Reducing Racial Discrimination in the USA Essay Example for Free

Reducing Racial Discrimination in the USA Essay Between the periods of 1877-1981 there were many significant figures who contributed towards reducing racial discrimination in the USA. Although without events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, WWII or the actions of the NACCP to change attitudes towards African Americans, these individuals would have had little effect. The likes of Booker T Washington and Du Bois set the foundation for civil rights along with the Second World War; however other individuals such as Martin Luther King help to actively progress the movement. Along with this the government and various presidents more so in the latter of the period of 1877-1981 helped to change attitudes and enforce legislation which was vital in reducing racial discrimination in the USA. Booker T Washington began to provide the foundations to the civil rights movement in his actions. Although I believe that during this early period of the movement little was achieved, Washington was still able to provide education, and show African Americans that they had a future and it was at their own mercy. This helped to relieve some who were less fortunate. On the other hand Du Bois took a route which directly campaigned for civil rights for African Americans; alike to Washington he achieved little due to the already widespread racial situation in the USA. It is noticeable that these individuals had no short term meaningful effect on reducing racial discrimination, however much was achieved long term as they created the path for the civil rights movement in the future, this was also aided with the work from the NACCP, which raised awareness of the racial discrimination situation in America. Another individual which had little short term significance in reducing racial discrimination was Marcus Garvey, who unlike Du Bois and Washington believed that blacks and whites could not co-exist and they should be separate, he held the belief that African Americans had to start their own nation in order to advance. Whilst he failed to make much impact on the movement itself, alike to his predecessors Du Bois and Washington, his ideas were valued and widespread, they inspired many including future activists such as Malcolm X. Garvey gave African Americans at that time a sense of confidence that they would be able to advance as a race, and they need not be bound by the constraints of racial discrimination. This is why in the Long term Garvey was a valued activist, and his ideas were useful in progress in the movement towards equality. Also he gave confidence to other African Americans in campaigning against racial discrimination which could be seen in the likes of the Greensboro Sit Ins further into the civil rights movement. The likes of the NACCP helped to put an end to racial discrimination with the use of court cases and legal methods which were unlike the methods that the likes of Washington used with his attempts to educate. Examples of this were Brown Vs the board of education which the Supreme Court ruled in favor of reducing discrimination and segregation within schools. However the NACCP failed to diminish discrimination totally the organization still managed to do some good in the fight for equality. Furthermore, whilst the likes of Du Bois were unable to make a direct impact on reducing discrimination, he was able to work alongside the NACCP using other methods to succeed in his goals, and together this would reduce discrimination more. Therefore the NACCP played a more important role than early individuals in reducing racial discrimination towards African Americans through its early successes in successes in removing segregation, and although things to come would show to be more valuable to the civil rights movement, the NACCP was still a vital element in setting the foundation of the civil rights movement for the future. Although individuals had led the campaign for civil rights for African Americans throughout the early 20th century and towards the end of the 19th, as WWII commenced it would prove to be a key factor in aiding reduction of racial discrimination. It helped to change attitudes towards black Americans, as they went to war; they were portrayed to be worthy American citizens which changed many white Americans attitudes towards them. The war also created stepping stones for the likes of Martin Luther King to breach into the civil rights movement, therefore not only did it have an impact on black Americans, it also created some success for many civil rights activists. However the war did nothing to reduce discrimination towards other ethnic minorities, for example Japanese Americans received much racial discrimination due to Japans role in WWII. Although the war was bad for the civil rights of Japanese Americans, Chinese Americans received a better way of life, with more civil rights as America forged a great political relationship with China after the war due to their help during it. Therefore WWII was a great influence on reducing racial discrimination within the USA for only certain minorities, although for the likes of Japanese Americans way of life got worse as they were sent to camps until the war ended due to suspicions. The war was more important than earlier individuals as it had a direct impact on reducing racial discrimination, and further effect in the emergence of fresh civil rights activists who would later have a significant role in the movement. As the attitudes towards African Americans changed after the war in the 1940s many civil rights activists saw their time to join the civil rights movement. One of these activists was Martin Luther King who used methods of non-violence in order to gain sympathy from whites and in doing so change attitudes towards black Americans. Although his views were similar to those of Du Bois views, King had more effect on reducing racial discrimination. Particularly in attempts to eliminate desegregation. This was likely to be partly due to how far the civil rights movements had advanced by