hip hop Essay -- essays research papers

Have you ever heard someone say, "I hate all music."? Lately though music has been criticized for corrupting teen's minds. Hip Hop is being blamed for all the crimes and murders in cities all over America and heavy metal is being blamed for giving teens only dark images and thoughts in their minds. First we must ask what Hip Hop is to us or to others, who simply don’t know or may never feel our movement in society. This form of poetry and story telling has took growth from within a deprived New York neighborhood during 1970s is spread worldwide, even non-english speaking countries strive on our message to help their culture the light. Hip Hop has taken my generation in open arms and speaks the truth to those, who listen. We are more motive and attentive , better focus I believe then any generation before us. In the United States we take pride in ourselves as being the freest nation in the world. Unfortunately, there are times in our history in which certain groups have been unrightfully deprived of their freedom. This can be said for Americans who endured years of ignorant and another century of unawareness. Is which I think started the late 1970s signaled a new era of rhythmic and linguistic wealth: rap music. Hip hop and in particular rap music gives people on the margins of society a powerful voice to express political discontent. While political discontent is expressed through all the elements of hip hop, rap music has bec...

Short Wedding Toasts to the Bride and Groom :: Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeches

Short Wedding Toasts to the Bride and Groom Nature of Love All beings by nature are lovers, as ice by nature is water. The love shared by one couple is powerful enough to unite heaven and earth. May God grant you two many years to live, for earth has few angels. Peace and Plenty May peace and plenty be the first To lift the latch to your door, May happiness be guided to your home. Walk in Love Walk in love, sit in love, live in love. To be in love is to truly live. Your Eye The eye with which you see your wife is the same eye with which your wife sees You. Love Each Fragment If you seek love in each separate fragment of your relationship, you will be overwhelmed by the totality. Who Are You ? Find out who you are as a couple. Then all else will be known. The Desire of God In the desire of God to know his own beauty, you exist. Worldly Power Worldly possessions and power means little. The unsayable, jeweled private life you develop as a couple, means much. Perfect Love When a relationship is perfectly balanced, perfect love can be realized. Psalm 1 (8th century BC) Blessed are they who delight in the way things are, and keep their hearts open day and night. Love Gives Life Love gives life to all the world. Love gives strength and wisdom. May you two walk in beauty, and may your eyes behold many a red and purple sunset. May your ears hear the true voice of your partner. My you be wise so that you may understand what is truly important in life. My you remain calm and strong in the face of all that comes towards you. My you learn the lessons hidden in every leaf and rock. My you seek pure thoughts and act with the intention of helping others. My you find compassion without allowing empathy to overwhelm you. My you seek strength, not to be greater than others, but to fight for the week. My you two always greet each other with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, your spirits may continue without shame. May You Be Poor! May you be poor in misfortune, Rich in blessings, Slow to make enemies, And quick to make friends. But rich or poor, quick or slow, May you two know nothing but happiness From this day forward. Let’s all toast this beautiful couple! A Long Life Together A toast to your coffin. May it be made of 100 year old oak.

