Indochina Essay Example for Free

Indochina Essay The South Vietnamese government had a substantial amount of success in keeping power up until 1968, surprisingly. This was done in a number of ways such as; government policies, fighting tactics/strategies and the aid of other countries e. g. America. On 26th October 1955 Ngo Dinh Diem won a referendum which appointed him as the President of South Vietnam (This was a rigged vote) and gave Emperor Bao Dai the boot. Although the country wasn’t really a democracy anymore it was more like an oligarchy that implemented a totalitarian regime. Over the next coming years Diem and his followers built his army up going against the communists in their own country, carry out a new campaign known as the Denunciation Campaign. This campaign convinced people to report anyone to the government who were in favour of communism by means of supporting the Viet Minh or anyone who had fought against the French. By August 1956, Diem made it illegal, in a decree known as Ordinance 47, to be a communist or to associate with one and it is estimated that because of this decree 12 000 people were killed and 40 000 were imprisoned. Although the way the government went about getting rid of communist was seen as harsh, today it can be seen that this tactic could have greatly contributed to government being as successful as they were in keeping power up until 1968. From the moment the Geneva Conference ended in 1954, America was South Vietnams backbone. This can be proven in a letter sent from President Eisenhower of the USA to Ngo Dinh Diem which states that the United States wanted to help with the welfare, stability and strength of the government of South Vietnam. America’s contribution to South Vietnam took form in many different ways, such as; 1. America sent over a thousand military personal to South Vietnam to assist in training and building up there armies. 2. From July of 1957 to June of 1958 America paid ALL of the South Vietnamese cost for their army, 80% of government expenditures and 90% of all imports. 3. The USA provided each refugee coming into South Vietnam with $89 America was a big reason in why South Vietnam was so successful in keeping power up until 1968, without their knowledge, military and financial power South Vietnam would have fallen to he Communist very early on in the war. Another reason the Government being as successful as they were in keeping power was their fighting strategies and tactics, although to many people some of these strategies and tactics can seem harsh and inhumane they actually helped South Vietnam a lot in keeping their government up and running and it has been documented that North Vietnam’s war tactics/strategies were just as inhumane as the South. The South Vietnamese government along with the help of the Americans implemented five main war strategies and tactics. These include; Counterinsurgency, Combat Troops, Search and destroy, Chemical warfare and Pacification. Most of these were very successful on the battlefield and proved to keep some sort of stability in the government. The South Vietnamese government was sufficiently successful in their bid to keep power up until the Tet offensive in 1968. Although without the help of the American government the country would have failed to keep their power well before this. The tactics and strategies implemented by both governments defiantly helped keep the country afloat and rain in some sort of government stability.

