Race and Ethnicity Essay Example for Free

Race and Ethnicity Essay Until now talk of â€Å"race† and â€Å"ethnicity† still remains a sensitive issue and despite many attempts, discrimination still exists in our modern society. But, on the throes of a multiracial decade, we might be on track to finally understand that race is really a social creation. The website Race: Are We So Different? (http://www. understandingrace. org/home. html) helps shed light into this issue by providing interactive programs, like the Human Variation Quiz, that make it easier for people to understand the â€Å"race issue† in layman’s terms. After taking the quiz, it became clear to me that, yes, race is just embedded in our society and cannot be traced to our genetics or lineage. It gives out facts that correct our idea of what defines race. They tell us that, say, physical qualities that can be attributed to genetics cannot be categorized into the three or four races that people today recognize. Rather, study of our DNA even shows that there might be more genetic differences between two Latin Americans than between a Latin American and a Caucasian American. The documentary Race: The Power of Illusion also shows this when during a DNA workshop, led by forensic expert Scott Bronson, a group of teenagers from different lineages found out that they have more in common with other people from other â€Å"races† than their own. As Peter Wade mentions in his book Race and Ethnicity in Latin America (1997), biologically speaking, race does not exist (Wade 13). It is, therefore, a socially-constructed idea that actually changes with time. Most importantly, the quiz shows that if we track down our DNA to one source it can be traced to a human community that settled in Africa 100,000 years ago, showing that everyone of Earth comes from one community, one people. The problem that we should look into now is how as a society we can change this idea of different races into an understanding of one race. Scholars say that it involves a huge â€Å"paradigm shift†, like how humans began to see the world as round than flat. What I say is, no matter how big it is I believe we are definitely ready.

Al Capone Biography :: Biography

Al Capone was an Italian criminal working the streets of America. He started his life with petty crime in Brooklyn, New York. After escalating his way up in Brooklyn, Capone moved to Chicago for bigger and better things. There Capone had prominence supremacy as one of the giant bootlegging forerunners. His collected and composed ways, made crime into a business that we see in today's mafia. Capone changed crime into a profession, which in turn made it a business. The word mob or mafia is a title that is often heard. When the name Capone is associated with the title, most people think of Capone as the true influence of the mob or mafia today. Capone was a man who of the many prohibition leaders, lead the way for the mafia in the early 19 hundreds. Due to the prohibition era, Al Capone transformed the mafia into today's business like criminal organization. Organized crime in the 19th century, was an ever booming scene for the average citizen. Since the 19th century, crime and business seemed to have gone hand in hand since the prohibition days of Capone. Long before Al Capone became involved in bootlegging, his excitement in life was the economic opportunity of being a gangster on the streets. As soon as Capone reached the legal age of fourteen, he dropped out of school to live this economic dream of making money as a gangster on the streets. 1.Al Capone was convinced that the opportunities for personal advancement and material success were not available through legitimate means, and so Capone turned toward the crime profession of bootlegging. Capone was a smart man with a mission. 2.His mission was to succeed as a criminal in a business like matter. Although prohibition was clearly illegal, Capone used his prohibition as a business. His attire was that of a rich business man, along with his ways of talking were also that of a business man. Everything Capone did was set to flow like a business, and prohibition help him act out his business ways. Capone used prohibition to 3.make over a modern city for his own use, and lived off it as blatantly and richly as a caesar of Rome. This edict that Capone presented, seem to have establish the standards for the ways of the mafia today. With this method of doing business, it would only dispense the mafia with more control over meaningful people in their pursuit of organized crime both then and now. 4.There are several cases on record about Capone in which the cases became more clearer when put in the light of an analysis of how the mafia enterprise

