Introducing the New 2017 Bloggers

Introducing the New 2017 Bloggers A couple months ago, Petey posted the blogger application, and a few weeks ago, he, Selam, Yuliya, Allan (via phone from some very hip coffee shop in Seattle), and I gathered to select the bloggers who will join our Family of Bloogyness this year. 60 entered. 7 survived the The Blogger Reckoning. It wasn’t really like that. We spent FOUR HOURS in our committee, after we’d each already examined every application on our own, painstakingly ensuring that our decision process was as thoughtful as possible, debating the implications of each choice, exploring hypothetical alternatives and permutations of our cohort, duking it out (I mean, as close to duking it out as is possible with Allan, the gentlest and most thoughtful soul I know)…It was just as deliberate and emotionally draining as a regular admissions decision committee and did I mention that we spent OVER FOUR STRAIGHT HOURS deliberating?? *dramatically clutches chest* Anyway, without further ado, here they are! The Freshmen   Jack-William B. is originally from Cape Coral, FL but now lives above the Bulgarian National Ping Pong Champion. He is a sucker for Maseeh’s cookies, drones, and creeping on MIT faculty pages. Nisha D. hails from Petey’s neck of the woods (Nashua, NH). I used to think I was obsessed with things until I read her essay on her Final Fantasy 7 obsession. An excerpt: I don’t have enough characters left to adequately describe the full extent of my obsession, so bullets it is. Own a necklace replica of Cloud Strife’s sword, which I wore to major competitions (and also to my MIT interview) My face while answering a surprise Final Fantasy question in quiz bowl finals, while wearing aforementioned necklace: https://ibb.co/m2Nsea Literally learned an entire language so I could play FF7 in Japanese (aka ultimate weeb goals?? hell yea) Own five FF7 posters, a Moogle plushie, AND Moogle slippers (Moogles are a Final Fantasy mascot) FANFICTION (5 years of it) Cried legitimate tears of joy for the first time in my life when a Playstation 4 remake was announced Rewatched the movie every month for about three years Since FF7 came out in 1997, this response is exactly 1997 characters Afeefah K. of Arlington, TX wrote 345 words on her love of pizza bars (#relatable) and has one of my favorite blogger avatars of all time. She also does cool henna on herself and is a walking encyclopedia of Pinterest inspirational quotes. Elissa H. from Great Neck, NY is a cat person who used to think her dad’s actual name was “Dad,” short for “Dadward.” I’m not sure how I can follow this up with another fact. All I know is that I actually cried tears of laughter and have been calling my dad Dadward ever since I read her essay. New Upperclassmen! Jackie M. ‘20 has been lurking around the blogs for a while, as she cites THE  Sam M. ‘07 as her blogspiration (omg me too), even going as far as incorporating “shambolic” into her lexicon. She makes psychedelic lab coats from Goodwill finds. Danny and Allan G. ‘20 are twins from Sunny Isles Beach, FL who, for the first time in the history of the blogs, will be TWIN BLOGGING from a TWIN BLOG ACCOUNT, because as much as we wanted to avoid being gimmicky, they are actually two copies of the same person. So… hang on to yer butts, because this is going to be one entertaining ride. They really, really love musicals. Taylor V. ‘19 plays basketball for MIT, is a mechanical engineering major, and her blog from her time in Italy made us all ~*sWoOn*~ with writer envy. Allan actually threatened to fight all of us if we didn’t choose her. Ask her about wind turbines or her dogs. Welcome to the blogger fam! Post Tagged #Maseeh Hall

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Jackie Robinson and the Civil Rights Movement Essay

To the average person, in the average American community, Jackie Robinson was just what the sports pages said he was, no more, no less. He was the first Negro to play baseball in the major leagues. Everybody knew that, but to see the real Jackie Robinson, you must de-emphasize him as a ball player and emphasize him as a civil rights leader. That part drops out, that which people forget. From his early army days, until well after his baseball days, Robinson had fought to achieve equality among whites and blacks. Jackie acted out the philosophy of nonviolence of Martin Luther King Jr., before the future civil rights leader had thought of applying it to the problem of segregation in America(Weidhorn 93). Robinson was an avid†¦show more content†¦The driver, a local civilian, thought that the woman Jackie was talking to was white#8230;The outraged bus driver ordered Jackie to the back of the bus. Jackie knew his rights on an army base#8230;Jackie would not move. On reach ing the last stop, the bus driver quickly brought over several white men and two military policemen#8230;The MPs took Jackie to a captain, who saw in him only an uppity nigger trying to make trouble. He filed a series of charges against Jackie(Weidhorn 28). Robinson did not take this incident passively. He spread word to other black officers, who in turn contacted black newspapers and civil rights groups, who demanded that the charges be dropped. Instead of fighting the Japanese or German enemy, Robinson had to fight the racism and stupidity of his fellow Americans. Robinson was eventually honorably discharged from the Army for medical reasons. Baseball soon became a big part of Robinsons life. Jackie Robinsons entry into the Major Leagues was far from a walk in the park. He climbed over countless obstacles just to play with white men, some of which, he was better then. He not only had to compete with the returning players from the war, but he also contended with racism. Many towns in the South did not want racially mixed teams(Weidhorn 53). As time went on, cities realized that Robinson offered them free publicity. The Dodgers presence also brought extra business to theShow MoreRelatedJackie Robinson And The Civil Rights Movement1432 Words   |  6 Pagesto whites. Jackie Robinson made an important step in gaining rights for African Americans when he broke the color barrier of baseball in 1947. He did this by making civil rights his ambition even before the protests began (Coombs 117). Jackie Robinson’s fame as a baseball player and determination to defeat adversity transformed him into an inspirational figure for those involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born the youngest of Jerry and Mallie Robinson in Cairo, GeorgiaRead MoreJackie Robinson And The Civil Rights Movement1617 Words   |  7 Pagesplayer Jackie Robinson. As a result of discrimination and segregation in America it was very difficult for black people to exercise their rights during this time period. Throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s Jackie Robinson’s baseball career dramatically changed as he was the first African American Major League Baseball player. However after signing to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers integration started to become a reality in some societies today. The efforts of Jackie Robinson enabled the Civil Rights MovementRead MoreCivil Rights Movement : Jackie Robinson1477 Words   |  6 PagesCivil rights was an important American issue through the late 40s through the 60s. During this time period Baseball was â€Å"America’s Pastime, â€Å"and a major social get together for white Americans. However in 1947 both of these event were combined when the Brooklyn Dodgers gave Jackie Robinson a chance to play professional baseball. Jackie Robinson is the target of my