Surviving influences with sense of self Essay Example for Free

Surviving influences with sense of self Essay Although many people tend to think that media and advertising are two of the worst culprits that are destroying good moral values, what is right and wrong has always been a subject of debate in history depending on who perceives it. The cowboys and the Indians both had reasons to live in the same territory but had to fight for their rights. Western conventional medicine dominated the east but Westerners use Chinese Traditional Medicine. It is not very easy to see what is right or wrong and even if one does perceive what is correct, there is no guarantee that he or she will do the proper thing. One’s strength of character and moral values are needed to establish a sense of self that will fight the bad influence that society usually promotes. It is very easy to influence someone with poor a poor sense of self. Convincing words and vivid pictures leading to a certain desirable outcome can easily sway someone who lacks backbone to do what is being asked. The mind can easily form pictures of what could be desirable and easily sway one to making decisions – whether good or bad. Poor self-esteem can assist advertising in making false promises. In the article entitled, â€Å"In the Shadow of the Image,† written by Stuart and Elizabeth Ewen (2006 p. 207), the authors mentioned the disillusionment of Frank Miller who watched John Wayne movies and got influenced into taking up his own cause against Southeast Asians who simply triggered a bullet on his chest to his dismay. The movies he had watched were meant to boost its audience’s self-esteem but it went further to influence Miller’s way of thinking and perception of other cultural minorities. Due to his poor knowledge of who he really is, he has failed to show respect for others and ultimately based his ego on the outcome of his own cause. According to the Ewens, he felt betrayed by the images he had seen. Miller failed to identify himself properly and now feels depressed that he let himself be influenced by Hollywood. He does not realize that it was his own choices that led him to act on film influences. Low self-esteem can be infectious. A person with poor sense of self will rely on a group of people with the same problem to acknowledge a false common factor. Being part of a group can be advantageous to boost self-esteem but it can go toward the wrong direction if the group exercises its strength by being prejudiced. Biases can take the form of skin color, the way people talk, or even how people move. Vertamae Smart-Grasvenor’s essay entitled, â€Å"When You Meet Estella Smart, You Been Met! † shows how her grandmother actually overcame the problem of prejudice by relying on her sense of self to perceive what is right and wrong. Instead of giving up eating rice to avoid being the butt of many jokes, she decided to â€Å"get rid of nothing that was worth keeping† and continued to eat rice and talk like a Southerner in a northern community. (232) People with poor self-image tend to cover this flaw by making it look like they are superior compared to others simply because they are â€Å"in† or part of a larger group. These people tend to look down on others who do not think the same way that they do. Estella Smart had been the object of many condescending comments because she refused to embrace the impractical way of life that her northern community encouraged. Comments such as, â€Å"Think she is something! She ain’t no better than nobody else! † (232) are obvious signs of jealousy that could have hurt a person who did not find strength in his own identity. However, for people like Estella Smart who know themselves better, gossiping people can say whatever they want for all they care. Another effect of advertising that is truly pushed by poor self-esteem is the fact that people tend to cover up their feelings of insecurity by buying products to make them feel better. Advertisements prey on people’s insecurities and poor self-image to entice its audiences to use their products to boost their self-worth. The Ewens mention a student, Gina Concepcion, who works so hard in their local supermarket just so she can be fashionable and wear Jordache clothing. She thinks that the pants may be very expensive but they â€Å"fit better and she fits better. † (207). Gina obviously bases her self-esteem on how people think about her and her pants. She has become enslaved by her insecurity to belong and had fallen prey to Jordache’s advertising scheme. Advertising and media can be very powerful influences in everyday decision-making but the real root of the problem lies on one’s sense of self. Most people easily fall into the trap of commercials because these ads know how to use their products to cover up for whatever insecurities a person has. If a child had grown up knowing that he has the power to choose what is good and bad for him (instead of grown ups simply telling him to follow instructions), then more people would probably be more resistant to promotional schemes. Knowing that one has the power to direct one’s life is essential to help people fight for what they believe in. Without the realization that destiny is simply in one’s hands, it becomes easy for humans to get depressed and be suffocated by the many crimes that can often be read on newspapers or seen or heard on the news. Not knowing that one has the power to change things or fight against what is wrong can ultimately develop fear in one’s psyche which has led to numerous suicide attempts and successes. Beverly Jackson’s suicide incident that the Ewens mentioned, happened only because the woman felt helpless and hopeless. If she had enough sense of self to know that there are many ways to protect and empower one’s self against crime, then she could be still alive by now. Advertising and pop culture can only devour people who have poor self-image. More often than not, commercialism’s effects on its victims may not be detected because the brain has been deceived to see great solutions to the insecurities that people have. Only people who have been raised to know that they have the distinct power to put direction in their lives by using their choices can inevitably resist the temptations that pop culture has in store for every one. Estella Smart knew this and overcame being a domestic helper (which she despised terribly) by learning how to sew during the evenings after her work. (Smart-Grasvenor 232) It all boils down to how people have been raised. Advertising and media have been goons that continue to affect man’s choices and ways of life. However, the reason behind this success rests on poor self-image. If people learn to develop the power that is within them and use them to do what is good, then pop culture would diminish. It is one’s sense of self that can triumph against the negative influence of any culture. Works Cited Ewen, Stuart and Elizabeth Stuart. â€Å"In the Shadow of the Image. † Reading Culture. Ed. Diana George and John Trimbur. Place Published: Longman, 2006. 205-209. Smart-Grasvenor, Vertamae. â€Å"When You Meet Estella Smart, You Been Met! † Reading Culture. Ed. Diana George and John Trimbur. Place Published: Longman, 2006. 231-234.