Skilled Labor Scarcity Essay -- Human Resource Management

Article Summary Skill shortage is a genuine lack of adequately skilled individuals available in the accessible labor market with the type of skill being sought and which leads to a difficulty in recruitment. A recent article by Ben Casselman in the Wall Street Journal highlighted the difficulties recruiters and employers (specifically manufacturers) facing are moderate to severe shortage of skilled labors to fill their well-paying positions that requires specialized skills. The shortages (due to weak labor market) are being felt in what have been heavy-duty blue-collar jobs in manufacturing and other industries that somewhat do not require a college degree. The demand for skilled workers has a significant negative impact on the manufacturing firms and the skills gap can thus lead to a ripple effect. Skills gap is used to describe the qualitative mismatch between the supply or availability of human resources and the requirements of the labor market. Skills gap exists where employers feel that their existing workforce have inadequate skill type or skill level to meet their business objectives; or where new entrants to the labor market are apparently trained and qualified for occupations but still lack a variety of the specific skills required. The shortage also affects the less-skilled workers who lose out on spin-off jobs to support the increased production. Because of skills shortages, employers are lowering their expectations when recruiting people and cutting back on capacity and quality level. The skilled worker gap is developing at large due to the significant decline in the manufacturing sector (aspects of globalization and off-shoring) that appear less stable and attractive now as large number of workers approach retireme... ...rker employed). And, businesses may decide to increase production by making greater use of capital inputs such as extra units of machinery. A growing economy creates jobs for people entering the labor market for the first time; and it provides employment opportunities for people unemployed and looking for work.† Article Source: â€Å"Help Wanted: In Unexpected Twist, Some Skilled Jobs Go Begging,† by Ben Casselman, The Wall Street Journal, Column A1, November 26, 2011. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203707504577010080035955166.html Frederic S. Mishkin. Macroeconomics Policy and Practice. Pearson Education, Inc., Addison-Wesley 2012. Ronald G. Ehrenberg and Robert S. Smith. Modern Labor Economics Theory and Public Policy. Eleventh Edition. Pearson Education, Inc., Prentice Hall 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_unemployment

Food Dye Lab Essay

Abstract: The purpose of this lab was to determine the food dyes present in a selected beverage, their concentration, and then replicate the solution within a 20% margin of error. The beverage we chose was Gatorade Frost Riptide Rush. A spectrometer was used to determine which food dyes were present in the sampled beverage, red 40 and blue 1 were determined to be present. The next step was to determine the concentration of the dyes, this was done by testing the absorbance of the red 40 and blue 1 dyes at varying concentrations; 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%. The results for each dye were then plotted in a graph and a trendline was added. The slopes of the trendlines (y=mx) for red 40 and blue 1 were then used to determine the concentrations, which were found to be 15.34% (0.0000138 mol/L) and 14.12% (0.0000028 mol/L) respectively. To replicate the color of the original beverage a 100mL solution was designed, containing 15.34mL red 40, 14.12mL blue 1, and 70.54mL deionized (DI) water. Introduction: This lab was divided into three sections; identifying which dyes are present, determining the concentration of those dyes, and finally to recreate the solution within a 20% margin of error. To identify the dyes present a sample of the beverage was tested in a spectrometer, the highest absorption rates were found to be at 503.7 nm (A=0.281) and 630.7 nm (A=0.270). This lead to the conclusion that the beverage contained red 40 and blue 1. To determine the concentration of the dyes a series of dilutions was prepared for both dyes and tested with the spectrometer. This data was converted into point graphs and a trendline was established. The slope of the trendline (y=mx) was then multiplied by the Absorbance of the associated dye to find the concentration. The final goal was to replicate the beverage using the data gathered. To accomplish this a solution was designed consisting of 15.34% red 40 and 14.12% blue 1. Experimental Procedure: To complete the experiment a variety of materials and equipment was required. The spectrometer tests required a computer with Logger Pro software, samples of Gatorade Frost Riptide Rush as well as red 40 and blue 1 dyes, DI water, a spectrometer, cuvettes. In order to prepare the dilutions and replicated solution 10mL & 100mL graduated cylinders, various beakers, a 200mL erlenmeyer flask, and a glass stirring rod. To identify the dyes present in the Gatorade, a test was performed with the spectrometer. The first step was to set-up the spectrometer and calibrate it using a sample of pure DI water. Following this a cuvette was partially filled with a sample of Gatorade and inserted into the spectrometer to be tested. The points of highest absorption were determined to indicate the presence of red and blue dyes. The initial step to determine the concentration of the dyes previously found was to prepare a set of serial dilutions at 20%/40%/60%/80%/100% dye concentration. To prepare the 20% dilution 1mL of red 40/blue 1 was combined with 4mL of DI water. This method was used to produce the remaining dilutions with 2mL/3mL, 3mL/2mL, 4mL/1mL, and 5mL/0mL (mL dye / mL DI water). Each of the previous dilutions was tested in the spectrometer and data was recorded. Using the data obtained two Beer Law plots were plotted for both dyes and trendlines were added. The slope of the trendline was found and used to calculate the actual (mol/L) and percent concentrations of red 40 and blue 1 in the selected Gatorade. In order to replicate the color of the Gatorade, a 100mL solution consisting of red 40, blue 1, and DI water. This was accomplished by combining 15.34mL red 40, 14.12mL blue 1, and 70.54mL DI water in a 200mL erlenmeyer flask. A sample of this solution was then transferred into a cuvette to be tested in the spectrometer. The solution was tested alongside the data from the Gatorade sample, and the margin of error was calculated to conclude how similar the two solutions were.

