The Batek of Malaysia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Batek of Malaysia - Research Paper Example The researcher states that the Batek of Malaysia are a kinship-based society, which means that it emphasizes nurturing and sharing. Batek parents spend a lot of time playing with their children of either sex and they also spend this time holding, cuddling and talking to them. Batek parents also do not use harsh disciplinary methods when scolding their children, as their vernacular term sakel, which means hit also means the same as kill, thus the idea of even hitting their children disgusts them. Moreover, Batek parents raise their children in the spirit of respect, care and affection, and the whole camp even shares their own time in order to facilitate care for the child and to feed them. Lastly, as the Batek children are growing up, they are usually made to engage in active play but not in an aggressive or competitive manner, as competition is simply outside of the Batek system of belief. The kinship system of the Batek, just like many of the contemporary foraging aboriginal groups of Southeast Asia, follows the kinship classification of the Inuit, where parents are different from uncles and aunts. The Batek society has the conjugal family as its basic unit, and this conjugal family is politically independent and economically self-sufficient. These conjugal families, which mostly consist of eight or more children each, live in a camp that in turn consists of two to fifteen families related by blood. These camps are classified by the Batek themselves as belonging to one of the three â€Å"river valley groups,† who, although practically indistinguishable, occupy the Aring, upper Lebir or lower Lebir watersheds. (Endicott, 1988). Generally, the Batek society fosters equality between husband and wife, and the married couple is always expected to show affection to each other (â€Å"The Batek De,† 2010). Political Organization The political organization of the Batek is relatively simple since the society is highly egalitarian. A closely-knit settled gr oup of Batek may be assigned a headman, who is tasked to represent the group and to act as its spokesperson in matters where the Batek have to deal with the non-Batek (â€Å"The Taman Negara,† 2010). The headman, who is called penghulu in the native Malay language, is usually chosen because he is believed to possess â€Å"charisma, extroversion, and a familiarity with the Malay language† (â€Å"The Taman Negara,† 2010; Endicott, 1988). The headman is usually appointed by the Malaysian government through the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in order to have a spokesman for the group of Batek and for the group to have someone to relay to them the sentiments or wishes of the non-Batek (Endicott, 1988). Moreover, the headman is expected to possess an in-depth knowledge of the traditions of the Batek community, and may at times, because of such knowledge, assume the title of â€Å"Tok Batin† or â€Å"Spiritual Elder† (Ahmad, 2009). Nevertheless, the hea dman can only act as a persuasive leader and not an authoritative one (â€Å"Batek,† 2011). On the whole, the Batek society exemplifies political equality and the basis of this is most probably the fact that the Batek do not foster the practice of imposing their will upon their fellowmen, and except for

Annotated bibliography of sources Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Of sources - Annotated Bibliography Example Lastly, the author points out the contribution of growing population to greenhouse gas emissions. Tao, M., Chen, L., Wang, Z., Ma, P., Tao, J., & Jia, S. (2014). A study of urban pollution and haze clouds over northern China during the dusty season based on satellite and surface observations. Atmospheric Environment, 82183-192. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.10.010 Tao, M., Chen, L., Wang, Z., Ma, P., Tao, J., and Jia, S explain a large scale study carried on northern China during spring. The study, which was carried out using satellite and ground observations aimed to identify and evaluate the process of urban pollution. The study also explains the different types of haze clouds found in Beijing area. Therefore, the information found in this article is important in explaining formation hazy weather in China. China Daily is a newspaper published daily in the Peoples Republic of China. In addition, the newspaper is written in English language making it easy to be understood by many professionals in the world. Apart from the language used to print, the newspapers is resourceful and reliable in this research because newspaper information is highly regulated by the government and undergoes some vetting within the company to ensure it is from reliable sources before being printed. Therefore, the information concerning car pollution is verifiable and can be used in our study. Greenpeace International is a non-governmental organization that is concerned with environmental conditions in the world. The organization is keen on environmental developments and actively collects relevant data to ascertain environmental conditions in order to create awareness and give propositions on how the conditions can be dealt with. In this article, the organization points out the problems and impacts of air pollution in China. The organization further gives simple solutions that can be used to solve the problem of air pollution in China. Therefore,

How to Develop Communication Skills

