The Relationship of Self Esteem of Skin Color in African American Culture Essay Example for Free

The Relationship of Self Esteem of Skin Color in African American Culture Essay The Relationship of Self Esteem and Skin Color 2 This paper explores the relationship between skin tone preference and the effect it has on self esteem in the African American community. As early as slavery in America there has been an assumed preference to lighter or more fair skinned African Americans. Many in the culture seem to believe that lighter skin represents beauty and equates to greater earning potential and increased opportunity. Articles by McAdoo, 1998; Ross, 1997; Russell, Wilson and Hall 1992, discuss how skin tone is used to differentiate and apply social values and self worth for African Americans. This belief led to self hate for some in the community and an increase in the use of skin whitening products in an effort to become more socially accepted and increase attractiveness to the opposite sex. Whitening appeared to be a boost to self esteem on the outside, but it really only created a false sense of confidence and acceptance. Since slavery, skin color has been used as a means of separation among those in the black community. The darker skinned slaves were usually resigned to work out in the sun in the fields while the lighter skinned slaves, who were generally the offspring of the master and a female slave were usually allowed to perform work inside the house. This led to anger by the darker field worker that still lingers on to this day. Growing up as a young boy the difference of skin tone never really seemed to be an issue but when I reached adolescence and started attending junior high school I experienced this ugliness for the first time. I was growing up in the eighties when most of the most successful blacks seen on television were lighter skinned. I particularly remember the family group Debarge as the teen heartthrobs of black teens at that time. They were all light skinned, with what we The Relationship of Self Esteem and Skin Color 3 called â€Å"good hair† due to their mixed heritage. If a kid did not fit that criterion he was not considered to be one of the â€Å"it† guys and your chances of dating were exponentially decreased. I and many began to see early that it was assumed that lighter skin meant better and received more privilege. I, at times, had feelings of self hate because I felt I was not good enough. I soon began to see members of my family using skin lightening cream to brighten their skin even by the ones who were not really dark at all. This leads me to the election of the United States first African American president. This was a joyous occasion in the African American community as many thought they would never see this happen in their lifetimes. Although, this was a historic moment some people questioned if President Obama would have been elected if he â€Å"looked more black† and less Eurocentric. Was it his clean cut look and light skin that made him seem less threatening to mainstream America? This sentiment was echoed by Senator Harry Reid in the Book Game Change: Obama and the Clinton’s, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime (Heilemann and Halperin, 2010), â€Å"He (Reid) was wowed by Obama’s oratorical gifts and believed that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama- a ‘light skinned’ African American ‘with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one’ †. Senator Reid would go on to apologize for his insensitive remarks but the those words were proof positive that this type of stereotyping not only existed in the African American community but was alive and well in the conscience of main stream America as well. The thought of skin tone separation seems antiquated to most, but from time to time we get occasionally reminders that we still have a ways to go to rid ourselves of the self hatred of The Relationship of Self Esteem and Skin Color 4 past generations. The words of those like Senator Reid will soon be forgotten by the general public, but for those in the African American community who have experienced this type of bias will never forget.

