Island of the Sequined Love Nun Chapter 32~33

32 The Missionary Position The guards came for Tucker at sunset, just as he was slipping into the cotton pants and shirt the doctor had left for him. The doctor's clothes were at least three sizes too big for him, but with the bandages he had to put them over, that was a blessing. He still had his own sneakers, which he put on his bare feet. He asked the guards to wait and they stood just inside his door, as straight and silent as terra-cotta soldiers. â€Å"So, you guys speak English?† The guards didn't answer. They watched him. â€Å"Japanese, huh? I've never been to Japan. I hear a Big Mac goes for twelve bucks.† He waited for some response and got none. The Japanese stood impassive, silent, small beads of sweat shining through their crew cuts. â€Å"Sorry, guys, I'd love to hang around with you chatterboxes, but I'm due for dinner with the doc and his wife.† Tuck limped to the guards and offered each an arm in escort. â€Å"Shall we go?† The guards turned and led him across the compound to one of the bungalows on the beach. The guards stopped at the steps of the lanai and Tuck dug into his pants pockets. â€Å"Sorry guys, no cash. Have the concierge put a couple of yen on my bill.† The doctor came through the french doors in a white ice cream suit, carrying a tall iced drink garnished with mango. â€Å"Mr. Case, you're looking much better. How are you feeling?† â€Å"Nothing wrong with me one of those won't cure.† Sebastian Curtis frowned. â€Å"I'm afraid not. You shouldn't drink alcohol with the antibiotics I have you on.† Tucker felt his guts twist. â€Å"Just one won't hurt, will it?† â€Å"I'm afraid so. But I'll make you one without alcohol. Come in. Beth is making a wonderful grouper in ginger sauce.† Tucker went though the french doors to find a bungalow decorated much like his own, only larger. There was an open kitchen nook where Beth Curtis was stirring something with a wooden spoon. She looked up and smiled. â€Å"Mr. Case, just in time. I need someone to taste this sauce.† She was wearing a cream-colored Joan Crawford number with middle line-backer shoulder pads and buff-colored high heels. The dress was straight out of the forties, but Tuck had been around Mary Jean long enough to know that Mrs. Curtis had dropped at least five hundred bucks on the shoes. Evidently, missionary work paid pretty well. She held a hand under Tuck's chin as she presented the spoon. The sauce was sweet citrus with a piquant bite to it. â€Å"It's good,† he said. â€Å"Really good.† â€Å"No fibbing, Mr. Case. You're going to have to eat it.† â€Å"No, I like it.† â€Å"Well, good. Dinner will be ready in about a half hour. Now, why don't you men take your drinks out on the lanai and let a girl do her magic.† Sebastian handed Tuck an icy glass filled with an orange liquid and garnished with mango. â€Å"Shall we?† he said, leading Tuck back outside. They stood at the railing, looking out at the moon reflecting in the ocean. â€Å"Would you be more comfortable sitting, Mr. Case?† the doctor asked. â€Å"No, I'm fine. And please call me Tuck. Anyone calls me Mr. Case more than three times, I start thinking I'm going to get audited.† The doctor laughed, â€Å"We can't have that. Not with the kind of money you're going to be making. But legally, you know, it's tax-free until you take it back into the United States.† Tuck stared out at the ocean for a moment, wondering whether it was time to give this gift horse a dental exam. There was just too damn much money showing on this island. The equipment, the plane, Beth Curtis's clothes. After Jake Skye's lecture, Tuck had imagined that he might encounter some sweaty drug-smuggling doctor with a Walther in his belt and a coke whore wife, but these two could have just flown in from an upscale church social. Still, he knew they were lying to him. They had referred to the Japanese as their â€Å"staff,† but he'd seen one of them carrying an Uzi out behind the hangar. He was going to ask, he really was, but as he turned to face the doctor, he heard a soft bark at the end of the lanai and looked up to see a large fruit bat hanging from the edge of the tin roof. Roberto. The doctor said, â€Å"Tucker, about the drinking.† Tuck pulled his gaze away from the bat. The doctor had seen him. â€Å"What drinking?† â€Å"You know that we saw the reports on your – how should I put it?† â€Å"Crash.† â€Å"Yes, on your crash. I'm afraid, as I told you, we can't have you drinking while you're working here. We may need you to fly on very short notice and we can't risk that you might not be ready.† â€Å"That was an isolated incident,† Tuck lied. â€Å"I really don't drink much.† â€Å"Just a momentary lapse of judgment, I understand. And it may seem a bit draconian, but as long as you don't drink or go out of the compound, everything will be fine.† â€Å"Sure, no problem.† Tuck was watching the bat over the doctor's shoulder. Roberto had unfurled his wings and was turning in the sea breeze like an inverted weather vane. Tuck tried to wave him off behind the doctor's back. â€Å"I know this may all seem very limiting, but I've worked with the Shark People for a long time, and they're very sensitive to contact with outsiders.† â€Å"The Shark People? You said you'd explain that.† â€Å"They hunt sharks. Most of the natives in Micronesia won't eat shark. In fact, it's taboo. But the reef fish here often have a high concentration of neurotoxin, so the natives developed shark as a food source. You would think that the sharks, being higher on the food chain, would have a higher concentration of the toxin, wouldn't you?† â€Å"You'd think,† Tuck said, having no idea whatsoever what the doctor was talking about. â€Å"They don't, though. It's as if something in their system neutralizes the toxin. I've done a little research in my spare time.† â€Å"I've seen a lot of shark shows on the Discovery Channel. They go on and on about how harmless sharks are. It's bullshit. Half of these stitches you put in me are because of a shark attack.† â€Å"Maybe they don't have cable,† the doctor said. Tuck turned to him, amazed. â€Å"A joke, Doc?† The doctor looked a little embarrassed. â€Å"I'm going to go see how dinner is coming along. I'll be right back.† He turned and went into the house. Tucker bolted to the end of the lanai where Roberto was hanging. â€Å"Shoo. Go away.† Roberto made a trilling noise and tried to catch Tuck's drink with his wing claw. â€Å"Okay, you can have the mango, but then you have to get out of here.† Tucker held out the piece of cut mango and the fruit bat took it in his wing claw and slurped it down. â€Å"Now get out of here,† Tucker said. â€Å"Go find Kimi. Shoo, shoo.† Roberto tilted his head and said, â€Å"Back off on these people, Tuck. You push them too hard, they'll pull your plug. Just keep your eyes open.† Tuck moved away from the bat with stiff jerking steps out of the line dance of the undead. The bat had said something. It was a tiny voice, high but raspy, the voice of a chain-smoking Topo Gigio, but it was clear. â€Å"You didn't talk,† Tucker said. â€Å"Okay,† said Roberto. â€Å"Thanks for the mango.† Roberto took off, the beat of his wings like the shuffle of a deck of leather cards. Tuck backed though the french doors into a wicker emperor's chair and sat down. â€Å"Come sit,† Beth Curtis said as she carried a tray to the table. â€Å"Dinner's ready.† â€Å"What kind of drugs have you been giving me, Doc?† â€Å"Broad-spectrum antibiotics and some Tylenol. Why?† â€Å"Any chance they could cause hallucinations?† â€Å"Not unless you were allergic, and we'd know that by now. Why?† â€Å"Just wondering.† Beth Curtis came to him and patted his shoulder. Her nails, he noticed, were perfect. â€Å"You had a fever when they brought you in. Sometimes that can give a person bad dreams. I think you'll feel a lot better after a good meal.† She helped him up and led him to the table, which was set with a white tablecloth and black linen napkins around a centerpiece of orchid sprigs arranged in a crystal bowl. A whole grouper stared up between fanned slices of plantain on a serving tray, his eye a little dry but clear and accusing. Tuck said, â€Å"If that thing starts talking, I want to be sedated – and right now.† â€Å"Oh, Mr. Case.† Beth Curtis rolled her eyes and laughed as they sat down to dinner. Tuck could almost feel his body absorbing the nourishment. He told them the story of his journey to the island, exaggerating the danger aspect and glossing over his injuries, Kimi, and his craving for alcohol. He didn't mention Roberto at all. By the time Tucker was in the typhoon, the Curtises were well into their second bottle of white wine. Beth's cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm for Tuck's every word. Tuck really intended to ask about Kimi, their cryptic messages, the guards, the rules for his employment, and of course, where the hell all the money came from, but instead he found himself playing to Beth Curtis like a comedian on a roll and he left the bungalow at midnight quite taken with both himself and the doctor's wife. The Curtises stood arm in arm at the door as the guards escorted Tucker back to his quarters. Halfway across the compound, he did a giddy turn and waved to them, feeling as if he had been the one to consume two bottles of wine. â€Å"What do you think?† the Sorcerer asked his wife. â€Å"Not a problem,† she said, keeping a parade smile pointed Tuck's way. â€Å"I really expected him to be a little more resistant to our conditions.† â€Å"As if he's in a position to bargain. The man has nothing, is nothing. He shatters this little illusion we've given him and he has to face himself.† â€Å"He looks at you like you're some sort of beatific vestal virgin. I don't like it.† â€Å"I can handle that. You just get flyboy ready to do his job.† â€Å"He'll be able to fly within a week. He brought up his navigator again while we were outside.† â€Å"If he's here, you'd better find him.† â€Å"I'll speak to Malink tonight. The Micro Spirit is due in day after tomor-row. If we find the navigator, we can send him back on the ship.† â€Å"Depending on what he's seen,† she said. â€Å"Yes, depending on what he knows.† Tucker Case entered his bungalow feeling satisfied and full of himself. Someone had turned on the lights in his absence and turned down the bed. â€Å"What, no mint on the pillow?† He changed into a pair of the doctor's pajama bottoms and grabbed a paperback spy novel from a stack someone had left on the coffee table. They had a TV. There had been a TV in the Curtises' bungalow. He'd have to ask them to get him one. No, dammit, demand a television. What did Mary Jean always say? â€Å"You can sell all day, but if you don't ask for the money, you haven't made a sale.† Good food, good money, and a great aircraft to fly – he'd stumbled into the best gig on the planet. I am the Phoenix, rising from the ashes. I am the comeback kid. I am the entire 1980 gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey team. I am the fucking walrus, coo-coo ka-choo. He went into the bathroom to brush his teeth, caught his reflection in the mirror. His mood went terminal. I am never going to get laid again as long as I live. I should have pressed them about Kimi. I didn't even ask about what in the hell kind of cargo I'm going to be flying. I am a spineless worm. I'm scum. I'm the Hindenburg, I'm Michael Milken, Richard Nixon. I'm seeing ghosts and bats that talk and I'm stuck on an island where the only woman makes Mother Theresa look like a lap dancer in a leper colony. I am the man who put the F in failure, the P in pathetic, the G in gullible. I am the ringworm poster boy of Gangrene City. I'm an insane, unemployed bus driver for the death camp cartel. Tuck went to bed without brushing his teeth. 