How to Develop Communication Skills Interpersonal Communication Letter of Advice Holly Haire Communication is one of the utmost consequential points in relationships. Many marriages nosedive simply because there is a failure of communication between the couple. Without sufficient communication even the most minuscule of quandaries can cause an astronomically immense crevice in a relationship (making a mountain out of a mole hill). The paramount things (Set your priorities) which should be: your relatives, your progenies, your physical condition, your protà ©gà ©, and your favorite ardency. In order to become authentic communicators, we must first understand what interpersonal communication involves. Even though appropriate levels of self-disclosure in relationships, the barriers to effective interpersonal interactions because words have the influence to create and dismayed attitudes, behavior, and perception and the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communications. Rehearse dynamic heedfully aurally perceiving. Not only is it habit-composing, but it is withal one of the most consequential pieces to the communication puzzle. To become an active listener necessitates focus and an unblemished mind. So, rather than composing your: rebuttal or organizing your coupons while the other person is verbalizing, free your mind of any diversions. It will preserve you time, error and conflict if you unpretentiously take an interval in the commencement to heedfully auricularly discern intently. And once you have received the message, reiterate it back to the person you are communicating with to eschew any misunderstandings. One of the unsurpassed ways to participate in efficacious communication is merely through your body language. Subsequently a prodigious dole out of what you communicate to others is conveyed in your physical posture, its consequential that you eschew such comportments as crossing your upper limb in front of your upper body. This nonverbal cue may contradict what you are verbally expressing. Instead, sit up proper and procumbency the person you are verbalizing with. Mirroring another persons body language is withal an utilizable implement when endeavoring to build a rapport. Revering the conceptions and opinions of others can avail to foster an environment that sanctions you to apportion your own personal conceptions and assessments (respect). Demonstrating reverence inspirits a safe environment in which to extant the conceptions and sentiments of all participants concerned. That does not compulsorily designate that you must concur with them. It merely betokens that you are venerating the region in which you are sharing them. The moralizing in commentary can be regarded as merely confabulatio n covering that utilizable trait. Always look to the person you are verbalizing with in the ocular perceiver (eye contact). Nothing builds rapport more than direct ocular perceiver contact. It is a vital element of interpersonal communication. There are three important types of listening and they are: active, critical, and empathetic (Sole, 2011). It gesticulates to others that you are fully intrigued with what they have to verbally express. Active listening is assertive communication that develops a sense of trust. It additionally enhances your personal credibility. Do not be trepidacious (afraid/fearful/display anxiety) to ask questions in order to more preponderant demystify the business that is on the table (pose questions). It is essential to pose questions that will avail to give you a more significant understanding of what is being corresponded to you, as well as to impel the conversation onward. Efficacious interpersonal communication can be achieved through conscious cognizance of some rudimental principles. These principles direct the efficacy of our communications; they may be elementary to understand but can take a lifetime to accomplish. To invigorate a relationship: stay involved with each other, resolve conflict, gregarious network (friends and outside intrigues), and communication. An explication of the principles and misconceptions in efficacious interpersonal communications is that many people have an insincere cogitated communication. One incipient way of viewing interpersonal communication is to visually perceive it as a perpetual kineticism, between and among partakers, influenced by evolutionary practices and connected with our desire to propagate and survive. Hope and Nicolas, in order to be authentic in your communication you must understand the main notions of communication. The first principle is that communication is irreversible (West Turner, 2010). Once a message has been sent to the recipient, the information cannot be undone. Commence all interpersonal communication with an open mind. You are then less liable to be misunderstood or verbally express things that you regret later. When the recipient of the information has already received the message it now forms a certain dint (impact) in spite of what is communicated later. Then it is always imperative to cogitate conscientiously before you communicate something to your boyfriend/husband/partner. Steer clear of communicating when you are irate or when you not entirely yourself because once you have verbally expressed or indited something it becomes problematic to withdraw the communication. Intentional communication is when the sender of the information kens what he/she is doing. Yet, two people should note that individuals can communicate unblemished information without being vigilant. One way through which this is possible is by eavesdropping. Another way through which a couple can communicate unintentionally is through expression and non-verbal communication. Sometimes you do not require verbally expressing or inditing anything in order to communicate (body language). The content dimension has to do with the authentic content of the message being passed from the sender to the recipient. The content of a message can ultimately affect the quality of communication and therefore it is always consequential to meticulously cull this content. Eschew utilization of words, conceptions or phrases that would vex