Young Children Exercise And Obesity Health And Social Care Essay

Young Children Exercise And Obesity Health And Social Care Essay Above given is a case study of on lifestyle health intervention. It is main case study for the following essay. The essay can be a It shall be a critical analysis of intervention`s design, delivery and those evaluation methodologies, which were being utilized for data gathering or desired outcome measuring the specified study. for this study. A critical discussion (in the light of relevant theories) of activities during developmental phase to evaluation phase of a health intervention shall be the topic of this essay move this line above the previous line.. For discussion, the essay is being divided into three parts. Part one highlights introduction and rationale for the choice of study. The second part explores and critically analyse the key features of the intervention`s methodology, design, and delivery by comparing it with other comparators and relevant literature. Final part covers evaluation methodologies employed to measure the desired outcomes of intervention, includes data collection for measuring outcome, process and fidelity of implementation. Sedentary behaviour is an unhealthy lifestyle. Spending more time in front of computer, TV viewing, video games playing, also not participating in outdoor activities (playing games), inactive parents who also do not support or help their children to be active, bad weather, and lack of insufficient health education in schools and communities are not only helping factors for enhancing this sedentary behaviour but the blame also goes to those cultural environments which promote physical inactivity and excessive eating. Because of this unhealthy lifestyle obesity is growing rapidly in UK. Childhood obesity is dangerous because it tracks into adulthood. In boys and girls aged 2-10 years, obesity increased from 10% in 1995 to 17% in 2005; further 16% boys and 12% girls are overweight (HSE, 2005). Data from National Child Measurement Programme showing that in England 13% children of aged 4-5 and 14.3% children of aged 10-11 are overweight; further 9.6% children of aged 4-5 years and 18.3% c hildren of aged 10-11 are obese. It is very clear that unhealthy lifestyle plays an important role in the development and maintenance for obesity (NCMP/2008). Improving lifestyles is thought to be one of the most effective means of reducing mortality and morbidity in the developed world. However, despite decades of health promotion, there has been no significant difference to lifestyles and instead there are rising levels of inactivity and obesity (Kathryn Thirlaway, 2008). In UK even majority of adults 37% of men and 25% of women are meeting the government target of at least thirty/30 minutes of intense physical activity for five/5 days per week but still there is a considerable public health burden due to physically inactive people. Every year more than 356,000 people are dying due to different cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Physical inactivity is not only responsible for this death toll but is one of major cause (Steven Allender et al, 2006). According to chief medical statement physically active people can reduce up to 50% risk of having any major disease like cancer and cardiovascular diseases but they can also prolong their liv es up to 20% to 30% (D.O.H, 2004). Unhealthy lifestyle has become a public health problem because of its association with major diseases. This is the reason for promoting healthy lifestyle different governments in United Kingdom have been introducing different interventions. In policy forms and in different schools and community based settings. Healthy weight, healthy life, child measurement programme, change 4 life, and in past LEAP project (Local Exercise Action Pilots), changes in schools curriculum for making physical activities and health education compulsory, providing healthy meals in schools and the most recent policy over salt usage are some of the great examples. To tackle above mentioned catastrophe there is an acute need of intervention. According to government policy for health promotion, an evidence based strategy for promoting healthy lifestyles is underpinning with national and local health improvement policies. Any intervention that can help in preventing obesity should be given high value. Because it is well known, in the absence of any intervention 50% of obese children will become obese adults (National audit office London, 2001). By following the health promotion principle of enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thereby improve their health (W.H.O 2005), many theories explain health behaviour and a change in health behaviour. Health Belief Model (HBM), Theory of Reasoned action, social learning and Transtheoretical (stages of change) Model, theory of health education are the examples. All of them are underpinning the practise of health promotion. Understanding of these theories is very essential while developing or designing health behaviour change intervention as the theory is logical place to begin (John kemm et al.) and theories provide bases for study design. National Institute of Health also argues that a theory is a systematic way of understanding events or situation and needs to be applicable to broad verity of situation, (NIH, 2005). This mean theories provide bases and a structure of knowledge can be built upon. For example theory of health belief model by focusing on individual`s perceptions of benefits and threats to his/her health further explains that a person`s attitude is determined by his/her knowledge and on that bases he/she acts. This means that, when person gain knowledge about something that influence the attitude and on that basis a change (step wise) in his/her actions occur. Therefore, theoretical understanding of change while developing intervention is also very important. For example, for this study (MAGIC) the concept of enhancing physical activity was being derived by the theory of health belief model (HBM) and by adopting health education model approach, an attempt of behaviour change among school children was being made. The MAGIC example is reflecting that for the study the theory of health belief provided a base and on that a health education model was being built. Basically, by following health promotion principal the MAGIC programme was being designed to promote healthy lifestyle with the help of health educa tion. Using scientific research as a base for developing sound practices in public health is called evidence based approach, which integrates research and practice (Liz Trinder et al. 2000). Was there any need for developing an intervention to improve physical activity among young children? Is MAGIC program evidence based? These questions can be answered by evaluating an intervention at developmental stage. For example, a literature search (systematic review and meta-analysis) for gathering the relevant evidences had been conducted for MAGIC programme. For the purpose researchers had set an inclusion and exclusion criterion for similar case studies to conduct a systematic review and that is systematic way of evidence finding. It was very important to search for those evidences which would help them in not repeating those mistakes while developing a design which had been causing failure previously. Therefore, it was very important to know what had been done so for. What kind of methods and designs had been used or what was already known about similar interventions and what needed to be done more or different. So the evidence based strategy can be adopted from different perspectives, of a researcher`s like creating hypothesis and design building which further maximise the strength of design and can even helpful in programme delivery. A logical model can be built on the bases of evidences which further can forecast the outcome of an intervention.

