Know Thy Reader Essay -- Analysis, Letter from Birmingham Jail

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is a defense of the kind of non-violent direct action that King promoted and used during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and '60s. It is a response to statements of disapproval made by the clergymen of Birmingham, Alabama, and is obviously written in a way that appeals directly to this audience. King uses his knowledge of this audience's identity to design highly targeted arguments and to choose relevant historical examples for citation, and uses his personal experience in writing sermons and speeches to construct moving sermon-like passages that complement and reinforce his arguments. The arguments' basis in terms that the clergymen will find to be familiar and agreeable, in combination with sympathy evoking references to historical events, is particularly effective in causing the clergymen to seriously reconsider their statements. The strategy that stands out the most is King's usage of religious references. He supports his arguments with passages from the Bible and statements or philosophies put forth by prominent theologians, such as St. Thomas Aquinas. The clergy is very familiar with these sources. Their entire belief system is based on them! By using these sources as a basis for his arguments, King makes it very difficult for the clergy to disagree with the reasoning behind his actions. For example, in response to the accusation that he and other protesters are "outside agitators," he references the story of Paul of Tarsus's mission to spread Christianity: "†¦just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own h... ...rtight cage of poverty in the midst of an affluent society†¦. then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait† (166-167). In other words, he uses passages like these to â€Å"drive the point home.† As a whole, â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† is a thorough and well-executed defense of non-violent protest. Even readers who do not need to be persuaded, readers who are already in general agreement with non-violent methods of protest, will still find deep insights into how this form of protest works (such as the concept of â€Å"negative peace† (169)), and why it is necessary. King combines the strategy of appealing to the audience's identity in various ways, powerful passages that reinforce arguments, and some general deductive reasoning and insight to construct an argument that is very clear, rational, and effective in explaining and defending non-violent direct action.

Gender Preference Essay

Nowadays, most people have accepted many new ideas, such as couples living together before marriage, men staying home as home-husbands and divorce. However, in developing countries, a significant proportion of the population are still holding a very serious preference for male offspring and yearning to have a male baby, despite the fact that females can take care of their parents physically and psychologically far better than their male peers. It is worth looking into the reason for and some negative ongoing consequences of this male preference. The explanation can be traced to the traditional male-centered culture. Since the primitive era, women have become the belongings of their husbands, and their major job was producing a male heir for their husband. This is because only males can preserve the family name and the inheritance. In addition, as Tina Rosenberg described in her article â€Å"The Daughter Deficit†, a son is a financial necessary for parents. Only sons take responsibility to look after their aged parents, and daughters have limited contact with their parents soon after they become someone’s wife. If a couple couldn’t produce a son, they would think they are the most miserable couple in the world and would suffer long-term loneliness in their old age. Moreover, some countries hold a very strange superstition, that if a woman gives birth to more than 3 daughters, her husband will die. It is hardly surprising that the strong determination to have baby boys can lead to catastrophic consequences. After a long history of son preference stemming from the old culture, some countries are now facing very serious gender imbalance. This results from the extreme measures which have been used to get rid of an unwanted baby girl, for some people decide to go to any lengths to get the type of baby they want. The first of them is sex-selective abortion. Now, high technology like ultrasound scanning makes it very easy and convenient to achieve that goal. Its popularity and prevalence has caused numerous fetuses to die before they can see their Mom’s face. The second action is infanticide. Some infants have chance enjoy the sunshine and mom’s smile for a little while before their parents arrange their death just because they are not male descendants who can carry their family name and bring honor to their family as their parents think. Although some girls are lucky enough to stay with their dear mommy for several years, at last their mothers have to abandon them due to the family or society pressure. Even worse, some girls are neglected to death. These facts are heartbreaking, these parents are unforgivable and the consequences are very serious. According o the observation of Tina Rosenberg in her article, â€Å"The Daughter Deficit†, in India and China, more than 1.5 million fewer girls were born each year than i t is predicated. Also, according to census data released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the gender ratio was 117.7 newborn boys for every 100 girls in 2012 in China. This means that millions women are missing and there would be a dramatic excess of men. However, the impact of male preference goes beyond the immediate consequence of the disordered ratio of males to females, and it brings about more complicated implications in the long term. This unbalanced population can lead to a series of social problems. The serious gender imbalance has produced a large number of extra young men. Obviously, when they reach adulthood, some of them would find it extremely difficult to get married. With the poor prospect of getting a wife, some young men would resort to alcohol and drugs as comfort, while some of the others might take risks or get into fights in order to improve their prospects. Even more, some desperate young men are likely to blame their whole predicament on the society and government. As a result, they would pursue revenge on society, and cause a lot of trouble for innocent people. Eventually, everyone, including people who criticize the unfair treatment towards girls, will suffer from the serious consequences of an unstable society. In conclusion, the essential reason for the bias in favor of male offspring is the traditional man-centered culture, and it causes a series of negative effects. If society doesn’t take it very serious and make some changes, it can be foreseen that our brilliant culture would collapse due to this unfair preference.

