Country Music Essay -- Entertainment

The debate whether commercialism has stripped country music of its authenticity is one that requires further examination into who ultimately holds the power. The sometimes-drastic changes made in music leaves people questioning the tastes of consumers when in fact they are the bystanders of an overpowering industry. Fans are people who buy the albums, go to concerts, and request songs on the radio, not the execs that market the music, and yet their opinions/tastes aren’t taken into consideration. Fans carry a lot of clout in regards to what they define as commercialism gone wrong and acceptable country music. Despite what may seem fair, those who are financially invested in its success drive the commercialization of music. According to The Nashville Sound, markers that include â€Å"rural origins, stylized sets, seemingly spontaneous performance, accessible performers, and heartfelt songs can characterize country music’s authenticity† (13). The foundations of what country music has originated from are incorporated within these markers and are used to separate the real from the fake. Early country music was a means of coping with a life of work and worries; it also brought communities of the impoverished together in fellowship. The establishment of these markers glimpses into the culture and realities of many country music artists before their fame. Take for instance a family sitting huddled together on a porch on a cool summer evening listening to a family member play the banjo while another sings along. Everyone is enjoying and living in that moment and all worries are far from mind. Country music made people feel at ease and comfortable, it brought people back to their memories of the g ood old days. This is the way country music sh... ...ue. Consumers shouldn’t have to settle with music instead they should be enjoying it. In order to get the authenticity back within commercialized music it will only happen if people begin to realize the power that they hold. Once people start to realize that then the music that is produced, and sung will have a more significant affect on its listeners; music then can continue to be inspiring. Quality music is and will always be cherished more than mass-produced commercialized cacophony. Works Cited Jensen, Joli. The Nashville Sound: Authenticity, Commercialization, and Country Music. Tennessee: Vanderbilt University Press/ Country Music Foundation Press, 1998. Print Malone, Bill C. Country Music, U.S.A. Texas: University of Texas Press, 1985. Print Marcus, Greil. Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock 'n' Roll. New York: Penguin Group, 1985. Print

The Brady Act: Inconsistent but Served a Purpose

The Brady Law which is technically known as The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 was signed as a law under the presidency of Bill Clinton on November 30, 1993. The law requires that whenever someone purchases a gun, he/ she should wait up to five days for a background check. As long as the Federal Bureau of Investigation has undergone the background check and for so long as the Federal Firearm License has not been issued, then a person can never obtain or own a gun (Bowling et al. , 2006).At the same time, it also required the gun dealers in each of the state should begin conducting and submitting background check requirements on their prospective buyers to the authorities to aid the process of authenticating that buyer’s capability and reliability in owning a gun (Ludwig and Cook, 2003). All states should have similar disqualifications for their applicants. These are fugitive status, court restraining orders, mental illness, and other violence convictions. Becaus e of these, of the 12 million applications that were subjected to background check by the National Bureau of Investigation, there were around 1.4 million that were rejected. However, there are also several rejections done by State and local agency background checks which were argued to be a little inconsistent to the FBI requirements (Bowling et al. , 2006). For instance, most state statutes would require firearm purchasers to have a permit or a license or an identification number right after background check to be presented to the seller before they are allowed to buy a firearm. Within these said statute laws, the background check would require around 7 to 30 days.This is inconvenient and inconsistent with the original Brady Bill because it only mandated a background check for only less than a week and 30 days is way too far from that requirement. Other state laws and agencies require that a seller should convey buyer’s information to the authorities either through mail, tel ephone, or e-mail. Accordingly, the local agencies would respond in about 7 to 10 days. The same as already mentioned, this is also a little bit inconvenient because it is only by then that they start their background check.Other than these, there were also instances were the agencies will have to encounter incomplete records of applicants in their databases which will test the capability of the buyer to purchase a firearm. There is also a discrepancy between the state and the local agencies’ reason on rejection. Federal laws would likely to applicants with domestic violence conviction or indictment. On one hand, local agencies would likely to reject applicants that are drug addicts and mentally ill. Moreover, other states provide for appeals, but only seventeen of them.All of these prove that there is discrepancy and inconsistencies in the implementation of this law (Bowling et al. , 2006). However, despite this, I think the law is still very useful in the maintenance of pea ce and security of the country. This is because the law even when it has been implemented inconsistently by the federal and the state government, it still outlines very concrete requirements and methodology in granting and denying the right of every citizen to possess firearms.This law is obviously concerned on the circumstances that would entail the irresponsible handling and owning of a dangerous weapon like the firearm. It mainly aims to secure the safety of very citizen in the United States and to prevent ruthless assassinations. References Bowling, M and Hickman, J. (2006). â€Å"Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2005†. Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin. US: US Department of Justice. Ludwig, J and Cook, P. (2003). Evaluating gun policy: effect on crime and violence. USA: Brookings Institution Press.

