Understanding the Short Story Brownies Essay Example for Free

Understanding the Short Story Brownies Essay Amongst the legion of newly talented American playwrights is Z. Z Parker, an African American author who is popularly known to be the master behind a number of recently published and highly praised short fiction stories across the United States. Included in one of his compilations â€Å"Drinking Coffee Elsewhere† is the short story entitled â€Å"Brownies† which depicts the story about a troop of young Black African-American girls and their encounters and personal experiences with regard to adversities of social discrimination in the entire American Country. Thus, the book depicts and illustrates both of the different faces of the society which is that of the good and dreadful side, more especially in the entire society of the United States wherein there is an evident divergence between the white and black people. In a sense, it is seen obvious that the story is fundamentally set to highlight and enlighten one of the major social problems in the entire American society in both ancient and modern days, which is that of the racial biases and/or discrimination among the Black African-American people. Thus, the story also aims to give a picture of the pessimistic consequences of such social differences between the American group of white and the black. For instance is the adverse incident wherein the troop of black African-American girls and the opposite color have collide and involved their selves into an awful brawl in response to the act of racial discrimination coming from the group of white girls. Hence, such illustration is an example as to how the writer has utilized the specific situations to depict the atrocities and cynicism that social discrimination incorporates in the society. On the other hand, it is also well represented that the society is made of both negative and positive notions wherein the people living in this world are all situated to experience both of the good and bad sides of the society. Through the narrative of one of the black African-American girls in the story, whose name is Laurel, she shares the story of her father’s encounter with a white family and recalls the moment her father said that, It was the only time hed have a white man on his knees doing something for a black man for free† (30). It is indeed an evident way of the writer to balance her depiction of the two faces of society which is that of the good and bad. In the end, it is evident that such book of Z. Z. Parker entitled â€Å"Brownies† is socially prearranged to depict and discuss the problems of society, more specifically in the United States, where Americans are seen to be alienated by this social difference and discrimination. Thus, the short story â€Å"Brownies† is indeed a paradigm of an outstanding socially significant story that presents valuable lessons for the readers and for the entire society. Work Cited Packer, ZZ. â€Å"Brownies. † In Drinking Coffee Elsewhere. New York, NY: The Berkley Publishing Group, 2003.

The Minister’s Black Veil Essays -- Minister?s Black Veil Essays Paper

The Minister’s Black Veil The story â€Å"The Minister’s Black Veil† is symbolic of the hidden sins that we hide and separate ourselves from the ones we love most. In wearing the veil Hooper presents the isolation that everybody experiences when they are chained down by their own sins. He has realized that everybody symbolically can be found in the shadow of their own veil. By Hooper wearing this shroud across his face is only showing the dark side of people and the truth of human existence and nature. Hooper left the dark shroud on because he has realized that secret sin is a veil that can never be lifted from anybody until the day of their death. In a quote from the story Mr. Hooper says, â€Å"There is an hour to come, when all of us shall cast aside our veils. Take it not amiss, beloved friend, if I wear this piece of crepe till then.† By saying this Mr. Hooper expresses the feeling that while human beings are alive on the earth a veil shows their face. Hooper promised himself and made a life task of playing a mirror to the people around him. The veil cannot be lifted until the freedom of truth can be observed. The minister’s friends and neighbors are so upset by the veil because the veil becomes a wall between himself and his congregation. The first response is one of curiosity which then turns in suspicion. They cannot understand the meaning for the wearing of the black veil and in turn the people become very uncomfortable around him. The veil and it color ...

A Critique: “My Boys Like Shootouts, What’s Wrong With That?”

