Month: August 2019
The Impact of Codes of Ethics on Organizational Effectiveness
Since the inception of organizations, homo sapiens with their vast capacity for discord due to differences in nature and nurture, have had sustained struggles to maintain the sanctity of the very organizations they create and seek to nurture. The nature and nurture of an individual determine the ethical principles that govern that individual's behaviors. Ethical principles are adopted by organizations to guide the behavior of members. This is so that they display a positive, professional disposition when making decisions, based on the organization's core values and the standards to which the professional is held to the sectors of society which the organization affects whether directly or indirectly. These principles called codes of conduct or codes of ethics are carefully constructed and customized to individual companies' philosophy. Research conducted by Nwinyokpugi and Nwibere (2014), it posits that Most ethical codes address subjects such as employee conduct, community and environment, shareholders, customers, suppliers and contractors, political activity, and technology (p. 5).
In an attempt to give a practical understanding of the concept of organizational effectiveness, Foster (2012) made the following statement: ...organizational effectiveness is an endpoint, which suggests that in order to get there, the organisation needs to have a start point, and has to develop towards the point of achieving the outcome or goal of organizational effectiveness. It's not a process or a system that the organization adopts, but rather it is something the organization works to achieve. (para. 6)
Codes of ethics are some of the most important foundations on which the start point of an organization is established. Hence, the ability of the organization to become successful is in tandem with the ability of the members to follow the codes of ethics. Conforming to the requirements of these codes of ethics then becomes a critical part of the journey towards achieving organizational effectiveness. In essence, organizational effectiveness is predominantly concerned with the organization's ability to achieve the goals and objectives with the resources at hand; all organizations have defined goals and objectives. While having these as a guide, management and subordinates alike have to take ethical measures to ensure sustainable growth and development. Whenever any of these goals or objectives are realized, the organization is then effective in that respect. The authors Bauer and Erdogan (2015) postulate that the behaviors which determine organizational effectiveness are job performance, citizenship behaviors, absenteeism, and turnover (p. 100). They also posit that an involuted combination of personal characteristics and external influencers determine the way in which employees act or conduct themselves (Bauer & Erdogan, 2015, p. 100).
Individuals rather working for a business that sustains an ethical environment. An organization which has the tendency to be ethical has more satisfied employees who are devoted to the company, less likely to engage in counterproductive work behaviors and more likely to remain loyal to the company. In an ethical environment, the employees assist colleagues and superiors and go beyond the call of duty. (Bauer & Erdogan, 2015, p. 98) Impacts of codes of ethics on organizational effectiveness Butt, Butt, and Ayaz (2016) posit that organizations maintaining an ethical culture receives as a reward increased operational efficiency, employee commitment, quality product, customer loyalty, and financial performance (p. 29). 6. Conclusion- ways to promote ethics in the organization The following statement was made by Bauer and Erdogan (2015) in regard to how managers may choose to motivate employees to abide by the codes of ethics of the organization: Enforcing an ethical code of conduct and withholding rewards from those who are not demonstrating ethical behaviors are other ways of preventing goal setting from leading to unethical behaviors. (p.170)
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The Importance of the Nursing Code of Ethics
There is a general acceptance that ethics education is difficult both to assess and teach. Especially in today's health care environment where patient autonomy is valued over traditional paternalistic approaches coupled with the accelerating advances in technology, serious questions arise whether ethics education has a new role to play to promote high quality healthcare.
Ethical dilemmas are common occurrence in all areas of nursing practice. According to the International Council of Nurses (ICN), Nurses render health services to the individual, the family, and the community and coordinate their services with those of related groups (ICN, 2005, p?). With that being said, nurses will have many occasions when they encounter situations that are far more complex than just simply caring for patients. This emphasizes nursing primary ethical obligations to the care of the patients and also how ethics education is an essential component that can prepares nurses for their everyday practice.
As a matter of fact, majority of students who have an understanding of moral responsibility and delegation in the written test, often uncertain or fail to enact the principles they have learned when they have to face the reality of professional practices (Wintrup, 2015). Additionally, such fears of speaking out or reporting colleagues are found to exist among health care professionals, negatively influenced care and treatment for patients (Wintrup, 2015).
Another key point often overlooked is that students have diverse perspectives about the meaning of respect for human dignity. The diverse academic backgrounds and clinical experiences of students also play a crucial role in how they would learn the concept of respect for human dignity (Wintrup, 2015). Given these points, it is important for both practitioners and students to be more aware of the role of values and recognize the influences of their own, as well as the values of those they are working to help in order to deliver a safer, compassionate and caring services (Wintrup, 2015).
Solving ethical issues requires critical thinking skills rather than just learning to match correct responses. Respect for human dignity deserves to be fully understood within the context of nursing practice as it is an integral concept for the six ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity, veracity, and justice (BOOK). Nurses should use the Nurse's Code of Ethics as resources to help them make decisions regarding the practice setting and in their delivery of patient care.
In conclusion, ethics education has a role to play in supporting nurses to be fully involved as moral agents, to promote higher quality of health care services. In order to gain a deeper understanding of dignity within practice, nurses must show a desire to learn about dignity, conduct research and exploring dignity within oneself. It is hoped for that nurses who come to better understand themselves and learn how to make decisions in line with their own beliefs, are able to put patients before themselves by being honest and open regardless of the consequences for themselves.
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Drugs Problem in Modern World
What is substance abuse? Substance abuse is the use of excessive amount or dependence on a very addictive substance. It is the use of dangerous or lethal substances which could be alcohol or illegal drugs. These substances that are used can trigger psychoactive behavior. Substance abuse use can lead to dependency disorder such as behavior, mental, and physical issues that progress after a repeated amount of substance use and can usually include a strong craving to take the substance, struggle in controlling its use, continuing its use even knowing the harmful consequences, a higher importance given to substance than to other events and responsibilities, higher tolerance to the substance taken, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state, which can take a long time to overcome.
A lot of people use substances to get away from the real world or people around them because of what is going on in their life. Substance abuse can be triggered by many reasons for many people for example, stress at work, family issues, legal trouble, health issues and mental or behavioral health. There are many other factors that can cause a person to depend on substances for comfort and dependence. A lot of stories I have heard related to a past traumatic experience that brought them to this point in their life of substance abuse. The first personal story regarding substance abuse is about a lifestyle and fashion influencer on instagram and YouTube. She shares her journey about her sobriety and how she changed her lifestyle after substance abuse. She has a YouTube video explaining her story about how she started becoming dependent on alcohol at the age of fifteen. The problem was very big for her but she always ignored the issue because alcohol was her life and everything to her. She talks about her parents splitting up when she was just twelve and her father not caring to have a relationship with her which led her to rebel and party and start drinking alcohol every opportunity she got. In the end of her story she somehow stumbles upon an AA meeting in the area and relating so much to the other people and realizing she needed help. With the help of AA meetings and motivation of not wanting to live that lifestyle again, she is now three years sober.
Another personal story about substance abuse is about a student who started medical school. Medical school was getting hard and one night he was finding it hard to stay awake to study for a very important exam, and a friend told him about some drugs that were available to them at the moment that would help him stay calm. He felt as though the result was just what he needed and he began using the drugs just whenever he needed a boost, just like a cup of coffee. After graduation Medical School, he was practicing and was determined to be the best doctor imaginable. After practicing for a while, his patient capacity grew very fast, and he had trouble keeping pace with his business and other stress. He found himself taking more and more drugs just to keep up with the new business and patients. He didn't really think anything bad about his drug use because after all he was a doctor and no street druggie. Throughout this time he still felt good and high when he would use the drugs, which would help him thrive in his practice. He provided excellent care and had no patient complaints. One day, the DEA came to the door questioning him about his fraudulent prescription practice. Not only did he face the legal and professional consequences of having written improper prescriptions, but he had to cope with the personal embarrassment as well from family, friends and professionally.
After months of treatment and therapy, he learned about his disease and learning about himself, he came back home feeling strong and well. He was healthy, sober, clear thinking, and ready to pull his profession back together. Unfortunately, his profession was not yet ready for him, he had to deal with a lot of issues legally to practice being a doctor again. Although he discouraged with the difficulties he was facing, he now had the tools to deal with this stress. In the end, he did return to practice, the process took years but he waited patiently. What I have learned in this personal story is that doctors, like all humans, have the vulnerability to become sick and the ability to become well. He is now sober and can't imagine life any other way.
As I was scrolling the internet, reading different personal stories, I came across a very different story regarding a young boy who was a great high school student, athlete and in a few HBO movies. He was 80 days sober from his drug addiction when he decided to try it one more time just a week after his high school graduation and he paid the price for his mistake with his life. My uncle from my husband's side of the family was heavily involved in drugs when he graduated high school back in the 1980's. He even became homeless so many times, and lost a lot of his teeth but that didn't change his mindset of the addiction until he met a girl at the bar who he fell in love with and helped him recover from his addiction. He was able to get out of that addiction and better his life for his wife and children and even start his own business. He always says that he believes the big problem with substance abuse is that it's so easy to get and that's why so many people can have it easily handed to.
My friend's ex-boyfriend was going down the wrong path of using prescribed drugs to get high and feel different. He would tell his doctor that he was having severe back pain because of working out at the gym every day. The doctor did do an x-ray to check if something was wrong and saw his disk was slipped. The boyfriend did not agree to surgery because of money issues but did agree to have a strong medication prescribed to him all the time which he later got addicted too. He was not able to function without the prescription. After a few years, he became domestically violent and started abusing my friend, which is when she took a stand called 911 for help. They took him, and he then realized what he was doing and got help. After years now, he is off the prescribed drug and learning how to cope with his back problem.
There are many people who are addicted to so many things because I believe that getting alcohol is so easy and getting your hand on drugs/prescriptions are easy, there in our own medicine cabinets. The government needs to identify and find out who are these prescribers are that are providing large numbers of narcotics that are so easy to get ahold of. A lot of people also suffer with so many addictions and our system does offer many places where people can go and be vulnerable and try to get help but I believe that many treatment centers do not work hard enough up to the standard. These treatment programs but have a very low rate of efficiency. Treatment options should include motivational improvement, cognitive-behavioral treatments, relapse prevention, family education and support, wellness efforts and medication to help stop from some relapsing and maintaining sobriety.
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Drugs Problem In Modern World. (2019, Aug 13).
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A Problem of Drugs Abuse
For thousands of years humans have used multiple kinds of drugs, beer was consumed as far back as the early Egyptians, narcotics have been used since 4000 BC and the earliest use of marijuana has been dated as far back as 2737 BC in China. It wasn't until the nineteenth century where drugs extracted and were more understood, the time followed where larger drugs started to come around including morphine and cocaine, these substances were unregulated by physicians and pharmacists they were put into people's medication and sold by travellers and drugstores. During the Civil War, morphine was a freely used drug for a variety of reasons including those that were wounded. By the early 1900 it was estimated that there were 250,000 addicts in the United States (Brecher,1972). The U.S Supreme Court of decisions made it illegal for doctors to prescribe narcotics to addicts, and those that did prescribe the medication when they weren't supposed to, they would be sent to jail. By the 1930's most states required antidrug education within schools and in the early 1970's some states decriminalized marijuana and lowered the drinking age. Throughout the years the public's view of the dangers of substance abuse changed including laws including life imprisonment and even the death penalty.
