Free Essays - More than Atoms :: Personal Narrative Essays

More than Atoms That's why we write. That's why we sing. That's why we dance. That's why we paint. That's why we pray. Because we are just a group of atoms. Because we want something more. We need to create something more. There has to be something more. Watch someone pray sometime. I mean really pray. See someone with glassy eyes and parted lips clasp their hands and silently ask of their beliefs "why?" If you are truly my progeny, it will drive any prejudice the world may have given you from your heart. What you will see in that prayer filled face is humanity in its most vulnerable state. We pray because we need something to turn to, something to believe in. We need an all mighty truth that has the power to soothe our fears. Why? Because we are afraid of being on our own, we are afraid of not being saved from all the pain and suffering in this world. We are afraid that all we do, we do in vain. We want arms into which we may retreat after death. We want an explanation for our lives. And so we pray to our God, and others pray to theirs, and some call it enlightenment or nirvana, or "it." But we do it for the same reason, to nurse the same weakness. When you see religious prejudice, or any type of prejudice for that matter, know that that bigotry has no real foundation. No one knows more than anyone else. There is no proof. There is no answer key. Everyone has different beliefs, but we all have the same frailties. See that when you see someone pray, and have compassion. Have compassion for the world, the world that has condemned itself to anger and hatred. And try to rise above tolerance. Tolerance may be a virtue, but it is a condescending one. It says, "I do not accept you or like you or believe in anything you do, but I'll put up with you and be civil because I think that I am the bigger person.

A critical examination of the antecedents and efficacy of Social Services interventions for West African ‘looked after’ children in South London.

