Sterotypes and Diversity in American Research Paper

Sterotypes and Diversity in American - Research Paper Example Stories related by friends and families, narratives handed down from generations to generations, information from books and magazines, and depictions in movies and television allow individuals to formulate generalizations. Majority of these stereotypical generalizations are logically correct, however, in almost all cases, humanity is resorting to bigotry by assigning labels and categorizations about a person merely rooted in a stereotype, devoid of real facts. Through stereotyping, suppositions are made on a person or group with some individuality. Stereotypical biases are oftentimes derived from secondhand information (Grobman, 1990). Extensive and continuous circulation of stereotypes causes uncertainty between realism and fallacy for both the subject and doer (Prell, 2009). At the time the United States was experiencing remarkable changes in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries from enormous immigrant arrivals; modernization and industrial ascension; and the inclusion of women, races, and minorities in the labor force, American civilization developed preoccupations with inflexible and often vindictive cultural stereotypes in the fields of literature, arts, and the media (Prell, 2009). As portrayed in the movie industry, African-Americans are negatively stereotyped as intellectually incapable, idle, or violent. Consequently, with this type of pigeonholed films, injustice in opposition to African-Americans is promoted. Another example of media stereotype is how women, the physically perfect in particular, are constantly presented as weak, unintelligent and sexually immoral (Grobman, 1990). Fashion icons, sports figures, television and movie personalities are glamorously represented by the media as models of perfection. However, ethnic, gendered, and culture-rooted stereotypes are oftentimes impossibly achievable resulting in a great divide between genders boasted in the media and the â€Å"ordinary† sexes of society. Moreover, with the current trend o f humanity’s fixation for excellence, society is confronted with socio-cultural threats and loss of identity and ethnicity (McConnell, 2008). The dilemma frequently comes up once the ‘label’ twists from being a classifier into an insulting position for the subject, especially if the individual formulating the stereotype is a person of authority. At that juncture, it is not simply the human perception of stereotypes but the person who commands power, creates labels and holds egotistic interests that is at fault. When a stereotype is used for maneuvering an individual’s manner of judgment, it has to be classified if it is an instrument or an obstruction in the user’s opinion (Stewart, n.d.). This paper will provide an explanation as to why stereotypes are made. Advantages and disadvantages of negative stereotyping will be laid out to raise awareness on how it affects the social wellbeing of a stigmatized individual. A treatment plan in combating negat ive stereotypes through active participation of individuals, the media and the educational system, will likewise be presented. The Reasons behind Stereotypes Nowadays, the term 'stereotype' is perceived as a form of maltreatment and exploitation. Diverse groups, predominantly the black outcasts, inferior-to-men women and discriminated gays, are stereotyped in the mass media and in the

Vodafone in India Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Vodafone in India - Research Paper Example The political situation in India is democratic and stable which means that the companies can work in India and perform their day-to-day business activities with ease (Bowhill 2008). Recently a single party has an own majority in the elections considered in the country which is a boon for Vodafone as a company as policy decisions are likely to be taken with ease which will help the company. For companies like Vodafone, this presents a huge opportunity and a wide market that it can explore in order to proliferate mobile subscriber base for its business. People in India are family loving and family oriented (Neild and Carol 2008). To take advantage of the situation Vodafone has introduced lower call rates to help stay connected with family members at low cost. Vodafone has been part of these technological changes and introduced advanced technologies in their operational processes. Considering Environmental factors Vodafone markets itself as one which takes care of the environment as thi s plays as a good sentimental advantage and helps the company in long run. There has been recent turmoil that has been witnessed in the telecom sector in India. The turmoil has been witnessed in the spectrum allocation and 2G license. Vodafone as a major telecom company abides by the rules and regulations set by the Supreme Court avoiding any disputes that may affect the brand image. Vodafone has researched on the Indian market and came up with plans to cater the needs of the Indian consumers.

