This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona

Table of Contents Introduction Understanding the Symbolism in the Story Understanding the Role of Thomas Builds-the-Fire Underlying Point in the Story Introduction The story â€Å"This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona† contains various symbolic elements and phrases representing the decline of the Native American culture and the gradual loss of traditions in favor of modernity.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This can be seen in phrases such as â€Å"who does have money on a reservation except the cigarette and fireworks people† and the symbolism attached to the scene involving the utter desolation of life when traversing Nevada which used to be an area with a rich Native American tradition. In fact it can even be said that the story itself is seemingly trying to indicate that the latest generation of Native Am ericans are in fact distancing themselves from various aspects of their culture. This can be seen in the general treatment of Thomas Builds-the-Fire who is symbolic of the rich oral tradition that the Native Americans once possessed. The general teasing, cruelty, and even avoidance of Thomas due to his habit of telling stories is actually indicative of the current state of affairs of the Native American people who in successive generations have begun to embrace a more â€Å"modern† way of existence abandoning old traditions and cultural motifs in favor of embracing the American way of life. A detailed examination of the actions and behaviors of Thomas and Victor are indicative of the fact that both characters are actually methods of symbolism with Thomas symbolizing the past tradition and culture of the Native American people while Victor represents the current path that this race is now treading. What must be understood though is that while the story contains thematic elemen ts of the decline of traditions and the embracing of modernity such concepts are not the true essence of the story. The title of the story itself hints at the fact that the journey undertaken by Victor and Thomas is not one that elaborates on the decline of the Native American culture but is rather indicative of a form of rebirth. Understanding the Symbolism in the Story There are 3 primary symbolic elements that should be taken into consideration in order to understand the rebirth analogy that is at the heart of the story, these elements are: the word Phoenix, heat and ashes. The use of the word â€Å"Phoenix† is important to take note of since not only does it mean the name of a place but it is actually symbolic of a form of rebirth. The Phoenix as noted in various mythologies around the world is a creature that when it knows its death is near creates a nest of twigs from which it bursts into intense flames and is reborn from the ashes. In the story we see such elements in the form of Victor going to Phoenix, Arizona in order to collect the ashes of his father and it is also mentioned several times in the story of how hot it was. This fulfills 3 symbolic elements of rebirth namely the Phoenix, intense heat and ashes.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is mentioned by Thomas towards the end of the story that he had a vision of casting the ashes into Spokane Falls causing them to turn into a salmon which is also a form of rebirth. It must be noted that research into Native American cultural concepts reveals that death and rebirth factors heavily into their oral tradition with resulted in the belief that people are either reincarnated as other people or as animals, thus its symbolic use in the story is not at all divergent from traditionally held concepts of this particular culture. Understanding the Role of Thomas Builds-the-Fire When examining the story from start to finish it becomes apparent that the life of Victor is in turmoil, he has recently lost his job and his father just died which facilitates the various events and conflicts seen in the story. What must be understood is that the role of Thomas throughout the story is not just as a mere companion to Victor but rather as a method of rebirth. While various simplistic interpretations of the story may focus on the concept of the fostering of friendship and the development of bonds a more accurate description would be to state that Thomas was the fire that helped to kindle the flame in Victor to help facilitate his rebirth. It was even stated towards the end of the story that it would be unlikely that Thomas and Victor could ever truly become friends thus making any interpretation of the story along the lines of the development of friendship fallacious. Further justification that the role of Thomas as a means of rebirth can be seen in his very name â€Å"Thomas Build s-the-fire†, while not in a literal sense Thomas did build the fire of rebirth in Victor by helping him obtain what was lost namely memories about his father, helping Victor come to terms with his own life and towards the end apparently enables Victor to grasp the ashes of his own life and start anew. In this instance Thomas lives up to his namesake as builder of fire yet what he ignites was not a literal fire but rather a fire of understanding, purpose, and above all hope. Underlying Point in the Story When examining the relationship between Thomas and Victor in the story as well as its conclusion one cannot help but think of the symbolism between traditional Native American culture and the apparent antagonism it has with the new path that the Native American people are taking. Throughout various parts of the story it can be read through various symbolic phrases that the author is trying to convey the fact that modern day Native Americans are becoming increasingly hostile tow ards old traditions, foregoing ancient traditions for more modern day beliefs and cultural attitudes as it can be seen in the various reactions of Victor towards the statements of Thomas.