Prejudice and Racism - Color or Character? Essay -- Sociology Racism P

Color or Character? On TV and in magazines, you seldom see a dark-skinned black person. Our culture is still being led to believe that having lighter skin somehow makes you a better person. Black people with lighter skin get treated better; I believe this discrepancy stems from the days of slavery. In general, dark-skinned blacks labored in the fields while light-skinned blacks worked indoors. Slave owners and even slaves gave lighter-skinned blacks more respect. This segregation of shades within the same race is a serious problem. Colorism has always been an issue for the black community. In the past, some black social clubs and societies only allowed those who had light skin. "People say that in the early days at Spelman College (an historically black women' s college) young women were not admitted if they were darker than a paper bag," said one graduate. Today, colorism is reinforced by black children having white G.I. Joes and Barbie dolls with blond hair and blue eyes. It is also strengthened by the absence of dark-skinned...

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 38-41

CHAPTER 38 Sophie scrutinized Langdon in the back of the taxi. He's joking. â€Å"The Holy Grail?† Langdon nodded, his expression serious. â€Å"Holy Grail is the literal meaning of Sangreal. The phrase derives from the French Sangraal, which evolved to Sangreal, and was eventually split into two words, San Greal.† Holy Grail.Sophie was surprised she had not spotted the linguistic ties immediately. Even so, Langdon's claim still made no sense to her. â€Å"I thought the Holy Grail was a cup.You just told me the Sangreal is a collection of documents that reveals some dark secret.† â€Å"Yes, but the Sangreal documents are only half of the Holy Grail treasure. They are buried with the Grail itself†¦ and reveal its true meaning. The documents gave the Knights Templar so much power because the pages revealed the true nature of the Grail.† The true nature of the Grail? Sophie felt even more lost now. The Holy Grail, she had thought, was the cup that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper and with which Joseph of Arimathea later caught His blood at the crucifixion. â€Å"The Holy Grail is the Cup of Christ,† she said. â€Å"How much simpler could it be?† â€Å"Sophie,† Langdon whispered, leaning toward her now,† according to the Priory of Sion, the Holy Grail is not a cup at all. They claim the Grail legend – that of a chalice – is actually an ingeniously conceived allegory. That is, that the Grail story uses the chalice as a metaphor for something else, something far more powerful.† He paused. â€Å"Something that fits perfectly with everything your grandfather has been trying to tell us tonight, including all his symbologic references to the sacred feminine.† Still unsure, Sophie sensed in Langdon's patient smile that he empathized with her confusion, and yet his eyes remained earnest. â€Å"But if the Holy Grail is not a cup,† she asked,† what is it?† Langdon had known this question was coming, and yet he still felt uncertain exactly how to tell her. If he did not present the answer in the proper historical background, Sophie would be left with a vacant air of bewilderment – the exact expression Langdon had seen on his own editor's face a few months ago after Langdon handed him a draft of the manuscript he was working on. â€Å"This manuscript claims what?† his editor had choked, setting down his wineglass and staring across his half-eaten power lunch. â€Å"You can't be serious.† â€Å"Serious enough to have spent a year researching it.† Prominent New York editor Jonas Faukman tugged nervously at his goatee. Faukman no doubt had heard some wild book ideas in his illustrious career, but this one seemed to have left the man flabbergasted. â€Å"Robert,† Faukman finally said,† don't get me wrong. I love your work, and we've had a great run together. But if I agree to publish an idea like this, I'll have people picketing outside my office for months. Besides, it will kill your reputation. You're a Harvard historian, for God's sake, not a pop schlockmeister looking for a quick buck. Where could you possibly find enough credible evidence to support a theory like this?† With a quiet smile Langdon pulled a piece of paper from the pocket of his tweed coat and handed it to Faukman. The page listed a bibliography of over fifty titles – books by well-known historians, some contemporary, some centuries old – many of them academic bestsellers. All the book titles suggested the same premise Langdon had just proposed. As Faukman read down the list, he looked like a man who had just discovered the earth was actually flat. â€Å"I know some of these authors. They're†¦ real historians!† Langdon grinned. â€Å"As you can see, Jonas, this is not only my theory. It's been around for a long time. I'm simply building on it. No book has yet explored the legend of the Holy Grail from a symbologic angle. The iconographic evidence I'm finding to support the theory is, well, staggeringly persuasive.† Faukman was still staring at the list. â€Å"My God, one of these books was written by Sir Leigh Teabing – a British Royal Historian.† â€Å"Teabing has spent much of his life studying the Holy Grail. I've met with him. He was actually a big part of my inspiration. He's a believer, Jonas, along with all of the others on that list.† â€Å"You're telling me all of these historians actually believe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Faukman swallowed, apparently unable to say the words. Langdon grinned again. â€Å"The Holy Grail is arguably the most sought-after treasure in human history. The Grail has spawned legends, wars, and lifelong quests. Does it make sense that it is merely a cup? If so, then certainly other relics should generate similar or greater interest – the Crown of Thorns, the True Cross of the Crucifixion, the Titulus – and yet, they do not. Throughout history, the Holy Grail has been the most special.† Langdon grinned. â€Å"Now you know why.† Faukman was still shaking his head. â€Å"But with all these books written about it, why isn't this theory more widely known?† â€Å"These books can't possibly compete with centuries of established history, especially when that history is endorsed by the ultimate bestseller of all time.† Faukman's eyes went wide. â€Å"Don't tell me Harry Potter is actually about the Holy Grail.† â€Å"I was referring to the Bible.† Faukman cringed. â€Å"I knew that.† â€Å"Laissez-le!† Sophie's shouts cut the air inside the taxi. â€Å"Put it down!