Reflective Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Reflective Analysis - Essay Example They are faced with anxiety and remain under pressure to keep up with the changes. Classroom lectures are insufficient and lack interaction. Learning should be an active process with active participation of both the student and the mentor alike. The mentor has to, at all times, urge and motivate the learner to participate in the process of education; to make the learner responsible for their own learning. Knowles defines contract learning thus: "Contract learning is, in essence, an alternative way of structuring a learning experience: It replaces a content plan with a process plan." Malcolm S Knowles (1991, p.39). While the learner faces a challenge to remain updated with the latest skills the mentor faces the challenge to provide an environment that provides active learning. In today’s situation unless the learner is actively involved he tends to withdraw. This has far reaching psychological impact on the overall learning process. Joseph R. Codde, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Michigan State University quotes Knowles in his abstract saying that â€Å"Contract learning is an alternative way of structuring a learning experience: It replaces a content plan with a process plan (Knowles, 1986). According to Knowles (1980), contract learning solves, or at least reduces, the problem of dealing with wide differences within any group of adult learners. Characteristically, in our field we get people with widely varying backgrounds, previous experience, interests, learning styles, life patterns, outside commitments, and learning speeds. Didactic teachers usually cope with this situation by "aiming at the middle," with the hope that those at the lower end will not get too far behind and that those at the upper end will not get too bored (Knowles, 1980). The solution is to help students structure their own learning. We can meet the needs of these widely varied students by the use of learning contracts†. Learning contracts when set up carefully offer benefits both

Cultural Sensitivity Essay Example for Free

Cultural Sensitivity Essay The San Joaquin Valley of California is nestled in the center of the state. Within the San Joaquin valley the rich culture of the Mexican people can be seen in almost every facet of living. There are also many nursing schools in the area, approximately five in the area in which I reside. The most current statistic from the census bureau regarding the percentage of Hispanics in Tulare County is 62. 3% (USCB, 2014). This means that over half of the inhabitants of the county are Hispanic. The knowledge, understanding and grasp of cultural sensitivity on the part of non-Hispanic as well as Hispanic nurses is paramount in being able to give the best possible care. The purpose of this writing is to inform the reader of the need to address cultural sensitivity towards the Mexican and Mexican American people and their battle with diabetes. This is a very prevalent disease in this county and amongst this ethnic group. Cultural competency is paramount in communicating effectively and getting the message across that diabetes is a serious but manageable condition (Grant and Letzring, 2003). Mexican American Culture and Diabetes In the Tulare, County area the Mexican American culture can be seen in all areas of healthcare. Many of these people are diabetic. Cultural and dietary differences create challenges in dealing with diabetics in this demographic. Nurses that are culturally competent to their town, city, state or country and who understand what makes up their population may find it more manageable to communicate with their Hispanic patients (Wood, 2004). An excellent article on this subject is entitled Leisure time activity of Mexican Americans with diabetes. This article deals with the issue of Mexican Americans and what they do or do not do in their leisure time and how it affects their diabetes. The aim of the research was to find the proportion of Mexican Americans with diabetes who do and do not exercise as well as preferred types of leisure time 3 Cultural Sensitivity according to age and gender. In addition, the question of the relationship between leisure time activity and treatment of diabetes is discussed. This study found that only six of every ten Mexican Americans with diabetes exercise (Wood, 2003). It was also found that gardening and walking were the most preferred type of leisure time activity. Cultural differences are machismo, language barriers and spiritual beliefs. This can make it challenging for the treating nurse to accomplish his or her tasks. Nurses and Mexican Culture Nurses may find it challenging however, understanding the Mexican culture and learning more of their language is most helpful. In professional practice a registered nurse will find it helpful in knowing that in the