33 Chasing the Scoop Natives slept side by side, crisscrossed, and piled on the deck of the Micro Spirit until – with a thu showing here, or a lavalava there, streams of primary color among all that gelatinous brown flesh – it looked as if someone had dropped a big box of candy in the hot sun and they had melted together and spilled their fillings. Amid the mess, Jefferson Pardee, rolled and pitched with the ship, finding three sleeping children lying on him when the ship moved to starboard, a rotund island grandmother washing against him when the ship listed to port. He'd been stepped on three times by ashy callused feet, once on the groin, and he was relatively sure he could feel lice crawling in his scalp. Unable to sleep, he stood up and the mass moved amoebalike into the vacated deck space. A three-quarter moon shone high and bright, and Pardee could see well enough to make his way through to the railing, only stepping on one woman and evoking colorful island curses from two men. Once at the rail, the warm wind washed away the cloying smell of sweat and the rancid nut smell of copra coming from the holds. The moon's re-flection lay in the black sea like a tossing pool of mercury. A pod of dolphins rode the ship's bow wave like gray ghosts. He took several deep breaths, relieved himself over the side, then dug a bent cigarette out of his shirt pocket. He lit it with a disposable lighter and exhaled a contrail of smoke with a long sigh. Thirty years in the tropics had given him a high tolerance for discomfort and inconvenience, but the break in routine was maddening. Back on Truck, he'd be toweling off the smell of stale beer and the residue of an oily tumble with a dollar whore, preparing to pass out with a volume of Mencken under his little air conditioner. No thought of the day to come or the one just passed, for one was like the next and they were all the same. Just cool cloudy sleep that made him feel, if only for a minute, like that young Midwestern boy on an adventure, exhausted from passion and fear, rather than a fat old man worn down by ennui. And here, in the salt and the moonlight, on the trail of a story or maybe just a rumor, he felt the fungus growing in his lungs, the pain in his lower back, the weight of ten thousand beers and half a million cigarettes and thirty years of fish fried in coconut oil pressing on his heart, and none of it – none of it – was so heavy as the possibility of dashed hopes. Why had he opened himself up to a future and failure, when he had been failing just fine already? â€Å"You can't sleep?† the mate said. Pardee hadn't heard the wiry sailor move to the rail. He was drinking a Bud tallboy, against regulations, and Pardee felt a craving twist like a worm in his chest at the sight of the can. â€Å"You got another one of those?† The mate reached into the deep front pocket of his shorts, pulled out another beer, and handed it to Pardee. It was warm, but Pardee popped the top and drank off half of it in one gulp. â€Å"How long before we make Alualu?† Pardee asked. â€Å"Three, maybe four hour. Sunrise. We drop you on north side of island, you swim in.† â€Å"What?† Pardee looked down to the black waves, then back at the mate. â€Å"The doctor no let anyone go on the island except to bring cargo. You have to swim in on other side of island. Maybe half mile, maybe less.† â€Å"How will I get back to the ship?† â€Å"Captain say he will swing back around the island when we leave. Captain say he wait half an hour. You swim back out. We pick you up.† â€Å"Can't you send a boat?† â€Å"No boat. No break in reef except on south side where we unload. We have many fuel barrel and crates. You will have seven, maybe eight hour.† Pardee had seen the Spirit arrive in Truk lagoon a thousand times; the ship was always surrounded by outboards and canoes filled with excited natives. â€Å"Maybe I can get one of the Shark People to ferry me.† He did not want to get in that water, and he certainly didn't want to swim half a mile to shore, wasn't sure he could. â€Å"Shark People no have boat. They no leave island.† â€Å"No boats?† Pardee was amazed. Living in these islands without a boat was akin to living in Los Angeles without a car. It wasn't done; it couldn't be done. The mate patted Pardee's big shoulder. â€Å"You be fine. I have mask and fins for you.† â€Å"What about sharks?† â€Å"Sharks afraid around there. On most island people afraid of shark. On Alualu shark afraid of people.† â€Å"You're sure about that?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"Oh, good. Do you have another beer?† Three hours later the rising sun lay like a silver tray on the horizon and Jefferson Pardee was having swim fins duct-taped to his feet by the first mate. The deck bustled with excited natives eating rice balls and taro paste, smoking cigarettes, shitting over the railings, and milling around the ship's store, trying to buy Cokes and Planter's cheese balls, Australian corned beef, and, of course, Spam. A small crowd had gathered around to watch the white man prepare for his swim. Pardee stood in his boxer shorts, maggot white except for his forearms and face, which looked like they'd been dipped in red barn paint. The mate stuffed Pardee's clothes and notebook into a garbage bag and handed it to him, then slathered the journalist with waterproof sunscreen, a task on par with basting a hippo. Pardee snarled at a group of giggling children and they ran off down the deck screaming. Pardee heard the ship's big screws grind to a halt and the mate unhooked a chain gate set in the railing. â€Å"Jump,† he said. Pardee looked at the crystal water forty feet below. â€Å"You're out of your fucking mind. Don't you have a ladder?† â€Å"You can't climb ladder with fins.† â€Å"I'll take the fins off until I get in the water.† â€Å"No. Straps broken. You have to jump.† Pardee shook his head and the flesh on his shoulders and back followed suit. â€Å"It's not gonna happen.† Suddenly the children Pardee had frightened came running around the bridge like a squealing pack of piglets. Two little boys broke formation and ran toward the journalist, who looked around just as he felt four tiny brown hands impact with his back. Pardee saw sky, then water, then sky, then the island of Alualu laying on the sea like a bad green toupee, then the impact with the water took his breath, ripped the mask from his face, and forced streams of brine into his sinuses strong enough to bring blood. Before he could even find the surface, he heard the ship's screws begin to grind as the Micro Spirit steamed away. Two excited boys shook Malink awake. â€Å"The ship is here and the Sorcerer is coming!† The old chief sat up on his grass sleeping mat and wiped the sleep from his eyes. He slept on the porch of his house, part of the stone foundation that had been there for eight hundred years. He stood on creaking morning legs and went to the bunch of red bananas that hung from the porch roof. He tore off two bananas and gave them to the boys. â€Å"Where did you see the Sorcerer?† â€Å"He comes across Vincent's airstrip.† â€Å"Good boys. You go eat breakfast now.† Malink went to a stand of ferns behind his house, pulled aside his thu, and waited to relieve himself. This took longer every day it seemed. The Sorcerer had told Malink that he had angered the prostate monster and the only way to appease him was to quit drinking coffee and tuba and to eat the bitter root of the saw palmetto. Malink had tried these things for almost two full days before giving up, but it was too hard to wake up without coffee, too hard to go to sleep without tuba, saw palmetto made his stomach hurt, and he seemed to have a headache all the time. The prostate monster would just have to remain angry. Sometimes the Sorcerer was wrong. He finished and straightened his thu, passed a thundering cannonade of gas, then went back to the sitting spot on the porch to get his cigarettes. The women had made a fire to boil water for coffee; the smoke from the burning coconut husks wafted out of the corrugated tin cookhouse and hung like blue fog under the canopy of breadfruit, mahogany, and palm trees. Malink lit a cigarette and looked up to see the Sorcerer coming down the coral path, his white lab coat stark against the browns and greens of the village. â€Å"Saswitch† (good morning), Malink said. The Sorcerer spoke their lan-guage. â€Å"Saswitch, Malink,† the Sorcerer said. At the sound of his voice Malink's wife and daughters ran out of the cookhouse and disappeared down the paths of the village. â€Å"Coffee?† Malink asked in English. â€Å"No, Malink, there is no time today.† Malink frowned. It was rude for anyone to turn down an offer of food or drink, even the Sorcerer. â€Å"We have little Tang. You want Tang? Spacemen drink it.† The Sorcerer shook his head. â€Å"Malink, there was another man here with the pilot you found. I need to find him.† Malink looked at the ground. â€Å"I no see any other man.† The Sorcerer didn't seem angry, but just the same, Malink didn't like lying to him. He didn't want to anger Vincent. â€Å"I won't punish anyone if something happened to him, if he was hurt or drowned, but I need to know where he is. Vincent has asked me to find him, Malink.† Malink could feel the Sorcerer staring a hole in the top of his head. â€Å"Maybe I see another man. I will ask at the men's house today. What he look like?† â€Å"You know what he looks like. I need to find him now. The Sky Priestess will give back the coffee and sugar if we can find him today.† Malink stood. â€Å"Come, we find him.† He led the Sorcerer through the village, which appeared deserted except for a few chickens and dogs, but Malink could see eyes peeking out from the doorways. How would he ex-plain this when they asked why the Sorcerer had come? They passed out of the village, went past the abandoned church, the graveyard, where great slabs of coral rock kept the bodies from floating up through the soil during the rainy season, and down the overgrown path to Sarapul's little house. The old cannibal was sitting in his doorway sharpening his machete. Malink turned to the Sorcerer and whispered, â€Å"He rude sometime. He very old. Don't be mad.† The Sorcerer nodded. â€Å"Saswitch, Sarapul. The Sorcerer has come to see you.† Sarapul looked up and glared at them. He had red chicken feathers stuck in his hair, two severed chicken feet hung from a cord above his head. â€Å"All the sorcerers are dead,† Sarapul said. â€Å"He is just a white doctor.† Malink looked at the Sorcerer apologetically, then turned back to Sarapul. â€Å"He wants to see the man you found with the pilot.† Sarapul ran his thumb over the edge of his machete. â€Å"I don't know what happened to him. Maybe he went swimming and a shark got him. Maybe someone eat him.† Sebastian Curtis stepped forward. â€Å"He won't be hurt,† he said. â€Å"We are going to send him out on the ship.† â€Å"I want to go to the ship,† Sarapul said. â€Å"I want to buy things. Why can't we go to the ship?† â€Å"That's not the issue here, old man. Vincent wants this man found. If he's dead, I need to know.† â€Å"Vincent is dead.† The Sorcerer crouched down until he was eye-to-eye with the old cannibal. â€Å"You've seen the guards at the compound, Sarapul. If the man isn't at the gate in an hour, I'm going to have the guards tear the island apart until they find him.† Sarapul grinned. â€Å"The Japanese? Good. You send them here.† He swung his machete in front of the sorcerer's face. â€Å"I have a present for them.† Curtis stood. â€Å"An hour.† He turned and walked away. Malink ambled along behind him. â€Å"Maybe he is right. Maybe the man drown or something.† â€Å"Find him, Malink. I meant it about the guards. I want this man in an hour.† â€Å"He is gone,† Sarapul said. â€Å"You can come out.† Kimi dropped out of the rafters of Sarapul's little house. â€Å"What is he talking about – guards?† â€Å"Ha!† Sarapul said. â€Å"He knows nothing. He didn't even know I had this.† Sarapul reached down and pulled out a headless chicken he had been sitting on. â€Å"He is no sorcerer.† â€Å"He said there were guards.† Kimi said. Sarapul laid his chicken on the ground. â€Å"If you are afraid, you should go.† â€Å"I have to find Roberto.† â€Å"Then let them send the guards,† Sarapul said, brandishing his machete. â€Å"They can die just like this chicken.† Kimi stepped back from the old cannibal, who was on the verge of foaming at the mouth. â€Å"We friends, right?† â€Å"Build a fire,† Sarapul said. â€Å"I want to eat my chicken.†

