Affirmative Action Essays (649 words) - Social Inequality

Affirmative Action Affirmative action is described as the term meant taking appropriate steps to eradicate the then widespread practices of racial, religious, and ethnic discrimination. The history of affirmative action starts a long time before this definition was stated during the early 1960's. It starts back to the Declaration of Independence where it states all men are created equal. It moves toward the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments which involved the freeing of slaves, abolishing slavery, conferred citizenship on all persons born in the United States, and guaranteeing voting rights to all citizens. There were also many court cases that helped move forth into affirmative action. A few examples would be Buchanan v. Warley, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Brown v. Board of Education. The latter court case was a real firestorm over affirmative action, which ruled that all local, state, and federal laws that enforced segregation in education was striked down. President John F. Kennedy first used the phrase "Affirmative Action" when he issued Executive Order 10952. This order created the Equal Opportunity Commission or the EEOC and contractors on projects financed with federal funds to "take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, ant employees are treated during their employment without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin." President Kennedy also pushed for more legislation but was not alive to see it go through. Proceeding Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson took over the fight and pushed for the passing of Civil Rights Act of 1964, which barred discrimination in the variety of private and public settings. It included prohibiting discrimination in private facilities, outlawed discrimination in federally-funded-programs, and prohibited discrimination by both private and public employers and so forth. Still under Johnson's control, the Executive Order 11246, placed the responsibility for affirmative action enforcement with the Department of Labor. This lead to the OFCCP, which is the Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program, which made Affirmative Action stronger in for contractors and made them submit affirmative action plans. LBJ did much for affirmative action programs and did not receive direct assault until 30 years later by more recent politicians. Nixon took over and helped affirmative action by producing the Philadelphia Plan and supporting the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, which extended EEOC's jurisdiction. Nixon's support was short-lived to receive votes and then turned his back to all. Moving forward to Regan's Long legacy of trouble he made a strong oppression to affirmative action in the early eighties to receive more votes from "an increasing amount of insecure white middle class voters." He had an enormous negative impact on affirmative action by cutting funds to the OFCCP and EEOC and to repel some to the acts that had been passed prior. He was a on a constant attack to affirmative action falsely labeling related programs as "racial quotas" and "reverse discrimination." President Bush was not help with affirmative action, staying very quiet about it and trying to stay out of the fight fore new laws. When Clinton came to office he was a hope for the civil rights community by his cabinet including four blacks, three women and two Hispanic men. He also had more women and minorities in his executive appointments that any other president. In 1995 he delivered a speech at the National Archives that announced a five-month review of affirmative action. The newest let down to affirmative action is proposition 209 that was proposed in California that ended affirmative action to all state programs. People are saying that this Proposition will be felt everywhere. In conclusion, Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole stated, "Despite the growing awareness among corporate leadership of the bottom-line value and economic imperative of including minorities and women in senior corporate management progress has been disappointingly show, and barriers persist which stop able people from achieving their full employment potential." Bibliography Cozic, Charles P. Civil Liberties Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc. Kluegel, James R. Beliefs About Inequality Americans' Views of what is and What Ought to Be. New York: Aldine De Gryter. "Time Line of Affirmative Action". Americans United for Affirmative Action.[cited 1997]. Available from http://www.auaa.org/timeline/ 1997

