Woman in the Life of African Essay Example for Free

Woman in the Life of African Essay The life of nineteenth century African American women was marred by an unfortunate social practice called slavery. While such unjust living condition affected both men and women, the harmful impact was more on women. This is because in the context of slavery, it was the women who suffered worse and the ones who were subjected to more damaging treatment than men. Coupled with race-related burdens, it was slavery and all its harmful manifestations which forced women to perform roles inside their homes and within the society that definitely opposed their supposedly conventional roles in an ideal American community. Simply put, it is their being a woman that determined and played a more important role in their lives than being an African American. This is because it was their very gender which caused them to become slaves and to experience other sex-related injustices. Therefore, it is ironic that while being a woman was supposed to protect the African American women from slavery and to provide them with dignity, it was specifically their womanhood that made their lives miserable and painful — as explained and illustrated by Deborah Gray White in her book, â€Å"Ar’n’t I a Woman? : Female Slaves in the Plantation South. † In challenging the stereotypes concerning African-American women, the book creates a bigger and more in-depth representation of the real existence of women. That is, it was not only their race or their being African-American that made them as work and sex slaves, but it was more their being women that caused them to suffer. Through the exploration and analysis made by the author on the daily ways of life, jobs, as well as roles and relationships within the family and society of 19th century women, the book allows the readers to realize that being a woman has a great significance in the kind of life that they experienced. Female Slavery White, through the book, presents that it was being a woman that played a more relevant function in the life of 19th century African-American women. This is the premise explained and emphasized in the book as it effectively provides an analysis of the overdue existence of women slavery. In fact, the title itself is a clear reflection of the underlying meaning that the kind of living experienced by the female population in the Plantation South was rooted in the fact that they were female. The shortened statement â€Å"Arnt I a Woman? † actually signifies a kind of objection as to how and why women were subjected to slavery considering they are important members of a society which is supposed to take care of them, protect them, and assure them of their rights. With slavery however, it unfortunately turned out otherwise as it was their very sense of being a woman that was considered to be the reason why they were made into slaves. This is because their being a woman indicated their susceptibility to slavery and other forms of inhumane treatment, which thereby affected the manner in which they struggled and eventually survived. Most importantly, female slavery emerged because they were seen and regarded as one whose sexual and employment rights may be violated. This explanation is justified in the book when the author concludes that â€Å"Slave women were the only women in America who were sexually exploited with impunity, stripped and whipped with a lash, and worked like oxen† (White 162). Thus, they were made into slaves and were sexually abused not because they were African American, but because they were African American women. Not Protected While White’s book depicts a general representation of 19th century African American women in the light of their race and gender, personal experiences became the foundation of the concept that it was the reality of being a woman that created a stronger impact in their lives. This was due to the fact that female slaves, as illustrated by the characters of the sexually abused â€Å"Jezebel† and loyal slave â€Å"Mammy,† showed how their womanhood caused them to be utterly neglected and abused by the society, particularly by the men. As White stresses: â€Å" only slave women were so totally unprotected by men or by law women had their womanhood so totally denied† (162). Further, it was through the demeaning stereotyping of black women that the personalities in the book practically came alive. This is because they supposedly represented the apparent promiscuous persona and conduct of African-American women which, in turn, served as a justification for their slavery, discrimination, and sexual abuse in the hands of both black and white men and the community in general. The stereotyping or negative characterization of â€Å"Jezebel† and â€Å"Mammy† aggravated the already unguarded condition of being a woman. This is shown by how â€Å"Jezebel† supposedly manifested a natural sensuality and sexual drive that it became inevitable for slave owners to sexually abuse the â€Å"lustful† women slaves (White 36). Both characters affirmed that being a woman led one to be susceptible to slavery and sexual abuse. Such was the condition as their respective womanhood created a notion that black women were forced to domestic slavery and into becoming sex objects. Most of all, their being female did not protect them from any kind of violation because their gender or stature in the society made them as mere human properties particularly created for their masters’ desires such as sexual satisfaction and forced labor. Conclusion The blatant and unacceptable realities presented in the book â€Å"Arnt I a Woman† by Deborah Gray White only confirm the idea that it was the fact that they were female that brought much suffering and misfortunes into the lives of 19th century African American women. More than this however, â€Å"Arnt I a Woman† also presents an unlikely condition that being a woman during a period when slavery existed had its rewarding side. This is because despite the abuses, it was their optimistic sense of being a woman that enabled them to create strong personal relationships and female groups within the society. Work Cited White, Deborah Gray. Arnt I a Woman? : Female Slaves in the Plantation South. New York: W. W. Norton Company, Inc. , 1985.

