Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act Essay

Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act - Essay Example Partly in response to King’s actions and his march to Washington, the government took the necessary actions in ensuring that there was equality in opportunities among all the people. It passed the Civil Rights and the Voting Rights Laws which effectively played a role in ending segregation within the American community (King & Lillback, 2003, 78). The other contemporary readings in the paper do not clearly indicate what role the government should play in ensuring that there is equality in opportunities. Brittain is pessimistic about the achievement of the integrated society that Dr. King believed and sacrificed himself for. Shelby Steele, a male, argues that African American should be responsible for their uplift whereas the white community should be responsible for providing the moral support required. He also states that the white community should be responsible for fighting racism that lingers within it. Steele additionally raises vigorous opposition against the Affirmative Action law in his works (King & Lillback, 2003, 97). ... utality and slavery contrasted the promises and liberties in farming, which President Jefferson termed as the guarantor of virtues along with morality in the American society. The author does not, however, state which method the government should adopt to end the vices (King & Lillback, 2003, 99). D’ Souza, on the other hand, who is a conservative, urges that the American Revolution principles should be conserved. In his book titled â€Å"We the Slave Owners†, the author argues against classical liberalism and old virtues along with the belief that man’s nature is fundamentally good and for these reason enormous conflicts emerge. He additionally states that the mediation process should be carried out by organizations such as the UN. The author does challenge the beliefs of concepts like affirmative action along with issues concerning social welfare. He finally attributes the majority of the current problems and other social issues being experienced to cultural th eft (D’ Souza, 154). The civil rights law that came into being in the year 1964 banned discriminatory actions against women and African Americans within their society which included the issue of racial segregation. It ended the inequalities that existed between the requirements for various voters within the system while also ending racial restrictions that existed in their working areas, schools along with public places and facilities. The American government through their voting rights law outlawed discrimination in their voting systems in the year 1965. The reason for enacting the law was because it had brought a lot of disenfranchisement among the African American society living within the United States of America (King & Lillback, 109). The law specifically prevents any standards, practices or

Global Warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Global Warming - Essay Example Many of the living creatures cannot bear this change and the result is open in the form of dead. According to the scientists, main causes of the global warming are the greenhouse gases those are produced by deforestation and burning the fossil fuel. History of global warming Scientific research on global warming itself was the result of many influences, and the interesting thing is that these influences include misconceptions to government pressure and findings. In 1896 a scientist from Sweden presented a new idea the burned fossil fuels such as coal, which is the reason to increase the carbon dioxide gas on atmosphere. And the increase in the level of Carbon dioxide increases the average temperature on the earth. In the 1930s, people of United States and North Atlantic region realized that these regions have much warmed during the previous half century. At that time many of the scientists argued that the change in the climate is just a phase of some moderate natural cycle. The cause of this change was not described by anyone at that time and referred that condition to â€Å"unknown causes†. At that time one unique argument was made by Guy Stewart Callendar who was an engineer. He insisted that the greenhouses are the main cause of global warming. At the start of 1950s, few scientists worked on the Guy Stewart Callendar’s claims with the help of new improved methods and calculations. After that some new studies in 1961 also proved that the level of carbon dioxide is rising day by day. Over the next few decades scientists used simple models and specific calculation to measure the climate change. At that time General predictions with the help of calculations and computer models made. In 1967 more calculations by scientists suggested that the rise in the level of temperature might be little degree in next century so there is no need for any policy for this purpose. But at that time some scientists forced for official attention and government funds fo r more research purposes. In the early 1970s, it was noted that there is a rise in the climatic changes. This term referred to â€Å"environmentalism†. The rise in environmentalism raised public doubts about the global warming. At that time some scientists raised the point that human activities was the main reason for increasing the smoke and dust elements into the atmosphere and these elements block sunlight. Factors that brings rise to global warming At earlier times scientists had used a certain methods and calculations to measure the change in climate, but in 1970s they were using many techniques about the factors that can cause influences in the change of climate. Improved computer models with improved calculations were used to measure the jumps in climate level. With the help of these models scientists take information that how these jumps could happen. Researchers had to know that the one other factor that can causes the global warming was unexpected discovery, the res ult of this discovery stated that the level of gases was rising, which would add seriously to global warming. At the end of 1970s global temperature has evidently began to rise. The scientist those were researching on that began to warn the world that these changes could be dangerous if proper security measures are not taken. At the main time Corporations and individuals who opposed these thoughts spent large amounts to convince people that there was no problem at all. After these issues the world governments decided to create an

