Maud Martha Essays - Gwendolyn Brooks, Pressure, Maud Martha, Brooks

Maud Martha Maud Martha Gwendolyn Brooks was a black poet from Kansas who wrote in the early twentieth century. She was the first black woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize. Her writings deal mostly with the black experience growing up in inner Chicago. This is the case with one of her more famous works, Maud Martha. Maud Martha is a story that illustrates the many issues that a young black girl faces while growing up in a ?white, male driven' society. One aspect of Martha that is strongly emphasized on the book is her low self-image and lack of self-esteem. Martha feels that she is inferior for several reasons, but it is mainly the social pressures that she faces and her own blackness that contribute to these feelings of inferiority. It is through these depictions that we are able to identify with the feelings of the writer. Gwendolyn Brooks wrote an autobiography that reveals many her attitudes, tendencies and criticisms. Martha, in Brooks' stories has a low self-esteem. This lack of self is directly relat ed to her being black. Brooks' experiences growing up are the key influence in the writing of Maud Martha Martha's self-image is very low because she feels that being black will not get her anywhere in society. She feels as though she is backed into a corner when it comes to the problems that the black culture faces from day to day. Martha is a very dark shade of black. She thinks that because she is this shade she is not a beautiful as her friends who are a lighter shade of black or obviously, white. These issues exist and are perpetuated by her family, friends and even her boyfriend. Brooks also discusses similar issues in her autobiography. She talks about skin color and how people are attracted to bright people. By bright she is not referring to their intelligence or wit, but the color of their skin. She also says that in order to be respected as a black person you have to be a light shade of black and not have many of the characteristics of a black person. She believes that in order to be beautiful, a girl cannot have hair that appears to be straightened by a hot comb; rather you sh ould have curly hair. And you must be dressed well. In her opinion it helps if your mother is a schoolteacher, because then you will probably have nice clothes and be somewhat intelligent. Brooks talks about holidays as well. She discusses how they are white influenced. She explains how she didn't mind that Santa Clause is white. She says: It did not trouble me, then, that Santa was white and Christ and Christmas were offered as white, except for That One of the ?wise men,? with role ever slurred, ever understated. (Report From Part One, 43) When she was young it didn't bother her that Santa Clause was white, as she grew up and developed her own opinions the world and her own blackness it began to bother her. She feels as though her child is being drawn into a white world in which she cannot escape. This further frustrates both the reader and the main character. She does not understand why she has to be made to feel like she must up to meet the white standards. She begins to feel as though Christmas is the biggest and most important holiday and how a white male symbolizes it. Maud Martha made many of the same implications. When Martha is discussing the holidays she is constantly referring to the stimuli that experiences in terms of color. She talks about Halloween and the yellow burning pumpkins and birthdays and the pink and white candles and ice cream. She talks about the dinner table at home having a white tablecloth also. Brooks' emphasis on color also works to emphasize the main theme in her works. This is again the issue of race and color and how color plays a major role in how we go about our every day lives. The extensive use of color also helps to emphasize in the readers mind the underlying issue that is ever present throughout the book. This is the issue of the writer

Tablets vs. Textbooks Essay Example

Tablets vs. Textbooks Essay Example Tablets vs. Textbooks Paper Tablets vs. Textbooks Paper Technology is advancing more and more everyday. From phones to Droids the things you can do is endless. These advances are making every day life easier and easier whether its doing your banking from home or keeping up with social media. Technology is becoming so advanced that kindergarten through twelfth grade students will soon be relieved of the burden of carrying books to and from school five days a week, which would be extremely beneficial. However, some people oppose this dea because, tablets are more expensive than print text books, they are dangerous to our kids health, and the tablets may be difficult to use for some students. First of all, those who oppose this idea believe that a tablet is more expensive than a print text book. Technology does not necessarily translate into more expensive though. According to a report from the Federal Communications Commission schools kindergarten through twelfth grade spend on average