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Benedict XVI by Laurence Paul Hemming

The focus of this paper is to provide an analysis Laurence Paul Hemming’s “Benedict XVI”

The first four pages of the paper provide the summary of the main theological ideas found in the book. The paper proceeds to discuss students believes of the best theological points made by the author. The paper dedicates the final page to arguments or points made by the author.

Laurence Paul Hemming’s Benedict XVI is dedicated to the theological view of the Catholic Church. The author talks about the reign of the pope from the time of his election in 1995. The book thus acts as a biography of the life of the pope before and during his election.

One of the theological ideas in the book talks about the liberation theology. This idea calls for the merging of the gap between the rich and the poor. The theology gets its ideas from the Marxism and socialism roots which fights against the oppression of the common man. This movement is mostly concentrated in Latin America the strength of the Catholic Church is felt the most. The church plays a significant role in addressing social ills such as oppression, inequality and injustice by the influential in the community (Hemming, p. 241).

The theology challenges political systems that focus of the growth of individual people as opposed to the society as a whole. The governments are known to cater for the need of the wealthy minority. This ignores the plight of the majority who live under the poverty line. Pope Benedict takes on the role of his predecessors who oppose this system of governance. Over the years, the catholic leaders have changed their stance on the theology due to the change in society. Pope Benedict is at the forefront of the opposition of the theology due to its association with the laws of Marxism. One of the reasons for his position is the impact of the socialist movement on the economy. Sociology controls all the aspects of the lives in a socialist community. This makes them oppressed due to the lack of choice. The system is meant to improve the livelihood of the community. This is not the case in that people in socialist states do not have the power to improve their situation in society (Hemming, p. 246).

The Catholic Church has changed its view of the democratic theory which advocates for working for the truth. The truth in this case reflects on the image of pope benedicts and his massage to the new Roman Catholic Church. This as a result has changes the dynamics of the governance of the Latin countries. Pope Benedict is one of the advocates for the phasing out of the liberation theology. The theology is said to be outdated and more oppressive compared to other systems. The author ensures that he explains the inception of the theology from its inception to present day. Its existence has played a significant in the running and the Catholic Church and the Latin countries.

The liberation theology has not only had an impact in the Latin American countries. It has spread to other continents such as Europe and Africa. The book gives examples of the Africa which is the poorest continent in the world. Most of the people in the continent are under privileged due to the immense corruption that exists in the continents. The Catholic Church places emphasis on the treatment of the poor. This is due to Jesus association with the less privileged in the community. Pope Benedict’s visit to Benin saw his call for the unification of the country. He taught about perseverance in times of hardships so as to succeed in life. The book elaborates on the pope’s contribution to the less fortunate in the community as a whole.

The theology seeks to condemn the evil activities in the Catholic Church. Over the years, the church has received a bad reputation for its treatment of followers. One of the issues is the corruption within the clergy. The clergy is known to ask for payments in exchange for prayers. This defies the teachings of the Bible which states that people should not pay for prayers. The church is also known to support the upper-class society which tends to mistreat the poor. This is different from their stance to fight for the rights of the less fortunate. The book is significant in the study and the understanding of the church’s history. It guides the reader on the introduction of different policies over the years. The church has undergone a number of reformations due to the dissatisfaction of followers. The protesting of the Catholic Church led to the creation of Marxism ideas which are predominantly liberating theologies. This is one of the factors that distance the church from the new theories (Hemming, p. 303).

The book talks on the progress the church has taken to improve the state of the church in social matters. One of the steps taken by the church is the call to distance the church from political matters. This gives the church a neutral stance and maintains its initial role which is to observe the religious aspects of the country. The Catholic Church has been accused of taking over public matters not related to the church. This takes away the original intention of the church whose role is to observe the moral standing of the society. The Catholic Church has a significant role in all matters political. The church has on several occasions determined the selection of new leaders into the respective governments.

Theological ideas are reflective of the on the beliefs and cultural norms of the society. Most of the ideas are intended to improve the livelihood of the members of the community. The church is responsible for overseeing the needs of the common man. One of the ways this is made possible is through its involvement with all aspects of the society’s activities. One of the areas that the church makes its position known is the political situation of the Latin countries. The current Catholic Church however insists on distancing itself from public matters. This involves making public statement on political issues concerning the society. Hemming talks about the evolution of the church from the earlier rule of the previous popes to pope Benedicts rule. He showcases the difference in the way Benedict’s approaches different situations. The liberalization theory is one of the many theories that were practiced in the church. This theory stands out due to its implication on society. The author brings out the impact of the theory on the rest of the world.

The best theological arguments students believe made by the author

As a student it is essential to form a personal opinion in relation to the content of the book. One of the arguments that the author brings out is the change of the role of the Catholic Church from the times of its inception to the present day. The church has gone through a number of changes over the years. This is owed to the change in ideological ideas, leaders and factors such as globalization. The Catholic Church is one of the most authoritative churches in the world. This is credited to the role it has in terms of social and political influence. The change in culture is inevitable due to the level of innovations over the years. The shift from the Catholic Church to protestant displayed the dissatisfaction the people had with the church.

This is one of the aspects that have led to the change of the organization of the church. The church as a result has changed the way they interact with their members. Pope Benedict represents the modern Catholic Church. This is displayed by his recent statement on the support of democracy. Democracy is the opposite of liberal socialism in that it supports the elements of a free market. Liberal socialism aimed to fight for the needs of the less fortunate. The church was one of the advocates for social liberalism. Despite this they did not follow the teachings of the theology. This led to the failure of the theology which paved way for the introduction of new theologies.

Arguments made by the author

The author formed his own argument based on the study of the life of the pope. One of the arguments the author makes is the contribution of Pope Benedicts to the Catholic Church from the time of his inauguration. Pope Benedict was sworn as the new pope. He managed to maintain the principles of the Catholic Church while embracing the new society.

The author main argument is based on the pope’s role in improving the public image of the church. Pope Benedict has made an impact on the church’s relations with other denominations. This is reflective of the new ideas that support integration and respect. The author looks at the strength of the current pope in the political society. The pope still uses his authority to fight for the quest of the ordinary man. Despite the shift from the liberation theology, the pope maintains the same objectives forms by the church. The author elaborates on Pope Benedict’s motto that states the “Fellow worker for the truth”. This places emphasis on the popes desire to maintain a truthful nature when practicing the catholic religion (Hemming, p. 123).

The author has dedicated the better part of his life researching on the life of Pope Benedicts. The book acts as an analysis of the pope’s successes and failures during his leadership of the church. The pope has managed to oppose the extreme conservatives of the church who oppose the rule of the Vatican. The pope on the other hand has distanced the church from traditional theological aspects such as liberation theology. This has managed to maintain the balance of the church in terms of their traditional roots and their adaptation to the modern world.

Works Cited

Hemming, Laurence P. Benedict Xvi: Fellow Worker for the Truth ; an Introduction to His Life and Thought. London: Burns and Oates, 2005. Print.

A Model For Incorporating Specialist Nurse Education Into A University Context

Bruce, J. & Klopper, H. C. (2010). A Model for Incorporating Specialist Nurse Education into a University Context. Part 1: Methodological Perspectives. Health SA Geosndheid 15(1):1-6.

Bruce & Klopper (2010) article is a review of possible ways to integrate specialist nursing education in colleges with university education. They acknowledge that with recent changes in the higher education sector following amendment of legislation regulating it the future of specialist nursing education in colleges is bleak. They argue that the current legislation does not consider nursing colleges as part of the higher education and as such they see the need to incorporate them with institutions of higher learning. They argue that the transformation from college to university education in educating specialist nurses will bring some challenges. They for instance see a challenge, in terms of conflict in values espoused in traditional nursing, which they argue universities tend to contest. However, they also observe that there is need to have university education which brings an element of research, but in the same time develop ways to ensure that the traditions of this discipline are not jeopardized. Therefore, their paper was intended to ensure that in future as university takes over from college in nurses’ education, the element of specialist nurse education is incorporated into the new system. The paper sought to look at relevant concepts of this education in the context of a university institution and ways that these might be understood in order to develop an appropriate model for it integration. This particular paper describes methodology the authors used to develop their model of integration of specialist nurse education offered in colleges into the higher education sector, which is construed to mean university level.

