9 Books That Are a Call to Action Against Rape Culture

9 Books That Are a Call to Action Against Rape Culture (Image by Chase Carter, via Flickr) I dont know why it  took me so damn long to read Rebecca Solnits  Men Explain Things to Me.  As someone who writes about female sexuality, consent, and rape culture for a living, Solnits book should have been considered  required reading. Becauseâ€"though the book as a whole is about the gender wars in generalâ€"the two pieces that  really  donkey-kicked me in the gut were the ones that tackled domestic violence and sexual assault. In The Longest War, Solnit writes that every three years, the death toll from domestic violence tops 9/11s casualties, though no one declares war on this particular kind of terror. In #YesAllWomen, Solnit writes about the changing conversation around rape culture, and on how womens voices are growing louder, and their experiences more visible. Reading this slim collection was like hearing a rallying cry, and I knew it should be required reading not just for me, but for all men and women. But beyond Solnits book, what else should be on the curriculum? Unspeakable Things  by Laurie Penny I first discovered Pennys work by going down a rabbit hole of brilliance revealed in Molly Crabapples  Drawing Blood. In  Unspeakable Things,  Penny presents a raw, ranting manifesta on gender and power, including the prevalence of sexual violence. Missoula  by  Jon Krakauer I eat up every single thing Krakauer writes, but this one was hard to get through. About a series of sexual assaults at the University of Montana and the long slog toward possible justice,  Missoula  is relentless in its hopelessness, and places a spotlight on the impotence  of  our justice system. Valerie wrote a great roundup of related reads just last year. Bad Feminist  by Roxane Gay Gays collection is about many things, including race and pop culture and even competitive scrabble. But there is also much to read here about gender and femininity, safety and sexual violence. Gay is brilliant about all of it, bringing her sharp eye and her quiet humor and a sense of solid matter-of-factness to everything she explores. Yes Means Yes!  edited  by Jaclyn Friedman and Jessica Valenti Jaclyn Friedman is a writer, speaker, and activist. Jessica Valenti is the woman behind Feministing. Together, they present an anthology that unpacks issues of rape culture and explores the shift in consent education from no means no to yes means yes. Asking for It  by Louise ONeill Recently published,  Asking for It  is  a YA novel that tackles head-on a young girls rape, the public shaming she has to endure afterward, and the effects this has on her as a woman. Its good to see more and more works of YA refusing to flinch in the face of an issue that is sadly common. Asking for It  by Kate Harding It carries the same title, but this version of  Asking for It  is actually a nonfiction exploration of rape culture that combines in-depth research and reportage. We Should All Be Feminists  by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie I read this one after falling in love with Adichies  Americanah  (which I could rave about in a post all its own). In this extended essay adapted from  a TEDx talk about feminism, Adichie tackles the many reasons we should well, all be feminists obviously, giving a glimpse of the sexual violence that has occurred in  Nigeria, showing the universality of the ever-enduring  war on women. Luckiest Girl Alive  by Jessica Knoll The protagonist of this novel has been the victim of a gang rape. The reader follows her attempts to rise above and past this traumatizing incidents personal repercussions. It is only recently that Knoll revealed just how much this story grew out of her own personal experience. Her heart-wrenching personal essay on Lenny Letterâ€"in which she comes out as a victim of sexual assaultâ€"had me in tears. For more fiction that tackles issues of sexual assault, read this roundup Nicole wrote last year. April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is now May. This topic is evergreen. It continues to be worth our while to amplify the voices that shout out against rape culture and then, perhaps, to add our own.