The Straight-Edge and the Scene

Straight-Edge and the Scene For some youth it’s all about the scene. What is the scene? The scene is a general reference to the music venues in which these youth participate. The straight-edge subculture is one that many may not be familiar with. Why is this? Probably because the straight-edge lifestyle is one of the few countercultures in which the youth that is involved tries to steer clear of drugs and overindulgence. It is closely related to the hardcore/punk music scene. The straight-edge lifestyle refers to people who are involved with the hardcore/punk lifestyle but they refrain from drinking alcohol, using drugs, smoking cigarettes, and promiscuous sex. This subculture was created as a social movement against authority, drug abuse, and any type of overindulgence associated with punk rock (Kirchner, 2009). Background: the 1970’s to the Present Individuals who are straight edge take a pledge to live a drug, promiscuous, alcohol, and cruelty free lifestyle. Sometimes, this even extends into vegetarianism and veganism and Hare Krishna, a belief based on Hindu scripture (Kirchner, 2009). The basic philosophy of the straight-edge lifestyle centers around self control and regaining as much of one’s personal control over their lives as possible, by getting rid of the negative influences (Kirchner, 2009). Straight-edger’s, a common nickname, usually are involved with the environment, animal rights and pride their counterculture on keeping their focus on higher learning and a positive outlook (Wood, 2006). The straight-edge subculture emerged in the late 1970’s (Wood, 2006). The term straight-edge was coined by musician Ian MacKaye in a song called â€Å"Straight Edge† which he wrote for his band, Minor Threat. Their music was fast and powerful with angry and thoughtful lyrics, which is how straight-edge seemed to be viewed as at first. With further understanding, it was found that the straight-edge lifestyle was the opposite. In the 1970’s only a slew of prominent artists rejected drugs and alcohol and influenced the straight-edge ideology (Wood, 2006). After the term straight-edge was thrown out into the music community, many people picked up on it and many other bands for decades to come centered their music and lifestyle on the straight-edge, drug free lifestyle. Minor Threat was the first band to use the term straight edge and adopt the letter X as a representation of being straight-edge and living the lifestyle. The X symbol was believed to originate from the use of the letter on people who were underage (under 21) to symbolize that they were too young to drink at the shows and became the symbol for straight-edge by being used on album covers, as body art, and other paraphernalia (Kirchner, 2009). In the 1980’s the influence of music on the straight-edge seemed to be at an all-time high. Many bands seemed to be using the straight-edge lifestyle as a stepping stone and inspiration for their songs. During the mid-1980’s many of the vegetarianism and veganism ideas stemmed out and gripped straight-edge community members (Cogan, 2008). This propelled a trend towards animal rights and vegetarianism that would reach its peak in the 1990’s. Straight-edger’s want to be directly involved with both the music community in which they support, by either playing in a band or writing a webzine or article for the music and their regular community by helping with any aspect of it. Straight-edger’s use this subculture to move away from the stigma of destruction that hardcore and punk music seems to have veiled over the industry. Militant straight-edger’s were first identified in the early 1990’s. These individuals were characterized by less tolerance for those who were not straight-edge, more outspokenness, and more willingness to resort to violence in order to promote clean living and fight against homosexuality and abortion (Woods, 2006). This willingness to resort to violence led to some parts of the United States paying close attention to the straight-edge subculture and the subculture being treated as a gang by law officials. However, â€Å"a study done in 2006 suggests that a small minority of individuals who identify with the straight-edge subculture are violent. † (Woods, 2006: 38). In the 2000’s the straight-edge movement has become less violent and more about promoting a positive lifestyle. Straight-edge has moved out into different genres of music instead of staying specific to the punk/metal scene. The decline of aggressive behavior has been linked to the lack of a well known band leading the straight-edge movement (Irwin, 1999). The amount of tolerance from people who are straight-edge to non-straight edge participants has grown as well (Irwin, 1999). Deviant Theories Applied: Straight-Edge and Theories First, we have to ask why the straight-edge subculture is deviant. The straight-edge culture embraces moral inclination in a positive way. This subculture does not fit the â€Å"norms† of society. By abstaining from substances, sex, and other negative things, it makes this subculture stick out. If, in society, something about a group or person sticks out, they become deviant, which is departing from anything that is socially accepted or â€Å"usual† (Clinard, Meier, 2011). In the early 1990’s violence that was related to the straight-edge movement was high. Some militant actors used violence against random people and other straight-edge members who were drinking, smoking, or doing drugs in order to try and spread their substance free message. This violence was brought on because of their direct