Globalism, Localism, and the Expansion of Tradition Essay Example for Free

Globalism, Localism, and the Expansion of Tradition Essay Owing to the rapid technological advancement and the global movement of people, there has been an uncontrolled promotion (or ‘shedding’) of cultural practices to new cultural spaces across the globe. People abandon their traditional practices and become modern or cosmopolitan to an extent of disowning their cultures of origin. This paper seeks to explore the extent to which the Hn? a? hn? u of Hidalgo, Mexico and Clearwater, Florida, are victims of this trend. Thesis The Hn? a? hn? u people have successfully pursued the problems of desolation and abject poverty. Facing them now is the challenge of globalism and modernization at the expense of detruncating their cultural elements. Their mode of pursuit of this challenge of ethnic and cultural fragmentation and modernist homogenization is quite fascinating, leaving the reader waddling in disillusionment. Main points The once marginalized Hn? a? hn? u people are now subjected to the forces of modernity and globalism. With technological advancement, the Hn? a? hn? u people now have a relatively better access to electricity, phones and other modes of communication, thus easing and promoting knowledge through interacting with other communities. A study by Schmidt, (2007) postulates that people’s â€Å"degree of access to the outside world† determines their exchange levels for cultural elements. In Hidalgo, â€Å"the levels of ‘male-out migration’ have gone beyond 70%† (Schmidt, 2007). This provides a clear implication on the levels cultural exchange among the Hn? a? hn? u people and their neighboring communities. The Hn? a? hn? us’ pursuit of modernity and globalism while upholding their cultural tenets is a complex process that eludes facile explanations, (Baumann, 1975). Analysis Schmidt divides his article into three distinct sections. In the first section, he gives a brief outline of the history of the Hn? a? hn? u. In this section, Schmidt postulates that the Hn? a? hn? u have been living in the Mezquital Valley (State of Hidalgo, Mexico) since around 250 BC. An intense conquest by the Aztecs and Spaniards, among others, made the Hn? a? hn? u to flee to the â€Å"most arid and desolate areas of the valley† (Schmidt, 2007). This was a major economic challenge for the Hn? a? hn? u, and hence like many other ethnic minorities in the world, the Hn? a? hn? u lived in desolation and abject poverty. Efforts by the Mexican government to flee the Hn? a? hn? u from the problem of desolation and poverty received an overwhelming resistance from the different regional and local factions. It was not until the 1970s when Mun? oz-a newly appointed anthropologist, in an effort to restore the dignity and a sense of agency to the Hn? a? hn? u, changed the nature of the interactions between them and the PIVM, (Baumann, 1975). The second section of Schmidt’s article discusses the politics of â€Å"selective cultural reception and appropriation that challenge the purported hegemony of the globe† (Schmidt, 2007). Despite criticism by the Mexican elite, the Hn? a? hn? u represent a powerful instance of re appropriation of cultural symbols and social and cultural space, Appadurai, A. (1996). A critical analysis of their history not only illustrates their resilience but also questions the possibility of a hegemonic power to impose and shape differences into monolithic entities ignoring local agencies and their intermediations with history, gender, class, ethnicity, and the counter-power relations that ensue. Some time the Hn? a? hn? u tried to carve out spaces and build political power within and without the state (Langer and Mun? oz, 2003). These can be referred to as politics of reception, appropriation and reproduction which represent an effort to build and uphold a new sense of cultural and political empowerment both within and beyond the Mexican and American states. At present, the Hn? a? hn? u have migrated and are using electronic media for remitting information. This has not only sped up the mutual processes of cultural negotiation and appropriation but also symbolizes a new sense of the global as modern and the modern as global, (Appadurai, 1996, p. 10). In the third section, Schmidt describes two processes which portray the dialectic process a politics of reception and appropriation that selectively (re)formulates and (re)negotiates the local and the global as co-constituents of (re)defined socio-spatial locations which defy rigid geopolitical boundaries of both (Schmidt, 2007). These two instances are Radio Bilingu? e and Mujeres Reunidas. Schmidt illustrates how the Hn? a? hn? u are transforming to modernity at the same time upholding their indigenous values and identities. For example, in an effort to promote the Mexican culture and Spanish language, community leaders are trained in the bilingual indigenous schools, (Baumann, 1975). Schmidt concludes the article by briefly highlighting the dialectics of the ‘traditional’ that ensue. The Hn? a? hn? u are struggling to adapt to new global challenges, at the same time pursuing their own culturally and socially defined interests. The Hn? a? hn? u can be viewed as a representative of a traditional with a global flavor (Langer Mun? oz, 2003). Schmidt postulates that the traditional is not something secluded, motionless or rigid that can be fixed in a museum. This article provides an inevitable case of negotiation and transformation. â€Å"Mass emigration† (Baumann, 1975) of men from Hidalgo provides a challenge for the women to revitalize and promote the traditional Hn? a? hn? u culture through establishing of cooperatives for the traditional cottage industry. It is this process of (re) creation and (re) negotiation of the traditional that enhances localities. However, certain weaknesses stand out. The commitment of bilingual teachers and community leaders in advocating for modernity and upholding of their cultural tenets is questionable. This is due to the fact that the people are stuck to the ideological past and as such unwilling to modernize. Verdict This is quite a reflective article that any one in pursuit of modernity and globalism cannot afford to ignore. This is because globalism and modernity as postulated in this article come with ‘new’ trends. As such, it is necessary to determine the extent to which one pursues the new trend and upholds his/her cultural elements. The Hn? a? hn? u are using their tradition to help them modernize. References Schmidt, E. (2007). Whose Culture? Globalism, Localism, and the Expansion of Tradition: The Case of the Hn? a? hn? u of Hidalgo, Mexico and Clearwater, Florida. Florida: University of South Florida. Langer, E. Mun? oz, E. (2003). Contemporary Indigenous Movements in Latin America. Jaguar: Books on Latin America. Baumann, W. (1975). Economic development and culture change in an Otom village: a critical analysis. Plainfield: Goddard College Appadurai, A. (1996). Modernity at Large. Cultural Dimensions of Globalization. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

