Best Practices in Managing the Human Factors of HR Management Literature Review Essay

Human Resource Management is one of the most significant functions in an enterprise. However, there are different factors that are impacting on HRM. Human Factors has its origins in the Industrial Revolution and emerged as a full-fledged discipline during World War II. It was recognized that aircraft cockpit design needed to consider the human interface for controls and displays. Design Engineers were focused on the technology while Industrial Psychologists worked to optimize the interface. In some cases, Human Factors design can affect bottom-line profitability or can be a life and death matter, e. g. , you don’t want to push the wrong button or mistake meters for kilometers in a spacecraft. Companies came to realize that a products success is dependent upon good Human Factors design. Human Factors are very important for the successful operation of the company. The term â€Å"human factors† is to a large extent synonymous with the term â€Å"ergonomics† Human Factors Integration Research with Defense Technology Center is Human Factors Integration is the process adopted by a number of key industries (notably defense like United Defense and hazardous industries like oil & gas like Shell) in Europe to integrate human factors elements into the systems engineering process. Although each industry has a slightly different domain the underlying approach is the same. HFI undertakes this by conducting a formal process that identifies and reconciles human related issues. These issues are split for convenience into domains. Manpower – The number of military and civilian personnel required and potentially available to operate, maintain, sustain and provide training for systems Page 2 Personnel – The cognitive and physical capabilities required to be able to train for, operate, maintain and sustain systems. Training – The instruction or education, and on-the-job or unit training required to provide personnel their essential job skills, knowledge, values and attributes. Human Factors Engineering – The integration of human characteristics into system definition, design, development, and evaluation to optimize human-machine performance under operational conditions. Health Hazard Assessment – Short or long term hazards to health occurring as a result of normal operation of the system. System Safety – Safety risks occurring when the system is functioning in an abnormal manner. Strengths: Indentifying the Problem, Evaluation and solving issues Weakness: Psychological Human Factors are not treated. Motorola’s Human Factors Engineering One of the best Practice in Managing Human Resource is HFE, Firstly implemented by Motorola, USA in 1984 is considered as the best for employees. In Research with HFE, Motorola is commonly thought of as how companies design tasks and work areas to maximize the efficiency and quality of their employees work. However, Motorola HFE comes into everything which involves people. Work systems, sports and leisure, health and safety should all embody Human Factors principles if well designed. Strengths: Employee Determination at work, Safety & Health and Low Stress methods. Weakness: More importance to Leisure time and found some Low Production. Page 3 Encourage Employee Development Growth of a company is closely linked to employee development within the organization where each employee plays a vital role in the success of the company. Employee growth has direct and indirect benefits. More knowledgeable, skilled and capable employees directly impact your company’s ability to satisfy customers, resolve problems and crises, and adapt to changing market conditions. Paying for an employee’s continuing professional education, for example, can help your company gain expertise in new technologies and markets, which can save you money in the long run. This type of practice is found in Coco Cola, where are often send to Trainings on different process. Strengths: Motivational to Employee and Long Retention periods. Weakness: Cost effective and Time Taking Process. Work Life Balance The term â€Å"work life balance† was coined in 1986 in response to the rising trend Human Factors in Development of the Company. The employee Psychological benefits are taken into consideration with many instructions like Stay positive, stay in control, Stay healthy, Divide and de-clutter, Keep stress under control and other safety measures. This helps the companies to maintain good relations with the employees and make them as the best factor of production. In Research with General Electric which follows Work Life Balance as a practice to develop Human Factors. Strengths: High Production Facility, Long Retention and Safe Employee and Company Relations. Weakness: Only limited to Companies with Large Scale of Production Facilities. Page 4 Corporate Mentoring Programs Corporate Mentoring Programs are like teaching classes where employees are motivated to the work and work environment, making employee coordinated towards work. Therefore, companies have started to place greater emphasis on personal attributes while selecting and developing staff. This brings a number of benefits to the business, not the least of which is a cohesive team. On going development of employee potential is critical for business success. Corporate mentoring programs are effective in quickly ramping up employee performance because they facilitate the transfer of business knowledge in a way that is not quite possible in regular training. Strengths: Every Effective Approach in Developing Human Factors, Human Psychological Advantage and Growth Oriented. Weakness: Very Systematic Approach. Metrics to Evaluate the Practices Human Factors Integration (HFI) implemented by Defense sectors is only related to Large Scale industries although it has all the factors of Human Factors. Key Performance Indicator of Human Factor Integration(HFI) is the Objective oriented and Specific Tasking. Motorola’s Human Factors Engineering is also related to tasking and other relations, not dealing with the Psychological factors of the Employees. Encourage Employee Development is training method to make them work in stress and problems, No personal and physical importance is not given to the employees. During this Research we found that the best Practice that develops the Human Factors in the company is Corporate Mentoring Programs, where the employees are motivated on the work and provide various benefits including safety and stress free work Page 5 environment. Research with Minnesota University, I found that more than 80% of the companies in United States uses this Corporate Mentoring Programs. References †¢ Creating a Mentoring Culture: The Organization’s Guide, 2007 †¢ A Strategic Approach To Corporate Mentoring Programs, CEO World Magazine, 2006 †¢ Human Factors & Methods – Robert Stanley – Edition 2, 2006 †¢ Ergonomics Society, UK †¢ Human Resource Management Programs at Human Factors and Ergonomics Society †¢ Research Center for Work Safety and Human Engineering, Technion, Israel. †¢ Motorola HR Practices, www. motorola. com

Warren Buffet and the Company

Relation between   Selected from Financial ReviewWarren Buffet, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is one of the most successful investors and business executives of all time. He has invested in many industries which can be seen in the following figure:Figure 1: Warren Buffett's Portfolio (Source: gurufocus, 2018)From the above graph, we can see that the sectors that Warren Buffet has invested are quite similar to the sectors that we have selected. Buffet has invested most (i.e. 42.6%) on the financial services. Likewise, we have also selected one of the companies from the financial sector i.e. National Australian Bank. In terms of their value of ordinary shares using PE ratio valuation model, we have ranked National Australian Bank on the third position as per our desirability to invest. Similarly, in the above table, we can see that Buffett has invested 23.4 % of their investment in consumer defensive product. Likewise, among ten, two of the companies that we have selected are also from consumer defensive sector i.e. Woolworths and Coca Cola. Like everyone, we very well know that Coca Cola is the favorite stock of Buffett. Frankel (2017) also indicated that the company of Buffett i.e. Berkshire Hathaway owns US 16.7 billion dollar worth of share of Coca Cola, making this company the third largest stock investment of Buffett. In the above figure, we can also see that Buffett has invested 4.3% on the energy sector. We have also selected three companies from the energy sector and ranked the AGL Energy on the top list of our desirability to invest as this company has got the highest value of ordinary share from PE ratio valuation Model. Since real estates and EFT, options, preferred are the least invested company as per the Warren Buffett's portfolio, it seems we are quite similar in that field, as we also have not chosen any companies from those sectors. 5. Comparison between Warren Buffet's Approach and Share Valuation Techniques used in the ReportWarren Buffet uses various approaches to estimate the value of shares, such as, earning yield, historical earning growth and sustainable growth. Buffett uses earning yield approach as it represents the rate of return which can be used to compare with other investment more quickly. Buffet normally compares the earning yield of a company with long term government bond yield and selects the one which earning yield is near to the government bond yield. In terms of historical earning approach, Buffett project the annual compound rate of return on the basis of historical earnings per share increased. The next approach of Buffett is based on the sustainable growth rate model where he utilizes the average rate of return on equity and average retention ratio so as to calculate the sustainable growth rate (Bajkowsi, n.d.).Sustainable growth model approach of Warren Buffett is similar to one of the share valuation techniques used in week 6- Chapter 10 i.e. P/E ratio valuation model. It is because, according to Bajkowsi, the sustainable growth rate is utilize to estimate the book value per share in year ten and earnings per share can be measured in year 10 by multiplying the average return on equity with the projected book value per share. Then, estimate earning per share is multiplied with average P/E ratio to get the future price. Therefore, we prefer to use the P/E ratio valuation model because it is also one of the approaches used by the best investor of the world, Warren Buffet. 6. RecommendationIn terms of company, it is very wise to invest in AGL Energy Company as this company has the highest value of ordinary shares from P/E ratio valuation model compare to others. In terms of approaches and techniques regarding share valuation, it is wise to go for PE ratio valuation model. When making the investment decision, it is very useful to follow the techniques and approaches used by the best investor of the world, Warren Buffett, as his experience, techniques and approaches can be very well utilized to select the best investments.7. ConclusionTherefore, in terms of investments, we have come to conclusion that we will be investing in AGL Energy Company as it has the highest value of ordinary share from PE ratio valuation model which is also highly utilized by Warren Buffet in terms of his share valuation. Warren Buffet is one of the best valued investor of the world, thus, it is very wise to follow the approach and techniques used by the Warren Buffet. Warren Buffett has invested most on the financial and Consumer defensive sector, thus, apart from AGL Energy, the companies that have occupied the second and third position in terms of our desirability to invest are Woolworths and National Australia Bank. Though there are various share valuation approached used by Warren Buffet and mentioned in our week 6-chapter 10, we prefer to use PE ratio valuation model as this approaches also helps to compare the prices of the firms in the same area of economy (Kennon, 2018).