around eight billion dollars a year on text books. If these schools switched from text books to the ever popularizing E-book these schools can save anywhere from two hundred fifty to one thousand dollars per student per year. If you calculate this an average school has about five thousand to seven thousand students which translates to a 5 to 7 hundred thousand dollar savings that can go towards other things in the school. Most E-books cost about four hundred fifty dollars where as a textbook can cost upwards of six hundred dollars. So, this idea of tablets being more expensive is preposterous, and comes from the common idea of technology means more money which has no factual vidence to back it. Secondly, the opposition will say that tablets are dangerous to our kids health. Those who oppose tablet usage will use the argument that staring at the screen of the tablet will cause irreversible damage to the eyes, but this claim is only a half truth though. There is no permanent damage caused to the eye, but there is a slight strain that can be relieved from a good nights rest. This slight strain however, is nothing in comparison to what can happen to an individuals back from carry all those heavy books all day. Pediatrician and chiropractors recommend that only fifteen percent of ones total body weight should be held on the back, but the weight from all of a childs courses easily out weighs that fifteen percent mark. A report from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, during the 2011-2012 school year an estimated thirteen thousand seven kids aged from five to eighteen, were treated for some sort of back pack related injury. So where is the real danger to our kids health really at? Lastly, the individuals who oppose these tablets in school will say the tablets may be oo difficult to use for some students. The opposition will argue that with all these books and documents a student will have difficulty with opening any of them and thus make learning much harder for that child, this claim is extremely outlandish however. In the third world country of Ethiopia, the One Lap Top Per Child organization dropped off boxes full of tablets with educational applications loaded onto the device in two rural cities. These children had no prior education up to this point and were able to use the device properly within five days of opening it. Within two weeks these children were reciting the alphabet, and withing five months the children were able to get passed the security systems on the device and customize the background of the tablet. So, if these children who have never even seen the inside of a classroom can easily work the device within five days and become experts with it within five months, there is no telling what the children of modern day America would be able to do with such an educational device. Using a tablet in school over text books is Just so much more beneficial than it is unhelpful. The students of today will be much safer carrying around a one pound tablet everyday than a fifteen pound book. Using these tablets will also save our school districts so much more money as well. Also students today will be able to easily adjust and use these tablets for educational purposes which is Just much more beneficial towards their learning. Tablets are Just so beneficial why would we deprive our students of something so great. Tablets will revolutionize and increase learning ability so much, we can not Just turn our backs to this great opportunity technology has provided for us.

Jones-Smith as Guest Speaker Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Jones-Smith as Guest Speaker - Article Example The duty of care ensures that Jones-Smith as guest speaker for the New Year’s Eve festival organized by Mayor of London is owed a duty of care by the event host and implementing or assigned officers. The host or the officers involved should not have allowed Jones Smith to suffer any unreasonable harm or loss –physical, emotional or even financial. Jones-Smith suffered several losses and damages: disability, loss of life of his aunt Anita, loss of ability to conduct economic and personal activities, as well as the loss of Anita’s relatives since Anita is a sole provider of seven-year-old Sona. In addition, with the event shown live on television and viewed by Anita’s close relatives Sona and Paula, defendants may also be liable for the state of shock, or psychiatric injury. The tort of negligence may be applicable to Jones Smith’s case. This means that the breach of duty must be established against the Mayor or his officers-on-duty during the event that Jones-Smith was about to deliver his speech and throughout the duration of the event where Jones-Smith was expected to grace the event. The tort of negligence originated from the case of Donoghue (or McAlister) v Stevenson ruled in 1932 (UK Law, 2010). Lord Atkin’s speech became the cornerstone for the neighbor principle on the duty of care. This requires individuals to be reasonably careful about their actions and omissions in order to avoid harming others.

