School Dress Codes Good or Restraining Essays - 2330 Words

School Dress Codes Final Paper As the society that we live in today grows and becomes more accepting of the different ways people act, groom, and dress, we look to expand the policies we have in place in our schools regarding the ways our students are allowed to present themselves in the classroom. Each different school has their own dress code that they expect their students to follow. Most private schools require that students wear a uniform to school they also have regulations on what type of clothes is acceptable attire to wear to school. In addition to clothes, schools also have rules on how students are allowed to wear their hair and makeup (PBS, 1999). In recent years there has been a growing argument about these dress codes and†¦show more content†¦This is because of high suspension numbers along with the low-test scores the parents and faculty members agreed that something had to change, the vote passed and the mandatory dress code policy would be put in effect for the first time in a public school (Wilson, 1998). This policy started off small but once schools noticed the results that the Long Beach middle school was seeing the policy began to be adopted by more schools throughout the country. In 1994 the state of California passed a state law that would allow schools to enforce a school uniform policy (King, 1998). The following year many states like New Jersey, Texas and Iowa also passed laws like the one in California (King, 1998). Each state that has these laws in place has similar requirements for the schools to follow. For instance, California requires that the schools that do have mandatory uniforms ensure that the uniforms are a fair price allowing low-income families to be able to afford the proper attire for their child to attend the school (King, 1998). Other states like Washington allow parents to opt-out of the school that has the uniform policy. The child can be sent to another school if the parents of the child do not want to se nd their son or daughter to a school that requires them to wear a uniform (King, 1998). In addition to the mandatory uniform policies states like Iowa have dress code laws that prohibits students from wearing any clothing that in any way are gangShow MoreRelatedSchool Violence And Its Effect On Society2229 Words   |  9 PagesSchool Violence Violence in schools has spread rapidly throughout the nation and has caused many difficulties and fear among students, families, teachers and staff, and residents of the areas afflicted by the crimes. Many believe that school violence is only very recent occurrence, but this is untrue. It is easy for people to forget that there was life before the internet and many crimes were not publicly known as they are today. The speed in which the internet and cable television spreadRead MoreTaking a Look at Change Management2508 Words   |  10 Pagesvarious programs. This College enjoys reputation for understanding and supporting students need and to excel their future to desire career goal. College is a perfect bridge for international and domestic students making their journey from secondary school to high quality bachelor degree program. The main focus is to prepare students for undergraduate and postgraduate programs by developing their academic, learning and study skills through their various suite of programs. College provides well-resourcedRead MoreEssay on Tda 3.2 Assignment Schools as Organisations9471 Words   |  38 PagesTDA 3.2 Schools as Organisations 1. Know the structure of education from early years to post compulsory education. 1.1 Summarise entitlement provision for early year’s education. Every child who on the term commencing after their 3rd Birthday is entitled to a free part time place in early years education. This was formed as part of the Every Child Matters agenda. From 0-5 years the framework of learning, development care forms the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which follows theRead MoreE-Commerce5697 Words   |  23 Pagesï » ¿ ASSESSEMENT and ASSIGNMENT BRIEF Unit 2 : Management In IT UNIT CODE: J/601/0462 Learning Hours: Hours. Self-learning hours: Course: HND CSD – Level 4 Credits: 15 Term: Lecturer: Raj Verifier: Learners Name JORNA BEGUM Registration Number BATCH-2 Learners Declaration: I certify thatRead MoreHospitality Supervision13923 Words   |  56 Pagessupervisor are more often made on the basis of seniority or good work habits. An organization rarely performs an analysis of the requisite knowledge and skills required by supervisors to assist their staff. Supervisors do not receive the support or structure they require. And also they are asked to supervise too many people, situated too far apart, and are given too little time or resources. From my point of view supervisor must be a good communicators, trainer, and coacher. Supervisors should useRead MoreEssay about Regulating Prostitution4814 Words   |  20 Pagesoutlets outside of marriage. In order to prevent them committing adultery and threatening their marriages, society should facilitate men’s access to prostitutes. It follows from St Augustine’s argument that two separate classes of women were required - good, virtuous, sexually faithful wives to service men’s procreative needs within marriage, and prostitutes who would cater to their desires and pleasures outside of marriage. Such thinking views prostitution as a necessary social evil, and reinforces theRead MoreFor Against by L.G. Alexander31987 Words   |  128 PagesThe book may be used in addition to an advanced course like Fluency in English. 2 Secondary or adult students who are not preparing for an examination of any kind and who are attending classes mainly to improve their c ommand of spoken English. 3 Schools and institutes where wastage caused by irregular attendance and late starters is a problem. ASSUMED AURAL/ORAL ABILITY Students who have completed elementary and intermediate courses in spoken English should have no difficulty with this bookRead MoreThe White Man s Burden10652 Words   |  43 Pagescommand, resulting in the most instant and perfect obedience. What never can grow out of it is power’ (Arendt, 1972: 152). The basis of power is not violence for it exists out of the agreement between people and those who are in authority, law is a good example in which people show obedience and respect. So, in the positive meaning of power it is a relation and an ‘end in itself’ when people act together (Arendt, 1972: 150). It leaves no doubt that this relation is muffled if power becomes in theRead MoreUshering in Church17462 Words   |  70 Pagesproblems. So he purposed to seat them behind a real lovey-dovey couple in the church, who were always nibbling on each other’s ears. He put them behind that couple so they could see that it is possible to have a good marriage. It is possible that you can love one another and have a good marriage. That is what is exciting. In the Spirit-realm you learn these things. I knew an usher who stopped a man from searching through a pastor’s desk after God spoke to him. You must expect God to use youRead MoreThe White Man s Burden By Rudyard Kipling10612 Words   |  43 Pagesexplain. Thus, she decides to leave India without saying anything about those secrets. Aziz looks at Moore as having ‘eternal goodness’ (III, XXXVI: 297) attaching some Greek mythology to her character. 2.2.3 Fielding # Mr. Fielding is an English school headmaster of an Indian College, which means he has no power like other officials in the British colonial system. His job demands him to interact with the natives. His attachment with the Indians enables him to distinguish them better than anybody

Cdcs Control and Prevention of Hiv - 586 Words

Summary of Research for Legal Project Presentation Tammy Fergerson HCS/430 7/15/2012 Edna Wilkerson The Center for Disease Control provides leadership, guidance, and research to help control the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic by working alongside the communities on a state and national level. They are also partners with other countries abroad in research, surveillance and evaluation of activities among the world’s population. The activities monitored are critical to CDC due to the estimated 1.1 million Americans infected with the disease. Some of these infected populations do not know they are infected and the number increases each year. CDC’s programs help improve the†¦show more content†¦(2012). In Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Retrieved July 15, 2012, fromShow MoreRelatedHuman Immunodeficiency Virus ( Hiv ) / Aids1278 Words   |  6 Pagesimmunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS is a pandemic problem affecting global health. At the end of 2015, 36.7 million people were living with HI V/AIDS globally. The rate of incidence is more prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa with almost 1 in every 24 adults living with HIV/AIDS. In the united states, HIV/AIDS is a diversified health problem affecting all sexes, ages and races and involving the transmission of multiple risk behavior. However, with the introduction of various prevention programs and antiretroviralRead MoreThe Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( Hiv )1459 Words   |  6 PagesThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS (auto immunodeficiency syndrome – the final stage of HIV) can be classified as one of the most devastating epidemics in United States history (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). Although still an alarming concern in public health, due to prevention strategies and medical advances, the disease is less fatal and is treated as a chronic disease (instead of a death sentence, as in the past). There are currently 1.2 millionRead MoreHiv / Aids : A Global Health Syste m1606 Words   |  7 PagesHIV/AIDS: A global health system Rita K. Asiedu Rutgers University Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS is a pandemic problem affecting global health. At the end of 2015, 36.7 million people were living with HIV/AIDS globally. The rate of incidence is more prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa with almost 1 in every 24 adults living with HIV/AIDS. In the united states, HIV/AIDS is a diversified health problem affecting all sexes, ages and races and involving the transmission of multipleRead MoreThe Effects Of Hiv On A Healthy Lifestyle1553 Words   |  7 Pagesindividuals who have contracted HIV, there are certain steps a person can take to live a healthy lifestyle. Most people assume that after a person has contracted HIV, then it is over and there is nothing that person can do. It is true that the HIV virus does not have a cure, but it does not mean that people have to let the virus consume them by thinking there is nothing they can do. If the individual found out early the HIV virus was in their body, they can go to a HIV medical care and receive à ¢â‚¬Å"antiretroviral†Read MoreThe Importance Of Public Health Policy803 Words   |  4 PagesThere are seven words that the Trump administration has allegedly banned the policy analysts at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in preparing the 2019 budget. However, CDC Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald issued a statement to deny the agency was prohibited from using the seven words or phrases. The Washington Post identified the seven words or phrases as vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based, and science-based. The instructions were given at a meetingRead MoreThe Importance Of Evidence Based On Public Health996 Words   |  4 Pages According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evidence based is having the necessary tools to improve the population health. The importance of evidence based on Public Health, because its focus on the population and emphasis on the prevention, health promotion and the whole entire community. Effective programs can help increase understanding of STDs and HIV and how to get proper screening. Effective programs/policies/initiatives The CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School HealthRead MoreHiv Aids And Hiv And Aids1246 Words   |  5 Pages HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus (Avert). It is virus that attacks the immune system, our body’s defense against disease (Avert). Individuals who become infected with HIV will find it harder to fight infections (Avert). HIV is located in semen, blood, vaginal and anal fluids, and breast milk (HIV and Aids). The most common method to become infected is through anal or vaginal sex without a condom (HIV and Aids). Other forms of contraction include using infected needles/ syringes, fromRead MoreEssay on Prevention Of Hiv Transmittance To Babies1145 Words   |  5 Pages Prevention of HIV Transmittance to Babies Last year, it was cause for celebration. The cause of celebration was for the results that several clinical trials of zidovudine cut the risk for mother to child transmission of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) by two thirds. Although, this year, it is the basis for new federal recommendations that all pregnant women should receive HIV testing and counseling. But, these findings have been cause of protests by several activist groups. Activists fear thatRead MoreHuman Immunodeficiency Virus And Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Essay1691 Words   |  7 Pagestransmitted, so basically if it is highly contagious and most importantly, if any cure has been established for it. Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(HIV/AIDS) is one of the most difficult epidemics to control. This is because, the HIV virus attacks the very cells designed to control and as such, can avoid exposure to treatments which is the major reason why a cure for it hasn’t been found. Owing to the lack of their knowledge of the severity of the virus, a shadowRead MoreCenters for Disease Control and Prevention629 Words   |  3 Pages Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weam Khadim PBHE501-American Public University May 21, 2013 Dr. Shalah Watkins-Bailey Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Center for Disease Control and Prevention is a national public health federal agency under Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It is division of Department of Health and Human Services responsible for managing national programs for control and prevention of communicable diseases