Many people don't have the greatest understanding as to why and how people become addicted to substances including drugs and alcohol, people mistakenly think that those who use substances lack moral principles, self-esteem, and willpower and so on. However, in reality, substance use and abuse can be considered a disease and is hard to give up. Substances can be used as a primary motivator of persistent involvement in the criminal justice system. According to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC, 2012) reports that cannabis use is becoming a normative risk- taking behaviour among young people worldwide. Globally, there have been multiple concerns that have been raised over the past few decades in regards to young people and drugs, environments, addiction, effects on the production, trafficking and selling of drugs and so forth. The criminal justice and public health model helps individuals either stop, control or help prevent harmful situations, supporters of legalization believe that more problems are actually caused by the criminalization of substance use but that isn't always the case, some also believe the opposite.
Over the last few decades, the use of marijuana has become more modern to the Canadian society indicating that the normalizing the process in societal relations and experiences. Alcohol, marijuana, coffee, cocaine, cigarettes, heroin, and ecstasy are all drugs that are a part of the adolescent world. Further research explains that those that are younger understand their decisions that they are making and habits they are getting into in relation to the use of substance usage, by taking risks as a teenager or young adult it represents an important way to shape ones identity, experiments with new decision-making skills and develop realistic assessments of themselves, others and society around them (Ponton, 1997). However, it is very high chance that by experiencing these exploratory behaviours can lead to poor physical activity, nutrition, sexual behaviour leading to unexpected pregnancy and, or, infections and by abusing such substances it can also lead to unintended injuries.
Another important issue related to adolescents using drugs is the age of initiation. The later the age of starting a certain drug the less chance a person has of becoming addicted when experiments with drugs occur. In countries where drugs have become more or less decriminalized the age of imitation is much older, starting a few years after the average age in terms of experimenting drugs can save many troubled youth of addiction and save society in both human resources and financial strain that is faced to deal with the addiction over their lifetime.
Most recent theories have focused on the learning process and social influences of an individual such as inhibition of control and habit learning. According to Akers the social learning theory is one of the most influential theories that influences behaviours as you grow up taking after your role models. This theory explains that whatever you've been exposed to growing up, you are likely to develop whatever it is as you get older including behaviours, attitudes, skills knowledge and other cultural information. It is in fact, a monkey-see, monkey-do world and we as humans follow that theory.
The psychology of one's conscious and unconscious tendencies to self-destruct reflects failures in ego functions involving self-care and self-protection. Wurmser's 'defence structure theory' (1980) suggests that drugs are usually used to cope with unhappy emotional states or negative emotions. Drugs serve as a form of protection against these fears or anxieties and are used to counteract these negative feelings. Milkman and Frosch's 'coping theory' (1980) emphasizes the function of drugs as a way to alleviate problems including depression, anxiety and alienation, however it is argued by Greaves (1974) that drugs are dependant for drug users as a form of self-medication in order to replace what their feeling.
Under the medicalization approach the individual who abuses a substance is seen to be ill or in need of medical attention and control. In 2001, the Canadian government took a leap forward reconsidering the laws on marijuana use; the first reconsideration was to examine the government's policy on cannabis, followed by other countries. Second, to recognize the positive and negative benefits of marijuana in treating health symptoms or life threatening and chronic illnesses, the government granted access to medical marijuana to those with specified medical problems.
Political views and public policies in regards to substance use in Canada today was that more than one quarter of Canadians (27%) felt that the possession of a small amount if cannabis should be legal and 47% felt that possession should be against the law but subject to either no penalty or a fine only for a first offence and only 17% favour the current policy whereby a first offender is subject to a small jail sentence, the remaining 14% had no opinion. In the future the government plans to strengthen prevention work responding to the needs of youth and young adults, increase efforts to target the process of crime and the property used to commit crimes and respond to the considerable amount of harm associated with drug use. Therefore, the war against drugs in Canada remains primarily one against cannabis. It is not surprising that there is a reluctance to give up this fight, as hypocritical and as futile as it must appear. Both sides in the warthe police and the marijuana distributorshave nothing to gain and everything to lose if cannabis is given legitimacy as a recreational drug'' (Riley, 1998, p. 26). The most considerable legal change in relation to cannabis that has occurred with the introduction of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act. The legislation for the first time set marijuana apart from other drugs and the punishments are slightly different compared to the harder drugs including cocaine and heroin.
It is a normal habit for those that abuse substances to experience a wide variety of physical effects including the ambiguous sensation of feeling high, the excitement of a cocaine high is followed by a crash: periods of anxiety, depression, fatigue, in contrary to alcohol and heroin, you would experience slightly different feelings including a lack of motor control, vomiting, muscle cramps, convulsions and so on. Substance and drugs abuse doesn't just have an effect on the individual but also affects others including their family and society affecting their mood and performance which can lead to personal problems, and poor work performance or getting fired from your job. It can disturb family life and create disruptive patterns out of love or fear of the consequences by encouraging or enabling the use of drugs, supplying the drugs, lending money or even by denial that the problem exists. Mothers that are pregnant bear a much higher rate of low birth weight babies than the average, resulting in addicted babies who go through withdrawals afterbirth or known as Fetal alcohol syndrome affecting children of mother who consume such substances during pregnancy.
Effects that substance use has on the society can be costly in terms of its effects in the workplace including lost work time and inefficiency. Drug users are more likely to have occupational accidents, endangering themselves and others around them. It can disrupt neighbours with violence among the drug dealers themselves, threats to those who reside around them and crimes committed by the addicts. Some neighbourhoods have the 'neighbourhood watch' team which are recruited children that are on the lookout, hence why guns have become an ordinary piece of equipment among adolescents in many inner-city communities in the United States. A large majority of homeless people either have a drug or alcohol problem or mental illness and many have both (Voas and Tippetts, 1999).
There are multiple studies explaining how and why there are positive and negative effects of cannabis use, there are studies that research how cannabis is a stress reducers and was found to be the ideal drug to relax which acted as a motivating factor to using the drug, this has urged the governments to re-evaluate a more effective harm reduction programme with dealing with adolescents. Additionally, cannabis use plays a role in anger management and the avoidance of other troubles. Furthermore, negative effects of cannabis can include respiratory effects, cognitive impairments and/or psychological problems (Kalant, 2004). There have been increasing associations between cannabis use and higher risk or psychological difficulties (World Health Organization, 2008)
Over the years there have been multiple harm reduction programs including harm reduction. Harm reduction focuses on reducing those who have trouble terminating the use of drugs at that moment in time. It places a priority on reducing negative consequences of drug use rather than on eliminating drug use. . As such, it is no surprise that Canada has experienced a strong and growing national movement of peer organizations who are advocating for drug policy reform and improved access to harm reduction (Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, 2005). If Canadians are truly concerned with reducing the harms associated with marijuana use they could consider supporting the harm reduction movement that essentially treats drugs use and misuse pragmatically as a public health issue rather than a crime issue (Hathaway and Erickson, 2003).
Drug addiction is a problem faced all around the world by many people; drugs can be very harmful towards individuals pulling them one step closer to death and/or deconstruction such as cardiac problems, liver damage and the loss of taking care of one's self. There have been multiple inaccurate conclusions towards why people use drugs which can result in misleading interventions. Because the purity and dosage of illegal drugs are uncontrolled, drug overdose is a constant risk. More than 10,000 deaths annually in the United States are directly attributable to drug use. The most frequently involved substances are cocaine, heroin, and morphine, often in combination with alcohol or other drugs (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000). Many drug users engage in criminal activity, such as burglary and prostitution, to raise the money to buy drugs. Some drugs, especially alcohol, PCP, and cocaine, are associated with violent behavior
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An Emerging Epidemic: the Cell Phone
They are there for us when we wake up. They are there to give us advice when we need it. They are loud, obnoxious, and talkative. They are our best friends and our worst enemies. Of course, I am talking about our cell phones.
Look around the room. There are cell phones everywhere -- whether laying on a desk, or in a backpack, or in someone's pocket, their presence is undeniable. Without thinking, our minds are drawn to pressing that home button, in hopes that our picture was liked or someone had texted us since we last checked two minutes ago.
Don't get me wrong -- I was a cell phone addict as well. I used my phone as my alarm clock and my personal weatherman. My phone was the last thing I saw when I went to bed and the first thing I saw when I woke up.
In the past three decades, the United States has seen staggering technological changes. In 1990, 96% of the American population did not own a cell phone (What 'Tech World' Did You Grow up in?). Today, 95% have some sort of cellular device (Demographics of Mobile Device Ownership).
Cell phones emit small amounts of radiation that over time can cause tissue damage. Every time you use your cell phone, you are exposed to miniscule amounts of this radiation.
According Devra Davis, author of Disconnect: The Truth About Cellphone Radiation, we may be witnessing an epidemic in slow motion.
The repercussions of phone usage became a reality for 59-year-old real-estate broker and father of three, Alan Marks. Marks constantly used his phone, averaging two hours-a-day -- 10,000 hours in his lifetime. After Marks had a seizure, doctors discovered a golf-sized tumor on the side of his head in which he held his cell phone.
There was no question what caused it. It was my cell phone, says Marks.
However, Marks is not the only one suffering from the consequences of cell phone use. People have developed blinding headaches, and dizziness, and nausea, and cancer from the radiation emitted from cell phones (Gittleman).
Despite the indubitable evidence, several scientists have questioned the effects of cell phone radiation on health.
These conflicting studies that claim cell phone radiation had no correlation with cancer were addressed by Robert Herberman, the director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer. He argues that because these negative studies primarily examined people with only a few years of phone use, the effects on long-term users could not be accurately predicted.
Health problems are not caused by a small amount of radiation we are exposed to at a single time, but how much we are exposed to day after day, year after year.
Still unconvinced? Take a close look at the thick manual that accompanies your cell phone. Notice the letters in small print. Manufacturers warn against the potential dangers of keeping your cell phone close to your body. For example, Apple suggests keeping your phone at least five-eighths of an inch away when calling. Although these dangers are not widely publicized, manufacturers still recognize their products are potentially dangerous. And you should too.
Nearly every teen has access to a cell phone. Our generation is growing increasingly dependent upon these devices. Our generation is at an increased risk of developing health problems due to cell phone usage, in comparison to older individuals. As with vaping or LASIK eye surgery, the negative effects of phone usage could be going unseen. In 20 to 30 years, our generation could be experiencing these health risks -- except they won't be risks, they will be reality.