HIV/AIDS: Stigma and discrimination

HIV/AIDS: Stigma and discrimination Stigma and discrimination face by people living with HIV/AIDS It has been defined by Roura et al., (2009) that the stigma associated with a precise kind of relationship between the behvaiours, perceptions and stereotypes is concerned with a deep sense of social deprivation. Despite the fact, that the concept of stigma is around 40 years old, it has been much researched on and is widely used to draw implications both in social and cultural contexts. All societies have imparted convictions and implications which help them translate encounters and conduct. Implanted inside that framework are the regulations based on which is to be demonized and who is definitely not. Despite the fact that these guidelines may contrast from society to society, shame is for the most part considered an adverse, moral or judgemental meaning of an individual or social circumstance, regularly joined with disparaging, disrespect, fault, and attribution of obligation regarding the condition. Disgrace is not just connected to persons with undesirable physical properties. A great many people are acutely mindful that persons with undesirable characteristics, whether physical, mental or passionate, are effectively and immediately defamed. In British society, a great many people will concur that individuals are obviously disparaged on the premise of their race, society, financial status, sex and age. Notwithstanding, the presence of disgrace can be more treacherous when connected to those with physical and dysfunctional behaviour, inability or physical impedances, or when connected with ugliness, indiscrimination, kid/grown-up ill-use, same-sex introduction, medication utilization/misuse and passing. Once derided, the individual is discriminated as a worthy part of society, subsequently the expression ruined personality stated by Pearson et al., (2009) to depict the division of the deprived individuals from ordinary parts of society. Once named as an other, the slandered individual is then subjected to separation, the activity emulating the cognitive met hodology of derision.   LO1: Characteristics of Quantitative and Qualitative research methods It has been stated that in the current era of Modern science there are multiple ways of thinking and identifying qualitative and quantitative research. The disagreement between qualitative examination methodologies and other research techniques is in inconsistency with the methodological aspects, as well as shows up in the opposition, in the epistemological field. This implies that the instruments, as well as in the focal methodologies describe the generation of information. I accept that the qualitative epistemology is focused around standards that have vital methodological outcomes. Alternately, quantitative outline addresses the numerical delineation of proof examined and information gathered. Logical information from qualitative exploration is not legitimized by the quantity of subjects examined, however by the nature of its outflow (Bernard Bernard, 2013). The quantity of subjects to study reacts to a quantitative paradigm, characterized essentially by the needs of the learning procedure found sometime during the examination in factual means. Singular statement of the subject in both the techniques gets centrality as the spot which may have at one point for the generation of thoughts by the analyst. The data passed on by a specific subject can be a critical minute for the generation of learning, without essentially must be rehashed in different subjects and information gathering techniques. Qualitative exploration offers numerous perspectives with quantitative examination morals. Along these lines, the moral issues are appropriate to science as a rule to both the examination plans. Clearly, knowing the multifaceted nature of morals and good logic, it is prescribed that an exchange that is expected to approach moral judgements of qualitative examination ought to be upheld by a few hypotheses. At the same time there are such a variety of hypotheses that a well meaning push to actualize large portions of them in the investigation of a particular examination can get to be inefficient. Especially on account of quantitative exploration, it is important to incorporate individuals with capacity and readiness of reflection and correspondence that they comprehend social qualities, needs and powerlessness, and the concerns of potential study subjects (Bernard Bernard, 2013). Leading qualitative exploration is similarly less immoderate than directing quantitative examination. Qualitative research likewise turns out to be viable when the exploration obliges unlimited measure of data. LO2: Is Research evidence appropriate to health and social care practice Since the first instances of AIDS were distinguished in 1981, HIVs have been disparaged. The examination confirmation existed on this point involves to the broad accessibility of information and databases. Cao et al., (2010) recommended that in social and medicinal services connection, the dread of AIDS spread over our country, HIVs being deprived from their occupations, ousted from their homes, denied restorative tend to, savagery and expelled from their own particular families. Additionally, HIV-positive kids have been denied admission to schools, games groups and clubs, and have encountered badgering from other youngsters and folks of other kids. This social derision of HIVs is not restricted to the United Kingdom, either. In different nations, HIVs have been beaten to death; disregarded by neighbours, managers and social insurance specialists; and even compared to rehearsing witchcraft. As a result of its relationship with the unthinkable subject of male-to-male sex and the trepidation of tainting, society has reacted to HIV/AIDS by disparaging persons to avoid them as much as possible. Is this belittling got from outsiders, as well as it can be gotten from the HIVs relatives, companions and health awareness experts too. It is interesting to note that during an era when HIVs need social backing like never before, they are rather subjected to the threatening vibe and dismissal connected with HIV-related