The Impact Of Penal Populism On Policy Change Criminology Essay

The Impact Of Penal Populism On Policy Change Criminology Essay This paper explores the impact of penal populism on policy change, examining definitions of penal populism and managerialism and evaluating their importance as determinants of policy change. For the purpose of this paper, the focus will be on the campaign for Sarahs Law and the impact on policies relating to sex offenders that arose from the campaign. According to Pratt (2007) the origins of penal populism lie in the work of Sir Anthony Bottoms (1995) who used the term populist punitiveness (Bottoms 1995 cited in Pratt 2007: 2) to discuss one of the main influences on contemporary criminal justice and penal systems (Pratt 2007: 2). The term punitiveness refers to the publics disapproval and their harsh attitudes in response to offenders (Green 2009: 520). The notion of punitiveness suggests a disproportionate use of sanctions and consequently a deviation from the principle of proportionality (Matthews 2005: 179). In the 1980s it was conceded by senior conservative politicians that in penal matters it was the popular press rather than informed opinion that counted (Ryan 2003: 117). Populism is a political response favouring popularity rather than political considerations (Roberts et al. 2003: 3) and penal populism is a label, given to politicians who devise punitive penal policies that are popular with the general public (Pratt 2007: 8). Both penal populism and populist punitiveness are used to refer to the presumption that it is the harsh attitudes of the general public that drives and justifies a harsher stance on crime and punishment policies (Green 2009: 521). Yet Roberts et al. (2003:5) argue that the electoral advantage of a policy takes precedence over any penal effectiveness and rather than attempting to reduce crime rates, penal populism is merely politicians pursuing a set of policies to win votes. Crime is socially constructed, politically-influenced and historically variable Punis hment, like crime, is historically and culturally contingent (Newburn 2007:15). However, Pratt (2007) argues that one of the limits of penal populism is that the publics desire for punishment is not insatiable. Penal populism is an emotional response to terrible, often rare, crimes that generate intense media attention (Roberts et al. 2003: 9). The entanglement of politics and media creates an environment encouraging politicians to offer quick solutions for the most serious crimes (Roberts et al. 2003: 36). Furthermore, highly punitive policies are provoked by penal populism, reflecting a position of outrage rather than rationally considering the policy options in relation to offending (Roberts et al. 2003: 36). Penal populism is a product of social and cultural changes and the rise of penal populism reflects a fundamental shift in the axis of contemporary penal power brought about by these changes (Pratt 2007: 3). Penal populism stems from the lack of faith in the government, the decline of deference and the growth of ontological insecurity, along with new media technologies helping to spread it (Pratt 2007: i). There are a number of issues that require further examination according to Matthews (2005); definition, aetiology and the relation between punitiveness and other dominant trends in penal policy such as managerialism, which are seen to involve different and even oppositional currents (Matthews 2005: 178). Similar problems are encountered with the term bifurcation, viewing the penal system as a twin track or bifurcated system with coercive and segregative controls on the one side and inclusive community-based controls on the other is too restrictive (Matthews 2005: 181). Managerialism is a set of techniques and practices which aim to fracture and realign relations of power within the criminal justice system in order to transform the structures and reorganize the processes (McLaughlin 2001: 169). Managerialism focuses on the operation of the system rather than the treatment of victims and suspects and there is an emphasis on results, targets and performance indicators. The main change in penal policy has not been towards more emotive or expressive punishments but the development of more administrative and impersonal styles of regulation (Matthews 2005: 188). According to Matthews (2005: 185) new styles of managerialism have been introduced, which appear to develop alongside punitiveness, and the role they have played in shaping the criminal justice system has been widely reported. Penal policies are developed by governments in line with the sentiments and aspirations of the general public rather than their own bureaucratic organizations (Pratt 2007: i). Populist sentiments veer toward a more punitive response to crime and the expansion of the media has been critical in fuelling public sentiments and creating the conditions in which retribution and vengeance can more readily be expressed (Matthews 2005: 181). Newburn states that the politics of law and order are played out and stimulated by the media with crime becoming staple newspaper fodder (Newburn 2007: 15). The way the media highlights certain crimes and events, influences not only the general public but also politicians and policy makers who have come to rely on the media as the voice of public opinion (Green 2009 : 527). Within the criminal justice system there is an abundance of experts that are not only able to influence policy making but also to mediate the demands of the public (Matthews 2005: 189). However, Pratt (2007: i) argues that there has been less reliance on academic expertise and penal populism has been allowed by governments to impact on policy development. The public have been able to articulate their views and also influence how penal policy is developed, moreover, the publics hostility towards paedophiles and acts of vigilantism are often taken as an indication of intrinsic public punitiveness (Matthews 2005: 188). The media then encourage and stimulate public concern, in their search for a scapegoat on whom to focus their attention, resulting in a further increase in the sale of newspapers, also an increase in viewing figures (Matthews 2005: 188). Penal populism has not only set new policy agendas it has also radically redefined official opinions on crime and punishment (Pratt 2007: 28). It is in the development of policy on sex offenders that it has had most influence (Pratt 2007), with close parallels in the media and political rhetoric concerning the risk posed by paedophiles (Newburn and Jones 2005: 73). According to Matthews (2005: 194), much has been made of the campaigns and legislation that have been passed to address the issue of paedophiles. Sara Paynes daughter was abducted and murdered in 2000 by Roy Whiting, she called on the then Home Secretary to change the law regarding paedophiles. Campaigning for Sarahs Law to allow restricted public access to the sex offenders register (BBC 2008), partially inspired by Megans Law, introduced in New Jersey after the rape and murder of Megan Kanka in 1994. With the support of the News of the World, Sara Payne and the Sarahs Law campaign fought for parents to have the right to know if there was a child sex offender living in their area (Ryan 2003: 127). It also called for high risk paedophiles to be included in sex offender orders, those that previously did not fall within the sex offender registration requirements; for the right of victims to know why this or that sentence has been passed; and to be informed of the release date of those who had abused them (Ryan 2003: 127). There was criticism from some police forces and child care agencies fearing vigilante attacks (BBC 2008), moreover, in 2000 on the Paulsgrove estate in Portsmouth suspected paedophiles and their families were victims of vigilante attacks and a paediatrician was forced to leave her home and neighbourhood after her house was attacked (Ryan 2003: 127). This was prompted by the News of the World publishing the names and pictures of convicted paedophiles on the back of the Sara Payne campaign (Ryan 2003: 127). The publics response to this moral panic was, according to Ryan (2003) instructive and there was widespread condemnation of the violence, even the News of the World argued that it was counter-productive (Ryan 2003: 127). Hard cases make bad law, and spectacular cases make knee-jerk policy (Walker 2002: v). Including those mentioned previously and others, such as the introduction of Multi Agency Protection Panels and preventing offenders from contacting victims (For Sarah 2009), there have since been 15 pieces of legislation introduced as a direct result of Sara Paynes work (Moorhead 2009); the News of The World claim 14 of those are as a result of their campaign (For Sarah 2009). Furthermore, Sarahs Law pilot schemes, allowing controlled access to information about paedophiles, are now being extended (Topping 2009). Politicians are aware of the depth of public feeling and they use rhetoric and symbolism to imply support for stronger measures regarding notification, at the same time as bowing to the professional judgement and influence of criminal justice practitioners (Jones and Newburn 2002: 196). Criminal laws and penal measures that are named after victims, such as Megans Law and the campaign for Sarahs Law, use the plight of the victim to legitimate more extensive controls and new punitive measures (Hoyle and Zedner 2007: 473). Pratt (2007) questions the effects on criminal justice policy when policy is driven by popular public anxiety, the refutation of evidence based policy is questionably less concerned with proven effectiveness than with what the public want. Penal populism has enabled new policy agendas to be created, redefined official opinions on crime and punishment and Pratt (2007) states that it is in the development of policy on sex offenders that it has been most influential. The public, politicians and policy makers are influenced by events that the media highlight, with the politics of law and order frequently being played out and stimulated in the media. Despite the abundance of experts able to influence policy making, there has been less reliance on the expertise of academics and governments have allowed penal populism to impact on policy development (Pratt 2007). Word count: 1630

