Country with High Mortality Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Country with High Mortality - Research Paper Example The total surface area of the country is 238,533 sq. km /92,098 sq. miles (WHO, 2013). According to the United Nations Department Of Population and Social Affairs, the estimated total population for Ghana was 24,392 000 for the year 2010 and a projected 27,315,000 in year 2015.Of the total population, a bigger percentage is estimated to be in urban areas than I rural areas. The total population density for Ghana is estimated to be 82,000 and 146,000 people per kilometre in 2000 and 2030 respectively (WHO, 2013). Ghana is one of the more stable nations in Africa, with a good record of power changing hands peacefully. It has a multi-party system with a presidential representative government, whereby; the president is elected directly by citizens in general elections. The president becomes both the head of state and government (Princeton.edu, 2013). Ghana is the world's second largest cocoa producer behind Ivory Coast, and Africa's biggest gold miner after South Africa. Other top minera ls in Ghana include tuna, bauxite, aluminium, manganese ore, and diamonds. It is one of the continent's fastest growing economies with a projected growth rate of 7% in 2012 although its lower than of the previous year(World Bank,2013). The high growth rate is prompted by strong cocoa production, increased gold production among other factors. The GNI per capita of Ghana is US $1,230 (WHO, 2013) State of Health in Ghana The probability of dying between 15 and 60 years otherwise known as adult mortality rate, in Ghana was 273 per 1000 people. The life expectancy in years is slightly higher in females than in males, at 64% and 60% respectively. According to WHO, the leading cause of death in the country is malaria followed by HIV/AIDS and diarrhoeal diseases. It is estimated that in 2008, the leading cause of death among children under five was malaria, accounting for 26% of the total deaths. The mortality rate as a result of malaria in 2006 was higher in Ghana than in the neighbouring Cote d’ vore.In addition, theHIV/AIDS was also high in that country as compared to Burkina Faso and generally in the African continent in year 2007.Communicable diseases record the highest burden of disease, followed by non-communicable diseases. Injuries have the lowest distribution of burden of disease. According to WHO, the number of deaths from traffic accidents in Ghana was among the highest in the world, which marks a major contribution to the high mortality rates. Being one of the stable nations in Africa, Ghana does not experience a lot of deaths from violence (WHO, 2013). According to a study conducted in Ghana titled â€Å"Public Perceptions on the Role of Traditional Medicine in Health Care Delivery System†, findings suggest that traditional medicine is effective in treating various ailments. Some of the ailments that are effectively treated using traditional medicines in Ghana include malaria, mental illness, infertility, arthritis, boils, and typhoid fever , just to mention a few. While this is the case, it is worth noting that the traditional medicines are non-standardised as emphasized by Gyasi, Mensah, Osei-Wusu & Agyemang,2011). To most Ghanaians, poverty is a strong barrier to the utilization of health people than the orthodox care services. It’s no surprise then that traditional medicine is found to be cheaper and more readily available to the medicine.

