Monday, October 28, 2019

Howard Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligence Essay Example for Free

Howard Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligence Essay In 1983 Howard Gardner changed the perception of intelligence and learning with his theory of multiple intelligences. He believed that the traditional view of intelligence that was based on the dimensions of mathematical, logical, and verbal didn’t completely reflect the human ability. Gardner came up with eight intelligences with his theory. Gardner defines â€Å"intelligences† as an ability of the human brain. He believes that the level of ability can grow or recede throughout your life, depending on your efforts and experiences. Gardner’s theory means that there are more than the traditional three ways to learn. It means that people have more ability than what was originally expected. Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory has eight intelligences or area of abilities. These eight intelligences are; verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, visual-spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, musical, and naturalist. Verbal- Linguistic is the ability to communicate through language; reading, writing, speaking, and listening. A few of the skills associated with this ability are; remembering terms easily, mastering a foreign language, and using speech or writing to convince someone to do something or believe something. The following techniques will maximize the ability of verbal-linguistic; use a computer to retype and summarize notes, read text and highlight selectively, outline chapters, and recite information or write scripts/debates. Logical-mathematical is the ability to understand logical reasoning and problem solving; math, science, patterns, and sequences. Recognizing abstract patterns, using facts to support an idea, and generating ideas based on evidence, reasoning scientifically (formulating and testing a hypothesis) are some of the skills of the logical-mathematical intelligence. Organize material logically; if it suits the topic, use a spreadsheet program, explain material sequentially to someone, develop systems and find patterns, and analyze and evaluate information are just a few of the ways to maximize this intelligence. Bodily-kinesthetic is the ability to use the physical body skillfully and to take in knowledge through bodily sensation; coordination, working, with hands. The skills associated with bodily-kinesthetic; strong mind-body connection, controlling and coordinating body movement, and using the body to create products or express emotion. Moving while you learn; pace and recite, rewrite or retype notes engage â€Å"muscle memory†, design and play games to learn material, and act out scripts of material are the techniques to maximize this intelligence. Visual-spatial is the ability to understand spatial relationships and to perceive and create images; visual art, graphic design, charts and maps. A few of the skills for visual-spatial are; recognizing relationships between objects, representing something graphically, and manipulating images. To maximize the intelligence of visual-spatial you can do the following; develop graphic organizers for new material, draw mind maps/think links, use a computer to develop charts and tables, and use color in notes to organize. Interpersonal intelligence has the ability to relate to others, noticing their moods, motivations, and feelings; social activity, cooperative learning, and teamwork are just a few. Skills for the interpersonal intelligence are; seeing things from others’ perspectives, noticing moods, intentions, and temperaments of others, and gauging the most effective way to work with individual group members. The best techniques to maximize this intelligence are; studying in a group, discuss material over the phone or send instant messages, teach someone else the material, and make time to discuss assignments and test with your instructor. With the intrapersonal intelligence you have the ability to understand one’s own behavior and feelings; self-awareness, independence, time spent alone. Skills associated with this intelligence are; accessing one’s internal emotions, understanding feelings and using them to guide behavior, and understanding self in relation to others. To maximize the intrapersonal intelligence use these techniques; reflect on personal meaning of information, keep a journal, study in quiet areas, and imagine essays or experiments before beginning. The musical intelligence has the ability to comprehend and create meaningful sound; sensitivity to music and musical patterns. The skills associated with the musical intelligence are; sensing tonal qualities, being sensitive to sound and rhythms in music and in spoken language, and using an understanding of musical patterns to hear music. To maximize the musical intelligence you need to use these techniques; create rhythms out of words, beat out rhythms with hand or stick while reciting concepts, write songs/raps that help you learn concepts, and chant or sing study material along with a favorite tune as you listen. A naturalist has the ability to identify, distinguish, categorize, and classify species or items, often incorporating high interest in elements