Racial and Ethnic Groups Essay Example for Free

Racial and Ethnic Groups Essay There are three sociological perspectives of race and ethnicity which are functionalist, conflict, and labeling perspectives. The first one I will discuss is the functionalist perspective. The functionalist perspective emphasizes how the parts of society are structured to maintain its stability. As also described in the reading the functionalist approach is an approach, if an aspect of social life does not contribute to a society’s stability or survival, it will not be passed on from one generation to the next. The functionalist perspective thinks that racial hostility is hard to be admired but the functionalist would point out that it serves some positive functions from the perspective group of the racists as described. In the dominant group there are five functions that racial beliefs have for the dominant group. As described they are the following: 1. A society that practices discrimination fails to use the resources of all individuals. Discrimination limits the search for talent and leadership to the dominant group. 2. Discrimination aggravates social problems such as poverty, delinquency, and crime and places the financial burden of alleviating these problems on the dominant group. 3. Society must invest a good deal of time and money to defend the barriers that prevent the full participation of all members. 4. Racial prejudice and discrimination undercut goodwill and friendly diplomatic relations between nations. They also negatively affect efforts to increase global trade. 5. Social change is inhibited because change may assist a subordinate group. 6. Discrimination promotes disrespect for law enforcement and for the peaceful settlement of disputes. The second perspective is the conflict perspective which is the perspective assumes that the social structure is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups. As described in the reading society is a struggle between the privileged (the dominant group) and the exploited (the subordinate group). There is competition that takes groups between groups with unequal amounts of political and economic powers. A difference is that functionalists are not necessarily in favor of inequality; their approach is helps to understand why such systems persist as described. The subordinate group is criticized for its low status. The dominant group is responsible for subordination which is often ignored. The third approach is the labeling approach. The labeling theory which is described in the reading is a concept introduced by sociologist Howard Becker, is an attempt to explain why certain people are viewed as deviant and other engaging in the same behavior are not. As said in the reading a crucial aspect of the relationship between dominant and subordinate groups is the prerogative of the dominant group to define society’s values. Minorities are believed to have the lack of ability to perform in important positions where subordinate group are locked into society’s inferior jobs. I feel that I can agree with the labeling perspective the most. The reason for this is that it still exists in today’s society. Companies are required to provide equal opportunity employment and cannot discriminate against religion, race, or age. We know that this is still not true. You see that most police officers and firefighters are still mostly men. You still see large amounts of families have stay at home mothers. Another example would believe that if a child is bad in school that it has to be his or her parents that make them that way. I believe that it truly is still an issue among individuals. Part II I choose African Americans and the creation of migration and the consequence of segregation. Migration is defined as a general term that describes any transfer of population. Segregation is described the physical separation of two groups, often imposed on a subordinate group by the dominant group. According to Wikipedia I choose The Great Migration. As described it was the movement of 2 million African American out of the Southern United States to the Midwest, Northeast, and West from 1910 to 1930. They migrated to escape racism and seek employment opportunities in industrial cities. When the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863 less than eight percent of the African American population lived in the northeastern or Midwestern U. S. As described, â€Å"Between 1910 and 1930, the African American population grew by about 40% in Northern states, mostly in the major cities. Cities such as Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Cleveland had some of the biggest increases in the early part of the century. Because changes were concentrated in cities, urban tensions rose as African Americans and new or recent European immigrants, both groups chiefly from rural societies, competed for jobs and housing with the white ethnic working class. Tensions were often most severe between ethnic Irish, defending their positions, and recent immigrants and blacks. † â€Å"African Americans moved as individuals or small family groups. There was no government assistance, but often northern industries, such as the railroads, meatpacking and stockyards, recruited people. The primary factor for migration was the racial climate and widespread violence of lynching in the South. In the North, they could find better schools and adult men could vote (joined by women after 1920). Burgeoning industries meant there were job opportunities. † (Wikipedia, 2010) This in turn caused African Americans to feel segregated and felt they had to be among other African Americans do to how they are treated. There were many fights and riots among different cultural groups due to segregation. Such as the example of African Americans who could not sit in the front of the bus because of their race. In today’s society this is ethnically not acceptable. References: Wikipedia. (2010, October 15). Wikipedia. org. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from Wikipedia: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Great_Migration_(African_American).

