Abstract This paper compares the treatment of women in the West with the treatment of women from the Middle East. The writer states that while there are many different types of women in the Middle East, for the purposes of this essay, the analysis makes some generalizations of a religious axis upon which to base the study of the treatment of women in the Middle East. Namely, the treatment of Middle Eastern women following Islam, and those following Judaism, are compared with the women of the West.
From the Paper "In the Islam tradition, the view of women is no different to the view held of men; they are both here on Earth, as God's wishes, and their goal is to worship their God, do righteous works, and to avoid evil. If they follow these guidelines, as laid out in the Quran, they will both be judged equally and accordingly in the eyes of God. Indeed, special treatment is given to people who give birth to daughters, as the Quran says "He who is involved in bringing up daughters, and accords benevolent treatment towards them, they will be protection for him against Hell-fire". This, and other quotes like this from the Quran, show just how open Islam is to the idea of the preciousness and importance of women's place in society."
Abstract This paper discusses Brazil's socioeconomic structure that was founded on slavery. During the colonial period from 1550 to 1880, rapid growth of the Brazilian economy occurred because of the convergence of several factors. The sugar industry was synonymous with the early economy.
Abstract This paper is about the cultural and political dynamics of Cuban-American identity. It discusses the difference between exile status and ethnic Cuban identity, manifested in the different self-conceptions of the several waves of Cuban exiles since the 1959 revolution. The paper particularly emphasizes the works of two Cuban-American artists, Cristina Garcia and Ana Mendieta, whose works demonstrate the tensions in the Cuban community between nostalgia and self-examination.
Abstract This paper presents an unbiased history of the disputed region of Israel, beginning with God's promise to Abraham of a Jewish land, 4000 years ago. The paper discusses the differences between Jews and Arabs with regards to their claims on the land, the conquering nations throughout history who added fuel to fire in this dispute, the United Nations's decision to create a Jewish state in 1948, and the many wars that have been fought since then. The paper also touches on the question of whether Israel has a right to exist.
From the Paper "Today, the world's religious axis continues to revolve around the holy city Jerusalem. Three of the world's major religions stem from this city, and all share the land no bigger than a few football fields. Ground zero is a hill in Jerusalem known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary ("Middle East Turmoil"). This is the site that all three religions agree Abraham attempted to sacrifice his son Isaac but was stopped at the last moment by an angel of God (Sachar, "History of the Jews" 63). When the Romans destroyed the second holy Temple in 70 A.D., only one outer wall surrounding the Temple Mount remained standing. This remnant of what was the most sacred building in the Jewish world became the holiest spot in Jewish life. For Muslims, the Dome of the Rock, Islam's third-holiest site, is said to be where the prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven ("Status of Jerusalem"). Unfortunately, they are situated virtually atop each other with both sides claiming rights to the land. So which people should fully possess the land that holds two very sacred and ancient religions?"
Tags: chosen, people, Dome, of, the, Rock, refugees
Abstract This essay analyzes the text of George Ryga's "The Ecstasy of Rita Joe", then links it to issues of publishing, culture, and aboriginal people in Canada. Examines the significance of this publication in light of the Americanization of Canadian literature.
From the Paper 'The Ecstasy of Rita Joe is a series of scenes linked by Rita's memory and associations; their causal relations become clear only through repetition. This cause and effect is well illustrated by a particular scene set: Rita Joe admits to stealing a sweater in court. Later, at a clothing drive arranged by Mr. Homer, Jaimie Paul explicitly forbids Rita Joe from taking a red sweater she is admiring. This cause and effect relationship gives credence to Rita Joe's actions, as we are shown very simply how and why these things happen. Her eventual rape and murder is foreshadowed throughout the play, as "the murderers" are written several times into the background scenes of the play; they act as unknown menacing objects at times that Rita shows vulnerability. In terms of linking this book to the modern day, it is this part of the story that I found so striking and timely, as the book has foreshadowed the reality of the past few decades in the downtown eastside of Vancouver, recently come to a head."
Abstract This paper outlines the history of the Haitian Revolution against the French, focusing on the fear it sent across the world as the first crushing victory against slavery.
From the Paper "In 1791, 100,000 slaves rose to revolt in the French colony of St. Domingue, burning and attacking what they could. It would become one of very few successful slave revolts in history. Under the leadership of General Toussaint L?Ouverture, the soon to be citizens of the country of Haiti would fight fiercely until finally securing independence in 1804. Like the United States, Toussaint and his men had fought for their freedom against their mother country and succeeded in doing so. Despite these similarities many people, such as Thomas Jefferson, still felt no sympathy for this colony of freed slaves. In fact, slaveholders and other embracers of what was becoming an old way of life were fearful of the country of Haiti. This fear was rooted in the suspicion that the freed men of Haiti were planting the seed for the end of slavery, the backbone of the southern economy and a great source of wealth for the imperialist nations."