Information Management System of IKEA

Information Management System of IKEA Introduction History A privately held international retailers of home products, being the largest retailers of the world they provide home products from furniture, fabric, glass, kitchen and bathroom accessories at an affordable price. Their vision being Anybody can make a good-quality product for a high price, or a poor-quality product for a low price. But to make good products at low prices, one needs to develop methods that are both cost-effective and innovative. This has been IKEAs focus. Maximizing the use of raw materials and production adaptation to meet peoples needs and preferences have meant that their costs are low. The IKEA way of doing things is to pass these cost savings on to customers. This idea came into being in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden who laid basis of IKEA and then afterwards it was owned by Kamprad Family. Data of august 2009 shows currently it has 301 stores (outlets) in 37 countries (scattered in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia), with more than 135,000 employees. (Source net) All products are in flat packed form to be assembled by consumer himself (saving space and time from in store assembling, easy handling and transportation and reducing packaging cost. IKEA Financial Progress this decade: This graph clearly describes IKEAs progress in terms of financial point of view but in this recession period what could be the factors it has adopted to increase its progress towards a progressing/ profiting organization. Multiple factors can be mentioned starting from its outlets structure up to higher level management all working in a close coordination. They modernized their structure at every step ultimately profiting the organization and customers in terms of providing cheap furniture accessories. Special Design of IKEA Outlets IKEA outlets are often on â€Å"one way lay out pattern† to encourage customers to see the store in its entirety. A self service way is introduced as customers collect shopping cart, proceed to open-shelf warehouse (for smaller items) then proceed to furniture warehouse where they could collect previously noted showroom product (but in a flat pack form). Furniture warehouse is usually located adjacent to main store. Ultimately proceeding to cashier for due payments. Retail Business Model of IKEA All trading of IKEA is through its outlets as well as internet, called as Clicks and Mortar or Bricks Clicks or Bricks, Clicks Flips (Catalogues). The usability of both of the ways for sales proved advantageous for the IKEA and for consumers as well: Developers Perspective Profitability of IKEA Management Perspective Increased / better productivity User Perspective Accuracy/ satisfaction/ cost effective To fulfill the above described criteria products have be efficient, effective as well as user friendly. Flaws of this system include Security problems, staff retraining or new technical staff, more employees loosing jobs and redundancies. Establishment of e-business is still advantageous for IKEA as counter mediation made payment available to them before goods are delivered, goods are supplied in time further reducing inventory cost, space for storage, direct delivery to customers home further reduces their cost. Structure of IKEA: OPERATIONAL Level Information Management system of IKEA Main structure of IKEA family comprises of â€Å"INGKA Holding† which is the main (parent) company for all the IKEA group companies. This INGKA foundation consists of 5 member executive committee naming â€Å"Kampard†, his wife and 3 attorneys (The Economist, 2006). IKEA Group company supervisory board comprises of Goran Grosskopf, the chairman and Ingvar Kampard being senior advisor and many others representing their own territories. This group of companies is basically concerned with carrying out all the necessary functions to bring the right product to markets. These companies include IKEA Sweden, Swedwood (Industrial IKEA production company), purchasing, distribution, human resource services, internet technology and communications departments (all working together). All scattered branches of IKEA (Franchisees) are connected to a common system networking â€Å"inter IKEA system† at national as well as at international level (monitoring all the sales, stocks, cash, inventory, demand and supply balances). The basic unit of information is provided by managers at local stores (shift / branch/ area/ territory managers), all collaborating to disseminate information from local up to international level. This propagation of information is carried out through internet using wide area networks (ultimately spreading information from end user to main supplier). So Human computer interaction results in: Cost reduction less staff needed, Resource Land saving Tangible Deployment Business Improved More messages Productivity transmission New ideas/products Organizational new forms of integration Enhancement improved business Work Intangible Enhancement Business Human Resource Structure of IKEA: Human Resource is one of the strongest departments of IKEA as it gives emphasis on IKEAs vision Their HR philosophy believes that employees are more productive and committed when company takes care of them and their needs. Timings of IKEA Store Opening: IKEA outlets are open 24 hours a day, restoring and maintenance carried out at night hours. For such long working hours IKEA hires students at a minimum rate in return getting good quality work. As officially students are allowed to work part time hours, so remain available for various shifts. Recruiting process: Recruitment in IKEA starts from online basic test in form of multiple choice questions which are meant to judge the intelligence, personality and persons response towards a particular situation. Online testing is another factor for saving up the extra money spent on recruitment process as well as time saving. Passed candidates are then called for a face to face interview which shows their level of confidence, dedication, interests and future goals. Passing