The Friendship Between Huckleberry Finn and Jim

A Special Friendship Racial equality has been an issue throughout the history of the United States. The problem stems from the legalization of slavery. From then on, people of all the different races have advocated for the rights of minorities. One of those such people, who strove to break the barriers, was Mark Twain. In his novel, The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn, A young white boy named Huck sets out in adventure with a black slave named Jim. Throughout it, Hucks relationship grows from one of acquaintance to one of friendship, teaching Huck to go against society. Twain makes a social statement that a color should not define a person.In the beginning of the novel, Huck’s relationship with Jim is one of only acquaintance. He has had minimal contact with Jim and sees him as merely just slave. Huck doesn’t fully acknowledge the fact that he has feelings. He even allows Tom to play a trick on Jim, â€Å"Tom said he slipped Jim’s hat off and Hung it on the treeà ¢â‚¬ (Twain 6). Although he did try to stop Tom from doing, Huck doesn’t think much about it , as he doesn’t really care about Jim since he is just a slave. After the incident Jim comes to believe that witches rode him all over the world and that the hat was left on the tree. Huck never tells him the truth.By the time Jim and Huck have set out in the raft, they’ve developed a special bond. Huck doesn’t fully understand this until he plays a mean joke on Jim that leaves Jim deeply hurt,† when I got all wore out wid work, en wid calling you, en went to sleep my heart was mos broke bekause you woz los, (†¦ ) , en all you could think of how you make a fool uv ole jim, (Twain 55) After the incident, Huck comes to the realization that Jim isn’t just a slave but a person. Huck knows he has feeling and from this point on he begins to question the morality of slavery. Huck’s relationship with Jim eventually grows into friendship.They both care about each other and look out for one another. In many instances Huck saves Jim from being captured, â€Å"But lawsly, How you did fool em, Huck dat was the smartes dodge! (Twain 96). † Huck goes out on a limb to save Jim from being captured by slave hunters. This demonstrates how their relationship has completely changed. There is now trust and commitment in their friendship. Jim also looks out for Huck. Jim is almost like a father figure to Huck because he takes care of him in a way that only fathers do, â€Å" He often does that, he gets up and doesn’t wake me† (pg 155). Jim sacrifices his sleep so the Huck gets a good night rest.Jim is putting Huck first instead of himself, just like a father would do. One of the most important aspects of Huck’s and Jim’s friendship is that Huck learns to go against society. He begins to start thinking for himself and comes to the conclusion that Jim shouldn’t be a slave. Although he struggles with this idea throughout the novel, he eventually makes the final decision to break away from society. This is seen when Huck decides to help jim escape when he is caught, â€Å" All right then, I’ll go to hell†(pg, 214). Huck makes a moral decision to go to hell by helping Jim escape.He knows that society tell him it is wrong put does it anyway. After this, Huck sees Jim as his equal. He says â€Å" I knowed that he was white inside† (276). He comes to the conclusion that Jim is just the same as he is in the inside. The color of Jim skin does not define who he is in the inside. By showing how Huck’s and Jim’s relationship grows from one of acquaintance to friendship, Twain demonstrates how a color should not define a person. Twain himself goes against society to show this powerful message. His massage has had a lasting impact in society. He was able to do this by simply standing up for what he believed in.

Kenneth's Waltz Systems of Theory of Int'l Politics Critique and Essay

Kenneth's Waltz Systems of Theory of Int'l Politics Critique and Evaluation - Essay Example Post the Second World War, Neo-Liberalism became a significant feature of International Relations. The concept gained impetus, with the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community, now known as the European Union. Then came about the Neo-Realistic Approach, put forth by Kenneth Waltz. This approach has been hailed as a more scientific approach. Waltz' 'Theory of International Politics' (1979) laid the basis of the behavioural theory. He does not concern himself exclusively with the ethics of state craft or moral dimensions of foreign policy. In his first work, 'Man, the State and War-A Theoretical Analysis' (1959), he agreed with the classical realist argument that power-seeking state is also a creation of man. However, twenty years later, Waltz acknowledged the bi-polarity and dominance of super-powers in this world. He traces the anarchical state system and highlights the neorealist tenets. Waltz, in his theory, talks about the absence of a world government and states that International Relations is an anarchical system. He also talks about Sovereignty of states and that the International System comprises similar units.

Reward and Incentive System Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reward and Incentive System - Coursework Example One of the challenges that might be faced in establishing an effective compensation system for the Tesco Company executives is the biased attitude (Hill & Jones, 2010). The compensation system has the potential of creating biases to the lower cadre employees in compensating the top executives. The lower employees who are responsible for implementing the policies and strategies developed by the executive of Tesco Company will be demoralized due to the insignificant feeling. This will hinder the realization of commercial interest of the company that will make the compensation strategy adopted impossible due to lack of adequate funds. The perception of the compensation been unfair compared to the external equity is another challenge that Tesco will face is establishing the incentive system for it executive employees (Hill & Jones, 2010). The modern market is facing intense competition that has seen companies rewarding their top management heavily to attract the most effective and effici ent strategic team to compete effectively in the market. Thus, the reward system that Tesco will develop will be judged by the executive team on its coherence with the market reality. This has the potential of drawing the negative reaction from the executives if they perceive the system to be unfair to the market competitiveness or equity. The top management of Tesco Company will shift to the competitors who are offering better incentive and reward compensation strategy. The two challenges will heavily impact on the establishment of the incentive and reward system that Tesco Company will employ in compensating its executive to ensure it is balanced towards the perception of the internal employees at the lower level and perception of the executive towards the market equity.

The most effective way of treating depression is through regular Essay

The most effective way of treating depression is through regular exercise discuss - Essay Example The paper will also focus on other ways of treating depression, which can complement exercises. The other ways of treating depression to be addressed in the paper include the use of antidepressants and psychotherapy. Depression refers to a mental disorder characterized with such behaviors as guilt feelings, depressed mood, disturbance in sleeping patterns, low self-esteem, lack of appetite, as well as lack of enough energy. Depression can be regarded as a chronic condition that affects many people. There may be high instances of relapse associated with the issue of depression. Factors that cause depression include stressful encounters both in the workplace and at home. Depression may also be cause by the interactions that people have with those around them and how effective they are in these interactions. Depression is a significant cause of somatic and co-morbid illnesses (Knapen et. al. 2009, p. 78). Persons who suffer from depression have high risks of contracting diseases such as osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, as well as heart diseases. As a result, there are higher risks of contracting heart diseases for persons with depression than in the general population. Persons with depression are less active in their lives than those without depression. Moreover, are not as physically fit as persons without depression and they have low cardio-respiratory fitness. According to studies, lack of exercises and physical activity can be associated with depression, lack of proper health body composition and mass, cardiovascular diseases, and osteoporosis. Evidence shows that physical exercises play a crucial role in the treatment of depression. Exercises are essential for the treatment of both moderate and mild depression; the role played by exercises in the treatment of depression can be likened to the effect of psychotherapy and antidepressants in depression. Exercise also treats severe dep ression as it creates positive effects,

Reflection on seminar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reflection on seminar - Essay Example , relaxed posture, as well as the management ability that is associated with power sharing, delegation of essential work, and involvement of employees (PREMA KUMAR, 2010). On the other hand, the aspect of immediacy was employed to a greater extent. It has to do with the sense of attention and interest. It leads to moderation of other people either as being persuasive or competent. For instance; the use of the other individual’s name tends to provide a sense of existing togetherness. This kind of feedback that is directed towards other people enhances the feeling of closeness, hence boosting morale and cooperation to a greater extent. This is mainly applied by managers who are fond of walking around the working place and interacting with employees while listening to their feedbacks and proposals. Interaction management on the other hand was witnessed in a number of ways. It is a situation whereby each and every individual have a feeling of interchange contributions. Based on this perspective, group leaders provided adequate non-verbal and verbal feedbacks (PUCHTA & SCHRATZ, 1993). It comprised of the sense of trust, interrogations, involvement, among others. Here, it was learnt that effective managers often take the responsibility and initiative for any occurrence rather than reacting to various circumstances in the course of their occurrences. In line with this, we also valued the element of expressiveness as an interactive management model. It provided non –verbal and verbal actions that show some sense of interest, engagement, and openness. Active listening is a good example of this concept. The other perspectives involved the ability of adapting to other people’s view-points. There is a display of empathy, attentiveness and interests. Based on all these, we had a better stand-off in our group towards ascertaining on the humanistic model. It generally set out basis on the aspects of Openness, empathy, supportiveness, positivity, as well as equality.

Arab unity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Arab unity - Essay Example However, it is mandatory to note that the Arabs role though to some extent may be little, may be played out in the center stage. This study, for this reason, seeks to analyze the various impacts that correlate to the Arabs unity. Arab unity is by no mechanism a new invention, and strides towards a massive cooperation are evident throughout history of the modern Middle East. The above cooperation ranges from Pan-Arabism, Nasserism, to Islamism. In previous decades the formulation of a police force for Arab countries has frequently been frustrated by member states who believe it is not important to their stability, for instance Pakistan.. The emergency of Arab summit held in Qatar on March 2009, preceding Gaza siege by the Israeli troops, was meant to establish a common legal understanding in most of Palestine allied Arab nations. The attack that resulted in massive human casualties displayed Arabs, disillusionment, disunity and disagreement.1 Thus, was the benchmark to necessitate a common ground for the unity of the Arab Nations. In comparison to Europe, new alliances that form the League of Arab States, for instance, on one side was that of Palestinian Liberation Organization, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. While on the other side was that of Syria, Qatar, and Hamas. Rather than joining forces to a common cause that appeared straight forward, and not divisive, the Arab Leagues continuously experienced long-standing disagreements as well as fluctuating rivalries. The above misunderstandings are not only disadvantageous to the economy but also a major set-backs when it comes to issues that pertain international relations and policies. Interregional unity of the Arab states will be a massive boost to ensuring the integration of trans-boundary policies and legislation. Integration of such legislation is what will enhance and speed up the dispute resolution mechanism, without compromising another country’s sovereignty.2 In order to foster a common police force

Transfusion in the patient with Sickle cell Disease Essay

Transfusion in the patient with Sickle cell Disease - Essay Example e, transfusion strategy is applied to prevent the recurrence, or the first occurrence, of stroke which is a major crisis in SCD, and to manage pulmonary hypertension and other sources of morbidity and mortality. Exchange transfusions are used to reduce the sickle cell haemoglobin (HbS) levels during crisis. Several situations also exist wherein the indication for red cell transfusion is controversial, uncertain, or downright injudicious. Many side effects of transfusion have been identified and methods to overcome them have been developed. Iron overload (remedy: iron chelation), and alloimmunisation (remedy: phenotypical matching of transfused blood) are two notable examples. Association of haemoglobinopathies and neurologic sequelae after transfusion is also known. At the present time, bone marrow transplant is the only curative procedure available for both SCD and ÃŽ ²-thalassaemia major. Potential therapies involving stem cell transplantation and gene techniques are being vigorous ly researched. A detailed discussion of the current status of clinical management strategies as applied to inherited haemoglobin-related diseases in particular, sickle cell disease and the thalassaemias, is presented in this paper. Anaemia is a syndrome characterised by a lack of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin deficiency in the red blood cells, resulting in inadequate oxygen supply to the tissues. The condition can be temporary, long-term or chronic, and of mild to severe intensity. There are many forms and causes of anaemia. Normal blood consists of three types of blood cells: white blood cells (leucocytes), platelets and red blood cells (erythrocytes). The first generation of erythrocyte precursors in the developing foetus are produced in the yolk sac. They are carried to the developing liver by the blood where they form mature red blood cells that are required to meet the metabolic needs of the foetus. Until the 18th week of gestation, erythrocytes are produced only by liver