Kant Metaphysics

The Groundwork of Metaphysics of Morals Immanuel Kant’s â€Å"Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals†, argues upon the basis of morality introducing the ideals of the categorical imperative as the central concept of moral philosophy. The definition of the categorical imperative leads Kant towards the critique of pure reason arguing that without a goodwill one can’t even be worthy of being happy. Kant introduces goodwill, treating people as means rather than ends and doing the right thing for the right reason.Making a distinction between science and knowledge and eliminating common sense on a route to the philosophical, Kant defines reason as reason a practical faculty to influence will and also being essential to will. Kant argument in the Groundwork focuses upon the basic idea of what makes a good person good. It is the possession of a will that is a way determined by, or makes decision based of moral law. This goodwill is supposed to be the idea of one who onl y makes decisions that she holds to be morally worthy, taking moral considerations in themselves to be conclusive reasons for guiding her behavior.This sort of disposition or character is something we all highly value. Kant believes we value it without limitation or qualification. Formulated by pure reason, the categorical imperative according to Kant underscores his argument. The value of a good will thus cannot be that it secures certain valuable ends, whether of our own or of others, since there value is entirely conditional on our having and maintaining a good will. Kant’s categorical imperative argues that ones actions should be done from duty in order to obtain true moral worth. It is not the result of ones actions but rather means of that duty that leads humanity to happiness.The goodwill â€Å"of this person would sparkle like a jewel all by itself, as something that had its full worth in itself† (Kant, 1). Humanity is very much determined by strive for excelle nce in order to obtain the ultimate good. Kant’s hypothetical imperative stresses how indications and determination for the result are the goal for people to act. Juxtaposing with the ideals of the categorical imperative the latter is motivated by the result rather than acting from duty. Acting in such a way that ones actions can become a universal law is what I consider the road to happiness.It is not primarily doing good to oneself in order obtain a desired result. Doing good to others and treating these as means rather than ends is what I define as true happiness. Goodwill will â€Å"needn’t be the sole and complete good, but it must be the condition of all others, even of the desire for happiness† (Kant, 1). So we have to develop the concept of goodwill that is determined and esteemed as good in it without regard to anything else, judging the total worth of the actions we commit and with the entirety depending on it searching for the unconditional good.