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Yet, what Sherman Alexie is trying to convey in this particular instance is the fact that there need not be any form of hostility between the two, rather co-existence can be achieved. He even goes so far as to imply that the addition of cultural traditions into modern day attitudes would result in an apparent rebirth as it can be seen in the case of Victor. Thomas, as it can be seen, represents the traditional aspects of Native American culture while Victor represents the modern, it is only when the traditional helps the modern that the result is an apparent rebirth into something that was better than before. This, I b elieve, is what is at the heart of the story wherein the author is trying to convey the message that modern day Native Americans need not let go of traditions in order to achieve what is for them a modern existence, rather, by incorporating aspects of the traditional with the modern a new and grand rebirth could occur resulting in a better Native American population. This essay on This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona was written and submitted by user Renee Buchanan to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

OD Application Harley

OD Application Harley Harley-Davidson is the company with the prolonged history which started in 1903. The history of the company’s development is characterized by the periods of successes and failures because of the company’s orientation to producing high-quality expensive motorcycles interesting for the narrow audience (Brown, 2010, p. 295; Harley-Davidson, 1999).Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on OD Application: Harley-Davidsons Plant Run by Work Teams specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More During a long period of time, the company’s organization was based on the principle of the strong leadership. Nevertheless, Harley-Davidson changed the approach to the corporate culture and organization in 1998, while building the Harley-Davidson plant in Kansas City. The Harley-Davidson Kansas City plant is characterized by the focus on empowering employees and developing the natural work groups in 8 to 15 members who work to achi eve the company’s goals without references to the leaders’ rules and regulations (Brown, 2010, p. 295). The idea to develop the successful plant based on the principle of natural work groups can be discussed as rather realistic, if all the aspects of this unique structure and organization are stated and fixed in detail. This approach can work effectively because every employee belonging to the team works to contribute to the company’s goal; every employee is empowered to make decisions and discuss them with the other team members; such important issues as schedules, strategies, and budgets are controlled by the teams; all the employees share the same information because of the slight differences in their statuses and positions; the open communication between all the team members is possible; and the employees share the same responsibilities while orienting to completing the company’s common goal (Brown, 2010, p. 295). Thus, the plant’s organization is based on the idea of the team cohesion which can provide a lot of benefits for the company and contribute to the significant increases in the employees’ motivation and productivity. However, this type of structure can be associated with many problems, if the shift from the team interests to the individual interests is realized. From this point, the self-managed work teams can work effectively till the members of the teams become focused on the individual contribution to the work of the team and to the group achievements (Harley-Davidson, USA, 2014). The team members can also observe the problems in communication which can lead to conflicts. Thus, the employees can become focused on their individual role in the process, orient to pursuing individual goals, concentrate on the realization of the personal ambitions, and begin to demonstrate their leader’s qualities. For instance, conflicts can be observed during the decision making process because the decision should b e made with references to the vision of the majority.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More That is why, definite improvements to affect the organizational structure based on the natural work groups should be implemented at the Harley-Davidson Kansas City plant. It is important to state clearly the functions and responsibilities of the Plant Leadership Group in order to avoid the conflicts between the group members which can depend on the individual ambitions and career plans. Furthermore, all the corporate information should be shared between the employees equally. The reward system should work equally in relation to all the working teams, depending on their productivity. It is also possible to improve the performance appraisal and reward systems to add to the employees’ motivation. Moreover, the plant’s employees should be trained to see the priority of the team goals as the path to the company’s high achievements. References Brown, D. (2010). An experiential approach to organization development. Upper Saddle, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Harley-Davidson: Company history and background. (1999). Retrieved from https://www.h-dsn.com/genbus/PublicDocServlet?docID=18docExt=p Harley-Davidson, USA. (2014). Web.

