African American Athletes Essay Example for Free

African American Athletes Essay American student athletes have always faced stereotypes in and out of the classroom, being seen as self-segregating or dumb jocks that really wouldnt be at school if it werent for their athletic ability. Although these stereotypes are applied to both white and black athletes, African American students, especially men, feel it more than their white counterparts. African Americans are already, for the most part, seen as intellectually inferior, so when they are seen in an academic environment they are automatically judged. If they didnt get into school just for being black, they got into school for being a black athlete. Excuses are made as to why African American student athletes and pro athletes dominate in the world of sports in general. From the time the black athlete stepped into the sports arena and began to compete with whites, white people have been looking for an explanation. In his article Sailes looks into the myths and stereotypes surrounding African American athletes, most of which have been created by whites. In loosely replicated the experiment that Sailes conducted with his students and in doing so I found that the stereotypes he discusses do exist and many people strongly believe in some of the myths. I interviewed both male and female athletes and non-athletes alike and surprisingly most of their answers to my questions were the same. I asked them all the same five questions; 1. Do you think African Americans dominate in sports? 2. Which Sports? 3. Are there certain positions they are better at? 4. Why? 5. Is their demeanor on the field or court different than that of a white athlete? and 6. Have you heard any myths about why black athletes are better? Interviewee #1, A white female on the basketball team at Gettysburg College felt that black athletes were better at all sports and in all positions, but particularly in basketball and football. She has learned from experience that black athletes are more loud and aggressive. It was her belief that African Americans are better at sports because of genetics. She also said that it could be because historically they have done hard labor and had menial jobs, so their physical condition has evolved. The one myth she has heard is that African Americans have an extra bone in their leg which makes them capable of jumping higher and running faster. Interviewee # 2, an African American football player stated that blacks are better at all sports, but especially football, in such positions as cornerback, running back, and wide receiver. When asked why he felt that this is true his answer was because were just nasty like that. In regards to myths he recalled one of his high school classmates expressing to him that the reason blacks were better was because they still had some monkey left in them. Interviewee # 3, a white college graduate, non-athlete articulated that blacks are better at any sport they try but not in any positions that require brain power or thought. He said that they are not usually good quarterbacks because they arent smart enough. When I asked him why, his response was, because they are dumb Ns. He believes that they become athletes because they have no other options to get a job or get rich, unless they can rap. He also stated that the reason they can run so fast is because they are used to running from the cops. Interviewee # 4, A white male who is a former athlete said that he believes that African Americans are superior in all sports except for lacrosse and hockey, and that the reason for this is because they are much more expensive to start up and maintain- as opposed to soccer/football/basketball where all you need is a ball really. He thinks black people on the whole start out life economically feeble compared to whites and believes in the myth that they have been evolved into more muscular and stronger people because of the process of natural selection during slavery where the slave owners bought the biggest and strongest, and theyre offspring are the ones that created the people that are dominating in sports now. My last interviewee was a female African American basketball player who felt that African Americans dominate in football and basketball because it is the only sport they want to play so they strive for it. She also said that blacks are more aggressive because it means more to them. In the majority of my interviews the participants mentioned what Sailes referred to as the Mandingo Theory, in which the physical superiority of African Americans is attributed to the selection and so called breeding process along with the manual labor performed during the days of slavery. The psychological and dumb jock theories were also articulated in the answers I received from the white students for they all said at some point or another during the interview that African Americans are intellectually inferior and all they have going for them is sports, and even in the world of sports there are positions that they are mentally incapable of occupying. The one thing that I believe all the participants agreed on both black and white is that African Americans are somehow genetically different. I was really taken aback by my findings. Even though I have learned throughout this semester that people are more racist than I ever thought they were, I didnt realize that this racism is existent in literally everything. Im not really into sports and do not pay attention to them, so I had no idea that people felt this way about African American athletes. So, it seems as though African Americans are battling this war on racism on yet another front.

