Thursday, October 31, 2019

Child and Elder Abuse Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Child and Elder Abuse - Case Study Example f-blame, nightmares, flashbacks, sleeplessness, fear of matters related to the abuse (comprising of objects, places, smells, and doctor's visits among others.). The effects of child sexual abuse also include self-esteem issues, chronic pain, sexual dysfunction, addiction, self-injury, suicidal ideation, depression, somatic complaints, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (Hoyano & Keenan, 2007). Elder Abuse Case Norman (77) lives at home with his wife in addition to his two sons, who are 47 and 46. Both sons are jobless and not concerned in seeking a job. The man has been beaten numerous occasions by his sons. "At times, I think, ‘Why does it occur to me?’" were Norman’s exact words. Norman was recorded at a police station. The man talked to a Chicago Police Department (CPD) superior services spokesperson (Yahnke, 2012). The spokesperson provided background information via commentary. Norman was, after his statements at the police station, assisted to recove r from a whipping at the hands of his own sons in 2012. He did not sign a complaint since he dreaded a more ruthless beating. He told the officers that, at the moment he enters the house, he is done flatly. The senior police spokesperson said that the initial time she came across Norman was in the emergency room (ER) of the hospital (Yahnke, 2012). Norman was battered by his son since he used his son’s towel to wipe himself. Stitch ups were needed to seal the wound (Twentyman & Plotkin, 2010). Norman says that he always considers that things one day might get better, but the a hospital counselor informed him that such acts go one for as long as it takes. Norman’s sons use his Social Security, as well as pension income, and the father has to work part-time just to have his own money for petty use. The... Â  Norman (77) lives at home with his wife in addition to his two sons, who are 47 and 46. Both sons are jobless and not concerned in seeking a job. The man has been beaten numerous occasions by his sons. "At times, I think, ‘Why does it occur to me?’" were Norman’s exact words. Norman was recorded at a police station. The man talked to a Chicago Police Department (CPD) superior services spokesperson (Yahnke, 2012). The spokesperson provided background information via commentary. Norman was, after his statements at the police station, assisted to recover from a whipping at the hands of his own sons in 2012. He did not sign a complaint since he dreaded a more ruthless beating. He told the officers that, at the moment he enters the house, he is done flatly. The senior police spokesperson said that the initial time she came across Norman was in the emergency room (ER) of the hospital (Yahnke, 2012). Norman was battered by his son since he used his son’s towel to wipe himself. Stitch ups were needed to seal the wound (Twentyman & Plotkin, 2010). Norman says that he always considers that things one day might get better, but the hospital counselor informed him that such acts go one for as long as it takes. Norman’s sons use his Social Security, as well as pension income, and the father has to work part-time just to have his own money for petty use. The counselor confirms that Norman finally decided to pressed charges. A court hearing date was finally set, and his two sons posted bond. Â  

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Childhood Vaccinations and Immunizations Research Paper

Childhood Vaccinations and Immunizations - Research Paper Example As from the year 1995, CDC in conjunction with American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has always put emphasis on annual childhood immunization schedule. Prior to this year, these groups updated the immunization schedule only once in a while. The first vaccines were: Smallpox, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type were introduced in the 19870s (The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2014). The first formal vaccination for adults was introduced in the year 2002. According to the state of Ohio, a child who presents a written disapproval of immunization for conscience reasons would not be expected to be immunized. This is an indication that parents say is always final to the immunization of their children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2014). Otherwise, all the other children are supposed to be immunized in accordance with the most recent version of the recommended vaccine. When a child is humanized with a certain disease, it does not only protect them but also protect the other children around them. This is because they would not be able to spread the diseases because their bodies will be able to stand the attack. Immunization also helps in preventing lifelong suffering. Some diseases such as polio can lead to loss of body parts which means that the affected persons will have to live without those body parts for the rest of their lives. As compared to treatment, vaccination is usually safe.  

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Ilo Decent Work Agenda And Informal Economy Benefits Economics Essay

Ilo Decent Work Agenda And Informal Economy Benefits Economics Essay The informal economy defined to include all economic units that are not regulated by the state and all economically active persons who do not receive social protection through their work (ILO 2002), is as perennial and ubiquitous as human society. Discourse on it however, came to light in the early seventies with various studies in third world countries. Notwithstanding its inescapable nature, conceptualization and definition has been a problem for policy makers as well as those within academia. Myriad debates have come up on the issue with diverse views and remedies: some view informal workers as a nuisance to be eliminated or regulated; others see them as a vulnerable group to be assisted through social policies; still others view them as entrepreneurs to be freed from government regulations (Chen 2006:26). But neither the theoretic thoughts nor tangible ideas have provided a comprehensive framework on how to approach global informality and the new challenges it pose to policy makers. This essay critically examines the position of ILO influenced by the legalist perspective on formalizing the informal economy. Are there vested interests in promoting the decent work agenda? Is the decent work agenda merely a guise behind which informality continues to operate? Does the decent work approach take into account structures and institutions? The essay will delve into the argument of who benefits in formalizing the informal economy recognizing the fact that the informal head porter pay daily levies to the local government systems in Ghana but do not receive any benefit. A synopsis on informal economy and decent work agenda will first be outlined and how this applies to the head porter in Ghana. Finally, a conclusion will be drawn with some policy recommendations. Perspectives on Informality The informal economy was first discovered in Africa in the early 1970s due to the dominance of large scale self employed who do not fall within the formal economy. Economic anthropologist Keith Hart coined the term in his series of studies in Africa on the urban labour markets where he distinguished between wage earning and self employment. He emphasized on entrepreneurial dynamism and diversity of people in the informal sector (Hart 1990). This led to the development of three schools of thought dualist, legalist and structuralist perspectives which all try to conceptualize, explain and address the challenges of this complex phenomenon. The dualist posit the view that informal economy is peripheral or marginal and result out of the inadequate jobs in the formal economy and will recede with the development of the modern sector (Hart 1973; ILO 1972; Sethuraman 1976; Tokman 1978). The perspective therefore call for policy focus on support for the informal economy enterprises and workers in the form of credits and business development services with the assumption that the informal economy will fade away with more formal jobs. The structuralists, however, abruptly refute the dualist approach and contend that formal and informal economies are inextricably connected and interdependent the informal economy continues to exist because it is subordinated to the formal economy and enables the formal economy to reduce costs and increase profits (Moser 1978; Castells and Portes 1989, Bromley 1994). Hence policy focus should be on altering the unequal relationship that exists. The legalist approach spearheaded by De Soto (1989) subscribes to the notion that informality is as a result of the excessive over regulation by the state (rigid mercantilist) and hence the solution to the problem of informality is a liberalizing framework deregulate, de-bureaucratize and privatize. The approach therefore advocates for formalizing and the decent work agenda follows directly from this perspective despite influence from other frameworks. Notwithstanding the diversity of these concepts, informality continues to grow in new guises and different forms even in the industrialized nations. It is worth mentioning that none of the perspectives adequately explains or prescribes solutions to the problems of informality given its heterogeneous and multi segmented nature. Consequently, policy makers are faced with the dilemmas of whether to eradicate or formalize the informal economy. This has led to the suggestion of different ways of providing support for those in the informal economy which include licensing, provision of micro credit, training as well as enabling environment for collective action (Chen 2006) with more emphasis on formalizing. In spite of these suggestions, understanding of the formalization process varies and different actors tend to define formalization to suit them. Intrinsically, policy makers view formalizing as a way of licensing informal work and putting in place taxation structures. Conversely, the different informal workers and enterprises see formalizing as a means to attain support and receive the incentives and benefits of formality. Hence in formalizing, there are striking differences in terms of interests and needs which should reflect in the policies of countries. The institutional capacities, mechanisms and resources especially in developing countries are however, inadequate to cater for the wide variations. The above problems question the feasibility of formalizing the informal economy and De Sotos legalist approach to informal economy. Are the states in many countries well equipped to enable workers and enterprises in the informal economy move upward into formality? Formalization may not be that simple as envisaged it can be problematic and a nightmare to policy makers. Despite the complication, the informal economy can be reframed to fruitfully interact with the context and actors as well as reduce the associated vulnerability and risks. Consequently, new frameworks have emerged to take care of the policy challenge of decreasing the cost of working informally (Chen 2006:90-1) or reducing the decent work deficits of working informally (ILO 2002). The ILO decent work agenda champions the emerging consensus concerning the need to develop a framework that is appropriate and able to respond effectively to the problems faced by those in the informal economy. However is this agenda feasible in the mist of all these dilemmas? What can the ILO Decent Work do for Informality? The ILO (2002) defines decent work as productive work which generates an adequate income, in which workers rights are protected and where there is adequate social protection providing opportunities for men and women to obtain productive work in conditions of freedom, equality, security and human dignity. Decent work has been categorized into two different approaches. Some analysts have classified it into eleven measurement categories based on employment opportunities, acceptable work, adequate earnings and productive work, decent hours, stability and security of work, balancing work and family life, fair treatment in employment, safe work environment, social protection, social dialogue and workplace relations, and the economic and social context of decent work (Ghai 2006:27). The other approach views decent work from the perspective of security in which there are seven security indicators labour security, employment security, job security, work security, skill reproduction security , income security and representation security (ILO 2002). Therefore lack of access to these indicators at the macro (national), meso (enterprise) and micro (Individual) (Ghai 2006:27) levels leads to decent work deficits. These securities and indicators are inaccessible to workers in the informal economy albeit pockets of workers in the formal economy also have deficits for example the working poor. Hence in looking at the situation of those in the informal economy, decent work deficits are the main characteristics and apparent are poor quality unprotected and remunerated jobs, the absence of rights to work, inadequate social protection and lack of representation especially among women and young workers (ILO 2002:8). The decent work approach therefore recognizes that all those who work have rights at work, irrespective of where they work (ILO 2002: 8) and should have decent work. Notwithstanding this, a one-size-fit all policy cannot be developed for all segments. Decent work programmes need to take into consideration the diversity in labour markets, multi-segmented nature of informality, the role of government, institutions as well as cultural and historical backgrounds of nations. Decent work should therefore be seen as a goal to be achieved progressively from immediate to long term (ILO 2002). The immediate term focus is to recognize and give protection to those working in the informal economy, the short/medium and long term strategies are to enhance upward movement into formal decent jobs and the creation of formal decent employment opportunities for all respectively. Work should therefore meet decent work conditions which are seen as a source of dignity, satisfaction and fulfillment to workers (Ghai 2006:11). Limitations of Decent Work Paradigm The decent work agenda is a benign attempt to informality but ILO unlike the World Bank and IMF do not have the capacity to enforce and ensure that governments adhere to the decent work programme. Also, while the ILO outlined the securities that will make informal work decent, it does not provide insights into how these securities can be met and whose responsibility (individual, state, market, and other actors) it is to address and find solutions to the deficits. Moreover, ILO does not point out how to prioritize the securities in situations where it is impossible to have all seven fulfilled. The question is shall we prioritize or shall we try to achieve at the same time all the seven securities? Furthermore, whiles Chen (2006:27) assert that capacity of institutions, funding for incentives and social protection, inadequate formal jobs and employers not willing to convert as the problems that impede formalizing, she seems to forget about the vested interest and structural determinants that could hinder decent work. For example institutional obstacles such as the local government units in Ghana may stifle the decent work agenda as incorporating decent work framework will hinder the benefits they enjoy from the informality. Who benefits from formalizing: local government or head porter (Kayayei)? Before looking at the head porter and the local government systems in Ghana, it is important to have background information on the head porter business. The head porters popularly referred to as kayayei in Ghana are female young girls who migrate from northern parts of Ghana to the south predominantly Accra and Kumasi. Like other informal businesses, the kayayei are self employed and engage in carrying goods on their head from one place to the other, unpacking stores especially in market places as well as assist buyers in carrying purchased goods to various locations for a negotiated fee (Argawal et al 1997, Opare 2003, Awumbila 2007). Agarwal et al (1997) further indicates that these girls are part of the informal transport structure of Ghana that transport load from one place to the other and this commercial head load carrying is to be understood within the structure of economic activities of women in the informal economy, and the importance of petty trading as the predominant occu pation of women. Similarly, ILO (2004) and Awumbila (2007) notes that jobs engaged by these Kayayei pay low wages, have low productivity which leads to unstable incomes. The purpose of their involvement however, is to attain sufficient savings to convert to a more lucrative and less arduous occupation (Awumbila 2007:3). These head porters lack official registration, work in highly competitive market places, have deficits in all seven securities, and are exposed to diverse risks and shocks. Their daily vulnerability goes from running after busses for business to harassment from metropolitan agents for payment of daily levies. These head porters however, have various survival strategies which include collective credit and insurance (susu and adashi) schemes and organization of semi-permanent conjugal unions to reduce their vulnerability within the labour market (Awumbila Ardayfio-Schandorf 2008, Argawal et al 1997, Opare 2003). Much of the literature on the kayayei phenomenon talks about migration and livelihoods but hardly talked about is the levy they pay to the local government systems in Ghana but do not gain any form of social protection. Their activities like other informal businesses are not recognized but they are regulated by the metropolitan assemblies in the forms of daily levies. They pay fifty Ghana pesewas daily levy to agents of the assemblies and are hijacked in the course of their operations to pay before they can continue with their activities. It is however, unclear what the taxes collected from these girls are used for. They do not get any form of benefits, incentives or social protection from the local government. Evans (1989:582) describes the case of Zaire predatory state in which state officials squeeze resources from civil society without any more regard for the welfare of the citizenry than a predator has for the welfare of its prey. This predatory state scenario best describes the relationship between the local government and the head porter in Ghana. The metropolitan authorities benefits from the informality of the head porters and do not have any regard for their welfare. In such a case, implementing the decent work approach will serve as a dis-benefit to the government who only plays an opportunistic appropriation role. Hence, such structures may serve as obstacles to the decent work programme. Chen ( 2006:15) indicates that many activities in the informal economy do not generate enough output, employment or income to fall into existing tax brackets but these girls though do not generate enough income are still taxed and this further exacerbate their situation. Conclusion and policy recommendations Once the local government recognize the legality of the head porters through taxation, they are obliged to provide them with protection. For example their activities could be regulated by putting in fixed prices for carrying goods to certain distances to reduce their vulnerability in terms of negotiation. State should provide kayayei with vocational and negotiation skills training, recognize them in the labour laws and give basic security like health care, shelter, protection from eviction and harassment can cushion them against risks and shocks in their daily activities. For instance paying the premium for these head porters in the Ghana national health insurance scheme will take care of their health needs and further enhance their work. Similar welfare funds like the Bidi Workers Welfare and Head Loaders Funds in India could be established to provide social security benefits for these head porters. In addition, their micro insurance schemes and strategies could be enhanced especially the susu and adashi systems. These forms of collective contributions could be transformed into mutual systems of social security. The role of the state is vital in promoting such systems by providing an enabling environment and suitable policy framework to include these schemes. Moreover, the local government systems should recognize and protect the rights of the head porters since they play a facilitative role being part of the transport sector in Ghana. As Opare (2003) noted the kayeyei make useful contribution to the Ghanaian economy and should be recognized as such and provided with the necessary protection to enable reduce decent work deficits. Should these be considered for the social protection policies, it will help reduce the insecurity, vulnerability and material deprivation faced by these head porters.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Environmental Activism Essay -- essays research papers

