The Changing View of Slavery Essay Example

The Changing View of Slavery Essay Justus Engelhardt Kuhn and Robert S. Duncanson held respected reputations for their artistic abilities.Kuhn was thefirst Maryland portrait painter, of German descent from the Rhine Valley who continued his painting until his death in November 1717.Duncanson was a pre-Civil War African-American painter widely recognized as one of the great landscape artists.Given the time period and background of the two artists, one can expect their artwork to also differ in style, content, and meaning.Kuhns Henry Darnall III as a Child and Duncansons Uncle Tom and Little Eva appropriately reflect societys different and changing views towards slavery during each of the artists time periods. Thefirst stark difference that stands out about the paintings certainly has to be the setting.Despite the fact that both paintings contain some form of a master and a slave, the setting certainly is different.Kuhns painting is set on a balcony with a balustrade behind the child along with formal gardens and pavili ons behind that are complete fictions.During that time period, no properties in America looked like this. Kuhn was meeting the illusory desire of Colonial gentry to seem like important extensions of European culture (Pohl 65). This type of grandeur did not begin to be realized for another century or so, when Americans were actually able to accumulate wealth comparable to Europe.These types of aristocratic pretensions (Pohl 65) made it seem appropriate that there would also be a strict division of class during the time.With such a class difference, one can deduce that servitude or some form of slavery would also be accepted during the time period.This argument is validated by the fact that the slave population was growing dramatically during thefirst half of the 18th century when the number of slaves rose from 15,000 to 100,000 (Pohl 64). The setting for Duncansons painting is sligh

Women and Madness †exploring women’s firsthand literary accounts and asking how the social context of gender impacts on the diagnosis of mental illness. The WritePass Journal