† Langdon jumped as Sophie leaned forward over the seat and yelled at the taxi driver. Langdon could see the driver was clutching his radio mouthpiece and speaking into it. Sophie turned now and plunged her hand into the pocket of Langdon's tweed jacket. Before Langdon knew what had happened, she had yanked out the pistol, swung it around, and was pressing it to the back of the driver's head. The driver instantly dropped his radio, raising his one free hand overhead. â€Å"Sophie!† Langdon choked. â€Å"What the hell – â€Å" â€Å"Arretez!† Sophie commanded the driver. Trembling, the driver obeyed, stopping the car and putting it in park. It was then that Langdon heard the metallic voice of the taxi company's dispatcher coming from the dashboard. â€Å"†¦ qui s'appette Agent Sophie Neveu†¦Ã¢â‚¬  the radio crackled. â€Å"Et un Americain, Robert Langdon†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Langdon's muscles turned rigid. They found us already?†Descendez,†Sophie demanded. The trembling driver kept his arms over his head as he got out of his taxi and took several steps backward. Sophie had rolled down her window and now aimed the gun outside at the bewildered cabbie. â€Å"Robert,† she said quietly, â€Å"take the wheel. You're driving.† Langdon was not about to argue with a woman wielding a gun. He climbed out of the car and jumped back in behind the wheel. The driver was yelling curses, his arms still raised over his head. â€Å"Robert,† Sophie said from the back seat,† I trust you've seen enough of our magic forest?† He nodded. Plenty. â€Å"Good. Drive us out of here.† Langdon looked down at the car's controls and hesitated. Shit.He groped for the stick shift and clutch. â€Å"Sophie? Maybe you – â€Å" â€Å"Go!† she yelled. Outside, several hookers were walking over to see what was going on. One woman was placing a call on her cell phone. Langdon depressed the clutch and jostled the stick into what he hoped was first gear. He touched the accelerator, testing the gas. Langdon popped the clutch. The tires howled as the taxi leapt forward, fishtailing wildly and sending the gathering crowd diving for cover. The woman with the cell phone leapt into the woods, only narrowly avoiding being run down. â€Å"Doucement!† Sophie said, as the car lurched down the road. â€Å"What are you doing?† â€Å"I tried to warn you,† he shouted over the sound of gnashing gears. â€Å"I drive an automatic!† CHAPTER 39 Although the spartan room in the brownstone on Rue La Bruyere had witnessed a lot of suffering, Silas doubted anything could match the anguish now gripping his pale body. I was deceived.Everything is lost. Silas had been tricked. The brothers had lied, choosing death instead of revealing their true secret. Silas did not have the strength to call the Teacher. Not only had Silas killed the only four people who knew where the keystone was hidden, he had killed a nun inside Saint-Sulpice. She was working against God! She scorned the work of Opus Dei! A crime of impulse, the woman's death complicated matters greatly. Bishop Aringarosa had placed the phone call that got Silas into Saint-Sulpice; what would the abbe think when he discovered the nun was dead? Although Silas had placed her back in her bed, the wound on her head was obvious. Silas had attempted to replace the broken tiles in the floor, but that damage too was obvious. They would know someone had been there. Silas had planned to hide within Opus Dei when his task here was complete. Bishop Aringarosawill protect me.Silas could imagine no more blissful existence than a life of meditation and prayer deep within the walls of Opus Dei's headquarters in New York City. He would never again set foot outside. Everything he needed was within that sanctuary. Nobody will miss me.Unfortunately, Silas knew, a prominent man like Bishop Aringarosa could not disappear so easily. I have endangered the bishop.Silas gazed blankly at the floor and pondered taking his own life. After all, it had been Aringarosa who gave Silas life in the first place†¦ in that small rectory in Spain, educating him, giving him purpose. â€Å"My friend,† Aringarosa had told him,† you were born an albino. Do not let others shame you for this. Do you not understand how special this makes you? Were you not aware that Noah himself was an albino?† â€Å"Noah of the Ark?† Silas had never heard this. Aringarosa was smiling. â€Å"Indeed, Noah of the Ark. An albino. Like you, he had skin white like an angel. Consider this. Noah saved all of life on the planet. You are destined for great things, Silas. The Lord has freed you for a reason. You have your calling. The Lord needs your help to do His work.† Over time, Silas learned to see himself in a new light. I am pure.White.Beautiful.Like an angel. At the moment, though, in his room at the residence hall, it was his father's disappointed voice that whispered to him from the past. Tu es un desastre. Un spectre. Kneeling on the wooden floor, Silas prayed for forgiveness. Then, stripping off his robe, he reached again for the Discipline. CHAPTER 40 Struggling with the gear shift, Langdon managed to maneuver the hijacked taxi to the far side of the Bois de Boulogne while stalling only twice. Unfortunately, the inherent humor in the situation was overshadowed by the taxi dispatcher repeatedly hailing their cab over the radio. â€Å"Voiture cinq-six-trois. Ou etes-vous? Repondez!† When Langdon reached the exit of the park, he swallowed his machismo and jammed on the brakes. â€Å"You'd better drive.† Sophie looked relieved as she jumped behind the wheel. Within seconds she had the car humming smoothly westward along Allee de Longchamp, leaving the Garden of Earthly Delights behind. â€Å"Which way is Rue Haxo?† Langdon asked, watching Sophie edge the speedometer over a hundred kilometers an hour. Sophie's eyes remained focused on the road. â€Å"The cab driver said it's adjacent to the Roland Garros tennis stadium. I know that area.