Arizona Tewa Kiva Speech as a Manifestation of Linguistic Ideology Essay

Arizona Tewa Kiva Speech as a Manifestation of Linguistic Ideology - Essay Example (298) He reports that Tewa were a Pueblo Indian group â€Å"which removed itself from Spanish influence in 1700 by migrating to the eastern most of the Hope Mesas† (298) In order to maintain their distinct culture they 1) resisted linguistic borrowing from other languages and 2) were the only out migrating group to retain its’ language into the present. The language preservation has been achieved through the Tewa control of â€Å"kiva† speech which is the religious ceremonial speech common to all Pueblo societies. The instruments of control are 1) regulation by convention 2) indigenous purity 3) strict compartmentalization and 4) linguistic indexing of identity. Regulation by Convention Ritual performances rely on fixed prayer and song texts with no tolerance for innovation. This is also manifested in everyday speech preferences, for example by greeting formulae. Also in traditional stories â€Å"audience members and performers alike have a tradition which emplo ys stylized non-verbal accompaniment and uses familiar story telling conventions,† for example the repeated use of â€Å"ba† as a genre making equivalent to our â€Å"so they say†. Such conventions must be followed even if narrators chose to contextualize their stories for specific audiences, or the content and narrator are non traditional in order for audience acceptance Indigenous Purity and Strict Compartmentalization. The author reports that the Tewa have a strict prohibition against the inclusion of foreign words and non kiva Tewa words in kiva ceremonies. This he contends is prompted by the â€Å"need for stylized consistency â€Å" in a conventional liturgical speech level, rather than indicating xenophobia against foreign languages. (302) By a trickle down effect the prohibition against foreign words prevails in everyday speech patterns as well. There is also a strict compartmentalization in Tewa linguistic ideology with â€Å"kiva talk† strictly segregated from both foreign influence and everyday Tewa language in order to preserve its’ sanctity. While examination of linguistic data supports the conclusion that few foreign words have been incorporated into Tewa language, there is evidence of grammatical convergence. Linguistic Indexing of Identity The author states that in Tewa society â€Å"a person’s speech behavior expresses important information the speaker’s identity†. This relates to his or her positional rather than personal identity. For example, â€Å"a conventional component of public announcements is the explicit announcement by the chanter of his mediating status as spokesman.† (306) Conclusion Kroskrity concludes by claiming â€Å"linguistic ideology presents an account which captures the cultural unity of otherwise disparate linguistic norms† and justifies the opening quote of this summary.(311) Since in Tewa society both religious and political leadership is concentra ted in kiva ceremonies, their linguistic ideology provides an insight into how power and social control are exercised. The â€Å"Father Knows Best† Dynamic in Dinnertime Narratives Introduction This article â€Å"addresses gender asymmetry in middle class European American families through an examination of a simple social activity narrating ( a story or a report) over family dinner† on the basis of the Father Knows Best dynamic where father is typically set up to be primary audience, judge, and center of family members actions, conditions, thoughts, and feelings as was the case for this well known 1950s ( 101 )TV sitcom. In spite of more recent feminist ideology, this family power dynamic appears to still prevail. Methodology The author’s study focuses on dinnertime communication patterns of 7 two-parent families earning under $40.000 per annum between 1987 and 1989.( 102 ) Each family had a 5 year old child who

Shakespeares & Romeo and Juliet Essay Example for Free

Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay The two films are very different from each other even though they are based on the same play written by William Shakespeare  From the beginning, the settings differ from each other. The Zeffirelli film, which was filmed in 1968 starts in a courtyard there is a market place, which looks like it represents Verona. The style is set between the 12th and 13th century, medieval and renaissance period. It also a lot more conventional to the Shakespeare play. The surrounding area is a walled town with narrow streets and high buildings, which creates tension. There is also a scene, which is on a beach; there is a proscenium arch. This is where Benvolio gets shot and dies; Benvolio was Romeos friend The Luhrman film, which was filmed in 1997, was set in an American Coastal city, it had a statue of Jesus Christ between two skyscrapers, a lot of traffic, hustle and bustle and skyscrapers around. One of the settings in the film was in a petrol station, which is busy and noisy; it is called Phoenix Gas. This has a symbolic meaning to it, which is Rise from the ashes. This is ironic as the station is about to be set alight. At the beginning of the films you can see that the two films contrast with