The Issues Of PepsiCo International Strategy

The Issues Of PepsiCo International Strategy Coca-Cola, the major competitor of Pepsi has been exiled from the desert kingdom. Because of this, Pepsi expanded into Arab Countries has an 80% share of the $1 billion Saudi soft-drink market. Saudi Arabia is the third largest foreign market of Pepsi, after Mexico and Canada. In 1993, about 7% of Pepsi-Cola Internationals sales came from Saudi Arabia. The environment in Saudi Arabia makes the country very favorable to soft-drink sales because alcohol is banned climate is very hot and dry. Mode of Expansion: Pepsi uses franchise system for international expansion. Sources of Competitive Advantage: PepsiCo has competitive advantage in terms of worldwide distribution the company is able to produce all its products in the country where they are consumed. Pepsi has a competitive advantage over Coke because of its brand image good word of mouth. Pepsi promotes itself as the number one choice of the Next Generation. Government Policies: Currently a 50 percent rise in Pepsi prices in Saudi has angered customers and provoked the kingdoms government to call on more than 30 soft drink companies to hold off on further price hikes. Pepsi increased the price of a can to 1.50 riyals $0.40 from 1 riyal.it. Saudi Consumer Protection Association investigated the sudden unjustified price hike, the Saudi Gazette reported that official permission should be granted to soft drink firms before they are allowed to increase prices and price rise should not be more than 10 percent. PEST Analysis Political Influences: Many PepsiCo products are subject to different federal laws due to their manufacturing, distribution use, such as the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act ad the Americans with Disabilities. The international ventures are subject to the Government stability and businesses are subjected to different taxation policies in each consumer country. Economic Influences: PepsiCo relies on trucks to move products so fuel is an important subject fuel prices matters. The economic impact of foreign exchange rates movements on them is complex because such changes are often linked to variability in real growth, inflation, interest rates, governmental actions, etc. PepsiCo is also subjected to other economical factors like money supply, energy availability, cost and business cycles. Socio-Cultural Influences: Pepsi is subject to the lifestyle changes, so it bases her advertising campaigns in people with special lifestyle. For that PepsiCo has to pay special attention on lifestyle changes. It has to be very careful with the possible problems with the governments and those which could rise from PepsiCo act with the people of KSA. Technological Influences: PepsiCo is exposed to new manufacturing techniques, for its three business units, snack food, juices and soft drinks. It has to pay attention while adopting flexible advanced distribution techniques. PORTER 5 FORCES Analysis 1. Threat of New Entrants: The threat of new entrants in the industry is small yet substantial. This is because there are already four players in the market other then Pepsi itself. 2. Threat of Substitute Products: Currently, the threat of new viable competitors in the carbonated soft drink industry is not very substantial. Possible substitutes that continuously put pressure on Pepsi include tea, coffee, juices, milk, and hot chocolate. 3. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: The bargaining power of the suppliers tends to be low according to the recent analysis. PepsiCo needs to manage its relationships carefully with the bottling units in order to make changes in its way to market the local retailers. 4. Bargaining Power of Buyers: Here the concern is how to increase market share and retain its current customer because customer always try to optimize benefit. The buying power of consumers also poses a key threat in the industry. Moreover consumers can simply switch to other beverages with little cost or importance. 5. Rivalry Among Competitors: Pepsi has 48.9% share of market it is situated in an environment that is ever changing and dynamic because coca cola is holding 30.9% share Cadbury Schweppes 8%. The local brands are also in the market to compete Pepsi. These brands are Mecca cola holding 0.5% market share and 0.6% Zamzam cola. SWOT Analysis 1.Internal Attributes(Strengths Weaknesses) Pepsi is inferior in its fountain drink division. The ownership in fast food restaurants has always been problematic for pepsi. Coca Cola has been in the top locations for fountain beverages because of their ownership in Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and many others. 2.External Attributes(Opportunities Threats) In addition to its large consumer base, Saudi Arabia has some of the regions biggest athletic clubs, most passionate sports fans, and has a growing population of athletes and active people. When PepsiCo started its own Pepsi Bottling Company, it allowed them to cut costs, reduce overhead, and coordinate their distribution to create a better synergy. Critical Issues or Barriers: Pepsi can serve the 90% market but problem is the bottling of the drink. War crisis between Palestine and Israel is bringing hate against Pepsi that why USA is not interest in resolving the issue As Pepsi is US product and these days US and foreign products are campaigned not to be used to show rage against non-Muslim acts. Due to recent oil prices increase, there is international factor of inflation and on the other hand Pepsi is cheaper in KSA compared to other countries, so Pepsi is facing problem to maintain the profits. Since employers in KSA are required to give their employees time to pray toward Mecca five times per day, as set forth in the Koran, break times caused additional operating cost. Health and stomach diseases due to over use. Obesity problem which is becoming common in Saudis. Rumors of Haram ingredients. The tough competition is carried out through packaging as well as price. Recommendations: Pepsi is being forced to re-examine their strategic models, based on carbonated soft drinks and move to new beverage categories. Heavy investmentment in risky innovations may be suggested in order to transfer resources from other brands. Pepsi spends 15% of overall budget on advertising and marketing to be no.1 in the consumer sight. Pepsi should use all media vehicles to attract consumers. Conclusion: Consumers want to buy soft drinks delivered at convenient locations with the right package. Pepsi have to make sure that the market keeps growing annually, and that company products are available everywhere. Pepsi has won the International Quality Award and Bottlers of the year Award, so the company feels quite optimistic. Although difficult challenges lay ahead, yet to exploit opportunities through the implementation of an effective and comprehensive marketing plan 2009. Appendix:

Writing a Personal Narrative :: Personal Reflection

A narrative is a story. In writing a narrative essay, you share with the reader some personal experience of your own in order to make a point or convey a message. You may choose to tell how your grandfather influenced your desire to become an orthodontist, or perhaps you’ll relate the story of the time you didn’t make the cut for the basketball team. Whatever story you tell, your purpose is to share with others some experience that has taught you something or changed you somehow. Remember that narration is more than just description. Your essay should be descriptive, but it should also emphasize the significance of a particular event, object, or person. There are several components of an effective narrative. The following are some things to keep in mind when writing your essay: Focus Narrative effect is the main point of your story—the moral, the message, the insight you offer. Without a specific narrative effect, your essay is merely a series of unconnected events. If you are unsure what your main point is, you might ask yourself, â€Å"Why am I telling this story? Why should someone else be interested in reading about my experience?† In addition, you must decide whether to reveal your point explicitly (stated directly) or implicitly (suggested but not stated). Development Details add depth and color to your narrative. If your essay consists merely of dry facts, readers quickly grow uninterested. You can describe things through the methods of scene and summary. In the scene method, use very detailed, evocative description to immerse the reader in the situation or place you describe. Your goal is to make the scene come alive for the reader. Usually narratives are based on one or two key scenes. Reserve in-depth detail for these key scenes, and fill in the rest of the story using the method of summary (giving a brief synopsis of events). Organization and Coherence The narrative consists of three basic parts: The orientation, at the beginning of the essay, establishes the setting, characters, and other essential elements of the story. The complication involves rising conflict that leads up to the climax (the point of highest action in the story). Then, in the resolution, the conflict is resolved and the narrative effect is revealed or suggested. Your narrative also needs a time structure. You must decide whether chronological time or psychological time best suits your story. In chronological time, events are described in the order in which they

