Neither Black Nor White The Complex Concept of Freedom in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl - Literature Essay Samples

Harriet Jacobs’ moving text Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is an incredible narrative chronicling the story of a slave named Linda and her resilient fight for freedom. However, as she takes us through her journey, we come to see that the concept of freedom is by no means a clear-cut, either-or entity. She associates the idea of freedom with different things throughout her journey: religion, certain places, the economy, even people, and through these different definitions and explorations, by the last chapter it becomes clear that freedom by no means has a singular definition. Rather, freedom is a process, a flexible concept, and a strong mindset, all of which are clearly exhibited throughout Linda’s journey. A recurring theme throughout Jacobs’ text is religion and Christianity. She includes many biblical allusions, references to Christianity, and other mentions of God, church, and prayer, however, they are not the wholly reverential, spiritual, and positive references that one might expect. Linda clearly struggles with the meaning of religion and the role that it plays in her life. For her, it seems to be more of a process, rather than an object—not only is it inconsistent, but Jacobs articulates her experiences with slaveholders using Christianity and religion to legitimize the horrors they inflicted, and how they often manipulated the words of the Bible and religion to assert their authority. â€Å"[The slaveholders] seem to satisfy their consciences with the doctrine that God created the Africans to be slaves. What a libel upon the heavenly Father, who made of one blood all nations of men! (40) Linda’s references to religion become increasingly bitter, as she be gins to use the word ‘Christian’ in a sarcastic manner. â€Å"As Mrs. Flint went out,† Linda tells us, â€Å"Sally told her the reason Benny was lame was, that a dog had bitten him. ‘I’m glad of it,’ replied she. ‘I wish he had killed him. It would be good news to send to his mother. Her day will come. The dogs will grab her yet.’ With these Christian words, she and her husband departed,† (103). In Linda’s story, â€Å"Christian† is used sarcastically, highlighting the acrimony that Linda feels about the role both religion and Christianity play in slavery. â€Å"I supposed,† Linda reveals, â€Å"that religion had a purifying effect on the character of men; but the worst persecutions I endured from him were after he was a communicant,† (65). Her negative reaction to religion seems completely legitimate when we see how religion itself is used as the foundation for her own enslavement. As confusing and contradictory as the idea of religion becomes in this text, the fact that it is associated with freedom actually highlights the similarities between the two. Religion is something that often provides escape or solace in the midst of difficulty, however; in this case it is used as a vehicle to enforce Linda’s own enslavement and thus is an impediment on her road to freedom. Connecting religion to freedom in this way is an important piece of evidence in proving that both ideas are flexible, inconsistent, and very much up to interpretation. The idea of freedom is explored not just through Linda’s relationship with religion, but she also comes to associate freedom with specific places throughout her journey, with the meaning of freedom changing as she moves from place to place. She resides in many different physical places throughout the text—starting in North Carolina, she eventually flees to Philadelphia, then New York, then moves to Boston, then to England, then back to Boston, and finally the story concludes with the possibility of a move far west to California. Harriet Jacobs talks about freedom in terms of places in a very abstract, intriguing way. One might assume just from hearing about the physical towns, cities, and states Linda experiences on her journey, that the story will automatically paint the southern places and northern places very differently. Though it is true that Linda sees the ‘north’ as a place of freedom while still living in her North Carolina town, her arrival in Phil adelphia, then New York, and into Boston, do not automatically present her with the complete freedom that she was expecting. North Carolina itself is obviously the place providing the roots of Linda’s enslavement, but it also is the place where she first embarks on her road to freedom, escaping from Dr. Flint and hiding out for years under his nose. After sitting in limbo between confinement and freedom still in North Carolina, Linda finally is able to escape by boat and is in awe upon her arrival in Philadelphia. â€Å"At daylight I heard women crying fresh fish, berries, radishes, and various other things. All this was new to me. I dressed myself at an early hour, and sat at the window to watch that unknown tide of life. Philadelphia seemed to me a wonderfully great place† (134). However, she comes to realize that the ‘north’—Philadelphia, then New York, then Boston—are not the free cities of her dreams. She is constantly worried about bein g recognized, re-captured, and brought back into slavery, and with Jim Crow and the Fugitive Slave Law, she comes to the realization that there isn’t as much of a difference between the north and south as she initially thought, holed up in North Carolina at the beginning of her perilous journey. Yet again, we see freedom compared to these places in the same nuanced sense of religion. These places are neither completely free nor completely confining, and arguments could be made about which places are better than the others. However, Linda’s continued movement from place to place and desire to keep working towards gaining more freedom for herself and her children highlights the adaptable and inconsistent nature of freedom. Though many slaves achieved freedom through economic means—whether they somehow came up with enough money over their lifetime to buy themselves, or whether someone else bought their freedom for them—Linda does not believe that she should have to purchase her freedom. She comes to this realization as she matures through her journey and experiences. Early on in her story, she consoles her brother, lamenting that they will â€Å"have to stay here all our days,† and hopelessly complaining, â€Å"’we shall never be free.’