Explaining of the Sociological Perspectives in Health and Social Care

There are 3 main perspectives: †¢ The Structural/Functional Perspective – Relationship between parts of society, i.e. how aspects of society are functional and adaptive. – Macro – all aspects of society contribute to the way society functions as a whole. For example the government pays for school teachers and schools and bin collection etc. and in return citizens pay tax. The country couldn’t run without the citizens paying tax. People who believe in this theory believe that member of society have to work together and agree on what will be best for society as a whole. †¢ The Conflict Perspective – Competition for scarce resources, i.e. how the elite control the poor and weak. – Macro – this theory focuses on the negative aspects and conflicted areas of society, the ever changing areas. – Society is ever struggling and inevitably changing sometimes it is beneficial and other times it is negative and violent. Inequality is widely spread. To one partner this is the symbol of eternal love.To the other a mere financial expense. †¢ Symbolic/Interaction Perspective – Use of symbols, i.e. face to face interactions. – Micro – how people interact with each other and how they interpret symbols and the details of everyday life. People are seen to attach meanings to symbols, and then act up on these meanings. Words are not static they have a meaning or meanings but the way in which the sender means/says the word could be taken differently by the receiver. Micro – level of analysis is of small social patternsMacro – level of analysis is of large social patternsThe principal of sociological perspective are:Functionalism- an important part of some accounts of functionalism is the idea of multiple realisation. Since, according to standard functionalist theories, mental states are the corresponding functional role, mental states can be sufficiently explained without taking i nto account the underlying physical medium (e.g. the brain, neurons, etc.) that realizes such states; one need only take into account the higher-level functions in the cognitive system.Marxism- is an economic political theory by which law is considered an instrument of oppression and control, and which the ruling class uses against the working class. Marxism holds at its core a critical analysis of capitalism and a theory of social change. The powerful and innovative analytical methods Marx introduced have influenced a broad range of disciplines.Feminism- has altered predominant perspectives in a wide range of areas within Western society, ranging from culture to law. Feminist activists have campaigned for women's legal rights (rights of contract, property rights, voting rights); for women's right to bodily integrity and autonomy, for abortion rights. A social institution can be defined as an organizational system which functions to satisfy basic social needs by providing safe and s uitable environment. Institutions such as: government – public servicesreligion – place of worship education – schools economics – areas family – social servicesPrimary socialisation is when you learn the basic day to day norms and values through socialisation. This occurs during childhood. Secondary socialisation is when learning what is the appropriate behavior as a member of a smaller group within the larger society. To learn how to react to the situation you find yourself in. This occurs with teenagers and adults, and involves smaller changes than those occurring in primary socialisation. WHO (world health organisation): definition of HealthHealth is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. 3 main factors that influence healthGeneticsPhysical environmentSocial environment – an individual’s choice and peer pressure of ‘friends’ e.g. doing drugs may b e forced by peers. Home, lifestyle, nutrition and income all affect health also. Concepts of healthPersonal responsibility – if you keep yourself clean and tidy (covering up cuts) then you minimize the risk of infection. If you do exercise and eat good food you build up your immune system. Health as the absence of illness – if you remain in a healthy state then it’s unlikely for you to become ill. All of these affect a person’s health.Concepts of ill-health Ill health as a disease – if a disease can be cured it can only be done by medicine or treatment Ill health as a disorder – a disorder can be treated sometimes and can be done by changing your lifestyle or with help from medicine or treatment.Definitions of disability Impairment = a loss or abnormality of physical bodily structure or function, of logic-psychic origin, or physiological or anatomical origin Disability = any limitation or function loss deriving from impairment that prevents the performance of an activity in the time-lapse considered normal for a human being Handicap = the disadvantaged condition deriving from impairment or disability limiting a person performing a role considered normal in respect of their age, sex and social and cultural factors The medical model sees a person’s impairment as the cause of disability. The person with a disability to adapt to society instead of society adapting to them. Socio-medical modelRecognises links between social life and the body. The social model is based on the premise that people are not disabled because of illness or impairment. Instead, they are disabled because of how society is constructed.MEDICAL MODEL SOCIAL MODEL Disability is a deficiency or abnormality. Disability is a difference. Being disabled is negative. Being disabled, in itself, is neutral. Disability resides in the individual.Disability derives from interaction between the individual and society. The remedy for disability-related proble ms is cure or normalization of the individual. The remedy for disability-related problems are a change in the interaction between the individual and society. The agent of remedy is the professional.The agent of remedy can be the individual, an advocate, or anyone who affects the arrangements between the individual and society. Even though people who have disabilities are very different, we are all different ages, races, and different kinds of disabilities, we still share a lot of things in common – such as a common history and common experiences of being discriminated against (being treated different because of our disability). MedicalisationTendency of normal life stages, experience and events as needing medical intervention because they are seen to be risky and problematic. Clinical iceberg – medical issues, the amount recognised etc. is just like the tip of an ice berg

Analysis of the Somalian telecommunication industry

Analysis of the Somalian telecommunication industry Telecommunication industry of Somalia is a rapid evolution of technology in Somalia and people access to it comes as several telecommunication companies here jockey for customers amid the absence of strong government-regulated phone and internet access. The competition to supply phone service has stocked the nascent revival of Somalis shattered economy and it shows that business can thrive even in one of Africa latest developed markets. Backed by expertise from China, Korea and Europe and funded from their own pockets Somali telecom entrepreneurs are providing in expensive mobile phone service. Users can conduct money transfers via mobile phones and gain internet access, both wireless functions that aren’t widely available in many other parts of Africa. The success of Somalia’s telecom sector is not all that unusual for a war -shattered economy, experts say. In countries with shaky economic foundation, such as Afghanistan and the democratic republic of Congo, telecommu nication is missing infrastructure. The first private telecommunications company to operate in Somalia after Somali government collapsed in 1991, was Telecom Somalia in 1994, Hormud Telecom in 2002 and Nationlink Telecom in 1997, they all offers all telecommunication services, the three companies signed an alliance and interconnection deal in 2005 that allows them to set prices and to control the newly other in entrant companies Like Somafone Telecommunication and others. Hormuud Telecom Somali Hormud Telecom (HorTel) is a privately held enterprise established in April 2002, its head quarter is in Mogadishu, and it expands south and central of Somalia. more than 600 Somali investors have shared in Hormuud Telecom and its leading telecommunication in southern and central of Somalia, and it employs over 4000 people, comprised of full time and part time staff, dealers, etc. Hormud Telecom has received numerous awards in recognition of its grass-roots work in developing the local commun ity welfare such as supporting educational institutions ,social development and charity , provides a variety of telecommunication service such as Fixed line, GSM service and Data service ,E voucher, and Zaad service. Hormuuds chief executive ,Ahmed Mohamed yusuf Started his business selling bread and spaghetti ,he later opened a popular supermarket ,but like his competitors he saw huge gaps in telecom sector â€Å"everyone wants to get in touch with his brother or sister, whether inside or outside the country, to hear the latest news† says the 50-year old CEO. In 2002 he pooled money with friends and investors and launched Hormuud Telecom providing telecommunication and later expanded to bank and mobile money transfer and now Hormuud Telecom Inc has a sales of about $40 million a year.    However Hormuud expands and covers their network all south and central of Somali and they have two trade makers in other parts of Somalia, like Telesom in northwest and Golis in north east . Literature review Innovation is an idea, product or process that is a new to adopter (Hage and Aiken 1973) and other deffination by Damanpour (1991: 556): â€Å"Innovation can be a new product or service, a new production process technology, a new structure or administrative system, or a new plan or program pertaining to organizational members.