Art Analisys 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Art Analisys 2 - Essay Example Mary Cassatt’s unique mode of painting coupled with her interest in reproducing children portraits, grasped my attention during one of the recent visits to the National Gallery of Art, DC (National Gallery of Art, 2012). Consequently, this aroused my interest in her paintings because they contrasted with other numerous artworks in the art gallery, especially those of her male counterparts. In addition, after an intensive research I unveiled that she preferred featuring children in her paintings because they reveal their natural self contrary to the adults (National Gallery of Art, 2012). Besides Mary Cassatt being a woman, her paintings comprise the most praised impressionism artworks done by different reputable artists in her time (Harris & Cassatt, 2007). This is contrary to the past where women never featured anywhere in the male dominated field of art. The past â€Å"segregation† and negative perception towards women venturing in the field of art have recently yield ed to the rise of feminist movements, for example, "Guerrilla Girls" (Desmond, 2011). Material and Formal properties In this image, Mary Cassatt skillfully utilizes paint together with an oil canvas and brush, to show her prowess in transmitting ideas besides bringing out the aspect of impressionism (Harris & Cassatt, 2007). This is by selectively assigning all the objects in picture their respective natural colors, besides varying light’s intensity meant to show their different distances from the front position. For instance, despite the little child’s image tilted slightly from the center, it has high illumination compared to both the dog and rear objects (chairs) (Cassatt, 2008). Mainly, this is the painter’s unique technique to draw the viewers’ attention towards her focus, which is the little girl. Light should be emanating from the rear windows, but she goes ahead to provide her illumination (Harris & Cassatt, 2007). Consequently, this aids Mary Cas satt to bring out the aspect of naturalism represented by the little girl’s posture as she fidgets in the armchair, while in her private world of thoughts. The essence of negative space in this portrait is to create and emphasis on depth, which is apparent from the little girl’s position towards the rear windows. Hence, it contributes to the creation of harmony where the objects comprising the entire picture do not overlap disorderly (Cassatt, 2008). Content Mary Cassatt’s use of this image opens a window for the viewers to explore the lives of young children. The picture demonstrates that, children at certain instances become disinterested and bored despite being in the presence of things, which they usually treasure at their age. For example, in this image Mary Cassatt paints the little child with her favorite pet, next chair, in a beautiful room (Cassatt, 2012). However, not any of these things can sway the little girl from engaging in deep thoughts. This inf luences the viewer to start speculating what could be the thoughts of the little child, hence sharing in her world of thoughts. The image’s title also contributes to the mystery of the child’s thoughts, regardless of the viewer’s first influence by the image itself (National Gallery of Art, 2012). In addition, the essence of the sleeping pet in the next chair is to emphasis on what the little girl

