To Be, or Not to Be Black Essay

To Be, or Not to Be Black Essay To Be, or Not to Be Black Essay To Be, or Not to Be Black â€Å"Are you black?† is a question that I have encountered in my life countless times. The following conversations are always so similar it is almost as if they were scripted. I answer â€Å"yes†, but the person proceeds to tell me why I am not black. They say that I am too light-skinned, that I have â€Å"white-people hair†, or that I do not act black. I always wonder what makes these people think that they have the authority to tell me who I am. Despite being annoyed by their ignorance, I explain how I am indeed a black person. Having to constantly deal with encounters such as these has conditioned me to be ready to prove that I am black to anyone that questions me. It is troubling that people have to provide reasons as to why they are black, but it seems as if that is how society is today. After my experiences and observations of the â€Å"black† world around me, it has become evident that the population of â€Å"true† black people is very limited. Being â€Å"black" involves meeting certain standards set by society, dealing with stereotypes on a daily basis, and the ever so constant struggle to climb the social ladder. According to the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, black means â€Å"of or relating to a race of people who have dark skin and who come originally from Africa† (Merriam-Webster). The Oxford English Dictionary defines black in a variety of ways ranging from â€Å"denoting a member of any dark-skinned group of peoples†, to â€Å"enveloped in darkness†, and â€Å"deeply stained with dirt; soiled, filthy, begrimed† (OED Online). If official dictionaries recognize that anyone from African descent is black, why is that society cannot? Discrepancies between the dictionary definition of black and society’s definition of black elicit the controversy of what makes someone black. It appears that society has unofficial requirements a person must meet in order to be considered black. A person must act a certain way, do certain things, and go through certain kinds of experiences a â€Å"true† black person would go through. A friend once told me that if I have not seen the movie Love and Basketball I am not black because every black person has seen it. That comment struck a nerve because it was ridiculous that according to her, the difference between being black and white was something as simple as seeing a movie. Another requirement black people have to meet is how a black person should look. Apparently, a black person should be dark skinned and should not have â€Å"good† hair. However, this is the complete opposite of reality because black people have evolved into many different looks and makes. Now it seems as if the number of â€Å"true† black people is slowly shrinking. Stereotypes play a role in the daily life of black people. Sadly, most of the time the negative stereotypes are what represent black people as a whole. As a result from the stereotyping, a lot of other cultures look down on black people and their ways. Some of the stereotypes claim that all black people are thugs, low-lives, basketball players, and all sag their pants. The striking fact is that most of the stereotypes exist in other cultures, yet the focus is always on black people. Negative stereotypes have such a prominent role in black culture that the positive outcomes in the black community are often dismissed. For example, some of the country’s best entertainers, athletes, and politicians, including the President, are black (Raspberry 315). Even if these â€Å"elite† black people have not gained respect from everyone, no one can deny the fact that they are successful. Many fall victim to the dismissal of success when they should be receiving praise for their accomplishments. It is almost as if all black people are being placed into a proverbial box of people that are bad influences. Stereotypes shou ld never be allowed to become a blanket term for a group of people. Everyone is unique and society needs to start acknowledging this fact. The Oxford English Dictionary’s

Arabica Coffee History and Facts

Arabica Coffee History and Facts The Arabica coffee bean is the Adam or Eve of all coffees, in that is likely the first type of coffee bean ever consumed. Arabica is by far the dominant bean used today, representing about 70 percent of global production. History of the Bean Its origins date back to about 1,000 BC in the highlands of the Kingdom of Kefa, which is present-day Ethiopia. In Kefa, the Oromo tribe ate the bean, crushed it and mixed it with fat to make spheres the size of ping-pong balls. The spheres were consumed for the same reason that coffee is consumed today, as a stimulant. The plant species Coffea Arabica got its name around the 7th century when the bean crossed the Red Sea from Ethiopia to present-day Yemen and lower Arabia, hence the term arabica. The first written record of coffee made from roasted coffee beans comes from Arab scholars, who wrote that it was useful in prolonging their working hours. The Arab innovation in Yemen of making a brew from roasted beans spread first among the  Egyptians  and  Turks, and later on, found its way around the world. Taste Arabica is considered the merlot of coffee, it has a mild taste, and to coffee drinkers, it can be described  to have a sweetness, that is light and airy, like the mountains it comes from. Well-known Italian coffee grower Ernesto Illy wrote in the June 2002 issue of Scientific American: Arabica is a medium-to low-wielding,  rather delicate  tree from five to six meters tall that  requires  a temperate climate and considerable growing care. Commercially grown coffee bushes are pruned to a height of 1.5 to 2 meters. Coffee made from arabica beans has an intense, intricate aroma that can be reminiscent of flowers, fruit, honey, chocolate, caramel or toasted bread. Its caffeine content never exceeds 1.5 percent by weight. Because of its superior quality and taste, arabica sells for a higher price than its hardy, rougher cousin​ Growing Preferences Arabica takes about seven years to mature fully. It grows best in higher altitudes but can be grown as low as sea level. The plant can tolerate low temperatures, but not frost.  Two to four years after planting, the arabica plant produces small, white, highly fragrant flowers. The sweet fragrance resembles the sweet smell of jasmine flowers. After pruning, berries begin to appear. The berries are dark green like the leaves until they begin to ripen, at first to yellow and then light red and finally darkening to a glossy, deep red. At this point, they are called â€Å"cherry† and are ready for picking. The prize of the berries are the beans inside, usually two per berry. Gourmet Coffee Gourmet coffees are almost exclusively high-quality mild varieties of arabica coffee, and among the best-known arabica coffee beans in the world. The gourmet growing regions include the Jamaican Blue Mountains, Colombian Supremo, Tarrazà º, Costa Rica, Guatemalan, Antigua and Ethiopian Sidamo. Typically, espresso is made from a blend of arabica and robusta beans. The robusta species of coffee of beans make up the 30 percent difference of global coffee bean production.

