Marriott Hotels Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marriott Hotels - Research Paper Example For purposes of this brief analysis, too specific to the graphics will be analyzed with relation to formulating a marketing strategy more appropriate to the needs of Marriott Hotel group. Within this analysis, the age groups of 18 to 29 as well as 61 to 75 will be analyzed. The ultimate rationale for picking these two demographic groups is with regards to the fact that the age group between 61 to 75 represents nearly the entire non-business travel and client base that hotels receive in any given year. Similarly, it is necessary to examine the 18 to 29-year-old demographic so that the marketing strategy will not be unnecessarily/unduly focused upon the needs of a much older demographic. Likewise, it is the hope of this author that through a distinct analysis of all of these groups, the marketing strategy which will be formulated will be more able to target specific needs, weaknesses, and strengths that exist with respect to each group. Firstly, with regards to the expectations that 61 to 75-year-old age group integrates with, it is been the understanding of the research that has been performed that the level and extent to which services within the hotel experience are made available are one of the primary determinants for whether or not the experience was ultimately positive or ultimately negative (Borrus 36). Whereas this is not to say that the quality and extent to which services are offered within other age groups and demographics are not the value, it merely underscores the fact that within the specific age group a level of expectation has come to exist with regards to the way in which stakeholders within the hospitality industry will seek to go above and beyond as a means of maintaining a valued customer relationship with some of their most frequent visitors. Naturally, when engaging with an older demographic such as those between the ages of 61 to 75, it is also necessary and has been referenced from the research that this particular group places a high em phasis on the representation of an on staff concierge (Cook 155). Whereas other younger demographics might not require such services due to the pervasive level of the Internet and the readily available information that it provides, this particular older demographic still relies upon in greatly values the existence of a concierge within the hotels in which they stay. This preference and reality must necessarily inform the marketing strategy of the firm as a means not only of saving many of the concierge positions and not letting them fall victim to cost-cutting but also as a means of marketing specifically to this particular demographic. Whereas it is always been necessary for a hotel chain to update and renovate on a regular basis, with respect to the youngest in a graphic which will herein be analyzed, that of the ages between 18 to 29, this demand is of vital importance and preference (Brier 28). As a function of the research which is been performed, the author has noted that this particular demographic places a high level of emphasis and preference with regards to how modern and technically up to date a given hotel might be. Whereas all demographics place a high level of importance upon cleanliness, friendliness of staff, location, and level of services offered, the younger demographic places the most emphasis on the aesthetic values combined with the chic factor. Moreover, as one might expect, the overall level of

Dead Man in Deptford and Any Old Iron Essay Example for Free

Dead Man in Deptford and Any Old Iron Essay Using the extracts from Dead Man in Deptford and Any Old Iron, and the whole of A Clockwork Orange, discuss the effectiveness of Burgess wide and varied use of language and dialect. If I were to begin this essay with a foreign word, a phrase that had been obsolete for four hundred years, and a totally incoherent sentence, complete with fabricated slang terms, then the fair or foul reader (but wheres the difference) would probably dismiss it and I would receive an F. And yet I would be imitating the style of one of the twentieth centurys prolific and widely discussed authors: Anthony Burgess. In every novel that he has written, Burgess has displayed a love of, and an acute skill for, words and word-craft, which a blacksmith might display in his trade. As soon as I started to read A Clockwork Orange, I wanted to put it down again. In the second paragraph, I counted eighteen words that I did not understand, including such timeless gems as droog, rassoodocks and, my personal favourite, mozg. I was equally baffled when confronted with the two extracts. But I slavishly stuck to it (partly because of my rather demanding English master), mostly because I was personally intrigued as to what those terms meant. One soon realises that Burgess actually likes to do this it is his wordplay. But equally, it is also an integral part of the book; he adapts his style of language for a number of reasons Firstly, in order to complement the era within which his plot takes place. For instance, Dead Man in Deptford is full of extinct words such as simulacrum and inkhornisms, and further to this, it is written in the grammatical style of a sixteenth century playwright, with long and jumbled sentences such as You must suppose that I suppose a heap of happenings that I had no eye to eye knowledge of or concerning. And in A Clockwork Orange, there are many unknown words since the novel is set in the future, and presumably the language has evolved over time. Secondly, he includes certain words and phrases in order to set the scene and establish a certain ambience. An effective example is Alexs entrance into the treatment clinic in Chapter Three of Part two of A Clockwork Orange. Whereas before Alex has relied heavily on his invented words in his narration, here he only uses the basic words such as horrorshow. Instead he concentrates on the description of his surroundings, using the word white many times. The lack of slang contributes to this description and tells the reader what Alex is thinking at that moment. Here, for instance, he is wary of his new environment and not yet comfortable enough to use his familiar language. A third explanation for Burgess use of language lies in the variety of the various characters, in the novel and both extracts. This is where dialect and implied accent become very important. Any Old Iron provides a good example in Dai Williams. His speech does not really include unfamiliar words and phrases, but there is a huge difference in his style. Lets take the sentence, Back to it with your youth and your vigour and it is your shout now. Its length, enhanced by the use of and and the repetition of your, seems to imply the intonation and speed with which it should be read. There is a certain rhythm that cannot be avoided when reading it. In other words, it looks Welsh, and when read, it sounds Welsh. Examples in A Clockwork Orange where dialect is used to distinguish characters come at the end of Part One, where the starry old ptitsa uses swashbuckling and old-fashioned language, such as wretched little slummy bedbug. The several comic book villains in Alexs cell in prison also add some variety, and in this case, humour: Yeth, yeth, boyth, thatth fair. But the final explanation for Burgess wordplay is by far the most important: it influences the reader to think in a certain way. This is most prominent in A Clockwork Orange. In the first half of the novel every tolchock or kick that Alex makes is usually preceded by the word horrorshow, so that it is constantly drummed into the readers mind that what Alex is doing is good. In contrast, the description of violence in the second half of the novel, after Alexs treatment, lacks any poetry, elaborate slang, and therefore glorification. We see what Alex sees: pure, repulsive and undisguised violence. We feel what the narrator feels. This can be said of another part of A Clockwork Orange and a certain part of Dead Man in Deptford: wherever there is an argument leading up to a fight. In Dead Man the verbal jousting comes before a particularly large brawl, one that is described in a rapid and flowing manner, almost as a commentary. Marlowe enjoys what is happening, like Alex. But also like Alex, when Marlowe is describing violence later on in the novel (the executions), there is a complete lack of enjoyment and fancy wordplay. As a side note, there is one extra reason why our great philologist Mr Burgess uses such language and dialect. It is for the simple reason that it is vastly enjoyable, both for him and for the reader. In Clockwork and Dead Man, Burgess has had the opportunity to create words and styles that go against the rules of contemporary English (this is true of Dead Man because there are no records of how Elizabethan citizens spoke). At first this can prove to be extremely irritating and demanding, and the reader feels the need to reach for a dictionary after every sentence. It is particularly annoying because the reader knows that this is English, a language he or she should understand, and yet it is totally incomprehensible. But I personally enjoy immense satisfaction by simply reading the novel without help, and interpreting the words in my own time. It soon becomes easy and very rewarding.