† Linda, however, responded by arguing, â€Å"that we were growing older and stronger, and that perhaps we might, before long, be allowed to hire our own time, and then we could earn money to buy our freedom† (12). After enduring so many hardships and experiencing so much along her journey to freedom, however, Linda realizes and solidifies her belief in her own natural right to freedom—something that she, or anyone e lse, should have to buy. When Mr. Dodge, in the final chapter, arrives in New York to try and get Linda back, her friend tells him, â€Å"’I have heard her say she would go to the ends of the earth, rather than pay any man or woman for her freedom, because she thinks she has a right to it’† (161). This shift in Linda’s confidence and mindset about her own right to freedom reaches towards the point that freedom is a process in developing a certain mindset. It is not about reaching a certain physical place, or paying a specific amount of money—it is about having the strength, will, and belief in your own humanity to make the sacrifices to work toward ones own liberty. Throughout her journey, Linda associates the idea of freedom with many different people. Her grandmother is one of the first people she describes as ‘free,’ and thus her grandmother plays a large part in the road to her own freedom—housing her, helping her escape, an d ensuring the safety of her children, among other things. Her grandmother simultaneously seems to represent a sense of freedom, but Linda also clearly associates her with enslavement and confinement as well, given that she was essentially trapped her home in North Carolina for many years, in limbo between freedom and enslavement. Linda also discusses the idea of freedom in accordance with her master, Dr. Flint. His manipulative, cruel, and predatory nature was described in detail, and though he technically offers Linda â€Å"a home and freedom† (70), she concedes that she â€Å"knew that my master’s offer was a snare, and that if I entered it escape would be impossible†¦if he gave me free papers, they would be so managed as to have no legal value†¦even if I should kneel before him, and implore him to spare me, for the sake of my children, I knew he would spurn me with his foot, and my weakness would be his triumph† (71). For Linda, there is no achievement of freedom where Dr. Flint is concerned, and as the slave owner, comes to represent the absolute antithesis of freedom. â€Å"I had always been kindly treated,† Linda notes, â€Å"until I came into the hands of Dr. Flint. I had never wished for freedom until then† (96). This highlights an interesting idea—t hough Dr. Flint characterizes the opposite of freedom, it is his emergence into Linda’s life that gave her the first hopes of realizing her own freedom. Finally, the people that are most associated with freedom in Linda’s story are her children. They serve as the ultimate motivation for her to continue on her path, and she mentions them and her commitment to their liberation every step of the way. â€Å"I was dreaming of freedom†¦more for my children’s sake than my own,† she admitted. â€Å"I could have made my escape alone; but it was more for my helpless children than for myself that I longed for freedom†¦every trial I endured, every sacrifice I made for their sakes, drew them closer to my heart, and gave me fresh courage to beat back the dark waves that rolled and rolled over me in a seemingly endless night of storms† (70). Linda’s heartening dedication to her children and the passion they inspire within her point to the root of the relationship between people and freedom. Even with Dr. Flint, who essentially represents the institution of slavery itself, Linda still used him as a person to motivate her on her journey to achieve freedom. Her grandmother and children play similar roles, showing us the reasoning behind the resilient mindset that forms the definition of freedom in this story. Linda’s unwavering strength, will, belief, and desire to achieve freedom for herself and for the sake of her children follows her into the final chapter of her story. The final chapter of Incidents represents the continued struggle that characterizes freedom. The story ends without her achievement of outright, unadulterated liberty, as she announces that her â€Å"story ends with freedom†¦I and my children are now free! We are as free from the power of slaveholders as are the white people of the north; and though that, according to my ideas, is not saying a great deal, it is a vast improvement in my condition.† However, as Linda’s journey pro ves to us; the institution of slavery does not allow for one to ever really have that pure, complete sense of freedom. â€Å"The dream of my life is not yet realized,† she tells us, â€Å"I do not sit with my children in a home of my own. I still long for a hearthstone of my own, however humble. I wish it for my children’s sake far more than my own† (164). By the last chapter, Linda has not attained the social, economic, or political freedom she had hoped for, but the hardships she faced throughout her journey did not sway her or stop her on her way to still trying to achieve a sense of autonomy. Jacobs shows us that freedom, rather than being a tangible, physical, black-or-white entity, is a mindset. As we see through her exploration of freedom and its relation to religion, places, the economy, and people, it becomes clear that there is no clear-cut definition. Rather, freedom is the process, the journey, the decision to keep moving forward toward a better life for herself and her children. Freedom, as it relates to these different entities, is malleable, inconsistent, and largely intangible—like the interpretation of religion, or the unclear status of places in the north and south, or the cost of humans, or the people who are a part of Linda’s journey. She has achieved some freedom, but the road has by no means come to an end—thus, it is a continuous journey requiring the resilient mindset that Linda so explicitly exhibits. Works Cited Jacobs, Harriet Ann. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2001. Print.