† Langdon pulled the heavy key from his pocket again, feeling the weight in his palm. He sensed it was an object of enormous consequence. Quite possibly the key to his own freedom. Earlier, while telling Sophie about the Knights Templar, Langdon had realized that this key, in addition to having the Priory seal embossed on it, possessed a more subtle tie to the Priory of Sion. The equal-armed cruciform was symbolic of balance and harmony but also of the Knights Templar. Everyone had seen the paintings of Knights Templar wearing white tunics emblazoned with red equal-armed crosses. Granted, the arms of the Templar cross were slightly flared at the ends, but they were still of equal length. A square cross. Just like the one on this key. Langdon felt his imagination starting to run wild as he fantasized about what they might find. The Holy Grail.He almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of it. The Grail was believed to be somewhere in England, buried in a hidden chamber beneath one of the many Templar churches, where it had been hidden since at least 1500. The era of Grand Master Da Vinci. The Priory, in order to keep their powerful documents safe, had been forced to move them many times in the early centuries. Historians now suspected as many as six different Grail relocations since its arrival in Europe from Jerusalem. The last Grail† sighting† had been in 1447 when numerous eyewitnesses described a fire that had broken out and almost engulfed the documents before they were carried to safety in four huge chests that each required six men to carry. After that, nobody claimed to see the Grail ever again. All that remained were occasional whisperings that it was hidden in Great Britain, the land of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Wherever it was, two important facts remained: Leonardo knew where the Grail resided during his lifetime.That hiding place had probably not changed to this day. For this reason, Grail enthusiasts still pored over Da Vinci's art and diaries in hopes of unearthing a hidden clue as to the Grail's current location. Some claimed the mountainous backdrop in Madonnaof the Rocks matched the topography of a series of cave-ridden hills in Scotland. Others insisted that the suspicious placement of disciples in The Last Supper was some kind of code. Still others claimed that X rays of the Mona Lisa revealed she originally had been painted wearing a lapis lazuli pendant of Isis – a detail Da Vinci purportedly later decided to paint over. Langdon had never seen any evidence of the pendant, nor could he imagine how it could possibly reveal the Holy Grail, and yet Grail aficionados still discussed it ad nauseum on Internet bulletin boards and worldwide-web chat rooms. Everyone loves a conspiracy. And the conspiracies kept coming. Most recently, of course, had been the earthshaking discovery that Da Vinci's famed Adoration of the Magi was hiding a dark secret beneath its layers of paint. Italian art diagnostician Maurizio Seracini had unveiled the unsettling truth, which the New York Times Magazine carried prominently in a story titled† The Leonardo Cover-Up.† Seracini had revealed beyond any doubt that while the Adoration's gray-green sketched underdrawing was indeed Da Vinci's work, the painting itself was not. The truth was that some anonymous painter had filled in Da Vinci's sketch like a paint-by-numbers years after Da Vinci's death. Far more troubling, however, was what lay beneath the impostor's paint. Photographs taken with infrared reflectography and X ray suggested that this rogue painter, while filling in Da Vinci's sketched study, had made suspicious departures from the underdrawing†¦ as if to subvert Da Vinci's true intention. Whatever the true nature of the underdrawing, it had yet to be made public. Even so, embarrassed officials at Florence's Uffizi Gallery immediately banished the painting to a warehouse across the street. Visitors at the gallery's Leonardo Room now found a misleading and unapologetic plaque where the Adoration once hung. THIS WORK IS UNDERGOING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS IN PREPARATION FOR RESTORATION. In the bizarre underworld of modern Grail seekers, Leonardo Da Vinci remained the quest's great enigma. His artwork seemed bursting to tell a secret, and yet whatever it was remained hidden, perhaps beneath a layer of paint, perhaps enciphered in plain view, or perhaps nowhere at all. Maybe Da Vinci's plethora of tantalizing clues was nothing but an empty promise left behind to frustrate the curious and bring a smirk to the face of his knowing Mona Lisa. â€Å"Is it possible,† Sophie asked, drawing Langdon back,† that the key you're holding unlocks the hiding place of the Holy Grail?† Langdon's laugh sounded forced, even to him. â€Å"I really can't imagine. Besides, the Grail is believed to be hidden in the United Kingdom somewhere, not France.† He gave her the quick history. â€Å"But the Grail seems the only rational conclusion,† she insisted. â€Å"We have an extremely secure key, stamped with the Priory of Sion seal, delivered to us by a member of the Priory of Sion – a brotherhood which, you just told me, are guardians of the Holy Grail.† Langdon knew her contention was logical, and yet intuitively he could not possibly accept it. Rumors existed that the Priory had vowed someday to bring the Grail back to France to a final resting place, but certainly no historical evidence existed to suggest that this indeed had happened. Even if the Priory had managed to bring the Grail back to France, the address 24 Rue Haxo near a tennis stadium hardly sounded like a noble final resting place. â€Å"Sophie, I really don't see how this key could have anything to do with the Grail.† â€Å"Because the Grail is supposed to be in England?† â€Å"Not only that. The location of the Holy Grail is one of the best kept secrets in history. Priory members wait decades proving themselves trustworthy before being elevated to the highest echelons of the fraternity and learning where the Grail is. That secret is protected by an intricate system of compartmentalized knowledge, and although the Priory brotherhood is very large, only four members at any given time know where the Grail is hidden – the Grand Master and his three senechaux.The probability of your grandfather being one of those four top people is very slim.† My grandfather was one of them, Sophie thought, pressing down on the accelerator. She had an image stamped in her memory that confirmed her grandfather's status within the brotherhood beyond any doubt. â€Å"And even if your grandfather were in the upper echelon, he would never be allowed to reveal anything to anyone outside the brotherhood. It is inconceivable that he would bring you into the inner circle.† I've already been there, Sophie thought, picturing the ritual in the basement. She wondered if this were the moment to tell Langdon what she had witnessed that night in the Normandy chateau. For ten years now, simple shame had kept her from telling a soul. Just thinking about it, she shuddered. Sirens howled somewhere in the distance, and she felt a thickening shroud of fatigue settling over her. â€Å"There!