Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Natural Environment and the Urban Centres Essay

Natural Environment and the Urban Centres - Essay Example Sao Paulo was not a highly developed and industrialised city with a population of 65,000 in 1890 compared to Rio de Janiero of almost half a million. With the development of manufacturing enterprise in Sao Paulo, the population increased by 240, 000 in 1900s because of immigration. Sao Paulo constantly evolves into a productive city, which becomes the centre of manufacturing business that is the source of Brazil’s total industrial product. The Metropolitan of Sao Paulo has population of 16.4 million that implies of the need to extend the area from the centre, which accounts for 8,051 km (Cohen, 2006, p.38). Thus, as the population grows, the there is the larger need for space or area to accommodate residents. Cohen (2006) indicates that adjacent to the development is the transformation of the physical and social structure of a city. The attraction of huge investments to construct airports, manufacturing plants, and wide office space transferred to ‘urban fringe.’ The urban centre of Sao Paulo became the command area that dispersed in the regional or global operation, for example, telecommunications, law office, banking, information services, and management.Due to the development in Sao Paulo, it faces many environmental and ecological concerns such as sanitation, traffic congestion, and pollution. These signs are the effects of urban sprawl.   Pohanka (2004, p.242) defines urban sprawl as the ratio of agricultural lands converted to residential areas to shelter the growing population.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Holistic and Comparing Is the Methods of Assessments Essay Example for Free

Holistic and Comparing Is the Methods of Assessments Essay Write a statement explaining how you plan assessment with learners including planning for holistic assessments and comparing assessment methods and adapting methods to meet individual needs As assessment or evaluation is a method of judging the performance of an individual learner, therefore a written record of targets should be written out so that a learner knows what is expected of them and by when it should be achieved. The assessment method should allow the opportunity for reflection as each area of development is completed. It is a valuable source of information which can be used to help learners take control of their learning. When I first go out to visit a learner within the care sector I first establish if they know what their course entails any previous learning they already have. A discussion on their job role is also import at this time. I then get the learner to participate in a learning styles diagnostic in order to establish how they learn best, so that when it comes to providing help and support within their qualification, I can ensure that I provide the information in a manner which best suits their learning needs. I would also get them to take a maths and English diagnostic if they need to do the key skills or functional skills part of the framework. By doing this I can again find out areas which need further development and areas which they are competent in. The information I have gathered here I would place onto their annex A ILP, stating how I would best support them with their learning, i.e.:- booklets or discussions on problem topics. My next step would then be to carry out a skill scan with them to find out which parts of the Diploma framework they participate in and how confident they are in carrying them out. By doing this we can ascertain what areas of the NVQ would be suited to a particular learner. This information would again be added to the learners Annex A ILP By placing all of this information onto the Annex A ILP I can then look at the best way of going about assessing for each criteria taking into account learners individual needs using the best assessment methods for each of the learners i.e.:- *Test *Observation *Past experiences *Knowledge evidence *Question and answers *Witness Testimony It is import to clarify with the learner a safe and valid process of assessment which both assessor and learner are happy with and ensures that it is a suitable method for providing the required evidence needed to hit the required target. By ensuring that a holistic approach to assessment takes place in the planning and collecting of evidence, we can ensure that a wider scope of the frame work can be covered. For example if I go into a care home to observe a personal care activity I may also find that other areas are also covered such as communication moving and handling etc. The assessment method is about assessing whether or not the learner is competent within their field of work, assessing them against the framework set out within the NVQ framework. This can be achieved through using arrange of assessment methods *Test *Observation *Past experiences *Knowledge evidence *Question and answers *Witness Testimony With the range and flexibility of assessment methods available to a learner it has the advantage of allowing assessments to be individualised to the needs of individual learners. It also allows assessment to be carried out in a way that is highly individualised to the needs of the candidate, assessor and the area of work being assessed.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Political Allegory In The Book Animal Farm :: Animal Farm Essays

Political Allegory In The Book Animal Farm "Ideas play a part in any revolution, conflicting ideas is main reason why Revolutions happens. " This is the platform that George Orwell used in his book " Animal Farm". The political allegory in the story is mocking the Revolution that changed "Russia" into the "USSR". This was the workings of Karl Marx. Marx was known for being politically inspired by one idea. Marx wanted it to be that one class, the working class, and against another class, the rich or higher class. The Revolution was started by men who believed with Karl Marx's theory that the history of the world was the history of a struggle between classes between oppressors and oppressed. This happened in the book "Animal Farm by George Orwell" Orwell uses this example to base his book on. He makes the characters personify the major players in the Russian Revolution. Orwell uses this to form a well written piece of literature. In "Animal Farm" The Democratic society led by Mr. Jones the original leader of Manor Farm was overthrown by a policy called Animalism. Animalism was a theory concocted by the Old Major a Pig. In "Animal Farm" the pigs were personified as the smartest and the best among animals. The Pigs take control of the farm. The two major idealists Snowball and Napoleon have conflicting ideas. These ideas break snowball away from the rest of the group and make him leave Animal Farm. This lets Napoleon have total control. They set up a set of rules called the seven commandments. In the beginning everyone followed these rules such as no animal may kill another animal, no animal is better than another animal. This makes the leader Napoleon want to break the rules so he makes him and his fellow pigs more special, eating all the good food, wearing clothes, living in the farmhouse, and not working. As for the other animals big or small get the same rations of food, are not allowed to wear clothes, had to live in the barn, and were overworked. Marx, like other socialist thinkers of the 19th century, denounced the cruel injustices of industrial capitalist society as he saw it. He had a vision of ending "the exploitation of man by man" and establishing a classless society, in which all people would be equal. The only means to this end, he thought, was a revolution of the exploited (the proletariat) against the exploiters (the bourgeoisie), so that workers would own the means of production, such as the factories and machinery. This revolution would set up a

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Beware of the Long Load Time Problem when You Buy a Website Essays

Buying a Website? Beware of the Long Load Time Problem Numerous studies have show that, while most web designers use fast internet connections, the majority of their audience still use comparatively slower connections. Because of this, many designers create web pages that may load quickly enough on their own computers, but take excessively long to load on their audiences' computers. Many web designers have not dealt with this issue on their websites, resulting in the loss of a valuable audience, even though numerous ways of dealing with the long load time problem exist. The largest cause of long page load times is the graphical content of the webpage. While text generally does not take too long to load over most connections, images can adversely affect even the fastest connection speeds when used incorrectly. Because websites use images more than almost any other media, this problem affects web designing decisions for practically every website created. Many web designers use large, full-quality graphics on their websites, which often take up much of the page. These images, while very attractive, do not justify the long time they require to load. In addition, many designers use full screen graphical interfaces for their sites. Even when text is the main component of these pages, the graphical interface slows the load time to a crawl. This forces viewers interested only in the text to wait unjustifiably long for the graphical interface to load first. For websites created for image viewing, there are often numerous, large, high-quality images placed on a single page in a giant column. Even if a viewer wants to observe just one of these images, they must wait for the other unwanted images to load as well. All of these problems caus... ...o a different page. Many thumbnails can be placed on a single page, and their small size and high compression do not lengthen load times significantly. A thumbnail also gives viewers a preview of what the larger, full-quality image will look like if they click on a thumbnail, allowing them to decide beforehand if it is worth their time. In summary, too many webpage designers are misusing images in ways that cause websites to load far too slowly. They should instead take advantage the many solutions available for solving this problem when designing and implementing their sites. By not doing so, designers frustrate viewers and lose a valuable audience. Utilizing techniques for decreasing webpage load time will help web designers to expand their audiences and viewers to enjoy websites more fully, proving beneficial to those on both sides of the long load time problem.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Marketing Plan Dutch Lady Milk Industries Essay