Human and Adversity Essay Example

Human and Adversity Essay Example Human and Adversity Paper Human and Adversity Paper Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant, means that while overcoming obstacles a persons talents are shown that otherwise would remain unknown to the person. Horace Is saying that adversity plays In the development of a persons character and understanding turmoil and hardship. Times of struggle elect different talents showing the true depth of human nature, unlike prosperous times. Those who are never faced with adversity are never challenged and therefore never have to reach pep from within to solve or help the problem. When human beings are passionate about achieving a goal, they learn something about themselves they have never known. Challenges are faced every day, but how we respond to them determines how strong we really are. Adversity is inevitable in life; it is a wall then is unable to be broken down. Sometimes while facing adversity, there is a point in an individual where their instincts reveal the truth, that what doesnt kill them makes them stronger. A persons true talents are shown when faced by adversity. Bethink Hamilton had been surfing since she was a child; at age thirteen she is was Injured In an almost-deadly shark attack, losing her left arm. She was back on her surf board one month later and then won first place In the Explorer Womens Division of the NASA National Championships, two years later. Jim Carrey Is another example of this; he revealed that at the age of fifteen he had to drop out of high school and support his family. His father was unemployed, poor, and they eventually had to live in a van. Carrey didnt let that stop him from becoming a comedian and is now known as one of he best comedic actors of this era. People, who are famous and have tons of money, never face adversity. If they were ever faced with difficulties they would Just buy their problems away instead of revealing their inner strength that may be hiding behind an easy life with no challenges. The Sardinian exemplify these kinds of people. They never spend their money on beneficial means only things for themselves. If anything ever came as a challenge to them they would use their money to fix things Instead of using any Inner strength. Facing adversity brings out talents that people loud never have known they had. If you arent faced with any difficulties you would never have known you had the talents to deal with these situations. Such as Bethink Hamilton, if she had never been in such a terrible shark attack she would have never known how much determination she actually had. Difficulties push you to your limits and without the struggle youre talents are never shown. Knowing these talents help you perform better at other tasks in the future. Facing adversity is a tremendous help in life. Human and Adversity By principalities Horace is saying that adversity plays in the development of a persons character and understanding turmoil and hardship. Times of struggle elicit different talents where their instincts reveal the truth, that what doesnt kill them makes them Hamilton had been surfing since she was a child; at age thirteen she is was injured in one month later and then won first place in the Explorer Womens Division of the NASA National Championships, two years later. Jim Carrey is another example of this; instead of using any inner strength. Facing adversity brings out talents that people.