Use of the Internet as a Tool for Piracy Essays -- Expository Essays R

Use of the Internet as a Tool for Piracy The internet is an ever increasingly powerful tool for finding everything from entertainment to reference to daily news. When first created, the internet was only a shadow of what it has become. Most people didn't even have a computer, let alone a connection to the internet. In the last decade, however, computers have become more and more affordable, and internet service providers have become far more widespread. According to the World Almanac and Book Of Facts 2001 "By early 2000, more than 300 million people around the world were using the Internet, and it is estimated that by 2005, 1 billion people may be connected" (World Almanac). As with any new, powerful technology, the internet has brought with its positive aspects, a number of new problems which will have to be dealt with in the next several years. One of the biggest controversies which has spawned from the popularity of the net is the piracy of music, software, and movies. In the past, piracy of music and movies was fairly small scale. The only way to make illegal copies of tapes was to dub them in a double tape deck. This process was slow enough that music companies and movie studios didn't really worry about it. With the advancement of technology, however, piracy has become as easy as burning a CD or downloading music from the internet. The ease with which people can get free copies of songs or movies, production companies have tried to crack down on piracy. Piracy is the copying of copyrighted material without permission from the author. Because technology is always changing, there are no fail safe methods of preventing piracy. Soon after a new preventative method comes out, someone finds a way around it, making pr... ...reate key generators that produce a valid code. Hard as designers might try, they will never be able to make a totally hacker proof program. Piracy has been a problem for many years, and every time a new method of prevention is created, a new loophole is discovered. Piracy may be illegal, but because of ambiguous laws and the relative anonymity of downloading from the web, authorities will be hard pressed to ever crack down on individual bootleggers. No matter how hard people try to end piracy, there will always be people who want free music and movies and software badly enough to make copies and exchange it illegally. Napster. Napster Incorporated. September 20, 2001 . Selvin, Joel. â€Å"Did Napster Help Boost Record Sales.† The San Francisco Chronicle August 5, 2001. â€Å"The Internet and Computers: Internet Basics.† World Almanac and Book of Facts. 2000 ed.