your partner. Relational dimension refers to the existing emotional state and relationship amid the communicating parties. This relationship is liable to affect the quality of communication. For example, when you are exasperated at your companion your feelings at that time are liable to affect what you communicate and additionally how you interpret communication from the other. The barriers to effective interpersonal interactions involve sundry misconceptions that people have concerning interpersonal communication. Communication is more than vital for a blissful marriage. What if articulated communication is the relationship? Without communication, you would not have a relationship. It makes sense then to learn efficacious communication skills for a more preponderant romantic relationship. The first primary is to minimize pejorative verbal expressions. Judgments are a mundane communication barrier in interpersonal relationships. New International Version (NIV), â€Å"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you† (NIV, Matthew 7:1-2). People are censorious when you categorize another person as incoherent, insouciant, or selfish. Labeling categorizes, postulates traits, and degrades another person. Instead of haranguing on about how egocentric your partner is for not accomplishing something you implored, aver what you experienced and need in unbiased terms. Below are three illustrations of virtuous assertive verbal expressions that evade judgment: When I peregrinate home from work and you do not hug me, I feel unwanted, When we accede to go out for dinner and you do not call me about being tardy, I feel frustrated because I have been enthusiastic to have supper with you all day, and I would appreciate you to pick up the youngsters so I can cook dinner for us. Could you do that? Or do you have an alternative conception to avail get our desiderata met? These are considerably more puissant than a judgmental, You are so selfish! Efficacious communication adeptness in a romantic relationship is to concede you cannot read anothers mind. This comes in handy for communication beyond the courting. Do not ken your partners intentions or motives abaft an action. You may cerebrate they intended to harm you, get vengeance, or provoke a particular replication from you, but this is mind-reading. Verbalize with your partner to seek elucidation and build understanding. Expand communication as an alternative of terminating the operation of it with verdicts, mind-reading, and the third gratuity destructive conflict. A third secret of a jubilant romantic relationship communication is to not evade conflict. One of the greatest myths of ecstatic relationship is the couples do not quarrel. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam, so drop the matter before dispute breaks out (NIV, Proverbs 17: 14). Quite the antithesis a couple with efficacious communication ken how to fight because discordances, quandaries, and tension is ineluctably foreordained. What disunites jubilant companions from despondent companions is their communication. Conflict from the past is destructive while the communication in the present is constructive. What is of importance is how you deal with quarrels. Good marital communication designates you to confront an issue sincerely with benevolence for your partner. Eighteenth century inditer Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy kenned for his War and Placidity book verbalized, What is valid in making a blissful marriage is not so much how harmonious you are, but how you deal with inconsistenc y. How you do that differs on your ability to efficaciously communicate utilizing the tips you learned in this letter of advice. People who have so many things in common always assume that the shared understanding will always translate to effective communication. An assumption leads to deliberate vagueness or a lot of sensitivity when distributing information which sometimes results in misconception. A core competency for effective communication is listening (Sole, 2011). It is always congruous to put all the shared understanding aside and communicate your message without subjectivity (heedfully aurally perceiving). People additionally have the misconception that communication is an autonomous process. You must understand that communication does not take place in a toaster and therefore it is affected by circumventing people, events and circumstances. It is consequential to consider the context and setting of your communication as it will additionally affect your message. There are many barriers that can affect this process of transferring information. Encoding is the process of putting your message into a form that is easy to convey. These forms may be thus: verbal words, letters, and email or telephone messages. Deciphering on the other foot is the process of interpreting the form of communication used so to get meaning from the message. Most barriers to communication hamper with these two essential processes in communication. Ethnic, sexual category and individual differences can present alterations in the way people communicate (encode) and interpret (decode) information. Common barriers to communication are such as cultural differences, gender, language barrier, individual differences and physical barriers (The Foundation Coalition, n.d). Such differences are liable to establish misunderstanding when communication. The norms of convivial interaction vary greatly in diverse societies, as do the way in which sentiments are articulated. It is important for couples to be vigilant of each other’s cultural, individual and gender difference and how they affect communication between themselves. Physical barriers may denote to aspects such as distance and time that may make it arduous for some people to communicate. When such barriers