The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald - 1438 Words

May Ahmad. Dr. Alexandra Williams. 12 PM. IS GATSBY GREAT? The need to live according to the American dream has been the prime focus of most governments over most of the past decades. Perhaps this has featured in many ways in the country. However, in most aspects, the dream may be noted to be a failure. It is this failure that is associated with the events that point out the fact that Gatsby is not a great person as he is made to look from the introductory sections of the book by Fitzgerald. Just as the better part of the young population have been led to believe that life is a cycle where one goes to school and graduates to get a job and a family is the same way Gatsby idealizes his image through the parties he throws to influence Daisy to fall in love with him. From the presented factors, it is factual to assert that Gatsby’s picture from the onset of the book is an ideal image of what he would want himself to be. Similarly, his conceptualization of Daisy is the ideal picture of what he would want her to be. It ther efore follows that consideration of Gatsby as a great person is the ideal thought of him which in truth is not a reality. Fitzgerald reviews the American dream through different points of view that are significant in making apparent his belief about the aspect of reality that can be perceived from it. On one note, he praises it pointing it out as a way through which great progress can be realized. On the other, he states that the fact that the dream is aShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1393 Words   |  6 PagesF. Scott Fitzgerald was the model of the American image in the nineteen twenties. He had wealth, fame, a beautiful wife, and an adorable daughter; all seemed perfect. Beneath the gilded faà §ade, however, was an author who struggled with domestic and physical difficulties that plagued his personal life and career throughout its short span. This author helped to launch the theme that is so prevalent in his work; the human instinct to yearn for more, int o the forefront of American literature, where itRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1343 Words   |  6 PagesHonors English 10 Shugart 18 Decemeber 2014 The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life. The Great Gatsby is about the lives of four wealthy characters observed by the narrator, Nick Carroway. Throughout the novel a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby throws immaculate parties every Saturday night in hope to impress his lost lover, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby lives in a mansion on West Egg across from DaisyRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1155 Words   |  5 PagesThe Great Gatsby The Jazz Age was an era where everything and anything seemed possible. It started with the beginning of a new age with America coming out of World War I as the most powerful nation in the world (Novel reflections on, 2007). As a result, the nation soon faced a culture-shock of material prosperity during the 1920’s. Also known as the â€Å"roaring twenties†, it was a time where life consisted of prodigality and extravagant parties. Writing based on his personal experiences, author F. ScottRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1166 Words   |  5 Pagesin the Haze F. Scott Fitzgerald lived in a time that was characterized by an unbelievable lack of substance. After the tragedy and horrors of WWI, people were focused on anything that they could that would distract from the emptiness that had swallowed them. Tangible greed tied with extreme materialism left many, by the end of this time period, disenchanted. The usage of the literary theories of both Biographical and Historical lenses provide a unique interpretation of the Great Gatsby centered aroundRead MoreThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald845 Words   |  3 PagesIn F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, colors represent a variety of symbols that relate back to the American Dream. The dream of being pure, innocent and perfect is frequently associated with the reality of corruption, violence, and affairs. Gatsby’s desire for achieving the American Dream is sought for through corruption (Schneider). The American Dream in the 1920s was perceived as a desire of w ealth and social standings. Social class is represented through the East Egg, the WestRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay970 Words   |  4 Pagesrespecting and valuing Fitzgerald work in the twenty-first century? Fitzgerald had a hard time to profiting from his writing, but he was not successful after his first novel. There are three major point of this essay are: the background history of Fitzgerald life, the comparisons between Fitzgerald and the Gatsby from his number one book in America The Great Gatsby, and the Fitzgerald got influences of behind the writing and being a writer. From childhood to adulthood, Fitzgerald faced many good andRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald2099 Words   |  9 Pagesauthor to mirror his life in his book. In his previous novels F. Scott Fitzgerald drew from his life experiences. He said that his next novel, The Great Gatsby, would be different. He said, â€Å"In my new novel I’m thrown directly on purely creative work† (F. Scott Fitzgerald). He did not realize or did not want it to appear that he was taking his own story and intertwining it within his new novel. In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he imitates his lifestyle through the Buchanan family to demonstrateRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1607 Words   |  7 Pages The Great Gatsby is an American novel written in 1925 by F. Scott Fitzgerald. One of the themes of the book is the American Dream. The American Dream is an idea in which Americans believe through hard work they can achieve success and prosperity in the free world. In F. Scott Fitzgerald s novel, The Great Gatsby, the American Dream leads to popularity, extreme jealousy and false happiness. Jay Gatsby’s recent fortune and wealthiness helped him earn a high social position and become one of the mostRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1592 Words   |  7 PagesMcGowan English 11A, Period 4 9 January 2014 The Great Gatsby Individuals who approach life with an optimistic mindset generally have their goals established as their main priority. Driven by ambition, they are determined to fulfill their desires; without reluctance. These strong-minded individuals refuse to be influenced by negative reinforcements, and rely on hope in order to achieve their dreams. As a man of persistence, the wealthy Jay Gatsby continuously strives to reclaim the love of hisRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1646 Words   |  7 PagesThe 1920s witnessed the death of the American Dream, a message immortalized in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Initially, the American Dream represented the outcome of American ideals, that everyone has the freedom and opportunity to achieve their dreams provided they perform honest hard work. During the 1920s, the United States experienced massive economic prosperity making the American Dream seem alive and strong. However, in Fitzgerald’s eyes, the new Am erican culture build around that