of the natural environment. A naturalistic has skills that give them the ability to categorize something as a member of a group or species, understanding of relationships among natural organisms, and deep comfort with, and respect for, the natural world. To maximize the naturalistic intelligence these techniques are best; break down information into categories, look for ways in which items fit or don’t fit together, look for relationships among ideas, events, facts, and study in a natural setting if it helps you to focus. The two intelligences that apply most closely with me are verbal-linguistic and interpersonal. I would say that I have very good people skills, meaning that I can communicate well with and to others. I can remember terms easily because I write them down on index cards and study them that way. I am always taking notes and going back and rewriting them and then highlighting the most important information out of the notes, that gives me the verbal-linguistic intelligence. I relate well to others and feel that I am a good judge on picking up on their feelings and moods, which means that I have very good interpersonal intelligence skills. I work well in teams or alone, and can get along with just about everyone I meet. I’m really good at putting myself in another’s shoes so to speak, and seeing things from their point of view. With all things considered I feel that these are my two best intelligences, verbal-linguistic and interpersonal.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Internet Pornography and Teens Essay -- Cyberporn Essays Research Pape

Internet Pornography and Teens      Ã‚   This essay discusses the social impact of exposing teens to internet pornography.    In a report, "Generation Rx.com: How Young People Use the Internet for Health Information," the Kaiser Family Foundation says that seventy (70%) of teenagers (defined as ages 15-17) "have accidentally come across pornography on the Web." Fifty-seven percent of the teens said "being exposed to pornography would have serious impact on kids under 18," while 41% teens responded that such exposure is "no big deal."(Generation)    Clearly, there is a major failure of adult responsibility when almost three out of four teens report they have accidentally come across pornography on the Web. The biggest failure of responsibility lies with federal and state prosecutors who turn a blind eye to obscenity on the Internet. If obscenity laws were being vigorously enforced, the last thing hardcore pornographers would want to do is draw attention to their vile wares by engaging in reckless marketing methods. If vigorously enforced, there would also be much less pornography to accidentally stumble across.    But prosecutors aren't the only ones at fault. Some ISPs provide parents with an option to filter out the pornography, but they refuse to block access to even illegal pornography unless a parent requests filtering. Some on-line services have rules against pornography, but they refuse to actively monitor use of their services for violations.    Many libraries and schools refuse to install screening technology -- arguing that rules and monitoring computer use can protect children from Internet porn. Even assuming such means discouraged teens from actively seeking pornography, how do they protec... ...icates pornography as precipitating 'a cascade of changes in the body that have an impact on health.' This supports former Surgeon General Everett Koop's diagnosis of pornography as a 'crushing public health problem.' Gary Lynch, University of California at Irvine neurologist corroborates these assessments. Brain research, he explains, reveals that what one sees in three-tenths of a second, 'has produced a structural change that is in some ways as profound as the structural changes one sees in [brain] damage.' It can 'leave a trace that will last for years.'(Psychopharmacology)    WORKS CITED: "Generation rx.com"  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.kff.org/content/2001/20011211a/AgendaFINAL.pdf New Jersey Family Policy Council.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.njfpc.org/research_papers/ "Psychopharmacology of Pornography"  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://drjudithreisman.org/Michell's%20brain,%20Jan%203,2002.htm

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Funeral home visit

Fullerton college students had a privilege to visit Mennonite Memorial Park and Mortuary. When we arrived the park, its beautiful scenery amazed us. The weather was a little chilly and windy. Since there was a scheduled funeral service on the day that we visited, we were escorted to the reception hall where we had a chance to meet the manager. The manager thoroughly went over proper procedures needed to prepare embalming and funerals.Among all the things that we newly learned from this visit, most interesting thing was how the embalming process works. They utilize special chemicals to look the deceased as natural as possible. I thought embalming was a very meaningful work since It is the last time that a family will physically see the deceased and it helps a family create last memories about the deceased. I agreed when the manager said their Job is not to be emotionally involved with a family but to help them figure out the directions ND plans about next steps after a loved on passes away.I cannot imagine how challenging it can be for staff members in Mennonite Memorial Park and Mortuary to deal with families on a daily basis who have loss or about to have loss. I felt that being passionate and dedicated to compassionately embracing families in the community is one of the most important aspects to be part of the mortuary. It was a very meaningful visit and helped me think about how to deal with and death and dying from the lens of a family who had lost a loved one.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