The Inaugural Address Of John F. Kennedy - 1654 Words

An Effort Closer to A Better Country â€Å"The Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy is considered one of the greatest speeches in twentieth-century American public address,† says Sara Ann Mehltretter from Penn State University. The 1960s was an important time period during American history. The speech was said to motivate Americans and unite them to successfully create a powerful government. In a time of desperation, the actions that the United States government would take to help come out successful was very important for the countries future. In John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration Address, he used ethos, pathos and logos, to grab the audience’s full attention about the worries of communism and nuclear warfare. Historical Background During the†¦show more content†¦Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, into a wealthy and political Irish-American family. He furthered his education at Harvard University and graduated in 1940. Following he entered the naval service during World War Two. Growing up in a family of politics, he entered in 1946 and won as a Democrat to the US House of Representatives. Later in the 1952, he was elected to the Senate. In 1960, Kennedy successful won the presidential election and defeated Richard Nixon. At such a young age, 43, Kennedy was the first Catholic head of the state. He portrayed himself as a youthful president ready for the new generation. Kennedy’s years in office were flagged as the foreign tensions between the Soviet Union. In November of 1963, John F. Kennedy is in Dallas to give a speech. As the Kennedy’s are in a convertible with his vice president, waving to the large loud crowd, while Lee Harvey Os wald allegedly fired three shots from a sixth-floor building. One of the shots fatally injuring president John F. Kennedy and the same bullet seriously injuring Governor Connally. The world stood in shock, as he was rushed to the hospital and 30 minutes later he was pronounced dead at Dallas’ Parkland Hospital. Although Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated president John F. Kennedy it was said that Mr. Oswald was a supporter of the president and the changes he brought to better the country. Even though the motive of the death led to aShow MoreRelatedJohn F. Kennedy Inaugural Address1099 Words   |  5 Pagesbrighter than one of our own presidents. It was January 20, 1962 when John Fitzgerald Kennedy took stage to be the thirty-fifth president of the United States. Written by Kennedy in late November of 1960, his inauguration speech goes to explain the various changes of the world as Kennedy campaigned to â€Å"get the country moving again.† His speech begins to address th e differences of the generations as he wants to â€Å"pass the torch.† Kennedy expresses various ways of getting people together which he basesRead MoreThe Inaugural Address Of John F. Kennedy1441 Words   |  6 PagesThe Pathway to Success â€Å"The Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy is considered one of the greatest speeches in twentieth-century American public address,† says Sara Ann Mehltretter from Penn State University. The 1960s was an important time period during American history. The speech was said to motivate Americans and unite them to successfully create a powerful government. In a time of desperation, the actions that the United States government would take to help come out successful was very importantRead MorePresident John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address1532 Words   |  7 PagesApril 20, 1961 John F. Kennedy. What do all these dates and names have in common is a question you may ask. One is that each name is of one of the many presidents of the United States. Two is the dates are the dates of each ones Inaugural address. The first ever Inaugural address was done April 30, 1789 by none other than the United States first president George Washington. Many have heard and Inaugural address but just i n case you happen not to know what one is an Inaugural address is a speech givenRead MoreComparison Of John F Kennedy Inaugural Address999 Words   |  4 Pages The Inauguration of President John F. Kennedy and the Farewell Address to the Nation by President Ronald Reagan share similar tones when addressing the American people. As one President enters the white house and the other leaves, both men share their admiration, strength, and compassion that the American people share when working together. The Farewell Address and the Inauguration were two of the most memorable speeches of all time. It is as though both men were speaking to the public as if theyRead MoreThe Legacy Of John F. Kennedy s Inaugural Address1030 Words   |  5 PagesJohn F. Kennedy was seen as one of the most charming, prominent, and youngest American presidents of our time. He brought ideas and plans to make America a better place when he stepped into office. His run as president was so unique because he had set out plans for office, but he was assassinated before he could go through with some of them. Vice president Lyndon B. Johnson stepped up to the challenge to continue Kennedy’s plans (John F. Kennedy). John F. Kennedy’s domestic policies in the CivilRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy s Inaugural Address971 Words   |  4 PagesA Rhetorical Analysis of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address By 1961, The United States of America was struggling with racial tension and social inequalities, while fighting communism internationally and protecting the public from the weapons and devices of our adversaries abroad. Confusion and fear had invaded the minds of the American people as the cold war neared its pinnacle; they were desperate for a strong, reassuring leader. John F. Kennedy provided this reassurance when he addressed the nationRead MorePresident John F. Kennedy and His Inaugural Address Essay1067 Words   |  5 Pageswill forever be a day that marks a special moment in time in which President John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered one of the most memorable speeches in American History. His Inaugural address is one in which many famous quotes come from and one that is emulated in present speeches. In order to understand the importance of this inoculation one must understand the atmosphere of our nation at that time and what President Kennedy was trying to get across to his constituents. In this essay I will give youRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy s Inaugural Address Essay1566 Words   |  7 Pages NOT PRIDE BUT FREEDOM: Rhetorical Analysis of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address Tanner A. Woody Anderson University On January 20, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered a speech with a backdrop of snow and a twenty-degree wind blowing in his face in Washington D.C. In his speech, he starts off with saying that his victory is not for a party but it is for freedom. At the climax of his speech, JFK delivers a call to action which is also the most well-known line from his speech:Read MoreRhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy s Inaugural Address892 Words   |  4 Pagessuccessfully covey messages to their audience. John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, Severn Cullis-Suzuki’s Address to the Plenary Session, Earth Summit and Charlie Chaplin’s Let us all unite, all provide excellent examples of a distinctive voice. Each of these distinctive voices is formed through the use of emotive language, tone, repetition and rhetorical devices. JFK’s, Inaugural address states President Kennedy’s vision and mission for his term in office. Kennedy discusses important topics such as humanRead MoreAmerican Hope And Nationalism : John F. Kennedy s Inaugural Address1584 Words   |  7 Pages Revival of American Hope and Nationalism : John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, 1961 Leading up to the election of 1960, the United States was in a state of utter disarray. Like a pandemic disease, hysteria impetuously swept across the country on an unprecedented scale. The root of the mania stemmed from the unresolved disagreements between Soviet Russia and the U.S. immediately after the disassembly of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich in World War II. As disputes intensified, the two most powerful