Skills in Employees and Managers - 1165 Words

1)Transferring More than Learned in Training: Employees’ and managers’ (over)generalization of skills Introduction: this article aims to tell about the different personality traits of individuals which lead them to show improvement on untrained content after training on self reported training transfer. This article is based on conduct of 2 studies in the first study was aimed to examine the personality traits and skills that cause the improvement on untrained content after training by using field study. In 2nd study specific personality dimensions were examined which were responsible for improvement after training for the content that was not learned during training by the supervisors and managers through using field test. ïÆ'Ëœ Different personality traits of individuals also cause individuals to respond improvement on content that is not learned in training on self reported transfer of training. Literature Review: The participants who are high on conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability dimensions of personality are more likely to show improvement on content not learned during training in training transfer.( Dan S. Chiaburu*, Katina B. Sawyer** and Christian N.Thoroughgood) Conscientiousness is the driving force for overgeneralization on training transfer(S. Chiaburu*, Katina B. Sawyer** and Christian N.Thoroughgood). 2) The impact of practical relevance on training transfer: evidence from a service quality training program for German bank clerks. This studyShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Wolves Spirits And Skills That Enlighten Corporate Managers And Employees3084 Words   |  13 Pagestheir goals. This paper tries to analysis wolves’ spirits and skills that enlighten corporate managers and employees. Set Huawei as a typical example which has a great esteem for wolf culture, since its CEO RenZhengfei raised the wolf culture in 1900s, the company has grown from a small company that struggled in the intensely competitive market to one of China’s best known telecommunications companies, having more than 150,000 employees across China and worldwide. Huawei’s success whipped up a stormRead MoreWhat Is A Successful Manager?1734 Words   |  7 Pagesis a successful manager? Is it one that can lead their company to thrive, or is it a manger that can rally the employees to provide quality work? A manager is a person who is responsible for supervising and motivating employees and for directing the progress of the company. A successful manager usually means happy employees and a successful company. The successful manager must possess certain qualities and skills in order to be successful. However, most people who are managers, have been thrownRead MoreKatz Theory of Management1690 Words   |  7 Pagesof the three skills identified by Katz to the work of first-line managers. Provide evidence, theoretical analysis and refer to academic journals to support your essay discussion. In a constantly evolving business environment, it’s no surprise that the job of a first line manager has changed. As such this essay will be covering 3 main aspects. Firstly, it will identify the work of the first line manager followed by Katz’s 3 skills and their relevance and lastly, whether other skills are applicableRead MoreEffective Management: Personal and Professional Skills738 Words   |  3 PagesPersonal and Three Professional Skills for Effective Management Effective Management is very crucial in a business, this helps in tackling problems by remaining focused and overcome challenging situations which a company may encounter. This also helps in making the company more efficient. To