Haiti And The Dominican Republic Essay - 1581 Words

Introduction The caribbean is where a small island, contains two countries within its borders and a long history of conflict. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are two different country, with completely different cultures, from religion, to the food they eat, Two countries, with two different, yet correlating stories. A story of conflict is what unites these two countries. This paper will attempt to analyse that story, and answer how this small island came to be divided into two countries, and inhabited by two peoples of such different cultures. This paper will also take a small look at the results of this history, and it’s effects on both countries. Context of the paper In order to understand the current situation of these two countries it is important to look back, to their history, from the beginning of the colonial period. From when Christopher Columbus discovered the New World in 1492. He named the island of Hayti Hispaniola – Little Spain. The Spaniards soon after discovering the island, established themselves permanently on Hispaniola, building the city of Santo Domingo. in 1521, Hernan Cortes had discovered Mexico, and Pizarro was overrunning Peru, both of these colonies were rich in gold and silver. By 1548, the Indian population had been reduced and the reserves of gold in the colony were declining. This made Santo Domingo become of less value to the Spaniards, which lead to most Spanish settlers to quickly leave the island for the richer lands of Mexico andShow MoreRelatedThe Dominican Republic and Haiti3970 Words   |  16 PagesThe Dominican Republic and Haiti Imagine yourself as a businessperson on a trip to the island of Hispaniola to check on how production is faring. You land in Santo Domingo to transfer to a short commuter flight to Port-au-Prince. During the flight, you gaze outside your window to admire the breathtaking view of the Sierra de Baoruco, with its luscious forests. As the plane approaches the Haiti-Dominican Republic border, you notice that the land has been completely denuded of trees directlyRead MoreDominican Republic vs. Haiti1245 Words   |  5 PagesDominican Republic and Haiti: A Comparison of How One Island Has Two Complete Different Ends Dominican Republic and Haiti: A Comparison of How One Island Has Two Complete Different Ends The Hispaniola is a small island in the Caribbean which is currently composed by the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti. These two countries despite sharing an island and historical institutions are completely different. While the Dominican Republic enjoys the beauty of the Caribbean and its weatherRead MoreRacism Between Haiti And Dominican Republic2225 Words   |  9 Pages Black Experience in the Caribbean: BLST 202 Professor Anika Hylton May 24, 2016 Racism between Haiti and Dominican Republic has led to self hatred Throughout history, race, social development, politics and colonization have played a major role in the indoctrination of modern day Caribbean peoples mind subconsciously. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are two countries that were once one nation, however, the long-lasting effects of colonialism have separated the island which the nations sit into twoRead MoreEconomic Development Of The Dominican Republic And Haiti1938 Words   |  8 PagesEconomic Development in the Dominican Republic and Haiti I. Introduction The following paper is oriented to explore why the divergence of a similarly sustained economic development of the Dominican Republic (D.R.) and Haiti. The fact that both countries share the same territory, but their economic development in recent days differ from one another make this topic is highly important, since it can bring deeper insight about the different causes that can affect the economic development of a countryRead MoreDominican Republic and Haiti Share and Island, History, and Culture2870 Words   |  12 PagesThe Dominican Republic and Haiti not only share the island of Hispaniola, but also have similar histories and cultures. These similarities have been overshadowed by a tumultuous relationship that has existed for centuries between both nations. Many wonder why the Dominican Republic and Haiti have not been able to have a harmonious relationship. However, they must take into account that this relationship has endured mass killings, oppression, and racial divides. Although many of these actions tookRead MoreThe Dominican Republic : A Deep Rooted History With The Country Of Haiti1615 Words   |  7 PagesOdlenika Joseph Professor Sharon Placide Global Society 22 November 2016 Semester Project Phase 3 – Final Paper The Dominican Republic (D.R.) has a deep-rooted history with the country of Haiti. This makes sense since they share the same Island. Yet, the culture, cuisine, and native languages are different and unique from one another. I was born in Haiti and spent a majority of my life living there until I immigrated to the United States with my parents. Although I have never been in the D.R. IRead MoreEhtnic Conflict between Dominican Republic and Haiti Essay2244 Words   |  9 PagesThe Dominican Republic and Haiti are two countries that share an island. The difficulties of two ethnicities sharing an island bring forth conflicts that stem from colonial times. Race, economics, politics and stigmas all play a role in ethnic conflict between these won cultures that have very different views on their roots. Prejudice, cultural identity issues and resentment towards Haitians is the reason why Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo massacred thousands of unarmed Haitians. This is whyRead MoreBlack in Latin America688 Words   |  3 PagesLatin America: Haiti and the dominican Republic 1) How did Haiti and the Dominican Republic begin? What European countries influenced the development of these nations? - Haiti and the Dominican Republic is an island with two countries of Hispaniola. Haiti makes up 1/3 of the island while the Dominican Republic makes up the rest of the 2/3 of the island. The Dominican Republic contains a mix blood of Afro-European population with the history of Spanish colonialism, while Haiti has African-caribbeanRead MoreChristopher Columbus And The New World1579 Words   |  7 Pagesfirst ceded the western third of the island (now Haiti) and later on the other two thirds (Dominican Republic). Haiti eventually had a revolution and became independent from the French, but because of the strong Spanish influence, Dominican Republic became independent from Haiti later on. Although the French were now in control of the whole island, the eastern two thirds still maintained a strong Spanish influence. Although Haiti and Dominican Republic are on the same island and one might think bothRead MoreBlack on Black Racism708 Words   |  3 PagesBlack on Black racism : The D ominican republic ethnic cleansing What is the difference between an Haitian and a Dominican? People usually respond to race-related discussion in various emotional ways that range from deep culpability and embarrassment to extreme pride and hatred toward another group. Recently several stories reported in national or international news seem to add more focus to the ongoing debate about racial discrimination between black and white. But my concern is how to deal

