Rigorous Reasoning - Literature Essay Samples

In a time when a black man lives in the White House, most Americans believe their nation has moved past racial oppression. Police Shootings may still grab headlines, but adherents to colorblindness view them largely as an isolated problem. In The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander vigorously challenges this public consensus. By understanding the intensely surprising nature of her argument, then buttressing it with copious evidence and effective counterarguments, Alexander establishes that mass incarceration amounts to a racial caste system nearly as unfair as Jim Crow or slavery. Since Alexander understands her claim runs against the conventional wisdom of a post-racial society, she constructs her argument to appeal to an immediately skeptical audience. Among her strongest devices for relating to her reader’s potential incredulity towards her argument is a personal anecdote. Alexander remembers considering a sign that claimed the War on Drugs is a reincarnation of Jim Crow as â€Å"an absurd comparison† just a few years before writing a book that made essentially the same claim (Alexander 3). This example underscores that even racially conscious people who happen to be uninvolved in the criminal justice system tend not to see the parallels between it and past forms of oppression as well as incarcerated people do (4). Recognizing that even well intentioned readers may not be initially receptive to an argument is critical to making an effective case; in doing so, Alexander meets the readers at their (possibly mistaken) views, allowing her to continue without putting off her audience. In order to help readers understand how a deeply discriminatory system can thrive in an ostensibly colorblind society, Alexander proceeds to explain the historical context that permitted such a blemish. She notes that the â€Å"rules and reasons† used to uphold racism â€Å"evolve and change as they are challenged† (21). Much like slavery gave way to Jim Crow, racism’s versatile nature allowed it to persist even after the Civil Rights movement, as Republican politicians of the 1970s and 1980s used â€Å"law and order† rhetoric to enact tough anti-crime policies whose true objectives were to appeal to southern whites through racially charged language (41). Background information contextualizes Alexander’s case in readers’ minds. Historical context and a personal anecdote allow Alexander to ease her reader into the bulk of her argument, making an apparently ridiculous claim seem at least plausible . Of course, merely understanding that the notion of a racial caste system exists may shock readers is not sufficient to persuade them, so Alexander supports her claim with mountains of diverse evidence before refuting potential concerns. She mixes anecdotal evidence that allows her to appeal to pathos with statistical data that allows her to appeal to logos. For instance, when discussing the toxic effects of the criminal justice system’s flaws, Alexander opens chapter 3 with the story of Erma Faye Stewart, an innocent woman whose life was uprooted by a guilty plea for a nonviolent drug crime, forcing her to face discrimination in housing, employment, and government benefits (97). She proceeds to cite a slew of statistics from several sources that show the scope of the problem, such as those proving that up to 80 to 90 percent of people imprisoned on drug offenses in many states are African-American (98). All told, Alexander cites no fewer than 500 sources throughout The New Ji m Crow, whose citations consume more than 30 pages (263-296). This vast, diversified portfolio of evidence allows Alexander to appeal both emotionally and logically to her audience, creating a more unified argument. Later in the text, she again employs research and logic, this time not to construct her case but rather counter anticipated rebuttals to it. A â€Å"predictable response† from conservative pundits to the plight of black communities due to mass incarceration is to blame communities of color for embracing â€Å"gangsta rap and the culture of violence† (170). While Alexander concedes that this may be a tempting position to take, she turns the argument on its head by contending that these cultural trends are not the cause of oppression, but rather the reaction to it, comparing statements such as â€Å"black is beautiful† to similar slogans in the gay community (171). This comparison in particular is important because it underscores the similarities betwe en race-based mass incarceration and forms of discrimination that white people may be more familiar with, helping build on the bedrock of Alexander’s argument presented earlier. Michelle Alexander produces an altogether effective argument with clear implications for society in The New Jim Crow. Her argument’s thorough evidence and her strong awareness of her audience create a clear, persuasive case that constitutes a highly effective argument, especially considering the challenge to conventional wisdom it presents. Alexander’s careful construction of her argument allows the final chapter to be largely devoted to considering the societal implications of knowledge of mass incarceration. She makes explicit her advice to civil rights organizations seeking to improve the lot of poor people of color: Do not be afraid to advocate on behalf of convicted criminals and the downtrodden, as those who stick to traditional civil rights advocacy techniques should â€Å"labor under no illusions† that they are meaningfully addressing mass incarceration (229). More generally, the book’s striking argument makes it clear that white Americans can no longer maintain colorblindness or ignore racial issues; rather, they must bravely confront racism and criminal justice inequality head-on, or black men will continue to be more familiar with the jailhouse than the White House.