biography. Robinson not only was the first African American baseball player, but he also had a hall of fame career, and eventually hadRead MoreJackie Robinson And The Civil Rights Movement1554 Words   |  7 PagesSince 1839, baseball was a white man’s game. That would all change when Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. This would be a major victory for African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. Before Robinson entered the league, African Americans played in the National Negro League and Whites played in the MLB(Major League Baseball). At this time in history blacks were still fighting for equality every single day. They were segregated by going to different schools than whitesRead MoreJackie Robinson And The Civil Rights Movement1414 Words   |  6 PagesIn the pre-dawn of the C ivil Rights Movement, the 1940s were rife with racial tension. Nearly all public institutions were segregated. Libraries, schools, transportation, the armed forces. Sports teams were just as rigorously divided into two sects--the Negro leagues and the major leagues. There was no question about which division a black man would play for. Nobody dared cross the rift between whites and blacks; they were too afraid. Eventually, however, all it took was one man to begin breakingRead MoreJackie Robinson And The American Dilemma882 Words   |  4 PagesIn the biography Jackie Robinson and the American Dilemma by John R. M. Wilson, it tells the story of racial injustice done after world war II and explains how Jackie Robinson was pioneer of better race relations in the United States. The obstacles Jackie Robinson overcame were amazing, he had the responsibility to convert the institutions, customs, and attitudes that had defined race relations in the United States. Seldom has history ever p laced so much of a strain on one person. I am addressingRead MoreProfessional Sports: A Barrier Meant to be Broken Essay1225 Words   |  5 Pagesin professional sports was a turning point in history. It happened in 1947, when Jackie Robinson, an African-American athlete, began playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers under the watchful eye of their owner, Branch Rickey. The man who broke this barrier was a hero in his own right, changing the world of baseball as well as aiding the Civil Rights Movement. But this was not his only heroic accomplishment. Robinson was a star athlete as a child, at the University of California, Los Angeles, and inRead MoreAmerica s Favorite Pastime And Jackie Robinson Essay1661 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica’s Favorite Pastime and Jackie Robinson The game of baseball has been intertwined in our history. It has been there through the wars and the civil rights movements. The game has seen it all. There have been great players who have put their career’s on hold to fight for their country. â€Å"More than 500 major league baseball players during World War II, including stars like Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Joe DiMaggio†. There is one player that didn’t have to put his career on hold to fight for hisRead MoreJackie Robison vs Ali Essay1640 Words   |  7 PagesJack Roosevelt â€Å"Jackie Robinson† Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr â€Å"Muhammad Ali† Muhammad Ali once said, Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesnt matter which color does the hating. Its just plain wrong.† Muhammad Ali stood for the common black man, so did Jackie Robinson. Both of these men were professional athletes, two different sports, baseball and boxing, were changed forever because of these men. They both broke segregation barriers not only in their profession butRead MoreThe Color Legacy in Major Leage Baseball1125 Words   |  5 PagesBefore 1947, Major League Baseball had never had a black player, although there were Negro Leagues. Jackie Robinson broke that. It takes courage and dedication to chase after something you love. Jackie had that for the game of baseball. The Civil Rights Movement was occurring during the time Jackie enter the Major Leagues, so the times were tough for him. Jackie did more than just play baseball; he introduced a whole new way to play the game, with blacks and whites. He did this by breaking the co lor

Belonging Essay Free Essays

Generic Essay: For individuals to feel a sense of acceptance and belonging to place, people around them need to accept them as they are. Belonging to a place occurs through our interactions with people around us. The failure to understand or accept an individual’s uniqueness prevents this sense of belonging from developing. We will write a custom essay sample on Belonging Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Texts that explore belonging to a place through connections to people are Peter Skrzynecki’s poems, â€Å"Feliks Skrzynecki†, â€Å"10 Mary Street† and â€Å"Migrant Hostel†, the short film, â€Å"Be My Brother† directed by Genevieve Clay and from the website, http://www. yronbodyandsoul. com, the online article, â€Å"Making sense of this place† by Susanna Freymark. Each of these texts encourages the responder to reflect not only upon the importance of belonging to a place, but also on the way in which understanding and acceptance by others impacts on one’s ability to form this connection. In the poem, â€Å"Feliks Skrzynecki†, Peter Skrzynecki describes the sense of belonging achieved by his father through his attachment to his Polish friends. Feliks’s friends are a source of understanding as they share common memories, experiences and traditions. Together they â€Å"reminisced about farms where paddocks flowered†¦Horses they bred, pigs they were skilled in slaughtering. † The positive connotations expressed in these lines allude to the immigrants’ shared experiences and heritage, and the solace which Feliks derives from the connection with his Polish friends further nourishes his sense of cultural belonging. Peter, however, does not feel this same sense of inclusion as he does not understand the Polish culture or the behaviour of his father’s friends. This is demonstrated in his reference to how they, â€Å"Always shook hands too violently† and the â€Å"formal address /I never got used to†. This same sense of lack of understanding and alienation also exists between father and son. Peter’s allusion to â€Å"Hadrian’s Wall† in the lines, â€Å"Watched me pegging my tents/ Further and further south of Hadrian’s Wall† and his admission that, â€Å"I forgot my first Polish word†, are indicative of the widening gap between them as both father and son find it increasingly difficult to share a common understanding or a sense of cultural community . Feliks’s garden, to which he has a great affinity, is yet another place where he feels secure and blissful. From the talks he has with his friends it is evident that he is used to hard physical labour and that he understands and has a close bond with the land. The poet writes that Feliks loved his garden, â€Å"like an only child†. This simile emphasizes the love and devotion that his father lavishes upon the garden, and the hyperbole, â€Å"swept its paths Ten times around the world† suggests his connection with it and the way in which he has created for himself a world which he understands and with which he can identify and belong. Peter describes his father sitting in the evening â€Å"With his dog, smoking† and reflects that he was, â€Å"Happy as I have never been†. This last statement further emphasizes Peter’s feeling of alienation and dislocation from a place in which his father is completely content. Developing a sense of belonging through understanding can also be seen