According to Dr. Lennart Hardell, his studies find one pattern over and over again. Those who have used their phones the longest, are more likely to develop malignant brain tumors (Davis). However, a slight change in our daily habits can make the difference between a long life and premature death.
Now, I am not saying that you should stop using your phone altogether. However, acknowledging that cell phone use has its dangers and minimizing risks is one step in the right direction. Move the phone away from your head. Use headphones. Use speakerphone. Don't overuse it. The life you preserve may be your own.
As with breaking any habit, changing the way you talk on your phone may come at a slight inconvenience at first, but will soon become second nature. You will be able to enjoy all the perks of using your phone without suffering the fate of Alan Marks. If Marks had known about the dangers of prolonged cell phone use, he would have done things differently. I wouldn't have held it next to my head, he says. I would have used the speaker phone. I would have used the headset . . . And I would not have had the problems I had.
We have a tendency to ignore any danger that we can't feel, hear, see, or smell. But there is enough evidence to suggest that cell phones are dangerous and every precaution should be taken when using one.
So, please, get in the habit of keeping your cell phone away from your ear when talking. Start today -- and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
We can avoid the slow-motion epidemic that doctors and scientists are warning us about--as long as we keep this away from this.
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An Emerging Epidemic: The Cell Phone. (2019, Aug 12).
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About Abraham Lincoln’s Life
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The History of Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln, the 16th president of the US, is renowned for his role in leading the nation through the Civil War, abolishment of slavery, modernization of the economy and stabilization of the US federal government. This paper aims to provide a brief history of Abraham Lincoln's life as well as a comprehensive analytic review of the argument that he is among the most important and prominent leaders in the history of the US.
Abe Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky on 12 February 1809. According to Schwartz and Howard, his family had a low social standing and in fact, they lived in a single room cabin with his parents and two siblings. His family later moved to the state of Indiana in 1816 when he was 7 years. In order to support his family, Lincoln had to work at a young age, helping his father in doing farming chores. This had a significant adverse impact on his education, with historical research suggesting that he went to school for only a single year as a child.
Later on in 1830, his family moved again to Macon County in Illinois. He became employed as a hand on a riverboat that was in the business of freight transportation along the Mississippi River (Burlingame). He later settled in New Salem, a town in Illinois, where he worked as a postmaster and a shopkeeper. This is where Lincoln began his political career, supporting the Whig party. He lost his first election race in 1832 when he vied for the Illinois state legislature. However, he later won the election in 1834 and become a prominent fixture of his party for eight consecutive years.
Notably, Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer. As aforementioned, his stay in school was short. However, the education he received was sufficient to read and write and during his childhood and early adulthood, his interest in law contributed to his pursuit of a career in the field (Nicolay). In spite of his focus on politics, he continued to study and in 1837, he was admitted to the bar. He moved to Springfield in the same year.
In 1842, Lincoln married his wife, Mary Todd. Together, they had four children, all sons, two of whom died at a young age. Later, in 1846, he was elected to the US Congress, at which point he moved to Washington D.C. in order to complete his term. Lincoln, along with other politicians such as Daniel Webster and Henry Clay, strongly opposed slavery and in fact, he attempted without success to abolish slavery in the state (Foner).
In 1849, Lincoln decided to resume his law career and devote more time to his family. He went back to Springfield and his career in politics seemed to be at an end. However, when the slavery question began to intensify across the nation in the 1850s, he decided to return to politics, vying unsuccessfully for Senate in 1854 as well as 1856. In spite of the losses, Lincoln gained nationwide recognition for his prowess in public speaking and his view of slavery.
In 1860, Lincoln won the Republican nomination for the position of US president. In a particularly fragmented race comprising four candidates, Lincoln won the presidential election with a popularity percentage of less than 40. Fearing that Lincoln's presidential power and his views of slavery would result in total abolition of the practice in the nation, some Southern states began to contemplate secession. Seven states, including South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama, established an independent nation called the Confederate States of America, which was distinct and independent from the United States.
Attempts by President Lincoln to withhold Fort Sumter in South Carolina from the Confederates sparked the American Civil War. To quash the rising rebellion, the president increased military reinforcements. This resulted in further secession of other states, including Virginia.
In spite of Lincoln's insistence that the Civil War aimed to preserve the union of the United States, the question of slavery was among the major factors influencing the decisions of states to join the confederates. The president took the role of commander-in-chief, and signed several critical legislations into law, including policies regarding US currency, taxation and transport networks. Lincoln developed and implemented the first national income tax and established several structures that defined the federal government of the US, which has remained stable and effective to this day (Burlingame).
In 1863, Lincoln made the Emancipation proclamation, which paved the way for the 13th Amendment of the US constitution and the abolition of slavery in the nation. He made several memorable speeches, such as the Second Inaugural and the Gettysburg Address, in recognition of the many men who died in the war (Burlingame). Most historians and researchers consider these the most significant actions of Lincoln as president and in fact, the Gettysburg address is among the famous historical speeches by great leaders. A year later, he vied for presidency again and had sufficient support to be re-elected as president. With the war concluding, President Lincoln began to make reconstruction preparations to assist in unification of the nation once more.
A week after surrender of the Confederate, in April 14th 1865, John Wilkes Booth assassinated Lincoln while the president was attending a theater in Washington. Booth managed to escape, but died two days later from gunshot wounds sustained during attempts to capture him. Today, Lincoln is regarded as among the greatest presidents of the nation, with his leadership during the Civil War, his fight against slavery and his eloquent orations being the pinnacle of his legacy.
Critical Analysis of Abraham Lincoln's Life
Abraham Lincoln assumed leadership of the United States during a time of great crisis and in fact, his past life before presidency was pivotal to the success he achieved in his life and the legacy he left behind (Nicolay). His humble beginnings are among the most noticeable aspects of his traits. Born into a poor family, Lincoln had to learn the value of hard work at a young age. Arguably, this contributed to his passion and commitment to his principles as well as his efforts to achieving his objectives as a family man, a lawyer and as the president of the US (Nicolay).
According to Schwartz and Schuman, Lincoln's effective communication is a factor that contributed significantly to his success as a leader. Especially given that he was self-educated, his ability to communicate effectively through oral and written media was critical to his effectiveness as a leader. Burlingame notes that he had no significant military experience during the Civil War but his ability to give directions, instructions and inspiration was pivotal to the success of the Union.
Lincoln's moral compass and rhetoric is also a significant factor that defined his leadership. From the beginning of his legal and political career, President Lincoln strongly fought against human slavery in the nation. Johnson is keen to note that Lincoln held the belief that no man had a right to own another human being. The strong ethics of the president are traceable to his family roots, as his parents raised him in line with Christian beliefs and in fact, his father had strong views against bondage.
Conclusion
Abraham Lincoln played a major role in defining and molding the Unites States into the nation it is today. His powerful ethical principles in the fight against bondage and his leadership in the American civil war were crucial contributions that resulted in the unification of the United States as well as the eradication of slavery in the nation. His rise from humble beginnings to becoming the US president is inspiring. Lincoln's gallant act of selflessness in returning to politics in order to contribute to the question of slavery, at a time when he had virtually retired in order to pursue a law career and raise his family, is one that had numerous positive impacts on the nation. In addition, his style of leadership, which was not only effective and charismatic but also compassionate, has been the subject of significant research over the last century.
Some scholars have identified several weaknesses Lincoln's leadership and decision-making. Most note the fact that he had little military experience, which may have contributed to the significant deaths on both sides of the war, as he lacked the skill to make effective war strategies. Nevertheless, Lincoln's efforts of reconciling and healing the nation in the aftermath of the war, as well as his role in ending slavery and bringing the United States together during a time of crisis are factors that make him among the best presidents of the US so far.
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The Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln
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Impact of Abraham Lincoln
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The Story is a Worn Path by Eudora Welty
The story is about an older women named Phoenix Jackson, who is a poor black women, she is walking through the woods on her way to town and she runs into thorny bushes, a barbed wire fence and a big dog that knocks her down into a ditch. A Hunter comes to help her out and then she continues into town, where she gets medicine for her grandson that she says is still sick. Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass, no sir. Old eyes thought you was a pretty little green bush. The theme of this story can be with determination you can overcome every obstacle.
The setting is Christmas time in Natchez, Mississippi, its around the 1930s in the Great Depression era. This contributes to the theme because it was a hard time for everybody and they were facing many obstacles.
The conflicts in the story are
Phoenix Jackson vs. Nature
Obstacles on her way into town
Has to travel through the woods
Phoenix Jackson vs. Racism/Society
Racism was big in that time era (KKK)
The Hunter even says to her Doesn't the gun scare you?
The good in the world vs. the bad in the world
The stories point of view is Third Person Omniscient because the narrator knows
Phoenix's thoughts and feelings. With the story being in Third Person we are able to know
more about Phoenix Jackson, she is hardworking, caring and determined to help her
grandson. We don't know anything about her grandson besides that he is sick. The Hunter
in the story is helpful to Phoenix Jackson, but also somewhat racist. There are a few
smaller characters like the nurse and the black dog.
The tone of the story is sympathetic and hopeful because throughout the story the narrator
seems to admire that Phoenix keeps going along. At last she was safe through the fence
and risen up out in the clearing. this quote shows how the narrator is happy she was safe.
Another quote that shows that the narrator admires Phoenix is, She lifted her free hand,
gave a little nod, turned around, and walked out of the doctor's office. Then her slow step
began on the stairs, going down.
There is in the story, an example of situational irony is when the nurse asks if Phoenix is a
charity case, this is ironic because Phoenix is not a charity case and is stealing money
from the nurse and the Hunter. Another example of situational irony is when the Hunter
says I'd give you a dime if I had any money with me. this is ironic because the Hunter did
give her a dime when it fell out of his pocket, he just didn't realize it.
Symbolism
The hunter symbolizes racism the marble cake that she dreams of, She did not dare to close her eyes, and when a little boy brought her a plate with a slice of marble-cake on it she spoke to him. symbolizes a blending of blacks and whites. The paper windmill she plans to buy her grandson symbolizes the good in the world. The black dog that knocks her over symbolizes the bad in the world, like enemies and people who just want to knock you down.
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A Worn Path a Substantial Amount of Symbolism
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A Worn Path Critical Analysis
The short story A Worn Path is one of Eudora Welty's most notable fictional stories. A Worn Path takes place in the rural South during the 1930s in the beginning of winter season. The setting of this story plays a major role of the imagery set by Welty. The brilliant use of tone and imagery by the main character helped to make the story feel real. In A Worn Path, Welty presents Christian imagery in the main character, Phoenix Jackson, from the obstacles she encounters on a journey to help a family member.
