A review of multiculturalism and the need for tolerance as discussed in the book "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America," written by Ronald Takaki.
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the book "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America," written by Ronald Takaki. Specifically, it summarizes parts three and four of the book, which focus on "distances" between cultures and "crossings" and what the mirror may hold for the future. The paper concludes with Takaki's advice that we all came from different shores in the beginning and that our stories and history have many more commonalities than differences.
From the Paper "Mexican migrant workers form another facet of this multicultural mirror in America. They too crossed the border into America hoping for opportunity and jobs. What they found, like so many others, was backbreaking work in the fields of the West. This section indicates how Chicano and American workers were paid far different wages, even doing the same jobs, and they, also like many others, created their own communities, the barrios, where they felt comfortable and secure. They also worked in a number of other low-paying professions, and often sent money home to their relatives to support them. The compelling issue among all these immigrants is their desire for a better life, and their need to retain at least some of their own culture. This seems to be the biggest problem with Americans, who expect immigrants to immediately become Americanized and forget their old lives and cultures. For many, this is simply not possible and desirable. The mirror is different for all, and that is one of the strongest points the author makes throughout this section of the book."
Abstract This paper discusses the Ancient Egyptian's mysterious religious practices and their views of life after death and explains their traditions associated with death and burial. The paper discusses the structure and purpose of the ancient Egyptian tomb (mastaba). The paper also looks at how the Egyptians believed that the dead possessed supernatural powers. The paper further discusses how the ancient Egyptians envisioned the afterlife and explains how they mummified the bodies of the wealthy.
From the Paper "At every stage of their history the ancient Egyptians believed that their spirits survived death and that in order for this to occur their corpses must be preserved at all costs. The desire for eternal life sprang from a deep passion for life and a wish to see it continue beyond the grave. The Egyptians began their preparations for the afterlife with their tombs (Dersin 138). The tomb itself could be a simple mud brick structure, a rock- cut chamber or a massive temple complex (Dersin 139). The ancient Egyptian tomb was considered the eternal resting place for the body and funerary goods, both of which were believed vital for rebirth and survival in the afterlife. The most splendid monuments were luxuries that only the king, his family and officials, and the wealthiest members of society could afford (Ghalin, Oakes 421)."
Tags: mummification, pyramid, tomb, kingdom, afterlife, eternal, life
Abstract This paper examines the transformation of the traditional American family and the impact of the non-traditional family in today's world. The paper explains that the non-traditional family is called a "blended family" and is more prevalent today than thirty years ago because divorce rates are rising and remarriages are much more common. The paper notes that significant changes are occurring in the marriage patterns in the United States, as individuals are postponing marriage until later in life and more people are choosing not to get married. The paper also points out that the area where change is most apparent centers around patterns of child-bearing. The paper then discusses the various types of non-traditional families. The paper contends that , for all types of non-traditional families, the changes will only come from shifts in cultural prejudices and this kind of change will be slow, but there are signs that some preliminary movement is beginning to take place.
From the Paper "The image of the American family looks and functions very differently than families of the past few decades. Men and women raised in the 1960's and 1970's when programs such as "Ozzie and Harriet" and "Father Knows Best" exemplify the average family, are likely to find themselves in situations that have changed dramatically. Research claims that many family structures are common: single-parent families, remarried couples, unmarried couples, step families, foster families, multi-generational families, extended families, and the doubling up of two families within the same home. Marriage, divorce, and patterns of childbirth are some of the factors that have contributed to these significant changing families. With these changes come the possibility of remarriage and the creation of new families which bring together parents and children without blood ties."
Tags: divorce, remarriage, cultural, prejudice, child-bearing, population
An examination of the origins of female genital mutilation and the reasons why mankind has an obligation to ensure that adolescent females are protected from undergoing this barbaric procedure.
Abstract The paper discusses female genital mutilation, or 'circumcision' and states that it is a deeply-rooted cultural and religious practice found in African countries,parts of the Middle East and Asia. The paper states that the custom, although seemingly barbaric to many westernized countries, is seen as a rite of passage into womanhood, as making a young woman marriageable, as a means to curb sexual desire among adolescents before marriage, and as a protection for virginity. The paper then gives insights into the medical complications it causes, the ethical considerations nurses face regarding the procedure and argues that nurses have a legal and ethical obligation to ensuring that these young girls and adolescent females are protected from undergoing a procedure that will change their lives forever.
