The Vandals

‘Answers to question on prose fiction should address relevantly the central concern(s)/theme(s) of the text and be supported by reference to appropriate techniques of prose fiction such as: Characterisation, setting, key incident(s), narrative technique, symbolism, structure, climax, plot, atmosphere, dialogue, imagery. Choose a novel or short story with a central character you consider to be heroic, Show how the heroic qualities are revealed and discuss how this portrayal of the character enhances your understanding of the text as a whole.ANSWER: Many complaints recently have revolved around the strong targeting the weak. In Alan Bolds short story ‘The Vandals’ we hear the story of Gordon Miller. A retired Civil Servant whom is a quiet gentle man. He could have been considered heroic when he stood up to a ground of youths – The Vandals of the story. Bold uses numerous techniques such as setting, imagery and foreshadowing to highlight Gordon Millers transiti on from hero to villain. The Vandals by Alan Bold is set in a small fictional Scottish town called Marshend.Gordon Miller moves into a small cottage here looking for peace and quiet. This is soon disrupted by a local group of youths who call him names and vandalise his property. After trying to confront these youths to reason with them he soon realises that he is trying to reason with people who know no limits, he soon takes things into his own hands. In the opening of the story Bold refers to the Roman invasion of Marshend and to the Roman General Agricola. However the Roman’s failed to completely conquer Marshend.From the beginning of the story Bold juxtaposes Miller against the Romans. Bold does this by giving the imagery of Miller being the Inhabitants of Marshend and the vandals being the Roman army. First Miller tries to reason with the vandals, however after multiple reoccurring attacks on his house Miller declares what would be classed as war on the vandals. Through n umerous applications of word choice Bold manages to foreshadow the fact that Gordon Miller may not be as calm and tolerable person as he seems to be. ‘Gordon Miller decided he would keep calm’This is after the first attack on his home. By having to decide to stay calm this shows that it is almost like he is forcing himself to do so and this is doubting that he isn’t as calm a person as he seems. In the village the others formed an opinion on Gordon Millers ‘mental stability’ from this it was reflected back to him to make an opinion on himself. This tells the reader that apart from what we have read Gordon Miller may act very differently as well. Bold seems to keep Gordon Miller personality close to his chest revealing only what he has too.It triggers a reaction in the readers mind wondering as to why the other villagers have been commenting on his mental stability. It also would make Miller question his actions, if he has been acting a certain way an d villagers were starting to question and talk about his actions then it would possibly make him take notice and try to change the way he acts around others. Nearing the end of the story Bold uses a lot of imagery linked in with Gordon Miller and the theme of the Romans.When the vandals come back for the last time Bold describes Miller as standing at the ‘summit of the hill, on the top terrace. ’ This is similar to the idea of the Roman General waiting and observing his territory. Gordon Miller is standing and observing the youths and his home before he launches his attack on the youths. This is the turning point in the story where Bold twists Gordon Miller from being symbolic of the villagers in Marshend under attack to being the Roman General who is waiting to start his attack.This shows Gordon Miller becoming heroic as he is standing up to the vandals who have been tormenting him. This gives us the understanding that certain people can only take so much stress and di sruption in their lives before they come to the end of their tether and retaliate. The last sentence in the story is an image of Miller sitting playing with a set of ‘Roman Soldiers’. This shows that Gordon Miller is a lot more complex than Bold let us believe. He likes order and stability in his life, he does not like change and disruptions.As he is playing with the Roman Soldier set this represents the order that he likes in his life. In conclusion revealing Gordon Millers personality slowly throughout the short story Bold uses a number of techniques such as pathos, setting, imagery and word choice. Through these we feel empathy towards Gordon Miller and understand why he proceeded taking the heroic actions that he did. This helps the reader not to dislike Miller for his actions but feel happy for him that he finally got justice on the vandals.Word Count: 755