1. The large mainstream environmentalism groups started to compromise too much with regulatory agencies and bureaus, starting with the Glen Canyon Dam project. This began an estrangement with the mainstreams that culminated in the rise of more militant groups like Earth First! Glen Canyon represented what was fundamentally wrong with the country's conservation policies: arrogant government officials motivated by a quasireligious zeal to industrialize the natural world, and a diffident bureaucratic leadership in the mainstream environmental organizations that more or less willingly collaborated in this process.The mainstream environmental groups and government held the premise that mankind should control and manage the natural world. The radicals held that our technological culture with its intrusions on natural world had to be curtailed, perhaps even undone, to keep the ecology of this planet and our role in it viable. It marked a shift from a rearguard strategy (mainstream) to protect wilderness to an affirmative attempt to roll back the artifacts of civilization, to restore the world to the point where natural processes such as the flow of rivers could continue.The mainstream environmental movement is now perceived by many as out of touch with people's deep concern about environmental degradation, has become systematized. The activists use approaches such as industrial vandalism or "ecotage" to foster dramatic results. Some other methods employed are tree spiking, tree sitting, road blockading, demonstrations, tree pinning, ship sinking, dam breaking and outright terrorist-type sabotage (bombing power stations, bridges, power line, etc.) There may be some complimentary results of the efforts of both mainstream and radical groups. The large environmental organizations, while denouncing the radical's confrontational activities, have then been able to use their ample finances to take the campaign to Congress or the courts with the impetus of public support the radicals generated. 2. With Soule's quote, including "Vertebrate evolution may be at an end" it means that the civilization complex has lost its reference point by overwhelming the natural processes it has always used to define itself. The otherness of nature is disappearing into the artificial world of technology. As the environmental crisis worsens, we can expect increased att... ...of civilization's citizens.' Industrial man and the industrial society may be the most deleterious and unsustainable economic system the world has ever seen, since it constantly eats into the ecological systems on which it depends.We are beginning to realize just how costly a system it is as the health and cleanup bills from years of environmental abuse come due. Not surprisingly, those who benefited most from the extravagant rise of the industrial economy have done their best to pass the burden on to others: the poor, the unwary, or the next generation. Industrialism is perhaps the greatest pyramid scheme in history.The role that industrial man must take for the ultimate survival of the natural world is that he must take the action to slow and reverse human population growth . There are ecological limits to how many people can live in dignity on this planet; to quibble over whether that line has yet been crossed is to invite a game of ecological brinkmanship that there is no nee d to play. And if human population has not exceeded carrying capacity, the arguments of the humanist critics leave out the whole question of the effect present population levels have on the nonhuman world.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Mesopotamia vs Egypt

Mesopotamia vs. Egypt A civilization is a society in advanced state of social development. Mesopotamia and Egypt are some of the oldest civilizations on history. One of the most important steps taken for a civilization to occur was the agricultural revolution. This was when man stopped being nomadic and begun to settle down permanently or for long periods of time in one specific area and began living off the lands and raising animals, this as we know is known as the agricultural revolution. Other steps that helped towards the occurrence of civilizations were suitable geographical locations.They needed a reliable water and food source and sometimes good areas for defense or they built their own. The geographical location of both Mesopotamia and Egypt were very important to its success. Both Egypt and Mesopotamia were both located around a river. Not only that both their fertile land was caused because of the rivers, but the difference is that Mesopotamia was located in an area of land between two rivers which caused the land between the rivers to become fertile where as Egypt was located around a river and because of its seasonal flooding fertile soil was dumped onto the backs of the river; perfect for planting crops.The big difference between Mesopotamia and Egypt was that Egypt had excellent natural defense because of its sea to the north, deserts to the east and west, and rapid and mountains to the south. Whereas Mesopotamia had flat land all around the resulting in no natural defense what so ever. Egypt and Mesopotamia both had similar religions. Both societies believe in many gods for example the sun god, river god, fire god and so on. So both civilizations were polytheistic. In the case of Egypt, there were supreme gods such as the sun god Ra, Amon, and Osiris.Each male god had a female goddess consort. Osiris, the god of the dead and of fertility, was married to Isis, the goddess of magic and love. They had a son, named Horus. The Mesopotamian cultures ha d religions that had many gods and goddesses as well. Male and female divinities, gods and goddesses of war. Ishtar is a major divinity in Mesopotamian religions. Another similarity between the major culture areas religions is that their gods and goddesses often have a human form, and an animal form.When talking about warfare and the wheel the cities of Mesopotamia were walled, to protect themselves from conquest from their neighbors. Warfare developed and became more sophisticated in Mesopotamia. The wheel was developed in Mesopotamia, but the Egyptians never invented it! The Hyksos, who invaded Egypt about 1750 BC, introduced both the wheel and the horse, in the form of the chariot. Egypt developed rather late in terms of the art of war. I conclude that Mesopotamia both have similarities and differences but ultimately affect the way we live today.Thanks to the ideas and trial and error of the ancient civilizations we can live the life we have today. For example, Mesopotamia invent ed the wheel. Thanks to them we have things such as bikes, cars, trains, airplanes, wheel-barrels and much more. Also, the Hebrew religion was created tens of thousands of years ago and affects many religions today such as Christianity. So I conclude that both Egypt and Mesopotamia played a major role in the development of society and civilization today.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Fool Chapter 6