Supply chain management of Coco-Mat case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Supply chain management of Coco-Mat case - Essay Example The Coco-Mat company has several processes and stakeholders associated with the company and contribute to the success or failure of the business (Nagopoulos, Rontos & Pantazidou, 2013). The company relies on type and quality of raw materials obtained from various small and medium international suppliers which affect the sustainability of products and manufacturing. These suppliers lack knowledge on keeping and maintenance of supplies and about sustainable agriculture. This may lead to substandard raw materials and in turn create shortage of the required number of materials to sustain manufacturing. The company comprises of franchisors that run its retail stores. The franchisors have direct contact with the clients and are obligated to listen and respond to customers’ feedback and demands. If the franchisor is not able to deal with the customers well it may result to the company losing clientele which is against their objective of customer satisfaction. As the company loses the customer then, it means that the company is losing sales; therefore, the business may lack enough money to be invested in employees to motivate them. The company also has logistics par tners who contribute to mismanagement and delays of its products. This result to low performance of TQM implemented (Nagopoulos, Rontos & Pantazidou, 2013). Currently, the company if facing challenges in persuading supply chain partners to participate in TQM implementation. Mr. Chatzimichalis visualises a more responsible supply chain that will employ modern information and communication technologies. The C.E.O is searching for technologies that will enable Coco-Mat integrate marketing, logistics and production that will improve the company’s effectiveness and efficiency. Mr. Chatzimichalis also hopes to improve the role of clients in supply chain operations through technology application (Nagopoulos, Rontos & Pantazidou, 2013). 2. Debate the arguments of Mr. Chatzimichalis to make a more

Media Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Media Anthropology - Essay Example Some advertising tries to influence the buying patterns of parents by linking love and guilt with the purchase of products. When a child is mad at a parent, a gift from the parent might make them happy again. Some parents feel that they can buy their child's affection. Children have also become very status conscious and are aware of brand-name items. As time passes it keeps happening at younger ages. Kids want other kids to like them and appearance is very important. For some reason children are led to believe that clothes from Abercrombie, Gap, or Tommy Hilfiger are better and will make them more popular than no-name brand clothes from Wal-Mart, Target, or K-Mart. A recent study found that parents spend 40 percent less time with their children than their parents did. On average, parents spend about 17 hours a week with their children, while their children spend as many as 40 hours a week using all forms of media (Ryan 44). Parents need to take practical steps to make sure that they--and not the television--are influencing their child. It can shape their reality, set their expectations, and define their values and their behavior. Every day, messages and images from the media--messages about how to behave, what choices to make, and what to think, bombard children. Children even try to imitate what they learn from television, video games, and the Internet. They're more vulnerable to these messages than adults because they haven't developed good judgment or the ability to process the information they're given yet. Since its not interactive, children get the message that they can just sit and be entertained. Children will think activities other than media experiences, particularly school, are boring if there's not a high level of stimulation and entertainment-focus. Media may also interfere with creativity. Children are not engaging in their own skills, imagination or fantasy, because they're getting their entertainment passively from a television screen. If children are watching TV instead of talking to others, they also will not develop the necessary social skills. Social expectations of femininity and masculinity are created and maintained by society based on the media. Media has provided society with a mold of how people of different genders should be and act. Many women in today's world have a low self-esteem caused by the image of a "perfect woman" broadcasted in the media. Models in magazines and product ads have been airbrushed to make the women more appealing. Millions of diet products, fashions and cosmetics have been sold to make woman feel as though they could have a better body. These products are sold because media has no regulation that requires portrayals of people or products to be honest. The images produced by the media and businesses are made to hold audiences and to sell products. It is true that people want to see beautiful people. Would a show or magazine be successful if it featured so-called ugly or average looking people Women want their bodies to be perfect, but what is this ever changing definition of perfection Is it a model on the cover of Cosmopolitan Today's women do not have enough time in a day to get their hair, nails,