Health and Safety Project Essay Example for Free

Health and Safety Project Essay This work-based project forms an important part of your training. The aim of this project is to familiarise yourself with your working environment and the Health and Safety issues that arise in your placement. On completion you should: Understand the structure your organisation’s; and your role in it Understand the importance of Health and Safety at work Understand the legal requirements of Health and Safety at work Know your organization’s health, hygiene and accident procedures To complete this assignment you may need to make notes in before filling in the information. Take your time and carefully answer every question as fully as possible; the more you write the more criteria you will meet. If you need any help please speak to your workplace supervisor, your colleagues, your College tutor or your Training Co-ordinator. Describe your placement, e.g. busy town/country, client group (age, culture, special needs): The site that Oakland’s is situated on was once the site of the old Parcroft Juniors School, which was torn down and rebuilt with the merger of the Westfield Infant’s. The newly reformed school was named after the old oak tree, which still stands on the grounds of the school and has done for 300 years. So it was only fitting that the school was named Oakland’s, and when you talk to past pupils who attended Parcroft, they always fondly remember playing marbles or chase under the oak trees branches. Oakland’s Primary School is based within the busy town of Yeovil and is situated between Preston Grove, Linden Road and Summerleaze Park. It is a modern High Tec school with all the modern facilities you would expect. The school was built on one level giving easy access to all able bodied and  unable bodied pupils alike to attend the school. The building is quiet self efficient and generates its own electric with solar panels, has under floor heating to heat the school throughout and even the lights run on sensors to turn on and off when you enter and exit a room. Each classroom is fitted with large touch screen boards, which the teachers can run from their laptops giving them a huge range of access to a wide range of teaching resources, enhancing the pupils learning to the up most and keeping them interactive with their learning. Roughly 420 pupils attend the school, ranging from the ages of 4 years up to 11 years old. The school uniform is a purple jumper with the school emblem of an Oak Tree, white sweatshirts, grey trousers or skirts and black shoes. Each of the 14 classes within the school has been named after an animal, giving each class its own identity, including a mascot. There is also four teams throughout the school, which is used within each classroom and the children are encourage to win team points for their team so that at the end of the school year their team can win the team cup. This helps with the pupils taking pride in their achievements and to try hard to earn a point. There are many facilities within the school and on the surrounding grounds of the school, these include: The I.C.T suite where the children learn how to use computers, from word processing to using the internet safely. The school hall which is used for weekly assemblies, indoor sports activities, and even the Christmas nativity plays. The music room which is full of many different musical instruments, letting the pupils express themselves and learn about music. The fully equipped cookery room were the pupils learn about healthy eating and different foods from around the world. This is also where the breakfast club is held every morning. Then there is Forest school which is held in a purpose built log cabin surrounded by trees and a wildlife garden. This is where pupils go for environmental studies, to learn about insects, plants, animals and the environment. The Outdoor facilities include several outside learning areas that are used throughout the day depending on weather. There are also extensive fields, several play areas and two activity play areas. Oakland’s Primary also offers a large range of activities and clubs after school, which range from performance arts, music, sports, computer clubs and gardening clubs. There is also a holiday care  scheme which offers families affordable, childcare. Within Oakland’s there is also an Autism Base which is known as Peacocks Class. This based within it’s own sector of the school’s main building and is solely run by the council and has its own staff. The base consists of two teaching areas, two sensory rooms, a kitchen, a toilet and its own outside area. Non-Statutory requirements (in your workplace) What is the ratio of adults to children? In Foundation and Key Stage One the ratio of adults to children is 1 to 10 In Key Stage Two the ratio of adults to children is 1 to 15 Are the ratios different in any other room at work; if yes please give details? Yes in the Autism base the ratio of adult to children is different. Statutory requirements What are the statutory requirements regarding adult: child ratios? The EYFS states that the adult to child ratio within classes with children over the age of three should be 1 Adult to 13 Children. But must be a qualified teacher, or hold a relevant level 6 qualification. It also states that there should also be at least one other member of staff within the classroom that holds a level 3 qualification. However if the teacher is absent from the classroom then the ratio requirements change and it is recommended that it should be 1 Adult to 8 Children. But must hold a level qualification and the other staff within the classroom should hold a level 2 qualification. On school trips the ratios change again dependent on the type of trip. Also these can change when dependant on certain circumstances and other factors, which could Include if any of the pupils have special educational needs or medical needs. It can also be altered depending on the experience and competence of the staff attending the trip, including the number of first aiders going along. It is recommended that the ratios should follow: 1:6 for years 1 to 3, 1:10 for years 4 to 6, and 1: 15 / 20 for years 7 upwards. Why are these necessary? To make sure that the children are being educated and taken care of correctly and are under the supervision of qualified staff members. What are the statutory requirements regarding space? Class sizes: Schools must make sure that children aged between 5 years and 7 years aren’t taught in classes of more than 30 pupils. There is no legal limit for pupils aged 8 years and over. Why is this necessary? So that schools do not have oversized classes, as then the children do not get the attention they need to learn. Organisation and Structure of the Workplace Every organisation or business has its own basic structure of management. Each manager is responsible for those in their department. The structure can be set out like a pyramid. Responsibilities may differ. Please identify all staff roles and responsibilities; highlighting your own: Governors They school governors are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. Head Teacher Has overall responsibility for the school, its staff, its pupils and the education they receive. Deputy Head Teacher Plays a major role in managing the school, particularly in the absence of the head teacher. Is also responsible for a curriculum area and specific areas of the school management, delegated to them by the Head Teacher. Inclusion Leader The special educational needs coordinator is responsible for day to day provisions for pupils with special educational needs. NQT Mentor They are responsible for the Newly Qualified Teachers, and are there to give support and guidance when needed. Foundation Stage Leader Responsible for children in foundation stage, leading the foundation team of teachers and teaching assistants. KS1 Leader To manage Key Stage 1 team of teachers and teaching assistants. KS2 Leader To manage Key Stage 2 team of teachers and teaching assistants. Phase Leaders Responsible for co-ordinating and motivating staff and children in their allocated phase to ensure high levels of achievement. Teachers Are responsible to plan, prepare and lessons to meet the needs of all their pupils in their care. Setting and marking work and recording pupil’s development as necessary. But also within Oakland’s each teacher is responsible for an area of the curriculum, such as; A curriculum coordinator for Numeracy, which makes them responsible for the leadership and management of the subject. Teaching Assistants To assist the classroom teacher to prepare for lessons such as resources that are required, or to put out equipment at the start of the lesson. To support the teacher in the day to day running of the classroom from up keeping data files, cataloguing resources, maintaining inventories, and photocopying. Undertaking learning activities with a small group of children, who may need extra support. Lunchtime Supervisors They look after the children during lunchtime breaks, so that most of the staff members are able to take their breaks. They take the children who have school dinners to the schools canteen, they also look after the pupils who bring pack lunch. Within one of their classroom or outside weather permitting. They are also first aid trained and look after the children whilst playing outside. Administration Staff There is a wide range of job roles within this department of the school, ranging from: First point of contact for the school either by telephone, email or face to face. Diary management for the Head teacher or departmental leaders Issue visitor passes where necessary and maintain signing in and out books Maintain data bases and filing systems Prepare correspondence and collect fees To contact parent/guardians for specific reasons when requested by staff and to request for collection of sick children on behalf of the staff. And many more jobs besides Site Staff Maintain the school, deal with cleaning, maintenance of equipment and the school building. Catering Staff Cater for the pupils and staff that eat within the canteen, with healthy food within their budget. Volunteers Helping within the school, with assisting the classroom teacher with tasks such as listening to pupils read, taking part on school trips and helping out at school fairs. List the things you have agreed with your employer that you are prohibited from doing: Entering the Autism base, Administering first aid to a pupil this must be done by a qualified first aider. What breaks are you entitled to? When working a full day within the school – from 8.45am to 3pm I am entitled to an hour for lunch. Though on occasions I may be required to cover a lunchtime supervisor duty, which then I will be allocated an hour within the afternoon. This is the same for break times, we are entitled to take the break ourselves or we may be asked to supervise. If you are unhappy with a health safety issues what would you do? I would have to report this to the site service manager or to the deputy head teacher Risk Assessments Has your placement got a risk assessment policy? Yes – Every school and workplace must have a risk assessment policy. Where is it kept? Within the Administration Office Who has access to it? The HSE, The Governors, The Head Teacher, staff members and parents How often are they reviewed and why is this necessary? It is reviewed on a yearly basis unless any changes have to be implemented within the school. Then the risk assessment will be reviewed as a part of the process. Such as recently the school has had some staff members trained in manual lifting and so the risk assessment has to be updated for this new procedure within the school. Give an example of a risk assessment you have done and why? When reading with the foundation children one to one they have a tendency to swing on their chair. This has risks of the chair flipping backwards and the child following which in turn could cause harm to themselves. So I have had to ask them to sit properly and not to swing on their chair. Identify and list below 4 possible risks/hazards that might occur within your work placement and state how you would prevent each one?, explain how they will be monitored and reviewed 1. Pupils trapping fingers in the internal fire doors. The fire doors are extremely heavy to open to exit the classrooms or to enter the bathroom, especially for the less able bodied and the smaller children within foundation. These doors are on hinges and close back on themselves when opened. Are very heavy as they are designed to protect against fire. However I have witnessed children struggling with these doors. When trying to open these doors by themselves they tend to place one hand on the door frame as they use the other hand to open the door. If they where to lose grip of the door it would swing back and the likely hood of trapping their fingers is a high risk. The less able bodies students struggle even more so and they normally have a buddy within their classroom to open these doors for them. Which in turn takes away their independence, and they normally have a fear of getting stuck in the toilet or in room as they are unable to open these doors by themselves. I would look into adapting the doors by placing an electronic button system. Where the smaller children and the less able bodied children will be able to press a button and the door will automatically open for them. As it is impossible to loosen the hinges on the door as they will no longer work as intended. If this is not possible when a child needs to exit a room then an adult should always be present to assist. Preventing any accidents from happening, or a fear of getting stuck. 2. Tripping over chair leg in classroom When children are moving around the classroom it is often an possibility that they could trip over a chair leg. Either from the chair not being placed under a table properly or whilst another child is swinging on their chair. This could be very hazardous as they could fall and hit a side of a table or land badly on the ground. Add no swinging on your chair and to tuck away chairs properly when not being used onto the classroom rules. I would remind any of the children I see not tucking their chair away to do so, and at the end of class make a check that all chairs are tucked away correctly. I would also do the same with children swinging on their chair; I would ask them not to, and remind them of the class room rules. 3. Slipping on wet floors in the toilets Before break times and lunch times the children are all asked to go to the toilets and wash their hands. The children have a tendency to drip a large amount of water across the floor when walking over to the hand dryer. Which when you have approximately 30 children at once using the toilets the water can accumulate into a puddle of water, which becomes a slipping hazard. Allowing only ten children to use the toilets at a time to wash their hands. So that a teaching assistant could maintain the floor with a mop preventing puddles forming, then let the next ten children in once the teaching assistant has vacated. Another option could be before allowing the children  out of the class to use the toilet the teacher could remind them to shake the excess water off their hands over the sink before drying their hands. However the procedure they have set in the foundation classes works well where they set up two washing up bowls set within the classroom on tables. The children wash their hands under adult supervision and then dry their hands on towels. Makes it less children rushing through the toilets just to wash their hands. 4. Getting caught up and Tripping over Play bibs Within foundation the children are allowed out to play within the soft play area during lessons, but only in a group of five. To keep the group to only five children at a time there are five play bibs supplied which they have to wear whilst outside. However when a child wants to come back inside they have to take off the play bib, which then leaves a bib spare for another child to go out. It works in principle, and keeps the group to only five children at a time. However the children do not maintain putting the bibs back within the box after they are finished and they tend to just throw the play bibs down on the ground. This then becomes a tripping hazard and another child or member of staff could get their feet caught up within the bib and fall over, causing an injury. A box placed outside seems to be over looked by the children, so I would suggest placing a coat hook within the classroom, at their level by the door that they exit and enter to play outside. Then reaffirm that the play bibs must be hung up when not being used and remind the children when they drop the bib to hang it up or no play for them for the rest of the day. Offsite Safety What risk assessments do you need to complete before going of site/ on an outing? Oakland’s Primary employs an external Risk Assessment company, to carry out the risk assessments on behave of the school. They attend the site of the visit and make an assessment of the risks that may apply and forward the report back to the Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher. The report will be compiled of recommendations based on factors of the trip, and any control measures and contingencies that need to be set in place relating to the risks that could occur. From the report the school will then set in place the criteria based around the risks, such as: The age / competence / fitness / usual standard of behaviour of the pupils Any special educational / medical needs of the pupils Adult to Child ratios The competence / experience / qualifications of the adults Modes of transport, journey routes and location of the visit The correct attire that may need to be required depended on weather conditions and location of visit. Any emergency procedures When there is a less able bodied pupil attending the trip, the leading teacher will take a visit to the site themselves to evaluate the location and the facilities. This is so they can make sure that no child will miss out. They also take a visit to plan activities accordingly and to talk to any personnel that may work within the location of the visit, and to set out a timetable of the activities. Are the adult: child ratio’s different? Yes the ratios are different, and these depend on the location of the visit. What are your roles and responsibilities? I have done quite a few school trips, some have been to support my son during a school visit and have travelled either via the school mini bus or and in one instance myself and my son travelled by our own means of transport. When arriving at school we are given the activities schedule and what groups we will be in and the names of the children under our care. We check that all the children have brought everything they need, if not the school does try to provide anything that a child has forgotten or does not own, such a wellingtons, spare clothes etc. We run through the plan before leaving the classroom. On the mini bus I would support my son, during the journey and help the other two teaching assistants within the mini bus to keep the rest of the children entertained. We normally share out books, maths tasks or we will start some singing. Once we have arrived at the location I am put in charge of a small group of 4 to 5 children which includes my son and I follow one of the leading teachers during the activities. The last school trip to kingcombe meadows we went hunting within the meadows for wild flowers with a check list, we also caught bugs within nets and did some fishing in the river. I had a small group of 5 children under my care and I helped them with their activities, encouraging them to figure out what bug the found or flower. I have also helped with a foundation school outing, this was up to the post box outside of the school gate and up the road to post their letters home, as part of their Post Office activities in class. I handed out high-viz vests to every child before we left and was put in charge of three children as we walked in a line up and back to the post box.

Diversity Issues Essay Example for Free

Diversity Issues Essay Share some contemporary examples of cultural diversity issues. Some contemporary examples of cultural diversity issues, for example, are law enforcements inabilities to understand completely some of the minority group’s language, traditions, beliefs, lifestyles, religions, stereotyping, and profiling of minorities. Law enforcement also encounters cultural diversity issues with the different moral beliefs of ethnic groups, therefore, can interfere with relating to other minorities when faced with a situation. Law enforcement officers should focus on education, training, and gain knowledge of their local minorities to form a universal relationship with those minorities to avoid the cultural and ethical issues, which may raise suspicions when in turn it is the beliefs, morals, etc. of that minority rather than hiding something, or under the influences of drugs or alcohol. An example is with Asian and Hispanic females. Females in both these minority family environments are considered subordinate to men, and many are expected to take a role as the mother while the male counterparts are allowed to participate in social activities such as jobs, sports, clubs, afterschool activities, and such (Shapiro, 2002). Law enforcement encounters much problematic issues regarding the subordination of females by the male counterparts in these minorities, resulting in calls to the school systems because female Hispanics are prone to be hostile toward peers because of stress, which derives in the family and the attempting results to conform-assimilate with youths in America (Shapiro, 2002). Reference: Shapiro, M. (2002). Asian Culture Belief: Vietnam. Retrieved September 29, 2011, from http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu/downloads/products/briefs/culture/pdf/ACB-Vol2-Iss5-Vietnam.pdf https://www.google.com