SIX FRIENDSHIP AND THE ODD BONK Life is loneliness, broken only by the gods taunting us with friendship and the odd bonk. I admit it, I grieved. Perhaps I am a fool to have expected Cordelia to stay. (Well, yes, I am a fool – don't be overly clever, eh? It's annoying.) But for most of my manly years she had been the lash on my back, the bait to my loins, and the balm of my imagination – my torment, my tonic, my fever, my curse. I ache for her. There is no comfort in the castle. Drool gone, Taster gone, Lear gone mad. At best, Drool was little more company than Jones, and decidedly less portable, but I worry for him, great child that he is, stumbling about in the circle of so many villains and so much sharp metal. I miss his gape-toothed smile, filled as it was with forgiveness, acceptance, and often, cheddar. And Taster, what did I know of him, really? Just a wan lad from Hog Nostril on Thames. Yet when I needed a sympathetic ear, he provided, even if he was oft distracted from my woes by his own selfish dietary concerns. I lay on my bed in the portislodge staring out the cruciform arrow loops at the grey bones of London, stewing in my misery, yearning for my friends. For my first friend. For Thalia. The anchoress. On a chill autumn day at Dog Snogging, the third time I was allowed to bring food to the anchoress, we became fast friends. I was still in awe of her, and merely being in her presence made me feel base, unworthy, and profane, but in a good way. I passed the plate of rough brown bread and cheese through the cross in the wall with prayers and a plea for her forgiveness. â€Å"This fare will do, Pocket. It will do. I'll forgive you for a song.† â€Å"You must be a most pious lady and have great love for the Lord.† â€Å"The Lord is a tosser.† â€Å"I thought the Lord was a shepherd?† â€Å"Well, that, too. But a bloke needs hobbies. Do you know ‘Greensleeves'?† â€Å"I know ‘Dona Nobis Pacem.'† â€Å"Do you know any pirate songs?† â€Å"I could sing ‘Dona Nobis Pacem' like a pirate.† â€Å"It means give us peace, in Latin, doesn't it?† â€Å"Aye, mistress.† â€Å"Bit of a stretch then, innit, a pirate singing give us bloody peace?† â€Å"I suppose. I could sing you a psalm, then, mistress.† â€Å"All right, then, Pocket, a psalm it is – one with pirates and loads of bloodshed, if you have it.† I was nervous, desperate for approval from the anchoress, and afraid that if I displeased her I might be struck down by an avenging angel, as seemed to happen often in scripture. Try as I might, I could not recall any piraty psalms. I cleared my throat and sang the only psalm I knew in English: â€Å"The Lord is my tosser, I shall not want – â€Å" â€Å"Wait, wait, wait,† said the anchoress. â€Å"Doesn't it go, ‘the Lord is my shepherd'?† â€Å"Well, yes, mistress, but you said – â€Å" And she started to laugh. It was the first time I heard her truly laugh and it felt as if I was getting approval from the Virgin herself. In the dark chamber, just the single candle on my side of the cross, it seemed like her laughter was all around me, embracing me. â€Å"Oh, Pocket, you are a love. Thick as a bloody brick, but such a love.† I could feel the blood rise in my face. I was proud and embarrassed and ecstatic all at once. I didn't know what to do, so I fell to my knees and prostrated myself before the arrow loop, pushing my cheek against the stone floor. â€Å"I'm sorry, mistress.† She laughed some more. â€Å"Arise, Sir Pocket of Dog Snogging.† I climbed to my feet and stared into the dark cross-shaped hole in the wall, and there I saw that dull star that was her eye reflecting the candle flame and I realized that there were tears in my own eyes. â€Å"Why did you call me that?† â€Å"Because you make me laugh and you are deserving and valiant. I think we're going to be very good friends.† I started to ask her what she meant, but the iron latch clanked and the door into the passageway swung slowly open. Mother Basil was there, holding a candelabra, looking displeased. â€Å"Pocket, what's going on here?† said the mother superior in her gruff baritone. â€Å"Nothing, Reverend Mother. I've just given food to the anchoress.† Mother Basil seemed reluctant to enter the passageway, as if she was afraid to be in view of the arrow loop that looked into the anchoress's chamber. â€Å"Come along, Pocket. It's time for evening prayers.† I bowed quickly to the anchoress and hurried out the door under Mother Basil's arm. As the sister closed the door, the anchoress called, â€Å"Reverend Mother, a moment, please.† Mother Basil's eyes went wide and she looked as if she'd been called out by the devil. â€Å"Go on to vespers, Pocket. I'll be along.† She made her way into the dead-end passageway and closed the door behind her even as the bell calling us to vespers began to toll. I wondered what the anchoress would discuss with Mother Basil, perhaps some conclusion she had realized during her hours of prayer, perhaps I had been found wanting and she would ask that I not be sent to her again. After just making my first friend, I was sorely afraid of losing her. While I repeated the prayers in Latin after the priest, in my heart I prayed to God to not take my anchoress away, and when mass ended, I stayed in the chapel and prayed until well after the midnight prayers. Mother Basil found me in the chapel. â€Å"There are going to be some changes, Pocket.† I felt my spirit drop into my shoe soles. â€Å"Forgive me, Reverend Mother, for I know not what I do.† â€Å"What are you on about, Pocket? I'm not scolding you. I'm adding duties to your devotion.† â€Å"Oh,† said I. â€Å"From now on, you are to take food and drink to the anchoress in the hour before vespers, and there in the outer chamber, shall you sit until she has eaten, but upon the bell for vespers you are to leave there, and not return until the next day. No longer than an hour shall you stay, do you understand?† â€Å"Yes, mum, but why only the hour?† â€Å"More than that and you will interfere with the anchoress's own communion with God. Further, you are never to ask her about where she was before this, about her family, or her past in any way. If she should speak of these things you are to immediately put your fingers in your ears, and verily sing ‘la, la, la, la, I can't hear you, I can't hear you,' and leave the chamber immediately.† â€Å"I can't do that, mum.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"I can't work the latch to the outer door with my fingers in my ears.† â€Å"Ah, sweet Pocket, I do so love your wit. I think you shall sleep on the stone floor this night, the rug shields you from the blessed cooling of your fevered imagination, which God finds an abomination. Yes, a light beating and the bare stone for you and your wit tonight.† â€Å"Yes, mum.† â€Å"And so, you must never speak with the anchoress about her past, and if you should, you shall be excommunicated and damned for all eternity with no hope for redemption, the light of the Lord shall never fall upon you, and you shall live in darkness and pain for ever and ever. And in addition, I shall have Sister Bambi feed you to the cat.† â€Å"Yes, mum,† said I. I was so thrilled I nearly peed. I would be blessed by the glory of the anchoress every single day. â€Å"Well that's a scaly spot o' snake wank,† said the anchoress. â€Å"No, mum, it's a cracking big cat.† â€Å"Not the cat, the hour a day. Only an hour a day?† â€Å"Mother Basil doesn't want me to disturb your communion with God, Madame Anchoress.† I bowed before the dark arrow loop. â€Å"Call me Thalia.† â€Å"I daren't, mum. And neither may I ask you about your past or from whence you come. Mother Basil has forbidden it.† â€Å"She's right on that, but you may call me Thalia, as we are friends.† â€Å"Aye, mum. Thalia.† â€Å"And you may tell me of your past, good Pocket. Tell me of your life.† â€Å"But, Dog Snogging is all I know – all I have ever known.† I could hear her laughing in the dark. â€Å"Then, tell me a story from your lessons, Pocket.† So I told the anchoress of the stoning of St. Stephen, of the persecution of St. Sebastian, and the beheading of St. Valentine, and she, in turn, told me stories of the saints I had never heard of in catechism. â€Å"And so,† said Thalia, â€Å"that is the story of how St. Rufus of Pipe-wrench was licked to death by marmots.† â€Å"That sounds a most horrible martyring,† said I. â€Å"Aye,† said the anchoress, â€Å"for marmot spit is the most noxious of all substances, and that is why St. Rufus is the patron of saliva and halitosis unto this day. Enough martyring, tell me of some miracles.† And so I did. I told of the magic, self-filling milk pail of St. Bridgid of Kildare, of how St. Fillan, after his ox was killed by a wolf, was able to compel the same wolf to pull a cart full of materials for building a church, and how St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. â€Å"Aye,† said Thalia, â€Å"and snakes have been grateful ever since. But let me apprise you of the most wondrous miracle of how St. Cinnamon drove the Mazdas out of Swinden.† â€Å"I've never heard of St. Cinnamon,† said I. â€Å"Well, that is because these nuns at Dog Snogging are base and not worthy to know such things, and why you must never share what you learn here with them lest they become overwhelmed and succumb to an ague.† â€Å"An ague of over-piety?† â€Å"Aye, lad, and you will be the one to have killed them.† â€Å"Oh, I would never want to do that.† â€Å"Of course you wouldn't. Did you know, in Portugal they canonize a saint by actually shooting him out of a cannon?† And so it went, day in, day out, week in, week out, trading secrets and lies with Thalia. You might think that it was cruel of her to spend her only time in contact with the outside world telling lies to a little boy, but then, the first story that Mother Basil had told me was about a talking snake who gave tainted fruit to naked people, and the bishop had made her an abbess. All along what Thalia was teaching me was how to entertain her. How to share a moment in story and laughter – how you could become close to someone, even when separated from them by a stone wall. Once a month for the first two years the bishop came from York to check on the anchoress, and she would seem to lose her spirit for a day, as if he were skimming it off and taking it away, but soon she would recover and our routine of chat and laughter would go on. After a few years the bishop stopped coming, and I was afraid to ask Mother Basil why, lest it be a reminder and the dour prelate resume his spirit-sucking sojourns. The longer the anchoress was in her chamber, the more she delighted in my conveying the most mundane details from the outside. â€Å"Tell me of the weather today, Pocket. Tell me of the sky, and don't skip a single cloud.† â€Å"Well, the sky looked like someone was catapulting giant sheep into the frosty eye of God.† â€Å"Fucking winter. Crows against the sky?† â€Å"Aye, Thalia, like a vandal with quill and ink set loose to randomly punctuate the very dome of day.† â€Å"Ah, well spoken, love, completely incoherent imagery.† â€Å"Thank you, mistress.† While about my chores and studies I tried to take note of every detail and construct metaphors in my head so I might paint word pictures for my anchoress, who depended on me to be her light and color. My days seemed to begin at four when I came to Thalia's chamber, and end at five, when the bell rang for vespers. Everything before was in preparation for that hour, and everything after, until sleep, was in sweet remembrance. The anchoress taught me how to sing – not just the hymns and chants I had been singing from the time I was little, but the romantic songs of the troubadours. With simple, patient instruction, she taught me how to dance, juggle, and perform acrobatics, and all by verbal description – not once in those years had I laid eyes on the anchoress, or seen more than her partial profile at the arrow loop. I grew older and fuzz sprouted on my cheek – my voice broke, making me sound as if a small goose was trapped in my gullet, honking for her supper. The nuns at Dog Snogging started to take notice of me as something other than their pet, for many were sent to the abbey when they were no older than I. They would flirt and ask me for a song, a poem, a story, the more bawdy the better, and the anchoress had taught me many of those. Where she had learned them, she would never say. â€Å"Were you an entertainer before you became a nun?† â€Å"No, Pocket. And I am not a nun.† â€Å"But, perhaps your father – â€Å" â€Å"No, my father was not a nun either.† â€Å"I mean, was he an entertainer?† â€Å"Sweet Pocket, you mustn't ask about my life before I came here. What I am now, I have always been, and everything I am is here with you.† â€Å"Sweet Thalia,† said I. â€Å"That is a fiery flagon of dragon toss.† â€Å"Isn't it, though?† â€Å"You're grinning, aren't you?† She held the candle close to the arrow loop, illuminating her wry smile. I laughed, and reached through the cross to touch her cheek. She sighed, took my hand and pressed it hard against her lips, then, in an instant, she had pushed my hand away and moved out of the light. â€Å"Don't hide,† said I. â€Å"Please don't hide.† â€Å"Fat lot of choice I have about whether I hide or not. I live in a bloody tomb.† I didn't know what to say. Never before had she complained about her choice to become the anchoress of Dog Snogging, even if other expressions of her faith seemed – well – abstract. â€Å"I mean don't hide from me. Let me see you.† â€Å"You want to see? You want to see?† I nodded. â€Å"Give me your candles.† She had me hand four lit candles through the arrow loop. Whenever I performed for her she had me set them in holders around the outer chamber so she could see me dance, or juggle, or do acrobatics, but never had she asked for more than one candle in her own chamber. She placed the candles around her chamber and for the first time I could see the stone pallet where she slept on a mattress of straw, her meager possessions laid out on a heavy table, and Thalia, standing there in a tattered linen frock. â€Å"Look,† she said. She pulled her frock over her head and dropped it on the floor. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She looked younger than I had imagined, thin, but womanly – her face was that of a mischievous Madonna, as if carved by a sculptor inspired more by desire than the divine. Her hair was long and the color of buckskin, catching the candlelight as if a single ray of sunlight might make it explode in golden fire. I felt a heat rise in my face, and another kind of rise in my trousers. I was excited and confused and ashamed all at once, and I turned my back on the arrow loop and cried out. â€Å"No!† Suddenly, she was right behind me, and I felt her hand on my shoulder, then rubbing my neck. â€Å"Pocket. Sweet Pocket, don't. It's all right.† â€Å"I feel like the Devil and the Virgin are doing battle in my body. I didn't know you were like that.† â€Å"Like a woman, you mean?† Her hand was warm and steady, kneading the muscles in my shoulder through the cross in the wall and I leaned into it. I wanted to turn and look, I wanted to run out of the chamber, I wanted to be asleep, or just waking – ashamed that the Devil had visited me in the night with a damp dream of temptation. â€Å"You know me, Pocket. I'm your friend.† â€Å"But you are the anchoress.† â€Å"I'm Thalia, your friend, who loves you. Turn around, Pocket.† And I did. â€Å"Give me your hand,† said she. And I did. She put it on her body, and she put her hands on mine, and pressed against the cold stone. Through the cross in the wall, I discovered a new universe – of Thalia's body, of my body, of love, of passion, of escape – and it was a damn sight better than bloody chants and juggling. When the bell rang for vespers we fell away from the cross, spent and gasping, and we began to laugh. Oh, and I had chipped a tooth. â€Å"One for the Devil, then, love?† said Thalia. When I arrived with the anchoress's supper the next afternoon she was waiting with her face pressed nearly through the center of the arrow cross – she looked like one of the angel-faced gargoyles that flanked the main doors of Dog Snogging, except they always seemed to be weeping and she was grinning. â€Å"So, didn't go to confession today, did you?† I shuddered. â€Å"No, mum, I worked in the scriptorium most of the day.† â€Å"Pocket, I think I would prefer you not call me mum, if it's not too much to ask. Given the new level of our friendship it seems – oh, I don't know – unsavory.† â€Å"Yes, m – uh – mistress.† â€Å"Mistress I can work with. Now, pass me my supper and see if you can fit your face in the opening the way that I have.† Thalia's cheekbones were wedged in the arrow loop, which was little wider than my hand. â€Å"Doesn't that hurt?† I'd been finding abrasions on my arms and various bits all day from our adventure the night before. â€Å"It's not the flaying of St. Bart, but, yes, it stings a bit. You can't confess what we did, or what we do, love? You know that, right?† â€Å"Then am I going to have to go to hell?† â€Å"Well – † She pulled back, rolled her eyes as if searching the ceiling for an answer. † – not alone. Give us our supper, lad, and get your face in the loop, I have something to teach you.† And so it went for weeks and months. I went from being a mediocre acrobat to a talented contortionist, and Thalia seemed to regain some of the life that I had thought sure she'd lost. She was not holy in the sense that the priests and nuns taught, but she was full of spirit and a different kind of reverence. More concerned with this life, this moment, than an eternity beyond the reach of the cross in the wall. I adored her, and I wanted her to be out of the chamber, in the world, with me, and I began to plan her escape. But I was but a boy, and she was bloody barking, so it was not meant to be. â€Å"I've stolen a chisel from a mason who passed by on his way to work on the minster at York. It will take some time, but if you work on a single stone, you might escape in summer.† â€Å"You are my escape, Pocket. The only escape I can ever allow myself.† â€Å"But we could run off, be together.† â€Å"That would be smashing, except I can't leave. So, hop up and get your tackle in the cross. Thalia's a special treat for you.† I never seemed to make my point once my tackle went in the cross. Distracted, I was. But I learned, and while I was forbidden confession – and to tell the truth, I didn't feel that badly about it – I began to share what I had learned. â€Å"Thalia, I must confess to you, I have told Sister Nikki about the little man in the boat.† â€Å"Really? Told her or showed her?† â€Å"Well, showed her, I reckon. But she seems a bit thick. She kept making me show her over and over – asked me to meet her in the cloisters to show her again after vespers tonight.† â€Å"Ah, the joy of being slow. Still, it's a sin to be selfish with one's knowledge.† â€Å"That's what I thought,† said I, relieved. â€Å"And speaking of the little man in the boat, I believe there is one on this side of the loop who has been naughty and requires a thorough tongue-lashing.† â€Å"Aye, mistress,† said I, wedging my cheeks into the arrow loop. â€Å"Present the rascal for punishment.† And so it went. I was the only person I knew who had calluses on his cheekbones, but I had also developed the arms and grip of a blacksmith from suspending myself with my fingertips wedged between the great stones to extend my bits through the arrow loop. And thus I hung, spread spiderlike across the wall, my business being tended to, frantic and friendly, by the anchoress, when the bishop entered the antechamber. (The bishop entered the antechamber? The bishop entered the antechamber? At this point you're going coy on us, euphemizing about parts and positions when you've already confessed to mutual violation with a holy woman through a bloody arrow slot? Well, no.) The actual sodding Bishop of Bloody York entered the sodding antechamber with Mother sodding Basil, who bore a brace of sodding storm lanterns. And so I let go. Unfortunately, Thalia did not. It appeared that her grip, too, had been strengthened by our encounters on the wall. â€Å"What the hell are you doing, Pocket?† said the anchoress. â€Å"What are you doing?† asked Mother Basil. I hung there, more or less suspended to the wall by three points, one of them not covered by shoes. â€Å"Ahhhhhhhhh!† said I. I was finding it somewhat difficult to think. â€Å"Give us a little slack, lad,† said Thalia. â€Å"This is meant to be more of a dance, not a tug-of-war.† â€Å"The bishop is out here,† said I. She laughed. â€Å"Well, tell him to get in the queue and I'll tend to him when we're finished.† â€Å"No, Thalia, he's really out here.† â€Å"Oh toss,† said she, releasing my knob. I fell to the floor and quickly rolled onto my stomach. Thalia's face was at the arrow loop. â€Å"Evening, your grace.† A big grin there. â€Å"Fancy a spot of stony bonking before vespers?† The bishop turned so quickly his miter went half-past on his head. â€Å"Hang him,† he said. He snatched one of Mother Basil's lanterns and walked out of the chamber. â€Å"Bloody brown bread you serve tastes like goat scrotum!† Thalia called after. â€Å"A lady deserves finer fare!† â€Å"Thalia, please,† I said. â€Å"Not a comment on you, Pocket. Your serving style is lovely, but the bread is rubbish.† Then to Mother Basil. â€Å"Don't blame the boy, Reverend Mother, he's a love.† Mother Basil grabbed me by the ear and dragged me out of the chamber. â€Å"You're a love, Pocket,† said the anchoress. Mother Basil locked me in a closet in her chambers, then mid-way through the night, opened the door and handed in a crust of bread and a chamber pot. â€Å"Stay here until the bishop is on his way in the morning, and if anyone asks, you've been hung.† â€Å"Yes, Reverend Mother,† said I. She came to get me the next morning and hustled me out through the chapel. I'd never seen her so distraught. â€Å"You've been like a son to me, Pocket,† she said, fussing about me, strapping a satchel and other bits of kit on me. â€Å"So it's going to pain me to send you off.† â€Å"But, Reverend Mother – â€Å" â€Å"Hush, lad. We'll take you to the barn, hang you in front of a few farmers, then you're off to the south to meet up with a group of mummers[21] who will take you in.† â€Å"Beggin' pardon, mum, but if I'm hung, what will mummers do with me, a puppet show?† â€Å"I'll not really hang you, just make it look good. We have to, lad, the bishop ordered it.† â€Å"Since when does the bishop order nuns to hang people?† â€Å"Since you shagged the anchoress, Pocket.† At the mention of her I broke away from Mother Basil, ran through the abbey, down the old corridor and into the antechamber. The arrow cross was gone, completely bricked up and mortared in. â€Å"Thalia! Thalia!† I called. I screamed and beat the stones until my fists bled, but not a sound came from the other side of the wall. Ever. The sisters pulled me away, tied my hands, and took me to the barn where I was hanged.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Analyse The Ethics Of Dark Tourism Tourism Essays