Holocaust And The Mass Murder Of The Jews - 1958 Words

Holocaust â€Å"Holocaust† hails from two Greek words â€Å"holos† meaning whole and â€Å"kaustos† meaning burned. The Holocaust is a name that was used to historically define a sacrificial offering that was burned on an altar. However, from 1945, the word holocaust attained a new and horrible meaning. It was used to define the mass murder of 6 million European Jews. The Jews were killed along with some other persecuted groups such as homosexuals and gypsies. Now, the term Holocaust is used to define the mass murder of the Jews and this paper will explore the occurrences surrounding the Holocaust. Adolf Hitler did not mark the beginning of Anti-Semitism in Europe. Regardless of the fact that the term itself came into use in the 1870s, evidence pertaining to hostility toward Jews dates back to as far as the ancient world (Crowe 45). This was when the Roman authorities obliterated the Jewish temple that was situated in Jerusalem (Crowe 45). Subsequently, they forced the Jews to leave Palestine. In addition to this, the Enlightenment during the 17th and 18th centuries accentuated religious intolerance (Crowe 47). In the 19th century, Napoleon along with other European rulers established legislations that marked the end of the long-standing restrictions on Jews (Crowe 52). The Anti-Semitic feeling in most of the situations took a racial form rather than a religious one. Conversely, the Hitler’s specific slanderous brand regarding Anti-Semitism is not precisely known. Like most theShow MoreRelatedThe Holocaust : A Mass Murder Of Millions Of Jews993 Words   |  4 Pagesabout the holocaust taking place in Germany, they took action. The Holocaust in Germany was a mass murder of millions of jews that was ran by Adolph Hitler and his Nazi party. The United States is taking similar actions today against syrian refugees just like how they did with the germans running the concentration camps. It was believed that Adolf Hitler (ruler of Germany at the time) and the Nazi party (supporters of Hitler) hated many people for many reasons. They hated jews because jews had mostRead MoreNegligence in Reporting the Jewish Holocaust1123 Words   |  4 Pages The Jewish Holocaust, one of the most horrific mass murders in human history, took place from January 30, 1933 until May 8, 1945. Hitler blamed the Jewish population for Germany’s downfalls at the time, and his anti-Semitic views eventually led Germany to create a complicated scheme of Jewish extermination. Over six million Jewish lives were lost in this mass murder. America, usually portrayed as the country that lends a helping hand to all nations in desperate need, did absolutely nothing to aidRead MoreThe Holocaust: The Biggest Hate Crime in the World1418 Words   |  6 PagesThe Holocaust is consider one of the biggest hate crime that the world has witness. It is a hate crime due to the fact that is directed toward a specific group of people. Individual chosen or group chosen because they represent a group believed to represent a group that the perpetrator is biased against. Everything started when Adolf Hitler became the leader of Germany, form 1934 to 1945. Adolf Hitler was born in Austria in 1889. Hitler rose to power in German politics becoming the leader of theRead MoreExposing Humanitys Darkest Sin: Jewish Genocide Essay1160 Words   |  5 PagesSince the Holocaust, a theory has emerged for the real reason Jews were forced into concentration camps. Controversy surrounds this theory, between those who claim Jews were being exterminated inside concentration camps and those who disagree, claiming that this event never