disgrace. Radcliffe et al., (2010) characterized the expression Helps related shame as a term that alludes to preference, reducing, undermining, and segregation guided at individuals saw to have AIDS or HIV, and the people, gatherings, and groups with which they are related. This belittling can be showed in numerous diverse ways, frequently focused around the current generalizations of the society. In the United Kingdom, HIV-related disgrace showed through seclusion, dismissal, stereotyping, segregation and off and on again savagery. Social Factors of HIV-Related Stigma HIV/ AIDS confront shame on numerous distinctive levels. Medicinal diseases as of now can be a disgrace of their own, particularly focused around the reality of the condition. Since there is right now no cure for HIV/ AIDS, the condition is viewed as deadly, a term which strikes fear in the hearts of the vast majority. In an examination article on Supports and Stigma, Wagner et al., (2010) demonstrates that there are four particular qualities of HIV/AIDS that inspire disgrace from society, specifically: 1) apparent obligation of the PWHIV in getting the illness, 2) the unalterable or degenerative nature of the malady, 3) the way that it can be an infectious infection and 4) the promptly obvious indications of the sickness which show as the ailment advances. Rao et al., (2012) draw a qualification between instrumental AIDS disgrace (identifying with the transmittable and deadly nature of HIV) and typical AIDS shame. Instrumental AIDS shame is an after-effect of societys characteristic apprehension of the illness and the absence of instruction on infection transmission. LO3: Examining research evidence with consideration to validity and reliability In assessing studies, numerous methodological concerns do develop. Maybe, the most vital concerns are reliability and validity of the exploration procedure. Reliability appraisal of a study device is a centre segment of behavioural research and can be used effectively into immediate perceptions by deciding best conceivable levels of presentation. A few strategies have been utilized that can give reliability of the survey estimation routines, including test-retest, Pearson coefficient, Kendalls coefficient, odd-even, and the proportional structures strategy. Social approval systems are substantial to the degree that they gauge what they claim to quantify. It is basic that great inward and outer validity be expressed as a social approval method. In addition, the outside validity of the evaluation methodology can be evaluated and still is faulty (Ritchie et al., 2013). The measurements analysts accept they are measuring may have little connection to what is really being measured and tha t face validity is deficient as the sole paradigm for assessing the validity of appraisal gadgets. One approach to survey validity would be to have the social approval evaluation created or reassessed by a board of masters or judges who are not included straightforwardly in the examination. An alternate technique would be to have a social approval evaluation of the social acceptance instrument. Case in point, in the wake of reacting to a poll, raters would react to a second survey that let them know the reason for the first survey and requested that the rate how well they thought the inquiries surveyed the reason (Ritchie et al., 2013). Also, analysts need to be mindful of radiance impacts, inclinations to tolerance or seriousness, focal propensity reactions, and position or closeness predispositions of raters, which might misleadingly improve the reliability of estimation without enhancing reaction exactness or validity. LO4: Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between research theory and health and social care practice Investigation demonstrates that social help whether perceived or genuine is especially paramount for females as they depend all the more on social connections contrasted with men in comparable circumstances. A few studies have recommended that apparent social backing is more vital than genuine backing. Social backing has been demonstrated to impact both well being conduct and well being conclusions. Further, social backing has been indicated to cradle the impact of natural stressors, in this way, minimizing antagonistic results of upsetting circumstances. There is an overall reported backwards relationship between social backing and misery among HIV-positive populaces. Albeit much is thought about HIV-related shame and HIV-divulgence, an audit of the writing uncovers an absence of understanding of how they influence misery. Consequently, the general objective of this study is to look at the connections between sorrow (a mental result of HIV illness) and HIV-related shame, exposure of HIV positive status, and social backing among African-American ladies with HIV infection. Cao et al., (2010) portrayed social backing as an indispensable asset that an individual must draw upon for survival. As a safety asset, social backing is hypothesized to have an immediate impact on both cognitive evaluation and adapting endeavours. Social backing can help more positive examinations of individual life circumstances and backing more powerful adapting. Social backing can serve to lessen instability and stress and give the individual a method for diversion, passionate help, sensitivity and sympathy, and accommodating data. Ritchie et al., (2013) further developed the idea of social help, expressing that there is an agreeable refinement between the number and sorts of social connections and the view of the estimation of such connections. The quantity of social connections is termed the informal community. The view of social connections is termed seen social backing. At long last, Ritchie et al., (2013) recommended that there are distinctive sorts of social backing, for example, passionate, instructive, or substantial, and the sort of help must additionally be considered notwithstanding the span of the informal community and the impression of the nature of help that is accessible. Cao et al., (2010) remarkable various studies that have demonstrated how social connections maintain wellbeing and on the other hand how low social help identifies with negative wellbeing results. Broad exploration has showed that social combination has significant physical and mental medical advantages for more established grown-ups. Whats more, social backing has been indicated to be identified with positive conclusions in individuals living with HIV and, all the more particularly, to gay men living with HIV. Actually, adults matured 50 years and more seasoned include in excess of 10% of the HIV-positive populace