Planning For Professional Development Of Teachers

Planning for professional development of teachers Reem Alruyali HDL 692 The need for professional growth is constant in the Education field because teachers cannot live a lifetime on a specific set of knowledge, skills, and competencies with the open pressure and progress of knowledge that is available in this current day and age. This requires the teacher to keep informed at a level of renewed information, skills, and modern trends in teaching methods and techniques. Thus, education for teacher growth is an ongoing and continuous process. To be a teacher is to be a seeker of knowledge throughout one’s lifetime in the aspects of permanent learning and development and in technology revolution; not a teacher who is limited in knowledge and skills acquired in the institutions of the setup. In the future, I would like to work in the field of Education as a school leader that heads a group of teachers. As is the case were any leader is taking care of the members of his group, I established this plan, which aimed at developing the skills of teachers, and, therefore, will be focused on the usefulness of students and schools. The following research topics are considered of the best research in the professional development of teachers: 1. Professional Development Through Teacher Roles. Mukeredzi, T. (2013). Professional Development Through Teacher Roles: Conceptions of Professionally Unqualified Teachers in Rural South Africa and Zimbabwe. Journal Of Research In RuralShow MoreRelatedWhat Important Information Can You Learn From Them?933 Words   |  4 Pagesin your school? What important information can you learn from them? The two professional development designs that would be easy to implement at my school is Partnerships and Shadowing Students. The professional development design, partnerships is easy to implement at my school and has proven to be a great tool that teachers use to improve their own understanding and increase student learning in the classroom. When teachers partner with local businesses or scientists with the purpose of increasingRead MoreHow Can You Create Lessons that Foster Active, Intellectual Engagement of All Students?1018 Words   |  5 PagesA. Professional Development Need Professional development is needed in helping teachers plan lessons that foster active, intellectual engagement of all students. The essential question that will be answered during the professional development is: How can you create lessons that foster active, intellectual engagement of all students? A1. How Need Was Identified This professional development was identified by analyzing trends in the student data, as well as current trends in data collected fromRead MoreThe No Chiuld Left Behind Act Essay1636 Words   |  7 Pageslearning/content standards also required a change in our approach to instruction and assessment. This was the lever in my mind that this could help close the achievement gap. However this new initiative also brings uncertainty and apprehension for many teachers. When I began my first year as principal at Jean Parker in 2012-13 academic year, I realized that change might be challenging for many in not only adopting a new set of standards but also shifting their way of teaching. Many of the teaching staffRead MoreTeacher ´s Professional Development Essay examples1311 Words   |  6 PagesDuring my time on the PGDE Course both in University based learning, and more evidently during my Professional Practise placements, I have come to realise the significance of reflection within the teaching profession. Not only does reflecting on best practise benefit the children’s learning but also increases the teacher’s confidence and ability in making decisions and delivering lessons. ‘Reflective teaching is a great deal to do with facing such features of ourselves in a constructive and objectiveRead MoreTeaching Strategies For Teachers And Teachers753 Words   |  4 Pagesstrategies work in the classrooms come from teachers because they are daily working in them. The CCSS (Common Core Standards) was implemented as a guide for teachers what students need to be learning in school. It doesn’t show how teachers should teach in the classroom. The people that decide how to teach in the administration of schools and teachers. They decide what strategies will work best to help the students to learn better. Professional Development for teachers are very important to discuss and collaborateRead MoreTechnology And Its Impact On The Classroom1601 Words   |  7 Pagesoverall achievement for all types of student learners. The Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET) found that, when used in collaborative learning methods and leadership that is aimed at improving the school through technology planning, technology impacts achievement in content area learning, promotes higher-order thinking and problem solving skills, and prepares students for the workforce. Technology integration depends on the kinds of technology available and how much accessRead MoreInstructional Planning For Learner Development Essay1313 Words   |  6 PagesNevertheless, students’ success requires collaborative efforts between teachers, parents, and students. Moreover, for educators to effective perform the teaching duty they need to be familiar with the Program Learning Outcome (PLO) and use them daily with the classroom environment. PLO 1 Instructional Planning for Learner Development Instructional Planning for Learner Development constitute the primary (PLO). This skill requires teachers to â€Å"design appropriate and challenging learning experiences informedRead MoreSchool Improvement Plan Analysis : School Plan1476 Words   |  6 Pagesfamilies from 20 different cities in the Pierce and King Counties. Over 98% of graduates pursue higher education beyond high school. S Christian Schools currently has 72 employees on staff including a faculty of 1 Superintendent, 4 Administrators and 39 teachers. 64% of the teaching and administrative staff hold Masters degrees and two hold a Doctorate degree. Over 80% of the SCS staff hold valid ACSI certificates. Process S Christian does not have a â€Å"School Improvement Plan† (SIP). Rather, it has aRead MoreSpecial Education And Special Education Teachers1160 Words   |  5 Pages Everyday teachers are constantly collaborating with other teachers, school officials, and staff to ensure success for each individual student. Collaborative teaching is successful way to teach and it has many benefits for the student. Special education teachers collaborate with general education teachers, school administrators parents and guardians, and school psychologist. Normally today in most schools, teachers work isolated which means it is one teacher to a classroom. Students with specialRead MoreProfessional Development Of The Volusia County School Essay967 Words   |  4 PagesRunning Head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPLORATION 1 Professional Development Exploration Timothy Steele Daytona State College Author’s Note: This paper was prepared 9/7/16 for EDG4323 Taught by Dr. Betty Nielsen Green PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPLORATION 2 Abstract This paper explores the Professional Development System of the Volusia County School Districts

Similarities and Differences Between English Bill of...