are bound to transpire you can always find ways of working around them. Today technology has made this facile. The manner by which self-concept is established and supported is composed of two aspects; self-image and self-esteem. Self-concept refers to how we perceive ourselves independent of our environment (Gufey Loewy, 2009). Self-image authentically refers to how we view and cerebrate of ourselves while self-esteem refers to the feelings that are derived from our self-image. If you have a lamentable image of yourself, you are liable to have a low self-esteem and vice versa. These two consequential elements make up our self-concept. Self-concept commences to compose when we apperceive that we disunite from our environment. It commences to perpetuate to compose when you act in your environment and discover what you can/cannot do. The image projected by other people about ourselves is liable to stick and affect how we cerebrate of ourselves. It is paramount to note that you two are going to be influencing in shaping each other’s self-concept. Other fortes include: the messages we take in, the prospect we and others have regarding ourselves, sexual category, ethnic and technological forces. Self-concept is dissimilar from self, self-concept means how we perceive ourselves which may not be precisely what we are (self). Our self-concept does influence interpersonal communication. These include: what we select to do, which we decide to interact with, and how we interrelate with others. Our self-concept also affects our attitude toward ourselves and towards others. Your self-concept is going to be an important factor in your marriage relationship considering the things it affect in us. Negative self-concept would mean low self-esteem and this is likely to affect communication. An individual with a low self-esteem is likely to encounter difficulties in distributing across messages since he/she lacks buoyancy. Though difficult, as it is, know it is possible to change our self-concept. We can eradicate the undesirable image we have of ourselves and substitute them with an optimistic image and this is likely to enrich our interpersonal communication. The NIV, â€Å"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. . . .† (Matthew 7: 12). It is mundane for many people to have some information that they are disposed to apportion with any other person (e.g. names, name of our schools, and careers). There is a caliber of information that you would relish to reveal to only people who proximate with you (e.g. cell phone number, your email address, and allergies). There is also another level of information that we would just like to keep it to ourselve s. Rudimentally, it is an implement to visually examine a convivial situation and have prosperous communication. The Johari window represents how much people opt to reveal themselves. Diffident/reclusive people do not yarely share their feelings, so they have more of a closed window. Open/extroverted people are disposed to verbalize with anyone on any topic, so their window is wide open. The four quadrants of the Johari Window are the open area, the blind area, the hidden area, and the unknown area (Sole, 2011). This is the areas within our lives that we are disposed to apportion with any other person (open area). This verbalizes the information other people have about you that you are not cognizant of (blind area). This area covers information that we ken about ourselves but we would not relish any other person to have access to this information (hidden area). If the stuff about you is not kenned to you or anyone else this is the unknown area. This stage of self-disclosure can shake yo ur communication in espousement and as a result your relationship. The caliber of disclosure will perturb most marriage relationships. This construal in turn will lead to more preponderant communication within your relationship. Therefore my suggestion to you is that, you should keep an immensely colossal part of yourselves in the open areas so that your partner is able to understand who the other person is. It is consequential to keep confidential information shared between you and your partner. Divulging communication that your partner has trusted you to forfend to other people may become a source of conflict, in your relationship (diarrhea of the mouth). I am sure it is now (or has become) evident to you how vital interpersonal communication is in fortifying any relationship. The first step on the way to developing efficacious interpersonal communication is to comprehend the concept behind interpersonal communication. If you fixate on the diminutive you will on no occasion have space for the things that are paramount to you. Center on the things that are critical to your bliss: associate with your children, parents, and grandparents. Accompany your spouse out to dinner. There will always be time to immaculate the house and maintenance the lawn. If everything else was perplexed and only they endured, your life yearned nevertheless be plenary. Gratitude converts what we have into enough, and more. It spirals denial into approval, chaos into order, and perplexity into clarity. It makes sense of our history, brings placidity for today and engenders a vision for tomorrow. Other things that matter like your employment, your residence and y our vehicle should be your next concern. Irrespective of how satiated your life might appear, there is always room for a couple drinks of â€Å"Champagne of the South† (Sweet Iced Tea) with a friend(s). Take care of your family first and the things that genuinely matter the remaining is congeniality. References Gufey M. Loewy D. (2009). Chapter 3: Communication and the Self Concept. September 22,  2011. Retrieved from  http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/sites/dl/free/0072975679/137490/gam62823_ch03.pdf Sole, K. (2011).Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication. San  Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. The Foundation Coalition (n.d).Effective interpersonal/intrateam communication. Retrieved  from http://www.foundationcoalition.org/publications/brochures/index.html West R Turner L. (2010). Understanding Interpersonal Communication.  USA. Cengage  Learning