Barratt Development Account Information Analysis

Barratt Development Account Information Analysis Assessing the role of accounting information and accounting information system at Barratt Development Abstract Accounting information and accounting information systems (AIS) in todays information age play critical roles in facilitating decision-makers with accurate financial status of the organization and activities to pursue strategic objectives. Accountants, who are the disseminators of accounting information, need to ensure that the information provided to decision-makers such as managers, executives and board of directors is up-to-date to achieve organizational objectives, monitor performance and/or amend strategic objectives when needed. Sometimes accounting information is not as useful and even impacts negatively on the users. This is due to a host of issues that plague accounting information and its systems including authenticity, integrity and quality of the information generated. For these reasons, companies have to develop and maintain accounting information systems congruent with their business objectives to ensure usefulness, integrity and transparency to avoid ethical, legal and business conflicts. In the following evaluation, the researcher shall demonstrate the role of accounting information and accounting information system at Barratt Development Plc, with special emphasis on how the implementation of computerized accounting information systems affects issues of quality, integrity and reliability. Barratt Development Overview Barratt is one of the UKs largest homebuilders. Founded in 1958, the company today has an extended growing network of divisions spread throughout the UK. The breadth and scope of Barratt’s organizational structure can be measured by the number of resources and other pioneering projects development it serves to the communities. The company boasts market share with specialization in creating high quality, value for money homes for sale, rent and shared ownership, often in partnership with local authorities, housing associations and others (Official Website 2007). The majority, that is 80%, of the projects, are based on brown field recycled land. This commitment towards sustainable development has been congruent with the Governments future plan in sustainable development and innovation in homebuilding and construction (Official Website 2007). Even though the company has been founded since four decades, it is growing at an unprecedented speed. Since its listing in the London Stock Exchange in 1968, Barratt Development Plc has achieved high turnover. For the year 2006, the company has had a group turnover of  £2,431m. With 33 operating divisions throughout the country to serve all sectors of the market, Barratt is considered one of the most powerful groups of builders in planning and developing of the countrys housing sector (Official Website 2007). According to its executives, Barratts success lies in its geographical spread and extensive product range. The company has always ensured that sales of its homes and buildings are congruent with the average market place to appeal to a variety of buyers, yet maintains quality throughout the project. In addition, Barratt does not believe in remaining stagnant and following other players. Instead, part of its success lies in its ability to grow through innovation, and using green technologies effectively to develop projects that cost less, have more valuable benefits to the customer and environment, as well as customized to the end users preferences. Problems such as energy efficiency, health and safety, and regeneration are taken into consideration seriously (Annual Report 2006). With a strong team of specialists on its hand, Barratts management is confident in its performance and in creating value for its shareholders and stakeholders. Role of Accounting Information and AIS at Barratt Development The emergence of the digital economy and globalization has precipitated the concept of organizational systems for managing knowledge and information. In the financial context, digitized information reporting has become a link between the different units of the organization. It is through this network of information that organizations are able to utilize information in individualized management. Accounting information systems are enablers of information provision to synthesize financial information such as reports for non-standard managerial decisions. The AIS has come to be the managers knowledge through which the organization deploys knowledge for various purposes in decision frameworks (Bhimani 2003). Thus, AIS can be defined as a subsystem of the organizations information system in which quantitative data are processed to provide information for individuals or group of people with similar information needs, to use in understanding organizational activities and support decision-mak ing. Accounting information refers to processed data converted into information for the purpose of decision-making (OpenLearning ). This ideology can be exemplified by studying Barratt Development and its AIS. Accounting information at Barratt serves various groups of individuals and mainly those who are in direct relation with the business. From the top of the decision tree, the board of directors who need to direct and control the organization are the principal users of accounting information. Accounting information is used to study the trend in revenues, pre-tax profit, losses, group activities, cash flow, return on capital employed, forward order book, land, net assets, interest rates, selling price, volume of business, product sale and earnings per share to estimate the status of the business. They base their assessment on future plans, the types of project they will focus on, the kind of resources they plan to employ, and the kind of risks involved in the business (Annual Report 2006). Apart from the board of directors, accounting information provides valuable information for monitoring purposes for external groups of individuals such as the auditing committee. They study the integrity of the financial statements to objectively evaluate its relation with the organizational performance. They are also responsible for studying the financial management and reporting system to ensure that accounting procedures, system of control and processes are congruent with standards prescribed by the regulators (Annual Report 2006). The accounting information also provides useful status of the kind of credit transactions that have taken place with suppliers, the terms for repayment and how much debt the company is in without risking the companys integrity. After the Board of Directors, the auditors, and the creditors, the executives and managers are the ones who make use of the accounting information. They utilize make use of accounting information for assessing operational performance and how to improve it through strategic plans. Accounting information provides insight pertaining to the gaps or problems inherent in the skills, resources, and financial constrains that hinder the maximization of efficiency of resources to achieve organizational objectives and targets (Annual Report 2006). External users of accounting information also include the shareholders and speculators who are keen on studying the performance of the company from time to time to safeguard their interests. Information pertaining to earnings per share, share pricing, profitability, rates of returns and announcement of new shares being floated are all useful for shareholders to make investment decisions. Apart from the above-mentioned core decision-makers, accounting information is also used at the operational level for information like salaries, benefits, bonuses, pension benefits, as well as ensuring that divisional leaders are able to gauge the status of inventory, receivables, cash flow activities, assets, land, payables and taxes etc. which will impact on the overall status of the projects. The accounting information that these individuals utilize is processed by an accounting information system, which generates information from daily transactions such as sale receipts, invoices, payment slips, taxation forms, salary slips, suppliers transactional slips, and trade receivables etc. The AIS comprises of sub-sub systems set up based on accounting standards such as inventory system, supply chain system, sales proceeds systems, human resource system, and capital investment systems. The AIS is also formed based on various internal transactions recorded in these systems. Hence, the AIS at Barratt Development is based on both internal and external accounting information processing. Accounting Information Strategy at Barratt Development Although AIS has been in existence in organizations since the invention of accounting, today it is interpreted synonymously with the computerization of accounting function. The fundamental purpose of AIS is to collect, record and process data from activities related to the organizations (Stefanou 2006). The resultant information has implications in maintenance, decision and communication by internal and external stakeholders, depending on the extent of the impact of environmental factors, social factors, technological factors and organizational factors. According to Stefanou (2006), accounting information and AIS are critical for organizations to respond to highly competitive and dynamic business environments that often alter production processes and organizational structures. For this purpose, information systems such as AIS play an important role in facilitating change management and allow cross-functional requirements. At Barratt, the company has engaged Weber Shandwick Square Mile as the financial PR advisors to develop a communication framework especially designed for providing information to its shareholders and stakeholders at all times. However, this step towards transparency is limited by the companys policy not to divulge sensitive financial information to the public without the expressed approval of the Company Secretary. The company believes that this strategy helps it to ensure that key accounting information is only communicated to those genuinely concerned such as investors, private shareholders and analysts (Annual Report 2006). Barratts AIS is based on the International Financial Reporting Standards, complies with the Companies Act of 1985 and uses the generally accepted accounting principles. Under GAAP, the company also has to include estimates and assumptions that affect the companys overall financial performance, especially on assets and liabilities, while reporting of revenues and expenses. Accounting information is based on the managements interpretation of amount, activities, actions and actual/estimates and their impact on the performance of the company. For this purpose, Barratt takes into account of results/estimates from holding companies, as well as its subsidiaries, to be included in it financial statements to record revenue, expenditures, assets, liabilities, and cash flows. For example, when considering cost estimation, the company includes materials, labour and overheads of work in progress. Similarly, when considering property, plant and equipment, the company includes deferred purchase cre dit terms and costs, less depreciation of the assets (Annual Report 2006). Developing and managing accounting information is critical for inter and intra organizational information dissemination. Accurate information is required for decision support throughout the organization, as well as to ensure that the quality of information supports efficiency of operational activities. By using the GAAP principles, the companys decision-makers are able to negotiate and manage costs for determining cost price, selling price and service price of its products in the market. It is also critical for the decision-makers at the divisional level to gauge the financial implications of the project undertaken and, hence, determine its value to the overall organizational strategy. In smaller companies, it is easier to emphasize on control mechanisms such as cash, monitoring performance and maintaining relationships with external entities (Collis and Jarvis 2002). However, in an organization such as Barra tt, where holding companies, subsidiaries, supply chain and such external value chain units are connected with the companys operations, accounting estimates, though give a rough picture of the financial status, do not really provide correct financial status (Ramos 2004). Furthermore, due to the changing business environment and trend, traditional notions of control systems no longer prove effective in understanding and controlling factors that affect organizations. Bhimani (2003) is of the view that management operational strategies nowadays require a balance of all units within the organizational framework linked by an effective communication network, which emphasize on information and knowledge transfer. Any information system must facilitate information for monitoring and evaluation of the knowledge. Boland (1999) too is of the view that information systems such as the AIS must be present in the organization to create reports, support report regeneration, support decision systems, smoothen workflow and provide enquiry function. Therefore, the AIS should represent the organizational control system (Stuerke 2005). To begin with, Barratt maintains an effective financial information system that provides relevant and up-to-date information pertaining t o the organization for the purpose of maintaining investment relations. One cannot deny the fact that information pertaining to earnings forecasts, capital returns, announcements, financial performance and the like are easily available at the click of a button at Barratts investor relations web site. The purpose of this web site is to smooth the workflow of the investors, traders and analysts so that they engage in trading Barratts shares and securities (Barratt Official Website 2007). Likewise, one observes that Barratt has used its financial information system to effectively direct and control its corporate governance through which it sets standards and values for maintaining its relationship with shareholders, customers, staff, suppliers, contractors and stakeholders. It is through its corporate governance strategy that the company is able to develop an operational plan, budget, financial statements, decide on projects, conduct acquisition and disposal of units, as well as monitor business performance, set internal control for risk management and ensure transparency is existent throughout the organization (Annual Report 2006). An effective information system is dependent on a regulatory body. It is this body that monitors and evaluates the efficacy of the implementation of policies and strategies. Maintaining an information system with sensitive information, such as financial data, is useless if there are no regular checks and balances. In a financial context, this is usually carried out by the auditors. Congruent to the breadth and size of the company, Barratt has two groups of auditors internal and external. The Audit Committee (internal) comprises of executive directors with financial experience who are responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the audit process, financial management and reporting systems, as well as ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of its accounting processes. The internal control systems are reviewed regularly to monitor potential risks or discrepancies in the audit function. An external auditing company, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC has been engaged to authenticate the v alidity of the internal audit committees reports (Annual Report 2006). This approach is not new in terms of companys evaluation and monitoring. Apart from the auditing committee, Barratts Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the companys assets by monitoring for fraud and irregularities in its financial system and operations. Their task is governed by an internal control and risk management system. Although, this system may seem effective in defining risk control operations and reportage, nevertheless it is usually limited by the authority of the same directors who report, evaluate and audit the financial information disseminated at interim and annual meetings. The directors are a select group who are made responsible for the transparency of the whole companys accounting system. For example, when considering issues of land viability for acquisition, work in progress, and sub-contractor payments etc., the executive directors are dependent on the input system, which is controlled at the divisional level. Accounting of purchases, sales, and acquisitions is authenticated by the divisional heads, while the executive di rectors are dependent on these divisional units for authentication of their own reportage. Consequently, the researcher is of the view that the system only provides reasonable assurance. The risk of fraudulent activities cannot be really assured at all levels as the checks and balances are limited to the top executives only. Conclusion From the above discussion, one understands that although the digital economy has substantially revolutionized accounting information systems, it is essentially based on the same framework. Traditional accounting values such as integrity, authenticity and quality of information for the purpose of decision-making critically have remained the same. All processes in recording and processing accounting data for generating information serve the purpose of accountability and authentication of the factors of production, work in progress and performance of the firm. What has changed is the significance of the AIS as the intra and inter communication framework for stakeholders and shareholders. This is evident from the above study of Barratt Development, one of UKs top house-builder companies. Barratt, based on its operational infrastructure, has developed a complex financial information system governed by policies, procedures and disciplines for governing it. Its management has appointed top decision-makers (its directors) as gatekeepers for monitoring, evaluating and safekeeping of financial information. It has adopted standardized accounting principles for reportage and accountability so as to facilitate its shareholders and stakeholders with easy-to-access accounting information for making decisions that affect the company. Nevertheless, if one analyzes this accounting system, it is filled with gaps, which may compromise the integrity and quality of information provided to its users. Consequently, the researcher is of the view that AIS cannot guarantee authenticity, quality and integrity of information, regardless of the kind of system adopted. What is needed is a check and balance system integrated, congruent with the AIS, at all levels of the organization to ensure independent authentication of information and knowledge management. Bibliography Barratt Official Website. Company Profile. Online accessed on 20 January 2007 from: http://www.barratt-investor-relations.co.uk/corporateoverview/companyprofile.aspx Barratt Report and Accounts 2006. Bhimani, A. (2003) Management Accounting in the Digital Economy. Oxford University Press: Oxford. Boland, R. J. (1999) Accounting as a Representational Craft Lessons for Research on Information Systems in Rethinking Management Information Systems: An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Currie, W. and Galliers, B. (eds) Oxford University Press: Oxford. pp. 229 Collis, J. and Jarvis, R. (2002) Financial Information and the Management of Small Private Companies. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 9, No. 2 pp.100-110 Ramos, M. M. (2004) Interaction between management accounting and supply chain management. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal. Vol.9, No. 2, pp.134-138 Stuerke, P. S. (2005) Financial analysts as users of accounting information. International Journal of Managerial Finance Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 8-24 Barratt Report and Accounts 2006. Barratt Official Website. Company Profile. Online accessed on 20 January 2007 from: http://www.barratt-investor-relations.co.uk/corporateoverview/companyprofile.aspx Bhimani, A. (2003) Management Accounting in the Digital Economy. Oxford University Press: Oxford. Boland, R. J. (1999) Accounting as a Representational Craft Lessons for Research on Information Systems in Rethinking Management Information Systems: An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Currie, W. and Galliers, B. (eds) Oxford University Press: Oxford. pp. 229 Ramos, M. M. (2004) Interaction between management accounting and supply chain management. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal. Vol.9, No. 2, pp.134-138 Collis, J. and Jarvis, R. (2002) Financial Information and the Management of Small Private Companies. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 9, No. 2 pp.100-110 Stuerke, P. S. (2005) Financial analysts as users of accounting information. International Journal of Managerial Finance Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 8-24