STAR: :: essays papers

STAR: One such study is called Tennessee’s Student Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) Project. This study was made in an effort to find out the best number of students for one teacher to teach. â€Å"STAR was a large-scale, four-year, longitudinal, experimental study of reduced class size† (Reduce Class Size Now, 2003 p. 1). This project kept track of 11,600 Tennessee students in 76 schools (Small Class Size, 1999). This study found out a lot of ways that small classes are beneficial. STAR â€Å"reported in 1997 that students placed in classes of 13 to 17 children, throughout their K-3 years, outperformed students in standard classes of 22 to 25† (Small Class Size, 1999). It was found that if students are placed in smaller classrooms from kindergarten to third grade, they will perform better than students in regular sized classrooms. This is true if the students return to a regular sized classroom for forth grade as well (Small Class Size, 1999). The study found that as long as the student spent a full three years in a small classroom, the advantages would be seen. It has also been reported by STAR that the students in the smaller classes were 6 – 14 months ahead of the students in regular size classrooms. This large gap shows that it is much easier for students to comprehend information in smaller classrooms. A few other benefits from small classes were found, for example, students in small classrooms are 7% more likely to graduate on time. It was also found that students in small classrooms are 4% less likely to drop out of high school (Small Class Size, 1999). Over all, this study showed that â€Å"lowering class size substantially improved student achievement and was especially effective for poor children† (Small Class Size: Education Reform that works, 2003 p. 1). With all these positive effects shown by reducing class size, class size reduction should be strongly considered. North Carolina Lab Schools: Tennessee’s Student Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) Project is not the only study that has been conducted on the issue of class size. North Carolina has also conducted a study on this issue. North Carolina established three lab schools for the purpose of providing smaller classes (Harman, 2002). Classes for kindergarten thru second grade range from 14 – 21 students and for third grade thru fifth grade students, the class size ranged from 11 – 22.