The paper objectives were organized into two. In the first phase the authors looked at opinions of professional nurses with regard to specialist nurses in colleges as offered in the university. In the second phase the author focused on the model for integrating specialist education in university. Their study was developed based on a qualitative research model. They argued that this model was appropriate for the study because it was exploratory, contextual and descriptive. As such they assert that exploratory design of the study enabled them to collect the opinions of participants, mainly including practitioners and nurse educators, with regard to provision of specialist education in the university. This approach is mainly used for research of new phenomenon that has not been studied and because provision of courses offered in colleges at university had not been studied previously, the exploratory design was appropriate.

The study collected information through tools like focus groups, and as such the author argues that they need a descriptive study to record accurately information gathered. The contextual design limited the study to Gauteng province and within the bounders of specialist nurse education. Participants in the study were picked through purposeful sampling technique. Sampled nurse educators were organized into groups of 17 participants and nurse practitioners organized into groups of 13 participants and information collected through focus group technique. The data from the focus group was written and analyzed by being organized into themes to allow interpretations. Apart from focus group data was also gathered through individual interviews method.

The authors also describe how the second objective of model creation was attained. They arrange this into three phases of concept development, statement development and theory development. The authors used the concept synthesis strategy to develop concepts acquired through data collection. They then used the statement synthesis strategy to specify link between various concepts identified from the study. Lastly, in the theory development section, the authors used theory synthesis strategy to bring together the relational statements emerging from the statement development phase to create their proposed model for specialist nurse education. Therefore, in terms of the results, collected concepts from interviews were used to develop relational statements to pool information generated about university education in relation to practice of specialist nursing. Because the authors used a qualitative research they describe various reasons why research could have been untrustworthy and what was done to enhance trustworthiness. For instance, to enhance research trustworthiness a peer review committee examined the credibility of the study. The questionnaire used in the interview was also evaluated by independent experts in the field of qualitative research. Credibility of information given by participant was also preserved by having 7 to 4 of them check data to ensure accurate translation. The authors further, acknowledged that due to reliability on researcher and participants in making inferences, it is possible that future research might diverge rather than converge with their findings. As a result, they argue that dependability in the study was enhanced through in depth description of methods used in the research and use of independent coders to determine consistency of the coding. The other issue that the about notes as a threat to trustworthiness of qualitative research is neutrality of the researcher. In this regard they note that they attained this by having an expert look at interview transcript to ensure that there was no data distortion.

This is a very important article for practice nursing education. It is relevant in that it covers an issue that needs to be taken into consideration as education for nursing is transformed in South Africa following the enactment of 2008 Higher Education Amendment Act. It was published just two years after this amendment which highlights that information gathered through the research is of significant value in development of the nursing profession. Again, because it uses a qualitative research method the authors were able to gather opinions of large number of people. This is particularly important as the sampling method was purposeful only recruiting practitioner nurses and educators. The authors have presented the need for a model to incorporate specialist nursing education in university context, especially by citing works of other researchers who have identified criticism of nursing traditions at the university level. They have also justifiably argued for the selection of various methodologies in developing this model for instance the decision to pick a qualitative design. Though the researchers have well argued why the current study can be trusted, there is need to undertake further study. They establish quite a number of possible weaknesses with the research design that can compromise trustworthiness of their conclusion. As a result, there is need to undertake further research in order to collaborate their findings. For instance, they note that dependability of the current findings is compromised by biases of both participants and researchers.

Generally, the paper is well written with adequate information. The author have justified properly why there was need to undertake a study to develop a model for incorporating specialist nursing education in the university context. The language used is not necessary for the professional nurses, but can also be understood by the general audience. However, there are certain weaknesses in the paper design. For instance, it is not easy to locate the findings of the study. The decision to separate the model developed from the methodology was not appropriate. The authors in so doing, deny the audience from understanding their findings on how well the specialist nursing education could be integrated into the university level.

In conclusion, this paper has marked a great step in development of professional nursing. First it has demonstrated how qualitative methodology can be used to study phenomenon that have not been explored previously. Information provided in the paper can be used by students in the nursing practice to develop their own research studies and to defend the trustworthiness or credibility of their conclusions. In addition, it is the first study to explore integration the specialist nursing education as practiced in the traditional nursing colleges in South Africa, with the new system that recognize university as the only level where higher education should be offered. As such, this paper has contributed in several ways in development of the nursing profession. There is room for future research as the author has highlighted in his analysis of the flaws of qualitative research. These researches should not diverge from the present study, but rather they should to corroborate the findings of this research by using different research design and data collection techniques. Additionally, the authors of the present study have noted that one of the major weaknesses of the present study is overreliance on researcher and participants in establishing connections. This means that triangulation of research or having many researchers undertake the same research may enhance reliability of the findings.

References

Bruce, J. & Klopper, H. C. (2010). A Model for Incorporating Specialist Nurse Education into a University Context. Part 1: Methodological Perspectives. Health SA Geosndheid 15(1):1-6.

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Gendered Close Relationships

Few of the relationships formed between individuals become personal in the end. The creation and sustainability of personal relationships and intimacy rely on communication. The term personal relationship defines those relationships where the people in the relationships depend on one another for a variety of things. With personal relationships, it is not easy to replace the other person in the relationship as a deep connection is established between the two people in the relationship. Researchers suggest that dissimilarity in feminine and masculine orientations, in one way or another, determine male and female approaches to a relationship. Texts on intimacy and romantic relationships suggest that heterosexual dating conforms to initiation of a relationship by men: as is the case for my current relationship. Arnold and I met two years ago during spring break, and though we were friends during the first few months, our friendship has developed into a more intimate and romantic relationship over the years. For the few years we have been together, Arnold and I have been closely dependent on each other for almost everything: ranging from material support to emotional affection. Whereas Arnold is more dynamic, spontaneous and a tad too sexual, I, one the other hand, am more sensible and believe that friendship is key to making the relationship work. It is obvious that our relationship is romantic as we both express deep emotional desires to connect with each other at all times. Our relationship, as a result, resembles a form of close-friend relationship but with an additional sexual element.

This paper examines Gendered close relationships as a conceptual foundation in human relations. The paper observes and analyzes gendered interaction patterns of communication in my current romantic relationship, showing how these patterns reflect the text on gendered lives.

Gendered Patterns

The gendered patterns identified in the texts concerning intimate relationships draw attention to expression of affection, needs for autonomy and connections, power, as well as responsibility for the maintenance of a relationship. Researchers argue that the distinctive concerns and mannerisms brought by masculine and feminine socialization influence the patterns of romantic relationships.

Expression of Affection

Research suggests that the masculine modes of affection differ from feminine modes of affection in various ways. Whereas, the mode of affection in men is primarily instrumental and activity focused, women are more emotionally expressive, and their mode of affection is talk focused. These patterns are similar to the relationship between me and my boyfriend Arnold. I personally feel that expressing my emotions enriches my relationship with my boyfriend but Arnold finds the idea of expressing his emotions somewhat objectionable. The only time he will express his feelings when a problem arises at we at logger heads with each other. I prefer expressing how I fell when if feel it as a way of showing my partner that I care for him. On the other hand, Arnold fancies showering me with gifts and doing things for me as a way of showing me that he still cares about me. Further research on intimate relationships also suggests that both men and women appreciate partners who are eager to engage in intimate confessions: those who are emotionally responsive, over and above being sensitive and compassionate. This is a true reflection of my relationship with Arnold because, much as he chooses not to express his emotions at all times, I welcome his intimate self-disclosures at all times. I feel that this is the best way to affirm his feeling towards me, and I know that he appreciates when I do the same.