Examining History :: essays research papers

It is imporatant to carefully examine history in order to learn from previous mistakes, and also to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated. The Manhattan project is an excellent example. This program allowed the United States to unleash the power of the atom, thus, introducing a new and devastating element into warfare. Although they managed to come in first in the race with Germany, the U.S. bears the responsibility of having introduced the atomic bomb, and have the blood on their hands from the use of it. It is obvious that the U.S. reaped the benefits by introducing the bomb, because no one else had the chance to use it on them. However, it is imperative to realize that when they dropped the bomb they became hypocrates. They did not want it used on them, but were eager to use it on another country. Actually, the U.S. had trouble deciding who to use it on. However, when a target was selected, the results were devastating. There were 170,000 people killed in Hiroshima alone and in Nagasaki, estimates say, nearly 70,000 died. After the bomb was dropped, the resulting radiation killed nearly 70,000 people. The Manhattan Project and the use of the atomic bomb were unfortunate products of a scientific breakthrough and a frantic race; which resulted in a revolution in warfare. The Manhattan Project originated from the Army Corps of Engineers, this division was originally named the Manhattan District. The later name, The Manhattan Project, encompassed the district, the scientific, the governmental and the strategic aspects (4:9). In 1941 President Roosevelt and several American scientists began work on the project (1:1). The bomb was never reffered to as the "atomic bomb" it was referred to as "a new weapon of unusual destructive force" (13:74). The main hub of acivity for this project was in New Mexico, the program lasted from 1942 to 1946. The total cost was nearly 2 billion dollars (1:3). Another important aspect to this program was the secrecy invovlved. It was said that "loose lips sink ships" (13:37). According to Roosevelt the only people who knew about the program at it's conception were Vice President Wallace, the Speaker of the House, the Democratic Leader of the Senate Mr. Barkley, and the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee for the House and Senate (11:27). As time went on it was still kept very quiet, most cabinet members and even more congressmen did not know about it (1:3).

Student Stress

Today's students are faced with many challenges, many additional pressures, and numerous stresses. High school creates a variety of difficulties and challenges for teens but on average their main stresses are schoolwork, personal problems and time consuming Jobs. Teens find themselves under far too much pressure. Being a teenager Is typically thought of as a fun and free time In life, but It's turning Into a stressful period in a person's life. Most teens set a goal of doing well in school to achieve their dream job or Just better themselves.Many classes feel short and quick, teachers buzz through topics and units faster than most can comprehend. Still, the teachers and parents expect you to be able to achieve high marks on tests and assignments. The work load is enormous. Every class you are expected to do an hour or two of homework every night and finding the time is close to impossible. Most programs at university expect a high 80 percent average. For some it comes easy, others, a great challenge. Expectations from universities and parents can add more stress on to your already trustful school life.I personally feel as If school has gotten a lot harder since our parents attended. Since they had a grade 13, an extra year to prepare and learn. This means that everything taught within five years Is now squeezed Into four. Learning at a quicker pace is a lot more difficult than having an extra year. High school impacts a student's life for the rest of their educational path. Along with many hours at school, most students have a part time Job to attend right after school. Work conflicts with school and the work load.I personally have a art time Job and after working 5-6 hours after school, homework is the last thing on my mind. Many teens get jobs to gain independence from their parents and stand on their own financially. However there is also the reality of funding post-secondary education. University tuitions are expensive and have been rising throughout the ye ars. Some the dream of university is all based around grades but the finances too. Saving up and working hard at school Is extremely stressful and hard to find a balance between school, work and a social life.Students need time to relax and moieties that's hard to find. I get extremely stressed whenever I have work and even the smallest amount of homework, so I can only imagine how it is for grade twelve working all the time with huge amounts of homework. Working as a teenager is stressful and adding homework on top of that can be unbelievable. Personal problems are a reality for almost everyone. But for teenagers it's harder to handle due to social media, bullying and parents. Social media has been a huge toll on many of my friends.The drama that surrounds social media can be tolling on a student's incineration. Privacy is a thing of a past with almost every personal problem now being slew on social media sights. This has happened to everyone at some point in high school, either be ing bullied on or off social media. Even If it's not In school, family stresses can dramatically Impact your day or your attentiveness In and out of school. High school is stressful from the start, but the stress accumulates as the years go important that students be able to recognize this stress and deal with it before it becomes overwhelming.

Free Essays on Bush Administration Travel Budget

The article that I chose for my current events paper came from the New York Times, on September 25, 2002. The title of the article is  ¡Ã‚ °Cheney ¡Ã‚ ¯s Travel Budget Raises Eyebrows ¡Ã‚ ±. It was written by Katherine Q. Seelye. Vice President Dick Cheney ¡Ã‚ ¯s staff is asking Congress for an additional $100, 000 for his travel budget this year. Administration officials say it is for  ¡Ã‚ °additional unplanned official trips ¡Ã‚ ± related to the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. Democrats suggest the money is being used for political trips in this campaign season. Mr. Cheney is given $386,000 appropriated by Congress, for the fiscal year. He has already spent that sum, as well as an additional $50,000 Congress gives him for unanticipated travel. In 1994, the comparable year for President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore was allocated $164,000 and spent only $51,000 of that amount. When asked his opinion about the funds, David Sirota, spokesman for the Democrats on the House of Appropriations Committee, said,  ¡Ã‚ °This kind of disregard for other people ¡Ã‚ ¯s money may have worked at Halliburton, but it doesn ¡Ã‚ ¯t work with the American taxpayer. ¡Ã‚ ± According to the figures in the article, Vice President Cheney has spent $1194.52 per day for a full fiscal year. That is an outrageous amount of money for travel. I have an idea for a budget plan. If we cut all the politicians ¡Ã‚ ¯ travel money for the fiscal year in half, I think we would have quite a substantial amount for some worthwhile government spending (like maybe bailing out Amtrak). I do understand that politicians and government officials cannot travel by commercial flight, but there has to be a better system in place. I am appalled to think that I pay $0.30 out of every dollar I earn to pay for this kind of nonsense.... Free Essays on Bush Administration Travel Budget Free Essays on Bush Administration Travel Budget The article that I chose for my current events paper came from the New York Times, on September 25, 2002. The title of the article is  ¡Ã‚ °Cheney ¡Ã‚ ¯s Travel Budget Raises Eyebrows ¡Ã‚ ±. It was written by Katherine Q. Seelye. Vice President Dick Cheney ¡Ã‚ ¯s staff is asking Congress for an additional $100, 000 for his travel budget this year. Administration officials say it is for  ¡Ã‚ °additional unplanned official trips ¡Ã‚ ± related to the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. Democrats suggest the money is being used for political trips in this campaign season. Mr. Cheney is given $386,000 appropriated by Congress, for the fiscal year. He has already spent that sum, as well as an additional $50,000 Congress gives him for unanticipated travel. In 1994, the comparable year for President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore was allocated $164,000 and spent only $51,000 of that amount. When asked his opinion about the funds, David Sirota, spokesman for the Democrats on the House of Appropriations Committee, said,  ¡Ã‚ °This kind of disregard for other people ¡Ã‚ ¯s money may have worked at Halliburton, but it doesn ¡Ã‚ ¯t work with the American taxpayer. ¡Ã‚ ± According to the figures in the article, Vice President Cheney has spent $1194.52 per day for a full fiscal year. That is an outrageous amount of money for travel. I have an idea for a budget plan. If we cut all the politicians ¡Ã‚ ¯ travel money for the fiscal year in half, I think we would have quite a substantial amount for some worthwhile government spending (like maybe bailing out Amtrak). I do understand that politicians and government officials cannot travel by commercial flight, but there has to be a better system in place. I am appalled to think that I pay $0.30 out of every dollar I earn to pay for this kind of nonsense....