15 Purposes for Parentheses

15 Purposes for Parentheses 15 Purposes for Parentheses 15 Purposes for Parentheses By Mark Nichol Parentheses are versatile tools for writers. These examples illustrate their uses; use them to enclose the following: Examples, directions, explanations, and clarifications: 1. â€Å"Retain ampersands when they appear as part of an official name (Barnes Noble, Ben Jerry’s).† 2. â€Å"At that point, you may want to consult with a professional. (Refer to the Resources chapter for a list of tax advisers.)† 3. â€Å"Here is a selective glossary of editing and production terms. (Synonyms are in italics; cross-referenced terms are in bold italics.)† 4. â€Å"Precede the dollar amount with the initials US only to avoid confusion (in, say, an article about Australia, where the basic unit of currency is also called the dollar).† Numerals that confirm a spelled-out number in a contract: 5. â€Å"The confirmation letter is due within thirty (30) days.† Abbreviations (usually) after the first reference to the full version of the term: 6. â€Å"The country’s import and export levels are regulated by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).† Note: If the abbreviation is well known or is used again within the next sentence or two after the full name, omit the parenthesized abbreviation immediately after it. Numbers or letters that distinguish items in a run-in list: 7. â€Å"The constituent parts are (1) the thingamajig, (2) the whatchamacallit, and (3) the whatsit.† Note: Sometimes, only the close parenthesis is used in this format. However, usually, neither numbers nor parentheses are necessary in such cases. Modifying words or phrases, or interjections: 8. â€Å"The writer will (one hopes) produce well-crafted prose.† 9. â€Å"It turns out that he had (gasp!) told the truth.† Translations, pronunciations, or equivalents: 10. â€Å"She ran from the kuma (bear).† 11. â€Å"Stay at the warung (wah-ROONG) near the mosque.† 12. â€Å"The distance from Marseille to Paris is 771 kilometers (479 miles).† The area code in a phone number or a unit in a mathematical or logical expression: 13. â€Å"(213) 867-5309† 14. â€Å"a(b) = c† In-text citations: 15. â€Å"However, the literature is ambivalent on this issue (Howard, Fine, and Howard 1925; Marx et al. 1912).† Punctuation in Parentheses A full sentence in parentheses is capitalized and is followed by a period preceding the closing parenthesis: â€Å"Have these resources on hand before you begin. (Items listed in parentheses are desirable but not essential.)† A partial sentence in parentheses is not capitalized and is not followed by a period but may precede a question mark or exclamation point: â€Å"Use a dark, fine-pointed pen (erasable pens allow for neat alteration) or pencil.† â€Å"Now that you’re finished (you are finished, aren’t you?), we will proceed.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Regarding Re:The Letter "Z" Will Be Removed from the English AlphabetWoof or Weft?

Business Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Business Communication - Essay Example A motivated team with clearly defined goals is capable of handling tough assignments effectively and efficiently. Today, people are constantly bombarded with the message that their top priority is to single handedly emerge as the best in the process forgetting the value of teamwork. Most managers ignore this vital aspect of business forgetting that without it, the company is doomed to fail as one can not work alone. Managers need to work with a group of carefully selected individuals who will complement their skills in order to achieve a specific objective to enhance efficient running of the organization. In this paper, teamwork shall be looked at in depth, the major factors that ensure the delivery of a team and factors that lead to strained relationships within a team. Teamwork is the ultimate competitive advantage because very few people properly execute it to get the best possible results. According to Accel team (2010) building a strong team remains one of the greatest hurdles managers have to overcome. Although not an impossible task, it is time consuming and needs a great deal of patience especially since human beings are inherently unmotivated. Its place in companies and the business world at large is critical and managers have to learn the art of carefully picking out members of a team and push them towards a unified direction. A team needs an assertive leader to ensure everybody carries out their work. In essence, a hands-on leader is the backbone of the team and they set the pace for the rest of the team. They need to work with diligence and ensure the completion of their end of the deal by doing their part well. They need to motivate the team, be a source of inspiration and yet be part of the team in working towards the goal. In a team every member has a role to play; they complement one another and eventually achieving success. For teamwork to succeed, each person has to realize the importance of other team players and recognize that without

Week 14L discussion board Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 14L discussion board - Essay Example For instance, the bureaucratic structure makes it difficult to get things done fast and efficiently. More often than not, information processing stops at some structural levels until clearance is given. Such deficiencies occur due to inefficiencies in some of the information processing levels. For instance, an absentee manager would cap all the information passing through their desk until they are available. All organizations depending on information processing systems to provide services to people are our competitors. However, there has been a remarkable change in information processing system in our company for the last several years. Most notable, many operations have shifted from technical dependency to software dependency systems. For instance, customer assistance systems use software technology answering machines as opposed to the customer service representative mode of operation. Considering most of the technological changes come with laying-down of some employees as they are replaced with efficient systems, fear would be the most form resistance from employees. They would resist the change in fear of losing their jobs. This can be dealt with by proper communication and affirmation that no jobs will be lost. Actually, the changes can come with a small pay increase as an assurance. Organizational culture is manageable to the extent in which all the stakeholders are willing to cooperate. If changes are done rapidly and inefficiently, more resistance is expected. However, with the right approach, organizational culture is

The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice Essay

The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice - Essay Example From the report it is clear that the process involves a suspected criminal, the police to whom the criminal activity is first reported, witnesses to the criminal incident and the judiciary. The four category of people is supposed to conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure that justice. The process is essential as it leads to judgement that is supposed to punish the culprit. When the justice is not reached and an innocent person is jailed, or a suspect freed, then the judicial process will not have accomplished its purpose. As the discussion stresses ethics is an important aspect that the police should have in their daily life when handling a suspect. They should handle and interrogate a suspect in a manner that the suspect will not feel mishandled. In some situations where suspects may be innocent; it would be wise not to cause pain to them in the search of evidence. Applying ethics in this situation gives the suspected criminals to give evidence that may lead to the arrest of the actual criminals. The police could lose this information if they were to be brutal towards the citizens. The citizens would choose to keep quite instead of giving an information to an unfriendly corps. The lack of the cooperation between the police and the citizens will mean that the criminal cases will rise, and justice will not be achieved. Police are worldwide known to miss handle suspect that mostly lead to serious injuries and sometimes the loose of life.

