Race in america Essay

At the turn of the last century, WEB Dubois wrote, â€Å"The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line, –the relation of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea. Every study has come to the same conclusion that biologically, there are no ‘races’, yet the social construction of race as a category is alive and well today. The classification system, which radicalized different groups – typifying them according to their skin color and/or other defining features has a long history. With the advent of colonialism, racism underpinned the different and negative valuations attached to skin color. The racism of today is much more subtle and is no longer the blatant discrimination based on the color or your skin. It exists within the institutions of our society. It is the combination of government, corporate and media institutional racism that is largely responsible for the inequities of today. Unfortunately, these divisions impact the way in which we live our life and how we advance socially. Race has always been a complicated subject and is inevitable. Although we have made tremendous strides to dismantle the foundations of racism, it is clear and evident that racism still persists within the institutions of our society. I believe that America is one of greatest countries on the earth and it is a land of opportunity for everyone. The American dream is alive and well and many people of all races have had tremendous success. With these positives in place, it is no wonder why there have been so many incredible achievements by African Americans in the 21st century to include the obvious – the first black president. Over the years there has been much success in trying to dismantle discrimination against different races. By the time the modern civil rights movement arose during the mid-20th century, subjugation had prospered for nearly three hundred years. It was precisely this legalized subjugation that was the major target of the modern civil rights movement. Brown v. Board of Education was decided in 1954; Rosa Parks sat down in a Montgomery bus in 1955; the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place in 1963; and in an exhilarating five year period, three federal laws were passed-the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968-that taken together established a legal framework for racial justice. Over intense, opposition, the civil rights movement had succeeded, by 1968, in dismantling the legal structure of Jim Crow laws and replacing it with a legal structure designed to ensure equality and dismiss discrimination on all levels. Although these laws were very successful, you will still find racism within the institutions of our society. This â€Å"institutional racism† impacts every aspect of life in the 21st century from schooling to employment. It forms an invisible barrier that is hard to comprehend among all ethnic groups. Racism in our institutions can enter in every part of a person’s life and make it extremely difficult to advance socially, financially or politically. What is even worse is that racism does not just affect individuals; it affects entire communities and has an affect African American progress in the 21st century. These divisions in society create a whole cycle. If you don’t get the same job opportunities, you cannot afford the same education as some others, which lead to poor decisions because you don’t know any better. It is not because they are inferior; it is because they do not have the same opportunities because of racial prejudice. Racism is present in government bodies, private business corporations, and universities. Redlining is a clear example of how institutional racism is present in our society. The ability of Banks, mega-corporations, and major financial institutions top pick winners and losers has setup a system of vast inequality between poor black communities and the middle class. Many of these private businesses use redlining to systematically shut minorities out of business opportunities, healthy food choices and banking options. Another example of how we see race in our society today is through college admissions. One of the first things we are asked to fill out in our applications is what race we are. Affirmative action has been created that takes factors such as race, gender, religion, into consideration in order to benefit an unrepresented group in education. This policy has been taken place in order to counter the effects of past discrimination. Although this seems like a good policy to equalize educational opportunity, it can also presents controversies on how different races are treated. For example, Abigail Fisher a white Texan was denied admissions into the University of Texas while less qualified Latinos and African Americans were accepted. University of Michigan’s college applications you automatically receive 20 points out of 100 if your black. The policies presented in the institutions of our society clearly present how race discrimination is still evident in our society. Because we have been so ingrained with racial differences it is hard to escape, we need to be willing to hold equal values for everyone in order to truly see change. As another major institution in society, the media plays a critical role in racial discrimination. They provide us with definitions about who we are as a nation; they reinforce our values and norms; they give us concrete examples of what happens to those who transgress these norms; and most importantly, they perpetuate certain ways of seeing the world and peoples within that world. Racism has been evident in media for quite some time and has influenced many people. Birth of the Nation by D. W. Griffith was one of the many ways that displayed African Americans as inferior. The film featured two themes in which suggested that the KKK had been responsible for quelling the unrest in the South after the civil war, and that African Americans were the cause of all the problems in the United States. â€Å"Griffith seared images of degraded images into the minds of millions. A whole new generation of consumers of American mass media was fed the same old stereotypes of shape images of African Americans† (Lee Baker). Even as it did back then, the media still plays an important role in reinforcing our thoughts about racial inferiority. Today the Media have divided the working class and stereotyped young African-American males as gangsters or drug dealers. As a result of such treatment, the media have crushed youths’ prospects for future employment and advancement. The media have focused on the negative aspects of the black community (e. g.engaging in drug use, criminal activity, welfare abuse) while maintaining the cycle of poverty that the elite wants. Because we have been brainwashed by racism in media for so long, it has affected the way we view people today and has created divisions in our society in the 21st century. The 21st Century has brought about many attempted changes in society. There is legislation against discrimination in its many forms. Affirmative action has been used as an attempt to ensure individuals are given equal opportunity for employment, housing, and other types of advancement. Television shows have changed format and characters to seek political correctness. Nevertheless, society cleverly and subtly maintains its separate views of the races. With this the racism in the institutions in our society such as the in the media or education, makes it extremely difficult for certain people to advance in life. There will always be those who will fight for change while others resist, seeking to maintain the status quo. But overall there can still be no improvement unless many individuals work together for equality.

