Abstract This paper debates the topic of euthanasia or assisted suicide for those that are dying and suffering constant and severe pain. This can range from cancer to AIDS patients. It examines the current laws in America today in various states regarding euthanasia and discusses whether assisted suicide should be legalized and if it was, who would make the final decision, the patient, the doctor or the court.
From the Paper "An elderly woman in her eighty's lies in the hospital bed with severe pain and anguish. Her husband quietly holds her hand. She begs the doctor to take her life so she is not such a financial burden to her husband and she won?t hurt anymore. Tears flow down her cheeks as she says, ?I am going to die with cancer anyway. I want to die with dignity.? What position should nurses take when it comes to this delicate subject? If you were a physician, would you assist in her death? The population of terminally ill patients can be defined as a patient who has no chance of recovering from an illness that are "suffering constant and severe pain" (Bopp and Coleson 1999). This can range from cancer to AIDS."
Abstract This paper discusses Nadine Gordimer's "Once Upon a Time", which looks at issues of prejudice and discrimination. The author focuses on reasons for Gordimer's success and her understanding of racial conflict. Her work includes both fiction and non-fiction and she won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for Literature.
From the Paper "Once upon a time by Nadine Gordimer provides valuable insights about prejudice and discrimination that can be applied to any society, how individuals can take responsibility in reducing societal misunderstandings. The story illustrates the irony in thinking that building fences provides security and solves societal problems. The story asks readers to consider the fences that every society builds. Nadine Gordimer, a white South African, won the 1991 Nobel Prize for literature. Born in 1923, she grew up amidst the turmoil of the beginnings of apartheid policies."
This paper discusses the Iroquis, a branch of North American Indians who belonged to the Hokan-Siouan linguistic family: Prominent role of women, religion, economics, food and mistreatment by whites and the government.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 5 sources, 1983, $ 47.95
From the Paper The Iroquois were a branch of North American Indians who belonged to the Hokan-Siouan linguistic family. They were the initiators of the Iroquois Confederacy, or Iroquois League, a North American Indian confederation consisting of five nations joined together for greater strength, commerce and survival: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca (founded 1570). Around 1722, the Tuscarora joined the League, and these people inhabited what is now the north and west sides of New York's Hudson River. These Indians numbered 5,500, and materially, politically and militarily their culture was the most advanced in the Eastern Woodlands..
The Iroquois conceived of themselves as living in a metaphorical "longhouse" in which each nation had a role. For example, the Mohawks guarded the eastern door. By allowing ... "
From the Paper "In the novel Famous All Over Town, Danny Santiago writes about the barrio in East Los Angeles, a whole world away from the experience of most of the residents of the city. The author details the life of this subculture, how it has developed as a reflection of the culture of Mexico and how the original culture is challenged and altered in the American context. The life of the barrio is presented here as difficult and even dangerous, producing generation after generation of angry and defiant youth who strike back at all of society for the world into which they have been born. One of the themes in this novel related to the production of these angry young people is parenting and the way young people come to see their parents in a new light as they (the children) grow up and measure their reality against the ideal they have been taught and against the image projected by ... "
This paper analyzes ethical, public policy and political issues surrounding California Proposition 187's (a measure that denies illegal immigrants access to public education and to all health services save emergency care) passage and its possible effects
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 13 sources, 1995, $ 63.95
From the Paper "On November 8, 1994, California voters enacted ballot Proposition 187, a measure that denies illegal immigrants access to public education and to all health services save emergency care. The winning margin was 59 percent. Although implementation of the measure was blocked by an injunction on November 16, scarcely a week after the vote, the measure has already had a number of reported effects, ranging from increased racial harassment of Latinos to the failure of an anticipated increase in illegal immigration from the interior of Mexico to materialize, in spite of that country's economic crisis.
More generally, the controversy over Proposition 187, which was only sharpened by passage of the measure, has brought ... "
Abstract A discussion of the Yanomami Indians who are shielded by forests, live in almost complete seclusion and are believed to be the last culture to have come into contact with the modern world. This paper examines their family and kinship, food gathering, religion, and their uncertain future. The author also looks at how modernization has already changed much of their traditional lifestyle.
From the Paper "The Yanomami have nuclear families, with what anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon calls a ?male supremacist culture.? Despite the fact that there are more males than females, they prefer sons to daughters, especially as firstborn children. In fact, a firstborn girl may be killed, while a son is usually allowed to live. Furthermore, even though there are not even enough women for each man, 25 percent of the men practice polygyny (Kottak 201).
The Yanomami live in small, concentrated villages, where several nuclear or extended families live under circular shelters called shabono. There could be as much as 65 people living in a shingle shabono, relatives by consanguinity or alliance (Chagnon 1997: 56)."