Poes Poetry Essay - 1269 Words

With fascinating rhyme scheme and an enthralling setting, Edgar Allen Poe draws readers into his dreadfully frightening poems. His poems are best known for being extremely grim and macabre, but with a hint of Romanticism in them. â€Å"The Raven† and â€Å"Annabel Lee† depict Romanticism being described by feelings and imagination. These poems reflect the reality that the author is dealing with different views in the way lovers grieving and the way of dealing with death. He is also able to make two poems that seem very similar completely different. These are all factors in both poems that make these two poems with a similar theme accomplish parallel purposes in emphasizing the theme of the unreliable narrator in Poe’s works. The unnamed narrators†¦show more content†¦This poem contains anger. The narrator is angry. He is sad that his wife is deceased but he is mad that God took her away from him. This narrator seems to be more resolute in his love over his love. He claims they have an eternal union that â€Å"neither the angels in heaven above/Nor the demons down under the sea† (Line 30-31) can separate them. This narrator has optimism, he sees an everlasting love; meanwhile the narrator from â€Å"The Raven† seems to have given up all hope and is willing to accept his fate. Edgar Allan Poe’s analysis on poetry is that every poem should be â€Å"rhythmical creation of beauty†. No other poems have captured the clever sense of rhythm and measure as much as â€Å"Annabel Lee† and â€Å"The Raven†. Poe is able to create two diverse poems from the same topic, while never wavering from his rhythmic formula. Though they both contain alliteration and similar rhythmic pattern, there is a faint difference between the two. â€Å"Thrilled me-filled me with fantastic terror never felt before/So that now, to the beating of my heart, I stood repeating.† This is from â€Å"The Raven† and the sense of rhythm and rhyme within the lines are fantastic. His writing is like a heartbeat where he reveals pieces of the story beat by beat. It sets the mood for the building urgency of the haunting verses that are forthcoming. While the rhythm and pace of Annabel Lee is just as phenomenal, the tone and content isShow MoreRelatedLife and Experiences of Tragey in Poes Poetry and Stories Essay795 Words   |  4 Pages The life and experiences of Poe are all incorporated into his poetry and stories. His life was filled with tragedy. Poe’s parents died when he was young, his foster mother, siblings and wife all died as well. On top of this throughout his life he accumulated debt and was constantly criticized by those around him. Dreamland is a journey alone in the world of dreams searching for something greater in life within what seems like a nightmare. Poe wrote this poem to show that people are constantly searchingRead MorePoetry In Poes The Raven By Edgar Allan Poe937 Words   |  4 Pagesword poetry we immediately think of romance and beauty. However, having read the poem â€Å"The Raven† by Edgar Allan Poe, we have concluded that even dark and gloomy poetry has its own meaning. While going through its stanzas, the magnificent style and rhythm of Poe’s writing made me feel like I also was in the room with the narrator. The poem itself is an incredible experience, filled with deep meanings and symbols that if you’re not aware of them you can totally misunderstand the plot. Poetry is anRead MoreAnalysis of Poes Successes and Failures in Poetry and Fiction1745 Words   |  7 PagesAn Analysis of Poes Successes and Failures in Poetry and Fiction Edgar Allan Poes career may have been a failure considering what he set out to do, but he did achieve some success and notoriety in his own lifetime. His most successful poem was, of course, The Raven, a piece he composed to satisfy popular taste. But some of his short fiction was popular as well. As an editor and publisher, however, Poe did not quite achieve the greatness he sought. His legacy grew only after his death, thanksRead MoreThe Road Not Taken By Edgar Allan Poe And Robert Frost1081 Words   |  5 Pagesparticularly poetry. To the masses, Edgar Allan