G.I. Jane essays

G.I. Jane essays The movie is about a female soldier that is going to Special Forces training. This training is only supposed to be for men, and she will be the first woman at this training. She went to the training because the Senator from Texas wanted to prove that women can do the same job that a man can. However, the Senator just wanted publicity to get votes. The Senator ended up trying to take her out of the training because she made a deal to keep some military bases open which she thought would get herself elected. The Senator finally changed her mind, and the Navy Lieutenant got to finish her training, and she became a SEAL (SEa Air Land). She went on a real mission at the end, and was able to rescue her trainer, a Master Chief. The main point of the movie that I will focus on is the discrimination of women inside the workplace. I found that in the American Military, women are discriminated against. They are not allowed to do the same jobs as the men are, like going on submarines, or serving in the special forces. The men feel that the women are either too weak, or that they simply cant do the same amount of work that a man can. In the movie, Lieutenant ONeil was able to keep up with all the men. She complained any time she was treated any different than the other people in her company. She did not want any special treatment for her being a girl. After a while, she proved that with a strong character, and a strong will, everyone has an equal chance of meeting their goals. In her case, she was able to overcome all the obstacles that were put in her way, and successfully completed the training. In my opinion, the United States people feel that a womans life is more valuable than a mans. It has always been that way, and still the same. For a long time, the people of the United States wont change their mind, and that is a point of view that the whole world shares. ...

Phil Spector and the Murder of Lana Clarkson

Phil Spector and the Murder of Lana Clarkson On February 3, 2003, police went to Spectors Los Angeles mansion after receiving an emergency 9-1-1 call. As stated in the police reports, police found the body of the 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson sitting slumped in a chair in the foyer. She had been shot in the mouth and a blue-steel .38 Colt revolver with a two-inch barrel was found on the floor near her body. The Investigation Clarkson was an actress and also working as a hostess in a VIP lounge at the House of Blues in West Hollywood on the night that she met 62-year-old Spector and left with him in his limousine. His driver, Adriano De Souza, told the grand jury that he waited outside after the two went into Spectors mansion. Almost immediately after the two entered the home, Spector returned to the car and got a briefcase. About an hour later De Souza heard a gunshot, then observed Spector going out the back door with a gun in his hand. According to De Souza, Spector said to him, I think I killed somebody. Spector is Charged With Murder After police arrived to the scene, a small struggle incurred when Spector was asked to show his hands, which were jammed inside his front pockets. He fought off police and was eventually subdued after police used a Taser stun gun on him then tackled him to the ground. I Didnt Mean to Shoot Her Inside the home, police found nine additional firearms and a blood trail throughout the house. Transcripts of grand jury testimony in the case show that Spector first told police he accidentally shot actress Lana Clarkson, then later said she had committed suicide. When police officer Beatrice Rodriquez arrived at the scene, Spector told her, I didnt mean to shoot her. It was an accident. After an investigation lasting over six months, Spector was officially charged in November of 2003 for the murder of Lana Clarkson. The Trial Spectors attorneys tried unsuccessfully to have the damaging statements suppressed, but on October 28, 2005, the judge ruled the statements could be used against Spector in trial. A retired police officer who had worked at times for Joan Rivers as a security guard, testified during the trial that he ejected Spector from two Christmas parties for brandishing a gun and making violent and threatening statements about women. One Attorney, Two Attorneys, Three Attorneys Spector hired and fired three attorneys. Defense attorney Robert Shapiro represented Spector at his arraignment and early pretrial hearings, and arranged for his release on $1 million bail. He was replaced by Leslie Abramson and Marcia Morrissey. Bruce Cutler, the former long-time lawyer of New York City mafia boss John Gotti, in turn, replaced them.

Software Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Software Company - Essay Example Strengths†¢ Good knowledge about different software development languages and platforms†¢ Owner is aware of cross cultural diversity and may adopt a new marketing and management strategy†¢ Ability to forecast increases the chances of survivability for the company during financial recessions†¢ High-quality product and cost-effective price†¢ Interested and passionate about software development†¢ Professional Web design and information architecture†¢ Good company locationWeakness  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Lack of reputation in (country name) market†¢ Owner has to prove himself in (country name) market†¢ Because company is a sole proprietorship, may be slow response time for customers†¢ Limited production rate†¢ Limited growth rate†¢ Services are limited to medium-sized and large companies  Opportunity  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Software development is a thriving industry†¢ Future strategic alliances†¢ Retainer contractsThreats  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ New comp etitors entering markets†¢ New technological changes†¢ Economic slowdown†¢ Political, legislative, and regulatory changesActions for addressing weaknesses: To increase the responsiveness of the company, the owner will always carry small tablet with him at all times.Future growth opportunities will be considered, such as becoming a registered company to increase product rate and growth.