Women and Madness – exploring women’s firsthand literary accounts and asking how the social context of gender impacts on the diagnosis of mental illness. Introduction Women and Madness – exploring women’s firsthand literary accounts and asking how the social context of gender impacts on the diagnosis of mental illness. IntroductionThe yellow wall paperThorazine ShuffleThe loony-bin trip Reference listRelated Introduction In this essay I discuss three pieces of writing by women, reflecting on their experiences of medical treatment. Dating from 1898 to 1999 they explore the concepts and realities of women diagnosed with mental illness. I will mostly focus on the content of the pieces although discuss the imagery and metaphor that is repeated in all. The first piece â€Å"The yellow wallpaper† by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a work of semi autobiographical fiction, the other pieces â€Å"Thorazine shuffle† by Allie Light and â€Å"The Looney Bin trap† by Kate Millet are autobiographical accounts of episodes of care. I will discuss themes that reoccur through all pieces and contrast the differences experiences to build a picture of mental health care for women throughout these times. The yellow wall paper Written in 1892 by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, â€Å"one of the most commanding feminists of her time† (Hedges 1973 :119) at a time it was rare for women to address sexual politics, Gilman makes the link between gender, insanity and patriarchy. Gilman was a prominent activist and writer on social reform including â€Å"Women and economics† (1898) an analysis of the situation of women and a theoretical treatise that argued that women were â€Å"subjugated by men, that motherhood should not preclude a women from working outside the home† (Gilman 1898). The yellow wallpaper is a short story written in epistolary style as a series of first person journal entries. The journal describes the narrator’s experience of isolation during a period of â€Å"rest cure† (Oppenheim 1991) for a â€Å"temporary nervous depression – a slight hysterical tendency† (Gilman : 33). Hysteria from the Greek hysteron for uterus, was a female condition defined as relating to femininity and female sexuality a once common mental diagnosis of the 19th century it is no longer used as a diagnostic category (Micale 1993). â€Å"Like all things feminine (hysteria) seemed elusive and enigmatic to a patriarchal medical profession and was resistant to male rationality† (Showalter 2007). A Neurologist and progressive thinker of the 19th century, Horatio Bryan Donkin, linked the complaint not just to females’ physicality but to her â€Å"social conditions†. Donkin also noted a high propensity for hysteria among unconventional women, namely writers and artist (Showalter :145.) In this period doctors linked female ambition to mental illness warning that â€Å"pursuits of new opportunities (in work and fulfilment) would lead to sickness, sterility and race suicide (Showalter :121). The tale describes the narrators gradual decent to madness. A feminist stance can and should be read into the novel considering the author; the themes of restriction and confinement echo the experiences of women of this time. Throughout the tale the narrator acts as prisoner, but a prisoner of her husband’s patriarchy not her own madness. Her husband forbids her to exercise her imagination in any way (Gilman: 34, 35, 36).   She rebels and, deprived of any other stimulation turns imagination on to neutral objects in an attempt to ignore her increasing frustrations (Gilman: 34). Her preoccupation with the paper begins at first with dislike of the pattern, building to her seeing the pattern as bars with a creeping skulking female figure behind (Gilman: 40).   Her negativity colours all she describes, â€Å"I never saw a worse paper in all my life†¦ (its sprawling pattern) committing every artistic sin†. The idea of sin is pertinent, as is her description of the pa pers colour as â€Å"repellent, unclean yellow† a â€Å"sickly sulphur†Ã‚   (Gilman:35). These themes of illness, un-cleanliness and unnaturalness echo ideas of blame and questions of morality with pervaded the culture at this time.   She reflects John makes her angry (Gilman: 34), and attributes this to her condition. She speaks of the effort it takes to dress or entertain, she blames herself saying she wishes she could help John (to make her better). She reflects John doesn’t know how much she suffers, simply that he knows there is â€Å"no reason and that this satisfies him† (Gilman:35). Our narrator is intelligent and educated, she knows a â€Å"little of design† (Gilman:39). Frustrated by her lack of intellectual stimulation (Gilman :36), she is excited by the paper watching it gives her something to look forward to. John says she is getting better despite the paper (Gilman: 42) she doesn’t tell him she feels it’s because of the paper (Gilman: 43) for she fears he will take this away from it.   This seems to suggest that life outside the room is equally if not more dull than it is now inside with her preoccupation. The more the wallpaper occupies her, the more reality retreats. Her dissociation begins as she starts to hide her true feelings from the real world. Gilman was sent home after a month of rest treatment with instruction never touch a pen, brush or pencil as long as you live (Knight: 323). We see this element to the cure in John’s insistence that she doesn’t write. We see also the prevailing theory of the time in Jennie â€Å"a perfect and enthusiastic housekeeper, and hopes for no better profession†¦she thinks it is the writing which makes me sick!† (Gilman: 37). The idea of writing as therapy the narrator offers â€Å"I think only if I was well enough to write a little it would relieve the press of ideas and rest me† (Gilman: 36) opposes prevailing medical belief that linked female ambition to mental illness (Showalter :121). At this time psychiatrists were concerned with a moral cure for hysteria. Victorian Psychiatrist Henry Maudsley said â€Å"there is sex in mind as distinctly as there is sex in body†.   The pervading thought at this time was that Mental illness would come if women tried to defy their â€Å"nature† and try to act as equal to men in society rather than as companions.   Dr Edward C. Mann wrote in a medical journal in 1980 â€Å"The mental condition of women with hysteria is somewhat peculiar. The patient, when the hysterical feelings come upon her, does not feel disposed to make the slightest effort to resist them, and yields to her emotions, whatever they may be†¦she cares nothing for her duties and seemingly takes pleasure in exaggerating all her slight discomforts and annoyances, and be her suspicious exacting and unreasonable behaviour makes life generally uncomfortable to those about her.†(Shannonhouse: XIII). Through illness the narrator is absolved of her obligations but as punishment or moral reminder of her duties she is placed in the nursery. Here, with little other stimulation, she becomes fixated on the wallpaper beginning with dislike for its appearance, moving from identifying secret meaning it its pattern to being excited by its hidden world. Considering Gilman’s feminist ideals, her experiences of mental illness and her understanding of the cause of this, as well as her experience of receiving the â€Å"rest cure† we can read the creeping woman (Gilman:40) in the paper as allegory for woman’s place in society. The bars she sees in the paper (Gilman: 42) being representative of the constraints of society and marriage (Gilman 1935:5) The narrators husband John also her physician treats her not as his wife but as patient and as child; we see this in his language to her â€Å"blessed little goose† (Gilman: 36) â€Å"What is it little girl†¦Bless her little heart!she shall be as sick as she pleases!† (Gilman: 37). Of all the rooms in the house it is the former nursery she is confined to despite her protests. The narrator speaks early on status of their marriage, immediately seeking to place this in context of social norm â€Å"John laughs at me of course, but one expects that in marriage† (Gilman :32). The narrator suggests that John as physician is the reason she does not make a quick recovery (Gilman: 33). In this way both author and narrator demonstrate insight to female mental illness and to the role that both patriarchy and medicine play.   Today a prominent part of the treatment of the mentally ill is socialisation and integration with daily activities not isolation. Gilman shows us the separation of the narrators’ consciousness in her secret journal as the story moves gradually towards climax, from the first mention of the wall paper until it builds to consume her thoughts and writing. Through her sickness the narrator is relinquished of her own parental and marital responsibilities. â€Å"Mary is so good with the baby. Such a dear baby! And yet I cannot be with him, it makes me so nervous.†(Gilman:35). The narrator struggles to not creep and to maintain her independence and autonomy, however the weight of guilt she experiences at neglecting her moral obligations as â€Å"he said I was letting it get the better of me and that nothing was worse for a nervous patient than to give way to such fancies† (Gilman: 35) coupled with   the punishment of isolation slowly drives her mad.   Gilman herself accredited her illness to marriage and motherhood (Gilman 1935). We can read the narrators madness as a choice, she chooses madness over returning to her obligation but in this choice we can hear Gilman’s critique of women’s’ options at this time -Madness or compliance.   In her autobiography Gilman says she sent a copy to Weir Mitchell, who chose not to comment she later learned however that he had revised his treatment (Gilman 1935). Thorazine Shuffle Written in 1999 Light reflects on her treatment in a mental institution 1963, she says â€Å"I was twenty seven when I began having the blues, not feeling in control of my life. I needed help with my children. I was afraid I didn’t know how to be a mother†.   The theme of motherhood, and expected role are echoed here from the previous piece as is the authors fixations with descriptions of light â€Å"the particular slant of the light†¦the quality of late afternoon light†¦refracted on walls† (Light: 168) we can compare this to the narrator in The Yellow Wallpaper preoccupations with light â€Å"you can only see it in certain lights† (Gilman: 38) â€Å"when the cross light fades and the low sun shines directly† (Gilman: 39).   