Poe and Robert Frost only share job titles, but the two poets share many similarities within their writing. Personally, I read pieces from both authors over the course of my schooling experience. I admired Robert Frost’s poem, â€Å"The Road Not Taken† from a young age, and that particular stole my heart since the first read. â€Å"The Raven,† became one of my favorite poems further down my schooling care er, with its clear ominous tone that symbolizes much of Poe’s writingRead More Edgar Allan Poe Essay1718 Words   |  7 Pagesviews on the world, human beings, and poetry, I believe his work remains popular and influential today because he remained true to his style and personality. However, I agree that he was dedicated to art for arts sake because his main intention was to express himself through his work. Poe did not bother with popular styles and techniques, but he was a master poet when it comes to adapting to different styles to convey his emotions appropriately. Overall, Poes poetry displays sentimentalism because heRead MoreAnalysis of Edgar Allen Poes The Raven Essay917 Words   |  4 Pagesof writing from poems to short stories. One of his most famous narrative poems is â€Å"The Raven.† There are many reasons to read the â€Å"The Raven.† One reason to read the poem is because it is a classic. Secondly, reading â€Å"The Raven† can give sigh t to Poe’s thoughts and feelings towards his life. Thirdly, the poem is a good example of the mind set of someone who has faced a loss. Another reason would be that the poem can represent trochaic octameter form. It can also represent narrative poem form. OfRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe s The Raven944 Words   |  4 Pages While poetry is often thought of as the language of romance and love, there is a darker side of the art that is often not considered. Some poets throughout the centuries have mastered this more sinister side of poetry and used it to display the evils of humanity. Edgar Allan Poe, American Gothic poet, often wrote unsettling and dark poetry marrying the natural and supernatural in order to demonstrate difficult to grasp human emotions such as grief or depression. Poe’s The Raven is a powerful, yetRead MoreCriticism of Poe Essays1019 Words   |  5 Pagesmystery stories of the macabre and poetry, he is also known as one of the foremost figures in literary criticism. Poe alienated many of his colleagues due to the unyielding standards he demanded in the building of a worthy national literature, he is now credited for being one of the most influential figures in the advancement of literary traditions not only in America but in Europe as well, leaving an indubitable mark on the world of literature. Though Poes poems draw in the reader, at times reluctantlyRead MoreEssay about Poetry: Emotions in Words 1027 Words   |  5 PagesPoetry is an art form of expression and emotions through words. It encompasses the writer’s mood and point of view about a certain idea. Two poems that demonstrate the use of emotions in words are â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† by Maya Angelou, and â€Å"A Dream within a Dream†, by Edgar Allan Poe. Both of these poets are very important in the literary field even though their ways of writing contrast each other. Angelou is a revolutionist who is known around the world for her astounding stories of racism, familyRead Moreâ€Å"Because I could not stop for Death† and â€Å"Annabel Lee†: Similarities, Differences, and Their Authors1494 Words   |  6 Pagescharacterize an author’s writing making each work unique as different points of view are expressed within a writing’s words and sentences. This is the case, for example, of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem â€Å"Annabel Lee† and Emily Dickinson’s poem â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death.† Both poems focus on the same theme of death, but while Poe’s poem reflects that death is an atrocious event because of the suffering and struggle that it provokes, Dickinson’s poem reflects that death is humane and that it should not be

Corporate Social Responsibility and The Peace Panda...