Organizational Competitive Strategies-Porter’s Five Forces Model (AIR ASIA) Essay

The Porter’s five forces model, in this assignment, can be used to access the competitiveness of the airlines industry. It can review the competition within the industry plus checks for threat from outside. Bargaining power of supplier-High- In every industry, there has to be someone to play the role of a supplier. It is important to know the power of the supplier as it will affect the industry. There are only two main suppliers in the airline industry, Airbus and Boeing, thus there isn’t much of an open option. Not forgetting the global economic catastrophe which has limited the new entry of competitor plus reducing the necessity of upgrading of planes in near future. However, both suppliers grant almost similar standard aircrafts; hence the switch to AirAsia is low. Furthermore, AirAsia places a bulky amount of order from Airbus in order to expand its routes internationally. Therefore, the authority of suppliers may weaken as Airbus’s profit may be influenced by Air Asia. Bargaining power of customer-High- Customers are the main factor which influences the industry to either make a loss or profit. Nowadays, customers are much more knowledgeable and comparative compared to previous. Thus, they are very sensitive to the hike and drop of prices, regardless the product or service. In this assignment, AirAsia always provides the lowest price to customers, but the act of comparing between airlines still exist. AirAsia is not the only one providing an airline service thus, for a customer to switch between airline services is simple. For example, customer may still choose MAS, Tiger Airway or even Firefly. Internal rivalry within the industry-High- In every business sector, there exist either a positive or negative tendency towards an industries rate of development. Result of a positive trend would be in companies not stealing the share market among them. Nonetheless in an airline industry, the rate of development is low by reason of the inadequate amount of consumers. Hence, AirAsia has to steal the market share from its contenders to develop and succeed further. The main key advantage is its low operating overhead, this factor enables it to be the prime in the main field in price. Nonetheless, there are many other upcoming competitors or rivals immerging into the airline industry, who have key carriers as their backbone, which may direct to an ugly price clash in the coming years. There are few other minimal cost airline services such as Firefly, Tiger Airways and etc, making them possible competitors of AirAsia. Barriers to Entry/Potential entrants-Low- there is a high barrier to emerge in the airline industry since the capital required is very high, such as the need to purchase airplanes, office buildings and hiring staffs. Hence this reduced the threat for AirAsia. Plus brand awareness is also a main leading factor. A new line of aircraft can’t make a mark so fast in the industry and it requires a lot of capital and time to build its name. Consumers always prefer a brand that has been there for an adequate amount of time, a brand that they can trust. This also reduces the threat. Not forgetting the governmental legislation also is a barrier by itself. For example, MAS has got the backing and protection by the Malaysian government on the route to Sydney and Seoul, so AirAsia finds it tough in getting a new route from the government. This reduces the profit margin able to be made by AirAsia, but also has reduced emergence of new entries. Power of Substitutes-Medium- Substitute are products or services which can replace the originals, and still able to provide almost the equivalent fulfillment to clients. In the airline industry basically, two types of substitutes are present, indirect and direct. Indirect substitute are ferry, bus and further forms of transportation except from airline, while direct substitute are the other rival airlines. Consumers usually go for those that cost less. If the trip covers a short distance and mainly connected to the peninsula then forms of transport will include train, bus or air travel. However if the trip is budgeted the preferable choice would be by bus. Moreover the development in technology has highly contributed in this matter by making ticketing and pricing of air tickets available to travelers on the internet and also allowing them to compare the rates. Even if the travelers may prefer to take a bus or train to their preferred location such as travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok, it is still an undeniable fact that air travel is much more convenient and consumes less time.