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (â€Å"DLMI†) is a leader in the quality branded dairy business in Malaysia. It was incorporated in 1963, and was the first milk company in Malaysia to be listed on Bursa Malaysia, the local Stock Exchange in 1968. Its holding company is Royal FrieslandCampina, a Dutch multinational corporation and one of the largest milk companies in the world. Permodalan Nasional Berhad is the second largest shareholder in the Company. Corporate Vision: To spread the goodness of milk to everyone. Corporate Mission: To create value for our owners, in short and long term, by means of profitable dairy activities. To develop, produce and market a broad range of reliable, natural and nutritious dairy products that contribute to well-being and vitality of life. To recognize that know-how, quality, dedication and leadership of our employees are the most crucial assets to achieve our targets. For generations, Dutch Lady Milk Industries principal business is to supply quality dairy and infant nutrition products to the nation. Today Dutch Lady ranks among the top three dairy producers in Malaysia. Generations of Malaysians have grown up on Dutch Lady dairy products. While Dutch Lady first established itself as a manufacturer of sweetened condensed milk, Dutch Lady Milk Industries’ extensive product range now spans from infant formula and growing up milk to fruit juice and yoghurt snacks. Every product innovation that rapidly develops infant and child formula range is backed by extensive research both locally and internationally. DLMI is the largest purchaser of local fresh milk from the Veterinary Services Department. It also supports local industries by using a substantial amount of local ingredients such as palm oil and sugar in its products. The quality of the Company’s products is paramount. Quality Control and Quality Assurance are prime considerations. In line with this, the Company has continually been accredited with ISO 9001 certification since 1995. Strong emphasis is also placed on food safety with the implementation of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) System to cover all its plants. Since it commenced manufacturing in 1963, DLMI has steadily expanded its operations in Malaysia. Its chilled plant is one of  the most modern in South East Asia. SECTION 2.0 BUSINESS OVERVIEW Figure 1 Total market for Chilled Business [2] Source: DLMI (2009) As shown in Figure 1, the total chilled (total of eating yoghurt, yoghurt drink and cultured milk) market is consistently growing but at a very slow rate. Therefore, Dutch Lady is hoping to play a role in growing this niche market where most players neglect. From a recent study done by a third party, consumers nowadays are vey health conscious and are ready to take up anything that could help benefit their health. This is especially helpful with the females growing interest in getting slim through exercise or daily intake of nutritious yoghurt. Figure 2 Chilled Business Volume Percentage Share by Players [3] Source: ACNielsen Malaysia (2009) DLMI is currently at third position in terms of percentage volume share for chilled business in comparison to M’sia Milk, the market leader and Nestle at second. This is due to DLMI’s limited chilled product line. M’Sia Milk, though only provides Fresh and Low Fat Milk, their best seller are the 2 Litres package size and therefore, in terms of volume and value they are still the market leader. Nestle on the other hand offers a wider chilled product line by offering yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and cultured milk. These are the plausible reasons for DLMI inability to capture a larger market size because it neither produces 2 Litre package size milk not does it offers cultured milk as part of its chilled product line. Currently, the market is desperate for some product excitement and flavours. This could provide DLMI the opportunity to capture the market through target groups and segmentation of the market which will be discussed later in the other sections. Moreover, by collecting enough information of the potential areas, DLMI could use the marketing mix to help boost their sales and have a larger consumer base for the chilled market. In order to gel all these ideas into possible actions, the author would like to propose a bold move into introducing the ‘Tropicana’ flavor for all range and pack size for both yoghurt and drinking yoghurt. This Tropicana flavor will definitely draw attention and create a new group of consumers. Plus no other competitor products have come out with such thrilling flavor, therefore these would definitely appeal to those whom  are bored of the old traditional flavours and are looking for new range of stimulation for their taste buds. SECTION 3.0 TARGET MARKET Figure 3 Sales Review for Chilled Product by Chain [4] Source: BW (2009) As depict in Figure 3, Giant chain supermarket is the one with the highest sales value growth for chilled business and Tesco at second place. Hence, DLMI could target the consumers from both these chains as the trend that can be seen here is that consumers prefer to purchase chilled products at chain supermarkets with warehouse concept. Giant and Tesco are typically a supermarket that builds on purchasing at bulk to keep the selling price as low as possible to attract consumers that are looking for supplies at below average market price. Consumers that purchase at Tesco and Giant are generally from the middle income group and form the Malay ethnic group as the main followed by Chinese ethnic as shown in Figure 4. For that reason, we could factor in these as part of the target group for the new ‘Tropicana’ flavor. Figure 4 Sales Review for Chilled Product by Chain [5] Source: Dunnhumby (2009) Presently, DLMI demarcation of area is by Central (Seremban, Pahang, Klang, Kajang, Petaling Jaya); East Coast (Kota Bahru, Kuantan); North (Perak, Penang, Kedah, Perlis); South (Melaka, Batu Pahat, Johor Bahru); Sabah and Sarawak. And as shown in Figure 5, the AMS for Central seems to be the most promising area of development followed by South and then North. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that consumers at more developed areas are more particular towards living a healthy lifestyle. Figure 5 Average Monthly Sales of Chilled Business by Area [6] Source: BW (2009) Therefore, the target market that DLMI is looking at to grow their chilled market share is through three different target groups: Middle income group which frequent hypermarkets or supermarkets at central, south and north region with basket size of about RM35 to RM40 per visit; Teenagers age 35 and below whom are at the launch of their career and tends to emphazise slimming and natural beauty; Adults age 35 and above whom are more health concious towards living a longer healthy life. Since yoghurts and yoghurt  drinks are classified as convenience products as it is bought frequently and immediately at reasonably low price with many point of sales, it is therefore considered a potential market which DLMI would like to nurture in hope that they could construct a loyal customer base as a platform for future consumers while at the same time educating these consumers about the importance of eating and staying healthy. The ‘Tropicana’ flavour would be able to cater to these group of health concious consumers because it is rich in nutrients from all the mix tropical fruits. SECTION 4.0 LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM GOALS SHORT TERM Chilled products are very dependent on promotions, therefore for the short term goal, DLMI hope to successfully execute all promotions planned throughout the year as depicted in Table 2. The selections of the promotion are during festive seasons where consumers are more likely to spend more. The author is hoping to be a trend setter using these promotion plans by encouraging consumers to purchase more yoghurt drinks and yoghurt as a festive item instead of just a convenience product. That is the very reason why most of the promotions for the chilled products are conducted during festive seasons and national fairs. Table 2 Promotion Plan for Chilled Products [7] Source: DLMI (2009) LONG TERM In the long term however, DLMI is hoping to be able to strengthen the position further if the initial establishment succeed. These are the few long term actions that DLMI could consider: Focus on key outlets with key SKUs; Listing of only the top flavours; Operation support from chain supermarket to build business further; Conduct cross promo with any value added product; Secure additional space for greater visibility; Implementation of segmentation according to agreed planogram; Implement trade schemes to drive distribution; Mount activities to convert competitor users; Promotional activities to reward loyal users; Induce trial through giving out free sample pack size. These long term plan are also meant to be continuously conducted throughout each year to secure the share of business in the chilled market. SECTION 5.0 MARKETING STRATEGIES Figure 6 Marketing Above The Line 360 º Activation [8] Source: DLMI (2009) DLMI 360 º activation plan is one form of marketing strategy to create brand awareness and ideally brand preference among existing consumers and possibly new users who will prefer a new sort of exciting taste. The awareness campaign will touch on all forms of media from online advertising to advertising on the shelf itself to news and ads. ADVERTISING DLMI will roll out a coordinated advertising campaign to emphasize the following points: Dutch Lady yoghurt is getting better, with a new and refurbished new ‘Tropical’ flavor. DLMI could consider using print and broadcast ads in women-oriented mediums several weeks before the new introduction of products to inform people of how healthy is Dutch Lady’s yoghurt and changing to meet their needs. Billboards, television, radio, and display signs will be primary vehicles for this. About two weeks before introduction, our ads will change from stressing our company image to stressing product line imaging. DLMI will also run specific ads the ‘Tropical’ flavor product stressing its benefits to the consumers. This specific part of the campaign will primarily use magazines, radio, and other mediums targeted at the under 25 aged crowd. After product introduction, will run advertising to persuade and remind consumers of our new products. There will be a customized advertisement of the video which shows the new ‘Tropical’ flavor with a silent background to serve the product tagline. PUBLIC RELATIONS DLMI will pursue the following public relations oriented programs: DLMI will put together a press kit showing L’Oreal’s commitment to grow and serve the Dutch market. We will include key facts including our additions to the employment rolls and charitable contributions. We will look to host and/or  sponsor events that appeal to our target markets. For our more mature audience with increased dispensable income, we will sponsor a â€Å"Women in Business† seminar. Women in key roles as models or local actresses can be presenters. For those women at home, we will look into sponsoring events that will appeal more to them – something along the lines of a home and/or garden show and conventional housewives will be chosen as the product ambassador. We also are excited about creating Health Shows geared towards the younger and first time consumers. The Shows will focus on education of terms, etc. and actual hands-on training. They can be arranged on a small scale , e.g. a booth at a mall, to a larger event at a local hall with many booths. We will donate a portion of sales of the new ‘Tropical’ flavour towards slimming research. This will be displayed on all advertisements associated with the new flavour product. PRODUCT TAGLINE â€Å"THE TROPICAL SILENCE THAT BRINGS HARMONY TO YOUR HEALTH† PRODUCT VIDEO * Please refer to attached flash video* SECTION 6.0 SITUATION ANALYSES GIANT S.W.O.T. ANALYSES GIANT CUSTOMER – GIANT STRENGTHS WEAKNESS C H A N E L Hypermarket Wide distribution network with high number of stores. (Total: 110 outlets, EM: 10 outlets and PM: 91 outlets) Giant operation team welcome in-store approaches on tactical promotions (priority given to top suppliers) Store layout with event area for in-store activities Space allocation for activities at â€Å"Kids Playground†. Issues at HQ:- No yearly promotion calendar to be furnished to suppliers for promotion planning. No full control over space allocation at store level for promotions Scan sales data provided to Category Captain limited to 7 Hypermarkets. No standard concept for HS display at CS/Supermarkets due to no plan-o-gram design for these channels. Plan-o-gram of stores is sometimes influenced by competitor Issues at DC:- No system to measure on-time delivery to stores. Weakness of delivery window to stores (too big gap from date of orders receipt to delivery that cause stock issues at store level. Capacity issue to manage high stock weight/turnover. Issues at Store Level:- Some of the store buyers are lack of understanding of internal SOP and not discipline in ordering -> lead to replenishment issues at store level. Service problems of Chilled vendors to supermarkets/CS Supermarket Cold Storage GIANT CUSTOMER – GIANT OPPORTUNITIES THREATS C H A N E L Hypermarkets Low store productivity due to issues at DC and store level. Store expansion (5 hypermarkets & 10 supermarkets) Joint forecast with Giant in order to have smooth pipeline to stores and improve forecast accuracy. Nestle is given priority by DC on storage and  delivery to outlets (due to top-to-top agreement on sales target and incentives). Consistency in stock deliveries of competitors that helped their A&V at store level and promotion execution. Supermarket SOS improvement by initiating plan-o-gram for CS/ Supermarkets and influence store buyers to allocate more SOS to DL products. Customised promotion for Supermarkets/CS that has different shopper profile. Cold Storage GIANT DLMI IN CUSTOMER (GIANT) DLMI VS COMPETITION STRENGTH WEAKNESS OPPORTUNITIES THREATS C A T E G O R I E S Chilled We are No. 3 suppliers in Chilled category after Cotra and F&N. Strong brand equity. We are lack of focus in Chilled compared to Ambient and no creativity in promotion activity. Our facing is less prominent compared to competitors. According to Giant CM, shopper behaviour is trending towards bulk purchase in chilled category. Customized promotion in Giant to associate DLMI image of dairy expert Competitors (Cotra and Nestle) are dominant in this category. RTE We are No. 2 supplier in this category after Nestle. We are offered lower margin to Giant compared to other suppliers. Multipack promotion (Buy 4 at RMxx) to encourage bulk purchase. Mini road show for LF RTE and DKY in order to bring new excitement to shoppers. Stiff competition from Nestle:- 60% contribution to total sales Deep pocket and react fast to competition. Category captain. Dominant SOS at store level. Shine DKY Continual innovation from DLMI who has strong market share in DKY segment. Creative to bring new things to shoppers, Lack of communication for benefits of â€Å"green tea extract† to the shoppers although it’s one of the key selling points. Based on TNS research, we are strong in retail chain with high % of Chinese compared to those with high % of Malay (i.e. Giant). Lack of margin to retailer (as above for RTE). Communication of product benefits via sampling at selected stores. Giant has the right shopper profile for SHINE to build a bigger consumer base. Promotion differentiation (i.e. TP FOC premium) to target Giant’s shoppers (Based on TNS research, promotion with premium giveaway is proven effective in this category). Customized promotion for CS that captured the target shoppers. Explore TP/Triple packs promo to increase volume. Road show to create awareness and enhance communication to the target shoppers. TESCO S.W.O.T. ANALYSES TESCO CUSTOMER – TESCO STRENGTH WEAKNESS OPPORTUNITIES THREATS C H A N E L Hypermarket Tesco is well-positioned for further growth to be No. 1 Retailer Limited products range offer to customers as Tesco’s selection on high quality products, good turnover brands and high profit margin. Strong expansion with 10 outlets opening (5 in Q2-Q3 & 2 in Q4) No full control and influence over space allocation as category captain. Competency in supply chain management and efficiency. Centralized system in Tesco that facilitates its EDLC operating model whilst building service levels. Tesco’s regulation leads to inflexibility in execution such as no premium, no cross-category promo etc. With the strength of operating system and supply chain in Tesco to drive efficiency and improve stock turn ratios. Joint forecast is required especially during promotion to maximize the sales opportunity. Tesco is a value-led retailer; its pricing policy is to â€Å"be the right price on all comparable products versus the benchmark† and to be the â€Å"best value retailer†. Tesco’s ability to gain customer insight, perform robust customer segmentation and deliver personalized marketing communication from its Club card loyalty Facing difficulties on stocks replenishment to be influenced at store level as store buyers are very dependent on system. The shopper behaviour insight gained from Tesco’s loyalty card data is currently used by Tesco in strategic decision-making, and to drive promotional activity Tesco has developed great expertise in private label development, and enable it to differentiate its offer from its competitors, build brand loyalty, grow margin and demonstrate both price and quality credentials. With the strong operating system and strategy having by Tesco, strong influence power from HQ to store level on execution and operation issue to leads the smooth process Have long term initiatives calendar plan (12 month rolling initiatives calendar) in order to work closely with Tesco (eg, P&G, Nestle and Dumex) Tesco is growing ag gressively to become big player in the retail market and it has market leading position which empowered them to have better negotiation power and demand against suppliers. PRODUCT COMPETITION ANALYSES Type DLMI Chilled Products Competing Products Eating Yoghurt Low Fat Nestle Fat Free, Marigold 0% Fat, F&N Alive, Private Label Drinking Yoghurt Low Fat & SHINE Nestle Bliss, Sunglo Lassi, Private Label SECTION 7.0 ACTION PLAN / IMPLEMENTATION Objective To be the strong No 2 position in the chilled market Selected strategy To focus on major promotion with 3 major fair and to participate in milk campaign Action Who By When Resources Measures To maintain at least 3 times promotion KAM & TM Mac, July & Nov Mktg Incremental of 80% – 90% To participate in 3 major fair & Milk For Life campaign KAM & TM Jun Mktg Anniversary & Milk For Life Campaign. Promotion generates about 200-400% growth, approx RM 700k To explore carton sales KAM Quarterly TM & Mktg Especially on RTE and DKY To create customized pack KAM Jun TM & Mktg Especially on RTE and DKY SECTION 8.0 CONCLUSIONS To conclude, even though chilled category is still at its infancy stage, the potential to grow is there. More and more Malaysians are becoming more health conscious and they are constantly looking for new exciting reasons for them to continue staying healthy. Other than that, Malaysians also tend to only buy chilled products only during promotions periods or when and as needed. Therefore such a mindset should be change and Dutch Lady should be a trend setter for such changes to happen. The proposed of this new flavor is also an opportunity for DLMI to open a new window to educate the consumers that besides exercising, the only way to stay healthy is to eat and drink healthy too. The author would again reiterate that all data provided are drilled solely by the author alone. The sources of the data taken are from the programmes and third party software that capture real life scan sales data and consumer off take. Read more: http://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/marketing-plan-dutch-lady-milk-industries-marketing-essay.php#ixzz37v6oAx4k