Assignment Future of Modernization Paper

Assignment: Future of Modernization Paper John Schonewolf SOC/120 November 28, 2010 Nicole Taylor Adopting and converting new ideas into modern ways has often motivated societies to seek change and build on the foundation of their traditions. Many time while implementing changes traditions are lost and industrialization and modernization sets in. Modernization refers to present social structures, especially those established in industrialized societies when urbanization and technological advancements are among the only indicator for survival.While discussing modernization you must look at how it manifests itself within the United States, its continuation and the possibility of a worldwide trend. One must also look at the consequences of modernization by revealing the positive and negative aspects of modernization. Modernization is the change that happens through the gradual way of industrialization, urbanization and social changes which transform populations (The American Heritage Di ctionary of the English Language, 2003). Modernization is often described as the transition from conventional society to a contemporary society as it is in Western civilizations.German sociologist Ferdinand Tonnies’ theory of Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft explains that â€Å"Industrial Revolution weakened the social fabric of family and tradition by introducing a businesslike emphasis on facts, efficiency, and money† (Macionis, 2006, p. 457). Tonnies viewed modernization as the progressive loss of human community; the Gemeinschaft theory; and describes society as rootless and impersonal and individuals simply associate with other based on self interest; the Gesellschaft theory. Macionis, 2006) Modernization has rapidly manifested itself through four distinct categories; the decline of small traditional communities, expansion of personal choice, increasing social diversity, and orientation toward the future and growing awareness. Because of the decline of small traditio nal communities modernization will continue in the United States. In the past people lives revolved around their family and community where as in modern times people lives revolve around individualism and technology. The increase of cell phones, televisions, and computers has prevented many people from experience a sense of community or family.With the increasing technology individualism has pulled many people away from their traditions or beliefs. More and more individuals are choosing their own lifestyle rather than settling for what is known. Much of this individualism has help increase social diversity. People are expanding their horizons with modernization which has created a form of social blending which provides a more rational and scientific outlook of different cultures and are embracing other behaviors and beliefs. With people embracing other behavior some people are focused more on the future and their personal growth.People are optimistic and look forward to new technolo gical advance with will improve their not only their person but social lives. (Macionis, 2006) Modernization has become a world-wide trend which has reached place such as China and Latin America. Ten Years in Latin America states â€Å"ten years ago, the possibility of free trade throughout the America was a distant dream† (Westlund, 2003). A wide range of multinational industries has joining the United States in bringing Latin American up to day with modernization and has become a key factor in imports and exports.With that modernization Latin Americas population climbed over 500 million making it one of the world’s most promising consumer markers. (Westlund, 2003) Modernization has also affected China. China: Looking 50 Years Ahead discusses how in the last two decades China has seen a huge economic grown due to rapid modernization. However it has had a negative effect on the United States. As china continues to modernize, they are developed a nuclear threat. It is b ecause of that nuclear threat the United States and China has a strategic relationship which keep both countries satisfied (China, 2008).This example of how modernization has become world-wide is one of the consequences of Modernization. Another good example of the consequences of modernization is the transition to urbanization and industrialization. Urbanization is described as the increasing proportion of population in a given concentrated area during a specific period. With many people migrating into bigger cities to gain better life urbanization is beginning to run ramped in bigger cities such as New York, Chicago, or Miami. In an article published by the University of Michigan in 2002 entitled Urbanization and Global Change, it states â€Å" IN 1950, less than 30% f the world’s population lived in cities. This number grew to 47 % in the year 2000. It is expected to grow to 60% by the year 2025. (University of Michigan, 2002). This rapid growth is responsible for many of the environmental and social changes in the urban environment and its effect are related to global change issues. This rapid change also puts a major strain on the city’s ability to keep its citizens safe. Many citizens do not receive services need to survive. This rapid change also causes severe environmental problems and widespread poverty (University of Michigan, 2002).This is also an example of Ferdinand Tonnies’ theory of modernization which best reflect my perceptions of modernization. As the population grows in major cities and communities and no longer close, modernization will continue. The need for new technological and industrial advances has created a new society into a vicious circle of constant change. People are continuously seeking ways to improve their life and make it easier. Although modernization does have some benefits the urbanization and industrialization and creating major problems in today’s society.It is evident that the United States has endured many changes throughout its vast history and will continue to do as the need for modernization increases to grown and has became an important part of society and the effects of modernization will continues to be felt across the world.References China: Looking 50 Years Ahead. (2008, June). Energy Compass. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry database. (Document ID: 1510128161). Macionis, J. J. (2006). Society: The basics (8th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. (2003). Modernization. Retrieved From http://www. thefreedictionary. com/modernization Univeristy of Michigan. (2002). Urbanization and Global Change. Retrieved from Global Change: http://www. globalchange. umich. edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/urban_gc/ Westlund, R. (Jan-Feb 2003). Ten years in Latin America. (Special Advertising Feature). Latin Trade,  11,  1. p. 63(7). Retrieved  from  General OneFile  via  Gale : http://find. galegroup. com/ips/start. do? prodId=IPS

