Ronald Takaki’s A Different Mirror

Dr. Ronald Takaki, a professor in the Ethnic Studies Department at the University of California, Berkeley, describes America’s immigrant history from the perspective of the minority group in the time period from Colonial America to the Los Angeles riots of 1992 (the year before the book was published).The author examines the historical experiences of different immigrant groups upon arrival in America, their reasons and expectations for coming, and the impact of such immigrations upon the Native American tribes who were already living in America and thought they possessed the land.The groups discussed include African Americans, Chinese, Japanese and other Southeast Asians, Irish, European Jews, and Hispanics, each of whom tended to originally settle in different parts of the country and perform different types of work that was available.   This is an enormous undertaking in a book of 428 pages.The book is extremely useful to both readers and teachers through its explanation o f the reasons ethnic groups immigrated into the   parts of the country in which each settled.   For example,   Chinese immigrants were usually husbands with wives and children left in China to ensure the men would continue to send money home.The site of immigration often determined the available work and jobs.   The Chinese came to the West Coast and became railroad workers, virtually building the Central Pacific Railroad in 1869 and uniting the country.   Then they went into the agricultural industry of California and into small businesses requiring a minimal cash outlay to start.   By the 1850’s, the Chinese quarter of San Francisco existed with small stores, Chinese societies and traditions, and gangs.The Japanese family unit migrated because the Japanese government encouraged this means of maintaining Japan’s national honor.   Most came with wives or imported them to work in businesses as unpaid family labor.   The Japanese, being 2% of Californiaâ €™s population, were disliked but incorporated into a paternalistic, racial hierarchy, where they also helped to build the railroad, became farmers, and worked in canneries.Since the book is written from the ethnic groups’ perspective, the leaders of the United States, being primarily Caucasian men whose opinions reflected those of the times, often appear short-sighted and ignorant of the consequences of their actions.Dr. Takaki is particularly harsh on Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, and Thomas Jefferson, all fairly well regarded during their lives.   He also omits important women   in American history, except for writers.   The first woman mentioned is Phyllis Wheatly, an African American poetess of the Colonial Era.There were other important women in that era, as discussed in Our Founding Mothers, by Cokie Roberts.   He also does not mention any of the women involved in the Abolitionist Movement, the Women’s Suffrage Movement, or any other womenâ€⠄¢s movement.     Towards the end of the book, he mentions several female writers and their works, including Gloria Anzaldua, Gloria Steinem, Alice Walker, and Toni Morrison, all cultural minority writers.There are no stereotypes.   The settings of the book are authentic and describe in detail the way the minorities lived, the areas in which they lived, and the work they did.   Dr. Takaki discusses in detail the immigration of European Jews from Russia and Eastern Europe as refugees from the Pale, a part of Russia set apart for them, who could not return to their homelands without being killed.The Jews were typically educated, had middle class values, worked hard, and were socioeconomic mobile.   Their skin was white, they spoke English, and most changed their names to fit into existing American culture.   They settled   primarily on the East Coast and started work in the garment industry and opened small shops.All made certain that their children were well-educated an d did not have to work at such menial positions.   African-Americans began as slaves in the original American colonies.   The author mentions several famous Abolitionist men – Frederick Douglas, John Brown and Martin Delany (the leading Black Nationalist of the 19th Century, who was admitted to Harvard Medical School and told he would have to practice in Africa).He discusses how World War I created a labor shortage when European immigration was closed, creating a need for African-Americans to migrate to the northern cities where work and housing was plentiful.   The Harlem Renaissance he dismisses as imagined (page 357) by the white intellectuals.He mentions some individual African Americans of significance including Marcus Garvey (who wanted to establish a Black nation in Africa); Adam Clayton Powell (Congressman); and Zora Neal Hurston (author of Their Eyes Were Watching God).Dr. Takaki’s discussion of the Hispanic revolution is sketchy.   Part of California was settled by upper class Spaniards who created their own hierarchy by ranking darkening skin color, with pure Indians and laborers being on the bottom.     There is so much information available on how badly the government treated the Native Americans that his discussion of this material was brief by necessity.

