Abstract This paper discusses the history of Jewish immigration from 1654 until today. In addition, it discusses the struggles faced by the Jews when they came to America during the various waves of immigration. The paper also discusses cultural assimilation. Other issues discussed are anti-semitism, conformity to American traditions, and intermarriage.
From the Paper "The media and the public schools made it easy for them to pick up the English language and American values, and they quickly became the rope in a tug of war between their parents and a dominating American culture (Feagin 123). Many second-generation Jewish women were pressured by society to reject their mothers' image of "poverty and strong-woman reality" and instead assume the more lady-like, devoted-housewife qualities of that time (Feagin 124)." The most significant indicator of cultural assimilation among the Jewish Americans is the gradual movement away from the Orthodox branch of Judaism, encompassing traditional and rigid forms of worship and belief, to the conservative and reform branches, each reflecting more Americanized practices and less strict observances."
Abstract This paper discusses the official culpability of the United States in the Abu Ghraib torture scandal and argues that the superpower is guilty of the deliberate violation of the most basic tenets of warfare and international humanitarian law.
From the Paper "The fact of the matter is that the United Nations has repeatedly demonstrated its incapacity to fulfill the roles and goals that it established for itself. This observation is implied, even though not explicitly stated, in Diehl et. al.'s article on the United Nations' peacekeeping functions ad its record in controlling conflicts (683-684). According to this viewpoint, the United Nations, as an organization, and irrespective of the many institutions and organs that it comprises, has neither the manpower nor the financial resources needed to fulfill its duties and responsibilities towards the international community (683-684)."
Abstract This paper aggressively attacks the ideas of universalism, essentialism, and othering found in the novels, "Scheherazade Goes West," by Fatema Mernissi, and "The Tattooed Map," by Barbara Hodgson. Examples from the texts are used to support the thesis of this paper.
From the Paper "Mernissi also addresses the lack of universal essentialism of gender roles in her sociological arguments of the differences between men and women in Eastern and Western cultures. First seen on page 8, Mernissi develops the analogy of the Eastern idea of women having wings: "Only desperately fragile men who are convinced that women have wings could create such a drastic thing as the harem, a prison that presents itself as a palace". These men tend to hold on to their women so that they don't fly away, while on the other hand, Westerners do not have these harems to lock up their women. She implies the idea that Westerners do not believe that women have wings, and there is no need to keep them under control."
Abstract This paper argues that, while the first Gulf War may be understood through the application of the liberalism theory, it is more deeply and correctly comprehended through the lens of the realism theory of international relations.
From the Paper "The first Gulf War did not end with the conclusion of the fighting and the restoring of Kuwait's sovereignty. According to Abbas Alnasrawi, the Gulf War continued in the political and economic sanctions suffered by Iraq and the inspection regime that it was subjected to throughout the aftermath of the Gulf War (211) until, we can say, the present war. The United Nations Security Council, led by the United States was determined to ensure that Iraq never have the capability of attacking one of its neighbours again, taking the invasion of Kuwait very seriously. Hence, Iraq suffered an embargo which lasted, according to Alnasrawi, 11 years (205) but considering that he had written this in 2001, we can say that the embargo lasted until the American invasion of Iraq."
A look at how the plight of migrant workers today seeking the American dream has not changed since their depiction in John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath".
Abstract This paper contends that, although advancements in technology and progress in legislation to protect workers may seem to ease migrant workers' hardships in the United States, migrant workers today are no better off than those depicted in "The Grapes of Wrath". It discusses how the mindset of the men employing migrant workers today has not changed from that of those who employed migrant workers more than sixty years ago.
From the Paper "Much of the hope of migrant farm workers in The Grapes of Wrath lay in the pursuit of the "American Dream." As Wilson said, "Why, jus' think how it's gonna be, under them shady trees a-pickin' fruit an' takin' a bite ever' once in a while...I bet a fella could have a place of his own." (201) The migrant farm workers were only seeking comfortable lives and relatively good wages to sustain those comfortable lifestyles. They were looking for equality and fairness for themselves and for their communities. An example of their seeking fairness and equality was when a large group of people were on strike at the Hooper ranch in Pixley, California. Their wages had been reduced so much that the workers could not survive, so they bravely initiated a strike."
Abstract This paper explains that racial disparities in the American criminal justice system refer to the difference in the number of minorities versus whites represented inside correction institutions; the incarceration rate for blacks is 8.2 times greater than that of whites. The author points out that, contrary to public belief, the higher arrest rates of black drug offenders do not reflect higher rates of drug law violations; whites actually commit more drug crimes than blacks do, but arrests appear to be easier to obtain in low-income areas because most drug transactions are conducted in public in predominantly black neighborhoods; whereas, drug transactions are more likely conducted indoors in working, upper-class, white neighborhoods. The paper recommends that establishing accreditations for law enforcement, increasing the data collection, continuing to diversify the workplace, and reforming court procedures and sentencing guidelines will help reach the goal of fairness in the justice system.