Organization and Management Essay

Power and control are aspects which are common in many institutions. Organizations on the other hand are social institutions which operate to serve specific functions in society as well as their own development or growth and this makes it different from other entities such as the family (Eddy, 1983). Most organization’s concern is to expand in order to exceed other existing natural units as well as enhancing their performance through effective control (Bakke, 2005). As a result, these organizations require a formal and institutionalized distribution of penalties and rewards so that regulations, norms and orders that exist in these organizations are complied with. This also calls for control of participants so that these norms and regulations can effectively be carried out. In addition, different allocation of assignments of organizational tasks to various parties is required so that rewards on performance are granted to various deserving individuals and those who do not deserve these rewards on the other hand, are punished. This paper will focus on how power and control and operate at Engineering Product and the various possible implications that could occur on the part of employers and employees at Engineering Product. Power may also be viewed as a form of influence that an individual or organization may posses and the way that it is exerted on individuals and institutions in order to bring about desired results. These results could be positive or negative depending on the nature of power that an organization has. Power relates to the capacity of attaining the desired needs or wants as well as the stated objectives from organizations or individuals and in certain instances force may be applied. In addition, exercise of power may occur among individuals which could end up shaping or influencing the wants of an individual (Fairholm, 1993). It is evident that power and control exists at Engineering Product, a British Engineering firm. The firm has existed for a while how and since its restructuring in 1980’s it now posses three areas of business namely defense, automotive components and individual services. The restructuring also saw the expansion of the firm into other overseas business environments and as a result, the firm has majority of its employees working abroad with very few remaining in Britain. In other words, Engineering Product has managed to have its stronghold in international business by succeeding in the same. Its workforce is widely spread in Western Europe as well as North America. Majority of the workforce is seen in the automobile section of the firm which employs about 60% of the total workforce. This division is also involved with various multinational companies that produce cars. However its concentration is less in the UK than in any other country and this means that less sales are made from the division that exists in Britain since it has a small proportion of workforce employed in the division. Larger proportion of sales as well as the workforce is found in continental Europe which consists of France, Germany and Spain. Automotive division has mostly been shaped by the demands that are created by its customers and this has also affected the way it carries out its operations and management in the international business as well as its workforce. These customers have also standardized their means of working practices and production by means of carrying out â€Å"best practices† in various sites, hence forcing management to produce similar products for instance cars that are similar to others internationally. There are various forms of power that exist in organizations namely coercive power, normative power, utilitarian power, referent power, expert power, reward power among others. Coercive power involves forcing other people to comply with one’s rules and regulations. It also relates to the capacity at which an individual or organization is able to issue punishments to those individuals or employees who fail to follow demands or requests that are proposed (Sims, 2002). Kipnis notes that coercive power is mainly exercised by individuals who rely on their verbal facility, physical strength or in other circumstances being able to withhold emotional support from other people or grant it. As a result, an individual is provided with the probable means to issues such as bully, physical harm, or lack of love among others. In organizations, the most common forms of coercive power include the ability to demote, fire or transfer subordinates. As a result of coercive power, a dyfunctioning process in groups has been evident and these processes include reciprocal conflict and anger, reactions, self-blame, rejection and dislike, revolutionary coalitions just to mention (Streatfield, 2001). The most common outcome of coercive power on the past of employees is resistance. Reward power on the other hand concerns employee rewards based on their performances and de-motivation occurs in cases whereby deserving employees are not rewarded (Houser & Domokos, 2004). Engineering Product firm has acquired most of its power and control through the integration efforts that it has managed to create in the global business and this international integration has its origin from the demands that the Engineering Product’s customers present. The central task of integration mostly lies with the HQ of the firm’s division. The firm has also carried out its integration processes by creating various management structures mostly at the international level and this is mostly done with the aim of bringing together all the managers who work in various groups and branches as well as enabling effective information exchange that may exist between them. Therefore, it is the division at the HQ that exercises the central power as regards the various activities that exist at Engineering Product. Senior directors from the manufacturing sector at the Engineering products are brought together through ‘manufacturing councils’ that are operated by the division. This is carried out in order for these directors to be able to monitor and examine the various processes which might have been adopted in each of the existing plants. Moreover, the international college of Engineering which is based in Germany enables engineers to learn and develop on the new methods of manufacturing. International integration has also been enhanced by Engineering Product through the creation of cadre that involves international managers who are charged with the responsibility of carrying out various assignments in other countries besides their own. As a result, internal consultants have been established and they consist of managers responsible in the pioneering of new practices and these managers also have the permission to roam between plants as they attempt to adopt the practice. The firm also has a HR which has established a system that is able drive together various managers based at different sites in order to discuss and share common initiatives termed as ‘best practice’. As a result regular meetings are conducted by the HR specialists as they discuss the various implications that integration has on the personnel practice. In the past, the meetings have resulted in bringing about problem-solving techniques as means of establishing standardized results. The division of HQ ensures that plant managers are involved in sharing of the best practice by carrying out an operation in orders concerned with internal competition. The other form of power and control can be named in this case since the orders from customers are mainly placed at the division’s HQ and not the other plants. Again, it is the HQ that decides what orders should be received by what plants. As a result, the HQ has a little bit more leverage over the other actors that exist at the various plant levels and this means that these plants have to be dependent on HQ. Decisions that concern outsourcing are made at the division at HQ and it is them who decide what factors should supply their products to the various orders that are made by customers. Local customers on the other hand are supplied by local companies found in the various local markets. Concerning the various implications on employees and managers, the move that was established regarding standardization of production led to the generation of various opinions between plant managers and HQ focusing on the resulting in merits that may exist in a particular initiative for instance, performance-related pay (PRP) which has been established successfully in various plant divisions by the HQ. However, as per discussions from the meetings, it was found out that performance of the work force vary from one plant to another. However, he opted to use sanctions as a means of imposing it ma through in order to bring about equal performance. The internal integration of Engineering Product is mostly as a result of the powers that the firm gives to HQ as well as internal competition. Plant managers are at an obligation to comply with any wishes that may be established by HQ, such wishes may involve the means of labour management as well as nature of processes in production. Engineering products’ HR function has also been able to play both strategic and administrative roles hence increasing the level of profile function. In addition, the HR function has also been able to create several structures that enhance contact between plant managers who are based at various plant divisions. However, tension was encountered by the central function of HR concerned the creation of a balance between variation found in plants in order to reflect local factors as well as standardization of practices. As seen from the scenario, he was ready to impose sanctions so that standardization of products is enhanced across borders. The differences in the various practices existed mainly because of the various changes that occurred in the nature of institutions, law and the national cultures and this can viewed under the way the performance – related pay was conducted as well as employee representation. Another impact is that as a result of the central power that HQ posses, American plants do not have any formal structures since the law does not allow management to recognize various unions and the unions on the other have do not have powers since they are not influential as regards the recognition of management (Sinsson, Edwards & Ferner, 1993). Managers on the other hand experience positive impacts as a result of international integration since the hierarchy in management is widespread and not limited to one particular country. Senior positions are filled on merit and little importance is placed on nationality. Consequently mangers are faced with a lot of opportunities a head of them both domestically and internationally hence allowing managers to become geographically mobile. However, this effect may view differently since some managers may not find it suitable to perform assignments abroad (Miner, 2002). On the other hand, the autonomy of managers is greatly reduced since they are forced to company with the established rules and regulations of HQ and this could end up to resistance from these managers. The policy-making bodies at Engineering Product help in the formulation of policies by various plant managers. International integration has also impacted on employees shown by the increased competition among plants hence the HQ is able to establish comparisons in relation to performance. As a result, employees bargaining power is reduced in each plant hence creating resistance to change among unions and employees. Another implication is in relation to the way these employees are exposed to various working practices found in different countries. In conclusion, it is ended that the power and control that Engineering Product has is that of coercive power because the firm forces its wishes on various plants and people even though it has managed to establish a successful international integration.