Psychology Myths free essay sample

Power Most people believe that people only use 10% of the brain power because they are hopeful. Even very educated people fall into this trap. If only ten percent is being used, there Is plenty of room to become smarter. But this is untrue. Businesses feed off this hope for self-improvement, and therefore, create products that do not actually aid in self-improvement but Just act as a feel good product for the customer. But these scams and shortcuts are useless. Hard work is the only way of getting ahead in life.Looking at the Terrier Achieve case, 50% of her cerebrum was destroyed in an accident, and after the fact, she remained In a state of vegetation for fifteen years before her inevitable death. If 90% of the brain was not needed, Achieve should have survived. And In stoke and head trauma patients, no matter which part of the brain is destroyed, patients are always left with serious deficits in functioning. Finally, when parents of the brain are unused, they either wither away or are colonized by surrounding areas. Furthermore, people do not use only ten percent of their brain power. This is a myth I already knew to be false. And I found the supporting evidence to be very interesting. Chapter 2: Myth # 6 Playing Mozart Music to Infants Boost Their Intelligence In 1 993, a study was published showing that college students who listened to 10 minutes of Mozart sonatas performed much better on spatial reasoning tasks then the students who did not listen. Soon after, this study was blown out of proportion, and the Mozart Effect was born. The Mozart Effect is the claim that people became more Intelligent upon listening to Mozart music.It has even gotten to the point where the New York Jets played Mozart during practice to enhance their performance, and newborns in Georgia received free copies of Mozart CDC to increase intelligence. But research done on the Mozart Effect after the original study have not backed up the claim. Most research leads to another explanation: short- term arousal. So while Mozart music may boost performances shortly after listening, It has nothing to do with the music itself. And Mozart music does not have the ability to increase intelligence in adults or infants either.I was skeptical about this myth when I first heard this myth a few years ago, and it seems had good reason to be. Chapter 3: Myth # 14- Most People with Amnesia Forget All Details of Their Earlier Lives 1 OFFS up from a lengthy comma after an accident with little or no recollection of the past events in his life. This is what most Americans have come to believe. But in the real Nor, amnesia is the complete opposite; instead, those with amnesia have difficulty creating new memories. Also, the generalized amnesia that is portrayed in these Hollywood movies is extremely rare. There are more misconceptions that the public have about amnesia.One being, amnesia patients lives normal lives despite their loss of memory, and two being, a second bump to the head can be responsible for bringing lost memories back. Both are wrong. Amnesia patients are almost always scarred with lasting and serious cognitive deficits, and a second bump to the head only creates more problems. Sadly, I had fallen victim to this myth due to all the amnesia movies I had seen. Chapter 4: Myth # 16 If Youre Unsure of Your Answer When Taking a Test, Its Best to Stick with Your Initial Hunch he First Instinct Fallacy warns multiple choice test takers to be wary of changing answers. For it is more likely to change a right answer into a wrong answer than it is to change a wrong answer to a right answer. Though professors, students, and Inebriates encourage students to trust their initial hunch, scientific findings suggest otherwise. Over sixty studies suggest changing answers. For each point that students lose when changing from a right to a wrong answer, they gain between two and three points on average in changing from a wrong to a right answer. I admit that eave historically stuck with my hunches, but I wont be anymore.Chapter 5: Myth # 20 Researches Have Demonstrated that Dreams Possess Symbolic Meaning Once again brainwashed by popular belief, high percentages of people across the glove believe that dreams mirror peoples desires, showing the future, personal insight, and advice. Freud state that dreams were the royal road to understanding the unconscious mind, or the via Regina. During dreaming, the egos defenses are down, allowing the id to shine through. The id is then morphed into trademark, symbols masking hidden wishes.He warns though, that this trademark is difficult to decipher and not universal for all. However, modern scientists have not come across any evidence to prove Freud correct. Whilst in ERM sleep, people often have illogical and emotional dreams. Hobnobs and McCauley concocted a theory tying dreaming to brain activity instead of symbolic expression of unconscious wishes. Because of the haphazard information transmitted from the ponds of the brain, dreaming essentially has no meaning. But Freud was correct about two points: dreams are influenced by daily activity, and dreams are emotion based.This was another myth that I believed Chapter 6: Myth #25 Ulcers Are Caused Primarily or Entirely by Stress before the medical breakthrough in the mid sass, ulcers were believed to be caused by stress, along with a plethora of other causes. Frauds assumption that ulcers were result of psychological conflict. And to this day, this is still the popular belief, along Ninth eating and lifestyle habits. Also, because stomachs churn because of stress, it is assumed that stress can lead to other stomach problems.But proof arose when Marshall and Warren identified the relation between ulcers and the Helicopter wooly bacterium. But as usual, popular belief was slow to follow medical findings. But though awareness has spread, most still believe that stress is the primary cause of ulcers. But most likely, a combination of dangerous bacteria, stress, and emotions create a perfect environment for H. Pylori to wreak havoc on the stomach tissues. I believed this myth because I had a friend last year who was unbelievably stressed and also happened to have stomach ulcers.Chapter 7: Myth #27 Opposites Attract: We Are Most Romantically Attracted to People Who Differ from Us Everyone is in love with idea of opposites attracting romantically. But its too good to be true, right? Yes. This is one of many psychology myths that is always backwards. Dozens of studies show people with similar personality traits are more attracted to each other than if they had differing personality traits. Hence the creation of Inebriates such as Match. Com and Raymond. Com that match people based on shared personality traits and attitudes.Similarity in these traits are also a good indicator of marriage and happiness. So most of the time, like attracts like and opposites actually repel each other. This was a myth that I had heard much of and correctly rejected. Chapter 8: Myth #36 Our Handwriting Reveals Our Personality Traits Handwriting style is unique to each individual. Because of this, graphology, the analysis of handwriting, could possibly reveal our unique psychological make up. As a pseudoscience, graphology is not completely reliable and even open for interpretation.A whip like crossed letter t to one graphologist indicates a sadist but a Kerr to another graphologist. Graphologists say things such as the police and courts employees, but it isnt true. Police and courts dont use graphology and the pool of possible employees is already all qualified. Richard Kowalski conducted an experiment in 1992 and found that graphologists did no better than chance when foretelling ones Job performance based on handwriting. This was a myth I found to be somewhat silly; it is like Judging a book by its cover.Chapter 9: Myth #36 Theres Recently Been a Massive Epidemic of Infantile Autism Recently, the public has come to believe autistic babies are popping out of wombs left and right. Before the sass, 1 in 2,500 were autistic. That statistic is now 1 in 150, n astonishing 657% increase. Many parents pointed their fingers at Mercury tainted canines, even though there is no link between the two. Additionally, the 2008 U. S. Presidential election supported the increasing prevalence of autism, leading even more people to believe in the myth.But it is unlikely that autism is becoming more common. Instead, we must turn to a loosening of diagnostic procedures in recent times. And because schools are required to have an exact count of children with disabilities such as autism, the number of cases reported now does not reflect the hang in autisms frequency. Movies such as The Rain Man also created a heightened observation for autism. All these factors lead to the conclusion that the autism epidemic is an illusion; autism diagnoses are out of the roof while there is no actual increase in the prevalence of autism.This all makes for a pointless fuss over the autism epidemic. This was a myth I was already aware of because Born On A IEEE Day and having an autistic family friend; I was Just still curious on the matter. Chapter 1 1: Myth #49 All Effective Psychotherapies Force People to Confront the Root Causes of Their Problems in Childhood Hollywood movies often dramatist psychotherapy sessions, showing a patient reclined on a couch, searching for memories from childhood, and suddenly remembrance of a painful event.This stems from Frauds belief in current difficulties are rooted in experiences from childhood. Adding on to Freud, Harry Lessons belief that early memories when correctly interpreted often reveal very quickly the basic core of ones personality was also shared by many. Though childhood problems may help understand ongoing problems, these recollections are often distorted and accurate. Furthermore, childhood problems do not have to do with later psychological problems and do not need to be known to change.Later therapies emphasized the signifi cance of current awareness, acceptance, and expression of emotions. Behavior therapists define successful therapy as acquiring adaptive behaviors and strategies that patients can actually use in real life. As proof, in one psychotherapy treatment, 24 out of 42 patients improved but showed no insight forwards instead of backwards. This was another myth I thought was real because it seemed legitimate.