in the United Kingdom. This rate is most likely excessively low focused around the way that more established grown-ups are rarely tried for HIV. Not their doctors or the more established grown-ups themselves see that they are at danger for the sickness. This is further convoluted on the grounds that numerous manifestations of HIV can be camouflaged as results of maturing. Alongside ladies and minorities, more seasoned grown-ups are right now one of the quickest developing HIV-contaminated populaces. They are particularly defenceless against disease (by physical changes in the body with age and by disappointment to utilize proper insurance amid sex) and, when tainted, they are more averse to recognize the side effects, get tired and look for the help they require. LO5: Gather evidence from a variety of research sources, including charts, graphs and tables, from text and online sources Although, emotional distress serves as a motivator for help-seeking behavior, the fear of being stigmatized may cloud the person’s cognitive process of making the decision to seek help. As time is of the essence with HIV/ AIDS, this delay in seeking health or social services presents a real problem. HIV/AIDS cases are also on the rise in such marginalized groups as African-Americans, women and older adults. Therefore, in many cases, HIVs are already stigmatized prior to disclosure of their HIV-positive condition. They know all too well the results of being stigmatized and, therefore, may be even more unwilling to disclose their HIV-positive status. The HIV-related stigma, then, becomes a second or even third type of stigma that is forced upon them. In their study of HIV-related stigma received by African-American caregivers, Rudolph et al., (2010) stated that â€Å"social isolation stemming from HIV-related stigma may be exacerbated for women, for elderly people, and for people of colour†. Persons who get HIV through circumstances which were out of their control (i.e., blood transfusions, needle-sticks or mother-to-kid) are even subject to this kind of slander, particularly as their infection advances. Typical AIDS shame is a statement of the general publics negative state of mind connected with the transmission of HIV. Due to the way of HIV/ AIDS, it will in the end get to be important for the contaminated individual to look for restorative consideration, at any rate. The forceful enthusiastic impacts going with the ailment might likewise make the requirement for usage of social administrations.. As time is of the pith with HIV/ AIDS, this deferral in looking for well being or social administrations exhibits a genuine issue. To confound matters, more established grown-ups and some ethnic gatherings are now uncertain of western solution hones, human services associations and mental health administrations and, moreover, might not have equivalent access to these administ rations. Albeit one may think divulgence to administration suppliers may not act like incredible a danger of being criticized as exposure to family, companions or associates, it still has dangers. Conclusion Since, the situation of HIV/ AIDS, is inevitably vital for the HIV-positive individuals to look for restorative consideration, at any rate, the compelling passionate impacts going with the disease might likewise make the requirement for use of social administrations. To entangle matters, more established grown-ups and some ethnic gatherings are as of now uncertain of western medication hones, human services associations and mental health administrations and, moreover, might not have equivalent access to these administrations. Albeit one may think deprivation to administration suppliers may not act like incredible a danger of being derided as exposure to family, companions or associates, it still has dangers. Notwithstanding the hazard that the HIVs status may not be kept totally private, there is likewise the danger of being defamed by the very administration experts to whom the HIVs turns for help. Despite the fact that health awareness experts may not have any desire to confess to slandering HIVs, the examination has confirm that HIV-related shame keeps on being available among some of them (Wagner et al., 2010). Notwithstanding the solid impact HIV-related disgrace can have on the self, it is characteristic for individuals to oppose being disparaged, and in this way, the social shame of HIV/ AIDS may make unnecessary deterrents to get social and health awareness administrations. On the off chance that the HIVs urge to oppose defamation is stronger than their urge to look for help for themselves, they may evade usage of HIV-related administrations until such time that they cannot maintain a strategic distance from it any longer, maybe because of a hospitalization. References Bernard, H. R., Bernard, H. R. (2013).Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Sage. Cao, H., He, N., Jiang, Q., Yang, M., Liu, Z., Gao, M., Detels, R. (2010). Stigma against HIV-infected persons among migrant women living in Shanghai, China.AIDS Education and Prevention,22(5), 445. Pearson, C. R., Micek, M. A., Pfeiffer, J., Montoya, P., Matediane, E., Jonasse, T., Gloyd, S. S. (2009). One year after ART initiation: psychosocial factors associated with stigma among HIV-positive Mozambicans.AIDS and Behavior,13(6), 1189-1196. Radcliffe, J., Doty, N., Hawkins, L. A., Gaskins, C. S., Beidas, R., Rudy, B. J. (2010). Stigma and sexual health risk in HIV-positive African American young men who have sex with men.AIDS patient care and STDs,24(8), 493-499. Rao, D., Feldman, B. J., Fredericksen, R. J., Crane, P. K., Simoni, J. M., Kitahata, M. M., Crane, H. M. (2012). A structural equation model of HIV-related stigma, depressive symptoms, and medication adherence.AIDS and Behavior,16(3), 711-716. Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C. M., Ormston, R. (Eds.). (2013).Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. Sage. Roura, M., Urassa, M., Busza, J., Mbata, D., Wringe, A., Zaba, B. (2009). Scaling up stigma? The effects of antiretroviral roll-out on stigma and HIV testing. Early evidence from rural Tanzania.Sexually transmitted infections,85(4), 308-312. Rudolph, A. E., Davis, W. W., Quan, V. M., Ha, T. V., Minh, N. L., Gregowski, A., Go, V. (2012). Perceptions of community-and family-level injection drug user (IDU)-and HIV-related stigma, disclosure decisions and experiences with layered stigma among HIV-positive IDUs in Vietnam.AIDS care,24(2), 239-244. Wagner, A. C., Hart, T. A., Mohammed, S., Ivanova, E., Wong, J., Loutfy, M. R. (2010). Correlates of HIV stigma in HIV-positive women.Archives of womens mental health,13(3), 207-214.