Democratic Peace Theory and Georgia

Democratic Peace Theory and Georgia Georgias decision to launch an offensive attack against Russian personnel occupying the contested regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia seems to contradict the theoretical underpinnings of the Democratic Peace Theory. However, further analysis of Georgias and Russias regimes reveals some of the criticisms of the theory itself and their impact on the Intelligence Communitys (IC) ability to provide warning in the region. The Democratic Peace Theory states that democratic states do not go to war with each other, or at least, are much less likely to. The basis of this theory is two-fold: first, that democracies are like-minded in fiscal and political polices and that democratic political culture makes going to war less likely, and second, that political constraints on leaders of democratic states discourage the use of force as a foreign policy option.[1] In his book, Democracy and International Conflict: An Evaluation of the Democratic Peace Proposition, James Lee Ray further describes the cultural and structural explanations of democratic peace: Disputes between states do not escalate to war because the leaders expect, on a basis of common culture, to be able to work out their differences, and that greater decisional constraints [i.e., political structure] on a leader produce a lower probability that a dispute involving the state will escalate to war.[2] Additionally, studies have argued that when dem ocratic leaders do choose to escalate international crises, their threats are taken as highly credible, since there must be a relatively large public opinion for these actions.[3] In August 2008, Georgia and Russia, both democratic countries, went to war over two disputed regions within the borders of Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, that had long been sources of conflict. South Ossetia and Abkhazia also have established, democratic governments, although Georgia does not recognize the government of South Ossetia as legitimate. Prior to the break-up of the Soviet Union, all had coexisted relatively peacefully under Soviet control. Conflict over the desire for independence by the territories and nationalism by Georgia had erupted after the break-up and had been simmering since then, with Russia quietly supporting the regimes in South Ossetia and Abkhazia in a covert attempt to assimilate first the population, then the territory into the Russian Federation.[4] The conflict impacts stability in the region, which has implications for the safety and control of major oil pipelines, roads and railways between Russia and Armenia and between Georgia and Russia through South Ossetia. Support to Georgia, as an emerging democracy in the region and a member of the coalition in Afghanistan, puts the U.S. at odds with Russia, which is counterproductive to stability in the region and even globally. Given the cultural and structural explanations of the Democratic Peace Theory, the conflict between two democratic states can be explained through criticisms of the theory. First, one of Dean Babsts four indicators of a democracy is the country must have been independent.[5] Georgia was part of the Soviet Union until gaining independence in 1991, and the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is not agreed upon by the international community. Georgia, despite its independence, is still in the process of establishing state sovereignty within an ethnically divided nation. Next, the vulnerability of democracy is a criticism of the theory.[6] President Mikheil Saakashvilis election in 2008 was hotly contested, and it threatens to unhinge the real progress Georgia has made towards institutional, democratic and economic reform from 2004.[7] Additionally, the leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church has proposed a constitutional Monarchy to guarantee stability.[8] Therefore, Georgias infant dem ocracy, after it spent years under a communist regime, is far from security. Finally, Spencer Weart stated wars have never occurred between well-established democracies.[9] However, he does not delineate what constitutes a well-established democracy. Georgia has operated as a democracy for almost two decades and fulfills Babsts other three indicators of a democracy.[10] While Russia is fundamentally structured as a representative democracy, Freedom House lists Russia as not free based on the Kremlins stage-managed parliamentary election campaign, Putins move to Prime Minister after two terms as president, and an alarming increase in state power over civil society.[11],[12] The point at which Georgia and Russia can be considered democracies that will not go to war with each other is vague. Therefore, the United States and the IC cannot apply the Democratic Peace Theory to the conflict in Georgia. In order for the IC to assess the threats to U.S. interests in Georgia, analysts must predict Georgias willingness to resort to armed conflict with Russia over the disputed regions. Georgia has troops in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and they are politicking heavily to become part of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).[13] In this sense, they are striving to become part of the international democratic community. If Georgia is part of the EU and NATO, then any action they take against Russia would require support on the part of other member nations. The United States assisted Georgia in their efforts against Russia, specifically through airlift. However, U.S. combat and combat support forces did not deploy to the region due to undesirable outcomes from United States combating Russian forces. While Georgia continues to present itself as a U.S. ally, the IC needs to provide warning to U.S. policy makers of any impending conflict in the Russian occupied regions. President Obama needs to use other national instruments of power to resolve the dispute or stabilize relations between Georgia and Russia in order to avoid going to war with Russia over a civil conflict within a sovereign state. The Democratic Peace Theory seems to be well supported when applied to states which have both the cultural and structural aspects of democracy. However, it falls short of establishing criteria to consider a country truly democratic despite giving indications of democracy. Georgia and Russia, both newly democratic states, cannot be viewed through the lens of the theory, especially in light of the recent trend towards authoritarianism by Russia. With Russia occupying regions in Georgia and declaring them independent states, the IC must continue to analyze relations between the two states and provide warning to policy makers in the United States. References James Lee Ray, Democracy and International Conflict: An Evaluation of the Democratic Peace Proposition (Studies in International Relations), p. 30, Columbia: Univ Of South Carolina Pr, 1998. Ibid. Democratic Peace Theory , Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_peace_theory (accessed November 30, 2009). The Georgia-Russia conflict: lost territory, found nation, Open Democracy, http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/the-georgia-russia-conflict-lost-territory-found-nation (accessed November 30, 2009). Ray, Democracy and International Conflict, p. 12. Ray, Democracy and International Conflict, p. 204. Robert Parsons, Mikheil Saakashvilis bitter victory. Open Democracy (January 2008), http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/conflicts/mikheil_saakashvili_bitter_victory (accessed November 30, 2009). Giorgi Lomsadze Time for a King for Georgia? Eurasia Net (October 2007), http://www.eurasianet.net/departments/insight/articles/eav 101207a.shtml (accessed November 30, 2009). Ray, Democracy and International Conflict, p. 35 Ibid., p 12. Russia, Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia (accessed November 29, 2009). Freedom in the World Russia (2008), Freedom House, www.freedomhouse.org/inc/content/pubs/ fiw/inc_country_detail.cfm?year=2008country=7475pf (accessed November 30, 2009). Ambassador Batu Kutelia (lecture, National Defense Intelligence College, Washington, D.C., October 5, 2009)