FINANCIAL RATIO ANALYSIS OF TESCO PLC Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

FINANCIAL RATIO ANALYSIS OF TESCO PLC - Essay Example In UK, Tesco is the largest retailer and in UK, it serves about 66% of the retailer market and occupies about 33% of the selling space. Jack marketed his own brand tea as Tesco tea as early as 1924 and he opened the first Tesco store in North London in 1929. The first ever modern food warehouse was established in UK by Jack Cohen in 1934. Jack expanded his business by buying stores in London suburbs in 1937. In 1947, the Tesco Stores (Holdings) was registered in London Stock Exchange with a share price of as low as 25 pence with today’s price of  £318. Headquartered at Cheshunt, UK, today, Tesco is engaged in retail grocery operations through 5000 retail stores both in UK and around the world. In 2012, Tesco’s turnover is  £ 72 billion, its revenue is  £ 42.8 bn and its UK revenue is  £2.5bn. Tesco stores offers groceries, food items, electrical and electronic products, apparels, general merchandisers and also engaged in insurance and financial services , retail banking , distribution , data analysis and property operations . â€Å"The Form and Content of Annual Report† Tesco Plc form of the annual report for the year 2012 is easily accessible and can be downloaded from their websites. It facilitates the researchers to look for general and exhaustive info about the company. The annual report is well structured and designed and includes 158 pages .It starts with the financial indicators for the year 2012. It commences with the Chairman’s statement, CEO’s review, directors report on corporate governance, Director’s remuneration report, and auditor’s report. For arriving at revenue prior tax from continuing business operations, the company employed IAS 32 and IAS 39 fair value remeasurements of financial instruments, IAS 17 for impacts annual increase in rents in leases transactions, IAS 19 for charge for pension for employee benefits, IFRS for amortisation charges for business combinations and IFRIC 13 for fair value of customer loyalty schemes. (Tesco’s Annual Report 2012:89). Auditors from PricewaterhouseCoopers LL P confirm that the financial statements are prepared in tune with applicable laws of United Kingdom and as per International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as espoused by the European Union. The consolidated statements are also formed in accordance with the Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and Companies Act 2006. Besides, there are 35 notes to the financial statements in the annual report that elaborates all financial indicators in the statements. The annual report continues with the Tesco PLC parent company financial statements, and then with the short financial narration that covers the last five years. The annual report last page is devoted to shareholders. In their section, shareholders may get exhaustive information about annual meetings, financial calendar, dividends, record date, interim financial announcement date, interim management statement and so on. An Analysis of Financial Position, Performance and Prospects of the Company Financial ratios will trounce absolute va lue distortions and help to evaluate the company’s performance and hence ratios are very popular tools in the capital market analysis. As per Beaver (1966), if a company is in financial trouble, then one can identify the same from the financial ratios. As per Beaver, financial ratios help to predict the failure of corporate well before five years of their failure. Jen (1963) identified the capability to obtain credit is directly connected with some financial ratios. Financial ratios are also having direct impact on the stock prices of a company and it also impacts the investment decisions. As per Gibson (1997) , when analysts were asked to which they would