As the story opens up, right away, Welty describes the setting. The setting of the story takes place in December. The significance of the time of year is that it is close to Christmas which, according to the Bible, is the time of the birth of Christ. When thinking of the birth of Christ, things like new beginnings, new paths, and new journeys come to mind. As it ties to the main character, Phoenix Jackson, its not so much of a new path, but a new journey with new encounters that symbolizes that of the birth of Christ.
Along with the setting, the main character's name, Phoenix Jackson, is also an example of symbolism. The phoenix is a mythical bird that lives for several hundred years and dies in flames but is reborn again to start a new long life. (Leafloor 2014) The symbolism of the bird conveys a couple of different meanings. For example, the immortality of the bird relates to Christianity and the idea of being born again. Also, Welty compares the appearance of Ms. Jackson to a solitary little bird illustrating that she is alone on the journey she is taking. Lastly, Welty uses the bird, that flies over Ms. Jacksons head as she takes the hunters nickel, as a symbol of God watching over her as she does a bad deed.
Another example of biblical imagery in A Worn Path is when Phoenix Jackson says, Now comes the trial Welty writes that Ms. Jackson put her right foot out, mounted the log and shut her eyes. This part of the short story closely relates to the bible verse walk by faith and not by site which according to Dena Johnson Martin means to not go by what one see's, but what one believes. While on her journey, Ms. Phoenix Jackson came across many obstacles and hardships that should have turned her around but she didn't let them stop her; she continued to complete her journey. Welty very well delivers this concept through the encounters of phoenix Jackson by not only writing it but allowing the main character to narrate, grasping the readers attention more. Even though Welty didn't consciously write this story to relate to Christian aspects, she perceived the idea through the main character over shadowing ideas of Christianity.
Lastly, the entire journey of Phoenix Jackson in the short story A Worn Path imitates that of Christ when he carried the cross to cavalry. Welty mentioned Ms. Jackson getting her dress caught on a thorn bush, running into a scare crow, forgetting what she came to the doctor for and more but she continued. The biblical symbolism in the entire story was very visible yet hidden. Hidden from those who are unfamiliar with the Christian religion and visible to those who follow the Christian religion. The ties that Ms. Phoenix Jackson has between her and Christ is that both of them were determined to put themselves in danger in order to not help themselves but help others. Welty definitely delivered a message of faith through the difficult encounters faced by Ms. Jackson and it very closely symbolizes the acts of Christianity and the many people who live by the ideas of the religion today.
In conclusion, Welty uses biblical imagery in her short story A Worn Path that is narrated by a very strong-minded protagonist that puts herself into harms way just to help someone else. This story relates to so many real-world situations that people may go through everyday. Welty really anchored portraying the religion of Christianity in the journey and life of the main character Ms. Phoenix Jackson.
Works Cited
- Martin, Dena Johnson. What Does It Mean to Walk by Faith? Crosswalk.com, Salem Web Network, 14 Aug. 2014, www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-does-it-mean-to-walk-by-faith.html.
- "Critical Analysis Of A Worn Path English Literature Essay." UKEssays.com. 11 2013. All Answers Ltd. 10 2018
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Literary Analysis of a Worn Path
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The Effects of Machiavellianism in the 21st Century
Humans are always on the search for the most power and will do whatever it takes to attain it. Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat that preached and ruled with this philosophy. Born in Florence Italy, Machiavelli wrote many pieces on how to acquire power in politics.
Machiavellian Leaders of the 21st Century
Many politicians are compared and contrasted to Machiavelli. The term Machiavellianism was created to explain the strategy of obtaining power by deceiving, manipulating, and exploiting others. In the 1960s the psychologists Richard Christie and Florence L. Geis studied Machiavelli's writings, personality, and tactics to publish the MACH-IV to measure the Machiavelli trait which can be found in all humans. Our current President, Donald Trump has been noted to have characteristics quite similar to the Italian leader Machiavelli, however, humans are complex characters which means President Trump isn't entirely Machiavellian.
Machiavelli once said, It is better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both. This idea is shown through his ideologies and theories. Machiavelli's novel the Prince explains how politicians should be noble in their character like a prince, however he mocks this idea by saying how a prince is just a mere fairytale, and that a leader should be able to put aside the ethics of honesty, and kindness to sustain the stability of the state. Machiavelli also believed in empiricism, he thought that action should be carried out from the information we learned from past experiences and historical events, rather than the imagination. He believed that people relied to heavily on chance and that ambition and glory were most important. He also felt that bad things against the social good are justified if the outcome is positive, this ideology gives way to one of the major modern economic ideas; capitalism. In capitalism, the economy is based on private ownership of means of production in order to create the biggest profit, even if jeopardizes social good or natural resources. The easiest way to spot a Machiavelli personality according to Dale Hartley Ph.D. is when they function best in jobs and social situations where the rules and boundaries are ambiguous, they use emotional detachment and a cynical outlook enable them to control their impulses and be careful, patient opportunists, their tactics includecharm, friendliness, self-disclosure, guilt, and (if necessary) pressure, they prefer to use subtle tactics (charm, friendliness, self-disclosure, guilt), when possible, to mask their true intentions and provide a basis for plausible denial if they are detected,however, they can use pressure and threats when necessary, and they tend to be preferred by others in competitive situations (debating, negotiations), but arenotpreferred asfriends, colleagues, or spouses(Meet the Machiavellians). All of these techniques can be used to identify this dark character trait. Our President has seemingly illustrated all of these notable characteristics.
For one, Donald Trump is manipulative. When you google search Donald Trump Manipulative over 1.2 million results are displayed, which shows this isn't such a crazy idea. Like Machiavelli, Donald Trump uses fear in his favor. For instance, during his election he implanted the fear into many Americans that illegal immigrants, are rapists and criminals, and he has commented on US terrorist attacks. Violence in the United States has actually decreased over the past years, but Trump's fearful tactics imply the opposite. We focus so closely on the things that bring us fear which limits our ability to see the whole picture. Just like the daily news portrays our world in a scary way to grab our attention, Donald Trump scares the American people in order to gain attention. This is worry some because as humans, it is a natural instinct to eliminate whatever creates fear. Donald Trump provokes anger and hostility through this natural reaction to fear. Humans cope with fear by becoming angry and hostile. He uses this resentment and throws it at Non-American groups of people. Donald Trump has said things like, China is taking our jobs; they're taking our money, and Syrians are now being caught at the Southern border; we don't know who they are; could be ISIS. By hanging the fear of unemployment and the loss of money over Americans and using China as the Scape Goat, Donald Trump is creating a new anger towards China. By associating ISIS and the fear of terrorism and all Syrians Donald Trump is forming hate towards that group in order to get the most power and support possible, which really brings out his Machiavellian personality and strategies. This also forms the idea that anyone that disagrees with him is anti- American.
Just like Machiavelli, Donald Trump chooses conflict over cooperation. He does this by forming the idea that he is the only one that can save America, and make it great again. By saying things like, No one else will keep you safe, and No one is going to mess with us. he getting used to losingportrays himself as a big man who will do whatever is necessary to be the best president the United States has ever seen and create an aggressive attitude he thinks is necessary. Similar to Machiavelli's beliefs, he was willing to do anything if it meant more power. He uses the manipulative tactic of making everything seem black and white. He takes complex political affairs and creates a simple right or wrong answer. Donald Trump once said, We're going to start winning so much that you're going to start getting used to winning instead of getting used to losing. This is just one of the ways Donald Trump manipulates, he decided that politics are winning or losing which gives comfort to the American people because they think they understand that it is that simple. His manipulative abilities are strikingly corresponding to Machiavelli's ideas.
Not only is President Trump manipulative but he takes all means necessary to gain the most power, a tactic Machiavelli took to the grave. He does this by believing he is the most superior politician and by mocking those he dislikes or disagrees with. He has gone to the extent of calling women, fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals. He really would not have gone this far unless it was for his own personal gain. He is able to control every interaction he has by being the making the harshest claims he can be so it seems that he is the most superior man. He reinforces his ideas into the minds of people by repetition. He coined his slogan Make America Great Again and put it on shirts, hats, ads, and everywhere anyone could image so that it was drilled into the minds of his supporters and even those against him, that he is the big man. Big companies create jingles and slogans in their advertisement to brand their product even if they're doing it unconsciously, Trump does the same things with his ideas. They are all just tactics to put him in power.
Trump uses social media to gain power. He manipulates the masses with his Twitter account. He knows that the current generation is constantly exchanging ideas online, and uses twitter as his weapon of manipulation. He does so by preemptive framing where he frames ideas about a predicament, diversion of the people's attention from real issues, and by attacking the messenger to change the outcome, and by testing the public's reaction to momentous things like nuclear weapons. He is often times the first to put his spin on events that occur within the united states. He'll give his idea of what happened on an event even if it is totally framed. He constantly diverts the people's attention from political conflicts to irrelevant matters such as those of celebrities. He always seems to blame the media in his tweets, by addressing the topics he doesn't agree with as fake news. Lastly, he often brings up topics such as nuclear war, and arms just to escalate the public's reaction. All of these trends in President Trump's tweets add to the power he is able to make on a huge social media platform. These manipulation tactics are consistent with the Machiavellian trait.
Another prominent manipulation tactic the President uses is an appeal. He commonly validates himself by showing how high-status individuals approve of him. In society, we are more likely to listen to an individual if they have more authority. For instance when Trump said, Larry Kudlow likes my tax plan. Larry Kudlow is a financial analyst under the Trump administration, so he is said to be an expert in economics. There are thousands of different opinions on so many topics, so people tend to look to those with more experience for answers. So even if Trump's financial plan isn't the most beneficial, people tend to believe him because he has the backing of an expert. He also appeals to the irrational parts of our brains. He uses emotion instead of rationality to get what he wants. By using, fear, anger, repetition, and validation from authority it is easy to distract the masses from his true intentions and it is easier for him to get them to do what he wants. This is how he demonstrates his Machiavellian personality.
Although Donald Trump is very similar to Niccolo Machiavelli he is also very lacking in the aspects that Machiavelli adhered to. Trump deceives, manipulates, and does all he can to win power like Machiavelli, there is one big contrast between the two. Machiavelli said that all matters must be taken to obtain the most amount of power, whether it is by deceiving, or by being friendly. Donald Trump has succeeded in winning over his loyal supporters, but he seems to not care so much for the support from all Americans, instead, he uses liberal Americans as a way to cause division within the country. Machiavelli would most likely disagree with this strategy and instead put his focus into gaining even more support, by deceiving the liberal citizens, instead of accepting the fact that they disagree with him.