Autonomy and Connections

According to the texts, romantic relationships display both connection and autonomy in varying degrees. Further studies illustrate that the degree of which an individual looks for connection and autonomy mainly depends on the gender socialization of the person. Whereas, men want more autonomy and less connection, women demand more connection and less autonomy. This then brings about friction in a relationship with either party choosing to withdraw from the relationship. In terms of autonomy and connection, my relationship with Arnold displays similar patterns as that illustrated in the books. This is due to the notable independent character of my partner. Even as, I prefer to connect emotionally with Arnold, he tends to shun extreme attachment and prefers to have a sense of freedom in the relationship. For this reason, we tend to disagree on what we should and should not do together, and whether or not we need to give each other some privacy.

Gendered Power

Researchers describe gendered power in a relationship as the ability of individuals to control various aspects of a relationship as well as the relationship itself. Studies claim that the distribution of labor in romantic relationships, more often than not, reflects the individual who is in power in the relationship. Studies also suggest that men have more power in a relationship than the women: this is because common culture supports that men are the breadwinners and, therefore, make more money than women. However, this is not the same in my relationship with Arnold; both of us work for a living which means that we both share equal labor distributions. Additionally, none of us can claim power over the other because we share responsibility for every aspect in the relationship including material possessions. Therefore, our behavior patterns in the context of gendered power differ from what the textbooks edify.

Gendered Responsibility

Studies on gendered close relationships show that in a heterosexual relationship, a woman automatically assumes the principal responsibility for a romantic relationship. However, it is almost impossible for one person to meet the responsibilities of a relationship alone. Therefore, researchers recommend that for both individuals in a relationship to assume responsibility for the relationship is they wish to attain satisfaction. True to what the texts teach about gendered responsibility, Arnold and I prefer to assume equal responsibility of our relationship has in turn led to high levels of satisfaction in the relationship. This is because of the obvious fact that, having either one of us solely taking responsibility for the relationship causes a burden and conflict in the relationship.

Conclusion

Based on the observations of my relationship with Arnold, I can confidently conclude that the patterns of interactions between me and my partner are similar to what is described in the books about Gendered close relationships. The relationship displays similar patterns in behavior with that of the texts in terms of responsibility, emotional expressions as well as self autonomy. However, the power dynamics in our relationship differs from what the books say about the issue. This, therefore, proves that distinctions in masculine and feminine orientations to romantic relationships correspond to male and female viewpoints of relationships.

Mass Incarceration

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Abstract

Mass Incarceration began in the 1980s during the Reagan Era. This time is distinguished as the beginning of the “War on Drugs[JA1]”. During this time, imposing harsh sentences for minor crimes became the status quo, thus disproportionately impacting communities of color-incarcerating men of color. My research project seeks to incorporate qualitative and quantitative data that illustrate how the criminal justice system has created complex structures of discriminatory practices. These practices disenfranchise and create circumstances of inequitably in the daily lives of black and brown men. Furthermore, my research aims to demonstrate that mass incarceration disintegrates families of color, extending the damage and propagation of imprisonment.   [JA2] 

Introduction

Arguably, the United States has the largest prison population per capita globally[JA3]. There are approximately 7 million individuals in the American prison system[JA4]. The rates of incarcerated individuals continue to grow astronomically. The growth in the penal system is a direct result of repressive legislation. This growing growth can be attributed to the legalization of drugs, and the war on terror. It is possible that the prison system may never reach a critical mass since the prisons are overpopulated, and it has become more expensive to house more people. The United States federal prison population grew by 266% between 1980-1995. In this time period, there was a significant increase in incarceration rates for African-Americans (who make up 12% of U.S. population) [JA5]. The rate of incarceration is also higher in major cities such as New York City (12/1,000) compared with rural areas (3/1,000) [JA6].

The phenomenon of mass incarceration historically was launched in the early 1980’s and continues to intensify. Mass incarceration is a direct result of stricter sentencing guidelines for drug offenders. The growth in the prison systems was most pervasive during the crack era. The crack era initiated an anti-drug campaign to dismantle poor communities of color. At this time, we saw the hyper-criminalization of men of color and distributing narratives used to subjugate them as super predators relegating them to second-class citizenship. [JA5] The crack era was politized and utilized as a fear-fueled instrument for politicians to get elected to public governmental office. Consequently, men of color become hyper-represented as crack users and crack dealers, hence responsible for the wave of crime and deprivation in their communities (Nast, 2020). Black and Brown men were and continue to be primarily the bodies occupying the cold spaces of prison cells.

Why is this problem relevant to social work?

Social Workers play integral roles in our society. These roles come in macro, mezzo, and micro efforts. At a macro-level social work involves large-scale interventions/advocacy affecting communities, states, and the country. At a macro-level social work seeks to effectuate change by bringing visibility to systems of inequality, inequity, discrimination, and often racist practices. In the case of mass incarceration, macro-level quantitative work conceptualizes measurements, statistical, mathematical, or numerical data. This information could give context to why criminal justice reform needs mobilization and a great deal of advocacy. [JA6]

A mezzo-level of social work involves community development, advocacy and activism. At this level social workers strive to empower individuals, communities, and groups by bringing visibility to their struggles and survival strategies. For example, a mezzo level response would involve organizing community activists in the Bronx within their neighborhoods, spreading information about mass incarceration to educate them about the problem and network with like-minded organizations. A Mezzo-level approach would actively engage with networks such as political lobbying groups that focus on changing laws pertaining to criminal justice reform. This level of intervention provides vital information for policy and legislative changes that need advocacy mobilized at local, state, or federal levels.[JA7]

Social workers can also work directly with individuals who are incarcerated. Social work is a field that often deals with seeking social justice. One area of justice that has recently been in the news a lot is mass incarceration. The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world, with 2 million incarcerated people as of 2014 (Cox, 2020). How does this issue relate to social workers? There are many ways! Social workers can help address this issue by working directly with individuals who are incarcerated and by advocating for changes to our system of incarceration. Moreover, many social workers deal with prison issues on a daily basis! They may be employed by an organization as part of their main job responsibilities or they could volunteer at a prison or jail ministry.

In many states like Alabama, nearly one in four people is either in jail or state prison. The number of incarcerated people has risen dramatically since 1980 and the percentage of the population that is behind bars has increased by more than 1/3 from 1980 to 2014 (Cox, 2020). In spite of this, some social workers may be totally unaware of the growing problem. There are countless news reports detailing the problems associated with mass incarceration including recidivism, high costs for prisons and jails and a lack of rehabilitation programs. This is not a surprise to social workers! They have often seen this happen firsthand through friends and family members and they may have even worked directly with individuals who are incarcerated or know friends who have been incarcerated. On top of this, what does this mean for the psychosocial wellbeing of individuals and for their families? How does it affect their ability to move onward in the future? What are the implications for society as a whole if such an enormous number of people are incarcerated? Social workers can contribute to the conversation surrounding this issue by becoming experts on these issues, bringing it into their practice and advocating for solutions.

Each person who is incarcerated has his or her own unique story. There are many reasons why someone may be incarcerated, but all of these stories have one thing in common: they need help. Social workers can use their skills and knowledge to assist individuals who are currently incarcerated but also releases who are newly released back into society. Every person who has been incarcerated deserves the opportunity to be transformed. Every individual should be able to transition back into his or her community and begin making a positive difference.

Social workers can work with individuals or families to promote safety and mental wellbeing living in the community. This can include providing support once they have been released, helping them identify resources, reconnecting them to the community, working with schools and other community agencies, and addressing feelings of shame and anger that often lead to negative behaviors when a person has been incarcerated.