External environment of Singh’s Auto Rentals Company Limited Essay

Assignment Find an example of strategic management in an organisation in your country or region, from your own experience or from your reading. The example can relate to either a big or small business, or even to a public sector organisation. Which aspects of the example do you consider to be good or bad examples of some aspects of strategic management, using the principles covered in this subject as your guide? For example, you might discuss the good and bad examples in one or more of these areas: handling stakeholder expectations; communicating organisational purposes; external environment (PESTEL framework, five forces, opportunities and threats); strategic capability (value chain and value network, strengths and weaknesses); SWOT analysis; formulating a business’ strategy (bases of competitive advantage); implementing a business’ strategy (structural types, managing people); and/or corporate strategy (the two main portfolio approaches and extent of corporate diversity). THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK Executive summary Singh’s Auto Rentals Company Limited (Singh’s) was established in 1972 with a small fleet of only five (5) vehicles for rental. Singh’s hybrid corporate strategy embraces cost and differentiation in a market that is highly competitive, having expanded its customer base to incorporate the corporate society, the international sector and the community sector. The company has grown and is now one of the preferred clients of the Ministry of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago, offering a wide range of high-end vehicles and SUV’s for rental, buses for tours and retreats, executive cars with drivers for wedding parties and seven (7) seater vehicles for the family oriented customer. Business level challenges have over the years forced Singh’s to refocus their objectives on their MOST, with intense market development and penetration orientation, in an aggressive attempt to win market share, increase volume gains and build position quickly. In this assignment the external environment encompassing Porter’s 5 Forces and PESTEL are examined along with its’ impact and influence on Singh’s SWOT and stakeholders expectation. Examples of the good and bad of the external environment will also be highlighted to describe how the company can increase their competitive advantage and profitability. Table of Contents 1.Introduction â€Å"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.† ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War In discussing the positive and negative aspects of the external environment, the PESTEL, the SWOT and Porter’s 5 forces will be used to analyse where Singh’s Auto Rentals is at in the industry and where the company can hope to be in the next five (5) years. The car rental industry is a competitive industry and Singh’s competencies and capabilities will definitely keep them in the market and make them into leaders once they follow their objectives and tactics. â€Å"All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved†. ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War 2.Company overview: Singh’s 2.1 Vision We aspire to become the leading light in the Auto Rentals industry through continuous service innovation and the expansion of our distribution networks. 2.2 Mission Utilizing our group’s strengths we aim to become a major force in the Car Rentals industry by offering innovative products, effective processes, extensive networks, and the recruitment of the brightest talent, we strive to achieve impressive profitability. 2.3 Objectives From the vision/mission statements given, it would seem that the objective of Singh’s Auto Rentals is to become leaders in the industry. It can also be derived that this company seeks to achieve the following objectives; To increase market share Remain close to its competitors Increase clientele Increase the fleet of vehicles To establish leadership in the market 2.4 Strategies Singh’s strategy for achieving these objectives might be a business strategy. Business strategy is concerned with deciding which markets and activities  the business should be involved in; where it wants to be; and how it is going to get there. Singh’s strategies may include; Satisfying customers (meeting customer needs) Running the business (organising resources in the most efficient and effective way) Beating the competition (strategies and tactics to gain competitive advantage) Achieving corporate objectives 2.5 Tactics Methods this company uses to achieve strategies, as written in the mission, are the introduction of support and complimentary services they provide namely; 24 hr FREE Roadside assistance Guarantee competitive rates and seasonal discounts A wide range of vehicles to choose from including the economy and SUV range. Free maintenance on all vehicles Air conditioned comfort 3. PESTEL analysis of Singh’s Awareness of the external environment and how they impact on the company can be summarised using the PESTEL framework. The PESTEL can define the key drivers of change. These key drivers of change have differential impacts on industries, markets and organisations. 