Management and Indian Culture Essay

1. Evaluate the managerial style of Brian Moseley and explain how it fits with Indian culture. Be specific in identifying any mistakes Brian made in managing Indian workers. * Brian spoke with managers and employees, made mental notes of conversations (3 months) * Identified employees whom he felt should be replaced and whom had greatest potential for advancement * After 3 months, met with senior managers and proposed that they collectively formulate turnaround strategy * Suggested changes such as pay-for-performance programs, annual performance reviews, management by objectives, 360-performance appraisal program * Highly frustrated, he sometimes criticized members of managerial team in front of subordinates relationship with managers became increasingly strained * â€Å"Big Boss† manager who had little understanding of Indian culture * Rajan criticized Brian as being too direct and forceful â€Å"culturally imperialistic†, saying Brian was too immature, concerned that Brian was trying to change culture to fit American Management * His style of management was way too direct and forceful, didn’t fit with the Indian culture at all as they are more relaxed and laid back. * He made the mistake by trying to force it upon all the managers and if they didn’t give in, they should just quit, which they did. 2. Rank the following principals and justify the ranking in terms of responsibility for the lack of change at the Bindi Brake Company: Brian, Rajan, Aspen, the Indian Manager. * Brian – Although he was very excited to implement change, he didn’t implement the change according to the differences in cultures that India is accustomed to. He tried to hard to implement an American strategy rather than adapting to the culture surrounding him. * Indian Manager – I believe that hes the most responsible because people that work for the company look up to the manager, listens to the manager and will accept changes in the company if the manager asks them to do so. Because of their refusal to accept changes, they didn’t initiate or implement the strategies towards their employees, which made it that much more difficult to implement change. * Rajan – he was being stubborn and not listening to his directing officer. Even though he didn’t believe in the change process, he could’ve at least attempted to implement the change within the employees to see if it would make the company more efficient. His refusal to accept responsibility and take action caused the company’s plans to fail. * Aspen – sent an employee who they thought was experienced and competent to complete the job. 3. What could each of the above-named principals have done differently to avoid the situation? * Brian – adapted to the cultures instead of being stubborn and trying to implement a completely new culture into an organization that isn’t accustomed to it * Indian Manager – listen to his commanding officer and attempted to improve the company * Rajan – instead of being negative about all the ideas, comply to them and test them and see where it goes. Offer suggestions instead of just refusing to do anything * Aspen – monitor Brians progress and see how well he’s doing. Hire a more competent and easy-going person for the job 4. What should Brian do now? * He should learn to adapt to the Indian culture and develop new strategies to implement in order to improve the companies efficiency. *   * Brian selected to direct organizational change effort because of his past accomplishments, to improve overall efficiency and profitability of Bindi Brake Company * MBA in management from Michigan State * Bindi produced reasonably high-quality breaks, low labour costs, but just not efficient * Plant crippled with bureaucracy and there was no incentive for exceptional performance * Too many employees drinking tea and socializing instead of working * No performance reviews, pay for performance was never considered * Employees were never fired, even if they were not suited and performed poorly * Pay increases based on sonority, hired based on relation with current employees, high # of sick days * All of the managers were Indian and educated at Indian universities. * Rajan Patel – studied in London, postgrad for Econ, Brian felt he was one of the most promising candidates for advancement, hoped that he would take lead in change in management program * Brian became dissatisfied with progress by Indian Managers

The Coalescent Theory and Evolution

The Coalescent Theory and Evolution One part of the modern synthesis of evolutionary theory involves population biology and, on an even smaller level, population genetics. Since evolution is measured in units within populations and only populations can evolve and not individuals, then population biology and population genetics are intricate parts of the Theory of Evolution through Natural Selection. How the Coalescent Theory Affects the Theory of Evolution When Charles Darwin first published his ideas of evolution and natural selection, the field of Genetics had yet to be discovered. Since tracing alleles and genetics is a very important part of population biology and population genetics, Darwin did not fully cover those ideas in his books. Now, with more technology and knowledge under our belts, we can incorporate more population biology and population genetics into the Theory of Evolution. One way this is done is through the coalescence of alleles. Population biologists look at the gene pool and all available alleles within the population. They then try to trace the origin of these alleles back through time to see where they started. The alleles can be traced back through various lineages on a phylogenetic tree to see where they coalesce or come back together (an alternate way of looking at it is when the alleles branched off from one another). Traits always coalesce at a point called the most recent common ancestor. After the most recent common ancestor, the alleles separated and evolved into new traits and most likely the populations gave rise to new species. The Coalescent Theory, much like Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, has a few assumptions that eliminate changes in alleles through chance events. The Coalescent Theory assumes there is no random genetic flow or genetic drift of alleles into or out of the populations, natural selection is not working on the selected population over the given time period, and there is no recombination of alleles to form new or more complex alleles. If this holds true, then the most recent common ancestor can be found for two different lineages of similar species. If any of the above are in play, then there are several obstacles that have to be overcome before the most recent common ancestor can be pinpointed for those species. As technology and understanding of the Coalescent Theory become more readily available, the mathematical model that accompanies it has been tweaked. These changes to the mathematical model allow some of the previously inhibitive and complex issues with population biology and population genetics have been taken care of and all types of populations may then be used and examined using the theory.