Peshawar Terrorists Attacks Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Peshawar Terrorists Attacks - Article Example It has always been believed that Islam does not support the acts of terrorism. However, terrorism has been seen so much to be associated with Islam across the world. However, in many cases, in as much as Islam has been associated with the on-going terror attacks in the world, it has been lenient to its followers. Rarely will you hear that Muslims attacked other Muslims? It is because of this that the Tuesday attack in Peshawar, Pakistan, is considered an extreme act of Islamism. The fact that Taliban militia had claimed responsibility, makes it be confirmed that this was a war that was executed by Muslims against Muslims. Several Islamic world leaders have come out strongly to condemn the act of terror that took place on Tuesday at Peshawar. For instance, the Nobel Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai has condemned the cold blood killing if the innocent lives of school children (Sofia & Greg, 2014). Remembering the fact that she was also a victim of shooting in Pakistan as a school student when she was shot on her way to school, she has urged that those who are opposed to Islamic militant violence ‘will never be defeated.’ She reiterated that she was condemning such atrocious act and cowardly act and is in unity with the government and the military men of Pakistan in combating the terrorists. She also joined other millions of leaders and other people across the world to mourn the killed children, who are her brothers and sisters, as she stressed that the country will never be defeated in combating the terrorists. The British politicians and leaders also joined hands in condemning the attack that left around 131 school children dead. The British government, through the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, described the scenes that were unfolding in the city of Peshawar as horrifying and appalling as it targeted school children.  

What arguments can be given for and against the desirability of the Essay

What arguments can be given for and against the desirability of the existence of interest groups or (as Madison called them) factions in a democracy Which position do you think is correct - Essay Example The desirability of the existence of interest groups is quite high in the United States of America, because due to their existence, the civilians or the public are able to communicate their issues and concerns to those who are in various positions in the government. There are various interest groups in the US, and the civilians can find one according to their concerns at any point in time. One of the main purposes of any interest group is to influence policy-makers and the way American public system is shaped; interest groups have enough say in the policy-making process. Interest groups have been really effective mainly due to the power imbalance of the parties that are in the government; this imbalance has been created due to difference in power structure of the two branches of the US government. The desirability of interest groups has increased because of several reasons. The same government decisions may be hurtful for one group or community and fruitful for others; thus, those hurt by government policies use interest groups to lobby to make these policies more favourable for them. Sometimes, when a political party representing one side of population is elected, it may be prone to work for the interest of that particular side, so other sides feel neglected; therefore, such people create interest groups to make sure that their interests are not harmed. As an individual, one might not have the power, resources and voice to influence public policies; therefore, interest groups are seen as a means to achieve power and resources for certain individuals who want to safeguard their interests. Several interest groups are in existence in the US, and they are there for different purposes. Another important function of interest groups is to ensure that the members of the government do not devise policies for their own interests and attach equal importance to different individuals within the US; this ability of interest groups is regarded as oversight power. For