The Congo Crisis an International Perspective Essay Example

The Congo Crisis: an International Perspective Essay The Congo Crisis: An International Perspective There is a need to take advantage of the change that has taken place in the Congo, however tragic that has been in its coming. – Paul Kagame As the third largest country in Africa and blessed with a large endowment of natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo possesses great opportunity to develop itself into a successful nation. However, the great abuses of the Congo’s colonial rulers and the lack of central unity across its vast territory left the nascent republic to be taken advantage of by various forces, both inside and outside the country. From the first colonization of the area under King Leopold’s reign of terror as his personal colonial venture, to the Belgians rapid handover of independence after only five months notice, the position of the Congo as colonialism’s worst legacy led to the volatile state present at independence in 1960 which resulted in the Republic of Leopoldville being reduced to six years of civil war and secessionism known as the Congo Crisis. The Congo Crisis and its effect on the Congo is of utmost importance especially in respect to the First and Second Congo Wars, current conflicts which have cost millions of lives and involved up to twenty five armed groups and eight African nations. To that end, this essay will seek to analyze how outside interests effected the development of the 1960-1966 Congo Crisis and to research this internal conflict in its international context. We will write a custom essay sample on The Congo Crisis: an International Perspective specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Congo Crisis: an International Perspective specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Congo Crisis: an International Perspective specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer There were several reasons behind the breakdown in order upon the Congo’s independence: the devastating treatment of the land by its colonial masters and the abrupt move towards independence with little provision made for a smooth transition of power, the lack of political unity in a government split by wider Cold War politics, European and business interest support of secessionist movements in the Congo’s resource rich, yet distant provinces and underlying ethnic disputes in this vast nation. Today’s Democratic Republic of the Congo has a long history stretching back to medieval era native kingdoms, such as the Kingdom of Kongo, whose people had trading contacts with both European powers and the Arab/Swahili slave traders operating out of Zanzibar in East Africa. In the late 19th Century, European industrialization and the rise of new powers such as Germany led to a growing interest in acquiring African colonies, ostensibly to uplift and civilize the natives. One such â€Å"humanitarian† venture was the International Congo Society of Leopold II King of the Belgians, which like other colonial ventures was a front for the actual exploitation of Africa’s vast natural resources and population base. King Leopold began his private colonial adventure in the Congo basin when it became apparent his Belgian subjects had no interest in colonies. The king used the International Congo Society to further his ambitions in setting up the Congo as his private source of income. In his imperialistic bid for a personal colony, King Leopold commission Henry Morton Stanley to explore the Congo basin and establish trading posts in the name of the society. The competing interests of France, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the Congo Society were the leading factor that led Portugal to call for and Bismarck to convene the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. It was at this historic conference, which included no native African representatives, that the rules for empire building in Africa were laid down, effectively opening the continent to the subsequent territorial scramble. The status of the Congo was one of the first issues resolved, by playing off French and German interest in free trade in Central Africa, King Leopold was able to maintain his gains and the centuries old Kingdom of Kongo was partitioned between Leopold’s newly formed Congo Free State, French Congo based in Brazzaville and Portuguese Angola. Meanwhile, the Congo Free State was organized as the private property of the International Congo Society, and thus the property of King Leopold. With his control of the region secure, Leopold began the wholesale exploitation of the Congolese people and resources with a terror regime meant to bend the native population to the state’s dictates. With much of his personal fortune invested in the Free State, Leopold’s district administrators and mercenary enforcers were given authority to do anything to meet his unrealistically high rubber quotas, or pay the difference in the severed hands of the native workers. The Congo Free State, and in reality, King Leopold’s treatment of the native forced labor has been argued to have reduced the Congo’s population by half from 1885-1908. Leopold’s reign of terror in the country would prove economically unsustainable in the long run, but the spike of rubber prices in the 1890s made the king a huge fortune, none of which was used to develop the Congo or uplift its population as was the Congo Free State’s original intention. The development of competing rubber sources and the international outcry as news of the atrocities committed by the Free State were made public created one of the biggest scandals of the period and eventually forced King Leopold to cede control of the Congo to the reluctant Belgian government in 1908. The debacle of European rule in the Congo was regularly criticized and satire by European writers of the time, most famously Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness. The transfer of power to the Belgian Congo brought a reduction to the brutal exploitation and arbitrary violence committed by the government and foreign concessionary companies. Though the Congo’s new Belgian rulers made some efforts at improving the nation’s infrastructure, healthcare and education, the primary motivation for colonial expansion remained the desire to tap the great mineral and natural riches of the Congo basin for Belgium. The Belgian’s labor practices were quite preferable to previous treatment under Leopold’s mercenaries; however, forced labor and violent tactics existed until independence in 1960. The Belgian’s did make investments into developing the Congo’s infrastructure, especially in the 1920s and 1950s, though these developments were entirely focused on economic development to support European corporations and business interests. While Congolese exports soared, an extensive plantation system became an economic base of the colony along with the forced resettlement of tens of thousands of native workers to Katanga province’s copper belt. After the First World War, the colonial administrators instituted mandatory farming of cash crops, such as coffee, cotton and palm oil, which was despised by native Congolese farmers who faced sanctions if they did not meet the quotas. The Congo’s export-dependent economy was hit hard by the Great Depression and the associated fall in demand for the colony’s mineral exports. Similarly, the Belgian Congo was exploited for its material resources in the Second World War, serving as the Allies main source of rubber and uranium throughout the war and early Cold War period. In fact, the uranium used in the atomic bombs dropped on Japan was mined in the Congo. After the war, the Belgian government in Leopoldville finally enacted reforms aimed at actually improving the lives of the native Congolese population. Much effort was expended in building the nation’s infrastructure and healthcare system. The Catholic Church set up an extensive school system that aimed at educating the Africans with Western values and culture. The colonial government was eager to be seen as a benevolent protector of native rights and culture, whose only mission was to bring the locals up to modern standards, yet the Belgian administrators did little to actually uplift the native populations and the Congolese had no voice in government decisions. Despite their life improving reforms, the Belgians still maintained a de facto regime of segregation and other forms of discrimination. In the atmosphere of the post-war 1950s de-colonialism, native resistance and dissent was on the rise and the Belgians were forced to allow the limited political emancipation of educated Africans, known as evolues. However, the colonial government’s unwillingness to grant real political reform led to a sharp spike in Congolese resistance to their colonial rulers. The Belgian government completely lacked an official plan to develop the Congo towards independence and with very few educated Congolese capable to take control of colonial administration, even as compared with other African colonies, many scholars and politicians in the Belgian metropole, such as professor Antoine van Bilsen, advocated a â€Å"Thirty Year Plan† to gradually prepare the Congo for independence. This was seen by local elites and evolues as an attempt by Belgium to maintain control over the Congo indefinitely and was met with instant hostility. Beginning in 1955 through to independence in 1960, the rapidly developed Congolese independence movement sought to cultivate indigenous rule as rapidly as possible. The refusal of the colonial government to introduce credible change to the political system led to the Congolese elites organizing themselves socially and politically. With the Congolese public supporting the move towards greater native control, two forms of nationalism took root among the disparate political organizations: those who advocated the independence of the entire Belgian Congo as a single, territorially unified state, and those who supported ethnic and regional nationalism. The first political organizations were formed along ethnic lines, beginning with the Association des Bakongo (ABAKO), led by the important Congolese politician Joseph Kasa-Vubu. This cultural/political organization of the est coast’s Bakongo people was an early opponent to Belgian colonial rule and was tacitly supportive of other regional or ethnic movements, such as in Katanga and Kasai. Kasa-Vubu’s Bakongo people and other groups in the Lower Congo where also unified by religious association with the popular Kimbanguist Church. The Belgians allowed educated Africans to stand for municipal election in the three major cities of Leopoldville, Jadotville a nd Elizabethville in 1957, but it was events taking place outside the Congo that sped up demands for independence. In 1957, Ghana gained its independence from the United Kingdom and President De Gaulle offered France’s sub-Saharan African colonies the choice of full independence or association with France. Furthermore, the 1958 World Expedition in Brussels brought many Congolese elites to Belgium for the first time, accelerating the independence movement. By 1958, the drive for independence entered a radicalized phase and nearly every ethnic/social group had established a representative political organization in Leopoldville. As early as 1956, Patrice Lumumba had organized the Mouvement National Congolaise (MNC), the first political organization that encompassed the entirety of the Congo’s territory and advocated for the unified independence of the whole colony. In 1959, the national party split after Albert Kalonji created the more moderate MNC-K to counter Lumumba’s left leaning policies. The socialist leanings of Lumumba and the MNC-L were opposed by Belgium and other westerners who feared for their extensive financial interests in the Congo. The Belgian government’s unwillingness to part with its colony was turned around by the events of 1959. On January 4th a large-scale rally organized by the Association des Bakongo (ABAKO) that was prohibited by Belgians authorities got out of control, leading to major rioting in Leopoldville and throughout the country. In the days it took for colonial authorities to restore order, it is estimated several hundred Congolese were killed. The outrage this incident stirred amongst the native Congolese population had quite an effect on Belgian policy. Just nine days later King Baudouin declared that Belgium would move towards independence â€Å"without hesitation, but also without irresponsible rashness. † However, the Belgians still envisioned a path to independence that would take years and see the handover of powers on a gradual basis. Increasing resistance to Belgian control included refusing to pay taxes and the threat of militant unrest in the provinces. The furious public backlash against the Belgians arrest of Patrice Lumumba made the Belgian public fearful of a sparking a bloody, expensive colonial war. The ongoing French military involvement in drawn out conflicts in Algeria, Vietnam as well as the bloody Dutch colonial war in Indonesia convinced Belgian public opinion that the Congolese independence process should be instantly sped up. In January of 1960, the major Congolese political leaders met in Brussels for the Roundtable Conference to settle the future status of the Belgian Congo. The Belgians sudden desire to get rid of its colony was evident when the conference quickly granted the Congolese nearly all their demands. General elections where to be held in May of that year, with full independence known as â€Å"Dipenda†, set for June 30th, 1960. The elections were primarily a race between three coalitions of parties: a centralist union coalition led by Patrice Lumumba’s MNC-L, a federalist organization supported by Albert Kalonji’s MNC-K and Joseph Kasa-Vubu’s ABAKO, and regionalist parties headed by the ruler of the mineral rich Katanga province Moise Tshombe. Each faction did well in the May elections, winning votes in the core regions of their support: ABAKO and the ethnic, federalist parties based in the west at Leopoldville, Lumumba’s unionist MNC in Stanleyville and eastern Congo, and the mining unions and regional secessionist movements in South Kasai and Katanga. With the arrival of independence soon after, the various coalitions compromised; Joseph Kasa-Vubu was to be the first President and Patrice Lumumba the first head of government of the Republic of Congo – Leopoldville. On its first day of independence, King Baudouin of Belgium made and ill-advised speech praising his great uncle King Leopold II and the work the Belgians did to uplift the Congolese. Lumumba’s retort was a fiery repudiation of what the King had said, extolling the Congolese struggle for independence as a path â€Å"of blood, fire and blood† against the Belgian’s â€Å"regime of injustice, oppression and exploitation†. Despite indignation at this combative speech in the West, this represented a clear break with Belgium and its tone was widely supported in both the Congo and the rest of Africa. In his speech marking independence, Lumumba also made a call for: Thus, in the interior and the exterior, the new Congo, our dear Republic that my government will create, will be a rich, free, and prosperous country. But so that we will reach this aim without delay, I ask all of you, legislators and citizens, to help me with all your strength. I ask all of you to forget your tribal quarrels. They exhaust us. They risk making us despised abroad. I ask the parliamentary minority to help my Government through a constructive opposition and to limit themselves strictly to legal and democratic channels. I ask all of you not to shrink before any sacrifice in order to achieve the success of our huge undertaking. Though the Congo’s independence celebration in June of 1960 was one of jubilation and hope for the future, the nascent Republic’s unity was only to last five days. The unraveling of law and order in the infant Congolese republic began in its military. The Force Publique was left over from the Belgian administration, and its inability to cope with the nation’s new status led to a disastrous army mutiny on July 5, 1960, just five days after independence. With few indigenous officers properly trained by the time of independence, the Force Publique was commanded by an overwhelmingly white, European officer corp. The inability of native soldiers and non-commissioned officers to seek advancement in a Belgian dominated command structure was a source of major resentment. Exacerbating tensions, Patrice Lumumba