Gorilla, My Love Critical Anaysis Essay

The title alludes to a style of musical declamation that hovers between song and ordinary speech; it is used for dialogic and narrative interludes during operas and oratories. The term â€Å"recitatif† also once included the now-obsolete meaning, â€Å"the tone or rhythm peculiar to any language.† Both of these definitions suggest the story’s episodic nature, how each of the story’s five sections happens in a register that is different from the respective ordinary lives of its two central characters, Roberta and Twyla. The story’s vignettes bring together the rhythms of two lives for five, short moments, all of them narrated in Twyla’s voice. The story is, then, in several ways, Twyla’s â€Å"recitatif.† â€Å"Recitatif† is a pioneering story in racial writing as the race of Twyla and Roberta are debatable. Though the characters are clearly separated by class, neither is affirmed as African American or Caucasian. Morrison has described the story as â€Å"an experiment in the removal of all racial codes from a narrative about two characters of different races for whom racial identity is crucial†.[2] Plot summary[edit source | editbeta] First encounter[edit source | editbeta] Twyla and Roberta Fisk first meet within the confines of a state home for children, St. Bonny’s (named after St. Bonaventure), because each has been taken away from her mother. Roberta’s mother is sick; Twyla’s mother â€Å"just likes to dance all night.† We learn immediately that the girls look different from one another: one is black, one is white, although we aren’t told which is which. Despite their initially hostile feelings, they are drawn together because of their similar circumstances. They both like to eat chicken. The two girls turn out to be, in famous phrase, â€Å"more alike than unalike.† They were both â€Å"dumped† there. They become allies against the â€Å"big girls on the second floor† (whom they call â€Å"gar-girls,† a name they get from mishearing the word â€Å"gargoyle†), as well as against the home’s â€Å"real orphans,† the children whose parents have died. They share a fascination with Maggie, the old, sandy-colored woman â€Å"with legs like parentheses† who works in the home’s kitchen and who can’t speak. Twyla and Roberta are reminded of their differences on the Sunday that each of their mothers comes to visit and attend church with them. Twyla’s mother Mary is dressed inappropriately; Roberta’s mother, wearing an enormous cross on her even  more enormous chest. Mary offers her hand, but Roberta’s mother refuses to shake Mary’s hand. Twyla experiences twin humiliations: her mother’s inappropriate behavior shames her, and she feels slighted by Roberta’s mother’s refusal. Second encou nter[edit source | editbeta] Twyla and Roberta meet again eight years later during the 1960s, when Twyla is â€Å"working behind the counter at the Howard Johnson’s on the Thruway† and Roberta is sitting in a booth with, â€Å"two guys smothered in head and facial hair.† Roberta and her friends are on their way to the west coast to keep an appointment with Jimi Hendrix. The episode is brief, but long enough to make Twyla feel like an outsider in Roberta’s world. Third encounter[edit source | editbeta] The third time Twyla and Roberta meet is 20 years after they first met at St. Bonnys. They are both married and meet while shopping at the Food Emporium, a new gourmet grocery store. Twyla describes the encounter as a complete opposite of their last. They get along well and share memories of the past. Roberta is rich and Twyla is lower middle class. Twyla is married to a firefighter; Roberta is married to an IBM executive. Fourth encounter[edit source | editbeta] The next time the two women meet, â€Å"racial strife† threatens Twyla’s town of Newburgh, NY in the form of busing. As she drives by the school, Twyla sees Roberta there, picketing the forced integration. Twyla is briefly threatened by the other protesters; Roberta doesn’t come to her aid. Roberta’s parting remark unsettles Twyla: â€Å"Maybe I am different now, Twyla. But you’re not. You’re the same little state kid who kicked a poor old black lady when she was down on the ground. You kicked a black lady and you have the nerve to call me a bigot.† Twyla replies, â€Å"Maggie wasn’t black.† Either she does not remember that she was black, or she had never classified her sandy skin as black. Twyla decides to join the counter-picketing across the street from Roberta, where she spends a few days hoisting signs that respond directly to Roberta’s sign. Fifth encounter[edit source | editbeta] We meet Twyla and Roberta once more; this time it is in a coffee shop on Christmas Eve, years later, probably in the early 1980s. Roberta wants to discuss what she last said about Maggie. The conversation is sympathetic but ends on an unresolved note.