Jet Study Case Study Essay

1. What types of information systems and business functions are described in this case? Information systems: JetBlue’s reservation system used for tracking baggage and scheduling is an example of a Transaction Processing System (TPS) – a computerized system that performs and records the daily routing transactions necessary to conduct business. JetBlue’s system for managing planes and crews is an example of a Management Information System (MIS). The system served middle management with information obtained from its TPS that was essential in making the right decision when managing planes and crews. Business functions: JetBlue’s communication, reservation and computer systems were described in this case. They represent Sales and IT business functions. 2. What is JetBlue’s business model? JetBlue business model was saving money both from streamlined information systems and lean staffing, while offering top-notch customer service at budget prices. The airline featured new Airbus A320 planes with leather sears, each equipped with a personal TV screen, and averaging one way fares of only $99 per passenger. JetBlue was able to offer low fares by using information systems to automate key processes such as ticket sales by mostly selling them online and baggage handling, by introducing electronic tags to help track luggage. Both initiatives eliminated paper, increased efficiency and lowered costs. Initially, JetBlue flew only one type of aircraft: the Airbus 320. This approach enabled the airline to standardize flight operations and maintenance procedures. Both measures resulted in significant savings. How do its information systems support the business model? JetBlue used a single vendor, Microsoft, to design JetBlue’s extensive network of information systems. Using a single vendor provided a technology framework where JetBlue could keep a small staff and favor in-house development of systems over outsourcing or relying on consultants, allowing the company to keep its costs low. 3. What was the problem experienced by JetBlue in this case? JetBlue’s senior management made an incorrect decision to maintain its schedule during an ice storm. Nine airplanes were stranded on the tarmac for anywhere  between six and ten hours. JetBlue waited too long to solicit help for the stranded passengers because the airline figured the planes would take off eventually. Meanwhile, the weather conditions and the delays and cancellation of other flights caused customers to flood JetBlue’s reservation system, which could not handle that much traffic. At the same time, many of the airline’s pilots and flight crews were also stranded and unable to get to locations where they could replace crews that had just worked their maximum hours without rest, but did not actually go anywhere. What management, organization, and technology factors were responsible for the problem? Management factors: JetBlue did not have a Decision Support System that would support nonrou tine decision making and focus on unique and changing problems by using information from TPS, MIS and other external sources. Such a system would allow JetBlue’s management to make a better informed decision whether or not they should maintain their schedule during an ice storm or cancel all flights. Organizational factors: JetBlue lacked an Enterprise Resource Planning System that would help significantly to help locate missing baggage and quickly locate airline’s pilots and flight crews. Technology factors: JetBlue’s transaction processing system and lean staffing were responsible for the problem. Under normal circumstances, the lean staff was sufficient to handle all operations and the computer systems functioned well below their capacity. However, during a radical increase in activity, tasks such as rebooking passengers, handling baggage and locating crew members became impossible. 4. Based on what you’ve learned in this chapter, what kinds of systems and business functions were involved in JetBlue’s problem? It seems the company did not plan for something like that to ever happen. All systems and business functions focused on performing day-to-day activities. JetBlue did not have any enterprise applications that are designed to coordinate multiple functions and business processes. Enterprise systems integrate the key internal business processes of a firm into a single software system to improve coordination, efficiency, and decision making. It would allow their SkySolver and Sabre systems to communication more effectively and efficiently. During the crisis, some flight attendants were unable to get in touch with anyone who could tell them what do for three days. The system  would help locating the flight crews and off-duty crews and direct them to the correct destination. The transaction processing systems (TPS) used by JetBlue was not designed to handle a significant increase in activity. The principle purpose of TPS is to answer routing questions and to track the flow of transactions through the organization. Due to an increased number of phone calls, the system was not able to perform those functions. It also looks like JetBlue did not have a decision-support system (DSS) in place to support nonroutine decision making. Since DSS focuses on problems that are unique and rapidly changing, it could have helped the company deal with the crisis more efficiently and effectively. Since a well designed ESS system would expose the fragility of the infrastructure, it can be assumed that company’s executive support systems (ESS) was either non-existing or did not function as intended. There was also no Customer Relationship Management System. A well designed Customer Relationship Management System would allow JetBlue better communication with its customers. During the crisis when so many flights were cancelled, the process of rebooking and looking for baggage became unma nageable. 5. Evaluation JetBlue’s response to the crisis. What solutions did the airline come up with? Throughout the debacle, JetBlue’s CEO David G. Neelman was very visible and forthcoming with accountability and apologies. On the technology front, JetBlue deployed new software that would send recorded message to pilots and flight attendants to inquire about their availability. Once the call is returned, it would be entered into a system that stores the date for access and analysis. From a staffing point standpoint, the airline promised to create backups from the airline corporate office for the departments that were stretched too thin by the effects of the storm. JetBlue also created a customer bill of rights to enforce standards for customer treatment and airline behavior. The company changed its operational philosophy to make more accommodation for inclement weather. How were these solutions implemented? The new software was implemented by JetBlue. 100 employees from the Corporate Office were trained to serve as backups. Customer Bill of Rights enforced standards for customer treatment and airline behavior. JetBlue set the  maximum time for holding passengers on a delayed plane to five hours. JetBlue would be penalized when it failed to provide proper service and customers who were subjected to poor service would be rewarded. Do you think that JetBlue found the correct solutions and implemented the correctly? I think JetBlue’s took a step in the right direction. It implemented a new software that would search for available pilots faster and trained additional employees to serve as backups. What other solutions can you think of that JetBlue has not tried? I believe there are many solutions that would be beneficial to JetBlue. They are: * Creating an Enterprise Risk Management process in the organization. The process would allow JetBlue to identify possible shortcomings that might happen in the future and allow the company to be more prepared. * If JetBlue lacked expertise within the company to identified areas of concern, it could have brought outside consultants that would be able to pinpoint all of the company’s shortcomings. * The case did not talk about how JetBlue fixed its Open Skies reservations system, its website or its system for tracking lost luggage. All of the abovementioned systems failed during the crisis on February 14, 2007. Solutions such as a more powerful reservation system, an enhanced website that would allow more traffic and a computerized system for recording and tracking lost bags would be beneficial to the company. 6. How well is JetBlue prepared for the future? Are the problems described in this case likely to be repeated? Even though JetBlue made some changes to ensure that another crisis won’t happen, I am not convinced all necessary actions were performed by the company. JetBlue should be more proactive in ensuring that future problems won’t affect its operations – rather than being reactive and fixing problems that came to the surface. Which of JetBlue’s business processed are most vulnerable to breakdowns? The bigger problem for JetBlue is changing its culture and philosophy. It seems that JetBlue is still unwilling to invest significant amounts of money into modern and reliable technology and ensure they have proper staffing – that’s why I feel that IT area is most vulnerable to breakdown first. How much will a customer bill of rights help? The customer bill of rights was designed for the protection of the customer,  not the airline. It is there to ensure the airline is responsible for the unfair treatment of the customer. It will help bring some of the customers back, however, it won’t fix JetBlue’s problems to future breakdowns.

