Race and Crime in America Essay

How do people from different entities in the United States perceive race as it relates to the criminal justice system? This was the question asked to ten different people in different locations of the United States. In additional to this question a different group of participants were asked if they believe that the criminal justice system is racist? In this paper I propose that most people in the United States have a very negative perception about the criminal justice and its promises. I concluded this based on face to face interviews I did with participants and through electronic responses. Regardless of their race, values, beliefs, social class, gender and age all the participants of my research paper agree on that there is a connection between race and crime in America. To some the criminal justice system is not as blind as it is perceived to be. Some of the participants have little understanding of the law system and its different components. Some not fully competent to be subject matter experts to determine if crime and race connect however, they all have the same generalization about the law, law enforcement and law discrimination. The public receives much of their impressions and knowledge of the criminal justice system through the mass media. Top-rated television programs, such as Cable News Network (CNN) are delivering news on crime on an everyday basis. What people actually know, or think they know, about the criminal justice system can sometimes be interpreted as a form of ignorance of what is known to be mandatory knowledge in order to be law-abiding citizens in any society. As nonchalant some things may sound the public relies on the media to feed them the lasted and most accurate news, but this is not always true. In today’s American society, race and crime go hand in hand. Day after day there is news reports about people of various racial backgrounds involved in criminal activities ranging in different p arts of the country. In the world today we face many different problems. Issues that throughout  the years have been improved but never resolved. Throughout the United States crime continues to be one of our increasing problems within the minorities. Many people believe that crime it’s a problem on its own that is now being related to race. In today’s American society, race and crime go hand in hand. Day after day there is news reports about people of various racial backgrounds involved in criminal activities ranging in different parts of the country. As I did my research I chose a specific case that happened in Queens, New York on November 25, 2006. A young man by the name of Sean Bell was out in a strip club with a couple of his friends celebrating that he was getting married. Later that evening Sean Bell and his friends were being shot at by a couple of police detectives who believed they were armed causing the death of Mr. Bell. A similar case had occurred a couple of years back in 1999 with a young man by the name of Amadou Diallo who was fired 41 shots by police. The relevance of these two stories is that both of these men were black and according to the reports were both unarmed. Which leads to the question that many people have why these two young men are no longer here? This is where race plays a role. Looking into statistics there are a higher percent of black, Latino, and Asian crimes as there is whites. I believed these statistics are like this because they way authority figures are handling some situations especially against minorities. According to an article in the New York Times by Heather Mac Donald called â€Å"Distorting the Truth about Crime and Race†. She states that Black and Latinos are nine times more likely to be stopped by a police officer than whites. Attitudes like these are a major part of the unresolved problems we have today. Situations like Mr. Bell and Mr. Diallo are the results to the police aggression and even though authorities may deny that it has nothing to do with race. It has been a major controversy throughout the United States on why these situations still have a one thing in common race. We as a society need to gain a clearer understanding of the vast relationship between law and society. Why is there such a large connection? Why is it that is always one race that is always the target? What changes need to occur so we can change the perception of the law? Are we still a segregated country? Are we trying to change or are we just turning the other cheek? These were some of the additional questions I ask my responders. I conducted the survey through an online blogs and face to face  questionnaires. I based my questions on the location of participants and on the prior knowledge I knew they have with the criminal justice system; own encounters or experiences family members of theirs have had. The group that I targeted was mainly individuals with a higher education level of a High school diploma. I felt this was a better group to target instead of a younger crowd that I think regardless of their faults, mishap in life always look at someone or something else to blame for their current situation. I wanted a group of individuals that would look at crime and race in a three dimensional perspective and not from a tunnel vision view. Not every member in society beliefs that a person is responsible for their own destiny and that is something I am a strong believer in. It was difficult to get more inputs with individuals on the blog rather than it was getting information from individuals face to face. I am not sure why this was such a critical topic but it brought out some significant emotional event that an individual has or had experience or even a family member of theirs. * Andre Ceballos an undergraduate student at Cornell University, Hispanic male 26 years old, born and raised in New York City said â€Å"The population of prisons around the country definitely answers that question, it’s a damn shame†. * Amir Vasquez undergraduate student at Virginia State university, Hispanic male, 30 years old, born in the Dominican Republic raised in New York City Currently living in Colonial Heights, Virginia said â€Å"just take a look at Colonial White, sorry I meant Colonial Heights, where I live schools are great, free after school programs the whole nine yards, then look across the river in the city of Petersburg their high schools are not even certified and some schools missing windows and things†. My point is minorities usually don’t get a fair shake in education which leads to crime† Mr. Vasquez seems to be speaking from a functionalist perspective, he is blaming society for not offering a better education system that whe n is not provided there is not much to look forward to besides doing criminal activity . * Keisha Brown an undergraduate student at South Carolina University, African America female 25 years old, born and raised in Brooklyn, New Yorkbeaten and killed by a group of white men for alledgedly whistling at a white woman†¦ at that time, the color of his skin caused him to be a