African history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

African history - Essay Example of how a powerful leader might approach changing ideologies within his own homeland in order to both reach the common people as well as the important figures at court. To understand how this came to be, a brief summary of Sundiata’s story is necessary. Born into a Muslim household to a deformed woman who seemed to have passed the idea of deformity onto her son, Sundiata’s beginnings were humble enough for a born prince. He is described as lazy, glutinous, seldom spoke and was unable to walk on his own. Nevertheless, his father provided him with a powerful griot in the belief that he would someday be king. Through a desire to help his mother stop crying, he was able to begin walking. To keep him safe from his elder half-brother, who had already sent his half-sister and griot away to the enemy king Suomaoro of Sosso, Sundiata and his mother fled to far-away lands where Sundiata learned how to hunt, fight and gained in wisdom. When he learned Suomaoro had overtaken his homeland of Mari, Sundiata returned, gathering fighters along the way. Through several battles involving aspects of both religions, Sundiata finally prevails over Suomaor o and founds an empire of his own. Elements of the traditional African religions can be seen traced throughout the book. Even before he is born, it was the voice of the soothsayers that led Sundiata’s father to marry his buffalo-woman mother, saying that one day he would make a great king. It is again the soothsayers of the old religions that have already prepared a great iron bar against that day when Sundiata would call for it in order to help him gain his feet. â€Å"The master of the forges, Farakourou, was the son of the old Nounfari, and he was a soothsayer like his father. In his workshops there was an enormous iron bar wrought by his father Nounfari. Everybody wondered what this bar was destined to be used for.† Witches are called to destroy him, but cannot because he is good of heart. His sister is also a

Rights of the Accused Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Rights of the Accused - Essay Example The chief controversy regarding â€Å"due process of law† rests on the Supreme Court’s application of the clause within the Fourteenth Amendment to pertain to guarantees contained in the Bill of Rights to states via the process of â€Å"incorporation† (Ramen, 2001). As such, the application of â€Å"liberty† relates to liberties and procedures outlined within the Bill of Rights, plus other rights, liberties, and conditions that may not necessarily be found within the Bill of Rights (Shea, 2011).   The â€Å"due process† clause guarantees that individuals accused of perpetrating crimes should be awarded a fair trial (Holmes & Ramen, 2012). The rights entail right to a jury trial, a presumption of innocence the prosecutors expected to prove guilt â€Å"beyond reasonable doubt (the utmost standard of attestation that exists within the legal system), the right to be indicted by a grand jury (5th), the right to counsel (6th), the right to a speedy and public trial, safeguard from brutal and extraordinary punishment (8th), the right against self-incrimination (5th) and protection from double-jeopardy (5th). Other â€Å"due process† guarantees encompass the right of the accused persons to face their accusers (6th), and the right to become aware of the charges against the defendant (6th) (Wilson, 2009).   The principle of the 4th Amendment is to refuse the Federal Government the power to conduct arbitrary searches and seizure of property. The Fifth Amendment demands that a citizen cannot be accused of a serious crime devoid of a grand jury investigation, besides outlawing double jeopardy (Ramen, 2001).

EMR Implementation and Patient Flow Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

EMR Implementation and Patient Flow - Case Study Example Another benefit of the EHR is that all medical information can be created and supervised by authorized users. That`s option allowed providers to share the health information with the other health care providers to improve the quality and productivity of the diagnostic and treatment processes. But, the implementation process of the EHRs is not that quickly, easily and cheap because it requires some period of time for health providers education and adaptation of the health care system to the new model of the patient`s health information. The most difficult environment for the EHRs implementation is an emergence department as there are a lot of barriers such as crowding, limited staffing and increased amount of interruptions. The main question is: â€Å"Whether the overflow clinic model could be quickly adapted to offload the emergency department for the implementation of the EHR?† The other important information that have to be quantitatively confirmed is the effects of the EHR implementation on time to medical provider, total patient`s length of stay (LOS), provider efficiency during and after the implementation of the EHR. In addition, the quiet necessary question is: â€Å"How much time and training required for implementation and adoption of the software?† The data were gathered from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center emergence department during the 2 years of the EHR implementation. During this period the H1N1 flu pandemic occurred that lead to increased number of the patients. The results showed that the total length of stay during EHR implementation increased compared to the overall LOS before implementation. It takes 6 months post- implementation to gain improved and stable LOS. I suggest that received results show that the process of the EHR is quite slow because of the different reasons and barriers existed in the emergence departments. For example, health care providers require more time to learn how to use EHR as they have busy