Flavoring Agents made from Aldehydes and Ketones Essays

Flavoring Agents made from Aldehydes and Ketones Essays Flavoring Agents made from Aldehydes and Ketones Essay Flavoring Agents made from Aldehydes and Ketones Essay Flavoring Agents made from Aldehydes and Ketones Name: Lecturer: Institution: : Course: Date: Abstract This paper looks to delve into the chemistry behind ketones and aldehydes as well as related compounds. The endeavor involved looking into the way their bonding influences how they react. It also considers the simple physical properties of these compounds including their reaction with other compounds, chemical structures and formulas. The paper also looked to establish the relationship and differences between natural butter and synthetic butter, natural raspberry and synthetic raspberry, and vanilla extract and pure vanilla. Finally, this paper endeavored to identify and a detailed description of the type of reactions that take place in Sn1, Sn2, E1, E2 reactions as well as Grignard reagents. Flavoring Agents made from Aldehydes and Ketones Flavoring agents are considered the largest compounds used as food additives. Beverage and food applications of flavoring agents include spice blends, fruits, nuts, wine flavoring agents, and vegetables. They may modify or magnify the aroma or taste of the intended product. There exists a wide variety of flavoring agents used for numerous purposes (Cooper, 2009). Examples of flavoring agents include alcohols, esters, protein hydrolysates, aldehydes, and ketones. Aldehydes and Ketones are connected from the premise that they both possess a carbonyl group C=O. The main difference however is that the carbonyl carbon of ketones is bound by two carbon atoms. On the other hand, the carboxyl carbon of aldehydes is bound by one hydrogen atom. Hence, aldehydes place the carbonyl group at the terminal carbon end, while the ketone carbonyl group is always internal. Typically, simple aldehydes have an irritating and unpleasant odor. One flavoring agent made from aldehydes is Amyl Cinnamic Aldehyde. This compound is largely used in fixation of fragrances (Bloch, 2006). In addition, aldehydes are also used in commercial product fragrances such as deodorants, detergents, fabric softeners, shampoo, and soaps. The other flavoring agent made from aldehydes is C8 Aldehyde (Octanol). This compound is also known as caprylaldehyde or octyl aldehyde. Flavoring agents made from this compound are used in detergents, soaps, as well as creams and light fragrances requiring a citrus character. It is used as a flavoring agent in foods such as baked goods, gelatins, and ice cream. The third flavoring agent used from aldehydes is Cinnamic Aldehyde (Cooper, 2009). This compound is used to make flavoring agents where cinnamon characters are desired. Though it can be extracted from cassia and cinnamon bark oils, Cinnamic Aldehyde is normally produced synthetically. In the United States and Europe, Cinnamic Aldehyde is mostly used in bakery goods, chewing gum, toothpaste, mouthwash and candy. Primarily, Cinnamic Aldehyde is unsaturated, and this makes it easy to react for creating many compounds that are in turn used in numerous fragrance compositions. One flavoring agent made from ketones is acetone. Acetone accounts for the few compounds that exhibit infinite solubility in water as well as the capability of dissolving numerous organic compounds. This quality allows acetone to be removed when it is no longer needed due to its low boiling point. It is considered the most important industrial solvent and is used in products such as varnishes, resins, paints, nail polish removers, and coatings. The second ketone flavoring agent is Methyl ethyl ketone. This compound exists both in outdoor and indoor air. Methyl ethyl ketone in the air is produced through the photo oxidation of air pollutants such as certain hydrocarbons including butane. Primarily, ethyl ketone is implemented as a solvent in processes that involve cellulose acetate, resins, gums, and cellulose nitrate. Methyl ethyl ketone is also implemented in the rubber industry, paraffin wax production, glues and paint removers (Cooper, 2009). Natural Butter vs Synthetic Butter When compared to synthetic butter, natural butter is slightly higher saturated in fats at eight grams compared to five grams. In comparison, both natural and synthetic butter constitute a mixture of triglycerides with differing forms of fatty acids. This implies that no single chemical structure on natural or synthetic butter can be drawn. The breakdown of the glycerides leads to the release of free fatty acids and butyric in butter with the structural formula of CH3CH2CH2–COOH. The butyric acid in butter is responsible for the characteristic nauseating smell in rancid butter. The characteristic color of natural and synthetic butter comes from its chemical composition of carotene. The fatty acids in natural and synthetic butter range from oleic acid (CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH 31.9), myristic acid (CH3(CH2)12COOH 19.8), palmitic acid (CH3(CH2)16COOH 14.9), stearic acid (CH3(CH2)16COOH 14.9), linolenic acid (CH3CH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7CO) among others. The synthesis of but ter primarily involves fermenting the butyrate represented by the following chemical reaction; C6H12O6 > C4H8O2 + 2CO2 + 2H2. In accordance with a Harvard medical study, women are at more risk of succumbing to heart disease when they consumer synthetic butter compared to natural butter. On the other, consuming natural butter, helps increase the absorption of a wide array of nutrients in the food we consume. Natural butter comprises of a wider array of nutritional benefits than synthetic butter because they are manufactured. In terms of taste, natural butter tastes better than synthetic butter because it is capable of stimulating enhancing the taste buds and food flavors. In addition, synthetic butter is capable of lowering HDL cholesterol in the human body whereas natural butter does not. Compared to natural butter, synthetic butter has been established to cause negative effect on the health of those who consume it. These include increasing the risk of succumbing to certain cancers five times compared to natural butter. Furthermore, synthetic butter reduces the quality of breast and decreases the response of insulin and immunity in the human body (Cooper, 2009). In this case, the most significant comparison between natural and synthetic butter is their chemical structure. The chemical composition of natural butter blends well with the fatty acids of our bodies. On the other hand, the chemical structure and composition of synthetic butter bears negative effects on the human body. In summary, one form of butter occurs naturally, and the other is man made. Statistically, they are both considered unhealthy for human consumption. Nevertheless, if one has to make a choice, they should opt to chose natural butter and consume it in small amounts. Rasberry vs Synthetic Rasberry Natural raspberry is normally obtained from synthesizing coumaroyl-CoA. The extraction of pure and natural raspberry ketone usually yields about 2-5 mg per kilo of raspberries. Therefore, consuming raspberry fruits leaves, or seeds does not yield sufficient metabolic boosting properties. The natural availability of raspberry ketone low and this makes it hard to obtain the needed yield in a leaf, fruit, or seed extract. The preferred form of raspberry ketone is hence produced synthetically to obtain raspberry ketone powder. Both natural and synthetic raspberry products offer exceptional antioxidants depending on the amount of raspberry contained. To put this perspective into consideration, in order to obtain 250 milligrams of pure raspberry, one is supposed to consume between sixty and five hundred pounds of raspberries. It therefore makes sense to synthesize the compound (Cooper, 2009). Both natural and synthesized raspberry ketone contains ellagic acid. This is a form of compound performs anti-carcinogenic functions against various carcinogens. When consumed in the right amount, raspberry ketone has been proven capable of preventing high induced fat elevations in the body. Since it would be impossible to consume this much raspberry ketone from natural raspberry, this can only be achieved from consuming synthesized raspberry. Once consumed, the raspberry ketone compound induces the release of norepinephrine in the body. Consequently, norepinephrine induces glucose release from energy supplements as well as increasing the breakdown of triglycerides to separate fatty acids. The general representation of raspberry ketone is represented by the following; Source: Examine .com. Raspberry Ketones Vanilla Extract vs Pure Vanilla Statistically, ninety-seven percent of the vanilla used for its various purposes is synthetic, and the use of pure vanilla is little. Vanilla extract is normally manufactured from eugenol (olive oil) or through breaking down lignin products from conifer such as picea and spruce. Chemically, pure vanilla possesses well over two hundred elemental chemicals that give it its characteristic smell and taste that make it impossible to mimic. The main compound that gives pure vanilla its characteristic taste is referred to as vanillin. Madagascan vanillin possesses three times more vanillin concentration. Pure vanilla requires no sugar be added and does not go bad. In essence, it ages like fine liquor. FDA standards require that pure vanilla contain fourteen ounces of vanilla beans and thirty-five percent alcohols in every gallon during extraction (Gmehling, 2004). Primarily, vanilla extract is synthesized from artificial flavorings that mostly attained from wood byproducts and normally con tain chemicals. Differing palates between pure and vanilla extract led to vanilla extracts leading to a bitter aftertaste as well as a poor quality. In addition, extract vanilla requires twice as much flavoring for it to match the quality of pure vanilla. Summary The main objective of this paper was to investigate the chemistry behind ketones and aldehydes as well as related compounds. One of the major objectives involved conducting an investigation on what influence their reactions undergo upon bonding. This paper put into consideration the simple physical properties of these compounds including their reaction with other compounds, chemical structures and formulas. In addition, this paper looked to establish the relationship and differences between natural butter and synthetic butter. This yielded the conclusion that both natural and synthetic butter constitute a mixture of triglycerides with differing forms of fatty acids. Natural raspberry and synthetic raspberry were also compared. The investigation revealed that the natural availability of raspberry ketone is low and this makes it hard to obtain the needed yield in a leaf, fruit, or seed extract. The preferred form of raspberry ketone is hence produced synthetically to obtain raspberry ketone powder. Vanilla extract and pure vanilla were also compared. The finding maintained that chemically, pure vanilla possesses well over two hundred elemental chemicals that give it its characteristic smell and taste that make it impossible to mimic. The main compound that gives pure vanilla its characteristic taste is referred to as vanillin. Vanilla extract possesses three times more vanillin concentration. Finally, this paper endeavored to identify and a detailed description of the type of reactions that take place in Sn1, Sn2, E1, E2 reactions as well as Grignard reagents. Investigation on this established that Sn1, Sn2, E1, E2 reactions are determined by the type of reaction in question- either elimination reactions or substitution reactions. References Arlt, W., Gmehling, J., Onken, U. (2009). Aldehydes and ketones, ethers. Frankfurt am Main: Dechema. Bloch, D. R. (2006). Organic chemistry demystified. New York: McGraw-Hill. Cooper, J. H. (2009). Flavoring agents of aldehydes and ketones. Chicago. Gmehling, J., Onken, U. (2004). Aldehydes and ketones. (Vapor-liquid equilibrium data collection.) Frankfurt am Main: DECHEMA. Sittig, M. (2008). Polyacetal resins, aldehydes, and ketones. Park Ridge, N.J: Noyes Development Corp.

