closer to the author’s messages. Brian Aldiss criticizes the society for being to technological, which makes the society and the individuals artificial and shallow. It takes away the focus on the things that matter, for example love and caring for each other. Brian Aldiss doesn’t believe that we should have relationships with robots because they’ll never replace the connection between two humans. I don’t believe that there is one definition on what is real but many definitions. In this story the scientists have found a way to develop a robot with intelligence by having a computer working just like a human brain and synthetic flesh so it also looks like a human. These robots are invented with the purpose to reduce the loneliness and isolation that are raging the overcrowded population. â€Å"Personal isolation will then be banished forever!†. I’m a bit skeptical about robots and their future role in our society for example the possible unemployment, an artificial lifestyle and what the advanced robots’ existents will do to the individuals in the society as seen in the story. The fact, that in Japan they have already developed these robots, which look like us, really creeps me out. But will robots ever be able to replace another human being and the connection there exists between two humans? I think the situation with Monica and David is a clear example of this is not the case even though the robots are added human abilities.

Leading Global Workforce Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Leading Global Workforce - Case Study Example Currently Sarah and Josh are working on the promotions and branding of the next Fire Force Five film but their ideas and strategies regarding the work are extremely contrasting. When Sarah relies on traditional promotional strategies like TV ads and print campaign, Josh wants Sarah to adopt non-conventional approaches such as online promotion. For this, Josh approaches the company CEO directly without the consent of his departmental head Sarah and gets the permission to present his ideas in the next management meeting. Now Sarah is furious at the conduct of her young marketing colleague as she could not accept his disobedient behavior. While analyzing the case scenario, it seems that a combination of different factors has contributed to an unhealthy worksite relationship between Sarah and Josh. Mainly, the age difference between them and the different contexts in which they started their career have influenced their ideas and worksite behavior. To illustrate, Josh is a 23-year-old marketing associate who was graduated recently from the University of Southern California. Josh’s vision is to make films that communicate strong social messages –like Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth or Morgan Spurlock’s Super Size Me (Erickson, 2009, p.1). He also aims to distribute those films on open platforms so that he can convey his social messages to the greatest number of people. Josh believes that employing unconventional distribution and promotion channels is a potential strategy to implement the current project more effectively. Sarah, the 37-year-old marketing chief joined Rising Entertainment 10 y ears ago and she grew her career in the company from an entry-level copywriter, to marketing associate, to head of the 22-person film marketing unit (Erickson, p.3). Sarah had worked with all the three Triple-F movies that were released and generated more than $2.4 billion in box-office over the

Occupational Health & Safety Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Occupational Health & Safety - Essay Example In this similar context, workplace stress is fundamentally described as the physiological and the physical effect that is experienced by a particular individual or people while engaging with any sort of employment (Erickson, 1996). In this paper, a detailed analysis of workplace stress relating to OHS will be discussed. A Brief Overview of Workplace Stress Workplace stress is regarded to be a major issue in the organizational context. This is for the reason that this particular factor can broadly affect the heath of an individual by causing severe stresses. Workplace stress can generally take place in any place of work of different organizations if there lay inconsistencies between workplace demands and the ability of an individual to perform deliberate acts in order to comply with those demands. It has been apparently observed that stressful workers often remain less productive and incompetent and most significantly motivated, which further restricts the organizations to accomplish their desired business targets. Moreover, the organizations are not able to attain greater success in this competitive market due to the presence of stressful workers within the workplace. Another major reason of creating workplace stress is the incapability of the business managers belonging to any particular organization to provide greater support to the employees and controlling and motivating them for the accomplishment of organizational goals. Moreover, workplace stress can also occur due to the reasons such as unpleasant tasks, ineffective control and unsuccessful participation in decision-making process (Leka, Griffiths, & Cox, 2003). Managing Workplace Stress Workplace stress is considered to be a critical determinant that affects the health and wellbeing of a particular individual at a significant level. After acquiring a brief idea about the different causes of generating workplace stress, it can broadly be stated that there are several ways by which stress or workplace st ress can be minimized to a greater extent. In general, normal stress can be managed by taking proper care of oneself through performing regular exercise, consuming healthy foods on a frequent basis and sleeping properly. Similarly, workplace stress can be managed through maintaining a balanced schedule, evading performing multiple tasks at a time and making effective plans of availing short-term breaks while conducting work activities (Cartwright & Cooper, 1997). Furthermore, workplace stress can be reduced by managing emotions in a constructive and positive way, meeting challenging situations and solving conflicting conditions through handling work pressures and staying focused on the activities that are needed to be performed. Furthermore, stress in the workplace might also be reduced through establishing and developing effective communication with every organizational member and preserving a healthy climate within the workplace (Help Guide, n.d.). Finally, it can be affirmed that workplace stress can be managed effectively with the application of a risk management approach. This approach can be measured by recognizing the hazards that are prevalent for causing detrimental effects to employees in the organizational context (Leka, Griffiths, & Cox, 2003). Workplace Stress in Relation to Occupational Health and Safety with Case Example With regard to determining the issue of workplace stress relating to OHS, it has been apparently observed that workplace

Service Starbuck's Style Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Service Starbuck's Style - Case Study Example Miss Day has identified from the research which the company has done that customers are waiting too long to get their coffee. She proposes to ``invest additional $40 million annually in the company's 4,500 stores, which would allow each store to add the equivalent of 20 hours of labor a week.`` Customers who were surveyed noted that the length of time they had to wait was too long, and the research also found that the typical customer base was also changing. The team also learned that, although the company's most frequent customers averaged 18visits a month, the typical customer visited just five times a month (see Figure A below). This is a key element of marketing that the customer base is changing. The most frequent customers are less affluent and spend less money per visit. Therefore, to accommodate this change, Starbucks needs to do two things: provide faster service and increase the visits from the new customer base. According to the graph above, the new base comprises 80% of the traffic but visits fewer than eight times per month. Since this base is less affluent, they contribute only 40% of the total transactions for revenue. However, the waiting time for service may be contributing greatly to the fewer visits, since the less affluent base is likely to have less leisure time. As long as Starbucks continues to provide high-quality beverages and a welcoming atmosphere, their affluent customer base will continue to visit up to 18 times per month, and their contribution of 60% of the revenue in stores will continue. It is the new customer base that has to become more pleased with the service, and increasing the throughput will likely increase this base also as word gets around that waiting time is short. Lessening the waiting time for service will make the entire customer base happier, so will not cause any harm to the 60% transactions.

Cultural Competent Care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cultural Competent Care - Essay Example As the study stresses one of the models for understanding cultural competence has been provided by Campinha-Bacote which serves as a framework for the concept and teaches caregivers to become culturally competent. According to this model culturally competent care can be achieved through the integration of knowledge and awareness about various cultures; the skill and desire to become culturally competent; and from the different encounters with culturally diverse populations. Caregivers would be able to provide culturally competent care when they gain more knowledge about the diverse cultural and ethnical groups whom they are likely to encounter. In addition, self-analyses about any existing prejudice notion and bias against any culture or ethnical group would also help to overcome any inherent stigma. Continuous encounters with culturally diverse populations will help them to change the existing beliefs about a particular culture and develop a more refined attitude towards such indivi duals. Above all caregivers should also have the basic desire to become culturally competent and provide universal care to all their patients. In order to meet this end they should also be willing to develop their skills in handling patients from diverse cultural backgrounds without and collect the relevant details without hurting their cultural or ethnical sentiments. The following diagram provides a visual analogy of the Campinha-Bacote model. This paper outlines it should also be noted that cultural competent care does not only encompasses culturally or ethnically diverse populations as it also includes those who belong to a marginalized section of the population such as those with disabilities and people who belong to the third gender. It is important that such marginalized people are afforded similar treatment and are not discriminated or stigmatized on the basis of the above differences.