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Speech Class Topic Proposal Essays

Speech Class Topic Proposal Essays Speech Class Topic Proposal Essay Speech Class Topic Proposal Essay Informative Speech Outline 1. Intro 2. 1 Attention Step: Wouldn’t it be cool to know how to do some stunts in Tekken? 2. 2 Involvement Step: The video game Tekken consists of many martial art disciplines like jeet kune do, street fighting, taekwondo, ninjitsu, sumo wrestling, aikido, judo, karate, and many more. These are the most common martial art disciplines people would think about when you say the word Tekken. But why don’t we focus on 2 certain characters namely Eddy Gordo and Christie Monteiro. These 2 characters are doing some martial art discipline that looks a lot like they are dancing it rather than martial arts. So did you know that the martial art disciplines Christie and Eddy are doing is called Capoeira. 2. 3 Indication Step (thesis statement): Capoeira is considered as a martial art discipline because it used for fighting, acrobatics, dancing, playing, and tradition. 2. Body 3. 4 Major point 1: Fighting, dancing, and tradition 3. 5. 1 Supporting detail: It is considered one of the most comprehensive forms of physical conditioning and is an integrated balance of mind, strength, rhythm, poetry, agility, and harmony (Escola Brasileira de Capoeira Philippines, 2012). 3. 5. Supporting detail: It is the maximum expression of liberty and keeps the art of the ancestors alive, being part of Brazilian and now, world history (Escola Brasileira de Capoeira Philippines, 2012). 3. 5 Major point 2: Acrobatics, and playing 3. 6. 3 Supporting detail: The roda is the center of Capoeira (Rensselaer, n. d. ). Being the center of Capoeira, the roda has always been considered as the playing grounds of the Cap oeiristas. It is where they practice their moves, styles, and forms. While two Capoeiristas play in the middle of a roda, everyone else watching them play is making music. Some will be in-charge of playing the instruments, while the rest will enjoy singing until it’s their turn. 3. 6. 4 Supporting detail: Capoeira is kind of similar to acrobatics because of the movements involved in the martial art. Au de Cabeca  movement is essentially a cartwheel done on your head. We recommend you are comfortable with queda de rins and au before you try au de cabeca. Learning au de cabeca will be easier and quicker to learn and you will be equipped with the right skills needed in perfecting this specific au (Capoeira Universe, 2011). 3. Conclusion Capoeira is like any other recreational sports that help build our bodies and keep us healthy. So why not give it a try? References Capoeira Universe. (2011, June 11). Basic Capoeira Moves List. Retrieved from Capoeira Universe: http://capoeirauniverse. com/capoeira-moves/basic-capoeira-moves-list/ Escola Brasileira de Capoeira Philippines. (2012). Capoeira. Retrieved from EBC Philippines: ebcphilippines. com/index. php/capoeira/ Rensselaer. (n. d. ). The Roda. Retrieved from Rensselaer: http://capoeira. union. rpi. edu/roda. php