Hamlet 2000 essays

Hamlet 2000 essays Hamlet 2000 was a movie about a young prince of a corporation, which was taken over by his own flesh and blood uncle who murdered his father. The wife of the murdered king marries the uncle to keep power in the Denmark Corporation. Hamlet seemingly drifting towards madness, seeks to take justice into his own hands by devising a plan to get revenge for his fathers death. Although Hamlet 2000 purports to be a re-stylized version of William Shakespeares Hamlet, it draws few parallels to the original Hamlet. In fact, Hamlet 2000 draws a great deal of contrast to the Hamlet portrayed by Sir Laurence Olivier. Hamlet is a young prince whose father has just died. He has lapsed into a state of sadness and confusion. Hamlet is saddened by the events that are happening in the family into which he was born. This is mostly due to the occurrence of his mother marring his dead fathers brother only a month after his death. Hamlets dearest friend Horatio saw the ghost of King Hamlet in the building at which they were staying. Horatio tells Hamlet about what he has seen and they agree to try to see this ghost the next night. The following night arrives and after waiting most of the night, King Hamlet finally appears. Hamlet has a shocked and confused look about his face as he looks into his father eyes once again. Hamlet talks to the Dead King and the King tells young Hamlet of what his brother has done to him. He also tells Hamlet that he should seek revenge for his death. From these revelations, Hamlet plots how he is going to achieve revenge for his fathers death. His plot is to appear mad and use it as an explanation in everything he does. If successful, they wont be suspicious. He will be perceived mad and they will look the other way. Hamlet doesnt tell anyone about his plot other then Horatio. Hamlet tries to convey his plot to the girl he loves, Ophelia, by saying Get thee to a nunnery, fare...

Create Your Own Heirloom Photo Ornament

Create Your Own Heirloom Photo Ornament Holiday ornaments are more than decorations, theyre memories in miniature. Capture the special memories of favorite family members or ancestors by creating your own homemade photo ornament with these step-by-step instructions. Materials: Clear glass ornament (any shape size)Magic Bubble adhesive (or alternative*)Magic Bubble brush (or alternative*)Crystal glitter (very fine), powdered paint pigments (such as Pearl Ex), or shredded Mylar angel hair1/4 decorative ribbon for bow (optional) Note: Magic Bubble products are no longer available in local retail stores, or online. A similar effect can be achieved by using a craft glue such as Mod Podge that dries clear (mix two parts glue to one part water), a spray adhesive, or a clear acrylic paint such as  Ceramcoat. A disposable mascara applicator or even a Q-tip taped onto a thin stick can be substituted for the Magic Bubble brush. Instructions Carefully remove the flange from the top of your glass ornament and rinse the ornament with a solution of bleach and water (this helps prevent mold growth on the finished ornament). Place upside down on paper towels to drain. Let dry thoroughly.Select a treasured family photograph for your photo ornament. Use graphics software, a scanner, and printer, to enhance, resize, and print a copy of the photo on regular printer paper (do NOT use glossy photo paper - it wont conform to the glass ball very well). Alternatively, you can use a photocopier at your local copy shop to make copies. Dont forget to decrease the image size to fit your ornament.Carefully cut around the copied photo, leaving about a 1/4-inch border. If youre using a round ball ornament, make cuts into the edges of the copied photo every 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch, to allow the paper to fit smoothly on the rounded ball. These cuts will not show on the finished ornament.Pour some Magic Bubble adhesive into the ornament, being car eful not to get it on the neck. Tilt the ball to let the adhesive run until it covers the glass where the image will be placed. Roll the copied photo (image side out) into a roll small enough to fit into the ornament and carefully insert. Use the Magic Bubble brush to position the photo against the inside of the ornament and carefully brush over the entire photo until it has smoothly adhered to the glass. If youre unable to obtain the Magic Bubble brush, it looks like a small mascara wand or bottle brush - so feel free to substitute anything similar.If using glitter, pour more Magic Bubble glue into the ornament, and tilt the ornament to cover the inside completely. Pour out any excess. Pour glitter into the ornament and roll the ball until the entire inside of the ornament is covered. If you find youve missed a spot with the Magic Bubble glue, you can use the brush to add more adhesive to that spot. Shake out any excess glitter to avoid clumping.Allow the photo ornament to thoroughly dry. If you did not use glitter on the ball, you can now add shredded Mylar angel hair, decorative paper shreds, punched paper snowflakes, feathers, or other decorative items to fill the inside of the ball. Once the ornament is completed, carefully put the flange back on, pinching the wires to avoid damaging the ornament opening. Use a glue gun or white glue to attach a decorative ribbon bow around the neck of the ornament if desired. You may also want to attach a paper tag with the names and dates (birth death dates and/or the date the photo was taken) of the individuals in the photograph. Heirloom Photo Ornament Tips: If you plan to use your printer to print the photos, be sure the ink is water fast. Many inkjet printers use water-soluble ink, which will run if used in this project. If you arent sure, then have copies made at your local copy shop.This project works best on flat ornaments. When using round balls, be sure to clip the edges of the photo to help it fit the rounded ball, and make pinpricks in the photo to help eliminate air bubbles. Work slowly and be patient - this can be tricky with larger photos and round ball ornaments.If you make a mistake, tear a photo, etc. you always have the option of starting over. To reuse the ornament, rinse it out thoroughly with chlorine bleach, and let dry. Enjoy your special keepsake ornament! Please note: The Magic Bubble ornament is a patented technique by Anita Adams White which she graciously allowed us to share with you.