candidates then go through a short training period, ultimately becoming a member of IKEA. Data Security Control/ Biometric Control: Employees are supplied with specialized computerized made IKEA identity cards which they swipe on a card reader, having a data of time in, working hours and time out. For enhanced security each card contains picture of employee (which can be checked by shift manager on duty). Job Security/ Benefits: All employees are provided with benefits uniformly like worker health and safety, housing facilities, forced and bonded labor, no child labor harassment, abuse and disciplinary actions. Employees are empowered fully in terms of their task completion. Supply Chain Management of IKEA: Supply chain management spans all movement and storage of raw materials, work in process, inventory, finished goods, and their transportation from the point of origin to the point of consumption. Structure of IKEA is designed to optimize the efficacy of its designed products and supply process. For the purpose of ease it can be divided into 4 parts, each operating as a type of internal market. Sweden is the head quarter where all the basic furniture is designed. â€Å"Swedwood† the oldest supplier from Sweden for IKEA providing raw material mainly wood from its own forests but with time increasing demands of raw material forced IKEA to look for other suppliers. Currently there are more than 57 suppliers of raw material in furniture industry only, more interestingly these suppliers are not centered rather scattered worldwide but they all are connected with ECIS (IKEA s own system) which allows them to have look at inventory level, forecasting and transparency of supply chain , ultimately helping them to anticipate orders. Here another important IKEA perspective can be appreciated that it further neglects/reduces its switching costs at minimum as it always try to negotiate with previous suppliers rather than searching for newer ones. Retail division largely keeps all the responsibilities of controlling stores (franchises) world wide. For this purpose they have integrated complex communicating system (with the help of IT) which is maintained at every step . â€Å"Istra† the marketing decision maker set up a competitive tender to decide the production. More interestingly most products are manufactured in developing countries to keep down the costs. It is the responsibility of the â€Å"distribution centers† for the distribution (transportation) of raw material/ goods and designs to manufacturers (which again are not centered, giving huge emphases on communication and continuous support). IKEA ‘s highly trained technical staff keep concentrating on design improvements as advised by management to make products that are functional, simple, well made, affordable, easy to get assembled and durable. A specialized integrated project team (IPT) ensures that all these demands are met at all levels. All the above described divisions though working independently but still are connected and being monitored by â€Å"Business Support Centers† which keep introducing newer technologies and logistics. Similarly IKEA transport manager make arrangements for all transportation s at a global level (in collaboration with support centers for product/ material tracing). IKEAs policy is to shorten lead time. Attempts are being made at supplier, manufacturer especially at transportation level, where bypassing most of the retail stores is being tried. For this purpose products are transported directly from the main distribution center to consumers house (at consumers cost) saving his time and saving IKEA money at the same time. For this purpose IKEA maintains 41 trading service offices, scattered in 30 countries with 1350 suppliers. Having discussed various steps of supply chain it can be said that it is the collaboration between suppliers, intermediaries, third party service providers and customers through various transport sources (Strategic Supply chain). On the basis of demands management takes decisions regarding purchasing and production, inventory decisions, transportation strategy and routes, at the same time keeping an eye on accounts (Tactical Supply chain) . Ultimately production and distribution planning, demand planning and forecasting, all inbound and outbound movements, order promising on day to day basis (Operational Supply chain). Shopping at IKEA Franchises: Radiofrequency Identification (RFID) Newer technology which enables remote and automated gathering, then sending information between RFID tags (attached with the products ) and readers (which could be handled units or fixed units as both are in operation in IKEA). RFID tag consists of an integrated circuit, having specific data which could range from a unique identity number up to a thousand bites data. When these tags are shown to readers all necessary information get flashed at the device (reader) which is connected with not only in store local area network but also with a higher level management (at international level) as communication satellites are in operation as well. So information propagating starts as soon as a product is shown to reader without any delay. Advantages of RFID System for IKEA Data transmission, storage and analysis become much easy now than before. Information between tags and readers is rapid, does not even require direct contact. Inventory and stock level could easily be accessed. On the basis of previous sales accurate forecasts for a particular product could be made. Disadvantages of RFID System for IKEA Newer technology needed trained staff Data had to put over tags and readers with accuracy Required some investment. Client Server Architecture A customer can place an order online or through a computer system placed at IKEA franchise. For this kind of order placement customer places an order, pays cash through his debit card (in UK cash payments are handled through PayPal which is considered as the safest way of e-shopping. After making a transaction he is given a â€Å"specific order number† he shows to the main reception staff and gets his desired product