The Day I was Released from Jail Essay Example for Free

The Day I was Released from Jail Essay March 2nd of 2011 in Charlotte NC I just receive 2 phone calls. The first one was from my lawyer in Morganton notifying me that several indictments had come through. The other was from Detective South of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, telling me that I had no choice but to turn myself in. I remember him saying â€Å"If you run I will find you†. I thought about running from my troubles, but that isn’t a life that I wanted. The next day I took the long drive from Charlotte NC to Morganton NC knowing that I was going to jail for a long time. I turn myself in at the Magistrates office thinking that I will be showed some leniency, after all I was only 18 years old and it was the first time I had been in trouble. I thought wrong, I was given copies of my indictments and arrest warrants, given a 23,000 dollar bond and placed in Jail. I cried like I have never cried before, after all I was only a teenager going to jail with grown men. The date is May 3rd of 2011, in Morganton North Carolina. I had just finished serving 61 days for multiple breaking and entering charges. The dreaded court date has arrived and I am scared to death. Breakfast trays came along, I was hungry but I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold anything down. After breakfast trays were picked up my name was called for court. I was taken out of my cell and put into handcuffs and leg cuffs along with a chain attached to the waist I was dressed in the customary Burke County black and white inmate uniform. This was the moment where I felt all alone in the world. My mom and dad weren’t going to be there every step of the way telling me it was going to be okay. I was 18 years old; in the eyes of the law you’re a grown man and will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Fear and anxiety were my biggest emotions. We were led to the top of the stairs where our court proceedings would take place. The judge was in no hurry to see me, I waited for an hour alone with nobody to talk to or comfort me. Another hour passed in shackles; finally the holding cell door opened and a deputy said â€Å"Campbell court. † Walking up the hallway that leads to the courtroom felt forever, my emotions were taking over. My teeth were chattering, cold shakes, and the fear of the unknown was getting the best of me. As I shuffled into the court I felt everybody’s eyes on me. The judge was seated glowering at me. He then proceeded to ask the D. A what my charges were, as the D. A was reading my charges I felt paralyzed, I was only 18 years old and facing serious criminal charges. We then discussed the plea bargain that my lawyer, D. A and I all agreed upon. I remember not even reading the plea just thanking God that I was getting out of this hell hole. After the plea was signed and all parties were satisfied, my lawyer looked at me and said â€Å"Mr. Campbell I wish you the best of luck, and hopefully you have learned your lesson. † I remember being grateful that he shook my hand and wished me â€Å"good luck†. I guess because he was the only one who stood by me this whole time. May 3rd 2011 is my release date; it’s a date that I will always remember. After waiting in shackles for another hour I was released from Burke County jail. I had one phone call to make, I called my mom and told her I was released and needed a ride. The jailers wished me the best of luck and opened the front door to freedom. It’s amazing how your sensitive your eyesight is after two months in County Jail. The sun and the sky was never something that I appreciated when I was younger, but when I walked through that doorway and felt the wind blow my face I remember feeling nothing but gratitude. It was spring time so the grass was green, leaves were starting to grow back and the sun was out in full force! After getting my eyes adjusted to the sun, I was waiting for my mom to pick me up. As I was waiting I recollected what I had just been through and what could have happened if the judge hadn’t accepted my plea. I had to go next door to the courthouse and check in with the Probation Office. After I checked in I was given a Probation Officer (Clarence Davis). He explained the guidelines of probation and what he expected of me. We discussed the conditions of my release, fines, and drug classes that I would have to take. I had 48 hours of community service, some seriously big fines and a drug assessment. I didn’t care what I had to do as long as I was out of jail. Sitting in his office