Leadership Styles Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Leadership Styles - Research Paper Example 2003). The leader uses his/her abilities to socially influence others to perform particular tasks for the common good. The person needs to possess particular competences that enable him/her to effectively persuade people to follow certain guidelines that he/she thinks need to be used for success to be accomplished. Beattie (2002) observes that leadership involves steering others to do something that is desirable or to develop something that is useful. In organizations, competent leadership is one of the aspects that are important in enhancing the accomplishment of organizational goals. Competent leaders can propel an organization ahead through effective management of resources and maintenance of a favorable working environment. Finding solutions for workplace conflicts that may hamper the accomplishment of organizational goals is usually the responsibility of the leader (Kotter, 2001). All professions require strong leadership for goals to be accomplished. The success of organization s relies on the leadership to a large extent. It needs to be differentiated from management roles that are mainly focused on maintaining high profits with minimal use of resources. Leadership is about providing direction through socially influencing the followers and ensuring that they understand that the leader’s role is not focused on supervisory activities only. Rather, leadership needs to be seen as an important aspect of the organization that promotes harmonious working relations in the workplace (Barrett, 2006). Managers can possess the qualities of strong leaders, but it is not obvious that all managers are effective leaders. When people note that their personal needs are disregarded by their leaders, they are likely to develop a negative attitude towards their tasks, which may lead to failure in accomplishing organizational goals (Kesler 2002). Strong communication skills are significant for effective leadership. The leader should be in a capacity to effectively commu nicate ideas to the subordinates. Effective organizational relationships are based on good communication. The leader should also be honest with the management team as well as with the subordinates. He/she needs to possess unquestionable integrity to maintain confidence among the subordinates. The leader should be a visionary person who can see ahead of the others. This enables him/her to help others to understand the destiny of the organization. The leader should be in a position to select a strong team that has the capacity to act as an enhancement of his/her skills (Avolio & Bass, 2002). 2.0 Problem Statement Failure by leaders to apply tactical leadership in organizations is a major impediment to success. Strong leadership skills can be accomplished through understanding the appropriate leadership style for teams and organizations. This paper seeks to address this issue by highlighting various leadership styles and their impacts on

Operations Management in Stickley Furniture Company Essay

Operations Management in Stickley Furniture Company - Essay Example I think that the production process being shown by Stickley Furniture Company includes batch, job shop and repetitive processes. The Company does not have a continuous because of the type of products they produce. In case of continuous process, it needs an automated system where raw materials are continuously placed or fed to the packing stage. The best mode of production I would propose to be used by Stickley furniture is batch because crafts and machines used to manufacture different parts of the products are distinct. The top is made separately, artisans, sanders and painters play their parts during production. To a lesser extent, I may propose that a continuous production process of furniture be used. This is shown at the sawing stage a stage where a computerized sawing machine is applied. Meanwhile, a manual identification of knots is done by workers. Tracking job status of employees is very significant in the inventory control and customer service. In order to keep track of job status in the company, I think that the management has set up automated and manual processes which can be used as a means of tracking job status of furniture in the production line. As a means of identifying product location, there is product stamping for dates such as drawers and cabinet doors so that manufacturing dates can be easily obtained by interested people. Based on my thinking, I think that the best way to manage the company operation is to first comprehend the market needs to be followed by making available all required financial and human resources to ensure that production cycle is well managed. The Company has adopted a system of the relating size of production lots with the immediate market requirements or demands which I think is the best system to avoid dead stocks. Suppose the company has received such a big order, there are certain spec ific plans, schedules and process which must be set up as a direction to manufacturing quality oak dining tables on time.

Estoppel in the Contract Law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Estoppel in the Contract Law - Case Study Example The principle of promissory estoppel is that if someone makes a promise, which another person acts on, the promisor is estopped from going back on the promise, even though the promise does not provide consideration. This modern doctrine of promissory estoppel is based on the dicta of Denning J. In Central London Property Trust Ltd V. High Trees House Ltd ( 1949) 1 KB 130 and also on the decision of the House of Lords in Tool Metal Manufacturing Co Ltd V. Tungsten Electric Co Ltd (1955) 1 WLR 761. This doctrine can be traced to Hughes V. Metropolitan Railway (1877) 2 APP CAS 437. The requirements of promissory estoppel are: 1. Contractual/Legal Relationship. There should be a contractual or legal relationship. 2. Promise. In addition, there should be a clear and unambiguous statement by the promisor that his strict legal rights will not be enforced, i.e. one party must make a promise which is to be binding. The Scaptrade [1983] QB 529. However, it can be implied or made by conduct as in the Hughes Case (1877). 3. Reliance. Further, there should be reliance on the part of the promisee, i.e. he should have acted on the reliance of the promise. Lord J Denning ruled that it was sufficient if the debtor acted on the promise by paying a lower sum. In this connection he also said, â€Å"he must have been led to act differently from what he otherwise would have done.† (Lord Denning, Alan Co Ltd V. El Nasr Export & Import Co (1972) 2 QB 189). 4. Inequitable to Revert. It is deemed unfair if the promisor goes back on his promise and reverts to his strict legal rights. A promise obtained by improper pressure can be broken. The sequel serves to illustrate the foregoing, D&C Builders, a small building company, had completed some work for Mrs Rees amounting to482. D&C Builders being in severe financial difficulties was continually, pressing for payment. Finally, Mrs Rees told the company that she would pay them only 300 as full settlement or else nothing. She took this stance after coming to know of the financial difficulties being envisaged by the company. The company reluctantly accepted this amount and subsequently sued Mrs Rees for the balance amount. The Court of Appeal held that the company was entitled to succeed. In his judgment, Lord Denning was of the view that it was not inequitable for the creditors to go back on their word and claim the balance as the debtor had acted inequitably by exerting improper pressure. (D & C Builders v Rees (1965) 2 QB 617). 5. Shield or Sword. In Coombe V. Coombe (1931) 2 KB 250, it was observed that this doctrine may raised for defence purposes and not as the basis of a case, in other words it can be used "as a shield and not as a sword." 6. Extinctive or Suspensive of Rights. Another question raised by this doctrine is whether; it extinguishes rights or suspends them. The concerned authorities are in favour of suspending the rights, which can be revived by giving reasonable notice or by changing conditions. In Tool Metal Manufacturing Co Ltd v Tungsten Electric Co Ltd [1955] 1 WLR 761 - Patent owners promised to suspend periodic payments of compensation due to them from manufacturers from the outbreak of war. It was held by the House of Lords that the promise was binding during the period of

