Prejudice In To Kill A Mocking :: essays research papers

To Kill A Mockingbird   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is a story of racial injustice, sexism, and many other types of prejudice. Perhaps the most obvious form of prejudice found in the novel is racism.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tom Robinson was a hardworking, charitable person, who always put the needs of others above his own, but because of his skin colour. He was chosen as a target of racial prejudice, by those too ignorant to recognize his kindness, and care for all those around him. The 35-year-old, husband of three would never hurt a soul.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tom Robinson was found guilty and convicted by an all white jury for a crime he did not commit, the rape of Mayella Ewell, on the night of November the 21st . The trial, and death of Tom Robinson is just one instance of racial prejudice found in the novel, but maybe one of the strongest issues of racism which exists. Atticus Finch once said, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird (Lee 90).'; So why did death come to Tom Robinson, such a kind hearted loving person, whose only true sin was pity for a white woman.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many other instances in To Kill A Mockingbird where racism is clearly shown. When Aunt Alexandra makes her first appearance in the novel, she says to Calpurnia, “Put my bags in the front bedroom, Calpurnia (Lee 127).'; This shows the lack of respect and feeling of superiority that Aunt Alexandra has for Calpurnia, because of the colour of her skin.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The inhabitants of the small Southern town of Maycomb are so unaware of their words that racism and racial slander has become a ‘normal’ everyday thing, children grow seeing nothing wrong in being racist.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Racial slander is so commonly used that it is clearly seen that even the author of the novel does not realize the wrong in it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sexism is also shown throughout the novel. “Atticus,'; he said, “why don’t people like us and Miss Maudie ever sit on juries? You never see anybody from Maycomb on a jury-they all come from out in the woods.'; Atticus leaned back in his rocking chair. For some reason he looked pleased with Jem. “I was wondering when that’d occur to you,'; he said. “There are lots of reasons. For one thing, Miss Maudie can’t serve on a jury because she’s a woman.'; “You mean women in Alabama can’t-?'; I was indignant. “I do. I guess it’s to protect our frail ladies from sordid cases like Tom’s.

Biomedical research on animals Essay -- essays research papers fc

Heart attacks, bladder failure, and lack of medical cures are all very serious problems that are killing people today. How can doctors learn more about these medical difficulties? Through animal testing doctors can obtain valid results regarding these medical problems and create cures for people with many other medical difficulties. The progression of medicine and the day to day life styles of the general population rely on the ethical practice of animal testing. The alternatives to animal testing are not very valid. â€Å"Artificial testing with computer simulations, have not reached a technological level at which these simulations can be trusted to give a valid results to experiments(3).† Also, human testing has many restrictions and guidelines that make it almost impossible to perform tests on humans that could mentally or physically harm the subject. Therefore, animals provide a necessary involvement in the tests being performed today because there are no other reliable, valid sources for medical or cosmetic experimentation. Animal testing is imperative to the progression of medical cures, procedures and drugs. Animal research is constantly insuring the healthy future of others or a future at all for infants and children. â€Å"Recent advancements in biomedical research have led to better treatments for common childhood ailments(5).† â€Å"Today, vaccines developed through animal research have all but eradicated diseases such as small pox and polio and treat asthma, juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and many other illnesses.(5)† This can be seen especially in the advancements of drugs used to cure and inhibit the HIV virus and diabetes. Today, doctors are able to â€Å"achieve long-term insulin independence in a small group of severely diabetic patients who had received pancreatic islet cell transplant, something previously achieved in experimental mice and primates but never before in humans(5).† Now people with sever even life threatening diabetes can receive relief from this dis ease. Without the necessary preliminary testing on mice, this procedure would not be possible. Think about it, a common rodent that people try to eliminate everyday is now saving peoples lives! But why animals? Are they really that biologically close to humans? Now some may argue that an animal’s anatomy is very different than that of a human’s anatomy, which is very true for the most part. H... ...ls are raised in a contained environment just like animals used for experimental research. Both food producing animals and animals used in experiments provide humans with life sustaining products. Animal testing is a way of life because it sustains and extends life and until there are valid alternatives, animal testing will remain an ethical, valid, and conclusive practice. Works Cited Animal Experimentation. 14 Jan. 2002 . Animal Research Fact vs. Myth. 14 Jan 2002 . Are There Valid Research Methods. 14 Jan. 2002 . Bad Company. 18 Jan. 2002 . Breaking the Diabetes Transplant Barrier. 14 Jan. 2002 . Fox, Michael Allen. The Case For Animal Experimentation. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1986. End Notes (1)Animal Experimentation. 14 Jan. 2002 . (2)Animal Research Fact vs. Myth. 14 Jan 2002 . (3)Are There Valid Research Methods. 14 Jan. 2002 . (4)Bad Company. 18 Jan. 2002 . (5)Breaking the Diabetes Transplant Barrier. 14 Jan. 2002 . (6)Fox, Michael Allen. The Case For Animal Experimentation. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1986. The Argument Over Animal Testing