Violence in Video Games Essay -- essays research papers

Violence in Video Games and Its Affects on Teens Ever since their conception, video games have contained violence; violence being to cause pain or death onto other beings. From early video games to the most advanced, violence plays an important role. Early games like Wonder Boy and Space Invaders contain violence. Space Invaders involves shooting and killing as many alien as possible. Wonder Boy has our hero killing monsters that vanish upon death. The hero is also subjected to violence as enemies swing swords, and throws rocks at him. The degree of violence in video games is based upon personal preference. Does violence in video games contribute to violent act committed by teens? And, what makes teens turn to violence? Being exposed to violence everyday, kids become blunt to it and it becomes a normal thing. It a defense mechanism, a form of denial says Dr. Peter Nieman, a Pediatrician. Video games are seen as fantasy but really help to make violence more acceptable in our society says university of Toronto Sociologist Walter Podichak. There are still many questions whether some video games are more violent than some comic books or some cartoons. It’ s a problem for some kids who are not connected and are dealing with violent images, they may think this is an appropriate behavior. If they have access to a gun, you may see a problem says Det. Sgt. John Muise, of the Ontario office of victims of Crimes. (Source 3) Examples of violent video games and their content In m...

Baldwin Bicycle Company Essay

Baldwin Bicycle Company is its own independent bicycle shop that has been in business for almost 40 years. Last year Baldwin had sold 98,791 bikes which accounted for nearly $10 million in sales for 1982. Suzanne Lesiter is the marketing Vice President of Baldwin and has just been offered a proposition from Karl Knott, a buyer from Hi-Valu to possibly start producing bikes for them. Baldwin had never conducted any business with a chain department such as Hi-Valu since it was use to its own independent retailers. There were three conditions that must be met in order for the deal to be made between the two companies. The first condition is that Hi-Valu wants to have ready access to a large pool of inventory, but didn’t want ownership of the bicycles till it reached its stores or would pass the four month deadline of being held at their regional warehouses. Hi-Valu would then have 30 days to pay Baldwin. When looking at this new system of inventory, Baldwin will be adding new costs that have to deal with the regional warehouses of Hi-Valu. These asset related costs include record keeping costs of $7,156.38, inventory insurance of $2,146.91, state property tax of $5,009.46, inventory-handling of $22,066.13, and pilferage of $3,578.13. These relevant costs add up to about $39,957.07. Baldwin must also add other asset costs for the way the inventory system is being run. Baldwin will not expect to show any sales for at least the first two months considering most of their bikes will be at the regional warehouses. Even after they have been transported to one of Hi-Valu’s stores or have reached the four month deadline, Baldwin still has to wait an additional 30 days for their payment from Hi-Valu. These extra variable costs include materials for two months at $165,833.33, Work in Progress at $34,600, Finished Goods at $34,600, Goods at Hi Valu at $288,333.33, and the pay period of 30 days for the Accounts Receivable at $192,637.50. As a whole there are asset related costs of $755,594.57. This outweighs the relevant revenue that is gained from the â€Å"Challenger† series which makes for high capital investments which seem very risky. The fact that Baldwin must pay interest on the inventory also adds additional costs which skyrocket the relevant cost up to $1,427,419.15 at the worst case scenario of four months.