be an effective manager, one needs to have certain skills, both personal and professional skills. Personal skills The following are personal skills which a good and effective manager should have: †¢ CommunicationRead MoreThe Managerial Functions Of Management1238 Words   |  5 Pagesorganisation needs managers to be able to accomplish its goals. They contribute to organisational value, its financial performance, and productivity by the efficiency and effectiveness of managerial tasks (Robbins, Bergman, Stagg, Coulter, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to justify why we need managers in the organisation and how they become so influential to its performance and the employee’s job satisfaction through their functions, roles and skills. Basically, managers are classified to hierarchicalRead MoreCareer Development And Performance Of Succession Planning Essay1650 Words   |  7 Pagesopportunity an organization can use to develop employees for non-management roles. Succession planning concentrates on high-potential employees that the organization considers promising for higher-level manager positions (Noe, 2016). Succession planning should be combined with tal ent reviews to help employees understand their current skills and abilities and the skills and abilities needed for their future career. Succession planning educates employees about the competencies required for differentRead MoreWhat Makes a Good and a Bad Manager?837 Words   |  3 PagesIntroduction Why do some individuals become good managers while others do not? Lack of good managerial skills contributes to poor management. The issue is that these individuals have not developed the required skills and behavior because they had not had any formal training on managerial skills. In most cases, people are promoted into managerial positions but they are not offered right support and development to fulfill their duties adequately. Most corporate professionals will find themselves inRead MoreManagement Skills And Leadership Skills1528 Words   |  7 PagesManagement Skill Builder Introduction Strong management and leadership is very crucial for business success. It helps in driving innovation, unlocking the potential of employees, as well as enabling the manager to drive growth and productivity. It is never fast, and it is not always simple to build up depth and strength in management or leadership capabilities. However, the possible benefits are vivid: increased performance and profitability, improved rates of survival, and better employee wellbeingRead MoreManagers responsibility1650 Words   |  7 Pagesactivities to achieve desired outcomes. A manager is someone who works with and through other people by co-ordinating their work activities to accomplish organisational goals. (Robbins, Stagg, Coulter, 2003, p.10) This definition states, the fundamental responsibility of a manager, is to accomplish the organisations objectives by getting things done through people. There are however several ways of conceiving managerial responsibilities, as a manager can be viewed from many different positionsRead MoreStrategies for Effective Managerial Communication and Listening1652 Words   |  7 Pageseffective skills in communication are necessary to maintain and increase the quality of our lives and relationships with our family, friends and coworkers. If we cannot communicate effectively, we may have misunderstandings within relationships. Besides, it would be very easy to become confused, frustrated and disappointed simply if we are unable to communicate appropriately with someone. Likewise, in business management, the process of communication between managers and employees would dramatically