Meaning of Justice in Islam Essay Example for Free

Meaning of Justice in Islam Essay Meaning of justice in islam In the Islamic worldview, justice denotes placing things in their rightful place. It also means giving others equal treatment. In Islam, justice is also a moral virtue and an attribute of human personality, as it is in the Western tradition. Justice is close to equality in the sense that it creates a state of equilibrium in the distribution of rights and duties, but they are not identical. Sometimes, justice is achieved through inequality, like in unequal distribution of wealth. The Prophet of Islam declared: â€Å"There are seven categories of people whom God will shelter under His shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His. [One is] the just leader. †(Saheeh Muslim) God spoke to His Messenger in this manner: â€Å"O My slaves, I have forbidden injustice for Myself and forbade it also for you. So avoid being unjust to one another. † (Saheeh Muslim) Thus, justice represents moral rectitude and fairness, since it means things should be where they belong. The importance of justice The Quran, the sacred scripture of Islam, considers justice to be a supreme virtue. It is a basic objective of Islam to the degree that it stands next in order of priority to belief in God’s exclusive right to worship (Tawheed) and the truth of Muhammad’s prophethood. God declares in the Quran: â€Å"God commands justice and fair dealing † (Quran 16:90) And in another passage: â€Å"O you who believe, be upright for God, and (be) bearers of witness with justice! † (Quran 5:8) Therefore, one may conclude that justice is an obligation of Islam and injustice is forbidden. The centrality of justice to the Quranic value system is displayed by the following verse: â€Å"We sent Our Messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Book and the Measure in order to establish justice among the people†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Quran 57:25) The phrase ‘Our Messengers’ shows that justice has been the goal of all revelation and scriptures sent to humanity. The verse also shows that justice must be measured and implemented by the standards and guidelines set by revelation. Islam’s approach to justice is comprehensive and all-embracing. Any path that leads to justice is deemed to be in harmony with Islamic Law. God has demanded justice and, although He has not prescribed a specific route, has provided general guidelines, on how to achieve it. He has neither prescribed a fixed means by which it can be obtained, nor has He declared invalid any particular means or methods that can lead to justice. Therefore, all means, procedures, and methods that facilitate, refine, and advance the cause of justice, and do not violate the Islamic Law are valid. Equality in justice The Quranic standards of justice transcend considerations of race, religion, color, and creed, as Muslims are commanded to be just to their friends and foes alike, and to be just at all levels, as the Quran puts it: â€Å"O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, and your relatives, or whether it is against the rich or the poor † (Quran 4:135) According to another Quranic passage: â€Å"Let not the hatred of a people swerve you away from justice. Be just, for this is closest to righteousness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Quran 5:8) With regards to relations with non-Muslims, the Quran further states: â€Å"God does not forbid you from doing good and being just to those who have neither fought you over your faith nor evicted you from your homes † (Quran 60:8) The scholars of the Quran have concluded that these rulings apply to all nations, followers of all faiths, as a matter of fact to all humanity. In the view of the Quran, justice is an obligation. That is why the Prophet was told: â€Å"†¦If you judge, judge between them with justice†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Quran 5:42) â€Å"We have revealed to you the scripture with the truth that you may judge between people by what God has taught you. † (Quran 4:105) Furthermore, the Prophet was sent as a judge between peoples, and told: â€Å"†¦Say: I believe in the Scripture, which God has sent down, and I am commanded to judge justly between you † (Quran 42:15) The Quran views itself as a scripture devoted mainly to laying down the principles of faith and justice. The Quran demands that justice be met for all, and that it is an inherent right of all human beings under Islamic Law. The timeless commitment of the Quran to the basic standards of justice is found in its declaration: â€Å"And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can change His Words. † (Quran 6:115) To render justice is a trust that God has conferred on the human being and, like all other trusts, its fulfillment must be guided by a sense of responsibility beyond mere conformity to set rules. Thus, the Quran states: â€Å"God commands you to render trusts to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, judge with justice†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Quran 4:58) The reference to justice which immediately follows a reference to fulfillment of trusts indicates that it is one of the most important of all trusts. Justice and the Self The Quranic concept of justice also extends justice to being a personal virtue, and one of the standards of moral excellence that a believer is encouraged to attain as part of his God-consciousness.