raised the wages of all government employees and civil servants, with the exception of the military. Discontent had reached a high point when the Belgian commander of the Force Publique, Lieutenant General Emile Janssens convened the July 5 meeting with the army garrison at Leopoldville. In a misguided attempt to improve morale and affirm the soldiers’ loyalty to the Force, the lieutenant general recalled the men’s commitments and oaths sworn to the colonial Force Publique to establish a continuity of doctrine. He even went as far as writing â€Å"After independence = before independence† on the blackboard, which convinced the Congolese soldiers that their Belgian officers were trying to maintain the colonial order of things. Janssens blunder served as a catalyst to the rapidly building dissent in the Congolese army, but the mutiny which erupted later that day was the reflection of a broader anti-Belgian, anti-European reaction sweeping through large segments of Congolese society. The mutineers, after overthrowing their white officers, began the lawless looting of Leopoldville nd the targeting of the whites living in the city. Thousands of Belgians fled the capital and the mutiny became an international crisis. The breakdown of order and the collapse of central governance in the next few weeks shattered the Lumumba’s government. Within two weeks of the proclamation of independence, Prime Minister Lumumba was faced with both a nationwide mutiny by the army and a secessionist mo vement in the province of Katanga bankrolled by Western mining interests. Both revolts were instigated by the Belgians, who also intervened militarily on 10 July a day before the Katanga secession was announced. – Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja The Belgian decision to intervene militarily in the Congo was ostensibly to protect its citizens from the marauding army, whose threat to white settlers in the country was very real, but it was done so without the permission of Lumumba or the Congolese government and was generally seen as being supportive of the central government’s opponents. The Belgian unilateral action directly violated the Republic’s national sovereignty and was thus illegal by international law. The Belgian interventionist forces clearly supported centrist political leaders opposed to Lumumba and had a vested interest in assisting Katangan independence or autonomy to secure its business interests in this vital, mineral-rich region. Belgian economic interest in Katanga was backed up by the deployment of over six thousand Belgian troops to bolster the breakaway state. Katanga’s bid at independence was proclaimed the day after the Belgian intervention on July 11, 1960. Under the leadership of Moise Tshombe, Katangan strongman and head of local party Confederation des Associations Tribales du Katanga (CONAKAT), Katanga seceded to distance itself from the anarchy pervading the rest of the country and cultivated close ties with Belgian business interest such as the Union Miniere in order to keep Katanga’s mineral wealth in the state. Katanga represented the entire Congo’s major share of copper, uranium and gold, and was the richest and most developed region of the country. Its independence from the Leopoldville government would economically cripple the newly independent nation and was increasingly viewed by the United Nations as a bid by the Belgians to establish a puppet mining-state in Katanga. In order to force the Belgian forces out of the Congo, Lumumba put the matter to the UN, who adopted Resolution 143 on July 14, which called for Belgian troops to evacuate the country and authorized UN â€Å"military assistance as may be necessary until the [Congolese] security forces to meet fully their tasks. The international crisis that fed the developing Congo Crisis was initially only an anti-colonial effort against the intervening Belgians, but the issue soon devolved into a major Cold War political confrontation, which colored the often uncoordinated and poorly planned UN decisions in respect to the Congo. Prime Minister Lumumba demanded the immediate withdrawal of all Belgian forces form Congolese territories in two day or he threatened to seek assis tance from the Soviet Union. The UN, looking to prevent the crisis from developing into a Cold War battle, quickly set about creating the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC), the largest UN mission to date, peacekeeping troops began arriving immediately to help restore order. The UN Resolution establishing ONUC forces lacked a clear mandate and means to accomplish its objectives. Lumumba wanted to use UN troops to replace the fractured Armee National Congolaise (ANC), renamed after â€Å"Africanizing† the Force Publique, and use them to reconquer Tshombe’s breakaway State of Katanga. Some UN leaders, including UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold, argued that UN troops were not authorized to conduct offensive actions and that the Katanga secession was a Congolese internal matter, thus forbidden by Article 2 of the United Nations Charter. The United Nation’s presence in the Congo remained rather inconsequential until the August 9 UN Resolution 146, which allowed UN troops to enter Katanga and repeated calls for the withdrawal of Belgian troops from the province. However, the UN failed to make effective use of its presence and there was little development towards a resolution of the conflict. In fact, in the atmosphere of complete political disintegration in the country, on August 8, Lumumba’s old political rival from the early days of the MNC, Albert Kalonji, was installed as president of the autonomous Mining State of South Kasai as yet another region slipped out of the Leopoldville’s control. With no more patience for the UN force’s inaction over the past month, Lumumba finally called in Soviet support, which promptly provided military assistance in the form of an airlift of Congolese troops to attack breakaway South Kasai. The bloody campaign that ensued began to return Kasai and its mining interests to central government control, but the Soviet military assistance set the United States and its allies against Lumumba, who was now seen as a firm Soviet ally. Increasingly, the US and CIA supported more conservative Congolese political leaders, such as President Kasa-Vubu and ANC commander Joseph Mobutu. The continued political disintegration of the government was exacerbated by the Cold War influence of the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to the complete split of the Congo’s first government. On September 5, 1960, President Kasa-Vubu with Western backing dismissed Lumumba as prime minister and replaced him with respected moderate Joseph Ileo. Lumumba refused his removal and dismissed Kasa-Vubu as president in turn. Despite UN attempts to restore order, including closing all radio stations to silence the increasingly inflammatory actions of Lumumba and Kasa-Vubu, the disorder spreading in the country proved too much to control. By September 10, the coalition government elected back in May, before independence, was by every definition dissolved. Into this political vacuum stepped Colonel Joseph Mobutu, the Chief of Staff of the Armee National Congolais and the leader that had managed to rein in most of the deserting soldiers during the mutiny. Both Kasa-Vubu and Lumumba had ordered the army chief to arrest the other and Mobutu was pressured by all factions to side with them. The fact that Western embassies paid much of his soldiers’ salaries combined with Mobutu and his subordinates’ mistrust of Soviet intentions in Central Africa led to Mobutu’s decision to turn on Lumumba. With CIA backing, Mobutu launched a successful coup on September 14, 1960. Lumumba was again placed under house-arrest and Kasa-Vubu was left as the powerless, figurehead president. In order to cultivate further support in the United States, Mobutu ordered all Soviet advisors in the Congo to leave and accused Lumumba and his supporters of being communists. Meanwhile, Lumumba’s supporters under the leadership of similarly deposed Vice Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga created a rival government at their power base in Stanleyville. By this stage, the territory of the Republic of Congo was controlled by four rival governments: the Western backed national government of Mobutu based in Leopoldville; the pro-Lumumba, Soviet supported rival national government based in Stanleyville; Moise Tshombe’s Belgian and mercenary supported breakaway State of Katanga; and Albert Kalonji’s mining state in South Kasai. On November 27, Lumumba attempted to escape to his supporters in Eastern Congo but was recaptured by Mobutu’s forces on December 1 in Kasai. As the national hero who secured the Congo’s independence from Belgium, Lumumba’s remaining political power still posed a threat to Mobutu’s tentative reign in Leopoldville. Convinced by the Belgians, who considered Lumumba an even bigger threat to their interests than Mobutu, convinced the colonel to hand the deposed prime minister over to Belgian and Katangan forces. On January 17, 1961, Lumumba was beaten, humiliated and brutally executed in Elizabethville, Katanga. The prime minister’s death sparked indignation and rage from the Soviet Union, who rightfully blamed Belgium for their involvement in the assassination. The international atmosphere of anti-colonialism and protest of the situation in the Congo finally galvanized support in the UN to conduct military operations to bring Katanga back in into the republic. Though the Security Council adopted Resolution 161, urging the United Nations to prevent civil war in the Congo and end the secession of Katanga, the UN command waited six months to commence major military operations preferring instead to host several rounds of unity talks and political negotiations. From January to May 1961, the UN hosted talks at Leopoldville and Tananarive, Madagascar that recommended a loose confederation: this conference was boycotted by pro-Lumumbist Antoine Gizenga and was opposed by Mobutu who wanted greater central control in Leopoldville. A third conference was held in Coquilhatville, capital of the Equateur province which advocated a federal state: this proposal was opposed by Moise Tshombe who wanted greater autonomy for Katanga. Eventually, on August 2, 1961, the Congolese parliament voted in Cyrille Adoula as Prime Minister to bring stability to the central government and to provide unity between all the provinces. However, it soon became clear that Tshombe was not serious about including Katanga in the larger Congolese political process and that he was actively avoiding curbing Katangan autonomy by unifying with the central government. When the UN learned that Tshombe was still employing foreign mercenaries to train and fight with the Katangan gendarme, they launched Operation Rumpunch: UN troops then moved into Katanga to disarm the local troops and arrest the foreign mercenary core of the Katangan forces. However, most foreign mercenaries in Katangan employ soon repatriated into Katanga through the Northern Rhodesian (Zambian) border. When the failure of Rumpunch became clear, the UN launched Operation Morthor to round up the mercenaries and arrest Tshombe and his top supporters. The Katangan gendarme was prepared for the UN action and the operation turned into open warfare. Tshombe escaped and the fighting became very bloody, including the well publicized siege of an Irish company of UN troops at Jadotville by Katangan forces. UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold’s attempt to personally broker a peace settlement through the UN into further disarray when Hammarskjold’s plane crashed en route to Ndola, killing him. The UN eventually regained its composure and engaged in several operations against Tshombe’s gendarme and foreign mercenary force, finally forcing the secessionist leader to negotiate by the end of 1961. With the Katangan front under armistice, Congolese forces focused on a four month campaign to eradicate Albert Kalonji’s independent mining entity in South Kasai. With the arrest of Kalonji on December 30, 1961, South Kasai returned indefinitely to Congolese control. Meanwhile, Antoine Gizenga’s pro-Lumumbist government in the Orientale province was widely recognized by Eastern European and several African nations and was receiving arms shipments from China, whose enigmatic leader Mao Zedong held mass rallies and published literature such as In the Support of the People of the Congo (Leopoldville) Against U. S. Aggression. Gizenga’s cooperation with Prime Minister Cyrille Adoula’s coalition government in Leopoldville broke down by the end of 1961, and the resurgent ANC quickly ended the rival government when it defeated Stanleyville militias on January 14, 1962 and arrested Gizenga. Katanga under Tshombe managed to preserve autonomy throughout the fruitless peace discussions of 1962. Eventually, the new UN Secretary General U Thant authorized the December 1962 Operation Grand Slam, which proved the final blow to an independent Katanga and by January of 1963 the hole nation was at last under UN and Congolese control. This brief lull in the Congo Crisis was shattered with the Simba Rebellion of Eastern Congo in 1964. Protesting alleged abuses of the central government in Leopoldville, rebels under leaders Pierre Mulele, Gaston Soumialot and Christophe Gbenye started attacking government troops and installations across the Orientale and Kivu provinces. The rebel leaders were f ormer members of Antoine Gizenga’s Parti Solidaire Africain and were political leftists. In this way, the Simba Rebellion, and its rapid capture of half the Congo within weeks of its start can be seen as a continuation of the leftist, rival government of Gizenga in Stanleyville from 160-1961. The rebellion was also a violent reaction to the perceived abuses on the Congo perpetrated by Western powers. Western leaning Congolese were publicly executed in the rebels growing reign of terror over Eastern Congo. In order to effectively counter this emergent threat, former secessionist leader Moise Tshombe replaced Cyrille Adoula as Prime Minister in July 1964. The ironic appointment of former rebel Tshombe to the Congo’s highest post was thought to utilize Tshombe’s extensive experience in rebellion to help the faltering ANC put down the Simba rebels. Making use of his old Katangan gendarme and many of the same mercenaries who fought for him in Katanga, Tshombe’s forces made decent progress against rebel troops. In August, fearing defeat by Tshombe’s resurgent leadership of the ANC, the Simba Rebellion making hostages of several hundred white residents in Stanleyville. To resolve this crisis, the Congolese government requested assistance from Belgium and the United States. Belgium quickly landed a task force in the country, and the United States provided its 322nd Air Division to drop Belgian paratroopers into Simba territory and provide logistical support. Belgium and the United States conducted two paratrooper actions: Operation Dragon Rouge in Stanleyville and Operation Dragon Noir in Paulis. These operations were regarded as successful and over the next few days, over 1,800 Americans and Europeans were evacuated. The Western paratroop operations coincided with the advance of ANC and mercenary units to Stanleyville, delivering a deadly blow to the Simba Rebellion. The remains of the rebellion would be put down by the end of the year. Despite his successful resolution of the conflict, Tshombe’s intervention by white Belgian and mercenary forces severely tarnished his political reputation among the native Congolese. Political infighting between Tshombe and President Kasa-Vubu and the Congolese public’s desire to end all remaining divisions in the country led to Joseph Mobutu’s second coup in 1965. On November 23, 1965, Mobutu seized power bloodlessly, throwing out the politicians who had, according to Mobutu, taken â€Å"five years to ruin the country†. Under a state of emergency, Mobutu assumed vast, sweeping powers that essentially made him the absolute ruler of the country. In contrast to the past five years of fractious society, Mobutu reduced provincial autonomy and secured all state power in his person. Mobutu’s thirty year regime was propped up by the United States and other Western interests who saw Mobutu as a bulwark against communism in Central Africa. In the one-party state that he assembled, Mobutu faced early threats to his rule that were direct extensions of the Congo Crisis. The First