The 9 Things Recruiters Want to See in Your Resume

The 9 Things Recruiters Want to See in Your Resume Think of recruiters as your professional matchmakers:The Edge Company (global corporation specializing in widget production, development, and sales),  2014 – 20177. Talk about your colleagues.This is your resume, so you don’t need to go into specifics about your buddy Jill in Accounting. But recruiters are tasked with finding a new team member for a company, and they need to know that they’re not going to send the company someone who may be a whiz with data, but can’t work with (or get along with others). Make sure your resume includes notes like, liaised with the marketing manager to develop annual marketing plans and budgets, or collaborated with the Sales Operations team to present annual strategy, goals, and progress. Show that you play well with others, without letting it dominate your resume.8. Brag about yourself.Definitely play up your achievements. If you’ve received honors or recognition at work, make sure your resume includes a section for those. A resume that is basically, â€Å"I’m the best, deal with it† on line after line will make a recruiter’s eyes glaze over, but you want to make sure you’re getting credit for the awesome things you’ve done- and for which you’ve gotten recognition.9. Explain gaps.Recruiters know what it looks like when you’re hiding information. If you do have gaps, try to give context in the cover letter. I was out of the workforce for a temporary personal matter, but am excited about bringing my expertise to this new role. Be honest- the recruiter can help you smooth gaps, but he or she can’t do anything if you offer no context.Recruiter Pet PeevesAnd now that you know what recruiters want to see, don’t forget to make sure you’re avoiding the things that could get you an eyeroll/automatic pass from the next recruiter who reads your stuff.Not Including Contact InformationThis seems like a no-brainer, but just make sure y ou’re proofreading to ensure that you’re including at least a phone number or an email (with a professional-sounding handle, please!) on the resume and cover letter you’ve worked so hard to produce.Going Overboard on BuzzwordsRecruiters know all the usual suspects- remember, they’re reading hundreds of resumes and cover letters. Avoid jargon in your resume, and opt instead for strong action words that show your strengths and achievements.Lousy FormattingMake sure your formatting is consistent throughout your resume, and that the document looks like a sleek, finished product. If it looks like several different docs copied and pasted into one, you might not get the attention you want.Resumes that Don’t Include ExperienceYour skills are a major, major part of your applicant package, and it’s great that you want to emphasize them. But don’t do that at the expense of your experience, even if you don’t have much of that yet. The recr uiter needs to have a full picture of you as an employee, and skills without job history won’t do that.Unprofessional Email Addresses (See #1)If GoGoGirl88 has been your go-to email address since you got one, it’s time to upgrade to Name@emaildomain.com. The recruiter is looking for someone who can bring maturity and intelligence to the role they’re trying to fill, and if they can’t even get past your ridiculous email handle, it’s not likely they’ll see you as the seasoned candidate you want to be.Remember, the recruiter is one of your best allies in your job hunt. If you put the time and effort into your resume and cover letter to get them on your side, you’ve already helped get your foot in that door. Good luck, and don’t forget to hug your local recruiter! (But only in the most respectful, professional of ways.)

Intellectual property commircialisation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Intellectual property commircialisation - Essay Example These elements are critical in ensuring sustainable growth and product security from unwarranted imitations or claimer of discontent. In particular, patent which is an exclusive right given for invention and production of goods including services is vital for the development of air purifiers. Patent rights give the innovator the authority to claim ownership of the idea and production of the products. Consequently, it provides requisite capacity that prohibits competitors or unknown individuals to claim ownership of a company’s idea. Company A, should integrate its practices to ensure that its innovations and creative idea is protected adequately under patent regulations rights (Andersen 2006)2. This draws a distinction between property owners and developers from unscrupulous individuals who seek to benefit from unwarranted sources. Similarly, Company A, should adopt trade secret system of property security, which is a viable form of IP. The element provides superior protection system to property invention and production guidelines that facilitate limited imitation. It protects innovative ideals of production from various individuals who would adopt such standards for competitive purposes. Ideally, Trade secret facilitates company’s and product registration and protects its information from being accessed by various competitors. The element would contribute in protecting the air purifier concept and development. Additionally, effective trademark system that equivocally defines an institution and its core products is also viable. IP form aids registration of the company’s by names and product portfolios to ensure distinct identity. Therefore, the elements are vital in ensuring superior management of air purifier identity in the company. Electric air purifier is a comprehensive model that is made up of various parts and accessories that facilitate its functioning. Its parts includes odor absorber plus,

Theory of demand Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Theory of demand - Term Paper Example As the price of goods and services rise, the quantity demand by consumers goes down. Siddiqui (35) further describes demand as that effective desire which can be satisfied meaning that desires are simply imaginations. It is required that the demand commodity should be available at a certain place, time, and price. Demand must satisfy the following requirements; desire for the specific commodity; sufficient resources to purchase the desired commodity; willingness to spend the resources; and the availability of the commodity. In addition, demand can also be used to measure or predict the quantity of commodities and services which the buyers would be motivated to buy in a market at a given time and at a given place. The changes in the price of the commodities that are related to that which a consumer uses affects the market demand for it and an example of this would be the price of margarine (which the consumer does not normally use) is much lower than the price of butter. Inevitably, the consumer will decide to go for the cheaper product although their preference lies with the more expensive one. The demand for certain commodities may also be affected by the changes of the income of potential buyers, for example, if the income of a buyer is reduced, then he will opt to purchase cheaper commodities in line with his diminished income; but if the income is increased, then the buyer’s demand for the same product at higher prices will increase significantly. The future expectations of buyers almost alw ays have a tendency of influencing the market demand of a product and this is usually displayed by considering the income security of potential buyers. If a potential buyer is confident in his belief that his future income will be stable, the he is more likely to spend more in buying both the commodities that he needs and wants. If however his future income is very insecure,

Environmental Impact of Balfour Beatty Company Term Paper

Environmental Impact of Balfour Beatty Company - Term Paper Example Considering the nature of activities carried out by this company such as infrastructure development and investment, and construction services, it contributes a lot towards environmental destruction. The three main negative environmental impacts contributed by this company include pollution, human and animal population displacement and destruction of natural habitat (COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY 2002). Pollution is the release of harmful substances to the environment which may be in different forms such as air, water, radioactive materials, soil, heat, and light. Emission of gaseous waste to the atmosphere has been caused by this company as a result of the fleet of cars owned by this company which emits carbon waste and sulfur compounds to the environment. These are as a result of the various new cars which are constantly on the roads to the construction sites. It is an estimated fact that most air pollution is caused by car emissions. Another way of increased carbon into the atmosphere by the company are the many construction plans which are distributed in the 80 countries, these industries release their waste to the atmosphere, increasing the amount of carbon dioxide. The lethal effects of carbon dioxide include the formation of smog which blocks sunlight from reaching the earth’s surface. This prevents the process of photosynthesis from taking place in plants, resulting in wilting. The destruction of the natural forest is a great worldwide concern as its effects lead to dire consequences (COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY 2002). Such emissions have contributed to global warming and formation of acid rain due to increased carbon levels in the atmosphere.  

Better Luck Tomorrow Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Better Luck Tomorrow Review - Essay Example Despite the fact that the film is an ensemble, the action that goes on in the film centers on Ben, who is in his last year in high school. He does everything that would give him an impressive identity when applying for college. This means that he has to get several honors and awards that he is not interested in, such as employee of the month award, athletic and student committee honors. He spends his time with friends who are equally gifted, but bored. They engage in shoplifting activities in computer stores and sell exam answers to other students. One day one of them draws a gun at a school Neanderthal, and they become respected by their peers for their notoriety (Huang 99). The main theme of the film comes up with regard to the question as to why teenagers would resort to crime. The film has not featured the parents of these teenagers in the activities that go on. This suggests that there might be parental neglect perhaps because they think that their children are innocent and cann ot do anything wrong. It could also be because parents think that their children are not smart to figure out certain things on their own. The children could also be engaging in these activities because of the many expectations that their Parents have put on them (Huang 100). The movie has been directed in the right atmosphere that creates the energy and intrigue that drives the film. These are mixed with humor and suspense that make the film interesting. The realistic performances by the young and energetic actors is crucial because it fits in when the audience has to suspend disbelief that the young actors are doing things that one would never suspect of them. Despite the fact that the cast has been created from the Asian American atmosphere, the theme cuts across. The theme might be resonant in the Asian American context where parenting is not as important as education (Huang 100). Morality and justice in the film seem mostly absent. The teenagers engage in immoral and activities that could be categorized as crime but they are not punished. They engage in these activities in a manner that suggests that no one is interested in discouraging from doing them. In fact, when one of them draws a gun in school, the other students do not care to report them to the school authorities. Instead, they respect them for their notoriety. The teenagers are free to do anything they please. This shows an identity crisis in a society where there is the lack of role models. The young cannot emulate their parents because their parents are busy doing other things to an extent that they have no time to check on what their children could be doing. The parents have also become careless to an extent that they assume that their children are a responsible lot who cannot engage in any crime or wrong activities. Therefore, they live them at the hands of their educators. Education does not help to model the teenagers into responsible human beings. Instead, the education emphasizes on award s, honors and better grades rather than molding the character of the young students. For instance, entrance into college requires that the students must have scored highly in academics and acquired awards and honors in certain activities. The measure of character is not provided for in those applications. Young people have been left to identify with immorality and prowess in doing wrong and committing crimes. This provides a wakeup call to the audience that

