Narrative Paper on Just off Main Street by Elmaz Abinader Essay Example

Narrative Paper on Just off Main Street by Elmaz Abinader Paper Breaking Barriers: Acceptance of Exoticization In her essay Just off Main Street, published by the United States Department of State, Elmaz Abinader stresses the importance of embracing cultural differences. Abinader precisely describes her struggles as an Arab-American attempting to stay true to her two worlds: the American society and her Lebanese culture. As an Armenian I can directly relate to almost every instance Abinader depicts throughout her essay. Abinaders words and descriptions clearly outline the context of her two worlds. For example, a key symbol Abinader consistently mentions is the magic door r portal that separates the outside and inside world (par 1). Through her descriptions, comparisons, and cultural concepts, Adinader creates worlds of meaning between her former portal and the outside world by eliminating the ignorance and sparking a domino effect of acceptance to all Middle Eastern cultures. In her first paragraph, Abinader sets up the norms in todays society. She uses the word standard which immediately causes the reader to picture the typical American community. The first paragraph signaled for a comparison between Abinaders community and her home life. When she states, From the face of it, our businesses looked like any others, I understand that her family is attempting to put up a front in order to blend in (par 2). When Abinader states, my father and my uncle stood in the doorways of their establishments, her use of the word establishments has meaning to me. Most individuals of Middle Eastern, European decent are very hardworking and take their possessions and accomplishments seriously. We will write a custom essay sample on Narrative Paper on Just off Main Street by Elmaz Abinader specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Narrative Paper on Just off Main Street by Elmaz Abinader specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Narrative Paper on Just off Main Street by Elmaz Abinader specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer These cultures have an ideology encompassing strong pride, because in historical situations they have been criticized and undermined. On April 24, 191 5 the Ottoman Turks killed over 1. 5 million Armenians. This tragedy is referred to as the Armenian genocide. However, till this day the Turks and several uninformed individuals deny that it occurred. This denial serves as a perfect example as to why Middle Eastern, Europeans stay close to their culture and have pride. They yearn for a sense of belonging (par 12). Abinader speaks of the belonging and Joy her family scenes brought her, yet she could not share this Joy with those on the other side of the door because of their lack of acceptance (par 12). The description of Abinaders peers, Jeannie and Renee, precisely contrast the two lives on either side of the magic door. Abinader describes her fascination of the shiny bikes with streamers and the collection of Barbie doll paraphernalia. Her fascination and her description of the after-school duties she would partake in created a stark contrast between her and her classmates. Why is different looked upon negatively? The reason Abinader was ridiculed on the playground was not specifically because of her dark hair or her ape like arms (par 4). The ridicule occurred due to her differences; she was exotic. Just off Main Street, incorporated an abundance of cultural elements. Abinaders parents may seem strict to the average American due to their after-school duties or round puffy disks she had Just baked (par 6). However, if one understands the Middle Eastern, European culture, they would know that Abinaders parents are structured and focused people. They dont give their children responsibilities at an early age to punish them; instead, they do this to introduce the cultures morals and alues. Other cultural aspects included in Abinaders essay were her descriptions of the Arabic dishes, the music and dancing in circles, and the stories told from the old days (par 10). All of these elements play a part in creating that home or feeling of belonging which I sense during my own family gatherings (par 21). Yet, Abinader could not mesh her two worlds due to the ridicule she already went through before cracking open her magical door. Similar to Abinader, I found it extremely difficult going through elementary and iddle school known as that foreign girl with a big nose and parents with strong accents. My magic door was always shut until the last couple years of high school. In high school and college, we try to find ourselves, or something that we can distinguish ourselves with. During these years, both, Abinader and I realized that being Middle Eastern is something to embrace and to share with others. It was not until Abinader studied at the University of Pittsburgh that she could finally open the threshold between her two worlds (par 13). The Syria-Lebanese room housed in the English Department revealed all of the beautiful things about Abinaders culture such as the Persian rug designs and the glass multi-colored lights (par 14). As soon as she recognized the appreciation and fascination her peers had of this room that she was associated with, Abinader felt a sense of pride, which inspired her to embrace her culture through literature (par 14). Adinader not only inspires young Arabic writers, but she also inspires young writers of any Middle Eastern, European decent to continue spreading the knowledge to those who are unfamiliar with the Middle Eastern culture. It is through the acceptance from others that we will truly be able to express ourselves and let down our guards. Its difficult to imagine any Middle Eastern individual to not want to inform the public of their cultures rich history. It saddens me that at times these individuals are forced to put up that magic door due to negative thoughts of these cultures or political controversies. However, through more education, we will finally be able to understand and accept one another opening all barriers that prevent worlds of meaning.