Statistics essays

Statistics essays Statistics is a system where you can get to the bottom of a variety of composite questions in the statistics class. Statistics has a group of rules that make problems find the solutions that are correct. The upcoming project will be answer with the formulas learned at stats class. Descriptive statistics is used to present a variety of information, which information can either be qualitative or quantitative. To present the information in an organize matter we used a set of charts and/or graphs to understand better our results. To start the task I sampled 36 people, 22 males and 14 females. Confidence interval is a set of range, minimum and maximum, to give an output from a previous sample. The confidence interval is used to determine numbers that will help you predict the result. The next optimal numbers are an average using the 36 people we used for this project to get more precise numbers and help us with our project. The numbers are going to help us predict the outcome of the workers performance and to see if the computer is a useful tool this will help us get a more precise numbers in order to complete our project. The sample consists of 36 people currently working at the company. This group is going to help me develop a project were many statistical tools that are utilized to get proper stimulations. It consisted 14 females and 22 males. Using this information I will determine to a 95 certainty or percentage that the male population is .61 2(.08) and for females .39 2(.08). This represents the gender ratio. Histogram for age is unimodal and it is non-symmetric. Average age is in the range in 39.06. The median is 36, the mode, 30. The standard deviation, which means the variance between ages, is 14.03. The sample variance, also refers to the sum of the variances is 196.74. The range lies between the points of a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 65. I am 95% sure that the average age lies between the follo...

Questions to Ask in a Grad School Admissions Interview

Questions to Ask in a Grad School Admissions Interview An invitation to interview at the graduate program of your choice is an amazing opportunity to let the graduate committee get to know you - but the purpose of the grad school admissions interview is also for you to learn about the graduate program. All too often applicants forget that they too are conducting an interview. Take advantage of the opportunity an admissions interview offers you good questions that will gather the information that you need to determine if this is the right program for you. Remember that you are interviewing the graduate program - you must choose the program that is right for you.   Asking good questions not only tells you what you need to know about a graduate program, but it tells the admissions committee that you are serious. Good, genuine, questions can impress admissions committees. Questions to Ask During a Graduate Admissions Interview What characteristics are specific to this program and distinguish it from competitors? (Be sure to refer to specific characteristics)Where are recent alumni employed? What do most students do after graduation?What types of financial aid are offered? What criteria are used for choosing recipients?Are there any scholarships or fellowships available? How do I apply?Are there teaching opportunities, such as teaching assistantships and adjunct positions?Do most students publish an article or present a paper before graduation?What applied experiences are included in the program (e.g., internships)? Ask for examples of internship placements.What is the relative importance of admissions test scores, undergraduate grades, recommendations, admissions essays, experience, and other requirements?Does the department prefer applicants immediately out of undergraduate programs or do they prefer applicants with work experience? If they prefer or require experience, what kind of experience are they lo oking for? How are mentoring and advising relationships established? Are advisors assigned?How long do most students take to graduate? How many years of coursework? How long do most students take to complete their dissertations?Do most students live near campus? What is it like to live in this area as a graduate student?How closely do students work with faculty? Is it common for students and faculty to publish together?How long does the average student take to complete a dissertation, roughly?How is the dissertation process structured? Are committee members assigned?

What Is Buddhism Is It A Philosophy Or Religion Essay

What Is Buddhism Is It A Philosophy Or Religion - Essay Example This proliferation contributes to the emergence of different cultures while maintaining basic beliefs based on Buddha’s teachings. Studies indicate that the term Buddhism has its origin from the West as opposed to the practitioners. The different cultures provide a variety of interpretations of Buddhist teachings leading to vigorous debate on the practice. This necessitates the goal of this paper, which seeks to explore Buddhism from its philosophical and religious perspectives. As a religion, Buddhism involves basic religious aspects with regard to a godhead, creation theory, and faith. The godhead is manifested in Buddha, an Indian prince renowned for his wisdom while faith develops from the dependence on divine authority. Faith entails believing and upholding Buddha’s teachings. Buddhism indicates that there is no deity involved in creation of the world nor was there a beginning in the universe. In essence, there only exists a transformation of matter to energy in an endless cycle of coming to being while the concept of beginnings according to Buddhists exists only in the realm of illusion. These elements are borrowed from the predominant Brahmanical traditions that were the major religious practice in ancient India. It is important to note that Buddhism emerged from the conservative social force in ancient India having rejected some aspects of the dominating religion (Oslon 3). Buddhism principles are indicated as realistic and based on the reality of life, which can be seen. It focuses on real issues of light and a better society for all, which creates a niche in the world. The realistic nature of the tradition reveals dedication to a solitary life characterised by meditation and self-preservation. As such, Buddhism serves the spiritual needs of its followers by teaching how to experience freedom of the soul through meditation. Meditation allows one to find peace and enjoy a personal connection with the self, which serves to liberate needless suffering. Meditation in Buddhism is crucial undertaking geared towards the induction of a stable mental condition and equilibrium, as well as tranquillity. It exists in two forms; one where it is meant to develop mental concentration that leads to highest mystic states, where the mystic states have nothing to do with reality, truth, or nirvana, but are not purely Buddhist. Buddhist mediation facilitates discernment of the essence of things leading to comprehensive liberation of the mind and subsequent disclosure of the truth (Clark 378). It builds on mindfulness, awareness, vigilance, and observation, where it does not attempt to escape from reality, but is intertwined with daily life. This is in line with the body, feelings, the mind, and moral, as well as intellectual subjects. As a religion, Buddhism teaches tolerance that allows the existence of various spiritual forms under its benign protection. This facilitates diversity that meets challenges posed by other religious and ph ilosophical systems including science and technology. It is for this reason that Buddhism continues to flourish as a multi-faceted religious system, with its teaching being readily accepted in the world. When compared to other religious systems in the world, Buddhism reveals significant philosophical aspects that demand assessment as they are. Studies suggests that Buddhism is a metaphysic seeking to manifest a religion as opposed to other religious systems, which to seek the metaphysic aspect. The Buddha’s teachings (Dharma) are geared to evoke critical thinking among followers seeking enlightenment. In this light, Dharma consists of narratives with hidden meanings and vast symbolism of the intended message. This serves to encourage intellectual involvement to

INTB3000 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

INTB3000 - Essay Example lobal, acting local and thinking local, acting global, need to exist side by side because contrary to the general perception that building a brand sells it, the actual key to success is local passion for the brand coupled with a feeling of local pride and ownership. Examples of thinking global, acting local: 1. Retaining a clearly focused target product, so that the nature of the product was clear in the customer’s mind – Vicks was a rub for colds 2. Not growing complacent with the 20% growth that made Vicks no: 1 in India, but growing the market and benchmarking against the best in the world 2. Using an efficient, low cost local distribution system and 3. Using local ayurvedic medicinal products to prepare additional Vicks preparations apart from the rub for colds. Thinking local, acting global: 1. The global strategy was to increase advertising during the winter months, but Vicks Vaporub stepped up its advertising in the monsoon months, when local conditions caused more colds. 2. Positioning the 5 gm tin for the middle class and pricing a package of 4 such tins lower than a 19 gm jar, because it was specifically targeted at the middle class. Das and Vicks Vaporub were so successful in India because they were able to understand their consumers and act to satisfy their needs. They were able to use the existing, low cost distribution networks perfected by traders to avoid excessive costs along the supply chain. When chemists and pharmacists across the nation came together to boycott Vicks, the Company changed its registration from Western to Indian medicine to extend this distribution networks to food shops and local grocers, thus avoiding the strike altogether. 1. Being receptive to regional variations, i.e, suiting the product to fit opportunities available in the local market; for example using the monsoon as an opportunity to step up advertising during summer months. In a country like Russia, the economy was in a state of transition from a