Compare and Contrast Michelangelo's David with Bernini's version Essay

Compare and Contrast Michelangelo's David with Bernini's version - Essay Example This statue lacks depth, since all the focus is on the frontal view. David’s expression is cool and enigmatic, which distances the viewer and encourages contemplation of his beauty rather than empathy with the story of David and Goliath. Bernini’s David, on the other hand, is leaning to one side, in a bent position. It is as if he is moving through time, having just picked up the stone, and now aiming it in his sling and about to fire it at Goliath. The viewer is drawn his facial expression, which is contorted in quite extreme emotion, and the sweeping line from his left ankle to his head. There is no mistaking a frown of concentration around his eyes and a firm determination in his downturned mouth. Bernini’s David has both arms drawn to the left, holding the sling tight, which takes him temporarily off balance. Arm and leg muscles are tensed, making the sculpture dramatic, and dynamic, almost as if he is about to step out from the podium. This is an open form sculpture which interacts with the space around it in a dramatic way, while Michelangelo’s David is static, and merely looks out from a still

Gender Inequality Essay Example for Free

Gender Inequality Essay Femininity and masculinity are socially constructed practices that reinforce gender inequality. Among the most popular variations of the social constructionist theories is the gender role theory as an early form of social constructionism (Gergen, 1985). The focus on power and hierarchy reveals inspiration stemming from a Marxist framework, utilized for instance by materialist feminism, and Foucault’s writings on discourse. Sex is the biological differences between male and female contradicting with gender which is the culturally and socially constructed differences between female and males based on meanings, beliefs and practices that a group associates with feminity or masculinity. Emerging from the criticism of Objectivity, Social Constructionism challenges concepts of knowledge put forward by Positivism, which states that the reality and empirically-proved truths are independent of the mind. For example, Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker writes that some categories really are social constructions: they exist only because people tacitly agree to act as if they exist. † In fact, there are few scientific studies that currently support a biological basis for substantial differences between the way women and men think. Rather, research indicates there is more variation among women or men on cognitive, emotional and psychological variables than between the two groups (Fausto-Sterling, 1992). Despite this however, the idea persists that women and men are vastly different in their thinking. Hegemonic femininity, also referred to as â€Å"emphasized femininity† by some theorists, is a concept that was developed in tandem with hegemonic masculinity â€Å"to acknowledge the asymmetrical position of masculinities and femininities in a patriarchal gender order† (Connell Messerschmidt, 2005). This theory purports that males possess physical strength, the ability to use interpersonal violence in the face of conflict, and authority while females are physically vulnerable, unable to use violence effectively, and compliant (Schippers, 2007). In order for men to maintain superiority and social dominance over women, the constructs of masculinity then must remain unavailable to women. To achieve this, any feminine characteristic that does not fall in line with hegemonic femininity then must be defined as â€Å"deviant and stigmatized† (Schippers, 200). Women themselves have been made to submit to this stereotype hence leaving men to make decisions for them. Sociologists have criticized this as a misconception of meaning of gender to imply sex. Gender s not a personal trait; it is â€Å"an emergent feature of social situations: both as an outcome of and a rationale for various social arrangements, and as a means of legitimating one of the most fundamental divisions of society. † (West Zimmerman, 1977). The notion of womanhood or femininity is accomplished through an active process of creating gender through interacting with others in a particular social context. The perception of sexuality by others is an exte nsion of others’ perceptions of one’s gender. Gender is never fully acquired – it has to be constantly performed and reenacted in social interactions hence gender is an accomplishment, (Alsop, Fitzsimmons Lennon, 2002). It is frequently difficult to sort out how much of a measured difference between the sexes can be attributed to one’s biological composition and how much of the difference may be attributed to learned behavior. How do we know if the behavior is truly sex-based? In other words, is there something on the X or Y chromosome that predisposes men and women to be better in doing certain activities ? Or, could it be that people tend to be better at things they have practiced more and for which they’ve received