Students' Traveling to the South Coast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Students' Traveling to the South Coast - Essay Example The Brighton Marina is the biggest complex of its kind in Europe and testifies to the great engineering skills of modern times which have converted what was an open sea 40 years ago, into a commercial and residential settlement. The coastline from Brighton to Eastbourne is a delight for any coastal engineer, and I am no exception, for it features almost all the important innovations of coastal engineering, along with old and new techniques used in the preservation of the beaches and harbors, endangered by natural and human encroachment. In other words, such a place is an engineer’s delight! Walking along the Brighton Marina is an exhilarating experience and I was once again struck by the way in which this development has been made possible. Economic activities and urbanization though, have had some very adverse effects on the environment and coastal erosion is the cause of great concern. The Brighton Marina caused depletion of the beaches because it altered the longshore drift, and Seaford that was already suffering from erosion was further affected. The Groynes had been built as early as 1836 to combat this problem and increase the amount of shingle. A groin can be built of wood, concrete or rocks, which are placed at right angles to the sea, and help to create a wider and well-nourished beach, since it catches the shingle on the up drift side, and protect the coast because the filtered sand absorbs the wave energy. But there is the loss of beach material on the downdrift side creating the need for another groin there. At Brighton, a seawall and promenade were built at the foot of the cliffs in the 1930s, with the seawall constructed of concrete blocks and the space between the wall and the cliff was packed with the chalk rubble, which was removed from the cliff, while constructing the wall.

Liberal Arts current political controversies Research Paper

Liberal Arts current political controversies - Research Paper Example Simply speaking, if one takes into consideration the ethical, political and strategic issues related to the usage of drones as warfare devices, one simply comes to the conclusion that the drone usage is not only unethical and wrong, but pragmatically speaking, it is also counterproductive. One salient factor that both ethically and practically puts to question the combat usage of drones is the number of civilian deaths that could be attributed to drones (Clodfelter 252). Though the CIA and the military emphatically try to dilute the overall emotional and ethical significance of the civilian deaths caused by drones by labeling these deaths as the ‘collateral damage’, yet, the fact is that a responsible and ethics driven nation like the United States of America simply could not resort to the usage of a technology that has the potential to cause unwanted civilian causalities (Clodfelter 252). The Bureau of Investigative Journalism tends to put the civilian deaths caused by drone strikes between 446 and 978, of which 179 to 209 happened to be children (Matthews 1). There is no denying the fact that the usage of a technology that has the potential to kill innocent children and civilians simply could not be justified by extending any tactical or strategic reason. Besides, the global association of drones with the death of innocent children and civilians jeopardizes the very image and reputation of the United States of America (Brunstetter & Braun 340). The civilian deaths caused by drones make people associate US with arrogance and highhandedness and makes them go against the US (Brunstetter & Braun 341). Thereby this depletion of the nation’s image and the unwanted and unwarranted civilian deaths must immediately be stopped by putting a ban on the usage of drones for tactical strikes. Besides, the drone usage in the light of the civilian causalities is counterproductive as it embarrasses the politicians who have to deal with the ramifications of such blunders and many a times make the non-combatants take the enemy side. The other big factor that puts to question the tactical usage of drones without US is that the drones not only negatively impact the collective moral of the military personnel, but they also hamper the gaining of situational awareness by the forces deployed on the ground (Hazelton 30). Deployment at the forward posts or behind the enemy lines, while evincing a sense of camaraderie with the fellow colleagues and working on the basis of the inputs facilitated by the intelligence agencies and the informers, turns the military personnel into highly motivated and skilled combatants. Besides, the forces deployed on the ground do have the ability to differentiate between the civilians and the enemies and this immensely decreases the scope for collateral damage. The other thing is that an effective military campaign is always based on the situational awareness gained by the forces at the ground level (Hazelton 30). The warriors operating on the frontline have a thorough understanding of the ethical and tactical objectives they aspire to achieve. However, both these objectives are simply curtailed by the usage of drones. The people operating drones from the faraway locations neither tend

Better Luck Tomorrow Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Better Luck Tomorrow Review - Essay Example Despite the fact that the film is an ensemble, the action that goes on in the film centers on Ben, who is in his last year in high school. He does everything that would give him an impressive identity when applying for college. This means that he has to get several honors and awards that he is not interested in, such as employee of the month award, athletic and student committee honors. He spends his time with friends who are equally gifted, but bored. They engage in shoplifting activities in computer stores and sell exam answers to other students. One day one of them draws a gun at a school Neanderthal, and they become respected by their peers for their notoriety (Huang 99). The main theme of the film comes up with regard to the question as to why teenagers would resort to crime. The film has not featured the parents of these teenagers in the activities that go on. This suggests that there might be parental neglect perhaps because they think that their children are innocent and cann ot do anything wrong. It could also be because parents think that their children are not smart to figure out certain things on their own. The children could also be engaging in these activities because of the many expectations that their Parents have put on them (Huang 100). The movie has been directed in the right atmosphere that creates the energy and intrigue that drives the film. These are mixed with humor and suspense that make the film interesting. The realistic performances by the young and energetic actors is crucial because it fits in when the audience has to suspend disbelief that the young actors are doing things that one would never suspect of them. Despite the fact that the cast has been created from the Asian American atmosphere, the theme cuts across. The theme might be resonant in the Asian American context where parenting is not as important as education (Huang 100). Morality and justice in the film seem mostly absent. The teenagers engage in immoral and activities that could be categorized as crime but they are not punished. They engage in these activities in a manner that suggests that no one is interested in discouraging from doing them. In fact, when one of them draws a gun in school, the other students do not care to report them to the school authorities. Instead, they respect them for their notoriety. The teenagers are free to do anything they please. This shows an identity crisis in a society where there is the lack of role models. The young cannot emulate their parents because their parents are busy doing other things to an extent that they have no time to check on what their children could be doing. The parents have also become careless to an extent that they assume that their children are a responsible lot who cannot engage in any crime or wrong activities. Therefore, they live them at the hands of their educators. Education does not help to model the teenagers into responsible human beings. Instead, the education emphasizes on award s, honors and better grades rather than molding the character of the young students. For instance, entrance into college requires that the students must have scored highly in academics and acquired awards and honors in certain activities. The measure of character is not provided for in those applications. Young people have been left to identify with immorality and prowess in doing wrong and committing crimes. This provides a wakeup call to the audience that

Liberal Arts current political controversies Research Paper

Liberal Arts current political controversies - Research Paper Example Simply speaking, if one takes into consideration the ethical, political and strategic issues related to the usage of drones as warfare devices, one simply comes to the conclusion that the drone usage is not only unethical and wrong, but pragmatically speaking, it is also counterproductive. One salient factor that both ethically and practically puts to question the combat usage of drones is the number of civilian deaths that could be attributed to drones (Clodfelter 252). Though the CIA and the military emphatically try to dilute the overall emotional and ethical significance of the civilian deaths caused by drones by labeling these deaths as the ‘collateral damage’, yet, the fact is that a responsible and ethics driven nation like the United States of America simply could not resort to the usage of a technology that has the potential to cause unwanted civilian causalities (Clodfelter 252). The Bureau of Investigative Journalism tends to put the civilian deaths caused by drone strikes between 446 and 978, of which 179 to 209 happened to be children (Matthews 1). There is no denying the fact that the usage of a technology that has the potential to kill innocent children and civilians simply could not be justified by extending any tactical or strategic reason. Besides, the global association of drones with the death of innocent children and civilians jeopardizes the very image and reputation of the United States of America (Brunstetter & Braun 340). The civilian deaths caused by drones make people associate US with arrogance and highhandedness and makes them go against the US (Brunstetter & Braun 341). Thereby this depletion of the nation’s image and the unwanted and unwarranted civilian deaths must immediately be stopped by putting a ban on the usage of drones for tactical strikes. Besides, the drone usage in the light of the civilian causalities is counterproductive as it embarrasses the politicians who have to deal with the ramifications of such blunders and many a times make the non-combatants take the enemy side. The other big factor that puts to question the tactical usage of drones without US is that the drones not only negatively impact the collective moral of the military personnel, but they also hamper the gaining of situational awareness by the forces deployed on the ground (Hazelton 30). Deployment at the forward posts or behind the enemy lines, while evincing a sense of camaraderie with the fellow colleagues and working on the basis of the inputs facilitated by the intelligence agencies and the informers, turns the military personnel into highly motivated and skilled combatants. Besides, the forces deployed on the ground do have the ability to differentiate between the civilians and the enemies and this immensely decreases the scope for collateral damage. The other thing is that an effective military campaign is always based on the situational awareness gained by the forces at the ground level (Hazelton 30). The warriors operating on the frontline have a thorough understanding of the ethical and tactical objectives they aspire to achieve. However, both these objectives are simply curtailed by the usage of drones. The people operating drones from the faraway locations neither tend