in the poem â€Å"10 Mary Street†. This poem describes the emotions of an immigrant family through their process of integration into the Australian society and their understanding of the Polish culture. The house is a place where, after having lived there for nineteen years†, they feel they belong. Understanding â€Å"the whole block† gives an indication of their connection to the house and their familiarity with their local neighbourhood. The statement that,â€Å"Each morning the house was shut like a well-oiled lock†, illustrates their routine movements and the reference to the ‘lock’ represents the security they feel living in the house. Their home is warm and inviting, illustrated by the description of it painted â€Å"in its china-blue coat†. The color suggests vibrancy and life and is described as â€Å"standing† as if it, too, is a member of the family. The use of personification stresses the ties forged with this house over the years. In a similar fashion to â€Å"Feliks†, the garden in â€Å"10 Mary Street† provides a sanctuary and a special place of belonging for Peter and his family where they spend their happy moments together. The cumulative listing, â€Å"My parents watered plants-grew potatoes, And rows of sweet corn† is used to good effect to create a strong connection to the garden which reinforces the sense of belonging to place. The simile, â€Å"tended roses and camellias like adopted children† is reminiscent of a similar comparison used in the poem, â€Å"Feliks Skrzynecki†, reinforces the love and devotion lavished on the garden and exemplifies the family’s strong attachment to place. Peter would share this joy by ravaging the garden for strawberries and peas â€Å"like a hungry bird†. The final stanza of the poem evokes a powerful image of belonging to the Australian land in the lines, â€Å"We became citizens of the soil/That was feeding us† and the last lines, â€Å"Inheritors of a key /That’ll open no house/ When this one is pulled down†, signifies the importance of their ties to 10 Mary Street as a place connecting them to their new adopted country. In contrast to the security, understanding and connection to place engendered by 10 Mary Street, the poem, â€Å"Migrant Hostel† presents an image of rejection and alienation resulting from physical and mental barriers. In this poem, Skrzynecki describes the hostel as a busy place where â€Å"No one kept count of all the comings and goings†. The poem’s depressing tone evokes a feeling of disorientation with the inference that the migrants have no control over their lives; their existence is characterized by a mood of disappointment and captivity as they are in a state of confusion not belonging to their surroundings. . The fourth stanza opens with strong use of imagery, â€Å"a barrier at the main gate sealed off the highway†¦As it rose and fell like a finger, pointed in reprimand or shame. This suggests a physical impediment that implies entrapment and prevents the migrants from understanding the Australian culture and having their own place in Australia. Additionally, the use of the simile in this quote would seem to imply that alienation is due to some fault of the migrants, themselves. Because of this lack of understanding, the migrants do not want to belong to the hostel whe re they are ‘sealed off’ as they do not know what is going to happen to them, as it brings back memories of the past. The simile, â€Å"like a homing pigeon circling to get its bearings† presents a powerful image of the migrants desperately trying to find something or somewhere to which to belong but â€Å"like birds of passage – always sensing a change†, they are unsure of their future and continue to search for a better place where they can at last feel a sense of attachment. When understanding and acceptance does not occur, people risk either being alienated or alienating others. This is conveyed through the short film, â€Å"Be My Brother†, which was the Tropfest winner in 2009. It characterizes Richard, a ‘Down’s Syndrome’ sufferer, who because of his mental disability, walks and talks differently from the others. Richard feels isolated and alone especially when the two other characters in the film, Amanda and his brother, Damien, ignore him. These two are representative of the â€Å"normal† community and because they perceive Richard to be ‘abnormal’, they deprive him of the sense of belonging. In the opening panoramic scene, the metaphorical belonging to place is depicted through the medium shot of Richard walking on the below Amanda, while she is sitting on the bench at the bus stop above him. These ‘rocks’ are the symbolic representation of the hardships and troubles that he faces in his life and which are the cause of his disaffection and alienation. The director conveys this notion through the Amanda and Damien’s lack of eye contact and their monosyllabic responses, which is symbolic of the community’s lack of understanding of his disability, which results in his sense of exclusion from the rest of society. The director has effectively uses Damien’s hoodie as a symbol of his lack of understanding, it symbolizing the barrier and subsequent isolation Richard feels. However, when he removes his hoodie and sits next to Richard, the responder recognizes that a real understanding has taken place between the two characters. This change in relationship is further emphasized through the mid shot, which represents equality. This is a strongly comforting scene as it is apparent that Damien at last is starting to understand and accept his disadvantaged brother thus encouraging his sense of belonging. . The article â€Å"Making sense of this place† written by Susana Freymark details the strong sense of attachment that the composer feels for â€Å"Byron Bay†. She writes that, â€Å"Your name, address and family ties you to a place and helps define who you are and your place in the world. † Through the use of imagery in ‘ties you to a place’ the composer infers that a personal identity bonds the individual to a place where he or she feels accepted and comfortable and for her, â€Å"No other place evokes my sense of self more†. Freymark states that the external world reflects the inner sense of where we belong and to this end, she feels, â€Å"passionately about this land, the weather that shapes it, the ocean and the asymmetrical mountains that edge the coastline. This listing of the region’s physical attributes is, however, only one reason why Freymark has such a great affinity for Byron Bay. She writes also of living within a community of like-minded people who are welcoming, share the place and â€Å"look for where the connections are between us†. Together they hold a deep respect for the land a nd its original aboriginal inhabitants, they are accepting of individual identity and are â€Å"mindful of exclusion†. This understanding and acceptance fosters a strong sense of belonging to a place where Freymark â€Å"feels complete† and can see herself living â€Å"†¦ until the day I die. Conclusion for belonging through understanding: It is evident that communication is a means of understanding and that it is through communication and acceptance that belonging is nourished and developed. These ideas are represented in the texts â€Å"Immigrant Chronicle† and â€Å"Be My Brother†. An in-depth study of the anthology â€Å"Immigrant Chronicle† and the short movie â€Å"Be My Brother†, highlights the way in which a sense of belonging can either be enhanced or restricted through the interactions that people have with others and the degree to which they feel understood and accepted for who they are – culturally or even intellectu ally. Conclusion for belonging