Business Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Plan - Essay Example 2. Name of the Ethical Business I would name my transport business as Comfy Travelling Agencies, since it corresponds to services offered in the industry, and strategy and set of laws central to the provision of services. 3. Mission Statement for Ethical Business The mission statement, for the ethical business I have selected states, â€Å"Comfy Travelling Agencies† aims at providing quality and affordable transport services to society† (Stephenson & Thurman, 2007, 34). 4. Business and Market Description My written business description for business and market are a business review, history, position and amenities, legal company outline and the proprietors. The business is motivated by the desire to have an enhanced bus transport service to offer, and cater for all stakeholders needs. My business offers quality and reasonably priced transport facilities to all the societal members. The business serves the society at any time of the day, since it also operates at night. Th e choice for the selection of transportation business environment will consider the significance of the location to the business; since, rent will be charged in the business operational environment. Consequently, the location should suitable for achieving business goals. My location choice for the business would be in Montana, USA. The facilities that would be available to the business are free access roads in the region and freedom from government tax systems (Audi, 2009, 44). Set of laws and regulations controlling the business operation will be clearly stated, and the Oder of command in the industry will be straight (Miller & Cross, F2011, 76). I will be the main business proprietor, since I will be the one funding the whole operation. I will also be the one with the idea of how the industry is to be managed. 5. Goals Objectives Actions Timing Short term The company’s short term business goal is to provide an affordable transport system to the town’s population, whi ch will solve the town’s undisciplined transport operators managing the company in an exploitative way. 1-6 months Mid term The mid term business goal is to retain the company’s entire staff, and motivate them to yield a high quality customer satisfaction and increased profit making in the company. 7-11 months Long term The company’s long term goals are gratifying the customers’ needs by improving on the quality and expanding the business to other key town after a year. 1-2 years 5. SMART Objectives for the Business Smart objectives will assist the transport business to realize the accomplishment of shot term plans and motivate the staff in achieving long term objectives. Specific The business objective is to earn customers loyalty within the first two months of operation. The reason for the objective is to create a secure liaison with clients and maintain them for a long time. The drives and the customer care department are involved in attaining the obje ctive. The site where the target is to be achieved is on the roads where clients are transported various localities. The driver should drive safely and timely to ensure that customers are on schedule with their plans for the day. Measurable The objective would be measurable, since, the number of clients travelling with the companies’ buses will be documented in a daily basis. The data will be tallied at the end of the first month to confirm whether

Resources for Readers Theater Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Resources for Readers Theater - Term Paper Example My group worked well together I must say. Everyone contributed to the success of the project. We shared out roles amongst ourselves. Some students carried the seats and arranged them in the auditorium for the stage reading. Other students offered to clean the stage for us to have a suitable environment (Aaron 54). We appointed a student to be the leader of the session for that time. His job was to maintain order and see to it that everything ran smoothly. The group worked remarkably well together. Everyone participated actively. People showed up in time for the stage reading. Each student would speak up when it was their turn; no one had to be reminded due to lack of attention. There was a reasonable amount of order which made it easier to work and finish in good time. Form this collaboration with my fellow student I learned a great deal. There is so much talent in my theatre class. Every student has a different kind of talent. There is also a lot of passion for the arts in the class and this is something I truly appreciated as I found people I can genuinely connect with due to similar interests. I would say the collaboration was a definite success on our part. We have never worked better or made so much progress together. A lot of things, I would say, went well during the collaboration. We all managed to master our lines in the script. We found a way to help each other with parts that gave us difficulties (Aaron 54). At the end of it all, we finished our staged reading project. Above all, we actually got time to interact with each other. I would say many friendships have been made. What I think could have gone better is the time we had to do our stage reading. The time given to us was very short for such a long script. We were asked to leave the auditorium after a considerably short amount of time. Despite this minor shortcoming, we still managed to complete the project (Aaron 70).