Lastly, Niccolo Machiavelli left a legacy and a trait that emphasizes the importance of taking all means necessary to become the most powerful leader possible. This often leads to the manipulation, deception, emotional detachment, and exploitation of others. Donald Trump, the current President of the United States has strikingly similar characteristics to that of Machiavelli such as his manipulative ways of using fear and anger to promote his ideas, and put all other non-American groups down, the way he presents himself as the superior person and that he is the only one able to fix america, his offensive language and name-calling of others, and his underlying manipulative tweets. He does contrast Machiavelli in the way that he isn't kind or more accommodating to the general population to gain more support, a strategy Machiavelli would condone, because it would bring a more powerful leadership. Overall, Machiavellianism will continue to leave an impression in United States politics, on our current president, and many leaders to come.
Works Cited
Bates, Jordan. Psychological Tactics Donald Trump Uses to Manipulate the Masses.High Existence, 18 Mar. 2016, highexistence.com/12-psychological-tactics-donald-trump-uses-to-manipulate-the-masses/
Gale, Thomson. Machiavelli, Niccol?“.The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Ed, Encyclopedia.com, 2018, www.encyclopedia.com/people/social-sciences-and-law/political-science-biographies/niccolo-machiavelli.
Harrison, Robert. What Can You Learn from Machiavelli?Yale Insights, Yale School of Management, 13 Mar. 2017, insights.som.yale.edu/insights/what-can-you-learn-machiavelli.
Hartley, Dale. Meet the Machiavellians.Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 28 Sept. 2015, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/machiavellians-gulling-the-rubes/201509/meet-the-machiavellians.
Ignatius, David. Trump Is Not so Machiavellian after All.The Washington Post, WP Company, 23 Mar. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-is-not-so-machiavellian-after-all/2017/03/23/01cb9516-0ffd-11e7-ab07-07d9f521f6b5_story.html?utm_term=.df6e23f278a2. Monge, Matt.
Characteristics of a Machiavellian Leader.Healthy Culture Produces High-Performing Teams: The Mojo Company, 15 Dec. 2015, themojocompany.com/2013/08/8-characteristics-of-a-machiavellian-leader/#sthash.4oa9rtHg.dpbs.
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Claudius is a Machiavellian Leader
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Machiavelli S Concept of Virtue and Free Will
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The Modern Yoga Body Image
Shifting throughout history, the ideal yoga body has changed over time and place but in modern western society, it has looked the same—young, white, thin, females. Trends in the model yoga body size have shifted with culturally dominant body ideals over time. These shifting trends pose a few questions: 1.) has modern yoga become a practice for white, elitist, fit, females? and 2.) has modern yoga neglected majority of the population by branding itself as elitist? and 3.) have modern yoga advertisements featuring such models left a negative impact on those who do not represent the ideal yoga body? and 4.) how does the intensity and self-investment for the ideal yoga body compare to that of any religion? These questions I plan to address throughout this paper by examining multiple scholarly sources, as well as, conducting my own research on how the ideal yoga body is represented today in advertisements. I also plan to address if any yoga brands have taken initiative to include a more diverse representation of the modern yoga body.
Back in 2013, lululemon, a high-end yoga apparel brand was finally criticized for only stocking sizes eight and under. "The exiling of larger clothing by lululemon is a central piece of the company’s strategy to market its brand as the look of choice for the stylishly fitness-conscious” (Bhasin, 2013). This discriminatory treatment of larger clothes and customers left a sour taste in the eyes of the media, but has that really changed? Indeed it has not, with slowing growth and staying away from the $14 billion-dollar plus-size industry, lululemon has no interest in attracting plus-size shoppers in order to protect its brand image. In fact, when cross referencing multiple sites for their sizing charts, all of them are similar, expect for lululemon’s. lululemon’s sizing chart does not go above a size 14, which they deem as an XXL. When cross referencing multiple women’s sizing charts, a size 14 was a L. Clearly, they have no motivation to change their small size perception as the ideal yoga body.
However, when also looking at the models on lululemon’s site, 12/13 of models featured on the front page, are not in fact, white. The models are diverse in backgrounds and ethnicities. One thing they share in common though, is their tall body and small frame. Although lululemon itself may not be deemed as “white elitist” in terms of their advertisements, in the eyes of many yoga teachers and consumers, it is still elitist. Paying an average of $98 dollars per pair of yoga pants that do not seem to be keep in mind the comfort yoga teachers are looking for when practicing is something many teachers see as being elitist. The only people wearing those pants are the stereotypical “lululemon moms and daughters.” Also known as, white women wearing expensive fitness apparel (Boccio, 2012). As lululemon’s online advertisements may be more diverse with the intention of being inclusive, their customer base is not. This leaves the majority of women, especially in the US to feel left out, as their body sizes and wallets do not match the ideal yoga body that lululemon and many other major yoga advertisers have created.
“Got yoga?” was a study conducted on advertisements seen in Yoga Journal spanning over a four decade period of time. The results suggested that Yoga Journal now contains significantly more advertisements for food, nutritional supplements, and apparel and fewer advertisements for meditation and nutritional practices than in its early years of publication. Apparel took a 2500% increase between the years of 1975-2015, which increased its need for models. The study also found that overtime, models were more frequently rated as white and in their 20s and 30s. Across all four decades, 53.4% of models were rated as white, 57.1% were rated in their 20s and 30s, and 52.2% of the models were rated as underweight or low-normal weight. A range of BMIs (between 16-28) was used to rate the body size of these models and over a four decade period, only one model was found to have a BMI over 25, most models averaging a BMI of 18.5. This study suggests a shift away from yoga’s traditional philosophies to an increasingly objectifying and commercialized yoga culture emphasizing the purchase and use of products and an ideal “yoga body.” Most notably, I want to address that between 1985-1994, models in all yoga advertisements were significantly thinner and majority being white, than models featured in past and later decades. This specific period in time suggests the association between the consolidation of affluent white women and yoga shifting from counterculture to pop culture. As yoga has become increasingly popular among these western consumers, they have been the center focus of yoga advertising within the industry.
As yoga’s ideal practitioner has shifted over history, it has become known in the US as the affluent white female. However, years prior, the ideal yoga body was represented by Indian men who sculpted their bodies to look like Scandinavian men through the use and practice of yoga. With the help of Iyer, Indian men were starting to body sculpt and bodybuild through the use of yoga. They were the face of yoga and they were the ones assisting in the formation of postural yoga. Soon thereafter, a shift from male models to female models began as more women became involved in physical activity in the 1930s. Through harmonial gymnastics in Britain, many women were adopting the trend of building the body beautifully. “The gender division established at the dawn of modern physical culture between regimens aiming at (masculine) strength and vigor on the one hand and those that sought to cultivate (feminine) grace and ease of movement on the other persists throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty first” (Singleton, 159). The transformation of ideal yoga bodies started early and has continually shifted throughout decades. As yoga was introduced in the US and consumers became more intrigued by yoga and less afraid of it, that Indian male model has morphed its way into a young, white, female. This shift can be attributed to the introduction of yoga to women in Britain, as well as, yoga becoming popular culture rather than counter culture. The philosophies and mental practices have faded, while the physical aspects (asana) have received most attention from the affluent white contingency. As the workout craze of the 1980s hit, affluent white women have helped shift the pre-existing model into what it is today.
Yoga is said to be all-inclusive, and beyond all man-made ‘isms’, yet, many people feel that yoga has a racism problem. Noted from the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, about one in every fifteen Americans practices yoga, yet more than four-fifths of them are white. As outlined above, the ideal yoga body has shifted throughout history. It is likely that it will shift again, but for now, it is still predominantly the affluent white female. This has left majority of the population feeling left out. This may have to do with the fact that most, if not all yoga studios are concentrated in wealthy white neighborhoods. This leaves postural yoga under the criticism that there are also religious, economic, and social divisions that underlie yoga’s racial divide.
A 2011 CDC report, “Health Disparities and Inequalities,” found that people who live in households with incomes below $15,000 experience significantly more health problems due to inactivity, and are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes or asthma and to be obese than those from households with incomes above $50,000. There are often fewer parks, gyms, and recreational facilities in poorer neighborhoods, which reduces the likelihood that people in these communities will exercise at all. Comprehensive current data is difficult to find but a 2002 survey of just over 31,000 yoga practitioners published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that they tend to be female, college-educated, and white. Forty-eight percent of respondents made $65,000 a year or more. Advertisements of postural yoga, have not helped to mediate these issues. Nearly every spread within LA Yoga, Yoga Journal, and Yoga Magazine features a thin woman, usually in slim yoga pants and a tight tank, stretching her arms toward the sky or closing her eyes in meditation. Again, nearly all of these women are white.
Due to the shift throughout time, yoga’s focus is now based mainly on physical wellness rather than it’s philosophies. This leaves room for racial and socioeconomic inequalities. Yoga is advertised under health and wellness, an industry that is largely accessible to affluent white people and neglecting many others. When searching for the price of a yoga class, I found many results, therefore I took the average of those prices and found that the average price for a single yoga class is around $20. With postural yoga classes priced so highly, with the advertisements neglecting majority of Americans, and with the ideal yoga body being an almost unattainable image, yoga leaves a large divide in today’s society.
Good branding and advertising is inclusive. It is important that audiences can experience reassurance and comfort that comes with seeing themselves reflected in the media they consume. The entire yoga advertising industry, has neglected to do that. Yoga, being under the wellness industry, should be accessible to everyone. Not only has yoga neglected many consumers who are not white, but it has also neglected many women who are not skinny. Another research article called, “Is the “Yoga Bod” the New Skinny?” examines a set of 142 yoga magazine publications from 2010-2015. Results show that models were mainly white females, who are lean and fit, portraying the media fitness aesthetic. Implications of this show that to practice yoga, women must be thin. Not only are yoga advertisements leaving out other races, they are leaving out a large majority of their core target market, white women. The average American woman is around 5’3 and wears around a size 16-18 (Zarracina, 2018). All models are a minimum of 5’7 and a maximum size 2-4. It is estimated that 68% of American women wear a size 14 or above (Plunkett, 2018). This statistic, does not take into account the percentage of women between sizes 6-12 which are sizes also not represented in yoga advertisements. When consumers cannot see themselves in a brand, they will not partake in the brand’s practices, in this case, yoga.
For those that do see themselves within brand advertising, those brands can be like a religion to them. One instance of a religious-like brand is goop, a brand closely studied by Dana Logan in her article called, “The Lean Closet.” goop is a minimalist brand that follows the “religious now,” an imperative that combines contemporary capitalism and spirituality. “It is an overlap between religious practice and economic habit. As a brand it participates in the institutional history of the Christian church as a form of ascetic piety” (Logan, pg 602). goop distinguishes itself from other lifestyle brands through its distinctive take on elimination as lifestyle. For instance, detox is a form of consumption found in goop that requires purchase at almost every point through juices, saunas, retreats, etc. Even though it is supposed to be a minimalist brand, it still requires multiple purchases. “It blends the practices of religious asceticism and consumption through the highly mediated form of post industrial capitalism, where capital accumulates without proximate relations of making, selling, and buying objects” (Logam, pg 603). Thus relating directly to the branding and advertising of yoga. As goop is a minimalist brand that has a background in the Christian church, lululemon and yoga journal have backgrounds in multiple religions associated with yoga. Both goop and lululemon overlap between religious practices and economic habits creating forms of consumption that consumers did not know they needed but now want or aspire to.