each other by the opening music, sounds, and images. The Luhrmans opening is Loud, and Zeffirellis is quite and peaceful. The first we see of the two families in the Luhrman film is when the Montague Boys arrive in an open top car and the Capulets arrive in a gangster looking car. Abra Capulet has metal caps on his teeth with the word Sin engraved on them this is to create a gangster image. The market place in Zeffirellis film was much calmer than the petrol station in the Luhrman film. Luhrman used the petrol station because this is where people may encounter each other and it is part of a modern life. The Zeffirelli film was made in 1968 in a time where Hippies, love and peace, was around. You can see that this is reflected in this film because it does not seem as violent as the 1997 version. In the Luhrman film there was a lot more violence, the film was faster, louder, livelier because that was how peoples lives were at the time the film was made which is reflected in the film. Also people were used to action films and Luhrman wanted to make it relevant for a modern audience. As soon as both films begin there is immediate tension between the two different families. In the Luhrman film there is a news report, which explains what is happening between the two families. There were several different newspapers, which come up, Capulet Vs Montagues, and In Fair Verona. These headings reflect the lines from the prologue, which are being read as the news. This gives the first impression that the two families are feuding with each other. In both films religion plays a part in the films In the Luhrman film Tybalt has a picture of Jesus on his waistcoat. Throughout the film there is religious images. For example in the montage at he beginning there are religious images flashed. Also there is a scene, which in which you see two skyscrapers one which is the Montagues and the other is the Capulets in between there is a statue of Jesus Christ. This shows that they think they are bigger than God and more important than religion, however religion still plays a part in their lives. In both of the films the main characters are Romeo and Juliet. The actors give the impression that their characters are natural, young and in love. In both of the films there are also two main families that are feuding with each other, the Montagues, which is Romeos family, and the Capulets, which is Juliets family.

vendor managed inventory :: essays research papers

Vendor Managed Inventory Vendor Managed Inventory is a means of optimizing supply chain performance, in which the manufacturer is responsible for maintaining the distributors inventory levels. The manufacturer has access to the distributors inventory data and is responsible for generating purchase orders. During this process, the supplier is guided by specified objectives regarding inventory levels, fill rates, and transaction costs. A typical business model without VMI entails that when a distributor needs product, they place an order against a manufacturer. The distributor is in total control of the timing and size of the order being placed. The distributor maintains the inventory plan. However, when utilizing the Vendor Managed Inventory model, the manufacturer receives electronic data, usually EDI(Electronic Data Interchange) or via the internet, that tells him the distributors sales and stock levels. The manufacturer can then view every item that the distributor carriers as well as true point of sale data. The manufacturer becomes responsible for creating and maintaining the inventory plan. Under VMI, the manufacturer generates the order, not the distributor. Note that VMI does not change the "ownership" of inventory. It remains as it did prior to VMI. VMI consists of two EDI transactions that are the basis of the process: †¢ Product Activity Record; the data contained in this document are sales and inventory information. This is the primary transaction †¢ The second transaction contains and deals with the product numbers and the quantities ordered by the supplier as the customer requests In all of its forms VMI should be about improving visibility of demand and product flow in a supply chain, facilitating a more timely and accurate replenishment process between a supplier (vendor) and an inventory site (customer, distributor, distribution center, etc†¦). The application of VMI can be at any point within a supply chain: Manufacturer – Wholesale Distributor Wholesale Distributor - Retail Manufacturer - End Customer Wholesale Distributor – End Customer Manufacturer – Internal Inventory Sites Inventory is the proxy for information. In the absence of timely and accurate consumption data, each node in the supply chain compensates for the lack of information with inventory. Not only does poor information flow build supply chain inventories, but it also restricts each company’s ability to react to increases in demand, causes extended outages, service interruptions and lost sales. As actual demand for products is disseminated up the supply chain in a more real time environment, the more closely aligned production is with demand. As the gap between production and demand diminishes, so to does supply chain inventories and service level interruptions.