3.1 Political Singh’s is a privately owned company but because the company buys and rents vehicles they would be involved with few governmental organizations for various purposes. Ministry of Transport for licensing of new vehicles For vehicle transfers Ministry of Finance To approve any tariffs Duties or charges for purchases Taxes (including staff salaries) Customs and Excise Importing, duties and clearance of all vehicles Ministry of Legal Affairs To register the company legally To ensure all licenses to operate as a limited liability company 3.2 Economical As a private owned company, Singh’s has to watch for what affect his company financially from the external environment. Key factors can be; Fuel rates – have rates gone increased or decreased, this would determine how to price the rentals. Exchange rates for foreign currency. Salary negotiations in the country- would the employees demand high wages as a result of salary negotiations for government workers. Available and accepted methods of payment – cheque, cash, VISA, MasterCard. Unemployment rates in the country . 3.3 Social These influences the length of time a vehicle would be rented for. Singh’s offers long term rentals (6 months to 3 years) and short term rentals (1 day to 6 months). Social factors include; Changing cultures – peak periods for local rentals (wedding and carnival) and peak periods for foreign rentals (tourists are drawn to the Caribbean during winter and summer). Demographics – age groups of drivers. Community interests – lobby groups, charitable organisations etc†¦ 3.4 Technological In a business such as Singh’s one would encourage technology to play a role in the data collection, storage and distribution of the company’s fleet of vehicles. Technological factors include’ Computerised scanning of vehicles under maintenance. Computerised database systems used for documentation, data collection, billing, accounting and ordering. Communication methods have to be of the highest quality in order to reach out to customers (the business to customer approach). Updated websites, facebook pages or other social search engines used to advertise the company. 3.5 Environmental Influences from the direct environment that may affect Singh’s might be Waste disposal – for waste disposal from the garage (oil, parts etc†¦) Energy consumption –the amount of energy or power used in a process or system. Weather conditions- may only affect the infrastructural aspect of Singh’s in terms of weathering on vehicles which are not kept covered over a long period. 3.6 Legal The legal aspects of the company and how it influences the strategies and objectives. Governmental laws – a law might state that no one under the age of 18 is allowed to drive. Policies – policies put in place by the board of directors and the key shareholders to determine how the business is going to operate. Rental contracts have to be done up and signed by each party for every transaction. Insurance companies vying to insure the fleet of vehicles. 4. Stakeholders Stakeholders can exist both internally and externally. In an industry such as the vehicle rental industry the stakeholders are very important. The expectations of the stakeholders are equally important to the development of Singh’s (see appendix III) 4.1 Internal: Board Of Directors or Management Investors/ Shareholders Employees Suppliers-contractors Service providers – maintenance crews, specialist garage crew 4.2 External: Business to business Clients Domestic Clients International Clients Government and regulatory industries Industry Associations Local Communities 5. SWOT (Internal / External Analysis of Singh’s) In an effort to ascertain its competitive environment a SWOT analysis of Singh’s can assist to devise a sound strategic plan. The intent is to exploit and maximize the strengths and opportunities; avert threatening circumstances through tactical responses and provide institutional upgrade to lessen weaknesses; all these towards a position of profitability and value creation. As defined by (Alzoubi 2004) SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) is a general framework for directing and assisting strategic planners to identify the appropriate organizational strategies to achieve their goals. Managers look at SWOT analysis as a technique to help managers to identify and plan the business goals, and draw the strategies to achieve them (Alzoubi 2013 p.126). Internal Analysis Strengths Focused management and staff Location advantage Efficient customer service Skilled car care specialist and technicians. Weaknesses Lack of Human Resource best practices No clear strategic direction Lack of continuous training and development for staff Poor marketing skills External