Changing social and medical attitudes affect ill health

Changing social and medical attitudes affect ill health Health was defined by The World Health Organisation in 1948 as, a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Varying definitions of health can be found depending on an individuals perspective. Medics will focus on biological cause while sociologists argue that health is a product of social and environmental factors. (Naidoo Wills, 2009a: chapters 12) In the early 19th Century there was focus on the elimination of diseases such as plague, smallpox and cholera. With industrialization and rapid urbanization, as the 19th century progressed, health issues became focused on environmental issues such as clean water supplies, disposal of waste and better housing. (Naidoo Wills, 2009b:p3) Health inequalities have been recognised in the UK since William Farr first published statistics in 1837. It remains the case today that health is directly influenced by social class and the effects of poverty and associated behaviour factors. (Ewles, 2005: pp243-245) Urbanisation is the process of population concentration. The 19th century saw the massive growth of cities and the migration of the population from the country and into cities on a scale never seen before. Houses became over crowded with entire families living in one room. The process caused huge problems for public health. (Pathfinder pack on Urbanisation the move to the city in the 19th century, n.d.) (Urbanisation in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, n.d.) Urbanisation was the most profound effect of the Industrial Revolution which developed at a pace in Britain between 1800 and 1850. Cities grew rapidly and lacked sanitation, accumulated sewage, had high rates of crime and poverty and consequently high rates of disease. Heavy use of coal led to an accumulation of dirt and grime. (Urbanisation, n.d.) Larger cities were a necessity of industrial growth but the conditions they brought were in many ways regressive. (Lee, 1995:p48) The Growth of Cities 1801-1901 in thousands. City 1801 1851 1901 Birmingham 71 233 523 Bradford 13 105 280 Leeds 53 172 429 Liverpool 82 376 704 Manchester 70 303 645 Newcastle 33 88 247 Nottingham 29 57 240 Sheffield 46 135 407 (Reynoldson 1996:p10) A part of London was described by Thomas Southwood-Smith in 1838 as follows, Beckwith Row has an open drain. The houses have common, open privies (toilets) which are in the most offensive condition. In one house I found six persons living in a very small room, two in bed, ill with fever. (Reynoldson, 1996: p110) http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:HcwSJOrT5lACaM:http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/stories/the_industrial_town/06.ST.02/img/IM.1064_zp.jpg Slums in 1872 London [Making the modern world, n.d.) There were no controls on the standard of housing and the Government maintained a laissez-faire attitude. That is they believed there should be no central government intervention. Local efforts were haphazard and insufficient. (Todd, 2002:p31) Smallpox was the greatest killer at the beginning of the 19th century. Jenner observed that milkmaids who caught a mild form of the disease or cowpox didnt develop smallpox. From this study, Jenner discovered a method of vaccination against smallpox. He faced much opposition to his discovery as some people simply didnt like anything new while others described his theory as bizarre. Jenner wasnt a fashionable London Doctor and he couldnt explain how or why vaccination worked so he wasnt taken seriously. Some people called it an interference with nature. (Lee 1995:p44) (Todd, 2002:p32) Success of the vaccine was put down to coincidence by some Doctors who made money through an older practice of inoculation. (Lee, 1995:p44) A smallpox epidemic, during which 40,000 people died, resulted in the government making the smallpox vaccination compulsory in 1840 even though some continued to argue that this measure was against human rights. Smallpox declined, until by 1900 it had almost disappeared. This was the first example of the government accepting responsibility for an area of public health. (Lee, 1995:p44) Cartwright in A social History of Medicine (1977) describes Jenners discovery as one of the most beneficial changes in the history of social medicine.his work is recognised as the starting point of attempts to combat infection by immunization. (adapted from Lee, 1995:p45) Jenners work and the train of events that followed affected a social revolution. Individual choice was sacrificed for the interests of the community. (Cartwright, 1977:p92) At the same time, two other diseases also presented a challenge. TB cholera were more difficult to tackle as both diseases spread as a result of poor living conditions. TB or consumption took hold as towns grew and took over from smallpox as the greatest killer disease. Cholera epidemics struck several times during the first half of the 19th century. In 1854 John Snow proved that cholera was connected with polluted water. He was able to show that a water pump in the Broadgate area of London was the origin of 500 cases. People using another pump nearby did not catch the disease. Once the Broadgate pump was put out of action, no further cases were reported in the area. (Lee, 1995:p51) http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:dkmPPVrjlaE3NM:http://historyday.coldray.