The Subject of Affirmative Action

Considering the subject of affirmative action the following questions frequently are raised: Is there a clear understanding of affirmative action roles/goals? What are the pros/cons of these programs? What are the â€Å"loop holes† in the system? Does seniority play a role in affirmative action? Addressing these key questions may help us all in our daily routine, as administrators and/or potential administrator in the public/private sector. Affirmative action programs throughout the United States have long been a controversial issue particularly concerning employment practices (public/private) and university student and/or staff recruitment. Most public agencies have some type of instituted affirmative action program. According to Cheryl Perry-League, Director of Equal Opportunity of the Port of Oakland, every business operating on Port of Oakland owned land must have a standing affirmative action program on record and businesses bidding to do work for the Port of Oakl! and must have an acceptably diverse workforce. To understand the role and/or goals of affirmative actions programs we should define what the broad definition of what affirmative action is and what caused its development. The phase â€Å"affirmative action† was used in a racial discrimination context. Executive Order No. 10,925 issued by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. The order indicated that federal contractors should take affirmative action to ensure job applicants and employees are treated â€Å"without regard to their race, creed, or national origin. † A person could define this statement as an order to imply equal access and nothing else. Subsequently, Executive Order 11246 issued by President Johnson in September 1965, â€Å"mandated affirmative action goals for all federally funded programs and moved monitoring and enforcement of affirmative action programs out of the White House and into the Labor Department. Affirmative action â€Å"refers to various efforts to deliberately! take race, sex, and national origins into account to remedy past and current effects of discrimination. Its primary goal is to ensure that women and minorities are widely represented in all occupations and at all organizational levels† (Tompkins, 1995, p. 161). Another definition of affirmative action according to Barbara Bergmann is â€Å"planning and acting to end the absence of certain kinds of people-those who belong to groups that have been subordinated or left out-from certain jobs and schools† (1997 p. 7). Tracing the history of affirmative action, laws against racial discrimination have proved inadequate for workplace integration because they often provide remedies only after the fact. Affirmative action requires proactive steps to provide equal opportunities in employment as well as access to education. Many affirmative action programs were born from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII references to affirmative action programs were brought about â€Å"because of! the history of discrimination in the United States, certain groups are viewed as disadvantage in the current marketplace. Thus affirmative action laws impose temporary requirements to correct underutilization of these groups (e. g. , goals and timetables for increasing the number of minorities and women in a facility)† (Gutman, 1993, p. 9). Prior to these laws and the Title VII law, the U. S workforce was primarily dominated by white males. Although, still somewhat white male dominated, quotas that were designed through affirmative action programs have helped achieve some representation of women and minorities in the current work force. Some remedies brought about through affirmative action programs include goal setting, quotas, and timetables. The term goal â€Å"refers to specific outcomes which, when achieved, will result in equal employment opportunity and equitable representation† (Hall & Albrecht, 1979, p. 47-78). Goals and hiring quotas vary somewhat in their fu! nction. Goals generally are long range plans that organizations use and there are no expected minimum or maximum limitations. Quotas by comparison, â€Å"establishes a definite number of people who must be hired. A Company cannot by law, use quotas unless it has been ordered to do so by a court to remedy a past action† (Hall & Albrecht, 1979, p. 47-78). Deficiency correction is the primary target of goal setting through affirmative action. For an organization to be effective with goals, they must be realistic, attainable, and monitored by the human resource department. Affirmative action programs generally achieve their set goals through several common practices called outreach programs. First, there are special recruiting programs where women and minorities will most likely be found. These special outreach programs often target black universities and female dominated educational facilities. A second outreach program involves special advertising. Generally, this is also implemented ! in areas that are heavily populated by women and minorities similar to that of recruiting programs. Through outreach programs like the ones mentioned above, goals can be attained to achieve equity and representation without forgoing higher educated and skilled applicants. These programs can be justified because discrimination is still apparent in the United States today. A 1990 study by the University of Chicago†s National Opinion Research Center found that the majority of white Americans still believe blacks to be inferior. For example, 53% of non-black respondents said they thought blacks were less intelligent than whites, 62% said they thought blacks were less patriotic, 62% said they thought blacks were lazier, and 78% said they thought blacks â€Å"preferred to live off welfare. † The National Assessment of Educational Progress, a series of national standardize tests, evaluates students on their proficiency in reading, writing and science. They divide and co! mpare these results to better understand the effectiveness of public schools. Their results suggest a large imbalance in the educational quality