Mau Mau Rebellion And The British Response History Essay

Mau Mau Rebellion And The British Response History Essay In this essay I intend to explain the rise of the Mau Mau and the resulting British response from a socio political stand point. I will show that in response to the uprising the Colonial authorities perpetuated the myth of the Mau Mau in order to serve their own interests and provide international justification for their actions. In effect the myth was a product of wilful acceptance to prominent racial and ethnocentric views of the time. The British in fact went on to perpetuate these already prominent views imbedded in the western social consciousness and in doing so provided justification for the barbaric actions to follow, as well as igniting already prominent divides among the native people throughout the colony. This prevailing attitude spread amongst the heads of the colonial project and even to local loyalist people creating a detrimental social consciousness and ironically this myth did not diminish the cause of the Mau Mau fighters as intended, but it antagonised both sides of the divide, the myth took on a life of its own culminating in detrimental effects to both sides; in effect this turned into a war fuelled by resentment and revenge. To show this I will firstly, give a brief overview of the political backdrop of the Kikuyu people during colonial times. Secondly, I will examine the evolution of the myth of Mau Mau looking to its origins, academic justification and response to it. Thirdly, I will work through the resulting conflict showing how the myth contributed to the already multitude of divides and social misconceptions as play within the conflict; with reference to the Lari massacre and Project Anvil. Finally, to conclude I will give mention to recent events and challenges to the British courts from elderly Mau Mau fighters and show that if it was not for racial attitudes and stereotypes and with a little more intelligent thought and acceptance this violent oppressive war could and should have never happened. Origins political backdrop Over three decades leading up to the Mau Mau rebellion, Africans voiced plangent political concerns despite the obstruction of an unsympathetic colonial state.  [1]  Four issues of contention arose to be the main issues of political debate. Two of these were: low level African wages and the abolition of the kipande. European settlers wished to remain competitive in their agricultural production, which was rather less profitable than the extraction of natural resources, this meant tightening of wages for the local Kikuyu people. The kipande was an identity card enforced by the British; essentially it was used for altogether oppressive means relating to mobilization and employment. Two further deep-rooted issues arose from mid-1930 onwards. Firstly, the need to secure effective, elected African representation; previously attempts to manage politics had been utilised by way of, nominated and salaried chiefs who were effectively under the influence of European missionaries, who were by way of the chiefs effectively the voice of the Kenyan people.  [2]  Secondly, the issue of land appropriation and distribution, this had in fact been a bone of contention since the beginning of colonial rule, however, this was exacerbated by restricted migration of peoples and enforcement of land segregation due to tightening economic constraints on the European powers in the post-WWII period, making this the most contested argument and division in Kenya, especially amongst the Kikuyu people. By 1950 these political contentions had evolved into three distinct political movements: Conservatives, Moderate Nationalists and Militant Nationalists. The Conservative block, comprising of: Chiefs, headmen, and senior Christian elders, their authority had been built up and greatly consolidated through association with the colonial project. These people were a product of Social conditioning; western education carried out by Christian missionaries, dogmatising a new breed of Kenyans.  [3]  The Moderate Nationalists emerged from the early 1920s, previously educated mission boys, developed westernised attitudes and prevailing Christian beliefs again by way of colonial conditioning. The old conservative chiefs were viewed as a barrier to progress and modernisation, a step away from traditional values and cultural politics.  [4]  A materialist rivalry fuelled and intensified their political struggles; in a battle for power the difference in agendas at first was not entirely clear . Koinange Wa Mbiya, the most distinguished chief of the colonial era, became disillusioned with the colonial regime, originally a stanch conservative supporter his views shifted dramatically over the issue of land appropriation.  [5]  The land reserves were diminishing and population was growing rapidly, people succumbed to hunger and even starvation, which spread rapidly amongst the native people. In a passionate speech Koinange appealed to the colonial land commission for the return of his peoples lost lands, his appeal fell on death ears, the colonial powers had another agenda and his appeal was rejected.  [6]  Consequently, he joined the Kikuyu Central Association (KCA) an organisation he was previously vehemently opposed to. He even went as far as donating his own land and giving financial support to the Kikuyu Independent Schools Association, successfully challenging the Christian missions monopoly of primary education for the children of Kenya; an important factor in ra ising free thinking Kenyans free of dogmatism and colonial conditioning, these newly educated children would go on to fuel the rise of nationalism.  [7]   The British thought that they had drawn a line under the issue, demanding compliance form their colonial subjects. However, this was just the beginning of the problem; as the white settler population grew and mechanisation aided the efficiency of the production, less and less workers were needed resulting in more repatriation to the reserves. This was exacerbated further by the Chieftains, with western ideologies of their own, believing in progress and modernity, they developed their own aspirations for wealth and power, further alienating the local Kikuyu population. Origins of Mau Mau and creation of a myth The origins of the Mau Mau contrary to the beliefs of the west and colonial governments within Kenya were heralded on very much peaceful beginnings, this can be view in contrast to Britains greater colonial empire particularly, India, the jewel in the crown, where Gandhis vision of non-violence had now seemed to transgress continents; for it was indeed this stance that the rebel Mau Mau organisation began. The first signs of integration or the population to Mau Mau sympathies arose, as we have seen, out of opposition of their own self-mastery. This choice first entailed a rejection of the leadership of many patrons, particularly the chiefs who, as one vernacular newspaper article argued in January 1948, should know that to be respected through fear is not as good as respect through love. Initial protests were intentionally carried out and lead by educated Africans with emphasis on strong discipline and unity.  [8]  Even moral boosting songs proclaimed, we dont want war we want ju stice. The newspaper Mumenyereri observed, Africans have no weapons, but their weapon is to speak the truth and to be honest.  [9]   The United Kingdom, conversely, sought to popularise a very different interpretation, and largely succeeded. This was that the troubles were a small unpopular, easily controllable, savage tribal uprising, perhaps the symptom of some form of mass psychosis, the result of the Kikuyu tribes inability to cope with the modern world.  [10]  The British depiction and the official colonial/western view of Mau Mau were of a savage, violent, and depraved tribal cult, who expressed unrestrained emotion rather than reason. It sought to turn the Kikuyu people back to the bad old days before enlightened British rule had brought the blessings of modern civilization and development.  [11]  Government intelligence reports dwelt on the insane frenzy and fanatical discipline of Mau Mau adherents.  [12]  It had been deliberately organized, according to the government, by cynical and unprincipled leaders, seeking only to satisfy their own lust for power. Depraved, murderous, and wholly evil, Mau Mau had to be totally destroyed; this view was backed up by leading academics of the time.  [13]  This is not to say that a brilliant lie was devised, but merely that one particular version of events (which was perhaps no further from the truth than many of the other interpretations) was publicised because it cause the British less problems when trying to justify their African policies to those international neighbours to whom they had to pay heed, above all Americans. It blunted criticisms, stifled debate, and exonerated the British response.  [14]  In reality, the myth was more sophisticated and wider and served more tangible purpose than this would suggest. It must be recognised that not all was myth, and that Mau Mau was far from a standard anti-colonial uprising, if such a creature indeed exists.  [15]   By the Mid-1960s this interpretation began to be challenged by a revisionist version of Mau Mau which depicted it as an essential, if radical, component of nationalism in Kenya. First, memoirs of the Emergency by some of those active in Mau Mau began to be published, notably by J. M. Kariuki and Waruhiu Itote:  [16]  both who insisted that Mau Mau was a modern, rational, and nationalist political movement, not tribalist reaction. These publications set the way for two hugely influential works which would reshape academic opinion; the first, Mau Mau from Within by Karari Njama;  [17]  the second, the Myth of Mau Mau: Nationalism in Kenya by John Nottingham and Carl Rosberg.  [18]  Nottingham and Rosberg concluded that interpretations of Mau Mau as savage and atavistic tribalism is subject to penetrating analysis as a myth of the Mau Mau grounded in European racism and ethnocentrism.  [19]   This wilful propagating and demonising antagonised an already deeper problem of racial and ethnocentric social views. The cultural misconceptions already prelevant in the social consciousness of Europeans were evident with racial and barbarian attitudes shown towards Africans, it was this that the British government could influence, the myth they propagated further cemented these misconceptions, the colonial administration seeking advantage to pursue its own ends at state level. This attitude is clearly seen in a book by Christopher Wilson, Kenyas Warning; throughout the book he writes clearly engulfed by a misconceived social consciousness. In a chapter on the Mau Mau leaders he goes on to discredit the causes of support for the Mau Mau. He tackles the legitimacy of aggravations caused by lack of land for cultivation, lack of money on account of low wages, and denial of legitimate political claims; siding in each case with the colonial project.  [20]  He demeans the intentions o f the Mau Mau leaders as acting in their own interests, having no interest in the welfare of the masses, deluding them with promises [the masses]. Essentially the non-conformity with western ideas is seen as backward, primitive and uneducated.  [21]  Mau Mau supporters were belittled by loyalists as impoverished criminal delinquents and so, it was believed, morally ill-equipped to lead political action or participate in debate: When you kill your fellow men because of foolishness, I tell you that you are far from becoming a leader of any sort. (Letter E. Munene to editor, 30th Jan 1954)  [22]  Mau Mau forest fighters were frequently derided by loyalists as wild animals and in particular hyenas.  [23]   The British response- In October 1952w, the new colonial administrator took an altogether more decisive approach to the situation in hand; opting for a more heavy handed approach and military response the Mau Mau rebellion, to be implemented immediately. A State of Emergency was declared and the British colonial government of Kenya waged a violent counter-insurgency campaign against the Mau Mau rebels. In this effort the regime was assisted by collaborators, known as loyalists, drawn from the same communities as the insurgents. This created an ambiguity of allegiances of which were influenced by propaganda and events on both sides of the divide; loyalism in fact seems to have been a product of the same intellectual debates that had spanned the Mau Mau insurgency itself.  [24]  Francis Gatheru was a stanch supporter of the loyalist and colonial cause during the state of emergency, his reasoning for standing opposed to his fellow was ironically deduced for the very same reasons from which the Mau Mau so ught revolution. Gatheru dismissed the idea that oaths of allegiance to the Mau Mau were taken by way of ritualistic nature, and it was the threat of supernatural punishment that compelled most to pledge their support to the insurgents. Admitting this this was a factor, but exaggerated by the British; who propagated this demonised dark nature of the local people. Instead Gatheru points to the Mau Maus promise to deliver freedom, land and every good thing we wished to have that primarily won over the hearts and minds of the local people. This suggests that contrary to the British claims that the majority of people were oathed voluntarily. Proclaiming ithaka na wiathi meaning self-mastery through land, it is clear that the militant Mau Mau leaders had utilised the primary contention that could unite the people against the colonial regime.  [25]  What followed was in effect a civil war, more than 90 per cent of the 13,000 officially acknowledged casualties of the anti-colonial and internecine violence were Kikuyu, Embu or Meru; most of which were killed by their fellow inhabitants of Kenyas Central Highlands. Gatheru now disillusioned and horrified by the conflict, saw his people no closer to self-mastery, they were fighting an unwinnable war; up against the full force and technological advancement of the British Empire. What Gatheru realised as did much of the native population that we are not to get any ware by prolonging the situation, if we are getting the opposite of what the Mau Mau promised us when we were taking the oath, why then à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ shouldnt we do the contrary of what we promised? The divide was widening, the British played the natives against one another; in an already divided population with a huge number of grievances and contentions it was easy to mobilize support on either side. On the loyalist side: demonising propaganda, colonial education/westernisation, Christian indoctrination, material superiority, non-violence, political ends and even monetary incentive and bribes. On the Mau Mau side: land contentions, living/working conditions, land hunger, wage levels, material divides as well as traditional and cultural issues all played apart. Most strikingly as the contention between the sides intensified revenge was a clear motive on both sides in the ambiguity of allegiances. Fuelled by principles of modernisation, progress and westernisation, old moderate leaders now in control of the Mau Mau organisation, looked to oust not only the colonial powers but also the stooge chiefs, who according to them were holding back the nation and not radical enough in the ir western attitudes. These leaders utilised the grievances of the peasants, primarily issues relating to land appropriation, to add to the numbers of the Mau Mau fighters/militants. Other kikuyu people saw the war as unwinnable and tended towards loyalist persuasion along with other settlers who had benefited from colonial education/conditioning and Christian dogmatising; their political attitude to the war was one of non-violence. When the violence inevitably did start propaganda further divided the two camps, the freedom fight became embroiled in a fight between Kikuyu interests and developed into a vendetta of revenge not freedom. Lari massacare The Lari massacre was the wars iconographic moment. The attack on Lari had been carefully planned and was not as reported an indiscriminate act of violence, the homesteads attacked had in fact been very carefully chosen. All of the victims were the families of local chiefs, ex-chiefs, headmen, councillors and prominent Home Guard. What followed was not planned or strategic in any manner whatsoever, purely an act of enraged revenge; a second massacre took place at Lari that night. It was perpetuated by the Home Guard, later joined by other elements of the security services, who took revenge on any persons in the location they could lay their hands on whom they suspected of Mau Mau sympathies. Propaganda and spin followed the inevitable cover up, mopping-up operations.  [26]  This tragedy not only was a catalyst for events to come but epitomised the war, Kikuyu fighting Kikuyu, in essence a civil war perpetuated by myth blatant cultural misunderstanding as well as prominent racial and ethnocentric attitudes. Project Anvil When dawn broke on the morning of 24 April 1954, Nairobis citizens woke to find their city under siege. Over the previous four months an elaborate scheme had been worked out to systematically search the city and to screen every African.  [27]  This rigorous process left nothing unturned all documentation had to be present and correct, with even the slightest discrepancy cause for suspicion. African were hustled out of their houses and herded into barbed-wire compounds, where they waited for the cogs of colonial bureaucracy to turn. A crude system of classification was put in place, highlighting the racial problems stirringly, of the Africans screened they were classified as white, grey or black; black used to connote danger and allegiances to Mau Mau; and white used to connote not a threat to society and to be repatriated; highlighting the prominent racial attitudes of the time. The legal basis of the screening and detention camps was set up by a Delegated Detention Order, where by under the emergency law, suspects could be detained without trial simply by a signature of any officer of the rank district officer or above. Nothing more was needed to condemn a man to incarceration for two years or more. Suspicion that man had taken an oath, or even that he was thought to be in sympathy of the Mau Mau, was sufficient for detention without trial. Accusations made by others, such as the hooded loyalist informants (gikunia) used at Langata, needed no corroboration; their silent and anonymous testimonies would condemn many men to the detention camps. The use of elders brought from the reserve in the screening of men was intended at act as a check against any possible victimization, but it was impossible to prevent score-settling or personal vendettas.  [28]  In the morass of Operation Anvil, there were masses of cases of mistaken identity, and once labelled it was exceedingly difficult to challenge a detention order, bureaucratic procedure had taken over from c ommon sense: with these numbers, what did it matter if one more kikuyu was detained? And if in any doubt, it was surely better to detain the man than let him go? By 26 May, when Anvil finally came to an end, the numbers screened had climbed about 50,000; nearly half the total number Kikuyu in the city and been imprisoned, by the end of 1954 one-third of all Kikuyu men were said to be in prison, these detainees had not been convicted of any crime and were all held without trial.  [29]  Special Branch reckoned that 700 of these were hard-core Mau Mau, a measly 3 per cent of the total detainees; with the evidence against the majority being nothing more than pretty slight, but no one seemed concerned by this alarming statistic, to job had been done.  [30]   By late June, Morrison, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Kenya, wrote to the governor, Sir Frederick Crawford, about more than sixty Kikuyu Christians who had been rounded up in Operation Anvil. The loyalty of these men was above question; yet it appeared they had been swept away into the detention camps as Mau Mau suspects. Effort were made to locate the men, however, Morrison reports, We are informed either that persons cannot be traced, or that they must be re-screened, or that they cannot return to Nairobi because they were self-employed, or some other reason is given which prevents or delays release. The government was in danger of alienating the one group among the Kikuyu on whose support they must ultimately rely as a nucleus for influencing the rest.  [31]   Archdeacon Peter Bostock, of the Anglican Church, visited Langata in person twice during the June in an effort to identify the missing men. He was shocked and disturbed by the experience. He described the conditions as grossly overcrowded and stated that the home guard were only barely in control, it seemed as is the camps were a law unto themselves.  [32]   In January 1955 the Church of Scotland moderator in Kenya, David Steel, startled his Presbyterian congregation with an impassioned attack from the pulpit against the arbitrary callousness of government policies, taking Operation Anvil as his principle case. Steel described how the government had alienated Christian support through its heavy-handedness, summarily throwing the innocent into detention, where they were contaminated by the wicked, and failing to protect decent people from the abuse of those whom the government armed as their protectors, the Home Guard. Carelessness, an utter disregard for the rights of Africans had resulted in many honest, law-abiding citizens beings incarcerated during anvil. Steel also referred to more sinister forces at work; citing false accusations that had been deliberate and calculated, heavily criticising the system of informants branding it far from infallible and suggesting that this had happened more frequently than the security forces were pre pared to concede.  [33]   The army fought against Mau Maus military confusions. These were very different from those which haunted the liberal myth of modernization; a contrast between modernisation, progress and capitalist attitudes with an eerie respect to the shared experience of war, based on strategy, respect, loyalty, and noble attitudes.  [34]  They rose above the prominent racial attitudes, fighting together, side by side with Africans during the war had instilled respect and honour amongst the troops and even the generals. General Erskine, commander during the critical first part of the war, took a simple soldierly view of the oaths which so disturbed the understanding of most observers. He recognised that Mau Mau had grievances and an aim, to eject Europeans. The connexion between strategic end and nauseating means was crisply rational.  [35]  The colonial secretary, Oliver Lyttelton, was struck by a nobler likeness between forest fighter and British soldier. A veteran of the Great War, he r espected men who, contrary to their tribal reputation, had more than once pressed home attacks against wire, and in the face of hot fire, and heavy casualties. He had asked no more of his Grenadiers. If Mau Mau gallantry was explained by dutch courage à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ doped with hemp, had he not too, like others in this war, braced himself with rum before battle? Such recognition of equivalence, so contrary both to the racialism which denied a common humanity and the liberalism which pitied dupes, was politically important. Even Churchill commander and chief himself was held to have thought the fibre, ability and steel of the Kikuyu deserved to be acknowledged by on offer of terms.  [36]  After sixty-eight hours of interrogating the captured General China, superintendent Ian Henderson, the boys own hero of the settlers war, concluded that his prisoner was a complete fanatic. Was he then mentally ill? Not at all. China had a good brain and a remarkable memory. He knew why he was f ighting; his sole with was to expound his political testament before Legislative Council and walk to the gallows without trial. It took the tragedy of Hola camp, where eleven hard core detainees were beaten to death in the name of modernisation, to bring the British government round to the military view. As Margery Perham put it, the hard core were determined to prove that they were not in the grip of some remedial obsession but pursuing logical and irrevocable political aims. The detainees might have put it differently. The immediate issue was work and it refusal. Their case was simple. They were political prisoners, not criminals. To work to order would be to admit to wrong. Work was a proper demonstration of responsibility for free men; under any other condition it was slavery.  [37]  Britain could not continue to remake Kenya by force when other European powers were abandoning attempts to remodel colonial rule for the moral high ground of informal empire. A political war must be ended by political means. Civilization had to gamble on concession and agreement, not enforced by the tyranny of good intent ions and warders truncheons. Within months of Hola came Lancaster House and the prospect of majority rule.  [38]  Only international and metropolitan pressures could compel the United Kingdom to decolonise, and so the myth of Mau Mau served the useful purpose of forestalling any concerted international effort to redirect United Kingdom policy and of blunting the criticisms emanating from those countries to whom the British were obliged to pay heed. By dissociating the uprising from the global forces of nationalism and communism, by stressing its violent and uncompromising nature, and by constantly asserting the ease which it would be defeated, it succeeded in this aim, as any reading of the United Nations records for the period will testify.  [39]   Conclusion