Health And Illness Across The Lifespan Health And Social Care Essay

Health And Illness Across The Lifespan Health And Social Care Essay The Royal College of Nursing defines nursing as the use of clinical judgement in the provision of care to enable people to improve, maintain, or recover health, to cope with health problems, and to achieve the best possible quality of life, whatever their disease or disability, until death (RCN, 2003). This essay will look at the role as a nurse, in supporting an individual, the family or carer living with a person suffering from Alzheimers disease. Walkers, (2002) definition of Alzheimers is that of a degenerative brain disease, manifesting itself in premature ageing, with speech disorder and was first discovered by a German neurologist, Dr Alois Alzheimer who, in 1906, examined the brain of a patient he cared for who subsequently died of an unusual mental illness (dementia) at age 51. Her symptoms included memory loss, language difficulties, and unpredictable behavioural manner. After her death, Dr Alois Alzheimer examined her brain and found a plague like structure and tangled fil ament in the nerve (neurons) of the patient brain (Stanton, 2001). The plaques represent a naturally occurring sticky protein and the tangled filament represents collapsed tau proteins. Though Krebs, et al (2012) theory agrees with this that plaque clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibres (now called neurofibrillary tangles) accumulating in the brain triggers this disease, it has been called into question. Of today, Alzheimers is classified an unquantifiable science condition; which holds within its own right a large area of mental health. The definition of Walkers, (2002) degenerative refers to gradual deterioration; this means that this disease may be broken into gradual stages of early, middle and late. The early (onset) stage appears with symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, personality and behavioral changes, these normally occur between 2-4 years prior to and during diagnosis. The middle (progressive) stage has similar symptoms as the onset but with more obvious signs such as an increase of confusion, an increase of memory loss, difficulty in completing simple tasks, showing a decrease in communication skills and occasionally can at times appear to be delusional; this stage may be more distinct with language ability being decreased. This stage has a time frame of 2-10 years following diagnosis. The late (end) stage show symptoms that are more prominent than earlier stages, wi th the inability to care for oneself; with little or no communication ability, continence and inability to recognize loved ones, followed by death usually caused by infections. These symptoms may appear between 1-3 years after the disease has passed through its progressive stage as Gwythers (1985) cited by Gogia and Rastogi (2009). Though the cause of this disease is a common subject amongst scientist and physicians, it is believed that excessive intake of aluminium may be a key factor in acquiring this disease. In the 1960s and 1970s, research showed high aluminium levels in the brain tissues of some people who died with Alzheimers disease; this discovery spurred public concern that exposure to aluminium in our diet could be the cause of the disease (Rao and Rao 1995). Since then several scientific studies have examined the link between aluminium and Alzheimers, and none have found a clear association between them, Dean (2009). This contradicts Crapper et al (1976) that Aluminium h as been shown to be associated both, with plaques and tangles, in the brain of people with Alzheimers disease. There have been numerous studies among experts to resolve the issue in question, whether aluminium is in fact the cause of Alzheimers disease. This has been extremely difficult as this common disease is believed to have multiple causes, but while aluminium is widespread in our environment, there is no method that allows researchers to measure this individual burden or lifetime exposure to this element. Lliffe and Rusted, (2012) states that although no one single factor has been identified to be the cause of Alzheimers disease, it is likely that a combination of factors, including age, genetic inheritance, lifestyle and overall general health, are responsible. Even so, Alzheimers disease has a high impact on the aged population affecting around 496,000 people in the UK, with one in every fourteen people over the age of 65 and one in six over the age of 80, this shows that the greatest risk factor of Alzheimers is indeed old age. However, this disease is not restricted to the older generation; in the UK alone, there are over 17,000 people under the age of 65 living with the disease. (Ref) The Wife of United States former president Regan quoted: Alzheimer disease is a cruel disease that steals lives. Its hard to know what to expect. The years of exchanging memories of old age are gone. Its a long, long good-bye (Reagan, N. Cited in Brill, 2005). Burfoot, (2008) believes there are a minority that do not worry about getting Alzheimers disease; these include athletes which are at half the risk compared to that of the sedentary individual, studies have shown that they are showing lower risk for senile dementia and diseases like Alzheimers. Indeed, the chances of Alzheimers disease increases with each successive year of life after age 65. However, Alexander, (2009) believes that the disease is inevitable and is associated with the ageing population, particularly from the baby boom generation that came after the second world war and also due to the difference in medical care given by the National Health service (NHS) compared to health services that were available at this era, because of this people are living longer, and an increase in population means more people are making it to old age, but the reward for making it to old age is a gift of Alzheimers for 6 from every 100 people who gets past the age of 65, (Brody 2011). Though scientists have estimated that 496,000 people have Alzheimers disease in the United Kingdom alone and 22 million worldwide, the disease only affects about five percent of people ages 65 to 80 and nearly half the population of those 80 and older. Disturbingly, the disease is becoming even more common; statistics now show that the number of people with the disease doubles every five years among older people and failing to find a preventative or curative measure will be costly to society. Alzheimers disease not only affects the patient, but the society and family around them. Alzheimers disease slowly attacks the cognitive function, which is the higher thought processes. These individuals degenerate in such a way that they return to the stages of infantile dependents (Ref). While the lives of family members, especially those