Similarities and differences between English bill of rights and the declaration rights of man and citizen Bryan. W Mr. Roberts The English bill of rights and the declaration rights of man and citizen are two of the most influential documents ever written between 1600-1800; those documents greatly affect the rights and freedom that everyone was born with today, it also greatly affects the US constitution about how they govern their country how they think about government. The two documents have many similarities and differences; those two documents were both created because of a similar reason. The kings that were ruling before those documents were created were both corrupted with power; the kings didn’t listen to the people and in the†¦show more content†¦(Blue) Although James had a much bigger army than William’s, lots of soldiers betrayed James and joined the other side; scared that they will kill him; he fled to France. (Harris) It was after the battle that they called it the glorious revolution, it was called glorious because in which religious and political problems were solved wi thout bloodshed. February 2nd 1689 William and Mary were crowned as the first ruler where two people equally share the power. (Stuart) That year the English Bills of Rights were written which basically limited the power of the monarchs and that there are limits to what the King or Queen can do. William and Mary humbly accepted the document and signed, a new type of government also rose in which the people could choose who ruled their kingdom, and it was called a democratic government. (Stuart) King Louis XVI controlled France during 1754-1793; the population was unevenly divided; the 3rd estate makes up about 97% of the entire population. The 3rd estate was very poor, they rarely could pay of rent or even pay for their food. Due to the huge debt king Lois owes from joining a war to help the Americans hoping avenge his grandfather’s losses to Britain he raised taxes.(Roberts) It made the people more angry; winter also came and created a drought which raised the cost of food. The majority of peopleShow MoreRelatedBill of Rights Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen Essay1289 Words   |  6 Pages The Bill of Rights and Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen are based on the same principles of natural rights; therefore each document is similar in protecting the peoples natural rights. However, despite their similarities, their differences are apparent due to the social situations in which they were adopted. The Bill of Rights stood to protect the freedoms of each individual by establishing a democratic government. The French Revolution eliminated the hierarchy of class and establishedRead MoreImpact Of The Enlightenment On Modern Political Thought1841 Words   |  8 PagesDavid Wolkoff English 9CP/Western Civ. Mrs. Orens/Mr. Reiss April 1, 2016 The Impact of the Enlightenment on Modern Political Thought The philosopher John Locke once said, â€Å"[g]overnment has no other end, but the preservation of property† (â€Å"John Locke†).   The social contract is the fundamental basis for modern government.   This idea affects everything we believe a modern state should represent for itself and its people.   This way of understanding the role of government was inspired by the writingsRead MoreDeclaration of Independence9744 Words   |  39 PagesArtistry of the Declaration of Independence by Stephen E. Lucas The Declaration of Independence is perhaps the most masterfully written state paper of Western civilization. As Moses Coit Tyler noted almost a century ago, no assessment of it can be complete without taking into account its extraordinary merits as a work of political prose style. Although many scholars have recognized those merits, there are surprisingly few sustained studies of the stylistic artistry of the Declaration.(1) This essayRead More Navajo Tribe Issues Essay2322 Words   |  10 Pagesof all the livestock was exterminated in what was called ‘The Navajo Livestock Reduction’. This was a low blow to the Navajos, culturally and economically. The government then started to try to mainstream the Navajo tribe by placing children in English speaking schools and teaching Christianity. In World War II, the government stopped aiding the Navajos because they lived in a ‘communal’ society. The people of the Navajo nation suffered in hunger for many years unt il the war was over and they onceRead MoreNavajo Indian Nation- Past, Present and Future2515 Words   |  11 Pagesof all the livestock was exterminated in what was called ‘The Navajo Livestock Reduction’. This was a low blow to the Navajos, culturally and economically. The government then started to try to mainstream the Navajo tribe by placing children in English speaking schools and teaching Christianity. In World War II, the government stopped aiding the Navajos because they lived in a ‘communal’ society. The people of the Navajo nation suffered in hunger for many years until the war was over and they onceRead MoreEssays for the American Pageant, 14th Ed.11068 Words   |  45 PagesAmericans, the Spanish and English empires in America had more similarities than differences. Assess the validity of this generalization. Response Strategy It is important to develop a clear thesis on the validity of the statement at the outset of the essay. A good essay could be developed on either side of the issue or in support of a middle-of –the-road position. Supporting paragraphs should be developed to build the position chosen. Both the Spanish and the English treated the Native AmericansRead MoreFounding Brothers9626 Words   |  39 Pageskept to their best behaviors, and in a way were performing for those who live after them to look back on them. They were actors in a (to them) future soap-opera. The novel will be chronological with one exception. The first story about the duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton is first for its fascinating story, and the fact that it is the only exception to the rest of the revolution (the exception that proves the rule). It is the only time when violence and death were the resorts, insteadRead MoreLiberal Perspective of a State7979 Words   |  32 Pagesthe importance of liberty and equal rights and so, the main theme of liberalism throughout the period of its development was that the purpose of state is the promotion and protection of human freedom and equality and ensuring of human happiness. Liberalism meant the removal of traditional distinctions that were imposed on people. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of the principles of liberty and equal rights, but most liberals support such fundamentalRead MoreAn Introduction to Intercultural Communication29172 Words   |  117 Pagesgrounds it is vital for them to fully understand the cultural differences that exist so as to prevent damaging business relations due to intercultural communication gaps. There are many theories that set principles to help interpret the basis of intercultural communication. These theories help to iron out possible ripples of misunderstanding by giving a basic guideline on how to address situations. These guidelines help prevent clashes between different cultures groups caused by misperceptions. Read MoreLong Fuse Notes Essay7198 Words   |  29 Pagestopics. The introduction outlines the sources of the conflict that later was known as the Great War. All of the events: hostilities between the great powers, competition for the sea, and expansionism: were what has led to that conflict. But Lafore also argues that no cause can be singled out as the most important, because they all contributed to the relations between European countries before 1914. Main People Luigi Albertini: an Italian journalist and politician, who studied the causes of World