Rationale behind the Study The proposed research will investigate Social Service interventions for looked after West African children in South London. I work in an ethically diverse comprehensive school in London, and have witnessed an increase in minority ethnic looked after children in recent years. One challenging task for Social Services is to provide interventions for such children. This study aims to investigate the effect of Social Services interventions on West African looked after children, and provide suggestions why such children may be taken in to care by drawing on existing models of parenting. Furthermore, supplemented by a review of relevant published literature, it will suggest a number of factors which may account for any disproportionality in terms of gender. The final element of the research will take a critical look at how the school environment supports looked after children. Insignificant data are available on the experiences of immigrants and ethnic minorities in post-war Europe, which is referred to as a †puzzling and disturbing silence† (Myers, 2009:). Bryan (2009) exclaimed that whilst immigration has contributed to economic, social, and political changes, there is an enormous paucity of published research on the topic. The sparse literature that is available is limited to descriptive accounts of policies designed to increase integration (Myers, 2009). In the UK, such lack of research hinders our understanding of the relative importance of education for immigrants and their children. Little is known about how well immigrants and their children settle in to their new environment, let alone how effectively education meets their needs. It has been noted that the changes in policy are based on empirical evidence, and as a result, the resultant policy does not addressing the most important issue; the promotion of multi-culturalism. Sociologist Paul Gilroy commented on an urgent need to â€Å"step boldly back into the past, discover the boundaries of the postcolonial present, and enlist Europe’s largely untapped heterological and imperial histories in the urgent service of its Contemporary multicultural and its future pluralism† (Gilroy, quoted in Myers, 2009: 15). Furthermore, because of the limited research on the issues surrounding immigration, ethnic minority communities have been conceived as a social problem, to be solved via policies with the aim of integration (Myers, 2009). Bryan (2009) suggests such well intentioned but poorly conceived policies may actually perpetuate inequality. In this context, it is clear that policies and interventions must be based on a clear understanding of those they purport to support, and it is this rationale that underpins this study. Barn (2006) noted that the capacity of social workers to deliver appropriate, ethnically sensitive services which take adequate account of the circumstances of minority ethnic individuals and families remains a crucial challenge. When considering interventions delivered to West African looked after children by Social Services in the UK, the following should be considered; what are the reasons behind West African children becoming ‘looked after’ and are the interventions designed to support them effective? Guiding Research Questions Research question 1 †¢ What are the reasons a disproportionate number of children from West Africa are becoming ‘looked after’ by Social Services in the UK? Research question 2 †¢ With reference to existing models of parents, what is happening in the African communities that may contribute to this? †¢ Are any variations by gender evident, and if so, what might the reasons behind them? Research question 3What are the effects of the interventions on the welfare of the looked after children from West Africa Research question 4Are such interventions moderated by the school environment Benefits of the Research This research may be useful to a number of different stakeholders in education. From the literature review, the need for culturally sensitive research into social service interventions in school is evident. In the field of education, there has been a call for culturally sensitive interventions to help the school (senior leadership team, child protection officers, form tutors, mentors and teachers) better understand the needs of black children from West Africa and support them accordingly. Copies of the research may be used by the local council/government as a case study for further research into services provided and an opportunity to evaluate current practice and develop strategies to provide better services. The research may enable all stakeholders (social services, schools, government, and local services) to understand parents of West African origin, especially with regard to cultural beliefs, and develop strategies to work together with parents amicably on how to educate children . Finally, this research can give the government, social services, parents, and students an increased awareness of good practice and failings in the system Methods and Procedures My research is a small-scale study, focusing on looked after children from West Africa in Conisborough College. Conisborough College is a comprehensive school with a highly diverse intake. It is representative of the ethnic mix of the Lewisham borough, with a high intake of black pupils of West African origin. The sampling method chosen, which I believe is best suited for my small-scale study, is a non-probability method, such as a targeted sampling method. This method of sampling will ensure that the study is focused and well managed (Bell, 2005). The proposed study will be approached from an interpretivist, epistemological perspective conducted in three stages. Firstly, an extensive literature review, including national government reports and data, and local government (Lewisham Council) reports and data. This stage will also review social service reports and data on looked after children, reviews of at-risk children, child protection registers and analyses of online exam reports and school-tracking data. The second stage will focus on field research in the form of targeted semi-structured interviews which will be conducted at Conisborough College with learning mentors, child protection officers, school counsellors, form tutors, and head of years who support looked after children as well as two social workers and LEA child protection officers. In the broader community, pastor/community leaders of West African origin will be interviewed. The final stage of this study will collate and analyse all data and draw inferences from t he findings on future programmes in the school and community at large, in order to generate a number of recommendations.. I intend to pilot the second stage of the study to determine what works and what does not. As an amateur researcher, I will follow the procedure established by Peat et al. (2002) which will give me advance warning as whether to proceed with the research, revise the research, or abandon this section of the research altogether. My research is small scale, so the pilot study will involve one student, one learning mentor, and one head of year. Following Peat et al.’s (2002: 123) process, I will: Provide participants with a Participant Information Form and consent form, taking care to explain the purpose and process of the research. Following this, I will identify and areas regarding ethical approval not already adequately covered in the research protocol. Complete the interview schedule with each pilot respondent. Following completion I will ask respondents for feedback regarding ambiguous, sensitive or difficult questions. Transcribe and review each pilot interview fully, discarding any unnecessary, difficult, repetitive or ambiguous questions. Reorder interview items if necessary to ensure a coherent and engaging schedule. Time both the conduct and transcription of the interviews to determine whether both tasks are reasonable given the timescale of the research. Once this pilot work has been completed, I can be confident that the interview schedule(s) are fir for the purpose of this study. References Barn, R. (2006) Research and Practice Briefings: Children and Families – Improving services to meet the needs of minority ethnic children and families, DfES, http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/spsw/mrc/documents/QPB13.pdf Bryan, A. (2009). The intersectionality of nationalism and multiculturalism in the Irish curriculum: Teaching against racismRace ethnicity and education, 12(3), 297-317. Myers, P. (2009). Immigrants and ethnic minorities in the history of education. Paedagogica Historica: International Journal of the History of Education, 46(6), 801 – 816. Peat, J., Mellis, C., Williams, K. and Xuan W. (2002), Health Science Research: A Handbook of Quantitative Methods, London: Sage.