occurred in the camps. Holocaust deniers have gathered to discuss the theory whether the Nazis indeed committed mass murder inside these infamous structures. To this day, skeptics are unclear whether these camps were built forRead More3 stages of the Holocaust1204 Words   |  5 Pages The Holocaust systematically murdered 11 million people across Europe, more than half of those people were Jewish. The Jews were blamed for the German’s failures, such as World War I. As a result, Hitler established anti-Semitism throughout his army and the majority of Europe. The Holocaust consisted of three phases to annihilate the Jews. The phases did not create racial purity and they did not successfully annihilate all of the Jews as the Nazi party planned. The first phase began when theRead MoreThe World Of The Holocaust885 Words   |  4 Pagestraumatic period, Holocaust-was a genocide in which Adolf Hitler s Nazi Germany and its collaborators killed about six million Jews. The Holocaust was the systematic annihilation of six million Jews during the Nazi genocide - in 1933 nine million Jews lived in the 21 countries of Europe that would be occupied by Nazi Germany during World War 2. By 1945 two out of every three European Jews had been killed. But today I will talk about the United States’ Response to the Holocaust. There two main historiansRead MoreAdolf Hitler and The Holocaust Essay729 Words   |  3 PagesThe Holocast is the name of the Geonocide, or mass murder of Jews, Romas(gypsies), Slavics, communists, socialists, Jehovas Witnesses, homosexuals, and people with medical handicaps. This geonocide, led by Adolf Hitler, who was the chancellor and future dictator of Germany, resulted in the death of six million Jews an d thousands of other innocents. The Holocaust is arguably the worst thing that has happened in our history. In our modern world we still have racist and religious problems accross theRead MoreThe Holocaust Was An Ultimate Abomination Of Nazi1484 Words   |  6 PagesThe Holocaust was an ultimate abomination of Nazi racism that occurred between 1938 and 1945. The word Holocaust derived from the Greek word holokauston, which stands for a burnt sacrifice that is offered whole to God. The word was chosen for this occurrence because of the amount of dead bodies that were cremated in open fires by Nazis. The Holocaust was known for the mass murders of European Jews that took place during the Second World War. European Jews were the fundamental victims during the HolocaustRead MoreThe Holocaust : The Causes Of Hate In The Holocaust1424 Words   |  6 PagesSometimes this hate can be so large it can be an influence for mass destruction. We have learned, or even have seen examples of hate turning into something bigger throughout our history. These examples include the multiple wars, terrorist’s attacks, and genocides. Many of these incidents were drove by hate, and did not end well. What drives this hate? How can people turn on one another with just feeling hate towards them? The Holocaust being one of the many genocides in our history was indeed influencedRead MoreEssay on Faith and Reason within the Holocaust1715 Words   |  7 PagesFaith and Reason within the Holocaust One of the greatest horrors of the 20th Century was the extermination of over 6 million Jews and 5 million others during the Holocaust. In the face of this atrocity many have wondered how such a tragedy transcended in a supposed civilized European society. What role did religious institutions play in the prevention or lack of prevention of the horrors inflicted by the Nazis? How did the German government create, within a reasoning public, acceptance