Nickel and Dimed Essay

Blue collar jobs are decent means to earn a living.   However, upon reading Nickel and Dimed, a sad reality on the plight of the working poor or the low-wage workforce would wrenched anyone’s heart thinking that if this one is happening in America what will happen to the rest of the other world for instance the poorer countries or we may say the fourth world? The world look up at America’s prosperity but in reading the book of Ehrenreich somebody with a heart would say leave behind that job that enslave and find a living!   This can be easier said but in the true sense it is not the case.   The world we are in is a competition and harsh to people who have the misfortune of having the least opportunity. For this reason, a gesture of kindness or a smile for the working class would alleviate their misery and this is the least we can do or offer them.   Moreover, it is a thing every man should ponder, and to find ways and means to eradicate such meanness. Essay for question number 2 Affordable housing is always in locations called the inner city.   No low-wage worker can afford a prime location and these locations are normally the place where somebody could easily find a job.   Moreover, city planners and businesses cater to the public who have the highest purchasing power because that means business.   With these realities, one may say that the problem is difficult to solve. Habitat for Humanity offers affordable housing but to marginalize few, this international housing organization despite its efforts can not extend its arms to every body that will be in need for low-cost housing.   Many of the working class has a need for affordable housing but it is a bone wrecking effort to make both ends meet.   Probably the only remedy is to lower the living condition and live within the most viable limit.   Truly the best way for a poor person is to live a frugal and detached life and that is to live in a trailer house? Essay for question number 3 Color or hues, even if we say we live in a free country still matters not because it is the Americas but on the simple truth that man are judgmental, discriminating or simply out of touch to reality, greedy or just bent on maximizing their profits. The life of working person begins not in front of his or her job but in the home when she or he start pulling the laundry, wash the dishes or fetch a son or daughter in school.   These are domestic works which needs to be polished day in and out.   In fact, this daily duties is enough challenge to a single parent when he or she needs to battle his or her time from the job that is at hand.   Moreover, single parents do not receive much emotional backups and for this reasons are occasionally being construed by a society to be in need of help but are often are the ones most of the times victimized. Essay for question number 4 Low-wage workers are often times people because of poverty have low self-esteem and for some are rebels.   These workers find difficulty in asserting themselves.   Just imagine the torture of everyday, fighting for the lease of a life that seemed to becoming expensive everyday?   Mentally these are poor workers who have already despaired on their sad fate that since there is no choice left to live, these are just the guys who would shrug their shoulder and live until one can still swallow an air to breath. People who are bereft of a just wage are men marginalized in a materialistic society that lords over technology.   A hedonistic society that looks down on men who belongs to the working class and despised them as if they are not flesh and bones like the rest of the human race.   Every citizen has the right to a just wage, a safe working condition, and a job that could sustain not just the pocket but the heart and mind as well. However, some rights are often undermine by the lack of concern not only from the policy makers but also from the public itself when people patronized products that are cheap because it provides cheap labor to its workers.   Employees of ill-minded owners or greedy businesses should make a stand not to patronized products and services that belong to these suckers.   There is a call for genuine solidarity among employees so that demands will be laid in the most effective and orderly manner or strategy.   With Barbara,   one would say that a 6$ job is not enough â€Å"to compensate indignity† (Ehrenreich, 2000). References Ehrenreich, B. (2000). Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 29 February 2008, from http://www.henryholt.com/readingguides/ehrenreich.htm