directly involved in the individuals care, are significantly impacted in many ways, caring for adults with a degenerative disease can be an extremely physically demanding task, Clark, (2001). For the primary caregiver involved in the day-to-day care, the disease can take its toll emotionally, physically, mentally and financially. The carer responsibility may even be extended for many years; of course this depends on what stage of Alzheimers the sufferer has been progressed to. The diagnosis of a parent or spouse with Alzheimers disease may also conjure up a number of mixed emotions; such as frustration, helplessness, or even guilt. The fact that it is a progressive and ultimately terminal illness can be difficult to grasp, Lu and Bludau (2011). To have a family member suffering from Alzheimers disease alters your life unavoidably, as the reversal of roles from being the child to the nurturing care provider can be unsettling and even overwhelming. The impact on the family can be quite difficult to witness, of watching a previously vibrant and independent parent decline over time to a former shadow of themselves and having to adjust to the increasing responsibilities as a caregiver can be psychologically demanding, as this role reversal usually occurs for spouses. For example a husband whose wife who has always managed the household may find himself having to take over this role, or vice versa. Children and grandchildren, nieces and nephew may find themselve s in this role. Whatever the make-up of the family, there is usually a role reversal, where someone to steps into the shoes of the caregiver, Lu and Bludau (2011). This is where a therapeutic relationship between the nurse, the family and patient has to be formed; this is a key component in the nursing profession that enables the best care possible is provided to an Alzheimers sufferer. However, before any treatment is given consent must be obtained (NMC, 2008) whether it may be from family members or clinicians caring for the patient on a day-to-day basis if the patient is unable. Making decisions for such person as long as its within their best interest and lacking the mental capacity to do so for themselves is acceptable, as the Mental Capacity Act (the Act) 2005 states any act done or decision made on behalf of an adult lacking capacity must be in their best interests. In the case of an Alzheimers sufferer, as their cognitive memory deteriorates, neglection and decision making for themselves becomes apparent, these patients becomes highly vulnerable, helpless and in a dependent position and looks to the nurse to uphold their dignity and res pect for their confidentiality, as stated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), a person must be treated with respect, dignity and has the right to confidentiality, NMC (2008). As quality of care not only depends on good healthcare but also on respect for the person as an individual DH, (2001). Teamwork in this sense also has a vital role, without this, communication between different agencies such as social services, and the multidisciplinary team which may involve psysiotherapy, psychologist and nutritionist. These skills together will identify the support needed to make sure treatment is patient-centered and also promotes a collaborative partnership between the patient and health professionals (Silverman et al, 2005), only then effective treatment can be achieved that is needed for an Alzheimers sufferer. As a nurse, one should have excellent communication skills, whether through speaking, writing, observing or listening (Egan, 2002), this will enable them to be the ultimate patients advocate. To expand on this, nurses form the primary system of support; this could range from logistical issues, such as treatment in the accident and emergency department through to being admitted to the ward within the hospital. In the case of an Alzheimers patient where the patient may be within his or her own home for some time, regularly visiting the patient to assess the patients health condition, to provide emotional support to both frightened patient and family member. The nurse must be able to facilitate and identify any health promotions needed for his or her patient so that they are able to implement any strategy to best support the patient, family and carer neccessary. In an Alzheimers patient, onset of many chronic diseases, infection or illnesses will become inevitable and a reduction in a once bubbly individual will be a thing of the past, as their brain deteriorates. Alzheimers sufferer may forget simple task such as washing of themselves or eating the required amount of meals necessary for intake of nutritions needed, thus health promotions has to be tailored specifically for an Alzheimers patient unigue lifespan (Hubley and Copeman, 2008). Addressing issues such as smoking or cooking as well as living alone will enable any health concerns will allow you to make any changes before they become a danger to themselves or others. Alzheimer sufferer also needs to be protected from abuse; this is one of many important aspects of being a nurse. Abuse may come in many forms, being physical, psychological, financial, sexual, neglect or discriminated upon because of their culture or ethnicity and as the United Kingdom becomes a multicultural society, there are implications on how healthcare is delivered by nurses. Furthermore, a nurses action is guided by principles of moral and legal rights, this compliments excellent nursing care. Awareness of the legal codes helps them to control complicated situation that they may encounter and helps to direct the nurse as well as their multidisciplinary team in the best possible action answerable by law (Dimond, 2011). It is important that nurses are aware of this and that they are sensitive when treatment is being administered. Nurses need to familiarise themselves with what is acceptable behaviour and respond accordingly (Timby, 2005). An example being that in some cultures it may be unacceptable to make eye contact while in others it is not or it may also be unacceptable to touch certain parts of one body. In conclusion, whether or not aluminium or old age is infact the cause of Alzheimers disease, the nurse has to be the the patients representative in order to address underlying issues that exist between, the family, carer and society. Also, to amalgamate the multidisciplinary team and relevant agencies so that health promotions may be implemented by means of controling infections, which is the predisposing factor of an Alzheimers patient death. This relationship is complex and the nurses job has to be the forefront of it all, whether it may be to educate family and carer on how best to include hygiene and infection control as the disease worsen or to inform the multidisciplinary team about the patients health and wellbeing.

