Saturday, January 25, 2020
Huckleberry Finn in High Schools :: essays papers
Huckleberry Finn in High Schools High Schools in the United States should not ban The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This book is one of the most important components of American literature in our libraries today, it throws the reader into a time when slavery was lawful and accepted, and gives the reader a new perspective on slavery in general. Until civil rights groups can come up with a better argument than the word ââ¬Å"niggerâ⬠creating a ââ¬Å"hostile work environmentâ⬠(Zwick) it should not be taken off the required reading list of any High School in the country. Every one hundred years dialects change and what is considered ââ¬Å"politically correctâ⬠, or socially acceptable, changes. ââ¬Å"David Bradley argues that ââ¬Ëif we'd eradicated the problem of racism in our society, Huckleberry Finn would be the easiest book in the world to teachââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ (Zwick, Jim. ââ¬Å"Should Huckleberry Finn Be Banned?â⬠). If we, as a nation, make it a point to rule out all books that could possibly offend students, then every hundred years or so our library of American Literature will be completely different. Even today, modern day authors use vulgar language, lurid sexual content, and racial slurs to get their point across. If The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is taken off of required reading lists across the country, then that could create a never-ending cycle of books being taken off of school shelves every time words and ideas become unacceptable. If this is the way that American society is turning then something must be done, and the Superintendents, Deans, and Principals of every High School around the country must take it upon themselves to do it because the students will not. The people who are trying to ban The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are only trying to block out a part of American history that they would just as soon be forgotten, but every part of American history needs to be dealt with and accepted by everyone at a young age. Trying to shield students from any important part of history is a crime within itself. Hannibal, Missouri is a prime example of this type of crime. Every year they have a citywide celebration of Mark Twain, but they do not celebrate The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson nor do they teach it in their schools. Best stated by Shelly Fisher Fishkin, the theater company in Hannibal ââ¬Å"was upholding a long American tradition of making slavery and its legacy and blacks themselves invisibleâ⬠(Zwick, Jim.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Ethics in Fashion
Ethics in fashion Brands such as Hollister, Superdry and Jack Wills are in high demand at the moment. These fashion giants make billions of pounds a year selling top of the range clothing, specifically designed for 14-18 year olds. These brands all follow strict ethical policies, for example Jack Wills is part of the Ethical Trading Initiative, which is an alliance of companies working together to improve the lives of poor and vulnerable workers in the countries in which these clothes are produced. Although over half of Britainââ¬â¢s consumers think that the ethical production of the clothes they buy is important many companies cast a blind eye towards the production environment of their clothes. Their workers may have decent working conditions, get paid fair wages most of the time. A problem is the conditions and wages of other workers, who may not be directly employed to the company. These are called sub-contractors. Such things often take place in third world, developing countries, and are usually a first step for industrialising economies. This has already resulted in widespread poverty reduction, access to skills and sustainable livelihoods for some of the most disadvantaged communities in the world. For example, in Bangladesh 70% of GDP (gross domestic product) comes from the fashion industry. However it is not just the production of these clothes that makes the public question their morals, problems have arisen within the stores. In August 2011 Hollister were charged with discrimination towards one of their Muslim employees, who was criticised for wearing a hijab in store. Months later two stores in America were noticed for not following the Disabilities Act, due to the fact that they have a porch-like entrance that contains steps while customers in wheelchairs have to access the stores through automatic side doors rather than the main entrance. Customers felt that they were being ââ¬Ëseparatedââ¬â¢. Furthermore, in November 2010, Hollister prevented an employee from wearing a red poppy into work. This sparked controversy, and attracted unwanted attention from the media. Human rights activists have also pointed out