Kings time, in particularly down to WWII which changed attitudes. King gave confidence to Black Americans; he used television and media to convey his ideas through speeches which were very influential and very much a trait of his. King was often compared as similar to Washington and Du Bois, although he did much more to reduce discrimination. His direct actions in the likes of the Montgomery Bus boycott. This event was critical in reducing racial discrimination as it saw black Americans united as one to fight for their cause, its success showed that with the unity of African Americans civil rights could be achieved, and also proved that the likes of King needed events such as the boycott to achieve anything as an activist. This event was significant to him. Also significant to Kings civil rights success was the use of television. With the use of television violence towards African Americans could be shown to a wider audience across the USA, and could hange attitudes. Therefore although King was more significant than his predecessors Washington, Garvey and Du Bois as an activist, this was partly due to what King had to work with such as television. Further to this, the likes of civil rights activists such as Cesar Chavez who was in the fight for reducing discrimination within Mexican Americans followed Kings policies of non-violence, this showed King was not only having an effect on black Americans. Chavez led the first farm workers union in America which was successful to some extent, and led to the reduction of racial prejudice. Although this wasnt much compared to what the likes King had achieved with his use of speeches. In contrast to Kings policy of non-violence was the up and coming idea of Black Power during the 1960s. Originating from Garvey, violent civil rights activist Malcolm X worked to make the ideology more popular. The idea supported segregation, and blacks being supreme compared to white Americans, and again highlighted the ideas of African Americans starting their own nation. Xs beliefs of gaining equality by any means necessary contrasted with Kings beliefs of non-violence which made King and X much like enemies during the 1960s. However, Xs ideas had little or none effect on passing legislation and reducing discrimination. Although alike to Garvey X gave black Americans confidence, noticeably within the northern ghettos in highlighting important issues of violence within these areas. Therefore Xs views of violence were greatly frowned upon, which always put him in the shadow of King who was always more significant in reducing racial discrimination in the USA. In the early stages of the civil rights movement the government played little role in reducing racial discrimination. However presidents began to get involved in the movement as it persisted. Eisenhower had the first real involvement in the movement when he sent federal troops for assistance in Little Rock, and the government enforced the Supreme Court ruling of the Brown case in the town. Kennedy had planned to enforce a Civil Rights Bill, although this was later enforced via Johnson along with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which gave black Americans the right to vote, and again reduced discrimination; this was a step in the right direction of equality. Further to this Nixon aimed to enforce desegregation in schools as well as helping the like of voting rights, employment discrimination and aid to the poor. Although Nixon was not as significant as Carter who later made attempts to get black Americans involved politically, appointing them in the judiciary. This enabled more blacks to have a say as well as improving their status in society. Therefore presidents played a key role as if they were for civil rights, then this could mean attitudes could be changed on a broader scale. This was important to the movement, and was more useful in reducing discrimination overall due to legislation passed which was showing that action was being taken against racial discrimination, unlike the role of previous activists such as Du Bois, Garvey, X and Washington who failed to have much impact on legislation. The most influential president was Johnson; he was able to pass legislation which made blacks equality to whites greater, such as the Voting Rights Act. Although the likes of King didnt have the power to do this, civil rights activists made government aware of the racial situation in the USA. Therefore they were more significant than presidents. In the 1970s and 1980s further action brought forward the civil rights movement. The introduction of the Quota System meant that employers and universities had to take on a certain percentage of African Americans, and the situation for black Americans began to rapidly improve. Although this had much more significance than many activists in this later period, it was still influenced because of activists in the early stages of the civil rights movement, which make the likes of King more significant. In conclusion, in the period of 1877-1981 individuals were the most significant in reducing racial discrimination. Early activists such as Washington and Du Bois had little opportunity to reduce discrimination due to the widespread discrimination and the likes of the KKK, however, events such as WWII enabled activists to emerge, as attitudes towards African Americans had began to change. Using the ideologies of previous activists the most important individual King was able to use events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the likes of television to share his speeches and views, helping to pass legislation, change attitudes and give black Americans the confidence to further the civil rights movement. King helped to convey the on-going discrimination problem in the USA towards the government, which enabled presidents to take action with the likes of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which brought about further equality for blacks. Although towards the latter stages of the movement the government had more effect on reducing racial discrimination by passing legislation.