â€Å"I watch for that first long, straight ray† (Gilman: 42). Also, her desire to set her belongings on fire (Light: 168) is again echoed in yellow wallpaper â€Å"I thought seriously of burning the houseà ¢â‚¬  (Gilman: 44). Light like Gilman, tells how in illness her morality is called into question. She describes how her first meeting with her male psychiatrist involves her naked in a gown on a bed and him asking her questions of a sexual nature â€Å"do you like kissing your husband’s penis?† (:169) She reflects there was no right answer to this question, both called her nature into repute, either â€Å"frigid or a whore† (Light: 169). She describes her embarrassment and her shame. Here we see that a woman questioning her place in patriarchal systems is still a consideration in diagnosing female mental illness. Within the ward itself Light describes a war, between the depressives and the manic patients â€Å"two battling armies† (169). She describes the sphere of influence within the Hospital as feudal system; the choice of language paints a vivid picture. â€Å"Langley Porter was a serfdom. Doctors came as trainees and we became their property†¦even as these potentates profited from the shambles of our lives we trusted them† (171). The language shows the divide between practitioner and patient and the authority of the former. â€Å"Potentates profited† – the power relationship is reinforced by the alliteration and the choice of words; Potentates – people with power and authority -who don’t simple make a living but profit from their patients. The word serfdom creates an image of the hospital as farm with patients as dumb animals to be worked and sold. â€Å"I was given to Dr. Schwartz† (171), again the passivity is shown in the language, given to not assign to. The author uses the language of child or victim, a supplicant powerless to affect change.   â€Å"if I behaved myself I could sleep at home†.(171)   â€Å"Our contract began with the removal of clothes†(171). The use of â€Å"contract† suggests a business transaction; the passivity of the statement seems to reflect a blunting of emotion in the face of the oppressive environment. The imagery has a sexualised overtone. â€Å"I had entered a kindergarten of managed play†¦the physical therapist pressed upon us the need to practice looking beautiful† again the merging of ideas of childlike helplessness and adult sexuality. â€Å"With our uncombed hair and unfocused vision, we sleep walked the corridors with books on our heads to improve out posture†. The idea that this is a legitimate treatment feels preposterous in light of modern treatment. Themes of gender, responsibility and obligation of the earlier piece are echoed here. Even in chaos the obligation to be thought beautiful and to work towards this goal. â€Å"There is no way a patient, using her own words, can logically convince a doctor that she knows something about her person. He has to see for himself and then, if the patient doesn’t die, she might have won her point.† The helplessness is overwhelming. The author says â€Å"patient† but her use of â€Å"her own words†¦her point† add to the argument that it is woman as patient, female as supplicant to male the social norm in a patriarchal society which psychiatry still was at this time. â€Å"He said I would feel better if I looked at him†¦ I obeyed Dr Schwartz. I wanted to be a good girl†¦so I would do whatever that entailedI often told Dr Schwartz that I needed something in my life†¦Something of my own†¦I wanted to go to school†¦his reply was â€Å"if you can’t stay home and look after your children, then get a job. Don’t waste everyone’s time by going to college†. Experienced 64 years after the writing of Yellow Wallpaper the idea as female as equal and deserving of education and experience is still seen as dismissible. The loony-bin trip In Millet’s account her first description a treatment and of oppression comes from a woman â€Å"tonight big nurse found me out†¦her instinct grabbed for me†¦and found the pill still in my cheek. I could confront or swallow. I decided to confront† (Millet :98). Hers is the most recent account of admission and her opponent female, perhaps this is what leads her to confront her treatment openly, unlike her counterparts. Her opposition is no good however, she is medicated. Here again we see women as powerless â€Å"Ann’s husband put her here, Mary’s in-laws, Margaret’s own mother† (100) although this time other women are complaisant in this forced incarceration and treatment. A female nurse â€Å"†¦who treat us as defective children†¦more like convicted felons† (99) administers medication. Millet talks of â€Å"being in the hard lock of Dr.Strong forever† (103). The patriarchy she feels suppresses her is religious â€Å"You are in the hands of the church you ran away from†¦despite the presence of state it is Rome that has you prisoner†¦you little American freedom fighter business quite over, women’s lib and other notions crunched like cellophane† ( 103). â€Å"Joan of Arc, a heretic. Every night I will be tortured thus†¦they will inoculate me with this horror†¦our great sad room of waking women, each a prisoner of her mind and body.† (104). Millet born 1934 is an American feminist writer and activist. Best known for her 1970 book â€Å"Sexual Politics†, she won a trial to prove her sanity and changed the state of Minnesota commitment law (Time 1970). Although in this age, 1970 women fight against their oppression â€Å"After a certain time many victims collapse and agree to be crazy; they surrender.† (Millet: 100). This new treatment environment is as toxic as the rest cure Millet describes it as â€Å"an irrational deprivation of every human need† asking if the cure for madness is fear and if the fear of being a captive might motivate recovery (101). Sleep is a reoccurring theme of all three pieces. Gilman’s physician wants the protagonist to get more of it, Light describes how â€Å"I was put to sleep† (Light:169) Millet recounts â€Å"I won’t need anything to sleep. No, really. No. And the needle jabs your rear like an insult and the white stupor comes over†(Millet :102). Both light and Millet describe how â€Å"a mental patient was not allowed to refuse medication. We were warned to take it orally or it will be injected† (Light: 172). This theme of women as defective or broken, for arguing with oppression and wanting different experiences from their lives reoccurs though all three accounts. Hard to fathom treatments with illogical cures acting to reprogram women to â€Å"behave† by fear and boredom appears in all,   As the ideas of childlike powerlessness and of being property are also repeated.  Ã‚   â€Å"there have always been those who argue women’s high rate of mental disorder is a product of their social situations, their confining roles as daughters, wives and mothers and their mistreatment by a male dominated and possibly misogynistic psychiatric profession† (Showalter:3). Depression and anxiety are twice as prevalent in women as in men (Busfield 1996) and inequalities of gender create dependence and powerlessness in women. Because relationships between patients and staff reflect those in society the work force is often blind to inequality (DH 2002) and this is clearly highlighted in the suffocating treatment all three women experience. â€Å"There are differences in the family and social context of women’s and men’s lives†¦mental health care must be responsive to these differences† (Jacqui Smith, minister of mental health; department of health 2002). Light tells us she comes from a line of depressives, passed down through the female line and again reiterates the connections between motherhood and depression. Light reflects on the history of depression on the female side of her family â€Å"My grandmother gave birth to nine children†¦her despair at perpetual pregnancy was contagious†¦My mother was a small girl when her mother tried to hang herself from the kitchen rafters. Pregnant again†. Her mother’s favourite bed time story was about a little girl afraid of being stolen from her bed, the mother promises the girl will be safe but the girl is still stolen. The learned helplessness in their situations is passed down with each generation.   The author reflects that all the stories her mother told her were about the consequences of looking, Blue beards wife looks it the locked room and seals her fate to join the dead wives there. Psyche looks at her lover after being bidden to love in the dark and loses him to death. In reality they are all about the consequences of defying patriarchal dictate. Gilman , writing at a time when it was uncommon for women to have a voice, as an active feminist who divorced she still had to adhere to the confines of her society, her story then is a cautionary tale against women’s madness, its roots and its treatments. In all accounts relatives exist as diminished characters over powered by the protagonists madness, this overpowering seems to be a release from the pressures and constraints all three women feel in their lives. Reference list Busfield,J., 1996 Men, Women and Madness Understanding Gender and mental disorder. London :Macmillian Press Ltd Chesler, P., 1997. (3rd ed) Women and madness. New York: Fall Walls Eight Windows Department of health (2002) Womens mental health : into the mainstream accessed at dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_4075487.pdf   On 31/3/11 Hedges. E,R., 1973 Afterword. The Yellow Wallpaper. New York: The Feminist Press Knight, D,D,. 1994 The Diaries of Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia Light, A., 1999 â€Å"Thorazine Shuffle†   in Shannonhouse, R,.ed. (2000) Out of her Mind: Women Writing on Madness: New York: The Modern Library Micale, M.S., 1993 On the â€Å"Disappearance† of hysteria: A Study in the Clinical Deconstruction of Diagnosis .The history of Science Society. ISIS. 84:496-526 Millet, K., 1990 The Loony-Bin Trip in Shannonhouse, R,.ed. (2000) Out of her Mind: Women Writing on Madness: New York: The Modern Library Oppenheim, J,. 1991 Shattered Nerves: Doctors, Patients and Depression in Victorian England. Oxford: Oxford University Press Perkins Gilman, C., 1891 The Yellow Wallpaper.in Shannonhouse, R,.ed. (2000) Out of her Mind: Women Writing on Madness: New York: The Modern Library Perkins Gilman, C., 1898 Women and economics. New York: Cosmobooks Perkins Gilman, C.,1935   The Living of Charlotte Perkins Gilman: An Autobiography. (3rd Ed) London: The University of Wisconsin Press Shannonhouse. R. (ed) ,2000 Out of her Mind : women writing on madness. New York: The Modern Library. Showalter, E., 2007 The Female Malady- Women, Madness and English Culture 1830- 1980. London: Virago Press Time magazine, 1970 The liberation of Kate Millet. Accessed on 31.3.11 @ time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,876784-1,00.html