† Langdon said, feeling excited to see the huge complex of the Roland Garros tennis stadium looming ahead. Sophie snaked her way toward the stadium. After several passes, they located the intersection of Rue Haxo and turned onto it, driving in the direction of the lower numbers. The road became more industrial, lined with businesses. We need number twenty-four, Langdon told himself, realizing he was secretly scanning the horizon for the spires of a church. Don't be ridiculous.A forgotten Templar church in this neighborhood? â€Å"There it is,† Sophie exclaimed, pointing. Langdon's eyes followed to the structure ahead. What in the world?The building was modern. A squat citadel with a giant, neon equal-armed cross emblazoned a top its facade. Beneath the cross were the words: DEPOSITORY BANK OF ZURICH Langdon was thankful not to have shared his Templar church hopes with Sophie. A career hazard of symbologists was a tendency to extract hidden meaning from situations that had none. In this case, Langdon had entirely forgotten that the peaceful, equal-armed cross had been adopted as the perfect symbol for the flag of neutral Switzerland. At least the mystery was solved. Sophie and Langdon were holding the key to a Swiss bank deposit box. CHAPTER 41 Outside Castel Gandolfo, an updraft of mountain air gushed over the top of the cliff and across the high bluff, sending a chill through Bishop Aringarosa as he stepped from the Fiat. I should haveworn more than this cassock, he thought, fighting the reflex to shiver. The last thing he needed to appear tonight was weak or fearful. The castle was dark save the windows at the very top of the building, which glowed ominously. The library, Aringarosa thought. They are awake and waiting.He ducked his head against the wind and continued on without so much as a glance toward the observatory domes. The priest who greeted him at the door looked sleepy. He was the same priest who had greeted Aringarosa five months ago, albeit tonight he did so with much less hospitality. â€Å"We were worried about you, Bishop,† the priest said, checking his watch and looking more perturbed than worried. â€Å"My apologies. Airlines are so unreliable these days.† The priest mumbled something inaudible and then said,† They are waiting upstairs. I will escort you up.† The library was a vast square room with dark wood from floor to ceiling. On all sides, towering bookcases burgeoned with volumes. The floor was amber marble with black basalt trim, a handsome reminder that this building had once been a palace. â€Å"Welcome, Bishop,† a man's voice said from across the room. Aringarosa tried to see who had spoken, but the lights were ridiculously low – much lower than they had been on his first visit, when everything was ablaze. The night of stark awakening. Tonight, these men sat in the shadows, as if they were somehow ashamed of what was about to transpire. Aringarosa entered slowly, regally even. He could see the shapes of three men at a long table on the far side of the room. The silhouette of the man in the middle was immediately recognizable – the obese Secretariat Vaticana, overlord of all legal matters within Vatican City. The other two were high-ranking Italian cardinals. Aringarosa crossed the library toward them. â€Å"My humble apologies for the hour. We're on different time zones. You must be tired.† â€Å"Not at all,† the secretariat said, his hands folded on his enormous belly. â€Å"We are grateful you have come so far. The least we can do is be awake to meet you. Can we offer you some coffee or refreshments?† â€Å"I'd prefer we don't pretend this is a social visit. I have another plane to catch. Shall we get to business?† â€Å"Of course,† the secretariat said. â€Å"You have acted more quickly than we imagined.† â€Å"Have I?† â€Å"You still have a month.† â€Å"You made your concerns known five months ago,† Aringarosa said. â€Å"Why should I wait?† â€Å"Indeed. We are very pleased with your expediency.† Aringarosa's eyes traveled the length of the long table to a large black briefcase. â€Å"Is that what I requested?† â€Å"It is.† The secretariat sounded uneasy. â€Å"Although, I must admit, we are concerned with the request. It seems quite†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Dangerous,† one of the cardinals finished. â€Å"Are you certain we cannot wire it to you somewhere? The sum is exorbitant.† Freedom is expensive. â€Å"I have no concerns for my own safety. God is with me.† The men actually looked doubtful.† The funds are exactly as I requested?† The secretariat nodded. â€Å"Large-denomination bearer bonds drawn on the Vatican Bank. Negotiable as cash anywhere in the world.† Aringarosa walked to the end of the table and opened the briefcase. Inside were two thick stacks of bonds, each embossed with the Vatican seal and the title PORTATORE, making the bonds redeemable to whoever was holding them. The secretariat looked tense. â€Å"I must say, Bishop, all of us would feel less apprehensive if these funds were in cash.† I could not lift that much cash, Aringarosa thought, closing the case. â€Å"Bonds are negotiable as cash. You said so yourself.† The cardinals exchanged uneasy looks, and finally one said,† Yes, but these bonds are traceable directly to the Vatican Bank.† Aringarosa smiled inwardly. That was precisely the reason the Teacher suggested Aringarosa get the money in Vatican Bank bonds. It served as insurance. We are all in this together now. â€Å"This is a perfectly legal transaction,† Aringarosa defended. â€Å"Opus Dei is a personal prelature of Vatican City, and His Holiness can disperse monies however he sees fit. No law has been broken here.† â€Å"True, and yet†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The secretariat leaned forward and his chair creaked under the burden. â€Å"We have no knowledge of what you intend to do with these funds, and if it is in any way illegal†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Considering what you are asking of me,† Aringarosa countered,† what I do with this money is not your concern.† There was a long silence. They know I'm right, Aringarosa thought. â€Å"Now, I imagine you have something for me to sign?† They all jumped, eagerly pushing the paper toward him, as if they wished he would simply leave. Aringarosa eyed the sheet before him. It bore the papal seal. â€Å"This is identical to the copy you sent me?† â€Å"Exactly.† Aringarosa was surprised how little emotion he felt as he signed the document. The three men present, however, seemed to sigh in relief.† Thank you, Bishop,† the secretariat said. â€Å"Your service to the Church will never be forgotten.† Aringarosa picked up the briefcase, sensing promise and authority in its weight. The four menlooked at one another for a moment as if there were something more to say, but apparently therewas not. Aringarosa turned and headed for the door. â€Å"Bishop?† one of the cardinals called out as Aringarosa reached the threshold. Aringarosa paused, turning. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"Where will you go from here?† Aringarosa sensed the query was more spiritual than geographical, and yet he had no intention of discussing morality at this hour. â€Å"Paris,† he said, and walked out the door.