Healthcare Administration Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Healthcare Administration - Term Paper Example Based on the four elements, the chief operating officer will analyze what might have caused the complaints. The operating officer should prove that the healthcare personnel responsible for treating or handling the patients owed them a duty of care. This analysis will include evaluation of all healthcare persons attached to the emergency room such as, nurses, doctors and ambulance services among others. The operating officer will analyze why the healthcare officers did not offer the patients the required standard healthcare services. Breach of duty analysis will identify whether the personnel’s action matches the standards of competent healthcare experts in the same field. Where a body of standards is used to establish whether the doctor was not negligent, such standards must be logical and rational (Showalter, 2012). The operating officer also establishes the causation of violation of duty of care by the doctor. In establishing what damages were caused to the patient, the oper ating officer must seek to identify whether the damage was caused by negligence of the healthcare personnel or limitations in resources at the emergency room. The officer should interrogate the available resources in the emergency room against the high turnover of patients to know the cause of complain against the clinic. A strategic plan for overcoming the problems associated with the current ER. The strategic plan will involve optimization of the patients’ pathway in the emergency room. Currently, the emergency room is experiencing an increased demand for emergency services. This growth is attributable to an increased in the number of minor and moderate injuries, which has overstretched the facility capacity and resources. The current system of admission is using static information to plan and manage the incoming patients, admissions and discharging and is unable to provide sufficient information for capacity planning (Richards & Rathbun, 1999) Dynamic information system wi ll be capable of highlighting peak volumes and suggest shortage of capacity as perceived by the staff. Capacity planning is based on averages although peak number of patient in ER at a certain time of the day or month is critical. Dynamic System Simulation can be used as a decision making tool readily available, cheap, and efficient to use and optimize in several processes. It mimic an actual process over by including basic hypothesis of a â€Å"what if† analysis. The information system will help the clinic produce information to be used in making appropriate decisions, solve capacity problems of emergency room and facilitate the planning process by the management (Journal of Trauma Management & Outcome). The â€Å"Good Samaritan Law† effect on the appropriate treatment of the ER patients Good Samaritan refers to a person who offers aid in an emergency situation to a person wounded on a voluntary basis. The person giving care to a stranger owes the stranger a duty of b eing reasonably careful. In the medical sense, a Good Samaritan is a professional medical practitioner who gives medical care to a person in an urgent situation. The rescuer helps the sick without any duty to care and with no monetary compensation expected in return. An example is a medical practitioner who comes upon a motor vehicle accident spot. The person who responds and offers aid to injured acts as a Good

The Battle Of Algiers Movie Analysis Film Studies Essay

The Battle Of Algiers Movie Analysis Film Studies Essay The movie is set as a reflection of the struggle in the North African country to gain independence. The film is set in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, a French colony. The year is 1957, and the Algerian war is at its peak as the insurgents, the FLN fight against the French paratroopers, an elite team of ruthless soldiers. The film is a depiction of the Battle for Algiers, a segment of the Algerian war that charted the course for freedom. The movie starts with a scene where French paratroopers have just used torture to extract information from an old man. They now know where the last of the leaders of the freedom fighters, Ali Pointe is hiding and the French commander gives him thirty seconds to surrender. A large portion of the movie is shot as the flashbacks of Ali Pointe, a cornered leader of the insurgency. The flashbacks show him, three years before, as a hoodlum with a tainted past of theft and drug-dealing. He joins the militants to help rid Algeria of vice and problems associated with the French. Through the flashbacks, the movie follows the insurgents struggles and the French government s determination to end the war It then traces the metamorphosis of the insurgency into a national revolution. For the larger part of the 117 minutes the movie runs, it sees the war through Ali Pointe s eyes as it traces his struggles as a leader of the insurgency. The flashbacks end and the timeline returns to the present. Ali Pointe and all other captured FLN leaders are guillotined. The FLN retaliate and it becomes a national revolution as the insurgency grows in numbers and support. The movie then adapts a general focus and ends as Algeria attains independence in 1962. The theme The issues addressed by this movie are varied and universal. The violence evident in the movie is sickening, but it must be taken for its thematic content. It centers on terrorism as a method of war employed where conventional means are not applicable. It also tries to depict the issues brought about by imperialism and colonization and the endless struggle of people to achieve their independence at whatever cost. It also shows that terrorism is not a method merely used by insurgents but also by conventional militaries when it suits them. The French military is depicted as using unconventional methods such as torture and manipulation. While the ruthlessness of the insurgents is expected, the counter insurgency is a shocker. It is not expected that any trained military would use such methods, but this movies main theme centre on unmasking them. Exposition The movie adapts a