Capital Punishment Essay - Death Penalty is Neither Cruel Nor Unusual

Death Penalty is Neither Cruel Nor Unusual A man sits immobile in a steel chair with a metal cap resting on his bald head. A priest reads selections from the Bible telling him he will go to Heaven if he confesses his sins to God. The man just smiles as the security guard pulls the switch, and one thousand volts of electricity flows through the man's body. His entire frame shakes in convulsions as his head bobs up and down with the shock. In a couple of seconds the man's life is over. The priest prays, makes the sign of the cross on his chest, and, turning slowly, walks out the door. Capital punishment has been around for many years and has spanned many centuries. Between 1927 and 1963, the U.S. had used capital punishment, or legal execution by lethal injection, electricity, hanging, gas chamber or firing squad, for certain federal offenses. The federal and state death penalty was voted unconstitutional in 1972 by the United States Supreme Court. In 1976 the Supreme Court passed a bill allowing the death penalty in those states that accepted it. Because of a drug-kingpin conspiracy in 1988, the federal death penalty was approved, but had to be consistent to the 1976 ruling. An omnibus crime bill was passed in 1994 to improve the federal penalty for about sixty different crimes. Some of those crimes include murder of government officials, murder for hire, any misdemeanor crimes, such as kidnapping or sexual abuse crimes, resulting in death and also some crimes not resulting in death such as the running of a large drug operation (Amsterdam). "The great writ", which is Latin for "you have the body", lets a federal judge examine convictions in state courts. Over fifty cases have been reviewed for such things as lack of ... ..."Bryan Stevenson." People. November 27, 1995. pp. 71-76. Haag, Ernest van den. "Executing Juvenile Murderers Is Just." The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA. Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1991. pp. 82-85. Klaidman, Daniel. " 'The Great Writ' Hit." Newsweek. May 6, 1996. pp. 72. Lewin, Tamar. "Punishable By Death: Who Decides Who Will Die? Even Within States, It Varies." New York Times . February 23, 1995. SIRS. Pakaluk, Michael. "Christians Can Morally Support The Death Penalty." The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1991. pp. 67-73. Steffen, Lloyd. "The Death Penalty Is Unjust." The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA. Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1991. pp. 61-66. Sullum, Jacob. "The Death Penalty Is Just." The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA. Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1991. pp. 57-60. Capital Punishment Essay - Death Penalty is Neither Cruel Nor Unusual Death Penalty is Neither Cruel Nor Unusual A man sits immobile in a steel chair with a metal cap resting on his bald head. A priest reads selections from the Bible telling him he will go to Heaven if he confesses his sins to God. The man just smiles as the security guard pulls the switch, and one thousand volts of electricity flows through the man's body. His entire frame shakes in convulsions as his head bobs up and down with the shock. In a couple of seconds the man's life is over. The priest prays, makes the sign of the cross on his chest, and, turning slowly, walks out the door. Capital punishment has been around for many years and has spanned many centuries. Between 1927 and 1963, the U.S. had used capital punishment, or legal execution by lethal injection, electricity, hanging, gas chamber or firing squad, for certain federal offenses. The federal and state death penalty was voted unconstitutional in 1972 by the United States Supreme Court. In 1976 the Supreme Court passed a bill allowing the death penalty in those states that accepted it. Because of a drug-kingpin conspiracy in 1988, the federal death penalty was approved, but had to be consistent to the 1976 ruling. An omnibus crime bill was passed in 1994 to improve the federal penalty for about sixty different crimes. Some of those crimes include murder of government officials, murder for hire, any misdemeanor crimes, such as kidnapping or sexual abuse crimes, resulting in death and also some crimes not resulting in death such as the running of a large drug operation (Amsterdam). "The great writ", which is Latin for "you have the body", lets a federal judge examine convictions in state courts. Over fifty cases have been reviewed for such things as lack of ... ..."Bryan Stevenson." People. November 27, 1995. pp. 71-76. Haag, Ernest van den. "Executing Juvenile Murderers Is Just." The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA. Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1991. pp. 82-85. Klaidman, Daniel. " 'The Great Writ' Hit." Newsweek. May 6, 1996. pp. 72. Lewin, Tamar. "Punishable By Death: Who Decides Who Will Die? Even Within States, It Varies." New York Times . February 23, 1995. SIRS. Pakaluk, Michael. "Christians Can Morally Support The Death Penalty." The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1991. pp. 67-73. Steffen, Lloyd. "The Death Penalty Is Unjust." The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA. Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1991. pp. 61-66. Sullum, Jacob. "The Death Penalty Is Just." The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA. Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1991. pp. 57-60.