The Image Made in China in Manufacturing :: Chinese Trade Manufacturing Appliances Essays

The Image "Made in China" in Manufacturing In order to provide the Chinese home appliance manufacturers consortium with assistance in achieving their goal of improving the â€Å"Made in China† image, our first objective was to accurately define the perception of products that are â€Å"Made in China.† In particular, to determine whether or not â€Å"Made in China† has a negative connotation in the U.S. marketplace and if so, to better understand the contributing factors to this perception. First, we conducted secondary research consisting of a review of literature and statistical studies. The focus was on the broader topic of a product’s country-of-origin and its effect on the consumer purchase decision process. Second, we focused on the specific impact of â€Å"Made in China† on purchase behavior. Third, to gain further insight into the consumer perception of â€Å"Made in China† in the home appliances category, we conducted primary research in the form of consumer surveys, retailer interviews and secret shopper studies. Finally, we conducted secondary research on the actions that can be taken to overcome or change a negative country-of-origin image. Secondary Research Our secondary research identified several key themes, all of which support the hypothesis that a product’s country-of-origin plays a significant role in the purchase decision process. These findings are summarized below: Impact of Country-of-Origin (COO) On Consumer Perceptions and Purchase Decision-Making Process: A number of statistical studies have explored the effect of country-of-origin on consumers’ perceptions of products and how it influences the decision-making process. Studies by Heslop and Papadopoulous (1993, 2000) concluded that COO image is one of the most important influences on decision making for foreign-made products. These studies revealed that buyers evaluate COO using multiple criteria including the country’s level of advancement, the buyer’s feelings about the people of the country and the buyer’s desire to be more closely aligned with the country. In addition, a study by Liefeld and Wall (1987, 1991, 1993) found a positive relationship between product evaluation and the degree of economic development of the COO. Support of these finding was found in a study by Wang and Lamb (1983) in which it was determined that U.S. consumers evaluate products according to the country in which they are produced. Culture, political situation and economic develo pment of the source country were contributing factors to this evaluation criterion. Further support that COO plays an important role in shaping consumers’ attitudes towards products was found in studies by Hong and Wyer & Nooh, Sa’ari, and Powers (1989, 1999). The Image "Made in China" in Manufacturing :: Chinese Trade Manufacturing Appliances Essays The Image "Made in China" in Manufacturing In order to provide the Chinese home appliance manufacturers consortium with assistance in achieving their goal of improving the â€Å"Made in China† image, our first objective was to accurately define the perception of products that are â€Å"Made in China.† In particular, to determine whether or not â€Å"Made in China† has a negative connotation in the U.S. marketplace and if so, to better understand the contributing factors to this perception. First, we conducted secondary research consisting of a review of literature and statistical studies. The focus was on the broader topic of a product’s country-of-origin and its effect on the consumer purchase decision process. Second, we focused on the specific impact of â€Å"Made in China† on purchase behavior. Third, to gain further insight into the consumer perception of â€Å"Made in China† in the home appliances category, we conducted primary research in the form of consumer surveys, retailer interviews and secret shopper studies. Finally, we conducted secondary research on the actions that can be taken to overcome or change a negative country-of-origin image. Secondary Research Our secondary research identified several key themes, all of which support the hypothesis that a product’s country-of-origin plays a significant role in the purchase decision process. These findings are summarized below: Impact of Country-of-Origin (COO) On Consumer Perceptions and Purchase Decision-Making Process: A number of statistical studies have explored the effect of country-of-origin on consumers’ perceptions of products and how it influences the decision-making process. Studies by Heslop and Papadopoulous (1993, 2000) concluded that COO image is one of the most important influences on decision making for foreign-made products. These studies revealed that buyers evaluate COO using multiple criteria including the country’s level of advancement, the buyer’s feelings about the people of the country and the buyer’s desire to be more closely aligned with the country. In addition, a study by Liefeld and Wall (1987, 1991, 1993) found a positive relationship between product evaluation and the degree of economic development of the COO. Support of these finding was found in a study by Wang and Lamb (1983) in which it was determined that U.S. consumers evaluate products according to the country in which they are produced. Culture, political situation and economic develo pment of the source country were contributing factors to this evaluation criterion. Further support that COO plays an important role in shaping consumers’ attitudes towards products was found in studies by Hong and Wyer & Nooh, Sa’ari, and Powers (1989, 1999).

Joshua And The Children :: essays research papers

Joshua and the Children There were a lot of reasons Joseph Girzone titled his book "Joshua and the Children". I think the main reason for the title was because of Joshua’s purpose in the town. The author explains how Joshua is there to fulfill "his Father’s" promise. Joshua wants to teach all the children of the town to get along and be at peace with each other. Joshua says it is too late for the adults to learn the way, who have lived hateful lives. Joshua must turn to the children if he wishes to change the future. He believes that if he teaches the children to not hate, and to respect others, regardless of racial or ethnic differences, then the world will improve when they become adults. This new generation will then bring happiness to the world. Joshua knows that these children were victims of their parents’ wrongdoings. He knows that they were born into a society filled with hate. Hate for members of a different race. Hate without reasoning. He fee ls it is wrong what the adults are doing to the children. They are being brought up to believe that it is OK to mistreat somebody who is "different" from you. This is why Joshua felt he should teach the children, and not the adults. Once Joshua started to communicate with the children, and got to know them better the adults were amazed at how Joshua related to the children so well. He knew their names right from the second he met them, he played their games, and he even let himself lose at them too. Eventually the adults in the town began to realize that whoever this Joshua really was, he was a role model for each and every one of them. The Muslim boy was a very important character in this book. He and one his friends went down to the square where Joshua met with the children every day. His friend told Joshua that the boy was blind. Everybody in the square watched in disbelief as Joshua cured the boy’s blindness with the touch of his hand. The boy’s family were the weapons distributors. After seeing that Joshua was able to fix their boy, they too became good people and thus, making the town a better place. The final event in the story that showed peace was achieved was a soccer game with the Catholics playing against the Protestants.