straight away. Pic In this case information gets flashed at all (local, national and international levels). â€Å"Just In Time† (JIT) Policy OF IKEA: For the purpose of further reducing cost IKEA uses just in time policy as all the furniture is not stocked at the store level, so when a product is ordered it is directly shipped from the warehouse to customers home at a cost of additional transportation charge (bypassing intermediaries and reducing costs to both consumer and IKEA itself). Pre requisite for JIT All departments (suppliers, designers, manufacturers, transportation) have to work in close association to shorten the time frame, cut the cost while no compromise at the quality. Requires handsome inventory. IT plays the most crucial part for JIT to function at its best. Pull Based Model for IKEA Customer Relation Management Customer relation management can be discussed under 3 headings: Customer Relation Management Sales Marketing Customer Service â€Å"Sales† could be further discussed as IKEA uses the below given ways for sales. Web sales Sales Phone Field (Franchise) These Points have discussed earlier in the assignment. IKEA Catalogue Marketing of IKEA Web Marketing IKEA Catalogue: IKEA catalogue provides the most important tool for the purpose of marketing. IKEA is known as the trend setter in the catalogue publishing field. Annually published catalogue is in 27 languages and is published in 36 countries (†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..) Catalogue accounts more than 70% of the IKEAs annual marketing budget. It is said that more copies of IKEA Catalogue are printed as compared to Bible each year. PIC A quarterly printed magazine â€Å"IKEA FAMILY† further supplements the catalogue in terms of marketing. IKEA Website Marketing An up to date, well maintained website for marketing purposes is maintained round the clock. A specialized team of IT consultants remain available for all the times. Every promotional, seasonal offers, sales, discounts and special offers are displayed for the interest of customers. A wide range of products remain separately available on stock for e- shopping. On field Promotional staff Customer Service Play Area for Kids Bargain Corner IKEA Warranty IKEA Special handling booklets On field/Ground Staff: A well trained ground staff is available at store round the clock providing a high level of customer support. Friendly staff of IKEA feels pride helping their customers. Its a part of their routine practice to promote and assist their customers interest and guide them towards purchasing their goods. Play Area for Kids: IKEA has introduced a separate play area for children (aging 3 to 10 years of age). This facility is provided free of charge. As play area is a separate unit in the IKEA franchise so parents are provided with hand held pagers in order to get back to their children if they need some help during shopping. This unique feature is available only at IKEA stores which makes its customers more interested in visiting and shopping from IKEA. Bargain Center: A bargain corner is specially meant for returned, damaged or previously displayed products at a fairly reasonable low price. These products though are priced quite low as compared to other products but with no warranty. Furthermore on buying such goods customers are reminded again that this product does not carry any warranty and all the products clearly mention that either they are repaired, returned damaged or previously was displayed in the store. IKEA Warranty: All IKEA products come with IKEA warranty cards. Warranty of IKEA products ranges from minimum of 5 years up to 20 years depending upon the type of product and its life cycle. If a product gets damaged before this time customer is offered free service or even complete new product replacement. For these purposes IKEA keeps its customers details on records in order to trace them on their demand. IKEA Special Handling Booklets: As IKEA products are pre assembled and customer has to assemble the furniture himself, for this purpose customer is provided with a special product handling booklets which describes all the basic information regarding assembling all the material. Booklet further provide guidance for its proper usage, any precautions and safety advices. IKEA Outsourcing IKEA Help lines IKEA uses its help lines as a basic tool for outsourcing. A well trained, highly motivated staff is available round the clock to assist customers at all the levels. These help lines are free of charge and can be assessed 24 hours. Customers make calls; tell them their product reference number (mentioned on the booklets) Customer service assistant check that number in their computer system and get all the necessary information. Then they guide consumers what to do and where to report further or in case if they need any guidance they are given guidance if possible at the same time. Development of Internet Technology (IT) IKEA main center can be assessed through internet as all necessary guidance, sales, discounts, special offers and details of specified products can be assessed while sitting at home, or on work without any time delay. Development of IT therefore provides a major source of not only promotional perspective but sales and customers service as well. Help desk is available not only at IKEA stores but online as well. Limitations of IT Internet technology is labor intensive for both data input as well as accessibility. Well experienced staff is needed to gather all the necessary information from all the relevant departments (starting from a local level to national to global level). A separate IT department is mandatory for its time to time approach and functioning efficiently. Internet viruses/ hackers are a continuous threat for an active IT department. Many organizations may not want to supply information regarding their quality costs as they may have to face increased competitive force. Human errors, environmental hazards and computer system failures still remain unintentional threats. An educated/ well aware audience is needed to avail the internet advantages.