Myth and the Evolution of Heroes

What is a hero? What comes to your mind when someone speaks of heroes and or heroines or Super Heroes and Heroines for that matter? Well lets see, Webster defines a super hero as a benevolent fictional character with superhuman powers and a hero as a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for their courage and outstanding achievements, and is typically identified as a person of noble qualities. A person who people will sympathize with. A man of the people. Or, the people’s champion if you will.These character types are often used in media and education and can be applied to almost any story, be it in literature, theatre, film, television series, games, or whatever. In classical mythology we find some of the first of many accounts of these Hero’s. In all actuality they could be called the first super hero’s. Although they did not have the superpowers that we come to expect from modern day super hero’s they still make the cut. And in many ways the heroes of legend could be what you would expect from (and I do use this loosely) real superheroes.See the births, backgrounds, and life’s of these characters are a bit more on the adult side of the movie store so to speak. They tend to reflect that of real people and real life. Not the real life that is watered down and boxed and fed to kids but the hard life and reality that we all come to realize is reality the more we grow up. Their stories are that of struggle, humility, sacrifices, and all that trial and tribulation that you have come to know and loathe through out the years.But at the same time they stick with the layout that, as though given to them of Russian scholar Vladimir Propp. See Propp broke down almost all myth with the publication of â€Å"Morphology of the Folk tale†. In this publication he depicted that all folk tales follow what is essentially a predefined course of action for almost all stories. Oddly enough this is still relevant to this day. A summary of which is the following: The hero usually has a birth that is very out of the normal. And from the moment of his birth he usually undergoes and over comes a threat to his life as a small child.As he grows up he usually under goes an extreme task and or an extreme amount of small tasks that for some reason or another he feels or is expected of him to prove his worth. Or these tasks maybe forces upon the hero by the antagonist. Usually these task are almost impossible and the hero then begins to meet friends and ally’s that aid him on his quest. These quests usually involve all type of thrills chills and of course the possibility of death for our hero. (Come on what epic story would be complete with out that? Also these quests always come with some sort of taboos that the hero must not do. They usually exist in the form of challenges that conflict’s with the up bringing of the character. Upon the over coming of that challenge the hero usually grows up, if the ir a kid you start to see where the hero is growing up. This concept is generally really popular with the long running cartoon stories of kids and helps the viewer learn right along side our protagonist. The viewer then grows with them and grows up with the character themselves learning life lessons.This is a good and bad thing. Because of this in modern society we have generations of children raised by stories as such. For some odd reason I guess lazy parents have taken these stories as alternatives to raising their children themselves. Ultimately death is the ultimate conquest that the hero will end up facing. This usually comes in the form of some journey to the underworld or realm of the dead or whatever they choose to call it. In some instances the hero actually dies and is resurrected.I know of a few stories where the hero dies and is resurrected numerous times symbolic of the conquest over death or maybe just the mocking of it to show off the heroes might. That not even death can stop them. From this point the hero then usually reaches a point of enlightenment or transcends into a higher being. This is a rough summary of Propp’s outline but most stories and heroes of legend commit to it. For example one of the most notable of extraordinary births is Perseus. Zeus got a hold of his mother while she was locked up in an underground chamber.After his birth his mother raised him there for four years in secret. After Acrisius discovered the birth of the child he put him and his mother in their coffin for an old sea man’s burial. They set a float until they landed on the island of Seriphos and were discovered by the old fisherman Dictys. Even when the hero’s are young or in some cases in there infancy they under go tribulation. Like Oedipus who’s name means â€Å"swollen-footed†. This is cause his feet were tied together when he was a baby so that he may never walk.He was to fulfill a prophecy that said he would kill his fath er and marry his mother, and thus brought disaster on his city and family. So he was supposed to be casted out into the wilderness and left to die. Fortune favors the young hero and he is eventually taken in and cared for until he comes of age and has Propp’s states must under go labors to prove his worth. The growing pains of Heracles’ 12 labors are probably the most famous in all of classical myth. The labors of the character’s journey are what transform the protagonist from joe-shmo to our loveable and courage’s hero.The meat and potatoes of the story, for it is here where they evolve into the hero. Cause their actions usually start from seemingly mundane but upon the completion of their mission they gain the praise of the people. In most cased because they end up saving a city, or a massive amount of people from destruction. Or a young woman of noble birth that resides, as say a princess of a powerful city. In some really basic stories after the compl etion of this the hero becomes king or just saves the day and wins the girl and then lives happily ever after.In others the end of the labors are signified by the defeat of the antagonist. Like the killing of Hector by Achilles. Some of my favorites are when upon the conclusion of the finale the hero dies. I know that sound kind of bad but the ending is more real because in these versions just as in real life there isn’t always a happy ending. Usually is these epics the hero is transformed into a legend and revered because of his ultimate sacrifice. Best example of this is Oedipus. He had worked his way into the Gods favor and upon his death Colonus was blessed.And through his death he was made into a hero once again. This motif is all to familiar to Christians for it is capstone for their believe structure. Theses allegories of myth show us how heroes come to be and through Propp’s illustration of all folktale template we see the underlying structure of all stories. A nd the evolution of all heroes.Works Cited Morford, Mark P. O and Roberet Lenardon. Classical Mythology 8th ed. New York: Oxford 2007. â€Å"Vladimir Propp† Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation Inc. July 07, 2010. .