How To Wash A Car Essay -- essays research papers

How to wash a car There is many different ways to wash a car, but here is the correct way that generally works for the majority of people. Washing a car thoroughly takes five different steps to complete a clean exterior. Step1: Wheels are a good place to start, because the cleaning products for wheels work best on dry surfaces. Spray on the solution as directed by the instructions, and see if the dirt and dust is removed. Use a little more spray in bad areas to help get the wheels completely clean. Try and get all road grime and grease off of the wheels. Use a soft brush to clean cracks and crevices on the wheels, but don't scrub too hard. If you have alloy wheels, make sure that the cleaner is safe for the clear coat that may be on it. Rinse the wheels off and after all dirt and grime is removed. Try and keep any abrasives like steel wool pads and wire brushes away from the wheels. This could damage them by scratching the surface of the wheel. Step2: Use the hose to wet the car thoroughly from top to bottom. It is better to use a pistol grip hose nozzle, and set it to make a big stream that will drive off bird droppings and other dirty spots on the car. Try to avoid high-pressure handles that are found at self-serve places. High-pressure handles can damage a car by driving road grime into the finish, rather than washing it off. Also try to aim the hose up under the car and into the wheel wells to wash off road salt and gunk that has accumulated. Step3: If there's still is...

Anwar Sadat and Margaret Atwood

Practice Essay These two speeches through their enduring power of intellectual and artistic qualities connected and compelled their audiences to reassess and challenge the message within their speeches. â€Å"Statement to the Knesset† (1977) by Anwar Sadat, using biblical references, forces audiences to see and envisage the wonders of his unified narrative for social, cultural and political change.Throughout the speech â€Å"Statement to the Knesset† (1997) by Anwar Sadat, his themes and ideas can be seen through his enduring power and artistic qualities, and his audiences are emotionally and intellectually engaged and thus more responsive to Sadat’s deliverance of their own views on their beliefs and aspirations. â€Å"Spotty-Handed Villainesses† (1994) by Margaret Atwood, using subversive irony and humour, forces her audiences to deconstruct the deception of ‘evil’ women within literature and with her enduring power engages her audiences in cries for the dismantling of social gender roles.The speeches set for study mould responders into co-authors whereby being engaged by the speeches enduring power of their intellectual and artistic qualities, and their audiences embrace the speeches worthy messages. Thus both speeches continue to be valid in the present day. Atwood discusses the relationship between literature and reality – in literature there is a requirement that ‘something else has to happen’ in the form of the plot, climax and resolution to engage the text. In reality we are happy with a ‘kind of eternal breakfast’ and we ask for nothing to really happen. In life we may ask for nothing more than a kind of eternal breakfast†. Yet, this doesn’t mean that literature is merely art divorced from real life. Atwood believes that the gender cross over and revolution in literature is a direct result in the recent history of the women’s movement. Thus by the enduring pow er of Atwood’s intellectual and artistic qualities, Atwood compares the relationship between literature and reality. Atwood then considers the women’s movement. Atwood welcomes the freedom to show different sorts of female behaviour and sees the feminist movement as beneficial, such as ‘the way power works in gender relations’. Isn’t bad behaviour supposed to be the monopoly of men? † Atwood is saying that these extreme feminists suggest that the ownership of bad behaviour in literature is for men only, not women. Therefore Atwood’s enduring power advises her audiences to look at what women are being perceived as through the women’s movement. Atwood criticises extreme feminists. Who show a tendency ‘to polarise morality by gender-that is, women were essentially good and men bad’. Novelists are seen as anti-feminist if women are cast as villainesses. Why should bad behaviour be ‘reserved’ for men? † Atwood sees bad behaviour as written in literature as socially realistic. Thus by Atwood’s intellectual and artistic qualities, she put-forth to her audiences how extreme feminists are stating that in literature women are meant to be perceived as good characters. Atwood questions how characters in novels should behave. The fact that audiences expect the male characters in Atwood’s novels should be stronger and that female characters are expected to be deprived of their free will, as in, the patriarchy made her do it.Atwood mockingly asserts â€Å"This is which should more properly be taken up with God†. Atwood explains that after all he was the one who created Adam who ‘sacrificed eternal life for an apple’. A female character could think the unthinkable and say the unsayable, however, according to the new moral thermometer of the times, it would be considered good and that the women who did them were praiseworthy. And so using the enduring power o f intellectual and artistic qualities, Atwood reveals her point of view of how male and female characters in novels should behave.Atwood negates this viewpoint with an overview of wicked women. As shown in the world’s literature, claiming wicked women exist in real life, so they have a place in literature. Atwood explains to her audiences some of the numerous bad female literary characters she knows of. Atwood points out that â€Å"there are bad women who do bad things for bad reasons, good women who do good things for good reasons, good women who do bad things for good reasons, bad women who do bad things for good reasons, and so forth†. Atwood gives xamples such as the Queen from Snow White and Lady Macbeth from Shakespeare’s play Macbeth and explains how that character portrays a wicked woman. Thus Atwood clarifies how wicked women are perceived in literature using the enduring power of her intellectual and artistic qualities. Sadat’s bid was to save h is Egyptian people and the entire Arab Nation from war. The main duty dictated by his responsibility is to exhaust all and every means in a bid to save his Egyptian Arab people and the entire Arab Nation of the horrors of new, shocking and destructive wars, which are, as Sadat says, foreseen by no other than God himself. I was convinced that the obligation of responsibility before God, and before the people, that I would go to the farthest corner of the world to address the Members of the Knesset†. Sadat is saying that he would do anything possible to address the Members of the Knesset, the representatives of the people of Israel, and Sadat would acquaint them with all the facts surging inside of him. And through his enduring power of his intellectual and artistic qualities Sadat shows his audiences what he is willing to do, to save his Egyptian people and the entire Arab Nation.The shock value of Sadat taking the initiative is partly why his mission had such diplomatic effect and change. When Sadat announced his decision to the entire world before the Egyptians people’s assembly, majority of the people