Seven Grammar Mistakes Even the Pros Make

Seven Grammar Mistakes Even the Pros Make Language is, and has always been, an evolving form. It changes along with societal shifts and is a dynamic concept that is often dependent on context, formality (or the lack thereof), setting, and audience. The concept of grammar and grammar rules attempts to give form and consistency to the dynamic nature of language, but even within that set standard, there are changes that occur over time. Keeping up with those changes can be a full-time job within itself.That being said, it is almost impossible for a person to learn every rule of grammar and the current accepted usage. Even the pros who work in the publishing industry or in academic research tend to make mistakes with some of the simplest grammar rules, which is why they always hire their own copyeditor or editor before submitting a final draft for publication.Thankfully, technology has introduced amazing tools like spellchecker and online editing to assist professionals with all things grammar in their day-to-day communication. However, despite these advances, and despite the availability of copyeditors and editors, the pros still make mistakes sometimes and here are their most common ones.What do to with those seasons...Many people still assume that seasons (such as winter, spring, summer and fall) need to be capitalized in every instance as proper nouns. This is incorrect. The seasons are generic nouns and are only capitalized when forming part of a proper noun with another word. See the following examples:The spring season is perfect for participating in outdoor sports and recreation.If you like winter sports, Colorado is a great place to live.However, when a season is used as a title, it then becomes a proper noun and should be capitalized. See the below examples:The Spring 2014 semester started off well this year.I have enjoyed watching the Sochi Winter Olympics very much.Who and WhomWho is a nominative pronoun (as is he, she, it, we, and they). Whom is an objective pronoun (as is him, her, us, and th ey). Therefore, when you are choosing between who and whom, always ask yourself if it is the subject or the object of the sentence. If the needed word is in the nominative (or subjects) position, use who. If it is in the objective (or objects) position, use whom.Which and ThatTo say that which qualifies and that restricts doesnt make the choice between these two words any easier for most people who dont want to sit and think about the words usage in the sentence. Without a lesson in restricting pronouns and relative clauses, just remember that which introduces a clause that isnt essential to the meaning of the sentence, whereas that provides information that is necessary for the sentences meaning. Heres an example:The concert, which is sold out, will be held in Madison Square Garden.While its nice to know that the concert is sold out, whether or not there are tickets left is irrelevant to the fact that it will be held in Madison Square Garden. In other words, the clause which is sol d out contains extra information that isnt essential to the sentence. However, consider this example:To our knowledge, the Earth is the only planet in the solar system that sustains life.Without the clause that sustains life, this sentence would lose its meaning and be illogical, since the Earth isnt the only planet in the solar system. In this case, that introduces a restrictive clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence.The correct use of MootHow often have you heard someone say thats a moot point, intending the expression to mean that point is superfluous? The widespread misuse of the word moot to mean superfluous is a mistake even made by the pros. The correct definition of a moot point is a point that is arguable or open to discussion. If its a debatable point, its moot.Farther and FurtherWhen you are going farther, you are going a measurable distance. When you are going further, that distance cant be quantified. Take the following sentences as examples:I can run f arther than she can. (This is a measurable distance.)Dont antagonize me any further. (This is not measurable.)The use of the word AnxiousHave you ever said, Im anxious to get away for vacation? If so, you were saying that youre afraid of getting away, since being anxious of something is to be frightened about it or having dread about it. Instead of being anxious, most people actually mean to say that they are eager.Bring and TakeWhile seemingly inconsequential, there is a difference between bring and take, and different contexts in which each should be used. Even the pros get this one wrong often. In order to get it right, the speaker or writer needs to know which direction the object is being moved in relation to the person speaking or writing- either toward them or away from them. If the object is being moved toward them, then the action of the sentence will include bringing, such as Bring me a doughnut for breakfast. If the object is being moved away from the writer or speaker, t hen the action of the sentence will include taking it, such as Take this note to Stacy and see what she says about it.