Myopia Development in Infants :: Vision Sight Nearsightedness Disorders Essays

Myopia Development in Infants An impairment in vision can lead to a very challenging life. Many Americans suffer from abnormalities in their vision. They suffer with diseases such as glaucoma, hyperopia, and myopia. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is fairly prevalent in the United States of America. In fact, it is estimated that twenty-five percent of the population of the United States is nearsighted (Kolata, 1985). Myopia occurs when the resting eye becomes focused on distant objects. The lens of the eye must become thicker and the radius of curvature must be increased in order for the eye to look at nearby objects. In individuals with myopia, the eyes are excessively long. This causes the image to form in front of the retina as opposed to on it (Kolata, 1985). Myopia frequently results from excessive postnatal eye growth. Typically, it develops in the early school years; however, some cases do not develop until early adulthood (Quinn, Shin, Maguire, & Stone, 1999). Myopia is a very serious disease that can have a tremendous effect on the life of a child. Approximately 5.6% of blindness among American school children can be attributed to myopia. Furthermore, it predisposes individuals to retinal detachment, retinal degeneration, and glaucoma (Quinn et. al., 1999). The cause of myopia has not yet been determined. However, children of parents with myopia tend to develop myopia more frequently than children with nonmyopic parents (Young et.al., 1998a). The two highest factors that contribute to myopia are myopic parents and doing "near work". Other indications for the development of myopia include childhood illnesses, low birth weight, and nearsighted siblings (Review of Optometry, 1999). Since a definite cause for myopia has not been determined, researches are divided as to whether the disease is caused by genetic factors or environmental factors. The debate for the genetic theory begins with the thought that myopia may be due to a dominant gene that is inherited by the child from the parent (Young et.al., 1998a). There is evidence to suggest that genetic heterogeneity attributes to high myopia ( Young et.al., 1998b). This implies that the child who inherits diversified genes from his or her parents is more likely to develop myopia. However, it is also thought that myopia may be caused by influences from the nervous system that are not normal and have a negative impact on the developing eye. Thus, it may, as well, be genetically determined (Kolata, 1985). The basis for the genetic theory is supported by the fact that myopia tends to run in families.

The Folly of Hypocrisy Exposed in Arms and the Man :: Arms and the Man Essays

The Folly of Hypocrisy Exposed in Arms and the Man  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚   Satire is the "biting exposure of human folly which criticizes human conduct, and aims to correct it" (Di Yanni 839). Moliere was the French master of satiric comedy, and Shaw has been hailed likewise--as the "Irish Moliere." In Arms and the Man, Shaw demonstrates his genius for satire by exposing the incongruities of life and criticizing the contradictions in human character.      Ã‚   Love and war are the main subjects of this play. Shaw addresses each, showing the disparity between how these issues are perceived and what they are in actuality. Love, of course, is often regarded in romantic terms. Raina, of Arms and the Man, is described as a young, beautiful woman who indeed does hold to idealistic notions concerning the emotion of love. To her, "the world really is a glorious world for women who can see its glory and men who can act in its romance!" (Shaw 1294, act 1). She acts as though she can continue to live in her ideal world forever and believes that she has found a true love in Sergius. As a couple, they put on a show for each other to prove their emotions are real. Raina says, in effect, that she is perfect in Sergius' company--"'When I think of you, I feel that I could never do a base deed, or think and ignoble thought'"--and he, in hers--"'You will never disappoint me, Sergius,'" she adds (1311, act 2).      Ã‚  Ã‚   However, by the play's end, Shaw is eager to reveal that all is not as it seems with any of the characters, especially with Raina. The audience knows it, and the characters learn the truth, too. When Sergius discovers the facts about his fiancà ©e, he exclaims, "'You love that man! . . . You allow him to make love to you behind my back, just as you treat me as your affianced husband behind his'" (1329, act 3). Later, he comes to the realization that their "romance is shattered. [And] Life's a farce" (1330, act 3). It almost seems as though the playwright himself is saying this line; he speaks them to the audience as directly as if he were on stage. For Shaw often stocked his plays "full of lines in which the characters explode romantic elusions" (Ervine 269).      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Love, though, is not the only concept around which romanticism abounds.