Mexican culture it is common for the man to be the strong leader of his family. Also, the men will not want to be present during visits to the Doctor for what they deem as female problems which can be anything from a UTI to a breast exam. In addition there is a culture of hot and cold that affects much of the health and lifestyle of the Mexican American patient. Many refer to placing heat on a hurt area, thereby increasing inflammation to what may be an injury. At other times ice is placed on an area of the foot that is itching. The itching is coming from a tingling they feel that is related to diabetic neuropathy. It should be noted that many Mexican Americans are what many term as Americanized, meaning that they are and have become mainstream in the American culture vs the Mexican culture. However, because many are raised by Mexican parents they too, are just like many of us, bicultural with one culture being dominant. Touch is also an important aspect for nurses to consider in treating the Mexican American. In those that are Americanized this is not an issue. However, for those that are still deeply rooted in their Mexican culture the sex of a nurse could be an issue and create barriers to 4 Cultural Sensitivity care. An example of this would be a male nurse treating a married female. These types of circumstances can make treating their diabetes more difficult. Wood states that In the USA, Mexican Americans are twice as likely to have diabetes then non-Hispanic whites. This deems attention to the need for nurses to be culturally competent. Some of the competencies a nurse needs in treating the Mexican American patient are finding out if they speak English, if they raised in the United States, and finding whether they are second, third or fourth generation and so on. In treating the Mexican American patient the nurse can also offer information in a simple manner. Many times, due to a macho personality that has been glorified in the culture the patient may feel offended or condescended to. In addition one can simplify too much and this too could compound the problem. There is a fine balance that can be made easier to navigate by conversing and educating patients in what may seem a non-clinical approach. Conclusion The need for nurses to be culturally competent is paramount in giving the best possible care. In this group being competent in knowing how to treat a Mexican American patient in the best way possible is to be sensitive in communication by addressing the patient and at times the entire family as this is very normal for their culture. The article that is the subject of this writing concludes by stating several of their findings one of which is that employment and responsibilities limits the time they have for leisure to early evenings when it is dark and safety becomes an issue. Treating diabetes in this ethnic group is best done by realizing what the culture believes, thinks and what it is they eat. I find the eating part just as enjoyable as the rest. 5 Cultural Sensitivity References Barker, A. M. Denisco, S. M. (2013). Advanced practice nursing: Evolving roles for the transformation of the profession. (2nd ed. ). Connecticut: Jones and Bartlett. Grant, MS, RN, L. , Letzring, JD, EdD, T. (2003). Status of Cultural Competence in Nursing Education. The Journal of Multicultural Nursing Health, 9(2), 6-6. United States Census Bureau. (2014, December 4). Retrieved January 21, 2015, from http://quickfacts. census. gov/qfd/states/00000. html Wood, F. (2004). Leisure time activity of Mexican Americans with diabetes. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 45(2), 190-196.

Simulation of the ALOHA protocol

Simulation of the ALOHA protocol Abstract-The present essay is a tutorial on the OMNeT++ simulation environment, through the analysis of the known ALOHA protocol. The model implements the ALOHA random access protocol on the Link layer, and simulates a host to server instant broadcast. ALOHA is rather simple yet convenient to demonstrate the potential of OMNeT++ in simulating wireless protocols. The final part evaluates the pure and the slotted ALOHA variations, in regard to the theoretical models. Introduction OMNeT++ is a discrete event simulation (DES) environment, developed by Andras Varga as public source, and is accompanied by Academic Public License, which means that it is free for nonprofit academic use. The intention behind OMNeT++ was the development of an open source generic simulation environment, not exclusively dedicated to network simulations as the more known ns-2, or the commercial Opnet. The environment offers instead, a generic and flexible platform to develop simulation frameworks dedicated to complex IT systems, as wireless and sensor networks, the classic IP and IPv6 stacks, queuing networks, optical networks and various hardware architectures. Typical example of a framework that provides simulation