Wuthering Heights: Summary :: essays research papers

Wuthering Heights: Summary Emily Bronte was born in Thorton, Yorkshire, in 1918. Wuthering Heights was Bronte's only book; however, she died in 1848 and never knew of the book's success. It is said by many to be the finest novel in the English language. Just before she dies, Catherine Earnshaw gives birth to a beautiful baby girl named Cathy. After Catherine married Edgar, heathcliff becomes jealous and marries Edgar's sister, Isabella. Isabella then gives birth to Heathcliff's son Linton. Wuthering Heights, by Wmily Bronte, is a novel full of contrast between Catherine and Cathy and Heathcliff and Linton. While Cathy is growing up, the reader begins t see the contrast between cathy and her mother. Catherine is a typical Earnshaw, having dark hair, and dark eyes. While her daughter's characteristics are the exact opposite. Cathy has blonde hair, fair skin, and irrestibly brilliant eyes. Catherine and Cathy is emotional aspects also contrast a great deal. Young Cathy's emotions are calm, while her mother's rage, and are as unpredictable as a storm. Catherine's emotions are so passionate that she is unable to control them. To the point of causing her own death. Before she dies, she says that she wants both Heathcliff and Edgar to suffer-Edgar, because he never understood heraffection for Heathcliff; and Heathcliff, because he never understood why she married Edgar. Cathy has a mind of her own and some of Catherine's willfullness. She is also capable of great sympathy towards Linton, whom she marries and finally Hareton Earnshaw. Heathcliff is a strange mix-ture of the refined and incouth; slovently, yet dresses and acts like a g gentleman. While being dark with the look of a gypsy, he is quite handsome. His son, linton resembles his mother, Isabella, as he is blonde, pretty, feeble, adn effeminate. It is ironic thtat Heathcliff's son should be so weak and sickly that he dies at the age of seventeen. Although Heathcliff is his father, Linton displays none of Heathcliff's characteristics. Heathcliff is a character full of brutality. Heathcliff shows this brutality on several occasions.

Introduction to Philosophy Essay

1. What are the main branches of philosophy? Do philosophers have the same answers to the same philosophical questions? Why? Philosophy is a way of thinking about the big questions in life, from the existence of men to its morality. It is an activity which sharpens our reason. The word was coined by Greeks , meaning â€Å"the love of wisdom†. Philosophy can be divided into six big issues it is interested with. * First, the question about the nature of the world and the existence of Men which is under the domain of Metaphysics or also called Ontology. From the word â€Å"meta† which means beyond and â€Å"physics† which means physical it deals about beyond physical world- the spiritual. It also attempt to answer the ultimate reality of life, our reason of very existence, Who and what God is and, how everything relates to it. * Second, what are the right ways to think and build arguments which is under the field of Logic. It tries to distinguish the valid reasons from the fallacies. It also examines the different general forms that argument may take. It is primarily studied in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and science. * Third, How do we know and how do we think we know which is under the area of Epistemology. From the Greek words †episteme† which means knowledge and â€Å"logia† which means study, it basically deals on how do we acquire knowledge and what is the basis for true knowledge. * Fourth, Ethics which generally centers on the morality of our actions. It differentiates wrong from right and studies character’s actions based in his intentions. This field of Philosophy is vital and applied to other disciplines such as business, medicine, science, robotics, and education. * Fifth, Issues about laws, liberty, rights, property and , politics fall under the Political Philosophy. It is also one of the sub-fields of Political Science. Its purpose is to lay bare the fundamental problems and concepts which frames the study of Politics. It also studies the great thinkers of the past which shapes politics such as Socrates, Plato, Adam Smith and Hobbes. * Lastly, Aesthetics which deals on what is beautiful. Mainly it tries to answer questions which deals in art- music, painting, poetry, and such. It attempts to distinguish what is beautiful, what has taste, and what has artistic value. Philosophy can also be subdivided into three specific categories which are, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language, and Philosophy of Science. These are branches which deal to questions their respective field of subject matters such as what exactly is a mind? how does language work? and Does science has responsibility to humanity? An Educator can ask a question to his students and would receive different responses . We can even expect complex answers to a simple question. It is because people view things in different perspectives, have different degree of intelligence, exposed to different environment, influenced by different people and ideas, and have personal insights and experiences which differ from one person to another. People thoughts varies and no idea can be of an exact match of another. In my opinion, Humans’ mind are like his fingerprint, We all have our fingerprints