relation with the straight-edge culture. Functionalism can be used to describe this time period for the straight-edge activists. Functionalism describes how different social occurrences uphold and disturb social stability. It also claims that society needs crime to be functional and for various other reasons such as attaining group unity, innovation, and setting and preserving moral limitations. The straight-edge subculture has many moral limitations. They have a strict set of requirements that they have to follow in order to be considered straight-edge. The violence that took place by the straight-edge subculture was due to the fact that many who committed the violence, to random people or other straight-edge members, was for the preservation of their morals. Any type of substance abuse, promiscuity, and meat eating is an implicit sin for members of the straight-edge community. The disregard of these rules by both participants and non-participants in the straight-edge subculture alike were reason for some members in this group to become violent (Woods, 2006). Militant straight-edger’s used violence to try and force a straight-edge lifestyle onto others because they viewed, and for those who still use violence today, still view their lifestyle as the most morally right. The straight-edge lifestyle also indirectly calls for unity by forcing its members to follow the straight-edge lifestyle’s specific guidelines, such as not drinking. When members conflict with this or associate themselves with people who drink, smoke, or indulge in anything morally incorrect violence usually followed. In this subculture the deviance mainly applies to the push against abusing drugs, alcohol, and overindulging in any way. Why do individuals in the straight-edge community take this approach? The social learning theory may be able to explain this. The social learning theory asks how people become deviant and whether it is learned (Clinard, Meier, 2011). With this particular subculture it can be said that the majority of the straight-edge lifestyle is learned from music and peers. Many individuals who are involved in the straight-edge lifestyle found out about this lifestyle from the music scene or their friends. Others, driven to take part in the music scene, joined and others who wanted to be a part of a positive influence on their society because of music joined the straight-edge subculture (Woods, 2006). Many members of the straight-edge community became a part of it because it represented a break away from the increasing sexuality of rock music and the sexual revolution. The sexual revolution offered youth freedom and an alternative to the dating script and the straight-edge counterculture did the same (Kirchner, 2009). The straight-edge understanding embodied freedom as well. The freedoms between the two are quite different as one gave the freedom to indulge in one’s inclinations while the latter gives the freedom to make an intentional habit out of their choices to refrain from overindulgence. In society, sexual behavior is socially learned. What is acceptable and unacceptable sexually is made clear through social informative (Clinard, Meier, 2011). The straight-edge subculture tries to take sexuality back into a time where hooking-up was not the social norm. Being sexually promiscuous is frowned upon in society as well as in the straight-edge subculture. In society heterosexual deviance is an ongoing topic. The straight-edge society wants to be known for exactly the opposite of this. In society, sexual deviance is generally negative. Sometimes, women are objectified and men are a number of different things, which is why the straight-edge community rejects these ideas in order to show society that they have exerted control over their life by abstaining and â€Å"saving† their bodies (Woods, 2006). In the straight-edge society, the double tandard holds true as well because a lot of the time men who proclaim to be straight-edge may be being promiscuous at the time but can still claim the straight-edge lifestyle. A woman doing the same would no longer be looked at as straight-edge (Woods, 2006). Conclusion The straight-edge counterculture is one most interesting, yet unheard of subcultures. The reason why this subculture is so fascina ting is because of the values it represents. Although this group is vague and there are fewer members than before, the preservation of values is one of the many reasons to continue and study this fascinating unconventional group. Overindulgence is something that is common in this day and age. Drug addictions, sexual promiscuity, alcohol abuse, and other substance abuse are not shocking to hear about. These are daily occurrences that the straight-edge culture is trying to remove from their lives. From the 1970’s until now this culture has been constantly changing and rearranging itself to match the attitudes and music of the time. The straight-edge counterculture has been excellent in integrating modern ideas in with more traditional values, all while supporting the music scene. References Clinard, Marshall B. and Robert F. Meier. 2011. Sociology of Deviant Behavior. Belmont, California: Wadsworth. Cogan, Brain. 2008. The Encyclopedia of Punk. New York: Sterling. Kirchner, Michael. 2009. Edge: Perspectives on Drug Free Culture. DVD. California: Halo 8. Irwin, Darrell D. 1999. â€Å"The Straight-Edge Subculture: Examining the Youths’ the Drug Free Way. † Journal of Drug Issues. 20(2): 365 – 380. Wood, Robert T. 2006. Straightedge Youth: Complexity and Contradictions of Subculture. New York: Syracuse University Press.