Income inequality in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Income inequality in America - Essay Example Income inequality has greatly influenced the nature of government in most parts of the world. Power has always been closed linked to the amount of wealth owned by an individual. It is only those who are rich and have the means regarding wealth, remain leading the country. Elections unfortunately in most countries are done favouring those said to â€Å"own such a nation† concerning wealth. It is also evident that inequality has great impact on the health of the population. Eberstadt and Sally argue that â€Å"health is the most sensitive indicators of the social costs of inequality (5).† Further, inequality causes people to see others differently. For instance, â€Å" inequality causes people to perceive their neighbours as more alien or less trustworthy (Eberstadt and Sally 2).† The notion by many that power goes hand in hand with the financial stability of an individual is totally against the principles of democracy and free human rights and freedoms. Like Rober t Reich would state, â€Å"leaders are born and not determined by social status (Reich 30).† the discrepancy amid the rich and the poor has been a great hindrance to mature politics in any given state. The United States over the 1920's centuries ago, after industrialization, several prominent individuals have worked hard to bring about the mature politics and free democracy at present. Political games of elections conduct regarding wealth factors, is a big blow to the promotion of democracy that has been the target for most countries.

HIV in Nursing Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

HIV in Nursing - Annotated Bibliography Example The study refers to a treatment program available to people with HIV in Uganda. Bakanda et al. (2011) have used data released by the AIDS Support Organization (Bakanda et al. 2011). The site of the above organization in Uganda has collected data addressing a series of issues related to HIV in Uganda, such as: the number of healthcare providers per patient and the number of patients who managed to follow strictly the guidelines of healthcare providers in regard to the HIV treatment program (Bakanda et al. 2011). The above data were used for calculating a range of ratios, aim to show that the number of healthcare providers working in this field affects the progress of the treatment provided to people with HIV. It has been proved that there is a close link between the number of healthcare providers involved in the program and the outcomes of the treatment. The particular study is quite important because of the following fact: it highlights the value of healthcare providers, including nu rses and medical staff of other duties, in facing HIV. It is assumed that by increasing the number of nurses working on HIV-treatment programs a state can increase its effectiveness in controlling the expansion of HIV across the local population. The financial aspects of such initiatives should be, however, taken into consideration. The study of Bakanda et al. (2011) reveals that the inability to locate adequate healthcare providers can result to the failure of a HIV-treatment program even if existing infrastructure is of high quality. A clinician-nurse model to reduce early mortality and increase clinic retention among high-risk HIV-infected patients initiating combination antiretroviral treatment Braitstein, P., Siika, A., Hogan, J., Kosgei, R., Sang, E., Sidle, J., Wools-Kaloustian, K., Keter, A., Mamlin, J. & Kimaiyo, S., 2012 The study of Braitstein et al. (2012) focuses on the following issue: can the use of nurses in promoting HIV-treatment programs cover gaps resulted by poo r resources in a healthcare setting? The specific issue seems to be of particular importance specifically in areas where antiretroviral treatment is available to people with HIV. Braitstein et al. (2012) aim to prove that even when the resources available for the treatment of AIDS are poor, still the success of the treatment provided to people with HIV can be successful under the terms that appropriate skilled healthcare providers participate in the particular scheme. Braitstein et al. (2012) have used a series of routine clinical data (Braitstein et al. (2012). The specific data have been analyzed using a retrospective analysis technique (Braitstein et al. 2012). The data are related to about 140,000 patients, adults and children, with HIV in western Kenya (Braitstein et al. 2012). The patients have participated in a program aiming to support the control of AIDS in the specific area. The programme, named as ‘Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare’ (Braitstein et al. 2012), has been established for monitoring the progress of the treatment of people with HIV in western Kenya. A ‘combination - antiretroviral treatment (cART)’ (Braitstein et al. 2012) has been provided to the members of the programme. It has been proved that the development of emergency-assessment clinics based on nurses can help towards the reduction