Monday, October 21, 2019

Prescribing of Medication by Psychologists For and Against

Prescribing of Medication by Psychologists For and Against Psychologists and psychiatrists are important professionals that the society depends on for several concerns. Whereas psychologists are concerned with offering psychological therapy to mentally disturbed persons, physicians offer both curative and social treatment for various diseases (Harding, 2002). The training underwent also differs considerably. Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Prescribing of Medication by Psychologists: For and Against specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Psychologists undergo a more theory-based training as opposed to a practical medicine-based training. The fact that both professionals are important in the mental healthcare is true. However, endless debates that aim at empowering psychologists to prescribe medication are common (Harding, 2002). The journal ‘Should Psychologists Prescribe Medication’ gives supporting views by Robert Resnick. On the contrary, William Robiner o pposes the idea. This paper critically examines the position held by the two authors. Facts Robert Resnick asserts that the available psychopharmacological aid is limited. On the contrary, the mental health cases have drastically increased. It is reported that over 450 counties in America lack psychiatrists in residence. How then will mental problems be addressed in such counties? It is true that granting prescription privileges to psychologists will reduce this patient-psychiatrist deficit. In addition, psychological medical prescription will ensure that quality mental healthcare is offered in time (Resnick Robiner, 2003). Cost reduction is also assured because only one profession is involved. Robiner is correct when he asserts that the mode of training between a psychologist and a psychiatrist differs. Psychiatrists undergo intense medical training in a medical school. Subjects such as biology, chemistry and pharmacology are taught at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral le vels of training. Psychologists on the other hand do not undergo this kind of training at all levels of training (Resnick Robiner, 2003). The lack of medical training provides a platform for increased collaboration between the psychologists and the psychiatrists. This is the best tool for increased efficiency in service delivery. Opinions Resnick is of the view that psychologists should be given prescription privileges too. He argues that psychologists are more informed on mental health issues than other non-psychiatry professionals. Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The realization that 85% of mental prescriptions are written by the non-psychiatry professionals is criticized. He is of the opinion that granting psychologists the power to prescribe would offer better choices and informed referrals. The need to have psychologists prescribe will be solved by training more professionals (Resnick Robiner, 2003). The success of the Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project (PDP) is a good example of early training programs. Robiner on the other hand is of the view that most patients find more comfort in sharing their mental problems with physicians than with psychologists. It is for this reason that prescription privileges are enjoyed by the psychiatrists. The duplication of the PDP success is uncertain (Resnick Robiner, 2003). Robiner is of the opinion that the military psychologists were exposed to a specific group of patients and conditions. He therefore doubts the practicality of the same in more diverse conditions. Resnick’s Strengths and Weaknesses Resnick argument is cemented by the fact that he uses a previous case to support his position. The success of the PDP is an important development. In fact the same approach can be used to address the prescription debate. The fact that he advocates for the bridging of the patient-professi onal gap is clear. He emphasizes on the need for psychologists to undergo medical training, just as the ten military psychologists did. He also insists that revoking previous prescriptions is also a means of giving medical prescription. Resnick’s argument is however limited in scope. It is true that New Mexico was the first state to grant prescription privileges to psychologists (Resnick Robiner, 2003). He affirms that 32 more states are on the way to adopting laws that grant prescription rights. He fails to give the time frame required to achieve this. In addition he fails to specify the medical concerns within the jurisdiction of the psychologists and psychiatrists as far prescription rights are concerned. Robiner’s Strengths and Weaknesses Robiner asserts that training 10 psychologists under specific and customized conditions should not be viewed as an obvious case under general conditions. Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Presc ribing of Medication by Psychologists: For and Against specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is true that diverse mental problems are encountered. Assuming the PDP success would be duplicated in other training programs is wrong according to Robiner. In addition he presents a report by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology that revealed that PDP graduates were indeed weak both medically and psychiatrically. They were indeed supervised by physicians. Most psychologists have admitted receiving improper pharmacological training (Resnick Robiner, 2003). How can proponents of psychologists prescription purport that the latter can medically prescribe yet the psychologists admit incompetency? Robiner provides enough literature that proves that the quality of mental health care will be compromised. It is clear that there exists a great discrepancy of training between the psychologist and the psychiatrist. Medicine-based training model is a dapted by the latter while the former adopts a theory-based model. Subjects such as biology, chemistry and pharmacology are taught in medical schools (Resnick Robiner, 2003). This discrepancy widens from the under graduate to the graduate training levels. Regulatory and legal issues are well captured. The granting of prescription privileges would mean restructuring of the regulatory systems. The claim that psychologists may reject offers to work with undeserved groups is unfounded. Credibility of the Authors Both Resnick and Robiner are appreciating the fact that psychologists are equally important in mental healthcare sector. Resnick however is limited in scope. He assumes that psychologists can also give prescriptions as physicians do. He fails to consider the negative health risks, legal effects and ineffective care associated with the move. He applies economic reasoning to assert that if psychologists offer medical prescription, the patient can save more. He fails to understa nd that indeed, he/she may end up paying more due to incorrect prescriptions. He also fails to conduct intensive review of existing research to support his position. Robiner’s argument is well supported. He is clear of the fact that medicine is a growing field that requires regular knowledge updates. He insists that the training methods adopted by the psychologists may have far reaching consequences to patients if prescriptions are given by psychologists. His argument covers a wide scope to include the legal, quality management and efficiency of mental health care. The fact that he calls for collaboration between the psychologists and psychiatrists is a clear attestation that he values the roles played by each.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Personal View The information provided by Robiner indicates that proper literature review was conducted. Robiner is categorical of the fact that psychologists and psychiatrists should work together for the good of the mental patients. He is well aware of the risks posed by psychoactive drugs. The prescription privileges enjoyed by psychologists would be cause of serious mental and other health complications. The PDP success cannot be solely relied upon for the effective medical prescription in diverse mental problems (Resnick Robiner, 2003). The medical profession is sensitive field that requires mastery of the human anatomy. The understanding of how different types of medicine react in the humans is vitally important. The knowledge and training discrepancy that exists between psychologists and psychiatrists is a matter of concern. It is difficult for a psychologist to understand which medicine is obsolete and which should be used under certain conditions. Rendering them incompe tent to prescribe medicine is important. In this regard the state governments should not give psychologists prescription rights. Contemporary Research The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society for Geriatric Psychiatry have opposed efforts to empowering psychologists offer medical prescription (Harding, 2002). These associations have asserted that psychologists are not medically trained to offer prescription. Patients’ safety is the prime consideration in medical prescription. Psychologists are at a higher risk of administering the wrong prescription because they lack the medical knowledge (Harding, 2002). The theory-based model training by psychologists is useless in medical prescription. Medically trained professionals are superior to psychologists as far as medical prescription is concerned. The fact that psychiatrists undergo fulltime four-year training in bioche mistry, pharmacology, physiology and diagnosis is worthwhile to note (Harding, 2002). In addition, they undergo a full-time tree year postgraduate psychiatric training. Practical prescription of drugs is performed during this time. The part-time one year psychopharmacological course undergone by the psychologists is insufficient and incomparable to that of a psychiatrist. Psychologists should therefore not prescribe medication. References Harding, R. K. (2002). New Mexico Psychologists Prescribing Law: Bad Medicine for Patients. American Psychiatric Association Media Advisory. Resnick, R. Robiner, W. (2003). Should Psychologist Prescribe Medication? British Psychologist Society. The Psychologist, 16 (4), 251-264.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Free Essays on Honderich

2). Honderich maintains that we care morally about both the compatibilist’s and incompatibilist’s conception of freedom. Is it possible to be both a compatibilist and an incompatibilist? Explain your answer. In order to determine if it is possible to be both an incompatibilist and a compatibilist, one must first define the two terms. Incompatibilism is the thesis that if determinism is true, then (for that reason) one has no free will. That is, an incompatibilist is someone who thinks that whether or not we have free will depends on a contingent fact about the laws that govern the universe: one has free will only if he is lucky enough to be living in a universe which is non-deterministic. Though incompatibilism is divided in two subgroups (hard determinists and liberatarians), all incompatibilists agree that a necessary condition of free will is that determinism is false. Compatibilism, on the other hand, is the thesis that one in fact has free will and that even if determinism turned out to be true, one would still have free will. It is the denial of incompatibilism; the compatibilist is someone who rejects the claim that the truth of determinism would mean that we lack free will. Not e that given this minimal definition, a compatibilist might be a free will revolutionary: someone who believes that we lack free will regardless of the truth or falsity of determinism. Given these definitions and distinctions, one can ascertain if it is possible to be both compatibilist and incompatibilist. Neither compatibilists nor incompatibilists are free will revolutionaries or fatalists. Compatibilists believe that the worlds where we have free will include deterministic worlds; incompatibilists believe that the only worlds where we have free will are non-deterministic worlds. Hence it is impossible to remain incompatibilist with compatiblist views and vice versa, for determinism’ role in free will makes it too contradictory.... Free Essays on Honderich Free Essays on Honderich 2). Honderich maintains that we care morally about both the compatibilist’s and incompatibilist’s conception of freedom. Is it possible to be both a compatibilist and an incompatibilist? Explain your answer. In order to determine if it is possible to be both an incompatibilist and a compatibilist, one must first define the two terms. Incompatibilism is the thesis that if determinism is true, then (for that reason) one has no free will. That is, an incompatibilist is someone who thinks that whether or not we have free will depends on a contingent fact about the laws that govern the universe: one has free will only if he is lucky enough to be living in a universe which is non-deterministic. Though incompatibilism is divided in two subgroups (hard determinists and liberatarians), all incompatibilists agree that a necessary condition of free will is that determinism is false. Compatibilism, on the other hand, is the thesis that one in fact has free will and that even if determinism turned out to be true, one would still have free will. It is the denial of incompatibilism; the compatibilist is someone who rejects the claim that the truth of determinism would mean that we lack free will. Not e that given this minimal definition, a compatibilist might be a free will revolutionary: someone who believes that we lack free will regardless of the truth or falsity of determinism. Given these definitions and distinctions, one can ascertain if it is possible to be both compatibilist and incompatibilist. Neither compatibilists nor incompatibilists are free will revolutionaries or fatalists. Compatibilists believe that the worlds where we have free will include deterministic worlds; incompatibilists believe that the only worlds where we have free will are non-deterministic worlds. Hence it is impossible to remain incompatibilist with compatiblist views and vice versa, for determinism’ role in free will makes it too contradictory....

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Abstract Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 20

Abstract - Essay Example Vikings colonist in Iceland and Greenland farmed and filled storehouse with luxuries for trade in the Europeans. The Canadian archeologist discovered iron ship rivets and many artifacts belonging to the Vikings in the coast of Ellesmere Island. Hence, the discovery of the yarn in 1999 made Sutherland to scrutinize other archeologist artifacts originating from the domain of Arctic hunter. Surprisingly, the spun yarns found spread from Nunguvik, Tanfield Valley, Willows Island, to Avayalik Island located between Northern Baffin Island and Northern Labrador. Moreover, the fragments of tally sticks discovered resembled Vikings items used to record trade transaction and to spin fibers. Consequently, many artifacts from the Arctic found in the Museum pointed out the good relation in trade between the Dorset hunters and Vikings. The Viking always moved in search of new traders hence exploring the North American Coast. Therefore, the small nomad of Dorset hunters welcomed hunted walruses and fur-bearing animals whose fur could be spun to luxurious yarn. Therefore, the Vikings camping at the Tanfield Valley open an opportunity to trade with the Dorset hunters for

Friday, October 18, 2019

A comparative analysis between Total Quality Management(TQM) and the Term Paper

A comparative analysis between Total Quality Management(TQM) and the Six Sigma system of quality improvement as they both relate to healthcare - Term Paper Example s set of processes and techniques to measure, improve and control the Quality of care and service based on what is important to the customer (Woodard, 2005, p.229).† (Majdi, 2009, para.1). care sector, thus offering maximum safety and degree of care in heath care provision. The main areas in which SS could possibly offer its services are medication, supply chain management strategies in tandem with suppliers and vendors, medical reporting, settlement of claims and the outcome of the condition of patients in different levels of care giving. One of the most significant aspects of SS is that it is amenable to quantitative measurements and analyses by the implementation of DMAIC, that is, define, measure, assess, identify and control. Total Quality Management (TQM), on the other hand, is more subjective in its approach, and fundamentally, â€Å"The goal of a TQM program in a clinical healthcare setting is to reduce costs and improve customer (patient) satisfaction.† (Weinheimer, 1993, para.2). Thus, the main objectives of TQM in hospital settings are to find ways and means to improve the quality of service - lesser waiting time, attending complaints promptly and efficiently, providing computer generated prescriptions, reducing medical errors and malpractices to minimal levels, and in short, rendering maximum health care service possible in the minimum timeframe. All these are qualitative aspects, but given the scope for improvement, a blending of SS and TQM (both quantitative and qualitative) could deliver maximum benefits and advantages to customer, clients and patients in a well rounded and innovative way. Perhaps, the best comparison between SS and TQM could be in the delineation of common goals and objectives of these two systems- total patient care and commitment using measuring tools and industry benchmarks. While their respective methods may be slightly different in approach and technique, the ultimate objective of maximum patient care and redefining the