Queen Elizabeth Essay

‘The Taming of the Shrew’, written by William Shakespeare between 1589 and 1594, is a romantic comedy set in the Italian city of Padua. Since the play was written, the audience’s idea of comedy has changed quite dramatically. In the fifteen hundreds, an audience would have enjoyed obvious, visual aspects of comedy such as we would see in a modern-day pantomime, whereas an audience watching the play today would also enjoy less obvious aspects such as sarcasm, irony and dry humour. Shakespeare, although aware of Queen Elizabeth’s position as a strong and independent woman, also had to fulfil the expectations of the time. This is why the ‘feminist’ of the play comes out ‘Tamed’ at the end. Women were expected to be obedient to men, whether husband, father or elder, in the same way as commoners were subservient to the King and aristocracy, a model of society often referred to as the Great Chain of Being. This hierarchy supported belief in the Divine Right of Kings and, similarly, in man’s superiority to woman. The fact that the play is set in Italy further strengthens the link with the Italian tradition of Commedia dell’Arte, one of the major influences on modern pantomime. The subject of ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ – who shall have sovereignty in marriage – is also part of a long and well established tradition in English literature offering many opportunities for comedy, for example Chaucer’s ‘Wife of Bath’s Tale’ and Noah’s wife in the Medieval Mystery Plays. The play is primarily about love and respect between husband and wife, though there are many other underlying themes: the relationship between master and servant, violence, and oppression, sexual compatibility, marriage and its materialistic assets, family, and the relationship between appearance and reality. As the title suggests, the play follows the struggles of Petruchio and Katherina in courtship and marriage; Petruchio takes on the challenge of marrying the famed ‘Shrew’, known in Padua for her scolding tongue and uninviting attitude, and by the end of the play manages to tame her. It sheds light on the belief of the time that women should be completely obedient toward their masters, and that Kate realizes she will get nowhere resisting men and relents to Petruchio’s authority.

Vision 2030

KENYA VISION 2030 The vision 2030 objectives are to transform Kenya into an economic powerhouse with a sustainable growth rate of 10 per cent by 2030 thus becoming a middle-income, prosperous country. The goals are to wipe out: 1. Absolute poverty 2. Famine 3. Mass unemployment and 4. Preventable deaths from malaria and water-borne diseases. The vision also aims to build a democratic political system, rule of law and protect the rights and freedoms of every individual and society. It is an ambitious document. It almost sounds like Utopia. I like that. A good vision must exercise our imagination and require more than normal effort to attain, otherwise it wouldnt be worth calling it a vision for Kenya. We will not get anywhere doing things as we have always done them. I commend vision 2030 in the realization that inequalities and decentralization should be addressed through the instrument of devolved funds. Much good will follow that, provided the funds are actually accessible (hard lessons need to be learnt of the youth fund). I also like the idea sector to particiapte in them. I am very disturbed that the vision doesnt seem to anticipate the future. It largely focuses on solving the problems we face now, rather than preparing us for the future. We dont want to climb the ladder only to realize when we have reached the top that we started on the right base but leaning on the wrong wall. What shall be the basis for the stable, prosperous and sustainable nation in 2030? In the end, it depends on how committed everyone is to the vision. The stuff on social pillar, political reforms and the constitution sounds very good. I am optimistic that they shall be implemented to some degree. But I am yet to see zeal in government for this vision outside the ministry incharge of it. The government should not sell the vision (and buy the commitment) to the citizens and then submit itself to being held accountable by the people for its success. And, yes, it is feasible to attain the noble aims of 2030 vision and beyond. Paradoxically, this will have little to do with the politician yet it significantly should. The speedily achievement will be driven by a strong civil society, independent media, the private sector and the overly optimistic and hardworking peace loving mwananchi; i. e. me and you. Inclusive of this should be a strong appraisal and review framework to hold the government into account.