It Is Time to Legalize Marijana - 1700 Words

Legalize It! Growing up, everyone is told that, â€Å"Drugs are bad for you,† time and time again. Now as a kid you don’t really understand the reasoning behind it, but you listen to your authority figure regardless. I remember being told this my entire life and even to this very day. But as I got older I realized that people would still use drugs even though it’’s illegal. I could never understand why someone would go against the law and jeopardize their life just to use drugs? The drug that I am talking about is marijuana, and surprisingly it is all around us. Marijuana is even referred to in today’s media Mainstream media sources that people enjoy, like music, movies, and TV shows, do not even bother to leave the drug out of their system. Now being a young adult and having my own personal experience with the drug and knowing its effects on others, I wonder why it’s not legal. Why is it that this drug has become illegal all over the world? The debate to legalize marijuana in the United States of America has been fought over nonstop since the existence of the drug and its effects. Marijuana has been tested and proven to provide a very positive impact on the American society for many reasons. Some of these reasons are for America’s economy, health and even crime. These reasons could very well help America thrive in the future and that is why Marijuana should be legalized in the United States of America. This naturally found plant known as marijuana isShow MoreRelatedShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1770 Words   |  8 PagesIn recent years the legalization of marijuana has been broadcasted numerous times. There is much debate on whether or not it should be legalized or used precisely for medical purposes. Legalization of marijuana or cannabis has already occurred in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Should the United States legalize it all together? Marijuana itself is the dried up hemp or cannabis plants which contain THC which is a mind altering chemical. A lot of research has been conducted on the benefits

Cultures in Motion Discussion Free Essays

From the introduction up to chapter 7 in the reading of â€Å"Cultures in Motion† by author Peter N. Stearns, does a profound job in doing what was expressed would be done within the first few pages of his book. The basis of focusing on many different cultures and the encompassing contact was very focused and cut down to a short straight to the point style but was given a wide range of a big picture of most of the cultures and their history. We will write a custom essay sample on Cultures in Motion Discussion or any similar topic only for you Order Now The way Peter splits chapters one through seven into two parts, the first being about early classical civilization explaining the cultures being born in Egypt and the Middle-East, the explanation of Buddhism, Jewish, and Christianity. The second being of postclassical cultural contacts; in which provides a view of a clear explanation of how everything was most likely formed and what became or has become of it. Within Chapters 1-5, Stearns provides vital information starting off with the Middle East and Egypt. He expresses how the Greeks had borrowed Egypt and the Middle East culture and civilization, and even though it was fine it came to the point of where they just wanted some acknowledgement but the Greeks never wanted to admit their borrowing so that then led to the complication of being able to figure out the contacts. Following was the Hellenistic-Indian period, dealing with the â€Å"great and powerful† Alexander. This chapter made me see how insane Alexander was. He would start wars and win them, want more and get it. Until, his death bed reached him with his empire going down as fast as he got it. From there, it went to the history of Buddhism, and the way Stearns explains all that went down for this religion such as human suffering and sacrifice; made me realize how extreme these religions can get. Although, it is nice to see how much respect and will one can have for something that doesn’t seem so important to others, but is too many. Adding to that, a big part of all these cultures is of course the spread of them. Learning how and where these civilizations would be spread is very difficult to keep up with. In example, you have Buddhism in which many believe started in Asia but in reality started in classical India then spread to the north and east from trading and traveling, then followed into Southeast Asia continuing to migrate over in Hawaii and the Americas. Aside from that, the Jewish and Christianity spreading occurred. Having many killed and looked down on, those who were true believers stuck to their faith and helped continued to spread it. Finally, you reach the postclassical period describing how Islam and Christianity spread. The spread of Islam began in Arabia and the Middle East, fleeing out to Africa, Asia, and Europe creating the works of actually more people learning about it through trade and missionary activities. As for Christianity, Europe was the one to spread it into the Americas not only bringing this important cultural contact but also new animals, diseases, and rulers. Once the culture was introduced it went on into North America where the religious heritage of Europe was being brought upon. Therefore, Peter N. Stearns provides history on how and where the many cultures came about in example from Egypt to the Middle East, to India and Asia, etc. Where trading was being done and wars were being fought with hundreds of thousands of people from different cultures themselves. These cultures had many contacts in which many we will never know. Although, you come to the conclusion of realizing that cultures and civilization have a great amount of information, facts, and stories to be said to be able to learn and understand how a culture was created and what was happening during that moment; that is where Peter N. Stearns does a well job in explaining the â€Å"Cultures in Motion. † How to cite Cultures in Motion Discussion, Papers