In 2010, President Obama signed an executive order that reformed mandatory minimum sentences for many drug offenders who are convicted after August 20th 2011 (Cox, 2020). This change has not been without criticism. Many opponents of this reform are worried that once these individuals are released they will continue to sell drugs. This is a valid concern as many of them have no other marketable skills and may be dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues that contributed to their criminal behavior in the past. Yet, not all will relapse and in many cases, the risk of relapse can be reduced if proper support is provided and if the person continues to take anti-drug treatment or engages in voluntary community substance abuse programs once released.

Social workers can play a vital role in making sure these individuals receive needed support. Some social workers also work directly with children and families who have incarcerated members. In fact, across the country there are over 11 million children with a parent who is imprisoned (James, 2021). This is a family issue and not just a criminal justice issue. How does this affect the children? Many of these children live in poverty, often unable to access much needed services due to their family’s limited resources or because they are still living with their parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued recommendations that call for developing policies that provide needed wraparound services to support vulnerable families with an incarcerated parent and providing parenting classes in prisons so incarcerated parents can learn how to effectively parent even while incarcerated.

Social workers play a vital role in helping children and families cope with the situation. They can provide emotional support, offer assistance with accessing social services and legal aid, assist in finding housing, and help children identify appropriate school programs. Social workers can make the transition easier for adults coming out of jail or prison by identifying appropriate support networks that is helpful to their transition back into the community (Western & Muller, 2013).

In addition to adults who are still incarcerated, there are many people serving sentences of different length who will be released at some point. Social work can assist these individuals as they transition back into society by helping them learn about available resources, providing job counseling and placement services, being available for mentoring if needed or assisting in finding housing. In addition, they can help them develop a support network to help them navigate the challenges and stigma that are encountered when returning to society.

Social workers work with individuals who are incarcerated in many different ways, but one way that is often not spoken about is that they may be forced to accept clients who are incarcerated. There are many stories of social workers being forced to do this by their employer or because they feel it is part of their job due to their contract. These stories speak of the fact that social workers do not have control over whom they choose as a client and it can be very stressful for them. It may also pose professional risks for a social worker if they refuse to take on clients who are incarcerated.

Answer-

The Independent variable [JA7] I would be looking at in my research is the various systems that uphold Mass Incarceration. The most crucial factor to examine is systems of inequity, disenfranchisement, and racism. These systems come in discriminatory, biased, and racist legislation institutions’ practices. It is essential to evaluate these systems as change is necessary. I am committed to proving how both independent and dependent variables illustrate how the cause and effect are intertwined. Not only is cause and effect in the case of Mass Incarcerated interconnected, but they are also sustained by each other. Mass Incarceration of men of color can thrive in American society through its insidious systems. One factor cannot be examined without examining the other. It is significant to demonstrate how these systems impact the lives of real people, hence connecting cause in effect as an interdependent phenomenon.

When it comes to the dependent variables [JA9] I will be looking at these systems as contributing factors on incarcerated men of color. The most obvious factor being that of poverty and the lack of access to vital services. These social and economic factors come in the form of educational systems, housing, healthcare, employment and transportation (Cox, 2020). The dependent variables are crucial to my research because they directly reflect how Mass Incarceration has a negative impact on getting employed upon release, housing and even quality education. With such issues many return to prison within a year after release or are unable to shelter their family in a safe environment. These circumstances only amplify the problems by placing more stressors on them while they adjust back into society after incarceration.

The independent and dependent variables are inextricably linked to one another. Both variables are essential to the issue my paper is about. To prove their interconnectedness, I will be employing both theoretical and statistical approaches. It is essential I employ statistics as they help illustrate how real people, not just numbers, are impacted by Mass Incarceration. The statistics will also give additional credibility to my research allowing me to show how these systems impact the lives of real people in comparison with others who do not have to deal with being incarcerated.   

The work of Michelle Alexander does a great job of unpacking-revealing how the criminal justice system operates in maintaining repressive institutions. At the same time, Bryant Stevens shows that fair and just legal representation is not available to all. The work of Michelle Alexander also gives great insight into how racial disparities in education and economic status become a major part of the criminal justice process. Another area that is discussed as a part of this process is gender and the way it impacts mass incarceration (Western & Muller, 2013). These are some of the areas I am going to look at in my research paper. My goal is to show how these systems impact our society, the lives of real people, and what can be done to change this situation. 

References

Nast, C. (2020). Ten Years After “The New Jim Crow”. Retrieved 19 April 2022, from https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-new-yorker-interview/ten-years-after-the-new-jim-crow

Cox, R. (2020). Applying the theory of social good to mass incarceration and civil rights. Research on Social Work Practice, 30(2), 205-218.

James, K. J. (2021). Black Lives, Mass Incarceration, and the Perpetuity of Trauma in the Era of COVID-19: The Road to Abolition Social Work. In Shared Trauma, Shared Resilience During a Pandemic (pp. 281-290). Springer, Cham.

Western, B., & Muller, C. (2013). Mass incarceration, macrosociology, and the poor. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 647(1), 166-189.

(2022). Retrieved 19 April 2022, from https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=sociology_class_publications

(2022). Retrieved 19 April 2022, from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=n8L3HaALWb8%3D&portalid=0

Mass Incarceration

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Abstract

Mass Incarceration began in the 1980s during the Reagan Era. This time is distinguished as the beginning of the “War on Drugs”. During this time, imposing harsh sentences for minor crimes became the status quo, thus disproportionately impacting communities of color-incarcerating men of color. My research project seeks to incorporate qualitative and quantitative data that illustrate how the criminal justice system has created complex structures of discriminatory practices. These practices disenfranchise and create circumstances of inequitably in the daily lives of black and brown men. Furthermore, my research aims to demonstrate that mass incarceration disintegrates families of color, extending the damage and propagation of imprisonment. 

Introduction

Arguably, the United States has the largest prison population per capita globally. There are approximately 7 million individuals in the American prison system. The rates of incarcerated individuals continue to grow astronomically. The growth in the penal system is a direct result of repressive legislation. This growing growth can be attributed to the legalization of drugs, and the war on terror. It is possible that the prison system may never reach a critical mass since the prisons are overpopulated, and it has become more expensive to house more people. The United States federal prison population grew by 266% between 1980-1995. In this time period, there was a significant increase in incarceration rates for African-Americans (who make up 12% of U.S. population). The rate of incarceration is also higher in major cities such as New York City (12/1,000) compared with rural areas (3/1,000) (Nast, 2020).

The phenomenon of mass incarceration historically was launched in the early 1980’s and continues to intensify. Mass incarceration is a direct result of stricter sentencing guidelines for drug offenders. The growth in the prison systems was most pervasive during the crack era. The crack era initiated an anti-drug campaign to dismantle poor communities of color. At this time, we saw the hyper-criminalization of men of color and distributing narratives used to subjugate them as super predators relegating them to second-class citizenship. The crack era was politized and utilized as a fear-fueled instrument for politicians to get elected to public governmental office. Consequently, men of color become hyper-represented as crack users and crack dealers, hence responsible for the wave of crime and deprivation in their communities (Nast, 2020). Black and Brown men were and continue to be primarily the bodies occupying the cold spaces of prison cells.

Why is this problem relevant to social work?

Social Workers play integral roles in our society. These roles come in macro, mezzo, and micro efforts. At a macro-level social work involves large-scale interventions/advocacy affecting communities, states, and the country. At a macro-level social work seeks to effectuate change by bringing visibility to systems of inequality, inequity, discrimination, and often racist practices. In the case of mass incarceration, macro-level quantitative work conceptualizes measurements, statistical, mathematical, or numerical data. This information could give context to why criminal justice reform needs mobilization and a great deal of advocacy.

A mezzo-level of social work involves community development, advocacy and activism. At this level social workers strive to empower individuals, communities, and groups by bringing visibility to their struggles and survival strategies. For example, a mezzo level response would involve organizing community activists in the Bronx within their neighborhoods, spreading information about mass incarceration to educate them about the problem and network with like-minded organizations. A Mezzo-level approach would actively engage with networks such as political lobbying groups that focus on changing laws pertaining to criminal justice reform. This level of intervention provides vital information for policy and legislative changes that need advocacy mobilized at local, state, or federal levels.