Relationship Between Religiosity And Prejudice Psychology Essay

Relationship Between Religiosity And Prejudice Psychology Essay The literature on the relationship between religiosity and prejudice has shown inconsistent findings. We argue that it is necessary to distinguish between different types of religiosity and that the relationship with prejudice is mediated by different values. Results of two studies conducted in Italy showed that identified religiosity and introjected religiosity predict different levels of prejudice towards Muslim immigrants. Moreover, the negative relationship between identified religiosity and prejudice was mediated by prosocial values, whereas valuing conformity mediated the positive relationship between introjected religiosity and prejudice. In sum, results showed that it is possible to better understand the relationship between religiosity and prejudice by disentangling the different ways of being religious. Keywords: religious identity, religious internalization, values, prejudice Religiosity and Prejudice: Different Patterns for Two Types of Religious Internalization Are religious people more tolerant? The question about the relationship between religiosity and prejudice always elicited opposite answers. From one side, one would expect that religious people are more accepting of minority out-groups, basing on the idea that most religions teach love for others (see Hunsberger Jackson, 2005). From the other side, not all people describing themselves as religious have positive out-group attitudes; on the contrary, this relationship often goes in the opposite direction, with more religious people being more prejudiced (see the review by Batson, Schoenrade, Ventis, 1993). It is now evident that, in order to approach these conflicting answers, it is necessary to differentiate between the different ways of being religious (see also Leak Finken, 2011), and to investigate which people, among religious people, are more tolerant and which are not. The most common distinction is between an intrinsic and an extrinsic religious orientation (Allport and Ross, 1967): according to these distinction, intrinsic religiosity is connected with low prejudice whereas extrinsic religiosity is related to relatively high levels of prejudice. However, empirical research investigating the link between religiosity and prejudice has not clearly supported these connections and, therefore, this distinction does not seem to offer a clear understanding of the inconsistent link between religiosity and prejudice (Hunsberger Jackson, 2005). Another attempt to analyze the relationship between religiosity and prejudice has been to identify intervening variables. Indeed, scholars identified other constructs than can influence the positive or negative effects of religiosity on prejudice. Research showed that differences in prejudice can be explained by considering the mediating role of, for example, political ideology and right-wing authoritarianism (e.g., Rowatt et al., 2009), religious fundamentalism (e.g., Altemeyer Hunsberger, 1992), and sense of meaning (Hunsberger Jackson, 2005). The aim of the present research is to make a further contribution to the understanding of the relationship between religiosity and prejudice, by analyzing two forms of religious internalization and by examining value endorsement as a mediating variable. In particular, we focus on the distinction between what is called indentified regulated religiosity and introjected regulated religiosity (Ryan, Rigby, King, 1993). In addition, we consider the role of the endorsement of prosocial values and conformity values as mediators in the relationship between religiosity and prejudice. The findings of two studies that examine the attitude towards Muslim immigrants of young adults in Italy will be presented. Religious Identification and Introjection Research on religiosity and prejudice has used Allport and Ross (1967) distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic religious orientation (see Batson, Schoenrade, Ventis, 1993). Recently, some scholars questioned the usefulness of this distinction (e.g., Cohen, Hall, Koenig, Meador, 2005; Flere Lavric, 2007) and revised it (Neyrinck, Lens, Vansteenkiste, Soenens, 2010) by using theories of human motivation such as self-determination theory (Deci Ryan, 1985; Ryan Deci, 2000). An alternative distinction has been offered by research in the field of self-determination theory, which proposed a specific conceptualization of the different ways in which religious values are endorsed and religious behavior regulated. Beliefs can be endorsed in a superficial and conditional way depending on circumstances and social pressures (heteronomy), or in a personal and independent way (autonomy) (Ryan Deci, 2000). Within this framework, two types of religiosity emerged that vary in their relative autonomy: introjected regulation and identified regulation (Ryan, Rigby and King, 1993). The former represents religious beliefs and behaviors that are predominantly based on social pressures and the approval of others. The latter represents adoption of beliefs as personal convictions and the enactment of religious behaviors that are personally chosen and valued (Ryan et al., 1993). Introjected and identified internalization of religion appear to be differently associated to psychological outcomes with the latter having positive and the former negative effects on mental health, psychological adjustment, and self-esteem (Ryan et al., 1993). Whereas the psychological implications of both types of religiosity have been examined, little is known about their social implications. In particular, the relation between types of religious internalization and prejudice has not been investigated. In this study we propose that identified internalization may be related to lower prejudice towards Muslim immigrants, which in the Italian context is a significant and generally negatively evaluated minority out-group (Strabac Listhaug, 2008). In fact, individuals who are deeply identified with their religion can be expected to privately endorse religious principles of prosociality and tolerance, if they feel that their religion values prosociality and tolerance. Accordingly, they should display relatively positive out-group attitudes. In contrast, individuals who mainly introject their religiosity do not privately endorse such values but rather seek approval from significant and generalized others, as they feel that to be religious is to be like the majority of people. In view of the wide-spread negative attitudes towards Muslim immigrants in Italy they, therefore, can be expected to be more prejudiced towards Muslim immigrants. Thus, our prediction is that identified religious people will show significant lower levels of prejudice towards Muslim immigrants than introjected religious people. Religiosity and Values Research on religiosity and prejudice has tried to shed light on the reasons why religious people are less or more prejudiced by examining mediating variables (e.g., Rowatt et al., 2009). In the present paper, we consider values as possible mediators between religiosity and prejudice. Thus, we assume that the different values associated with the different ways of being religious can influence the relationship between religiosity and prejudice. Research investigating the relationship between religiosity and values can be broadly divided into two types. A first group of studies focuses on the relationship between religiosity and conformism. For example, a meta-analysis by Saroglou, Delpierre and Dernelle (2003), including 21 samples from15 different countries, examined the link between religiosity and Schwartzs (1992) model of human values. The analysis showed that religiosity is mainly associated with valuing the maintenance and adoption of social and cultural rules and conventions. A second group of studies highlights the association between religiosity and prosocial values. For example, in his review Regnerus (2003) found that religious adolescents are more likely to be involved in prosocial behaviours than non religious peers. Furthermore, Hardy and Carlo (2005) showed that prosocial values partially mediate the relationship between religiosity and prosocial behaviors. These studies indicate that religiosity is associated with valuing conformity as well as prosociality and these two sets of values are likely to play a different role in intergroup attitudes. In general, the prosocial value of concern for the welfare of others tends to lead to accepting and positive behavior (Hardy Carlo, 2005), whereas valuing conformity and respect for tradition tends to lead to discrimination of non-traditional out-groups, including immigrant groups in Italy (Sniderman, Peri, de Figueiredo, Piazza, 2002). We expected conformity values to be most strongly connected with introjected religiosity because this type of religious belief is predominantly based on approval of others. In contrast, prosocial values were expected to be connected with identified religiosity. In turn, the conformity and prosocial values were expected to be independently associated with prejudice. Thus, the second prediction of the current research is that higher identified religiosity is asso ciated with lower levels of prejudice because of the endorsement of prosocial values, whereas higher introjected religiosity is associated with higher levels of prejudice because of the endorsement of conformity values. The Present Study In the present study, we tested the relationship between religious internalization and anti-Muslim prejudice, and the potential mediational role of prosocial and conformity values. We predicted two paths: identified religious people should endorse in a greater way the religious principles of prosociality and tolerance, thus, we expected a path from identified religiosity to less prejudice, via the endorsement of prosocial values Because of the other-based-approval of introjected religiosity and because those who prize conformity will tend to yield to social pressure and have more negative attitudes toward immigrant groups (Sniderman et al., 2002), we expected the endorsement of conformity to mediate the relationship between introjected religiosity and prejudice. Method Participants. Participants were 164 Italian young adults, self-identified as Catholics, of age between 17 and 30 (M = 21.68, SD = 3.20), with 64.2 % females. Procedure. Participants were contacted by a member of the research team in schools and religious associations. They were asked to fill in an online questionnaire and participation was voluntary. Participants who completed the questionnaire had the chance to take part in a prize draw. All respondents signed an informed consent form before completing the questionnaire. Measures. Respondents completed the questionnaire in Italian. All the measure included were translated into Italian with a back-translation procedure, as recommended by the guidelines of the International Test Commission (Hambleton, 1994). The Christian Religious Internalization Scale (Ryan et al, 1993) was developed for research with a Christian population and measures the reasons why a person engages in religious behavior. There are two reliable and validated subscales, Introjected Religiosity and Identified Religiosity (response scale: 1, not at all true, 7, very true). Two example items for the introjected religiosity subscale (five items) are: an important reason why I attend church is because one is supposed to go to church, when I turn to God, I most often do it because I would feel guilty if I didnt. Example items for the identified religiosity subscale (six items) are: when I turn to God, I most often do it because I find it satisfying to me, an important reason why I attend church is that by going to church I learn new things. In the present sample Cronbachs alpha showed acceptable values (introjected religiosity ÃŽÂ ± = .70; identified religiosity ÃŽÂ ± = .86). Prosocial values were measured with five items adapted from Flanagan, Cusmille, Gill, and Gallay (2007). The scale prompt is the question When you think about your life and your future, how important isà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Subsequently, participants are asked to respond to five items (5-point scale): to do something in order to build a better society, helping those who are less fortunate, to make a contribution to your country, etc. (ÃŽÂ ± = .82) Prejudice towards Muslims. Following Verkuyten and Yildiz (2010) we focused on the acceptance of Muslim immigrants expressing their religious identity in Italy. Using five items, participants were asked to indicate their agreement (7-point scale) with Muslims expressive rights. Two examples are: to show and express their religion in public life, to wear a headscarf. The scores were recoded so that a higher score means less acceptance of Muslims rights and, thus, more prejudice (ÃŽÂ ± = .87). Conformity. Following Snidermans et al. (2002) research in Italy, participants were asked to rate their agreement (7-point scale) with four statement about conformity values. Two example items are: one should distrust those who act differently from most people; rules are there for people to follow, not to try to change (ÃŽÂ ± = .71). Results and Discussion Constructs were modeled as single-indicator observed variables, by calculating the mean score of the scale items. We conducted a series of path analyses with prejudice towards Muslims as the dependent variable, using the software Amos 16. Means, standard deviations and intercorrelations among the variables are displayed in Table 1. The mean for identified religiosity is higher than for introjected religiosity (t = 21.22, p. Table 1. Means, Standard Deviations and Correlations. Variables 1 2 3 4 5 1. Identification 2. Introjection .36** 3. Prosocial values .44** .12 4. Conformity .06 .18* -.01 5. Muslim prejudice -.07 -.05 -.27** .35** Mean 4.67 2.51 4.03 3.08 3.67 SD 1.17 0.94 .73 1.18 1.60 *p We first tested a model in which introjection, identification, prosocial values and conformity values were independent predictors of prejudice towards Muslims. Fit indices for this model were not acceptable (à Ã¢â‚¬ ¡Ã‚ ² (5) = 34.321, p. We then tested a full mediation model, whereby the influence of introjection and identification on anti-Muslim prejudice was carried respectively by the endorsement of prosocial and conformity values. The model showed a good fit with the data (à Ã¢â‚¬ ¡Ã‚ ² (5) = 2.341, p. > .05; NFI= .97; CFI= 1.00; RMSEA= .00, 90% confidence interval: .00- .07) and accounted for 20.0 % of variance in prejudice towards Muslims. Significant parameters from this model are shown in Figure 1. We then calculated the indirect effects on the basis of Preacher and Hayes (2008) bootstrapping method. There was a significant indirect effect from identified religiosity via prosocial values on anti-Muslim prejudice (the standardized indirect effect was estimated as -.12; this value lies between the estimated 95 % confidence interval, -.03 to -.22). There was also a significant indirect effect from introjected religiosity via conformity to prejudice towards Muslims (ÃŽÂ ² = .06, 95% confidence interval: .01 to .12). To further examine our mediational hypotheses we tested an alternative model in which the endorsement of prosocial and conformity values predicted the outcome measure indirectly through identified and introjected religiosity, respectively. The fit indexes for this model were not acceptable (à Ã¢â‚¬ ¡Ã‚ ² (6) = 52.763, p. .44** Prosocial values Identification -.28** -.12* Prejudice towards Muslims .36** .06* .36** .18* Introjection Conformity Figure 1. Results of the path analysis showing the empirical mediation of prosocial values and valuing conformity. Solid lines represent direct effects and dashed lines represent indirect effects. Numbers are standardized regression weights. **p In sum, the findings confirm the prediction of the independent associations of identified and introjected religiosity with prejudice. Besides, they also confirm the mediational hypotheses about the role of values endorsement. In particular, there appeared to be two pathways: one from identified religiosity via the endorsement of prosocial values to lower prejudice towards Muslims, and the other from introjected religiosity to valuing conformity to higher prejudice. General Discussion The research aimed to test the prediction that different forms of religious internalization are independently associated with prejudice, and that these associations are mediated by the endorsement of different types of values. Thus, we selected a religious sample in order to shed light on the different ways of being religious. Results showed that higher identified religiosity was related to stronger acceptance of Muslims rights (i.e. lower prejudice) and that this was connected to the endorsement of prosocial values. Conformity values which accounted for the indirect relationship between introjected religiosity and prejudice. A first interesting finding is that religious identification and religious introjection were independently and in contrasting ways related to prejudice. They emerged as two dimensions of religiosity that are indirectly associated with prejudice, one with a positive sign and the other one with a negative sign. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such a clear pattern emerge. Therefore, this conceptualization of religiosity could be a useful model that is able to overcome some of the problems with Allport and Ross (1967) distinction, that was not systematically and consistently related to prejudice (see Hunsberger Jackson, 2005). A second finding is that, in agreement with research on values and religiosity (Saroglou et al., 2003), we found a relationship between religiosity and conformity and with the endorsement of prosocial values. Additionally, we were able to identify which form of religious internalization predicts the association with which set of values. Prosocial values were clearly connected with identified religiosity, whereas valuing conformity was associated with introjected religiosity. A third result that contributes to the literature relates to self-determination theory (Ryan et al., 1993). The findings enrich Ryan et al. (1993) conceptualization because they empirically show that the difference between identified and introjected religiosity not only has consequences for individual well-being but also for value endorsement and thereby for prejudice. In fact, the different ways of being religious are strongly associated to different values and this lead to opposite outcomes. Conclusion In the present study, we aimed at investigating the relation between different types of religious internalization and different levels of prejudice. The study indeed presents some limitations, first because of the correlational nature of data and second because of the composition of the sample. In fact, participants are of young age and all live in Italy, making it difficult to generalize the findings to other countries, maybe where religiosity has a different distribution among the population. Similarly, we need to examine other targets of prejudice (e.g., Jews, homosexuals) before reaching general conclusions. Nevertheless, we think that some interesting directions for future research a can be drawn from these findings. A first one refers to the internalization of religion: identified internalization turned out to be a form of religiosity that has the potential to encourage prosocial orientations and out-group tolerance. Thus, it would be interesting, for future research, to look at the factors that promote identified religiosity among religious groups and families (e.g., Assor, Cohen-Malayev, Kaplan, Friedman, 2005). A second suggestion is that future research should investigate other determinants of individual differences in religiosity and try to identify the different ways of being religious with their specific consequences (Pargament, 2002): for example, it is possible that not only identified and introjected internalization have effects on prejudice, but also religious practices and participation in religious organizations and groups(e.g., prayer, church attendance, volunteering, et c.). To sum up, our research add to the investigation of religiosity and prejudice by showing that two forms of religious internalization have independent and contrasting associations with prejudice, and that these associations are accounted by the endorsement of different values. This means that religiosity can both promote and hinder positive intergroup relations, depending on the way religion is internalized and the related values that are endorsed. This seems to indicate that more research is needed about the different ways of being religious and the mediational mechanisms that intervene in the religiosity-prejudice link.