positive reinforcement over the years? If there are no proves of chromosomal relationships or any biological connections between feminity or masculinity and activities performed. Fathers of evolution studies like Charles Dawin proved that the act of being able to perform certain activities is based on learned practice and not man or woman distinction. This stereotype has greatly led to gender disparity and the world is trying to fight the monster created by our fore fathers misconceptions. National news accounts of hazing and important evidence point toward gender differences in hazing activities. In general, a common conclusion drawn is that hazing among men is more likely to be violent in nature and hazing among women is more likely to be psychological in nature. For example, The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Kentucky (Woolhouse, 2000) quoted Gary Powell, a Maryland attorney who has represented fraternities and sororities charged with hazing as saying â€Å"females tend to be less physically violent than those involving males. Such perspectives align with and also reinforce predominant understandings of differences between women and men. Analyzing the phenomenon of hazing through the lens of gender theory provides some helpful insights on both similarities and differences in hazing behaviors between female and male groups. Gender theory contends that versions of masculinity and femininity are largely learned through a process of socialization rather than essential to one’s biological sex, (Jennifer Coates, 1996). Nevertheless, particular versions of femininity and masculinity rise to ascendancy during particular social periods. Bem (1993) points out that even while the predominant versions of masculinity and femininity may shift periodically, they generally operate as two poles of a gender binary where the masculine is positioned as active and the feminine as passive. In other words, that which is culturally defined as masculine oppositionally defines feminine. Active/passive, strong/fragile, aggressive/submissive, independent/dependent, and invincible/vulnerable are further examples of gender binaries that depict masculinity and femininity as polar opposites of a vast gender divide. While this particular construction is rooted in perceptions of ideal womanhood for white women specifically, it is relevant to all women because it remains a powerful and pervasive image or standard against which all women are often compared. Over the past few decades many writers have documented the differential treatment of boys and girls and the probable implications. Feminist scholars have long paved the way for considering how girls have been placed at a disadvantage as a consequence of gender stereotyping ( Pipher,1995). Studies in educational settings have documented gender bias, most often unintentional; teachers who simply give boys more quality attention that is likely to promote cognitive development and substantive learning. According to the Sadkers’(1994) research, even though girls and boys are sitting in the same classrooms day after day, on average, boys are receiving a better quality education than the girls. Studies have also documented how children themselves police each other’s behavior according to stereotypes (Thorne, 1997). For instance, if a young boy plays with a doll in the presence of older boys, it is likely that he will be teased and will quickly learn that having a doll is outside the bounds of acceptable masculine behavior. Sexual objectification is one of the worst results of the gender fallacy. Most societies have taken women to be sex objects. Issues of rape are more rampant in women; women are perceived to be physically and emotionally weak hence being subjected to intimidation by men. I want to be clear here that I do not consider these vulnerabilities to be innate to girls/women or boys/men, but rather a consequence of complex and powerful social forces that contribute to sustaining unequal power relations as a consequence of sexism, racism, homophobia, poverty and other systems of disadvantage that render certain groups of individuals vulnerable in particular ways. Conclusion Theories that imply that gendered behavior is totally or mostly due to social conventions and culture fall into the Nature versus nurture debate. Much empirical research has been done on to what extent gendered behavior stems from biological factorsAttending to the cultural construction of gender, homophobia, and the influences of race and social class is key to promoting more complex understandings and developing effective solutions to the problem of gender disparity. Interventions in all arenas need to take gender theory into account in order to design educational and policy initiatives that will work, (Jeremy Earp 2001). Making masculinity visible is the first step to understanding how it operates in the culture and how definitions of manhood have been linked, often unconsciously, with dominance and control.

Examples of How Set Can Communicate the Dances Ideal Concept :: Dance Drama Still Life at the Penguin Cafe Essays