Resistance to Change Paper Essay

Introduction Resistance to change comes along quite a bit in all organizations; and individuals are comfortable with what he or she knows. Organizations are constantly struggling with combating resistance to change, and all the while keeping individuals ideas and concerns in mind. In order to make things a little easier Lewin’s theory can be used, to make this transition to change a little easier. There is also organizational and individual resistance, and what major factors can cause resistance to change. Resistance to change can be managed, and how it does solely relies on the organization. Organizations have a lot to cope with on a daily basis, and when changes are made this impacts the company as a whole. Many things can contribute to resistance to change, and listed below are factors organizations face when changes are implemented. Organizational Resistance to Change When it comes to organizational resistance to change this has to be done very carefully. Resistance to change does not only affect just an individual it affects the organization as a whole. Some of the examples of organizational resistance are structural, threats of power, a sinking in costs, special treatments, groups, etc. The structure of the organization is one of the most important things; the structure is the stability, what makes the organization what it is. Power, if an individual or a group feels like their position is being threatened, resistance will be the first thing that happens. Power wars can hurt the memento of work that has been occurring before the changes. Upper management may be a little more resistance when they determine the costs of training; changes happen and learning all again. Special treatments could be given to certain individuals, and the newer individuals are getting tasks, the older staff used to have. An organization has to keep all these in mind when trying to transition organizational change with resistance. There are some individuals that belong to a certain group, and listening to others how the changes are not necessary, so the  individual will be a little more resistant to the changes. Individual Resistance to Change The individual’s resistance to change can be brought on by many different things. One of the challenges faced by an organization is other employees or other individuals not going along with the changes. Some examples of resistance to change can include fears of the unknown, employee relationships, routines, failure of communication, and economical conditions. Fears of the unknown can do an individual in. An individual that is resistant can make it quite difficult when changes do occur. Within an organization, relationships are built, and sometimes when changes occur individuals feel threatened, to the point of feeling their relationships with others will no longer be. Also, the employees that are in a group or working with one individual are normally friends. By moving he or she, this will mess up the routine, and its takes them out of what they are comfortable with. Employees are used to their routines, and when taken out of their comfort zone, he or she can be more resistant to change. Failure of communication can be a big problem. If employees feel there was a blind side, and nothing communicated about these changes, this can backfire. Setting up a meeting with employees can make the transition go a lot easier, and not resistant to these changes. Economical conditions are a factor, and if the employee feels that there is nothing in it for them. Then he or she can be more resistant to change. Employees want to feel that there will be some reward to compensate for the trouble he, or she will be put in to accept the changes. There are a lot of factors for an organization to consider, especially when changes are made. If done properly, an organization can have the proper reactions from employees, and the transition will be a complete success. Also, management needs to listen to any apprehensions, or fears employees may have. There are multiple methods that can be used when changes are taken place; one of the most successful is Lewin’s Theory of Change. Lewin’s Theory of Change Kurt Lewin is best known for the 3-Stage Model of Change. Lewin developed  the 3-Stage Model in the 1950’s and is still used to this day. The three stages are unfreezing, changing and refreezing. â€Å"The model represents a very simple and practical model for understanding the change process (2014).† This model is still used widely and does serve a purpose for multiple modern change models. If an organization follows the 3-Stage Model of Change, the transition of change will be more effective. â€Å"For Lewin, the process of change entails creating the perception that a change is needed, then moving toward the new, desired level of behavior and finally, solidifying that new behavior as the norm (2014).† Unfreezing The first step is unfreezing, for example if there is something frozen in one’s freezer; it needs to be taken out and thawed out. This is what occurs when changes take place. When a change needs to be implemented, the first step is unfreezing. It is common for individuals to resist change, and in order for this to be successful, the unfreezing step is implemented, and to let others be conscious of what is hindering the organization. During the unfreezing step, it is highly important communication is used to make the transition a lot smoother. Also, it is crucial for individuals to realize how important it is to be accepting to the changes and the logic and reason for why this is occurring. Once the individuals in the organization know how imperative and essential the changes the more beneficial it is to them and the company. Changing The second step is changing, for example once something is unfrozen then changes can now take place. â€Å"This changing step, also referred to as ‘transitioning’ or ‘moving,’ is marked by the implementation of the change (2014).† Now that this step is implemented new behaviors, values, attitudes, and ways of thinking are all put into practice. It will be easier for employees to embrace changes the more prepared they are. It is important there is communication, support, education of changes, and time is what is needed for changes to be successful. Change needs to be planned and carried out carefully. With proper support and mentoring the change process should run smoothly, and all involved can transition easily. Refreezing The third step is refreezing; for example, this is the process of  reinforcing the act. This step stabilizes after the change has taken place. If this step is not carried out, this can lead to employees retracting back to the way things were done before the change was implemented. It needs to be carefully planned out to ensure that retraction does not occur, and enforced that this will not happen. The changes also need to be normal and part of the culture of the organization. The success of this can be rewarding to the employees, and organization when the help of the individuals reached goals during the changing process. The leaders can also acknowledge the hard work put into reaching these goals, and embracing the changes. Conclusion Resistance to change occurs quite a bit in any organization. In order for this to be successful, there are certain steps to be taken to ensure the organization embraces the changes. Transition to changes can come easy or be a nightmare to the whole organization. Kurt Lewin’s theory of change has worked for a long time and is still used for modern change models. Changes are key to the growth of the organization, and that of their employees. Using the 3-Stage Model of Change has been a success and has worked for many years. To obtain success, the organization has to embrace the changes, and to work together, not against one another. Resistance to change is a given, it is a fear of the unknown, educating employees are key to how successful an organization will be once it has been implemented. If used correctly Lewin’s Theory of Change should work successfully for any organization. Change is not always easy for some, but if communication, mentoring, and support are all used, then the organization should have complete success. Today, tomorrow, months, and even years from now Lewin’s Theory of Change will still be working for organizations trying to prevent resistance to change. Reference Lewin’s 3-Stage Model of Change: Unfreezing, Changing, Unfreezing. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.education-portal.com/academy/lesson/lewins-three-stage-model