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/john-snow.jpg John Snow (1813-1858) http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:fd12xpKjN8GveM:http://thedoublethink.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/450px-john_snow_memorial_and_pub.jpg Replica Broadgate pump (www.health.eku.edu/ehs/faculty/darryl_barnett.htm) A fierce debate raged about responsibility for public health with strong views about the role of the government. Several arguments for non-intervention were put forward including that government intervention would interfere with peoples basic rights or the freedom to be dirty. Some people believed that if the state acted to improve housing the moral courage of the poor would be reduced. (Lee 1953: p53) A letter to The Times in 1854 read, We prefer to take our chance with cholera than be bullied into health. Many people have died from a good washing. (Quoted in Lee, 1995:p53) But several important people put the case for action by the state including William Farr and Thomas Southwood-Smith who both recommended government intervention. Tonge in Challenging History 1700-1914 says, Of all the campaigners for improved public health, Edwin Chadwick stands monumentally above the rest. Chadwick stressed the connection between public health and disease and how such factors needed to be addressed by government intervention. Chadwicks report The sanitary conditions of the Labouring Population of Great Britain was published in 1842 and recommended that the government take steps to improve drainage, remove rubbish from the streets and improve the water supply. (Wilkes: 2007: p 92) (Reynoldson: 1996, p 113) http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:iK4kyWJkVFmbWM:http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/SirEdwinChadwick.jpg/200px-SirEdwinChadwick.jpg Edwin Chadwick (www.answers.com/topic/edwin-chadwick) The government distanced itself from Chadwicks report largely because of the influential figures he has discredited and the laissez-faire debate lasted for much of the 19th century. Loosely translated this means do not interfere. Some members of parliament were making money from rent on the slums and refused to tear them down. Eventually, however, the social effects of economic growth were so severe that gradually the state became more involved in issues of public health. The great stink in 1858 (when a heat wave caused the Thames to smell worse than ever) inspired the government into action. (Wilkes 2007). In 1861, Prince Alberts death from typhoid was attributed to contaminated water from the Thames and put further pressure on the government to do something. (Cartwright, 1977, p95) In 1867, working class men were given the right to vote. Political parties realised that by promising to improve living conditions, they could secure the working class vote. When the Conservatives won the 1874 election, they introduced many public health reforms. Aaron Wilkes (Medicine through Time) sees this as the most important reason why politicians began to make improvements. Some cities including Birmingham and Liverpool started some clearance of slums, built sewers, improved refuse collection services and opened public baths. Some private companies such as Lever, Cadbury and Rowntree saw the benefits of providing good housing for their workers. It was, however, not until after the First World War that extensive slum clearance was commenced. (Lee 1995:p57) Miasma or the infectious mist given off by rotting animals, rubbish and human waste was thought to be the cause of many of the epidemics in the 19th Century. Scientists identified germs using a microscope but believed that the disease caused germs rather than the other way round. This was known as spontaneous generation. Louis Pasteur questioned this theory and was able to prove that germs caused disease but many Doctors wouldnt entertain his ideas. It took the German Doctor, Koch, to apply Pasteurs theory to human disease. Koch was able to prove that germs caused TB, cholera and anthrax. (Mantin Pulley, 1988:p49) http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:OdyqTCWJiq49tM:http://web.ukonline.co.uk/b.gardner/pasteur.jpg Louis Pasteur (web.ukonline.co.uk/b.gardner/pasteur.htm) Pasteur built on Kochs work and developed a vaccine for rabies. Soon the germs responsible for typhus, tetanus, typhoid, pneumonia, meningitis, plague, septicaemia and dysentery were identified. Once germs were discovered vaccines could be made. Scientists now had a powerful new weapon to fight disease. (Wilkes, 2007:p88) Vaccination is one of the greatest success stories of modern medicine. Smallpox has been wiped out and tuberculosis and polio have been significantly reduced. Children are now regularly vaccinated against a number if diseases. (Lee, 1995:82) The smallpox vaccine was given free in 1840 but it was another 100 years before vaccination against TB was provided. This was followed by vaccines for diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus (1954), polio (1955), measles (1964) and rubella (1969). (Lee, 1995:p82) Progress continues today as a new vaccine has been introduced this year which protects girls against the virus that causes cervical cancer. The 19th Century also saw developments in surgery. The problems were pain and infection. The breakthrough came with the development of anaesthetics and antiseptics. (Lee, 1995: pp5961) William Moston experimented with ether