the various ethical issues behind the preparation of fashion products. When companies are not following a strict policy, and sometimes even when they are, workers can be treated very badly. Extremely low wages, long hours, unsafe working conditions and harassment are some of these issues. Additionally, environment protection activists have brought up ethical issues related to the fashion industry time and time again. The main complaint is about the production of cotton, and how a large amount of pesticides are used. The use of toxic pesticides leads to air, water and soil pollution. These are detrimental to the health of the workers applying them, and people living nearby. All of these issues would have been impossible to unearth had it not been for the power of the media. Technology such as mini cameras and microphones made it possible for journalists and in some cases the ordinary public, to go undercover into one of these stores. The media can also publish stories and pictures to a wide range of people, thus making more people aware. The concept of ethical fashion is old; however it has gained more popularity recently. This may be due to the fact that fashion is changing and developing even more resulting in unethical shortcuts being made. These shortcuts may not always be in the best interest of the environment, or indeed the employees. Also, as awareness about environment conservation, cruelty to animals and ethical issues in business is rising, fashion brands are also increasingly adopting ethical means. Customers are also becoming more aware, and consequently the demand for ethically produced clothing is on the rise.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Essay Equality and Citizenship - 1021 Words
At the end of the Civil war, the Union was faced with rebuilding a war torn nation. The North and South were no longer at war but their differing views on government, race, and individual rights created a deep divide in the country. The war brought freedom to 3.5 million former slaves but also for many women. (Gillon Matson p.571) With men at war or not returning from the war, women possessed a new level of independence. Blacks and women wanted to be treated fair; they wanted their voices to have relevance in the shaping America. Most of all they wanted equality and citizenship. Many ex-slaves struggled to reposition themselves in this new free country. They found it challenging to move beyond farming or working on theâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦(Gillon p.580) During the period of Reconstruction, the movement for womenââ¬â¢s rights resurfaced. Deriving knowledge gained from the antislavery movement and the appeal for black suffrage women demanded enfranchisement. Advocates for both Black and Womenââ¬â¢s rights originally worked together since both sides were fighting for ââ¬Å"equal citizen rightsâ⬠. However, as the cry for black suffrage overwhelmed the nation, womenââ¬â¢s rights were pushed aside. Political advocates felt that it was necessary to handle each group separately and black suffrage was the most pressing issue. In 1866 to 1870 the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments were passed and ratified. (Gillon p.577) The Amendments were met with jubilation from the Ex-Slaves and their advocates, but divided the women rights movement for generations to come. (Gillon p.581) The Fourteenth Amendment defined American citizenship and guaranteed equal protection under the law. (Gillon p.577) A key objective of the Fourteenth Amendment was to ensure that blacks were treated justly in the Southern states. (Gillon p.577) However, the Amendment did not enfranchise black men. While, the Fourteenth Amendment declared fairness to all citizens, it also defined ââ¬Å"citizensâ⬠as ââ¬Å"maleâ⬠. Which signified the Constitution would no longer be gender-blind, but would disfranchise women. (Buescher p.1) The Fifteenth AmendmentShow MoreRelatedWe Must Define Nation First1293 Words à |à 6 Pagesand willingly at times and unconsciously and unwillingly at other times. Some political thinkers maintain that the state is the most important concern of modern political theory. Concepts that we study in the political theory- rights, democracy, equality, liberty are based on the relationship between state and those living within it. Opinion of Aristotle says that ââ¬Å"The state is an organization consisting of some families and villages. Woodraw Wilson, a political analyst, believes that State is aRead MoreCanada s Protection Of Its Rights1392 Words à |à 6 Pagesamendment to its Citizenship Act in the form of Bill C-24, or the ââ¬Å"Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Actâ⬠. Through this amendment, Canada acts to limit its protection of the rights of its new and dual citizens. Bill C-24 makes several changes to Canadaââ¬â¢s Citizenship Act that directly affects Canadian