Future of Nanotechnology Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Future of Nanotechnology - Research Paper Example With the advancement in the field of nanotechnology, it has been noticed that even the human organs can be regenerated with the application of technology of nano-thin sheets. The regeneration of the human organs is done by layering the thin sheets of tissues which are specifically created with the help of nano-order thin sheets. It should also be noted that the risk of any medical complication have been relatively decreased by large as nano technology has come at the medical forefront. This is mainly because the layers are created by selecting the cells from the patient’s own body (Newell-McGloughlin and Re 2011). This minimized the risk of transplantation reactions, which have been noted in the traditional approaches of regeneration of human organs. Another important fact to be noted here is that with the increase of medical therapies through the aid of nanotechnology, it is being considered that the pace of surgeries is more likely to increase. Consequently, this will help i n the positive patient outcome and lowered risk of health complications (Newell-McGloughlin and Re 2011). Followed by the previously discussed applications of nanotechnology in human life, it should also be discussed that nanotechnology has also made a great contribution in the automobile industry. The reward of the application of nanotechnology in the field of automobile is its light weight of automobiles. Nanotechnology is also useful to produce hydrogen ions from fuels such as, menthol in order to reduce the cost of catalysts in fuels. Intellectuals have noticed that companies with the help of nanoparticles started making batteries. There are two types of batteries on which companies are working these days (Dvorsky 2012). Convention batteries, which will efficiently work, after charging it for a long time and another one is a battery which can be charged in short time, but it works for many hours. Fuel consumption has also been reduced with the help of advancement in nanotechnolo gy. It helps to produce fuel for low-grade raw material, which helps increase the mileage of engines. Moreover, researchers have observed that space flights have become more practical and advanced with the help of nanotechnology (Dvorsky 2012). c. Nanotechnology and Micro machines: Currently, researchers have noticed that nanotechnology has given rise to micro robotic system and development of this system can be observed

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Milt Jackson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Milt Jackson - Essay Example As a member of a Gospel Quartet, Milt got the first chance to perform in public in which he sang tenor. Dizzy Gillespie was instrumental in bringing this great jazz artist to the forefront and Gillespie, hearing his performance at a Detroit night club, brought Milt to New York to perform with his sextet and later with his big band. Milt also had the opportunity to work with great artists such as Howard McGee, Thelonius Monk, Charlie Parker and Woody Herman in the late 1940s. Again he worked with Dizzy between 1950 and 1952, while also recording some Quartet sides with John Lewis, Percy Heath and Kenny Clarke. The big band, renamed as The Modern Jazz Quartet in 1952, played a major role in the next twenty-two years Milt's career and the quartet, which recorded over thirty albums and toured all over the world, also had a prominent place in his career. "By 1974 the MJQ disbanded, and Jackson started a career as a leader of his own groups, performing blues and gospel-oriented Jazz, away from the musical policy of the MJQ. He became associated with producer Norwman Granz, and recorded some twenty albums with some of the finest musicians associated with the producer's label, like Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, etc. In 1981 the MJQ was reunited to perform in Japan and since then Jackson has been combining his own projects with occasional touring with the MJQ." (Milt Jackson: Biography) Therefore, the career development as well as biography of the vibes player Milt Jackson centered on his accomplishments in jazz and this paper undertakes such a biographical account of this great vibraphonist, focusing on his achievements in jazz. As the first vibraphonist to use a slow vibrato, Milt Jackson revolutionized and extended the limits of the vibraharp. The use a slow vibrato helped him in the creation of impulsive outbursts of short notes as well as a better control of the dynamics. "He discovered new possibilities in his instrument, influencing every vibraphonist to follow. With his gift for melodic improvisation Jackson is a master of ballad interpretation, and remains one of the most soulful players in the history of Jazz." (Milt Jackson: Biography) Born in Detroit and Died as one of the most soulful players in the history of Jazz, Jackson had become a conspicuously importantmusician by the middle of his teen-age years and he started to learn guitar at the age of 7, piano lessons at11, and mastered drums, tympani, violin,guitar and xylophone by the time he reached his high school. Milt was such a talented young man that he also sang in the choir and picked up the vibraphone by the age of 16. Later he established himself as one of the most prominent figures of the jazz quartet called the Four Sharps. All through his career, Milt's came from Charlie Parker, rather thanHampton, his most prominent precursor on the instrument. He also attempted to attain a hornlike legato with his mallets, while he adopted many ofParker's rhythmic traits. Through his sheer quality as a vibraphonist, Milt became the first authentic bebopmusician on the vibraphone, and was one of the greatest musicians of Gillespie'sown band.His career with The Modern Jazz Quartet which began in 1952 had a prominent place in the development of Milt Jackson's achievements in jazz. "The group wore tailored suits and practiced every aspect of their publicpresentation, from walking on stage to making introductions to thepowerfully subdued arrangements in their playing. They wanted to bringback to jazz the

Marketing Strategy for Business .Marketing & Enterprise .I chose this Essay

Marketing Strategy for Business .Marketing & Enterprise .I chose this company for assignmnet(Midland News Association.Express & - Essay Example Implementation 24 7. Conclusion 24 References 24 1. Executive summary 1.1 Current Position Midland News Association (MNA Media) is the largest independent regional news company in the UK. The company is owned and operated by the Graham family of Wolverhampton. Two of its daily titles, Express & Star and the Shropshire Star, are Britain’s biggest selling regional daily newspapers, and sell more than 200,000 copies everyday. 1.2 Key issues The major concern facing Midland News Association is the generally lackluster trend in the industry. Declining demand constrained the UK newspapers industry over 2006 to 2011, and while the rate of decline is likely to slow down after 2011, forecasted demand remains bleak until 2016 ('Newspapers Industry Profile’, 2013). A lesser but still important concern is that of remaining competitive even while rival regional publications adopt innovative practices to create new products. 2. Corporate Strategy 2.1 Corporate mission/objectives The Express & Star aims to become the biggest-selling regional evening newspaper in Britain (â€Å"About Us†, 2013). Its objectives include providing its subscribers and readers with accurate and timely news on the political, business, lifestyle and social events, and articles of general interest for entertainment, through printed and online publications, in a manner that afford customers easy access. 2.2 Summary of overall position and corporate strategy Strategic pricing. Express and Star fields two types of issues every week. The midweek edition carries the regular features and while there are special interest features, overall the newpaper adopts straightforward news reporting in both its print and e-edition. MNA retained the price of the mid-week issues, but raised the price of the Weekend edition by 30 per cent. The significant price increase is justified by the higher value added and the inclusion of features such as the week-long TV guide which makes the Weekend edition r elevant for the entire week following (Cross, 2013a). Image overhaul. Recently, the Express and Star have have kept pace with competitors’ moves by matching their attempts with a corresponding strategy. Cross (2013a) reported in April a revamp by competitor Birmingham Mail of its weekend paper, Trinity Mirror, intended to boost readership. The new Saturday issue boasts a new design, combined with a launch of its e-edition, improvements to the website, and the launch of a new, part-free Friday edition of which the paper distributed 50,000 copies free throughout the city centre. To match the move Express and Star rebranded its Saturday edition as the ‘Weekend’ edition which included a new supplement featuring ‘a full weekly TV guide, lifestyle and entertainment sections, new columnists, and several puzzles and games pages. Like the Trinity Mirror, Express and Star’s Weekend edition will sell at the higher price of 60p from the previous 45p (Cross, 2013 a). Expansion into mobile publishing. The Express and Star launched in April 2013 an app for Android smartphones which is made available by Google Play online store. The app allows subscribers to view the same image as features in the printed edition.This also allows greater access of readers to MNA’s products, without necessarily being confined in time and space. 3. External and internal analysis 3.1 PESTEL Political – The UK is a democracy with a stable governance system supported by highly consistent policies

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Milt Jackson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Milt Jackson - Essay Example As a member of a Gospel Quartet, Milt got the first chance to perform in public in which he sang tenor. Dizzy Gillespie was instrumental in bringing this great jazz artist to the forefront and Gillespie, hearing his performance at a Detroit night club, brought Milt to New York to perform with his sextet and later with his big band. Milt also had the opportunity to work with great artists such as Howard McGee, Thelonius Monk, Charlie Parker and Woody Herman in the late 1940s. Again he worked with Dizzy between 1950 and 1952, while also recording some Quartet sides with John Lewis, Percy Heath and Kenny Clarke. The big band, renamed as The Modern Jazz Quartet in 1952, played a major role in the next twenty-two years Milt's career and the quartet, which recorded over thirty albums and toured all over the world, also had a prominent place in his career. "By 1974 the MJQ disbanded, and Jackson started a career as a leader of his own groups, performing blues and gospel-oriented Jazz, away from the musical policy of the MJQ. He became associated with producer Norwman Granz, and recorded some twenty albums with some of the finest musicians associated with the producer's label, like Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, etc. In 1981 the MJQ was reunited to perform in Japan and since then Jackson has been combining his own projects with occasional touring with the MJQ." (Milt Jackson: Biography) Therefore, the career development as well as biography of the vibes player Milt Jackson centered on his accomplishments in jazz and this paper undertakes such a biographical account of this great vibraphonist, focusing on his achievements in jazz. As the first vibraphonist to use a slow vibrato, Milt Jackson revolutionized and extended the limits of the vibraharp. The use a slow vibrato helped him in the creation of impulsive outbursts of short notes as well as a better control of the dynamics. "He discovered new possibilities in his instrument, influencing every vibraphonist to follow. With his gift for melodic improvisation Jackson is a master of ballad interpretation, and remains one of the most soulful players in the history of Jazz." (Milt Jackson: Biography) Born in Detroit and Died as one of the most soulful players in the history of Jazz, Jackson had become a conspicuously importantmusician by the middle of his teen-age years and he started to learn guitar at the age of 7, piano lessons at11, and mastered drums, tympani, violin,guitar and xylophone by the time he reached his high school. Milt was such a talented young man that he also sang in the choir and picked up the vibraphone by the age of 16. Later he established himself as one of the most prominent figures of the jazz quartet called the Four Sharps. All through his career, Milt's came from Charlie Parker, rather thanHampton, his most prominent precursor on the instrument. He also attempted to attain a hornlike legato with his mallets, while he adopted many ofParker's rhythmic traits. Through his sheer quality as a vibraphonist, Milt became the first authentic bebopmusician on the vibraphone, and was one of the greatest musicians of Gillespie'sown band.His career with The Modern Jazz Quartet which began in 1952 had a prominent place in the development of Milt Jackson's achievements in jazz. "The group wore tailored suits and practiced every aspect of their publicpresentation, from walking on stage to making introductions to thepowerfully subdued arrangements in their playing. They wanted to bringback to jazz the