Museum of natural history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Museum of natural history - Essay Example An enormous component of my fascination with them is their use of sword like items which have great meaning to their culture. My specific choice of swords is the Phurba. Some say that they were in use during the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, over 2500 years ago, particularly in the indigenous communities of Tibet. Others speculate even earlier origins. Padmasambhava is credited with the invention of the phurba. During the struggle against the demons that were fighting the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet, he is said to have pulled out a peg from the tent of a non-believer and, using the peg to nail down evil spirits, consecrated the ground on which the Samye Monastery was established in the eighth century. This simple peg became the Phurba, an important tool of religious practice that is used to this day. The Khadga is known as the fire sword which is paired with phurba. The Bodhisattva Manjursi, who is the embodiment of wisdom, is shown wielding the symbol of enlightenment. The fire is used to destroy the darkness of ignorance by the fiery rays which burst from the end of the sword. Wisdom is the sword that slices away illusion and wisdom is the final symbol of awareness. The first cut of the sword of wisdom is the decisive one, which is the dawn of enlightenment.

Cultural Literature Review Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cultural Literature Review - Article Example Looking back at the historical development of the nursing profession to give the nurses and those planning to become one, insight for a best health care system today and in the future, is the main objective of Karen J. Egenes in her article History of Nursing (n.d), as she stated in her summary (p.23). In her introductory words, she implied that understanding the history of nursing would highlight the importance of this profession in the health care system of the nation. That’s why the article presented an overview of the history of nursing, especially with the nursing in the United States, with the contributions of selected leaders and influence of the societal trends (p.2). It is impossible to speak of the history of nursing without mentioning Florence Nightingale. Egenes’ article remarked that Nightingale laid the foundation of nursing as a profession. She turned down offers of marriage and pursued studies in health, despite her parents opposition, because â€Å"she believed that she had been called to dedicate her life to the service of humanity†(p.4). This is the same spirit that dominates the nurses today. Egenes’ objective in writing her article is considerably achievable. In fact, according to Jeff Durham (2010), in his discussion of the duties and responsibilities of a nurse, in his article The Role of a Nurse, he emphasized the important role of a nurse in the patient’s recovery, as well as protecting the patient. Actually, many nurses go above and beyond their call of duty. Durham realistically outlined in his article the nurse’s emotional involvement in their patient. Besides being a caregiver, a nurse also portrays the role as patient’s teacher, a counselor, and a trusted friend. This article of Durham evidently shows that nurses are being appreciated and their importance in health care system is being recognized. In a personal interview to Donna E. Shalala, the appointed chair in the year 2009 of th e Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Initiative on the Future of Nursing at the Institute of Medicine (IOM), regarding committee’s report â€Å"about transforming the health care system within the newly legislated Affordable Care Act†, she openly acknowledged that â€Å"unless people understand that nursing is central to improving the quality of health care, we will never be able to improve that quality in this country† (Nickitas, 2011). Since nurses role are being appreciated, much is expected in their competence amidst the increased migration of varied cultural background in the United States nowadays. A nurse flexibility face the challenge while adapting to different culture, beliefs and practices of their immigrant patient. So the key method to maintain efficiency on nursing is to familiarize oneself of the cultural background of the immigrant patient. Acquiring knowledge and understanding of their social structure, their medical practices and even their religious beliefs are extremely important in giving appropriate care to a patient with such cultural background. According to a module for study article, entitled Health and Health Care of Filipino American Elders, â€Å"Filipino Americans now rank as the second largest Asian group in the United States with over 1.8 million individuals reported in 2000 census† (McBride, n.d.). Thus, the article equipped us knowledge on their cultural backgroun

English is seen by some as 'the global language'. Discuss with Essay - 1

English is seen by some as 'the global language'. Discuss with reference to some of the domains in which English is gaining most - Essay Example It is interesting to discuss why English, and why not any other language. According to Crystal David (2003 ) a language achieves a global status only when it develops a ‘special role’ and fulfils certain functions. The ‘power function’ of language expects that it should enable us to gain goods and services in order to live well and lead a good life. The ‘community function’ of language helps us to represent a personal and social identity. The former is a centrifugal force and the latter is a centripetal force. Let us examine how far the English language is successful in playing the ‘special role’ which implies numerous facets, so that it can rightly be called an international language. One hypothesis can be that a language that is the Mother Tongue of people in maximum number of countries can be an international language. But geographically speaking, English is a mother tongue in a handful of nations like USA, Canada, Britain, Irela nd, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa several Caribbean countries and a few others. Yet, we observe that its influence has reached all parts of the world. Hence, being a mother tongue of many nations cannot be a criterion for being qualified as an international language. ... The language adhered to the religion and was retained. English was the language of administration during the British rule and even after Independence, English continued to be used as an official language in more than 70 countries like Ghana, Nigeria, India and Singapore, to mention a few. In the 19th century, England was politically a powerful nation. In the 20th century, its power began to wane and USA became economically dominant. The mother tongue in USA is also English. Political power establishes a language, as it happened in the 19th century. But it is economic power that helps to maintain and expand it. This happened in the 20th century when America became an economic power. It is indeed true that ‘English was at the right place at the right time’. ( Crystal David, 2003 ) The Industrial Revolution and the Electronic Revolution were two important historical events that changed the face of the world. These revolutions were led by British and American scientists. The y brought vast changes in the lifestyle of people all over the world and were two major steps towards globalization. Following these events, English language captured areas like media, advertising, popular music, broadcasting, cinema, computers and internet. In order to stay ‘with the world’, people realized that they had to know the English language. It promoted international relations. English is taught as a foreign language in more than 100 countries today, the chief among them being China, Germany, Spain, Egypt, Brazil, India and an ever increasing number of countries for that matter. A lot of time and money is spent by many countries in teaching English as a foreign language. It is realized by one and all

Ethical Decision-making project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Ethical Decision-making project - Essay Example Furthermore, as already reported in other studies, some people usually become violent upon intoxicating their minds. The supervisor cannot take the worker’s ability to become violent for granted because the employee has even refused to take a test sanctioned by the institutions policy (Towsley-Cook & Young, 2007, p. 49). Persistence by the supervisor that the worker should take the tests may present more problems. The conduct of the worker amounts to insubordination because of appearing in the workplace in a condition of intoxication and further refusing to take the necessary tests as required by the institution’s substance abuse policy (Towsley-Cook & Young, 2007). It is noteworthy that forcefully testing the worker will amount to a violation of the independence and privacy rights, which may attract legal proceedings. The ethical problem occurring in the case is associated with a locus of authority issue. This is because the supervisor upon being informed that the worker behaved in a drunken manner decided to identify with him the signs he also outwardly observed (Towsley-Cook & Young, 2007, p. 51). The supervisor reminded the worker that according the substance abuse policy, his conduct is a ground for drug testing. The supervisor acting within authority requests that the employee undergo a blood test, which he refuses. The supervisor then remains with the dilemma whether to force the worker to take the test or to send him away from duty, or whether to allow him to continue working. This is a critical case of a locus of authority issue (Towsley-Cook & Young, 2007). However, the supervisor can still manage to handle the situation by barring the worker from attending to patients. This conduct also amounts to the ethical dilemma for the supervisor. This is because while ordering the employee to take the test, the supervisor is already aware that the worker might be having health

Risk Management Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Risk Management Paper - Essay Example It is essential to define what a risk is, too. A risk is any form of activity or behavior that shall create a sense of either wellness or the absolute lack of it (implication in the form of negativity) for the subject at hand. In this case, the subject is the management domain within a particular organization which is ready to assess the risk that shall be encountered within its folds, and which will mean success or the lack thereof within the related communicative settings. Risk management within the aegis of justice and security organizations is all the more important because there is minimal chance of having any error within the related folds. By this, one emphasizes the need for understanding how risk management should be taken up as a practice in its own right and what more could be done to bring about a sense of ease and comfort within the security organizations and justice realms (Davidsson, 2010). Risk management strategies take care of transferring the risk towards another p arty or even avoiding the risk once and for all. This is so important because it clearly justifies the role of risk being a deterrent towards culmination of a number of tasks, behaviors and activities. Therefore risk management shapes up quite a few beliefs if seen from the justice and security organizations’ point of view. Risk management is a source of providing ease when the justice regimes require the proper implementation of codes and procedures within the judicial angles (Palmieri, 2011). If the judicial angles are not being given the significance that these richly deserve, then this means that the risk management aspects have not been properly utilized or even not thought about of being used in the first place. Risk management within the aegis of security and justice is of paramount importance. This is because risk management finds out the exact basis through which the decisions will be taken into proper perspectives Pelzer, 2009). It would make the lives easier of the people who are related with such fields and give them an avenue to explore their own basis, discern where they are going wrong and find out how success will be attained at the end of the day as far as justice and security organizations are concerned. The risk management domains gain an even more significant role in this day and age because the amount of risk involved within a transaction is directly proportional to how much the justice and security organizations can achieve and acquire at the end of the day (Massingham, 2010). The risk management avenues have been able to muster up confidence within the economic and financial angles of the world’s most sought after organizations and the reason for the same lies on the shoulders of the people who have made it a possibility. What is even more interesting is the fact that risk management has been able to make its point get heard and discerned properly within the context of the justice and security organizations ever so dominant ly now than ever before. In terms of understanding how management works, risk management will only solve the issues that plague it in more ways than one. This would mean that the risk man