target for such a violent crime by the ‘white man’ who at those times did anything they could to make sure african americans did not survive  in their â€Å"white-only† society†¦there’s martin luther king, and even abraham lincoln who were all killed because of something to do with racism. even though lincoln was a white republican, he was the one who abolished slavery. his decision set him aside from the rest of his counterparts. yes, if you dig deeper into his history there are claims that he had slaves as servants etc, but the point im trying to make is that he actually put forth the effort to end slavery. Martin luther king was killed bc of the color of his skin and the rights that he fought for†¦ im stating facts from the past but it can be used as an introduction for your paper. oh yeah and to sum up my argument, even though those events were of the past, it has still followed the african american race even to the present day†¦ black and hispanic children in inner city communities have it even worse than any other child in america. Their race is what keeps them oppressed and from recieving the oppropriate education and solid cultural security that a white child gets living in a blue collar upper class suburban area. Therefore, when that black of hispanic child attempts to leave behind that inner city image, they cannot shake it b/c for so long theyve been treated like crimals and the scum of the earth, most of them have no choice but to turn to crime and violence just to get by in america. sry if i talked ur head off mami but i love talkin ab this type of stuff lol said â€Å" To help answer your question there is definitely a connection with race and crime in America. It has been an issue since the days of slavery, civil rights, and segregation. you can even go as far as to mention Emmitt Till who was brutally beaten and killed by a group of white men for allegedly whistling at a white woman at that time, the color of his skin caused him to be a target for such a violent crime by the ‘white man’ who at those times did anything they could to make sure African Americans did not survive in their â€Å"white-only† society, there’s Martin Luther King, and even Abraham Lincoln who were all killed because of something to do with racism. Even though Lincoln was a white republican, he was the one who abolished slavery. His decision set him aside from the rest of his counterparts. Yes, if we dig deeper into his history there are claims that he had slaves as servants etc., but the point I am trying to make is that he actually put forth the effort to end slavery. Martin Luther king was killed because of the color of his skin and the rights that he fought for. I am stating facts from the past and to sum up my  argument, even though those events were of the past, it has still followed the African American race even to the present day. Black and Hispanic children in inner city communities have it even worse than any other child in America. Their race is what keeps them oppressed and from receiving the appropriate education and solid cultural security that a white child gets living in a blue collar upper class suburban area. Therefore, when that black of Hispanic child attempts to leave behind that inner city image, they c annot shake it because for so long they’ve been treated like criminals and the scum of the earth, most of them have no choice but to turn to crime and violence just to get by in America†. * Terry Powell an African America male, 34 years old born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana currently in college said â€Å"There is not a connection between crime and race because any race can commit a crime and this is clearly seen with white-collar crimes. Crime is seen in different locations high class communities as well as low class communities†. * Christina Bailey an African American female 23 years old, born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana currently in college said â€Å"Yes, there is a connection because we as a society are not focusing on helping one another; we are focus only on helping self. With a mind frame like this the less fortunate will continue to commit crimes just so they can survive in America and needless to say the less fortunate race groups are the African Americans†. * Jacob Weber a white male 26 years old, currently living in Hawaii, in his second year in college said â€Å"Depending on the area that one lives, does crime and race have a connection. There is just a double standard in the system, and not until people that are neutral working in those positions will the system see any changes. The socialization agents play a major role, but regardless whites are more privilege than any other race†. * Miguel Perez a Hispanic male 32 years old, from Texas said â€Å" It depends on the area but minorities are seem to always be the target and because of the racism that is not seen through the naked eye minorities get the least support from the system† * Claudia Perez a Hispanic female 31 years old, from Texas said â€Å"Racism is a significant factor that dictates how America act on a situation for instance our president because of him being biracial, the public wanted him to show proof of his birth certificate, no other president has b een asked to show this document to prove his race or birth location†. * John Pates an  African American male 40 years old, currently living in Hawaii said â€Å"Yes, through history it has been noted that the ratio between black men and white men in prison is not even although blacks and whites are committing the same crimes. * Carrie Williams a white female 30 years old born and raised in Richmond, Virginia currently in college said â€Å"Race and crime have a major connection especially southern states. In southern states you will always find a police officer patrolling neighborhoods of minorities more often than that of a white community. I have asked police officers why are they constantly patrolling my neighborhood and they said â€Å"You never know what these people are planning to do next† to me that was not an answer that a law enforcement should give a citizen. Police officers in the south need more education instead of just being told what benefits they will receive from being a police officer†. Resources that oppose my thesis were not easily accessible and were not of very much accreditation. These sources were more opinionated on the topic rather than stating facts. There are many articles that supported my thesis. It is very clear to me that race and crime is a complex issue to discuss and is very hard to be honest on this topic because of our country’s history and our current statistics. In an article in the Huffington Post the author is aware of the controversy of racism in our legal system but he is also aware of how can it be a debate when the facts are proving other wise and he states 14 examples on how the system is not fair â€Å"Saying the US criminal system is racist may be politically controversial in some circles. But the facts are overwhelming. No real debate about that†. (Quigley, 2010) Race and crime connectivity will be an issue for years to come. As a society we have to understand that not everyone will on a high social class because of many other reasons beside race. A fairness of the legal system is much needed and we need to stop looking at race when punishments are delivered we need to look at the concrete facts of a case. Bibliography Parker, R. (2008 , June 02). ParaPundit. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from ParaPundit.com: http://www.parapundit.com/archives/005242.html#precomments Quigley, B. (2010, July 26). The Huffigton Post . Retrieved November 1, 2010, from