Abstract Study and investigation on the role and treatment of women in Islam nations show that Muslim societies and nations generally disregard the inalienable rights of women, as set out by the United Nations on Women's Rights. This stance is developed and proved in the paper, by discussing what these "inalienable" rights of women are and what steps feminist movements have taken for the preservation of the good welfare of women in these kind of societies.
From the Paper "Another article from the said issue of TIME Magazine is an article titled "The Women of Islam" by Lisa Beyer. This article offers a summarized view and report on the treatment of women in various Islamic nations. Iran is said to be "progressing" towards a greater consideration of the society towards its women by gradually removing the practice of segregation between men and women in public places; Malaysia now allows women to obtain and secure professions that are previously held exclusively by men, such as public (political) and corporate positions, although women are still required to wear head coverings; Egypt is allowing women to be granted divorce on her own initiative, although there are still restrictions, such as not being able to "leave the country without her husband's permission"; Saudi Arabia remains oppressive and discriminatory with its laws against women such as the prohibition for women to ?drive cars or fly anywhere without permission,? segregation in sex for job opportunities, and covering one's self completely in public; Pakistan also violates women rights by giving them an unfair hearing and trial during rape cases, wherein men are always favored against that of women; and lastly, Turkey is considered the most liberal Muslim nation today because of the equal opportunities it provides for women and men, such as the equal opportunity to acquire education, jobs, and other privileges of the country's citizens (Beyer 200140-7)."
Abstract This paper discusses the Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism views of the Holocaust which the author points out affected not only the Jews but also many other groups of people. The author states that many Nazi activities were sadistic torment which Christianity views as sinful; Islam does not condone torture and Buddhism vehemently opposes. The author believes that of the three religions, the reaction of Christians in Germany may be the most troublesome.
From the Paper "Given that the Holocaust was a multicultural and multi-religious event, it is interesting to consider how some major religions might view the events. Christianity teaches that all murder is against the law of God. However, most Christian religions allow the execution of criminals by state governments. This is why we have individuals who protest executions but rarely hear about entire denominations protesting such events. So then, would Christian religions condone the events of the Holocaust because it was an event sponsored by the German government?"
Abstract Discusses the relationship between fear and racial or ethnic discrimination as complicated. Connection to one's cultural world and values. Forms of discrimination against African Americans (workplace, community) & against other ethnic groups. Fear of social violence. Low self-esteem and the emotion of fear, and fear based on concrete situations. How differences trigger fear. Police reactions.
From the Paper "The emotion of fear is an essential part of human development and experience. For adults, fear sends crucial messages to the mind about potential dangers and reflects an individual's emotional vulnerability about certain issues or situations (Owen, 1998, p. 483). Various individuals can develop a wide range of fears towards many objects and situations, such as fear of heights and open spaces. However, while some fears can be considered a regular part of a healthy normal life, fears that are related to abuse and discriminatory situations can have a debilitating effect on the overall well-being of the individuals concerned (Owen, 1998, p. 483). In this essay, the complex connection between the emotion of fear and discrimination will be explored. Racial or ethnic discrimination is used because it is also manifested in other forms of..."
Abstract Describes his vital role in defending the indigenous peoples of the New World. His life as a missionary, historian and theologian. How his writings exposed the evil mistreatment of Indians by the Spanish. How his writings created The Black Legend. Criticism of his one-sided view of Indians and Spaniards.
From the Paper "This study will explore the vital role played by Bartolome de las Casas (1474-1566) in defending the rights of the indigenous peoples of the New World. While it is not accurate to say that he was the "savior of the Indians from Spanish cruelty," he certainly played a role in limiting that cruelty, risking much in doing so. Historical controversy continues to swirl around his life and works centuries after his death. While some critics argue that he was not the radical reformer he is pictured as being by his admirers, it is nevertheless clear that considering the harsh colonial era in which he lived, in which indigenous peoples were conventionally seen as less than human, de las Casas was indeed a brave supporter and defender of those people. One of the most compelling aspects of de las Casas's story is the learning process he himself went through as he awakened to ..."
Abstract A breakdown of clashes between Arabs and Jews from 1948 until Prime Minister Barak's time. The Palestine question is discussed as well as how different Arab groups formed and why each direct confrontation came about.
From the Paper "Tensions between Arabs and Jews extend back centuries, but the modern conflict begins with the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, after which there was fighting between the newly declared state and her Arab neighbors, and in 1949 the fighting ended with armistice agreements between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Israel as a state developed out of the Palestinian question. When the British wanted to turn the state of Palestine over to the United Nations, a solution to the issue of what people would reside in Palestine was reached in the form of partition. Jerusalem would be made an international city in which there would be free access for worship in Christian, Islamic, and Jewish shrines and holy places. The Jews accepted the partition, but the Arabs did not, feeling that the agreement actually gave Jewish landowners more than 50 percent of Palestine. After the war and the creation of the state of Israel, Israel now controlled half of Jerusalem, and nearly 60 percent of the Palestinians had been uprooted from their homes. Displaced Palestinians lived in crude refugee camps, and the remaining Palestinians lived within the 22.6 percent of the territory the Israeli's had failed to capture (Neff 23-24).