Biological Pest Control Case Study – the cassava mealybug

The Cassava plant was brought to Africa from South America in the 16th century. The next four years the starchy thickened roots became the main source of food for millions of Africans, providing up to 70% of the recommended daily intake. The cassava plant is the habitat of the cassava mealybug and is damaged by the insect. The problem – The cassava mealybug- eating cassava plant- biological control of mealybug by using wasps. When the cassava plant was introduced to Africa most of its predators for example mites and plant diseases, were not also introduced therefore leaving the plant free of most of its predators but in the 1970’s a pest called the cassava mealybug was accidently introduced from Latin America(2) The pest is a rare insect but it quickly spread across the entire cassava plant growing area and due to the lack of natural predators within 10 years it became the most important pest insect on cassava causing a loss of up 80% of crop. The mealybug(5) shown on left hand side of text has damaged the cassava plants by sucking sap from roots, tender leaves; petioles and fruit form the plant. The severely infested leaves of the cassava plant will turn yellow (3) and gradually dry out a severe attack on the cassava plant can result in shredding of leaves. On the right is a picture (4) of a cassava plant which has been infested by the mealybug. Another problem with the mealybugs is that some will inject a toxic substance while feeding causing deformation of the cassava plant and therefore there was less food to be harvest. Although timing is not regular, depending on biological events and conditions such as area under cultivation and climatic factors, it seems that major new diseases or strains of cassava disease tend to appear every 7–10 years. Table below shows the disease problem in Arica. Biological methods/ processes- biological control of invasive species. Cassava mosaic and mealybug control programs were introduced in the 1970s (2) to combat these two problems, the decline in crop because of the mealybug eating the plant and further decline because of the spread of disease. The Institute of Biological Control (CIBC) based in Trinidad and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) researched into how the mealybug was kept under control in South America. They eventually found that a tiny wasp (smaller than the head of a pin) called the Leptomastix, which laid its eggs on the mealybug was keeping the mealy bugs under control therefore protecting the cassava plant. The picture on the right shows the small wasp on the mealybug larvae. You can read also Costco Case Study The picture on the left shows an infected cassava tuber dug from the field and sliced open. The wasps were able to control the cassava eating the cassava crops by the wasp laying eggs on the mealybug they grew on the mealybug, the wasp larvae then killing the mealybug this would have a huge effect on the population as seen in South America, of the mealybug and therefore restoring the natural balance. This could be the breakthrough that they were looking for and could control the mealybug. Meeting the challenge Tests were run on the wasp by the CABI Bioscience in the UK. There the mealybug was tested to see how highly specific they are to the cassava mealybug host because if they were not then they could also affect other insects in the continent and therefore would be too dangerous to introduce to the area. The results showed that the wasp was highly specific to the insect (mealybug) so were given the okay to be shipped to Africa so they then can be reared and then the distributed to other areas around Africa. This was a huge breakthrough as without this research it had the ability to cause huge damage on the environment and the economy because of further damage to other crops. Appropriateness.-Has been successful with the mealybug. The mealybug feeds on the cassava stem, petiole, and leaf near the growing point of the cassava plant. During feeding, the mealybug injects a toxin that causes leaf curling, slowing of shoot growth, and eventual leaf withering. This is the effect the cassava mealybug has on the plant resulting in a huge loss of crop due to infested plant crop. The yield loss in infested plants is estimated to be up to 60 percent of root and 100 percent of the leaves the root is the main source of food so this causes a huge problem for the crop yield. The results were a reduction in mealybug damage was seen in the first season following release in both the leaf and the root, and full control was typically achieved within 2–4 years (6) after and now after a decade (10 years) the cassava mealybug and the wasps lived in natural balance with the mealybug population down to a maximum of 10% of what they were 10 years ago at a peak of the infestation.(1) Now the cassava can grow with no or little dam age from the mealybug as the wasp has stopped the 60% root damage and the 100% of leaf destruction. Yield losses as reported by farmers are averaged at about 80% during the 1983 cassava mealybug outbreak but were reduced to 43% in 1979 pre infestation levels. (7) Implications Environmental- An environmental implication is that when the wasps are introduced to south America there was a risk that it could have a huge impact on the food chain as by taking away one organism or gaining one can have a knock on effect on others for example of the wasp was then hunted by a predator this could leave its normal pray to multiply therefore having an over population which in turn can then have knock on effects to their pray and so on and so on until extinction of a food source. Causing problems for South America in the economy and for the environment also. This environmental implication causes an imbalance of the natural balance of wildlife; this may have a knock on effect of the overall