13 Quotes About the Joy of Baby Girls

When you think of a baby girl, the mind conjures up images of satin ribbons, pink frilly frocks, dainty shoes, and delicate tutus. But be warned! Girls can be full of surprises, too. If you are having a baby girl, you can gain some invaluable advice from these baby girl quotes. These baby girl quotes present the perspectives of some famous personalities on the experience of raising a girl child. Here are some beautiful baby girl quotes to fill your heart with a yearning for a baby girl. Alan Marshall Beck A little girl can be sweeter (and badder) oftener than anyone else in the world. She can jitter around, and stomp, and make funny noises that frazzle your nerves, yet just when you open your mouth she stands there demure with that special look in her eyes. A girl is Innocence playing in the mud, beauty standing on its head, and Motherhood dragging a doll by the foot. Elizabeth Taylor My mother says I didnt open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked. Kate Douglas Wiggin Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever-fresh and radiant possibility. Proverb Like mother, like daughter. Lewis Carroll I am fond of children... except boys. Joseph Addison Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express. Irish Saying A son is a son till he takes him a wife, a daughter is a daughter all of her life. Phyllis Diller It would seem that something which means poverty, disorder and violence every single day should be avoided entirely, but the desire to beget children is a natural urge. Henry David Thoreau Every child begins the world again... Whitney Houston You dont have a baby based on that publicity madness. People dont live like that. Especially black people who were raised in families with morals and standards and integrity. Lawrence Housman If nature had arranged that husbands and wives should have children alternatively, there would never be more than three in a family. Ace Frehley I look at my kid, and one part of me wants to keep her as my little baby. But, yknow, the bottom line is shes 18! Harold Bloomfield One touch is worth ten thousand words.

Television and the Humanities Looking at Television...

Television and the Humanities Lisa Chandler HUMN303 DeVry College of New York Television and the Humanities Introduction Many inventions throughout history have made their mark on contemporary American society, but none so much so as television. According to Mitchell Stephens in his article entitled History of Television, â€Å"Before 1947, the number of U.S. homes with television sets could be measured in the thousands. By the late 1990’s, 98 percent of U.S. homes had at least one television set, and those sets were on for an average of more than seven hours a day.† As the quality of the image improved over the years, so have the number of televisions in American homes. According to an article in TIME magazine in 2009, â€Å"The first†¦show more content†¦TV could break the monotonous rush to formula that denoted the evolution of motion pictures and radio. The newest medium should look to the legitimate theater and the performing arts. Mindlessly mimicking radio and film would not succeed. Economically secure and better educated, the postwar consumer would have higher expectati ons for television. The second body of decision makers imagined a different audience—and a much more imitative medium. They gambled on continuity rather than change. Television’s acceptance depended on its capacity to re-create, for the small screen, entertainment that consumers had enjoyed on the radio and at their neighborhood movie theaters. In perhaps the greatest irony in the history of TV, the more creative response to the challenge of television was the less successful. By the late 1950’s, the second or more risk averse of these two groups had won the argument. (pg.3) The 60s and 70s By the 1960’s a different type of program was being watched as the audience seemed to prefer the drama and/or the comedy. Some of the very popular comedies we can all remember from this time period, and still watch today in re-runs, are the hugely successful I Love Lucy, and The Honeymooners. (Stephens, n.d.). â€Å"In the late 1970’s, three commercial networks essentially dominated the medium and gave little license to creativity† (Baughman, 2007). The 1970’s was a vibrant time for the black race onShow MoreRelatedTechnology Has Changed Our Lives1396 Words   |  6 Pagesbeings; it changed the way we understand the act of work has changed the way we interact with people. Technology is not just a computer or television, its engineering science and in science their goal is to make progress, to understand everything there is to know about us, our planet and beyond. However, the way we understand and experience this concept, it’s just there to makes o ur lives more efficient. Technology is never the end of the concept. 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Racism And The Pursuit Of Happiness Essay - 1547 Words

Throughout the history of America, racism has been a major issue. The matter of racism has created a divide amongst many Americans and that divide continues to exist to this day. The United States has always taken pride in being recognized as the melting pot of the world. Although one downfall to having so many different cultures concentrated in one area is that there is a high probability that those cultures will clash. In return, this creates conflict and prejudices towards one another. On the other hand, when these cultures are able to coexist and come together, it creates a diverse and strong population. America is said to be the land of the free and many throughout history have looked to America as a place of refuge. The draw for many outsiders is the ability to have religious freedom and the right to the pursuit of happiness. Racism by definition, â€Å"Is the belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual ac hievement, usually involving the idea that one s own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others† (Dictionary.com). In some instances there are those who are not interested in allowing foreign cultures into the country and that creates a breeding ground for racism to spread. One of the first issues regarding racism, steams from when the first white Europeans came in contact with Native Americans. The colonization of European whitesShow MoreRelatedRacism Is Not Cured Of It, And The Pursuit Of Happiness1355 Words   |  6 PagesPresident Obama said, â€Å"Racism, we are not cured of it, and it is not just a matter of it is not polite to say nigger in public. 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Soul Punk by Patrick Stump free essay sample