Analyse The Ethics Of Dark Tourism Tourism Essays Analyse The Ethics Of Dark Tourism Tourism Essay Analyse The Ethics Of Dark Tourism Tourism Essay The Anne Frank Organisation ( 2006 ) states that in 2004, 936,000 visitants visited the house that used to be Anne Frank s, a Judaic miss who among other Jews were murdered in the clip of Hitler s fascism. Among this timeframe, Auschwitz, a concentration cantonment based in Poland which became a symbol of race murder, yearly receives 750,000 visitants ( Yuill, 2003 ) coming near to the one-year 900,000 visitants to Dachau ( Lippard, 1999 ) . All these sites and many more which are similar, are what are called sites for dark touristry ( Lennon and Foley, 2000 ) , besides known as Thanatourism ( Seaton, 1996 cited in Ryan et Al, 2005 ) and Black Spots ( Rojek, 1997 ) . This signifier of touristry is what Seaton ( 1999 ) defines as sites and attractive forces that are associated with deceases, Acts of the Apostless of force, scenes of decease and offenses against humanity. With the popularity of this signifier of touristry turning within the horror touristry market ( Tunbridge and Ashworth, 1996 ) , the ethical issues environing it will necessitate to be questioned. With the consumers and suppliers taking portion in this growing of dark touristry, both their potentially contrasting ethical positions towards dark touristry may be different. Whereas a suppliers agencies of continuing history is to bear down people to keep its upkeep, the consumers may see it as money doing strategy in the disbursal of the asleep lives of the site. Whereas the suppliers agencies of allowing people know its history is through reading of vulgar images, may look unethically unsavory for consumers. Therefore, utilizing Stone ( 2006 ) s shades of darkness spectrum as a tool for mensurating different degrees of dark touristry sites, these two chief issues will be critically examined in deepness, and in both the consumers and suppliers point of positions to farther underst and the ethical quandary of dark touristry. Dark touristry has frequently raised ethical arguments about the ways in which leisure and pleasance are assorted with calamity ( Kempa and Strange, 2003 ) , as many people think some sites for dark touristry is excessively sensitive to show it for the universe to see. However, although this may be the instance, it really varies depending on the shade the site is providing. This has been supported by Stone ( 2006 ) in which he believes that non all dark touristry sites and its supplies have the same grade of darkness and moralss. Stone ( 2006 ) believes that each site and what it supplies has its ain grade of darkness, and depending on its standards ; it can be placed on what he refers as a darkest-lightest spectrum. On one side of the spectrum is what he termed lightest side of dark touristry. Sites belonging to this side of the spectrum tend to be to the full commercial suppliers such as the London Dungeon, which Stone ( 2006 ) besides term Dark Fun Factories , as its chief purpose may be more fiscal than educational. Stone ( 2006 ) further explains that although sites belonging to this side of the graduated table will be associated with decease and agony, it is non OF decease and agony. Therefore, sites at this lightest side will most probably be purposeful and amusement based, with a lower grade of moralss environing it. However, on the other terminal of the spectrum are the darkest side of the spectrum, in which its standard s are wholly the antonym of those on the lighter side. Stone ( 2006 ) explains that sites on the darkest side will be sites of decease and agony and its orientation will be to educate. Examples of these darker sites are which Wight ( 2005 ) category as primary sites, such as holocaust cantonments to sites of famous person deceases, as sites on this side of the graduated table will be seen as reliable and non purposeful, taking to a higher grade of ethical issues environing the sites at this side of the graduated table. One of these ethical issues is the impression of whether consumers should be charged to come in a site of decease and with so much history. In novitiates and consumers eyes, it could be seen every bit unethical as they may see it as a agency for suppliers to do net incomes in the disbursal of the asleep lives and history. Although this may be the instance on sites within the lighter shadiness of the spectrum as it may be strictly commercial, it is non ever the instance within the darker sites. Sites from the darker shade such as Auschwitz, the Gallipoli Anzac ( Slade, 2003 ) and Robben Island prison ( Shackley, 2001 ) are usually sites which are old and need continuous up maintaining and staff. With this uninterrupted care, sites will necessitate money to be able to go on to run its site and its historical contents. However, this besides leads to the issue of how much. If a site charges merely plenty to afford the care, so it may look just and ethical to make so. For illustration, harmonizing to Shackley ( 2001 ) , the prison in Robben Island which Dann ( 1998 ) elaborates as a Dungeon of Death attractive force, employs local people as tour ushers, and their mean hebdomadal pay is ?10, which is the same sum as the entryway fees. However, if the entryway fees were to duplicate, it will so be seen as net income devising, therefore, unethical as it is money doing in disbursal of the yesteryear. By bear downing its consumers, it may besides be a agency of commanding how many consumers enter the site, as mass ingestion of the site may take to consider sanctification and loss of original individuality of the site. Strange and Kempa ( 2003 ) agrees with this and farther provinces that the commodification of history for mass ingestion often leads to the trivialization of the site, and in bend causes deliberate sanctification of its history, every bit good as the loss of original intent of why the site was built. An illustration of this occurrence is shown in the site of Machu Picchu. Johnston ( 2006 ) explains how of all time since Machu Picchu was named a World Heritage Site in 1983, over 500,000 visitants started sing the site every twelvemonth, and to forestall calculated sanctification, an entryway fee of $ 20 was put up. This in bend non merely did non restrict the figure of foreign consumers from sing, but besides pushed the local people out of its ain heritage site as they could non afford the entryway fees. Johnston ( 2006 ) continues to explicate that this has contributed to the mass replacing of autochthonal people with tourers around the site, doing sanctification and trivialisation of the site, as the original civilization of Machu Picchu was gone. Despite all the motivations that the suppliers have for bear downing its consumers, its clearly shown that it needs to be managed expeditiously in order for it to work. Consumers who are devouring the merchandise as experience and integrating ( Ryan et al, 2005 ) may hold with the impression of bear downing as it may experience like they are giving back to the deceased lives and the history of the site. Lippard ( 1999 ) explains this as guilt stumbling in which consumers of this typologies may experience guilty of what happened in the past and may desire to lend towards the history in order to feed their scruples. Consumers devouring as experience and integrating ( Ryan et al, 2005 ) may be more sentimental than consumers that are devouring as drama ( Ryan et al, 2005 ) , as the typology of drama consumers will come from a Psychocentric ( Novelli et al, 2005 ) background in which they may see often to lighter sunglassess of dark touristry sites but seldom to sites of a darker shadiness. Elaborating from this, it could be possible that consumers devouring as drama may non be used to the dark history of the sites and may be shocked of its contents a nd backgrounds environing the darker sites, therefore, may welcome the sanctification of the sites but non the impression of bear downing. Frequent occurrences of this emotion tend to go on in what Ryan et Al ( 2005 ) called Grey touristry supply, in which Ryan et Al ( 2005 ) explains this theory as consumers with low, or no involvement and cognition in decease and calamity visits an intended dark touristry site. In this state of affairs, a consumer may non be cognizant of the dark historical contents of the site as they would non hold old cognitions due to its deficiency of involvement, but upon geting to the intended site and cognizing its Gore inside informations, they may immediately be repulsed and shocked. However, this is rare as Seaton ( 1999 ) believes that dark touristry is consumer demand instead than attractive force demand, explicating that if it was non from the high involvements and demand from the audience, there will non be the dark sector of touristry. To some extent, Seaton ( 1999 ) may be right and that the chief ground for the being of dark touristry could be from the high demands for dark touristry. However, for this to go on, the presentation of the sites may besides be blamed for the high popularity of dark touristry. This is because Walter et Al ( 1995 ) explains that even when consumers are interested in decease and calamities, for calamities to be given a existent significance, it needs to hold a context by account, and sometimes through the personal narratives of those people who has been caught up in it. This has been antecedently mentioned utilizing an illustration from one of the darker sites of Robben Island. Shackley ( 2001 ) states that the prison site in Robben Island located in South Africa, employs antique captives that used to be held at that place. These antique captives are now moving as circuit ushers for its consumers, repeatedly stating each group of consumers their ain personal experience of when they were held in the cells. Shackley ( 2001 ) continues to explicate that the emotional public assistance of the ushers had non been considered and many of the ushers felt obliged to go on with its employment due to miss of employment elsewhere. Although Walter et Al ( 1995 ) did explicate that consumers are interested in personal narrative relation, but ethically, should narratives every bit sensitive as this be told repeatedly and personally from the ain oral cavities of the ex captives? This may non merely be ethically incorrect, but besides morally incorrect. Blom ( 2000 ) agrees with this and states that reading every bit personal as this should be interpreted though engineering such as information points within the sites. However, despite this, suppliers within the darker sites may non see it in the same manner. Suppliers could reason that employees such as ex captives are acquiring paid and that they decide to be employed in this occupation function voluntarily. Suppliers could besid es reason that narrative stating from the oral cavities of people who have been caught up within the history of the sites are more dependable and executable than engineering. This may be because narratives that will be told from person who has really experienced and been at that place, may infact cut down the hyperbole of the contents of the history and narratives, every bit good as being less biased than if engineering was to state it. By construing utilizing engineering, there could be a high opportunity that the information recorded into the engineering is from person with no dealingss to the site, therefore, gives consumers incorrect information. Besides, this method of circuit ushers for reading may really foster profit both the suppliers and consumers, as if the consumers had to inquire a inquiry about the site and its history, it can be answered instantly by the circuit ushers, detaining the clip in which the consumers may organize its ain replies and opinions about the site. The positions of the darker site suppliers in using tour ushers may besides be the same for the positions for suppliers of the lighter shadiness of dark touristry, as it may be required and expected by consumers to hold person to steer through the igniter sites, e.g. the merriment mills ( Stone, 2006 ) . However, an deduction that can originate from this is that within the lighter shadiness of dark touristry, the circuit ushers may overstate the existent history and narratives behind the site in order to pull strings the consumers attending and promote repetition concern. Manipulation of consumers attending can besides be done by the motion of original objects. For lighter sunglassess of touristry sites to make this may be accepted, as antecedently mentioned before ; Stone ( 2006 ) explains that sites of a igniter shadiness tend to advance any stuffs in order to pull concern, therefore, pulling net incomes. However, if a site of a darker shadiness decides to make this, the fortunes will alter and it will go unethically incorrect. For illustration, Wight ( 2005 ) states that in Auschwitz, the celebrated signage that read Work will put you free was moved from its original place to a location near the terminal of the circuit to make a high point for consumers to make a controversial decision to the experience. This can be a signifier of use as Carnegie ( 2006 ) states that some sites do deliberately travel objects in order to construe the shows to incorporate cardinal, recognizable, emotional and generic truths to the local audiences. This raises an et hical quandary, as although suppliers may see nil incorrect with this as controversial decision may go forth its consumers experiencing the hurting and calamities of the past, but the moralss of this makes it unjust and inauthentic for its consumers. The chief intent in why consumers visit topographic points of dark touristry in the first topographic point is because they may desire to see the existent truth behind the sites first manus, and therefore travelled to the site to acquire this experience. However, when suppliers moves objects around to assist excite consumers heads, it is made unreal as it is non how the history says it was, but how the suppliers want it to be. By traveling objects, spots of history gets moved every bit good, and as clip moves on and cipher moves it back to its original topographic point, the beginning and spots of history of it are disregarded, therefore the calculated sanctification of some sites and the motion of sites within the shadiness spectrum. The phenomenon of dark touristry is a hard and delicate field to understand, but one facet of it that is most understood is that it is progressively turning in popularity, with 1000s of consumers flocking worldwide to see these sites of calamity. However, the moralss of sing sensitive sites such as these are besides turning, as inquiries such as whether to demo or non to demo, and whether to bear down or non to bear down are frequently questioned in both the suppliers and consumers point of positions. To demo these sites of calamities may do development of local people every bit good as calculated sanctification of the sites and its history, but to non to demo, our history may be denied to us. By understanding the ethicalities of dark touristry, it will assist in continuing its history and sites, so that it can so be better managed and better preserved and presented for the hereafter. This in bend reduces the hazard of development of the sites and the manner different typologies of consumers think. However, ethical issues do non halt at the evidences of the consumers and its suppliers, the sensitiveness of the circuit ushers are besides needed to be explored. As discussed antecedently, tour ushers such as ex captives are sometimes obliged to live over their experience repeatedly in order for consumers to cognize the history. Although this may be one of the effectual methods of stating history, it is of import to see the public assistance of these circuits ushers, as the insistent relation of their ain experience may in turn contribute to farther unethical quandary. Therefore, possibly to eventually reason on the moralss of dark touristry, it may be possible to province that ethical issues will ever go on to be around dark touristry, as long dark touristry itself exists excessively. However, the importance of the consideration of the ethicalities of dark touristry can non be understated, and both consumers and suppliers may desire to work together, if in the hereafter, we still would wish to cognize about our history through the signifier of touristry alternatively through text editions and instruction.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Mona Lisa essays