environmental surrounding and the effect on the human population. Economic For the farmers of Africa the economic impact has been useful and successful by increasing dramatically there yield percentage therefore increasing the money income. Every pound of investment in the mealybug project control work has returned between 200 and 500 pounds. These benefits to the environment from this environmental solution with no costs but a huge increase in crop harvest, obviously is a clear advantage economically to the farmers. By introducing the wasps there will be a series of tests that need to be run before can be realised for example testing the wasps to see if they were highly specific to the mealybug and whether they would cause destruction on other pests in the environment. The cost of setting up the project is costly especially as it is a longitudinal study so will have a large amount of money spent which will be spent over the years as has to be monitored over the years. Benefits to the humans There was a desperate need for something that could stop the crop destruction on the cassava plant and by finding the wasp that ate the mealybug which was destroying the crop made the crop loss decrease dramatically There was 80% of crop lost so with the help of the cassava mealybug project has gone down to 43 % (7) this a huge benefit for the locals economically it brings in more income for them and also more food, As is a large food source for the local people. The cassava plant is the third-largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropic area. The cassava is a major food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for around 500 million people. Cassava is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils. Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava. The cassava is a great source of carbohydrate for the people although it lacks in protein. Risks to the environment Although there is many reasons why there was a need for this biological control of the cassava mealybug, but there was also a huge risk of the environment being destroyed for example, if the wasp was not highly specific to the mealybug and caused a different crop to grow out of control this could also affect the natural balance of the environment resulting in and upset of the natural predators food source leading to disruption of habitat and extinction of some insects which will have a large effect on predators higher up the food chain. The wasp being introduced to the environment could have caused further damage on the environment destroying the local agriculture if it had effected another plant in the environment with could have caused further damage on the local economy and their food source. The food chain on the right shows how a small animal’s decrease of extinction would affect along the food chain resulting in effecting the highest food predator and can easily lead to extinction of this animal. Alternative solutions Pesticides can be used to control out breaks of mealybugs. It is not very easy to control, as the cassava mealybug is covered in hydrophobic wax which repels water-based insecticides therefore making it very difficult ton successfully irradiate the mealybug using this method of biological control. Also unless mealybugs are sprayed with the insecticide at certain times the treatment will not be effective. Firstly because mealybugs are protected from aqueous sprays by their wax coat and seek sheltered sites at certain points in which to feed, insecticides must be applied when mealybugs have least wax and are most exposed. This time is in early spring as the mealybugs will feed on the foliage and at this point the mealybugs are young and have not had enough time to produce the full thick layer of wax coating. And therefore this leaves the mealybug unprotected from the insecticide. There are also fewest leaves at this point so is harder for the, mealybug to hide from the insecticide resulting in a higher success rate. Insecticides applied after Christmas has limited effect, Once mealybugs have established there position on the plant (usually from mid-January onwards), they are virtually impossible to remove or control with insecticides at this stage therefore this means that there has to be a lot of research gone into discovering the perfect time to use the pesticide therefore costing a lot as is a longitudinal study and may vary from year to year. Genetic modification. Another possibility that is being looked into it genetic modification of plants, this was done by Dr Stanford. He was looking into crop improvement and saw the power of genetic selection and how there was limited changed possible using just selective breeding. He then became involved in plant genetic engineering research and showed that there were numerous genes which were potentially useful in crop plants but they were struggling to find a method for delivering these genes into the plant genome, there was no transformation technology(8) . Further research showed that shooting DNA into cells thereby penetrating cell walls and membranes. This was called the gene gun and it was able to transform early transgenic crops. This gene gun would be able to in theory change the genetic makeup of the cassava plant so that it could offer some sort of protection against predators. This would also have risks as you do not know how the modification will affect all of its predators and could therefo re have an effect on them so may cause harm in some way. Although there is less risk in destroying the natural environment as it is not causing other insects a problem. Conclusion In conclusion the biological control of the mealybug has had a huge effect and has caused the problem of the economy and environment to be resolved therefore keeping harmony between the organisms and the human population by keeping a natural balance between the small wasp and the mealybug.