Patrick Stumps highly anticipated debut album Soul Punk (in stores now) is a catchy, musically remarkable work. Written, performed, produced, and funded by the man himself, its craftsmanship helps it to stand from the rest. Stump fans have been anxiously awaiting the CDs arrival since the release of his EP Truant Wave in February 2011 Soul Punk is infused with unique, hand-performed drum beats and danceable rhythms immersed in tunes telling tales about drinking to forget and wanting someone who doesnt want you back. Stump performs all instruments heard on the record including guitars, bass, synthesizers, brass, saxophones, and tricky percussion components. Every part of this record was Stumps doing. The CDs first single, This City (Remix) is a tribute to Stumps hometown of Chicago, Illinois. The track features rapper Lupe Fiasco (also hailing from Chicago), whose verse is packed with opinions of racism in the city, but despite the negatives, he still loves his hometown. We will write a custom essay sample on Soul Punk by Patrick Stump or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Lyrics are both clever and hopeful. Its gonna get better, Stump croons, voice saccharine, in the chorus to the forward-looking track Coast (Its Gonna Get Better). Songs such as Run Dry (X Heart X Fingers) and Allie, along with others, use clever wording and witty lines that accompany Stumps R;B feel and charming voice. Each song is unique, telling different stories from various points of view. Within several songs political, economic, and social views are woven into the lyrics in a way one may never think twice about (track seven, Greed, tells of corporate greed while bonus track thirteen, People Never Done A Good Thing, communicates stories about the no-good people of the world). There is something special about every track on this record. Maybe its the hope-instilling and witty lyrics, the unexpected music from the former Fall Out Boy singer (although, if you trace back to his musical idols it would only have been a matter of time), or the ties to Stumps own influences in music. In the end the effort and time put into Soul Punk are what define Patrick Stump as a musician. The fact that something conjured up in ones own mind became reality and that he didnt take any shortcuts to get there. Soul Punk embodies true brilliance and talent, each note played and every syllable sung with love and passion. And that is what sets this record from the rest.

To what extent did the Liberal Reforms (1906-1914) improve the lives of the British people Essay Example

To what extent did the Liberal Reforms (1906-1914) improve the lives of the British people Essay Prior to the Liberal Reforms between 1906 and 1914 British people in and out of poverty had had to take care of themselves. The Conservatives had been running the country for almost 20 years and many people were in desperate need of change. In 1906 the liberals were elected and were led by Campbell Bannerman, however he made little attempt to solve the problems facing Britain, with the exception of that Education (Administrative provisions) act and the Education (Provision of meals) act. A short while later Asquith became prime minister and with his appointments David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill, they began to battle against poverty and introduce effective reforms. The five most vulnerable groups in society which suffered were: the young, the old, the sick, the employed and the unemployed of Britain at the time. Children hadnt received good education and were unable to find good jobs and earn decent wages because of their poor education. They often died of malnutrition and they had very poor diets as schools rarely provided school meals and medicine to protect them. They were also extremely unclean. The only way that children could hope to stay alive was through their beggars income, which even then covered very little of the basic necessities. The old suffered as they were on fixed pensions and as the prices rose through recession their money became worthless and they couldnt afford basic necessities anymore. The old desperately needed money to keep them above the poverty line. The sick were suffering from poverty as they werent able to find decent, well paying jobs because they werent fit enough to work. We will write a custom essay sample on To what extent did the Liberal Reforms (1906-1914) improve the lives of the British people specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on To what extent did the Liberal Reforms (1906-1914) improve the lives of the British people specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on To what extent did the Liberal Reforms (1906-1914) improve the lives of the British people specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The unemployed suffered from terrible poverty as they werent able to maintain a good job, or find a new one. They never had money coming into their household and therefore never managed to keep above the poverty line. The employed managed to earn money that supplied the basic necessities however they had to endure terrible working conditions and didnt receive the money they were entitled to for the work they did. Liberal Reforms were introduced to help solve the problems facing these five different groups. The acts were successful to a certain extent as they helped to solve some problems for the British public, however they werent completely successful as there were still many problems facing the British public and thousands more people still suffered greatly from poverty at the time. Acts were introduced to aid the young, the old, the sick, the unemployed and the employed. There were three important acts introduced to aid children through recession and British poverty among the lower and working classes. Children suffered at school as they had very poor diets and were extremely unclean. Some didnt attend school, however this was solved when secondary education became compulsory, and this allowed teachers to realise for the first time just how bad poverty for children was. The first act was the Education (Provision of Meals) Act of 1906. This act saw the government providing hundreds of British schools with free school meals to try and improve childrens diets and ensure they got at least one hot meal a day, depending on the familys level of poverty. The act saw a large increase in meals, from 3 million in 1906, to 9 million in 1910, to a huge 14 million in 1914. A big supporter in the introduction of this act was Margaret Bradford who one stated feed the stomach, then the mind. This was useful information as studies showed that children who ate properly and had good diets, learned better and achieved a higher success rate, than those who suffered from poor hygiene and poor diets. The act therefore was rather successful, as childrens success rates increased, and children didnt feel forced as the act was compulsory. However it showed flaws as 50% of local authorities didnt supply school meals for free and many children still died of malnutrition. The second act introduced to benefit children was the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act