The Theory Of Moral Development Essay - 1398 Words

The theory of moral development was developed by psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg and is a very interesting subject that stemmed from Jean Piaget’s theory of moral reasoning. this theory helped us to develop the understanding that morality starts from the early childhood years and can be affected by several factors. This theory encompasses the ideas that moral reasoning, which is considered the basis for moral behavior, has six identifiable developmental stages. According to Kohlberg the six stages of moral development are obedience, and punishment, self-interest, interpersonal accord and conformity, authority and social-order maintaining, social contract and universal ethical principles. The six stages of moral development are grouped into three levels of morality: pre-conventional morality, conventional morality, and post-conventional morality. The pre-conventional consist of obedience and punishment orientation and Self-interest orientation which focuses on punishment and rew ards. The conventional morality level includes Interpersonal accord and conformity which concentrated on social norms and good attitude. The third level is post-conventional and it consist of social contract orientation and universal ethical principles. Kohlberg’s theory was based on a considerable amount of empirical research in which children of different ages were asked to reason about moral dilemmas (Maxwell 2014). The preconventional level displaces a child s perception of morality is controlledShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Moral Development1905 Words   |  8 Pages The theory on Moral Development is credited to none other than Lawrence Kohlberg. Kohlberg was a twentieth century psychologist dedicated his studies to research in moral development and reasoning, especially on young people (Absolute Astronomy, pg. 38). His theory was highly influenced by well-known swiss psychologist, Jean Piaget’s, stages of cognitive development (Absolute Astronomy, pg. 38). Jean Piaget’s theory contained four stages of cognitive development (Hart). Kohlberg’s theory is actuallyRead MoreThe Theory Of Moral Development2195 Words   |  9 PagesPART ONE Introduction: Moral development is the growth through which children evolve proper attitudes and behaviors toward other people in society, depend on social and cultural norms, rules, and laws. It focuses on the development, change and understanding of morality from infancy to adulthood. In the field of moral development, Molarity defined as the foundation of how individuals committed to treat one another with respect and justice. In other words, it is the evolution of understandingRead MoreThe Theory Of Moral Development2106 Words   |  9 PagesLawrence Kohlberg developed the theory of moral development. The theory of moral development â€Å"stemmed from Jean Piaget’s theory of moral reasoning.† This theory was a study which led to a better understanding of morality. This theory proved that morality started in early childhood years and had many factors which affected the outcome of the child’s perception of morality. Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory consisted of 3 levels and which each had 2 stages in them. The first level consists of preconventionalRead MoreThe Theory Of Moral Development1436 Words   |  6 Pagesthat there are 3-levels of Moral Development, as well as 6-stages within Moral Development. The 3-levels include pre-conventional morality, conventional morality, and post conventional morality. The 6-stages include obedience and punishment orientation, individualism and exchange, good interpersonal relationships, maintaining social order, social contract and individual rights, and universal principles (McLleod, 2011). This paper will discuss all 3-levels of moral development and where my ethical reasoningRead MoreKohlberg : Theory Of Moral Development997 Words   |  4 PagesLawrence Kohlberg: Theory of Moral Development Lawrence Kohlberg was a well known psychologist best known for his thorough research into the development and better understanding of the processes needed to grow into a well developed human being. Kohlberg grew up in New York City on October 25, 1927. Growing up in such a diverse area is what struck his interest in the development of all beings. In only one short year he received his bachelors degree and then went on to devote his career to study theRead MoreKohlbergs Theory of Moral Development1236 Words   |  5 PagesKohlbergs theory of moral development proposes a series of three levels, divided into two stages each, that characterize the moral reasoning of human beings. Kohlbergs theory represented an important contribution to the psychological study of moral reasoning and its effect on behavior, but it contains a number of flaws and problematic assumptions. In particular, Carol Gilligan argues that Kohlbergs theory contains an inherently masculine bias, and that its view of justice as a universal ethicalRead MoreThe s Theory Of Moral Development880 Words   |  4 Pagesout openly against the injustices of the church. Kohlberg s Theory of Moral Development states that, moral reasoning, the basis for ethical behavior, has six identifiable developmental stages, each more adequate at responding to moral dilemmas than its predecessor. Kohlberg s principle concern was justice, or an Ethic of Rights, that would lead persons on a path to truth. Using his model, one can trace Catherine s moral development from her adolescence through her later life. In the beginningRead MoreFour Moral Development Theories1825 Words   |  8 PagesFOUR MORAL DEVELOPMENT THEORIES Describe Jean Piaget’s Theory of Moral Development Jean Piaget is best known for his stage theory on moral development of children which occurs in two distinct stages from heteronomous to autonomous and three sub stages premoral (0 to 5 years), moral realism ( 5 to 10 years), and moral relativism (after age 10). In premoral development, children do not think about right or wrong. In the moral realism phase, children understand right and wrong. Lastly, in moral relativismRead MoreThe s Theory Of Moral Development897 Words   |  4 Pagesboth the attitudes and roles of men and women. She points to Carol Gilligan’s theory of moral development as an instance that provides an understanding of both males and females. Gilligan found that men are more rational when making decisions while women are more emotional (Andersen, 2015). Knowledge of a theory such as Gilligan’s shows how people can collectively undergo oppression if they do not follow what the theory prescribes. Another key point in the text is the vital relations hip among genderRead MoreKohlberg s Theory Of Moral Development And Moral Maturity Essay1305 Words   |  6 Pagesthe theory of stages of moral development and participated actively in the development of the fields of moral psychology and moral education. Kohlberg was especially inspired by Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist who created the theory of cognitive development. Mark Baldwin, John Dewey, and George Herbert Mead also influenced his thinking (Barger, 2000; Encyclopedia of Education, 2002). In this paper, I will analyze in-depth Kohlberg’s theory and discuss an article that uses Kohlberg’s theory to foster