I was looking at his walls and certificates, thinking I wonder how hard he’s going to be on me and what can I slide by him? Mr. Davis was and still is a good man; I have shared my thoughts and feelings with him without holding back. He was a great person who helped me in any way that he legally could. He would later retire and be replaced by Robb Williams, but then Robb would shortly be replaced by Trisha Plaster. Walking out of the Probation Office I called my mom again and waited for her to come pick me up. I could have spotted her car a mile away in traffic. I was never so happy to see that 09 Pontiac Grand Am. I knew she would take me home and tell me everything would be okay, getting out of jail I needed that family support. I am very grateful for my parents and how they still loved me unconditionally even after everything I had put them through. She pulled up and we had a tearful reunion in the Court House parking lot. She bombards me with question after question. Some things I told her and some things I wanted to keep to myself. After getting the reunion over she asked me where I wanted to go eat. I already knew where I wanted to go, I wanted to go home. I didn’t care about eating I just wanted to sleep in my old bed and enjoy the comforts of home. To be able to take a hot shower anytime of the day and not having to wear shoes in the shower were things I had forgotten. When we arrived at the house I took a shower and talked to my dad. All the emotions and tears that I was holding in during that day were released on his shoulders. After we talked for a while I went to sleep thinking of what I would do the next day. I had no job and no car. I was basically starting from scratch; friends and family had deserted me. I went through a really depressive time, feeling sorry for myself and blaming others for the trouble I had been in, when really I had nobody to blame but myself and the decisions I had made. I felt like I had nobody to talk to. It took a really long time for me to get out of my depressive state of mind. I started hanging out with people in my past that I shouldn’t have been. Socializing with these people lead me to Marijuana, with that I was introduced to Roxy’s, Molly’s (Ecstasy) and Liquor. I loved partying and â€Å"living it up† yet at the end of the day I was still left with that feeling of emptiness. I lost track of what I needed to be doing to straighten my life out and was headed back where I came from. I remember deceiving my probation officer, I would go in he would ask me how I was doing. Of course I would lie to him and tell him everything is great, knowing that I had just smoked the week before. I had him and other people fooled, or so I thought. My parents had gotten with their pastor and he had contacted a few people to intervene in my lifestyle. I remember feeling so guilty and ashamed that I couldn’t stand it. I wanted to be the perfect kid who my parents could say â€Å"yeah that’s my son† and not be ashamed about it. Thankfully I was introduced to the youth pastor, he basically saved my life. After talking with him for a couple months I started my recovery process. To start my recovery I had to accept who I was and where I had been. No more feeling sorry for myself, it was time to do something about it. I regularly attended AA and NA meetings and met people whose life story matched mine. I got a sponsor and was starting to feel better about myself and others around me. After my mind set was changed and I started to see things in a different light I started to look for a job. I looked everywhere and found nothing. This time I didn’t get depressed, I came to realize that not everything is going to be easy. Finally I got a call from Case Farms wanting me to come to work for them. I worked there for 20 months, long enough to get a nice car and move out of my parents’ house. A week after I moved out my roommate got busted with 3 ounces of pot and a pill bottle of Opana 40’s. I remember my mom telling me to come back and live with them that I was headed back into trouble. Unfortunately I wasn’t ready for the freedom of living with roommates. I thought I knew everything, that I could only drink or smoke just a little bit, a pill here and there wouldn’t hurt anything. Every week was a party with drugs and alcohol. With the partying came the trouble, I was locked up again. I lost my car, home, and job. Usually I would throw a pity party, but that’s not going to help. Today I have College, True Friends and my Sobriety. I couldn’t and wouldn’t put a price on any of these. Today I am TRULY happy.