Symbols and Subversion in 13 Happiness Street Essay -- 13 Happiness Str

"13 Happiness Street" is a political satire which relies largely on the subversion of conventional symbols to convey its message. By subversion, I mean the process by which Bei Dao uses unconventional meanings of conventional symbols to undermine accepted literary norms. That is, he offers in place of the common associations of a symbol, another symbolic association that draws its meaning from the context of the narrative. Indeed, the very meaning of the narrative is couched in the language of metaphors and symbols. It is here that the author constructs a narrative using conventional symbols which play upon and also against the reader's expectations. Before we examine the means by which the author subverts the archetypal notions of symbols, it is first imperative to understand how these symbols stand in relation to the narrative and the reader. Symbols find their place within a narrative through a conscious desire of the author to create a pattern of meaning, while the reader on the other hand, attempts to re-construct these meanings by drawing upon conventional associations with events. Conventional symbols are thus internalized in our mental consciousness and associated with what we take to be their predisposed meanings. That is, our minds works to form preconceived mental pictures of what these symbols should universally represent. "13 Happiness Street" is thus a narrative that gains much of its significance through the subversion of conventional symbols against our expectations. The subversion of the archetypal symbol takes place within various levels of the narrative, the first being the immediate layer of the narrative itself, and the second being the symbols within the narrative. I shall first discuss how Bei Dao subv... ...the dichotomy between the said and the implied. On the surface, it may seem to be a story that ends inconclusively about a boy who is never found, but the use of multifarious symbols each bringing with them a string of other meanings contributes to the symbolic richness of his prose. Works Cited Bei Dao, "13 Happiness Street." Contemporary Literature of Asia. Ed. Arthur Biddle et al. Blair: Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1996. 280-291. Chatman, Seymour, "Existents." Story and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film. Ithaca: Cornell UP, 1978. 107-126, 131-145. Todorov, Tzvetan. "Two Principles in Narrative." Genres in Discourse. Trans. Catherine Porter. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 27-30. Holden, Philip. "Aristotle on Plot". 26 Nov. 2000. University Scholars Programme. 1 Aug. 2001 http://www.scholars.nus.edu.sg/literature/ccla01/aristotleplot.html>.

Oedipus the King and Maslows Pyramid :: Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex

Oedipus the King and Maslow's Pyramid      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   People have long considered general theories of motivation, and the question regarding the specific motives that direct and energize our human behavior has undergone tremendous speculation. To this day the question still stands: what is it that humans seek most in life? In an effort to answer this question, Abraham Maslow proposed what he called the hierarchy of needs. Maslow theorizes that human beings are motivated to fulfill this hierarchy, which consists of needs ranging from those that are basic for survival up to those that promote growth and self-enhancement (Kassin 300).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At the base of the hierarchy are the physiological needs of human beings. This level consists of a human's need for food, water, oxygen, sleep, and sex. Homeless people are at this level of the hierarchy because their concern is in obtaining those things necessary for survival. Once an individual has met these needs, they begin to seek steady work, financial security, stability at home, and a predictable environment. This level consists of overachievers and workaholics. People such as this are so concerned with their income that they do not feel that the amount of time they work is sufficient enough. If an individual meets all of these needs, then that person has obtained their general need for safety. Once human beings have obtained safety, they strive to fulfill their social needs. At this level humans concern themselves with affiliation, belongingness and love, affection, close relationships, family ties, and group membership. This is a particularly crucial lev el because if these needs are not met, then humans feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness and alienation. All the needs for love having been met, an individual seeks social status, respect, recognition, achievement, and power. All of these needs combine to fulfill an individual's need for esteem, and failing to satisfy this need, an individual endures a sense of inferiority and a lack of importance. All human beings are placed at one of these four levels, striving to satisfy the needs at that level. If there comes a time in which an individual has obtained all of the needs on the hierarchy, that person becomes ready, willing, and able to strive for self-actualization. According to Maslow, self-actualization is a distinctly human need to fulfill one's potential. As Maslow himself states, "A musician must make music, and artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is ultimately to be at peace with himself.