From the Paper "As Muslim women living in a third world country, 90% of northern Sudanese women are subjected to FGM as a cultural and religious rite of passage (Almroth et al., 2005, p.385). Girls may be circumcised at any time from infancy through adolescence, and even occasionally as mature adults. As a result, these women bring with them a unique set of potentially serious medical consequences with regard to obstetric and gynecological care when they enter the healthcare system in the United States. These consequences include not only shock and hemorrhage in the short term, but infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease in the long term. Therefore, these women must be assessed with both medical and cultural sensitivity when they are accessing the health care system."
Tags: female, genital, mutilation, women's, health
Abstract This paper looks at how the Sundance ritual is an ancient and primitive pain ritual, designed to test men's bravery and ability to withstand piercing and dancing in the sun for four days without food, water, or rest in exchange for the protection of the Great Spirit and how it is an individual ordeal of sacrifice, discipline, and spiritual awareness. In particular, the paper examines how the dance has become more spiritual and even political due to the current circumstances of its practitioners, namely a very marginalized group of indigenous people living in conditions of poverty and suffering from a number of problems such as alcoholism and loss of group identity due to assimilation pressures and political oppression.
From the Paper "The Sun Dance itself is four days long and takes place in early summer, but is prepared for throughout the year. The sacred tree that forms the central pole is selected as soon as the prior Sun Dance ends, and is continually prepared until the ritual. The entire community takes part in various aspects of the ritual, including women and children, although only men are pierced. On each of the four days, chants to the four directions are performed, healings are performed, and those who have pledged are pierced and tied to the central pole until their flesh gives way. Although they do retain the practice of flesh offerings, they no longer fast the entire time, but only from midnight to noon. "
From the Paper "One thousand years later in the Viking Age, Nordic paganism developed into its highest form with ritual practices divination and temple worship. The decline of Nordic paganism came about at the end of the Viking era as a direct result of vast economic, political and ideological interaction with Christians and the subsequent empowerment of Christian priests by the Nordic kings. However, many aspects of Nordic paganism continued to survive through its literary legacies, as well as in Scandinavian folk tradition. Nordic culture can give us valuable insight into the formation and development of the Germanic people as a whole. In turn, understanding Nordic culture can assist us in examination of the Germanic scriptures known primarily as the Eddas. This in turn enables us to examine the hero archetypes of Germanic Paganism."
From the Paper "Their book is a blend of archaeology, anthropology, and astronomy and encompasses both the historical world and the mythical world of the Maya. It spans three thousand years, fro-m the Olmec civilization, through the various periods of the, pre-conquest Maya civilization up to the present day. Not only does their book shed light on the religion and culture of the ancient Maya, it also shows a definite continuance and connection between ancient and modern day practices. "
An examination of the problem of overpopulation in the near future, through various theories and experiments. The U.S.A, third in population, is compared to other populated countries such as India and China under a number of categories.
2,981 words (approx. 11.9 pages), 15 sources, 2000, $ 88.95
Abstract This paper examines the problem that overpopulation will pose in the near future. It examines several theories and predictions on this problem, ranging from the Book of Genesis to Thomas Malthus's mathematical hypothesis. Furthermore, the paper analyses several experiments done on the subject, proving how serious the problem is. The United States, third in population, is compared to other populated countries such as India and China in numerous aspects, including: population, industrialization, health, food supply, etc.
An examination of the book, not only about chocolate, but about the connection of 'human history', including religion, art, war, food, sex, politics, medicine, agriculture, environmental issues, weather, economics, and geography.
2,350 words (approx. 9.4 pages), 3 sources, 1999, $ 72.95
From the Paper "The late Sophie Coe's book, "The True History of Chocolate" which her husband Michael Coe completed after her death is a history of the journey of chocolate from its origins in the lowland jungles of southern Mexico to the European continent, its future African and Indian colonies, finally returning full circle to the Americas. But the journey of chocolate is only one of the many aspects portrayed in their book. By using chocolate as the vehicle, the Coes have also exposed the 'human history' that is intimately connected to this journey. A journey that progresses through three thousand years in time as well as spanning most of the world."