were surprised and amazed. Some, gripped by the violent surprise, believed that Sadat’s decision was no more than â€Å"verbal juggling to cater for world public opinion†. Yet, other still interpreted it as political tactics to camouflage Sadat’s intention of launching a new war. But in the end Sadat’s speech had been successful and the wars between the Egyptian people and the Arab people had stopped.Therefore through Sadat’s long lasting rhetorical questions and themes and ideas he tells his audiences how his decision affected and changed the world. Sadat believes a landmark change of course is needed and the governments must arise above all forms of fanaticism and value life. Sadat believes that they must all rise above all forms of fanaticism, self-deception and obsolete theories of superiority. â€Å"The fami lies are still moaning under the cruel pain of widowhood and bereavement of sons, fathers and brothers†.Sadat using his enduring power of intellectual and artistic qualities he explains to his audiences that he truly believes that instead of worrying about the wars and the disagreements, they should all be more concerned about their people and how they are still grieving over their family members. Thus through Sadat’s intellectual and artistic qualities, he informs his audiences the reasons behind why there is a need for change. Sadat wanted a peace based on justice in the entire region, not just between Egypt and Israel. He states that there can be no peace without Palestine.Sadat said that that he and his people â€Å"do not want to encircle you or be encircled ourselves by destructive missiles ready for launching, nor by the shells of grudges and hatred†. Using his repetition of â€Å"a permanent peace based on justice† Sadat explained to his audiences that the Egyptians truly seek peace, and welcome the Israelis to live among them in peace and security. So, through the use of Sadat’s enduring power of his intellectual and artistic qualities, he shows his reason for wanting a peace based on justice between their entire region.In the conclusion of his speech, Sadat asks for partnership in the formation of a ‘peace agreement in Geneva’. Sadat explained the details of the partnership using enumeration. He summed it up to make five points. â€Å"Third: the right of all states in the area to live in peace within their boundaries†. Through his use of intellectual and artistic qualities, Sadat is telling his audiences that if this peace agreement is approved, he will make sure that everyone would be able to lie safely and in peace.In conclusion I believe that both speeches by, Anwar Sadat and Margaret Atwood, through their enduing power of intellectual and artistic qualities, and in much detail have given their audiences an enormous amount of information about their topics. Atwood proved to us that in literature, women can be either the good or bad character, because men are not always the bad person. And that people should overcome the idea of men being portrayed as bas characters all the time. Sadat similarly told his audiences that the Egyptian and the Israeli people can overcome the differences between them and start a permanent peace based on justice.

Freedom Road Term Paper Essay

Howard Fast, the author of the book Freedom Road, was born on November 11, 1914 and died at the age of 89 on March 12, 2003. Fast lived a long and adventurous life. A few of the things he did throughout his lifetime were; joining the American Communist party in 1943, serving a prison term in 1950 for refusing to cooperate with the House Committee on Un-American Activities, and his books were purged from American school libraries. On the other hand some of the positive things that happened in his life was that in 1953, he was rewarded the Stalin Peace Prize and in June of 1937 he married his first wife, Bette Cohen. In adjunction with his adventurous lifestyle, Fast spent most of his time writing. He wrote seven works of nonfiction, two autobiographies, fifty-two novels, five short stories one essay, and seven Masao Masuto Mysteries under the Penn name E.V. Cunningham. As well as writing, he created two films based off novels. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Fast) In the book Freedom Road, Howard Fast tells a fictional story based off the true events that occurred during the Constitutional Convention. The beginning of the book does not start the way most books start. This novel starts by talking about the main character, Gideon, as if we are supposed to know who he is. At first, this is confusing but after a couple of pages, you catch on and start to understand a lot easier. The first thing we are told about in the book is how all of the freed men from the small town of Charleston, had left a few weeks back to go vote. However, neither the town nor the men who left knew what voting actually was. Not knowing what voting was, made everyone who stayed in town very nervous and worried, they were not sure whether or not those men would be coming home or not. Therefore, when they men were spotted walking back into town everyone was extremely excited and could not wait to hear all about this voting thing. However, it seemed that none of the men were really talking, until one of them tells the town that they have some big news to share with everyone. Thus far, into the book, we have yet to hear from the main character, and we have actually been reading from his wives point of view. Once the returning men started talking, the book transitions from the wives point of view to Gideon’s, and that is when things start to pick up. We learn that the men’s big news is the fact that Gideon was elected to be a delegate. Because of his prowess in battle, the other ex-slaves looked to him as their leader in peacetime, but he was an uneducated man who felt himself unsuited for leadership. Yet knowing that his people wanted and needed him, he was determined to make himself fit into the pattern their hopes had cut out for him. However, none of them truly knew what a delegate was or what exactly a delegate did. The only thing they really knew was the Gideon would be receiving a letter once all the votes were counted to tell him if he had won the election. Several months go past in the book and nothing happens, no one in the town hears anything about Gideon being elected. Then one day, the postal man comes around and hands Gideon the letter that he had been waiting for. At this point in the book, we find out how afraid he is to go to Charleston because he is a â€Å"nigger.