Mona Lisa essays Set on a canvas of Poplar Wood, Mona Lisa is said to be the most famous and mystifying painting Leonardo da Vinci ever painted. Leonardo began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503, and is said to have carried it with him throughout his travels, working and reworking it for over four years. Only upon his death did he part with his painting, leaving it with a close friend. He is also credited with inventing the style of painting known as Sfumato, an Italian word when literally translated means, vanished or evaporated. Sfumato is a technique characterized by indistinct contours that lends a hazy or smoky appearance to the image, and is often used to create an illusion of distance similar to atmospheric perspective. We can readily see this depicted in the soft fusing of tone on tone, specifically, around her eyes and mouth. Up to this time, the idea of a three-dimensional reality on a two-dimensional surface had never been accomplished. In Da Vincis Mona Lisa, this idea is realized and he has captured three-dimensional space and form that is extremely advanced for his time. Many think Mona Lisa is actually Lisa di Antonio Maria di Noldo Gherardini, the wife of Nobleman Francesco di Bartolommeo di Zanobi del Giocondo, who personally requested Leonardo to paint her. Others simply believe that she is the culmination of all womanhood, as defined by Leonardos imagination. Although there are many theories about the Mona Lisa, especially her elusive smile, one theory in particular is worth notable mention. Dr. Margaret Livingstone, a Harvard Neuroscientist and authority on visual processing, first began studying the painting at the request of a colleague. Upon staring at the picture, she noticed a kind of flickering quality. Her theory is based on how the human visual system is designed...especially how the eye and brain deal with different levels of c ...