Proposal for Gender Affirmative Action in Europe

When applying for a Job but also to the university, Judging does not have to be only based on your skills, work experience, studies, grades but it can be largely affected also by your gender or race. The proper term for such an action is, â€Å"affirmative action† or â€Å"positive discrimination†. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, affirmative action can be defined as, â€Å"positive steps taken to increase the representation of women and minorities in areas of employment, education and business from which they have been historically excluded.Recently, there has been a great deal of discussion related to the proposal of European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Mrs. Viviane Reding. The proposal was on improving the gender balance among non-executive directors of companies listed on stock exchanges. Furthermore, proposal should ensure that by 2020, at least 40% of women should be represented on supervisory boards and board s of companies with more than 250 employees. According the collected statistics by European Commission, â€Å"women only make up to 15% of non-executive boards and 8,9% of executive boards.First country in EIJ that came with this idea and implemented it was Norway in 2003. However, is such a proposal ethical? On one side, according to Viviane Reding, a glass ceiling still remains and blocks female talent from top positions. On the other side, positive discrimination, (artificially created) of any kind will always lead into reverse discrimination. Also, it violates one of the basic business concepts, speaking that this proposal restricts ownership of shareholders of the companies who have invested their capital.They are not allowed to fully choose their representatives (non- xecutives, executives, management) by their most rational choice. If the shareholders have to take into account other criteria beside the ability of the best representation of the executives and directors, in th is case, they have to decide upon gender. Then, the representation may be at the expense of effectiveness and managing the company which in turn goes to an expense of profits. Another points of view may be taken from the philosophical side. Utilitarian theory can be stated that an action should be based on the outcomes.Firstly, some may say women enhance diversity in the companies. Secondly, having diverse environment may be a key factor for advancements or successful achievements of a company. Lastly, the ultimate end result which could be in a form of disappearance of gender glass ceiling. Looking at the affirmative action through these points, mention outcomes have clearly positive sides. The utilitarian theory can be similarly stated in terms that it tries to maximize happiness and reduce suffering. In such a statement, some cons may appear as well.When applying for the position that is affected by the quotas, more men may be pplied than women and even if the skills of both gend ers would be comparable, in order to fulfill the quotas more/or even only women would be accepted than men. In such a case, majority is harmed and thus it does not maximize the happiness. Not having freedom of choice based on the skills harms majority again, this time the majority is represented by the shareholders and stakeholders and again, it is based on the theory, that the representation of the company will not be chosen in the best possible way, but in order to fulfill the restrictions..Though, these points of view are nly hypothetical. Another well known philosophical theory which may be applied to this topic is Kantian theory. In principle, it states that in order to determine whether or not an action is good or ethical, we should imagine it as a universal law and determine whether or not that would be detrimental or good. Theoretically, such an affirmative action becoming a universal law would not lead into happiness of majority in society. Creating the quotas/regulations i s not solving the problem, it is critical to rather change the approach to women at the workplace.For instance, by using different tools to support the efforts to balance professional life and personal life which allow women to use their education and skills without a need to resign as mother and come to the decision between family and career. In conclusion, European Commissioner Viviane Reding with her proposal met certain supporters particularly in European Commission, but many opponents have argued as well, thus the proposal was postponed for now. I stand up in the opponents side against this proposal as almost any kind of affirmative action leads into reverse discrimination.

Essay on Adolf Hitler Leadership Effectiveness - 2801 Words

ADOLF HITLER Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler, regardless of his wrong doings and the obvious evil that he empowered, was one of the great leaders of our time and changed the way that our society looked at war. The fact that Hitler came from a front-line soldier with no real future in a leadership role to the chancellor of Germany and the commander of a great army shows his great will and ability to meet his goals and to manipulate people to achieve a vision. The reason that I chose Hitler as the subject for this paper was because of the great impact that he had on our world over the last century and also to take a look at just how he could convince not only his nation but other allies to carry out his ill-will towards Russia and the Jews.†¦show more content†¦Not only did Hitler give these orders, but if they were not followed exactly as they were given, the subordinates were severely punished. There is a clear emphasis on the task at hand, with little regard for the soldiers involved. These orders did no t only extend to his army. Hitler (or subordinates acting through Hitler) had the same mentality no matter who he was talking to. The entire country was to do as they were told or they would suffer the consequences. Hitler also did not like or trust his soldiers or his generals. Fitting the leadership grid, the only time that he ever really spoke to these people was to give them orders to follow. One other thing to look at in the style approach was Hitlers ability to manipulate people into thinking that he was their friend (or at least not a threat) in order to achieve his goals. Hitlers primary goal was to expand Germany and to take over a part of Eastern Russia. In light of this goal, Hitler made sub-goals that involved eliminating certain armies that would hinder in his goals. Knowing that Germany had just been defeated in WWI, Hitler used that as an excuse to build up his army and through manipulative discussion and empty promises of peace, Hitler soon had a naval fleet outside of Britain and troops mobilizing to prepare for battle. Hitler was shown some opposition to rebuilding the army by such countriesShow MoreRelatedAdolf Hitler And Winston Churchill962 Words   |  4 PagesLeaders are the largest mechanism in moving towards and achieving a goal. Two examples of high-profile leaders are Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill. Adolf Hitler was an autocratic/authoritarian leader. An autocratic leader is directive and doesn’t involve members in the decision-making process. In practice, Adolf Hitler maintained his leadership powers at all times. 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The New Angle On Examples of Illustration Essays Just Released