to places: Through the examination of the chosen texts, it can be seen that belonging to a place is fostered by either a sense of familiarity or based on common similarities and our interactions with each other. Because of his attachment to his Polish friends and the love and familiarity he has for his home and garden, Feliks is able to create a place within which he feels happy and secure. In â€Å"Making sense of this place†, Susannah Freymark experiences a strong attachment and sense of belonging to Byron Bay not only because of the affinity she feels for the physical beauty of the region itself, but also because of the inclusive and welcoming attitude of the community and the likenesses she shares with the other residents of the town. However, Richard in â€Å"Be My Brother†, is denied this sense of belonging to place as both his own brother and the community at large, reject him because of his individuality and his mental disability. This negative interaction and exclusion results in his dislocation and detachment. How to cite Belonging Essay, Essays Belonging Essay Free Essays How do your texts explore the nature of true belonging? Many texts convey the true nature of belonging as bringing repercussions, resulting in consequence. Also suggested in many texts is the idea of a strong sense of identity leads to the attainment of true belonging. Selected poems from Peter Skzrynecki’s â€Å"Immigrant Chronicle,† Noel Gay’s play â€Å"Me and My Girl† and Michael Radford’s film interpretation of Shakespeare’s â€Å"Merchant of Venice† all portray the idea of belonging requiring sacrifice and necessitating a strong sense of identity. We will write a custom essay sample on Belonging Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Peter Skzrynecki’s poems depict the idea that one individuals belonging may be at the expense of another’s. Peter conveys his parents’ sacrifice of his belonging in order for them to attain true belonging. His father is portrayed as truly belonging to his culture and being content, in a way the poet feels he has never experienced. This is clearly demonstrated in Feliks Skzrynecki, where the poet suggests envy of his father. Happy as I have never been† suggests while Peter may have a level of belonging to Australia, he never had the same level of belonging or contentment as his father who, through the creation of his polish enclave, among other things, has attained true belonging. This true belonging is achieved through what the poet perceives a sacrifice of his own chance of belonging. St Patrick’s College also illustrates the poet’s belief that his mother’s actions had resulted in negative consequences for him. The poet conveys his cynical view of his mother’s actions, when he says â€Å"wanting only ‘what was best’† clearly portraying the differences in the two generations ideas of true belonging. Skzrynecki also conveys his lack of belonging in the poem, contrasting the routine with which he undertook every school day â€Å"for eight years† against his true feelings about it, â€Å"†¦ like a foreign tourist. † This comparison portrays his overall feelings of the lack of belonging to Australia. The portrayal that an individual’s true belonging may come at the expense of another’s effectively conveys the nature of true belonging requiring sacrifice. Skzrynecki’s text and Noel Gay’s play Me and My Girl both convey the idea of inherited belonging to culture. Both portray belonging as innate from birth. The poem Migrant Hostel indicates a sense of belonging as a group, one which Peter has been born into. â€Å"We lived like birds of passage† indicates this sense of belonging together. The use of â€Å"we,† the first person plural as a contrast with some of his other poems where he is portrayed as an outsider, signifies his membership to this group. Peter Skzrynecki’s poems illustrates the desire for ‘true belonging’ comes at a price, as he must conform to Australia or belong nowhere. The poem Feliks Skzrynecki’s highlights the author’s link to his Polish culture and homeland, a link his father shares. This is evident in the lines â€Å"I inherited unknowingly† demonstrating the supposed true belonging that succeeds from birth. The decision to separate from the ‘inherited’ belonging however is emphasised in the final allusion of the poem â€Å"further and further south of Hadrian’s Wall. † This suggests a natural drifting as a result of the generational gap between Peter and his parents, illustrating the idea children will drift from their parents. Peter chooses to separate himself from his family in the hope of attaining ‘true belonging’ in Australia. Similarly, Sally does the same thing. Me and My Girl portrays the idea that true belonging is contingent on what you are, however modifications can result in belonging elsewhere. Sally finds her true place of belonging with the love of her life – Bill. She sacrifices her inherited belonging to Lambeth, illustrated in her exchange with Sir John where he suggests they make her â€Å"fit and proper† and she agrees to go to Mayfair. The exchange between Sally and Sir John suggests Sally’s sacrifice in an attempt to find true belonging for herself and Bill in Mayfair. Peter Skzrynecki’s poems and Me and My Girl both convey ideas of inherited belonging being sacrificed in order to attain belonging elsewhere. Me and My Girl clearly portrays the idea a strong sense of identity leads to belonging. Bill and Sally belong truly to Lambeth shown chiefly through the song â€Å"The Lambeth Walk. † The upbeat rhythm and invitational language suggests an ease of belonging, outlining Bill’s identity as a Lambeth man. The musical fanfare combined with the inclusive language â€Å"You’ll find us all doing the Lambeth walk† emphasises the identity of the Lambeth community. The sense of familiarity, unity and consistency throughout the song, illustrated in the line â€Å"every night and every day† highlights there is nothing sporadic about Lambeth – it is the way things are and you can count on it, suggesting a strong sense of true belonging as a community. The play, however also conveys Bill’s sacrifice of parts of his cultural identity in order to receive social and financial gain. Sally truly belongs with Bill, so although more reluctant to sacrifice aspects of her identity, she sacrifices it for Bill. She is willing, as demonstrated in the denouement of the play. The play highlights that for Bill and Sally, it might not be true and total belonging, but it is a sense of place in Mayfair society that they’ve earned, with some sacrifice, however also insisting on compromise on the part of the Mayfair crowd. Through the portrayal of identity as necessary to truly belong, Me and My Girl clearly demonstrates the nature of true belonging. The Merchant of Venice conveys the idea that although people may sacrifice everything in the hope of truly belonging, this sense of belonging is not always attained. The scene portraying Jessica’s escape emphasises the numerous sacrifices she makes in order to belong to another ‘group. ’ Due to her disillusionment with her father, who seems to have her locked away, she begins seeking something more liberal. Her escape first and foremost symbolises her sacrifice of identity, of the bond with her father and her religion, in order to gain a new love and most importantly, a new place to belong, a new cultural identity. Significant in the escape is her male attire, which further emphasises her willingness to ‘shed’ her true identity and assume another. The casket she passes down symbolises her giving away of her religious identity, in stark contrast to her father’s words later