Gary Sotos Like Mexicans: Personal Experiences :: essays research papers

Gary Soto's Like Mexicans: Personal Experiences My decision to write in response to Gary Soto's work, â€Å"Like Mexicans† was influenced for the most part because of the similarities between myself and Gary Soto, and our families included. Gary Soto is a Mexican American male, who grew up in the San Joaquin Valley in the industrial part of a town called Fresno. His grandparents came to this Great Valley in search of creating a better life for themselves and their families. I am also a Mexican American male who was born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley in a small town called Porterville. My grandparents migrated with their children, my mother, father, and their brothers and sisters in hopes of creating a better life for themselves as well. At the time economic betterment meant working as a hired slave for minimal income and keeping your mouth shut. After all, you were nothing more than a wetback who came to America to reap her benefits.(This ludicrous ideology is still present today) Gary Soto's grandparents and my grandparents, although they ma y be a generation behind one another, I am sure were exposed to many of the same hardships and or social barriers. It was not uncommon back then as it is not uncommon today for Mexican families with minimal work skills to be forced into the fields to work with their children alongside in hopes of escaping poverty. For the most part such families remained poverty stricken due to unfair and illegal wages and work conditions. However irrelevant this all may sound, facing similar hardships or obstacles will often create a sense of unity among those who are affected by such conditions. In short, I feel that not only do Gary Soto and I share a common ethnic origin, but all that comes with our origin, be it pride, shame, or ideology. "Like Mexicans" is a short story in which Gary Soto is constantly being reminded that he should marry his own kind. His own kind being one of Mexican descent, and of poverty and refraining from others, especially â€Å"Okies† as his grandmother used to always say. Soto ends up marrying a Japanese woman, not a Mexican. But he still has to deal with his internal struggle and acceptance of this choice. One cannot be looked down upon for questioning oneself and the decisions one makes, especially when it comes to marrying after being raised in a household that reinforced the belief , â€Å"Marry Your Own†. My mother and my father never told me that I should marry one of my own.

Natural Mosquito Repellent

â€Å"NATURAL MOSQUITO REPELLENT† I. INTRODUCTION Mosquitoes can be unwelcome guest these rainy days and it is a major insect problem of people. Commercial repellents are harsh, have poisons that are not suitable for children and not always effective in repelling these pesky bugs. We don’t know what are the side effects of these repellents are. Some leaves, unripe fruit, and their seeds contain vermicidal and insectidal properties. It is an inexpensive alternative in avoiding mosquito that causes diseases like dengue and malaria.These insects can also cause economic losses in cattle and other livestock through blood loss, disease transmission and irritation. We arrived at this kind of problem because we want to prevent ourselves from mosquitoes that cause diseases like dengue, malaria as well as painful or uncomfortable insect bites. And we want to avoid slapping and whirring hands when it’s stricken to us and to come up with an effective and safe mosquito repell ent product. We don’t need poisons to deal with insects. II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE TITLE; Shoo, Fly: Natural Insect RepellentBy: Laurel Vukovic From:  Natural Health July/August, 1994 Making human flesh unappetizing to mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and fleas is an age-old preoccupation. The earliest insect repellents included smoke, mud, and various plant substances. Our contemporary contribution is DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), a powerful insecticide found in over 400 repellents. DEET can peel paint, damage rayon and spandex, and melt plastic. Up to 56 percent of DEET applied to the skin enters the bloodstream, and reactions to it include skin rashes, lethargy, muscle spasms, nausea, and irritability.An extreme reaction can cause seizures and even death. So it's hardly worth using DEET to deter insects unless you're someplace with high rates of insect-borne disease or you experience severe allergic reactions to bites and stings. There are natural alternatives to D EET, made primarily from plant essential oils that can protect you in less threatening circumstances. Although â€Å"there is no natural repellent