The New Angle On Examples of Illustration Essays Just Released You may use the personal experience method to compose your illustration essay, too. There are a lot of good topics for illustration essays to select from. You may use various kinds of examples to be able to support your illustration thesis. A specific case of illustration employs a personal experience or other men and women experience that is shown to be dominant to present an essential illustration essay example. Additionally, there are hypothetical illustrations that may be utilized in an illustration essay. Just like every sort of essay it's important that you know the characteristics before you begin your research and writing. Correct argumentation plays a distinctive function in creating an illustration essay. Examples of Illustration Essays Fundamentals Explained Making something into a habit can take some moment, and that time can be challenging. Habits are difficult to form, but in addition tricky to break, which can be helpful for the future. Influence of music on the mood It is a known truth that the option of specific music can create behavioral alterations. Using Examples of Illustration Essays Explaining the significance of a religious ceremony to individuals who are not familiar with it. Quite simply, it illustrates or demonstrates an idea or something regarding the topic through using examples. The very first bullet point ought to be your thesis, the subsequent three bullet points ought to be the supporting examples, and the previous bullet point ought to be the conclusion. Personal memories are a superior supply of ideas you'll be able to share with the readers to support the major argument. Remembering your subject in connection with your audience increases your odds of effectively illustrating your point. You might also opt to bring a couple more parts of evidence to be certain the audience understands your point. 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Once you are finished with your research on the subject of your interest, develop a step-by-step instruction on another paper. You will also decide in what order you'll go over the examples. Keep reading to find the many example types you may use in order to strengthen your illustration thesis. There are lots of strategies to find the info necessary for your essay. Finding them online isn't hard. Things You Should Know About Examples of Illustration Essays Thus, the function of a specialist is limited simply to a specific region of activity, and the part of someone is invaluable to the whole world community. If there's a chance to involve such an individual in the practice of creating of your work, you ought to use it. The perfect way to prove your point is to demonstrate a real-life example. Standard examples have the ability to supply an instance of a typical experience that numerous people had. 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Essay on The End of Innocence in Lord of the Flies

The End of Innocence in Lord of the Flies William Golding wrote the novel Lord of the Flies to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature.(Golding) He wanted to show that humans naturally live in savagery and ignorance with little knowledge on how to live together peacefully. To accomplish his premise Golding strands a group of boys on an island who then must set up government in an attempt to survive. The story uses heavy symbolism to compare the life on the island to the entire civilization of the world. Each character on the island represents one aspect of civilized society; those who represent uninhibited man survive and those who represent intellectual or spiritual man die. One of the more†¦show more content†¦Simon is not afraid of the jungle because he does not fear the beast. He knows the real beast cannot be escaped from or fought with spears and rocks: maybe he said hesitantly maybe there is a beast...maybe its only us.(P97) Simon knows that the real beast cannot be ...satiated with sacrifice and dance. The beast is a part of everyone, a part of human nature. (Dickey) Simon wants nothing more than to tell the others but to talk in assembly was a terrible thing to him.(P97) Simon lives in fear, he is afraid that if he tells the others that they will turn against him, he knows his society would not except him and so he remains quiet. Golding makes several references to Simons spirituality; he is comparable to Christ, an often-misunderstood savior. Simons secret place is a sort of holy sanctuary: ... the butterflies danced in the middle their unending dance. He knelt down and the arrow of sun fell on him.(146) Like Christ, Simon is doing the work of God, when the arrow of light falls on him a sign from the heavens is being conveyed. Like Christ, Simon is tempted by evil, in a vision the Lord of the Flies told him: Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! ... You knew didnt you? Im part of you? ... Get back to the others and we will forget the whole thing.(158) Simon however does not give in. When the twins, Sam and EricShow MoreRelated Themes in Lord of the Flies Essay682 Words   |  3 Pages William Goldning’s Lord of the Flies is an allegorical novel where literary techniques are utilized to convey the main ideas and themes of the novel. Two important central themes of the novel i ncludes loss of civilization and innocense which tie into the concept of innate human evil. Loss of civilization is simply the transition from civilization to savagery; order to chaos. The concept of loss of innocense is a key concept to innate human evil because childhood innocense is disrupted as the groupRead MoreComparison of Lord of the Flies with Peter Pan1716 Words   |  7 Pages The Boys The books â€Å"Lord of the Flies† by William Golding, and â€Å"Peter Pan† by J.M. Barrie, have similar characteristics that will be compared and contrasted in this paper. â€Å"Lord of the Flies† takes place on a deserted island where about 20 British boys have crashed during World War II. Peter Pan, dissimilarly, tells the tale of a boy who doesn’t want to grow up and lives on the magical island of Neverland with the Lost Boys. Both Lord of the Flies and Peter Pan have common themes, symbolsRead MoreKindness in an Unkind World1228 Words   |  5 PagesBeing a kind-hearted person in a savage world is not an easy thing to do. The savage world will usually get through to the kind person and change them into a monster, but not Simon. Throughout William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, Simon is the boy who remains good even when the rest of the world remains cruel. Simon is a quiet boy in the story who shows wisdom and civilization, on an uncivil ized and savage island. Simon is first introduced when Ralph calls an assembly with the conch in theRead MoreEssay about Lord of the Flies by William Golding1325 Words   |  6 Pagesof society, humans are capable of committing actions that they would have never thought possible.   