The inpact of immigration on the construction industry Essay

The inpact of immigration on the construction industry - Essay Example Immigration will lead to increased population in a country and this leads to an increase in the demand for social amenities and this indirectly affects the construction industry. This paper discusses the effects of immigration workers in the UK who work with the construction industry, the construction industry in the United Kingdom has over 250 thousand firms and the industry employs over 2 million people, the paper analysis the effect of immigrant workers with reference to health, skills, communication and infrastructure. The construction industry in the UK is termed as the biggest industry because it employs over 2 million people, it is also termed as the most risky job because in the past 25 year over 2,500 people have died from accidents in construction work, further there has been reports of many illnesses and injuries caused in the work process. The construction industry has a large number of injuries and illnesses compared to other industries. This is because in the industry the workforce is exposed to more physical activities. The immigrant workers in the UK are mostly from Bulgaria and Romania, these immigrants work in the most dangerous tasks and for this reason they account for more injuries and deaths in the construction industry. The immigrants however have been considered to be beneficial to the economy in that they have reduced the tax burden of the natives. Immigrants have differing cultural and social background and this shapes their attitude and their expectations in the work place. The high levels of injuries and deaths of the immigrants in the workplace can be attributed to the following factors; The immigrants have little or no training regarding safety and health in the workplace, for this reason therefore there is an increased occurrence of injuries and deaths in the construction industry which employs most of these immigrants. The immigrant workers who work in the

Tissue engineering Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Tissue engineering - Essay Example ed to traditional methods as it solves twin problems of donor scarcity and the risks of tissue transplant rejection including transmission of diseases (Gomes & Reis, 2004, p. 738). Tissue engineering is a relatively new field of research and there is a paucity of certain academic scientific materials and research studies. It is expected this new field will have a big impact on the provision of health care in the coming years when more complex bio-materials are needed for functional tissues like bones, cartilage or large bone segments (ibid.) and even complex organs. Stem cell research has been very useful so far but there are so many ethical and other moral issues involved which has stymied large-scale efforts in this direction. Tissue engineering has no such ethical considerations as it does not involve embryonic stem cells. This new process holds much promise from the medical and economic standpoints as it skirts moral issues while potentially offering much lower costs to the patients. As example, the world market for bone grafts shows 50% are from autologous grafts while only 10% are from synthetic bio-materials thereby indicating substantial room for growth in terms of unmet market need. This entirely different approach intends to help diseased, defective or lost tissues to regenerate themselves or develop biologically-acceptable substitutes using homogeneous or heterogeneous cells. The new technique is alternatively called as regenerative medicine or as re-constructive medicine using either autogeneic cells or foreign cells. In the course of conducting research, medical scientists accidentally found out statins are very helpful in the formation of bone tissues. This coincidental or accidental discovery is very much reminiscent of the way Viagra (sildenafil citrate) was discovered to be helpful in curing ED while in the course of conducting research for finding a cure of many heart-related ailments like pulmonary arterial hypertension, angina pectoris and

Discussion Board Questions Essay Example for Free

Discussion Board Questions Essay 1. Ecological Approach: The work of the Chicago School and the impact of that perspective had a profound effect on research methods. What aspects of the ecological approach could be applicable today and why? Examples would be excellent! (You may have to search a bit for this. Please use not only our text, but do internet searches as well. ) The work of the Chicago School is even more useful in today’s society than it was when it was first pioneered, primarily because those efforts enabled the increased access we have to relevant information now, such as education levels, income levels, crime rates, etc. Most importantly, our world is growing rapidly, and the ability to track what problems a city has, and where, can help us to find effective solutions to those problems. For example, if research indicates that a certain area of the city has a higher high-school dropout rate, efforts to keep kids in school can be increased in those neighborhoods. The ecological approach maintains the paradoxical stance that a society has problems because its individual members have problems, but its members have problems because the society has problems. Thus, we must find solutions that work on both levels, which is essentially where the focus of the ecological approach lies. In addition, this allows us to address prevention issues. If we can map trends and growth, then we can put measures in place to effectively solve a problem before it occurs. A prime example of this is public education – projecting growth based on current trends could allow a school district to budget accordingly and thus reduce the financial strain that comes with unexpected expenses. On another level, being able to identify the demographic that will be growing in the school population can help educators to better address those students’ needs. 2. Stanford Prison Simulation: Look for some of the information on the Stanford Prison Simulation. Phillip Zimbardo maintains a website for the experiment, linking it to contemporary issues like the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib during US military action in Iraq. Please look at this website http://www. prisonexp. org and provide your reactions in terms of the legitimacy of this kind of research. Feel free to be TOTALLY HONEST. As far as the legitimacy of this kind of research goes, the reactions and psychological effects are surely genuine. However, ethical and moral values clearly indicate that research such as the Stanford Prison Simulation should not be undertaken. As professionals holding a position of trust, we have an ethical obligation to do only that which will benefit those whom we seek to help – and this is definitely harming people. From a moral standpoint as well, the information obtained was not worth the cost to the participants’ psychological health. Several studies have been done regarding the effects of imprisonment on actual prison inmates and guards, and history provides numerous real-life examples of exactly what the researchers found in the Stanford Prison Simulation. Take, for instance, survivors’ accounts of WWII concentration camps. Therefore, this project was entirely unnecessary. Basic human understanding tells us that when people are placed in highly stressful situations, where their basic human rights may be threatened or taken away, they will react in potentially volatile ways, and as a result, their psychological health will suffer. This is evident in prisoners and guards alike – the prisoners’ freedom is taken away, they rebel, causing the guards to feel that their personal safety is threatened, so they take away more freedoms – it is a cycle. However, this should be common sense and research should focus on ways to resolve these issues instead of trying to figure out why it happened. We know why it happened – because they’re human.

How the Other Half Lives Review Essay Example for Free

How the Other Half Lives Review Essay How the other Half Lives is an informative book disusing the 1900’s. The author, Jacob A. Riis, counts people for the census. He saw many different aspects of life in New York City during this time. He shares some of the hidden relations of tenement housing. He discusses the many different ethnic groups and how they form group characteristics in distinct neighborhoods. Riis’s personal opinions of the value and power of these ethnic groups comes through in his writing. His ideas reflect some of the national ideas during this time period. Blacks rank the lowest in society at this time. Riis credits this to natural selection. They are a race on the lowest level, defenseless against the woes of the landlords. Riis does not seem to hate the blacks, but accepts the fact that they are the lowest form of a person. Riis places the Chinese right above the blacks. He discredits the popular belief that, â€Å"the Chinaman being a thousand years behind the age on his own shore†, by stating that in America, â€Å"he is distinctly abreast of it in his successful scheming to ‘to make it pay.’† Riis thinks the Chinese are repugnant people. He starts off my discrediting their â€Å"grub-worshiping† religion. The fact that Chinese practice a different religion takes many people off guard, and they begin to insult the region, saying it is unworthy compared to Christianity. Along with these insults, the dreary neighborhood and past time of gambling are also pointed out. Chinese were the most hated group of this time period. Jews are the next group. Riis shares both positive and negative traits of the Jewish people. He notes the contrast in age groups behavior with a neutral perspective and even notes how they â€Å"honestly† stay home on holidays. Riis points out that they live in the most crowed houses that he has ever seen. Riis seems mostly neutral about this group as he discusses their desire for money. Riis thinks the highest of the Irish. This group comes up many times throughout his writing and there is never any excessively negative comments made about them, unlike when Riis discuses the Chinese. This ethnic group is often compared to other groups and is the topic of a lot of his writing. He notes their short falls, but always with positive rhetoric. I think he is the most considerate to the Irish because they had been in the country so long. It is expected that they are in the country, and some are even moving out of extreme poverty. They seem to have the most power in the tenements of New York. In addition to this, Riis is very familiar with the Irish. Some of his writing comes across as sympathetic, such as when he says the Irish, â€Å"falls most readily victim to tenement influences†. Riis does mention that Germans may have a better experience in America. He tells how Germans garden, and bring their flowers with them wherever they go, but quickly flows that by saying, â€Å"not that it represents any higher principle in the man; rather perhaps the capacity for it†. Riis favors the Irish the most out of all the ethnic groups. Riis mentions many other ethnic groups that are present in America such as the Bohemians and the Italians. However his opinions of the Blacks, Chinese, Jewish, and Irish come through with the most passion in his in his writing.