Sunday, October 20, 2019

How to Write an Abstract for a Scientific Paper

How to Write an Abstract for a Scientific Paper If youre preparing a research paper or grant proposal, youll need to know how to write an abstract. Heres a look at what an abstract is and how to write one. Abstract An abstract is a concise summary of an experiment or research project. It should be brief typically under 200 words. The purpose of the abstract is to summarize the research paper by stating the purpose of the research, the experimental method, the findings, and the conclusions. How to Write an Abstract The format youll use for the abstract depends on its purpose. If youre writing for a specific publication or a class assignment, youll probably need to follow specific guidelines. If there isnt a required format, youll need to choose from one of two possible types of abstracts. Informational Abstracts An informational abstract is a type of abstract used to communicate an experiment or lab report. An informational abstract is like a mini-paper. Its length ranges from a paragraph to 1 to 2 pages, depending on the scope of the report. Aim for less than 10% the length of the full report.Summarize all aspects of the report, including purpose, method, results, conclusions, and recommendations. There are no graphs, charts, tables, or images in an abstract. Similarly, an abstract does not include a bibliography or references.Highlight important discoveries or anomalies. Its okay if the experiment did not go as planned and necessary to state the outcome in the abstract. Here is a good format to follow, in order, when writing an informational abstract. Each section is a sentence or two long: Motivation or Purpose: State why the subject is important or why anyone should care about the experiment and its results.Problem: State the hypothesis of the experiment or describe the problem you are trying to solve.Method: How did you test the hypothesis or try to solve the problem?Results: What was the outcome of the study? Did you support or reject a hypothesis? Did you solve a problem? How close were the results to what you expected? State-specific numbers.Conclusions: What is the significance of your findings? Do the results lead to an increase in knowledge, a solution that may be applied to other problems, etc.? Need examples? The abstracts at PubMed.gov (National Institutes of Health database) are informational abstracts. A random example is this abstract on the effect of coffee consumption on Acute Coronary Syndrome. Descriptive Abstracts A descriptive abstract is an extremely brief description of the contents of a report. Its purpose is to tell the reader what to expect from the full paper. A descriptive abstract is very short, typically less than 100 words.Tells the reader what the report contains, but doesnt go into detail.It briefly summarizes the purpose and experimental method, but not the results or conclusions. Basically, say why and how the study was made, but dont go into findings.   Tips for Writing a Good Abstract Write the paper before writing the abstract. You might be tempted to start with the abstract since it comes between the title page and the paper, but its much easier to summarize a paper or report after it has been completed.Write in the third person. Replace phrases like I found or we examined with phrases like it was determined or this paper provides or the investigators found.Write the abstract and then pare it down to meet the word limit. In some cases, a long abstract will result in automatic rejection for publication or a grade!Think of keywords and phrases a person looking for your work might use or enter into a search engine. Include those words in your abstract. Even if the paper wont be published, this is a good habit to develop.All information in the abstract must be covered in the body of the paper. Dont put a fact in the abstract that isnt described in the report.Proof-read the abstract for typos, spelling mistakes, and punctuation errors.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Characteristics of Servant Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Characteristics of Servant Leadership - Essay Example This essay would describe the leaders’ attitudes and values and the leaders’ behaviors and actions that have been observed. Further, the areas Jack Welch focused on that demonstrated how he served employees, other stakeholders, community and society would be identified. Likewise, the impact that these behaviors and actions in these areas of service had on the organization, in terms of its performance and its contribution to the greater good, would also be proffered. Finally, the four values for the personal leadership model (honesty and integrity, open communication, accountability, and perseverance would be defined. One observable leadership behavior which this value is likely to enable would ultimately be identified. According to Byrne (1998, par. 12), â€Å"No one, not Microsofts (MSFT) William H. Gates III or Intels (INTC) Andrew S. Grove, not Walt Disneys (DIS) Michael D. Eisner or Berkshire Hathaways (BKR.A) Warren E. Buffett, not even the late Coca-Cola (KO) chieftain Roberto C. Goizueta or the late Wal-Mart (WMT) founder Sam Walton has created more shareholder value than Jack Welch.† He has a charismatic personality, â€Å"coupled with an unbridled passion for winning the game of business and a keen attention to details† (Byrne, 1998, par. 16). He demanded an informal structure where the traditional chain of command was violated; enforced an open communication at all times encompassing all levels; and regularly and frequently interrelated with all personnel regardless of ranks. He has great faith in people’s creativity and believes in the value of surprise. As emphasized, â€Å"there are no bounds to human creativity. The idea flow from the human spirit is absolutely unlimited, Welch declares. All you have to do is tap into that well. I dont like to use the word efficiency. Its creativity. Its a belief that every person counts.† (Byrne, 1998, par. 31) Concurrent with his philosophy of enforcing