received by whites and other races. The most noticeable imbalance in the three fundamentals of learning was the most important, reading. When students cannot read well, they usually cannot succeed in other subject areas. With the background of affirmative action and its programs established we should evaluate some of the problems with affirmative action and if affirmative action programs work. Opponents against affirmative action programs often believe that the system currently in place is a misuse of the original intent of affirmative action. The programs as they apply now are detrimental to the operation of the job market, to white males, and to the groups it is supposed to benefit. They further contend affirmative action causes reverse discrimination. It is not good practice for Opponents â€Å"pro† affirmative action to use it as a way! to make up for past discrimination. Another problem caused by affirmative action is that it often places a stigma on any groups, which receive preferential treatment, especially on individuals who earn positions because of their ability. Opponents of affirmative action programs believe that these programs when handled properly through the human resources department within an organization can minimize the negative references received regarding hiring practices. Nye states â€Å"that positive information regarding an employee†s job qualifications should minimize assumptions of incompetence associated with affirmative action hiring programs. In other words, when co-workers have information that clearly describes an individual†s job qualifications, they should be less likely to assume that he or she was hired solely on race or gender†(1998). By making this information available within the organization, it would help remove the pressures from the employee and co-worker regarding the hi! ring practices. This could further help the organization in the area of productivity, public relations within the community, and morale. By increasing morale, you maybe able to retain more employees, recruitment made easier, and motivate employees into a very competitive workforce. Opponents of affirmative action also do not believe that women and minorities will be treated fairly without affirmative action programs. Opportunities in today†s workplace are extremely competitive. Glazer states that â€Å"the battle over affirmative action today is a contest between a clear principle on the one hand and a clear reality on the other. The principle is that ability, qualifications, and merit, independent of race, national origin, or sex should prevail when one applies for a job or promotion, or for selective institutions for higher education, or when one bids for contracts. The reality is that strict adherence to this principle would result in few African Americans getting jobs, admissio! s, and contracts† (1998). With that being said, women and minorities cannot possibly have a fair chance in today†s society without positive affirmative action programs. However, with affirmative action, it has been noted that their incentives to achieve success may be decreased because â€Å"preferential treatment can lead to the patronization of minorities and women workers and students. By â€Å"patronization† I mean the setting of a lower standard of expected accomplishment because of the belief that these people are not as capable of meeting a higher standard† (Loury, 1997). With a white male dominated workforce, negative public perceptions, and low self-esteem of applicants, affirmative action offers a solution for race and gender equity. Further stated, everyone in America should be afforded equal opportunity. If this cannot be achieved voluntarily, then we must continue to take action to remedy these situations. Opponents of affirmative action won a landmark victory, in 1998, wi! th the passage of California†s Proposition 209. This proposition abolished all public-sector affirmative action programs in the state in employment, education and contracting. Clause(C) of Prop. 09 permits gender discrimination that is â€Å"reasonably necessary† to the â€Å"normal operation† of public education, employment and contracting. In 1998, The ban on use of affirmative action in admissions at the University of California went into effect. UC Berkeley had a 61% drop in admissions, and UCLA had a 36% decline. This decline strengthens the position of the Pro side of affirmative action. However, a contingency plan has been established. According to a source (who asked to remain nameless), UC Berkeley has a program to actively recruit more minority students that falls out of the guidelines established by prop. 09. These types of â€Å"loop holes† can ultimately hurt the various studies on the effectiveness of anti-affirmative action laws. â€Å"Loop holes† are exceptions to the ! rules or standards. It†s a way around the system. Opponents for affirmative action might feel that the Washington State government utilized such a â€Å"loop hole† in 1997. Under an affirmative action program criticized as the ultimate example of preferential treatment by supporters against affirmative action, the Washington State government hired more white men than African Americans did or any other minority group. In fact, white men fell second to white women being hired (Brune). The program in question is Washington State†s â€Å"plus three† program, according to Tom Brune of the Seattle Times, â€Å"allows the state to hire people who qualify for affirmative action over finalists with higher job-test scores. White men qualify because the state†s affirmative action policy cover not only people of color and women, but also Vietnam-era veterans, disabled veterans and people with disabilities. Majority of the veterans are white men and nearly half of them are disabled in the State of Washin! gton†. Another example of how affirmative action works for the disadvantaged can be found in Hayward, California. Bonnie Kellogg was admitted into the government†s Small Business Administration program that gives her company competitive advantages in its quest for government and large corporate contracts. Prior to 1995, Kellogg†s chances of getting into this program, officially known as the 8(a) Business Development program, would have been slim to none. However, in 1995 court ruling stemming from a law suit by a white business owner alleging â€Å"reverse discrimination† relaxed government standards. This ruling as allow for whites, Egyptians and Iranians, who fall outside the SBA†s minority designation easier access to the program. This relaxation of the rules as helped non-minorities business owners greatly. Report K. Oanh Ha of the Knight Rider Tribune finds a, a big statistical change. From 1968 until mid-1998, only 40 businesses owned by whites and non-minorities out of 13,40! 