The Coevolution of Human Immunity and Helminthic Parasites

The Coevolution of Human Immunity and Helminthic Parasites Most multicellular organisms, both vertebrate and invertebrate, have an evolutionary history of infestation by extracellular parasitic worms known as helminths. The immune systems of these species have adapted to the stress of helminth infection, or helmnithiasis, through the development of mechanisms to modulate worm load in chronically infested individuals. Most marsupials and mammals, including humans, use a particular immune response mediated by IgE antibodies molecules that identify and neutralize foreign objects to defend against helminths (Poulsen Hummelshoj 2007). In parts of the world where helminthiasis is still prevalent, there is a selective advantage for genes that increase production of IgE antibodies. However, the adaptation to the stress of chronic worm infestation accounts for the maladaptive response to innocuous substance allergy upon removal of the stress. The presence of parasites triggers the production of molecules known as interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokines that damped the inflammation response. However, in the absence of parasites, IgE antibodies target harmless proteins and the lack of IL-10 production results in a potentially dangerous inflammatory response. In addition to the removal of the early evolutionary stress of helminths, many technology and infrastructure changes in developed countries have increased human exposure to allergens, thus increasing hypersensitivity to seemingly innocuous substances.   Many species, including humans, evolved under the stress of helminth infestation. As early hominids expanded their ecological niche and encountered new foods, they became hosts for an increased number of helminth species, which would have, in turn, evolved with the hominids. Today, humans act as hosts for more than 25 species of helminths (Warren et al 1990). The shift from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture increased sedentism and disease, including parasitic infection. Such disease was spread through contact with animals, other humans, and their wastes. The development of agricultural methods such as irrigation and the use fertilizer would have increased the exposure of early humans to soil-transmitted helminths (Cockburn 1971). For contemporary humans, parasitic and infectious diseases are controlled in some areas of the world, while chronic, noninfectious, degenerative diseases are on the rise. Although new technology has allowed some human populations to benefit from the control of infectious disease, many individuals throughout the world are still affected by infection and parasites. Globally, more than two billion people are chronically infected with soil-transmitted helminths such as schistosomes and hookworms (Florh et al. 2008). These numbers indicate there is still selection for protective mechanisms against helminthiasis in a large proportion of the contemporary human population. Given the prolonged mammalian history with parasites, the immune system has evolved protective mechanisms to safeguard the heath of a host in the event of a parasitic infection. When a helminth enters a host, antigens from the parasite diffuse across the hosts internal membranes. Two types of white blood cells, B cells and T cells, recognize antigens in the blood stream. B cells are released into the blood and carried to capillary beds serving the tissues and organs of the lymphatic system a system of vessels and organs that helps balance the fluid content of blood and the surrounding tissues while participating in the bodys defense against invading disease organisms (Russel et al. 2008). T cells are released into the blood and carried to the thymus, an organ of the lymphatic system. The adaptive immune responses are regulated by two mechanisms: antibody-mediated immunity and cell-mediated immunity. During antibody-mediated immunity, derivatives of B cells known as plasma cells secrete antibodies that circulate throughout the blood and lymphatic fluid, recognizing, binding, and removing antigens. Each plasma cell is specific for at least one particular antigen, but some are capable of recognizing any antigen, even if it has never before been encountered. Plasma cells are capable of secreting are five major classes of antibodies. These antibodies are, in order of decreasing concentration, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE (Barnes et al. 1999). Each type of antibody has a specific function in the immune system and IgE is most relevant in combating infection by parasitic worms and mediating many allergic responses such as hay fever, asthma, and hives (Russell et al 2008). Cell-mediated immunity serves as the primary mechanism for killing parasite larvae. During cell-media ted immunity, a subset of T cells becomes activated and, with other cells of the immune system, attacks and kills foreign cells directly. These two mechanisms interact to defend the host against extracellular parasites. Parasitic antigens are first detected by plasma cells in the membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, triggering the production of two types of IgE antibodies: those that are specific for a particular parasite and those that are nonspecific (Grant et al 2008). These antibodies bind to mast cells. Mast cells are a particular type of cell found within many body tissues that contain granules of molecules such as histamine. The mast cells are activated to degranulate when the antigen binds to the attached IgE antibody, causing the internal histamine to be released. The release of histamine causes various physiological changes associated with inflammation (Flohr et al. 2008). The cascade of reactions functions to damage and expel the parasite (Barnes et al. 1999). Inflammation is complex biological process that occurs in vascular tissues as a response to pathogens (such as helminths), damaged cells, or irritants. In an inflammatory response, an individual may experience bronchial constriction, vascular dilation, and an increase in mucous secretions, which lead to the associated symptoms of wheezing, coughing, itching, sneezing, and vomiting. During anaphylaxis, a severe form of inflammation, there is an intense generation of mast cells and release of their mediators. Such a response has effects on various organs and may be fatal. Examples of anaphylaxis-inducing antigens include antibiotics, foods, and foreign proteins, such as venom. Thus the inflammatory response to the presence of a particular antigen may in an of itself harmful to the organism (Florh et al. 2008) Once an immune reaction has run its course and the invading parasites have been eliminated, long-lived T helper cells, derived from the encounter with the antigen remain in an inactive state in the lymphatic system and provide an immunological memory of the foreign antigen (Poulsen Hummelshoj 2007). When a foreign antigen enters the body for a subsequent time, a secondary immune response is triggered. The helper T cells recognize the antigen and secrete small proteins known as cytokines that regulate or assist in an immune response. Helper T cells can be divided into TH1 and TH2 subsets that fulfill separate functions in regulating response to infection. TH1 cells produce the response to intracellular infections while TH2 cells produce responses to extracellular infections and allergens. During helminth infections, the number of TH2 cells is greater than the number of TH1 cells. When TH2 cells detect previously recognized parasitic antigens, they secrete a particular cytokine, or known interleukin-4 (IL-4) (Barnes et al 1999). IL-4 promotes parasite-specific IgE antibody, helper T cell, and mast cell production. The adaptation of the IgE antibody immune response is beneficial during helminth infection. High levels of IgE minimize the number of parasites that infest a host during chronic exposure (Dunne et al. 1992). Individuals infected with helminths may have IgE antibody levels that are up to 100 times greater than the normal level, which typically decrease after anti-helminth treatment (Poulsen Hummelshoj 2007). Additionally, the type of IgE antibody produced may change throughout a humans life to better target a particular parasite. Studies have shown that humans acquire a natural immunity to schistosome infection in adolescence (Grant et al 2008). This natural immunity corresponds to increased levels of IgE from schistosome-specific antigens and decreased production of non-specific IgE. For young children, the greater nonspecific component in IgE production occurs at the expense of schistosome-specific IgE, resulting in a less protective antibody-mediated immune response when compared to adolescents and adults. To establish long-term immunity and because contacts between vector an agent that transmits an infectious disease and host may be infrequent, it is important for the both the host and parasite to maintain chronic infections. Most human parasitic infections last for years and must therefore not overwhelm the host. Parasites produce self-limiting infections that allow the host to defend against lethal infection while maintaining a viable population. One strategy is through concomitant immunity, a response seen in adult schistosomes, where an immune response is induced to limit, but not eliminate, subsequent infections of the host by infective larvae, without causing the rejection of the adult worms (Sher Ottensen 1988). Schistosomes and hookworms also trigger the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) in parasite-induced T cells. IL-10 protects the host from extreme mast cell degranulation and the initiation of intense inflammation (Florh et al. 2008). T he level of IL-10 decreases after anti-helminth treatments once the parasite is no longer present to induce production. In summary, the immune system of most mammalian and marsupial hosts is highly adapted to battle parasitic disease. The generation of parasite-specific IgE antibodies by plasma cells initiates an inflammatory response and killer cell activity. During subsequent encounters with an antigen, the synthesis of IgE is controlled by TH2 cells and up-regulated by the cytokine IL-4. The inflammatory response is, however modulated by the release of anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines, in order to protect the host from the dangerous effects of intense mast cell degranulation. Through these mechanisms, the more successful human host will produce higher levels of parasite-specific IgE antibodies with which to prevent overwhelming worm infestation. Hosts less proficient at producing sufficiently high levels of parasite-specific IgE antibodies are more likely to succumb to greater worm loads. Allergy is hypersensitivity to a typically innocuous substance. Allergy begins after sensitization of a specific allergen, an antigen that elicits an allergic response. Similar to a helminthic infestation, plasma cells generate IgE antibodies during sensitization that are specific to the allergens to which an individual has been exposed. These IgE antibodies bind to receptors on mast cells. The binding of the allergen to an IgE antibody triggers a cascade of events resembling the immune response to helmthiasis (Zanders et al. 1992). The mast cells degranulate to release mediators, including histamine. Unlike in helminthiasis, in which IgE antibodies are directed at the worm and its by-produces, the allergic response is directed at seemingly innocuous substances. Also, the allergens are not capable of initiating the parasite-induced production of IL-10 that protects the host from the potentially harmful effects of the inflammatory response (Flohr et al. 2008). Thus, humans have adapte d to respond to the outside world in the presence of helminths and in their absence we are unable to modulate the maladaptive inflammatory response that may result in annoying or dangerous symptoms. In industrialized countries, the prevalence of allergies and conditions such as asthma have increased over the last three or four decades (Poulsen Hummelshoj 2007). These countries have better-developed infrastructures that have resulted in the elimination of helminths and an increase in noninfectious disease. Similarly, allergic disease prevalence is increasing in industrializing countries such as India and China (Flohr et al. 2008). Besides the removal of helminths, a significant consequence of modernization is the creation of a microenvironment that increases our exposure to domestic arthropods, such as dust mites, and other pests. Research has shown that there is a positive correlation between level of infestation of household pests and the degree of urbanization (Barnes et al. 1999). Evidence suggests that allergic reactions are less pronounced in individuals infected with helminths. Thus, areas where helminthic infection is endemic typically have lower levels of allergic disease when compared with areas free of helminths (Grant et al. 2008). Studies have consistently found that most helminths investigated imbue their hosts with protective effects during skin prick tests (SPT) tests used to diagnose allergies by eliciting a small, controlled allergic response. However, while all helminths increase the level of IgE antibody produced by a host, infection by schistosomes and hookworms parasites found to trigger the production of IL-10 have the strongest association with protection against allergy and asthma (Flohr et al. 2008). Individuals are more likely to develop asthma during the absence of helminthiasis, or during mild helminthiasis a time during which less parasite-specific IgE antibody is produced than during a chronic infection, and less IL-10 is produce d to reduce inflammation (Lynch 1992). Therefore, helminthiasis and allergy are not likely mutually exclusive, but allergy is much less likely to occur in severe helminthic disease than in mild helminthic disease (Barnes et al. 1999). The removal of helminths from infected populations in Venezuela, Vietnam, and Gabon has shown a resultant increase in allergic skin sensitization during SPT (Florh et al. 2008). Marsh et al. (1980) found that non-European descendents living in developed countries have a higher propensity for allergic response. These results are expected because those individuals likely had a greater genetic propensity to produce IgE, resulting in an increased inflammation response, a decrease in IL-10 production to modulate inflammation, and an increased exposure to inhalant allergens. There is a selective advantage for a predisposition to produce high levels of IgE, as this antibodies serves as a key regulator in the maintenance of helminthic infection in populations that are chronically exposed to parasites. Additionally, it has been found that certain levels of allergens affect people with family histories of allergy, but do not trigger an allergic response in most other people (Sporik et al. 1990). These finding imply that allergy and asthma reactions occur only in genetically susceptible individuals after adequate or persistent exposure to specific allergens. While the total level of serum IgE does not appear to directly reflect natural immunity against asthma in helminth infection-endemic populations, linkage studies have implicated a particular chromosome locus, or region, in controlling asthma and intensity of schistosomiasis in Brazilian and Senegalese populations. Because this same locus is identified with both helminthic infection and for allergy suscept ibility in a number of independent studies, there may be a common genetic basis for host protection against helminthic infection and susceptibility allergic disease (Grant et al. 2008). Through modernization, populations acquire objects that promote allergens such as upholstered furniture, carpeting and domestic pets. The introduction of such objects has been correlated to a rapidly increase the prevalence of asthma in populations with either high or low helminthiasis prevalence. An example in a study by Dowse et al. (1985) showed that asthma incidence increased over ten years within Eastern Highland villages of Papua New Guinea that was attributed to the introduction of wool blankets to the villagers and the sudden and profound exposure to house dust mites within the blankets. Barnes et al. (1997) found that house dust mite allergen concentrations in Barbados were higher in better-built homes, likely because the plumbing contributed to a higher humidity levels that were more conducive to dust mite proliferation than the drier wood homes. During the process of modernization, in addition to the acquisition of homes and objects that increase allergen exposure, the red uction or elimination of helminthiasis, increases the risk of allergic disease more dramatically. Adaptation often results in trade-offs that may compromise an individuals adjustment to his or her environment. The coevolution of helminths and humans shaped the immune response to be highly sensitive to parasitic antigens. This response, which is beneficial to host and parasites, is modulated by many mechanisms. TH2 activation stimulates the production of IL-4 cytokines that trigger production of IgE antibodies. IgE mediate an immune response targeted the antigens released by parasites as well as allergens. Parasites presence triggers anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines production by specialized T cells that reduce the inflammatory effects of mast cell degranulation. Removal of the stress helminthiasis also removes the modulation of the inflammatory response through IL-10. Under these conditions, the maladapted response of IgE antibodies reacting to harmless allergens is allergy in the form of disproportioned, potentially dangerous inflammation event. Although levels of IgE are highe st during a parasitic infection or an allergic response, levels are also affected by genetic predisposition. Selective pressures maintain high levels of IgE expression in regions of the world with high helminthiasis prevalence. Through modernization, the stress of helminthiasis has been removed while the stress of allergen exposure has increased. Activation of IgE by innocuous allergens triggers the maladaptive response of an allergic reaction. Individuals who are not infested by helminths with a genetic propensity for high IgE antibody expression are most susceptible to allergic hypersensitivity. In developed countries, decreased helminthiasis prevalence in junction with increased allergen exposure are responsible for the increase in allergic disease prevalence.