† He feels as though he is not very smart. He does not want to go â€Å"to city full of white houses†¦ full of white folks making fun†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 16-17). So in order to help him overcome that fear Brother Peter tells him the people need a leader and because of how strong Gideon is physically and mentally, he was chosen to represent them. Because of Brother Peter, Gideon decides to go to Charleston. When he arrives in Charles and he realizes that, he has no money and no place to sleep, so he ends up sleeping under a hay barrel for the first night. It is the next morning when Gideon is offered a couple of cents for some physical labor, he reluctantly accepts the job realizing that he has no other option but to. Because of that money he is able to rent a room for the nights he will be at the convention, buy some food, and clothes that will look appropriate for the convention. Moreover, this is when we start getting into the convention. For the first couple of days Gideon was determined not to speak at the convention, in fear of making a fool of himself in front of all the educated white folk. Yet one day he is outraged and just cannot help himself, he gets up and speaks. Nevertheless, he was still embarrassed that he could not find the right words for what he was saying and for the fact that he sounded very uneducated compared to some of the rest. However when he was given some books that taught him how to read and speak properly, he began to speak out more and voice his opinion. To his surprise he was heard, people started to listen to what he was saying, and even siding with him. Fast explains that the Constitutional Convention worked because, though neither black nor poor whites were overly fond of each other, both realized they had a common enemy in a planter group. With the help of Gideon’s voice, and many others they fought against the planter group. The fought for a system of public schools, the abolition of imprisonment for debt, a simple and fair divorce law, a statute making it impossible for a wife’s property to be sold in settlement of her husband’s debts, and a measure for universal suffrage – which, came as close as man had ever come to giving women a break and land. Even though he fought for all of these things, the most important ones for Gideon were fair and equal education, and lan d. Throughout his time at the convention lets his wife slip away from him and stands by while a white northerner helps Gideon’s oldest son, Jeff, through medical school in Scotland; there was no medical school in America free enough from prejudice to accept him. Gideon loses site at what he loves the most in his life, and lets them all slip away because freedom seems more important than family. Some of the themes of this book are love and understanding, vigilance and perseverance, and hope. The reason why I say that a theme is love and understanding is because in the beginning of the book we hear about how his wife has stayed by his side through thick and thin. She waited for him though the war that he willingly signed up to go fight for. She let him go vote because she realized that even though no one knew exactly what it was, it was something of importance to her husband. In addition, though she has just gotten her husband back and did not want him to leave again; she understoo d that this was something that he needed to do. She stood by his side, maybe not physically but mentally, throughout the entirety of the convention. Although this theme is not a main theme in the book, I think that it is a rather important one. The other theme I had mentioned was vigilance and perseverance. I believe these two themes are the main themes of the book, because everyone in this book is persevering in one way or another. Brother Peter insists that Gideon goes to the convention. Everyone at the convention is pushing for exactly what it is that they want written down, and his son is moving to a land unknown to him for an education that he cannot receive where he is. The last theme I had mentioned was hope. I believe that hope is the most predominant theme throughout the book, because every single person has hope. In the beginning, the town and the men who left were hoping that this voting thing was not going to get them killed. Gideon’s wife hoped that he would not leave her again, and when he did, she hoped that he would be okay and that she would get to see him again. The people of the convention all held on to the hope that what they say and what they want will be written down into a law. Then we have Gideon himself, he has hope that he will be able to read, write and give all freed slaves the right to an education. The theme of hope plays repeatedly throughout the story. All of the stories characters played a large role in the book, everyone influenced the book in one way or another, but a few of the characters that stood out to me are Brother Peter, Gideon, and Cardozo. The first character that really stands out to me is Brother Peter. I think the fact that he did not stand up and ask people to vote for him, as a delegate was a selfless act. All of the people in town look up to him and ask him for advice, they would have easily voted for him as they did Gideon, but brother Peter knew that Gideon would have more to learn from being a delegate than he would. Brother Peter also knew that Gideon would have more of a fight in him than he would. I th ink the reason why Brother Peter was so pushy about Gideon going to the convention was that he knew that Gideon would get things done. The other character that stands out to me is Gideon. Gideon starts in the beginning of the book being illiterate, but pushes though the struggle of learning how to read and write by himself. He also struggles with the fact that he is poor and does not measure up to some of the other people in the convention. Gideon fights for education and freedom so much that he lets go of everything that he truly loves. He lets his wife slip away and his son leaves. He forgets that he has people waiting for him back home. Even though I hate that he loses sight of the place he came from and his family, he over comes many struggles and fights to achieve his goals. The other character that stands out to me is Cardozo. Cardozo is the first person at the convention that comes up and talks to Gideon. I like the way Cardozo sees things differently, he is a black man that has been free all his life, got an education, socialized around white people his entire life. Therefore, when he first talks to Gideon he wants him to explain why black people should have en education. Once Gideon explains himself Cardozo understands, and helps Gideon as much as he can. He introduces him to all the right people, he supports him in the convention, and most of all he gave Gideon books that taught him how to read and write. He gave Gideon what he had come to fight for. I think it takes very kindhearted people to stand by someone who cannot even form the words to fight by themselves. Before I actually started reading this story, I thought it was going to be another extremely boring history book, however once I started I could not put it down. The way this story was written was fabulous. The way Fast incorporated Gideon’s thoughts, his writing and speaking was interesting. I loved that the real facts of what happened during that time was not just thrown in our faces, it was mixed into the fictional story that kept you interested. I think the way that we are lead through the past so effortlessly was a fascinating way to keep reader interested. I like the way Fast incorporated all the different kinds of people at the convention. In the story, the laws of freedom, education, and land would not have got through without the black folks and poor white folks being there. I think the way Fast portrayed Gideon, as a strong illiterate freedman was a great way to grab the reader’s attention and walk us through the past in a wonderful way. I think the only thing that Fast is really missing is more of Gideon speaking. Fast does an excellent narration of illiterate folks, but he does not do enough of it. Overall, this book was great, I will most likely be keeping it, and not reselling it so I can re-read it repeatedly.