Relationship Between Lennie And George Essay

Relationship Between Lennie And George Essay Analysing the relationship between George and Lennie in Steinbecks Of Mice and Men In the opening section of the novella, Steinbeck wishes to portray the relationship between George and Lennie as leader and follower. Steinbeck highlights that they walked in single file down the narrow path and when they came into the open, one stayed behind the other; which immediately indicates that George is dominant in this relationship, therefore Lennie is somewhat irresponsible, dependent and incapable of looking after himself. This image illustrates that George acts as a parental figure and Lennie is similar to a shy child hiding behind a father. Furthermore, in Chapter 2 this idea is developed when George also carries Lennies work card, knowing that Lennie would lose it if he was responsible for it Think Id let you carry your own work card?. This quote shows how George acts as a parental figure for Lennie; George must look after Lennies important possessions, as George knows that he will just lose them because of his simple-mindedness. The rhetorical question also shows Geor ges frustration with Lennies small mental capacity as he is always creating problems. Also, when we are first introduced to Lennie and George, the main physical differences between them are highlighted. Lennie is huge, shapeless of face and often dehumanized to be that of a bear. However, George on the other hand, is small, quick and thin with, restless eyes and slender arms. This description is a form of juxtaposition, as the two characters contrast in appearance. It would form an image in the readers minds of two characters that differ greatly, and could supposedly be the opposite of one another. I think the authors intentions of using of this language technique, would be to make a point of their differences and suggest that their personalities also greatly contradict each other. So this makes us read on to find out why we find these two opposing characters together in the story. Throughout the passage, Lennie is referred to as a bear, and a huge companion with dragging feet. This creates an image in the readers mind of a man who is giant-like in size and is supposedly clumsy and uncoordinated. The authors use of the animal Bear to compare Lennie to, symbolizes that he can be the dangerous, strong bear, or the cuddly teddy bear. It indicates that whilst Lennie is a big and strong man, he is also just a playful, childish boy who needs guidance. Steinbeck also metaphorically compares Lennie snorting into water like a horse; Lennies actions are similar to an animal, unlike humans who cup their hands to drink water. This emphasizes that he will act upon an animal instinct and his animal characteristics convey Lennies great strength that he is unaware of; this holds immense importance in the novel as it foreshadows the downfall of Lennie due to his powerful strength and animal instincts. Verbs and adverbs are chosen specifically to reflect Lennies and Georges attitudes and characteristics. Generally actions and descriptive words attached to Lennie show a lack of confidence and maturity, for example words such as dabbled and timidly displays Lennies hesitancy and unassertiveness, whilst George on the other hand has words adverbs such as sharply and gently which suggests that he is thinks a lot before all his actions. Overall the reader can deduce without any explanation required, that Lennie most likely needs supervision from George, and looks up to him as a role model because he admires his intelligence and general behaviour/demeanour. In the books dialogue, Steinbeck uses slang,colloquialism, and non-standard terms (aint, would of, brang, and so on) to convey an authentic sense of the characters. This casual dialect(shes a loo loo, Curleys got ants in his pants) helps recreate a particular time, place, and social background that make the book sound real as well as the characters more relatable. Whats more, is that the lack of standard English is constant throughout all speech, characters dont speak with more refinement to other specific characters. Even Lennie, though hes slow, isnt less able to communicate with words than others.This aspect equalizes the characters and gives them a lack of identity or purpose. Overall it addresses the theme of power and each characters lack of control over their own destiny. Readers may interpret these aspects negatively, because it is symbolic of the lack of importance or significance people had back in the contexts day. However, on the other hand you could interpret it as a goo d thing that all of society was equal, everyone had equal chances and people felt a good sense of community and belonging. Towards the end of chapter 6, as Lennies captors advance towards him, Steinbeck gives a brief description, using pathetic fallacy, of the landscape in which the story is unfolding; Already the sun had left the valley to go climbing up the slopes of the Gablian Mountains, and the hill tops were rosy in the sun. I believe Steinbecks desired intentions of using this specific technique, is to reflect that all hope of the American dream has been lost, due to the death of Curleys wife. The sun is the light, which represents hope and happiness, and the fact it has left the valley represents the reality of the situation; that Lennie has ruined any chance they once had of fulfilling the dream. The use of the word already in particular, depicts the idea that all hope vanished as soon as Lennie killed her; there was no way he could have made amends. This would make the reader feel sympathy/pity for Lennie, as they have grown attached to his character throughout the book, and they know the death was unintentional. Also, embedded frequently throughout the book, is the use of structural motifs. In particular, the recurring element of the American Dream, and its dismal achievability, is used to signify the relationship between Lennie and George. It exemplifies one of the reasons why we find the two characters together; their differences are made apparent yet they both share and hold onto this strong sense of longing for this scenario, no matter how out of reach it is. Additionally, each time George repeats this dream to Lennie, his intonation and demeanor in which he says it, reflects its current state of achievability. For example, in chapter one, where Lennie and George have no job and no comfortable sanctuary, George is reluctant to finish describing the dream, I aint got time for no more, this hesitancy shows that he has obvious doubt in fulfilling it due to the current circumstances he and Lennie is in. However, in chapter 3, when Candy offers his savings into the purchasing of the house, George becomes excited as he believes the dream is now within reach. Steinbeck shows this through the use of short sentences and informal dialect, Jesus Christ! I bet we could swing her, because we relate excitement with uncontrollable language, colloquialism and the inability to produce sophisticated sentences, therefore it creates authenticity and pace for the reader, thus making it more believable. Lastly, in chapter 6, the dream is again repeated, back where the story first began. Yet now, the dream is fragmented, separated with the use of ellipses, Youan me. This punctuational technique symbolizes the loss and feebleness of the dream, as well as Georges despair of having to kill Lennie to save him from the oncoming lynch mob. Now, its no longer a chore for George; he wants to take it slow and let Lennie enjoy it fully before he dies, it truly reflects that George needs Lennie just as much as he needs him. Overall the reader would sympathize for both of them, because we can understand that George only did this for Lennies benefit, and despite their disputes; they cared about each other very much. The plot in Of Mice And Men is also an example of a circular narrative; it concludes in the same location, and George and Lennie are once again fleeing from trouble. This structure is used to offer a valuable moral about difficult the American Dream is to fulfill, as well as to reveal the sad absurdity of dreams in general. Overall this highlights Steinbecks pessimistic views towards the dream as he adapts his story to portray the dream to be impossible for all, Curleys wife included. However, on the other hand, Lennies death was inevitable because of the escalating destruction he was evoking, so others could interpret it as a blessing that Lennie died at the hands of a man he trusts, painlessly and still believing in his dream. So readers may believe Steinbeck wrote this to emphasize the beauty of friendships and highlight how important it is for mankind to uphold them.