Mexico Business :: essays research papers

For simplicity, we have broken down the country of Mexico into five major regions: Northwest (Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Baja California Sur), Northeast (Coahuila, Zacatecas, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas), West Coast (Sinaloa, Jalisco, Nayarit, Guerrerro, Oaxaca, Colima, Michoacan), Central (Morelos, Aguascalientes, Michoacan, Guanajuata, Hidalgo, Estado de Mexico, Puebla, Queretaro, Tlaxcala, The Federal District), and South (Chiapas, Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Yucatan). Each region is diverse in industry; some are more heavily involved in agriculture while others are most involved in high-tech manufacturing. Generally speaking the most important economic activities of all the regions include tourism, fishing, mining, agriculture/livestock, petroleum distilleries, and low/high-tech manufacturing (many maquiladoras exist along the California border). Central Mexico is the most industrialized region and accounts for almost 60% of the country ¡Ã‚ ¦s GNP. It is in this region that large multi-nationals such as Ford Motor Company, Nissan, and Texas Instruments, have chosen to establish major production plants. The implication of a country diverse in industry and culture is that there is a need for a workforce as diverse and skilled as each region ¡Ã‚ ¦s relative industries. This is one of the most challenging issues that confronts the Mexican HR manager today, especially in the turbulence of a new political party and international deregulation. As the rampant modernization continues to spread and business becomes more privatized through new political agendas, major industries such as telecommunications, energy, and manufacturing, will become a major focus of Mexican business. Although still resembling an oligopoly ruled by major players such as Telemex and Iusacell, the market scope of the Mexican telecommunications industry is expanding rapidly with the advent of cellular, satellite, and broadband, technologies. This emerging technology is the portal through which competition is entering. Globalstar de Mexico (a joint venture between Prinicipia of Mexico, S. de R.L., Loral Space & Communications, and Vodafone Airtouch) has already launched an affordable global satellite telephone service that can provide fixed service to remote locations without a fiber or cable network (1). In cellular, American Tower has entered into an agreement with Nuevo Grupo Lusacell to build 200 build-to-suit towers, and assume 400 existing towers (2). In the related networking sector, Nortel has been awarded a contract from Telefonica Data to implement a nationwide ATM network in Mexico that will offer customers basic connectivity, internet access, and hosting services (3). The major players are responding aggressively and taking actions such as those of Carlos Slim Helu (chairman of Telmex) who announced the planned investment of $4.

Ambition Essay -- Definition Ambitious Essays

Ambition   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before I could really start to write about ambition, I had to ask myself what ambition really was. What causes people to be ambitious, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of being an ambitious person? At first, I must admit it was fairly difficult to comprehend. But I found it to all come together when I related it to another kind of person or group of people – dreamers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When I think of ambitious people I think of dreamers. These are the people with hopes of one day conquering and ruling the world single handedly, and having everything work out just the way they want it to. I also feel that an ambitious person is a confident one. And because of this, they feel there is nothing they cannot accomplish. There are they types of people who often set goals so high and glamorous that they often set themselves up for disappointment when things do not work out their way. This, I guess, would qualify to be one of the disadvantages of ambition. But since I am the kind of person who believes that the sky is the limit, and if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything, I choose to stay away from the disadvantages of ambition for the time being.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Evver since I was a little boy, I have always been ambitious. But who wasn’t? Before writing this paper, I did a little research to help me better understand the different forms of ambition, and if it differs between younger and older groups of people. I sat and asked my little brother what he ...

Chivalry :: essays research papers

When Chivalry first began, many citizens felt this was mostly for the courtship of women. However, this also included such things as proper etiquette at the dinner table, generosity toward females, and the aspect of religion to the church. Becoming a knight was not an easy task at all. The whole process was more of an apprenticeship program like in today’s society. First, at about the age of seven, you were to go to the house of a noble and be their squire. Throughout this period, the young man would gain wisdom as well as skills he would need to develop in battle to become a successful knight. The boy would continue being a squire until he had mastered the use of weaponry and horsemanship and was then recognized by a knight. Then the young man would be "dubbed" a knight. Later in the Thirteenth Century, the process of becoming a knight became more ceremonialized, as we know of in our society from movies and such. The same process used in Medieval times was adopted and "modernized" for today’s workplace. For instance, the new employee is hired, then he learns his/her job. Once he/she is recognized for good work he/she is promoted to a higher level job. Another expectation the knights had to perform was to protect and uphold justice. This meant protecting the poor and innocent people of the land while proclaiming the ideals of Christianity at the same time. This concept originated in France and Spain, and spread throughout Europe very rapidly. The chief chivalric virtues were piety, honor, valor, courtesy, chastity, and loyalty. The knight was to be loyal to god, who was the main love of his life. Their idea of love in this case was different then ours. Their love to God was strictly platonic.