Derozio’s A Walk by Moonlight Poetry Essay

Derozio’s A Walk by Moonlight Poetry is the awakening of our conscience. In ‘A Walk by Moonlight’ Derozio illustrates how, on a casual walk, he is â€Å"allied to all the bliss, which other worlds we’re told afford†. The walk and observation makes him question life and introspect as well. The poem starts with pleasant memories of the previous night. Derozio feels blessed with a gift. In the future, when his mind is in turmoil and anxiety, he can ponder and contemplate upon this moment and find a â€Å"happy spot† in his memories to rest. He says that there are some memories in our past which we keep looking to, â€Å"soft hours† which are far away and â€Å"vague† but they never â€Å"burn out† and disappear. And when some of these memories were thrown across his path the previous night his heart was so uplifted, he thought â€Å"it could have flown†. Derozio had been to meet a friend and saw other friends there too . All were people who thought in the same manner; they shared a common bond. â€Å"Like minds to like mind ever tend— An universal law†.   When he asked them for a walk, three at once joined him. They were his cherished friends — two were people with intellectual minds and in age were his equals, the other was young but â€Å"endeared† by all. The beauty of the night transforms their thinking and revives their hearts, which had become numb and feelingless. The poet is deeply touched by small movements of nature and uses them metaphorically to bring out the joy and enlightenment that he receives. The moon looked powerful and majestic in the sky, and benignly looked down upon the earth. The clouds â€Å"divided† and broke apart â€Å"in homage to her worth† by not trying to obscure her. The leaves swayed slightly due to the breeze but Derozio feels that they are actually dancing and â€Å"rejoicing† for the â€Å"influence of the moon†. The moon in turn seems to throw light on the leaves and make them silver robes. For the one hour, when the moon is on its zenith, the leaves look â€Å"mystic† and magical. The winds too seem to be singing and â€Å"hymning† in praise of the strength of the moon. The winds take on the role of minstrels, whose songs provoke Derozio’s soul. He feels that there is something magical in the night that â€Å"bind† them together in its spell and enchants them with its beauty. They are moved to  such a great extent that they not only saw but also â€Å"felt the moonlight† around them. Amidst such a splendid scenario, the poet turns philosophical and becomes sensitive to the objects of nature. He first speaks of the â€Å"mysterious† relationship between man and nature, which though â€Å"vague†, â€Å"bind us to our earth†. The natural world fills our hearts with their â€Å"tones of holly mirth† and divine joy. Derozio then talks of the â€Å"lovely† old memories which help us in getting a better insight of ourselves. Due to this awareness we are able to connect with our spiritual selves. And when this happens, man stands â€Å"proud†; this is the uniqueness of man — to be touched and be enriched by nature. To understand the universe, we must first understand ourselves. In times we are living, our senses have become numb. We have lost the opportunity to be stirred by beauty, but Derozio feels immense joy and pleasure as his senses are awakened at once. All his memories clear up and he is enthused by the beauty of Nature. All Nature is God’s creation and He saw sadness in man. It is only when man is able to release his soul will he survive and as Derozio glimpses the celestial hand of Nature, he too becomes divine. Now enlightened, Derozio realizes that our bodies are mortal. He finds out that, â€Å"This earthliness goes by, And we behold the spiritualness Of all that cannot die†.   The earth and all its beauty is given to us as a gift. When we understand this, we understand our spirituality and we are better human beings. This self-realization is sudden and rare. It is then that we recognize the voices that this â€Å"night-wind sings†. The rustling of the trees, the winds, leaves†¦everything—it is then that we apprehend that the â€Å"mystic melody† of Nature carries a message. These voices make the forest look like a musical instrument. We too begin speaking the â€Å"silken language of the stars†. Only then do we realize that it is sympathy that â€Å"pales the young moon’s cheek†. Our inner eye opens up and we can see the real possibilities that are within us. These glorious things may appear to others on the â€Å"sleeper’s couch† but we no more see them as dreams. They are not unreachable rainbows. It is said that such â€Å"bliss† is received only in â€Å"other worlds† (death). Derozio thanks God and Nature for receiving this illumination in this life itself. His heart fills with happiness and is â€Å"bettered† when he feels that he is a  part of Nature and Nature is a part of him. They are â€Å"gently bound†. However lifeless and separated the flowers the stars and the sky seem, which ordinary minds may not understand, they too have their objectives. Nature has the purpose to â€Å"stir our sympathy† and move our hearts. Derozio concludes by saying that he cannot even stamp the grass as he walks. â€Å"The grass has then a voice Its heart — I hear it beat.†