Arlington National Cemetery :: American History, War, The Tomb of the Unknown

One of the most sacred places in America is the Arlington National Cemetery. Each year heroes are laid to rest here. Families from across the nation visit Arlington throughout the year to pay respect to their love ones. Many American hero families who visit the Arlington Cemetery may have been mourning at the wrong grave. Arlington was once the home of George Washington’s adopted grandson, George Washington Parke Custis (â€Å"Arlington† 4). Custis adored Washington so much that he wanted to make the house a memorial to him. Upon Custis’ death, Arlington was left to his daughter, Mary Ann Custis. Mary Ann was married to Robert E. Lee. They lived in the house until the Civil War began. During the war, the house was used as a Union army camp (Stein 7-10). The Union government declared Arlington a national cemetery on June 15, 1864 (Reef 27). In order to be buried at Arlington, a person has to qualify for burial. Ones who have died on active duty and those who served for twenty or more years are permitted to be buried at Arlington. Others who qualify for burial at Arlington are veterans who suffered 30% or more disability and were honorably discharged from the military before October 1, 1949. Recipients of decorations such as The Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, or the Purple Heart also qualify for burial at Arlington. Burial for members of the president’s cabinet, other nationally elected officials, and Supreme Court Justices who served honorably in the military are also allowed. Burial is permitted for Presidents of the United States, who are also referred to as the Commander and Chief of the military (Reef 64). Not only are military heroes buried at Arlington, but memorials have also been built to honor others who have given their lives for America. The memorials that are located throughout Arlington tell a story about people throughout American history (Reef 43). Each year families walk the endless rows of white head stones at Arlington in order to pay their respects to the ones that have given their lives for America. One of the most visited graves at Arlington is that of President John F. Kennedy. President Kennedy traveled the world to promote friendship between the United States and other nations. Americans were shocked when he was shot and killed in Dallas, TX in 1963. His grave is marked with an eternal flame that will burn forever, reminding people of his accomplishments (Reef 44-46).