Prevalence Of Musculoskeletal Disorder Health And Social Care Essay

Prevalence Of Musculoskeletal Disorder Health And Social Care Essay Musculoskeletal disorders, also called repetitive motion disorder, are injuries of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, nerves, and spinal discs. It could lead to occupation injury because of repetitive movement, forceful exertion, poor posture, and other factors. Back pain is one of musculoskeletal disorders most commonly experienced radiographers or x-ray technicians. This is attributed to poor posture and wrong movements that radiographers used to do during their long working hours (1) One common wrong movement practiced by radiographers is carrying cassettes on the hip, which puts load on one side of body and imparts torsional strain on the spinal muscles. Other wrong movements include; lifting patient by one radiographer with arms and legs in straight position, and bending from their waist with straight legs to retrieve an object from the floor (1-3). To avoid back pain among the radiographers, there must be safety rules and principles to follow during working hours. Literature Review: Several studies aimed to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and occupational therapy among radiographers. All showed similar result indicating that the most common pain among radiographers was low back pain (4-9). Back pain among radiographers: An initial study of back pain was done by D. Wright and P. Witt (1993) to indicate any incidence of back pain, obtain demographic data, and discover preferences for performing radiography tasks. Randomly, 226 radiographers were chosen but only 18 male and 92 female radiographers accept to actively participate. Most of them worked in general diagnostic areas and were divided into two group. The first group consisted of participants with back pain from both genders. The male mean age was 40.08, mean height 68.3 inches, average of weight 181 pounds, and average of back pain intensity 2.4 on 10 point scales. The female mean age36.79, mean height 64.5 inches, average of weight 146 pounds and average of back pain intensity 3.5 on 10 point scales. Both males and females with back pain reported 6.85 of work related stress. The second group was without back pain. The male mean age was 43, mean height 69.8 inches, and average of weight 171 pounds. The female mean age37.56, mean height 64.8 inc hes, and average of weight 142 pounds. Their mean age was 43 for males and 37.56 for females. Instrument of the study was through the use of a survey with eight written pages and demographic information related to age, height, weight, area of specialization, work related stress, intensity and anatomical distribution of back pain. It was distributed to the volunteer to collect descriptive frequency data on back pain and their methods to perform 10 tasks. Some of these tasks were: moving over head tube, carrying multiple cassettes and transferring horizontal patient. It was found that there was no significant age, height, weight related links for back pain. It was also found that the methods to perform the tasks was not related to back pain. The study suggested that repeated poor posture, back strain, and faulty body mechanics may lead to back pain. However due to small sample size and self selected survey the study had limitations (4). Risk factors and musculoskeletal complaints in X-ray technologists: Another study was done by E. Bos, et al (2007) to determine prevalence rates of musculoskeletal complaints of neck, shoulder and low back and perceived exposure to risk factors. Non-specialized nurses, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses, operation room nurses, and x-ray technologists (n= 3169), worked in 8 different hospitals, were included in the study. A Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, which is a standardized questionnaire, partly derived from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, was given to the subjects to collect personal information and demographic information such as height, weight, function, having managerial task, working hours, and work in past and lifestyle. Moreover, musculoskeletal complaints, musculoskeletal workload, health, task, and psychosocial working conditions items were included. The final results clearly showed that x-ray technologists and nurses reported low back complaints (5). Musculoskeletal complaints among x-ray technologists: A cross-sectional study was done by A. Lorusso, S. Bruno, and N. Là ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢abbate (2007) included two hundred and fourteen x-ray technologists working in 13 different hospital in Italy. The volunteers were given a self administered questionnaire to collect information on individual characteristics and compliance of musculoskeletal pain. They were asked if they had lifted patients, transferred lead apron wearing, and handled cassettes. A Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used in order to evaluate musculoskeletal complaints in neck, shoulder, low back, hand/wrist, and legs during the past 12 months. The mean age was 48.5 years for men and 42.8 years for women. Fifty six of them were smokers, and 119 had a regular exercise program. The result reported low back pain as the most commonly symptom followed by shoulder and neck pain (6). Musculoskeletal complaints among x-ray technology students: Lorusso, L, et al (2010) aimed in their study to estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among a group of x-ray technology students. The subjects consisted of 60 male students and 49 female students (n=109). Their mean age was 21.1 years and of their body mass index (BMI) was twenty three. The students were given a questionnaire that had been used in a musculoskeletal survey among X-ray technologists. It collected information on individual characteristics such as gender, age, height/weight, smoking status, and leisure time physical activities. Information about physical exposure during training and complaint about the presence of musculoskeletal pain were also collected. The participants were also asked if they had lifted patients, transferred or positioned portable equipment handling, lead apron wearing and cassettes. A Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to evaluate musculoskeletal complaints in specific body regions such as neck, shoulder, low back, hand and wrist and legs. The result showed that low back pain (LBP) was the most reported symptoms followed by neck and shoulder pain (7). Musculoskeletal disorders among radiographers in Kuwait: Sheikha Al-Kindari, el al (2008) investigated musculoskeletal disorder among radiographers in Kuwait. Data were collected by questionnaire from 147 radiographers who were working in different governmental hospitals. The questionnaire included 6 different parts, including demographic data, education and the current job, physical risk factor related with the regular work, psychological risk factor related with the regular work, general health status, and exist of any musculoskeletal problem in body. Musculoskeletal disorder on neck and lower back regions was the highest percentage because of standing for a long time, moving different equipments, lifting, caring, pushing and pulling loads (8). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among radiographers: Finally, Kao, et al (2009) checked the relationship between musculoskeletal disorder and work related risk factor in radiography department. The subjects were 107 from radiography department. The majority worked at the department less than 5 years and were divided in different sections such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), X-ray, Ultrasound (US), and other. A questionnaire, which contained questions on work characteristics, work description, posture during long period, and body pain, was completed by the subjects. A modified body map also was used to indicate areas of experienced pain. It was categorized to upper back pain, upper limb pain, lower back pain, and lower limb pain. The participants were asked if their pain was related to their work, and were included to the study if there had answered with partially or fully related. Ninety seven subjects continued in the study while 7 refused and 3 pregnant women were excluded. The result of this study was a high percentage on low back pain and upper limb pain. The association between low back pain and working in CT was also significant because of heavy workload such as heavy lifting, twisting, and bending. The study limitations included small subject size, self reporting for measurement of outcomes limited, and estimations were some of limitations of this study (9). Biomechanical principles According to previous studies (3-4), musculoskeletal complaints among radiographers is caused by wrong movements such as repeated back strain, poor posture, and faulty body mechanics. To avoid the musculoskeletal pain, biomechanical principles must be followed. These principles include: Keeping a load à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“cassettes and tubeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  close to center of gravity (COG) Carrying the cassette vertically against chest rather than carrying it on the hip to avoid the load on one side of the body and imparts torsional strain on the spinal muscles. Lowering the tube to waist height before moving it horizontally to avoid back strain. Using legs muscles rather than paraspinal muscles Pushing mobile unit rather than pulling it. Transferring horizontal patient with assistance from 2 people with apart feet and straight legs. Bending knee, slightly bending back forward to pick up objects form floor. Avoiding twisting the back while loading paraspinal muscles when moving Bucky tray, moving supplies, moving equipment through doorways, working with wheelchair patients, and placing a cassette behind a bed redden patient. Using both hand to move the Bucky tray. Conclusion Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, nerves, and spinal discs. Back pain is the most common musculoskeletal disorder among radiographers due to poor posture and wrong movements such as carrying cassettes on hip, lifting patient by one radiographer, and bending from their waist to retrieve an object from the floor. Several studies were done aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among the x-ray technologists. The results confirmed that 72% and 77% prevalence of low back pain respectively among male and female radiographers, respectively (10-11). Biomechanical principles such as keeping a load close to center of gravity, using legs muscles, avoiding twisting back, and using both hand to move the Bucky tray, are recommended in order to avoid musculoskeletal pain in radiographers.