Back Injuries In Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Back Injuries In Workplace - Essay Example if literature related back belts, on evaluating the adequacy of data in support of the use of back belts in preventing work-related injuries was insufficient to draw any conclusion either in support or against the advantages of using a back belt in a work-related environment. The memorandum also concluded that â€Å"the effectiveness of using back belts to lessen the risk of back injuries among uninjured workers (NIOSH, 1996)† and does not consider back belts to be personal protective equipment as there is no supporting data to indicate the significant reduction of biomechanical loading on the trunk during manual lifting. Also, the popular claims of industrial back belt manufacturers that back belts reduce significantly back injury risk due to changes in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and trunk muscle electromyography (EMG). The claims of popular manufacturers in the market – OK-1 or Valeo or OccuNomix, seem to be focussing on the fact that the back belts work and help prevent workplace injuries by significantly reducing the intra-abdominal pressure or stiffening the spine. Now compare this with the authentic documentation from NIOSH or OSHA or the Surgeon General’s advisory that the efficacy of using back belts in preventing workplace back injuries seems to be almost contradictory. While the manufacturer’s claim efficacy in the usage of their products, there is no scientific evidence to back that claim. Probably this argument could go on and on both from the official front on lack of evidence to prove efficacy and manufacturers claiming efficacy. Taking a side in this argument leaves our organization nowhere near the solution near that is being sought to prevent workplace back injuries. The primary concern with respect to this paper is to prevent injuries and ensure well being of th e employees while ensuring the highest level of productivity for the organization.

Vacation to New York City Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Vacation to New York City - Essay Example From the size of the buildings to the width of the main streets, even the height of the horses on whose backs police patrolled was such as I had not seen before. However, perhaps the most memorable fact of all was the sounds and overall noise. Although I did not come from a small town, to begin with, I was not prepared for the business and overall noise level that New York life involved. In any given minute there could be a street musician, a sidewalk advertisement/demonstration, people whistling for taxis, horns beeping, construction equipment working, jackhammers chipping, and the general din of thousands of people all talking at once. To my young and impressionable mind, this is one of the facts I will remember to the day I die as I recall looking out into the faceless mass of humanity with child-like awe and wonder at the sea of humanity that existed all around me. Beyond the noise, the grandeur of the buildings and their size was something else that gave me pause. Courthouses back home had a level of grandeur as did banks to a certain degree; however, the columns, the size, the colors, the use of glass, granite and steel to make obscenely tall buildings erupt from the corners of the sidewalk was something I had never before seen to such a degree. Likewise, the smells that greeted me were also of particular interest to my young, curious mind. For instance, the sidewalks emitted the pungent odor of multiple different kinds of ethnic foods all being sold by street vendors – usually of the country of origin as was the food they were peddling. At the same time, there were twinges of sea air mixed with the distinct smell of horse urine from the many horse-mounted police that was commonplace in the city of New York.