Abstract
Examines the politics of culture and race as an issue in adoptions and foster care placement. Adoption & foster care policy in the U.S. and its effects. Policy of race-matching and adverse effect on placement of minority & at-risk children. Opposition to transracial placement. Congressional actions to end historical bias against interracial adoptions and foster care placement.

From the Paper
"Policy Analysis: Culture and Foster Care Placement
Definition of the Problem


The question of culture and race has been integral to the debate over formal adoption and foster care placement policy in the United States (Banks, 1998). The politics of race and culture as a visible manifestation of racial and/or ethnic differences has been intertwined with adoption and foster care policy in the United States and has resulted in a number of unintended effects. Banks (1998) has pointed out that in both scholarly and public debate centered on this policy issue, there has been a protracted and intense controversy focused on the practice of race-matching, according to which foster care or adoptive children and foster parents or adoptive parents are matched by social work personnel on the basis of race. "

Abstract
The writer first defines the term stereotype and relates this concept to business relationships. Negotiation is the process by which two or more parties attempt to reach agreement on matters of mutual interest. The writer asserts that this process can become distorted with the introduction of stereo-typing. Finally, the paper highlights the positive aspects to negotiations involving parties from differing backgrounds.

From the Paper
"Culture exhibits itself with visible behavioral patterns, such as the distance people try to keep, their facial expression, manner, etc., These are present at the surface level and are seen, heard and sensed. They are the result of cultural traits present as a combination of values, norms, traditions, rituals and more. The literature on cross-cultural negotiations studies these complex constructs, and also includes consideration of how different cultures handle problem solving, relationships and competitiveness."

Tags:discussion, agreement, background, international, business

Abstract
This paper discusses the importance for organizations to diversify their workforce because it can lead to new methods of thinking and problem solving and a gain in profits. It looks at how a diverse workforce, if properly managed, can provide significant benefits but if not effectively managed, could even lead to huge losses for the organization. It shows how communication gaps and discrimination are common occurrences in a diverse workforce and how an organization should be fully prepared to face such issues by training their managers and leaders to coordinate it.

From the Paper
"The population of minorities is expected to increase and naturally their representation in the workforce will also increase. This is a clear indication that companies should be able to effectively manage and utilize their diverse workforce to their advantage. Success in business is achieved by managing change rather than by avoiding it. The labor market is becoming highly competitive and companies should take measures to ensure that they recruit from the entire spectrum available; otherwise they could be missing out on advantages of a diverse workforce. Many companies have reported that a diverse workforce has helped them boost their profits, especially through innovations that were brought about by their workforce."

Tags:minorities, communication, discrimination, business

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.

Tags:brazil's, socioeconomic, structures

Abstract
This paper argues that, even in her new American environment, the Irish immigrant still managed to maintain the cultural and demographic beliefs and practices with which she was imbued before departure. These practices were critical in facilitating the success of the Irish in America. The paper uses Hasia Diner's "Erin's Daughters in America: Irish Immigrant Women in the Nineteenth Century" as a reference.

From the Paper
"Emigrants to America, despite the differing economic conditions, tended to follow these dictates (Diner 46). Furthermore, "Irish women passed on this tradition to their American-born daughters" (Diner 48). The other, more deeply rooted Irish traditions of division of the sexes (men and women spending leisure time apart), heavy participation in Catholic Church activities, a vision of self-worth as rooted in economic activity, and strong family loyalty would also survive the transatlantic trip intact. Thus, despite the Irish woman's greater ease of adaptation to the American environment (Diner 66), she remained heavily influenced by her native culture."

Tags:feminist, immigration, ireland, Catholic, Church

Abstract
This paper explains that studying the effects of non-verbal communication in the workplace is more important than ever in today's multicultural world because each ethnic group brings their own culture into the workplace. The paper points out that one of the most common uses of non-verbal communication in the workplace is by supervisors and others with high status, who use non-verbal symbols of their status and authority, either consciously or not, to remind those below them of their high position. The paper relates that, in some workplaces, because non-verbal communication can differ so greatly between cultures, management has introduced cultural sensitivity training.