Jeanette Wintersons Written on the Body and Caryl Churchills Cloud Ni

Jeanette Winterson's Written on the Body and Caryl Churchill's Cloud Nine In Jeanette Winterson’s Written on the Body and Caryl Churchill’s Cloud Nine differences between male and female roles in society become distinct. Through these differences, an intricate web of male and female characters seems to be woven, and we can see the clarity between gender roles. With the support of Churchill’s Cloud Nine by Jeffrey Barber, â€Å"You see, I am no stranger to love†: Jeanette Winterson and the Extasy of the Word by Celia Shiffer, and â€Å"Body Languages: Scientific and Aesthetic Discourses in Jeanette Winterson’s Written on the Body,† the idea of love and gender roles present in Jeanette Winterson’s Written on the Body and Caryl Churchill’s Cloud Nine become alive, and we see how these characters both form to and break from their assigned roles. The roles of the characters are exemplified by distinct differences between the genders through the presence of love and gender stereotypes, the dominant idea of nature, and the struggle between male and female characters with specific reference to sexual relationships and marriage. Gender stereotypes seem characteristic in both Written on the Body and Cloud Nine. Clearly the women are expected to be submissive, while the men are to be assertive. The first time we see the idea of these gender stereotypes in Cloud Nine is with Edward and his sister Victoria’s doll. Dolls are clearly not toys for boys; they are only for little girls. And so, when Edward is caught playing with the doll, his father and mother show disappointment in him because it is not proper for a boy to play with a doll. Edward gives the doll up unwillingly. The second time Edward is caught playing with the doll Betty says ... ...tinguishable, often seems figures as a condition of being human rather than coded with female specificity† (Shiffer 33). Schiffer draws our attention to a very important concept brought about throughout the two novels; the concept of loss. Love can only be measured by loss, and in Written on the Body the narrator realizes the importance of Louise and the impact she had on her life only after she is gone. However, when Betty leaves Clive in Cloud Nine she realizes all that she can do for herself, which furthermore signifies Clive’s irrelevance to her life. Both of these works explicitly work for and against one another both forming to and breaking from very intricate connections. Through both texts, we can see how each of the characters wants to conform to certain stereotypes, and how ultimately, many of the characters end up breaking from the stereotypes set forth.

Symbolism and Loss of Identity in The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwoo

Symbolism and Loss of Identity in The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood In Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Offred recounts the story of her life and that of others in Gilead, but she does not do so alone. The symbolic meanings found in the dress code of the women, the names/titles of characters, the absence of the mirror, and the smell and hunger imagery aid her in telling of the repugnant conditions in the Republic of Gilead. The symbols speak with a voice of their own and in decibels louder than Offred can ever dare to use. They convey the social structure of Gileadean society and carry the theme of the individual's loss of identity. All the women in Gilead wear color-coded uniforms. The colors parade their social status and/or role in the reproductive process. The 'Aunts' who run the Rachel and Leah Re-Education Center wear brown; they are responsible for the indoctrination of the handmaids. The 'Marthas,' who wear green, are the servants. The 'Wives' wear a type of Virgin-Mary blue, which signifies their inability to bear children. The handmaids wear red robes and white peaked hats which resemble nuns' habits. Thus, they personify a religious sacrifice; they are like "temple prostitutes doomed to a kind of purdah in perpetuity" (Rigney 117). In addition, the red color of their clothing symbolizes their fertility. The color-coded uniforms that the women wear does more than just signify their functions. Along with the names/titles of characters, they symbolize the individual's loss of identity. No distinguishing mark of a woman is considered; rather, she is lumped with a group in which she is defined only by her social and reproductive function. Essentially, the color-coded uniforms strip each woman of her i... ...litical enemies. The foul and suffocating air of Gilead symbolizes the claustrophobia as well as oppression of its inhabitants (Rubenstein 109-110). In The Handmaid's Tale some symbolic tools such as dress codes and characters' names reflect the social standings of individuals in the Gilead society. These same symbols and others such as the mirror draw attention to the loss of individual identity, a theme present throughout the novel. Still others like smell or hunger convey the atmosphere&emdash;both physical and psychological&emdash;in Gilead. Whatever their different purposes may be, the symbolic devices achieve the same result: they enlighten the reader on dangerous social tendencies and compel him/her to take action in order to prevent the outcomes they depict. Works Cited Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. Anchor Books: New York, New York, 1985.