Alienation in the 21st Century Is Rife

Alienation in the 21st century is rife. Discuss For| Against| Social networking sites such as facebook, MSN etcSocial networking sites have a profound ability to easily exclude people by specifically targeting certain groups within a community or society. People can at times feel left out or easily targeted when others make unnecessary comments and many friendships or relationships can deteriorate as a result of the great influence it has on people’s social lives. People are also losing basic social skills as a result, and are becoming heavily reliant on the simple services provided by the internet to communicate basic messages. People are also lacking sympathy and empathy, slowly becoming more and more self- absorbed. This is also reiterated through the rise of commercial happiness (found through materialistic objects)Cultural alienation Alienation between people of different cultures can lead to terrorism, racial and cultural prejudice and pre-determined assumptions and stereotypes of a particular ethnic group. People can also form groups in a community which, although may bring some together, can alienate people who don’t belong to a particular culture or ethnicity. Alienation between generations Newer generations and older generations differ greatly from one another in many ways including language, values and societal morals. As a result many people may feel alienated when communicating or interacting with other people. Eg: baby boomers vs. generation YAlienation by languageAustralian colloquialism and vernacular can often exclude and alienate people of different ethnic backgrounds. Language used within different suburbs, states and age groups can alienate people. (eg: eshayz, tomozza)Religious alienationAlienation among people of different religious beliefs can lead to terrorism, prejudice, violence and feelings of exclusion. Religious gatherings such as youth groups at institutions like churches can lead to people feeling alienated. | MulticulturalismAwareness and acceptance of other cultures is more apparent within our own society, cultural relativism (not judging another culture by the standards of your own). The integration of cultures within our society through holidays, festivals, art, language, music, film, entertainment, etc has an immense impact on the community as a whole. Social networking sites such as facebook, MSN etcSocial networking sites can also bring people closer together in the way that everybody is connected to another person somehow. It is, in a sense, a virtual community. ————————————————- ————————————————- Different social classes/ statusPeople of different social classes can often be prejudiced and discriminated against which can often lead to changing values and treatment among people. FamilyDue to the prominence of work and technology, family life is often strained and relationships between members can be challenged and constricted. There is no longer a sense of belonging in families and not many people feel ‘together’ as a result. Instead technological objects seem to be consistent within family life and many seem connected to these as opposed to their fellow family members. This is largely due to the shifting times in our community. |

Chinese Cuisine Essay Example

Chinese Cuisine Essay Example Chinese Cuisine Essay Chinese Cuisine Essay Wow, What a Difference! All over the world every culture has a unique and special cuisine. Each cuisine is very different because it can range from the different tastes to the different methods of cooking the food. However Chinese cuisine and American cuisine stand out the most because they are completely different and value different things. Chinese cuisine is a very versatile type of cuisine because there are many styles of Chinese food that make up the Chinese cuisine. These styles of Chinese food originate from the many provinces in China. Like the Chinese cuisine, American cuisine is also very diverse, but most of the cuisine is a combination of many different culture’s food styles because America was the melting pot for many ethnic backgrounds. Therefore American cuisine is made up of many other culture’s cuisine. Because of these varieties, both these cuisines are able to attract a great group of people which makes them favorites of many people all over the world. In China many of the people love eating different styles of food because they offer so many different tastes. There are a total of 8 styles of culinary arts; a few are Cantonese, Szechuan, Hunan, and Zhejiang. Cantonese style comes from the Southeast Coast next to Hong Kong and the cuisine is the most popular of all because the chefs value the sweetness of their dishes. Cantonese cuisine is so popular because when Chinese immigrants came to America they introduced it to the western world. Another popular style of cuisine is Szechuan and it attracts many people with a love for spicy food. This style originated from the middle part of China, and values the use of spicy sauces and spicy pastes to create dishes that give the people’s taste buds a sensation. The next style is Hunan which originated from the East part of China, and is most known for its spicy food too. This style is very similar to the Szechuan style, but the chefs tend to use fresh and dried peppers rather than sauces. Also Hunan dishes appear to be more attractive than Szechuan style because most of the dishes are not covered in sauce and paste like the Szechuan style. Overall both of these spicy styles are equally as delicious. One last style is the Zhejiang style which comes from the East Coast of China, and known for its freshness, tenderness, softness, and crispness dishes. Because this style originated from the coast, most of the food is seafood. There are many traditions to Chinese cuisine. All the dishes are served separately either on a plate or in a bowl. Never is one’s food served all on one plate. Then there is an empty plate for you to put your food. Another tradition is that it is ideal to eat more of the dishes than rice because rice is a complimentary item during each eating course. The main utensil for eating Chinese cuisine are chopsticks, and it has many uses ranging from grabbing food to drinking soup. All in all, Chinese cuisine is very unique and something worth trying. Because America was the melting pot, American cuisine includes Latin, Asian, and European tastes. Latin styles of cooking introduced the use of beans and flour. With flour, the American cuisine produces a lot of breads and wraps. Asian cooking introduced the sweet and sour taste and rice became one of the major sources for Americans to get their daily need of whole grains. Also, Asian cuisine introduced soy and the many uses of fish. Lastly European styles of cooking introduced delicacy of luxurious pastas and desserts. Like Chinese cuisine, there are also many traditions. American cuisine is usually served on a plate with all the dishes. The utensils used are mainly a spoon, knife, and a fork to pick up and cut the food. In conclusion, American cuisine is diverse because of America being a melting pot for many cultures to combine and form this type of cuisine.