A Look at the Character Karintha in Jean Toomers Cane Essay -- Toomer

A Look at the Character Karintha in Jean Toomer's Cane Jean Toomer's Cane begins with a vignette entitled "Karintha" about a young woman who grows up too quickly. The first paragraph tell us that "men had always wanted her, this Karintha, even as child...." From the description that is presented, it appears that she was always beautiful and desirous to men, even when she was a mere child. Men of all ages wanted her from the time she was young - the young men couldn't wait until she was old enough to court, while the old men wished they could get younger instead of older as time went by so that they might have a chance with Karintha. The final sentence of the first paragraph intrigued me, saying that "this interest of the male, who wishes to ripen a growing thing too soon, could mean no good to her [Karintha]." I think that this is Toomer's way of emphasizing to his audience that what the men were doing was very selfish on their part. These men did not really care about Karintha the child or Karintha the future young woman. All they cared about was the possibility of a conquest; even if the victim would be young, at least she would be beautiful. Even those younger men who might have had a chance with her many years in the future did not have the patience to wait. Instead they "danced with her at frolics" when they should have been spending their time with women in their own age group. There was not any concern for Karintha, just for the needs and desires of these men, who should have had enough self-control that this would not have even been an issue. Instead of waiting for Karintha to develop from a c hild to an adult, these men felt the need to rush the process, to "ripen a growing thing too soon," an... ...e world of Cane, with its various stories and poems about the African-American experience. I felt sorry for Karintha in this story. She was a person that was judged her entire life - even in childhood - by her appearance and what that could mean to various men. The choices that she made as an adult are not really surprising when you consider the way that she was treated in her childhood and adolescence, almost as someone who could be sold to the highest bidder (which essentially became her life as an adult). Nowhere in this story is there a mention of Karintha's admirable intelligence or ability of some sort (unless you count stoning cows). Because all that is discussed is Karintha's beauty, I saw her as a very one-dimensional character. The men in this story were in a constant pursuit of Karintha's body- and unfortunately for her, in the end they won.