Deena Shakir Essay

Richard Watts Jr. describes the striking similarity between the Salem witch trials and the McCarthy Era as a â€Å"struggle between the rights of freeman and the mass efforts to destroy them under the guise of defending decency. † All good writing conveys a strong message for the reader to take away, and effectively apply to his everyday life. In the novel The Crucible, author Arthur Miller uses 17th Puritan society, and the Salem witch trials as a vehicle to make a strong political statement about the nature of conformity in an overly hysterical society, and the fundamental struggle man faces to retain moral righteousness in the face of a cruel world. Written in the heart of the McCarthy Era, The Crucible makes sweeping statements about the nature of society during a crisis, and how people deal with the introduction of beliefs that differ from their traditional way of thought. Claiming the people of his society are just as intolerant as the Puritans, Miller desperately pleads with them to learn from their mistakes, and not persecute others based on the nature of their beliefs. Through the story of the Salem witch trials, Miller epitomizes the never-ending conflict between an individual and society as a continuous struggle to retain one’s moral righteous, and not give in to illogical societal demands. Through the actions of the court officials, the girls, and the Christ figures, Miller effectively points out the manner in which society persecutes those who refuse to conform in their ways of thinking, and the nature of the challenging test individuals are forced to make in such a conflict. The society in Salem also demands conformity from the court system, a place where those who dare to be different are tried. At least on face, it appears that the court simply wants those people who challenge society to be brought to justice. However, during the Salem witch trials, the court officials, who ironically are the one group in society who are single-handedly responsible for administering justice fairly, act simply out of self-interest, striving only to appease the community, and gain fame. Relaying on nothing more than spectral evidence, Danforth and the other court officials condemn those who refuse to conform to society’s beliefs. Under the guise of religious duty, Danforth strives solely to appease the community, and benefit his standing in society. He believes that â€Å"a person is either with the court or he must be counted against it. † When one does not conform to the norms of society and challenges it, he is condemned to die. For example, upon discovering that John Proctor does â€Å"not come to church† on Sundays, he automatically assumes that Proctor must be guilty, and must be hanged. He appears motivated solely by the desire to gain fame. For example, in the final act of the play right before the hanging, Reverend Hale tries to convince Danforth to postpone the hanging. Danforth knows that â€Å"the village expects to see them die this morning† and cannot postpone the event because â€Å"postponement now speaks a floundering on my [Danforth’s] part. † Danforth’s actions show that he not only acts out of self motivation and the desire to appease society, but also fails the to overcame his conflict with society. Reverend John Hale, on the other hand, also appointed to work with the court during the witch trials, makes his decisions based on his own morals instead of what society prefers. Hale, an expert on witch trials and a â€Å"stranger† in Salem finds â€Å"it difficult to draw a clear opinion on them that come accused before court. † Being a minister of the Lord, Hale judges others based on clear evidence and does not â€Å"dare [to] take a life without proof. † His morals prevent him from just simply doing what will appeal to society. Even though he desires to be â€Å"allied with the best minds in Europe- kings, philosophers, scientists, and ecclesiasts of all churches,† he, unlike Danforth and the court officials, refuses to let his personal ambition come in the way of administering justice fairly. He even rejects his religious doctrine in the name of justice, claiming that â€Å"life†¦ life is God’s most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. † Unlike Danforth and his selfish motivation, Reverend Hale refuses to conform to what society dictates, clinging on to his own moral beliefs.

The Color Purple Applying Maslow s Hierarchy Of Needs

The Color Purple: Applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs In Alice Walker’s novel, The Color Purple, there are many characters that can be seen adapting to their lives and slowly moving towards self-actualization. There are also many characters who do not like Pa or Grady. Self-actualization is the reaching of someone’s full potential in one way or another. In order to achieve this ultimate goal there are other smaller goals that must be achieved first: Basic Physiological Needs, Safety/Security and Stimulation, Belonging and Intimacy, Respect/Self-Respect, and the ultimate goal of Self-actualization. One character that exemplifies the climbing and summit of success with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is Celie. Throughout the novel Celie’s†¦show more content†¦She learns that a person does not have to be extraordinary to be loved, in fact people can be very ordinary, like herself, and deserve to be loved just the same. During this time in the novel Celie also finds the courage to stand up to Mr.___ and leave him. This action takes a great deal of self-respect because here for the first time the reader sees that Celie knows she deserves better than Mr.___. Celie is set over the edge when it is discover that Mr.___ has been deliberately separating Celie from her sister Nettie for many years. When Celie finds all Nettie’s letters Mr.___ has been hiding it set her into a spiraling rage that Shug calm her down from. Celie tells Mr.___, â€Å"Until you do right by me, everything you touch will crumble† (intext). The only way Celie can cope without killing Mr.___ is by making pants. The pants of course were Shug’s idea and Shug funds Celie so she can make as many pants as her heart desires. Later in the novel Celie has moved out of Mr.___’s house and made so many pants that she is something of a master. She opens her own store to sell her popular pants and finally is self sufficient. At this time Celie also was able to mend old bridges. When Shug left her for a younger man Celie found good company in Mr.___. Celie also was able to fully love Shug and do what was best for her even if it hurt Celie. (quote about loving shug) With allShow MoreRelatedStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesand permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or likewise. To obtain permission(s) to use material from this work, please submit a written request to Pearson Education, Inc., Permiss ions Department, One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458, or you may fax your request to 201-236-3290. Many of the designations by manufacturersRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 Pages to self-assessment, to a wealth of interactive visual and audio resources, WileyPLUS gives you everything you need to personalize the teaching and learning experience.  » F i n d o u t h ow t o M A K E I T YO U R S  » www.wileyplus.com ALL THE HELP, RESOURCES, AND PERSONAL SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS NEED! 2-Minute Tutorials and all of the resources you your students need to get started www.wileyplus.com/firstday Student support from an experienced student user Ask your local representative