The Price Of Life Aids

1. This communication piece is presented in the form of a documentary. The documentary is titled â€Å"The price of life† and is part of a series called â€Å"The money programme†. The documentary was aired on BBC2; the reporter was Nils Blyth and was about the aids epidemic in Africa and how their government is not funding treatment for those who suffer from aids. 2. I think the fact that this documentary was aired on BBC2 an educational television channel along with the complexity of some of the wording and terminology in the documentary suggests this article would be aimed at a target audience of professionals, such as people working in the medical profession, people in government and people working in the pharmaceuticals industry. However I think this documentary would also be of interest to anyone who has a general interest in the subject of aids. 3. I think the initial purpose of this documentary is to provide information. The documentary provides information such as the percentage of people infected by aids, medical treatments and other health issues that affect people once infected by the aids virus. This is achieved by shown interviews with different professionals throughout the documentary such as university professor Alan Whiteside, Aids consortium director Morna Cornell and Doctor Sean Drysdale. Another purpose of the documentary I think was to shock people, I think you would have t watch a documentary like this one to get a good insight to the suffering that goes on in Africa due to aids, I for one was very shocked by their living conditions, medical care and their lack of what seemed to me as their understanding of the seriousness of unprotected sex and their risk of contracting the aids virus. 4. I think this documentary achieves the purposes outlined in answer three by the way the reporter Nils Blyth presents the documentary he speaks in a professional manner covering all the issues, he has good eye contact and good body language. Another speaker in the documentary is Busi Chamane where she talks about her own battle with the HIV virus and how it affects her and her daughter's everyday life, listening to Busi gives you a personal insight of an aids sufferer. 5. This documentary is about aids in Africa and the struggle the people have to receive any sort of medical treatment. The documentary shows a woman Busi Chamane an HIV sufferer and talks a bit about her experience coping with aids. Busi was infected with the HIV virus by her husband who worked away from home, Busi's husband left her and her children and sold their home; Busi was then sacked from her job due to being HIV positive and was also throwing out by her family. On top of this the biggest fear Busi was going through was that her daughter who was born after Busi was infected would also be infected with the HIV virus but after months of tests her daughter was giving the all clear. The documentary also touches upon the issue of government funding for medical treatment for those who suffer from the virus. British made drug AZT (Glaxxo Welcome) is a drug that can prevent the virus being passed from mother to child and is being offered to Africa at a cut price 75% but the African Government say they wont bulk buy as they have doubts in regards to the price, safety and effectiveness. The documentary also films the workers of the platinum mines where hundreds of men work they all live around the mines sharing hostels and are away from their wives and families all year only returning home once. The mines are surrounded by shanty towns and prostitutes who have contributed to 45% of the miners carrying the HIV virus and taken it home to their wives. 6. Busi Chamane showed a few different feelings and emotions throughout the documentary at the start of the documentary you see Busi looking happy and singing at church but throughout the documentary her feeling about being infected with the HIV virus become more apparent. Busi said when she first found out she was infected she was was angry, scared and in denial and also feared for her daughters health. Throughout the time Busi has been infected she has managed to come to terms with her virus and is determined to make the most of the rest of her life, however she still shows anger towards the government and the drugs companies who appear to have the attitude that profits are more important than life. 7. I think this documentary has been very effective in achieving the purposes outlined in question three, it achieves this by the good communication, body language, eye contact, good vocabulary. It films people in their homes, out in their community and in the hospitals where you see one patient dying surrounded by family and friends singing and praying around her bedside. It also achieves the purpose of giving information by talking to professionals i.e. medical, government, university professors and people working for the aids consortiums. It shows good footage of the miners drinking and mixing with prostitutes and also talks to a girl who worked as a prostitute who is now campaigning for safer sex in order to help stop the aids epidemic from rising further.