Social workers can also work directly with individuals who are incarcerated. Social work is a field that often deals with seeking social justice. One area of justice that has recently been in the news a lot is mass incarceration. The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world, with 2 million incarcerated people as of 2014 (Cox, 2020). How does this issue relate to social workers? There are many ways! Social workers can help address this issue by working directly with individuals who are incarcerated and by advocating for changes to our system of incarceration. Moreover, many social workers deal with prison issues on a daily basis! They may be employed by an organization as part of their main job responsibilities or they could volunteer at a prison or jail ministry.

In many states like Alabama, nearly one in four people is either in jail or state prison. The number of incarcerated people has risen dramatically since 1980 and the percentage of the population that is behind bars has increased by more than 1/3 from 1980 to 2014 (Cox, 2020). In spite of this, some social workers may be totally unaware of the growing problem. There are countless news reports detailing the problems associated with mass incarceration including recidivism, high costs for prisons and jails and a lack of rehabilitation programs. This is not a surprise to social workers! They have often seen this happen firsthand through friends and family members and they may have even worked directly with individuals who are incarcerated or know friends who have been incarcerated. On top of this, what does this mean for the psychosocial wellbeing of individuals and for their families? How does it affect their ability to move onward in the future? What are the implications for society as a whole if such an enormous number of people are incarcerated? Social workers can contribute to the conversation surrounding this issue by becoming experts on these issues, bringing it into their practice and advocating for solutions.

Each person who is incarcerated has his or her own unique story. There are many reasons why someone may be incarcerated, but all of these stories have one thing in common: they need help. Social workers can use their skills and knowledge to assist individuals who are currently incarcerated but also releases who are newly released back into society. Every person who has been incarcerated deserves the opportunity to be transformed. Every individual should be able to transition back into his or her community and begin making a positive difference.

Social workers can work with individuals or families to promote safety and mental wellbeing living in the community. This can include providing support once they have been released, helping them identify resources, reconnecting them to the community, working with schools and other community agencies, and addressing feelings of shame and anger that often lead to negative behaviors when a person has been incarcerated.

In 2010, President Obama signed an executive order that reformed mandatory minimum sentences for many drug offenders who are convicted after August 20th 2011 (Cox, 2020). This change has not been without criticism. Many opponents of this reform are worried that once these individuals are released they will continue to sell drugs. This is a valid concern as many of them have no other marketable skills and may be dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues that contributed to their criminal behavior in the past. Yet, not all will relapse and in many cases, the risk of relapse can be reduced if proper support is provided and if the person continues to take anti-drug treatment or engages in voluntary community substance abuse programs once released.

Social workers can play a vital role in making sure these individuals receive needed support. Some social workers also work directly with children and families who have incarcerated members. In fact, across the country there are over 11 million children with a parent who is imprisoned (James, 2021). This is a family issue and not just a criminal justice issue. How does this affect the children? Many of these children live in poverty, often unable to access much needed services due to their family’s limited resources or because they are still living with their parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued recommendations that call for developing policies that provide needed wraparound services to support vulnerable families with an incarcerated parent and providing parenting classes in prisons so incarcerated parents can learn how to effectively parent even while incarcerated.

Social workers play a vital role in helping children and families cope with the situation. They can provide emotional support, offer assistance with accessing social services and legal aid, assist in finding housing, and help children identify appropriate school programs. Social workers can make the transition easier for adults coming out of jail or prison by identifying appropriate support networks that is helpful to their transition back into the community (Western & Muller, 2013).

In addition to adults who are still incarcerated, there are many people serving sentences of different length who will be released at some point. Social work can assist these individuals as they transition back into society by helping them learn about available resources, providing job counseling and placement services, being available for mentoring if needed or assisting in finding housing. In addition, they can help them develop a support network to help them navigate the challenges and stigma that are encountered when returning to society.

Social workers work with individuals who are incarcerated in many different ways, but one way that is often not spoken about is that they may be forced to accept clients who are incarcerated. There are many stories of social workers being forced to do this by their employer or because they feel it is part of their job due to their contract. These stories speak of the fact that social workers do not have control over whom they choose as a client and it can be very stressful for them. It may also pose professional risks for a social worker if they refuse to take on clients who are incarcerated.

Answer-

The Independent variable I would be looking at in my research is the various systems that uphold Mass Incarceration. The most crucial factor to examine is systems of inequity, disenfranchisement, and racism. These systems come in discriminatory, biased, and racist legislation institutions’ practices. It is essential to evaluate these systems as change is necessary. I am committed to proving how both independent and dependent variables illustrate how the cause and effect are intertwined. Not only is cause and effect in the case of Mass Incarcerated interconnected, but they are also sustained by each other. Mass Incarceration of men of color can thrive in American society through its insidious systems. One factor cannot be examined without examining the other. It is significant to demonstrate how these systems impact the lives of real people, hence connecting cause in effect as an interdependent phenomenon.

When it comes to the dependent variables. I will be looking at these systems as contributing factors on incarcerated men of color. The most obvious factor being that of poverty and the lack of access to vital services. These social and economic factors come in the form of educational systems, housing, healthcare, employment and transportation (Cox, 2020). The dependent variables are crucial to my research because they directly reflect how Mass Incarceration has a negative impact on getting employed upon release, housing and even quality education. With such issues many return to prison within a year after release or are unable to shelter their family in a safe environment. These circumstances only amplify the problems by placing more stressors on them while they adjust back into society after incarceration.

The independent and dependent variables are inextricably linked to one another. Both variables are essential to the issue my paper is about. To prove their interconnectedness, I will be employing both theoretical and statistical approaches. It is essential I employ statistics as they help illustrate how real people, not just numbers, are impacted by Mass Incarceration. The statistics will also give additional credibility to my research allowing me to show how these systems impact the lives of real people in comparison with others who do not have to deal with being incarcerated.   

The work of Michelle Alexander does a great job of unpacking-revealing how the criminal justice system operates in maintaining repressive institutions. At the same time, Bryant Stevens shows that fair and just legal representation is not available to all. The work of Michelle Alexander also gives great insight into how racial disparities in education and economic status become a major part of the criminal justice process. Another area that is discussed as a part of this process is gender and the way it impacts mass incarceration (Western & Muller, 2013). These are some of the areas I am going to look at in my research paper. My goal is to show how these systems impact our society, the lives of real people, and what can be done to change this situation.

What is the scope of the problem?

The scope foe mass Incarceration is enormous, and it is growing rapidly. In 2016, the United States incarcerated a total of 2.3 million people, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons system which was also responsible for an additional 400,000 people in local jails as well. It is important to understand that this figure does not include individuals detained by ICE or in juvenile facilities (which are indirectly affected). Youthful offenders account for 49% of all youth who age out of the juvenile justice system each year and 58% receive some form of supervision from the community rather than incarceration.

Mass Incarceration affects every single aspect of society. People in the United States are more likely to face state imposed incarceration when they do not have access to resources: “The research on the relationship between wealth and incarceration suggests that people who can’t afford to pay bail or service fees and languish in jail suffer real, lifelong consequences. If you’re poor, you tend to go back into criminal behavior — or you become a victim of crime again — even if you’ve been out of prison for a year or two. Services meant to promote reintegration into civil society are absent from the penal system.

The major institutions and systems affected by the problem of mass incarceration are the legal system and prison system, the juvenile justice system, immigration detention, juvenile services and probation. The legal system is one of the most direct causes of incarceration due to harsh punitive laws which disproportionately affect people living in poverty. Due to the institutionalized nature of mass incarceration, policies that perpetuate it are almost always backed by political power. The police department relies on law enforcement to make a profit in our current policing paradigm through civil asset forfeiture. On top of that, lawyers lobby for criminalization and incarceration of individuals who commit crimes related to substance use as well as other behaviors related to poverty including: prostitution, small scale drug sales, parole or probation violations and homelessness.