Friday, October 18, 2019

Planning for Evaluation Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Planning for Evaluation - Term Paper Example In the context of my planed change, stakeholders include patients, physicians, nurses, local community, government organizations, and non-governmental organizations that may fund the planned change program. This will be followed by allocation of available resources, for instance human resource or nurses, according to the immediate and most pressing needs of the organization. The fourth step will include formulation of questions to assess the outcomes(Holden et al, 2009) followed by an assessment of whether the specified objectives have been attained through analyzing stakeholders feedback in relation to levels of satisfaction, number of readmissions, and consideration of the amount of time patients are spending on queues. In terms of the timeline, data collection will be a continuous process running for 3 months, starting from May 15th, 2015 to August 15th 2015. Three months would allow assessment whether the approach to resource allocation and focus on stakeholders perspectives have achieved the projected level of outcomes. To encourage refreezing in relation to my planned change, I would ensure consistency in terms of practicing the newly adopted strategies and secondly, allow time for the new approach to conducting activities and processes to be diffused within the organization (Laureate Education, 2013e). In terms of the insights I have gained, focus on stakeholders way of thinking and interpretation of the program is essential in comprehending the ultimate results of the program (Sridharan and Nakaima, 2010). Holden, D. J., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2009). Evaluation planning here and now. In D. J. Holden & M. A. Zimmerman (Eds.), A practical guide to program evaluation planning: Theory and case examples [Sage

The influence of senior management involvement on the effectiveness of Essay

The influence of senior management involvement on the effectiveness of management training in selected Saudi Arabia (KSA) SMEs - Essay Example pany programs in order to ensure a higher level of success for the organization as a whole, as well as develop the attitudes and behaviours of the staff members (Alliger et al., 1997). However, previous researchers have only focused on the process of achieving organizational success, without emphasizing on the participation levels of the employees, let alone the participation and involvement of the senior management. This study is of significance because first and foremost, the labour force in Saudi Arabia is comprised of 55 percent of small and medium enterprises (or SMEs). What is even more significant is that for such companies, the involvement of senior managers in development activities and programs is more as compared to larger companies and companies in the public sector. However, due to the company’s size, organizational structures and developmental programs are not as formal as they should be, hence the need for senior management intervention (Storrey, 2004). This stu dy has shown that there are a number of benefits to be achieved from a higher level of involvement of senior managers in training programs. According to Mazzorol (2003), when employees observe the active participation of their managers, they are more empowered and motivated to be open to change. At the same time, the managers themselves are also able to have the opportunity to communicate more with their subordinates and gain feedback which would be beneficial for the company’s overall development. Isaac et al. (2001) further states that by being involved, senior managers have the chance to encourage and motivate their employees to improve their attitudes and behaviours with regards to work and accomplishing tasks. One problem with training programs is that there is a risk that the trainees will not learn anything. When this happens, the company would have wasted its finances, time and effort in order to implement such programs. Thus, by being actively involved in these progr ams, managers

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Present situation analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Present situation analysis - Assignment Example The demand for aged care services is driven by strength of health facilities in a country. It has been evaluated that by the year 2026, demand for aged care services is to go up by 12000 to 20000 citizens (Grant Thorton, 2010). This is triggered by the expected rise in population by 20% between 2006 and 2026 (Grant Thorton, 2010). It has been estimated that population above the age of 65 shall go up to 944000 from 512000, showing a rise of about 84% (Grant Thorton, 2010). Such massive increment in aged population shall require a commensurate rise on the supply side and it is estimated that by 2026, there shall be a requirement of about 78-110% in aged care services in New Zealand (Grant Thorton, 2010). In the present scenario, aged care services generate insufficient revenues to support the projected infrastructure demand. The financial returns have been highly subsidized and there is a huge demand for increasing the existing facilities to build new capacities and replace outdated stock. The paper is aimed at making a comprehensive analysis of the present situation and future scope of the aged care service sector in New Zealand. It makes a service profile analysis, an environmental study and a Budget analysis to present a view of the current situation of aged care division in the country. The future strategies and models of care are devised on the basis of such analysis of dismal situation of older population care in the country. New Zealand is in need of a large scale revolution in the aged care division. The sector was highly unregulated with presence of untrained workforce in the division. The aged population needs a plan for individualised care, instead of the residential care model that had been followed until presently. The demand for residential care has as a result gone down. The aim of aged care in New Zealand is to lower usage of institutionalised care and move forward to expand alternatives in development

The latest 4G communications development Research Paper

The latest 4G communications development - Research Paper Example Additionally, the 4G data transfer systems make it simple for employees to contribute in a video conference by making use of a small cell phone in the areas, or to tune in to high-quality data and information streaming video by using a mobile device. In this scenario, special networks are designed for 4G communication systems to operate flawlessly with accessible networks and offer worldwide roaming. In addition, an inactive user is able to get speed of 1 gigabits per second (Gbps) for downloading data and information through 4G communication systems (Renshaw; Turban, Leidner and McLean). Moreover, some of the well known standards for the 4G technology based systems are 802.20, HSDPA, WiMAX (802.16), UMTS, TDD UMTS and future editions of UMTS and proprietary networks from Navini Networks, Array Comm. Inc., In this scenario, Flarion Technologies is also deploying 4G technology based systems in China, India and Japan. In addition, the technology based design on which 4G technologies wi ll be based in known as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). Additionally, it is the main enabler of 4G technologies. In addition, some of the innovative and technological features of 4G include adaptive processing and elegant antennas, as well as both of them will be utilized in 3G networks and improve rates when utilized with OFDM (Tank; Wang and Katz). Moreover, at the present 3G networks yet transmit their data digitally above a single data transmission, while OFDM is designed to move information and data through the hundreds of parallel data transmission streams, as a result growing the extent of data and information that could be transmitted simultaneously through traditional CDMA communication networks (Tank; Wang and Katz). Furthermore, 4G technologies offer numerous advantages including higher bandwidth and quick response time. In fact, this technology offers 10 times quicker response time as compared to 3G. In addition, it is able to operate at 2.6GHz frequen cy that improves the network coverage even it makes use of the same tower where data and information is being received and transmitted for 3G. This technology also takes less time to build 4G for the reason that it makes use of the same tower and fiber-cables which are used by 3Gs however they simply have to enhance the towers by means of 4G components (Answers Corporation). In this scenario, the image given below offers a detailed description of the 4G technology. It demonstrates a detailed overview of the technology working and operations: Figure 1- 4G Technology: Source: http://www.m-indya.com/shownews.php?newsid=2248 AT&T Mobility LLC is a subsidiary of AT&T that is currently offering wireless support and services to more than 100.7 million users and subscribers in the US, Puerto Rico and other U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, AT&T Mobility has now turned out to be a one of the biggest wireless telecommunication suppliers in the US after Verizon Wireless that currently has more than 107.7 million clients. Additionally, AT&T Mobility is located in the Lenox Park region of DeKalb Co. Georgia, immediately outside the Atlanta (Ibrahim; Wikipedia). In this scenario, T-Mobile has established the policy to encourage its myTouch 4G device that makes use of HSPA+ network, because

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Research Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Research Design - Essay Example In order to effectively carry out the rigorous inquiry, we need to have a proper research design in place which will ensure that there is organized inquiry of this information. A good research design will assist the research to carry out an inquiry in the most organized manner. It will help to collect the most valid data and analyze it in a way that it supports the claims of the research. (Ktichin and Tate, 2005) A research design is the most important tool in any research which aids in the data collection procedure. A research design represent the organized manner in which the research will select is samples, collect data and analyze it. Research design is the main engine which drives the research and which determines the validity of the data collected and analyzed. Therefore it is the most important tool that will act as the guideline for carrying out the research process. (Clifford and valentine, 2003) Any research must employ a good research design in order to effectively carry out the data collection process. There are some key elements that are used to assess the effectiveness of the research design. The following are some of the important elements that mark a good research design; (Punch, 2006) A research is usually set out in order to carry out a systematic inquiry into a problem. A research does not start from nowhere but it starts from a point. This means that there has to be a problem or an issue that is to be clearly researched or that will be looked into. A research question is important as it determine the overall direction that the research will take. The research question should be framed such that it will lead to the discovery of new knowledge. (Punch, 2006) This means that are research topic must be new and likely to add to the existing body of knowledge. It has to be narrowed down in order to address a specific area. It has to be backed by enough literature which means that there has to be wide research on the topic before deciding to research on it. The research topic must be original and relevant to the subject of stud. In this case it has to be a geographical issue. There should be considerations on the practicability of carrying out a research on the specif ic topic as far as elements of time, cost, equipment, expertise, and others are concerned. The review of the literature will help you to identify the research gap and identification of the research topic to be carried out. It will also help you to identify the best method that can be used to carry out the research so as not to repeat the failed methods that may have been applied before and to choose the best method that may have been used before. (Parson and Knight, 2005) The nature of the design A research design should be so casual. This means that it must employ scientific means of inquires and follow all the required procedures. In this case