quasi-documentary approach during the flashback scenes. Te viewer learns of how the war turned viral as it spread. It uses Ali Pointe s view as a starting point for the story, the flow of information is detailed and impossible for a 30 second flashback, but it is informative. The visual style used in this film was convincing with the initial recording being done in black and white due to the infant nature of color technology at the time. The last segment of the movie that has general focus on the story of the Algerian war adapts the omnipresent invisible narrator method. The transition is flawless and remarkable, and it enhances the overall effect of the story. Rising action The flashbacks in the story mean that the movie has rising action for only the first segment. The flow from the torture scene, to Ali Pointe s flashbacks marks the foundation of the action. It is centered on Ali s memories, the calmness and lack of any violence as he reminisces of his former life and the woes of his urgent life. The bloody, grizzly movie scenes also add to the action of the movie. The flashback approach, however, give the story very little raise in action because it is a war movie. Climax It is impossible to centre on any part of the Battle of Algiers as the only climax in the movie. It is riddled with multiple tense and explosive scenes, all centered on the flashbacks. This film provides a deeper insight and understanding of the dynamics of conflicts; this is done in the way it provides a detailed arm race between the warring factions that normally accompany conflicts. In short the idea of reciprocity in conflict which describes how each side attempts to outflank and outmaneuver the other help us tremendously understand the dynamics of the real world conflicts (Rainer, 10). A memorable scene is where several female NLF remove their veils and dress like Europeans in order to penetrate the enemy territory to plant bombs. Another scene shows businessmen relaxing in a bar, people waiting for a bus, teenagers having fun and a child who enjoying her ice cream and suddenly, a bomb explodes. Another bombing occurs in a coffee house at around the Casbah area. The scenes of the French Legion s torture cells, the deliberations of the Algerian resistance organization (National Liberation Front) top brass in the Casbah meeting room, their battle hardened and fearless soldiers on the rooftops, cafes, checkpoints as they detonate bombs, are all a product of a breathtaking casting Falling Action The second part of the movie signifies the start of falling action. The escalation of the insurgency into a full scale revolution indicates that while the French might have won the battle for the city of Algiers they lost the Algerian war. In a way, this compensates for the bloody action scenes as one is compelled to ponder on whether such bloodshed and death was necessary to gain independence. Although circumstances forced the locals were to start the war, the script is quick to show that they did not support terrorism as those who engage in it in the film have their reckoning moments (Ebert 123).They did not sanction the methods employed by the militants, but they were part and parcel of the gains. This is a true indication of a group that is formed with genuine reasons of freeing their society from some of the things that kept them exploited for centuries. Just when one would have thought that the war is over, bombs leaving hundreds of people dead and others injured. Resolution The producer, Pontecorvo used special filming techniques that gave the movie somewhat of a documentary-like grainy look. The movies plot also follows the documentary approach .In the scenes after Ali Pointe and other leaders are killed, it is clear that the French have shot themselves in the leg. Their actions against the insurgents have solidified the people s resolve and they have no choice but to grant them freedom The end The year is 1962 and Algeria is in a euphoric state. The scenes shift from happiness to the defeat of the French. The movie ends on a positive high, as the deaths of all those killed in the course of the war seem worthwhile. The dying scenes of the movie show the victory on the faces of the Algerian people. The characters The cast included only one professional actor, Jean Martin. The movie engages composite characters. The character Colonel Mathieu is a composite character meant to show the top leadership of the actual French regiments in Algeria at the time. It also seems likely that the producer and the actor attempted to show the colonel as an honest man merely doing his job, as opposed to a villain and emotionless leader of a ruthless military. Jean Martin plays the character well, but it still ends up depicting him as a villain. Other characters are real but have their names changed to fit in the story. The largely unprofessional cast was picked because of their appearance and expression. They therefore fit in with their role in the film, giving it the feel of a real time recording. ANALYSIS Battle of Algiers was released in 1966, 4 years after the end of the Algerian war. It is a movie that rebuilds the events that were witnessed in Algeria in 1954-1962. Its content clearly brings out the unbiased story in the war. It is not propaganda as it shows the detailed happenings of the war without showing an apparent bias. It is a political movie that concentrates on the war aspects of the Algerian War for independence and has indiscriminate depiction of the occurrences. One of the most notable things from the beginning is the lack of bias; the movie shows the atrocities committed by both sides despite the fact that its budget was partly footed by the Algerian government. The events in the movie are a true reflection of the War of independence in Algeria. It also