Gender Differences in the Use of Technology Essay Example for Free

Gender Differences in the Use of Technology Essay At the center of 21st century culture is computer technology which presence and use just decades ago, were limited for the government and some institutions. Today, computer technology steps out from such isolation pervading all institutions, industries, commerce and other areas of life at what appears to be logarithmic speed, making its mastery or at least working knowledge an essential requisite if one is to keep pace with time. The ubiquity of technology, continuous rise in the demands for technologically-advanced workforce combined with the application of basic economic principles make one think whether the study on gender differences as it relates to technology is really a matter worthy of anyone’s attention. Statistics say it is. Generally, in a technological workplace, women are still underrepresented: only five percent of computer programmers, ten percent of system analysts and ten percent of electronic technicians are females (Statistics: Women in Technology, 2008). In major companies in Silicon Valley, only 5-6% is led by females (Statistics: Women in Technology, 2008). There has been a decline in the number of females pursuing careers related to science and technology. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of women who earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science has decreased from 37% to 28. 4% from 1984 to 1995 (Statistics: Women in Technology, 2008). Female students who took the advanced placement computer examination comprised only 17% (Statistics: Women in Technology, 2008). From these statistics, one may speculate that females’ future career choices still fall along traditional paths. This was confirmed by a study done by Lupart and Cannon (2002) on students’ perceptions on desirable career characteristics and career choices. With the rising demand for high-tech jobs (Statistics: Women and Technology, 2008), knowledge and use of technology become an essential condition to improve women’s participation in the workforce and to enable them to pursue higher status and better-paying jobs in the future. However, the general belief is that not only are women underrepresented in the technology-related industry; they are also considered to be less interested, less confident and less skilled in this area. These three factors affect their usage of technology. Still, underneath these factors, women’s computer usage can be traced on socialization and upbringing. Boys and girls do not play the same games during childhood. While boys are usually made to play video games or games that promote problem-solving, hands-on skills and spatial-relationship skills, girls play with dolls, which tend to develop their value of relationships (Milgram, 2007). Problem-solving, hands-on and spatial-relationship skills are critical to the study of computer and technology-related subjects. As a result of this discrepancy in development, males become more interested in technology and become better-equipped with the necessary skills as they reach adulthood (Milgram, 2007). The males’ generally higher interest in technology, however, does not affect the possibility of improving females’ perception and attitude towards technology. The effect of ubiquitous computing on gender differences was examined in a study done in 2006. Here, the participants were given access 24-hour access to a laptop. Gender differences were observed in behavioral attitude towards future use of computers before the laptop program. Prior to the laptop program, males were more inclined to use computers. This changed after the laptop program. No significant difference was observed in the attitude towards the use of computers after the program (Kay, 2006). Before the program, males were observed to be more skillful in computer abilities compared to females. No significant difference was observed in computer abilities between males and females after the program, except for the skill in programming (Kay, 2006). In central Georgia middle school, the study on 8th grade students showed a statistically significant difference between achievements of males and females. In this experiment, the participants were instructed and given an exam both written and applied on two modules, information and broadcasting. A greater improvement was seen in females for the information module while the males showed greater improvement in the broadcasting module. This study partially debunks earlier findings that males generally show higher achievements compared to males, in the study of computer technology (Hale, 2005). These studies suggest that females’ do not have an inherently unfavorable computer skill, interest, and attitude which affect computer use. Provided with the right tools and knowledge, females may do as well or even better than males (Milgram, 2007). The comparatively lower use of technology by females can be attributed to the differences in perceptions on technology between genders. While the females see technology through its social function, the males’ perspective is more focused on the hardware itself (Brunner, 1997). Males, therefore, are more likely to study more on the intricacies and technicalities of the use of technology compared to females which in effect allows them to maximize its use. Meanwhile, the females’ perspective of technology limits their use to only a number of functions.. According to Milgram (2007), â€Å"[females] are much less likely to retain interest if they feel they are incapable of mastering the material. † Also, males tend to exaggerate their accomplishments while females tend to feel less comfortable even when they do well in tests (Milgram, 2007). The females’ initial lack of skill in technology affects their confidence and perception towards its use. However, like interest and attitude, these may be changed upon exposure. Nicolino, et. al. (2006) measured the confidence gain of male and female respondents in the frequency of use of computers at home and at work. No significant difference in computer use was observed between males and females. Significant differences were observed in the only in the applications used by the two genders. The possible change in perceptions and confidence which may affect usage is evidenced by the study by Wong and Hanafi in 2007. In this study, the attitudes of male and female student teachers in Malaysia towards exposure and use of Information Technology were measured in terms of usefulness, confidence and aversion. No significant differences were seen between the two genders were observed during the pre- and post IT course. Both genders showed improvement in their appreciation of IT usage after the IT course. Females exhibited greater confidence in IT usage after the course compared to their male counterparts (Wong and Hanafi, 2007). Given the males’ higher degree of confidence towards technology, the question now is whether such confidence really translates to increased use of technology. In a study on some 6,800 fourth and eighth grade students, it was reported that males significantly increase their use of technology with age while no such significant increase was seen in females (Barker and Aspray, 2006). It has been established that the males have a more positive attitude and higher degree of confidence towards technology. These, however, are not solely gender-based but more importantly, based on their differences in upbringing, with males having more background in problem-solving and spatial-relationship. Based on the general principles derived from studies on gender-gap in technology, strategies can be employed to address such gap, improve computer attitude, increase computer use and create a culture where everyone can participate and take advantage of the benefits of technology, regardless of gender. Milgram (2007) lists some of such strategies targeting the middle school where attitudes in computer use start to emerge. These strategies include the creation of same-sex groups in classrooms, the integrated and meaningful use of technology, the improvement of teachers’ computer skills, the use of gender neutral softwares, simulation games for all genders, and the discouragement of using technology and computers as a reward. Common among these strategies is their focus on building the confidence of females who often have less experience than males. Simulation games, for example, ensure that not only males are given the opportunity to develop problem-solving and spatial relationship skills. Simulation games also promote hands-on proficiency which is necessary in developing technological skills and use. The creation of same-sex groups in classrooms and the discouragement of using technology and computers as reward minimize the males’ aggressive, assertive and self-assured behavior which stem from their confidence in their skills. In sum, it is by simulating the environment that contributed to the development of males’ skills that the gender gap in the use of technology can be significantly reduced. The fact that females respond to technology more positively if given the right building blocks, as shown by previous studies support this. Works Cited Barker LJ and Aspray W. (2006). The state of research on girls and IT. In J. M. Cohoon and W Aspray (eds. ), Women and information technology (pp. 3-54). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Brunner C. (1997). Technology and gender: Differences in masculine and feminine views. NASSP Bulletin, 81(592), 46-51. Hale, KV. (2005). Gender differences in computer technology achievement. Meridian, 8(1). Kay R. (2006). Addressing gender differences in computer ability, attitudes and use: The laptop effect. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 34(2), 187-211. Lupart J and Cannon E. Computers and career choices: gender differences in grades 7 and 10 students. Gender, Technology and Development, 6(2), 233-248. Milgram D. (2007). Gender differences in learning style specific to science, technology, engineering and math. SelfGrowth. com. Retrieved 27 April 2008 from http://www. selfgrowth. com/articles/Gender_Differences_in_Learning_Style_Specific_to_Science_Technology_Engineering_and_Math_STEM. html. Nicolino, P. , Fitzgerald, B. , Maser, K. Morote, E. (2006). Gender Differences in Confidence about Using Technology: An Introductory Course. In C. Crawford et al. (Eds. ), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2006 (pp. 3544-3549). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. Statistics: Women in Technology. (2008). DeVry University Website. Retrieved 27 April 2008 from http://www. phx. devry. edu/outreach/her_world_stats. asp. Wong, S. L. , Hanafi, A. (2007). Gender Differences in Attitudes towards

Like Father Like Son Essays -- Character Analysis, Telemachus, Odysseu

THESIS STATEMENT Throughout the epic the Odyssey the theme like father like son is demonstrated through Telemachus following in his father’s (Odysseus) footsteps. PURPOSE STATEMENT It is evident that through extensive research on the Odyssey, Telemachus evolves into a character similar to his father Odysseus in this epic. INTRODUCTION Imagine ten grueling years of constant bloodbath at war. After all that horror facing journeying on vicious waters: battling a sea monster, traveling to the underworld, and angry gods attempting to wreak havoc everywhere you go. This is all on a quest to reunite with your loved ones. A brave Greek warrior–Odysseus–encounters all these circumstances. His son yearns for him to return home. This son of his is in a nervous state. He has no father figure in his life and is unable to protect his mother in their precarious situation. The Odyssey tells the thrilling tale of the clever Greek hero Odysseus. He has many terrifying adventures on his long awaited return to his kingdom, Ithaca. In this epic Odysseus’ son Telemachus becomes the man his father is and demonstrates personality traits Odysseus possesses. Telemachus must overcome his fear to undertake journeys in order to reunite his family. Odysseus and Telemachus together share a love and appreciation for Penelope. They both began as impulsive men and must learn patience in panicky situations later on. â€Å"He is like his father Odysseus, in that he is loyal and disgusted by evil. He also, like his father, is willing to go fight for his freedom.† (Pope 45) Telemachus is being described in comparison to Odysseus – they are equally dedicated in life to Penelope and have a great will to conquer obstacles in their life to reunite with each other. ... ...e was unsure about taking his father’s place. Odysseus learns to act wisely and not impulsively through his adventures. â€Å"All his past training in patience, wariness and self-control is needed now to help him play his part†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Walker 76). From past obstacles Odysseus was required to overcome on his trip home to Ithaca he was grown from acting out impulsively to thinking out strategies before had for attacks and battles. CONCLUSION In Homer’s the Odyssey the theme like father like son is demonstrated. Telemachus becomes the man his father (Odysseus) is through acquiring personality traits that he has and evolving in a brave and courageous character, such as his father was. Odysseus and Telemachus both go on journeys to reunite their families; they both have a great love and appreciation for Penelope and transition from being impatient and impulsive to patience.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Sixty