Free Great Gatsby Essays: The Ideal Self †Made Man :: Great Gatsby Essays

The Great Gatsby and the Ideal Self – Made Man In the same way that the all-embracing concept of the American Dream suffered certain degradation during the course of its historical development, so, too, the noble 19th century ideal of the self-made man was conveniently adapted to suit the moral climate of the 1920s. Referring to Fitzgerald's main character in his novel "The Great Gatsby", the young James Gatz is obviously modeled in this aspect of personality upon Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), who is often quoted as the earliest example of this particular type of "homo americanus". As the youngster of a big family he soon went to work for his father, at the age of only ten after only two years of schooling. After his apprenticeship as a printer he concentrated on educating himself trough reading. In 1818 Franklin's "Autobiography" was published, which contains various enumerations of moral virtues he met with in his reading to arrive at moral perfection. His intention was to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, so he found it better not to distract his attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix on one of them at a time, and if he should be master of that, he would proceed to another, and so on, till he should have gone trough them. These names of virtues, with their precepts, were: Temperance Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. Silence Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. Order Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. Resolution Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. Frugality Make no expense but do good to others or yourself; i.e. waste nothing. Industry Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. Sincerity Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. Justice Wrong none by doing injuries, or committing the benefits that are your duty. Moderation Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. Cleanliness Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. Tranquility Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. Chastity Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