components for IP, TCP, UDP, Ethernet and MPLS, is the INET Framework and the MiXiM, which is an aggregation of several frameworks for mobile and wireless simulations. The OMNeT++ ver. 4.0 is built on the known Eclipse CDT ver. 5.0, and uses most of its resources. It is offered for Windows and Linux operating systems. The core of the models is coded in C++, in Linux uses the gcc compiler and in Windows uses the MinGW port for the gcc suite. There is a commercial version called OMNEST, with no significant accessories than the open version, except the optional use of the native Visual C++ compiler for the Windows platform. The ALOHA protocol was one of the oldest random access protocols, invented by Norm Abramson in 1969. The first wireless network, implementing packet switching over radio, used the pure ALOHA variation, have initially established in Hawaii. Later Abramson interfaced the ALOHAnet with the ARPAnet, the primitive form of internet. The ALOHA have inspired the creation of CSMA/CD and the birth of Ethernet. Finally, the random access protocol has evolved to contemporary CSMA/CA, the MAC layer of Wi-Fi. The slotted ALOHA and the later pure ALOHA have simple implementations, appropriate for simulation. It uses only the host to server broadcast instant, but is adequate to calculate the maximum channel capacity and demonstrate some other interesting attributes, as well. OMNeT++ DESCRIPTION The Structure of Models OMNeT++ is based on C++ programming and follows the object-oriented approach with classes and class instances, the so-called objects. The simulation model consists of modules, which communicate by message passing. The core element is the simple module, which is written in C++, and constitutes an instance of a module type from the simulation class library. The next structural element in the hierarchy is the compound model, which is formed from simple modules or other compound models. Every module, simple or compound, has ports to communicate with the external environment, called gates. Gates could be bidirectional or could be restricted to input or output. Modules are connected through their gates via connections and they communicate by exchanging messages, via these connections. The block diagram in Fig. 1 depicts the internal module structure according to the declared hierarchy, in OMNeT++. The connections are limited within the module range but the message exchange can be established across hierarchy levels. This is applicable in the case of modeling wireless systems and the simulation of ALOHA stations will make use of it. Otherwise, messages are traveling through the chain of connections. Modules have parameters, which are used to pass initialization data during the initiation of the simulation. The compound models can pass parameters to the contained sub-modules. The final model which contains the aggregate of the modules is called network model, is represented as a class and each simulation run is executed on an instance of this class. The NED language The structure of the simulation in OMNeT++ is based on the network description language (NED). The NED includes declarations for the simple modules and definitions for the compound modules and the network model. The language programming is accomplished by the integrated graphic editor, as shown in Fig. 2 or the text editor, as shown in Fig. 3. Both editors are producing equivalent code, and the programmer can switch from one another without any derogation. The programming model The typical code development includes the following steps: The programmer creates the network model, by creating the appropriate network_name.ned file, using the IDE. The NED file describes the network name and the topology, which are the names of the sub-modules, simples and compounds. Every sub-module should have its own module_name.ned file, which includes the parameter declarations and other meta-data. As mentioned, the behavior of every simple module is expressed in C++, so there should be two specific files, the module_name.cc and the module_name.h, for every simple module. These files are compiled during simulation execution by the supporting C++ compiler, and linked with the simulation kernel and libraries. The programmer usually tests the behavior of the simulation model according to different inputs. These could be entered manually by the user, during simulation execution, or could be included in a configuration file. Generally, there is a special type of file the omnetpp.ini that contains these parameters and the rest of the building blocks, to support user interaction. The IDE includes an editor for the initialization files, which can switch between form view, as shown in Fig. 4, and source view, as shown in Fig. 5. The two fields are equivalent. There are two fundamental methods to develop C++ code for programming the simple module behavior: The co-routine based and the event processing