Job Options With a Masters in Business Administration

Job Options With a Masters in Business Administration What Is an MBA Degree? A Masters in Business Administration, or an MBA as it is more commonly known, is an advanced business degree that can be earned by students who have already earned a bachelors degree in business or another field. The MBA degree is one of the most prestigious and sought after degrees in the world. Earning an MBA can lead to a higher salary, a position in management, and marketability in an ever-evolving job market. Increased Earnings With an MBA Many people enroll in a Masters in Business Administration program with the hope of earning more money after graduation. Although there is no guarantee that you will make more money, an MBA salary is likely higher. However, the exact amount you earn is very dependent on the job you do and the business school you graduate from. A recent study of MBA salaries from BusinessWeek found that the median base salary for MBA grads is $105,000. Harvard Business School graduates earn an average starting salary of $134,000 while graduates of second-tier schools, such as Arizona State (Carey) or Illinois-Urbana Champaign, earn an average starting salary of $72,000. Overall, cash compensation for MBAs is significant regardless of the school from which it is received. The BusinessWeek study stated that median cash compensation over a 20-year period, for all the schools in the study, was $2.5 million.  Read more about how much you can earn with an MBA. Popular Job Options for MBA Graduates After earning a Masters in Business Administration, most grads find work in the business field. They may accept jobs with large corporations, but just as often take jobs with small or mid-size companies and non-profit organizations. Other career options include consulting positions or entrepreneurship. Popular Job Titles Popular job titles for MBAs include but are not limited to: AccountantAdvertising ExecutiveBusiness ManagerCEOCIOCorporate Communications ManagerCorporate RecruiterExecutive RecruiterFinance Officer or Financial ManagerFinancial AnalystHotel or Motel ManagerHuman Resources Director or ManagerManagement AnalystManagement ConsultantMarketing Director or ManagerMarketing Research AnalystPR SpecialistProduct Manager Working in Management MBA degrees frequently lead to upper management positions. A new grad may not start out in such a position, but certainly has the opportunity to move up the career ladder faster than non-MBA counterparts. Companies That Hire MBAs Companies in every industry around the world seek out business and management professionals with an MBA education. Every business, from tiny start-ups to large Fortune 500 companies, needs someone with experience and the necessary education to support common business processes like accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, public relations, sales, and management. To learn more about where you can work after earning a Masters in Business Administration, check out this list of the 100 top MBA employers.