of 1907 which provided free medical inspections to schools. The government disliked this act as it would reveal how unhealthy and unstable the children of society were. Compared to the United States of America, British children were much shorter and much lighter. Between 80 and 90% of children in British society suffered from rotting teeth and many contracted lice. The act was successful as the problems with children were uncovered concerning hygiene and diet. Diseases and illnesses could now be identified on children, however it was flawed as the problems would be identified but didnt always need to be treated or attended to. This was until a grant was given in 1912 to set up school clinics. However the liberals took almost 3 years to fully establish them. The third act introduced was the Childrens Act of 1908 also known as the childrens charter. This act prevented children from smoking and drinking, as well as buying cigarettes and alcohol under the age of 16, also abuse to children was forbidden and parents, now by law werent allowed to neglect their children. Juvenile courts were set up, so that young offenders werent abused in adult prisons. Young offenders were sent to borstals were they would receive a proper education in a corrective school. Once young offenders had completed their jail or borstal sentence they would be given a probation officer to help them change their ways. The act was successful as children would be safe, and would be free from abuse from adult prisons and could grasp a better idea of a better and more fulfilling life from their detention centres and borstals. However the act was unsuccessful as the children lost their begging income and slipped further into poverty. The second large group that were vulnerable to British society were the old. There was one important act introduced to aid the old through recession and British poverty among the lower and working classes. Prior to this reform the old had been one of the worst suffering groups in the British society. They had next to nothing in the way of money, and often had to reply on their families for money, but they were often of a lower class aswel and struggled greatly. Any money that the old did receive would be through pensions, and even then they would be of a minimal amount and wouldnt be enough for them to afford the basic necessities. The act introduced to ease the stress and anxiety of the old was the 1908 old age pensions act. The act had been introduced by David Lloyd George who wanted to help the old greatly as he felt it was unfair for them to suffer with the British poverty crisis. He had been a member of the Chaplin committee which showed his compassion for the old. The act was based on the German pensions scheme, which Lloyd George had been impressed by on a visit to Germany. The act had several conditions: anyone applying had to fit with these conditions before they could be granted the pension scheme benefits. The individual had to have lived in Britain for over 20 years, not been arrested for 20 years, not been drunk and convicted within the last 10 years, they werent granted any money if they had been fired from their work either, Also they had to be over the age of 70. If they qualified for the pensions act then they would receive between 1 and 5 shillings a week, but according to the poverty reports compiled by Booth and Rowntree people needed a minimum of 7 shillings a week to remain above the poverty line. It was estimated that around 500,000 people would apply to the pensions scheme, but in fact a massive 650,000 applied in 1909 and 1 million in 1914. The elderly were benefited greatly from this reform and they were very grateful towards Lloyd George and often referred to him as Lord George as they though Mr. was an understatement. He was viewed as a saint. Overall we can see that the reform introduced to aid the old though poverty was very beneficial as older people now had a longer life expectancy as they were now able to afford more of their basic necessities and were more fulfilled because of it. However, the act showed some weakness as the scheme was only granted to over 70s and terms and conditions applied, which were very harsh. So the act helped ease stress and anxiety but wasnt very successful in the long run. The third large group that were vulnerable to British society were the sick. There was one important act introduced to aid the sick through recession and British poverty among the lower and working classes. Prior to this reform the sick had been viewed as perhaps the most vulnerable group in society during the times of the poverty crisis. The sick were affected greatly as the biggest cases of illness and disease occurred within the working classes and peasants, which meant that they couldnt afford proper health care or medicine to try and help them get better. Also, as they were sick they couldnt get good well paying jobs as employers werent willing to hire a sick person and risk the rest of his employees getting sick aswel. The act introduced to aid the sick from the poverty crisis was the National Insurance Act part I of 1911. This act saw the sick receive free medical inspections and treatment which were free, which would restore them to full health and they would be able to find decent jobs and earn some money to keep them above the poverty line. Lloyd George had been impressed with the Germans methods to helping the sick, on a trip to Germany and wanted to continue a similar idea in Britain. The act was very flawed and Lloyd George admitted this himself by saying that he thought the act needed more work, but this was all the liberals could do at that time. The insurance from the sick had to be taxed from their small wages and minimal income. This made the government feel guilty for taking what little money they had left to buy into an insurance scheme. Overall we can see that the act was successful as the free medical inspections and treatment insured that they received good and accurate prescriptions and were nursed back to full health, which meant they could find jobs and earn a decent income. However the act was very flawed as the orphan and widow benefits were dropped as the government couldnt afford the insurance scheme without this extra money. Also it showed unsuccessfulness as if the sick worker was insured then this reform wouldnt benefit them at all. The fourth large group that were vulnerable to British society were the unemployed. There were two important acts introduced to aid the unemployed through recession and British poverty among the lower and working classes. Prior to the reforms the unemployed had suffered greatly. They were unable to hold down decent jobs and therefore didnt receive a proper wage. Middle classes blamed poverty among the unemployed and their inability to find work on laziness and reluctance. Two acts were introduced to try and aid the unemployed from the poverty crisis. The first of these acts was the National Insurance act part II of 1911. This act made sure that the unemployed received unemployment insurance. Workers had to pay into a state scheme at 2 1/2 d a week to be able to receive payments. Employers had to pay 2 1/2 d a week aswel. Also, the state put 3d into the scheme. This insurance scheme was aimed mostly at shipbuilders and construction workers. The unemployed only received 15 weeks of payment a year at 7 shillings a week, but this wasnt enough to keep them out of poverty. More and more people found themselves being sacked which meant they wouldnt be eligible to receive the insurance scheme money. By 1915 around 2. 