function. In the first approach, every module executes its own threat of code, which is activated every time it receives a message from the simulation kernel. In the last approach, the simulation kernel calls the module function, having the specific message as argument. Prior to main() function execution, an initialization function declares variables and objects and before program termination, a finalization function saves the data logged during simulation, and produces histograms. OMNeT++ Architecture and Potentiality The following Fig. 6 presents the internal logic structure of OMNeT++. The first block is the model component library, which the programmer develops in C++, and contains the compiled code of simple and compound modules. The simulation kernel and the class library (SIM) instantiates the modules and build the concrete simulation model. The user interface libraries (Envir and Cmdenv or Tkenv) provide the simulation environment, which defines the source of input data, the sink of simulation results and the debugging information. It controls the simulation execution, visualization and animation. Cmdenv provides only command line and text mode input-output, and it is more appropriate for batch simulations. Tkenv is the graphical user interface (GUI) of OMNeT++. It provides automatic animation, module output windows and object inspectors. The following Fig. 7 depicts an active simulation output through OMNeT++/Tkenv. OMNeT++ includes very powerful tools to visualize the interaction among modules. A sequence chart diagram provides a way to inspect the timing of the events during simulation by extracting data from an event log file. During the finalization routine, the logged data are saved to specific result files, the vectors in network_name.vec and the scalars in network_name.sca files, respectively. For the result analysis, OMNeT++ produces the analysis file network_name.anf, which contains aggregated data in vectors and scalars plus any histograms, created during the final stage. All the types of data can be further processed by using pattern rules, in datasets and charts section, to produced advanced charts and graphs. In the ALOHA simulation most of the available choices are used for demonstration. Aloha Simulation Background Theory The slotted ALOHA is the most simple random access protocol. The transmitting station always broadcasts at the full rate R of the channel. The transmission initiates at the beginning of the slot, which is common for the aggregate of the stations. If two or more stations transmit simultaneously, then the condition is called collision and all the stations involved, after a random time different for each, retransmit the frame until successful delivery. The procedure is presented at the following figure: The slotted ALOHA protocol allows each station to transmitat at the channels full speed R, but requires slots to be synchronized in all the stations, something not nessesary for the unslotted or pure ALOHA. The following assumtions are made to simplify simulation: The source generates single frames of length L bits. The inter-arrival times between frames follow exponential distribution. If R bps is the capacity of the wireless link then the slot time is set equal to the transmission time of each frame, which is: tframe=LR sec. All nodes are synchronized and transmit frames only at the beginning of a slot. If a node has a new frame to send, it waits until the beginning of the next slot. If two or more frames collide, then their hosts retransmit after random time, following exponential distribution. If there is no collision, then the node transmits its next frame following exponential distribution. I define N the number of stations operating the slotted ALOHA protocol and p the probability of each station to transmit in the next slot. The probability for the same station to do not transmit in the next slot is then 1-p, and for the rest of the stations is 1-pN-1. Therefore, the probability for a station to have a successful transmission during the next slot is to transmit and the rest of the stations to do not transmit, so it is p1-pN-1, and because there are N stations, the probability that an arbitrary node has a successful transmission is Np1-pN-1. A slot where a single station transmits is called a successful slot. The efficiency of slotted ALOHA is defined as the long run fraction of successful slots, which is: Ep=Np1-pN-1 (1) To find the maximum efficiency, we seek p* that maximizes (1). Then: Ep=N1-pN-1-NpN-11-pN-2=N1-pN-21-p-pN-1 If Ep=0 then p*=1N . Using this value, the maximum efficiency is: Ep*=N1N1-1NN-1=1-1NN-1=1-1NN1-1N (2) For a large number of active stations, the maximum efficiency accrues from (2) as N approaches infinity: limNEp*=limN1-1NNlimN1-1N=1e1=1e=0.368 (3) From (3), the maximum efficiency of slotted ALOHA is 0.368 or 36.8% The unslotted version or pure ALOHA protocol does