Tags: France, slaves, freedom, british, spanish, jamaica
Abstract Discusses the attempt by ethnic Hutu to exterminate Rwanda's ethnic Tutsi population. The resulting slaughter of half a million people, destruction of the country's infrastructure, and population dislocation are examined.
From the Paper " In early April of 1994, groups of ethnic Hutu, armed mostly with machetes, began a campaign of terror that embroiled the Central African country of Rwanda. For about 100 days, the Hutu militias ..."
Abstract This paper discusses how knowledge of cultural diversity is important at all levels of nursing, whether nurses are practicing in a clinical setting, education, research, or administration. It looks at how this knowledge comes through communication and education between clients, colleagues, and health care facilities, and how the first step in overcoming cultural diversity is the awareness of stereotypes and prejudices. It also demonstrates how cultural diversity is beneficial to all aspects of society and in nursing, since a culturally diverse group of colleagues encourages an open and flexible atmosphere that is both supportive and educational.
From the Paper "Stereotypes affect all aspects of a community, and in a healthcare setting stereotypes against male nurses can be just as traumatizing and mentally challenging as cultural stereotypes. On top of this, male nurses are sometimes regarded in certain cultures as being inadequate compared to their female counterparts and as a result are "stressed and leaving the profession faster than female nurses because of social stigmas and work conditions" (Healthcare Review, 2002). Education on the cultural significance of these stereotypes is a step towards breaking them down and could benefit the male nurse population in a healthcare institute."
Abstract This paper explains how stereotyping in a diverse environment does not always translate into a negative business practice if the stereotypes are used to facilitate a better understanding of the other cultures, instead of promoting negative assumptions. The paper further explains that, when managed properly, company attitudes about diversity can promote a better understanding between employees, which will help create a more harmonious working environment.
From the Paper "Stereotypes are bad. Diversity is good. Such ideas seem to be truisms in today's American business climate, which is often broadly brushed with the label of being "politically correct" to the detriment of productivity. However, it is easy to speak highly of the value of diversity. It is easy to say the cultural wars of the business world have been won. It is easy to engage in such rhetoric but far more difficult to achieve a truly harmonious and diverse workforce in a functional fashion. After all, stereotypes are one of the ways individuals apprehend the world?making assumptions based on what they have been told about other people and past experiences."
Abstract This essay presents an overview of the crisis that took place in Darfur, Sudan, in 2004 and critically examines the failure of the international community to respond. The essay further examines the history of international response to genocide, specifically the roles played by the United States and United Nations. The author argues for change in U.S. policy and U.N. structure and concludes that the international community still lacks the institutions, procedures, and political unity necessary to respond in a timely manner to keep such catastrophes from happening again.
From the Paper "The Charter of the United Nations is not clear in regards to its authority in responding to human rights abuses and genocide. It "reaffirm(s) faith in fundamental human rights" but does not do much to protect them, and Article 2.7 prohibits intervention ?in matters which are essentially within the jurisdiction of any State.? As a result there has been a long running argument in the international community between those who insist on a "right to intervene" in and those who argue that the Security Council is prohibited from authorizing any action against sovereign States in regards to a matter which happens within their borders."
Abstract This paper provides an overview and discussion of Sayyed Qutb, Islamic leader. A review of the controversy that surrounds him helps to show that there is, in reality, a very strong relationship between Qutb and extremist terrorist groups who claim to follow the Quranic teachings and laws.
From the Paper "Considering that many who wrote on Sayyed Qutb and his religious and political philosophy, such as Sheikh Muhammad Nasir ad-Din al-Albaanee, Ted Thornton, Nazih N.M. Ayubi, and Ibrahim M. Abu-Rabi, all scholars of Islamic studies and history, have emphasized that the life of Sayyed Qutb and his circumstances played a major role in shaping his ideas, it is necessary to briefly identify Qutb himself. Although as Professor of Government at South Carolina University, Shahrough Akhavi writes, not much is known about the life of Sayyed Qutb, what is known is a useful source of understanding the influences upon his philosophy and political ideas (386-387)."