Origin of the Chinese Zodiac Signs

Origin of the Chinese Zodiac Signs The well-trodden (no pun intended) story of the Chinese zodiac is cute, but a bit trite. The tale usually begins with the Jade Emperor, or Buddha, depending on the teller, who summoned all the animals of the universe for a race, or a banquet, depending on the teller. The 12 animals of the zodiac all headed to the palace. The order that they came in determined the order of the zodiac. The order is as follows: Rat: (1984, 1996, 2008, add 12 years for each subsequent year)Ox: (1985, 1997, 2009)Tiger: (1986, 1998, 2010)Rabbit: (1987, 1999, 2011)Dragon: (1976, 1988, 2000)Snake: (1977, 1989, 2001)Horse: (1978, 1990, 2002)Ram: (1979, 1991, 2003)Monkey: (1980, 1992, 2004)Chicken: (1981, 1993, 2005)Dog: (1982, 1994, 2006)Pig: (1983, 1995, 2007) During the journey, however, the animals got involved in everything from high jinx to heroism. For example the rat, who won the race, only did so through guile and trickery: it jumped onto the back of the ox and won by a nose. The snake, apparently also a little sneaky, hid on the hoof of a horse in order to cross a river. When they got to the other side, it scared the horse and beat it in the contest. The dragon, however, proved to be honorable and altruistic. By all accounts, the dragon would have won the race as it could fly, but it had stopped to help villagers caught in a flooding river cross safely, or it stopped to assist the rabbit in crossing the river, or it stopped to help create rain for a drought-ridden farmland, depending on the teller. Actual History of the Zodiac The actual history behind the Chinese zodiac is much less fantastical and much harder to find. It’s known from pottery artifacts that the animals of the zodiac were popular in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), but they were also seen much earlier from artifacts from the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), a period of disunity in ancient Chinese history, as differing factions fought for control. It’s been written that the animals of the zodiac were brought to China via the Silk Road, the same central Asian trade route that brought the Buddhist belief from India to China. But some scholars argue that the belief predates Buddhism and has origins in early Chinese astronomy that used the planet Jupiter as a constant, as its orbit around the earth took place every 12 years. Still, others have argued that the use of animals in astrology began with nomadic tribes in ancient China who developed a calendar based on the animals they used to hunt and gather. The scholar Christopher Cullen as written that beyond satisfying the spiritual needs of an agrarian society, the use of astronomy and astrology was also an imperative of the emperor, who had the responsibility for ensuring harmony of everything under heaven. To rule well and with prestige, one needed to be accurate in astronomical matters, Cullen wrote. Perhaps that is why the Chinese calendar, including the zodiac, became so entrenched in Chinese culture. In fact, reforming the calendar system was viewed as appropriate if political change was eminent. Zodiac Fits With Confucianism The belief that everyone and every animal has a role to play in society translates well with Confucian beliefs in a hierarchical society. Just as Confucian beliefs persist in Asia today alongside more modern social views, so does the use of the zodiac. It’s been written by Paul Yip, Joseph Lee, and Y.B. Cheung that births in Hong Kong regularly increased, bucking declining trends, to coincide with the birth of a child in a dragon year. Temporary fertility rate increases were seen in the dragon years of 1988 and 2000, they wrote. This is a relatively modern phenomenon as the same increase wasn’t seen in 1976, another dragon year. The Chinese zodiac also serves the practical purpose of figuring out a person’s age without having to ask directly and risk offending someone.

Strategic Marketing Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Strategic Marketing Case Study - Essay Example However, at this stage, other brands, especially those from overseas countries, are in a comfortable position in the market, thereby, posing a challenge to them. Thus, it appears that the time is ripe for the company to transform its product to meet the needs of the market. Obesity is a central focus for countries across the globe as a major public health concern in the present day and, therefore, shifting their market orientation to low-carbohydrate from premium is likely to benefit Fosters to a great extent in attaining higher market share for their product. Earlier when they marketed Pure Blonde, Fosters have focused on the premium quality of the product because the need of the hour has been answering the quest of a specific segment of consumers that have suddenly attained economic prosperity. What this segment has craved at that time has been a product that meets their distinct identity as a class of its own. Fosters have quickly recognized and responded to this expectation. Howe ver, at this stage, when other brands are commanding a better position with the premium concept, Pure Blonde needs to attract more customers by projecting their advantage as a low-carbohydrate product. This will definitely draw more people to consume their product and they can enhance their market share by deploying this strategy. On the other hand, this will preclude them from being considered as a brand focused on premium quality, which may entail the loss of some loyal customers. However, by the end of the day what matters is expanding the customer base and, in this context, an orientation towards the low carbohydrate aspect is a better option for the company to increase their sales. Discussion Question 2: Customer Profile for Female Consumers of Pure Blonde in 2013: Falls within the age group of 20 – 40 years Employed in good position and/or upwardly mobile family Cares ardently for appearances and remains obsessed with fat, sugar and carbohydrate contents of food intake Considers herself as part of the class with the right perspectives Will remain on a diet and conscientiously checks carbohydrate content in food and beverages Will rather avoid a ‘risky’ beer than enjoying it for other attributes and happily forgo a beer to save calories Will socialize with friends as well as spend time in bars, pubs or restaurants Consumes alcohol at home, with friends during lunch or dinner In the present day, the females go to extent in their bid to reduce body weight and attain slimness. Therefore, the primary concern of this segment of customers is the low carbohydrate content and they will definitely expect the product to be of a high quality. The product already enjoys a reputation for its quality and unique taste. However, it will have to add some feature that will be attractive to females and promote this aspect. Discussion Question 3: Pure Blonde’s previous success has come from the fact that they recognized the market potential at that time and modulated their product according to the market needs. Similarly, they have do rethink their strategy now and modify the product accordingly. The current marketing strategy of the company needs to focus on the product’s appeal as a low carbohydrate beer. Therefore, I would suggest the marketing director to align future marketing campaigns