Cultivating an Equal Opportunity Society

Question: Do you think cultivating an equal opportunity society has helped countries such as South Africa and America to move forward? In a carefully worded essay, show why this is the case or why it is not. The equity act was implemented after apartheid in South Africa and America in order to force businesses to hire disadvantaged groups in order to amend the imbalance apartheid created in the economy. The equity act is very much needed in a country where racism led to a minority group being developed.In my opinion the equity act has a very important role in reinstating a sense of believe in a better future. There is no point in telling a minority group they are free to do anything but then not force the majority group to allow this. The majority group could go on refusing to hire minority groups, still harbouring a racist view. You cannot expect people to instantly change their long standing views of discrimination and overnight start hiring different races and genders.It is a slow process and education, trust and forgiveness are not easily acquired. Here the equity act aims to force people to accept the change and move forward letting go of discrimination. Now in South Africa I believe the equity act has allowed our country to move away from formal apartheid and into a time where the focus on race and gender has become bigger than ever. Today when you apply for an education, bursary or job your race and gender is a major deciding factor for the recruiter or employer.By law in South Africa if you have a business that employs more than 50 people you have to comply with the regulations and rules set out in Employment Equity act, this is also known as Black Economic Empowerment(BEE) and should you not achieve the desired level of BEE status your business can be fined. The higher your BEE status the more likely you are to win government contracts ensuring higher paid jobs for your business. Because of the need for a BEE status, employers’ criteria for hiri ng staff have shifted from capabilities and merit to race and gender.An employer will much rather hire a staff member that will ensure the business a hire BEE status than hire a staff member that will not increase his status or even worse lead to him to being fined. Even though the latter staff member may be more qualified than the first staff member the employer will gain more funs with a less capable employee than with a highly skilled employee of the wrong race or gender. Because the employer is now forced to hire less skilled workers his more skilled workers have to work harder to make up for the employees who cannot perform the duties.This leads to feeling of hatred and discrimination among employees. Companies may also struggle to find people of a certain group that is qualified to perform a task and so leave the company under staffed and not capable of providing a service or product. This situation leads to not only a drop in quality of services and products but these busines ses also receive more work as winning a contract is purely based on what race and gender works for you. Companies have moved from wanting to provide top quality services and products to wanting the correct race and gender to work for them.Your standard of work is no longer important, just what you look like. How is that a move forward from focusing on skin colour? Disadvantage groups now have more opportunities available to them now but your race, gender, family tradition and religion greatly influence your worldview and interests. For this reason many economic sectors lack the people required to meet BEE status. I interviewed a director of a security company in my home town and he had this to say about the equity act. Mr Smith runs a private security company in Cape Town and employs 150 security guards.He only has a level 2 BEE status. Mr Smith explained to me that due to the nature of the tasks required in his company, male employees are more attracted to the job. In order to comp ly with the employment equity act he has to hire a certain percentage of people from previously disadvantaged groups. Unfortunately these people lack the funds required to be educated as security guards. Mr Smith has to pay for these people to be educated costing his company a large amount every year and he can also only afford to educate a certain amount of people of the required race, leaving his company understaffed.For example say he has to employ 20 Indians but can only afford to educate 10 Indians. He is not allowed to hire 10 staff members from another group and thus leaving his company understaffed by 10 people. He also has problems finding females to hire as security is not viewed as a job suited for females. For this reason his BEE status is very low and he has almost no chance in acquiring large government contracts needed to grow his business not even mentioning being under staffed. If he doesn’t comply with BEE he will be fined and in order to comply with BEE he has to pay to educate the proper race.It is a vicious cycle and is created from an act looking at empowering our country. In this situation all the act is doing is decreasing job opportunities as implementing this act becomes too costly for small businesses. Trough BEE many disadvantaged groups have been receiving job positions they are not qualified for. Under skilled people are being made directors of companies purely to increase BEE status and thus increase contracts for the company. These directors often still harbour a feeling of oppression and revenge.Many disadvantaged people believe the â€Å"whites† owe them everything after apartheid and when these people are then put in power they ignore the regulation of the equity act. They want revenge for their suffering and will only favour their race or gender. Due to the lack of monitoring the implementation of the equity act, many companies are never fined for not complying with the act. There are companies playing by the r ules and suffering and there are companies ignoring the rules, favouring their â€Å"own† in the job market and bribing their way to the top.We are now seeing companies with a majority of one race being born creating more hatred among groups. This goes for previously disadvantaged groups and advantaged groups. When your race and gender becomes a criterion for employment victimization will always be a factor. Before the equity act you where hired based on merit, sure disadvantaged groups didn’t even stand a chance as their access to education where restricted but being hired based on your label is fuelling blame and discrimination now more than ever.Not only is the act exaggerating the very problem it seeks to solve it is now giving people a valid criteria and reason for discrimination. People will always seek to blame and point out differences among themselves, this act just allows the differences among people to be taken more seriously. I have heard many times people say,† he was only hired because they need more black people,† or â€Å"She only won because she is a women and they need to have a female win so they can keep their government sponsorship. It is a really sad situation to be in when you no longer have to do your best to achieve success but can achieve success by purely applying to a company or university that is short on filling their BEE criteria. Not only is this a bad thing for skilled people who are losing jobs based on race but it is detrimental to skilled people being hired in suitable positions all while there, they are being frowned upon. I can definitely see the equity act as necessary in our country. It is vital for educating the majority about the minority and vice versa. It is important for empowering en providing confidence in oppressed groups.It can eliminate the stereotypes of a white man’s job or a black ladies’ job. Society can grow so much from being pushed to integrate our relationships w ith other groups and us as a country can rectify our differences but unfortunately this act has illuminated our differences and used it as its very criteria for success. We are moving backwards and our standard of service and quality of products are dropping. Businesses are suffering and the people who do strive for excellence are stepping back in order to favour an attitude of â€Å"the world owes me everything†.The people are not ready for such an act. Our focus on difference and our â€Å"revenge† attitudes are over shadowing our goal of working as one. I don’t expect people to forget about apartheid, its effects will still be felt for many years, but I do believe if we can realise that we all do have a chance at an equal opportunity for success, we can create an economy fuelled by one goal, a brighter future for all. Unfortunately right now we are slipping into reverse creating a world worse than before.