Analysis Opportunities To gain large profits To be a house hold name in the car rental business To serve a large customer group Potential for new services or products to be offered Threats Companies offering similar services coming on stream Turnover due to other companies offering better packages Loss of customers due poor service experience new and existing regulations new and existing competitors new technologies unstable political and legal systems in foreign markets External opportunities and threats can work both ways for the organisation for example new technologies can make one aspect of the company obsolete but enhance another aspect of the company all at the same time. 6. Singh’s Strategic Based Units (SBU’s) SBU’s allow large corporations such as Singh’s and SSS to vary their strategies according to the different needs of the various external markets they serve. For example- Corporate Leasing – leasing to companies on a special contract Short term and long term rental – to both corporate clients and immediate clients Executive driver services – airport to hotel and return, weddings, seminars Pre-owned vehicle sales- new to the company but very effective and brings in more profits Bus and driver tours for tourists 7. The effect of Porter’s 5 Forces on Singh’s Porter’s 5 forces analysis can be applied to Singh’s as a tool to analyse the competitive advantages of the company. According to Porter (1980), rivalry (competition) on the market is result of the five variables or main forces: rivalry level, bargaining power of customers and that of suppliers, the threat from new entrants and substitute products. The following was deduced from the analysis of the five forces: 7.1. Threat of New Entry Due to lack of policies to prevent new entry, the market is open for new entrants. Singh’s will now have to develop and maintain a cost advantage and differentiation of its services, to gain sustainable competitive advantage. Economies of scale – it would be expensive to for new entrants to match Singh’s because of the level the company has reached in the industry, it would be difficult for new entrants to match them. Experience – new entrants would be inexperienced in most of the ‘know how’ of this industry and that lack of experience can give Singh’s the advantage over a new entrant (See Appendix II). 7.2. Threat of Substitution Substitutes can come not only from within the industry but also from outside. Managers often focus on their own industry and neglect the threat posed by substitutes for the product or service. The price/performance ratio is critical. Even if the substitute is more expensive the substitute is still effective (see appendix II). 7.3. Buyer Power Singh’s needs to pay attention to the customers and the price they pay for the service. If the price is too high customers may seek to do business elsewhere which will force the company to drop prices, thus losing revenue (see appendix II). 7.4 Suppliers Power- It was recognised that the business can be adversely affected if suppliers drive up their prices, then the concept of low cost to gain competitive advantage will be affected (see appendix I1) 7.5 Competitive Rivalry- From the analysis it was evident that the company had rivals performing a similar service. To prevent customers from moving from Singh’s to the competitors, the company will need to provide unique services to its customers (see appendix II). 8. Competitors Singh’s entered the market as an entrepreneur in 1972, competitors from then to now would be companies established around or before that time penetrating the same market with similar objectives. One such example would be Southern Sales and Service Company Limited (SSS). Both companies entered the corporate market to try to gain market share. SSS has a larger vehicle fleet than Singh’s but SSS does not provide some of the tour guide services or 25 seat bus retreat services that Singh’s caters for. Even though they are in similar industries, they each cater to a different sector within the market. Refer to Appendix III for a visual on how competitive advantage works in an industry as Singh’s. 9. Competitive advantage Singh’s has over SSS: SSS Caters for company rentals and corporate rentals Provides car and driver services Provides maintenance for some vehicles and outsources the rest Cost- mostly high priced unit rental Energy consumption is high Singh’s Caters for tour groups and tourist transportation Provides car and driver services Provides transportation services from airport to hotel and return Provides rental packages for weddings with a driver Prices are relatively low and are negotiable Various branches throughout the country so customers can do business from any branch Customer service is ranked very high 10. Conclusion A strong networking capability (Strength) has lead to an expansion in the business activities of Singh’s (opportunity) and this has resulted in increased profits due to long term leasing by various ministries (strength). The strength of networking was cultivated over a period of time and once established, it can sustain Singh’s for the next five (5) years. Singh’s  external environment has room for new entrants and a lot of possible threats and opportunities that can arise, however, with proper strategic