0 firms nationally were admitted, were admitted into the 8(a) program. So far this year, 74 non-minority companies have been admitted. 1999) Seniority must be examined because in my opinion it is the most widely used preferential treatment policy in the American workplace? With affirmative action being view as preference by many Americans and seniority being an unchallenged â€Å"rule-of-thumb. † In an article by Paul Rockwell he explains, â€Å"The seniority system may be legitimate, but it is no less preferential in its execution than affirmative action. When layoffs take place by seniority, many highly skilled women, many well-qualified people of color, among others, are bumped out of their jobs by less qualified older white males. In a seniority system, the last hired is the first fired, whether the employee is more skilled and competent than an employee protected by seniority. (1999). † Richard Lester, author of Manpower Planning, believes that seniority places less qualifi! ed employees ahead of employees who are often better educated, more skilled in computers. Arthur Whitehill & Shin Ichi Takezawa in Work Ways, concluded the same thoughts â€Å"Younger worker in some cases are more competent than older workers because of [them being} better education, greater adaptability and physical fitness. The public sector and much of the private sector have recognized seniority for quite sometime. We can find this system practiced by older teachers at various universities who are often protected by tenure. Professor Daniel Barber has even stated in candid conversion that when he was the department chair for the Master of Public Administration he took care of the tenured faculty first. Knowing this, why do Opponents of affirmative action, have appeared to be, judgmental of about so-called â€Å"merit† and â€Å"preference†, why isn†t there the same concern about the biggest workplace exception to strict meritocracy – Seniority? Seniority is yet another way to protect th! e â€Å"good ‘o boys networks†. Found in many of the historically white male dominated professions, for example, Firefighters, police, school superintendents, and college professors. Coming from a public sector background (Disabled Army War Veteran, Bureau of Prisons office administrator, Department of Veterans Affairs administrator, and to many federal internships to count) I support the seniority system in those places where affirmative action is still in place. Workplace should reflect the diversity of the community it serves, seniority is a fair system of labor management relations. Seniority gives employees for the personnel problems and private preferences of an employer. However, seniority is a widely used exception to strict merit system only if the workplace is democratic and applied with affirmative action the workplace can become more inclusive. Where affirmative action is repealed, seniority loses some of its legitimacy. I argue that only loses some of its legitimacy be! cause I personally was retained as an employee in a seniority situation. I was the last hired but I was not fired. In short, the scope of seniority and affirmative action are similar. The goal of seniority is job security and affirmative action is integration; both goals are good for America. The American labor movement has a major stake in seniority. The movement should embrace affirmative action because in good conscience it should not take advantage of one and not honor the other. Basically, benefiting for seniority practices but opposing affirmative action for others. If affirmative action is repealed, seniority should go as well. Labor unions and movements should concentrate on saving affirmative action. At a time when all progressive social policies are under attack, unity between women, labor, and people of color is imperative. Seniority and affirmative action should stand or fall together. CONCLUSION Ultimately, the controversy surrounding affirmative action programs t! oday will continue into the future. Society as a whole does not appear to be ready to relinquish its negative perception of the hiring practices brought about by Title VII. However, the benefits brought about this act has greatly increased the opportunity for women and minorities in employment that may not have otherwise been available. These programs have offered hope to some if not all-socioeconomic groups that they will be afforded the opportunity of equal employment and/or representation in our society. Furthermore, human resource departments in the public sector will have to become more skilled in implementing positive affirmative action programs if we are to reap the full benefits from them. Finally, Affirmative action is not a cure-all. It will not eliminate racial discrimination, nor will it eliminate competition for scare resources. Affirmative action programs can only ensure that everyone has a fair chance at what is available. They cannot direct us to the social pol! icies necessary so people do not have to compete for scarce resources in the first place. The larger question to ask is why are there not enough decent paying, challenging and safe jobs for everyone? Why are there not enough seats in the universities for everyone who wants an education? Expanding opportunity for people of color means expanding not only their access to existing jobs & education, but also removing the obstacles that cause these resources to be limited.