Bill Becomes a Law

Question: How a Bill Becomes a Law? Answer: Situation: Is This Something Than Can Be Legislated? Identify the problem/concern: Mandatory overtime as a recruitment tool poses potential harm for the safety and care given to patients. This is not just a threat to patients at large but also to Nurses. There is a need of a legislative tool that is against the mandatory overtime of the Nurses employed. State your proposal/idea. The concept of mandatory overtime of nurses is the most common problem they face. This has led to staffing insufficiencies. Federal legislations have placed limitations on the work time in other industries. However, there is no legislation in the field on nursing to restrict mandatory overtime. Therefore, the proposal is to make a defined law that does not restrict nurses for mandatory overtime. Background: Do Your Research Include studies, reports, personal experience, or anecdotal stories related to your proposal. The American Nurses Association surveyed of nearly 5000 nurses conducted in the year 2000 exposed that more than 67 % are working unintended overtime every month. A report commissioned by the Health Care Research and Quality in the year 2003 depicted that long work hours have posed serious threat to both the patients as well as the patients. Has there been similar legislation introduced and/or passed in other states? If so, include it.In New York, Restrictions on Consecutive Hours of Work for Nurses law (effectiveJuly 1, 2009), is enacted. In Pennsylvania, the Prohibition of Excessive Overtime in Health Care was enacted to restrict the working hours of the nurses. In the year 2009, Texas passed mandatory overtime restrictions (Bae Kovner, 2012). Assessment: Finances And Stakeholders Identify financial impact if any (e.g., added costs, cost savings, increased revenue): The growth in overtime work however is a boon to the US health results. But, there is a conceded unhealthy cost that never can be accommodated. Annual work hours are more than 4% per hour. Practically, every industry within the bellwether-manufacturing sector has reached a record by the end of the year 1990 (Kleiner Schmann, 2015). Identify stakeholder groups that would support this bill: Nurses, patients and nurses association are the stakeholders in this issue as it can directly affect their safety. The prolonged working hours causes threat to both the patients as well the nurses. Identify people/groups that would oppose this bill: The groups and people that would oppose the Bill are hospital organization. It is the hospital and there in charge, that will have to bear infrastructural costs. Recommendation Make an appointment with your legislator to discuss your proposal. Reference List: Bae, S. H., Brewer, C. S., Kovner, C. T. (2012). State mandatory overtime regulations and newly licensed nurses mandatory and voluntary overtime and total work hours.Nursing outlook,60(2), 60-71. Kleiner, S., Schunck, R., Schmann, K. (2015). Different Contexts, Different Effects? Work Time and Mental Health in the United States and Germany.Journal of health and social behavior,56(1), 98-113.