The latest 4G communications development Research Paper

The latest 4G communications development - Research Paper Example Additionally, the 4G data transfer systems make it simple for employees to contribute in a video conference by making use of a small cell phone in the areas, or to tune in to high-quality data and information streaming video by using a mobile device. In this scenario, special networks are designed for 4G communication systems to operate flawlessly with accessible networks and offer worldwide roaming. In addition, an inactive user is able to get speed of 1 gigabits per second (Gbps) for downloading data and information through 4G communication systems (Renshaw; Turban, Leidner and McLean). Moreover, some of the well known standards for the 4G technology based systems are 802.20, HSDPA, WiMAX (802.16), UMTS, TDD UMTS and future editions of UMTS and proprietary networks from Navini Networks, Array Comm. Inc., In this scenario, Flarion Technologies is also deploying 4G technology based systems in China, India and Japan. In addition, the technology based design on which 4G technologies wi ll be based in known as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). Additionally, it is the main enabler of 4G technologies. In addition, some of the innovative and technological features of 4G include adaptive processing and elegant antennas, as well as both of them will be utilized in 3G networks and improve rates when utilized with OFDM (Tank; Wang and Katz). Moreover, at the present 3G networks yet transmit their data digitally above a single data transmission, while OFDM is designed to move information and data through the hundreds of parallel data transmission streams, as a result growing the extent of data and information that could be transmitted simultaneously through traditional CDMA communication networks (Tank; Wang and Katz). Furthermore, 4G technologies offer numerous advantages including higher bandwidth and quick response time. In fact, this technology offers 10 times quicker response time as compared to 3G. In addition, it is able to operate at 2.6GHz frequen cy that improves the network coverage even it makes use of the same tower where data and information is being received and transmitted for 3G. This technology also takes less time to build 4G for the reason that it makes use of the same tower and fiber-cables which are used by 3Gs however they simply have to enhance the towers by means of 4G components (Answers Corporation). In this scenario, the image given below offers a detailed description of the 4G technology. It demonstrates a detailed overview of the technology working and operations: Figure 1- 4G Technology: Source: http://www.m-indya.com/shownews.php?newsid=2248 AT&T Mobility LLC is a subsidiary of AT&T that is currently offering wireless support and services to more than 100.7 million users and subscribers in the US, Puerto Rico and other U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, AT&T Mobility has now turned out to be a one of the biggest wireless telecommunication suppliers in the US after Verizon Wireless that currently has more than 107.7 million clients. Additionally, AT&T Mobility is located in the Lenox Park region of DeKalb Co. Georgia, immediately outside the Atlanta (Ibrahim; Wikipedia). In this scenario, T-Mobile has established the policy to encourage its myTouch 4G device that makes use of HSPA+ network, because

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Harlem Renaissance Essay Example for Free

Harlem Renaissance Essay I. Introduction The Atlantic slave trade caused the large movement of Africans across different parts of the world largely in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. This African Diaspora brought about eleven million of black people in the New World (P. Larson. â€Å"Reconsidering Trauma, Identity, and the African Diaspora: Enslavement and Historical Memory in Nineteenth-Century Highland Madagascar†). The descendants of those that were brought in the Americas, chiefly those in the United States working as slaves in the south, later experienced another diaspora: moving from the south to the north to escape the hardships brought about by intense racial discrimination. A large portion had settled in the city of Harlem, New York City which opened up a surge of excellent creative works done by blacks and became in vogue for some time. This period came to be known as the Harlem Renaissance, also variously known as the New Negro Movement, or the New Negro Renaissance. This was a period of outstanding creativity expressed in visual arts, writings, and music during this large movement of black population, wherein the African-American Diaspora has moved into larger cities. It changed the character of black American artworks, from conventional imitations of white artists to sophisticated explorations and expressions of black life and culture that revealed and stimulated a new confidence and racial pride. The movement centered in the vast black ghetto of Harlem, in New York City, thus the name of the movement. Harlem became the place of gathering for aspiring black artists, writers, and musicians, sharing their experiences and providing mutual encouragement for one another. The term Harlem â€Å"Renaissance† is a misnomer. If measured by quantity alone, it was more a birth than a â€Å"rebirth†, for never before had so many black Americans produced so much literary, artistic, and scholarly material at the same time. If measured by quality, however, it was actually a continuum, the quickening of a lively stream fed earlier by the important works of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, novelist and short story writer Charles W. Chestnutt, poet and novelist Hames Weldon Johnson and the essays of Du Bois. The Harlem Renaissance created a significant breakthrough, wherein it marked the first time wherein literary and artistic works done by African Americans gained in national attention and interest. Doors of opportunities were opened for such works to be publicized and presented to the general public, which before were not possible. Although its main achievement is found primarily in literature, it also bore the great African-American works in politics and other creative mediums such as visual art, music, and theater that explored different aspects of black American life (R. Twombly. â€Å"Harlem Renaissance†). II. Background and Discussion During the early part of the 1900s, Black Nationalism and racial consciousness began to emerge particularly during the 1920’s. One key factor that helped this development was the surfacing of the black middle class, which in turn were brought about by the increasing number of educated blacks who had found employment opportunities and a certain degree of economic advancement after the American Civil War (â€Å"Harlem Renaissance†). During World War I, thousands of black people left the depressed rural South for jobs in northern defense plants. Known as the Great Migration, more African Americans established themselves in cities such as Harlem, in New York City. They were socially conscious, and became a center of political and cultural development of the black Americans. This population created racial tensions over housings and employment that resulted in increased black militancy about rights, including vigorous agitation by the national Association for the Advancement of colored People (NAACP) and other civil rights organizations. Foremost for this black movement’s agenda, which was expressed in various mediums, is to clamor for racial equality. Championing the cause were black intellectuals W.E. B. Du Bois and Alain Locke. White responses to these developments were both negative and positive. The Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups reached their peak of northern popularity during the 1920’s. At the same time unprecedented white interest in racial maters created a large audience for black authors who began to settle in the district of New York City known as Harlem. Like other black ghettoes, Harlem was a new, untapped source of themes and materials, which partially accounts for its popularity among artists and intellectuals, but unlike other ghettoes it was a newly constructed, fashionable, residential section. Functioning as a kind of black mecca, Harlem’s excellent housing, its prestige, excitement, and cosmopolitan flavor, attracted a black middle class from which sprang its artistic and literary set. A. General Characteristics Not all works during this movement is militant in nature. However, participants and contributors in the Renaissance were intensely race-conscious, proud of their heritage of being black, and much in love with their community. Most of them, some more subtly than others, criticized racial exploitation. Partly as a tribute to their achievements and partly as a reflection of their racial self-awareness, the Renaissance members were collectively called â€Å"New Negroes†, also indicating that they had replaced the (largely white created) literary image of the comic, pathetic plantation Negro with the proud, busy, independent black man of the northern city. The â€Å"New Negroes† were generally integrationists, optimistically interpreting their own individual successes as harbingers of improvement in race relations. Acceptance from Harpers, Harcourt, Brace, Viking, Boni Livewright, Knopf, and other front-line publishers began coming through quick succession, boosting more optimism among African-American contributors of the Harlem Renaissance. Rather than depicting a new movement of style, the art during the Harlem Renaissance is united by their common aspiration of depicting and expressing in artistic form the African-American psyche and life. Common characteristics can be found among such works such as the birth of racial pride among black Americans. This called for tracing its roots and origin by taking attention and interest to the life of blacks primarily in Africa and South America. Also, such strong social and racial consciousness brought a strong desire for equality in the American society, both socially and politically. But one of the most common and significant characteristic of the Harlem Renaissance was the abundant production of a variety of creative expressions. Diversity was the main distinctive quality, brought about by an experimental spirit of the movement such as in music which ranged from blues, jazz, to orchestra music. B. Primary Artist of the Harlem Renaissance:   Aaron Douglas (1898-1979) The celebrated artist of the Harlem Renaissance was Aaron Douglas, who chose to depict the New Negro Movement through African images which bore â€Å"primitive† techniques: paintings in geometric shapes, flat, and rugged edges. In his works, Douglas wanted the viewers to know and recognize the African-American identity. As such, Aaron Douglas is often referred to as the â€Å"Father of African American Art†. Born in Topeka, Kansas, Douglas was able to finish his B.A degree. Moving to Harlem in 1925, Aaron immediately set to work, creating illustrations for prominent magazines of the Harlem Renaissance. Douglas was influenced in his modernist style under the tutelage of German artist Winold Reiss, a style which marked most of his celebrated works and incorporating both African and Egyptian strokes of illustration and design. It was Reis who encouraged Douglas to take African design into his works which became his trademark (â€Å"The Harlem Renaissance: Aaron Douglas†). Such manner of African â€Å"primitive† style caught the attention of the main proponents of the Harlem Renaissance, namely W.E.B. Dubois and Alain Locke who found Douglas’ works as an appropriate embodiment of the African-American heritage. They were encouraging young artists to depict their African legacy through their artworks. Even though at a time when DuBois stilled considered Henry Tanner more important, Douglas has fairly established a reputation as the leading visual artist of his time. Harlem Renaissance painters are united by the desire to promote and portray the life and condition of blacks, particularly African-Americans. However, at this point the similarity ends. Harlem Renaissance artworks are as varied in style as the artists themselves. Although like Douglas, most painters of this period received formal trainings and as such, their style and strokes are no different from other non-black artists. What only separate the artists of the Harlem Renaissance from others are their themes and subjects. III. Conclusion A. Ending and Significance As a conclusion, one of the strengths of the Harlem Renaissance was also a serious weakness. Because they were dependent on white patrons and viewers for popularity, black artists were not fully free to explore the mechanisms that perpetrated racial injustice, nor could they propose solutions unacceptable to whites. Furthermore, when the Great Depression dominated American life during the 1930’s, the whites, who had been the bulk of the Renaissance audience, concentrated on economics and politics, oblivious to black American suffering. American arts and letters took up new themes, and although the best artists continued to work, they ultimately lost popularity. The Great Depression drove many black artists to scatter; and were mostly forced to leave New York or to take other jobs to tide them over the hard times. Creativity was drowned by necessity. Nevertheless, despite its many weaknesses and disadvantages, the Harlem Renaissance was a milestone in black American culture and the basis for later achievements.