Mark Twain- American Author - 664 Words

Some of the most riveting books in not just American literature but in all of history, was written by this famous author. Twain, an American writer, is one of the major authors of American fiction. Also, he is considered the greatest humorist in American literature (Alan Gribben, np). Mark Twain was influenced by the society’s conditions he lived in, hence the incorporation of much of it in his writing. Growing up in the 1870s, Twain’s society was much different than growing up now. He grew up during the outbreak of the civil war and he lived during the time of major cynical political corruption that began in the late 1860s all the way to 1900. He was also raised during a time where slave-holding was acceptable, and encouraged. Under his father’s influence, he was told that slavery was justified through biblical principles. The majority of people in Hannibal, where Twain grew up, thought this and was the reason why everyone was proslavery. â€Å"The local pulpit taught us that God approved it, that it was a holy thing and that the doubter need only look in the Bible if he wished to settle his mind and then the texts were read aloud to us to make the matter sure; if the slaves themselves had an aversion to slavery, they were wise and said nothing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Twain 212 ) This quote portrayed how the people Twain grew up with encouraged slavery because it was accepted by God. However, even though Twain grew up in this condition he was never a supporter of slavery or racism. This pointShow MoreRelatedSamuel Longhorn Clemens, Mark Twain875 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"I am not an American, I am the American† (Duncan and Ward). Quoting his friend Frank Fuller, Twain boldly declares himself the embodiment of American living, and in all honesty, with some right to do so. Twain was born in 1835 to parents John and Jane Clemens under Halley’s Comet in Florida, Missouri and later moved to Hannibal. He would later die under the same comet 75 years later in 1910. He traveled along the American South and Midwest writing as he went, originally moving west with his brotherRead MoreEssay on Twain is His Name, Even if He Was Born Samuel L. Clemens523 Words   |  3 PagesMany people have heard of Mark Twain, but his real name is Samuel L. Clemens. He is one of the most influential authors in writing, and he is the guy with the white suit and a cigar (Brown, Don). His career has inspired many to become authors, but he faced many challenges in his older years, which affected his ideal of becoming wealthy. Nevertheless, he has had an impact on American Literature, securing him a spot in the History Hall of Fame. Mark Twain had a typical childhood for his time, butRead MoreEssay about Mark Twain1654 Words   |  7 PagesMark Twain Mark Twain is believed to be the father of all American literature. Twain was known for writing about issues of his time such as slavery, due to his style of honesty and truth he was known as one of the very first modernist writers. Mark Twain had many inspirations that motivated him to write his novels. The inspirations varied from events that he witnessed and experienced, people he met in his lifetime, other stories he read or heard about, and his environment. The writer knownRead MoreAnalysis Of Mark Twain s Works Made A Huge Impact On Readers And Literary Critics1288 Words   |  6 Pages2/26/17 P:2 Outline Mark Twain’s works made a huge impact on readers and literary critics. His writing occurred during both the romantic and realist time eras in American Literature. He has simple, seemingly artless narrators and an understated style leads readers to arrive at the social commentary of his narratives on their own. Mark Twain’s writing influenced society because he created a new perspective on life with the views pointed out in his books. The distinctive trait of Twain s was his senseRead MoreMark Twain s The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn And The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer1654 Words   |  7 Pagesperson who stands as a symbolic representative, as a mortal embodiment of a widely known field or characteristic- there are icons for nearly every conceivable concept in the known universe. In American literature, Mark Twain claims the title. He is a paragon of the ideals that are ascribed to what a(n) (American) writer should be; his humor, his fluid and flexible writing, his ability to portray emotion and passion via ink on dead slices of trees is a mirror image of the- alleged- freedom that AmericaRead MoreLife and Works of Mark Twain Essay1634 Words   |  7 Pagesand Works of Mark Twain Introduction Mark Twain is considered as one of the most renowned authors of his time. He attained worldwide success, very early in his professional career. Twain was mostly known for writing realistic novels, in which the language and the mindset of the people reflected the traditions and values of their environment. As he spent ample time near the Mississippi River, the symbolism of the river and its significance is reflected in his books. Overall, Mark Twain was a celebratedRead MoreAnalysis Of Mark Twain s The Tale Of Adventures Of Huckleberry Fin 1468 Words   |  6 PagesII Honors November, 19th 2014 Mark Twain Mark Twain was a boy from missouri who rose to become one of america’s most iconic novelists. Twain stood out in his era by using his realistic writing style and mixing with his experience as a boy growing up in missouri, Twain wrote classics no other would dare write about at this time. Twain stepped out of societies bubble and wrote the tale of Adventures of Huckleberry Fin. Through is writing, Twain was open about the horrors of slavery andRead More Mark Twain Essay1449 Words   |  6 Pages Mark Twain was a pilot, a comic lecturer, a humorist, a short story writer, and a novelist, to name a few of his many accomplishments. On November 30, 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens, otherwise known as Mark Twain, became the first man of any importance ever to be born west of the Mississippi River. He has become an icon as the American writer. This is because his way of writing cannot be simulated by Europeans or anyone else, due to the fact that the western setting of America creates aRead MoreLiterary Legends: Edgar Allan Poe and Mark Twain777 Words   |  4 PagesEdgar Allan Poe along with Mark Twain are two of the most influential authors that our world has ever seen. Their descriptiveness and diction has had a huge impact on their readers for centuries. Poe’s gothic style of writing was very enthralling and suspenseful; it left you wanting to know what was going to happen next. Whereas, Mark Twain was a very humorous author that intended to amuse all that read. The descriptiveness that was incorporated by these world-renown authors is tremendous. Edgar AllanRead MoreMark Twains Influence on American Literature Essay examples1208 Words   |  5 Pagespseudonym Mark Twain, has been central to American literature for over a century. His seemingly effortless diction accurately exemplified America’s southern culture. From his early experiences in journalism to his most famous fictional works, Twain has remained relevant to American writing as well as pop culture. His iconic works are timeless and have given inspiration the youth of America for decades. He distanced himself from formal writing and became one of the most celebrated humorists. Mark Twain’s

Improperly Redefining “Beautiful” Social Media’s...