Tags: bin, laden, al, quaida, terror, islamic, groups
Abstract This paper explains that affirmative action is a moral and political question which seems to divide Americans more than it unites them, because some people regard it as a program designed to rectify racism and reverse the effects of both past and present discrimination but others simply see it as another form of discrimination. The author feels that affirmative action is a program of opportunity, not a program of discrimination; affirmative action's mission has never been about hiring less qualified workers, but about opening up equal opportunity and ensuring that equal opportunity with equal results. The paper stresses that diversity in education and the workforce not only includes African-American men and women but also includes other ethnicity groups, such as Asians, Latinos and Indians, who have been able to gain both an invaluable education and work experience through affirmative action programs.
Table of Contents
Educational Aspects of Affirmative Action
Affirmative Action in the Workforce
The Counter-Argument against Affirmative Action
Conclusion
From the Paper "These policies have been when minorities are actively sought or preferred, the reason given is usually that this is necessary to compensate for advantages to groups such as males or those of European descent from racism, sexism, results of historical circumstances, and institutional racism. In the U.S., the most prominent form of affirmative action centers on access to education, particularly admission to universities and other forms of tertiary instruction. Race, ethnicity, native language, social class, geographical origin, parental attendance of the university in question (legacy admissions), and/or gender are often taken into account when assessing the meaning of an applicant's grades and test scores."
This paper explains that, since the early 1600s, Hispanic Americans have influenced many aspects of today's American culture such as art, religion and education.
Abstract This paper relates that Hispanic Americans, also known as Latinos, are residents of the United States who can trace their ancestry to countries in the Western Hemisphere where the Spanish language is spoken. The author points out that the Hispanic American community is a mix of subgroups with roots in various countries of Latin America, such as Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama; many Hispanic Americans are uncomfortable with the term Hispanic American and prefer more specific designations, such as Cuban American or Mexican American, which more clearly reflect their community organization. The paper relates that almost every city in the United States has a Mexican, Cuban or other Spanish oriented restaurants from the corner "Taco Bells" to fancy sit-down cafes; Hispanics American culture has been greatly influenced the clothing industry with brightly colored skirts and dresses and all-cotton Mexican shirts popular style for golf-wear.
From the Paper "The Spaniards found exotic stories to be very real. They also fed on wild rumors, stories from the Indians and survivors of early expeditions, and the fervid imaginations of explorers on the edge of a strange New World. The possibility of finding cities of gold and gilded kings was given credibility by the conquering feats of Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro. In 1521, Cortes looted the fabulous treasure of the Aztec empire in central Mexico. In 1533, Pizarro vanquished the huge Inca Empire of western South America, centered in what today is Peru, exposing rooms full of gold and silver. These stories not only have become wonderful tales but also have found entry in the United States history books."
Abstract This paper explains that, although the laws regarding who may and may not legally enter the United States are clear, many illegal immigrants not only enter the United States but also find themselves welcome in some industries such as agriculture, construction and the service industries. The paper points out that, although President Bush has proposed giving legal status to illegal immigrants who can find a steady job, many critics feel that this solves no problems because most jobs held by illegal immigrants, such as in agriculture, are not permanent jobs. The paper recommends a policy, based on sound economic and security reasons not emotion, which encourages illegal workers to begin creating a paper trail regarding who they are and where they live; however, whatever policies are set, they should be carefully analyzed to make sure they don't encourage people to avoid compliance and don't create a new black-market industry for yet another set of forged documents.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Scope of the Problem
Current Public Policy
Possible Solutions
Federal
State
Proposed Changes
Homeland Security
What does the Public Want?
What Should be Done?
From the Paper "Another option is the "Real ID Act". This law attempts to maintain the country's willingness to welcome people from other countries while watching out for the nation's security. The law would use driver's licenses, asylum laws, a border fence south of San Diego and increased deportation. This law's supporters believe that the combination of open borders and failure to enforce immigration laws make it far too easy for terrorists to enter the country and then disappear. The law would require substantial evidence of both identity and immigration status before issuing either driver's licenses or state identity cards. The cards themselves would be made harder to forge."
Abstract Using Mark Juergensmeyer's book "Terror in the Mind of God" as a reference, this paper examines how religion sometimes influences its believers in such an extreme way that they turn to terrorism in the name of God. The paper examines the origins of terrorism, cultures of violence and the future of terrorism.
From the Paper "Juergensmeyer's ideas discussed in the book go against what most criminological theories of crime causation tell us. Rational Choice theory, which is the theory used almost exclusively in today's criminal justice field, believes that criminals choose to commit crime by weighing the potential benefits versus the potential risks. (Siegal, 107). This assumption that offenders make a rational informed decision affects crime prevention strategies (Siegal, 129). The religious terrorist, however, is in a cosmic frame of mind where moral religious values override any sense of legal right or wrong."