The key policies influenced by this issue are: Law and order policies and institutions, such as the war on drugs, mandatory minimums and shorter sentences. Incarceration of non-violent offenders (particularly for drug offenses) in the name of safety. Criminalization of poverty for crimes related to substance use, like possession and public nuisance offenses. Incarceration of racial minorities in the name of criminal justice reform.

Why is research about this topic necessary?

Research about mass incarceration is significant since the problem affects a marginalized or under-served population through the cycle of criminalization and incarceration. A particular social justice or ethical element concerns how the consequences are disproportionately borne by marginalized people in general. Prior research has not adequately explained this problem or found an effective solution for it, but I hope to contribute a better understanding and solutions with my research.

Mass incarceration is when a high number of inmates are held in prisons and jails, which constitutes a large part of the inmate population in the United States today. It is argued that prisoners comprise about 7% of our population but about 25%of our prisoners (Nast, 2020). Prior research has not adequately reported the problem or found a solution. Further research will help in finding a solution to mass incarceration, which is a large part of the inmate population in the United States today. Mass incarceration most commonly takes place in prisons and jails, thus I plan to write about mass incarceration in prisons and jails. This topic is new because people have been researching this topic for less than 20 years. Mass incarceration effects a lot of people and it has an ethical element regarding how it affects marginalized people, who are affected by mass incarceration more than other populations.

What remains unknown about this problem?

The major issues that remain unknown about this problem of mass incarceration is how to prevent it. Mass incarceration has been around for decades and is still a problem in many of the United States. The anti-immigration rhetoric that was spoken on the national stage in 2016 has led to a “fearful environment” for undocumented immigrant families (Nast, 2020). One of the causes of mass incarceration is racial bias that judges and law enforcement officers have, which makes it difficult for people who are African American, Latino or other people of color, and even those with mental illness or substance abuse problems who can’t afford an attorney to get out. The purpose of this research is to show what’s unknown about mass incarceration in hopes to show why we need more research on this issue so we can contribute our knowledge to the world.

Participatory action research is relevant because it helps to empower the marginalized, reduce power inequalities and make change. Also this method helps develop leadership skills among people who are interested in creating social change. Fundamental ways of thinking about how society is organized also help increase understanding on how social institutions function and function as spaces for learning about what’s happening in the world around us.

Methodology decision

To effectively undertake this research on mass incarceration, the most effective method of research will be qualitative interviewing. I will be able to give voice and elevate the perspectives of my participants, which is necessary for a complete understanding of this phenomena. Qualitative interviewing will also allow me to subvert the expectation that research is factual and objective – instead, it will be more holistic in its understanding of mass incarceration.

The qualitative interviewing method will provide a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon. The interviewees are able to reveal their personal experiences with incarceration and provide new perspectives that quantitative surveys cannot capture (McKay et al., 2018). Moreover, qualitative interviews can be used as an instrument for deepening our knowledge about mass incarceration by providing insight into aspects such as racialization, gendered experiences with incarceration, socioeconomic status, immigration status and social perceptions on victims vs perpetrators.

Discussion of Literature Review

Mass Incarceration research is an important issue to address and analyze. As the prison population of United States continues to grow each year, there is still a lack of research on the consequences of mass incarceration. Though there are many researches that suggest that prisons are ineffective at reducing crime rates, other researches argue the opposite. Mass incarceration affects everyone in society and it is imperative for people to take part in this research so we can come up with ways to combat this injustice (Cox, 2020).

Mass Incarceration has affected marginalized communities. There needs to be more discussion about what can be done about mass incarceration by exploring how sentencing influences communities who are most likely being over-policed and incarcerated disproportionately within our justice system (Cox, 2020). How have the changes in prison and sentencing affected the communities? And what are the effects of mass incarceration (i.e., concentration of a disproportionate amount of inmates from specific racial, ethnic and/or socioeconomic backgrounds) on those communities.

In order to come up with solutions, a discussion about solutions is vital. As I reviewed the literature on mass incarceration, I found that there is little research on what is has done to marginalized communities. For example, there are studies on how blacks are more often incarcerated than whites but less research about how blacks were over-policed for drug crimes compared to whites for possession of firearms (Western & Muller, 2013).

References

Nast, C. (2020). Ten Years After “The New Jim Crow”. Retrieved 19 April 2022, from https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-new-yorker-interview/ten-years-after-the-new-jim-crow

Cox, R. (2020). Applying the theory of social good to mass incarceration and civil rights. Research on Social Work Practice, 30(2), 205-218.

James, K. J. (2021). Black Lives, Mass Incarceration, and the Perpetuity of Trauma in the Era of COVID-19: The Road to Abolition Social Work. In Shared Trauma, Shared Resilience During a Pandemic (pp. 281-290). Springer, Cham.

Western, B., & Muller, C. (2013). Mass incarceration, macrosociology, and the poor. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 647(1), 166-189.

(2022). Retrieved 19 April 2022, from https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=sociology_class_publications

(2022). Retrieved 19 April 2022, from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=n8L3HaALWb8%3D&portalid=0McKay, T., Comfort, M., Grove, L., Bir, A., & Lindquist, C. (2018). Whose punishment, whose crime? Understanding parenting and partnership in a time of mass incarceration. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 57(2), 69-82.

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Representing the Pain of Other

The society today is characterized by a magnitude of oppressive practices, especially for those making up the underprivileged communities of the world. Accordingly, this oppression has demanded the need for human right and representations in all social and political institutions. As the underprivileged individuals fight for equal opportunities, the rest of the world has no option but to integrate themselves in the fight for these human rights and demands. For the part where these individuals cannot present their suffering and destitution, others need to come in and represent these individuals to society. According to Sontag, Said, and Derrida, this is known as representation, and it often requires that individuals use their capacity to represent the pain of others the best way they know how.

Representing the pain of others involves telling the stories of the different sufferings an tribulations that different people experience throughout their lifetimes. Representation is identified as a significant tool of communication, as it helps people understand the various ways through which various people undergo their daily lives or living. Consequently, it has been argued the representation takes various forms especially through the media and other literary or artistic forms such as poems and paintings. These media forms have been used to represent the woes of others throughout history and according to the three scholars mentioned, though these representations are necessary, there have been problems associated with such representation. According to these scholars, representing the pain of others has long provoked various personal and political problems, as they do not fully represent the pain and suffering of the people that they intend to represent as expected.

Sontag specifically supports this notion in her book, regarding the pain of others in her examination of the representation of war by the media and artists. She explains that this representation has brought about personal and political problems as in a way they encourages more conflict and war between individuals. Additionally, representing the pain and suffering of others also causes an aesthetic and ethical dilemma as one cannot come to the conclusion regarding the importance and significance of such representation. The representation of pain for example, is hard because is illustrates the negative side of things and events that have happened to individuals. Most of these illustrate the pain and suffering of others thus raising an ethical question as to the need for this representation. Said, explains that there are politics and poetics involved in the representation of the pain of others. This is because most of those willing to represent the pain of others have a reason as to why they tell the story of others. While others represent the pain of others so as to explain to society how life can be unfair, others do it for political reasons and to gain a political following.

For that reason such representation easily borders exploitation and disrespect as the intended purpose of the representation is questionable. As Derrida explains, it is hard for people to represent the pain of others without exploiting or disrespecting the victims with whom they intend to represent. Derrida urges his readers to embrace representation with respect and dignity, thus reducing the possibility of having misrepresented the pain and suffering of these victims.

This paper presents a reflection of Austerlitz by W. G. Sebald. Specifically, the paper utilizes the thoughts and perception of Sontag, Said and Derrida with regards to the representation of others.