Free Essays on Aeneas The Tragic Hero

Virgil’s The Aeneid is a great story. It is defiantly a tragedy. Aeneas is the classic tragic hero. His life could be so much better if he didn’t have so many people relying on him and a planned destiny. My Thesis is: Aeneas does few things out of true self-desire. The things he does are of duty to his men and his father. Interference from the gods is Aeneas‘s largest obstacle. The story starts with Aeneas at sea. Storms arise from no-where. The armada must get to land for safety. Everyone pours out of the ships to soak up dry land. What does Aeneas do? He climbs a hill and looks for the other ships, after-which; he kills several deer for his men to eat. Aeneas immediately shows his unselfish dedication to his men. What is very important to me is, he and his assistant are the only people looking for the other ships. Is it possible no one else realizes thirteen other ships haven’t touched shore. â€Å"...When hunger had been banished, and tables put away, they talked at length in hope and fear about their missing friends...(p. 11) The crew of the seven ships that landed are to tired, hungry and glad to be alive to worry about the other thirteen ships until later. Aeneas is bound by duty to his men. His thoughts are to them 1st and himself last. â€Å"Burdened and sick at heart, he feigned hope in his look, and inwardly contained his anguish .â€Å"(p. 10) Later in chapter VI, Aeneas asks how he can go to visit his father. After receiving the information he came for, Aeneas is informed a friend is going to need to be buried before he can go visit his father. Once out of the cave, the dead person is identified. Without hesitation trees are ordered cut down to begin constructing a funeral pier. Once again, our hero puts the needs of his men before the desire on his mind. I don’t believe there is much to say about Aeneas’ trip to the underworld. The willingness and determination he shows is amazing. â€Å"...he told... Free Essays on Aeneas The Tragic Hero Free Essays on Aeneas The Tragic Hero Virgil’s The Aeneid is a great story. It is defiantly a tragedy. Aeneas is the classic tragic hero. His life could be so much better if he didn’t have so many people relying on him and a planned destiny. My Thesis is: Aeneas does few things out of true self-desire. The things he does are of duty to his men and his father. Interference from the gods is Aeneas‘s largest obstacle. The story starts with Aeneas at sea. Storms arise from no-where. The armada must get to land for safety. Everyone pours out of the ships to soak up dry land. What does Aeneas do? He climbs a hill and looks for the other ships, after-which; he kills several deer for his men to eat. Aeneas immediately shows his unselfish dedication to his men. What is very important to me is, he and his assistant are the only people looking for the other ships. Is it possible no one else realizes thirteen other ships haven’t touched shore. â€Å"...When hunger had been banished, and tables put away, they talked at length in hope and fear about their missing friends...(p. 11) The crew of the seven ships that landed are to tired, hungry and glad to be alive to worry about the other thirteen ships until later. Aeneas is bound by duty to his men. His thoughts are to them 1st and himself last. â€Å"Burdened and sick at heart, he feigned hope in his look, and inwardly contained his anguis h.â€Å"(p. 10) Later in chapter VI, Aeneas asks how he can go to visit his father. After receiving the information he came for, Aeneas is informed a friend is going to need to be buried before he can go visit his father. Once out of the cave, the dead person is identified. Without hesitation trees are ordered cut down to begin constructing a funeral pier. Once again, our hero puts the needs of his men before the desire on his mind. I don’t believe there is much to say about Aeneas’ trip to the underworld. The willingness and determination he shows is amazing. â€Å"...he told...

The jakrta post November 17 2012 - Citizens Boiling Over LPG Case Study

The jakrta post November 17 2012 - Citizens Boiling Over LPG - Case Study Example The introduction of the liquefied petroleum gas was a good idea intended to face out the use of paraffin which had been determined a lot costlier and related to the spread of chronic diseases besides the extensive environmental pollution. The populace had adapted to the use of kerosene, they therefore never felt the alleged negative consequence. The use of a new technology is influenced by the availability of information, the absence of information results in a gap, a knowledge gap which further compel people to in ignorance (Crain 87). People reaction is not only difficult to control but is also difficult to predict. Public opinions are formed and spread through the word of mouth which has proven through time to be very efficient. As the information moves further from the source, it becomes more biased thereby turning from the individual opinion into propaganda. In resistance to the introduction of the liquefied petroleum gas, the populace turned chaotic and took to the streets in protest. A crowd is more difficult to control, the crowd moves as a unified whole and makes decisions spontaneously. In the riots, security becomes a major concern as most of the rioters hurt themselves in the numerous accidents caused by the riots. The rioters are never perturbed with their concerns for security, these results in most rioters getting hurt with some losing their lives. It is possible to change people’s behavior, however this requires time since is a slow progressive process that begins by persuading the brains to let go the previous faiths and introduce the new one. This requires practical experiments to back up the claims of the initiator of the change, practical experiments make the claims more realistic thereby convincing. Change threatens the status quo and may result in disruptions of the normal lives; the fear for