Like goop, many yoga brands have an aspirational goal that many want to achieve by buying and living the brand’s lifestyle. For many yoga brands, that aspirational goal may not be enlightenment but rather, the ideal yoga body. When researching in the Journal of Consumer Culture, I found that highly successful forms of branded fitness such as bikram yoga, give insight into the enormous power and permeation of branded sensibilities into everyday life. In this case, going so far as to inform how consumers relate to, and attempt to modify, their own bodies. “Branded fitness is to be quite literally embodied: experienced within the devotee as well as on display, sometimes in highly promotional ways, to those with whom the devotee interacts” (Powers, pg 528). The article “Branded Fitness and Promotional Culture” explains how capitalism and the state have exercised biopower to discipline the body into a productive asset and most notably, how a fit body may produce physical capital for the person who possesses it, reflecting a sense of diligence, self-care, and self-worth.
This sense of intense diligence, self-care, and self-worth associated with a fit body, I argue are the aspirational goals similar to that of an actual religion. The costs associated with the ideal yoga body for certain brands like lululemon or non-yoga brands like goop, are very high. Again, take into consideration that one pair of lululemon leggings cost an average of $98 and to reach the ideal, yoga models must have multiple pairs of those leggings, and dressed head to mat in lululemon. Attaining the end goal of the ultimate yoga body is no easy feat and requires a lot of money, time, self-investment and brand investment, similar to a religious institution. Religious institutions require their practitioners to invest much of their time, money and self into the institute before attaining the end goal. Yoga brands have become forms of religion in this post industrial capitalist society that require their brand ambassadors/practitioners/consumers to partake in the brand at almost all times, not just through fitness initiatives.
Unfortunately, these brands are leaving many consumers behind who cannot afford to partake in the religious-like intensities of the brand. Throughout my research, I have attempted to find yoga brands that are more inclusive in race, body type, age, and gender. As lululemon advertisements are diverse in race, they are not diverse in body type. Good American, a clothing brand by Khloe Kardashian, shows models diverse in race and body type but all women shown are young and there are no males on the site at all. Also, Good American fitness apparel does not appeal to everyone as the average price of leggings on the site are around $129. Again, although the advertisements may look diverse and indicate inclusivity, the price reflects the elitist brand culture. Searching through multiple sites and brands like Yogaoutlet, Manduka, Athleta, Fabletics, I found that the models on these sites are barely diverse in race, age, body-type, and gender leading me to believe that yoga has become branded as a young, white, fit, female, elitist culture that neglects majority of American consumers. This is also reflected in the pricing of the clothes on each site. Sadly, brands have yet to take a stand and promote inclusivity but some non-profits have taken a stand by insisting that yoga practice is for everyone, not just for people who can afford the class and a mat.
In response to the non-inclusive brands, organizations like Street Yoga and Yoga 4 Change are aiming to bring yoga to populations that cannot afford it. Yoga 4 Change trains teachers to bring yoga into places where people do not usually have access to it, including schools, veterans’ facilities, public housing, and substance-abuse treatment centers. “When we come in, this is the first time that 90 percent of our students have experienced yoga” - Kathryn Thomas (founder of Yoga 4 Change). By bringing yoga into places where yoga is not found, it increases the inclusivity that yoga was once about. Hopefully, brands will start pairing up with these non-profits to increase the overall number of yoga practitioners.
Throughout my research I have found that the ideal yoga body has shifted throughout history but for the past 30+ years, it has stayed relatively the same--young, affluent, white females who portray the perfectly sculpted yoga body. Brands have neglected majority of Americans by only catering to the target audience of affluent, white women. They have left women and men alike to feel left out by not giving them the ability to attain the perfect yoga body due to high prices and elitist culture. Yoga advertisements have shown a clear pattern in their model choices by only showing models who are under a size four and who are mainly white. For those who have taken on the ideal yoga body, I argued that these people have a certain brand that they have adopted as their religion. To attain the ideal yoga body, these people have invested a multitude of time, money, and their physical and mental selves, much like that of any religious institution. As the yoga body continues to shift throughout history, my hope is that brands take the initiative to become more inclusive, at the very least in their advertising by showing a variety of races, genders, ages, and body types so consumers can see themselves within the ads and not feel so neglected. Yoga was intended to be inclusive, brands should be too.
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Yoga Blogging
Positive daily yoga and meditation practices have changed my life for the better in many ways. Many years ago as a result of the practices, I shifted to veganism and from a social drinker to consuming no alcohol at all.
I realized for me that it is important to be aware of this reality versus alter it. Any substance that alters this reality hinders friendships and relationships versus deepening connections and strengthening bonds.
"If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite."
— William Blake
I am working on keeping an open-minded to view all the dimensions and perspectives of life. Beyond dedicated meditation times, I am practicing stilling my mind and being at peace on and off the yoga mat.
Sometimes, I only have a few thoughts during class and other times my mind floods with thoughts. Random thoughts and experiences I have had in yoga classes below. Can you yogis can relate?
Yoga Class Thoughts and Experiences
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- Breathe.
- Could they talk any louder before class? How hard can you throw your mat and collection of stuff down on the floor? I am not a victim. Practice non-judgment.
- Forgot to respond to that email/text.?? Be in the present moment.
- Someone forgot to apply deodorant and it's the beginning of the class. Don't vomit. Practice non-judgment and non-attachment.
- Great song/playlist. That song is going to be stuck in my head all day.
- Did you suggest, "We should touch" without the teacher's direction? Creepy. Practice non-judgment.
- Breathe.
- Don't sweat the small stuff. Accept change.
- Did you say, "you make me look bad" because my practice is different from yours? We are in this together. It is not a competition. Choose positivity.
- Those words are inspiring. I have more to learn. Trust your intuition.
- I need to be friendlier, kinder and support others more.
- Drishti. Laser-like focus.
- Breathe.
- Wow, I have gotten kicked or hit one or more times by one to four flailing out of control people. Remain calm. Chaos to clarity. Have only love in your heart for others.
- They are glowing. What a beautiful community. We are all connected. We are all one. I love everyone!
- Am I doing this right? Awkward.
- Ouch, mat burn. Practice non-attachment.
- Frak this pose. Attempt again. How long do we have to hold this asana? Cramp.
- Breathe.
- ? Could hold this pose all day. That feels good. I have got this. What else do you have?
- ? How long is this class? What if I die in here?
- ? Fun times. Wish this class was longer. Amazing!
- ? This is awesome! I should do this every day.
- ? Who leaves during Shavasana? Are you crazy? Only several minutes left. Why? Practice non-judgment.
- Breathe.
- Let go. Surrender.
- Lucky to be here and have a healthy body. I am grateful, appreciative, happy, and at peace.
- Go inward. Joy is our purpose. Boundless, limitless happiness. Bliss.
- Higher states of consciousness. Downloads.
- Namaste.
- It stings a lot when someone squirts you in the eye with mat cleaner. What's in that mat cleaner? Am I going to go blind?
- Breathe.
The journey continues. See you on that mat. Namaste.
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A Movement Holy Yoga
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Many Different Reasons for Yoga
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The Psychological Benefits of Yoga and Meditation
Today there is a strong need to focus on mental health issues in the 21st century era. Mental health historically has been a topic that American society has usually shunned from their life due to inept education. Because American society has advanced in the medical field especially with mental health through psychologically the American people can now be informed and aware of mental illness. Within the young adult community, the most common anxiety mood disorder is depression (Kessler, Petukhova, Sampson, Zaslavsky, & Wittchen, 2012). Depression is defined as a mood disorder that causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, to be diagnosed officially with depression the depressive symptoms must be present for at least two weeks (Todd, M., & Teitler, J. 2018). Though any individual can get depression at any age it is more prevalent and starts to emerge in early adulthood. Recent studies have found that depression can be linked to genetics, environment, and psychological factors.
So how can one make depression disappear? In actuality there are multiple way to rid of depression. One could see a medical professional, more than likely a medical doctor that is certified, to obtain a prescription medicine that will make the symptoms go away without any real effort from the individual. Medicine will cause a chemical reaction in the brain to produce more dopamine and serotonin which are neurotransmitters that help the individual essentially, in this case, be happier by releasing the happiness chemical in the brain. Though this quick fix is efficient to clinical therapy, which may cost more and be more time consuming, the effects of the drug may vary from individual to individual as well as the cost of the drug depending on insurance and financial circumstance. Thus, the need for a more affordable and reachable treatment for anyone because, as mentioned earlier, depression is one of the most prevalent mood disorders in America especially for young adults, a demographic who may have limited to no health insurance to cover costs of medications or therapy. So how can any and everyone be able to cure depression in a cost-effective manner? Holistic healthcare practices such as yoga and meditation can respond to depression in an effective manner just as medication or therapy with more connection to the mind, body, and spirit in the individual.
Holistic healthcare can be defined as an approach to life. Rather than focusing on illness or specific parts of the body, this ancient approach to health considers the whole person and how he or she interacts with his or her environment. In response to depression holistic healthcare practices can actually have a positive effect on the individual as well as treat the depression by redirecting the cognitive responses to depression through a healthier channel that can actually relieve depressive symptoms and respond to the body in a natural innate way for the mind to cope. The benefits of practicing holistically are taking no medicines or drugs, practicing daily exercises or activities that will benefit the individual in innate natural ways for the body in connection to making and building the mind to be healthier and stronger while also attending to the spirit of the individual.
Do not mistake holistic practicing to be a religion. It does not have a certain set of beliefs and morals that people who practice holistic behaviors must abide by. For certain health problems there are different holistic practices one can choose from to help cure or heal the self, but one can opt in or out of any practice willingly without being held to a higher standard besides the standard of the self. The self is the only standard and thing that matters in management and practice of holistic health there are no gods or goddess, no pantheon, or higher power, just the power an acknowledgement of the self. To be whole with the self is something not typically practiced or acknowledged in the American society. This form of care is typically seen in American society as inappropriate and uninformed because of its roots with ancient traditions coming from native roots and other eastern Asian and world roots. With more leeway coming from millennials and fads holistic healthcare is on the verge of becoming more popular and acceptable with the public and the American peoples.
Yoga is a holistic method that can respond appropriately to depression. It is an antient practice from the Eastern Asian culture and must be taught and practiced in a calm relieving manner. Yoga is a practical aid, not a religion. Which is one reason why it falls under the category of a holistic healthcare practice. Yoga is an ancient physical art based on a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind, and spirit, which is the second reason why this practical aid falls under the holistic healthcare model for depression. The continued practice of yoga will lead the individual to a sense of peace and well-being, and also a feeling of being at one with their environment.