Representation in Austerlitz by W. G. Sebald

Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald

In his novel, Austerlitz, Sebald tells the story of Jacques Austerlitz a man who was in search of life’s answers during his time (Sebald 1-320). The novel was published after the author’s death and the novel centers on the events that took place during the World War II and the holocaust. The novels looks at the horrifying events that took place, and uses the central character, Austerlitz to explain the pain and suffering experienced by people during this time (Sebald 1-320). A closer examination of the novel illustrates various concepts of the representation of pain and suffering as discussed by Sontag, Said, and Derrida.

Personal and Political Conflict

A closer examination of the novel by Sebald reveals that the story the author is telling in the novel goes beyond the story of his central character Austerlitz. Arguably the novel examines some of the events that took place during the holocaust and the World War II. Because these two event play a significant role in German history, it is easy for one to recognize political and personal conflict in the novel. The author intends to represent Austerlitz the best way possible, which can only be achieved by examining the political and personal connotations of the story being told in the Novel. He explains how the holocaust and the war took the lives of many innocent people, which in turn challenges his readers politically and personally (Sebald 1-320). Those in support of the wars and holocaust will not agree to the thoughts and attitudes presented in the novel, whereas those that were affected by these events would support the ideas presented in the novel. This in turn causes personal and political problems for readers and the audience to which the novel is intended to address.

Aesthetic and Ethical Dilemma

Another concept regarding the representation of the pain of others that can be noted in the novel relates to Aesthetic and Ethical dilemma of the representation. Arguably, Sebald does a good job in trying to represent Austerlitz’s pain as he does not divulge into the details on the way people suffered during these periods. However, he does not cover this pain and suffering so much to the point that he does not represent Austerlitz and his community accordingly. He highlights some of the things that terrible things that the people experienced during the war and the holocaust thus posing both aesthetic and ethical dilemmas with regards to the representation of the pain of others in the group (Sebald 1-320). Aesthetically, the author intends to bring tell his story as artistically as he possibly can. The only way he can achieve this is to provide a description of the actual events that took place during this time. He paints both the negative and positive picture of the lives of people living during this time, and because of this, an aesthetic dilemma is presented in the novel. Readers are barraged with horrific pictures and images of the events that took place during the holocaust and the war, most of which are aesthetically unappealing.

With regards to presented an ethical dilemma, the Sebald’s representation of the events that took place during the holocaust and the World War II beg the question of whether this representation is ethical or moral. The question of the ethical nature of Sebald’s is based on the question of whether or not this representation is good. Whether by representing Austerlitz and his community, the author does something good for the readers and his audience. Most would argue that his representation is ethical and for that reason, does not present an ethical dilemma, but if one is to consider the consequences of this representation especially o the readers, there appears to be an ethical dilemma in the representation.

Respect and Dignity in Sebald’s Representation

Conclusively, the most notable factor with regards to the representation of the pain of others in the novel relates to the observance of respect and dignity in Sebald’s representation of the life of Austerlitz. Arguably, the author does not exploit his central character or his victims in the novel to communicate his message and perception of the events during the holocaust and the World War II. Evidently, the author indirectly presents his attitudes and perceptions regarding the holocaust and the World War II using the lives of Austerlitz and his communities, he uses their pain and suffering to communicate his message to his readers but he does not exploit their destitution for this. He represents their pain and suffering with dignity and respect and does not inflate or deflate the events that took place for his own personal reasons. Whatever is presented in the novel is the actual thing took place during the time. He provides his evidence by explaining that his knowledge of Austerlitz life (Sebald 1-320).

Work Cited

Sebald, W. G. Austerlitz. New York: Random House Publishing Group, 2011. Print.

Benefits and Challenges of Using Online Platforms

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Benefits and Challenges of Using Online Platforms

As the world goes through globalization, digital platforms have proved somewhat integral, not mentioning how secure, efficient, and useful they make the processes flow. Online platforms are vital facilitators of global trade, convenience, and competitive development for various service delivery. The paper looks to address the benefits and challenges for individual citizens and the public services if the vast majority of people use online facilities to register to vote, apply for unemployment benefit, family counseling—also, the best way to deliver services.

Using online facilities to register to vote offers convenience to most voters. For example, in the state of Arizona, close to 80% voter registration happens online. Processing each voter’s document through a manual process cost the state approximately $0.80 more than online registration. A significant number of those who register online vote at a rate of 94% compared to 80% of the analog system. Voters can access their portals online to confirm their registration status. Problems arising before the election days are uncovered and resolved since online registrants get instant replies that verify their registration or updating their information successfully (Garnett, 2019). Also, clerical errors are significantly minimized by online registration, mostly common in the manual transcription of paper forms. It guarantees the registration of voters is accurate and reduces the likelihood of voters being turned away or delayed at the time of casting their ballots. Provided everyone can access the Internet, online registration warrants better security for registrants concerning their data. The online platform is more accessible and less forbidding.

On the contrary, online registration does not always guarantee better results, transparency, or efficiency whatsoever. Numerously, cases of system hacking have emerged, leading to elections being jeopardized or instead rigged. Some people tend to interfere with public service online systems for their selfish gains. We can say, online registration is not a hundred percent reliable. Also, in the cases where the Internet breaks down, it means there will be system delays, leading inconveniencies. Lastly, not all people can access the Internet or even can operate internet gadgets in the entire process of online voter registration (Kavanagh & Jones, 2017). It means that online registration is only suitable for those who can access the Internet and are familiar with system operation.

Using online facilities to apply for unemployment benefits offers convenience. Through online software, costly mistakes made by an applicant are detected and corrected since it raises before ones proceed to the next step. The applicant’s data is stored in a central database where it can be sorted and accessed. It is also a faster method compared to analog systems. The online application is faster, and applicants are reduced to the heavy burden of traveling costs to access those services and even long queues in those offices. It only takes a few minutes while applying online, thus saving time and money. Applying for unemployment benefits online offers some privacy since you do not have to disclose your issues to some random people the reason for application. Some people feel offended having to tell their stories to strangers and, even at times, may end up misjudging them.

Online application for unemployment benefit is an excellent application method, but at the same time, it does not offer guarantees. At times, people create random crone websites with details like genuine ones, and applicants might find themselves displaying their data to unknown people who take advantage of them. To individuals who have problems using digital systems might find themselves risking the little benefit they apply to the scammers. Instances where a person forgets log out an account after accessing the services in a cybers and another person, uses the same computer might lead to identity theft or even compromise an account.

Getting access to a family relationship problem can effectively work through online facilities. Families going through challenging times can access advice from online facilities. The Internet offers various topics about relationships and family issues, and people can always access the Internet to find answers on whatever the problems they might be having. On the contrary, the Internet may not be an ideal platform for getting the advice since some massages are challenging to interpret their real intentions, not to mention the damage they might cause in the process.

In conclusion, face-to-face services are better delivered compared to the phone. Through face-to-face, one can gauge the quality of services being rendered to you, which is not the case for the phone. On the phone, people tend to be unreal; even worse, it is difficult to know if they are attending to your issues or just doing their businesses. Face-to-face offers a platform for negotiation, and even the parties involved can have a mutual understanding of exactly what each party wants. Moreover, there is a proper understanding among the parties involved concerning service delivery.

References

Garnett, H. A. (2019). Evaluating Online Registration: The Canadian Case. Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy, 18(1), 78-92.

Kavanagh, O., & Jones, S. (2017). The Pros and Cons of Using Personal Response Systems in an Interactive Scientific Debate. British Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science, 19(2), 1-11.

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‘A Modest Proposal’ by Jonathan Swift

‘A Modest Proposal’ by Jonathan Swift is about how to solve the issue of hunger. Jonathan begins by describing people who are living in the streets. The streets are filled with starving beggars. Jonathan Swift uses ethos, pathos and logos to make a strong case for his suggestion of using babies as a source of food. Jonathan Swift does establish his credibility, and he shows the readers his logic throughout his proposal. Jonathan does back up all the points raised in the proposal with hard evidence and facts. He does show how the consumption of infants would support everyone.