Essay --

NUTRITION MONTH MALAYSIA By Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) Secretariat: VersaComm Sdn Bhd (263773-W) Title Malaysia’s battle with the bulge Project EPA Expert Malaysia’s Battle with the Bulge Obesity is one of the biggest problems that face our nation. Learn more about what you can do to avoid becoming a statistic. By [Expert’s Name Here], [Expert’s Designation Here]. A survey carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010 showed that Malaysia has the highest obesity rate in Southeast Asia and is ranked sixth in the Asia-Pacific region. This finding is consistent with the Malaysian Ministry of Health nation-wide survey results. The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) was meant as a yardstick to measure the health status of Malaysians. It was carried out in 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2011. When looking at the compiled results, it points to an alarming fact – in 2011, obesity has increased by more than 343% since the second NHMS in 1996. However, a follow-up study conducted by the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) showed higher figures when compared against the NHMS IV results. Putting the results of NHMS II, NHMS III, and NHMS IV together merely serves to expose just how serious the problem is. To illustrate the gravity of the situation, take a look at the graph below. A growing problem How did so many Malaysians end up becoming obese? There are many factors that have led up to this situation. At the top of the list is the Malaysian lifestyle. This involves two major aspects, one of which is our national obsession with food. Going out for meals would no doubt rank in the top-three list of favourite things to do with friends and family. We have even made it into a form of greeting when we bump int... ...ur family. Investing in your future Obesity is something that you have a say in. It doesn’t just happen, it happens because you have not taken the necessary steps to keep it away. While changing your lifestyle may seem like a chore, it’s completely possible and can even be fun to implement. All that you really need is a change in your mind-set. It’s alright to indulge in the occasional buffets or to indulge your sweet-tooth once in a while. Just don’t make it the norm! Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy the good things in life, it just means not over-indulging. Remember that every little bit goes a long way toward reducing your chances of becoming obese, and at the end of the day, your health will be your wealth! Ref: 1. http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/16/3/561.pdf 2. http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/20/1/35.pdf 3.

The Use of Polls to Analyze Public Opinion in Politics Essay -- Explor

The Use of Polls to Analyze Public Opinion in Politics Public opinion is defined in the text as â€Å"the distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues† (Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry 150). On paper, it sounds so simple; in reality it is much more difficult to determine. The most common method for ascertaining and consolidating public opinion has been through the widespread use of polls. Their popularity has steadily increased over the years. One reason is that they provide an accurate, reliable representation of the opinions of an entire population and supply decision-makers with valuable insight that may be used to determine a future course of action. However, not all polls are created equal. Polls are conducted by various organizations, businesses, corporations and public officials in an effort to determine the public’s stand on issues ranging from the terribly controversial to the completely trivial. Regardless of subject matter, there are basic principles of polling that g reatly affect their quality and reliability. â€Å"Commandment #1† on everyone’s list states the necessity of a randomly selected sample of a population. This ensures that all those whose opinion the poll attempts to represent shall have an exactly equal chance of being interviewed. Telephone interviews conducted on a sample size of 1,000 – 2,000 people called from a list of random, computer-generated phone numbers are all typical components of a good poll. Some of these components can be altered without critically affecting the overall quality of the poll. For example, good polls can be conducted on a sampling as small as 700 – 1,000 people; the decrease in size causes an increase in error margin, but not by much. ... ...n, Princeton, â€Å"How Polls are Conducted†, http://www.gallup.com/poll/faq.asp, pp. 1 – 7. (The Gallup article is a secondary source cited from: Frank Newport, Lydia Saad, and David Moore, Where America Stands, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997). Benjamin Ginsberg, â€Å"Polling and the Transformation of Public Opinion†. Allan Cigler and Burdett Loomis, American Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings, 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Miflin Company, 1999, pp. 124 – 137. Charles Kenney, â€Å"They’ve Got Your Number†. Allan Cigler and Burdett Loomis, American Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings, 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Miflin Company, 1999, pp. 114 – 123. Larry Sabato and Glenn Simpson, â€Å"When Push Comes to Poll†. Allan Cigler and Burdett Loomis, American Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings, 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Miflin Company, 1999, pp. 139 – 145.

Othello Character

loWhen an individual experiences feelings of jealousy towards their partner in a relationship, it often results in feelings of anger and distrust, which cause them to sabotage the partnership and possibly end it. Shakespeare's protagonist, Othello, becomes deceived and unable to decide in whom to place his trust. The noble Moor chooses wrongfully and places himself under the loyalty of Iago, allowing him to corrupt and transform him, destroying his sanity and relationships with others. Consequently, the Moor's trustworthiness and envy become his weaknesses and result in his downfall.In the play â€Å"Othello†, by William Shakespeare, the protagonist's flaws contribute to his downfall from a noble soldier to an irrational man, suggesting that when a an individual experiences jealousy in a relationship, it becomes the corruption that destroys a person's conscience and ultimately the relationship itself. Othello is initially portrayed as an honest natured individual of royal stat us and reasonable character. his love for Desdemona, his wife, acquires him the essence of a respectable, loving husband, implying his success as a firm, yet affectionate husband.After Cassio is relieved of his duties by Othello, Desdemona promises to put an effort into convincing her husband to take him back as his lieutenant. After multiple rejections and rebounds, the Moor finally gives in: â€Å"I will deny thee nothing. / Whereon I do beseech thee grant me this, / To leave me but a little to myself† (Oth. 3. 3. 83-85). Although the Moor was very upset with Cassio, Desdemona's good-natured pleas were enough to change his mind into reconsidering Cassio's position.In saying that he would â€Å"deny [her] nothing† demonstrates his love for her and suggests that there is a special place in his heart for his sweet wife that he cannot help but succumb to at times. Furthermore, Othello's strong, sophisticated character is demonstrated through his logic and patience, empha sizing his greatness as a warrior. Upon being accused false doings and being challenged to a duel with his father-in-law, Brabantio, the Moor calmly responds, â€Å"Hold your hands, / Both you of my inclining and the rest. / Where it my cue to fight, i should have known it / Without a prompter† (Oth. . 2. 82-85). Othello's control over the situation makes it evident that he is a reasonable and gentle man, contrasting his self-control with Brabantio's lack of restraint. Othello's composed reaction makes him seem more rational than his racist father-in-law by thinking his actions through before reacting on impulse. Further analyzing the goodness of Othello, Anthony Hecht comments, â€Å"While everywhere it is noted that he is given to self-dramatization, Iago, who has no affection for him, admits that he is of a free and open nature. Which is to say, he is both guileless and guileful.There is no question of his courage, nor of his weakness† (Hecht 19). Moreover, the trus ting nature of the Moor is reflected in his relationship with others, suggesting his easy-going atmosphere. Needing his wife to be taken care of safely, he tells the Duke, â€Å"So please your grace, my ancient; / A man he is of honesty and trust. / To his conveyance i assign my wife, / With what else needful your good grace shall think / To be sent after me† (Oth. 1. 3. 283-287). Othello's confidence in his relationship with his ancient, Iago, demonstrates his trusting personality.Once the Moor has belief that a man is trustworthy, he will give them his whole heart, making it evident of his value in loyalty. Yet, Othello's respectable qualities become the cause of his corruption, which bring upon jealousy, deception, and delusions, ultimately leading him closer to his tragic death. Although the Moor loves Desdemona greatly, his strong bond with her has taken away the control he held for himself. Plotting against him, Iago muses to himself to himself, â€Å"His soul is so en fetter'd to her love / That she may make, unmake, do what she list, / Even as her appetite shall play the god / With his weak function† (Oth. . 3. 316-319). Saying that Othello is â€Å"enfetter'd to her love†, Iago is suggesting that his love for Desdemona is the Moor's weakness, being â€Å"chained† to her in a way where she â€Å"shall play the god† and take away his mastery since he does not believe the Moor can think for himself. By willingly being with Desdemona, Othello puts himself in a position of vulnerability and cannot blame anyone else for this but himself. Likewise, without seeming so at first, Othello's whole hearted trust in Iago becomes a mistake that he is not aware of initially.As Iago utilizes subtle manipulation on the Moor, he successfully plants the seed of doubt in his mind, suggesting Desdemona's disloyalty to him. Othello says to him: I think thou dost; And, for i know thou'rt full of love and honesty And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more; For such things in a false disloyal knave Are tricks of custom; but in a man that's just They are close dilations, working from the heart That passion cannot rule. (Oth. 3. 3. 117-124)The dramatic and verbal irony when Othello describes Iago's â€Å"love and honesty† demonstrates his unwise and gullible nature, making his full trust in him an error. The way Iago's pauses fright [him] the more† concludes that the Moor has been tricked without realizing it and reflects his foolishness despite his strong, controlled character. As critic William Hazlitt suggests, â€Å"Ironically it is Othello's judgment that allows Iago to manipulate him; Othello is a trusting man who believes that people are what they seem, thus believing in Iago because he appears to be honest and loyal† (Hazlitt 29).Subsequently, logic, patience, and self-restraint has become lost in the Moor once his emotions have been u sed against him and his jealousy is played on. After Iago explains a dream he heard Cassio had about making love to Desdemona to Othello, the Moor says, â€Å"But this denoted a foregone conclusion: ‘Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream† (Oth. 3. 3. 428-429). Then almost immediately after he concludes that â€Å"[he] will tear her all to pieces† (Oth. 3. 3. 432). Othello at this point in the play has transformed from the loving husband he once was, to a jealous individual that must act on his envy as soon as the chance arises.Ignoring the absence of solid proof his wife's disloyalty, he has let Iago torture his conscience with lies and consequently confusing and agitating his sanity. Consequently, Othello's corruption leads to chaos as he realizes too late the destruction his actions have caused that eventually bring him to his tragic death. His hamartia has come into play, which brings upon anarchy and reflects Othello's loss of control and reason. Convi nced without proof that Desdemona has been cheating on him, he proclaims to Iago, â€Å"Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her! / Come, go with me apart. I will withdraw / To urnish me with some swift means of death / For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant† (Oth. 3. 3. 475-478). The Moor's marriage is officially destroyed and his conclusion to make Iago, the man responsible for causing him grief, his new lieutenant guarantees his doom. His quick decision to kill Desdemona for her unfaithfulness without real evidence demonstrates the destruction his jealousy has caused to their relationship. Inevitably, Othello's corruption becomes an unstoppable force, which ends in the deaths of many innocent lives. After killing his wide and confessing so to Emilia, Iago's wife, Othello explains: â€Å"Cassio did top her.Ask thy husband else. / O, I were damn'd beneath all depth in hell / But that I did proceed upon just grounds / To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all† (Oth. 5 . 2. 136-139). Dramatic irony emphasizes how confused the Moor really is about what is delusion and what is reality because he uses Iago's word as proof, which is false, as well as going as far as to say â€Å"I did proceed upon just grounds to this extremity. † Othello did not actually have a just reason for committing his murderous act as Iago never gave him proof, reflecting the way in which jealousy corrupts the mind and an individual’s entire reasoning.This all becomes evident once chaos was unleashed upon the Moor, which consequently costs him his nobility, marriage and life. The Moor realizes his mistakes too late, but comes to understand that he is reasonably the one to blame for all the devastation he has caused. Upon becoming aware of Iago's true intentions and Desdemona's faithfulness, Othello speaks some of his last words: When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely, but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but, being wrought,Perplex'd in the extreme; of one whose hand, Like the base Judean, thew a pearl away Richer than all his tribe; (Oth. 5. 2. 341-349) Thus, Othello finally realizes his emotions were manipulated to do the deeds of an evil man he once trusted. A part of his old noble character us shown when he asks the soldiers to â€Å"speak of [him] as [he is]. Nothing extenuate, / Nor set down aught in malice. † His humbleness is paired with bitterness because of the needless death of his wife brought upon by his own envious actions, demonstrating his own contribution to his tragic death.Also, as Shawn Smith believes,†If Othello earlier in the scene has been a minister of justice deliberating Desdemona's fate, he is now turning judicial attention to himself, and in doing so he recognizes his own mis-judgments. It is here we see Othello returning to his exotic narratives we associate with his language in the earliest scenes of the play. And in his return to these exotic narratives, Othello offers his retreat from Venetian life – and, indeed, life altogether† (Smith 47). He simply cannot deny the errors in his accusations and the killing of his wife, foolishly â€Å"[throwing] a pearl away. â€Å"By experiencing the delusions of envy, Othello himself becomes the evil force behind the deception and deaths of innocent people, including his own. He is initially loved and respected by many for his lpyalty, royal status, and honourable marriage. Nonetheless, the qualities he is honoured for become his imperfections, resulting in deception, jealousy, and his fall from nobility. Consequently, chaos ensues and destroys a once loving marriage and sane man. Thus, jealousy transforms an individual to harm those they love most, a dangerous and monstrous emotion that requires reason and logic to restrain it from destroying relationships.