A Poker Addiction :: Personal Narrative Descriptive Papers

A Poker Addiction As Manny sits there, with half the chips he began with, he faces the hardest decision of the night. Does he call? Does he fold? There are so many things to consider, so much at stake. As the seconds tick by, flashes of frames from the World Series of Poker pass before his eyes; Johnny Chan slapping his cards down on the table, calling out â€Å"All in,† in front of God knows how many people. He sees Phil Hellmuth with his chin supported on his hands, shuffling chips and staring down his opponent. He smirks at the thought of Chris Moneymaker’s famous bluff against Sam Farha. He’s glad he doesn’t need to bluff this hand; he has very solid cards in front of him. At this point the adrenaline rush that is going through his body is one like no other. It is a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and competitiveness. It is a feeling players love to hate. They hate having it, but they love wanting it. As all these scenes pass before Manny’s eyes, he suddenly gets an urge to be bold and risky. He decides that calling his opponent would just weaken his position. â€Å"It would only make him think that I have a losing hand and am hoping for the best†, he reasons, â€Å"I’m all in† he then says, and slaps the cards down on the table in a Chan-like manner. Now it is up to Alex, it is his turn to decide whether to fold or call. Alex, though, is sure he has Manny beat, he gives Manny a smirk and says, in a Russian accent imitating the KGB guy from the movie Rounders, â€Å"I call.† All of sudden everyone is interested. One of these guys is about to lose all his chips. â€Å"Flip ‘em† somebody yells. As Manny flips his cards the whole table gets a look at them, A-K, an enviable hand. Alex flips his: 10-10, also a good hand. Alex definitely has an advantage, with a pocket pair. Both players look at each other and then back down at the table. Manny is hoping his bold move doesn’t backfire on him, and Alex just wants to finish the hand without having a heart attack. Here come the next three cards, also known as the flop, 7-9-K. Manny sighs as he sees his King, he is now in the lead. A Poker Addiction :: Personal Narrative Descriptive Papers A Poker Addiction As Manny sits there, with half the chips he began with, he faces the hardest decision of the night. Does he call? Does he fold? There are so many things to consider, so much at stake. As the seconds tick by, flashes of frames from the World Series of Poker pass before his eyes; Johnny Chan slapping his cards down on the table, calling out â€Å"All in,† in front of God knows how many people. He sees Phil Hellmuth with his chin supported on his hands, shuffling chips and staring down his opponent. He smirks at the thought of Chris Moneymaker’s famous bluff against Sam Farha. He’s glad he doesn’t need to bluff this hand; he has very solid cards in front of him. At this point the adrenaline rush that is going through his body is one like no other. It is a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and competitiveness. It is a feeling players love to hate. They hate having it, but they love wanting it. As all these scenes pass before Manny’s eyes, he suddenly gets an urge to be bold and risky. He decides that calling his opponent would just weaken his position. â€Å"It would only make him think that I have a losing hand and am hoping for the best†, he reasons, â€Å"I’m all in† he then says, and slaps the cards down on the table in a Chan-like manner. Now it is up to Alex, it is his turn to decide whether to fold or call. Alex, though, is sure he has Manny beat, he gives Manny a smirk and says, in a Russian accent imitating the KGB guy from the movie Rounders, â€Å"I call.† All of sudden everyone is interested. One of these guys is about to lose all his chips. â€Å"Flip ‘em† somebody yells. As Manny flips his cards the whole table gets a look at them, A-K, an enviable hand. Alex flips his: 10-10, also a good hand. Alex definitely has an advantage, with a pocket pair. Both players look at each other and then back down at the table. Manny is hoping his bold move doesn’t backfire on him, and Alex just wants to finish the hand without having a heart attack. Here come the next three cards, also known as the flop, 7-9-K. Manny sighs as he sees his King, he is now in the lead.