and James Simpson tried chloroform. As with most medical discoveries, the first reaction of surgeons was criticism. Some argued that the long term effects were unknown and others objected on religious grounds. In some cases patients still died if the anaesthetic wasnt correctly administered. Some people thought that surgeons would cut off whatever they liked while the patient was unconscious and army Doctors thought the use of anaesthetic was soft. (Reynoldson, 1996:97). Others said that it was unnatural to ease a womans pain during childbirth. The breakthrough came when Queen Victoria used chloroform during the birth of her eighth baby and use of anaesthetics then became common practice. (Wikes, 1988: p101) The use of anaesthetics was a great step forward but it didnt stop deaths from infection after the operation. In the 19th Century hospitals were dirty places. Patients with disease were herded together, the same instruments were used on many patients and Doctors didnt change their blood stained coats between operations. Doctor Joseph Lister was influenced by Pasteur and believed it important to kill the bacteria in the operating theatre. He did this by spraying carbolic acid (although his theory wasnt quite accurate as the bacteria was really on the instruments not in the air, but the incidence of infection was reduced by some of the antiseptic also landing on the instruments in use). Lister encountered much opposition as nurses and doctors complained about the smell and the amount of time taken to clean the theatre. Lister didnt communicate well and surgeons who didnt work with him were not convinced. (Lee.1995: p64) Eventually antiseptics and cleanliness came together to form the modern approach to surgery or asepsis. By the beginning of the 20th century Doctors were operating in a germ free environment, using sterilised equipment and wearing gowns masks. Death rates reduced massively; at Newcastle Infirmary before 1873, 59.2% of patients died after an operation (pre antisepsis), after 1873 only 4% died (post antisepsis). (Figures from The Lancet in 1878 in Lee, 1995:p65). Use of a carbolic spray during an operation circa. 1880 and the sterile environment of a modern operating department. http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:476AON2yuy0EGM:http://www.answersingenesis.org/assets/images/articles/aid/v4/antiseptic-surgery.jpg http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:sgiACWjAMvVpNM:http://www.workingmats.com/images/Operating_Theatre_115313_08.jpg (www.history.langtreeshout.org/tag/lister/) (www.workingmats.com/images/Operating_Theatre) During the Crimean war (1854/56) Florence Nightingales influence saw death rates reduce as she was responsible for organising better water supplies and food and keeping the wards clean. Fiona Reynoldson in Medicine Through Time says the death rate of wounded soldiers in hospital reduced by 40% under Nightingales influence. In 1899 a recruitment campaign for men to fight in the Boar War highlighted the fact that around 40% of those volunteering were unfit for military duty. In 1904 a government report concluded that there needed to be more government intervention to improve the health of children. When the Liberal government was elected in 1905, a large number of reforms were introduced including free school meals for poor children, a free school medical service and women were taught about hygiene and childcare. Pensions for over 70s and basic sick and unemployment pay were also introduced. Over the next 30 years successive governments took measures to improve the health of children and mortality rates dropped. (Wilkes, 2007:p114) During the 1st World War, Prime Minister Lloyd George promised soldiers returning homes fit for heroes. The government set itself a target of building half a million decent homes by 1933. The war revolutionized society and made us move in a new and different direction. (Fenwick-Baines, 2009) When Britain was plunged into the First World War the need for a way to combat staphylococcus, a highly resistant bacteria, was urgently needed. Many soldiers died, not from the bullets, but from the infection caused by the bullets deep in the body. Conditions in the trenches were appalling and wounds quickly turned septic. Alexander Fleming worked on wounds and infections during the war and made an important discovery that the penicillin mould would attack and kill certain bacteria. Fleming is credited with its discovery but other scientists went on to develop the drug for human use. Initially, money wasnt available for its manufacture but The Second World War was vital in progressing its mass production. The American government recognised its value and agreed to pay drug companies to manufacture vast quantities to treat injured soldiers. Penicillin is still the most widely used antibiotic and is used to treat many bacterial infections, many other antibiotics followed . By the end o f the war, drug companies made it available for general use. (Wilkes, 2007: p118) (Board works, 2003) The problem of blood shortage baffled Doctors for centuries but hundreds of wounded soldiers provided the strongest possible reason for expediting the establishment of the new blood transfusion service. This is another typical example of war acting as a catalyst for change. The 2nd World War actually saw the health of the nation improve as rationing meant that fatty sugary foods were in short supply. The government urged people to dig for victory and grow their own vegetables. The government promoted healthy living including basic hygiene and immunisation against diphtheria all part of a campaign to have a healthy nation able to stand up to Hitler.