Israel thus began in conflict with her neighbors, and tensions continued during the years following the creation of the Israeli state. During this same era, the United States and the Soviet Union each became embroiled in the conflict, forced to choose sides and to become more and more enmeshed in Middle Eastern politics. Direct confrontation occurred in 1956, 1967, and 1973 (Neff 27). After the Sinai Campaign of 1956, there was a period of relative quiet along the Israel-Egypt border, in part because of the presence of the United Nations. This did not mean that the conflict was ended, however, and within a year of the "settlement" of the 1956 dispute, the Arab world experienced a series of upheavals (Herzog 145-146)."
Tags: confrontation, Middle, East, Palestine, Israel
This paper examines the issue of hate crimes, acts of violence directed against people because of their racial, religious, ethnic, gender or sexual identity.
Abstract This paper analyzes why hate crimes are more harmful than traditional crimes, the problems with reporting and the changes necessary to determine the true scope of the problem with an emphasis on hate crimes committed on college campuses. The paper includes a legal discussion based on the idea that proponents of hate crime laws argue that additional penalties are warranted because crimes, motivated by bias, cause a greater harm to the victim and to society than crimes where the victim's status is not a factor. The author feels that the data on hate crimes is so woefully inadequate that it is worthless for comparative purposes and for making policy recommendations.
Introduction
Hate Crimes Defined
Why Hate Crimes Matter
How Bias Crimes are Measured
Hate Crimes Data
Hate Crimes on College Campuses
Conclusion
From the Paper "Of course, those definitions are just the beginning. Many groups push for a more expansive definition, or argue that this definition includes crimes that the FBI does not count. For example, some argue that rape is a hate crime. Other groups counter that the definition should not include sexual orientation. Regardless of what is included, it is important to note that the crime is based on the attacker's perception. Thus, if the attacker hates Jews, and attacks someone based on the belief they are Jewish, the attacker is still guilty of a hate crime even if the victim turns out not to be Jewish."
Abstract The writer looks at the characteristics of Koreans who have immigrated to America, first giving a history of the waves of immigration and their level of integration. The paper studies statistics of Koreans in California schools followed by a discussion of the difficulties faced by Korean Americans who are attempting to assimilate into American society. The paper concludes with interviews with Korean Americans.
From the Paper "Korean society is an extremely polite society that emphasizes respect and privacy. For example, it is proper for a young person to give a seat to an elderly person, but on a crowded bus, the elderly person will sometimes take the burden that the young person is holding and carry it in their lap (Kim, 2000). Another example is that it is not proper to pour one's own drink (Kim, 2000) and one should always hold things (whether giving or receiving, pouring or holding the glass) with both hands (Kim, 2000; Interview). One does not necessarily look people in the eye when spoken to, especially when being reprimanded (Interview). These and other customs point to a society that is characterized by its politeness, privacy and respect."
Tags: assimilation, immigration, characteristics, Asian, California
Abstract The writer examines the causes underlying Colombian immigration to New York City. The paper the explores the experience of Colombians upon arrival in this foreign land. The writer looks at the various obstacles that immigrants faced in New York. Finally, the paper illuminates the contribution of Colombian immigrants to the multi-faceted character of New York City.
From the Paper "The primary period of Colombian immigration to New York City can be deduced from official statistics. According to the U.S. Census, the peak period of South American immigration to the U.S. occurred from 1971 to 1980 (Kraly, 1987, p. 43). In this new wave of immigrants, Colombians constituted half of the immigrants coming from South America. Within that period, 25,800 Colombian immigrants immigrated to the region of New York City and New Jersey (Kraly, 1987, pp. 57-9)."
Abstract The writer of this paper discusses why unemployment is the most destructive problem among Native Americans. It examines the history of this problem and analyzes some of the sociological and political causes of unemployment in the Native American communities.
From the Paper "Most Native Americans suffer high unemployment rates and incredible poverty. In fact, Native Americans face higher unemployment rates than another other ethnic minority in America today (Morrison 122). "Tribal leaders say unemployment is one of the biggest problems facing Native Americans" (Nurnberger and Naylor). Unemployment among Native Americans, especially on the reservations, can reach 50 percent or even higher, and with current national unemployment higher than it has been since the 1980s, the problem for both urban and rural Native Americans does not show any signs of improving."