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Homosexual Marriage Needs to Be Legalized Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Homosexual Marriage Needs to Be Legalized - Essay Example This would never have happened if Charlene and Kate were allowed to legally marry. Today, gay marriage is illegal in most states in America, and this is unconstitutional, as it is violating a fundamental right, which is marriage. The most egregious thing about the issue of denying gay marriage is that there really is not a legitimate argument put forth by the other side which would substantiate keeping an entire class of people from enjoying basic rights. For instance, consider the â€Å"slippery slope† argument. This argument states that if homosexuals were allowed to marry, then the legislatures would have to legalize marriage between man and dog, man and daughter, man and 12-year-old boy. This argument does not hold water for two major reasons – one, marriage between two homosexuals is sanctifying a consensual relationship, and all the other scenarios above would not be. And, two, perhaps most importantly, pedophilia, incest and bestiality are all illegal, probably in all fifty states. Homosexual relationships, on the other hand, are not, and cannot be due to the case of Lawrence v. Texas, a 2003 Supreme Court case which established that sodomy laws are unconstitutional. Therein lies a diffe rence – legislatures cannot be pressured to legalize marriage based upon relationships which are illegal, such as pedophilia, incest and bestiality, therefore the slippery slope argument is not legitimate. Another argument is that marriage is based upon procreation, and, since homosexuals cannot procreate, they should be denied the right to marry. This argument cannot be logically consistent, because, if the argument were to carried out to its logical conclusion, anybody and everybody who would be unable or unwilling to have children would also be denied the right to marry. Your grandmother in the nursing home who met her soul mate at the age of 86? Sorry, grandma, you can't marry because you can't have children anymore. Your sister who had ovarian cancer and had to have a hysterectomy? Sorry, sis, you can't marry either, because you are unable to have children. This is the logical extension of the ?ays can't marry because they cannot procreate argument,one that the supporter s of this argument must adopt if they are to be logically consistent. Of course, the other major argument is that homosexuality is proscribed by the Bible, but this is not a justification for denying a constitutional right. Roe v. Wade4 established this, as it states that morality is not a legitimate concern upon which to base a law that affects one's fundamental rights. And besides, if legislatures are going to start basing their laws on Biblical proscriptions, then they are going to have to outlaw drinking and getting rowdy at Sunday football games, as this would be desecrating the Sabbath, and this is an offense punishable by death according to Exodus 31:14.5 As for the argument that allowing homosexuals to marry would undermine the sanctity of marriage exhibit A to refute this argument would be Kim Kardashian. If her sham of a marriage, 72 days long, is not undermining the sanctity of the institution of marriage, then what is? Of course, it would be unfair to single her out, as there have been countless celebrities whose marriages lasted well short of a year. Not to mention Elizabeth Taylor, who was married eight times. These are just celebrities there are countless people who are not famous who are in the same predicament. Who doesn't have an uncle with five ex-wives? In short, heterosexuals

African American vs. Caucasian Americans Essay Example for Free

African American vs. Caucasian Americans Essay Is Racism a Permanent feature of American Society? Derrick Bell argues in this issue that the prospects for achieving racial equality in the United States are â€Å"illusory for Blacks. Bell reminds us despite the fact of the progress of blacks in United States; the legacy of slavery has left a portion of the race â€Å"with life-long poverty and soul devastating despair†. Bell believes that race consciousness is so imbedded in whites that it is virtually impossible to rise above it. He also argues that â€Å"few whites are able to identify with blacks as a group† and tend to view blacks through â€Å"comforting racial stereotypes†. Bell feels strongly that critical and proper examination of the history of black-white relations supports his conclusion that racism is a permanent feature of American Society. Bell makes some good point about racism in the American society today. The fact that the psychical part of racism is gone does not mean that racism as permanently left American Society. The fact that racism still â€Å"exist† is does not reflect on blacks’ success any longer. Majority of whites had a head start because their generation of success goes so many years back, were as for blacks success was not allowed at a point in time. Blacks have come a long ways over the years but there is still racial discrimination that â€Å"affects† the black population. Dinesh D’Souza does not agree with Bell, he believes that racism is not a permanent Strain of fabric in the American Society. D’Souza distinguishes between racial discrimination that is â€Å"irrational, motivated by bigotry† and which is â€Å"rational from the point of view of the discriminator. † D’Souza admits that such discrimination may be harmful to individual blacks but he rejects any casual linkage between the lagging indicators of blacks’ overall progress with racial discrimination. He believes race is a diminishing force within American society, D’Souza argues that factors other than racial discrimination are the sources of lagging process toward the American Dream. D’Souza reasoning for blacks not achieving more in America is because blacks fail to observe and embrace certain cultural norms of the dominant American Society. He implies that those who are successful exhibit cultural values that promote success. He states blacks need to place a much greater emphasis on overcoming cultural barriers rather than continuing to assert that race is being held by a persistent racism that afflicts America. Black’s generation has come a long way in American Society. Racism shouldn’t be the excuse for the failure in African American success when in 1919- current we have African American first. Slavery started around 1808 and ended in 1865 due to Lincoln Emancipation Proclamation. Racism was still in effect because the fact that blacks had rights was new. Still in all there were blacks who succeed shortly after that time. Madame C. J. Walker was the first African American female who was a self-made millionaire. In 1893 Dr. Daniel Hale Williams was the first black to perform open heart surgery. In 1908 Jack Johnson was the First African-American world heavyweight Champion. In 1993 Toni Morrison was the first African-American to win the Nobel Prize for literature. In 2009 Barack Obama was the first black president of the United States, with the support of some whites. Racism still is â€Å"permanent† due to history but it is not an excuse for Blacks not becoming successful. Derrick bell major argument is that blacks are faced at the bottom of the well. Bell exclaims despite undeniable progress for many, no African American is insulated from incidents of racial discrimination. He states because of our color we are threaten through our lives, careers. Dinesh D’Souza states racism undoubtedly exists, but it no longer has the power to thwart blacks or any other group in achieving their economic, political, and social aspirations. The arguments relates to the overall theme because yes, racism still occurs but it should not pun Blacks from achieving their aspiration. Bell major point is as a Black he experiences the racism. Blacks can work in a white community and experience racism because whites fear the superiority of blacks. D’Souza points out in his argument that racism is the least bit worries blacks should have, when there are black on black crime occurring. Racism should not be such an excuse for â€Å"underclass† blacks not achieving their goals. D’Souza points out the facts where African Americans now live in a country where black man, Colin Powell, who three decades ago could not be served in restaurants, is now a Joint chief staff. Also a white man who supported the nomination of Clarence Thomas, a black man married to a white, for the Supreme Court. D’Souza question is if white racism controls the density of blacks today, how one segment of black community has prospered so much over the past generation. Some unsupported claims in bells argument was he says, â€Å"Modern discrimination is, moreover, not practiced indiscriminately. † Bell implies whites idolize black athletes and entertainers but refuse to hire and work with blacks. Bell also states whites who number individuals blacks among their closest friends approve, or do not oppose, practices that bar selling or renting homes or apartments in their neighborhood to blacks they do not know. Then in his argument he also states that most hotels and restaurants, who offer black patrons courteous treatment, uniformly reject black job applicants. Bell defense for this was â€Å"When did you last see black waiter in a really good restaurant†. These are unsupported claims because this may be true but there are no proven facts that racist is the cause of these arguments. In D’Souza arguments there were not any unsupported claims really found. D’Souza stated his arguments and had accurate information to support his defense. D’Souza makes great points and has a lot of validity in his arguments. He states if blacks are going to reform their community, they have a right to expect that they will be treated equally under law. Hypothetically speaking D’Souza implies if blacks were refused hire on every baseball team in America, blacks would suffer most because they would be denied the chance to play professional baseball. Fans would also suffer because the quality of games would diminish. He says â€Å"But what if a few team-say the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers- refused to hire blacks? † African Americans has a group would hardly suffer at all, because they would offer there service to other teams. D’Souza saying the Yankees and the Dodgers would suffer a great deal, because they would be deprived of the chance to hire talented blacks’ players. Eventually the competitive pressure would force those teams to either hire blacks or suffer losses in games and revue. Then he makes another valid point he referenced from Gary Becker pointed out, in free market, selective discrimination imposes the heaviest cost on the discriminator where it should be. Some whites will undoubtedly discriminate against blacks but with deal with them because of the law and taste for profit. *Dinesh D’Souza is an Indian American conservative political commentator, public intellectual and current president of the King’s College in New York City. He graduated from Dartmouth College, where he graduated with a B. A. in English. D’Souza also published a book in 2007 called The Enemy at home: the cultural left and its responsibility for 9/11. In his argument D’Souza used government documents, books, articles and oral very frequently. D’Souza would state his opinion and have facts and documents to support his defense. No, the reading did not significantly add to my knowledge because these are issues that has been discussed for many years. In the article I did learn some new ways of thinking of Racism. This article did broaden my thoughts with the factual evidence the authors used to support their defense. I would recommend this article to be read to those who do not have a clear understanding of the term racism. The subject that was focus on in this case study is racism a permanent feature of American Society? The case study focused on political, social and economic issues. Bell argued blacks will never gain full equality in American and D’Souza argued that blacks have equality and racism is not important issue blacks should be worried about in today society.