Examples of How Set Can Communicate the Dance's Ideal Concept When a dance piece is created, it is not just the choreography of the steps that needs to be considered. To make a successful piece, firstly a starting point needs to be found, this can be anything ranging from an emotion, an animal, or even someone's journey to work or school. When this has been decided upon, there are five main areas that need to be concentrated on. These are; costume, music, set, lighting and choreography. These different fields of the dance cannot be considered separate, nor is there a rank of importance; all five areas need to be created together. They compliment each other, and grow together to form the piece. In this essay I am going to focus on the importance of just one of these factors, the set. Using examples from professional dance works I am going to discuss how the set successfully communicates the dance's ideal concept. The first dance work I am going to use as an example, is from "Still Life at the Penguin Cafà ©" choreographed by David Bintley and designed by Hayden Griffin. I have chosen to discuss the set in the first scene of the performance, "The Great Auk". There are two sections to this scene, the first section being a representation of the Great Auk's habitat, the second being a busy cafà ©, run by penguins as waiters and sophisticated women as customers. The set for the first section is simple but effective. The stage has a black backdrop, covering the whole stage wall, and a smaller screen on wheels centre stage. This screen is roughly 7ft tall and a vertical rectangle. On it an icy landscape is painted. It shows ice and sea, using white and icy blue colours. It shows an image of the penguin's habitat. It lets the audience know a bit about the penguin's background and what it has to deal with in life. This is very effective as it communicates the meaning of the piece, showing that life for this creature is hard. This piece of se is also very useful within the piece, as the dancers use it as an added entrance. They hide behind the screen and appear at the sides, this give added interest to the piece, and it is also practical as it is on wheels, therefore easy to move on and off the stage. The rest of the stage is left empty for this section, providing space for the dance. For the second part of this scene, the icescape is moved off stage and the backdrop is lifted to reveal a cafà ©.

Act 3 Scene 4 The Banquet Scene The banquet Essay

The banquet, Macbeth is preparing, highly important to him. It is a chance to show the thanes he is strong and in control, he is very capable of being king. Macbeth needs the banquet to be a success, to show off to the thanes, but when it goes horribly wrong, Macbeth fears that his reputation has. In this scene, Macbeth’s reactions and behaviour are very varied. At first, when the thanes arrive, he is the merry host and welcomes everybody with open arms. However, when they sit to eat, his role changes from host to murderer and then as a victim to Banquo’s ghost. His behaviour diverges as he moves from his host role to his cold-hearted murderer role and finally to his chaotic, mad victim role, when he sees Banquo’s ghost. Macbeth’s changes in behaviour creates tension, especially during the time where Banquo’s ghost arrives, as you wonder, if he’ll let slip any of the murders. Macbeth’s behaviour obviously differs, as at one point he is a calm-well-mannered host, â€Å"Our self will mingle with society and play the humble Host†, then he transformed into an evil bloody-thirsty villain, â€Å"Yet he’s good that did the like for Fleance; If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil†, and afterwards to a person, clearly unwell, as he has the hallucination of Banquo’s ghost, which concerns the guests, â€Å"Thou canst not say I did it; never shake Thy gory locks at me!† Lady Macbeth tries to protect Macbeth and take control of the party, by diverting attention away and covering his actions with lies, â€Å"The fit is momentary; upon a thought He will again be well.† She changes the subject to try and stop him from thinking about the ghost, and also stop the thanes from thinking that Macbeth is guilty of something, as Lady Macbeth is afraid that Macbeth will let something out about the murder, â€Å"Think of this, good peers, But as a thing of custom. ‘Tis no other, Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.† Lady Macbeth takes control by leading the party and becoming the hostess finally ending the party and telling the thanes to leave when she realises Macbeth is in danger of loosing control, â€Å"Stand not upon the order of your going, But go at once† By the end of the scene, we realise that Macbeth, really is strong and determined and how he is going to make this work, â€Å"I am in blood Steeped in so far that should I wade no more† It is clear that Macbeth is in control at this point. He intends to see the witches again for some security, that he will stay king, â€Å"-to the weird sisters. More shall they speak.† The power of control has gone back to Macbeth. When Macbeth says, â€Å"†¦stepped in so far†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , he is saying how he has already committing two murders, why stop now. If anyone should get in his way, he won’t be afraid to kill them. On stage, I would show Macbeth and the thanes on a long table, and behind Macbeth would be a pillar. This would be so that the murderer is unseen and Macbeth doesn’t look too suspicious. The murder would be obviously visible to the audience, but not so to the thanes. When Macbeth speaks to the thanes, there will be full lighting, but when the murderer speaks to Macbeth, the thanes freeze and the lights dim on them and a spotlight focuses on Macbeth. Once they have finished their dialogue, the thanes start celebrating and acquainting again and the lighting comes back up. To present the ghost of Banquo, on stage, the first thing I would do is make-up. It would be pale, to create that he is dead. When Banquo’s ghost is on stage, the normal lights would be on, but an extra spotlight would make the make-up shine and give that ‘not human’ effect. His clothing would be what he died in, but more new, clean and tidy