Is horror a good movie genre for children Essay

Is horror a good movie genre for children - Essay Example The need is to understand that horror can have long-lasting effects on the minds of the young ones and it is best advisable to keep them away from such shocks. It must be understood here that the horror movies produced to date have been very direct as concerns to the viewers, children here specifically. These movies have instilled a sense of ‘what will happen next’ regime within their minds. Some of them cannot even watch such movies whilst being alone. They need company in order to avoid the horror element of such flicks. Some of them start weeping and shouting in the middle of a horrific scene, thus adding to the mental agony of such a genre of movie viewing. It must be comprehended here that horror movies depict violence, manslaughter, killing, blood and nasty language. The scenes are utterly disdainful for the young audiences, since the effects are abysmal to state the least (Tamborini, 1996). The impact of such elements on the human mind is serious and when one discusses the same for the sake of children, there could be drastic issues for them, left, right and center. These children suffer trouble whilst sleeping while th ey also get scared in a dark room or whenever they are alone. Their confidence takes a very wrong turn and this essentially makes them feel very scared at the end of the day. The need is to have proper training and education imparted by the parents and/or guardians. Their help and assistance could mean wonders for these children who should be told that these flicks are a part of the world of fiction and nothing else at all. One should believe that horror is indeed not a good genre for children since these children go through a lot when it comes to understanding the after effects of watching horror flicks. They get scared, have severe fear within their ranks and stop meeting people who they consider closely resembling one of the evils shown in the horror movies. They also like to

Nursing Practice in Singapore Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Nursing Practice in Singapore - Research Paper Example How do the patient’s vital signs affect your nursing care? Vital signs reflect a response to nursing and medical care. The patient’s BP will be checked before administering his BP medication, following which the BP will also be checked an hour following the administration of BP medication. Patient’s vital signs will be checked q 4 hours. Pain medication will be administered only if there is any pain and response to the medication will be checked after an hour of administration of the drugs. The main concern in this patient is blood pressure. The patient was a clerk in a private office until a couple of years ago when he sought voluntary retirement because of his illness. The patient lives with his wife. He has four sons, all of who are married and live separately. He does not have much financial help, except for some from his sons. He feels that racial discrimination and acculturation are two factors which ruined his life.   The patient went to Milby HS but did not graduate.   He could not graduate for financial reasons and other commitments. The patient is a cooperative person but is depressed because of his chronic illness. He enjoys movies. He is independent and is aware of his body needs and limitations. He, however, is unable to control the urge to consume alcohol. He does have a backache now and then but is not worried about that.   He enjoys a body massage. He does care about how he looks. In fact, he jokes that he is a â€Å"shabby guy†. I explained to the patient about the diet he must be taking. The prescribed diet for him is a diabetic diet with low salt and low potassium food in view of hypertension and chronic renal failure. I provided the information in the form of a chart after consulting his daily food timings and interests. I made a tailor-made diet chart for him.

How is shopping on the internet different from and similar to shopping Essay

How is shopping on the internet different from and similar to shopping in stores - Essay Example Many stores as well as online shops provide the customers with a guarantee for the product for a certain period of time, during which the product can be replaced if it turns out to be inefficient or faulty. Store shopping is quicker and more convenient than the online shopping. The customer can go to the market any time, purchase the item and bring it along back to the home at the same time (â€Å"Traditional Vs. Online†). This way, the customer is able to save all the time that would otherwise have been consumed in shipping. Store shopping is also more convenient than the online shopping in terms of replacement. If the product purchased is damaged, the customer can quickly go and have it replaced without having to wait for several days in the case of online shopping. Online shopping is safer as compared to the store shopping. Items purchased online are insured and the companies take responsibility for full replacement in case of any damage caused to the item on its way to the customer. On the other hand, when a customer purchases an item from the store, he brings it home at his/her own discretion. The item may be robbed or stolen once it has been taken out from the store. Online shopping is also safer than the store shopping because the customer is not exposed to the risk of accidents on the roads. Online shopping proves more cost effective as compared to the store shopping. When a customer stays at home, he/she only shops the item he/she needs. When he/she goes to a store to buy a thing, there are a lot of attractions that encourage the customer to spend money on. A customer hardly ever returns without taking a light meal at the nearby restaurant or a cupcake shop that comes in the way. Concluding, online shopping and the store shopping resemble and differ from each other in a number of ways. While the two are the same in terms of the method of payment, the range of items and the responsibility for their