The Ethics of Shopping at Wal-Mart Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive E

One has to work hard to consider their values in particular issues and how strongly they feel. This is the choice many people make when they invest in mutual funds, and have no idea where their mutual funds are invested. Many vocal opponents to shopping at Wal-Mart might discover they hold investments in the Wal-Mart. There are 1050 mutual funds that are invested in Wal-Mart, some of the largest mutual funds in the world. There are many people who have no idea where their investments lie. If you want to be true to your value against shopping at Wal-Mart, you need to be careful to remove yourself from investments that support Wal-Mart. You have to review your investments and find out where your money is invested. Let's consider the case of the prominent politician, John Kerry. John Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz was a highly vocal critic of Wal-Mart. An investigative journalist discovered that she had one million dollars invested in the company. She held a lot of stock in a company of which she was critical. This provides insight into the idea that you have to work hard to consider your values in particular issues and how strongly you do feel. Regardless of what you think of Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart is continually voted as one most admired companies in America by Fortune magazine. This is how Jerry Useem began the article he wrote for Fortune magazine: There is an evil company in Arkansas, some say. It's a discount store-a very, very big discount store-and it will do just about anything to get bigger. You've seen the headlines. Illegal immigrants mopping its floors. Workers locked inside overnight. A big gender discrimination suit. Wages low enough to make other companies' workers go on strike. And we know what it does to weaker su... ...oods they buy in order to have a saner, more livable lifestyle. 2 In conclusion, I agree with the noted shortcomings of Wal-Mart. But, I don't think people can argue that it's unethical to shop at Wal-Mart, that anyone who shops at Wal-Mart is unethical or believe it is ethical to point the figure at those who do shop at Wal-Mart. I suggest everyone first check their values and then their investments, and they'll discover they probably are supporting Wal-Mart, a company they believe is evil, via 401Ks or mutual funds. Works Cited Jerry Useem. Should We Admire Wal-Mart? Some say it's evil. Others insist it's a model of all that's right with America. Who are we to believe? Fortune Magazine February 23, 2014 From "No Place Like Home/Community and the Marketplace" (p. 191 - 193) How Cities Work by Alex Marshall, University of Texas Press Austin, 2013.

Use of Polarization in Goodbye, Mr. Chips Essay -- Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Use of Polarization in Goodbye, Mr. Chips  Ã‚   Opposites attract.   James Hilton uses this fact in Goodbye, Mr. Chips to create tension in the story; however, he makes greater use of this polarization to develop the character of Chips.   Mr. Chips and Katherine Bridges may be viewed not only as opposites but also as arguments.   Hilton uses thesis in the form of young Chips and antithesis in the form of Katherine Bridges to arrive at synthesis, the personality and character of the mature schoolmaster. Hilton portrays young Chips as lacking in confidence.   During an interview, Chips, a schoolteacher in his early twenties, admits to Wetherby, the head of Brookfield, that disciplining young boys was not one of his strong points at Melbury, his previous school.   Wetherby counsels Chips that "youth and age often combine well" and offers Chips a second chance at Brookfield, an old established school (4).   At Brookfield Chips assumes a scowl and a no nonsense attitude to cover his inward nervousness.   During the next ten years, Chips realizes that his discipline "although good enough ...