How Cloze Reading Can Be Used to Solidify Learning

Cloze reading is an instructional strategy where users are required to fill in the blanks within a passage with correct words from a word bank. Cloze reading is used to assess a students understanding of vocabulary. STAR Reading is an online assessment program that embraces cloze reading passages. Many teachers create cloze reading passages to assess student vocabulary understanding within a particular story or passage or a group of spelling words. Cloze reading passages are easily created and can be adjusted to specific content and/or grade level. Cloze Reading Passages Teachers can also have students create their own cloze reading passages as they read a story. This makes the learning more authentic. It also helps students find and make connections between key vocabulary within in the story and how their meaning enhances the story. Finally, students can exchange their cloze reading passages with other classmates. This naturally reinforces the critical components of the story including key vocabulary as students interact with each other and share what they created. This gives students ownership in the learning process. Cloze Reading as a Study Tool Cloze reading can also be used to help students study and prepare for a test. Students can be taught to create their own study guide using the cloze reading process. They can essentially build their own version of the test from their notes. As they put together the guide, it cements the content, makes the connections, and helps them remember it. Providing students with this skill will help them develop better study habits that can help them succeed throughout life. Most students struggle with test and quizzes because they do not know how to study. They simply read through their notes and call it studying. True studying is a much more rigorous and time-consuming process. Developing cloze reading passages that align to a test is one way to study more authentically. Five examples of cloze reading: 1. An elephant is a ____________________________ mammal with a trunk and large ears. A. microscopic B. enormous C. vigorous D. small 2. The radius of a circle is one-half the ___________________________________. A. circumference B. chord C. diameter D. arc 3. A dog chased a cat down the alley. Luckily, the cat was able to escape by climbing over a fence. The word alley refers to a ___________________________________? A. sidewalk running through a neighborhood B. narrow road that between buildings C. open field in a park D. long hallway connecting two parts of a building 4. ______________________________ was the twenty-seventh president of the United States of America and later became the only former president who also became a Supreme Court justice? A. George H. W. Bush B. Theodore Roosevelt C. Martin Van Buren D. William Howard Taft 5. The phrase time is money is an example of a ________________________________. A. Metaphor B. Simile C. Alliteration D. Onomatopoeia