Causes of Racial Discrimination in Australia

Causes of Racial Discrimination in Australia Introduction Background Racial discrimination is any conduct based on a distinction, which have no relation either to individual capacities or to the concrete behavior of the individual person (Brodersen,1999).The issue is extremely significant as it involves the rights of people. This report aims to outline the issue of racial discrimination in Australia by providing background information and explaining its significance to society. This report discusses the main reason of which cause racial discrimination in Australia, what social issues will arise if racial discrimination is not addressed properly and how to address racial discrimination. Questions What is the main cause of racial discrimination in Australia? What issues will arise in society if racial discrimination is not addressed? How can racial discrimination been eliminated? Analysis of Findings Question 1 What is the main cause of racial discrimination in Australia? Racial discrimination has always been a serious issue in Australia, since more and more immigrants poured into Australia, the migration of Australia grows rapidly. Figure 1(Dixon, 2013) presents the number of immigrants into Australia from 2005 to 2006. It is clearly shows that approximately half of the immigrants are Asian, followed by European and Africa. Figure1: The nationality of immigration into Australia in 2005-2006 (Dixon, 2013) There are reasons for racial discrimination still happening in a modern country like Australia. Firstly, it is the history of Australia that causes the racial discrimination. It stretches back to the 19th century, with the increasing of gold prospectors, causing Australia ethnic contradictions tend to deepen. Therefore, the immigration policy limit non-white immigrations to Australia, particularly Asian immigrations, this is the white Australia policy(Dixon,2013). On the other hand, the indigenous people also played an important role in racial discrimination. Since 1788, Captain Phillip led the first European whites began to come to Australia. At the same time, different color, different beliefs of immigration continuously come to this remote continent (Mukherjee 2014).However, many indigenous people were living in the Australian mainland and they had clan groups. The whites broke the quiet life of the indigenous people by thinking that the territory was free for them to use. The whites even took the land that the aboriginal live on, which completely ignored the existence of the indigenous people and their needs. Even when Australia federated in 1901, the Constitution did not classify Aboriginal people as Australian citizens. Since 1788, captain Phillip led the first European whites began to come to Australia. At the same time, different color, different beliefs of immigration continuously come to this remote continent. After the Second World War, many new countries appeared in Asia. It was going to be bad for Australia if it continues to enforce the white Australia policy. â€Å"In 1958, the federal government abolished the white Australia policy. Then the Australian immigration will proceed without discrimination of race, color, religion policy† (Chingaipe, 2014).This policy is a great progress, liberate the limitation of people who are likely to immigrate to Australia. Furthermore, â€Å"For many white-Australians, there was a fear of loss and displacement† (The Guardian,2014). Fear is one of the biggest contributors of racism especially because the whites are worried that the foreign populations would replace them. Figure 2 represents the population increasing in Australia in 2001-2006, it can be seen that Chinese is the mainstream country of migration (Hong,2007).Many Australian felt threatened by the Chinese, who were known to be hard workers and to be accustomed to working long hours. They think those cheap labors would take the jobs of the white-Australian workers. Therefore, it would lower the working standards for white-Australian workers. It was these racist beliefs which formed the basis of a growing notion to keep non-whites out of Australia. Figure2: Increase in Population in 2001 to 2006 by state in Australia (Hong,2007) In conclusion, the existence of racial discrimination is due to numerous factors. Both historical root and more and more immigrants are the most important reasons why racism can not disappear. In addition, due to racism does alive in Australia, different kinds of social issues become to arise. Question 2 What issues will arise in society if racial discrimination is not addressed? It probably will become a negative impact on people’s mental and physical health if racism still exists. The research to date shows that racism makes a significant contribution to these health outcomes. For instance, it would cause diabetes and other external diseases, which can be seen in figure 3 (humanrights,2012). Its well known that Indigenous Australians have a far lower life expectancy than other Australians and have exceedingly high rates of diseases and other health problems preciselyas aresultofracism. Figure 3: Selected underlying causes of death as proportion of total deaths, by Indigenous status 2009 (humanrights, 2012) A report shows that more than 27% of Aboriginal people had experienced discrimination in 2012-2013. Also, 75% of Aboriginal people frequently experiences race discrimination when using primary health care services(Szoke,2012) .According to this, it is evident to say that not only racial discrimination is still alive in Australia, but has also caused numerous grim tribulations to the Aboriginal peoples, who are the majority of the victims. Despite being part of society, they still can not use the public facilities or welfare services successfully, and endures the injustice caused by the native people. Secondly, racial discrimination might tend to cause people to do unhealthy activities such as smoking, alcohol and drug taking. It even contributes to people committing suicide. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that Indigenous Australians are twice as likely to die by suicide, and three times more likely to experience psychological distress (The Guardian, 2014).Due to those unjust treatments, the stress that the aboriginal person suffer from is far more than the whites. When they are in a public place, people will tell a joke behind their backs. When the indigenous children study at school, they would be isolated by other non-indigenous children. All of these situations appear very often during their whole life, and the consequences of these are participating in unhealthy activities. Furthermore, racism also affects people’s employment opportunities. The unemployment of Indigenous people far exceeds the non-indigenous people. According to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), â€Å"only 55.8 per cent of working age Indigenous Australians are actively participating in the labor force, compared to 76.4 per cent of the non-Indigenous population†(Busyatwork, 2013). Also, from figure 4, it states that the employment outcomes for the Indigenous population are mostly in a negative growth. In contrast, employment outcomes for the non-Indigenous population stayed relatively stable. The gap in outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians becomes widened .In fact, there is no doubt that the employer would rather to employ a non-indigenous person than an indigenous person, which is theirinherent cognition. However, such a behavior ignores the feeling of the indigenous people and also plunders their job opportunities wi thout a reason. Figure 4: Change in Indigenous employment outcomes by state – 2006 to 2011 (The conversation, 2012) In conclusion, it is obvious that racism has become a significant influence among the indigenous people. They suffer from a variety of harms without a reason, even violence. All of these stresses will cause health problems to them. Consequences are racial discrimination causes them to never be same as other local people, who are treated more fairly. Question3 How can racial discrimination be eliminated? In actual fact, there is no specific way to solve racial discrimination at all. However, it can be diminished a little through some solutions. For example, education that insists on racial equality can decrease racial discrimination. Also, both government and the media power would play a significant role. Firstly, the easiest and effective solution here is education. Parents and teachers should not tell any racist jokes to the children as by these jokes, children might consider racism as a correct thing. Furthermore, they should teach children racial equality and there are no superior races or anything (Szoke,2012). As they learn from young that racism is criminal and a serious thing, they are not going to do it again when they grow up. Therefore, racial discrimination will be improved bit by bit from a generation to the next generation. On the other hand, the law that relates to eliminating racism should be promulgated by the government, which can restrict some extreme behaviors. The Racial Discrimination Act was enacted in 1975. â€Å"The Act prohibits race discrimination and gives people who have been discriminated against, whether in the workplace, education or in accessing goods and services, the opportunity to obtain redress by apply for complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission†(Thomson,2012). The Act is such an effective in eradicating discriminations such as people not being hired or could not get access to services because of their race. This act protects people who experience direct or indirect discrimination and they cancomplainto the Commission which also creates a chance to protect their rights(Sweet,2014).The act gives effect to Australia’sinternational human rights commitment. Once when someone gets unfair treatment from others, the act allows him or her to complain. Although the act does not work well, it does minimize the racial discrimination. It is impossible to get rid of racial discrimination completely in Australia, which is a deep existence in the culture more than numbers of years. Everyone has their own human right and they should protect and insist to their own right. Racism is an unrealistic thought and also could not be solved effortlessly at this moment. However, some organizations and institutions, including government and the media, can implement some measures to achieve denial of racism ultimately. Conclusion Recommendation Albeit racial discrimination does live in Australia due to many reasons, it does not mean that people have to adapt it or endure it without any reactions. In the evidence being shown here in the report, the government does do some helpful implements to minimize racism. Therefore, it can be said that as long as the government, the media powers and the individual person who are willing to contribute, it would make a bright future to the next generation. Evaluation Research The biggest problem was finding a relevant table or figure and that took me the longest time. Therefore, I need to search for them through other ways. In addition, I have to search the information that relevant to Australia only and more recent ones. Thus, it makes it more difficult to find. I did find out other resources- the e-book, which is a good reference for my report. All information in e-book is good to be used. However, it is hard to paraphrase some words. Moreover, it is best that the reference link is done with each question, otherwise it would be quite wasting time to do that later. Oral Presentation A clear point in the presentation is that not only you can hint the audience what you are talking about, but you also can summarize briefly the point. Making a good example relating to the topic can impress the audience. Also, showing a video can attract the attention of the audience so it would not let the presentation be boring. In a presentation, a simplified analysis is good for the audience to know the idea. And through the analysis, the audience can comprehend better what you said. Last but not least, practice is quite important. Through the repetitious practice, it will be the best way to feel confident. Organisation Keeping each question separately is a good idea which does save much time. When you want to do some changes, it is easier just to look for the file you saved, and correct it. After each part is finished and all of them have been checked correctly and then combined together, it makes it more efficient and also it would help to form a good structure. Areas for Improvement It is necessary to search information from different areas, rather than only from websites. Moreover, when the graph or table has been used in the report, it had better be saved in a separate file, as it would easier to correct. Once each question is finished, the reference list had better be finished as well. It will be difficult to go back to write the reference after the whole report has been done.It really wastes time. This time, I am not good at linking some relevant tables or graphs, as it is just a few there, and I need large amount of time to do that. Thus, I will definitely do that in future to make sure my report include as much information as possible. Reference List Busy At work 2013, high unemployment among Indigenous Australians, viewed 11 August 2014, http://www.busyatwork.com.au/news/800520116/High-unemployment-among-Indigenous-Australians Dixon,R 2013 â€Å"Immigration and the â€Å"White Australia Policy† viewed 30 July 2014 https://www.marxists.org/history/international/comintern/sections/australia/1945/white-australia.htm Humanrights, 2012 â€Å"Questions and Answers about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples† viewed 11 August 2014 https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/face-facts-2012/2012-face-facts-chapter-1 â€Å"John Howard the false nationalist: Just another traitor in patriot clothing†,2008, destinymagazine,14 February, viewed 30 July 2014 http://www.destinymagazine.info/2008/02/14/3-john-howard-the-false-nationalist/ McCarthy.M 2008, Racism and Structural Solutions, viewed 26 August 2014 http://www.solidarity-us.org/site/node/1609 Mukherjee,R 2014,â€Å"Top 10 Reasons Why Racism still exists† Istcrux, viewed 30 July 2014 http://listcrux.com/top-10-reasons-why-racism-still-exists/ Personally-selected-aboriginal-art,2010 â€Å"A Short Aboriginal History †viewed 30 July 2014 http://www.personally-selected-aboriginal-art.com/aboriginal-history.html Sweet.M 2014, The Racial Discrimination Act needs strengthening – not weakening: a public health perspective, viewed 27 August 2014 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2014/03/24/the-racial-discrimination-act-needs-strengthening-not-weakening-a-public-health-perspective/ Szoke, H 2012 â€Å"Racism exists in Australia – are we doing enough to address it?†, human rights, viewed 11 August,2014 https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/speeches/racism-exists-australia-are-we-doing-enough-address-it The conversation,2012, â€Å"Closing the gap on Indigenous employment? Notquite† 31 October,viewed 11 August 2014 http://theconversation.com/closing-the-gap-on-indigenous-employment-not-quite-10426 The Guardian 2014, Racism causing mental health issues in Indigenous communities, survey shows, viewed 11 August 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/29/racism-mental-health-indigenous-communities Thomson, N 2010, review of indigenous male health, viewed 11 August 2014, http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/population-groups/men/reviews/our-review