management and well trained staff this company can continue to push forward in this market and even make a breakthrough in a new one. Recommendations Continue to evaluate Singh’s regularly. Always know where the company is in relation to its competitors. Capitalise on new technologies and trade in old techniques. Monitor staff and their talents, do regular training to update them on the current techniques being used by competitors so that they can be brought up to speed or even one step ahead. Increase profitability by looking into marketing and advertising to the larger companies such as energy companies (BPTT and Atlantic LNG) to try to gain greater market share, this is an opportunity within their SWOT analysis. Consider upgrading the fleet and maybe adding some luxury type vehicles, look at the threat of buyers and see what the customers are asking for. Customers may be willing to spend their money on luxury cars from a rental company they trust. References Johnson, G, Whittington, R and Scholes, K 2011, Exploring Corporate Strategy, 9th edn, Pearson Education, London. Alzoubi, majed R. 2004, Strategic planning and building innovative organizations. Unpublished, PhD thesis, Amman Arab University for Graduate Studies, Jordan. Alzoubi, majed R. 2013, The Impact of Intellectual Capital or SWOT Analysis among Jordanian Banking Industry â€Å"Empirical Study† : International Journal of Business and Social Science, Vol. 4 No. 2 pp. 123-137. Singh’s auto rental company limited, viewed 7 July 2014, http://www.singhs.com/about.html Southern Sales and Service Company Limited, about us, viewed on 7 July 2014, http://www.southernsalestt.com/corp_history.php Tutor2U, viewed on 9july 2014, http://www.tutor2u.net/business/strategy/corporate_objectives_strategy.html Slideshare.com, http://www.slideshare.net/milesweaver/analysing-the-external-environment-of-business-ie-general-competitive, viewed on 12 July 2014

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

HR 434 STUDY GUIDE FOR FINAL EXAM Essay

HR 434 STUDY GUIDE FOR FINAL EXAM Essay HR 434 STUDY GUIDE FOR FINAL EXAM Essay HR 434 Final Exam Study Guide TRUE/FALSE: 1. Legislation Controls the minimum wage. True 2. The U.S. Department of Labor determines minimum wage, overtime, child labor and garnishment regulations. True 3. A well designed compensation system does not require maintenance. False 4. Income Equivalent Payments are commonly referred to as "Spiffs." False 5. The Poverty Class are individuals who usually hold full or part time jobs that pay a wage equal or close to the government established minimum wage. False 6. Exempt workers usually work on salary. True 7. A metric chart provides a more detailed understanding of the job or work flow process. False (See chapter 9) 8. A job title is the most critical part of the job identification. True 9. Managers are a part of an occupational group which pay can vary dramatically. True 10. Paraprofessionals are normally unionized workers. False 11. A performance appraisal is a formal process in which it identifies and documents an employees contribution. True 12. Central Tendency is a rating of average or around to midpoint. True 13. An IRA is a retirement plan that grows money tax deferred. True 14. Severance Pay is a one-time payment upon termination at no fault of the employee. True 15. Expatriate is an employee working at a foreign work site for a period in excess of 1 year. True SELECT THE BEST ANSWER: Question 16. Which of the following employee benefits are influenced by legislation? (Points : 5) Minimum wage Number of hours worked Retirement, unemployment plans and disability insurance All the above Question 17. Who is the largest employer in the United States? (Points : 5) Federal Government United States Postal Service Exxon Oil Company United Auto Workers Question 18. The development and administration of the human resources/personnel budget is a major responsibility of (Points : 5) U.S President Department of Labor Compensation Specialists Congress Question 19. Geographical locations are (Points : 5) physical places where workers reside. regions where pay can differentiate. places where jobs are plentiful. addresses where companies reside. Question 20. Employers usually offer these plans for retirement. (Points : 5) Deferred Income Vacation Paid Trips Severance Pay Question 21. Which chart shows various relationships among individuals, groups, and departments? (Points : 5) Process Chart Metric Chart Depth Chart Organizational Chart Question 22. Qualifications of a job holder is referred to as (Points : 5) a job requirement. a job specification. a skill set a job need. Question 23. Random sampling is a technique that uses (Points : 5) surveys and interviews. questionnaires. variety of statistical methods that may include an array of data random numbers only. Question 24. Team incentives are plans that (Points : 5) pay little compared to individual incentives. give employees compensation to join groups. pay yearly. are restricted to members with payout based on improvements in productivity, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. Question 25. This plan provides an enhanced option for educational savings. (Points : 5) 529 Plan College Savings Plan Educational Savings Plan 654(b) Plan Question 26. The amount of money paid at regular intervals to an employee who retired from a company. (Points : 5) Salary Pension Golden Parachute Contribution Payments Question 27. A payment made by the state to workers who have temporary lost their job. (Points : 5) Welfare State Assistance Unemployment Insurance Unemployment Benefits Question 28. Provides income to beneficiaries in case of death. (Points : 5)