shows how the insurgency crept into the Algerian society. The people rose in defiance of colonialism and eventually defeated the French. It represents a time when a wave of nationalism was spreading through Africa (Augends, 121). One can not help having to remind himself or herself that each and every frame of this frame has been staged (Solinas, et al, 124). The scenes of a bombing of civilian not only in cafes but also in the dance halls and hit and run assassinations of police officers from the French side, provides the few who witnessed the gruesome experience or those who have read the descriptive narrative of the resistance movement with a feeling of sorrow at the experiences. It creates a sort of nostalgic disgust, but it is unbiased because both sides are depicted for having committed atrocities. The superior script is further demonstrated by the fact that the several military organizations that are involved in one way or the other with terrorist organizations operating like National Liberation Front (NLF) have found this film a starting point in their military strategy. It has been used as they plan how to confront and defeat such organizations while keeping the casualties at a minimum. For instance, Pentagon has been screening it to its staff headed for terrorist hot spots like Iraq and Afghanistan. The aim is to show them the two sides of the war and what will happen if they do not take care of the natives. (Solinas, et al, 154). The flow of events in the film also adds to its finesse, which improves the degree of reality in it tremendously. One important thing about this is that it lays the background of why the (National Resistance Front) NLF had to take up arms against the French forces. This is normally the important part of any work of art, to achieve its primary aim. If this movie had no achieved this, there would be no convincing reason why they are fighting in the first place and it would make the movie pathetically hollow and amateurish. This further reinforces the fact that the film is devoid of any propagandist stuff despite the fact that it was subsidized by the Algerian government. It was tailored to guard and respect the real happenings of the Battle of Algiers and to tell the real story of the war. The choice of the characters in the film is another feature that further set it apart from a majority of the films in the same genre. The role of Ali la Pointe, played by Brahim Haggiag, is one such choice that fits into the part he is supposed to play. His prole-hero features are so riveting that no one can dispute that he was the real FNL actual leader. By portraying Ali as a down trodden Muslim in dire need of liberation from the French occupation, the directors of the film again match the cast with situations (Gilbert, 10). Ali is not only the perfect embodiment of the downtrodden Muslim clamoring for emancipation but also a representation of the ordinary Algerian. His eyes are the fervid center of this movie as the vivid flashbacks explain his story. Just like the majority of movies of this genre, there are a number of lessons that one can learn from film. The first such lesson is the amount to reciprocity in this conflict (Zuhur, 231). Reciprocity means both sides to the conflict are responsible to the conflict. That each side attacks or defends in retaliation to the other side implying in the absence of either of the two there would be no conflict. The same applies to the likes of trade and so many other endeavors in life that requires two to tango (Burr, 10). This reciprocity is normally what identifies one party to the dispute as a villain or aggressor and the other a victim. For instance, it is tempting to view the Algerians as victims while the French forces as the aggressors. This is a fallacious conclusion; if anything the French who annexed Algeria in 1800 and it is only a century and a half later that the revolutionary war begins. Nonetheless, as is made clear by the film, the French also have their fair share of victimization and revenge, primarily brought about by the need for resources that would enable them to dispel insurgencies of that nature not only in Algeria but in all colonies that were in the French sphere of influence. It is obvious that the Algerian would not have taken up arms had the French agreed to meet their legitimate demands. Given that the French policy of assimilation had made the Algerians second class French citizens. As observed, conflicts are reciprocal in that any of the competing side has an option of discontinuing the conflict by restraining itself from any retaliation. This means that surrender is hardly ever considered an option. However, in most of the cases there would never be a side that would be wiling to do such a thing, until of course, the situation demands it or they are defeated in war. That is the reason why both sides are to blame itself for any undesirable consequen ces of the conflict that they were part of. The second lesson which this film teaches us and which is also related to reciprocity in conflict that we have talked of is the significance of normative analysis (Burr, 10). The film sequentially illustrates the successful decisive events of this conflict between the Algerian insurgency and the French forces in the 1950s, without appearing to side with any of the protagonists. This neutral and detached approach is precisely the reason that explains why the film is so powerful, thought provoking and authentic. This makes anybody alluding that the film is a propaganda tool appear utterly ignorant of the glaring description to the contrary. The same can be viewed as the reason why the film is so enriching and compelling. The visual presentation of important events in the struggle for independence and especially the entire colonial rule is