Jon Are you well, Snow?† Lord Mormont asked, scowling. â€Å"Well,† his raven squawked. â€Å"Well.† â€Å"I am, my lord,† Jon lied . . . loudly, as if that could make it true. â€Å"And you?† Mormont frowned. â€Å"A dead man tried to kill me. How well could I be?† He scratched under his chin. His shaggy grey beard had been singed in the fire, and he'd hacked it off. The pale stubble of his new whiskers made him look old, disreputable, and grumpy. â€Å"You do not look well. How is your hand?† â€Å"Healing.† Jon flexed his bandaged fingers to show him. He had burned himself more badly than he knew throwing the flaming drapes, and his right hand was swathed in silk halfway to the elbow. At the time he'd felt nothing; the agony had come after. His cracked red skin oozed fluid, and fearsome blood blisters rose between his fingers, big as roaches. â€Å"The maester says I'll have scars, but otherwise the hand should be as good as it was before.† â€Å"A scarred hand is nothing. On the Wall, you'll be wearing gloves often as not.† â€Å"As you say, my lord.† It was not the thought of scars that troubled Jon; it was the rest of it. Maester Aemon had given him milk of the poppy, yet even so, the pain had been hideous. At first it had felt as if his hand were still aflame, burning day and night. Only plunging it into basins of snow and shaved ice gave any relief at all. Jon thanked the gods that no one but Ghost saw him writhing on his bed, whimpering from the pain. And when at last he did sleep, he dreamt, and that was even worse. In the dream, the corpse he fought had blue eyes, black hands, and his father's face, but he dared not tell Mormont that. â€Å"Dywen and Hake returned last night,† the Old Bear said. â€Å"They found no sign of your uncle, no more than the others did.† â€Å"I know.† Jon had dragged himself to the common hall to sup with his friends, and the failure of the rangers' search had been all the men had been talking of. â€Å"You know,† Mormont grumbled. â€Å"How is it that everyone knows everything around here?† He did not seem to expect an answer. â€Å"It would seem there were only the two of . . . of those creatures, whatever they were, I will not call them men. And thank the gods for that. Any more and . . . well, that doesn't bear thinking of. There will be more, though. I can feel it in these old bones of mine, and Maester Aemon agrees. The cold winds are rising. Summer is at an end, and a winter is coming such as this world has never seen.† Winter is coming. The Stark words had never sounded so grim or ominous to Jon as they did now. â€Å"My lord,† he asked hesitantly, â€Å"it's said there was a bird last night . . . â€Å" â€Å"There was. What of it?† â€Å"I had hoped for some word of my father.† â€Å"Father,† taunted the old raven, bobbing its head as it walked across Mormont's shoulders. â€Å"Father.† The Lord Commander reached up to pinch its beak shut, but the raven hopped up on his head, fluttered its wings, and flew across the chamber to light above a window. â€Å"Grief and noise,† Mormont grumbled. â€Å"That's all they're good for, ravens. Why I put up with that pestilential bird . . . if there was news of Lord Eddard, don't you think I would have sent for you? Bastard or no, you're still his blood. The message concerned Ser Barristan Selmy. It seems he's been removed from the Kingsguard. They gave his place to that black dog Clegane, and now Selmy's wanted for treason. The fools sent some watchmen to seize him, but he slew two of them and escaped.† Mormont snorted, leaving no doubt of his view of men who'd send gold cloaks against a knight as renowed as Barristan the Bold. â€Å"We have white shadows in the woods and unquiet dead stalking our halls, and a boy sits the Iron Throne,† he said in disgust. The raven laughed shrilly. â€Å"Boy, boy, boy, boy.† Ser Barristan had been the Old Bear's best hope, Jon remembered; if he had fallen, what chance was there that Mormont's letter would be heeded? He curled his hand into a fist. Pain shot through his burned fingers. â€Å"What of my sisters?† â€Å"The message made no mention of Lord Eddard or the girls.† He gave an irritated shrug. â€Å"Perhaps they never got my letter. Aemon sent two copies, with his best birds, but who can say? More like, Pycelle did not deign to reply. It would not be the first time, nor the last. I fear we count for less than nothing in King's Landing. They tell us what they want us to know, and that's little enough.† And you tell me what you want me to know, and that's less, Jon thought resentfully. His brother Robb had called the banners and ridden south to war, yet no word of that had been breathed to him . . . save by Samwell Tarly, who'd read the letter to Maester Aemon and whispered its contents to Jon that night in secret, all the time saying how he shouldn't. Doubtless they thought his brother's war was none of his concern. It troubled him more than he could say. Robb was marching and he was not. No matter how often Jon told himself that his place was here now, with his new brothers on the Wall, he still felt craven. â€Å"Corn,† the raven was crying. â€Å"Corn, corn.† â€Å"Oh, be quiet,† the Old Bear told it. â€Å"Snow, how soon does Maester Aemon say you'll have use of that hand back?† â€Å"Soon,† Jon replied. â€Å"Good.† On the table between them, Lord Mormont laid a large sword in a black metal scabbard banded with silver. â€Å"Here. You'll be ready for this, then.† The raven flapped down and landed on the table, strutting toward the sword, head cocked curiously. Jon hesitated. He had no inkling what this meant. â€Å"My lord?† â€Å"The fire melted the silver off the pommel and burnt the crossguard and grip. Well, dry leather and old wood, what could you expect? The blade, now . . . you'd need a fire a hundred times as hot to harm the blade.† Mormont shoved the scabbard across the rough oak planks. â€Å"I had the rest made anew. Take it.† â€Å"Take it,† echoed his raven, preening. â€Å"Take it, take it.† Awkwardly, Jon took the sword in hand. His left hand; his bandaged right was still too raw and clumsy. Carefully he pulled it from its scabbard and raised it level with his eyes. The pommel was a hunk of pale stone weighted with lead to balance the long blade. It had been carved into the likeness of a snarling wolf's head, with chips of garnet set into the eyes. The grip was virgin leather, soft and black, as yet unstained by sweat or blood. The blade itself was a good half foot longer than those Jon was used to, tapered to thrust as well as slash, with three fullers deeply incised in the metal. Where Ice was a true two-handed greatsword, this was a hand-and-a-halfer, sometimes named a â€Å"bastard sword.† Yet the wolf sword actually seemed lighter than the blades he had wielded before. When Jon turned it sideways, he could see the ripples in the dark steel where the metal had been folded back on itself again and again. â€Å"This is Valyrian steel, my lord,† he said wonderingly. His father had let him handle Ice often enough; he knew the look, the feel. â€Å"It is,† the Old Bear told him. â€Å"It was my father's sword, and his father's before him. The Mormonts have carried it for five centuries. I wielded it in my day and passed it on to my son when I took the black.† He is giving me his son's sword. Jon could scarcely believe it. The blade was exquisitely balanced. The edges glimmered faintly as they kissed the light. â€Å"Your son—† â€Å"My son brought dishonor to House Mormont, but at least he had the grace to leave the sword behind when he fled. My sister returned it to my keeping, but the very sight of it reminded me of Jorah's shame, so I put it aside and thought no more of it until we found it in the ashes of my bedchamber. The original pommel was a bear's head, silver, yet so worn its features were all but indistinguishable. For you, I thought a white wolf more apt. One of our builders is a fair stonecarver.† When Jon had been Bran's age, he had dreamed of doing great deeds, as boys always did. The details of his feats changed with every dreaming, but quite often he imagined saving his father's life. Afterward Lord Eddard would declare that Jon had proved himself a true Stark, and place Ice in his hand. Even then he had known it was only a child's folly; no bastard could ever hope to wield a father's sword. Even the memory shamed him. What kind of man stole his own brother's birthright? I have no right to this, he thought, no more than to Ice. He twitched his burned fingers, feeling a throb of pain deep under the skin. â€Å"My lord, you honor me, but—† â€Å"Spare me your but's, boy,† Lord Mormont interrupted. â€Å"I would not be sitting here were it not for you and that beast of yours. You fought bravely . . . and more to the point, you thought quickly. Fire! Yes, damn it. We ought to have known. We ought to have remembered. The Long Night has come before. Oh, eight thousand years is a good while, to be sure . . . yet if the Night's Watch does not remember, who will?† â€Å"Who will,† chimed the talkative raven. â€Å"Who will.† Truly, the gods had heard Jon's prayer that night; the fire had caught in the dead man's clothing and consumed him as if his flesh were candle wax and his bones old dry wood. Jon had only to close his eyes to see the thing staggering across the solar, crashing against the furniture and flailing at the flames. It was the face that haunted him most; surrounded by a nimbus of fire, hair blazing like straw, the dead flesh melting away and sloughing off its skull to reveal the gleam of bone beneath. Whatever demonic force moved Othor had been driven out by the flames; the twisted thing they had found in the ashes had been no more than cooked meat and charred bone. Yet in his nightmare he faced it again . . . and this time the burning corpse wore Lord Eddard's features. It was his father's skin that burst and blackened, his father's eyes that ran liquid down his cheeks like jellied tears. Jon did not understand why that should be or what it might mean, but it frightened him more than he could say. â€Å"A sword's small payment for a life,† Mormont concluded. â€Å"Take it, I'll hear no more of it, is that understood?† â€Å"Yes, my lord.† The soft leather gave beneath Jon's fingers, as if the sword were molding itself to his grip already. He knew he should be honored, and he was, and yet . . . He is not my father. The thought leapt unbidden to Jon's mind. Lord Eddard Stark is my father. I will not forget him, no matter how many swords they give me. Yet he could scarcely tell Lord Mormont that it was another man's sword he dreamt of . . . â€Å"I want no courtesies either,† Mormont said, â€Å"so thank me no thanks. Honor the steel with deeds, not words.† Jon nodded. â€Å"Does it have a name, my lord?† â€Å"It did, once. Longclaw, it was called.† â€Å"Claw,† the raven cried. â€Å"Claw.† â€Å"Longclaw is an apt name.† Jon tried a practice cut. He was clumsy and uncomfortable with his left hand, yet even so the steel seemed to flow through the air, as if it had a will of its own. â€Å"Wolves have claws, as much as bears.† The Old Bear seemed pleased by that. â€Å"I suppose they do. You'll want to wear that over the shoulder, I imagine. It's too long for the hip, at least until you've put on a few inches. And you'll need to work at your two-handed strikes as well. Ser Endrew can show you some moves, when your burns have healed.† â€Å"Ser Endrew?† Jon did not know the name. â€Å"Ser Endrew Tarth, a good man. He's on his way from the ShadowTower to assume the duties of master-at-arms. Ser Alliser Thorne left yestermorn for Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.† Jon lowered the sword. â€Å"Why?† he said, stupidly. Mormont snorted. â€Å"Because I sent him, why do you think? He's bringing the hand your Ghost tore off the end of Jafer Flowers's wrist. I have commanded him to take ship to King's Landing and lay it before this boy king. That should get young Joffrey's attention, I'd think . . . and Ser Alliser's a knight, highborn, anointed, with old friends at court, altogether harder to ignore than a glorified crow.† â€Å"Crow.† Jon thought the raven sounded faintly indignant. â€Å"As well,† the Lord Commander continued, ignoring the bird's protest, â€Å"it puts a thousand leagues twixt him and you without it seeming a rebuke.† He jabbed a finger up at Jon's face. â€Å"And don't think this means I approve of that nonsense in the common hall. Valor makes up for a fair amount of folly, but you're not a boy anymore, however many years you've seen. That's a man's sword you have there, and it will take a man to wield her. I'll expect you to act the part, henceforth.† â€Å"Yes, my lord.† Jon slid the sword back into the silver-banded scabbard. If not the blade he would have chosen, it was nonetheless a noble gift, and freeing him from Alliser Thorne's malignance was nobler still. The Old Bear scratched at his chin. â€Å"I had forgotten how much a new beard itches,† he said. â€Å"Well, no help for that. Is that hand of yours healed enough to resume your duties?† â€Å"Yes, my lord.† â€Å"Good. The night will be cold, I'll want hot spice wine. Find me a flagon of red, not too sour, and don't skimp on the spices. And tell Hobb that if he sends me boiled mutton again I'm like to boil him. That last haunch was grey. Even the bird wouldn't touch it.† He stroked the raven's head with his thumb, and the bird made a contented quorking sound. â€Å"Away with you. I've work to do.