From the Paper "One discriminating practice used by police officers is racial profiling. Racial profiling can be defined as practice of stopping, questioning, and searching potential criminal suspects in vehicles or on the street based solely on their racial appearance (Human Rights Watch, 2000). Profiling has contributed to racially disproportionate drug arrests, as well as, arrests for other crimes. It makes sense that the more individuals police stop, question and search, the more people they will find with reason for arrest. In retrospect, if the majority of these types of stop and frisk searches are done on a certain race then it makes sense that that race would have a higher arrest rate. This is the problem that racial profiling creates and it is most obvious in drug arrests."
Abstract This paper conducts an observational and investigational analysis of what the critical factors are that determine an effective cross-cultural counseling relationship. More specifically, the researcher attempts to investigate the following question: "What method of counseling is most effective in enabling a counselor to build rapport and trust in a cross cultural context." The researcher conducts a comprehensive review of the literature available on cross cultural counseling and counseling competencies in order to determine what factors may impact the counseling relationship with particular regard to cross-cultural relationships.
Abstract
Introduction
Significance of the Study
Hypothesis
Method
Literature Review
Results
Discussion
From the Paper "According to research the most important aspect of cross-cultural counseling that needs to be examined is how a practice is conceptualized(Bogo, George & Tsang, 2003). Traditional counseling methods are often defined as "ethnocentric" even though the client base that many practitioners work from is ethno culturally diverse in nature (McNeill, Horn & Perez, 1995). Many practitioners unfortunately still believe that ethnicity is not a dimension of identity, but rather see it as a client characteristic, thus their practices do not work to embrace ethnic identity as an experience to be shared by all parties involved in the counseling process (Bogo, George & Tsang, 2003)."
Abstract This paper examines how multiculturalism and diversity training developed within the realm of psychology. The paper encompasses succinct definitions and histories of multiculturalism and diversity training and explains that they were created in an effort to explain that the behaviors observed in individuals must, in some ways, be attributed to their cultural backgrounds. The paper also focuses on diversity training and its usefulness in the work place.
Introduction
Multiculturalism and Diversity Training
Diversity Training
Conclusion
From the Paper "Harris (1999) explains that multiculturalism also encompasses sexual orientation, gender and alternative lifestyles (lifestyles that are separate from traditional American Values) (Harris 1999). Because our society is composed of people who differ greatly in terms of race ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and lifestyles there is a constant battle over what is acceptable in mainstream society (Harris 1999, Hinz 1996)."
This paper discusses the history, from the period of the Gold Rush to the present, and problems faced by immigrants, seeking the California Golden Dream.
Abstract This paper explains that, for many years, people considered California to be the ideal home because there were many opportunities for them to improve their living; therefore, since the Gold Rush era, many immigrants have come to California with the dream of making a fortune but they have had a difficult time achieving the California Golden Dream. The author discusses problems of competition for jobs, a high cost of living and assimilation into American culture in the Gold Rush era and today. The paper concludes that, today, people may pay more attention to their freedoms than they did in the Gold Rush era, but the basic problems still remain the same; nonetheless, California is still an ideal home for the immigrants.
From the Paper "In the Gold Rush era, because people came from different countries, they arranged to live together in the camp based on their ethnicity. That prevented cross-culture communications, which may have helped them get along with each other. On the other hand, in today's California, immigrants still do not have too many chances to interact with the outside world, because they still tend to get along with people of the same culture. Chinatown, Japan town, and Russia town...such kinds of places get favors from the immigrants. Once they arrive, most of them prefer to live in those places and build a life inside the towns. My parents are members of such a group of people. They live in China own and work in Chinatown. And also they are afraid to talk with people from other cultures, especially the English speakers. Therefore, they lost the connection with mainstream society and may have missed chances to make their dreams come true."
This paper explores the history of the Hula dance and describes how the Hula maiden, with hips swaying in the breeze, has become a legendary symbol of Hawaii.
Abstract The writer of this paper details the history of the Hula dance and its significance as a ritual of religion, celebration, mourning and communication. This brief, yet concise paper, examines how, in ancient times, dancers were selected for hula training in childhood, spending their formative years under the care of a hula master, separated from the outside world and dedicated to the goddess Laka, patron of the hula. Hawaii's history of births, deaths, loves and battles were expressed in the Hula dance. The writer also details the accompanying music and melodic poetry, to which the dancer's swayed, which include the double-gourd drum, called ipu heke.
From the Paper "The history of births, deaths, loves, and battles of the people were preserved in chants and dance. Since Hawaii's history was recorded as dance, "hula dancers were expected to remember and repeat every dance step perfectly and under punishment of death," for "to change the dance was to change history." Hula was the written word for ancient Hawaiians, told through the movements of the dancers' feet, hands, and body movements. Through dance, stories were told, genealogies were kept, and beliefs were shared and imposed, thus to change the steps would be to change the message."