not have the restriction of slot synchronizing, and the station is able to broadcast when a new frame is available. So pure ALOHA is a full-decentralized random access protocol. When a transmitting station detects a collision, after completing the transmission, it retransmits the frame with probability p. If it chooses to postpone the transmission for a single frame transmission period tframe=LR sec, then the probability is (1-p). The figure below depicts transmissions and collisions in the unslotted channel. The maximum efficiency of pure ALOHA protocol is calculated similarly as the slotted ALOHA. The only difference here is that the rest of the stations should have not begun transmitting before and should not begin during the broadcast of the given station. The probability that the rest of the stations remain idle is 1-pN-1 and the probability that they remain idle is 1-pN-1 again. Therefore, the probability that the given station will have a successful transmission is p1-p2N-1. Again, we seek the value of p* that maximizes (4), which is the probability of successful transmission for the sum of the N stations. Ep=Np1-p2N-1 (4) Ep=N1-p2N-2-Np2N-11-p2N-3=N1-p2N-31-p-p2N-1 If Ep=0 then p*=12N-1 . Using this value the maximum efficiency is: Ep*=N2N-11-12N-12N-1 (5) From (5), the maximum efficiency accrues as N approaches infinity, which is: limNEp*=121e=12e (6) From (6) I assume that the maximum efficiency, for the pure ALOHA protocol, is 0.184 or 18.39%, the half of slotted ALOHA. Another useful diagram is in Fig. 10. It depicts the apparent superiority of slotted ALOHA over the pure ALOHA protocol, despite the limitations that turn it to non-functional. The normalized total traffic is the aggregate traffic, which generated by the source of the station, divided by the channel capacity R and the normalized throughput ? is the average successful traffic (non-collided) divided by R. The slotted ALOHA achieves double throughput than the pure ALOHA and achieves its maximum efficiency when the generated traffic rate equals the channels capacity R. The pure ALOHA although, achieves its maximum efficiency when the generated traffic equals to R/2. Model Development NED language The following paragraphs describe the process of creating a functional model for the simulation of ALOHA protocol in OMNeT++. The object of simulation is to study the behavior of the ALOHA model and to confirm the theoretical values of maximum efficiency for pure and slotted ALOHA. The ALOHA random access protocol is peer based and does not use a server-client architecture. It is convenient to study the effect of collisions and random retransmissions only in the case when one host is receiving (becomes server) and the rest of the hosts are transmitting. The first step is to develop the NED code that describes the network Aloha. The following Aloha.ned file creates the Aloha network, which consist of simple modules, one called server and a number of hosts, equal to numHosts parameter. The txRate defines the transmission rate R, of the wireless channel, and slotTime defines the type of protocol. Zero means pure ALOHA and 100ms defines the slot time length. The parameter @display selects a background image, taken from the library. network Aloha { parameters: int numHosts; // number of hosts double txRate @unit(bps); // transmission rate double slotTime @unit(ms);// zero means no slots (pure Aloha) @display(bgi=background/terrain); submodules: server: Server; host[numHosts]: Host { txRate = txRate; slotTime = slotTime; } } The following Server.ned file describes the servers simple module. It loads an image for the server icon and defines a gate of input type (in), with which it is not necessary to establish a connection. It can receive a message directly from a host via @directIn, something that is usual to wireless simulations. simple Server { parameters: @display(i=device/antennatower_l); gates: input in @directIn; } The following Host.ned describes the hosts simple module. It loads a set of parameters from the omnetpp.ini file, the radioDelay, which is the propagation delay over the radio link, pkLenBits, which is the length of the frame, and iaTime, which is the random inter-arrival time, following exponential distribution. The rest of the parameters, txRate and slotTime, are loaded in Aloha.ned, during sub-module instantiation. simple Host { parameters: double txRate @unit(bps); // transmission rate double radioDelay @unit(s);// propagation delay of radio link volatile int pkLenBits @unit(b); // packet length in bits volatile double iaTime @unit(s); // packet interarrival time double slotTime @unit(s); // zero means no slots (pure Aloha) @display(i=device/pc_s); } Configuration The most critical file is the configuration file omnetpp.ini. It stores the values of the parameters that are loaded in the NED parameter fields. When declaring on the [General] field that