The Globalisation of Logistics & Supply Chains Management Case Study

The Globalisation of Logistics & Supply Chains Management - Case Study Example Economies that have been quite strong up to now show signs of decline. These are mainly the Western countries. On the other hand, BRIC countries have strengthened their position and seem to have potentials for a long term growth. OECD has incorporated a plan for promoting the development of economies worldwide by 2060. Emerging economies are expected to show a rapid rate of growth while Western economies are more likely to have a slow growth, as highlighted in the report of OECD. Under these terms, OECD support that MNEs are expected to change their global strategies so that they are able to respond to the global dynamics, which are based on the swifts of economic power from the countries of the TRIAD towards the BRIC countries. The above issue is explored in this paper. Emphasis is given on the influence of the changes related to global dynamics on the total global strategies of multinational enterprises (MNEs), not only for the present but also, mainly, for the future. Academic theories and models that have been developed in this field are presented and analyzed aiming to explain whether MNEs are vulnerable towards the changes occurred in global dynamics internationally. In addition, the various aspects of MNEs are presented, in order to understand the responses of MNEs to global market trends and challenges. The operation of businesses in the global market is closely related to the principles of globalization. In fact, globalization is the framework that sets the rules and the conditions under which firms are able to develop their activities worldwide (Parker 2005). In this context, the understanding of the role and the powers of MNEs requires the understanding of the characteristics of globalization (Parker 2005). In practice, globalization seems to have four key characteristics: ‘a) promotion of global interconnections, b) rapid change, c) different characteristics of participants, both in terms of their number and their

Employment Law in Ireland Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Employment Law in Ireland - Case Study Example What this means to Pisces is that Pisces is obligated to ensure Antonias safety, health and welfare. It also means that it has the obligation to conduct work activities in such a way that ensures her safety and to provide arrangements for her welfare and safety. In other words, if Antonias doctor states that the chemicals that she is exposed to on the job is hazardous to her health or the health of her baby, Pisces must make arrangements to ensure her welfare and safety. This does not necessarily mean that Antonia is automatically entitled to a desk job; there could be other arrangements that can be made, and it would be up to Pisces to discover what these are. If Pisces can find a way for Antonia to safely work in her current job, then this what they may be able to do, assuming that there might not be a desk job for Antonia. But, if there is a desk job for her, and she is qualified for it, then this would be best, for this would be safest and there would be no question that Pisces h as made accommodations and arrangements the ensure her safety. What they cannot do is summarily dismiss her. Lets assume that Pisces does not have a desk job for Antonia and there is no accommodation that can be made for her otherwise. Antonia is protected to some extent by the Sex Discrimination Order 1976, which states that an employer cannot treat an employee less favorably if she becomes pregnant than she would be treated if not pregnant (Sex Discrimination Order 1976). Antonia can arguably use this Order in her favor if Pisces decides to fire her, for, on its face, Pisces cannot fire her simply because she is pregnant (Hitch v. Smyth). Moreover, she might be covered by the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2008, which states that employers must take appropriate measures to enable a person with a disability access to employment (Employment Equality Acts 1998-2008 (1.7)). Although Antonia is not