Review of Related Studies Essay

A lot has been written about what supply management is, and how it relates not only to similar terms and to concept like purchasing, procuring, and sourcing, but also to concepts like management, logistics, and supply chain management. Most authors differentiate purchasing, procurement, sourcing, and supply management as follows: they start by stating that purchasing includes operational activities that are carried out more or less exclusively by one department, namely the purchasing department. The sequence of activities here usually starts with the need identification and ends with the tracking of purchasing activities. Procurement is then defined as being broader in scope and including some activities of strategic relevance. According to Dobler/Burt (1996), procurement includes not only purchasing but also tasks that are strategic in nature. The same logic is then applied to supply management as figure 1 shows. See on page 38 for the figure. Monczka/Trent/Handfield(1998) use the terms purchasing and procurement interchangeable throughout their book. In their view, purchasing and procurement are functional activities that â€Å"most often refer to day-to-day management of material flows and information†. They also define sourcing â€Å"a cross functional process that involves member of the firm other than those who work in the purchasing department, the sourcing management team may include members from engineering, quality, design, manufacturing, marketing, accounting, strategic planning, and other department† Kaufmann (1995) describe sourcing; â€Å"an integrative management approach to designing all supplier relations in the sense of a total relationship management† Arnold (1997) uses the term supply management as an umbrella term for the concept of procurement, materials management, and logistics. According to him, the latter includes inbound logistics, and internal logistics, as well as outbound logistics. Tempelmeier (1995) defines purchasing as contract-centered (as opposed to logistical activities implying the physical movement of goods). He defines procurement as all activities aiming at supplying the company with needed inputs. Corsten (1995) the process of purchasing denotes the act of acquiring the property right of the procurement goods. He defines procurement in a similar way as Tempelmeier. Sourcing is the process of planning and handling outside sources. He defines supply management as procurement with a strategic focus that acts proactively and contributes significantly to company performance. Koppelmann (1995) uses the term Procurement Marketing for nearly exactly the same set of activities as Dobler/Burt do for supply management. There is also some discussion about the types of purchases that fall under each of the definitions. International authors like Dobler/Burt (1996), Monczka/Trent/Handfield (1998), and van Weele (1995) restrict the scope of purchasing, procurement, sourcing or supply management to materials, services, and capital equipment. They do not include the supply of the company with financial resources or personnel. German authors like Arnold (1997), Fieten (1986), Pieper/Pfohl (1993), Tempelmeier (1995) argue differently: They say that from a theoretical standpoint all inputs have to be considered. Some of them like Arnold and Pieper/Pfohl however, pragmatically restrict the scope of purchasing, procurement, or supply management to materials.

Cultural Critique – Racism

Unfortunately, in this time and age, racism continues to be an issue in the American society, especially in the south. Since the introduction of slavery, many people have the belief that skin color determines someone’s ranking in life. After the freedom of slaves, racism became a big problem in America. As a result, other races look down upon many different cultures and ethnic groups believing that they are superior to others. Racism has lead to people discriminate against one another and become prejudice. Unfortunately, racism effects peoples lifestyles, job opportunities, and education. Racism affects a person’s lifestyle.Unfortunately, racism can cause a person to go into deep depressions. After constantly hearing negative aspects of a person’s image, people can begin to loath themselves. Unfortunately, self-loathing can cause a person to become suicidal or cause self-harm. Because of racism, people have gone to extreme lengths to change their physical appeara nce. For example, many people have confessed about trying to change their skin complexion by putting harmful substances on their bodies to bleach their skin. Dealing with racism can be oppressive. Fortunately, there are people who turn things like this into auspicious outcomes.For example, during the civil rights movement, the people of America fought to change the oppression of racism. By doing so, they defeated the milestone and overcame racism, by doing what they were told they could not. Instead of letting others put them down with spiteful words, they lifted each other up with encouraging words. As a result, they created self-love and the common phrase â€Å"Black is Beautiful. † Racism can also affect a person’s job opportunities. Racism cause races to believe that they are better than another race. As a result, people may discriminate against another person due to their appearance.For example, many African Americans