Aloha.slotTime=0, is presets globally the pure ALOHA protocol. Similarly, the Aloha.numHosts=20 defines the number of hosts to be 20, the Aloha.txRate=9.6kbps defines the R to be 9600bps. The last definitions load the parameters of Aloha model and consequently the parameters of the simple modules that Aloha model controls, which are the server and the host modules. The definitions Aloha.host[*].pkLenBits=952b and Aloha.host[*].radioDelay=10ms load directly the parameters pk.LenBits and radioDelay on every host submodule, respectively. [General] network = Aloha #debug-on-errors = true #record-eventlog = true Aloha.numHosts = 20 Aloha.slotTime = 0 # no slots Aloha.txRate = 9.6Kbps Aloha.host[*].pkLenBits = 952b #=119 bytes, so that (with +1 byte guard) slotTime is a nice round number Aloha.host[*].radioDelay = 10ms [Config PureAloha1] description = pure Aloha, overloaded # too frequent transmissions result in high collision rate and low channel utilization Aloha.host[*].iaTime = exponential(2s) [Config PureAloha2] description = pure Aloha, optimal load # near optimal load, channel utilization is near theoretical maximum 1/2e Aloha.host[*].iaTime = exponential(6s) [Config PureAloha3] description = pure Aloha, low traffic # very low traffic results in channel being idle most of the time Aloha.host[*].iaTime = exponential(30s) [Config PureAlohaExperiment] description = Experimental mutliparameter demostration repeat = 2 sim-time-limit = 90min **.vector-recording = false Aloha.numHosts = ${numHosts=10,15,20} Aloha.host[*].iaTime = exponential(${mean=1,2,3,4,5..9 step 2}s) [Config SlottedAloha1] description = slotted Aloha, overloaded # slotTime = pkLen/txRate = 960/9600 = 0.1s Aloha.slotTime = 100ms # too frequent transmissions result in high collision rate and low channel utilization Aloha.host[*].iaTime = exponential(0.5s) [Config SlottedAloha2] description = slotted Aloha, optimal load # slotTime = pkLen/txRate = 960/9600 = 0.1s Aloha.slotTime = 100ms # near optimal load, channel utilization is near theoretical maximum 1/e Aloha.host[*].iaTime = exponential(2s) [Config SlottedAloha3] description = slotted Aloha, low traffic # slotTime = pkLen/txRate = 960/9600 = 0.1s Aloha.slotTime = 100ms # very low traffic results in channel being idle most of the time Aloha.host[*].iaTime = exponential(20s) A selection of the SlottedAloha2 configuration overrides the value of slotTime with Aloha.host[*].slotTime=100ms, which fixes the slotted ALOHA protocol with slot time to 100ms. The Aloha.host[*].iaTime=exponential(2s) sets the frame inter-arrival time on every host to follow exponential distribution, with mean time equals to 2 seconds. The Config option PureAlohaExperiment exploits the OMNeTs capabilities of organizing different experiments with simple repetition declarations. The statement Aloha.numHosts=${numHosts=10,15,20} declares three (3) repetitions having 10, 1 and 20 hosts respectively. The statement Aloha.host[*].iaTime=exponential(${mean=1,2,3,4,5..9 step 2}s) declares seven (7) repetitions, with interarrival times equal to exponential distribution and means, 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 7 and 9, respectively. The repeat=2 statement doubles the number of runs, so finally the available choices will be 2x3x7=42 from 0 to 41 optional runs. The statement sim-time-limit=90min constrains the simulation time to 90 minutes. C++ model coding The simple modules Host and Server are based on C++ programming. The relevant host.cc, host.h, server.cc and server.h, which are included entirely in the appendix section, implement the model behavior during simulation by exchanging messages directly one-another or with the simulation kernel. The following Fig. 11 is a design- level class diagram, describing the basic relationships among network module Aloha and simple modules, Host and Server. The two last, inherit from cSimpleModule simulation class library, and redefine the basic methods initialize(), handleMessage(), activity() and finish(), according to the desired function. The Aloha network model comprises of several Host objects and one Server, so it keeps an aggregation association with Host and Server classes. It passes also to them some parameter values, some declared in the omnetpp.ini file and some taken from user dialog form. The Host module keeps an one-way association with Server because every Host declares a Server object in the attribute field, in order to send a direct message (pk) later, by calling the sendDirect() function. The scheduleAt() function programs the kernel to send the Host an endTxEvent message when the transmission ends. This is represented by the self-association. Similarly, the Server module programs the kernel to send the Server an endRxEvent, when the reception of the message sent from Host finishes, and is represented as the self-association. The module code is cited commented in the appendix. Here, I will explain the finish() function of the server module, because it creates the result reports, necessary for the exploitation of the simulation. void Server::finish() { EV