Emily Muhlberg ENGL 112 Dr. Delony March 4, 2014 Improperly Redefining â€Å"Beautiful†: Social Media’s Profound Effect on Body Image The effects that social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have on their viewers are widely varied, but in my opinion the most impactful message that viewers take away from their social media use is the proposed definition of what is â€Å"beautiful†. People are highly moldable beings who soak up what they are surrounded by, so it makes sense that a message implying that they can â€Å"improve† themselves by losing weight, applying makeup, or focusing more on what they wear would have such a direct impact on the way they view themselves as a whole. Studies have shown that frequent users of social†¦show more content†¦A young girl may follow a celebrity on Instagram and see pictures posted that have been taken by a professional photographer that only a celebrity could have access to, and suddenly the young viewer may feel that her own self-taken photos are inadequate. Social media has now made it more likely that she will pick apart her appea rance and want to look more like the celebrity does. This is an unattainable goal, and when this fact is realized the viewer may feel discouraged about how she looks and turn to extreme measures, such as an eating disorder, to try to approach the unattainable as much as possible. As much as people would want to believe differently, in our society â€Å"thin† is synonymous with â€Å"beautiful† and â€Å"successful† and this underlying truth pushes many social media â€Å"thinspiration† sites to mass readership. A final contribution that social media use makes to the viewer is the furthering of the belief that how they look determines what they are worth. According to a report published by three professors at The Pennsylvania State University, â€Å"individuals who spend more time on Facebook may be more oriented toward their appearance and have less positive views of their appearance† (Rutledge et al, 2). This finding demonstrates that many individuals in society today have, either consciously or unconsciously, fallen victim to the common practice of allowing a website to determine the value that they place on themselves. Those who place less value

Self Managed Teams free essay sample

Self Managed Teams Introduction Self-managed teams (SMTs) are relatively small groups of employees given substantial responsibility for planning organizing, scheduling and production of work products or service. SMTs however are more than just another way of directing groups. The concept, according to John Simmons, involves nothing less than, the complete restructuring of the jobs that people does. Thus, Self-managed work teams are groups of employees tasked with monitoring and reviewing a product or process in a firm and coming up with solutions to problems they encounter. Self-organized semi-autonomous small group whose members determine, plan, and manage their day-to-day activities and duties (in addition to providing other supportive functions such as production scheduling, quality assurance, and performance appraisal) under reduced or no supervision. Also called self directed team, self-managed natural work team, or self managed team. Self managed teams are workers who have been organized into teams on the basis of relatively complete task functions. They make decisions on a wide range of issues, often including such traditional management prerogatives as: * Who will work on which machines or work operations * How to address inter-personal difficulties within the group * How to resolve quality problems, and so forth. Also, these teams usually consist of five to fifteen employees, who: * Produce an entire product instead of sub-units * Learn all tasks and rotate from job to job * Take over vacation scheduling, order materials etc. Such groups are self-regulating and work without direct supervision. Normally, a manager acts as the team leader and is responsible for defining the goals, methods, and functioning of the team. However, interdependencies and conflicts between different parts of an organization may not be best addressed by hierarchical models of control. Self-managed teams use clear boundaries to create the freedom and responsibility to accomplish tasks in an efficient manner. The main idea of the self-managed team is that the leader does not operate with positional authority. In a traditional management role, the manager is responsible for providing instruction, onducting communication, developing plans, giving orders, and disciplining and rewarding employees, and making decisions by virtue of his or her position. In this organizational model, the manager delegates specific responsibility and decision-making authority to the team itself, in the hope that the group will make better decisions than any individual. Neither a manager nor the team leaders make independent d ecisions in the delegated responsibility area. Decisions are typically made by consensus in successful self-managed teams, by voting in very large or formal teams, and by hectoring and bullying in unsuccessful teams. The team as a whole is accountable for the outcome of its decisions and actions. Self-managed teams operate in many organizations to manage complex projects involving research, design, process improvement, and even systemic issue resolution, particularly for cross-department projects involving people of similar seniority levels. While the internal leadership style in a self-managed team is distinct from traditional leadership and operates to neutralize the issues often associated with traditional leadership models, a self-managed team still needs support from senior management to operate well. Self-managed teams may be interdependent or independent. Of course, merely calling a group of people a self-managed team does not make them either a team or self-managed. As a self-managed team develops successfully, more and more areas of responsibility can be delegated, and the team members can come to rely on each other in a meaningful way Objective: The objectives of using SMTs are to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of specific tasks. This approach achieves these objectives by having SMT team members look beyond their individual task concerns, to the needs of specific groups and the entire organization. Benefits and uses of SMTs: †¢ Reduced absenteeism †¢ Increased productivity †¢ Increased