parkinsons disease Essay -- essays research papers

Parkinson’s Disease and the protective mechanism of the antioxidant Vitamin E Description and Risks   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive movement disorder marked by tremors, rigidity, slow movements (bradykinesia), and postural instability. It is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by decreased production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. Dopamine is responsible for most of the body’s smooth muscle movements. As a result, motor control in Parkinson’s patients is disrupted, causing anything from uncontrollable tremors to muscular stiffness to slow-as-molasses movements. (2) PD affects about 500,000 people in the United States, both men and women, with as many as 50,000 new cases each year. The disease usually begins in a person’s late 50’s and 60’s; it causes a progressive decline in movement control, affecting the ability to control initiation, speed, and the smoothness of motion. The symptoms of PD are seen in up to 15% of those between the ages of 65-74, and almost 30% of those were between the ages of 75-84. (3) Genetic Risks   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Scientist identified two gene abnormalities present in PD patients whose families have a rate of the disease, indicating at least some evidence that the disease is inherited. Both abnormalities cause the body to produce an altered version of alpha synuclein, the protein that shows up in dense masses in the brains of Parkinson’s patients. (3). But in another study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggested heredity is a significant influence on how fast the disease will onset. Researchers identified 172 twin pairs in which at least one twin had PD. If the condition was hereditary, the rate of both twins having the disease would be lower among fraternal twins, who share some, but not all of the same genes unlike identical twins who share them all. In individuals who were diagnosed after age 50, the rate of twins who both had the disease was similar among fraternal and identical twins. In those diagnosed at 50 or younger, however, the rate wa s significantly lower in fraternal twins than in identical twins (2). Researchers also think that PD has environmental risks such as increase exposure to toxic chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, or heavy metals. For example, some studies of people liv... ...one, L., Bagala, A., Napoli, I.D., Caracciolo, M. & Quattnone, A. (2001) Plasma levels of Vitamin E in Parkinson’s disease. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 33:7-12. 6. Miklya, I., Knoll, B. & Knoll, J. (2003) A pharmacological analysis elucidating why, in contrast to (-)- deprenyl (selegiline), alpha-tocopherol was ineffective in the DATATOP Study. Life Sciences 72:2641-2648   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   10.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Parashevas, G.P., Kapaki, E., Petropoulou, O., Anagnostouli, M., Vagenas, V. & Papageorgiou, L. (2003) Plasma levels of Antioxidant Vitamins C and E are decreased in vascular Parkinsonism. Journal or Neurological Sciences. 215:51-55. 11.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Roghani, M. & Behzadi, G., (2001) Neuroprotective effect of vitamin E on the early model of Parkinson’s disease in rat: behavioral and histochemical evidence. Brain Research 892:211-217. 12.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Vatassery, G.T., Demaster, E.G., Lai, James C.K., Smith, W.E. & Quach, H.T. (2003) Iron uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in brain mitochondria isolated from vitamin E-deficient rats. Biochemical et Biophysical Acta 1688:265-273. .

New Religious Movements & Religion

When studied, compared, and scrutinized, every religion – though said to be basically similar in that all believe and worship a god/gods – is actually different from each other in many respects. Before tackling diversities however, it is better to start with similarities. Many people view all adherents of any religions share at the very least certain commonalities such as historical roots, practices/rituals, and doctrines. In other words, to be considered religious, one must be a follower of a certain form of ritual/practice prescribed by a founder or guru, a worshiper or believer of a god – whatever or whoever that god might be.When looked at the surface, this might be true. However, looking closely and seeking out the nuances, one can find real diversities. For example, for a Jew and a Muslim, Christianity is a religion represented by Vatican and the pope as its representative. To the eyes of these two, no differences whatsoever are detected between a devout Ro man Catholic and a Protestant and a Mormon. Of course when investigated, marked differences come to the surface and the initial seemingly unified similarities are gone. Actually, differences are underscored every time there occurs along the way a deviation from the fundamentals of any religion. In the history of Christianity alone, schisms are either a deviation or a return to its roots (Adherents.com, 2007).Effects of Religious PluralismPost your response to this question: What effect do you think religious pluralism and the interfaith movement will have on the future of organized religion? Explain your answer.Religious pluralism and interfaith movement are recently advocated by proponents from different religions with certain political aims. For instance, during Holy Week in 1971, there were many demonstrations conducted by different religious groups to voice their antiwar protests. Professor Robert McAfee Brown of Stanford University was among those arrested for blocking the way to a draft board office in Berkeley, California. He said he chose to preach his sermon â€Å"not in a church but on a pavement, not with words but with a deed† (Microsoft Encarta, 2007). Though there are certain benefits to it in terms of rights, there are also disadvantages and innumerable damages that may have paved the way for further confusion in the future.In what ways has learning about world religions influenced the way you think about religion? Why is it important to learn about other peoples' beliefs and attitudes? How will you utilize this information in the future?Knowledge of World religionsKnowledge of the different religions of the world and their adherents’ beliefs and practices is necessary for a better understanding of different peoples and cultures. Religious tolerance means differently when taken in the light of this endeavor. The ability to understand world religions and appreciate people because of their different persuasions and beliefs mean a mor e empathic and compassionate stance towards any group, ethnic or religious assemblage. Those who differ from us will not be seen as enemies, which oftentimes have become a common experience (Adherents.com, 2007).Reference:________ Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2008 < http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html>________ Microsoft Encarta. 2007.