(Board works, 2003) Dig For Victory http://www.5aday.nhs.uk/images/top_tips_2/pic_carrot_eyes.jpg The Dig for Victory campaign during the 2nd World War is remarkably similar to todays Try 5 message. (www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g :2009) (www.5aday.nhs.uk: ) Birth rates reduced with the availability of contraception and with fewer mouths to feed, better food was provided for children. Between the wars little changed as the economy experienced difficulties (the 1930s depression) but during and after the Second World War there was a further huge development. In 1942 The Beveridge Report recommended a welfare state and that the government should help people from the cradle to the grave. After the war people wanted change and a social revolution. The war was over and it was time to look to the future. Some people did not like the new ideas and said everyone should be independent, the rich objected to paying heavier taxes to fund the welfare state. (Cartwright 1977: p173) The suggestions made by Beveridge were not immediately put into force as the cost was questioned but when Labour took power in 1945, the NHS was born. From the introduction of the NHS in 1948, everyone was entitled to free medical treatment. The welfare state and the NHS in particular met with opposition. Churchill and the conservative party felt the cost was too much for the economy to bear. Critics suggested the health service was wasteful and that people were getting things they didnt need. The service was also free to overseas visitors and some argued that this was over-generous. The BMA objected, initially fearing Doctors would lose their independence and that their income would reduce as an employee of the NHS. Compromise was only reached when agreement was given that Doctors would still be able to take on private, fee-paying patients. (Lee 1995:95) (Reynoldson, 1996:118) (Lloyd T. 1986:289) (Wilkes, 2007:123) The dawn of the NHS was a huge change in the way people accessed healthcare. After the war New Towns were built to replace the inner city slums. The 1947 Town and Country Planning Act identified green belts where houses would not be allowed to swallow up the countryside. In 1954 the clean air act reduced smoke and smog in cities. In 1980, The Black Report stated that although health had improved since the introduction of the welfare state, huge inequalities in still existed between the rich and the poor. It concluded the reason for the disparity to be poverty. (BBC History, 2009) 1992 saw the publication of The Health of the Nation. This was the first ever strategy for healthcare improvement setting out objectives and measurable targets in four key areas: heart disease stroke, cancers, mental health, HIV/AIDS and accidents. The areas were selected because they were either a major cause of premature death or avoidable, interventions were possible and achievements could be monitored. (Childs, 1996) In 2000 health authorities became more autonomous and the establishment of a healthy competition between them. However, postcode can now determine the quality of healthcare provided and whether the hospital can afford or is willing to pay for the specific drugs and treatments, Press reports in recent months have highlighted how some patients been declined expensive cancer drugs by a particular hospital while it is provided to patients of a neighbouring authority. This contradicts the ethos of the NHS its position of equality of provision for all. Massive changes took place throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in terms of public health provision and scientific and medical discoveries. The NHS didnt stay completely free. It is rarely out of the news as waiting lists get longer because people are living longer. The main problem is funding as modern drugs and treatments are expensive.Most Infections and diseases can be prevented or cured but Doctors still struggle with heart disease and cancer. Viral infections like the common cold and AIDS cannot be cured and emphasis is now placed on educating people about how to avoid diseases like AIDS and lung cancer through lifestyle changes. (Wilkes A. 2007:p124) Two aspects of modern living which can have a detrimental effect on the health of the population are; smoking and diet. Although initially promoted as cleansing the lungs by tobacco manufacturers, the detrimental effects of smoking have been know for half a century. Naidoo Willis in Public Health and Health Promotion: developing practice highlight smoking as the single most preventable cause of ill health and premature death. A third of cancer deaths are linked to smoking and it is also linked to heart and lung disease. Smoking is estimated to cost the NHS  £1.7billion each year (Dept of Health 1998 Royal College of Physicians 1992 in Naidoo Willis 2009) Marlboros for Mummy Examples of early cigarette advertising. http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/03/uk_goodbye_tobacco_ads/img/2.jpg (news.bbc.co.uk//html/2.stm) (news.bbc.co.uk//html/2.stm, 2009) Early Cigarette advertising actually promoted the health benefits claiming relief from asthma, wheezing and hay fever. Craven called itself