From the Paper
"Latinos are one of the fastest growing cultural groups in American workplaces today. Therefore, it is of particular importance for both Anglos and Latinos to each understand the others' nonverbal communication styles. Latinos have several nonverbal communication devises particular to their culture that Anglos do not use. For example, Latinos have a much smaller realm of what is considered personal space. In Anglo cultures, this personal space is between eighteen and thirty inches, while in Latino cultures it is between eight and eighteen inches. This sharp difference in acceptable personal space can cause huge discomfort and misunderstanding for both parties if it is not understood and acknowledged on both sides."

Tags:latino, culture, problems, status, training

Abstract
This paper examines Rebecca Walker's book, "Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self", and its message of a fragmented sense of self. The paper looks at how Walker blames her inability to form a stable and permanent sense of self on her parents' liberal parenting style and multi-racial heritage and then discusses Walker's self-analysis regarding her feelings of alienation. The paper concludes with comments on both the strengths and the weaknesses of the book.

From the Paper
"Rebecca Walker's memoir Black, White, and Jewish, is subtitled "Autobiography of a Shifting Self." Walker argues that because of the multi-racial and multi-ethnic identity, conferred by her parents and societal perceptions of race, she can never have a stable sense of identity or self. To demonstrate this, Walker uses not only the emotional devices of memoir, but also logical, sociological arguments in regards to her racial identity and ethical arguments about her parent's liberal parenting styles to establish her credibility as an author. Walker argues that her multiracial heritage, constant shifting of homes, and the liberal parenting style she received caused her current shifting and fragmented sense of self."

Tags:ancestry, mixed, religious, background, interracial, marriage, race, placelessness, racism, oppression, judgement

Abstract
This paper offers a review of the though provoking novel "Montana 1948" by Larry Watson. The writer shows how racism, as seen in the novel, can result in tragedy. The book is the retrospective tale of a childhood event told by the protagonist David Hayden forty years later. The story evolves around the alleged professionally unacceptable behavior of a physician towards his Indian patients.

From the Paper
"Among David's primary recollections concerning the events of 1948 is the realization that Marie Little Soldier's bedroom was "a small room off the kitchen," despite the fact that there was a "third bedroom" vacant on the second floor the floor where the white people slept. "Who decided that room should not be Marie's?" Despite the Hayden's tolerant and benevolent appearance, and their adequate treatment of Marie, they obviously are subtly influenced by the prejudice based on the belief in the superiority of a particular race. Wesley "was not a hate filled bigot he probably thought he was free of prejudice." Wes was able to "treat Indians with generosity, kindness, and respect" nevertheless he believed Indians' were ignorant, lazy, superstitious and irresponsible."

Tags:david, malouf, prejudice, racism, indian, native

Abstract
This paper debates whether interracial relationships and, ultimately, marriages, erode cultural traditions and whether they cause a breakdown in racial solidarity. It looks at how interracial dating and marrying continues to increase as more and more individuals of once homogeneous communities are turning to an integrated way of life and accepting the idea that it is inside what counts. It also explores the reasons why family and friends tend to oppose interracial dating and discusses whether an interracial home life is harmful to a child.

From the Paper
"Keeping black men and white women apart was the main purpose of Jim Crow. Gunnar Myrdal's landmark 1944 study found that Southern whites generally grasped that keeping blacks down also retarded their own economic progress, but whites felt that was the price they had to pay to make black men less attractive to white women. To the extent that white racism persists, it should limit the proportion of black-man/white-woman couples. Since these inequalities in interracial marriage are so contrary to conventional expectations, what causes them? The mass media has preferred to ignore husband - wife disproportions entirely."

Tags:racism, blacks, whires, culture, religion, relationships

Abstract
This paper offers a book review of Santiago's memoir in which she recounts her childhood experiences and assimilation process after arriving in the United States.

From the Paper
"The very title of the book suggests that the author no longer considered herself Puerto Rican and had severed her ties with a place she would once call home. The fact that author uses past tense in the title makes it clear that Santiago could no longer associate herself and her identity to her homeland. She makes us wonder, "so what happened when she was a Puerto Rican" and thus we read the book to find out why she is not a Puerto Rican anymore and what led to this change of identity."

Tags:assimilation