as effective as DEET,† says Eve McClure, executive vice-president of protection against ticks. Ticks, the carriers of Lyme disease, are among the most worrisome pests. If you are traveling in an area known for Lyme disease (according to the Centers for Disease Control, this includes the Atlantic states and Northern California), contact the American Lyme Disease Foundation at (800) 876-5963 for preventive advice Quantum, a natural repellent manufacturer in Eugene, Oregon, â€Å"natural repellents do help ward off mosquitoes, black flies, gnats, and fleas, and they may provide some . Reactions:   From Mild to FatalAlthough most people experience only temporary pain and swelling after a bee or wasp sting, some individuals are hypersensitive and can experience a potentially fatal anaphylactic reaction. The symptoms of anaphylaxis in clude hives, agitation, difficulty in breathing, nausea, dizziness, and a swollen tongue or face. Without prompt medical treatment, this can be fatal. Although anyone can have an anaphylactic reaction, the people most at risk are those with a history of allergic reactions to stings — hives, wheezing, or a previous episode of anaphylactic shock.People who know they are at risk should carry an emergency kit with injectable epinephrine, which is available by prescription. Home care can include drinking slightly salty water (1/2 tsp. per quart, at 4 oz. per hour), Vitamin B-5 at large doses briefly (2 grams 3X a day, for 3-4 days), Licorice capsules or tea at 1-2 cps. /1 cup tea, 2 or 3 X a day. Extensive Measures You don't have to be in the tropics or in an area at high risk for insect-borne disease to take the following steps. Hordes of insects your own backyard can lead you to seek extra protection.Debra Nuzzi-St. Claire, an herbalist in Boulder, Colorado, has these suggestion s (see â€Å"Making Your Own Natural Insect Repellent,† below, for essential oil combination): * Spray clothing and bedding (including the mosquito netting of your tent, if you're camping) with an alcohol-base repellent. * Pour several drops of the combined pure essential oils onto a candle. * Place a few drops on cloth or paper strips and hang them around the room, especially by doors and windows. * Add the base oil to shampoos and liquid soaps.Most natural insect repellents are made with an essential oil distilled from citronella, a tall, aromatic grass indigenous to Southern Asia. Its pungent, lemony fragrance is pleasant to most people but objectionable to mosquitoes. Other aromatic essential oils commonly found in natural insect repellents include cedarwood, lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, pennyroyal, lavender, and bergamot. These are safe when applied to the skin, but should not be taken internally without the advice of a professional. Pennyroyal, in particular, is highly toxic if ingested. Essential oil repellents are available in spray or oil form.According to Eve McClure, restrictions by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have made it difficult for consumers to identify natural repellents by packaging alone. Since the EPA classifies all repellents as insecticides, it requires expensive testing, which includes experiments on live animals. Because most natural repellent manufacturers are unwilling — or financially unable — to comply with EPA guidelines, they cannot promote their products as natural insect repellents. â€Å"We had to remove the bug from our label and change our name from ‘Buzz Away' to ‘Zzz Away,' † says McClure (see â€Å"Making Your Own Natural Insect Repellent†).After the Bite If mosquitoes, flies, and fleas feast on you in spite of your efforts, Nuzzi-St. Claire recommends applying undiluted tea tree oil to the bites. Tea tree oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory propertie s and is usually non-irritating. Test a small area of skin before applying the oil liberally. If the essential oil irritates your skin, wash it off with soap and water and dilute the tea tree oil in five parts of jojoba or almond oil before reapplying. Testing for sensitivity is a good practice when applying any essential oil for the first time.Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and natural first-aid expert in Portland, Oregon, recommends applying a drop of peppermint essential oil to insect bites. â€Å"Anything with menthol will increase the circulation in the area and dissipate the anticoagulant that the mosquito has injected into you,† she says. Other topical treatments for reducing itching and inflammation include cold compresses, lavender essential oil, and calamine lotion. Dr. Thomas S. Lee, an Arizona naturopathic physician, likes pure lavender oil rubbed into the bite ASAP. â€Å"The Chinese patent medicine White Flower Oil is a clean mentholated formula that works well, too. Well-equipped and well-informed, you can take those restorative strolls and hikes with greater confidence. Carl Mitchell of the Centers for Disease Control in Fort Collins, Colorado says, â€Å"People definitely shouldn't avoid outdoor activities for fear of bug bites and stings. Just take a few precautions. † Stings:   The Finer Points To make an insect repellent oil that can be used on your body, add 16 ounces of jojoba or almond oil to the base oil mixture and blend thoroughly. For an insect repellent spray, add 16 ounces of vodka to the base oil mixture, pour into a spray bottle, and shake before using.Although bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets generally won't go out of their way to attack, they can be extremely aggressive if you disturb their nests or bother them while they're feeding. They're attracted by perfumes and scented body care products, as well as by sweet foods such as ice cream, fruit juices, and watermelon. Bright-colored clothing c an also make you a target. If you do get stung, the following tips can help minimize the problems: Bumblebees, wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets can attack repeatedly, so if you get stung, get out of the area immediately.If you're stung by a yellow jacket, avoid swatting at it. Crushing the venom sac releases a chemical that incites its nest-mates to attack. Honeybees can sting only once, but the stinger and venom sac they leave in your skin pump venom for two to three minutes. Remove them immediately, being careful not to squeeze the venom sac. The safest way to do this is to scrape them out with a credit card or the dull edge of a knife. If the stinger remains behind after you've scraped away the venom sac, remove it gently with tweezers. Making Your Own Natural Insect Repellent Herbalist Debra Nuzzi-St.Claire suggests combining the following essential oils to make a natural insect repellent: 1/2 ounce citronella oil 1/4 ounce lavender oil 1/8 ounce pennyroyal oil 1/8 ounce tea t ree oil 1/8 ounce jojoba oil Do not use this blend undiluted on your skin. Follow these instructions for diluting: To make an insect repellent oil that can be used on your body, add 16 ounces of jojoba or almond oil to the base oil mixture and blend thoroughly. For an insect repellent spray, add 16 ounces of vodka to the base oil mixture, pour into a spray bottle, and shake before using. III. PROCEDURE 1. Place ? rganic apple vinegar into a large mixing bowl 2. Mix into the organic apple vinegar ? cup of vodka. 3. Place 2 table teaspoons of citronella oil into the above stated mixture. 4. Mix thoroughly. 5. Using a funnel transfer contents of mixing bowl into a small spray bottle. 6. Apply literally for best effect. IV. MATERIALS * ? cup vodka * ? cup of organic apple vinegar * 2 teaspoons of citronella oil * Small spray bottle * Funnel * Bowl V. RESULTS & DISCUSSION TRIAL 1| TRIAL 2| TRIAL 3| * In our 1st trial, we use ? vodka and not totally fermented apple vinegar. And when we us e it, the product is not successful. * In our 2nd trial, we use ? vodka, 1 teaspoon of citronella oil and fermented apple vinegar. When we apply it, there are still bites of mosquito. It’s not successful again. | * In our last trial, we read the procedure carefully and followed it. We use the exact amount of vodka that should be ? cup, ? cup of totally fermented apple vinegar and 2 teaspoons of citronella oil and when we apply it. The product is successful. | VI. CONCLUSION: After the investigation is done, therefore we conclude that natural mosquito repellent is more safe and effective. And we can also make our own mosquito repellent than buying it.We’ll not be too aware of mosquito bites anymore because our product is natural and has safe side effects. And we also conclude that making this product is not costly. In fact, you’ll save more money and the more natural, the more effective it is. VII. RECOMMENDATION: After we made the product successful, we’r e offering recommendations for possible further study and more successful product. It is recommended giving more priority of our health is the most important. According to World Health Organization 1948, â€Å"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. People should also give attention to our nature, because there are hidden treasures to make our health healthy. If you want to experiment, 1st thing you should do is to observe. Then you follow carefully the steps to become successful in the experiment. Next, think for the materials that are not expensive. Always prioritize to save money as much as possible. Then last, create a product that will help the people and the mother earth. Like our product, â€Å"NATURAL MOSQUITO REPELLENT†.