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is defined as an initiative by companies to manage its business, positive image and reputation that reflects from its business on the society, such as the environment and its impact on the society. BreadTalk, with business expansions into China, had a program which practiced corporate social responsibility during the Sichuan Earthquake incident. It was undoubtedly one of China’s most devastating natural disasters. BreadTalk came up with a â€Å"Peace Panda† program which showed their support for the victims and to play a part in the relief efforts. The â€Å"Peace Panda† program is basically panda-shaped bread which was an iconic symbol of Sichuan was meant to appeal to consumers. BreadTalk then had the†¦show more content†¦Culture represents the customs and social behaviour of a society. To have dealings with one’s culture, one must understand another’s culture to prevent venturing into taboos which might be perfectly normal in other cultures. For example, Power Distance in United States is such that superiors and subordinates often interact socially as equals. However in China, superiors and subordinates do not interact socially as equals. Respect between superiors and subordinates exist heavily regardless whether is during work hours or after work. For most expansions into a foreign country, companies will hire locals to aid in manpower. Higher management positions are usually brought over with the company. The higher management staff will have to supervise the local workers to provide the company with the productivity they want. In this case the higher management staff will have to understand the work culture for the locals in order to not breach any taboos or customs to the local working culture. By understanding the work culture it will also show that the company has respect for the locals and that they gave effort to study the local work customs. Without background study, expansion into another country will be very risky. BreadTalk business managers had done adequate background researches for every expansion into a foreign country. Due to the fact that BreadTalk’s home country is Singapore, not everyShow MoreRelatedCorporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility is define as intended actions of an800 Words   |  4 PagesCorporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility is define as intended actions of an organization that changes its company process to operate in an society, environmentally and feasible way which affect the community development and human rights. Corporate Social Responsibility programs aim to provide value to the society while at the same time improve an organization’s reputation and leading to success. In practice this can apply to an extensive of actions that organization couldRead MoreCulture of Australia and Corporate Social Responsibility906 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is Corporate Social Responsibility and how could this influence the organizational behavior of â€Å"BreadTalk†? Corporate Social Responsibility refers to a company’s sense of responsibility towards the community and environment in which it operates. Companies express this citizenship through their waste and pollution reduction processes, by contributing educational and social programs, and by earning adequate returns on the employed resources. CSR is also considered as a strategy to create, developRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility at Bread Talk Essay763 Words   |  4 PagesThis research paper will discuss the basis of the open system, Corporate Social Responsibility practiced by BreadTalk, understanding of cultural differences and steps that could be taken to promote cross cultural awareness. Breadtalk Founded in 2000, BreadTalk have grown to become one of the top local brands and operates more than 330 bakery outlets, 31 food courts and 13 restaurants across Singapore, Asia and Middle East. BreadTalk have been consistently advocating the open systems loop efficientlyRead MoreTourism in the Philippines6497 Words   |  26 Pagesexternal factors. Some of these factors include the relative attractiveness of the country over time, its proximity to markets, the availability of tourist infrastructure and superstructure, and the extent to which its role as a promoter of economic and social development is recognized. For this research paper, the researchers analyzed the current situation on Philippine Tourism through pinpointing its internal and external factors that are affecting the said industry. To support these factors, matricesRead MoreFacebook Website and Audience3537 Words   |  14 PagesCURRENT SITUATION: I. Introduction and Facebook overview Facebook Incorporate is a free social networking website that allows users to create personal profiles and share ideas, opinions, pictures, and activities with their family, friends, or the public. The website is offered in more than 70 different languages all over the world and has reported to have about 1.2 billion active users. On average, there is about 556 million users who log onto Facebook from a mobile device (Company Profile, 2014)

A History Of Poland Essay Research Paper free essay sample

A History Of Poland Essay, Research Paper Poland is located in Central Europe, to the E of Germany. It is somewhat smaller than New Mexico. Poland is named after the Slavic folk, Polane. The word polane in Slavic means field or plane. This describes Poland? s terrain. Most of Poland is covered with little planes and gently turn overing hills. Towards the south Poland is covered in mountains. Historically, Poland was an country of struggle because of its level terrain and the deficiency of natural barriers on the North European Plain. Polish is the official linguistic communication of Poland. It contains a figure of idioms, in between Polish and German or Ukrainian. The Polish linguistic communication is written utilizing the Latin alphabet. In Poland during the mid 1900? s more than 40 Polish metropoliss had a population of over 100,000 dwellers. Five major metropoliss have a population of over 500,000. Warsaw is Poland? s capital and by far has the largest population. We will write a custom essay sample on A History Of Poland Essay Research Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page During most of Poland? s history, Poland was a extremely multi-ethnic society which included Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Jews and Germans. Territorial alterations after World War II nevertheless, changed the states cultural make-up. Today Poland has a comparatively little cultural diverseness. 