Cotton Came to Harlem

Chester Himes Cotton Comes to Harlem was a great work of art, a detective novel of the American blaxploitation era in which the characters would be considered flamboyantly â€Å"super black† individuals. In the days where everyone was a ‘soul brother’ and ‘jive turkey’, or ‘bad mamma jamma’. The case to be solved in the book surrounded the accidental â€Å"delivery† of a bale of cotton to a neighborhood in Harlem, New York, far too set in the north for there to have ever been raw, unprocessed cotton there.The bale of cotton is used to steal nearly one hundred thousand dollars swindled from the Harlem constituency of a dirty, underhanded, slick talking preacher and after the bale is stuffed with the money and misplaced it is found by a beggar and then chased throughout the tale. Although there was a ridiculous amount of racism present in this work there was also some fairly hidden aspects of racial solidarity.Whereas all of the whit e police officers and detectives were racists against and clearly suspicious of Detectives â€Å"Coffin† and â€Å"Gravedigger† their immediate supervisor, the Sergeant whose name escapes me, was immensely supportive and understanding. He realized the situation that their department was dealing with and how important it was for Coffin and Gravedigger to be the ones to handle it, asserting that it was just their type of justice that was needed in such an instance and that they had a very particular way of going about the duties of their position.What is like the most controversial portion of this work is the underlying discussion of the Back to Africa Movement and the theme of African American solidarity (my second favorite part). I was extremely impressed with the attention that Himes gave to distinguishing the importance of finding and returning the money that was stolen because it was the hard-earned money of impoverished African Americans who had given all that they had and more; literally their last dollars or penny, to this preacher with a silver tongue because they felt he was the person to lead them to the â€Å"promised land†.They believed in this man and put a lot of stock in his words and alleged beliefs. He gave them hope and a vision that they felt they could have faith in. The Back to Africa Movement is an unfortunate dilemma which caught my attention having done some research on and not being a fan of Marcus Garvey for having turned out to be quite similar to the pastor in this tale. An immeasurably flawed being of great charisma in search of every dime he could get. I was disappointed in the â€Å"selling of a dream† but very pleased with the way in which Himes formed, developed and presented this character.The thing that I by far loved most about this book was the fact that it was a bale of cotton full of money. It could have been anything on this earth, a steal bucket sealed shut, a large suitcase or locked box but it wasn’t, it was a bale of cotton – the same soft and beautiful substance that kept African Americans oppressed for so many years working on plantations to harvest it. I thought the symbolism in the young lady dancing; celebrating what it meant was absolutely beautiful. It meant the overcoming of subjugation and inferiority.This longstanding symbol of oppression had turned into a symbol of hope, not for an entire race but at least for the impoverished community where it had been â€Å"lost†. I would guess that not many people saw the significance in Himes using a bale of cotton, or the fact that he was the one to write the book at all, but I did. Chester Himes was born in 1909, right after the turn of the century, soon after the abolition of slavery and right there during peak sharecropping times. I felt like cotton was something that had a stronghold on so many people for so long.Working in cotton fields was among African Americans greatest struggles, if not t he greatest of African American struggles. Cotton throughout history has signified African American oppression, but when cotton came to Harlem, it signified hope and financial freedom. I didn’t like the movie when I saw it years ago, but I am now glad that I was able to read the book. I thought it was great ad I would definitely recommended it to anyone who is interested in the underlying aspects of the African American struggle being celebrated as they are overcome.