The Barkley Marathons :: Description Place Essays

I. Course Description The Barkley Marathons are run in the Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area near Oak Ridge in Tennessee. The park is bordered by two prisons and a coal mine and is thirty five minutes away from closest the city. The course consists of a twenty mile loop, which for the most part traces the border of the park. The actual length of the course is an issue of large debate however. The twenty mile figure was derived by the race director from a topographic map. Most that have run the loop feel that it is longer, since the distance associated with elevation change and winding trails isn't taken into account. Some feel that the loop could be as long as twenty six miles. At the other end of the argument is the distance that was derived from a survey crew in who measured the park to make a new map in 1993. The distances they got for many portions of the course were actually shorter than Gary Cantrell had listed them to be. On any account the distance assumes that the runner does not get lost, which is a rarity at the Barkley. The course is run on a variety of surfaces, none of which come close to ideal . Around 10% is run on rough dirt roads while 10% is run on old dirt roads which are now overgrown with grass. Approximately 20% is run on rough trails with 40% being on old abandoned trails which are said to be easily mistaken for the deer trails that are actually better. The remaining 20% is run on no trails at all but is actually bushwhacking through the forest. To add to the difficulty of the trails is the extreme elevation changes. The re are ironically enough thirteen climbs which result in more than 10,000 feet of climb per loop. This is obviously accompanied by an equal amount of descent. One runner described it as climbing 100 floors of stairs in your first mile, going back down on second mile and continuing this for twenty miles. The course amasses an average grade of over 20% and between 50 and near 100 percent grade on the abandoned trails and bushwhacking sections. The grade is the reason that the trails have been abandoned or not built in the first pace. Each climb bears a unique name which in many cases gives a good idea of their nature.