To which Performance Appraisal Meets the Requirements of the Essay

To which Performance Appraisal Meets the Requirements of the Organization for Improved Performance from Employees - Essay Example This paper discusses the pertinent understanding of the performance appraisals and how these have meant pure value for the organizations when they are trying to encourage their employees as well as to keep a check in terms of uplifting their morale. The performance appraisal system has gained worldwide recognition because it is accepted everywhere. It is the basis of determining which areas are the most strongest and where a general sense of lacking was observed throughout the year. The employees are monitored annually which means that their entire year’s working regimes are scrutinized properly and then only a solution is found out which shall solve their quandaries if they had any during the last year (Booth, 2006). If they met their targets and achieved outstanding results, then there is reason enough to believe that the performance appraisal worked in essence, and it gained what it really had to achieve in the long term scheme of things. The performance appraisal is such a n important barometer for finding out the areas where more success could be achieved and where negativities could be subsided. This is the reason why the performance appraisal system has been given the legal cover that it richly deserves, and its clauses have been backed up by research, evidence and logic. The past records have been adequately understood before a decision is made to find out where the employees went wrong and what have been the areas that they have not been able to tap (Donovan, 2011). Moving further ahead, these performance appraisals highlight how good the employees have been as well. Even the minutest of their successes and achievements are highlighted and projected to the employers who now have to make a decision as to whether the employees deserve a raise, a promotion or any other financial lift-up. This is because the performance appraisals are usually very daring and look to find the positives and negatives in a cut throat fashion. There are not any negatives that will not be covered during the length of the performance appraisals and this has been duly mentioned within the coining up of the performance appraisals. The people who are drafting these performance appraisals have to take into consideration a number of areas so that the employees do not feel left out of the whole equation and believe in getting what they truly deserve (Shaw, 2011). It is their collective effort which counts for the work to become better and more organized within the contexts of the organization. The employees therefore receive what they want to achieve if they have given their best and made the organization aware of their endeavors, efforts and undertakings. This shall solve quite a lot of problems that other performance related systems might just skip. Maximizing individual performance is the need of the hour as far as the organizations are concerned. This is because individual performance can only be enhanced and improved upon if whole-hearted and concerte d efforts are put into place (Beer, 2011). This has been proven true with the advent of time and much success will eventually

Behaviourists explain maladaptive behaviour in terms of learning Essay

Behaviourists explain maladaptive behaviour in terms of learning principles that sustain and maintain it.DISCUSS this statement - Essay Example In the wider perspective, maladaptive behaviour has been discussed from different viewpoints such as biological, psychological, and socio-cultural perspectives, and these viewpoints stress the significance of causal factors of this behaviour. Significantly, the Freudian psychoanalytic theory is the oldest psychological point of view about maladaptive behaviour and it was, for a long time, preoccupied with principles regarding libidinal energies and their suppression. Later on, the behaviourist theorists also came with their viewpoints about maladaptive behaviour and they formulated several principles to explain this characteristic in human beings. â€Å"The behavioural perspective focuses on the role of learning in human behaviour and attributes maladaptive behaviour either to failure to learn appropriate behaviour or to the learning of maladaptive behaviours. Adherents of the behavioural viewpoint attempt to alter maladaptive behaviour by extinguishing it and/or providing training in new, more adaptive behaviours.† (Carson, Butcher, Mineka, and Hooley, 2000, P. 105). Therefore, it is fundamental to comprehend that maladaptive behaviour is explained by different psychological schools in different ways. For example, Behaviourists explain maladaptive behaviour in terms of learning principles that sustain and maintain it. This paper makes a reflective exploration of the behaviourist principles concerning maladaptive behaviour in order to maintain that the behaviourist’s approach therapy is in stark contrast to a psychoanalytic (Freudian) approach. PART ONE: Behaviourist Principles and Maladaptive Behaviour The behaviourist approach to abnormality deals with maladaptive behaviour and its basic causes. According to this approach, the maladaptive forms of behaviour that have been learnt by an individual are the basic causes of mental disorders. In other words, the behaviourist viewpoint of abnormality maintains that the learning process in human behavio ur plays a significant role in the acquisition of maladaptive behaviour. The Behaviourists argue that mental disorders are due to â€Å"a complex of learned, inappropriate behaviours, or the absence of appropriate behaviour sequences. In the first instance, behaviour is termed ‘maladaptive’†¦ Further, the rules of acquisition of maladaptive behaviour are no different than the rules of acquisition of adaptive sequences.† (Medcof, Emslie, Roth, 1979, P. 264). In their provocative explanation of abnormal behaviour, the behaviourists emphasizes on how a particular maladaptive sequence is learned, because they believe that the maladaptive behaviour can be removed only by comprehending the specific conditions underlying the behaviour. Thus, the behaviourist approach makes use of the learning theory which incorporates the theories of classical conditioning and operant conditioning. In a reflective exploration of the behavioural model of abnormality, it becomes luci d that this psychological theory emphasizes the role of learning in the acquisition of maladaptive behaviour. In other words, the behaviourists maintain that the human actions are determined mainly by the life experiences of the individuals, and the role of the unconscious forces or the underlying forces is largely limited. According to the behavioural