97.6 % of Poland? s citizens are Poles, 0.6 % are Ukrainians, 0.5 % are Byelorussians, and 1.3 % are German. There are besides little communities of Slovaks, Czechs, Lithuanians and Russians. There are 10 million Poles populating outside of Poland. The United States has the largest figure of Polish citizens. However, Russia, Germany, France, Canada, Brazil, Australia, the United Kingdom, and states of the former Soviet Union besides have ample Polish communities. Before World War II there were 3 million Judaic people populating in Poland. However, the sum of Judaic occupants in Poland communities decreased after World War II ended. The Nazis killed more than 90 % of Judaic Poles that lived in Poland at the clip. Those who survived left Poland and moved to Israel or to the West. In the early 1990? s it has been estimated that there were 10,000 Jew life in Poland. Before World War II Poland was largely agricultural and most of the population lived in rural countries. It was transformed into an industrial state in 1945 when Communists took control of Poland? s authorities. Today Poland produces agricultural and industrial merchandises. Poland exports murphies, fruits, veggies, wheat, domestic fowl, eggs, porc, beef, milk, cheese, manufactured goods, chemicals, machinery and equipment, farm animal, mineral fuels and many other merchandises. Poland exports all of these merchandises to Germany, Russia, Ukraine, the Netherlands and France. Soccer is a favourite interest for Poles. Other favourite interests of Poles include bivouacing, hike, skiing, seafaring, swimming, canoeing, hunting, fishing and the ancient tradition of horseback equitation. Poland is known for engendering Equus caballuss. Approximately 95 % of Poles are Roman Catholic. The Roman Catholic Church exerts an of import influence on many facets of Polish Life. Church attending degrees are high, particularly in rural countries. Poland besides has about 50 non-Catholic churches and many other spiritual groupings, including Jehovah? s Witnesses. The largest churches represented in the Polish Ecumenical Council, which was founded to advance cooperation between churches, are the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Augsburg Church. Easter and Christmas are really of import spiritual vacations to Poles and are a large portion of Polish civilization. During the late eighteenth century through the early twentieth century the foreign powers that controlled Poland limited instruction to the privileged elite. Today, instruction occupies an of import place in Polish society. Virtually the full population of Poland ( 99 % ) aged 15 and older can read and compose. Education in Poland is free for kids seven to fifteen old ages of age. Children attend school six yearss a hebdomad, two-hundred and 40 yearss a twelvemonth. Upon completion of the eight twelvemonth simple school plan about all kids enter the secondary school system. Those who don? T, attend vocational and proficient schools. There are besides a figure of private schools, many of which are affiliated with the Catholic church. Poland has over 100 establishments of higher instruction, including 11 universities, twelve medical schools, 17 schools of art and music and a figure of specialised vocational colleges. Poland has attained its highest artistic acknowledgment in the field of literature. The greatest literary period is by and large regarded as the Romantic period of the nineteenth century. The main figures of this period were Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Sowacki, Zygmunt Krasinski, and Cypriote Kamil Norwid. Romanticism was followed by Realism, most notably in the novels of Bolesaw Prus, Henryk Sienkiewicz, and Wadysaw Stanisaw Reymont. Besides, many Polish author have received the Nobel Prize. Polish creative persons have been influenced by western motions and tendencies. Polish common people humanistic disciplines and trades range from clayware, cloths, and embellishment to sculpture, artworks and pictures. Many Polish film makers, including Roman Polanski, have achieved international fame. There is a long tradition of common people music and dance in Poland. The best known composer from Poland is Frederic Chopin. Chopin is known for conveying together the Polish common people tradition and other European musical manners. Karol Szymanowski is frequently regarded as the most well-known after Chopin. Poland is a democratic province. The head of province is the president. The president is elected by popular ballot for a five twelvemonth term. The premier curate and deputy premier curates are appointed by the president. Supreme Court Judgess are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period. Constitutional Tribunal Judgess are chosen by the Sejm for nine twelvemonth footings. The Roman Catholic Church, the Solidarity ( merchandise brotherhood ) and the OPZZ ( All Poland Trade Union Alliance ) all have political power. To vote in Poland you must be 18 old ages of age. Poland has many systems of transit. There are 24,313 kilometers of railroads ; 377,048 kilometer of main roads and 3,812 kilometer of navigable rivers and canals. Poland has many ports and seaports including Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwile, Kolobrzeg, Szcecin, Swinoujscile, Ustka, Warsaw and Wrocaw. There are besides three heliports and 92 airdromes, seventy-four of which have paved tracks. Poland? s military is separated into three divisions. The Polish military consists of the Army, Navy, and Air and Air Defense Force. Out of 10,417,314 males ages fifteen to forty-nine who are available to function in the military 8,104,484 are fit to fall in the military. Currently Poland has no international differences. Polish traditions are still followed in the life of many poles today. There are still communities that celebrate Polish heritage in many parts of the universe. Poland Has contirbuted much of its civilization to American society today.