This is the obvious benefit of yoga, but through this obvious benefit a proper response to depression is outlined. Depressive symptoms such as: Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness; Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities; decreased energy or fatigue, moving or talking more slowly; feeling restless or having trouble sitting still; and difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions are symptoms yoga can address in physical succinct methods and activity that can connect the mind to the body while also tapping into the spirit of the individual who is practicing this technique. This holistic practice can be taught individually or in group classes and tailored to the needs and preferences of different individuals and groups. Yoga can be and is currently used as a type of therapy when treating an individual for an illness that is mental or physical (Manincor, M., Bensoussan, A., Smith, C. A., Barr, K., Schweickle, M., Donoghoe, L., & Fahey, P. 2016).
Meditation is the second holistic method that will be addressed in this literature review and can also respond appropriately to depression. Like yoga mediation is a practical aid not a religion. It takes time and practice to obtain and perfect the technique of meditation not to mention there are different forms of mediation. One may simply think that closing the eyes and focusing on one thought is the only way to meditate when in actuality there are various ways to meditate and show concentration to different environments and thoughts. Concentration is traditionally not taught in school or even in the home. For example, a mother will tell an over active child to sit still, but the problem here is that the child needs to learn how to ease and channel the mind and its thoughts in order to do this. As one gets older we naturalize into keeping still physically in a classroom at school (most people for the most part) but, it is natural for the mind to get unconcentrated from what needs to be attended to by the mind. This could happen at school, at work, or in daily life. Concentration is disrupted, and one has to constantly refocus, this can be stressful task.
Practicing meditation will help the individual regain and build concentration, the flow of thoughts will come as a smooth stream instead of a runny facet, and an awareness of the self will emerge to help heal what is hindering the individual from maintaining a clear strong stable mindset. This will help depression because the mind in depression is what one would view as stuck in a hard place to leave. This hard place can be stagnating and hard to get out of for most people. One may think that their depression is so stagnate that they end their own life not knowing how to leave out of a dark place. Meditation is the start of building a strong mind to counter and leave the hard-dark place the mind wants to remain stagnant in, as a result one can embrace the holistic practice of meditation as their own means of freedom from the dark place they mistake as their power place. The real power comes from the individual overcoming distractions and putting in their own will power to their mind as a power tool out of depression.
Both yoga and meditation will holistically address depression psychologically throughout this literature review. An explanation of methods, depression, yoga, meditation, and benefits from each holistic method will be entailed within this review. It is the intention of this undergraduate college literature review to respond to depression, a mental illness and mood disorder, in a holistic manner for the mind psychologically with yoga and meditation while also connecting the individual to their body and spirit reaching a complete wellness with the self.
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Voltaire’s Thoughts on Wealth and Religion in Europe
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About the Old Regime in France in Voltaire’s Candide
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Analysis of Candide by Voltaire
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Infernal Love and Faith
Without Contraries is no progression. Attraction and Repulsion, Reason and Energy, Love and Hate, are necessary to Human Existence. Good is the passive that obeys Reason. Evil is the active springing from Energy. Good is Heaven. Evil is Hell (Blake 69).
When he had spoken: I beheld the Angel who stretched out his arms embracing the flame of fire & he was consumed and arose as Elijah. Note. This Angel, who is now the Devil, is my particular friend; we often read the Bible together in its infernal or diabolical sense which the world shall have if they behave well (Blake 80).
Both passages present a mediocre but apt comparison to what Blake is poignantly attempting to demonstrate in The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. In the first passage, he tries to create a complex idea, one which creates relations between things. He portrays good as passive, good is also reason and heaven. However, evil, active, energy and hell are more or less not interchangeable, but synonymous. The next passage embodies the complexity of the first one, but presents the Devil as a figure that does not suppress his energy or divinity, but rather, embraces the message of the Body and Soul, by intertwining it with Love and Sex, and Desire and Reason.
Blake deploys the language of contradiction, presenting angels with a negative and devil-like connotation to demonstrate the law of human development. Subjectively, the words in the text break in the middle of the line, creating a caesura, hence, slowing down movements at different intervals to emphasize meaning, or fasten a phrase to initiate more weight. He states, Without Contraries is no progression. Attraction is Repulsion (69), it is already established that Blake sporadically creates a fracture of sorts within this sentence. By separating both lines with a pause, he possibly attempts to create an ominous, or rather dramatic effect in the minds of the readers. In a larger context, interposing the informal and irregular patterns of the lines prevent metrical monotony and emphasizes more meaning. Perhaps, this could be a vivid illustration of the contraries Blake is attempting to demonstrate in this section. Just like in the Songs of Innocence, life is full of joy and pleasure, but within those virtues ensue illiteracy and naivete. While the Songs of Experience has established a social reality, Blake is depicting through these contraries of Attraction and Repulsion / Heaven and Hell, that Energy and Reason repulse one another because they are not a unified purpose.
While energy encompasses one end of the spectrum, Reason seeks another, thereby forming attraction. In essence, Blake demonstrates that Energy and Reason can simultaneously oppose one another, while working for the same purpose. Heaven and Hell serve as an extension of each other; they are both an interwoven part of the human existence. While Blake might seemingly be phrasing these in religious terms, the opposition he might be referring to could possibly date back to the hierarchical philosophy and belief that reason remains on top (Heaven), while passion below (Hell). He is calling for a dynamic union of these oppositions that are necessary to exist within mankind.
The speaker adopts the voice of the Devil which prompts the reader to question whether or not to trust these call for inactions. It prompts one to assume whether this voice is viable and valid in their own rights, or if the readers should refute or debate the legitimacy of his ideas. While the first passage seems to portray the intersectionality between Heaven and Hell, and the Angel and Devil, the second passage brings about the beginning of rapprochement between Blake's Devil and Angel. To vividly demonstrate this, he forces the readers to imagine the momentary surge of emotions that could possibly erupt when attempting to fuse Heaven and Hell together. He states, I beheld the Angel who stretched out his arms embracing the flame of fire & he was consumed and arose as Elijah (80). This initiative is sparked by the devil as he emerges from the flame of fire and summons all infernal energies to challenge and assert power towards the Angels dogma. This vividly parallels the battle between the Angels and the Devil in Milton's Paradise Lost, where the devil and his companions were inadvertently ludicrous to believe they could possibly overthrow their creator. Referring back to Blake's initial statement that Reason and Energy, Love and Hate, are necessary to Human existence (34), he implies that the heavenly contraries which are represented by the angels have been completely dominated by the hellish contraries- the devil, therefore transforming the Angel into a Devil. This metaphorical equivalent of an angel transforming into a devil could perhaps be alluding to the state of mind of the readers. By following the transitional voice and tone of the devil all along, the readers are all consumed in his seductive trance, or even possibly succumbed to his voice of sex, lust and energy.
Otherworldly, the transformation of the angel into a devil suggests a biblical allusion to the meaning of marriage, in which two become one flesh. The intersection of these two souls, and minds into one body attacks the Orthodox position of Marriage, perhaps it seems to consequently argue that by the fusion of the angel and devil's souls, evil has been transformed into good. Figuratively, Blake seems to be refusing the idea that good and evil should be seen as separate, independent contraries, and instead seems to suggest a dynamic in which one contrary (evil) is transformed into and subsumed by its opposite. He abjectly uses a repetitive rhetoric to display the adverse and reticulate meanings behind some of his ambiguous claims. He states, Good is the passive that obeys Reason. Evil is the active springing from Energy. Good is Heaven. Evil is Hell (69). The phrases Good and Evil are constantly repeated at different intervals in the text, as well as ?reason and energy. Blake demonstrates that while both phrases are contrary, they do not negate one another. Hence, as long as reason and good are transparent virtues, they will continue to reveal rather than hinder the divinity of mankind. The line, If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear as it is, infinite (72), demonstrates how Blake seems to refrain from laying emphasis on the nature of mankind as being infinite, but rather, demonstrating a contrast between a fallen vision and a heavenly one.
While the Angel sought to impose he idea of hell upon the narrator, the narrator subconsciously was bound to hell. However, as soon as the angel was no longer there to impose this reality, this idea no longer existed. Readers are forced to think that the idea of heaven and hell are just manifestations of the desires of the believers (people who think that heaven and hell exists), hence, it is once again a controversial idea. Blake then shifts his conceptual argument to the idea of vanity. He goes on to compare Angels to vain creatures who speak wisely of only themselves, he states, I have always found that angels have the vanity to speak of themselves as the only wise; this they do with a confident insolences sprouting from systematic reasoning (79). He criticizes the analogies of Swedenborg and Behmen, questioning their ideas on contraries. Although Behmen's analogies are close, if not the same as the one Blake advocates in The Marriage. Basically, the idea of seeing greatness in mankind as the best way to win God's heart demonstrates that if Jesus Christ is the greatest man, one ought to love him in the greatest degree- of course this opinion is refutable in other religious stances, and could possibly be seen as heresy. In a Christian sense, the readers are forced to acknowledge that Blake could possibly be alluding that any faith worth having, has to be one that can withstand a challenge.
Blake goes on to provide the readers with a long list of ideas, referencing a potential revolution, possibly a revelation that would be freeing from the shackles of expectation. He concludes with a very subtle line which is reminiscent of the Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Coleridge, stating, For everything that lives is holy (82), depicting the idea that without contraries, there is no progression. This phrase reveals the underlying meanings embedded in the previous passages. The reader now has the ability to grasp and understand that everything that lives is holy, nothing is necessarily better than the other, and this includes darkness, evil and sin. Furthermore this unique work embodies the searching critique of ideas and yet, it builds on them. Both passages present the work is a medley of numerous forms, from poetry to proverbs, satiric narratives, parodies of other writers and even allusions to contemporary people. Referring back to the cover image if this poem, it shows at the top, pairs of lovers sitting under some leafless trees, in a very calm yet colorless mode. Underneath them, there are fierce flames blazing upwards, with two figures positioned in a very twisted position (possibly alluding to the confusion of mankind). By gazing at this image, the readers are forced to picture heaven in a higher position compared to Hell. Blake's idea however, forces one to rethink the entire symbolism that heaven and hell have represented. Supposedly, the blazing flames below may not be bad after all.
While Blake is deliberately rehabilitating the satanic (the pride of the devil which prompted his fall from heaven), he does not advocate for cruelty but rather invokes through the monotonous effects of his words that energy and conflict are fundamental to human existence. The body should be seen as a site to no longer imply an opposition between body and mind or body and soul, but instead a dynamic interaction, possibly a marriage of reason and energy. Hence, Blake does infact agree that the human mind is embedded with self-condemnation and repression, and rather, encourages readers to explore beyond the restrictive boundaries of good and evil. To further Blake's analogy of the society and the self, versus the psychology of the mind and the self, his poem, London from the Songs of Experience, epitomizes the same thing if the passages were to be explicated in a political sense. In London, he highlights the way in which the society was forged through the placement of the privileged, referring to them as mind-forged manacles (41). This analogy is necessary when explicating Blake's true message in the Marriage of Heaven and Hell because it is indeed the repressed mind, and suppressed self that restricts individuals from achieving a breakthrough and recreating the meaning of his/her life.