Monday, October 21, 2019

Representations of the Mixed Race Essays

Representations of the Mixed Race Essays Representations of the Mixed Race Essay Representations of the Mixed Race Essay Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Representations of the Mixed Race The issue of race has been reviewed by many as far as the society is concerned. This is more so where more than one race is in existence especially in the American (United States), Asian and the European countries. Mulattos, who are an outcome of mixed races, have been a point of interest for many decades. The book American Son by Brian Roley and the essay How to Rehabilitate a Mulatto: the Iconography of Tiger Woods by Hiram Perez have depicted the mixed race issue from the offspring born in the United States. From the literal works, the Asian American regional/historical context matters, contentious, and race as a social construct have been depicted. In the novel American Son, Brian Roley tells the story of two brothers who are half Filipino and half American, the mother being from Philippines and the father being from America. Gabe, the narrator in the novel, is an adolescent and the younger of the two brothers who is timid, observant, shy and obedient, suffocating under his older brother’s indifference towards him and his mother’s high expectations of him even though he is going through an identity crisis. On the other hand, Tomas, the elder of the two brothers is arrogant, indifferent to his brothers, disobedient to his mother, a high school drop out, likes to wear Mexican clothes although he runs a legal business of rearing dogs and selling them to the Hollywood celebrities. The novel, divided into three sections, takes the reader through the many challenges the narrator goes through before accepting his identity as a Mulatto. Hiram Perez’s essay is more focused on Tiger Woods who is referred to as a Cablinasia since he as the origin of a Caucasian, African American (black), American India (native) and an Asia (Thai and Chinese). The author argues that, â€Å"the celebrity of a figure such as Tiger Woods functions to rehabilitate the mulatto in order to announce the arrival of a new color-blind era in the U.S history,† (Dave 223). In the essay, Perez, analyses the ways in which the celebrity has been used to advocate a color-blind America. One example given is his advertisement on the Nike products. Since Woods has conquered a sport that was considered to belong to the Caucasians, many children from diverse races are spotted saying that they are Tiger Woods in one particular advertisement. The controversies associated with the existence of the racial mixture of American Asians have taken a different turn. The two works bring forth diversity in the perception of these group people. In most cases, the Asians come to the United States in order to experience the American Dream. They come to the United States to get a better life for themselves. While others view them as intruders waiting to take away the small opportunities available, others view them as disadvantaged who have come to seek refuge in America. These controversies have led to the various depictions of this race. For example, Ika, Tomas and Gabe’s mother, works two jobs that are not well paying in a district (Venice) in California that was once neglected in the 1950s. On the other hand, Perez shows that the children from the diverse races, which include Asia, have backgrounds that look like they are urban poor backgrounds. In most cases, one is not considered as a true American even though he/she might be legally so, as long as he has an origin of one of the other races apart from being a Caucasian. This has led to the mulattos’s own hate of themselves and families. In the novel, Gabe admits that he did not like her mother picking him from schools. He further gives a description of how short and dark she was especially when she wore the giant purple glasses that seemed trendy on everybody else apart from her mother since the glasses did not go well with her brown skin (Roley 30). As earlier noted the poor jobs and the slums seemed to belong to the African Americans, the Mexican Americans, the Asian Americans and every other race considered not American. This regional/historical perception is also depicted by Tomas rebellion of his race. He chose to dress like a Mexican yet he was not one. This part of the novel depicts that he was ashamed of who he was. Similarly, Roley depicts Gabe as one who is afraid to glance at the rear mirror during his encounter with the truck driver. This shows that he was ashamed of looking at his reflection, which was a reflection of an Asian identity. In both cases, historical and regional perceptions of the Asian Americans brought social trauma on these boys thus their rejection of their own identity. Tomas has a dog selling business even though he