Review and Critical thinking Essay

Review Questions Syncopation is placing emphasis or accents on beats that are unexpected, or, alternatively. Is music that combined the music of marches with the rhythms of African music. The instruments used for ragtime are used in jazz. Cornetist who helped to create jazz music . His music had a loud piercing sound that be heard in the distance. Bebop had faster rhythms and more complex harmonies. A form of jazz that emphasized improvisation. In hot jazz multiple musicians did improvisation, In classic it was one. Critical Thinking Questions Both use improvisation at some point. A difference is that classical music try not to improvise but jazz music use it all the time. A characteristic of jazz is that it uses a of improvisation. Another characteristic is that it has influence from its african roots. What they mean by that is that jazz is America’s music, it was created in america and was given a lot attention. Even the government gave attention to it. Buddy bolden was one of the people to create jazz, not much is know about his music, but some people that heard his music have said it was a loud piercing sound that can be heard from a distance. Improvisation is creating music in the moment by responding to the other players around you. Jazz music uses improvisation almost all the time, most jazz pieces use improvisation.

HCS 483 Final project: health care robots Essay

Types and Uses of Health Care Robots Health Care Information Systems HCS 483 September 08, 2013 Types and Uses of Health Care Robots Health care robots are exciting advancements in health care delivery by providers. The future of robots in health is promising and the different types of robots are growing. Using robots helps the providers give better care to their patients and using robots behind the scenes for more accurate delivery of care as well. Surgical robots The da Vinci is currently the most known surgical robot. It is the only surgical robot available for commercial use. The da Vinci robot is in use for gynecological, prostate, and cardiac surgeries. The da Vinci allows the surgeon to work from a computerized workstation across the room from where the patient is prepped on the operating table. The surgeon maneuvers the robotic arms to perform the surgeries. Using the da Vinci eliminates the natural hand tremor that surgeons have through the software in the computer system created specifically for that function. â€Å"’Penelope’ has been developed at Columbia University by general surgeon Dr. Michael Treat with funding from the US Army’s Telemedicine and Technology Research Center, in Fort Detrick, MD† (Schimpff, 2013, p. 1). Penelope is not currently in use but is a promising robot on the health care horizon. Dr. Michael Treat created Penelope to replace the current surgical assistant that hands the surgeon instruments during surgery. Penelope is equipped with electromagnetic grippers that allows for picking up the instruments the surgeon needs. Penelope arranges the instruments for the procedure, recognizes voice commands, and verbally can respond back to the surgeon. Pharmacy robots Pharmacy robots currently are in use for dispensing medications. The uses  are beneficial to the entire hospital staff by reducing medication errors, orders are entered in by the physicians using computerized physician order entry (CPOE), and charging the cost of the medication to the patients account. The ROBOT-RX is currently in use in 34 states around the country. â€Å"The ROBOT-Rx ® automated medication dispensing system prevents medication errors, reduces pharmacy labor, and lowers drug inventory. The hospital pharmacy robot automates medication storage, selection, return, restock, and crediting functions for 90 percent or more of a hospital’s daily medication volume† (â€Å"ROBOT-RX,† 2013, p. 1). Telemedicine robots Remote Presence Virtual + Independent Telemedicine Assistant (RP-VITA) is used to assist physicians who are not on-site when a critical patient is admitted to the hospital. The robot is used to connect the off-site physician to the bedside of the patient to assess the patient and give orders to the staff for tests and medications needed for immediate care. Especially useful in the immediate care of stroke patients in the emergency department when time is crucial for the delivery of medicines. If the physician is off-site or across the hospital helping other patients, the RP-VITA allows for faster face-to-face response between the physician and the patient. References Improves patient safety and process efficiency with robotic medication dispensing. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.mckesson.com/pharmacies/hospital-and-health-system/inpatient/pharmacy-automation/robot-rx/ Schimpff, S. C. (2013). Robotics can revolutionize the delivery of medical care. Retrieved from http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2012/01/robotics-revolutionize-delivery-medical-care.html