Newfood Case

Newfood Case by Adrian Sanchez The correlation between Price and sales is large and negative for all three-time periods. What does this say about how prices Works? The correlation coefficient shows a measure of the linear relationship between these two variables. However, this association does not imply causation, meaning that the change in one variable is not caused by the change of the other one in the opposite direction. Yet, the increasing negative value of the correlation coefficients allows us to infer from these results that when the price rises sales will decrease.This argument is supported by the level of significance of each case less than 0,01. Explain the correlations between advertising and sales. What is happening to the advertising effect over time? Apparently based solely on the correlation numbers the advertising has a negative effect on sales over the time. However when the level of significance is analyzed, it turned evident that these numbers are way greater than the (0. 001) level of significance corresponding with a 99. % confident level. Hence they are not significant and it is safe to conclude that the correlation numbers between advertising and sales have no effect. Note that the inter-correlations between advertising location and prices are all zero. Why? This result support the experiment parameters established from the beginning, we were considering this variables as independents, meaning that there are no linear relationship among them, endorsing the design of the experiment.What do the regressions of sales variables (Sales1, Sales2, Sales3) using P, A and L as independent variables, imply about the effect of prices? Of advertising? Of Location? Effect of Price: As we stated in the question #1 there is a strong correlation between the prince and the sales numbers. An increment in price suggests a decrease in sales. So, based on this result, we may say that the market is price sensitive and the company should take into consideration the price variable when developing the final launch plan of the product. Significance level is below 0. 1 meaning a 99% of confidence level. Effect of Advertising: Due to a high significance level, p-value higher than 0. 01 not accomplishing the 99% or even 95% of confidence level, we may safely state that advertising has no effect on sales. Effect of Location: Due to a high significance level, p-value higher than 0. 01 not accomplishing the 99% or even 95% of confidence level, we may safely state that location has no effect on sales. Rerun adding income and volume. Do your judgments about the effect of price, advertising and location change? Why?When taking into consideration Income and Volume as additional values, my judgment does not change regarding the price and location effect. However, the impact of adding these two variables in the regression model make the advertising variable to become significant, and then having an effect in the actual outcomes of sales. In fact, only th e volume variable affect the advertising significance in this case, income variable is not significant at 99% confident level. After analyzing the correlation chart, we realized that volume & advertising are correlated (negatively).So the regression model fails to predict accurately the effect of advertising on sales. Since we have two â€Å"independent† variables correlated, we need to control for volume and vary the advertising variable in order to get the real effect of this last one on the final outcomes of sales. What additional regression runs if any, should be made to complete the analysis of this data? I would run the regression of the 6 months sales compiled as dependent variable and the others variables as independent (i. e. Price, advertising, location, Income, Volume).I would also dig deeper in the interaction between al the independent variables (Price, advertising, location, income and volume). It is very important to understand the real effect of advertising in this model, for that as aforementioned we need to run model in which volume is controlled in different scenarios checking the behavior on the advertising in order to measure its real effect on sales. If possible obtain an output of residuals. Check the residuals to identify observations that do not seem to fit the model. Why don’t they fit?They do not fit because perfectly because the initial regression model we are using is a linear model. Is very much likely that the relation between the independent variable and the dependent variable change the slope as the number increase or decreasing forming a curve in a YX chart. However the linear approximation seem to be very appropriate after looking after the shape of the data in the chart. Finally each independent variable has a different effect over the dependent variable, which makes the residuals also different, when compare among each other.