Lord of the Flies focuses on a group of boys who are alone on an island without authority. The novel reveals what can become of humanity without the presence of authority.   In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the protagonist Ralph symbolizes leadership, civilization,   as well as the loss of innocence.   Ralph is the closest resemblance to authority that the boys have on the island.   His appearanceRead MoreThe Human Tendency Towards War Exemplified in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies695 Words   |  3 Pageskeep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war . . .† (Hobbes 64). Thomas Hobbes, an enlightenment thinker, believes that humans are born evil, and without a good leade r, everything will turn into chaos. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies rightly gives examples on Hobbes’ viewpoint. Throughout the story, it shows the process in which the boys slowly loses their civilized self and turn into savages, how the boys would do anything just for survival or just purely entertainment.Read MoreThe Genesis of Evil in Lord of the Flies1005 Words   |  5 Pages William Golding analyzes this further in his novel, Lord of the Flies, which is about a large group of boys that crash-land on a deserted Island after fleeing a dangerous England in the times of WWII. These young boys are used to entertain the idea of savagery vs. civilization and how evil lies deep within us all. After reading Lord of the Flies, it is possible that the evil within the boys is driven by fear, power, and the loss of innocence. To begin, fear is portrayed in one of the â€Å"Bigguns†Read MoreLoss of Innocence757 Words   |  4 PagesIt has been said that innocence can be defined as the state or quality of being morally free from guilt or sin, through lack of knowledge of evil. I will examine pieces of literature that convey the loss of innocence to either a particular person, or a group of people. The first piece of writing I have chosen is, The Lord of the Flies by William Golding. In the middle of a war, a plane carrying a group of schoolboys crashed onto an island. The pilot had been killed, so that left the boys to fendRead MoreLord Of The Flies By William Golding1206 Words   |  5 Pageshead when drastic situations arise. We see this primal characteristic of brutality slowly take hold of the boys on the island until the ‘Lord of the Flies’ has claimed it’s latest victims. Not only Simon and Piggy, but all the boys on the island. Throughout the novel, we see all the boys go from having fun and exhibiting civilized behavior to losing control at the end. â€Å"You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you.† (Golding p.143 lines 24-25). The onset of this novel was introduced as innocent as could beRead MoreThe Lord of the Flies by William Golding1257 Words   |  6 Pages LOTF: Good vs Evil Change is inevitable. In Lord of the Flies, three of the characters represent how the human condition can change. Each character handles situations and conditions differently. Their conflicts challenge their existence and eventually lead to their demise. In Lord of the Flies, during the wage of war between good and evil, the true face of everyone is revealed, whether it be Roger, Simon, or the children as a group. There are a lot of ways that good and evil are representedRead MoreLord Of The Flies : Human Savagery And The Flow Of Power1592 Words   |  7 PagesLord of the Flies is a chilling work about human savagery and the flow of power. Golding uses symbolism, characterization, and description to illustrate the occurrences and the underlying themes in the novel. The work has an ominous but irresistible tone that Golding lays out through his description of the island. Golding makes the island seem sinister and irresistible by writing,† The shore was fledged with palm trees. These stood or leaned or reclined against the light and their green feathers

Economic crisis in Nigeria free essay sample

The evolution of Nigeria was from about 1849 until it attained independence in 1960. During this period a lot of events occurred, and is largely the story of the great impact of the British on the Nigerian people. The colonial authorities (British) sought to define, protect and realize their imperial interest in the portion of West Africa because of its endowment with natural resources, apparently this occurred about hundred years ago. The British was very determined to pursue their goals which were largely economic and quite strategic. The British was involved deeply with the economic life of their colonized people. In this period the British found a huge amount of crude oil in the coastal regions, and the Greyne Goldie’s National African Company (1888) which had successfully squeezed out rivals but was later changed to the Royal Niger Company, chartered and limited. The name Nigeria sprang up in 1914, which was the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates by the then colonial secretary Flora Shore. We will write a custom essay sample on Economic crisis in Nigeria or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As time swept past, constitutions were made such as the Sir Hugh Clifford constitution of 1922, the Richards constitution of 1946, the MacPherson constitution was promulgated in 1951 and so on. From this point, the Nigerian state moved on until its independence in 1960. Now with concentration on the economy of Nigeria, it has been petroleum-based, the economy has suffered some lapses such instability, corruption, and poor macro-economic management, the economy has however strongly proven that despite all odds it is a promising one and may develop the largest economy in Africa competing with South Africa. HISTORY OF NIGERIA’S ECONOMY. (history)This a brief evaluation of Nigeria’s economy the pro-oil boom (1960-1970), the period of oil boom (1971-1977), the period of structural modification and stabilization, and the period of guided deregulation. The Nigerian economy has had an abridged history. In the period 1960-70, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded 3. 