From the Paper "The philosophical question of "What is religion"? has been answered in countless manners throughout the course of human existence, each striving to place their own beliefs above the last, or the next. But the complexity of religion can best be seen in how each parallels or absorbs part of another. Nowhere can this be better seen than in the organization of the Christian Church, which simply assimilated what it could not destroy. And so, elements of pre-Christian Europe survive even today under a thin guise of holiness. "
A comparison of the Pueblo culture and the Hispanic culture found in the American Southwest, concerning their cultural differences in their practice of witchcraft.
4,640 words (approx. 18.6 pages), 13 sources, 1999, $ 120.95
From the Paper "There is a virtually universal belief that humans are able to use super- natural techniques to bring about misfortunes such as illness, death, loss of a spouse, or loss of property and on the lighter side, these techniques can also be used to create love potions and the retrieval of a lost heart. These supernatural abilities are commonly attributed to the practice of witchcraft and although there is no definitive definition for witchcraft, it seems that because it is a universal belief the only apparent differences in this belief system are found within the traditions particular to each specific culture. These traditional belief variances can be seen when comparing the Pueblo culture and the Hispanic culture found in the American Southwest. Although these two cultures exist side by side, the cultural practices concerning witch craft are definitely different, with the only similarities being of Spanish origin."
Tags: cults, folklore, indians, luis, myth, pueblo, san, spanish, valley
A look at the archaeological, historical, and prehistorical evidence that spans 2,500 years of Near East human history that Gerda Lerner uses to build a multicausal theory concerning the development and creation of the existing patriarchal system.
1,300 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 4 sources, 1999, $ 43.95
From the Paper "Within this framework, she does a meticulous and in-depth job of mapping out and defining the progression that at first led to the subordination of women and then later to the subordination of humans that is found in racism, classism, and slavery. By using historical evidence Lerner also shows that female subordination is in fact a historical process and not a natural, biological predisposition of inferiority and following along these lines, the belief that what is created, can be changed."
From the Paper "Jung's collaborative work, "Man and his Symbols", examines man's relationship to his own unconscious and the symbols found within. Jung believes that our unconscious communicates with us through dreams; dreams that are as individualized as we are. Thus the interpretation of dreams, is entirely personal and individual. Throughout this book, dreams are treated as direct, personal, and meaningful communications that while interpreted personally by the individual, they are also expressed through a symbolism that is common to all mankind. Jung concluded that the forms which the archetypal experience takes in each individual may be infinite in their variations, but like alchemical symbols, religious symbols, literature and art motifs, and mythical symbols, they are all variants of certain central types and they occur universally in basic motifs and themes that are only seen differently because each group, society, or culture has its own particular symbols of expression, as does each individual. "
From the Paper "One of the largest transformations in family life over the last decades has been the rise of the dual-earner family. The number of families which are dual-earner, married couple households has increased dramatically, having overtaken "traditional" breadwinner/homemaker families in number as early as the mid-70s, continuing into even through the late 1980s and 1990s. Despite the phenomenal growth in this segment of the population, very little has been done to meet the growing needs of dual-earner families. With the prevalence of mothers and fathers in the work force, inevitably we find that there is a conflict. Caregivers in the workforce face the difficult decision to choose between their family and their jobs, and unfortunately, most employers do not do enough to help."
Tags: squeeze, time, family, values, dual, earner, century
From the Paper "Dennis and Barbara Tedlock have dedicated a significant portion of their lives studying both the ancient Maya and the contemporary Maya of Guatemala. Each is an expert in their own right and each is able to shed light on the mysteries of the Maya people. They both draw their information from the field of archaeology, pre-Spanish chronicles, and contemporary beliefs. When looked at together, the Tedlock's, books create a living picture of both the ancient Maya and the contemporary Maya of Guatemala. "
Tags: archaeology, astronomy, myth, ruins, tedlock, time, maya, culture, history, indian