but its design- the curves and lines is unique in each individual. There might be similarities in ideas between individuals but in some point they contradict. For example, the two famous philosophers, John Locke and Thomas Hobbes both support the â€Å"Social Contract Theory† in which men enter a mutual agreement to surrender some of their liberty to authority in return of protection, both also, believe that men can exist without government and speak of its dangers in this kind of state-State of Nature. For Hobbes, the entire time that man is in a state of nature, he is in a state of war. He states that â€Å"if any two men cannot enjoy the same thing, they become enemies and in the way to their end†¦. endeavor to destroy or subdue one another† (Wootton, 158). Locke too points out risks, saying that without the â€Å"law of nature† everyone may execute decisions, leading to a state of war (Wootton, 290). However, despite of the similarities, Locke believes that people enter to social contract to seek peace and avoid the fear of death and living in State of Nature is brutish and chaotic while Hobbes believes that State of Nature is important and do exist in some ways such as among governments and leaders. Locke’s view on State of Nature is pessimistic in contrast to Hobbes which he thinks has some potential benefits. Philosophers do not have the same answer to a certain question. Each philosopher present different examples and take different stand on a certain idea. 2. Why has philosophy lost importance in the priorities of contemporary man? Philosophy had the paramount role during the ancient education. It created great and wise thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, and, Seneca and influenced bright minds such as Descartes, Adam Smith, and Karl Marx. Although the subject Philosophy is only introduce in higher level of studies in modern years, it diffuses its idea and being applied to core subjects such as mathematics, science, and language. Philosophy is still vital in learning until today. The decreasing value given in philosophy arises in the way modern man receive and gather information. Core subjects like Science should teach us to Inquire, to Analyze, to Think, and to Search- which are roles of philosophy but, Educators and with the convenience at reach, Students are being spoon-fed with facts from books and other resource materials instead of encouraging them to explore. They are bound with rules and regulations without giving them a chance to ask why they should follow orders. Students fail to analyze things because most Educators present facts and inculcate it to them through rote memorization instead of validating it. Learners learn facts but never learn to reason. They become man of knowledge but never become man of substance. The decreasing importance of philosophy in modern days is ascribed partly, to us Educators for failing to emphasize and apply its essence to the students. We teach the students to be dependent on the facts provided in books and internet, for we believe that it offers a vast amount of information forgetting that one’s mind can offer limitless insights on a certain topic. 3. Why should philosophy be restored to its former prominence in the priorities of contemporary man? Philosophy is vital in man’s learning and improvement. Giving answers to man’s most perplexed questions or even to the simplest question that bother us gives us sense of satisfaction and purpose in life. In modern times, Philosophy is essential in choosing decisions that has impact on our future such as career path, religion, core beliefs, and even to work or business. Philosophy should never be undermine and be restricted to as a mere subject. It is a way of thinking and essential in making a wise decision hence, should be integrated in daily living. 4. How does western philosophy differ from the eastern? In General, Western Philosophy promotes individualism and more interested in finding and validating the truth while Eastern Philosophy is more interested in finding the balance within one’s self in order to live in harmony with others and thus promoting collectivism. Also, East philosophy which emerged in China is spiritual in nature as opposed to West which starts from Greece is naturalistic and subject to research. Individualism of the West gives meaning to the worth a person as an individual. It gives stress on liberty and self-reliance. â€Å"Man is directly a natural being. As a natural being and as a living natural being he is on the one hand endowed with natural powers, vital powers — he is an active natural being. These forces exist in him as tendencies and abilities — as instincts. On the other hand, as a natural, corporeal, sensuous objective being he is a suffering, conditioned and limited creature, like animals and plants. †¦ A being which does not have its nature outside itself is not a natural being, and plays no part in the system of nature. A being which has no object outside itself is not an objective being. â€Å" Marx, Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy in General (1844). â€Å"Self-expression is individuality, and our individuality is our self, which ought to be our chief concern† Ernest Dimnet (1928) The Art of Thinking p. 250 â€Å"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. † Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods (1854), chapter 18, p. 210. Collectivism of the East emphasizes the interdependence of individual among others. â€Å"If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself. † â€Å"Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts? † Confucius â€Å"A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. † â€Å"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. † Lao Tzu â€Å"The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence. † Rabindranath Tagore.