3 million people were insured under this scheme. This act was successful as hundreds of unemployed people now received and were introduced into the insurance scheme despite the fact they were unemployed, which insured that had at least some cover which they could easily afford. However the act showed flaw, as they only received 15 weeks of 7 shillings a year, and this wasnt quite enough to cover the basic necessities. Also, the scheme didnt accommodate family cover which meant that if another family member was injured or needed money for something then they would have to pay the full price, which would often be very expensive, and some couldnt afford it. The second act introduced to aid the unemployed from the poverty crisis was the 1909 Labour Exchanges act. This act was very popular with the British people. It provided a more efficient method of finding jobs. Almost 3000 jobs were now available a day. In 1910 there were around 83 labours and by 1913 it had increased to a massive 430. There was also a wider range of jobs which meant that people could find jobs more suited to the skills they had. This act was successful as there were many more jobs available for the unemployed and this meant they could earn decent wages to afford the basic necessities. Overall we can see that the reforms introduced to aid the unemployed from the poverty crisis helped to a certain extent. They were successful as people now had more help and a large push to find a job and earn wages. Also, the unemployed received and were introduced into an insurance scheme which paid them money for 15 weeks in the year. However, the act was unsuccessful as the insurance scheme didnt accommodate family cover and it only paid 15 weeks a year at 7 shillings of money which wasnt enough to cover the basic necessities. Also the Labour Exchanges act only opened up jobs for some trades which were very limiting for people who didnt have many skills. The fifth large group that were vulnerable to British society were the employed. There were four important acts introduced to aid the employed through recession and British poverty among the lower and working classes. Prior to the reforms the employed had suffered largely due to the conditions that they had to endure at work; Mostly because of the long working hours and poor working conditions that they worked with. The first act to be introduced to aid the employed from the poverty crisis was the Workmens Compensation act of 1906. This act provided compensation for injuries sustained at work. There were other acts like this introduced in 1897 and 1900 which failed, which led to people believing that this act would fail aswel. However, they were proved wrong. The act was very successful as employers took a giant step to improve the conditions of the workplace so that they wouldnt have to pay out compensation to injured workers. The second act to be introduced to aid the employed from the poverty crisis was the Coal Mines act of 1908 which granted coal mine workers an 8 hour day. This act had been protested for approximately 40 years before it was introduced. This was very beneficial as before coal mine workers had had to work for long hours in very poor and enclosed conditions. Many workers often died from toxic fumes and diseases contracted within such a close proximity. The act benefited millions of workers. The third act to be introduced to aid the employed from the poverty crisis was the Trades Board act of 1908. This act hoped to define a minimum wage for those who worked in the sweated industry such as the match stick makers and match stick box makers. This act involved over 200,000 people. However the act only affected some trades. Also, it concluded that no decision was actually made to define a minimum wage, therefore proving the act was very unsuccessful. The fourth act to be introduced to aid the employed from the poverty crisis was the Shops Act of 1911. This act insured that shop workers received a half day of from work. This act also gave shop workers a lunch break so that they could eat food and try to maintain a proper diet. Overall we can see that the reforms introduced to aid the employed from the poverty crisis were quite successful with the exception of the Trades Board act, as they insured that workers were granted compensation for injuries they sustained at work which meant that employers would have to improve their companies so that they wouldnt have to pay up. Also, the reforms meant that coal miners would be granted fewer working hours and wouldnt catch terrible diseases and suffer from toxic fumes. Also shop workers didnt have to work for long hours and even got a lunch break. However, the reforms showed flaws as the acts didnt apply to all trades and the Trades Board act was completely unsuccessful at defining a minimum wage. In conclusion it can be stated that the Liberal Reforms (1906-1914) helped improve the lives of the British people to a great extent. Children were benefited as they were granted at least one hot meal a day, they received free medical inspections and were protected from abuse and secondary education was compulsory. However, the lost their beggars income and the diseased that could be identified didnt have to be treated. The old were benefited as they received good pension which would support them and give them a relaxing future. However, it was a fixed pension that didnt keep them out of poverty, as not enough money was provided. The sick were benefited as they received free medical inspections and treatment and were covered under the insurance scheme, for a low cost. However, they found it hard to find work as employers were reluctant to employ the sick incase they infected the rest of the employees. The unemployed were helped to find work with the introduction of Labour Exchanges which were very beneficial. However it was flawed as they only received 15 weeks of payment a year which didnt cover the basic necessities. The employed were benefited as their working conditions were improved and their hours as well as their wages increased cut to keep them healthier. However the conditions only applied to some trades. Therefore it is apparent that the Liberal Reforms introduced between 1906 and 1914 helped improve the lives of the British people to a great extent.