Comparison of the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid

The ancient world literature is filled with epic tales of heroes and gods who go on perilous adventures to foreign lands and encounter many mythical beings along the way. These adventures usually teach a lesson or give insight as to the culture of the area and time period in which it was written. The Iliad, the Odyssey and the Aeneid are all similar epics in their adventures and their lessons. Throughout the literary works of the ancient world there are many reoccurring motifs such as: the role of the gods, the role of suffering, and the roll of fate.The role of the gods shows heavily in the literary works of this era through the god’s direct interference in mortal events. Within the Iliad Athena, who hates the Trojans, does not directly kill Hector but tricks him into facing Achilles which ultimately leads to his death. Thetis, the mother of Achilles, helps her son and the Greeks throughout their adventures in any way possible. Similarly in the Odyssey gods interfere with the mortals to show their own will over their lives. Although he could not kill Odysseys, Poseidon sent storms to delay him after he disrespected him and blinded his son.Hermes, however, actually assisted Odysseus on Circe’s island by warning him about her potions and giving him a means to protect himself. After Odysseus’ men slaughter the sun god Helios’ prized cattle, Zeus is asked to bring about a storm which destroys all Odysseus’ ships and kills all his men. In the Aeneid, Juno convinces Aeolus to unless a storm on Aeneas as he searches for a friendly harbor, because of her strong hatred for Trojans (Aeneas and his men are destined to destroy her beloved city of Carthage). Neptune senses this storm within his realm so he immediately calms the storm and essentially saves Aeneas.Another ally to Aeneas is his mother Venus who helps her son whenever she can. Although Venus and Juno are on completely different sides in the matter of the Trojans they both mak e sure Aeneas and Dido fall in love, for very different reasons. The reoccurring role of the gods essentially choosing sides in each battle shows that the people of this time very much competed in some respects to obtain the gods attention and bring them to be their allies. The role of suffering is also an obvious motif in the epics of the ancient era.In the Iliad, Achilles suffers the loss of his friend/cousin Patroclus which is the cause of his rage in battle. King Priam also mourns the loss of his son Hector, by the hand of great Achilles in battle, as well as not immediately having his body to provide him with a proper funeral. This motif unifies the Iliad and Odyssey as Odysseus suffers throughout the entire epic because he is being kept from his home, his wife Penelope, and his son Telemecus. Penelope is also suffering because she is without her husband, raising her son alone, and having to deal with suitors pursing her to remarry.Telemecus also suffers without his father. Aga in, the idea is reflected as Aeneas suffers initially because he lost in wife Creusa as they were fleeing Troy, as well as losing his home. Aeneas and Dido both suffer in their love story as they live together happily as lovers, but he is reminded by the gods that he has another purpose and must leave. To which such anguish is caused that Dido kills herself. Aeneas also suffers in that he is not ever able to see the fruits of his labors throughout his life.Each characters suffering serves a purpose whether it is to teach them a lesson or to change how they are living it ultimately presents them with some greater knowledge. Each account of suffering is because of family and love, so the role of suffering in these epics ties together the concept of how important family was to the ancient people. The role of fate is another extremely frequent motif appearing in this time period’s literature. For the Iliad, this appears when Achilles was destined to kill Hector in the Trojan War as was Hector destined to be killed by Achilles.The gods could not interfere with that final outcome. Achilles death had also been destined since he was born. The Odyssey follows in that Odysseus was destined to wander for 10 more years before returning home for his actions. Along the way, it was also destined that Odysseus would lose all his ships and men before he would return home. A third set of examples in fate lie within the Aeneid as fate destines that the Trojans will destroy the city of Carthage. The Trojans who fled will find their promised home land in Italy as designed by fate.Aeneas also lived after he faces the mighty Achilles because he is destined for another purpose, such as fulfilling the previous prophecies. In the end, fate is the ultimate authority and shows how the people of the time believed that not even the mightiest of their world could not compete with the predestination idea they also believed in. The reoccurring motifs of the role of the gods, the role o f suffering, and the roll of fate all give a strong insight as to what was important to the people of the culture and religion that were popular during the ancient era.The people were deeply superstitious in their polytheistic religion and their epics reflect these beliefs. Their heroes are all extremely similar in their character traits and their stories themes alike. All of the heroes go on adventures away from their families and encounter suffering because of their decisions. Each work acknowledges that the gods are mighty and do control their suffering to an extent, but cannot control fate. The Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid are all unified in that they possess some of the same motifs, as well as reflect the culture of the time period.

Public Policy Essay

Public Administration always needs funding for various aspects throughout many realms.   From grants to sidewalk repair to going green in residential homes to starting up a business and educational grants.   There are also, as we are currently seeing,   monies coming from the federal government for stimulus payments to US citizens and as proposed by our new President Elect Obama there are policies in the making for a permanent stimulus or tax rebate due to excessive oil prices and changes in healthcare.   The one thing with the majority of the monies being spoken of is that so much comes from the federal government.   This precludes any monies the states may have or have already spent, as in the end they also receive monies from federal agencies. So here we see a vicious circle of all these people needing money for one reason or another, they spend what they have, apply for grants from the federal government, the federal government says hey ok but in the end, what do we do when the federal government runs out of money?   What do states do when there is no money left to be tapped?   Do they droll at another department because that department may have the monies to continue further? Let us start with the liquor tax.   Currently the taxation goes like this; the federal government gets approximately 10% of each gallon depending on the proof or volume manufactured (each state seems to vary) of the alcohol.   The higher the proof, the more the taxes they receive.   The state on the other hand receives a much higher revenue from the tax (State Liquor Tax Rates-2008).   Each state has different programs in which the taxes collected helps finance.   The federal government should take only a specified amount, a flat tax from each state for both alcohol and tobacco and keep tally on which states they obtain these taxes from and how  much.   When these individual states run out of their own taxed revenue then when they apply for a grant, the grant acceptance and money distribution is then taken from the coffers of the federal government based upon the taxes already received into the hands of the federal government.   This keeps those federal tax dollars fo cused in one area instead of spread all over the board.   If states run out of money from the federal government through this specified mean then the balloting of measures asking for the public in general to vote on a new tax for this reason, should be implemented. Some states have public lottery games or gambling which is allowed in public places, of course with age allowances in place.   The federal government has their hands in this pie as well.   I believe that the federal government should step away and not collect taxes on this except maybe through an individual tax return, and allow the states to keep and maintain this taxation as sole entities with a fiscal report as to where these tax dollars are spent.   In addition, taxes collected on gambling should be distributed to the same entities each yr without prevail or each year change their entities of who these taxes go to, to help finance.   This would be akin to alternating weekends of work in the general public forum. Let us go a bit more local.   Each county has their county has their own form of taxation and ways to obtain revenue.   These counties should work together more as a team than what they currently do.   Instead of them allocating their funds to only the departments within (i.e. city tax on water only for water line improvement) they should all pool their monies together.   There  should be a strict fiscal plan in place that determines how much money goes where and for what.   Each department of the county should be made each year to make an honest analysis of what they will need to further any improvements that are necessary and not frivolous and based upon that information, this will determine what departments get what.   Maybe the courthouse has an upcoming need to repair a bathroom where as the dump wants a wall around their facility to improve aesthic purposes.   Which is more important?   This should be obvious.   What if the county sheriff’s department needs to have additional law enforcement but has a lack of cars?   Instead of being allowed to buy the new cars each year, cut the rate of cars bought in half and put two people to each car.   This may only mean the savings from not buying 2 or 3 cars but each dollar helps. In the end, the county has a complete record of where all the money goes to and they have all worked together as a team and not against each other due to politics and there may also be more money left over at the end of each year which will definitely lessen the amount of money asked for from the federal government. Healthcare is a big issue.   Public policy should simply enforce specific financial capping rules as to what the healthcare industry can charge for their costs, this is to include doctors and providers of insurance alike.  Ã‚   If these two entities can work together as a team regarding services, payments and insurance under more strict federal guidelines of what can be charged for these instances, then this would make these two entities work more closely together. All in all, each department of each state, county and city that implements a tax, part of each department should also allocate a small percentage of the tax revenue to a general fund for emergencies or unseen departments that may suddenly need additional fund.   This General fund should also be exhausted before applying for federal grants. Some may consider this a socialistic view regarding public administration and maybe it is, but if so then take a look into Canada’s or Europes socialization and compare these two to the country of America.   Which one is better off in the long run.   If you can determine that (and it isn’t the USA) then you can determine that they are doing something more correct.