citizens who hold citizenships elsewhere, whether they be Canadian born and raised, or newly naturalized. There is significant dispute around the exemption of those with only a Canadian citizenship to thisRead MoreHow Immigrants Have Been Treated Over The History Of Canada853 Words à |à 4 Pagestreated over the history of Canada and the phases in which events and settlements began. Abu-Laban states Substantive citizenship involves pressing issues relating to equality of rights and opportunities; treatment and life condition; and, not least, participatory involvement that ought to come from holding formal citizenshipâ⬠¦In short, being a citizen is no guarantee of equality; real equality is hampered by inequalities resulting from membership in stigmatized and minoritized groups. Within this paperRead MoreThe World War 11 By Ronald Takaki Essay986 Words à |à 4 Pagesdiscussing in this essay along with the connection it has to previous knowledge of the World War II era, and the relation it has to the understanding of the expansion and contraction of citizenship and equality throughout history. World War II is primarily known to be a war that established peace and equality throughout Nazi Germany and its allies. This war according to many, came to be known as the ââ¬Å"good warâ⬠, but not to Ronald Takaki. One revisionist argument he makes about the ââ¬Å"good warâ⬠wasRead MoreThe Facade Of Universal Inclusion1539 Words à |à 7 PagesTreatise of Governmentâ⬠is centered around freedom, equality, the social contract and consent (explicit and tacit). Liberalism promotes the idea of universal inclusion of all. Drawing from Hanna Pitkin, a larger more inclusive image of liberalism would also include obligation. This paper will argue that a fuller image of liberalism is not a prescription to end white citizenship, because universal inclusion will not address the root issue that white citizenship is inherently etched indelibly into the fabricRead MoreMelting Pot Or Salad Bowl987 Words à |à 4 Pagesof them are white, while 20% of African descent. In fact, most of Americans African were slaves, while the majority of whites had the dominant and political force in the state. However new immigrants supporters of American values such as freedom, equality of opportunity, and material wealth. Most of the immigrants came from the stricken poor countries as such they speak other languages than English, for this cause Americans were fearful of they can not understand American values. On the other handRead MoreWomen s Rights During The Nineteenth Century1171 Words à |à 5 Pagessuch as voting and the ability to own property while married. But in the 1800s, females struggled to achieve these rights and the status of citizenship. However, women were not meant to obtain the rights to citizenship, or at least, not in a society that had never included women in the definition of citizenship. As a result, the debate of womenââ¬â¢s equality grew to be one of the biggest issues in the nineteenth-century. As a male-dominated society continued to influence others, to strike fear ontoRead MoreIdeals of Democratic Citizenship in Funeral Oration by Pericles1264 Words à |à 6 PagesIdeals of Democratic Citizenship in Funeral Oration by Pericles When dealing with the extent to which Socrates is a good example for following the ideals of democratic citizenship, a good source to use as a point of comparison to his life is the principles laid out about that citizenship by Pericles in his Funeral Oration. In the Oration, Pericles brought forth certain ideas about Athenian democracy and how its citizens should live their lives in accordance with it. He held these views to beRead MoreFormal and Substantive Equality1185 Words à |à 5 Pagesformal (or procedural) equality and substantive equality. Formal equality is known as the formal, legal equality. This is the equality that is seen as one law should be applied to all people, social and personal characteristics are no factor. Formal equality aims to distribute equality fairly and evenly, and aims to treat people the same. Formal equality does not ensure the wellbeing of individuals based on race, ethnicity, sex, age etc. Unfortunately, this side of equality does not recognize diversityRead MoreIssues of Citizenship of Indigenous Populations in Republican Rome1601 Words à |à 6 PagesTable of Contents Introduction 2 Indigenous populations in Republican Rome (ca. 500 BCE 31 BCE) 3 Citizenship in colonial era 4 IV Comparison and Contrast 5 Conclusion 7 References 8 Introduction The issues citizenship of indigenous populations in the Roman Republic and during the colonial era in Europe provides comprehensive information regarding how the indigenous populations were treated by Europeans. The right to get justice and to self-determine their politico-social life is the main
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)