1 per cent growth yearly. During the oil boom era, roughly 1970-78, QDP grew positively by 6. 2 per cent yearly an impressive growth. However, in the 1980s, GDP had damaging growth rates. In the period 1988-1997 which constitutes the period of structural adjustment and economic liberalization, the QDP responded to economic amendment policies and grew at a positive rate of 4. 0. In the years after independence, industry and manufacturing zones had positive growth rates except for the period 1980-1988 where industry and manufacturing grew negatively by 3. 2 per cent and 2. 9 per cent respectively. In the early 1960s, the agricultural sector suffered from low commodity prices while the oil boom contributed to the negative growth of agriculture in the 1970s. The boom in the oil sector lured labor away from the rural sector to urban centers. The impact of agriculture to GDP, which was 63 percent in 1960, deteriorated to 34 per cent in 1988, not because the industrial sector increased its share but due to neglect of the agricultural sector. It was therefore not surprising that by 1975, the economy had become a net importer of basic food items. The apparent increase in industry and manufacturing from 1978 to 1988, was due to activities in the mining sub-sector, especially petroleum. Capital formation in the economy has not been satisfactory. Gross domestic investment as a percentage of GDP, which was 16. 3 per cent and 22. 8 per cent in the periods 1965-73 and 1973-80 respectively, decreased to almost 14 per cent in 1980-88 and increased to 18. 2 per cent in 1991 -98. Gross National Saving has been low and consists mostly of public savings especially during the period 1973-80. The current account balances before official transfers are negative for 1965-73, 1980-88 and 1991-98. Unemployment rates averaged almost 5 per cent for the period 1976-1998. However, the statistics especially on unemployment, must be interpreted with caution. Most job seekers do not use the labor exchanges, apart from the inherent distortions in the countrys labor market. Based on some basic indicators, it appears that the economy performed well during the years immediately after independence and into the oil boom years. However, in the 1980s the economy was in a recession. The on-going economic reform programmer is an attempt to put the economy on a recovery path with minimal inflation. The analysis that follows tries to discuss the developments in the economy for different periods. YearsPercent 1960-703. 1 1965-7816. 3 1970-786. 2 1973-8016. 3 1980-886. 1 1988-974 Figure 1 history of Nigeria’s economy This graph explains the above History. CURRENT STATE OF NIGERIA’S ECONOMY (142)Failure of the military to diversify the economy, Nigeria’s economy has overdependence on the capital-intensive oil sector, which in real sense actually provides less than 25% of the GDP despite providing 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and also about 65% of government revenues. Although it’s a large exporter of raw food produce and also a larger importer of it’s already processed food and therefore the agricultural sector has not been able to keep up with its rapidly growing population. Because of the crushing poverty, the Nigerian economy is struggling to leverage the country’s vast wealth in fossil fuels. The term â€Å"resource curse† is tagged on countries that although has vast wealth is still struggling with extreme personal poverty, such as Nigeria. Reportedly, 80 percent of the revenue flows to the government, another 16 percent cover operational cost whilst the 4 percent left goes to the investors but the World Bank has proven this wrong as 80 percent is for the government and 1 percent for its population. TRENDS OF NIGERIAN ECONOMY. (trends)According to the trading economy of Nigeria it gives a brief review of the recent trends in Nigeria, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Nigeria elongated 7. 67 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Growth Rate in Nigeria is reported by the Central Bank of Nigeria. From 2005 until 2013, Nigeria GDP Growth Rate be an average of 6. 8 Percent reaching an all-time high of 8. 6 Percent in December of 2010 and a record low of 4. 5 Percent in March of 2009. Nigeria is one of the most technologically advanced countries in Africa. Agriculture is the largest sector of the economy, accounting for about 42 percent of total GDP. Yet, the fastest growing segments are Wholesale and Retail Trade and Telecommunication and Post. Together they account for almost 35 percent of total output. The third most important sector is Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas which institutes 13. 5 percent of total weight, but its influence to GDP have been diminishing over the last two years. Industry and Construction account for the remaining 9. 5 percent of the GDP. This page provides Nigeria GDP Growth Rate actual values, chronological data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. The economy trend of Nigeria also drew some attention to its agricultural sector and also according to intercontinental food policy research institute it has stated the following Agriculture is the economic mainstay of the majority of households in Nigeria (Udoh, 2000) and is a significant sector in Nigeria’s economy (Amaza, 2000). (tradingeconomics. com) FUTURE OF NIGERIAN ECONOMY. (google)Nigerian economy has a bright end ahead of them as the already have the aim of becoming Africa’s largest economy after the leading country South Africa. The future of the Nigerian economy has been visualized by the nation’s encyclopedia Nigerias prospects for sustainable economic growth are mixed. Despite current hardships, Nigeria represents an essential market in Africa with its vast human and natural resources. Its revenues from both the recent and ongoing reclamation in oil prices and the export of liquefied natural gas should help to rebuild the nations traumatized socio-economic infrastructure. The anti-corruption legislation, rigorously enforced, should help to reestablish transparency and responsibility into economic decisions, which would boost national and international investor confidence in the nation. Nigeria has many impediments on its road to sustainable development. Earnings from non-oil exports are unlikely to improve significantly because of the high cost of production. Acrimony between the administrative and legislative arms of the government continue relentlessly to the detriment of collective and decisive action. Throbbing and costly fuel shortages, caused by the inability of Nigerias dilapidated refineries to produce anywhere near capacity, restrain the nation. Inter-ethnic and religious conflicts continue to take their tolls in human lives and physical assets of the nation. Unemployment, especially among college graduates, has reached excruciating levels. Armed robbery and crime constitute a present hazard to the economy. These impairments must be more determinedly addressed to enhance Nigerias chances for growth and