Monday, October 14, 2019

View of white women in interracial relationships

View of white women in interracial relationships A Qualitative Analysis of Black Womens Constructions of White Women in Interracial Relationships. Research, especially media discourses suggest and show that black women have a negative discourse towards white women who have interracial relationships. Therefore this exploratory qualitative study used focus groups to investigate how black women construct interracial relationships and white women who have interracial relationships. Social constructionist guided the discourse theory methodology. Participants described Introduction Since the 1980s social constructionism has become an increasingly influential perspective within psychology (e.g., Burr, 1995). Social constructionism suggests that human experience, including perception is mediated historically, culturally and linguistically (Willig, 2007). Therefore for this study, it is important to understand gender and race historically, also black and white unions within a historical context. Interracial relations in a historical context, the construction of race and multiculturalism Historically, interracial unions have played an integral role in the construction of racial categories. Interracial sex and marriage became deviant within the construction of a white identity that was in opposition to blacks. The underlying basis for interracial sexuality as deviant being the claim that blacks and whites are biologically and culturally different. An important part of this concept of race is based on black peoples experiences, constructions and discourses about whites as threats to racial purity (Childs, 2005). The issue of interracial sex and marriage is an integral part of the construction of race and racial groups, with the opposition to and the fear of interracial relationships often used as a means to execute and justify racist ideologies and practices. Thus, Ideas of race as biological difference emerged with slavery, as a justification. So both the construction of white/black relationships as problematic, and the abuse seen during slavery, can be seen as emergi ng along with changing discourses of race. During black slavery, among white peoples interracial sexual relationships was constructed as deviant, and this idea of deviancy was primarily aimed at preventing black male slaves from engaging in sexual acts with white women. It has been documented that those who did engage in interracial sexual relationships would be punished. However, for black people there is a complicated and painful history to black and white interracial relationships, as a result the roots of the hostility are different from white people. The discourses on interracial relationships are complex. The hostility that black communities may have to wards interracial relationships derives from a social and collective memory of violation by whites. Historically blacks as a group have had to deal with the devaluation by whites and this in turn has effective blacks identity which has as a result shaped the attitudes and responses to interracial relationships. It has been well documented that black women were allegedly raped and sexually abused by white slave masters who all play a huge part in the sociohistorical construction of race and the rules of race relations (Childs, 2005). Social constructionist propose that the concept of race, for example the belief that the classification based on skin colour and other skin deep properties like body shape or hair style maps onto meaningful, important biological kinds which is a pseudo biological concept that has been used to justify and rationalise the unequal treatment of groups of people or others (Machery Faucher 2005). Social constructionism became prevalent mainly in the 1970s. It became recognised that the biological concept of subspecies, that is, of population of conspecifics that are genetically and morphologically different from each other, could not be applied to human. Assigning an individual to a race does not buy the inferential power you are usually warranted to expect from a biological kind term. Also, classifications based on different traits such as skin colour, body shape hair etc usually cross cut each other (Brown Armelagos 2001). Thus, the racialist tenet that skin colour and other skin deep properties pick up different biological groups has been assumed to be false. Thus, biology has fuelled the recent racial scepticism of social constructionists, that is, the view that races do not exist. But social constructionists about race are not mere sceptics. They usually underscore the instability and diversity of human beings concept of races. For instance Omi and Winant (2002) state that effort must be made to understand race as an unstable and decentered complex of social meanings constantly being transformed by political struggle. Banton (1970) suggest that this notion is a modern intervention, rooted in the eighteenth century taxonomies of Linnaeus and Blumenbach, for them, there were times or places where people did not have any concept of race (Machery Faucher 2005). The constructionist contribution to the understanding of racialism is important. It suggests that individuals concept of race do not occur in a social vacuum: social environment are important to explain the concept of our concept of race. This helps to identify the diversity of indi viduals concept of race across cultures. There has been growing literature in evolutionary psychology and evolutionary anthropology about racialism. Although no consensus has yet emerged, several proposals have recently attempted to describe the underlying cognitive mechanism responsible for the production of racial concepts (e.g., Hirschfield, 2001; White, 2001; Machery Faucher 2005). The two latter approaches are both a needed supplement to the social constructionist approach. The recurrence of racial classification across cultures and the commonalties between them suggest that racial classifications are the product of some universal psychological disposition. There is much literature that addresses the issue of interracial relationships and marriages specifically, for example both quantitative and qualitative methods have been implemented. Interracial heterosexual relationships have been explored from many viewpoints. Qualitative research has been conducted on black men and white women interracial couples (McNamara, Tempenis, Walton 1999; Rosenblatt, Karis, Powell 1995; Spickard 1989) and quantitative data of black and white attitudes towards interracial dating (Davis Smith 1991). Social sciences have focused on how and why interracial couples have come together, the demographic similarities and differences and the comparisons of interracial relationship compared with same race relationships (Davis 1941; Gaines et al. 1999). Davis (1941) article deals with interrelation between marriage and cast and Gains (1991) research is concerned with the differences between secure and insecure individuals among both sexes in heterosexual interraci al couples. Qualitative studies of interracial relationships has focused on the views, experiences and opinions of the couples and their relationships with society and the community (McNamara et al 1999; Root 2001) Some researchers have suggested that the number of couples, although increasing has remained small because of the lack of acceptance. It has been found that ethnic minority communities at times consider minority individuals that pair with partners as race traitors or whitewashed (Pan, 2000). Yet, there is little research on the ways that interracial couples are socially constructed and the societal responses from black womens towards interracial relationships. Existing research on interracial relationships show that they do not look at examining race as a changing socio historical concept and construct. Researchers have studied interracial relationships without first acknowledging race and racial groups as socially constructed and subject to change and conflict instead they reproduce the idea of race as real and a natural phenomenon. While the latter literature review has provided important perspectives on understanding interracial relationships, the current study is different as the study places an importance on societal responses to interracial relationships from the voices of British black women. Evolved Cognition and Ethnicity and Culture: Cultural Transmission Ethnicity and culture are related phenomena and bear no intrinsic connection to human biological variations or race. Ethnicity refers to cluster of people who have common culture traits that they distinguish from those of other people. People who share a common language, geographic locale or place of origin, religion or sense of history, traditional values, values and so on, are perceived, and view themselves as constituting, an ethnic group (e.g., Jones,1997 Smedley 1999). However, according to Smedley and Smedley (2005) ethnic groups and ethnicity are not fixed, bounded entities, they are flexible and open to change and they are usually self defined (Barth, 1998) Theories of cultural transmission provide the proper framework for integrating the two main traditions in the study of racialism (Richerson Boyd, 2004). The idea is that many beliefs, preferences, reasoning patters are socially learned. Similar to the traditional social learning theory, they are acquired from ones social environment form an individuals cultural parents for instance (Boyd Richerson, 1985). According to Machery Faucher (2005) race is culturally transmitted, which lines with social constructionist reliance on traditional theories of social is learning, that is, with the idea that the concept of race is acquired from an individuals social environment. This in turn gives explanations as to why a culture, at a time, people tend to have the same concept of race. This also explains why different cultures at different times have endorsed the same concepts. The Social Construction of Interracial Couples The ideas of race has been produce and reproduced though the construction of racial groups and social interaction, which had led to consequences in beliefs and practices. Therefore the images and meaning attached to black and white relationships are not simply produced by the black women but are rather constructed, socially, culturally, politically in their society and by the varying social groups (Childs, 2005). Therefore the black womens understanding of their own identities are shaped by the responses of others and the images of how black women oppose to interracial relationships in which exists. Unnatural discourse In British culture interracial relations is probelematised. Interracial sex is treated as a problem. Recent films such as Jungle Fever, Bodyguard and Rising Sun have portrayed interracial sexual relations as acts of deviance (Mencke, 1976). These narratives have been accompanied by severe moral lessons about destructive nature of such unions, which often damage not only the lives of the character but their family and friends too. Whatever the situation, the unifying element of such popular representation is that interracial relationships do not work. Academia controversy often surrounds the culturally authoritative discourse of science. This has been used overtime to justify a multitude of agendas, not least of which has been to ensure a moral argument for slavery and the conquest of the New World. Infused with notions borrowed from Darwins theories of evolution and natural selection, fears expressed in such writings have typically been grounded on notions of purity and degeneration of races through mixing of blood. Typically, researchers conclude that participants in interracial relations are deviant, rebellious or rejected by their racial group (Buttny, 1987; Muhsam, 1990), it is clear that racial categories are bounded within discursive constructs that make any transgression appear abnormal, if not wrong. Sexual relations between black men and white women have generally been located in the discourses of the unnatural. Sexuality between races has been constructed as transgression. Saxton (1995) argues that race thinking rests on class foundation , and it is also the case that ideologies of racism, one articulated, take on a life of their own and assume many contested and varied forms. Hooks (1990) puts forward, that our attempt to destabilise the naturalised discourses that define and construct race and sexuality is confounded by language (Tyner Houston, 2000). Mapping a discourse The current discourse against interracial relationships includes the following. First, it entails a range of racialised masculinities and images of what it means to be a man differentiated by race and class and at times drawing in racist stereotypes of the nineteenth and twentieth centurys. Secondly white femininity is racialised; white women who choose interracial relationships are constructed as sexually loose or sexually radical. Third, the discourse generates a view interracial relationship as transgressing fixed racial or cultural boundaries. These three elements presuppose a fourth, the idea of race as explained earlier as a fixed and essential axis of differentiation and sixth, the idea of cultural differences is tied to race and biological belonging (Frankenberg, 1993). Social Construction of Black women, Black Femininity, Gender and Mixed race as Ideal Research on the issues of black womens, appearance and the marriage market is also important (Childs, 2000). Morrison (1972) wrote that there are devastating effects of persistent European ideals of beauty on the self image of black women. While light skin blacks are evaluated as more attractive and more victorious in terms of income and employment (Hughes Hertel, 1990). This of course plays a huge role in the way that black women construct interracial dating and specifically the white women since the discrimination based on skin colour may be associated with the decision to date interracially as a privileging of lighter skin and the lightest skin of all white (Russell, Wilson Hall 1993; Childs 2005). It is important to understand that there are a dual set of myths which distinguishes the construction of black women from other groups. The social construction of race is dependent on gender categorisation and the social construction of gender is dependent on racial categorisations. This process of using race to define gender has a long standing history. According to White (2001) he argues that nineteenth century scientists often used race to explain gender and gender to explain race. The result of this is the segregation between groups of individuals based on their race and genders; where some groups are portrayed as dominant and normal and others as subordinate are based on social construction , the consequences of this is real and determines the power relations both between and within groups. In an effort to maintain these power relations and structures, cultural myths and symbols which are mainly based on stereotypes are employed. And as such, cultural symbols of black womanhood serve to mask as normalise the inequitable position of black women. As a result of racing gendering, black women find themselves marginalised on two fronts, race and gender. They are margin isled because they are non white. This marginalisation occurs on two levels, the first being that there is a construction of black women in relation to white men. Secondly, there is the construction of black women in relation to white women. Overtime time, these multiple marginalisations resulted in the development and redevelopment of a number if cultural symbols and icon used to represent black womanhood (Zachery, 2009). Dominant