Beauty and The Bluest Eye :: Bluest Eye Essays

Beauty and The Bluest Eye Toni Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye contributes to the study of the American novel by bringing to light an unflattering side of American history. The story of a young black girl named Pecola, growing up in Lorain, Ohio in 1941 clearly illustrates the fact that the "American Dream" was not available to everyone. The world that Pecola inhabits adores blonde haired blue eyed girls and boys. Black children are invisible in this world, not special, less than nothing. The idea that the color of your skin somehow made you lesser was cultivated by both whites and blacks. White skin meant beauty and privilege and that idea was not questioned at this time in history. The idea that the color of your skin somehow made you less of a person contaminated black people's lives in many different ways. The taunts of schoolboys directed at Pecola clearly illustrate this fact; "It was their contempt for their own blackness that gave the first insult its teeth" (65). This self hatred also po ssessed an undercurrent of anger and injustice that eventually led to the civil rights movement. The characters in this book as well as the time period mark a time in American history that played an important role in the ideas of equality and freedom. All of the elements on which this country were founded upon were twisted so they no longer applied to blacks and other minorities in this country. The life led by Pecola as well as others like her good or bad is a part of history that was experienced by many Americans in all parts of the country. While it is questionable whether total equality has been reached in this country, many ideas have changed for the better. This book is significant because it shows a different side to American literature as well as life. Morrison points out what has changed and what has stayed the same. While people are generally equal, there are still prejudices in the idea of what is beautiful and who is worthy.

Race and Ethnicity Paper Essay

I was born and raised in China. I would come to self – identify with the Chinese people. My roots allow me to be classified as Asian. Mandarin and Cantonese are languages I have learned to speak and read. These languages also help to identify me as Chinese. What is race? Race defines who we are. We look at people and experiences through race and culture. Both of my parents are introverted in personalities. They are soft spoken because they once lived under the fears of Communism. They taught me not to speak inappropriate things to other people. This prevented much trouble from occurring. I have been taught by the spoken and unspoken ways of my parents and teachers to utilize my race as the social lens through which I can value people and experiences. My parents shaped me early on life to not speak out about Chinese Politics. They taught me that Chinese plays a role in my cultural identification. Through generations of racial modeling, my parents passed on these oppressive limitations. What make me Chinese? What are the characteristic of a Chinese person? I really don’t know. Other identifying me as a Chinese by my skin color, hair, eyes, height, other appearance features, and the language I speak, and where I come from. I’m a quiet person in school, and when I have questions or I need help on my subjects, I hesitate to raise my hand. Since my freshman year I have been like this. I’m represented as a workaholic Chinese. I turn in every assignment and on time, for this reason, they identified me as an Asian, because of the stereotypes placed on Asians my behavior and attitude contributed to people’s reasoning. My ethnic identification exposed me to a cultural clash. For example, we had a critical thinking class last year, for summer camp. We read an article in our class, part of the paragraph described a Chinese person taking a sample food. He liked it because it was free. Therefore, the rest of the class considered Chinese people to be greedy. People always judge us by our conversations, actions and jokes. We do not need such a race consciousness in order to know who we are. It is hard to identify one’s self. It shouldn’t be based on where you were born, where you come from or the color of your skin. I don’t want to be a Chinese nor any other ethnic background. If an American gave birth to her offspring in China, and her baby was raised there they may face the same cultural biases as I have. The baby would probably speak Chinese, use chopsticks, and dress like a Chinese person, but that does not make them Chinese. Racism will never end unless the word race is not used any more. We must stop separating Chinese, American, and Mexican groups.