Is Worship Buddhist

Alexander Johnson Is Worship Buddhist? The most important thing about spirituality is that everyone has a unique experience with it. That being said, nobody has the right to say what is and what is not someone else’s belief system. Then we come to the case of Buddhism, where the initial teachings have evolved over the course of its history, and the question of being Buddhist becomes even more muddied.There are several works, claiming words directly from the mouth of Buddha, which describe methods of worship that will grant a worshipper great amounts of spiritual merit, such as presenting gifts or creating extravagant places of worship, which promise a better reincarnation or other good fortune. When one examines who stands to gain from such actions, however, it is fairly evident that whowever controls the fate of such sacrifices and work has much to gain indeed. This may be necessary for the survival of the religion and better for the entire community, but is not in of itself Buddhist.Then there are other Buddhist works which seem to directly contradict aspects of such worship. One central theme in the teachings is to avoid attachment to physical things; a ritual such as bathing a stone image daily or building a jewel encrusted shrine clearly opposes that idea. For one to attach oneself to even the attribute of being Buddhist is unbecoming of the purest practitioner. For nearly all things, and especially with spiritual practice, there is no black and white, merely shades of grey. Worship, along with all things, is subject to interpretation.

Free Essays on Female Genital Mutilation

Female Circumcision or Genital Mutilation? Should we intrude on other cultures traditional practices when we believe they violate basic human rights? As Americans, we view issues much the way they pertain to our culture; it was how we were raised. For instance, female circumcision takes place within many African cultures. Debates rage about this custom, whether it is legite or inhumane. Human rights laws invoke a realm of justice and morality beyond and superior to countries, cultures, and religions. Through the course of this paper, an explanation will be given as to why African cultures view the practice the way they do, and why human rights activists have taken such a strong stance against it. First, it must be clear exactly what the procedure entails in order to show why it compels people to take a stand. Genital cutting consists of two different traditions. A clitoridectomy, which is the removal of a girl’s clitoris and infibulation, which involves removing the inner lips and sewing the outer lips (labia) of the vagina, so as to constrict the vaginal opening. The goal is to make the skin a blank patch of skin, where only a tiny new opening is created for passage. One or both practices can be performed. In Arabic circumcision, tahara, means â€Å"to purify.† It is an essential aspect of a women’s identity that ensures chastity, promotes cleanliness and fertility, and enhances the beauty of a woman’s body. Female circumcision is cloaked in festivity. In some societies the experience includes instruction in cooking, crafts, child care, and the use of herbs. Once cut, the girls suddenly become marriageable, and they are allowed to wear jewelry and womanly garments that advertise their charms. Other societies, such as the Masai, undergo the operation publicly. Here the cutting becomes a test of bravery and proof that they will be able to endure the pain of childbirth. Also, it gives the girls status in their communities. It p... Free Essays on Female Genital Mutilation Free Essays on Female Genital Mutilation FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION When Society Turns Against its Children Female Genital Mutilation is a destructive procedure that is usually performed on girls before puberty among a great part of population in Africa and immigrants around the world. It can be performed in different ways. It involves the excision of the labia minore as it may involve the excision of part or all of the external genitalia and consequent stitching of the vaginal opening, procedure known as infibulation. It may also include cauterization by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissue. This kind of mutilation is a tradition and it is considered to be a necessary rite for a girl to become member of the society, be prepared for womanhood and marriage and lead a healthy life. However, I am convinced that the reasoning process of people who practice this rite is based on persuasion, fear, conviction, as well as religious and hygienic fallacies. The physical and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation are immense therefore it has to be stopped. One motivation of the societies that practice female circumcision is that their religion demands it. Rather, their belief is mistaken. These people are either Christians or Muslims. But neither the Bible nor the Qur’an require female circumcision. In fact, many religious scholars have confirmed that actually, there is not any link between the practice and religion. For the traditional communities who support this custom, the excision of the clitoris is meant to protect the woman from her sexual desires, saving her from temptation and disgrace, while vindicating her chastity. In these societies, virginity is a prerequisite for marriage. It increases a girl’s marriage opportunities as well as her father’s and family’s status within the community. Nevertheless, it is found out of interviews that many infibulated women do experience orgasm and moreover, infibulation does not provide a guarantee against... Free Essays on Female Genital Mutilation Female Circumcision or Genital Mutilation? Should we intrude on other cultures traditional practices when we believe they violate basic human rights? As Americans, we view issues much the way they pertain to our culture; it was how we were raised. For instance, female circumcision takes place within many African cultures. Debates rage about this custom, whether it is legite or inhumane. Human rights laws invoke a realm of justice and morality beyond and superior to countries, cultures, and religions. Through the course of this paper, an explanation will be given as to why African cultures view the practice the way they do, and why human rights activists have taken such a strong stance against it. First, it must be clear exactly what the procedure entails in order to show why it compels people to take a stand. Genital cutting consists of two different traditions. A clitoridectomy, which is the removal of a girl’s clitoris and infibulation, which involves removing the inner lips and sewing the outer lips (labia) of the vagina, so as to constrict the vaginal opening. The goal is to make the skin a blank patch of skin, where only a tiny new opening is created for passage. One or both practices can be performed. In Arabic circumcision, tahara, means â€Å"to purify.† It is an essential aspect of a women’s identity that ensures chastity, promotes cleanliness and fertility, and enhances the beauty of a woman’s body. Female circumcision is cloaked in festivity. In some societies the experience includes instruction in cooking, crafts, child care, and the use of herbs. Once cut, the girls suddenly become marriageable, and they are allowed to wear jewelry and womanly garments that advertise their charms. Other societies, such as the Masai, undergo the operation publicly. Here the cutting becomes a test of bravery and proof that they will be able to endure the pain of childbirth. Also, it gives the girls status in their communities. It p... Free Essays on Female Genital Mutilation ms Heard Around the World â€Å"The little girl, entirely nude, is immobilized in the sitting position on a low stool by at least three women. One of them with her arms tightly around the little girl’s chest; two others hold the child’s thighs apart by force, in order to open wide the vulva. The child’s arms are tied behind her back, or immobilized by two other women guests†¦ Then the old woman takes her razor and excises the clitoris. The infibulation follows: the operator cuts with her razor from top to bottom of the small lip and then scrapes the flesh from the inside of the large lip. This nymphectomy and scraping are repeated on the other side of the vulva†¦ The little girl howls and writhes in pain, although strongly held down. The operator wipes the blood from the wound and the mother, as well as the guests, verify her work, sometimes putting their fingers in. The opening left for urine and menstrual blood is minuscule†¦ Then the operator applies a paste and ensures the adhesion of the large lips by means of an acacia thorn, which pierces one lip and passes through into the other. She sticks in three or four in this manner down the vulva. These thorns are then held in place either by means of sewing thread, or with horsehair. Paste is again put on the wound†¦ But all this is not sufficient to ensure the coalescence of the large lips; so the little girl is then tied up from her pelvis to her feet: strips of material rolled up into a rope immobilizes her legs entirely†¦Ã¢â‚¬  - M.A.S. Mustafa, Muslim resident of Djibouti The passage above describes a typical procedure known as female genital mutilation (FGM) or female circumcision (FC). For many generations, this practice has been a normal and accepted scenario for women around the world, but has now become an issue for international controversy. It is estimated that 137 million females around the world have undergone FGM/FC, and at least another 2 millio...