The Issue Of Affirmative Action - 950 Words

On the contrary, supports of affirmative action feel that this law is still needed in America to help places of higher education have more diversity which will benefit companies in the long run and it also helps companies be more diverse and it helps them thrive. In the past few decades the number of minorities and females in places of higher education and companies have been rising at a slow rate. During 2012, the health care industry was suffering from lack of medical personal in the medical field; however, â€Å"16% of the U.S. population is Latino and 14% is African American, these groups constituted only 9% and 7%, respectively, of the total U.S. medical school enrollment in 2012 â€Å"(Graces, paragraph 2). The rate of minorities enrolled in medical school has been slowly rising over the years. Having minorities and females in a company helps the company be more diverse while also giving the company employees that can help the company thrive and be successful. Supporters fee l that this law benefits people who usually would not have a chance of attending a place of higher education or be a part of a company an equal and fair chance. Supporters of affirmative action feel that it is positive discrimination and that it benefits places of higher education and companies not discriminate against females and minorities. A significant, amount of court cases have been brought up to the Supreme Court dealing with affirmative action. One important court case that deals with affirmativeShow MoreRelatedThe Issue Of Affirmative Action Essay1667 Words   |  7 Pagesthe content of their character† for this reason affirmative action in higher education admission should be altered for it creates a perpetually racial preference in admission. Affirmative action is controversial due it s issue of whether the generation of today should pay for the past injustices done to certain ethnicities. It questions the constitutionality of its existence and whether it perpetuates racial discrimination. Although affirmative action is a great start in promoting diversity and exposingRead MoreThe Issue Of Affirmative Action2006 Words   |  9 Pagesultimate goal for our generation. We want to see equal opportunities for everyone regardless of sex, race, or nationality. The term affirmative action has been the center of national debate in the recent history with liberals, both black and white, arguing that affirmative action levels the playing field and makes up for historical prejudice and discrimination. Affirmative action means minorities that are any underrepresented group defined by race, ethnicity, or gender are preferably admitted to universitiesRead MoreThe Issue of Affirmative Action Essay816 Words   |  4 PagesThe Issue of A ffirmative Action A major controversy encompassing the country is the issue of affirmative action. Many believe that the abolition, or at least restructure, of affirmative action in the United States will benefit the nation for many logical reasons. Originally, affirmative action began as an attempt to eliminate discrimination and provide a source of opportunity; affirmative action did not begin as an attempt to support just minorities and women. In addition, affirmative actionRead MoreLegal Issues Of Affirmative Action1528 Words   |  7 Pagesmust be familiar with legal obligations in regards to their diversity efforts policies in order to be fully compliant and successful in their endeavors. Legal Issues Pertaining to Diversity in Higher Education Today When addressing legal issues of diversity in the modern day era, one main topic is brought to discussion, affirmative action. It was put into place by the federal government in the 1960’s and was initially developed to close the gap in relation to the privileged majority and the unprivilegedRead MoreWhy Is Affirmative Action Such a Divisive Issue?2126 Words   |  9 PagesAFFIRMATIVE ACTION: WHY IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SUCH A DIVISIVE ISSUE? Affirmative Action: Why is Affirmative Action Such a Divisive Issue? Introduction â€Å"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it’s creed: â€Å" We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.† Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King stated this in his famous â€Å"I have a Dream† speech in Washington, D.C. in 1963. Is affirmative action still necessary in UnitedRead Moreaffirmative action1695 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Abstract What is affirmative action? Affirmative action is an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, esp. in relation to employment or education; positive discrimination. In the 1940s: President Roosevelt signed an order making discrimination illegal in defense contracting. 1954: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that separate but equal facilities on the basis of race were unconstitutionally discriminatory. The Act of 1964: CongressRead MoreThe Most Important Social Issue in America Today870 Words   |  4 PagesSocial issues have plagued the women and minorities of our country for decades upon decades, degrading them as if emotions and morals were not evident amongst them. The article entitled Affirmative Action states that as representation of minorities and women became more and more necessary, a movement called affirmative action became an important issue. Affirmative action is not limited to the uplifting of certain genders an d races, but it focuses on establishing standards of certain ethicalRead MoreEssay about Affirmative Action1384 Words   |  6 PagesAffirmative Action has been an issue of contention since its inception during the Civil Rights struggles of mid 20th century America. Discrimination could no longer be tolerated and the Unites States government had an obligation to encourage equality at all levels of the social infrastructure. The main type of discrimination being addressed by Affirmative Action programs was racial discrimination. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines racism as: ‘a belief that race is the primary determinant ofRead MoreAffirmative Action1559 Words   |  7 PagesRESEARCH PAPER AFFIRMATIVE ACTION INTRODUCTION Affirmative Action is an employment legislation protection system that is intended to address the systemized discrimination faced by women and minorities. It achieves this by enforcing diversity through operational intrusions into recruitment, selection, and other personnel functions and practices in America. Originally, Affirmative Action arose because of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s desire to integrate society on educationalRead MoreAffirmative Action: Equality for All? Essay1741 Words   |  7 PagesAffirmative Action: Equality for All? Affirmative action in the United States has become a misused and misguided practice in modern times. In the current form of affirmative action, it is impossible to create a truly equal society. It was originally used as an equal opportunity measure to allow qualified minorities into positions they were denied because of race. However, affirmative action has become a system of racial quotas that lowers standards for minority applicants in order to give them