discourses: Now Interracial sexual relationships remain controversial both in the United Sates and the United Kingdom. Examining the discourse on interracial relationships brings a range of issues key to comprehending the impact of racism both on black womens experience and worldview and on social organisation more broadly. Interracial relationships continue to be a social issue in the black communities. Most black- white relationships involve a black man and white women according to the UK census. According to Collins (2000) black women remain called upon to accept and love the mixed race children born to brothers friends and relatives who at the same time often represent tangible reminders of their own rejection (2000, 195). Dickson (1993) suggest that interracial relationships between black men and white women along with the high murder rates in black communities, and levels of incarceration are viewed as the source of the shortage of good black men. Although statistics show that there is an increase in black white interracial relationships and marriages, the oppositions to these relationships have not necessarily disappeared. No matter how these relationships are viewed, what are interesting about them are the responses they receive from black women. An in depth analysis on black British womens constructions on heterosexual interracial relationships will provide a better understanding of this phenomenon. Therefore this project will look specifically look at the way in which British black women respond to interracial relationships and specifically their constructions towards white women who have interracial relationships. The project will look at the way black women construct interracial relationtions by asking them about their attitudes and their beliefs of interracial relationships, and popular culture and media depictions. I will discuss the images and discourses that have been constructed about interracial relationships and how these images and discourses contribute to the construction and maintenance of how black women construct white women who have interracial relationships. I approach the study of interracial relationships, understanding these interracial unions as socially constructed. It is important to understand that this will not be a nationwide representative study of attitudes, beliefs or occurrences that can be generalised. Rather this project provides an ethnographic look at black womens constructions through in depth focus groups Method Participants I recruited my participant by handing out a recruitment sheet outside lectures. The recruitment letter explained the nature of the study and if the student wished to participate in the study to please contact me. My participants were either students at London Southbank University or known to me personally. Their age ranged from 16- 45, all of my participants were Black British women; All of my participants were born in Britain. It was made clear to all of the participants that they could withdraw from the study at anytime. Design Discursive analysis provides an ideal opportunity for studying ideology in psychology. In the 1970s the materialization of a new paradigm in social psychology occurred. New paradigm researchers called for a turn to language which was inspired by theories and research which had emerged from other disciplines. This turn to language was the setting of the emergence during the 1980s, in social and developmental psychology and in other major parts of psychology (Parker, 2005). Studies such as Henriques et al, (1984) illustrated how language that is spoken can be organised as patterns of discourse. Discourse had a theoretical basis in the social constructionist approach (e.g., Burr, 2003). The social constructionist perspectives purpose was that understanding the study of human interaction and the linguistic communication is of importance. According to discursive psychology, language does not merely express experiences, rather, language also constitutes experiences and the subjective, psyc hological reality (Potter Wetherell 1987; Shotter 1993; Wetherell 1995); therefore, construction of social reality through the use of language enables discourse analysis to come about. This social process sustains this knowledge through social interactions (Burr, 1995) discourse can alter and adapt overtime; therefore, discourse are historically and culturally identifiable and is analysed through the language employed in the social interactions. This method is what I thought is best suited for my final year project as I was not looking for the participants personal experiences but rather how the participants construct inter-racial relationships and white women who have inter-racial relationships. Potter and Wetherell (1987) introduced discourse to gain a better understanding of social texts through examining social life and social interactions. Its aim was to scrutinise discourse through analysing verbal and written communication. A number of themes are common in discourse analysis these include rhetoric, voice, footing, discursive repertoires and the dialogical nature of talk. Potter and Wetherell 1987; Wetherell Potter 1992 provided some of the best work on social psychology. It was developed as an analysis of racist interpretive repertoire. This entail suggested how discourse functions ideologically. For example a discourse of heterosexuality defines what is deviant. The practice of discourse analysis involves a range of procedures designed to encourage the researchers to process and reprocess their material these include transcription, coding and recoding. According to Potter (2003), Discourse analysis is the study of how to talk and texts are used to perform actions. He suggested that discourse analysis research should centre on four aspects. How language forms and constructs accounts on social things; how actions and social practices are achieved through linguistics; the ideologies of a particular social action, and, looking at psychological concepts through discourse. Therefore this method will be used to analyse the transcript. Black womens constructions towards interracial relationships and white women who have interracial relationships; Transcript of two focus group discussions between young black women will be analysed. An examination of the text will be scrutinised closely, known as coding (Potter Wetherell, 1987) coding helps to select relevant information from the text. However, there will always be parts of discourse in which cannot be analysed; thus the same text can be analysed again, generating further insight (Potter Wetherell, 1987; Wetherell Potter 1992; Willig 1995, 1997, 1998) the data will analyse any key discourse that show from the data and how the data constructs that. The discourse analysis will also pinpoint any interpretive repertoires (Gilbert, Mulkay, 1984) and instances that occur in the text. This will require reading and re- reading the transcript, making various notes and coding gathered by the repertoires. Procedure The process of recruiting participants was not difficult, mainly because some of the participants were known personally to me and that I also recruited LSBU students, therefore the participants were easily accessible. Needless to say, the women who took part in the project did so voluntarily. They also knew they could refuse to answer particular questions, or discontinue with the discussion at any given time. I advertised by handing out a participation information sheet (see Appendix A) to several students. I gave them a brief overview of the study and asked whether they would be interested in taking part in the study. Two focus group discussions took place in a private area in the LSBU library where they were all given consent forms to sign (see Appendix B). Predetermined questions were asked and the process was recorded using a tape recorder and dictaphone. Private matters in regards to relationships were asked therefore all participants were introduced to one another to ensure that there was no discomfort. The nature of the study was explained to all the participants individually and within the focus group discussion so that no offence was taken when the questions were asked amongst one another. I guided the focus group to express both their opinions and thoughts on the subject at hand and ensured that the discussion did not go off tangent, therefore limitations were applied. I then later transcribed the focus group and drew out themes that emerged from the discussion. Materials Recruitment To recruit the participants an information sheet was handed out, which can be found in Appendix A. It was intended to be clear about the criteria of the project whilst also being highly informative. Schedule Participants were instructed to answer questions which can be found in Appendix C Analysis The transcript is one of two focus group discussion about interracial relationships and how black women construct interracial relationships and how they construct white women who have interracial relationships. The first focus group consisted of six young black women and the second consisted four. Several themes emerged from the data. The analysis revealed, through grammatical and stylistic strategies numerous interpretive repertoires Wetherell and Potter (1998): deviation, extrematisation, constructing relationship as sexual, generalisation and hypersexualisaion normalising in order to put themselves in positions to validate their views on white women and interracial relationships in general. Both focus group discussions justify their actions through language as to why they have these views; this is when discourses are visible. Focus group discussion between young black women students Extract 1 discussion transcript 1 (Page 1) interpretive repertoire: Positioning themselves Participants constructed meaning through shared conversation: they mutually positioned themselves using a variety of discursive techniques. The participants also justified their answers by using discursive markers. Sianne like the other black respondents employed a discursive strategy I am not fazed by it, but by also offering disclaimers doesnt bother me. However they give several reasons as to why interracial couples are problematic Sianne; When I see a black man with a white woman Im not phased to be honest as the saying goes Love is Blind. But sometimes I find that when I pass a mixed couple sometimes the man will avoid glancing in my direction and the woman seems tense. (Laughter) From the language used, Sianne and the other black females use discursive strategy by first stating that they are not against interracial couples Im not fazed by it (line 74-76) It doesnt bother me but show signs that the relationship lacks security. For example Sianne states that the man avoids looking at her and the woman seems tense. According to Wetherell and Potter (1992) posits that racism must be viewed as a series of ideological effect with flexible, fluid and varying content. Therefore, racist discourse should not be viewed as static and homogeneous, but as dynamic and contradictory. Some of the participants state that they do not have a problem with an interracial coupling. However, they use language amongst each other witch contradict themselves (Lines 91-92). Saphira: I dont really think anything unless the black guy is really attractive and the white woman is ugly The extract opens with a disclaimer (Hewitt Stokes, 1975) a disclaimer is a verbal devise that anticipates, and rejects, potentially negative attributions. I dont really think anything disclaims possible attribution of intolerance in the light of the comments in which are about to follow unless the black guy is really attractive. Extract 2 discussion transcripts 1 (Page) interpretive repertoire: Constructing relationship as sexual and deviant A significant piece of the opposition from the black women was why a black man would chose to date a white woman. They construct meaning as to why they becoming interracially involved and the implications for black women. Several of the participants construct white women as easy and more inclined to perform oral sex as the reason why a black man will choose to be in a relationship with a white woman. Saphira; I think white woman are more open to trying new things sexually that a black man wouldnt get from a black woman, I think they come across easier .   When asked why a black man would choose to be in a relationship with a white women. A variety of terms was employed by the participants. This included easier (Saphira) and stress free lifestyle (Jamila) open-minded to certain sexual acts (Justina). Justina; I personally think that a black man would be in a sexual relationship with a white woman because, she may be more inclined to perform certain sexual acts that may be a taboo in a black womans eyes and may also be more open-minded to certain sexual acts such as oral sex or oral sex in comparison to a black woman (Lines 96-101). Black women thus positioned interracial relationships as sexual and constructed white women as easier and stress free. It shows that white femininity is racialsied; that white women are easy and are sexually radical. A rhetorical technique employed here is constructing corroboration and consensuses (Edwards et., 1992) white women are more open minded to oral sex acts by saying that more than one women behave this way. This technique is used again by Justina this may be a taboo in black women eyes she positions herself to the category entitlement Extract 3 discussion transcripts 1 and 2 (Page) interpretive repertoire: Shortage of good black men Saphira; When I see a good looking black guy with a white woman, I cant help but be disappointed and look and think why?.   The construction of black and white couples (focusing here on a black man with a white women) as outside the norm, Saphira also constructs that these couplings as deviant (lines 155-156). Tanya: I know this is really judgmentalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦but I automatically think that the black man is not really black! By this I mean he is surrounding by white friends he has never dated a black female and deep down he wishes he was white. Its a bit of a waste inità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ One theme in which was visible in both transcripts was the shortage of good black men. Tanya states in the above extract its a bit of a waste init signifying that black men have value before becoming involved with white women. This construction exposes black racism and opposition to interracial relationships. Tanya also uses a disclaimer, a rhetorical devise that allows her to put forward what may be seen as judgemental views Pricilla: discussed how black men of high status with wealth get with white women because they see them as a symbol of success (Lines 82-83). In lines 82 to 83 Pricella constructs more general oppositional categories of them Extract 4 discussion transcript 1 (Page) interpretive repertoire: Diluting the race Traitor Black communities can act as deterrent to interracial relationships as these relationships are constructed as incompatible with black cultural affinity. In other words for a black man to engage in an intimate relationship with a white women means that one is a traitor to white society and in the process sold out the black society. During the focus group discussion Pricella constructs black men who get with white women as traterish especially African men (lines 242-244). Pricella: doesnt make me feel anything but I aint gona alie I think its traiterish its like they getting with a white women is the ultimate price for them when a black men get status even African men Ooh white women Saphira: also state that people may view the black man as