Politics of Fear Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Politics of Fear - Essay Example Ironically, most democratic governments spend just as much time attempting to handle the impact of stories that have come into the light in a spontaneous manner as they would while carrying out campaigns. The politics of fear have grown in breath and depth as a result of the depiction of personhood as being a very vulnerable entity. We seem to be living in an era of a lack of alternatives and for this reason, we seem not to be in need of someone who will keep on reminding us that we are getting more powerless by the day (Furedi, 2007). As a result of this scenario, a majority of the people have come to interpret and regard events from the perspective of anxiety and fear. Fear politics are a measure of an in-depth cultural mood. Nevertheless, such a situation never came into being on its own. It is worth noting here that fear has time and again been politicized deliberately. All through history, the ruling class has taken upon itself the mandate of using fear as a political tool. Generation after generation of totalitarian governments have adopted the directive that Machiavelli made to rulers; that by being feared, they would be recipients of an even greater form of security, more than they would ever receive from love (Furedi , 2007). Fear could be used to terrorize, coerce, and in the maintenance of public order. Unity and consensus could also be gained by way of infuriating a general response to a supposed threat. Currently, the main aim of politics of fear seems to be not only a gaining of consensus, but also to forge, as an index of oneness around elite that would otherwise appear to be disconnected. Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher, provides us through his writings with the original systematic endeavor to expand fear politics that could as well be utilized in the implementation of the suggestion that we do not have an alternative in politics. Hobbes opines that through cultivating fear, the main aim is to render any would-be radical argue towards a collective experimentation ineffectual (Rosen, 2002). In order to realize such an objective, Hobbes is of the opinion that it would be in the best interests of both the state and its people if the masses were convinced to dare less (Furedi, 2007). The people that internalized a fear consciousness were less likely to assume a risk, let alone a collective experimentation. Additionally, the promotion of a wide aversion consciousness to the unknown aids in the instilling of fear in the masses that whatever they had not experimented, could as well be harmful to them. Presently, there has been an institutionalization of the fear of the unknown harm, and this seems to strengthen the currently prevailing fear culture (Dickinson, 2006). A lot of the public figures in political offices have to daily grapple with the question of whether they need to reduce fear, or politicize it. The same question also confronted a Former New Labor campaign adviser, Phillip Gould. Through his 1994 publication, 'fighting of the fear factor', Gould argued that there does exists a feeling of anxiety and insecurity that tends to revolve around the present day electorates. It is this sense of mood anxiety over the future that Gould has observed to be the reason behind the use of fear tactics by

In The Heat Of The Night :: essays research papers

In the Heat of the Night Essay   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For my essay I have chosen to write about the topic about Tibbs and Gillespie understanding and respecting each other. In the beginning of this story Gillespie thought of Virgil as he would of thought of any other Negro, but soon he found out he was wrong, Virgil was a very gifted detective with lots of skills. When Tibbs was first taken in to see Gillespie, Gillespie was yelling and screaming at Tibbs for no reason but Virgil did not break down to the harassment and proved Gillespie wrong by showing him his ID card that proved he was a cop. I think that Virgil earned a little respect from Gillespie their by showing him that he was calm and mature. As the story unfolded Gillespie saw more and more of Virgil’s good qualities. Gillespie saw that Virgil was calm, educated, smart, payed attention to detail, and was qualified for his job. Every time that Gillespie would arrest some one Virgil proved them innocent, when Oberst was arrested Virgil proved Gillespie wrong by proving to him that Oberst was not the murderer. When Gillespie arrested Sam Wood Virgil also proved him innocent. Even though Gillespie didn’t like to be proven wrong by anyone (none less a Negro) he respected Virgil for his great detective work. At one point in the novel Gillespie and Tibbs shake hands and I think that was the high point of this mutual respect. Virgil didn’t respect Gillespie that much in the beginning and most of the middle of this story but in the end Virgil respected Gillespie. I think it was good that Virgil did not respect Gillespie because Gillespie was using Virgil for his scapegoat. At the end of this story Gillespie finally showed everyone that he respected Tibbs by telling every one the truth about the murder investigation, and giving most of the credit to Virgil.