Hinduism and Drug Abuse Essay

â€Å"Hinduism’ has many religious and cultural traditions which stem from the Vedas, the ancient Sanskrit writings of India. The tradition, therefore, has no clear beginning, and has no single founder or single belief, but there are a number of beliefs and practices which are widely accepted. Practically all Hindus believe in the idea of reincarnation, in which the eternal soul (ATMAN) moves through different species, from one body to another according to ‘the law of Kama’ ,the goodness or badness of their deeds in this life. The belief that every soul is trapped in a cycle of birth and then death and then rebirth is known as Samsara. The quality of a life that the soul is born into depends on the previous life. The aim of human life, for most Hindus, is to escape from the cycle of birth and death (Moksha), through union with the Supreme BRAHMAN who is present in everything. Behind Hindu practice is So Hinduism is about the sort of life a person should lead in order to be born into a better life next time and eventually become free from rebirth altogether. Every Hindu wants to escape from this cycle so Hindus aim to live in a way that will cause each of their lives to be better than the life before. Living or acting in the right way is known as dharma. Every Hindu has a purusharthas, or life goal, and leading a pure life through purity of body and mind is very important so that they are able to carry out their religious duties. To reach their individual goal they must create good Karma through control over gratification of the senses; pleasure; sensual, sexual, and mental enjoyment. The Laws of Manu are guidelines for a pure life and describe the perfect man as: ‘He who has perfect 3 fold control: that is control over speech, thought and actions.’ So a perfect man should only say pure things, think pure thoughts and act in a controlled, alert way. Anything which takes man from this control is harmful and wrong, which is known as AHISMA. Hindus follow this principle of non-violence, non-harming and therefore use of drugs and alcohol can harm the body and so go against the principle of AHISMA. Also Hindus rely so much on Karmic energy for their ultimate goal that AHISMA and bad actions taint this karmic energy and will affect the rebirth and drugs can therefore be viewed as an obstacle to the ultimate goal of a Hindu’s life. As all living things are part of a life cycle.and as BRAHMAN is in all living things, they deserve respect. Life has value, is sacred and to exploit creation by harming the body with drugs and alcohol Hindus practice meditation to bring the mind under control and then control the body through the mind eg the Indian custom of walking on a bed of nails without pain. Drugs, especially Hallucinogenic drugs, do the opposite to meditation as the mind is not under strict control. So drug and alcohol abuse is not generally allowed because a man is not in control leading to bad KARMA and bad REBIRTH. HINDU LAW states that Brahmin priests are not allowed to drink alcohol as alcohol affects nervous system making you do things you normally wouldn’t d, and speech becomes slurred which goes against. In the same way LSD affects the way we think and act, causes Hallucinations and makes us do things out of the ordinary ‘For liquor is the defiling dirt excreted from rice, therefore a priest, a ruler or commoner should not drink liquor.’ (11:94) Since Brahmin priests are not allowed alcohol, most Hindus follow their example and do not have alcohol. Modern medicine uses drugs to fight disease and suffering. Used properly, drugs like aspirin, penicillin bring benefits whilst others can cause all sorts of harm. They can increase suffering and affect individuals and society. Drugs such as opium can relieve pain but have been exploited by western demand in the form of heroin, which is addictive and causes many problems. Experimentation for fun can be extremely dangerous and lead to self-degradation, crime and early death. These dangerous drugs are known as speed and grass also called pot, dope or hash, smack and acid. Hindu society in general does not tolerate these drugs. However, in saying this, modern medicine is not rejected because it does benefit the body, which is the guiding line for a Hindu, for a healthy body is needed to perform all religious duties and therefore medicines which restore the body’s natural balance are acceptable. Hinduism is perhaps the only religious tradition to have had some experience of drugs at an early stage in its history. Hallucinogenic vegetation such as the soma plant, native to India, was used by certain groups to gain ‘religious experience’. As a result, there are certain unclear lines within the Hindu tradition where the use of non-medical drugs are concerned, especially amongst different denominations of Hindus Most of the commonly used drugs in India are derived from the Hemp or cannabis plant. They include Hashish, Bhang, ganja, and charus. Many SADUS still use them to bring on trances or visions. Although Hindus in Britain such as Gujurati traders and Krishna Consciousness regard AHIMSA very highly as a guide to lifestyle, many follow the guideline given by The Law of Manu which states: ‘Meat-eating is not wrong, nor alcohol, nor sex. These are natural actions of living beings; but abstention from such action is highly rewarded.’ (M 5:56) Abstinence from these every day actions is highly valued amongst these Hindus but they are not seen as bad actions. The views about alcohol vary again from region to region, and caste to caste. In general, frequent use of alcohol is looked down on, the exception to the rule being Tantrics, whose aim is to unite all things and gain freedom form the restrictions of human life; they therefore use cannabis and alcohol as part of their rituals. In general, it is better to refuse alcohol or drug as laid down by the Law of Manu which warns against wilful addiction. ‘He (man) must not get wilfully addicted to any object or substance of self-gratification; he must try to overcome such dependence through will.’ Hindus realise that the problem of drug abuse needs to be dealt with. It is seen as ‘Trendy’ for upper classes, and for the poor a welcome escape from hard and unpleasant reality of life. Hindus believe that people who suffer, for whatever reasons, should really be helped, even if suffering is brought about by their own stupidity or bad karmic action. The reason behind this is their respect for life in general and ‘Honour all humankind’ is one of their 4 daily practices. All human beings and forms of life are related through the divine spirit of BRAHMAN . Each person is a part of the whole and a Hindu knows that no-one can be totally evil because of their soul (ATMAN) being a part of the divine BRAHMAN. Therefore it is better to help them and not judge them ; to encourage them to lead a life that demonstrates respect for both religious duties and for their soul and for those of others. There is some control of drug use in the home as strong family structures are valued and smoking in the presence of elders is regarded as showing a lack of respect. Also, smoking in India, as in Britain is forbidden on public transport, in cinemas, theatres and temples. In the modern world drugs are avoided mainly for the emphasis on purity of body, but it is also against the Hindu tradition of still meditation which aims to bring the mind under control and then control of the body through the mind. In everyday life the mind is often led by desires and sense- pleasure of the body, but with meditation (YOGA) a person is encouraged to take disciplined control over their life according to the Hindu ideal of purity. Drugs, especially ones with hallucinogenic properties would totally reverse the meditation process since the mind would not be under strict control but left to follow its own course. However, any individual would be under an obligation, in the context of DHARMA , to ensure they could continue to pursue their life goals . So in for the Hindu, the use of drugs does not always appear to be considered inappropriate, but the question of limits comes in, and this, as is often the case in Hinduism, is a matter of individual judgement.