Fundamentalist: the Fine Line Between Religion and Cult Essay

In the case of the Church of Latter Day Saints, fine lines are drawn in the societal perception of this group of people. Their doctrines and practices make the American public debate whether they are a religion or a cult. The largest factor in the decided public perception lies mainly in their belief of polygamy. While the Church of Latter Day Saints denounced the practice in the 1890s, fundamentalist sects formed over the subject continuing to perpetuate the connection between Mormonism and polygamy. This fundamentalist practice, along with a few doctrines, continues to keep the Mormon faith as an â€Å"outside religion† in the eyes of the general American public. The practice of polygamy is central to the tenants of Mormon faith, extending back to the founder, Joseph Smith. Smith was not the first religious leader to support multiple wives. The Oneida perfectionist supported the practice of polygamy in backlash against the changing family norms due to industrialization (White). Families no longer needed to be large in size to help in a rural farm setting. Smith, being of a displaced farm family, soon craved a change in family life. According to White, Jr. , Smith’s â€Å"personal experience of economic insecurity, death of siblings, and fragile community structure also reinforced his quest for renewing the kinship and community bonds† (White). In some sort of subconscious need for a sense of community stemming from childhood experiences, Smith begins the practice of taking multiple wives. His reasons, according to the faith, are sound. His primary argument is that it was revealed to him by God. The belief in revelations is highly respected by Mormons and is one of the most distinguishing traits of the faith (Perry). It will be discussed in further detail later. Smith also called attention to multiple Old Testament passages that promote polygamy. Yet, his final argument is what upholds this practice today, procreation. Smith argued that, â€Å"man’s righteousness is measured by the size of his family† (Anderson). A proper Mormon man was expected to extensively multiple his family in order to provide more individuals to spread the faith. After social disagreements in several states, many members of the Church of Latter Day Saints fled to western territories hoping to find; â€Å"geographical, social, and cultural isolation required to implement their radical social agenda† (White). However, as the nation grew smaller and assimilation to the mainstream culture became desirable, in addition to persecution by the Federal Government, the Church of Latter Day Saints changed one of their founding principles. Essentially, in the fight for Utah territory statehood, the Mormon Church traded their practice of polygamy. This trade caused dissention among the ranks and multiple fundamentalist sects formed, continuing their practices in even more isolated communities. Joseph Musser, a prophet of the faith, established a fundamentalist community at Short Creek, Utah, that still exists today. There, families live in multi-wife homes where the domestic work is divided between eight or nine women, sometimes many more. The polygamous relationships are consensual and most women have little complaints about their situations. There are many reasons why the women choose to stay. Mainly, they don’t know anything else (Anderson). The religious beliefs they were raised with have been preparing them to be a plural wife. Rowenna Erikson, a plural wife who was excommunicated after speaking out against the treatment of women, says that growing up she; â€Å"sensed that [she] was supposed to be a plural wife mostly because [her] mother guided [her] in that direction. [She] didn’t really want to marry this way but [she] felt pressured and thought that this is what [she] had to do† (443). However, unlike Erikson, there are many women who enjoy their polygamous contract. To them, there is a sorority sense of community, their children are always cared for. During his stay at Short Creek, National Geographic journalist Scott Anderson also noticed a strange power that came with being a woman in the Mormon faith. Women are sought after in the community due to the need for reproduction creating a larger need for men to prove themselves as acceptable partners (Anderson). Brigham Young, another fundamentalist sect leader, also argued that polygamy allows all women the equal opportunity for marriage and, â€Å"†¦eliminates prostitution, economic exploitation and abandoned children† (White). Fundamentalist still argue procreation as a necessary reason for polygamy in the community. However, the main reasons fundamentalist broke off from the Church of Latter Day Saints were the revelations of new prophets. Both Brigham Young and Joseph Musser had revelations from God ordering them to take multiple wives and reproduce, and they weren’t the only ones. Fundamentalists refused to give into the assimilation of their religion. It is these radical, fundamental sects of the Church of Latter Day Saints, like Colorado City, Utah (formerly the Short Creek Community) that continue to tie the Mormon faith to the practice of polygamy. In doing so, along with ample aid from the American media, Mormonism is still considered by the mainstream to be â€Å"lumped into a category of ‘the religious outsiders’† (Perry). Yet, it is not only the practice of polygamy in these sects that support societies’ view. Several other practices continue to perpetuate their perception as part of the odd; some keep Mormons in isolated communities, some condone violence, and others speak out against the American government. Firstly, the practice of polygamy not only ostracized fundamentalist from the United States Government and mainstream, but also from the central Church of Latter Day Saints. Fundamentalist were heavily persecuted by elders of the church in the 1940s and 1950s culminating in the Short Creek Raid of 1953. American media broadcast children being ripped from mothers’ hands right into mainstream America’s living rooms. Decades of persecution and media misrepresentation only supported Mormon practices that led to communal isolation. One of these is the idea of The Gathering. Mormons believe that second coming of Christ is constantly near and that it is their duty to be ready no matter when it happens. Therefore, they live in tight knit communities that seek to prove their righteous existence to Christ. Secondly, their community is slightly communistic. There is the Law of Consecration that allows all property to be held in common and distributed (LeBaron). Additionally, United Order is the Mormon economic system of self-sufficiency (LeBaron). Both of these beliefs keep member separate from the mainstream and make it difficult to leave since they don’t have the rights to their own property. Additionally, many Fundamentalist believe in Blood Atonement established by Joseph Smith and Oaths of Vengeance. Blood Atonement is the basic belief of an eye for an eye. Smith preached that those who commit acts against Mormon should be punished with bloodshed for their sins. The Oath of Vengeance developed after the assassination of Smith stating that all Mormons are to pray for the sins committed against the prophet and should taught through lineages (LeBaron). Both of these practices have been used for justification for murder between sects. Murder justification has also come from the practices of personal revelation and heavenly visitations. As mentioned before, revelation is extremely important to the Mormon faith due to that fact that it is what the Church was founded on and from where most doctrines are derived. Personal revelations are the wishes of God and should be acted upon by faithful practitioners, yet, they give the prophet the okay from God to do whatever they want, even kill if needed (LeBaron). Obviously, murder is illegal in the United States, so how were the Mormons able, beyond personal revelation, to justify to their behavior in the court system? Fundamentalist practices believe in the triumph of God’s Law over Man’s Law. Due to their beliefs that they are forming a community for the return of Christ, Mormons believe they live in a theocratic society separate from Federal Government rule. Therefore, the rules set in place by God reign higher than those set in place by the state. Mormon belief justifies most actions, even murder, by claiming it as a personal revelation and an act of God’s will. Finally, in a religion where the members’ ultimate goal is to prepare for the end, Fundamentalist in the Church of Latter Day Saints awaits the fall of the United States Government. This belief, fueled by bitterness from lack of Federal aid in the 1820s, only reinforces the view that there is superior judgment than the United States Court system. While separation of church and state exists in the United States, Mormon religious beliefs, to a certain extent, defy that right claiming religious rule over states. There were several acts of violence that took place over the last forty years, all justified by different Mormon doctrines. Ervil LeBaron, a Fundamentalist prophet, used personal revelation for the reason he killed his brother in 1972. He then proceeded, with the same justification to kill dozens of others. LeBaron wasn’t finished when he was finally sent to jail. While in Utah State Penitentiary, LeBaron wrote the â€Å"The Book of New Covenants† ordering the deaths of members on God’s Will (LeBaron). His children then proceeded to follow his will working their way down his list. Ervil wasn’t the only one searching for power over the sects; the Lafferty brothers had similar problems in the 1980s. These events perpetuate public stereo types of the Mormon religion and polygamy. A survey I conducted of 25 people showed 100% of them still believe the Mormon Church officially sanctions polygamy and a cult like lifestyle (Venzen). It is these acts of violence based on God’s will that raise mainstream America’s eyebrows at the true classification of this faith. The violence stemming from radical sects also calls attention to Mormonism as an â€Å"other† in society and religious beliefs and raises questions to the credibility of the religion. Fundamentalist don’t only tie the Church of Latter Day Saints with polygamy. Acts of violence based on the will of a high power is often associated with cults as, â€Å"murder and suicide have been inseparable on other [cult] occasions† (Lamberg 2). Additionally, Rowenna Erickson considered her upbringing as a plural wife to be â€Å"brainwashing†, another cult practice, and even outwardly claims Mormonism as a â€Å"polygamist cult†. According to cult studies, the sought out isolation of the Fundamentalist communities only reflects that the, â€Å"†¦cult seeks to control disciples’ entire environment, not only externally but also reaching internally, as if reality were the group’s exclusive possession† (Lamberg 1). The question then remains. Is the practice of Mormonism, the Church of Latter Day Saints, an organized religion or a cult? The practice of polygamy leads the public to view the Church and its Fundamentalist counterparts as one. Therefore, can the debate of organized religion versus cult be separated by the central Church of Latter Day Saints and the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints?

Aint I a Woman Essay

In the year 1851 in the town Akron, Ohio a woman delivered a speech at a women’s convention that would be forever remembered for its greatness, genuine and powerful message. In the speech Sojourner Truth talked about her experiences not only about being a women but being a black woman in that society. In the speech she uses her personal experiences to connect with her audience and provoke them physically and emotionally. Sojourner Truth uses repetitive language, personal experiences, and sacred references to connect with her audiences emotionally and invokes her audience with the power to overcome racial and gender inequality. In her speech Sojourner Truth recognizes herself as a victim of inequality by stating how she faces discrimination everyday as a black woman. In order to provoke an emotional response in her audience she uses her personal anecdotes and invites her audience who are mostly women facing discrimination from the society. She also references to a man claiming that he says â€Å"women need to help into carriages and lifted over ditches and have the best place everywhere.† After saying the following quotes she follows an immediate denial. She says that no one is polite to her. She angrily exclaims â€Å"no one ever helps me into carriages, lifts me over ditches or gives me the best place!† By saying this quote she shows how hypocritical the society was at that time. In her speech Sojourner Truth creates the feeling of resentment in her audience by depicting the hypocrisy between men and women in the society. She also creates the feeling of empowerment in her audience. By explaining the hypocrisy in her own life Sojourner Truth invites her audiences to realize their own unfairness happening in their lives which they may want to change. She also exclaims her vulnerable state which grabs the audience’s emotions and asks for their sympathy. After she has talked about the unfairness in her life Truth empowers her audience by exclaiming and repeating a rhetorical question â€Å"ain’t I a woman?† She repeats this question again and again because she believes that she has her right to her own equality. She repeats this question because she wants her audience to feel the same empowerment she is feeling and she wants them to realize that they deserve their right to their equality. She exclaims this question over and over again each time with her personal story and builds up the energy in her audience. She also compares herself to a man by saying â€Å"I have ploughed, planted and gathered into barns and no man could head me.† She continues to repeat this question to make the claim that she is equal as a man and she needs equality. Sojourner Truth also uses religion and faith to make her point to the audience. She makes references to the bible when she is giving her speech and makes an emotional connection with her audience who are mostly Christians. Since most of the audiences were Christians she realizes that they can relate more positively to her ideas and her claims. When she opens up her speech she uses the word â€Å"children† referencing that she sees everyone in her audience equally like a mother treats her children equally. By using the word â€Å"children† she also foreshadows that her speech is going to be equality among the society. Sojourner Truth ends her speech with her most empowering fact. She states that a man said that a woman can’t have as many rights as a man because Christ was not a woman. She cleverly contradicts this statement by stating the quote â€Å"cause Christ was not a woman! Where did your Christ come from? From God and from woman. Man has nothing to do with him.† After she says the following quote she also says a really empowering statement to the audience. She claims â€Å"If the first woman god ever made was strong enough to turn the whole world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back and get it right side up again.† In this statement she references the strength of a Christian figure of the world’s first woman, Eve. When she says this statement Sojourner clearly wants each and every member of her audience to know to know they are emotionally and physically capable of fighting injustice. Sojourner uses multiple rhetorical tools to engage her audience. She uses her personal stories as pathos and connects to her audience through her inspirational stories. When she references Christ in her speech she tries to use ethos to prove her point. She also uses repetition to engage and empower her audience. Even though we were not there to hear Sojourner’s speech we can still feel the empowerment and inspiration the speech holds. In the speech it is clear that she does not want violence to fight for her injustice she explains that she only wants equality because she believes that men and women are not different. Although this speech is about woman’s equality she also explains the injustice African Americans had to suffer from. In her speech Sojurner Truth easily connects with her audience emotionally and allows them to realize that do not need this injustice and deserve equal rights.