along came a spider essays

along came a spider essays A long came a spider was written by James Patterson an is now a major movie from paramount. The book is about a black detective, Alex Cross who is assigned to a case on a serial killer and kidnapper who has taken two rich kids from their school in Washington and is holding them for a $10 million ransom. Before assigned to the kidnapping Alex is on the case of a black family in their home but when the two white rich kids were kidnapped Detective Alex Cross was forced to forget about the family murder and was made to investigate the kidnapping. James Patterson has made a point on how black people are treated unfairly and that racial prejudice is very prominent even in the 20th century. Alex is working with a great number pf expert detectives and one of them is Jezzie Flanagan a young and attractive secret service agent who is one of the only women agents and is constantly treated badly by the men in her agency. The book takes many twists and turns and was an incredibly well done novel. James Patterson also writes about the difference in social class. When the black family is just forgotten about Alex Cross is determined to be on there case but because he has no say in the matter he is forced to work on what the other detectives consider more important. However the two cases end up being connected and the detective is given the chance to work on both but the two kids are still the major priority before a savagely murdered black family. Gender is represented very well and shows how it is much harder for a women in a job like the secret service not because of physical incapability but because of the way they are treated by male co-workers. Most of the main characters in the novel are male which is to show that women are not respected as much as males are in government jobs. The society within the novel is very much like an ordinary American society and social class is depicted as a very important thing in the n ...

Lakota Sun Dance And The Sufi Whirling Dervis Religion Essays

Lakota Sun Dance And The Sufi Whirling Dervis Religion Essays Lakota Sun Dance And The Sufi Whirling Dervis Religion Essay Lakota Sun Dance And The Sufi Whirling Dervis Religion Essay In the Native American faith, the true significance of the Sun Dance lies in the sanctity and deity that the ritual itself represents. ( McLean 1889: 3 ) The Sun Dance is the cardinal one-year rite of the traditional Lakota faith and takes topographic point out-of-doorss during the summer. ( Walker 1917: 12 ) The infinite of the ritual dance is circled around a tree and is created with mention to central points that model traditional universe in the Lakota civilization. ( Holler 1995: 23 ) The spirit of the Sun Dance is based on forfeit, as all terpsichoreans have pledged to endure. In a basic sense, this would affect dancing in the Sun, without nutrient or H2O, runing from two to four yearss. ( Holler 1995: 23 ) Extreme signifiers of forfeit involve the piercing and film editing of human flesh and infixing skewers that are subsequently removed to finish the forfeit. ( Holler 1995: 23 ) In comparing, Sufi Whirling is a ritual dance that is practiced amongst th ose of the Sufism religion in order to accomplish a stronger focal point on God. ( Trimingham 1998: 122 ) Sufism is defined as the inner and mystical dimension of Islam that emphasizes the forsaking of personal self-importances and desires in favor of the recollection of God. ( Godlas 2001 ) The dance itself emphasizes the cosmopolitan life of the domains, and focal points on three physical techniques to accomplish religious world: dance, twirling and leaping. ( Trimingham 1998: 226 ) Both the Sun Dance and Sufi Whirling topographic point accent on the function of the Sun as a religious portion of the ritual dance, but to different extents. The psychological experiences associated with the ritualistic patterns of both the Sun Dance and the Sufi Whirling have much in common. The physical reactions of the Sufi Whirling are multifaceted and affect a assortment of different state of affairss as they arise from both dissociative factors and insouciant factors. Kenneth Avery states that recent grounds suggests that physical reactions that point to a dissociative cause from deep within the mind, such as epileptic and trance-like reactions, represent merely the minority of such instances. ( Avery 2004: 230 ) However, the bulk of instances show that insouciant factors are responsible for reactions such as anxiousness, fright and emotional release. ( Avery 2004: 230 ) It appears that the psychological experiences of the Sun Dance would be slightly similar to those of the Sufi Whirling, mostly due to the considerable convergence of activities between both rites. Both rites allow persons and, to a certain extent, witnesss to see an altered province of world, and since the Sun Dance besides utilizes activities such as fasting and insistent intonation, it appears that it would be able to trip alterations in consciousness to an even greater extent than the Sufi Whirling as it is well longer. The Sufi Whirling frequently lasts three to four hours while the Sun Dance can last anyplace from two to four yearss. Therefore, it can be concluded that both the Sun Dance and the Sufi Whirling use similar techniques such as fasting and intoning to change an person s province of consciousness and will let for similar psychological experiences. However, given that the Sun Dance can