Antitheatricalism – Ben Jonson

Antitheatricalism in Light of Ben Jonson's  Volpone Commentary by Joel Culpepper Crossdressing in England was mostly opposed by the Fundamentalist branch of the Protestant Church known as the Puritans. The Puritan dogma, much like the concept of transvestism, was constantly challenged. Puritans found resistance in the religious authorities of the Church of England and the English government. Before 1536, the Roman Catholic Church was unimpeded and always won over Puritan proposals regarding legislation. Without a cooperative political ear, the Puritans resorted to experimental spiritual expression by changing their social behavior and structuring. Due to these changes, a formidable way of attacking the theater's use of crossdressing was developed- public preaching and pamphlets. Other individuals and groups (like the Juvenalians) supported the moral and social reform movement by speaking and writing essays and books on the subject. Due to the nature the actor's role in Ben Jonson's  Volpone, the play was also implicated in this moral battle. The ideology behind the Puritan protest was based on biblical sentiment and the patristic literary tradition of Roman writers like Tertullian and St. Augustine. The Puritan's religious banner for combatting gender transgression was Deuteronomy 22:5- ‘The woman shall not wear that which pertains to a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment' (Tiffany 58). In general, pagan myths were also associated with crossdressing. Puritans like William Pryne labeled these actors as â€Å"beastly male monsters† that â€Å"degenerate into women† (Tiffany 59). Further, the Puritans feared that men dressing as women caused the men in the audience to lust for real females and to form homoerotic desires for the male actors (the reverse was also true for women). The Puritan fear also opposed androgynous Renaissance clothing and women's â€Å"male† hairstyles, as documented in Phillip Stubbes' 1583  Anatomy of Abuses. Jonson was more than aware of these Puritan sentiments. In  Volpone, Volpone hopes Celia will submit sexually and â€Å"have [her] in more modern forms†¦ such as a â€Å"Brave Tuscan lady, or proud Spanish beauty† (Campbell 3. 7. 226, 228). Volpone seems to be conveyor of Jonson's acknowledgment of the actor's transformative ability – a part of the playwright's (and the actor's) self concern of the real drama within a play, or metadrama. In Volpone's subsequent proposal to Celia, crossdressing is coupled with androgyny. Male and female spirits are joined in harmony because their lips â€Å"transfuse [their] wandering souls† (Campbell 3. 7. 234). One's point of view might relate this as a matter of homosexual or heterosexual sex. The passage could also (ironically) refer to the Puritan sponsored sacrament of marriage- a holy sacrament. It must also be mentioned thatVolpone's ending also provides an element of punishment for sins- lust, avarice and deception being among them. Jonson's blatant use of classical satire as farce links the feminine male with naivety or aggressiveness that demeans love and advocates the scholarly, independent male identity. The female image in his plays is often masculine- true to the actor's real physicality and the surrounding male chauvinist population. Interestingly, Jonson allows the head male character ,Volpone, to be exceedingly great at his craft of deception while the virtuous Celia adopts an irrational, painful way to keep herself a virgin. Celia vows she will swallow hot coals rather than submit to Volpone's desires. The Puritans' homophobia is also apparent in  Volpone. Volpone makes sure (through explanation) that even though he acted the part of Antonias (a supposed lover of a gay king) for the non-heterosexual King Henry III, he is a ladies' man. Volpone claims that he â€Å"attracted/ The eyes and ears of all the ladies present† (Campbell 3. 7. 164). In another reversal of gender, Lady Would-be notices her husband with someone she believes to be a female prostitute dressed as a young man. After belittling her husband for this by calling him a client of a â€Å"female devil,† she realizes her mistake and apologizes. This situation supports the possibility that Jonson believed the Puritans were making a mistake (like Lady Would-Be) in ignoring permanent, masculine reality and challenging the temporary ,imaginative, and effeminate role of actors for immorality. Morality, the main goal of the Antitheatrical movement in the Renaissance, was both supported and denounced by Jonson in various ways. However, the general perception is that Jonson (unlike Shakespeare) fueled the fires of degradation- implicating women with the weakness, lack of intelligence, and reason they were believed to exude. In the annals of theatrical history, Jonson's metadrama could be said to perpetuate this social stereotype. Nevertheless, Jonson's crossing of the gender line and sexual scenes like Volpone's â€Å"flashing† of Celia were enough to have religious, moral, and social commentators screaming blood murder. Two issues demand prominence in the play. While outwardly a play driven by blatant genderless controversy, the inward thematic, character-driven nature of  Volpone  suggests a conformity and adherence to the intellectual and theological moralism of the time. http://www. english. uga. edu/cdesmet/joel/PURITAN. html