† The guards smiled at him from their niches as he wound his way down the turret stair, carrying the sword in his good hand. â€Å"Sweet steel,† one man said. â€Å"You earned that, Snow,† another told him. Jon made himself smile back at them, but his heart was not in it. He knew he should be pleased, yet he did not feel it. His hand ached, and the taste of anger was in his mouth, though he could not have said who he was angry with or why. A half dozen of his friends were lurking outside when he left the King's Tower, where Lord Commander Mormont now made his residence. They'd hung a target on the granary doors, so they could seem to be honing their skills as archers, but he knew lurkers when he saw them. No sooner did he emerge than Pyp called out, â€Å"Well, come about, let's have a look.† â€Å"At what?† Jon said. Toad sidled close. â€Å"Your rosy butt cheeks, what else?† â€Å"The sword,† Grenn stated. â€Å"We want to see the sword.† Jon raked them with an accusing look. â€Å"You knew.† Pyp grinned. â€Å"We're not all as dumb as Grenn.† â€Å"You are so,† insisted Grenn. â€Å"You're dumber.† Halder gave an apologetic shrug. â€Å"I helped Pate carve the stone for the pommel,† the builder said, â€Å"and your friend Sam bought the garnets in Mole's Town.† â€Å"We knew even before that, though,† Grenn said. â€Å"Rudge has been helping Donal Noye in the forge. He was there when the Old Bear brought him the burnt blade.† â€Å"The sword!† Matt insisted. The others took up the chant. â€Å"The sword, the sword, the sword.† Jon unsheathed Longclaw and showed it to them, turning it this way and that so they could admire it. The bastard blade glittered in the pale sunlight, dark and deadly. â€Å"Valyrian steel,† he declared solemnly, trying to sound as pleased and proud as he ought to have felt. â€Å"I heard of a man who had a razor made of Valyrian steel,† declared Toad. â€Å"He cut his head off trying to shave.† Pyp grinned. â€Å"The Night's Watch is thousands of years old,† he said, â€Å"but I'll wager Lord Snow's the first brother ever honored for burning down the Lord Commander's Tower.† The others laughed, and even Jon had to smile. The fire he'd started had not, in truth, burned down that formidable stone tower, but it had done a fair job of gutting the interior of the top two floors, where the Old Bear had his chambers. No one seemed to mind that very much, since it had also destroyed Othor's murderous corpse. The other wight, the one-handed thing that had once been a ranger named Jafer Flowers, had also been destroyed, cut near to pieces by a dozen swords . . . but not before it had slain Ser Jaremy Rykker and four other men. Ser Jaremy had finished the job of hacking its head off, yet had died all the same when the headless corpse pulled his own dagger from its sheath and buried it in his bowels. Strength and courage did not avail much against foemen who would not fall because they were already dead; even arms and armor offered small protection. That grim thought soured Jon's fragile mood. â€Å"I need to see Hobb about the Old Bear's supper,† he announced brusquely, sliding Longclaw back into its scabbard. His friends meant well, but they did not understand. It was not their fault, truly; they had not had to face Othor, they had not seen the pale glow of those dead blue eyes, had not felt the cold of those dead black fingers. Nor did they know of the fighting in the riverlands. How could they hope to comprehend? He turned away from them abruptly and strode off, sullen. Pyp called after him, but Jon paid him no mind. They had moved him back to his old cell in tumbledown Hardin's Tower after the fire, and it was there he returned. Ghost was curled up asleep beside the door, but he lifted his head at the sound of Jon's boots. The direwolf's red eyes were darker than garnets and wiser than men. Jon knelt, scratched his ear, and showed him the pommel of the sword. â€Å"Look. It's you.† Ghost sniffed at his carved stone likeness and tried a lick. Jon smiled. â€Å"You're the one deserves an honor,† he told the wolf . . . and suddenly he found himself remembering how he'd found him, that day in the late summer snow. They had been riding off with the other pups, but Jon had heard a noise and turned back, and there he was, white fur almost invisible against the drifts. He was all alone, he thought, apart from the others in the litter. He was different, so they drove him out. â€Å"Jon?† He looked up. Samwell Tarly stood rocking nervously on his heels. His cheeks were red, and he was wrapped in a heavy fur cloak that made him look ready for hibernation. â€Å"Sam.† Jon stood. â€Å"What is it? Do you want to see the sword?† If the others had known, no doubt Sam did too. The fat boy shook his head. â€Å"I was heir to my father's blade once,† he said mournfully. â€Å"Heartsbane. Lord Randyll let me hold it a few times, but it always scared me. It was Valyrian steel, beautiful but so sharp I was afraid I'd hurt one of my sisters. Dickon will have it now.† He wiped sweaty hands on his cloak. â€Å"I ah . . . Maester Aemon wants to see you.† It was not time for his bandages to be changed. Jon frowned suspiciously. â€Å"Why?† he demanded. Sam looked miserable. That was answer enough. â€Å"You told him, didn't you?† Jon said angrily. â€Å"You told him that you told me.† â€Å"I . . . he . . . Jon, I didn't want to . . . he asked . . . I mean I think he knew, he sees things no one else sees . . . â€Å" â€Å"He's blind,† Jon pointed out forcefully, disgusted. â€Å"I can find the way myself.† He left Sam standing there, openmouthed and quivering. He found Maester Aemon up in the rookery, feeding the ravens. Clydas was with him, carrying a bucket of chopped meat as they shuffled from cage to cage. â€Å"Sam said you wanted me?† The maester nodded. â€Å"I did indeed. Clydas, give Jon the bucket. Perhaps he will be kind enough to assist me.† The hunched, pink-eyed brother handed Jon the bucket and scurried down the ladder. â€Å"Toss the meat into the cages,† Aemon instructed him. â€Å"The birds will do the rest. â€Å" Jon shifted the bucket to his right hand and thrust his left down into the bloody bits. The ravens began to scream noisily and fly at the bars, beating at the metal with night-black wings. The meat had been chopped into pieces no larger than a finger joint. He filled his fist and tossed the raw red morsels into the cage, and the squawking and squabbling grew hotter. Feathers flew as two of the larger birds fought over a choice piece. Quickly Jon grabbed a second handful and threw it in after the first. â€Å"Lord Mormont's raven likes fruit and corn.† â€Å"He is a rare bird,† the maester said. â€Å"Most ravens will eat grain, but they prefer flesh. It makes them strong, and I fear they relish the taste of blood. In that they are like men . . . and like men, not all ravens are alike.† Jon had nothing to say to that. He threw meat, wondering why he'd been summoned. No doubt the old man would tell him, in his own good time. Maester Aemon was not a man to be hurried. â€Å"Doves and pigeons can also be trained to carry messages,† the maester went on, â€Å"though the raven is a stronger flyer, larger, bolder, far more clever, better able to defend itself against hawks . . . yet ravens are black, and they eat the dead, so some godly men abhor them. Baelor the Blessed tried to replace all the ravens with doves, did you know?† The maester turned his white eyes on Jon, smiling. â€Å"The Night's Watch prefers ravens.† Jon's fingers were in the bucket, blood up to the wrist. â€Å"Dywen says the wildlings call us crows,† he said uncertainty. â€Å"The crow is the raven's poor cousin. They are both beggars in black, hated and misunderstood.† Jon wished he understood what they were talking about, and why. What did he care about ravens and doves? If the old man had something to say to him, why couldn't he just say it? â€Å"Jon, did you ever wonder why the men of the Night's Watch take no wives and father no children?† Maester Aemon asked. Jon shrugged. â€Å"No.† He scattered more meat. The fingers of his left hand were slimy with blood, and his right throbbed from the weight of the bucket. â€Å"So they will not love,† the old man answered, â€Å"for love is the bane of honor, the death of duty.† That did not sound right to Jon, yet he said nothing. The maester was a hundred years old, and a high officer of the Night's Watch; it was not his place to contradict him. The old man seemed to sense his doubts. â€Å"Tell me, Jon, if the day should ever come when your lord father must needs choose between honor on the one hand and those he loves on the other, what would he do?† Jon hesitated. He wanted to say that Lord Eddard would never dishonor himself, not even for love, yet inside a small sly voice whispered, He fathered a bastard, where was the honor in that? And your mother, what of his duty to her, he will not even say her name. â€Å"He would do whatever was right,† he said . . . ringingly, to make up for his hesitation. â€Å"No matter what.† â€Å"Then Lord Eddard is a man in ten thousand. Most of us are not so strong. What is honor compared to a woman's love? What is duty against the feel of a newborn son in your arms . . . or the memory of a brother's smile? Wind and words. Wind and words. We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy. â€Å"The men who formed the Night's Watch knew that only their courage shielded the realm from the darkness to the north. They knew they must have no pided loyalties to weaken their resolve. So they vowed they would have no wives nor children. â€Å"Yet brothers they had, and sisters. Mothers who gave them birth, fathers who gave them names. They came from a hundred quarrelsome kingdoms, and they knew times may change, but men do not. So they pledged as well that the Night's Watch would take no part in the battles of the realms it guarded. â€Å"They kept their pledge. When Aegon slew Black Harren and claimed his kingdom, Harren's brother was Lord Commander on the Wall, with ten thousand swords to hand. He did not march. In the days when the Seven Kingdoms were seven kingdoms, not a generation passed that three or four of them were not at war. The Watch took no part. When the Andals crossed the narrow sea and swept away the kingdoms of the First Men, the sons of the fallen kings held true to their vows and remained at their posts. So it has always been, for years beyond counting. Such is the price of honor. â€Å"A craven can be as brave as any man, when there is nothing to fear. And we all do our duty, when there is no cost to it. How easy it seems then, to walk the path of honor. Yet soon or late in every man's life comes a day when it is not easy, a day when he must choose.† Some of the ravens were still eating, long stringy bits of meat dangling from their beaks. The rest seemed to be watching him. Jon could feel the weight of all those tiny black eyes. â€Å"And this is my day . . . is that what you're saying?† Maester Aemon turned his head and looked at him with those dead white eyes. It was as if he were seeing right into his heart. Jon felt naked and exposed. He took the bucket in both hands and flung the rest of the slops through the bars. Strings of meat and blood flew everywhere, scattering the ravens. They took to the air, shrieking wildly. The quicker birds snatched morsels on the wing and gulped them down greedily. Jon let the empty bucket clang to the floor. The old man laid a withered, spotted hand on his shoulder. â€Å"It hurts, boy,† he said softly. â€Å"Oh, yes. Choosing . . . it has always hurt. And always will. I know.† â€Å"You don't know,† Jon said bitterly. â€Å"No one knows. Even if I am his bastard, he's still my father . . . â€Å" Maester Aemon sighed. â€Å"Have you heard nothing I've told you, Jon? Do you think you are the first?† He shook his ancient head, a gesture weary beyond words. â€Å"Three times the gods saw fit to test my vows. Once when I was a boy, once in the fullness of my manhood, and once when I had grown old. By then my strength was fled, my eyes grown dim, yet that last choice was as cruel as the first. My ravens would bring the news from the south, words darker than their wings, the ruin of my House, the death of my kin, disgrace and desolation. What could I have done, old, blind, frail? I was helpless as a suckling babe, yet still it grieved me to sit forgotten as they cut down my brother's poor grandson, and his son, and even the little children . . . â€Å" Jon was shocked to see the shine of tears in the old man's eyes. â€Å"Who are you?† he asked quietly, almost in dread. A toothless smile quivered on the ancient lips. â€Å"Only a maester of the Citadel, bound in service to Castle Black and the Night's Watch. In my order, we put aside our house names when we take our vows and don the collar.† The old man touched the maester's chain that hung loosely around his thin, fleshless neck. â€Å"My father was Maekar, the First of his Name, and my brother Aegon reigned after him in my stead. My grandfather named me for Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, who was his uncle, or his father, depending on which tale you believe. Aemon, he called me . . . â€Å" â€Å"Aemon . . . Targaryen?† Jon could scarcely believe it. â€Å"Once,† the old man said. â€Å"Once. So you see, Jon, I do know . . . and knowing, I will not tell you stay or go. You must make that choice yourself, and live with it all the rest of your days. As I have.† His voice fell to a whisper. â€Å"As I have . . . â€Å"