â€Å"I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkey’s† highlighting his cherishing of the ring as a symbol he shared with his wife. The robbery of the ducats further emphasises she is robbing her father of herself and their bond. In the final scene, however, Jessica is alone, fingering the ring which symbolises a lost bond and the temple she no longer belongs to. The look of despair in the close shot of her face, combined with the pan out to the taller, greater surroundings suggests an unfamiliarity; her ‘smallness’ in this setting indicating her sense of not belonging although she sacrificed so much. Ironically, Jessica has traded her father, religion and identity where she truly belonged for a ‘true belonging’ which seems absent in this final scene. Therefore, it is evident that although one may sacrifice aspects of their life to gain true belonging, they may never attain it. Selected poems from Peter Skzrynecki’s â€Å"Immigrant Chronicle,† Noel Gay’s play â€Å"Me and My Girl† and Michael Radford’s film interpretation of Shakespeare’s â€Å"Merchant of Venice† all portray the idea true belonging requires a strong sense of identity and in some cases sacrifice. All of these texts explore elements of what it means to truly belong and the sacrifices that may lead to this belonging, or in some cases, an inability to belong after sacrifice. How to cite Belonging Essay, Essay examples Belonging Essay Free Essays Connection is the restorative force by which individuals reaffirm or transform their identities. Ultimately, it is the ability to form meaningful and sustaining relationships that allows individuals to assess and affirm their values. Raimond Gaita’s memoir, â€Å"Romulus, My Father† (RMF), Evan Hunters short story â€Å"On the Sidewalk Bleeding’ (OTSB), and â€Å"The Oasis†, a Shark Island Documentary, explore this notion through employing the universal themes of compassion, alienation and love as they enrich characters sense of hope, significance, comfort and security- fundamental to a sense of belonging, or paradoxically lead to a sense of isolation and exclusion. We will write a custom essay sample on Belonging Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now RMF explores the catalytic nature of relationships in constructing an imperative sense of significance, comfort and security, through examining the themes of love, compassion and alienation. This is reflected through the contrast between Romulus’ â€Å"life, his values, his friendship with Hora and marriage to Milka†, and his relationship with his first wife, Christine. Romulus and Christine’s relationship is based on an â€Å"unrealistic hope†, and a tremulous love, recognised and expressed by Raimond in his narration as â€Å"naive†. This is supported by his description of Christine as â€Å"a troubled city girl†¦[who] couldn’t settle in a.. landscape that highlighted her isolation†, the contrast of which emphasises her destructive inability to form satisfying relationships, alienating her from Romulus, Raimond and the sense of security and comfort implicated by the notion of a united family. This is emphasised as Christine â€Å"stood separately, weeping bitterly† at Mitru’s funeral, with use of emotive language to craft an image of isolation, conveying the impacts of alienation and loss on her temperament. By contrast, Raimond, Romulus and Hora come to share an ingrained sense of idealistic congruency, â€Å"I learnt from them the connection between individuality and†¦Otherness†. Here, â€Å"Otherness† – an allusion to 20th Century European philosophy – is paired with the connotations of â€Å"individuality† to highlight the fact that Romulus and Hora’s relationship is based upon an analogous self-conception, which acts to reaffirm Romulus’s values and beliefs. Most importantly these shared ideals, spawning from their â€Å"unqualified sense of common humanity†, help shape young Raimond’s perception of acceptance, as well as their aphoristic belief that â€Å"only†¦rigorous truthfulness could give†¦strength of character† – the universality of which transcends all three men’s subjective experiences to confirm their identities as part of a significant, secure relationship. Romulus also extends this to his relationship with Milka, which is centred upon a common appreciation of honesty and compassion. This is shown through his description of her as, â€Å"not too tall†¦short†¦fat†¦thin†, whose accumulative juxtaposition of negations stresses his attraction to her both in appearance and â€Å"in personality† – a notion which is developed by Milka’s frank admission, â€Å"She told him she couldn’t cook†¦he replied it didn’t matter†. Here, along with the qualification, â€Å"his respect†¦was unusual in husbands of his vintage†, Milka’s assertion in â€Å"couldn’t cook† emphasises the contextual differences their relationship has from both Romulus’ previous marriage to Christine and mainstream society through the altruistic strength of its values. Ultimately accentuating the deep satisfaction and sense of comfort that they share, this is affirmed by Romulus’ assertion, â€Å"Nothing could compromise the intrinsic good of†¦having found each other†. Similarly OTSB explores the value of relationships in restructuring and corroborating ideals and self perceptions, by providing console and a sanctuary for hope and growth of character. The protagonist’s affectionate relationship with his girlfriend Laura, who shares a bond with Andy centred on love and compassion, acts as the equilibrium between Andy’s gang related life and his true self. The relationship provides Andy with the inner-unity required for strength or character, allowing him to challenge his mediocre life with dreams that give him purpose, and a hope that â€Å"Someday he would marry her, and they would have a lot of kids, and then they would get out of the neighbourhood†. The connotations of ‘marriage’, paired with the symbolic reference of children highlights Andy’s devotion to the notion of family and the sense of security and worth it provides. The strength of their attachment and the significance their compassionate relationship engenders, fashions a sense of emancipation for Andy, sanctioning the removal of his gang jacket â€Å"which had only one meaning.. a very simple meaning†¦the meaning of nothing†. The accumulative repetition and personification of the jacket ubstantiates it as a tangible image, symbolic of Andy’s internal conflict, and his ability to exonerate himself of it is metaphorical for the value Andy places on their relationship, further emphasising its significance in restructuring Andy’s identity and providing the sense of worth, console and hope, fundamental to a sense of belonging. Likewise ‘The Oasis’ examines the significance of relationships in shaping our identity t hrough the assessment and confirmation of values. These relationships are often structured on reliance and support which allow an individual to achieve security, significance and his/her true potential. The audience is first introduced to the protagonist Paul, a Salvation Army worker, through an establishing shot of him walking down a main road against the flow of traffic. A visual metaphor for his desperate struggle to reinstate and sense of purpose and moral integrity in the disadvantaged youth, reinforced by the vectors of his downcast gaze. The metaphor â€Å"Paul is their lifeline† juxtaposed with the dramatic image of Paul holding children’s hands on the edge of a cliff, reinforces the significance of youth connection to the Salvation Army’s centre and exemplifies the danger of â€Å"children slipping through societies safety nets†. Paul’s intention to revolutionise the self conceptions of homeless youth becomes symbolic of the metaphorical safety nets of society. This is evident as he attempts to connect youth with Religion, to give them a sense of metaphysical importance, emphasised through a montage of baptisms highlighting the amalgamation of the Bibles morals with youth identity. Therefore†¦. Hence, â€Å"RMF†, â€Å"OTSW† and â€Å"The Oasis† each support the notion of connection as a restorative force by which individuals assess and affirm their values, and thus reform their identities. By employing common universal themes such as love, hope, alienation and compassion, each text effectively demonstrates the necessity of security, comfort and significance in achieving a sense of belonging, and how these may be attained through relationships. How to cite Belonging Essay, Essays