Unemployment and Skills Essay Example for Free

Unemployment and Skills Essay Obtaining a degree from institute of higher education in local or overseas has become necessary in order to get a good job with nice salary. However, a quite alarming issue is a high unemployment rate among graduate in this country. Many factors have been identified as being the causes for the increase in the unemployment rate among university graduates. Having straight â€Å"A’s† is no longer enough to secure a job or to give one a competitive edge in career advancement. These are the issues on unemployment among Malaysian graduates. Lack of social and communication skill in addition to a poor command of language and low level of confidence. Many graduates had achieved excellent academic results but could not secure employment without the relevant skills required in the labour market. 2. The lack of experience and skills are the causes leading to the unemployment of graduate’s. In Malaysia, the private sector today is not interested in recruiting local graduates because they lack several important skills, such as the capacity to communicate well in English, a lack of ICT proficiency, and a lack of interpersonal skills. 3. Another issue that contributes to unemployment is inability to solve problem efficiently. This is tied to skills without skills, you have nothing to apply to solve a problem efficiently. This can be linked to the simple example of partial fractions. If you have the skills, you can dissect a fraction into its partial fraction quickly. Without, and you spend time dividing, which takes more time than a person with skills would have took. 4. Then the graduates themselves demand too much. The idea of a degree is contorted to such that a degree means good jobs, and that graduates deserve the jobs. Little do these group understand that while a person with degree in Engineering with First Class Honours may have the luxury of demanding a job (or they would be headhunted even before they start looking for a job), those who possess Pass with Merit arent in that same bunch, and that sad to say, their degree is indeed of a lower quality than the First Class. This is made even worse with those who have these degrees, in addition to having little skills, start blaming companies for not hiring them. . The mismatch between qualification acquired and current job market demand also cause the unemployment among graduates. Colleges and higher learning institutions should make sure that their syllabuses were relevant to the present industrial needs. It was therefore very important for learning institutions to conduct some research on the actual needs of the various industries to prevent students from taking up irrelevant courses which in the end would lead to unemployment among graduates. In conclusion the increasing unemployment rate among the graduates in Malaysia is a worrying trend. For many years, the issue cropped up again and again, made the news headlines, and even hit the parliament. The days have passed when a degree scroll can become your automatic passport to employment. Higher education is no longer a symbol of career success. This may sound painful for graduates but let’s face it. It is reality, no matter how harsh it may appear. According to Dacre Pool ; Sewell, 2007 â€Å"employability is having of skills, knowledge, understanding and personal attribute that make a person more likely to choose and secure occupations in which they can be satisfied and successful† and Yorke, 2006 â€Å"A set of achievements of skills, understanding and personal attributes, that will make graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy†. Malaysia is a world class education system appears to have produced unemployable graduates with 90% of them are bumiputera. In 2010, about 30,000 graduates could not find a job six month after they graduate. There are several ways to Improve Graduate employability; 1. Use of democratic instructional strategies (Singh;Singh,2008) such as role playing, simulations, problem solving exercises and case studies methods of promoting discussions among students and minimum the lectures class. By involve all the students in the class, it will make the class becomes lively. 2. To develop graduate skills and expertise such as in ICT proficiency are by working as temporary contract, doing an internship and other work experience. Both unpaid work experience and paid internship it’s a way to improve the important skills for the workplace and a stop-gap to avoid holes in jobseeker’ CVs whilst they are searching for permanent employment. 3. The implementation of the assessment of soft skills in public universities, such as in UPM there is a program for final year student called as finishing school that is compulsory to attend to before they graduate. These programs are providing a presentation in classes, encouraging problem-based learning and others. 4. Find out the most popular interview questions. There are some interview questions that will be used in most interviews. Use the internet to research common interview questions, and then develop clear, structured and intellectual answers. Next, practise the answers in front of a mirror, a friend or a family member to become confident in your answers. 5. Graduates must be ready. They have to find out which skills are currently required by employers. By reading up-to-date literature on what businesses are looking for in a person’s skill set, they can stay ahead of the game. The more information graduates gain, the easier they will satisfy the employers. 6. Graduates must expose themselves by pay a visit to a career centre. Career centres are designed to offer advice and direction for those who are seeking to gain employability skills. Once enrolled, you can begin a course which is specific to the skill you require. In conclusion as an intellectual graduate, they must fully prepare mentally and physically towards the unforeseen future. Graduates have to be more creative about how they build their prospects after university. They must endeavour to develop their skills and make contacts wherever possible, and remain focused on exactly what will make them more employable for their chosen market. Job prospects are perhaps not as bleak as the world would have graduates think, but they must be prepared to rise to the challenge and prove themselves well-equipped for the world of work.