are discriminates against in the work place. C onsequently, African Americans have to work harder than others to obtain the same job than someone of a different race does, say Caucasians. This affects the African American community causing for the different negative statistics about unemployment and welfare increase. Fortunately, there was a law passed that prohibits discrimination of any type in the work place. These laws prohibit jobs from discriminating against people for their race, gender, and ability. Racism has affected the education of many children.In the past, racism has caused segregation. During the times of segregation, African Americans students attended different schools than the Caucasian students. The African American children had to use used books with torn and ripped out pages, while the Caucasian students used brand new books. This caused there to be a gap in learning process of African American students. Although segregation no longer exists in the school system, it still affects the education of children to day. Schools in African American communities do not have the different amenities as schools located in diverse communities.Researchers have found that the achievement gap is linked to racial segregation. There are currently no segregated schools, but instead schools that are aimed toward different ethnic groups, but will allow any one of any race to attend. For example, there are schools that target the black community and educate them on their heritage and the school board curriculum. The people who participate in racism are intolerable to others racial appearance. Regrettably, racism hurts the lives of many people. The people who continue to be racist and intolerable to others people’s nationality make the lives of others a living hell.Many people have caused self-harm to themselves and others due to racism. People carry racism to their job place, and other places creating an uneasy and negative atmosphere. Racism has shaped America into what it is today. Without racism, pe ople would not be as strong as they are today, with thicker skin for words. Comparing people’s treatment of now to the treatment of who endured racism, the negativity is nowhere near as harsh. Racism has also caused many people to love themselves even more. There is currently a new trend of people becoming excited by their â€Å"haters;† and instead of allowing it to hurt them, they use it for motivation.America has been negatively impacted by racism. It has caused negative changes in people’s lifestyle, job opportunities, and education. Due to the negative influences of racism, people have gone into deep depressions. People have succumb to depression because they are constantly discriminated against inside and outside the work force, they have to constantly over compensate and compete for jobs with people of different races, people are called out of their name, and are being miseducated by the educational system. Racism has negatively influenced America since i t was introduced during slavery.

The Fiftieth Gate

The Fiftieth Gate, understanding the past is represented as a continual and dynamic process. Baker gives a holistic representation of his parent's experience of the Holocaust, demonstrating the complimentary relationship between history and memory. This notion is explored in the autobiographical book through the depiction of his parents', and his own past. The barcarole style of the text aids in portraying the interplay between history and memory, enabling a more cohesive representation of the lasting repercussions of the Holocaust.Due to the traumatic tauter of her past experiences, Genie finds historical accounts of the Holocaust confronting to reconcile with her own memories. This tension is depicted by Baker, when he confirms the date of an Action against the Jewish population in Genie's town, â€Å"It was Yon Kipper. You're right. The Action took place on 21 September 1942. † Baker's pursuit of historical accuracy compromises Genie's personal memories, as she feels that c ompared to her own ordeals, history is an insufficient means of understanding the past. She responds: â€Å"I'm right, he says. What an honor. What do you know about Actions?We were standing there like little lambs. Screams, crying. A massacre of weeping lambs,† here, the imagery of a lamb conveys the destruction of both an entire community and the destruction of Genie's childhood innocence. Baker struggles to unite the non-chronological and unreliable nature of memory with his own fastidious historical research, but gradually understands that the two complement each other to give a more open representation of the past. However, the tension between mother and son and hence, history and memory, is seen in the transcript of Baker's interview of his mother: â€Å"Pitch black.Pitch black, that's how I was for years†¦ What do you mean, do I remember? Stop interrogating me. Stop testing me. What, all these years you thought that because I wasn't in Auschwitz like your father I didn't suffer? † The use of transcripts is integral to the eclectic barcarole structure of the text, as the myriad of textual forms demonstrates the ongoing process of understanding the past. The tension between the two discourses is clearly seen, as Baker often finds his mother's memories impossible to vindicate, despite her vivid recollection of the suffering in her past.Genie