“Everyday Use ” Summary by Alice Walker

â€Å"Everyday Use† In â€Å"Everyday Use†, author, Alice Walker uses the backdrop of a small town family using characters Maggie and Dee and Mama to symbolize the dynamics of the greater African American color, educational and class struggle in America. She uses the family because it is an institution that every reader can identify with. This is a story of what it really means to â€Å"make it† in the Black family and Black community. Mama typifies the single parent who is functioning in the dual role of mother and father. Walker makes no mention of Dee and Maggie’s father in the story but rather characterizes Mama as a â€Å"big-boned woman with man-working hands†(1) and gives Mama all the physical qualities and skills of a man but embodied in a woman. Mama can slaughter and prepare hogs and bull calves; she can bust up blocks of ice to get the water needed in the house for washing. And she can do all of these things as â€Å"mercilessly as a man†(1). From the beginning of the story, Mama’s character takes on the strength and hardness of presencenormally represented in a man. With Mama, the author shows the daily struggles and assimilation of the dual role that single mothers must embody on a daily basis inthe absence of a father figure. The outward display of Mama’s strength is a foreshadowing of the strength that she will have to summon at the end of the story when she must ultimately decide which daughter will receive the quilts. Mama’s children, Dee and Maggie have their own set of paradoxical differences which are juxtaposed against each other not unlike their mother. There is the conflict of light skinned versus darker skinned; well spoken and educated versus reticent and ignorant. A shapely body with perfect feet versus a skinny and badly burned girl with no style. Brazen and head strong versus cowering and confused. Dee and Maggie are polar opposites of each other, with all of the positive attributes in the favor of the older sister, Dee. The author is illustrating how society has createsa disparity in the Black community with Dee and Maggie. Dee represents the portion of Black America that has tried to â€Å"make it† but has not leant a helping hand down to the people who have paid the way to make it possible for them to succeed in society and to get an education. Dee has forgotten about all of the sacrifices Mama and Maggie have made which have allowed her to enjoy the benefits of her Neo-African-Islamic renaissance. It was Mama and Maggie who took part in raising money for Dee to live out her dream. Dee is symbolic of that portion small portion of society that refuses to both acknowledge and to give back to their families and communities. The only message that they can ever seem to offer is one of criticism and blame. The most vivid imagery of this is when the first house burns down; Dee is the only one who has made it outside safely. She does not yell for help or try to ensure the safety of her mother and sister. She is transfixed on the flames and is seemingly hoping for the house and all of its inhabitants to be consumed as well. Dee stands out in the safety of the sweet gum tree while her mother and sister literally have to run for their lives. Walker shows us the paradox of a person who, having obtained safety, will not extend concern for similar struggles that will be shared by the family. The fire in the previous house beat Maggie’s spirit down. The fire represents the world having beat Maggie because she was not Dee. Neither Maggie nor Mama had the good fortune to be of a fairer complexion like Dee. Maggie already had one strike against her by being dark, which would be made worse by being scarred by her environment (the house fire). Maggie has accepted that she is not bright like Dee and has resigned herself to her mundane life of poverty. She is ashamed of her scars and life experience so she cowers in the presence of strength and in the cruelty of society. Maggie’s natural inclination is to acquiesce. She realizes that she is no match for the likes of Dee and so she concedes the quilts that Mama has promised her to Dee. Neither Dee nor Mama has realized that Maggie does have something to offer to the world. She has a capability and intelligence that are all her own. It is Maggie who knows the family history: she knew the name of Big Dee’s first husband, Stash and that he had whittled the butter dash(3); she made the observation that Dee has never had any friends; she has learned the art of family preservation through quilting with Grandma Dee and Big Dee. â€Å"Maggie knows how to quilt†(4). Maggie’s resourcefulness and knowledge are never acknowledged in the presence of Dee. She can never shine quite as bright as Dee can. Society will never fully lay credit to all that Maggie can offer to the world because Maggie does not look like a person of value should look to us. Alice Walker has raised some challenging issues for us to ponder. How is value both assessed and ascribed? Does skin complexion still both afford some and exclude others from certain opportunities? Walker uses the most protected place on earth, the family structure, to show what some may be afraid to see within ourselves and in our society.