Feminism In Frankenstein essays

Feminism In Frankenstein essays When reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, one cannot help but notice that the women characters seem to have little substance compared to the male characters. This may have been caused by the time period in which she wrote: one in which females was considered to be inferior to males. There are many factors in this novel which contribute to the portrayal of feminism. The three points which contribute greatly are, the female characters are there only to reflect the male characters, women are seen as possessions for men to protect, and finally women in the novel are portrayed as stereotypical women in that time period. Mary Shelleys novel portrays feminist qualities, and is a feminist novel. Firstly, the female characters in the novel are there only to reflect the male characters. To start, in the novel itself, no women speak directly. The book has three basic narrators: Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and Frankenstein's monster. The female characters are very weak in this novel, especially Elizabeth, Victor's cousin/fianc. She is portrayed as the perfect woman, especially after Victor's mother, Caroline dies. She takes the place of the mother figure in the household. Secondly, just like all the female characters in the story, Elizabeths character has little substance. Victor's character is described in detail, as is that of the monster, and Henry Clerval. When Henry gets killed, sympathy is really felt toward Victor, because he has just lost his lifetime friend. When Elizabeth is murdered, the reader finds it hard to connect with what Frankenstein is feeling. Elizabeth (and the other main female characters: Justine and Caroline) are there to reflect the men charac ters. Lastly, women function not in their own right but somewhat of a passage for men's relations with other men. This is especially clear when the monster kills Elizabeth on their wedding night. The monster is upset with Victor, so instead of hurting ...

The Beats essays

The Beats essays The 1950s saw a rise of a new sub-culture or as some prefer to call it literary generation group. The young rebelled against postwar changes in American life; they saw in the rapid development of the nation a threat to the respect to humans spiritual value, they feared mechanization of the world and uniforming of the society. The spheres of life in which their rebellion was observable was their actual life- and writing- style. About the first let us say that a typical Beat was a rebel without a cause leading a shocking to the conservative America life they did not restrain themselves from drugs, sexual promiscuity, stealing and other morally dubious behavior . They went to great lengths to show their individualism and differentness. When it comes to literature the Beats opposed literary formalism of the 1940s, they insisted on new, spontaneous, more open art which would visibly contrast with literary tradition. The major representatives of the Beat Generation were Allan Ginsberg (Howl - ), Jack Kerouac (On the Road 1957) and William Burroughs (Junkie 1953). Although all of these men were in agreement with the Beat Generation ideas they did not turn their back to literary tradition completely. They seem especially indebted to transcendental writers as Emerson and Thoreau and the resulting Walt Whitman. Also they found inspiration in William Blake and his mysticism which stemmed from a desire to achieve the mystical, and it the wish to broaden the mind and attain the spiritual that inspired the Beats to experiment with substances as Benzedrine and marijuana. As Rulad and Bradburry note in From Puritanism to Postmodernism, Allen Ginsbergs Howl has been in several ways a return and response to Whitmans vision; he measured the nations fall from grace and expressed his own pain as well as d ...