Privatization of the American penal system

Introduction The privatization of the penal system in the United State of America is understood as the transfer of the control of prison and prison-related services from the public sector to the private sector. It is the contracting of the private sector by the federal, state or local government to design, to build and to operate prison services and to run jail services.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Privatization of the American penal system specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consequently, private companies may be contracted to provide services like counseling, medical care, food and the maintenance of public prisons and jails. The privatization of the prison system can be traced back to the days of convict lease system, which was practiced by the southern states during the period of reconstruction. This system of convict lease involved the leasing out of prisoners to serve as laborers under the supervision of p rivate companies, which could take care of the housing, care and the security of the prisoners. The modern model of prison privatization is different from the ancient model. This is because federal, local, and state governments only contract private companies that are strictly regulated, and only those that are in the position to provide effective care and humane conditions for the prisoners (Joel, 1988). Among the companies that are major players in prison privatization are: Corrections Corporation of America (CCA): this is the oldest, and it operates over sixty private prisons and jails. The GEO group: this is the second largest after CCA, and it operates approximately 47 prison and jail facilities. Cornell Companies: This is also one of the major providers of penal privatization services. It provides such services as drug and substance abuse training, group and individual counseling, life support skills, and educational and vocational training. It places a lot of emphasis on reh abilitation. The USA largely relies on imprisonment as the best alternative to reducing prevalence of crimes. This over reliance on imprisonment is due to the high rates of crimes, public perception, and imprisonment as a political instrument, and miscalculated policies and laws. The rate of imprisonment in the USA is the highest in the world. This is primarily the reason for the demand for privatization of the penal system to relieve the government of the task to handle a large number of prisoners (Hartney, 2006). Debate on Privatization of American Penal System The USA has been acting tough on law breakers and criminal offenders. This has created a lot of problems necessitated by the shortage of prisons’ capacities to handle the pressure of numerous convicted offenders hence resulting in overcrowding, which demands operational outlays and public resistance on the costs incurred in managing prisons. This has prompted the privatization of the penal system to minimize these c osts, and it has been actualized in almost half of the American states while others are considering passing legislations to make it operational. Privatization of the penal system is a subject of public debate and there are both opponents and proponents to the debate. In USA, it is the responsibility of the Federal Bureau of prisons to provide prison care and services to inmates. It is also charged with the responsibility of professionalizing prison services to ensure that there is a better administration of all prison operations.Advertising Looking for essay on criminal law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Bureau is responsible for the custody, rehabilitation and care of all inmates in USA. The activities and responsibilities of the Bureau of prisons have in the recent times been usurped by private companies which have been co-opted in the bid to privatize the America penal system (Federal Bureau of Prisons, 2011). My Stan d on the Debate: Opposing Privatization of Penal System I totally disagree with the privatization of the penal system in the United States of America. Though the traditional form of the privatization of the penal system relieves the states of the burden of taking care of the inmates, the financial benefits that are obtained from each convict as a payment for the labor services they provide can form part of state total revenue. First, there are several unanswered questions that have raised legal concerns regarding prison privatization. These have been particularly voiced in the state of New York where a lot of reservations regarding privatization of the penal system have been raised due to the fact that in the event that a private company is contracted to guard prisons or the jails, they may be out of context in the exercise of the state’s Taylors law that prohibits public employees from striking. Consequently, a private firm contracted to offer private prison and jail service s in Virginia referred as the Keefe Supply Company was sued for using prison labor when the law only permits prison labor to be used for government or civic duties; no court in the country has upheld that privatization of correctional services as unconstitutional. Further more there is an increased fear that the privatization of the penal system will be a perfect opportunity for unscrupulous companies to cut their costs by understaffing the prisons. This is due to the profit motive in their services. This has, however, been taken care of by the contracts which stipulate the particular targets for staffing whereby any private company that does not conform to the terms of the contract risk strong financial penalties (Zito, 2003). There is also concern about recidivism. It has been verified, through several researches, that prisoners in public prisons are less likely to repeat crimes as opposed to the prisoners who are in private prisons. Several jurisdictions consider the privatizatio n of the penal system as an uncertain venture. Privatization of the penal system is a bad phenomenon due to the fact that private prisons will tend to exploit prison labor for their own profit. There was a case, for example, where the Correctional Corporation of America (CCA) provided several work programs linked to local and national ventures in its state prisons. The prisoners were hired out to perform such tasks as bookbinding, manufacturing, packaging and repackaging, and furniture assembly.