Tags: dance, history, hawaii, culture, ritual, communication
This paper analyzes the problems and misunderstandings that arise due to ethnocentric views of other cultures while also examining cultural relativity, a theoretical stance which opposes that of ethnocentrism.
Abstract The writer of this paper defines the term ethnocentrism as a means to make assumptions or judgments about other cultures from one's own point of view. This paper details the various problems that an ethnocentric view presents when dealing with different cultures. The writer describes one particular example relating to the Hopi Indians. The ethnocentric view was prevalent that the language of the Hopi Indians was inferior to English as it did not have any words for time. This led to the assumption that the Hopi Indians were primitive and less advanced as a civilization, which resulted in the treatment of the Indians on the basis of an assumed inferiority. This paper also examines more serious examples of ethnocentrism, which can be seen in Africa, in which ethnic assumptions of inferiority or superiority led to the horrific genocide in Rwanda. The writer of this paper discusses the ethnocentric views that were prevalent in Nazi Germany. This paper also examines cultural relativity, which is a theoretical stance in direct opposition to that of ethnocentrism. This view emphasizes that cultures are a product of different historical experiences and that these differences should be respected.
From the Paper "Examples of the problems and misunderstandings that ethnocentric attitudes can engender are numerous in recent history. For example, the view was prevalent that the language of the Hopi Indians was inferior to English as it did not have any tenses or words for time. This led to the assumption that the Hopi Indians were somewhat primitive and less advanced as a civilization. Subsequently, this led to the treatment of the Indians on the basis of an assumed inferiority. Later the cultural assumption that the Hopi did not have words for time was proven to be incorrect. Another example refers to the differences in perception, which are seen from an ethnocentric point of view as a sign of inferiority. An example is the different perceptions of color by the Intuit Indians."
Tags: culture, conflict, war, nazi, rwanda, africa, perception, theory
Abstract This paper examines the views of various researchers that contend that Islam has an inclination for authoritarianism and that Muslim nations have lower a chance of embracing democracy, regardless of economic developments. This paper also presents the views of academics who declare that Islam is a belief system which espouses an ideology of equality, tolerance and righteousness and cannot be branded as against democracy. The writer of this paper explores the correlation between Islam and democracy while discussing the fact that most Muslims think that democracy is an alien theory thrust upon them by the western world. This brief yet concise paper examines the political climate in several Muslim countries, including Iran and Turkey.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Objectives
Research Methodology
Tentative Chapters
Summary
Bibliography
From the Paper "In Iran, winning the election by President Mohammad Khatami and his reformist partners motivated a new generation but has not yet destabilized the clerical organization's power. On the other hand, in Turkey a party with Islamic moorings is shifting a dishonored system away from decades of disagreement and immobility, after a major election triumph in the year 2002. Turkey's practice underlies the vital role of political Islam as a force for transformation. The experience with Turkey shows the fact that several Muslims, regardless of their habitation in officially secular or officially Islamic countries, witness democracy as their foremost expectation and means of efficient political involvement. Expanding on current research, this doctoral study seeks to examine the whether democracy is compatible in the Islamic world."
Abstract This paper examines the ideology of al Qaeda terrorism. In particular, the paper attempts to understand why al Qaeda is particularly successful at attracting well-educated people in the Muslim world. The paper studies the appeal of radical Islamist terrorism, how it differs from terrorism of the 1970s and 1980s, and the emergence of the al-Qaeda movement. The paper then examines the theology of the al-Qaeda movement that glorifies death and the implications of radical religious based religious movements for the modern world. The paper concludes with an examination of the careers of the two top leaders of al-Qaeda: Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Tags: osama bin laden ayman al-zawahri, sayyid qutb al-qaeda alienation Terrorism
Abstract This paper argues that Gary Soto's 1981 poem "Mexicans Begin Jogging" illuminates the general immigrant experience. The author points out that the poem reflects the unique experiences of Latinos.
From the Paper "Gary Soto's poem "Mexicans Begin Jogging" is both technically and emotionally skillful a story that applies both at some level to all Americans and one that is in other ways unique to the Latino experience. Speaking as it does of freedom and the desire of all ..."
Abstract The paper analyzes the practice by law enforcement officials known as racial profiling, where individuals are routinely detained based on skin color as opposed to a just cause. The paper provides the argument of law enforcement that profiling is effective but also includes the arguments of opponents of racial profiling.
From the Paper "One of the most controversial law enforcements techniques is known as racial profiling. Racial profiling is defined as any action undertaken for reasons of safety, security or public protection that relies on stereotypes about race, color, ethnicity, ancestry or place of origin rather than on reasonable suspicion to single out an individual for greater scrutiny or different treatment."
Tags: terrorism, Middle-Easterners, African Americans, prejudice, racism, abuse, justice, public administration, legal system