John Delorean

John Delorean John DeLorean was the eldest son of an automobile foundry worker, which was in Detroit. He spent all of his younger years growing up around cars with his father working at Ford Motor Company. John had a very rough childhood, but after graduating from high school he attended Lawrence Institute of Technolo- gy and came out of there with a scholarship. After graduating he went on to the Chrysler Institute to get his masters degree, and later went to school at nights so he could complete his MBA. After all John's educati- on cars DeLorean worked as an insurance salesman. Soon after he started he left and took employment with Packard. While John was with Packard he helped develop the Ultramatic, which was the first transmission to use an aluminum housing.After working a Packard not too long Semon Knudsen, a GM legend, picked up DeLorean to become a chief engineer for Pontiac.John DeLoreanKnudsen had planned to have he and DeLorean make cars to get "the young crowd"‚ , to buy. So De Lorean put a big engine into the Pontiac Tempest, the new creation became known as the G.T.O. They created the G.T.O. without being approved by GM management, because DeLorean thought that that GM would throw his great idea away. The G.T.O. was expected to fail miserably, but when it came out in 1964 the G.T.O sold over 31,00 and 312,000 over the next four years. The sales of the G.T.O. was said to save the Pontiac division (GM was unhappy that DeLorean didn't get it approved). Because of the G.T.O.'s great success he was promoted to General Manager of Chevrolet in 1969. DeL- orean's next ingenious idea was to put rubber blocks to make the car much quieter and improve the ride.Making Chevrolet a much nicer and...

Select two of the movies that we have studied and compare and contrast Essay

Select two of the movies that we have studied and compare and contrast how they represent national identity and the national pas - Essay Example The success of the movies in bringing out matters of identity and national past are immense enough to be contrasted and compared in a meaningful and sustainable debate, as shall be seen forthwith. It is important to note that in Good Bye, Lenin! nationalism is still regarded as being propounded by the exploits of a state. This can be seen in the instance where Alex Kerner remembers as a child, how he as the first German and in the company of his compatriots, proudly entered space. The fact that this forms part of the movie’s prologue and is presented as a form of flashback, is significant. The significance of the scene is important since it portrays this national occasion as important to the state which is Germany. This caption seems to insinuate that national exploits make citizens more proud (of their country) and inspire the ‘we-feeling’ among citizens. The case immediately above converges ways with Bergman’s The Seventh Seal. This is because, the theme of loyalty to one’s state is extolled, though nationalism is not thoroughly mentioned in Bergman’s work. The extolling of nationalism in The Seventh Seal is seen in Knight Antonius Block obediently carry out the Crusades. The Crusades were sanctioned by the state under the tutelage of the monarch. Because of his loyalty to his state, Block engages in the Crusades, even if such engagements may portend risking life. The difference between the two movies is underpinned by the disparity of time in which they are set. While Good Bye, Lenin! has a setting that dates back to the Cold War (probably 1950s to 1990), The Seventh Seal has a setting that can date between 1095 and 1291 AD. In both cases, the concept of patriotism to one’s country was still regarded as paramount (Vermilye, 2006, 29). In the movie Good Bye, Lenin! the family is portrayed as having an immense influence on the personality and identity of an individual. For instance, after Alex’s father fle es to West Berlin, Alex has no recourse to living with his mother Christiane, his sister Ariane and Paula, Alex’s niece who is also Ariane’s daughter. In the absence of Alex’s father, his mother Christiane becomes an ardent follower of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and a radical idealist (Fisher and Prager, 2010, 17). It is most probable that the author of Good Bye, Lenin! writes the movie with a mind of conservative. This is seen in the manner in which he devotes his time to discuss the effect of national policies on the family. By highlighting the plight of Christiane, Alex and Ariane after the head of the family flees to West Berlin, the audience is made aware of the import of unfriendly policies and absentee fatherhood. It helps that the author uses Alex as a mouthpiece and the protagonist so that in him, the audience is made aware of the far reaching damages that accost an unstable family. Again, the author unites the family in the end, and thereby i mplying the triumph over the family, over state-sanctioned inhuman policies. It therefore suffices to say that the author tends towards familism rather than individualism, for he had the prerogatives to draw out a plotline that centres on an individual (in lieu of a family), yet he does not. It is also clear that in the period between 1945 (when Cold War started) and 1990 (when Cold War ended) had stronger family values, compared to the moment. Therefore, it is logical that Good Bye, Lenin! contains strong family values. As opposed to the case above where the author as an

Global City Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Global City - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the term ‘Global City’ was first used by Saskia Sassen in her book of the same name to refer to London, New York, and Tokyo. Many more cities across the world have now been added to this list. The pre-conditions for a city to be considered global are, among others, size; being the location for the headquarters of financial institutions that play a central role in international financial markets and capital flows; having many important international flights in and out of its airports; being a center that attracts world-class managers and having local facilities capable of providing these managerial skills; having a highly developed system of transportation and communication; and being a global hub for cultural activities, sports, and educational pursuits. A global city would be an El Dorado sought out by many, and therefore would have thriving immigrant communities. If a truly global city sneezed, the rest of the world woul d indeed catch a cold! A global city captures â€Å"cultural imagination†, and â€Å" it would be one, people look to as portents of things to come; when you’re in one, you feel connected to the world, when you look on one from afar, you feel you’re seeing the future.† A global city, to retain its premier position in the world economy, would be under constant pressure to provide goods and services of a high quality at competitive prices.