so neutral that it can easily pass for a documentary. The hardened French soldiers in the first scene ruthlessly torturing an Algerian insurgent toge ther with the Algerian children and women who we are shown planting bombs in military checkpoint shows that both sides engaged in inhumane, immoral, and illegal behaviors (Rainer, 10). They are both ready to engage whatever means necessary to meet their respective ends, which is the reason there are no heroes in this film (Pujol, 3). In short, what the author wishes to communicate is laying the exposure of all the human tragedies that happen amongst us but people do not seem to pay a lot of attention on them (Ebert, 67). The movie reveals the realities of the atrocities of the war between the army of the French and the soldiers of the National Liberation Front. However, it may superficially seem justified for the FLN insurgents to use such methods to fight against the French rule; their struggles and methods are crude and inhumane. They have caused suffering by killing and maiming people in cold blood as a result of the bombs they plant targeting the Europeans. The attacks by the FL N were reciprocated by the French military in a much more treacherous way due to superior training and weaponry (Evans Morgan, 234). This brutality has affected all those involved. These people live in fear of being ganged down and this explains why they were never at peace (Ebert 87). The development of this movie was superb and indeed it led to the realization of the goal that the producers intended. The movie was developed so many years ago but till today it remains relevant. This is because it shows the effects of any war on the natives and what both sides lose when they go to war. The film is indicative of a thorough choreography and splendid script. These are sure indications that there was thorough input by the assisting crew to live up to the original script. Summary In summary, at every stage of this conflict we get a clear illustration of how the two sides of the conflict change their tactics in a bid to get an upper hand in the conflict; we also see a slow but unstoppable escalation of fighting into war. The Battle of Algeria is a good and unbiased description of the revolutionary battle pitting the insurgents against the French forces; a war that escalates until one party emerges the victor. It tries to bring out the suffering of the people, the wanton destruction of property and life. This is important and can be applied to almost all competitive situations that can be modeled in a war with an enemy with better weaponry and training. The makers of the story created a fictional script that captures the real story. The unbiased approach might have been refuted later by some parties to the war but the real story is there for all to see. It is also up to the viewer to decide whether such bloodshed was really necessary in the struggle for independence. It is a remarkable lesson in history and the injustices in war. At the end of the movie, it is left to the conscience of the viewer to decide which side he or she feels was justified to fight with such unconventional methods. This question is left unanswered because the movie shows such a remarkable balance in the depiction that it is almost impossible to pick sides with justified reasons. It also shows how the French lost the battle of Algiers but ultimately lost the Algerian War. Algeria gained independence in 1962, the same year the Algerian war ended.

Letter to State Official On Gay Rights :: essays research papers

Dear Mr. Governor: Since I was in third grade, I have learned that there are certain "inalienable rights", the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all of which the United States government is committed to protecting for every human being. I understand that you will soon have the opportunity to look at a bill which would allow gay marriage to be legalized, and I ask you to not veto this bill, but to support these inalienable rights to which every American is due. Whatever happened to all men are created equal? It seems to me that the people of America have a certain standards to the â€Å"all men† part of that statement, which is, that they need to be heterosexual in order to be considered for being treated equal. Americans are so proud of their freedom and their liberty, yet they are so anxious to take that same freedom away from someone else. Why can’t we take that statement for what it is, and start treating everyone equally regardless of his or her race, gender, or sexual preference? Homosexuals should be entitled to all the same rights as heterosexuals have. They are no different than the rest of us, they simply choose to practice there intimate life in a different way. What is marriage? Recently, people argue with respect to the definition of marriage. To get married is a very important event for almost everyone, it is often considered to be one of the single most important decisions and days of ones life. However, what would you do if you could not get married to the person that you loved because it was socially unacceptable and the law would not allow it? Sometimes it seems as if we are reverting back in history when interracial marriages were the topic of discussion, people were against interracial marriages because they did not understand. Now, people are against same-sex marriages for the same reasons. The United States is denying two people who love each other the right to legally be married. Gays and lesbians are just like heterosexuals, they want there marriages to be recognized by the law. They are like any normal couple and want a marriage to prove and show their love for one another. They want that simple document that the government gives to heterosexuals which binds two people into a marriage.