Cancer Trials: a Social Class and Racial Division in Health

Cancer Trials: a Social Class and Racial Division in Health I. Introduction Individuals of African and Hispanic descent in the United States are not given a fair chance at life due to the inequality of race and social class division within health care institutions. I will demonstrate that there is a class conflict between lower class minorities and upper-class Caucasians within the United States health care system. This will be accomplished by comparing race and class conflict issues with Marxist class conflict theory and W.E.B DuBois racial theory. II. Explanation of Cancer Trials and Minorities In the New York Times article termed, In Cancer Trials, Minorities Face Extra Hurdles, Denise Grady illustrates how minorities are institutionally discriminated against. Grady gives several reasons why cancer trials are disproportionately made up of white individuals, how researchers are aware of this inequality, and how they are trying to correct the problem. One of the biggest concerns of researchers is that many individuals of a lower class status are less educated. In addition, these individuals of a lower class status are sometimes illiterate, do not speak or understand English, suffer from underlying health issues such as obesity or diabetes, or do not have access to resources that those of middle class Caucasian individuals are privy to. Moreover, this creates issues of inequality because some doctors assume that the individuals that are of a lower class and are minorities do not have ability to manage the obstacles that come with the cancer trial study. Some of these obstacle s include, child care, financial burdens for traveling, and taking time off of work for extended periods. However, Dr. Elise Cook stated, One of the biggest barriers is doctors not asking patients to join clinical trials because they assume they would not be candidates, furthermore, she claims that many would participate if they were asked. Dr. Cook also acknowledges that these cancer study trials have advantages that regular treatments do not have, such as frequent visits with doctors and nurses, free trial drugs, and more frequent testing. Additionally, Dr. Margaret Kemeny, an oncologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine also claims that all patients should have access to research studies and that doctors and researchers should educate their patients so that they have the chance to participate in a study. Furthermore, not educating these patients is a discriminatory action on the part of the caretaker/doctor. Furthermore, the chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society cl aims that attributing less health care to minorities creates a higher death rate that could have been prevented by adequate treatment and care by professionals. III. Conflict Comparison The lack of minorities who are not included in cancer trials reveal a conflicting issue between race and social class. The greatest factor within the health care between social and racial divides is that of a socioeconomic status. The rich are given more opportunities and advantages then the poor, this is a common theme in the American institutional system. Racial and ethnic minorities make up the majority of lower-class society due to oppression and lack of opportunities that can be used to gain upward social mobility. The elite and upper-class are more readily available to gain information and education concerning current medical trials that show progression in health issues. The elite are educated and they have monetary strengths that allow them advantages that the lower-class lack.ÂÂ   While there are other integrated factors, such as underlying health issues and racial disparities the main issue is socioeconomic status. Marxist theory recognizes victims of low-social class as victims of capitalist exploitations. This can be seen in cancer studies as suffering under capitalism, the underprivileged do not have the means to acquire the economic gains in order to receive certain treatments. The rich are given more advanced and adequate options for health care. In contrast, the lower-class are given less options and ill-informed information for resources if any information at all. Similarly, W.E.B. DuBois would attribute these acts as a color line theory. According to DuBois, in America the color line is the division of black and white individuals into two separate unequal parts. Building off of Marxist theory, DuBois focused on the inequality of racial and gender differences. DuBois stated, While together they could have offered a formidable challenge to structures of economic inequality, racial ideology divided the working classes. (Ritzer, Stepnisky 69) The lower-social class is mostly those of racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and therefore this d ivision in social class is also a racial class separation. V. Conclusion Minorities in the United States are unfairly treated in the health care institutions. They are less likely to be considered for trials that could potentially save or extend their lives. This is due to the lack of education that the doctors and health care facilities do not provide to patients that are of lower class minorities. Many doctors will automatically assume that due to the economic status of these individuals that they are not eligible to participate in these cancer trial treatments. By not educating and pushing patients to seek alternative treatments due to social class and racial differences, this creates a conflict for equal health care. References George Ritzer, Jeffery Stepnisky. Karl Marx: From Capitalism to Communism. George Ritzer, Jeffery Stepnisky. Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2013. 21-30. Print. George Ritzer, Jeffery Stepnisky. W.E.B. Du Bois: Race and Racism In Modern SOciety. George Ritzer, Jeffery Stepnisky. Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots. New York, NY: McGraw Hill , 2013. 65-69. Print. GRADY, DENISE. In Cancer Trials, Minorities Face Extra Hurdles. 23 December 2016. New York Times. Print. 29 January 2017.