the Doctors Choice. Marlbroro promoted the benefits of smoking to Mothers. In 1998 the government banned tobacco advertising and targeted an anti-smoking campaign at children, pregnant women and disadvantaged adults. Demand is controlled by taxation and a ban on smoking in a public places including pubs. Obesity is a growing problem and has trebled since 1980. It is linked to social disadvantage and the way childrens lifestyles have changed over the last 50 years (more TV/computer time, less physical activity, convenience foods, working Mothers with less time). There is mounting pressure to ban the advertising of junk food. A high fat diet has been linked to heart disease and some cancers. NHS spending on sickness attributed to obesity has been estimated to exceed  £3.6billion. (Joint Health Surveys Unit, 2002 Mulvihill Quigley, 2003 Naidoo Willis 2009:p239). Last year the government launched the change4life education campaign to promote the message eat well, move more, live longer which encourages parents to make sure their children have a minimum of one hour exercise each day and reduce the amount of fat in their diet. http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:lg0Gy-_B7JmSnM:http://www.sunseaandcycling.com/Files/Images/C4L_master-logo-rgb.jpg http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:n39JMfcD3UH9DM:http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl2/1/15111/11_2009/cb3240a4f35793dc_uk-change-4-life-ad.jpg (www.nhs.uk/Change4life, 2009) Public Health interventions have evolved as the government have taken responsibility for living conditions and health service provision, mass vaccination and immunization programmes. The epidemiological transition in the 20th Century saw the main causes of death and illness shift from infections to illness such as heart disease and cancer where lifestyle is a huge factor. (Naidoo Wills 2005:4) Current public health measures include mass screening programmes for example for breast and cervical cancers, extensive vaccination programmes as well as education and advice delivered by practitioners and the media campaigns. Examples of recent/current health media campaigns. http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:vS8pq7HettyShM:http://www2.glos.ac.uk/offload/staff/news/swineflu.jpg http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:qNfrnzs-ahQTYM:http://draust.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/nhs-measles-poster.jpg http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:gslEVyv3VyG7SM:http://www.elements4health.com/images/stories/conditions/breast-cancer-ribbon-2.jpg (www.chesterfield.gov.uk/lowgraphic).. (draust.wordpress.com) (www.elements4health.com/report-highlights-ser) The political agenda is dominated by social responsibility and recognition of the links between poverty and ill health. Acheson defines health promotion as the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts of society. (Acheson 1988 in Naidoo Wills, 2005:4)

Capital Punishment is State Sanctioned Murder Essay example -- Argumen

Capital Punishment is State Sanctioned Murder Capital punishment is state sanctioned, premeditated murder. It is morally, ethically, and socially wrong. Murder is the intentional killing of one person by another. Capital punishment does just that. It takes the life of one person and uses another, "the executioner," to do it. In the state of Indiana, the warden of the state prison acts as "the executioner." The killing takes place before the hour of sunrise on a fixed day. The warden, "executioner," flips a switch that sends electrical current into the body of the convicted prisoner, thus ending the prisoner's life. What happens during the execution is one person's life is intentionally ended by the act of another. The difference, however, is that capital punishment is condoned by the state. The state's Supreme Court, Appeals Court, Superior courts, and prosecutors all play an important role in condoning the use of capital punishment. Many precautions are taken to ensure that all due process rights are given to the offender. I wonder how many times we have executed an innocent man or woman? Last month, in the state of Virginia, a man was executed for the brutal rape and murder of his sister-in-law. Throughout his 11 year stay on death row, he claimed he was not guilty of this crime. We may never know the truth, yet his life was ended. If his innocence could be proven today, there would be no way to reverse the punishment. There is no doubt that we have executed innocent people in this country. Throughout our lives we are taught that it is wrong to take the life of ... ...ustice that is being served? In my involvement with offenders on death row, I see the pain of their families as they go through the appeals process hoping and praying that their loved one's sentence be overturned. The use of the death penalty shows us that revenge is honored in our society. The cost of incarcerating an offender for their lifetime is much less than the cost of executing that same offender. In spite of the lower cost to imprison, we continue to execute offenders. To me, this mindset shows a system that considers the death of another to be a victory. Murder and capital punishment are synonymous. Both consist of the intentional killing of a human being. Both are morally, ethically, and socially wrong. The only difference is one form of killing is considered to be lawful.