Movie: The Party’s Over

Political party is a way where people of the same interest or ideas are joined together to expressed their ideas.   Conflicts between humans in terms of their views and opinions about certain topics and issues are normal.   Thus, it is where they balance each opinion and come up with the decision everyone agreed upon after the discussion. However, this may sometimes not work perfectly enough for the public and is signaled through the formation of the third parties like in United States.   This means that the two major parties have become unresponsive to the needs of the public (Wahler 1996). Today, the two major political parties of the United States are Democratic Party which evolved in 1782 from Thomas Jefferson party, and Republican Party established in 1850s by Abraham Lincoln and others who opposed the expansion of slavery (Consulate General of the United States). There are already a number of minor or third parties in United States that have evolved through time.   Green Party, Constitution Party, Independence Party, New Party, Reform Party and Labor Party are just to name some (Gunzburger 2007). The movie The Party’s Over is a documentary about the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election which follows the actor Philip Seymour Hoffman as he took an inside look at the 2000 Democratic and Republican Convention for Al Gore and George Bush. The movie draws attention for the problems of our government system especially during the 2000 United States election. Hoffman gathered views and personal opinions from a very wide range of people in society.   His interviewees are ranged from musicians like Ben Harper, to Bill Maher a political comedian, to Democrat representatives like Harol Ford Jr., to rally organizers, to a homeless woman (Lebowski 2007). Bill Maher said that American politics is run by â€Å"a system of open bribery† and the public’s voices are not heard by the government which led to a largely apathetic voting public.   Tim Robbins expanded the idea by saying that it is not mere apathy which stops many people from voting, the people are protesting against the government that’s why they do not vote (Lebowski 2007). Democrat representative Harold Ford Jr. said that the fact is that our government is a service.   And no matter how frequently poor the service is, you have no choice but to â€Å"avail† it.   It’s like you have to pay taxes even if the government is too bad for you, or else you will be jailed and tried (Lebowski 2007). On the other hand, Noam Chomsky explained that the theory is that people’s role in democracy is not just as participants but as spectators as well. She further said that during the election period, we are given two candidates to choose from, a democrat and a republican, who are actually and essentially one in the same.   Both of these parties’ candidates have the same goals and want the same outcomes for the government. But then they tend to disagree with each other violently and publicly. As a result, it doesn’t really matter to us which of the parties we elect.   And we are stuck in choosing from Democracy and Republican parties that we barely look at the third parties and independent candidates.   We are focused on our differences instead of our similarities (Lebowski 2007). Minor parties or what we call third parties often call attention to an issue that is of interest to the voters but that has been neglected by government like consumerism and environment as what Ralph Nader focused (Consulate General of the United States). The movie leaves the audience a fair question of whether the Democratic and Republican parties are different or not.   Also, it wonders on how much one’s priority is put and should put over the politics. It also seeks to get and feel the public pulse about the American politics.   And since it seeks to reach out the larger audience, it promotes the awareness of people on politics and made them have a discussion about it among themselves (Curry 2003). Works Cited Curry, Warren. â€Å"The Party’s Over.† 21 October 2003. CinemaSpeak.Com. 3 November 2007 . Gunzburger, Ron. â€Å"Directory of U.S. Political Parties.† 2007. Politics1.com. 11 November 2007 < http://politics1.com/parties.htm>. Lebowski, Jeff. â€Å"You have to insist you're right even if you know you're wrong.† 4 October 2007.   Spout LLC. 11 November 2007. â€Å"U.S. Government.† Consulate General of the United States. 3 November 2007 < http://krakow.usconsulate.gov/parties.html>. Wahler, Brenda. â€Å"Poli Sci 101: The Role of Parties.† January 1996. Montana State University.   11 November 2007 < http://home.mcn.net/~montanabw/polisci101.html>.               

Could work be made more satisfying and participatory Free Essay Example, 1500 words

The management however, fails due to the inability to identify that some sort of informal organization is coming up within the organization so that they are able to deal with the problem by making employees understand and appreciate their roles more (Krahn et al. 2010, P. 223-246). The critical issue though is can both parties achieve their main desires in a mutually advantageous manner. Because of this varied ambitions both parties have different motivations behind the quest for work reform. The employer seeks to fully exploit and combine all the factors of production to make maximum profit. The worker aim is to have a favorable working environment that allows for innovation and personal growth. Employee’s skills should then be fully utilized as they get maximum reward for their efforts. A major cause of lack of job satisfaction occurs when the employer in an effort to maximize profits make the working conditions fail to meet the workers expectations. This will include emplo ying techniques like use of assembly lines where the employee does the same task time after time, this results in employee failure to make maximum contribution as talents and abilities are not fully exploited(Smith & Bullock, 2007 ). They worker is also not given the opportunity to give any valuable input to the project. We will write a custom essay sample on Could work be made more satisfying and participatory or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now This is what causes the employee to begin begrudging the work and will choose to work partially towards attainment of the organizations goal (Bellamy, 1998). Work can be made to be more satisfying and participatory. This will require that the employees work in a favorable environment. The employer on the other had obtains maximum returns from the investment. For employees to develop a feeling that their work is being fully appreciated would require a variety of measures. For assembly line and industrial workers the management can adopt employee rotation (Krahn et al. 2010, P. 317-328). A worker is posted somewhere for a particular period before, then they are moved to another section (Chmiel, 2009). This will give all employee room to determine the work location where their skills are most utilized. Once an employee indentifies this position, the employee will feel more satisfied. The worker then has a choice of whether to maintain the position or c ontinue the rotation (Krahn et al, 2010). The satisfied employee will be able to feel that his skills are properly being utilized and the money being paid is the reward of this skill. The work thus becomes more satisfying and participatory.