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Privatization of the American penal system specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This happened in an arrangement between CCA and a third party company which was permitted to operate its activities inside the prison walls. This was against the principle that only permits prison labor to be used by government and Non-Governmental organization and not by any other entity. Such activities by privat e companies can amount to the misuse of prison labor. There is also skepticism regarding whether or not privatization of the penal system will reduce state, federal, or local government spending. There are also reservations as to whether the prison officers in private prisons have adequate training and whether they can effectively manage the institutions. According to the opponents of privatization, other than opting for privatization of the penal system to avoid overcrowding, overcrowding can be avoided by reducing the penal population. There are also concerns about ethical implications of allowing private companies or organizations that are profit oriented to administer punishment to criminals. Based on the argument by criminologists Michael Reisig and Travis Pratt that central to the debate on the private prison management is the relationship between the state and the citizens concerning how the convicted criminals should be treated; leaving private individuals to punish offender s therefore lacks meaning, and it is ethically wrong. Consequently, there are ethical issues underlying the business conduct of private companies on how they are be motivated to offer basic and standardized care to the prisoners when their operations are motivated by profit. There have been some arguments and reservations that privatization of the penal system will lead to harsh punishments and sentences for the prisoners. The bottom line is that for a private firm to be profitable, it should be filled in order to maximize on space and facilities (Bosworth, 2002). Furthermore, privately operated prisons have been found to be more expensive than the publicly funded ones. This is against the notion that made states to believe that private prisons can save money.Advertising Looking for essay on criminal law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This notion was proved wrong based on the study and data in Arizona, which concluded that privately operated prisons were expensive to operate than public ones and contracting prison services was likely to cost the tax payer a lot of money. It has also been established that private prisoners only house the healthy prisoners who are cheap to maintain, and they leave the expensive prisoners for the public prisons to maintain (Oppel, 2011). There have been many managerial problems that have been experienced with the privatized prisons. These problems emanate from poor drafting of contracts, limited oversight by contracting agencies and the transfer of inmates with categorization bias requirements in the case where the private prisons may lack enough resources and capabilities to provide for the inmates. Consequently, there may be few companies that are willing to provide privatized prison services hence the government may not obtain the value for its money. Last, I oppose the privatiza tion of the American penal system because there are particular responsibilities that the government is obliged to meet like the safety of the public and the protection of the environment. This, therefore, implies that the provision of prison and incarceration services is the political, social and moral duty of the government. Privatization of the penal system, therefore, will mean that there will be a constitutional competition between the private and the public matters that surround discipline, deprivation of liberty and upholding the constitutional rights of the prisoners. Privatization, may also lead to related issues like of use force and segregation (Austin Coventry, 2001). Conclusion Despite my opposition to the privatization of the American penal system and despite many concerns that are linked to prison privatization, the present trends indicate that intensification of prison privatization is increasing. This is despite the initiatives like FAIR Act enacted during bush admi nistration, which established the requisite quotas for privatization. Privatization does not, however, mean that the government absolutely abandons its responsibility since it will still be the province of the government to identify inmates to be placed under the privatization program; consequently, it is the government that selects the prison facility and the company to be contracted out, and it is the government which oversees and supervises the terms of the contract and ensures that they are followed to the letter, and furthermore, that the government evaluates the performance and progress of the contract. References Austin, J. Coventry, G. (2001). Emerging Issues on privatized Prisons. National Criminal Justice Reference Services. Web. Bosworth, M. (2002). The U.S. federal prison. New York, NY: SAGE. Federal Bureau of Prisons. (2011). About the Bureau of Prisons. Bureau of Prisons.  Web. Hartney, C. (2006). US Rates of Incarceration: A Global Perspective. The National Council on Crime and Delinquency. Web. Joel, D. (1988). A Guide to Prison Privatization. Heritage Organization. Web. Oppel, R. (2011). Private Prisons Found to Offer Little in Savings. New York Times. Web. Zito, M. (2003). Prison Privatization: Past and Present. International Foundation for Protection Officers. Web. This essay on Privatization of the American penal system was written and submitted by user Jeffrey Dalton to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Best Careers for Your Personality Type

Best Careers for Your Personality Type As you hunt for a job, some things are crucially important: your resume and experience, your skills, and your interview game are all major parts. But don’t forget another huge element: your personality. Your personality is who you are, both on the job and off of it, and it’s majorly important to understand who you are before you pick a career. After all, you want to find a career path that makes you feel happy and productive, not one that fills you with dread because you feel like you’re constantly pulled out of your comfort zone. (A little discomfort can be good and galvanizing for your career as you try new things. Too much just makes you miserable.) If you haven’t already, take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality assessment, which is the gold standard in personality tests. It’s a little more intense than the â€Å"Which Member of The Stranger Things Cast Are You?† quiz you just took on Facebook, but worth it to get a handle on what your personality and motivations are. Each test breaks you down into one of 16 types based on four categories:Introversion vs. ExtroversionIntuition vs. SensingFeeling vs. ThinkingPerceiving vs. JudgingThere’s an official version of the test that you can take for $49.95, but there are also lots of free version, like this one, that also get the job done. Once you know your type (or if you knew it before, you forward-thinker, you!), let’s move on to see what kind of careers you might want to look at to match your personality type.ISTJ (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)ISTJs are duty-focused people who value hard work and career commitment. ISTJs love their rules. They like to have concrete goals and deadlines, and often prefer to work with hard data or specific processes. Seek jobs that celebrate these skills, and let you put them to good use.Jobs to consider:AccountantOffice ManagerIT AnalystLaw Enforcement OfficerLogisticianISFJ (Introvert, Sensing, Feelin g, Judging)ISFJs tend to be organized, calm, and practical professionals. They’re big on caretaking, and may not be the loudest voice in the room, but will often be the most logical. ISFJs are good at walking others through