Economics Health Care Essay

Many skilled nursing facilities have used a modified functional nursing structure, with a registered nurse leading in care planning and supervision, a licensed vocational nurse giving medication and some treatments, and nursing assistants performing hygienic and activities-of-daily-living tasks. With a new emphasis on rehabilitation of their changing and ever more acutely client population, they have developed new roles for the nursing assistants. One such role is that of the restorative aide. These individuals receive additional supervision and training related to range of motion, transfers, and other activities and may work in team with physical and occupational therapists. In some states, nursing assistants in long-term care or residential facilities receive additional training to administer oral medications under the supervision of a registered nurse, who evaluates the medication regimen and determines whether the medications should be administered as planned. This function is carefully regulated. Conversations with state board of nursing officials in several states reveal that this practice has been quite effective to date and reflects a trend. Some extended facilities that use many nursing assistants have developed the role of team leaded. These experienced, skilled assistants have exhibited additional leadership potential and are able to help the registered nurse train, mentor and evaluate the tasks completed by orientees. Since this group of assistants often exhibits a fair amount of turnover, the creation of this position has also become a means to develop and recognize highly competent, tenured employees (Hansten, 2004). Recent Labor Market Conditions Shifts or changes in the supply and demand for the labor of any occupational or professional group can have a significant impact on both the short-term employment opportunities and long-term career paths of workers over time. A general level, when the supply of new entrants (measured in actual numbers of graduates and numbers of new licenses or registrations) is maintained at moderate levels while labor demand is high, workers who meet the skill requirements of employers can reap substantial benefits. In such labor market situations, unemployment will be low, and workers will be in a strong position to demand higher levels of compensation and benefits of all forms. Conversely, when the demand for labor is reduced, due to economic downturn, system restructuring, or other factors, while the labor pool or supply continues to grow or remain stable, severe problems of unemployment and underemployment can develop. As with any other professional or occupational group, the nursing profession has been affected by significant changes in the supply and demand forces in the labor market. In particular, the nursing profession has been vulnerable to the dramatic shifts in demand for nursing personnel in the recent years (Hiscott, 1998). Nursing Assistants in the Heath Care Team While the job of nursing aide has existed almost since the beginning of the modern hospital, the position is becoming more formalized as a certified part of the health care hierarchy. This formalization is co-emergent with the growth of nursing homes, which already account for the majority of jobs in this rapidly growing field. Currently, nearly 1. 5 million nursing assistants work in the United States, and the Occupational Outlook Handbooks (1980-81) predicts 94,000 annual openings at least through the next decade, almost all of which will be in nursing homes. One trend in this development is the requirements for certification prior to work. In order to do this work, one must first be certified through a state approved training program as a certified nursing assistant (a title now replaces nursing aides). In classified newspaper columns throughout the country, there are advertisements for vocational schools that offer such training. The schools get many applicants, mostly poor women, who are attracted to the relatively good prospects for employment, the caring-oriented duties of the job, and the possibility – however remote – of moving in the ranks of the nursing profession. Unless one is formally trained in nursing (many foreign-trained nurses work as nurses aides), this certification procedure is required (Abel & Nelson, 1990). Long-Term Care There are currently 12 million people living in long-term care facilities in the United States, and the demand for such care is increasing. The $96.2 billion a year nursing home industry, providing long-term care for people who need medical as well as personal assistance, is expanding particularly rapidly, in part because the population is aging and in part because hospitals increasingly are discharging patients before they can care for themselves at home. But the ranks of nurse aides- most of them women, often immigrant or minority women, who typically provide some 80 to 90 percent of the direct care in these facilities – are thinning. More than forty states report critical shortages of nurse aides and other paraprofessional nursing-home workers. One major reason is money. The average starting wage for nurse aides in nursing homes is $6. 70 per hour, yielding an annual income of $14,000 for full-time workers, most often without benefits. The average wage for all nurse aides working in nursing homes is $10. 12, suggesting relatively small increases for seniority. A study of job leavers by the National Network for Career Nursing Assistants found that even those who like their work often leave because they cannot support their families on these wages. Exact rates of staff turnover at nursing homes are difficult to determine because method of calculation differ, but most sources place the annual rate for certified nurse assistants (CNAs) at between 80 and 100 percent. Such high rates of turnover, combined with cost cutting, mean that most nursing homes are understaffed most of the time. A recently released report of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that more than 90 percent of the nation’s nursing homes are seriously understaffed. Indeed, the total amount of direct care given per resident per day in nursing homes averages only 3. 2 hours, well below the recommendations of professional organizations. And time studies conducted by the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants show that in an eight-hour shift it is impossible for CNAs to perform their five main responsibilities – bathing, feeding, toileting, dressing and walking patients – for caseload of twenty patients, not an uncommon assignment (Fitzgerald, 2006). Major Factors Influencing Health Care A range of influences, both external and internal, are greatly affecting the future of the profession for both pharmacists and technicians. External influences such as structural change in the health care economy, the growth of managed care, changes in health care financing, telecommunication and automated technologies, and breakthroughs in drug research and biotechnology are only a few of the forces that will undoubtedly shape the environment of pharmacy practice. Research into the molecular basis of disease and its treatment, multiple disease morbidity and chronicity in an aging population, and the critical nature of interdisciplinary health care relationships and collaboration will impose major challenges that will change our sense of purpose as professionals. Another influence on the profession may well be the heightened expectations of an increasingly informed and demanding public. Many of these external influences may be beyond our control. On the other hand, certain factors may have even more influence over our destiny. These factors include internal forces such as competency expectations and assessments, continuous education, training and retraining, the differentiated nature of pharmacy practice and growth of specialization, and the achievement of the mission and vision of pharmaceutical care (Durgin & Hanan, 1999). Economic Influences A wide array of economic and market influences continue to shape the direction and nature of the health care delivery sector. Market – driven Reforms Glacial yet profoundly fundamental changes have been occurring in health care since the mid-1980s. The Executive Summary of Third Report of the Pew Health Professions Commission poignantly describes the fact that, since 1990, the financial, organizational, and legal framework of American health care has been undergoing a transformation to systems of integrated care combining primary, specialty, and hospital services. The failure of the federal government and political system to successfully enact comprehensive health care reform legislation has given way to de fact of market-driven reforms energized by consumer and employer demands for more services and more intense technology. This problem is further compounded by a growing market trend of health care payers (public and private) refusing to pay the true and full economic costs of health care. Cost Containment A continuing focus on cost containment in health care delivery has led to a fiercely competitive marketplace. In some instances, the vision of success through providing care at the lowest possible cost may well be outpacing the quest for quality outcomes in health care. The continued market penetration of managed care and consolidation and integration of health care provider systems may well result in a survival of the fittest scenario in which only those systems that can produce the expected stakeholder results will survive. Public Demand for Health Care Services Heightened public demand for a broader and improved spectrum of health care continues unabatedly as a result of availability of consumer-focused education and the virtually instantaneous world of information access through telecommunications and the personal computer. As more information about health-related issues, breakthroughs in science and technology, and disease treatment advance, public demand spirals upward. Although health care’s future will ultimately be defined by public expectations, it will at the same time mandate the health care providers continually and systematically assess, ensure, and improve the quality and effectiveness of services provided. Hospital Reorganization The 1990s have ushered in a frenetic pace of price-driven competition among hospitals for the business of third-party payers, managed care organizations, and large employers for the services of physicians, and other hospital services. Hospitals must now compete on the basis of providing levels of care and services at predetermined prices. Financial risk continues to be shifted providers of health care as opposed to those that pay for such care. Much of this shift is a result of the growth of managed care and its impact on exposing excess hospital capacity. As a result of such trends, some hospitals that have not planned effectively or failed to recognize impending change have been forced to close. Hospital closures and consolidations are expected to continue into the next century. Unquestionably, the successful evolution of integrated health care will be determined economically. Yet, the health care industry must not lose sight of its mission to satisfy the needs of patients in the process. The interests of cost and profit cannot be allowed to supersede optimal patient outcomes. In the final analysis, demand for health care services will be satisfied at the price its consumers are willing to pay. Nursing assistants in this case, must market themselves to remain a part of such demand structure and ultimately demonstrate their roles in optimizing patient care outcomes and value (Abel & Nelson, 1990; Durgin & Hanan, 1999). The Future For nursing aides, the employment forecast is excellent. Four hundred thousand new jobs for nursing should open up in the next 5 years, according to the US Department of Labor, which ranks nursing aides as the tenth fastest growing occupation requiring a high school diploma or less in the coming decade. Salaries should increase as well. Many of the reasons for this growth are the same as those that are spurring demand for more home care aides and many other types of direct caregivers; our population is growing, it is growing older, and long-term care facilities and programs for the chronically ill are expanding. Specifically, employment opportunities for nursing aides should increase in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and decrease in general hospitals which, increasingly, are focusing only on the seriously ill who require high-technology medical care (Swanson, 2000).