feels that ere suffering is overlooked, as she has little historical and physical evidence to represent the effects of the Holocaust on herself. As a barcarole text, The Fiftieth Gate explores the dynamic process of understanding the past, and through the interaction between his mother and himself, he highlights the difficulty and importance of reconciling both history and memory. Baker's father, Yogis is often reluctant to delve into his own memories, and cannot fully reconcile his own past with the reality of the present.Rhetorical question conveys Yokel's inability to entirely accept the past, as he retains a child-like degree of optimism: â€Å"Maybe he's still alive. Could be, you know. Could be. Anything can happen. After the war I met people I thought were dead. Have you ever heard such a thing? † The transcript of Yokel's interviews expresses a direct connection to his personal memories. Whilst Yokel's resilience is an admirable quality, it can lead to an attitude of denial. Through Baker's process of interviewing his parents and ascertaining the history of their Holocaust experiences, the past is re-examined and represented in a more comprehensive manner.This transcript is contrasted with a conversation twine father and son, and displays the diverse barcarole style that is integral to the representation of Baker's parent's memories. Chapter 16 begins with a portrayal of the difficulty in confronting the historical details of Yokel's own past: â€Å"l can show you what your father wore when he arrived in Buchwald. ‘ My father seems angry at this latest dis covery. ‘Do you know when he went to the toilet? The color of the agates he wore under his pants? Maybe you can tell me when I last showered or what I did everyday in Auschwitz? However, the chapter ends with Yogis reluctantly expressing a desire to learn the clothes worn by his father. This expresses the ongoing nature of understanding the past, as the ordeals of one's past retain the potential to cause significant grief. This notion is present throughout the novel, and is particularly significant in Yokel's growth as the result of opening up to a more complete understanding of his own memories. Juxtaposition is used to highlight the mutual dependency of history and memory in the process of effectively comprehending the past. Whilst being interviewed, Yogis begins: â€Å"l was born in Wreaking.Baker's commentary follows: â€Å"Wreaking was born before him. In 1657, founded by Bishop Bogus Readdressed who obtained royal permission to colonies the woodlands along the Seminal River. † The direct and impersonal nature of historical discourse, although important, is directly contrasted with Yokel's memory, which is far easier to empathic with. However, we understand that the two complement each other to give a multi-faceted and progressive understanding of the human experiences of the Holocaust, which results in a certain degree of ‘closure'. Although Mark Barker was born after theHolocaust, the ramifications of the events have profoundly affected his own life, and the process of understanding the past is pertinent to Baker himself. Baker states, of himself and his brother , â€Å"†¦ L knew there was something more deliberate in the names chosen for us, an attempt to obliterate not only my parents' foreignness but the memories attached to it†¦ So I decided to put the past back into my name. I have chosen Raphael, the earliest ancestor I can find on our family tree. † The understanding of the past that has been enabled by learni ng of his parent's personal stories have enabled Baker to reconnect to his cultural heritage.This personal progression is integral to the semi-autobiographical nature of The Fiftieth Gate, and represents a significant level of personal growth that Baker has garnered through the discourses of history and memory. Throughout the text, it becomes apparent that Baker has been profoundly affected not only by his parent's experience of the Holocaust, but also by the suffering inflicted collectively on the Jewish population. This is apparent in the elements of ‘Midribs' – the oral and written exploration of biblical texts – that are inserted intermittently wrought the book.Baker briefly recounts the story of Rabbi Hanna Ben Iteration, who was killed by the Romans due to his faith, and subsequently martyred. Whilst being burned, Iteration is asked by his disciples what he sees. He responds, â€Å"The parchment is burning, but the letters are soaring high above me. † This is followed by a poem, â€Å"My parents remember: the fire/the parchment burning/the bodies buried/ letters soaring high, ‘turned to ashen dust. † This element of Midribs is representative of the barcarole style of the text, and conveys Jewish resilience that has lasted millennia.However, Baker subverts the optimism of the original text to convey the horrors experienced by all the victims of the Holocaust. It becomes apparent that this suffering, whilst not directly inflicted upon himself, resounds in the children of Holocaust survivors. The Fiftieth Gate explores the notion of understanding the past through the complimentary discourses of history and memory. Baker demonstrates the implications of this notion through the depiction of himself and his parents, Yogis and Genie. It becomes apparent that understanding the past is not a fixed process, and that it can at times cause tension.