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Andrew Jackson’s Significance
Born on March 15 1767, Andrew Jackson was a American soldier as well as a statesman. He later moved up to become General in the Army. From 1829 to 1837, Mr. Jackson was president of the United States. During Andrew Jackson presidency, he wanted as well as actually changing a lot of things. One of the first things he wanted to change was the right of the ""Common Man"". Before he became President he felt that the people in congress were corrupt. He wanted to makes things fair and Andrew did not want people to judge him based off his Army background.
Between the time of 1813-1814 Jackson lead all of the troops during the Creek War also known as the Red Stick War. ""In August 30, 1813 a faction of the Creek Indian Nation called the Red Sticks under Red Eagle, slew nearly 250 Alabama settlers in a brutal manner, resulting in the calling out of two 2,500 man forces, one under Jackson to punish and stop the Indians. It was feared that the Indians, in close contact with the Spanish, would begin a cooperative campaign against the southern U.S."" which resulted to Alabama and Georgia giving up their land.
In 1815, the Battle of New Orleans was lead by President Andrew Jackson. His army was outnumbered against the British. Having being at war with napoleonic France for a long time, Britain started pressing American Merchant sailors into service. They were forced to join the Royal Navy. The United States considered this illegal and threatened to retaliate, but even though Britain needed these sailors to re-enforce a blockade of France, the practice continued. This lead to a negative effect on the American economy of course. As the Americans moved West, they came upon native American nations who gave them a fight in order to defend their land.
The British became allies with these Native American nations, which thy gave them weapons. Britain got blamed for the attacks on the American settlers on the frontier which kept increasing.
On June 4, 1812 Congress declared at war on Britain. So on June 18 President Madison signed the declaration. Britain did not see this coming, so they were throwed off when it all happened, especially since they were not prepared for a war. Luckily for the British the American forces were also not prepared for a war. In 1812 the United States had enough soldiers to proceed into war with, and so they did. They were the first to attack. Many people were killed in this war including Major General Ross, in the process of fighting.
The war of 1812 should not be forgotten, because that is the turning point in the development in American Democracy, American government, the American sense of who we are. It was the chance we had in order to prove that we ha a right exists as a independent and free Nation, and that we did. After the war of 1812 we proved to everyone that we are here to stay, and that we are not going anywhere. It is sad to say but history remembers the war of 1812 as "" The Forgotten War"". this whole war was all worth it in the end because, we set the odds and still won.
In 1830 Congress passed the Indian Removal Act which said that all Indians living east of the Mississippi River must leave their lands and move to Indian Territory (Current day Oklahoma). Of course many tribes had a problem with just making their things and leaving, because they have been living there for a long time. They did not think this was right The Seminoles put a fight which caused troops to kill them, it was that or them being forced to leave.
Although they went about removing the indians the wong way, if this law was not made to begin with, the citizens would give a lot of backlash and later would take the next step to kill the indians.
Later in the year of 1833, Andrew Jackson encouraged Congress to pass the Force Bill law. The law was made to ""give the president the power to use the military to enforce the collection of import duties if a state refused to comply with federal tariffs. The bill was passed during the nullification crisis, which arose after South Carolina declared that it would treat the Tariff Acts of 1828 and 1832 as null and void. The Force Bill also contained a provision that rendered it effective only until the conclusion of the next congressional session.""
Without this law the President of the United States would not be able to call on the Army in emergency events, when needed.
In 1834 Andrew Jackson made a big decision to destroy all the national debt. This was the only time in history that all debt was paid. The debt was 75 million, but the United States at that time was worry free of how they were going to pay that off. Before Andrew Jackson ran for President he knew his biggest enemy would be the bank. Eventually Mr. Jackson had to pay the debt. If he did not it will cause another war.
In addition to Andrew Jackson being President of the United States, he was also a good man. His strong characteristics helped him lead the army and the whole United States into many victories. He has shown to be a great leader in many different situations. All Mr. Jackson ever wanted to do was make America great. He also wanted to keep America that way years down the line. He was not only fighting for his country while he was President, but he was fighting for the United States so it can forever be good and secure. Many people may not agree with how he did things, but to his defense, President Andrew Jackson's Presidency was significant, because it lead to victories that will later help the country become strong years down the line.
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Andrew Jackson – Presidency, Job & Accomplishments
Before being involved with politics, Andrew Jackson was a wealthy Tennessee lawyer. By 1812, he started to be more involved with politics when war started between the US and Great Britain called the War of 1812. Andrew Jackson purchased “The Hermitage” in 1804. During that, he owned nine slaves. As the years go by, Andrew Jackson had about more than 100 slaves in total through purchase and reproduction. Some of his well known slaves was a woman named Hannah and a man named Aaron. Hannah was about 10-12 years old and Aaron was about 6 when they both got purchased by Jackson. Hannah was served as a house servant for Rachel Jackson, Andrew Jackson's wife, while Aaron was a blacksmith, which was known to be a really important job in plantations. In 1820, they officially got married and had 10 children. “?When Andrew Jackson Jr. and his wife Sarah briefly moved to Mississippi in between 1858 and 1860, they entrusted care of The Hermitage to Hannah and Aaron.”.?
Andrew Jackson believed that slavery was the source of his wealth. ?He believed that his family’s survival was possible due to the profit from the crops worked by the slaves on a daily basis. ?Due to his popularity, people suggested Jackson to run for president. He disagreed due to him not being interested in politics. But then in 1824, he had rallied enough support to get a nomination. Andrew Jackson was known as part of the Democratic-Republican Party. But later was called the Democratic Party when he and Martin Van Buren founded it. Feller notes that in the 1828 election, John Quincy Adams put his support behind Henry Clay’s program but then later got backfired as Jackson and his publicists “mounted a cry to clean out the corruptionists and restore purity and economy in government.”. But in that election, Jackson did not have a campaign platform and the election was known as a “one-sided presidential campaign”.
In the 1828 Election, Jackson went up against John Quincy Adams. During the whole election, both Adams and Jackson went back and forth with each other convincing the citizens on how the other was not good to be president. For example, Feller noted that Adams called Jackson a “bloodthirsty character, a budding tyrant in the model of Caesar or Napoleon, whose election would spell the death of the republic.” while Jackson called Adams a “corruptionist, an aristocrat, and—ridiculously—a libertine.“. Due to the popularity Jackson had over Adams, Jackson won with 178 electoral votes to Adam’s 83 votes.
In the 1832 Election, the US introduced the national nominating convention which helps selecting a candidate to run for president. Jackson again did not have a campaign platform in this election. In the 1832 Election, Jackson went up against Henry Clay. The election was basically a recap of the 1828 Election, but Clay and Jackson had a feud deciding whether to keep or remove The Bank of the United States. But as the election of 1828, due to Jackson’s popularity, he won the election with 219 electoral votes to Clay’s 49 electoral votes.
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Unethical Practices in Business
Business Ethics
Law extends over several different spheres in the normal everyday life. Whether it is torts, criminal, administrative, business or just the common law, it applies to every corner of the society. The observance of these laws guarantees a smooth sailing and dealings in the society, ensuring that equality is held and maintained by everyone in the society. A community without laws is a doomed society since it cannot ensure harmonious living and working, and as such is destined to be a failed society if everyone is allowed to do as they wish. As such the importance of law and order cannot be overstated in any sense of the word. The observance of laws run the society and as such should be maintained by every person living or working in that environment.
The Ethics in the Business World for Today and Tomorrow, 2018 is an article that speaks of the importance of laws in the volatile law environment. The article emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior by companies and individuals in the business world. When dealing with consumers and customers in general, the article points out the importance of establishing trust with them to ensure the continuity of the business. A business that develops mistrust with the intended customer is one doomed to fail. The ethics include such observation as fairness in competition, with compromise arising from pressure to meet objectives and deadlines among other. Environmental responsibilities as observed in the business environment also constitute ethics in business according to the article. Business ethics also extend to keeping promises, open communication, supporting employees and passing information.
Business ethics as we know is a part of the laws of the society in which the business carries out its operations and drive the continuity of the society in several ways if observed. However, not all the entities that carry out their businesses in the manner considered lawfully ethical in the society they are involved... A company that hides crucial information that relates to their product from their customers and which may affect them and which they are entitled to would be liable for committing economic crimes. An example is a company that manufactures or sells harmful products such as tobacco or alcohol without giving a warning of their effects and the recommended consumption levels. Such a company would be liable for withholding information and could be sued in a court of law. One prime example is the case of McCabe vs British American Tobacco, 2001, where a woman dying of Lung cancer sued the tobacco company for withholding information about the harms of smoking. She had been a smoker since the age of 12, at a time when tobacco companies did not educate its consumers about the dangers of smoking while advertising their products. This was unethical practice by the tobacco companies and which lead to the death of many. It is for this reason that such companies are mandated by law to print warnings about the substances they are selling so as to abdicate itself from responsibility in case harm comes to the consumer ("Attachment 16.1 McCabe - Tobacco In Australia", 2018).
A company that promotes or engages in unfair practices to gain an advantage over competitors is similarly guilty of unethical practices in business. Take a company that engages in corruption and fraudulent means to gain a competitive edge over other similar companies bidding for tenders for example or selling shares. By aiding and abetting corruption and bribery, they are engaging in unethical business practices and risk serious repercussions if they are discovered by the authorities. Honesty and customer value is a crucial virtue in business. In Skilling v. the United States, 561 U.S. 358 (2010), the CEO of Enron company, Mr. Jeffrey Skilling was found guilty of fraud and unethical business practices in the manner in which the company treated its customers, clients, and shareholders. The company manipulated its audit documents to deceive the shareholders and clients, a scheme that ended up costing the shareholders Billions of money while the managers siphoned off large amounts of money from the company. The top officials were later charged for their fraudulent dealings after the company collapsed (Li, 2010).
Unethical practices in business exist on a wide range of manners. Competition in the world of business might drive the participants to engage in unethical practices for various reasons such as the aim to outdo the others and gain an unfair competitive edge. It however important to maintain ethics in any business dealings as the outcomes of such unethical practices might be too catastrophic and affect more than just the companies or individuals involved, but also innocent people with no direct association with the involved parties. In the case of Enron Company LTD for example, millions of innocent investors were swindled of their investments and some ended up even being homeless in the streets. The impact of the scandal on the stock market also affected other companies which recorded losses due to the loss of public trust. It is, therefore, crucial that one measures the consequence of their actions before engaging in unethical business practices.
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Unethical Practices In Business. (2019, Aug 12).
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