besides include the use of baccy, pipes and the piercing of flesh, it appears that it would be sensible to anticipate an even greater psychological consequence on take parting persons. ( Avery 2004: 231 ) There are two similarities between the Sun Dance and Sufi Whirling which deserve a greater analysis. First, the significance of the Sun in both these rites should be noted. In the Sun Dance, the Sun maps as a kind of divinity, or higher power to which forfeits are made. It is the receiving system of all the Sun Dance represents ; the name of the ritual itself highlights the fact that the Sun is the focal point of the Sun Dance. Although the map or significance of the Sun is possibly non as great in Sufi Whirling as it is in the Sun Dance, the fact that it does hold some significance proves that the usage of the Sun in rite is non uncommon. This frequent usage of the Sun as a ritualistic focal point in many religions reflects the possibly cosmopolitan significance of the Sun. The Sun as a divinity has been recorded through history on legion occasions across a comprehensiveness of religions and belief systems. It symbolizes power and strength, every bit good as beauty and metempsychosi s. It is frequently the halfway focal point of many rites, and this component can be seen in both the Sun Dance and in Sufi Whilring. While the two religions are really different from one another, their focal point on the Sun in these two rites represents the catholicity of the Sun as a powerful spiritual symbol. There is plentifulness of historical grounds to show the usage of the Sun in spiritual rites. There are sun divinities present in Hinduism ( e.g. Surya ) , Buddhism ( in the signifier of a Bodhisattva ) , and in the faiths of Ancient Egypt, China, and among assorted African folks. It can evidently be seen that the usage of the Sun transcends geographical boundary lines. Concrete grounds of this transcendency comes in the signifier of paleontologic finds, preserved Bibles, and of class, the many observations that are made in rites over the universe today. Possibly the importance of the Sun developed in the Lakota tradition for the same grounds it was held in such high respec t in other traditions ; possibly it became the focal point of the Sun Dance for its repute as a symbol of power and strength, and as a cosmic component worthy of great forfeit. In Sufism, the Sun is portion of many narratives as a cardinal cosmic power. While the Sun is non worshipped as a divinity itself, as that would belie the focal point of their gyration ( which is the One God ) , the Sun is instead portion of a greater system that is created by the One God. One of the most beautiful creative activities, the Sun deserves to be included and recognized as an built-in portion of one s journey which brings the participant closer to Allah. Hence, irrespective of the map the Sun dramas in each ritual, its significance can non be denied, nor can its catholicity as a symbol of power, beauty, and fortitude. The 2nd similarity between the two rites with is deserving researching is the brilliant psychological consequence they have on their participants. As was mentioned antecedently, proceedings in both the Sun Dance and in Sufi Whirling let the participants, and sometimes their perceivers, to see an altered world. Trance-like provinces are frequently achieved as participants become so focussed on the ritual and its intent. In the Sun Dance, visions frequently accompany this trance-like province and reflect Indigenous ideas on the relationship between worlds and nature. Often observed in Sufi Whirling, trance-like provinces are frequently seen as enraptured yet they normally represent a well-focused, clearer vision of the universe. Basically the intent of this experience is to derive a better apprehension of the Oneness of Allah, and the beauty of all of His creative activities. This similar experience, seen in both the Sun Dance and in Whirling, highlights the possibly cosmopolitan inten t of ritualistic enchantments and altered psychological provinces. While the term trance can intend several things, it is by and large referred to as a procedure, technique, province of head, or consciousness achieved either voluntarily or involuntarily. Both the Sun Dance and the Sufi Whirling affect higher provinces of consciousness and consciousness of adult male s relationship with a higher power ; in the Sun Dance, that higher power is the Sun, and in Sufism, that higher power is the One God. Observed in many other traditions, enchantments are besides associated with assorted signifiers of speculation and supplication. In the Sun Dance, the usage of psychotropic substances may heighten the participant s experience. Both traditions use audile and kinetic methods to bring on this province of head and both traditions use it as a vehicle to achieve a higher consciousness of their belief systems. Normally enchantments are associated with some kind of realisation or heightened consc iousness of one s relationship with their milieus, with nature, or with a more powerful being. Enchantments are once more, universally recognized as contemplations of these realisations and are used in both Sufi Whirling and in the Sun Dance, along with other traditions, to derive merely that. By diminishing one s focal point on external elements, and concentrating on the elaboratenesss of one s internal workings, enchantments become tools by which persons are able to see lucidity, peace, and intent.