African Americans History As Slaves And Contemporary Poverty History Essay

African Americans History As Slaves And Contemporary Poverty History Essay It is often argued that the main cause of Africas poverty rates is mainly related to the lack of pro-growth derived from either the colonial system or the period of slavery. (Jerven, p.77) This argument has recently been applied to the United States social scene in order to explain the existent and continuing problems of income and economic inequality especially within the African American race. In fact, the phenomenon is so troubling that several campaigns have been recently launched to combat the problem. Among these is the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America whose aim is to accomplish a decrease of 50% in poverty rates by 2020. (Catholic Charities USA) The problem of poverty is thus present and confirmed in the high rates of unemployment, the social disparities and the various and different attempts to deal with the problem whether by private, religious or governmental organizations. However, what is especially interesting to analyze further in this discussion are the causes of this social and economic problem. The origins of poverty are for example drawn upon by Gunja SenGupta in his book From Slavery to Poverty: The Racial Origins of Welfare in New York, 1840-1918, in which he argues that the historic roots of the problem run deeper than the present which consequentially implies the need to reflect on historic events that could be a determinant and influential factor in the continuance of contemporary social dilemmas. (NYU Press) This author is not the only person who perceived a link between poverty and historical problems such as slavery. In fact, although slavery was abolished over a hundred and forty years ago many people believe that the enslavement of humans has continued in the less direct but similarly hash and cruel form of poverty; a belief that challenges the notions of slavery itself. In short, the current problem of African American poverty is intrinsically related to the long history of subjugation, oppression and racial segregation that we re in their turn caused by the slavery system. Poverty is indeed a reality in America, a country that is considered to be among the richest and most progressed nations in the world. According to the US Census Bureau, 35.9 million people live below the poverty line in America, a number that includes also around 12.9 million children. The statistics are in fact shocking when gathered together. For example, according to the Bread for the World Institute, 3.5% of U.S households experience hunger which means that some members within these families skip meals or eat less than required to sustain a healthy lifestyle. (Siddiqi) The facts are more troubling when applied to the African American community. In a country where 12 percent of the population is black it is also noted that approximately a quarter of African Americans are classified as poor, a problem that has been part of the American social scene for many years. Poverty is thus very common among the members of this particular race. Poverty among African Americans is deeply conne cted to many issues among which is the lack of proper education that many African American children still do not receive. This decreases the chances of good employment and increases the possibility of experiencing poverty. There are other reasons through which to understand the problem of poverty among African Americans. However, what is interesting to reflect on further is the relationship between these high rates of poverty among African Americans and the problems of race and inequality that are still found socially and do impact the quality of life of the blacks in America. As Jonathan Alter, a writer for Newsweek, pointed out: Poverty is caused by a tangle of financial and personal pain that often goes beyond insufficient resources and lack of training, wage stagnation, social isolation, and a more subtle form of class-based racism. (Green) This quote affirms the existence of deeper rooted cause as an explanation of African American poverty. The link between racism and lesser op portunities and chances to advance are clear and hardly require any further elaboration. Since racism is related to the institutionalized system of slavery it is hence important to draw further on the significance of this system in the continued existence of poverty among African Americans. One of the most famous statements in the Declaration of Independence that has come to be part of what being an American means is: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. This sentence is one that stipulates the basic human rights of every American citizen which is freedom, equality, safety and equal chances to realize their dreams of economic prosperity. This sentence has been quoted during the era of the Civil War and the Civil Rights movements to argue against the injustice of slavery that the black people were subjected to. However, equality for all was never part of the social reality even after the abolition of slavery. The perception of white people regarding the blacks was one of superiority that minimized and trivialized the importance of any contribution that could be possibly made by African Americans. For this reason, blacks were denied the same education opportunities as white people which only added to the poverty rates. The fact is that African Americans still lag behind in education attainment compared to white or other minority groups such as Asian Americans. African Americans attend college at half the rate of white citizens. (Kozol, p.26) The historic problem of segregation is deeply linked to these current statistics. Since education empowers an individual to compete in the work force it is hence evident why over a quarter of African Americans continue to experience poverty. Slavery expanded quickly from the time of is introduction until the beginning of the Civil War that lasted from 1861 to 1865. By the time the war started, nearly 4 million slaves were part of the southern society. Their work was diverse but was founded mainly on the principle of sustaining and enhancing the agricultural economy. They picked or planted cotton. Some other blacks worked within the house. There were slaves trained in the art of blacksmiths or carpentry among others. Slavery was a diverse system that was spread across different sectors of society in the South. Yet, what all types of work had in common is the deprivation of all black people from their rights of choice and ability to earn anything dignifying, materialistically or emotionally, from their work. Slavery is one of the most well-documented, well-known yet not most pride igniting phases of American history. It has effectively managed to leave its impacts on society, racial integration and ethnic tolerance throughout the centuries since its abolishment and up to the present day. African Americans were enslaved for centuries beginning with the time the United States came into existence in the 17th century until after the Civil War when slavery was officially declared to be unconstitutional. The War itself was mainly caused as a result of the differences in opinion about the issue between the Northern states, the abolitionists, and the Southern states, that depended on the slave system for the maintenance and growth of their agricultural economy. The history of slavery in the United States is however more complicated than a simple time line can serve to shed light on. The institution did not simply start for one obvious reason at one specific time and the same thing can be said ab out the way it came to an end after the Civil War. Though the wars purpose was the liberation of slaves and the provision of equal rights for all, slavery did not stop right after the war and continued to be part of the social picture, though to a lesser extent, especially in certain Southern regions. Southern states did especially not desire to completely eliminate the institution of slavery, which was an integral part of their economy, leading with that to the development of a complicated pattern in how the issue came to be dealt with right before, during and after the Civil War. All this implies that slavery was based on the exploitation of individuals for profit; an aspect of the system that served to dehumanize the black population to grave extents. This dehumanizing dimension of slavery served to complicate the integration of African Americans and led to problems of racism and deep-rooted rejection of their integration in American society. This rejection has on the other hand impacted the economic conditions of the blacks as it extended over all areas of life including work and education. It is no secret that there was a sharp division historically between the Southern and Northern states about the subject of slavery. What is however pertinent in this fact is its application to the economic conditions of blacks in the North versus the South during the 19th century. Racism was more prevalent in the South where many states refused to loosen their harsh racial policies that restricted African Americans to working mainly working in the fields. Though racism was also present in the northern states it was less severe and allowed the black population the opportunity to prosper culturally and intellectually; a growth that is for example evident in the Harlem Renaissance. However, despite these periods of flourishing, the history of African Americans is especially characterized by inequality; an inequality whose main cause is directly related to the centuries of enslavement. As noted before, racism is one of the main causes of the continued economic disadvantage of many Africa n Americans. When slavery was ended, notions as natural rights were socially introduced and impacted the perception of blacks of their own role in society. Blacks started becoming aware of the extremely suffocating environment that they were part of and which desperately attempted to keep them in the dark about their rights a human beings and citizens of a nation based on the principles of equality for all. (Mcpherson, p.39) It are these aspects and perceptions of oppression, cruelty and savageness of treatment for the mere promotion of selfish economical gain that continue to generate feelings of freedom and oppression which has managed , and continues, to make the greatest difference nowadays in the interaction of black and white people. Though theoretically slaves were no longer slaves after the Civil War, they continued to be treated as an extremely inferior race. This was of course different from area to another. In the south, ex-slaves were treated with the same attitude as before the Civil War while in northern states, where the bitterness was more directed towards white southern Americans rather than African-Americans, ex-slaves were treated better than slaves yet not fully as citizens. Emancipation had become a reality with the end of the war but it remains obvious that the place of African-Americans in society was far from being either resolved or clear. The questions that arose consequentially about race served to define the discourse and the relationships between the two different races and are still traceable in the many sensitive taboos that characterize certain racial subjects and words. In the aftermath of the Civil War, practical problems arose in the south in regard to the manner of integrating slaves within society. Whether the freedmen ought to be regarded as citizen and be granted rights as the ability to possess property was central to the debate. Voting rights were another concern as they gave significant importance to the freedmen enabling them to contribute and impact society and their level of prosperity within it. The most important question of all seemed however to revolve around the possibility or impossibility of the peaceful co-existence of blacks and whites together which is a question history has managed to answer so far. (Tallant, p.5) The rise of intolerance, the problem of segregation and the prevention of blacks from voicing their economic or political needs through the democratic voting system have all led to the enhancement of sentiments of antagonism among both sides which led to the blacks desire to create their own defensive and distinct identity that was at the core resentful of white peoples influence, and led the white population to adopt on the other hand a segregated and superior outlook. This shows how the history of slavery and the subsequent rise of the problems of racism distanced the two groups from interacting and mutually benefitting from the same opportunities. In short, because of slavery and racism many blacks did not and do not get the chance to benefit from the same opportunities as white people which complicates the chances of finding a good job later on and increases as a result the chances of poverty. Blacks continued to work mostly on lands owned by white farmers due to the aforementioned complications that arose when they desired to purchase a piece of land for themselves. Neither the federal government nor the local people seemed to support that and the final choice they were left with in the post war era was to keep working for the white planters. There was of course a difference in the way they lived compared to the period before the war. The freedmen exercised now more control over their lives and could not be treated with the same inhumanity as before. They did not have to work before sunrise and continue until after sunset. They could determine their workload more favorably compared to their previous working conditions. They could also determine whom of their family members they wished to be part of the plantation work. Previously, their children were forced at an early age to do the work and this could be prevented with the choices they had after he Civil War. This does o f course not mean that the situation changed dramatically to the better including complete freedom and equal rights. To claim that is to dismiss the fundamental aspect about social change: it happens gradually. The living conditions had simply significantly improved from the completely intolerable to the harsh and challenging. Overcoming the social challenges caused by their racial status proved to be a long and trying process that spanned over many years and continues until the present day in the form of the continued attempt to decrease the problems of the black community such as a high level of crime, poverty and a lower rate of educational degrees among the youth. The fact is that blacks have been perceived to be inferior for a long time in America which is a prejudice that affected the opportunities available for this particular race and hence impacted their current economic social position. It is thus undeniable that slavery had an extremely malignant and negative influence on the development of African- American culture and identity. Being regarded as an inferior race, especially in the South where the idea was the main justification provided to legitimize the slavery institution, was detrimental to the enhancement of any sense of pride in ones heritage. The change towards that began only slowly. The way they were treated, the destruction of any sense of belonging and attachment to their African heritage during the years of enslavement, the restriction of simple communication between slaves are all facets of slavery that significantly influenced the emancipation process and the development of the African-American culture in addition to complicating the nature of relationships and the form of interaction between whites and blacks. Slavery disrupted thus the sense of belonging to the African heritage and led to the emergence of a defensive attitude among blacks. Even aft er emancipation, slavery continued to play a role on African Americans future and chances of progress. This is evident in the themes of their music and art whether written or visual. These themes deal often with the idea of social inequality, oppression and economic disadvantage as a direct consequence of racial history. Slavery made blacks without doubt socially disadvantaged and led to the subsequent rise of the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century. The racism and harassment that African Americans have had to deal with is still part of the races consciousness until the present day. This is nowhere signified but in the multitude of subjects that continue to rise a sense of sensitivity when brought up. It is thus no exaggeration to conclude that slavery has left a tremendous impact on the African-Americans as a whole. The resolution of such a problem had to be done, and continues to be struggled with, over the period of two centuries. Overcoming the past completely has proven t o be impossible. The history of enslavement is part of what defines every African-American up to the present despite many peoples refusal to admit this. Though most blacks do not reflect on the period of enslavement, the impacts of it, in the form of social disadvantages still experienced through work and educational chances, are not easily dismissible and serve as a harsh reminder.(Healey, p.175) The removal of their culture, the limitation of their freedom, the oppression of their most fundamental basic rights for centuries, and the final negative development of social distinctions between blacks and whites in the period after emancipation, have all managed to impact the culture the African-American ethnic group has since then created a culture whose characteristics include for example less favorable economic conditions for millions of African Americans. Slavery has thus proven to be a very powerful institution whose impacts are hard to erase. The discussion of poverty among African Americans in the present day is thus incomplete without an analysis of their historic journey that is characterized by a long period of oppression and segregation which impacted both white and black peoples attitude towards the other race. The fact that millions of African Americans live in poverty is hardly a random fact but is deeply rooted in the historical experience of this race. The historical experience of African Americans has already been drawn upon in detail. What merits however further analysis is the consequent question that rises in regard to the future. If slavery and the long history of racism and unequal opportunities in education and work, are among the main factors in the current high rates of poverty among African Americans then what is the solution? Does this conclusion imply that African Americans are destined for poverty? Regardless of the present and continued rates of poverty and inequality, it is undeniable to note that African Americans went through different stages of progress that were not as successful or as fast as desired at all times but made the necessary advancement that enabled the country to be led by a black president for the first time in the countrys history. What was essential to the assurance of advancement was persistence and endurance, two characteristics of the African American long struggle for rights as freedom, dignity, respect and equality. The period from 1976 until the present marked the growing representation of African Americans in politics, arts and entertainment and academic disciplines among others. The larger opportunities enabled African Americans to be elected to legislative positions and work in the executive and judicial branch. This does clearly not mean that the situation is ideal in the present. Regardless of the election of the first black president and the in creasing influence of this race in the United States, full equality is still a subject of heated debate and controversy. As noted, many African Americans continue to live in poverty and the ruling elite of the US is still predominantly white. While school segregation is officially over, facts point to the dominance of the continuance of the phenomenon in several public white schools where the presentation of white student exceeds 99%. (essay-911.com) However, regardless of these points that affirm the need for more progress despite the positive accomplishments obtained, the fact is that African Americans have endured a long history of oppression, pain and segregation and managed to rise above the many challenges to their current position. While the present situation requires progress advancement has been and will continue to be made while racial tension will continue to decrease. Affirming that the black race is destined for poverty seems therefore to be an implausible and pessimist ic outlook on the future and history alike. In conclusion, the history of African Americans has thus been long and complex in the United States. It is this experience that led to the formation of the present African American identity with all that that encompasses in terms of culture, art and literature. As mentioned before, blacks were largely denied opportunities for education and personal advancement until after the Civil Rights Movement. The fact that many blacks live still in poverty does however not mean that this movement was unsuccessful or that no advancement has been achieved. Continuous social change needs to be still made since the rates of unemployment among blacks compared to whites is relatively the same as it was in the early 1960s. Employment opportunities are still hard to obtain for black men while neighborhood segregation is still present in many areas in the United States. Research confirms also that blacks continue to be victims in the real estate market. (Friedlander) This all proves that blacks are stil l socially disadvantaged. However, as has been noted, racial segregation in public has been ended and more African Americans have come to contribute in elective politics signifying the slow but existent rise of this race from the dark impacts of slavery.