â€Å"My Boys Like Shootouts. What's Wrong With That?† by Jonathan Turley (The Washington Post, 25 February 2007) discusses how parents are becoming increasingly against the play of toy-guns, and how such gun-paranoia will inhibit children's development. Turley, a professor at George Washington University, speaks against those negative attitudes and hopes to educate parents and fellow activists with regards to how toy weaponry contributes to children's development and emotional progress. In general, Turley portrays the image of a concerned father seemingly disgruntled at attitudes encountered from his personal experiences. The tone adopted is casual and the author's use of examples serve to reinforce his ideas and arguments. Turley claims that the allowance of gun play is not an idea which should be condemned and its impact exaggerated. He supports this claim by citing references concerning this topic giving toy guns credit for â€Å"channeling of aggression† (2007, Para 7) and amplifies the requisite to â€Å"distinguish between the two† with reference to â€Å"play† and â€Å"violence† (2007, Para 8). While Turley's sentiments do reflect some truth, this truth is belittled by the one-dimensionality of his discussion and lack of consideration of other concerns such as â€Å"encouraging aggressive behavior and violent attitudes† and â€Å"reinforcing gender stereotypes† (2007, Para 4). Part Two: Turley's arguments are logical but are discredited by their one-dimensionality as he does not accord sufficient discussion to other pertinent issues identified. There seems to be a lack of impartiality in the discussion as Turley is inclined to his own ideas. For instance, Turley used an example from his personal experience relating to his efforts to â€Å"avoid any gender stereotypes† (2007, Para 5) which did not strengthen his argument as he did not give depth to the point raised. Furthermore, the informal tone Turley used undermined the seriousness of the issue, and the example used was lacking as its scope cannot be reflective of an entire societal issue. Hence, Turley's ideas, though valid, are weakened as he fails to present a just, two-sided argument. The examples cited in the article succeed in substantiating Turley's arguments as they are quoted from several published sources with experience and the necessary expertise. These examples exemplify important ideas such as the use of toy weaponry as a form of catharsis for children â€Å"to make meaning of what they have experienced in life† (2007, Para 9) and â€Å"to be able to discharge their anger through symbolic play† (2007, Para 10). They also demonstrate the existing need for a certain degree of change in mindset with regards to allowing gun play. In that sense, Turley has succeeded in delivering his message pertaining to the necessity of such play in children's development. However, the impact may be contracted by his use of a casual tone in a matter of significance to his target audience. Turley clearly describes the importance of gun play in children's development and explains that such play is acceptable as long as â€Å"strict guidelines† (2007, Para 5) are imposed. He is considered to have achieved his intention as he cites useful and credible examples in substantiating his ideas. However, the casual tone adopted undermines the seriousness of the issue as despite it being a topic about play, it is one which parents and relevant groups view with significance. The lack of a balanced argument also weakens the ideas presented. Therefore, for an issue of societal scale, the scope covered by Turley may be too narrow.

Employment Discrimination And Bona Fide Occupational...