processes, and guiding team members toward a particular goal or result. You’re best-suited for positions that need a steady mind and head, even when the going gets tough.Jobs to consider:Elementary School TeacherLibrarianCustomer Service RepresentativeMedical SecretaryExecutive AssistantINFJ (introvert, Intuition, Feeling, Judging)INFJs can be creative types, but are also guided by their own sets of principles and feelings of fair play. Structure and compassion are the two most important career qualities for INFJs. Look for jobs that value these traits- you don’t want to have to hide them, you want to use them to their best potential.Jobs to consider:Social WorkerHR ManagerCounselor/TherapistWriterVeterinarianINTJ (Introvert, Intuition, Think ing, Judging)INTJs are the ones you want on your side when you need a confident, expert opinion. INTJs want what they want when (and how they want it), and demand perfection from themselves and others. Your standards are high, where it’s for you or your client. You won’t be happy unless you find a job where you can refine things to make them better.Jobs to consider:Software DeveloperSurgeonFinancial AdvisorBusiness ExecutiveMicrobiologistISTP (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)ISTPs are movers and the shakers- they like to get things done now, because why wait when you can get results now? ISTPs are practical, dependable professionals who like to use strong methodology to get results. You’re a doer, not a bystander. Find a gig that lets you get in there and get your hands dirty.Jobs to consider: Police OfficerMechanicOperations AnalystCivil EngineerEconomistISFP (Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving)ISFPs are helpers. They like to know that their work is directly and positively affecting others’ lives. They create products or provide services that people can use right away. ISFPs are often active members of their community, personally and professionally.Jobs to consider:Fashion DesignerHome Health AideMassage TherapistLandscape ArchitectStore OwnerINFP (Introvert, Intuition, Feeling, Perceiving)INFPs are optimists. They like to have careers that are making a difference to the world via creativity. INFPs are often motivated professionally by their strongly held personal values and beliefs. You’ll want to find a job that lets you channel your energy into making beautiful things and helping people realize their best potential.Jobs to consider:PsychologistArtist/Graphic DesignerWriterLibrarianHR TrainerINTP (Introvert, Intuition, Thinking, Perceiving)INTPs like hard evidence, and typically don’t operate on faith alone that something is true. INTPs like to constantly test theories and new ways of doing things, and continually re-evaluate their perspective. They are problem solvers. You’ll want to find a career thats largely cut-and-dry, with lots of facts and problems to be solved.Jobs to consider:MathematicianChemistPsychiatristProfessorArchitectESTP (Extrovert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)ESTPs can be adrenaline junkies, thriving on process and systems in an uncertain world. They’re great in a crisis, providing practical skills and guidance no matter what chaos is going on around them. You need a steady head and temperament, even when things are crumbling around you.Jobs to consider:Construction ContractorDetectiveStock BrokerFinancial AdvisorSales ManagerESFP (Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving)ESFPs feel at home talking to (and working with) just about everyone. They are great team members, who know the value of working together to accomplish specific goals or keep everyone together on task. You’re the friendly face amidst the chaos.Jobs to consider:Receptioni stCustomer Service RepresentativeJuvenile Social WorkerRecreation DirectorActorENFP (Extrovert, Intuition, Feeling, Perceiving)ENFPs are curious about the world around them, and do best in jobs that allow them to interact with a lot of different people. They’re often passionate advocates in their fields. Find jobs that surround you with creativity, one where you’re on your feet and making things happen.Jobs to consider: Restaurant OwnerJournalistPreschool TeacherCreative DirectorEvent PlannerENTP (Extrovert, Intuition, Thinking, Perceiving)ENTPs are creative types who thrive on challenges and finding new solutions to old problems. Seek jobs that let you flex your artistic and problem-solving muscles on a daily basis.Jobs to consider:Real Estate AgentReporterUrban PlannerMarketing AssociateEntrepreneurESTJ (Extrovert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)ESTJs are often the ones in charge, with their abilities to make quick, logical decisions. They are quickly able to interpret s ituations and apply information to arrive at the best way of doing something.Jobs to consider:Loan OfficerSchool AdministratorLawyerPharmacistProject ManagerESFJ (Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)ESFJs are caretakers. They take pride in providing excellent care, and are often motivated by seeing direct results with their customers, patients, or stakeholders. You’ll ideally want to look for jobs where you work daily with people, otherwise you won’t be fulfilled.Jobs to consider:NurseSales RepresentativeSocial WorkerCosmetologistNutritionistENFJ (Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)ENFJs are the gurus. They provide helpful, authoritative guidance, often with the goal of making the world a better (or at least more straightforward) place. You have the gift of inspiring people- find a job where you can use these skills.Jobs to consider:Nonprofit WorkerTeacherPR SpecialistClergymemberHealth EducatorENTJ (Extrovert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)ENTJs are leaders. Theyà ¢â‚¬â„¢re driven by results, and feel comfortable leading teams and setting goals to get everyone on the same page.  You’re a natural leader, so look for a job where you can take charge and make things happen.Jobs to consider: EngineerAttorneyPhysicianExecutiveManagerKnowing your personality type and motivations can really help clarify your career path, especially if you’re not totally sure what you want to do next. What about you? We’d love to hear what your results were, and if you learned anything about your professional options in the process!

Kickstart Your Book A Writers Guide to Crowd-Source Funding

Kickstart Your Book A Writers Guide to Crowd-Source Funding News of Kickstarter is everywhere today. Don’t know what crowd-source funding is? Here it is in a nutshell: you create a project,determine a monetary goal, set a time limit, submit the idea, and once approved, your project appears on Kickstarter.   Site visitors pledge money in return for rewards that you offer on your project page. Succeed and the money is yours, less a 5% fee and any credit card fees incurred.   Fall short of your goal and you get nothing. Exceed your goal, you get to keep it all, less the aforementioned fees. Sounds simple doesn’t it? What’s true for writing is true for Kickstarter as well. To be successful takes study, forethought, and hard work before, during, and after your project is active. To pique potential investor’s interest, your proposal must be in your voice. What wildly successful projects have in common is that their rewards are so cool that people can’t resist, or their presentation so enchanting that you are not only compelled to keep reading, but also cannot keep your finger from caressing the Back This Project button, muttering I must have   marshmallows.. Tips for Success: 1. Your project description is like a query letter:   Hook, synopsis, and