Death Of Socrates essays

Death Of Socrates essays In contemporary with the Age of Enlightenment, also called the Age of Reason in France, neoclassical painters used famous works of literature as a source of inspiration for their paintings. The Death Of Socrates (1787; Oil on canvas, 129.5 x 196.2 cm or 51 x 77 1/4 in) by Jacques Louis David, is a perfect example of a neoclassical painter using a famous work of literarue, in this case Platos Phaedo, as his source of inspiration. Platos marvelous work, however, was not completely captured in Davids this painting, instead David looking through Roman lenses chose to focus more on the famous philosophers immortality. In the painting The Death of Socrates, the painter Jacques Louis David, takes a scene from Platos Phaedo and paints it from a Roman perspective. For example the setting of the scene takes place in a chamber that has Roman arches on the windows and an arch in the hallway. In addition there is also a Roman style lamp found behind Socrates. Other than the Roman perspective portrayed by David there is also a distribution of light and dark accents in this masterwork that aids in distinguishing the significance and divinity of Socrates. First of all, the light coming from the windows in the background and the lamp in the background are not the main source of light in this scene. However, the origin of the primary source of light that is emphasizing on Socrates and then on his disciples is unknown. In Davids painting the light that shines on Socrates is brighter than all of the other light sources. This contrast in lighting helps emphasize Socrates godliness. In addition to the lighting contrast, Socrates godliness is also reflected on way his body has been painted. David painted Socrates with an ideally proportioned and athletic body in his painting so that he can depict Socrates as perfect man or a god like man. In addition...

Marilyn Manson Essays - Marilyn Manson, John 5, Concept Albums

Marilyn Manson Essays - Marilyn Manson, John 5, Concept Albums Marilyn Manson Hey Mr. Superstar This band is a twist of Iggy Pop, KISS, and Alice Coopper. Starting in south Florida as a small industrial Goth band, Marilyn Manson has changed the main stream music of today. They have come to be a leader and paved the way for other shock-rock bands. Just coming out with his fifth album this week, he will continue reaching out to rebellious teenagers that need some sort of support. Marilyn Manson has been hitting charts because of their songs and lyrics, show performances, and public attention. One of the reasons why Marilyn Manson is famous today is because of their undefined musically talents. They are a five piece band which includes singer Marilyn Manson, lead guitarist Twiggy Ramirez, bassist John5, drummer Ginger Fish, and on keyboards M.W. Gacy. Each member has been playing music since childhood. Putting these musician's talents and creative minds together they have accomplished more than most bands around. Unlike many artists today Manson with help from Ramarize writes and produces all songs that go onto thier albums. Their lyrics are very skillfully written so that they will attract public attention and listeners. Manson gets lyrics from his personal thoughts and tragedies that happen around him. On their bands fourth album he wrote about his girlfriends drug addiction in a song called Coma White, A pill to make you numb, A pill to make you dumb, A pill to make you anybody else, But all the drugs in this world won't save her from herself. In this new album called H olywood, Manson was inspired by the violence he see in entertainment and how it is affecting children and the world. Touring the world, visiting countries across the globe, and selling out concerts have been the role of Marilyn Manson since they became popular with the public in the mid nineties. The band works hard to entertain their fans with new and outrageous performances. Most of their earnings from touring and album sales go into the performances and live shows they do. Their performance is a show to remember. In last year's sold-out tour, Dead to The World, had Manson doing over seven costume changes, stage explosions, a burning cross, wide screen televisions, and large amounts of glitter poured onto the crowd. With over a hour long performances filled with entertainment, speeches, and music. Their show is like no other shock-rock artist of today. Another reason why Marilyn Manson keeps on the top of the charts is because of his public attention. Even when he is not turning out records or running his music videos, the media seems to still keep him at a focus point. The publicity that he gets from reports saying negative rumors just seems to help him with selling albums and concert tickets. The anti-Marilyn Manson fans appear to have something to say about him and his acts. They start rumors to trash the shock rock band by telling media that they kill animals, throw puppies into the crowd at concerts, and even say that he pours pigs blood on the audience of his concerts. Yet this does not stop young rebellious teenagers from attending. Even politician Joe Lieberman suggested that Marilyn Manson's music was responsible for the shooting at Columbine, when in fact the shooters for the high school killing did not listen to their music. A big part of being Marilyn Manson is attracting fans, pushing the limits, and finding new ways to shock and appall people. Yes, many older generations do not agree with what they are putting out and think that it is rock trash, but then why is the band topping charts, and why is it that they can go to any country and sell out concerts with a weeks notice? Maybe because some people believe in what he is saying and that some people actually do like his music.