Questions 1 and 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Questions 1 and 2 - Essay Example This includes to the society, government, world, and the  community  (Peter, 1997: p.112). The foremost purpose of the development of a business is not to  attest  to these responsibilities but is the  responsibility  to itself; making profits. Other aspects of the market and non market components also  have  effect  on the  business  and are also in turn affected by the business. Issues such as the population, government regulations, environmental  conservation  and social health  responsibility  are in  effect  of this. NGOs are entities created by individuals or groups within the  society  to deal with  certain  issues in the  society  through advocating, lobbying, electoral support,  judicial  action  and coalition building. In order to deal with such issues, they may even sometimes  conform  to public and  private  politics. This is for the  business  to  correct  its issues and consumers to  attain  their r ights. Such NGOs act as watch dogs for the external components of business such as the environment and people. Through such ways as discussed above they are able to  ascertain  for the fulfillment of the responsibilities that the business has. In the conduction of this, it also acts as a check on the governments effects on the business environment that in turn affect the people. This is through actions such as  harsh  regulations and taxes. ... This includes such aspects as discussed above on environmental, societal, regulatory and employee  consideration. This has culminated the  advent  of altruistic behavior in organizations fearing tainting their image, lobbyism against them and law suits. It can so be concluded that, NGOs do play a particularly crucial role in ensuring adherence to responsibilities by corporations and organizations  thus  positive behavioral actions (Keck, 1998: p.56). 2. Regulation of HRM activities of MNCs via the introduction of Minimum Labor Standards into international agreements on free trade Multinational corporations are currently extremely emerged in the economies of the world. This has brought about the development of super powers, and this  superiority  over other  nation’s economies has its adverse effects. Issues such as  employment  creation, improved living conditions, and industrialization are some of the benefits of such international trade. On the other hand , there are adverse effects such as the  killing  of local industries, social dumping, tax evasions and illegalities within the corporations that may occur (Tarrow, 2005: p.86). As a result of these various effects, it is of the suggestion that the human resource management activities of multinational corporations should be checked through the  introduction  of minimum labor standards into the  international  free trade agreements. Through the  application  of such minimum labor standards, some of the multinational corporations that consider themselves with key investors in the  foreign  economies kept at bay. As, such they lack the opportunity to  threaten  such economies with the rights

Religion and Theology Questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Religion and Theology Questions - Assignment Example In Jainism, dharma refers to the eternal law which all of its followers must adopt thereby becoming indifferent of the material senses of the world. It promotes a sense of self-denial and nonviolence. Karma, more than being just a principle, is a way of preventing sins in Jainism (Andrea & Overfield, 2012). Karma in Jainism also acquires a physical and material exists within the soul rather than being the consequence of an action. In Buddhism, dharma refers to the law of righteousness, especially as it was taught by Buddha himself. Dharma in Buddhism characterizes that universal law of nature that spans the mundane and extra-mundane, engendering the duties of Man as realizing through meditation as did the Buddha (Andrea & Overfield, 2012). In Buddhism, Karma not merely relies on one’s actions but also on the intention behind any action. As such, Karma explains the causal relationship between the various actions and the kind of next life which leads to. While the basic concept of dharma is the same in all three traditions, Hindus understand it as a natural law that governs social relations and responsibilities. On the other hand, dharma in Buddhism refers to the teachings of Buddha as well as the mental states experienced by Man. These include all the impulses and conscious thoughts. Further, the concept of karma differs in Hinduism and Jainism whereby karma in Hinduism does not occupy an existential state within the soul whereas it occupies a material state within one’s soul in Jainism. 2. Being monotheistic religions, there is one God in all three Abrahamic religions although the concept of God differs in each of these. As noted by Neusner, Chilton & Graham (2002), Christians and Muslims rely on cumulative knowledge of God as added on by each additional scripture. Jews, however, rely on a dual knowledge of God through oral and written Torah.  