development. CONCULSION Scott Rogers, IMF Mission Chief for Nigeria, issued today in Abuja the following statement: â€Å"The Nigerian economy weathered the global economic recession and domestic banking crisis remarkably well. Real Gross Domestic Product growth this year is expected to be exceptionally high on the back of a strong recovery in oil production and continued strong growth in other sectors. However, inflation remains stubbornly high and international reserves continue to fall as the authorities support the exchange rate. â€Å"â€Å"It recommends that expenditures be reallocated from recurrent to capital projects to support economic growth. The medium-term fiscal policy for all levels of government should be anchored by a strong oil-price rule which would align government spending with available resources. â€Å"The team recommended that the CBN conduct monetary policy with a view to reducing inflation to a single-digit level. In this regard, the team supported the recent increase in the monetary policy rate, but noted that the CBN needs to make better use of open market operations to make its policy rate effective. The team understood the concern about the stagnation of aggregate credit to the private sector. Slower growth in credit is not unexpected in the aftermath of the unsustainable credit growth driven by equity-related lending. Efforts to boost lending to small businesses should be promoted through targeted reforms, such as an effective credit risk bureau, better collateral execution and bankruptcy procedures, and improved land tenure system. â€Å"Key target in the Vision 20:2020 strategy is to transform Nigeria into a one of the world’s top 20 economies by the year 2020. However, achieving the high level of public investment outlined in the strategy will require a major shift in public resources from recurrent to capital spending, substantial increase non-oil revenue, and substantial expansion in budget implementation capacity. It will be very important, therefore, that the public capital projects be clearly prioritized in the event that fiscal resources are inadequate to fully implement the Vision. †

The Great Gatsby Total Analysis Essay Example

The Great Gatsby Total Analysis Essay Perhaps F. Scott Fitzgeralds greatest work, The Great Gatsby is not only a great story, but an insight into the flaws of real life during the Roaring Twenties. His book has been considered by many a symbol for the Jazz Age, a time of extraordinary wealth and promise, but Fitzgeralds novel is much more than that, presenting the truth behind the twenties and creating an atmosphere which has earned a permanent place in American literature. Fitzgeralds novel works on many different levels, giving us unforgettable characters and events on one, as well as referring to the problems of American wealth and spirituality on another. However, what is the main point of the book? And most importantly, what on earth is that mysterious green light? Those questions, as well as many others will be answered in this analysis, which will discuss the underlying meaning and symbolism behind The Great Gatsby. I didnt call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone he stretched out his arms towards the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness. (16) So ends the first chapter of The Great Gatsby and brings to our attention the first symbol in this book that mysterious green light. In our first acquaintance with the light, we see Gatsby reaching out for it, almost, in a way, worshipping it. We find out later that this green light is at the end of Daisys dock, and is a symbol for Gatsbys dream and the hope for the future. We will write a custom essay sample on The Great Gatsby Total Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Great Gatsby Total Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Great Gatsby Total Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Green is the color of promise, hope, and renewal so it is fitting that Gatsbys dream of a future with Daisy be represented physically in the novel by this green light. Later, in the final chapter of this novel, Fitzgerald compares Gatsbys green light to the green breast of the new world (115), comparing Gatsbys dream of rediscovering Daisy to the explorers discovery of America and the promise of a new continent. However, Gatsbys dream is tarnished by his material possessions, much like America is now with our obsession with wealth. The means corrupt the end, nd Gatsbys dream dies because of Daisy, Gatsby, and Toms carelessness and superficiality, as does Gatsby for the same reasons. At the end of the first chapter we are given the green light, a symbol for the hope and promise of the future. At the beginning of the second chapter, however, we are introduced to the foul wasteland of the present. Fitzgerald calls it a valley of ashes (16), where only the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg lo ok over it from a billboard nearby. This section of the novel can be interpreted as the foul, material-driven world that the main characters live in, and which helps to destroy Gatsbys dream. The eyes of Dr. Eckleburg symbolize in this chapter advertising and materialism gone mad, one of the central themes of the plot. Later in the book, right before the climax, Daisy tells Gatsby that he reminds her of an advertisement. This statement confirms that Daisy does not like Gatsby for himself, but for the superficial illusion he represents. On a larger scale, it is through advertising that the material aspects of the American Dream are revealed. Hence, it only makes sense that Fitzgerald would use references to advertising throughout the course of his novel. Also in advertising, eternal youth, wealth, and beauty are constantly emphasized, which goes along with Gatsbys youthful dream of Daisy and explains why Fitzgerald never has to develop his characters. Fitzgeralds novel is only one big advertisement, with all the characters involved living with eternal youth, wealth, and beauty that never develop in part because advertisements never develop. Later on in The Great Gatsby, George Wilson, after seeing his wife die in a tragic car accident, gives the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg a whole new meaning. Wilson, a very non-religious man, compares the doctors eyes to those of God, watching over him through the foul dust and desolate wasteland in which the novel is set. This is only one of many religious overtones mentioned or hinted at by Fitzgerald throughout The Great Gatsby. At the end of the first chapter, we see Gatsby reaching out for the green light, almost in the attitude of a worshiper. This is the first suggestion Fitzgerald gives us that Gatsbys quest for Daisy is more than just a physical endeavor, but a spiritual one as well. During the flashback in chapter seven, when Gatsby first met Daisy, his mind is compared to the mind of God, which will never act the same again if he kisses her. A chapter earlier, Nick writes the following concerning why Gatsby changed his name: He was a son of God a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that and he must be about His Fathers business, the service of a vast, vulgar, and meretricious beauty. So he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end. (63) Gatsby, by changing his name, in a way creates himself anew, making his life more like that of God. In chapter eight, we find two instances of religious imagery. Daisy is compared to the Holy Grail and Gatsbys dream is like a knights quest, showing once again the dreams spiritual nature. Also in this chapter, we see Gatsby, after the car accident, looking over Daisy from her yard, trying to protect her. His watch over her window is compared to a vigil, and while Nick talked to Gatsby that night, he sensed that his presence was ruining the sacredness of the moment. However, Gatsbys vigil was over nothing Daisy was never in her room that night much like Gatsbys dream is over a nonexistent person. The Daisy he met and fell in love with years ago is not the same person anymore, and as much as Gatsby thinks that he can repeat the past, in the real world it is proven to be impossible. On one level, Fitzgerald gives us Gatsbys dream as a spiritual quest, but on another level, we find out that this is yet another reason why his dream fails. His faith is misplaced, because the object of his quest is nothing more than Daisy Buchanan. In turn, Fitzgerald is saying that the spirituality of America is misplaced because of our obsession with material wealth, which creates a sort of national delusion. When the early explorers first came to America, escaping the corruption of their old world in search of the promise of a new world, they traveled from east to west. Now, America itself is corrupted, so the characters in The Great Gatsby travel from west to east in search of wealth and sophistication leaving the moral values and stability of the west behind. It is this eastern part which is called a valley of ashes by Fitzgerald, a place where morals are left out and only superficial, material-driven people can live in peace. Fitzgerald uses this change in direction as a symbol for the deterioration of American ideals and the American Dream, helping to prove that our quest for wealth and sophistication is corrupting our culture, and causing us to live in a wasteland of morals an ash heap of civilization. All these previous symbols the green light, the ash heap, and the east and west have one thing in common: change. Change is apparent in both the action and the underlying meaning and symbols of the novel. From the basic storyline, we find three major instances of change. First, all major characters change where they live, with Tom and Daisy a prime example moving frequently from place to place throughout their life before arriving at East Egg. Also, Gatsby changes his name, which allows him to start his life from scratch and make it more like that of God all in the ultimate goal of attaining Daisy. And finally we have the changing of the seasons, which symbolically correspond to changes in the storyline during The Great Gatsby. On one level, Fitzgerald writes these elements of change in the action of the novel, but on another level, he hints at change symbolically. The green light is a symbol for hope and promise a hope that the ash heap of the present will change to that of a great future, where dreams come true and the American Dream is realized. Overlooking this ash heap of the present are the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, which change in meaning throughout the novel. In chapter two, they symbolize materialism and advertising gone mad, showing how corrupt the American Dream and American idealism have become. However, later in the novel his eyes are compared to those of God changing their meaning to a more spiritual one symbolizing how American spirituality has been corrupted by our quest for wealth and material possessions. We also see a change in travel in Gatsby from the traditional east-west direction to the opposite movement from west to east which symbolizes the corruption in America today. People now move from stable, moral environments in the west to the lavish, highly superficial wealth of the east an east which is characterized by Fitzgerald as the ash heap of civilization. With all this change in The Great Gatsby, only one character changes throughout the course of the novel: Nick. Gatsby cannot change because his life is based on a dream he set for himself as a youth and Tom and Daisy cannot develop because their life is one big advertisement, living in eternal youth, beauty, and wealth. Nick however, changes a great deal throughout the novel which we see most prominently in two statements he makes. At the end of chapter three, Nick states: Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known. (39) He later corrects this statement, during a conversation with Jordan Baker, saying: Im thirty. Im five years too old to lie to myself and call it honour (113). He develops enough in this story to realize that he is not above the rest of the characters, and is capable of lies and superficiality as well. What saves, or sets Nick apart from the rest, however, may have been his realization of his thirtieth birthday. At the climax of the novel, Nick kind of awkwardly throws in the fact (right in the middle of the big argument) that its his thirtieth birthday. However, this is actually a relevant detail for the conversation. The age of thirty is symbolic for the passing of youth or the passing of innocence. Hence, the turning point in Nicks life occurs simultaneously with the turning point in Gatsbys the termination of his youthful dream. Some could even say that Nicks character develops in that statement on that day alone with his passing of youth. It is fitting that Nick be the only character that Fitzgerald develops in The Great Gatsby, because as the narrator, Nick uses symbols of change to correspond to his own character development. All the following symbols in The Great Gatsby, when put together, give us the main theme or point that Fitzgerald is trying to make that American idealism and spirituality have been corrupted by material possessions and wealth. Gatsbys dream fails because of his material wealth he must possess to accomplish it. In this respect, Gatsby fails before he even begins showing the unforgiving nature of a land characterized by Fitzgerald as a wasteland of ashes. This ash heap is the present, the terrible time where The Great Gatsby takes place a time which all hope is lost for he future, and Gatsbys sacred green light becomes nothing more than just a light at the end of Daisys dock. Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but thats no matter tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther †¦ And one fine morning So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past. (115) Ceaselessly into the past, because the future is far too grim to imagine. Hope is lost, but thats no matter, we will still keep trying and who knows, one day maybe we can accomplish