employee satisfaction, morale cohesiveness †¢ Multi-skilled workforce benefit †¢ Greater level of personal responsibility to the companys targets †¢ Unique flexibility in job functions †¢ 100% of team members all pulling to a common goal †¢ A significant reduction in day-to-day problems †¢ Awards for achievement are shared equally The most beneficial aspects of self-managed teams are that they are management innovations that are based on an accurate understanding of human nature and motivation. They eliminate bureaucratic/pyramidal values and replace them with humanistic/democratic value systems. They provide a work climate in which everyone has a chance to grow and mature as individuals, as members of a team by satisfying their own needs, while working for the success of the organization. â€Å"Self managed teams are closely associated with the concept of employee empowerment which entails the employee to have the requisite authority and resources required by him to carry out his responsibilities. Roadblocks and risks of SMTs Three major SMT roadblocks and risks are listed: 1. The difficulty of rescinding the system, once it is established and experienced by the worker. 2. Varying levels and degrees of resistance by various elements in the organization. 3. Undue peer pressure and its consequences. How Self managed teams differ from Normal Work Team or group A self managed team differs from a normal work team or group in one essential way that the processes or the means to achieve the team goal are designed and decided by the team itself. Given the stiff competition at the global level, all organizations have been forced to focus on developing their human capital. Difference between Self directed team and Self managed teams Work Group A group of people working together Team A group of people working together toward a common goal Self-Managed Team A group of people working together in their own ways toward a common goal which is defined outside the team (Example James River Corporation’s Kendallville Plant ALPHA team. They manufacture cardboard b oxes as defined by executive leadership. Team does their own work scheduling, training, rewards and recognition, etc. Self-Directed Team A group of people working together in their own ways toward a common goal which the team defines (as above, but team also handles compensation, discipline, and acts as a profit center by defining its own future) Before anyone would try to implement something as aggressive as a self-managed (and subsequently self-directed) team, they should know and be able to articulate the expected benefits. A mature self-managed team, when compared to typical hierarchical management, would have measured results showing: How to Manage a Self-Directed Team Self-directed teams are quietly but effectively altering the landscape of corporate business management. Top level managers are finding that self-directed teams are 30 to 50 percent more productive than traditionally structured teams. Step 1 Keep the focus on the whole process. To manage a self-directed team its important to redirect focus on the series of individual steps, as in the Taylor model, to the entirety of the process. By focusing on the entire process, each member of the team is constantly aware of how they and the other members are contributing on a daily basis to accomplish the overall task. Step 2 Gradually transfer management skills and roles. Part of your job as a manager of a self-directed team is to transfer your skills and roles as a manager to the team. The team as a whole needs to receive managerial training. As they do so, the team must decide as a group on how to delegate and divide different roles. You need to manage this process to make sure that it runs smoothly. Step 3 Meet regularly. As a manager of self-directed team you need to reconsider your own role. Its important for you to think of yourself more as a floating member of that team, or as a team consultant, rather than as a supervisor or a manager. If there is anything that you are still supervising it is the implementation of the teams goals in terms of the companys overall mission and vision. Step 4 Give the team an opportunity to correct itself. In cases where a team is under-performing or making errors, you need to manage the situation by bringing the problem to the teams attention and soliciting possible action plans from the team to correct the problem. If the problems persist you should try to re-frame the teams focus or mission. Only as a last resort should you change the membership of the self-directed team. My Learning: Not all groups are teams Some people also use the word team when they mean employees. A sales team is a common example of this loose or perhaps euphemistic usage, though interdependencies exist in organization, and a sales team can be let down by poor performance on other parts of the organization upon which sales depend, like delivery, after-sales service, etc.. However sales staff is a more precise description of the typical arrangement. From Groups to Teams Groups develop into teams in four stages. The four stages are: dependency and inclusion, counter dependency and fighting, trust and structure, and work. In the first stage, group development is characterized by members dependency on the designated leader. In the second stage, the group seeks to free itself from its dependence on the leader and groups have conflicts about goals and procedures. In the third stage, the group manages to work through the conflicts. And in the last stage, groups focus on team productivity Recommendations and Suggestions: 1. To create a team, a demand for performance is more important than team-building exercises. You can get a group together and train them in teamwork for weeks but they won’t be a team until they have a common understanding of the need to perform. First comes the strategic plan, then the tasks needed to carry out the plan, finally, teams are formed to do the tasks. 2. Team basics are often overlooked. Team basics are: size, purpose, goals, skills, approach, and accountability. 3. Teams at the top are the most difficult. Executives have complex, long-term challenges, heavy demands on their time. 4. There’s no need to throw out the hierarchy. Teams are the best way to integrate across structural boundaries. They are the best way to design and energize core processes. 5. Teams permit performance and learning at the same time.