Employment Discrimination Introduction In this week’s assignment, we will discuss employment discrimination. First I will share the results of researched conducted on the internet about specific case involving employment discrimination and bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ). Next I will discuss the following questions that have been posed, first should Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 apply to every company, regardless of number of employees? Secondly should race and color be permissible bona fide occupational qualifications or should the BFOQ exceptions to employment discrimination be removed completely? Employment Discrimination Internet Research For the first part of this paper I used the internet to conducted research on cases involving employment discrimination and bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ). The case I discovered in my research is court case titled Anderson v. City and County of San Francisco. This case involves a group of sheriff s deputies (the plaintiff) claimed that the City and County of San Francisco had unlawfully discriminated against them in establishing and implementing a policy that prohibited male deputies from supervising female inmates in single-sex housing units at jails (Barran Attorneys, 2014). The plaintiff in this case claimed that counties policy limited their job opportunities and potential for career progression and that this constituted discrimination was based on their gender. The City and County of SanShow MoreRelatedRace, Sex, And Religious Discrimination1479 Words   |  6 Pagesmake a difference. Although laws have been put in place to end this, there are still many instances in which countless people are affected by modern day discrimination. Race, sex, and religious discrimination are arguable the three most prevalent forms of these issues still ongoing today. My assigned roundtable’s topic was on sex discrimination specifically. We were asked to focus the recent hiring practices of the Hooters restaurant chain. What was unique to this case was that men were the genderRead MoreGender Discrimination Against Women During The Workplace1088 Words   |  5 PagesGender Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace We have made a lot of strides for women in the workplace in the past couple of decades but the problem that still remains is discrimination. A women just wants to be treated like others in the workplace and not to be harassed, judged, looked down or might not be considered for the position because she is a women. According the Department of Labor Statistics 57% of women participate in the labor force, 70% of these women have children underRead MoreEthical Considerations, Pt. 21870 Words   |  8 Pagesequal measure to satisfy the instrument created. Employment laws I am going to discuss one law as related to sexual harassment and one law as related to discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which applies to employers with more than fifteen employees eliminates job discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin. I am going to begin this brief with a discussion of discrimination. Any act of discrimination on bases of race, color, religion, sex, nationalRead MoreCan an Employee Discriminate in the Hiring Process?1240 Words   |  5 Pageshow and when? Yes. As an employer goes through the hiring process, there are many laws which prohibit discrimination. Among these, though, are conditional situations and laws which allow for various types of discrimination by the employer (or other covered entity) during the hiring process. Some of the permissible discrimination includes the following: Age: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects those ages 40 and over, it does not protect those under 40. Employers may favor anRead MoreMEDINA804 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿1. When can an employee’s religious belief qualify as a bona fide occupational qualification? In order to use the BFOQ exception, an employer must prove that no member of the group you are discriminating against could perform the job. Using the religious example, a Lutheran church would argue that only a Lutheran could effectively practice and preach the tenants of their religion and a Catholic would be unable to perform the job due to his or her beliefs. Courts are very careful to only allow veryRead MoreBona Fide Occupational Qualification Essay1962 Words   |  8 PagesBona Fide Occupational Qualification Title VII states that an employee cannot be treated differently because of sex unless sex is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ). When used as a defense, bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) allows an organization to hire and employ individuals on the basis of the qualifications reasonably necessary to the normal operation of that particular business or enterprise. This paper will discuss the necessary steps employers must takeRead MoreEssay on Midterm Exam ( Review)1542 Words   |  7 Pagesmethods of collecting employment information. c. It has diminished the role of supervisors in managing employees. d. It has speeded up the processing of employment data. 3. The individual’s skills, knowledge, and capabilities that have economic value to an organization but may not show up on its balance sheet are known as: a. human capital. b. intellectual capital. c. core competencies. d. employee capital. 4. Which of the following is an example of systemic discri mination? a. asking female candidatesRead MoreThe Topic Of Age Discrimination1522 Words   |  7 Pagestopic of age discrimination. Age discrimination is prohibited by the United States government under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which was put into place to protect workers over the age of forty. Under this acactin is illegal to show any form of discrimination towards workers over the age of forty, including unfavorable treatment in the hiring decisions made by employers. This essentially means that of two prospective employees who possess the same qualifications, an employerRead MoreEmployment Law Midterm Essay1234 Words   |  5 PagesEmployment Law Midterm 1. DePeters, Co. is sued for sex discrimination on the grounds that too few women are hired because fewer women than men achieve passing scores on a required manual dexterity and physical strength test.  DePeters, Co. offers in its defense that even though fewer women score high enough on the test, a greater percentage of the passing women are hired.  The company maintains that, as a result, the percentage of women in the workforce mirrors the percentage of available womenRead MoreEmployee Selection and Training Essay792 Words   |  4 PagesEmployment Selection and Training and Development Programs HRM/420 July 2, 2012 Travis King Employment Selection and Training and Development Programs Employers face many risks in association with selection processes. Organizations must ensure that statements, overtures, and advertisements are not suspect, and its selection process is free of discrimination (Moran, 2008). There should be no references to age in the selection process, or any