Changes in the United States after the Civil War Research Paper - 1

Changes in the United States after the Civil War - Research Paper Example The economic and social differences between the southern and northern parts of the country also contributed to the war, as the latter region was characterized by industrialization and urbanization while the former was an agrarian economy. The industrialized northern part had an advantage over the other and, thus, they won the war. The country’s rights were limited as the federal government enjoyed more power and this induced a protest against the federal government, therefore, causing the Civil War. They believed that Lincoln was anti-slavery and in favor of Northern interests. Before Lincoln was even president, seven states had seceded from the Union: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas†. The economic changes succeeding any war are found to be negative as the destruction caused by the war pull back the economic condition of a country since a huge amount of cost is involved. â€Å"The struggle to define the composition of â€Å" the people† and the republic in the new postwar and post-emancipation South was hardly settled by the American Civil War. But there was no going back. It was not just that slavery was abolished and the Confederacy destroyed, but that the slaveholders’ stunning experiment in proslavery and antidemocratic nation building was over†.Devastating economic changes were visible in both regions, but the southern part witnessed more destruction comparatively.  Mostly all the plantations in the southern region were destroyed in the war.  

Social Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Social Change - Essay Example Supply and demand for dangerous drugs is international and global. An important source of world opium, for example, is Afghanistan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is anticipating that cultivation of opium in the Northern and North-Eastern regions of Afghanistan will likely increase â€Å"strongly† this 2011. For Cocaine, an important source is Columbia and the cocaine goes through several routes by various means of transportation and through several countries before going to Europe and, of course, the United States. Some of the transnational routes for cocaine are shown in Figure 1. Drug use is not only a problem of law enforcement. Several studies confirm that it is a social problem. Several studies of the US National Institute on Drug Abuse in 1980, for example, pointed out that the drug problem arose because of social factors. On the other hand, a 1995 study of the United Nations International Drug Program indicated that the drug problem will have social consequences. Addressing the use of illegal drugs and narcotics require more than a cloak-and-dagger and police work approaches as it is a social problem in the first place. There is a need to work on both the supply and demand sides of the social problem. On the supply side, there is a need for at least five initiatives. First, there is a need to strengthen international cooperation and sharing of intelligence towards exposing and destroying the international networks engaged in illegal drugs and narcotics. This means that current efforts on the sharing intelligence must be supported. Most likely, the world has the technological capability to identify the plantations that are likely being used as the raw materials for producing drugs. This is one important piece of intelligence that must be shared worldwide. Volumes of drug transports require large ships, planes, and the like for international transport. In some of the

Individual Business Report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Individual Business Report - Assignment Example The report expounds on the description of the product and services offered by the shop and its unique selling point. The marketing mix along with the customer segmentation also gets described to explain who the shop targets and how it builds its brand awareness. Finally, the report concludes with the financial area of the business, explaining the shop’s financial plan and its credit policies. For ages certain things have not changed, some people still have issues in buying gifts, especially flowers for their girlfriends, fiancà ©es, and wives (Reid & Bojanic, 2009). But, while other things do not change, fortunately, some change like technology that makes the gift-giving process much easier. The Red White and Bloom is certain that the opportunity to use technology in making it easier for people to buy custom flower arrangements along with delivery on the days they determine in advance. Red White and Bloom is a flower shop that I started, and I am the majority owner. The company targets the executive business people in the high street in London for each upscale, Frequent Lower Gift Program and long term. The Red White and Bloom differs from other traditional florists through cultivating personal relationships by using delivery services, technology and giving the Gift program that making the buying of flowers easy. Thus, this report explains further the aims of the busine ss, its environment, product description and the market mix along with its consumer segmentation and financial area. Red White and Bloom aims at using technology to enhance the delivery program and identify along with serving the ideal target audience within the high street in London. The company uses sophisticated marketing techniques in securing a core executive business people clientele and corporate accounts along with differentiating from other traditional and online florists. The company differentiates itself through the delivery program, Frequent Flower Gift Programs, and custom