Opinion of Christopher Columbus

Opinions of Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus has always been revered as the man who discovered America, but as people look back over time, other ideas of Columbus have formed. Did he actually discover America? Or did he just encounter it? As other Native Americans had already been living in America, who were soon colonized/conquered, it is hard to say whether or not Columbus was a legendary man. Christopher Columbus, in all respect, did change the course of history greatly, the only question is whether or not he should honored or scorned for it.In 1492, Columbus happened upon the Americas. Columbus believed these people, the Native Americans, easily conquerable, and showed that. He did a number of injustices to the Native American people, women and children included. He also believed them to have no religion of their own, and tried to force christianity upon the Native Americans. Although Columbus was the first major sailor to reach the Americas, his actions did not represen t an honorable man.Although, at this time, Columbus had made a great change affecting the course of history. The Americas had been largely cut off from the rest of the world, and Columbus' interactions with the Native Americans had opened the Americas to trade thereout. It is arguable that the Americas would have been exposed to the rest of the world at some time, but Columbus had been the first. He, essentially, was the man who had the idea to sail west and created that to be a reality.Yet his actions were not the best, he did have the first major encounter in the Americas. I believe Columbus should be respected as the man who did have the first effective encounter in the Americas, though not honored. He had committed great sins against the Native Americans, and should not be considered a hero. Heroes have ethic morals they follow before and after they had made their accomplishments. Columbus did not show this. Columbus was a navigator who had happened to, instead of Asia, come acr oss a continent unknown to the world.