Experience :: Essays Papers

Experience Plane tickets in hand, my possible girlfriend and I embark on our first vacation to Cozumel, Mexico during the summer of 2000. I had known her for about 7 months and during that time i had grown very fond of her. Our relationship began to blossom and that in the near future we would begin to grow even closer. Boy, was I wrong. We both needed a break from our stress filled lives and i was hoping I could help her overcome whatever tragedy happened in her life because i didn't understand why she was depressed most of the time. She had told me about a few things that had transpired between her and her parents but it just didn't explain all of her emotional problems. Most of the plane ride there was spent bartering with the flight attendants for tasty beverages. She looked out the window with longing eyes. Her eyes seem to say so much and yet, so very little. I didn't quite understand what was missing from her life, but I would soon grasp the emense pain. The plane soon arrived in Cozumel. We were ushered like cattle through customs. Our baggage was taken by Miguel, a three-foot Mexican. We arrived at hotel Paradisus. Paradise, what more could you ask for. Truth be known, I don't think that there is such a place or thing. It's jsut a simple concept we all hope for,but never achieve. We spent that night walking along the beach and talking. She said very little, but I still enjoyed her being my my side. I never in my wildest dreams imagined myself with such a beautiful girl in such a perfect place. I couldn't have been happier, but all good things must come to an end. The next day was spent with fun-filled activites. She of course had located the many bars at our hotel. We had purchases the all-inclusive package. She received alcohol, and I received activities.