Health Status of African American Men Essay

Introduction Research and technological advancement made in the United Stated of America (USA) has led to the improvement of health outcomes among the citizens of this country. People are living longer, cures are being developed daily, and many unanswered health questions are being answered then ever before. However, despite this multitude of improvement in the health status of Americans, African American men are disproportionately affected by health inequalities as compared to their Caucasian men. This paper will identify a minority group and offer relevant information of the factors that preclude minorities from quality health care, with noted barriers and interventions that will lead to improved health care and achieve the goal of quality life styles for not just one culture of people, but all people in the United States. Identifying Health disparities in African American Men African American men have the highest mortality rates and the lowest life expectancy rates among women and men in all of the racial and ethnic groups in America. The mortality rate for African American men is about 1.3 times that of White men. Life expectancy for African American men is 70 years old compared to White males living to age 76 (Xanthos, 1998). The death rate for blacks are 3 times higher than whites, due to the social and economic conditions of poverty, unemployment, stress, education, neighborhoods and their disproportionate risk for disease (Net wellness, 2014). African American men die 2.5 times more than White men from prostate cancer; African American men are 8 times more likely to die from HIV; African American men are 2 times more  likely to develop heart disease and 3 times more likely to develop hypertension (Men’s Health). When compared to White men, African American men development diseases earlier, suffer from more severe diseases, and have less acce ss to medical care. The most disturbing fact to access to care is that White men are more likely to receive state of the art treatment than African American men. The exploitation of race and gender has been rooted in class status. This widespread behavior has been seen since the founding of this nation. Class has been used as a way to Indirectly suppress the poor in all sectors of life. It is the ways in which access to a variety of social goods such as the employment, housing, power; education and income are distributed in this country. Many of the questions and issues regarding this have been and continue to adversely affect the health of African American men. Having the understanding that there are barriers that are difficult to address in any one health promotion, and being able to rethink how these barriers function in the lives of African American men, will result in likely success in promoting quality healthcare. How is Health promotion defined by this group? Life style plays a major role in the prevalence of chronic disease. Given the factors that impact racial discrimination concerning the health care of African American men, we can start by promoting policies which address all racial discrimination. We must strengthen anti-discrimination legislation that addresses unemployment. We reform and improve the interaction with African American male students, by increasing funding to the African American communities, which would lead to having more marketable African American men in the work force. We must also address the racial biases in the criminal system, reducing the number of African American in our jails. If we use the landmark law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), we will enable over 30 million people with much needed health insurance coverage. With the provisions of the ACA not only will health insurance coverage be accessible, but provisions related to disparities be reduced, data collection and reporting will be more effective and inclusive of quality improvement and prevention. This act will promote prevention and wellness  programs, giving all people more control over their health care (Sebelius, 2011). According to the Healthy People 2020, one of the goals is to â€Å"achieve health equity, eliminate disparities and improve the health of all groups.† By tracking death rates, acute and chronic diseases, injuries and all health related behaviors, this will assist health care providers become more proficient in diagnosing and providing treatment in the areas of cardiovascular disease, cancer, HIV and diabetes while being culturally competent (Healthy People, 2020). Our local, regional, and national organizations must take an action role in providing guidelines to develop comprehensive health care interventions that are designed for people of all cultures (Argondezzi, 2001). The successful strengthening of infrastructures to prioritize the challenges of reducing health disparities of African American men will achieve the much needed sources to eliminate unequal treatment. Exponents for social justice and equality have continued to disseminate information on the importance of addressing this problem. Many professional organizations, governmental and non- governmental bodies such as WHO and Public Health Organizations as well as individuals like Paul Farmer and Barbara Ehrenreich have been active on the forefront either directly or indirectly in advocating for social justice. Given the multi-faceted nature of the problem Barbara Ehrenreich a writer by profession and PhD by education, conducted an experimental study on class in the United States of America by self experiencing the reality of living as a lower class citizen with a lower and unskilled paying job in her book entitled; Nickel and Dime (Ehrenreich, 2008). Nickel and Dime is a non fictitious writing that depicts the social class of America. Barbara Ehrenreich, is a reporter and a writer who decided to experiment on how unskilled low wage workers are able to live on their minimum wages. To experiment the effects of living as a lower class citizen in this country, she decided to live in three different states month by month while living on just what she made as an unskilled worker. Her decision first took her to Key West, Florida, where she begun working as a waitress in a restaurant. She was able to find an affordable living accommodation in a trailer on the outskirt of the city. Acknowledging that one job could not pay her living expenses, she sought a  second job as a hotel maid. The physical demands of both jobs resulted in Barbara leaving her second job. She was unable to complete the whole month before moving to Portland to continue her next experiment (Ehrenreich, 2008) . In Portland, she found a job as a maid with a residential housekeeping service. There she also took a second job as a dietary aide in a nursing home in order to meet her monthly living  expenses. She was indirectly forced to work seven days a week to meet the need of paying her monthly rent, food and clothing. She became an advocate for her co-workers while working as a maid, even though, she was able to win a day off for one of her co-workers who had sustained an injury at the job but afraid of losing her job kept working while injured (Ehrenreich, 2008) . Barbara’s final destination on her experiment was in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she was hired to work at a Wal-Mart store, putting clothes on shelves. In Minnesota she was not able to afford an expensive apartment due to her salary. The apartment vacancy rate in Minneapolis was so low that she had to stay in motels until she completed her experiment. Barbara had advocated for the lower class through her book, regarding the experience that lower class citizens go through in terms of self esteem, housing, education and power. She highlighted the deplorably conditions and humiliation that they face each day at work. She summarized some of the reasons why wages are kept low, the rationale for the humiliation, the yelling on and the psychological derailment of their self esteem that keeps them in a lower salary while the upper class reap off all the benefits from their hard labor in an exchange for coffee and donuts at times instead of a pay raise (Ehrenreich, 2008). There is a direct correlation between lower class and poor health. Conclusion Health disparities are often measured in terms of income, education, wealth, politics or influence and occupation. The combination of these factors including race and gender often determine our social worth. The experiment of Barbara Ehrenreich is a great example of discrimination, disparity, and she was a woman. African American men experience much more and receive much less. Looking at different cultures is not new to nurses, even Florence Nightingale analyzed her population to determine the care and services that were needed. Understanding and influencing culture, economics, the physical environments of our patient’s health practices, while assisting them to access to care will lead to promising outcomes (Jones, 2014). As quoted by Kathleen G. Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, â€Å"It is time to refocus, reinforce, and repeat the message that health disparities exist and that health equity benefits everyone.† References Argondezzi, Theresa (2001). The Many Faces of Health Care: Disparities in Minority Health. Retrieved November 13, 2014 from http://www.nursing.advanceweb.com/Article The -Many –Faces-of-Health-Care-Disparities –Minority. Barbara Ehrenreich (1999). Nickel and Dimed. Retrieved November 14, 2014 from http:// www.wesjones.com/ehrenreich.htm. Health and Human Services. A Nation Free of Disparities in Health and Health Care. Retrieved November 13, 2014. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/npa/files/Plans/HHS/HHS_Plan. Jones, Linda (2014). Letting Data Lead the Way. Retrieved November 14, 2014 from http:// www.nursing.advanceweb.com/Archieves/Article-Archive/Letting-Data-Lead-the-Way. Men’s Health Consulting. African American Men Experience Disproportionate Risk for Disease and Death. Retrieved November 15, 2014 from http://www.menshealth.org/code/ afroamer.html. Sebelius, Kathleen. Secretary, Health and Human Services