Pathos refers to feelings or emotions. For instance, when one looks at the commercial of homeless puppies, one may feel sorry for the puppies since they are homeless, and they may be suffering. In the beginning of ‘A Modest Proposal’, Jonathan shows the use of pathos when he denotes, “their defenseless babies who, as they grow up, either turn hoodlums for need of work, or leave their dear local nation, to battle for the Pretender of Spain, or offer themselves to the Barbadoes. In this, Jonathan uses incongruity to convey his message. Additionally, he is attempting to make you feel awful for these poor children. In this statement, Jonathan also uses irony in the description of the Pretender of Spain.

Notably, ethos refers to the power. Jonathan uses the Ethos when he references his “acquaintance in London” who said “an adolescent solid children overall breast fed, is, at a year old, the most heavenly sustaining and wholesome nourishment. This displays his use of hyperbole and just-a-position to convey his message.

On the other hand, Logos refers to rationale. Case in point: Since all men are mortal and Socrates was a man, along these lines Socrates was a mortal. Jonathan uses the explanatory mode of Logos when he says that if individuals begin consuming infants and children, there will be fewer individuals to feed and more nourishment, which may help comprehend everything. In this, Jonathan uses parody to convey his message to the readers.

Work cited

Swift, Jonathan. A Modest Proposal. 1st ed. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech, 2001. Print.

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Being Mary Jane

Being Mary Jane is a popular television series that aired on Netflix and BET+ for four seasons between July 2013 and April of 2019. It was created by Mara Brock Akil and starred Gabrielle Union as the main character. The series revolves around Mary Jane, a black woman, her family, and her search for love. ‘Being Mary Jane’ is an accurate description of the lives of many black families in the United States. The series is centered on black culture, and how this culture influences how characters view themselves and those around them. Culture is an important aspect of self-definition, and many times people find themselves defined by and controlled by the culture they are born into. This rings true for many of the characters in ‘Being Mary Jane’ as they struggle to embrace the positive aspects of black culture while at the same time fighting against the negatives.

Culture can be defined as the norms, customs, ideas, and other social behaviors that characterize a particular group of people. Culture is an important part of ho individuals view themselves and others around them because culture defines every aspect of life. People judge themselves and others based on culture. For example, culture defines what is right and wrong, and when a person is caught doing something frowned upon, they are defined by their actions. Culture is an integral part of humanity. It defines how we treat each other in society. Some aspects common to all cultures include respect for others, and this is important in maintaining the humanity and dignity of people in society.

Racial profiling is a common part of life, and these profiles are typically based on negative stereotypes. People also tend to judge others based on gender, and this could not be less true in ‘Being Mary Jane.’ The TV series tackles some of the problematic profiles and gender biases with regard to both black men and women. Some of the negatives profiles and stereotypes associated with black men in the United States include criminal activities, alcohol and drug addiction, neglect of families, infidelity, and suicide, among others (Rossie 27). ‘Being Mary Jane’ has different male characters, some of whom conform to these stereotypes and others who challenge them. An example of the men challenging the racial profiling and stereotypes of black men include Mary Jane’s father, Paul Patterson. He is a retired COO of a popular airline, as well as a responsible father and husband. Some of the male characters who conform to negative stereotypes include Patrick Patterson, Mary Jane’s older brother, a drug addict who cannot take care of his children, and lives with his parents in his forties. The series adopts the same, mostly-negative portrayal of black men. Most of the male characters in the story are irresponsible, addicted to drugs, have multiple children with multiple women, drop out of school, among others.

Mary Jane is the central black female character in the story, and she too faces some racial profiling and stereotypes. She, along with other black women, are objectified and mishandled in the series ‘Being Mary Jane.’ The misogynistic and racist attitudes towards black women on the show are quite prevalent in the media. For example, Mary Jane is presented as an angry black woman just because she dares to hold on to high standards in what she expects from people, especially the men in her life. She is also portrayed as being unfulfilled in life because she is childless and unmarried (Smith 1). Her whole premise on the show is the search for love, to a level of desperation. Her own mother keeps pressuring her to marry, showing that this is something considered essential. Niecy is another example of the negative portrayal of black women. In her late teens, she has two children by different men, she dropped out of school, and she is rude and shows no signs of working towards a better future for herself and her children. This view of black women is different from that of the concept of Imago Dei, which is that all people are created in the image of God. Everyone is beautiful and enough as they are, but the black women on the show are portrayed as less than (Harris 2).

Revelation can be defined as the act of communicating a new and unexpected idea or truth. The Black experience in American culture is related to revelation because it involves the communication of something new. Most of the time, the country associates the black culture with negatives. However, there are some positive aspects of black culture which the media rarely chooses to reveal or focus upon. An example of the positives of black culture is the idea of family who stick by each other through thick and thin. ‘Being Mary Jane’ shows some perfect examples of this when Mary Jane bails out her family members from various problems, the Patterson’s stick together to support Patrick and Niecy, among others.

In conclusion, culture is an essential part of our humanity. Every individual is molded by their culture because it is the foundation for their thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. The TV series ‘Being Mary Jane’ is an example of a media portrayal of black culture,, which includes racial profiling, stereotypes, misogyny, and racism. Media is an integral part of perpetuating negative portrayals of black people, and the series attempts to reveal some other positive aspects of black culture. Rather than glorify negative issues, the media should be responsible enough to present an accurate and unbiased view of black culture.

Works Cited

Harris, Chevonne. “In Defense of Being Mary Jane and Flawed Fictional Black Women.” The Huffington Post (2014).

Rossie, Amanda. “Being Mary Jane and Postfeminism’s Problem with Race.” Emergent Feminisms. Routledge, 2018. 25-41.

Smith, Jada F. “With ‘Being Mary Jane,’Mara Brock Akil Specializes in Portraits of Black Women.” New York Times (2015).

Below are the directions for the final paper:

General Directions: Utilizing the structural-functional framework, analyze how your country’s political system works, its strengths and weaknesses and how it compares to other countries we have discussed. (Paper should be a minimum of 12 double spaced, typed pages/ no maximum; Please use 12 font)

You need to be citing AT LEAST 8 outside sources (journal articles/ books, no websites) Remember you should use the Carothers, O’Donnell, Rothstein and Stolle, Putnam, and Linz and Stepan articles.

Here are the 4 main components we will be looking for (especially when we are grading your final draft of your papers):

1. Organization: “Tell them what you’re going to tell them, Tell them, Tell them what you told them” (10 points)Introductory paragraph that:States topic of paperHas a clear thesis statementBody paragraphs that discuss the  main ideas and key details (see below for more information on content)Each new topic should have a new paragraphFlow of paperTransitions between paragraphs so that one paragraph clearly relates to the previous and proceeding paragraphsConcluding paragraph that sums up paper

2. Grammar/ Spelling (5 points)USE spellcheck!!!!!Watch comma usageWatch incomplete sentences. Watch verb tenseCheck capitalizationVary sentence structure and word choice

3. Content:  For your case study you should discuss: (30 points)

History

Political Culture/ Political SocializationInterest ArticulationInterest Aggregation

Policymaking Process and Policy/ OutputsGovernment StructureLeadership (i.e. executive-actually names)(Here, you basically will be editing your three case study papers and combining them. Please make sure to read our comments and make the necessary adjustments)

4. Critical Analysis-Once you have given the “details” of your country you MUST analyze how the political system works- This is what we’ve been encouraging you to do on your case study assignments (30 points)How do the above interdependent parts (interest articulation/ aggregation, political culture, history, government structure/ decisions rules, policy) interact with each other and impact the overall functioning of your country’s political system?) Compare your country to AT LEAST 2 of the countries we discussed in class What are the challenges facing your country? If your country is a democracy, in what areas does it need to improve to become a developed, consolidated democracy or to deepen the democracy? OR If your country is not a democracy, should it be assessed in terms of its potential for democracy or simply assessed for the political system it currently is? 

Compare Iran to Russia and to China