Learn this tips for college students! Get to know how to gain success!

Learn this tips for college students! Get to know how to gain success! Getting accepted by a college is exciting. Even more exciting, and a bit anxiety-producing, is leaving home and entering an entirely new environment an environment that puts a lot more responsibility on your shoulders. You are now responsible for managing all of your basic needs such as meals, laundry, cleaning; you are responsible for managing your time to balance academics, activities, and social life; you are responsible for how you conduct yourself socially; you are responsible for taking initiative when you have needs to be met; and you are responsible for managing your money. The difference between success and failure in college is your ability to develop certain strategies from the day you land on campus, and here they are your college success tips. 1. Go To All Orientation Activities You need to learn how to physically navigate around campus, particularly if it is large. You will also want to begin to get to know some of your fellow students, and to immerse yourself in the diverse population of which you have just become a part. Ask questions, and dont feel dumb about doing so. Engage others in conversation. This is the beginning of one of the most important strategies for success in college - taking initiative and advocating for yourself. 2. Locate all Campus Resources You need to know where to go if and when you need academic help. Most campuses will have learning resource centers that offer assistance and tutoring for coursework in all basic content fields. You need to know where the campus health center is both for physical health needs and for counseling and advice if and when you feel overwhelmed. 3. Find the Campus Career Office You may not need it your first semester, but once you declare a major, you will want to make contact and visit it regularly. There are great advisors who can help you select the right course electives that will enhance your employability, will give you projections on the job market in your field, and so on. Get to know these advisors. The more they see you, the more they will go out of their way to help you. One of the best success strategies for college students is to begin to plan for the future very early on. 4. Start Making Connections with Classmates You will really want to experience the diversity that exists on college campuses. But even more than that, you can begin to form study groups and to know who you can rely on for notes if you have to miss a class. 5. Make Connections with Your Professors and TAs These people have office hours for a reason to meet with and advise students. If you are struggling in a course, or need advice on a paper you are writing, these people are your best resource. And heres another one of the best tips for college success. Professors are human and thus impressed by students who want to do well. This comes in handy when there is leeway in grade giving or when a reference might be needed. 6. Get Yourself Organized And this doesnt just mean getting clothes in closets and drawers and setting up your room or apartment. It means developing a schedule each semester, based upon your class schedule. When will you be in class? What are the blocks of time that you will set aside for study? Where will you fit in extra-curricular activities and your social life? Study each course syllabus and calendar all of the long-range assignments tests, essays, papers, and exams. You need to know what is coming next week, next month, and the month after that. Staying organized is one of the most important tips for success in college. 7. Get Yourself Some Involvement and Some Fun College is a phase of exploration and personal growth as much as it is for an academic program of study. Join as least one campus organization that is a fit for your interests intramural sports, young Republicans or Democrats, student government, sorority or fraternity, international student associations, campus newspaper, drama club there are just so many, you will not have a problem finding one that is a fit. 8. Watch Your Health The best way to stay healthy is to eat and sleep right and to get some physical exercise. Taking some vitamins wont hurt either, particularly if your eating habits are not all that great. If you have a large campus, get a bike; go to the gym and work out; play intramural sports. 9. Get a Budget Theres nothing worse than Ramen noodles for the entire last week of every month. And theres nothing worse than not being able to grab a pizza with some friends because your funds have dried up. Figure out exactly what you have to spend each month (after any required expenses like rent, utilities, car insurance, etc.), divide it by four weeks, and give yourself no leeway. You will be happy that last week of every month when you still have money to spend. 10. Find the Right Environment for Study You have your blocks of study time already established. One of the best study tips for college is to find the right place. For some, the dorm room or apartment bedroom works well, so long as others around them cooperate. For others, there may be too many distractions. If this is you, then consider the library. You know the right environment for your best productivity. Use it.