is a high-school dropout. He rears ordinary dogs, trains them to attack and then sells them Hollywood celebrities. Even though their only evidence of their ability to attack was the fact that they attacked some children, they are sold for thousand of dollars, which is overrated. Tomas gives them German names such as Heinrich and Greta so that they are perceived to be from Germany, yet they are as ordinary as they can be. Naming the dogs German names instead of giving them Asian names shows the power of a race. The dogs are more marketable when given German names than when given Asian names. The Asian were not highly regarded. Perez’s essay brings forth another concept of the American Asia perception, this being in the race context. Perez states that Oprah Winfrey called Tiger Woods â€Å"America’s son† (226). This showed that Tiger Woods is a representation of the diverse races in the United States. He represents the color-blindness in the United States today. He cannot be called an Asian, Native American or an African American, but rather he is a representation of all and he has won a place in a sport that was dominated by one race. Gabe’s encounter with the truck driver also acts as a revelation to the reader and the society in general. The truck driver was not conscious of Gabe’s Filipino origin. He further states that he might have not been an Asian at all. This made Gabe find a place and comfort in the driver’s presence. In other words, the driver showed that there was no major significance in someone’s race. It aided Gabe in his final path of accepting his identity during the last section of the book. Both literal works have brought forth similarities and diversity in the characters. Gabe’s family struggles with self-identity. Ika’s brother is angry with Ika because she refused to go back to her country. She chose to suffer the life imposed by the Americans on the Asians, yet there is a shinier easier life in Philippines. Gabe is avoids looking at the rear mirror in order to avoid looking at his reflection and he is ashamed of his own mother even though she is obedient and respectful to her. Tomas reactions to his brother and his family are an outward depiction of his internal conflicts. He dresses like a Mexican even though there are American and Asian clothing available. Perez’s essay is a contrast of the novel. It shows hopes for the American Asians. The color-blindness adopted by the Americans shows that they are interested in the character rather than the color. The author shows that Wood’s dominance in the golf sport depicts hopes for all races thus the children’s advertisement. His (Woods) mother’s interest in education and his father’s interest in sport shaped Woods greatly. The mulatto’s will acquire their own identity if they choose to look themselves deeper than being American Asians. Works cited Perez, Hiram. â€Å"How to rehabilitate a Mulatto: The Iconography of Tiger Woods†. East Main Street: Asian American Popular Culture, Ed. By Shilpa Dave, Leilani Nishime Tasha G. Oren. New York, NY: New York University Press, 2005. Print. Roley, Brian Ascalon. American Son. New York, NY: WW Norton, 2002. Print.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Political Terms Dominate New Dictionary Entries

Political Terms Dominate New Dictionary Entries Political Terms Dominate New Dictionary Entries Political Terms Dominate New Dictionary Entries By Mark Nichol Dictionary.com’s newest set of entries to its lexicon, and some revised definitions for existing terms, reflect the politically themed discourse that has dominated the media over the past year. This post shares and defines some of those terms. Alt-right, discussed in this DailyWritingTips.com post, is not new to Dictionary.com, but its definition has been extended to clarify that the central tenets of those who espouse extreme right wing ideology are white nationalism and anti-Semitism. Similarly, though far is of course not a new listing, its definition now alludes to the sense of extreme political views when it appears in combination with left and right. Meanwhile, the existing entry for alt refers to the abbreviation’s usage in alt-right, and the one for â€Å"white nationalism† makes a distinction, based on geopolitical focus, between that phrase and â€Å"white supremacy.† The phrase â€Å"fake news† has its own new entry, describing the term as pertaining to sensationalized false journalistic content that serves to boost ad revenue and/or discredit an entity that is the subject of the content. An entry surprising for its late appearance is â€Å"false flag,† which has long referred to the use by marine vessels of a flag of a country the ship doesn’t represent in order to deceive personnel on an enemy vessel. By extension, the term now alludes to events in which a country attacks its own territory or assets and blames the attack on a belligerent nation (or an entity such as a terrorist organization), or to similar operations carried out in civilian contexts, as when a group or individual frames another for a violent act the first group or individual secretly committed in order to discredit the other party. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Bare or Bear With Me?Ten Yiddish Expressions You Should Know10 Tips for Clean, Clear Writing