Explain the Value Proposition and Give an Example Free Essays

The value of the definition of philosophy: the value of specific things are an integral part of the human brain is everything in the world is divided into two major categories of useful and harmful, from the two major types of specific things in the abstract thinking by the absolute abstract things or meta body, is the world The interaction with all things in general, the interrelated nature and capacity of each specific things that have the universal nature and provisions. Is the value of specific things with the general provisions, the nature and performance.And specific matters, subject and the object, things and events, sports and exercise, objects and objects of interaction and mutual influence, interrelated and mutually reunification is the value of the existence and manifestations. We will write a custom essay sample on Explain the Value Proposition and Give an Example or any similar topic only for you Order Now We have observed as the main object of the people and as the living environment and living things interact and influence, can be found on the living environment and their interactions with each other on the nature and impact of capacity and found that the value of human beings and the environment.In human terms, the world is to human survival and development have meaning and value of things, the phenomenon of conflicts, the question of the identity of opposites, the world is valuable in the world, all things are valuable things. Value is the value and composition of the negative value of the unity of opposites. Now most people have said the value of which is the object of promoting the survival and development of the main character and ability, is the principal object of which is the positive meaning and positive values.In fact the object of the role and impact of the main survival and development capabilities and value, not only has a positive meaning and value, also has a negative meaning and value, is the positive and negative significance, value and the negative value is composed of confrontation Entity. For example, the value of coal and oil. Coal and oil for human survival and development not only has a positive meaning and positive values, but also has a negative meaning and a negative value.The large number of coal and oil exploitation and utilization to accelerate the economic development and improving people’s living standards, but also an increase of carbon dioxide emissions, caused by the greenhouse effect, destruction of the natural environment, damage the long-term survival and development of people’s fundamental interests. Why do people have to understand and transform the world  » Because the world ith human survival and development of a close relationship, because the world is the role and impact of all things human survival and development of the nature and capacity of the world because everything has its own value. Only through its own actions to rid the world of human survival and development of all living things have a negative meaning and value, give full play to the world and use all things to human survival and development of a positive meaning and value of human beings continue to achieve the fundamental objectives of the survival and development.We in real life the basis of the experience and ability to understand, can quickly determine a thing, the phenomenon of contradictions and problems with regard to the value of the number and value for our brains thinking through how to dispose of the produce of things Awareness of mental preparation for doing a good job.Value judgement is the daily life of every person in the frequency of the highest awareness of thinking is that we stimulate the senses and the impact of the various matters or whether an interest in objects, whether or not to proceed further the understanding and thinking, whether or not to take the body of a prerequisite for di sposal . Is the value of natural objects and the general provisions of the universal nature.We observed through a chemical substance with a chemical substance in contact with the chemical reaction, can be found on the two chemical substances involved in a chemical reaction by the nature and capacity of each chemical substances found chemical reaction involved in the relative The proportion found valence. Valence by a chemical substance that is the role and influence of other chemical substances in nature and capacity that such chemical substances with regard to the value.For example, we observed through a chemical substance with a chemical substance in contact with the chemical reaction, can be found on each chemical substance involved in chemical reactions by the nature and capacity of each chemical substances found involved in the chemical reaction The relative proportions and found that valence. Valence by a chemical substance that is the role and influence of other chemical properties and ability, this is another kind of material on the value of the material. Is the intrinsic value of knowledge requirements and components.Is the value of the property with knowledge and ability, any knowledge of human existence and development is of significance and value of human progress and development do not have any sense of knowledge does not exist. The value of social consciousness is the inherent requirements and components. Social consciousness of the human brain is the command people in the community life and acts of intention, ideas, ideals, rules, programmes, line and policy. Is the social awareness of the value of the properties and ability is an integral part of social consciousness.Any social consciousness are guiding people how to live in society and acts of meaning and value, not guiding people how to live and act significance and value of social consciousness does not exis t. For example: â€Å"the truth. † The truth of the human society, the overwhelming majority of the people’s survival and development is of great significance and value of social consciousness. The vast majority of human society and human survival and development is of great significance and value of truth is the basic feature is the sole criterion of truth. How to cite Explain the Value Proposition and Give an Example, Papers

Saving Sourdi free essay sample

The one thing that all people have in common when trying to reach whatever goals they may have in their lives is motivation. There are different types of motivation, but it is a needed element in order to reach a goal. The goal may be conscious or unconscious but in the end it remains the same, motivation is needed. Nea is driven in much of her life by the goal to save her older sister, Sourdi. She tried time after time to save her. Sourdi did not normally need saving though. Sourdi did not saving from the drunk man who was hitting on her. Nor did Sourdi need saving when her boyfriend, Duke, took her to the field and Nea thought she was panicking. Again, Sourdi did not need saving when she married a much older man, moved away, and started a family of her own. Nea was wrong when she thought her new husband was abusing her. We will write a custom essay sample on Saving Sourdi or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Nea was simply trying to keep things the same and to always have Sourdi remain with her. In the story, â€Å"Saving Sourdi†, Sourdi and Nea have always looked out for each other. Since their mother was a single mom in a new country, she couldn’t be there for them as much as she should have been at times. Both girls were brought to a new country at a young age and dreamed of a life in America that was better than what they had. Nea and Sourdi’s ma had a goal to give them a better life. Her motivation was her girls. The first time Nea tried to protect her sister was by stabbing a man who was drunk. She thought that Sourdi was in trouble and instead of getting an adult, she tried to become the adult. She became almost furious when her sister or her mom did not back her up in this decision. â€Å"I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to take the knife back and stab myself. † (Chai) Nea wanted Sourdi and Ma’s approval for the decisions she made in life. Nea wants to live in the â€Å"perfect† America and not live by the culture in which she was raised. She feels that this will only further tear her and her sister apart. She still wants to be the same little girls that were always there for each other. Nea tries to help her sister again by saving her from her new husband, who Nea wrongly believes is abusing Sourdi. Nea misunderstands phone calls that are way above her child-like mind. Instead of minding her own business, which she should have done, she tries yet again to save Sourdi. With the help of Duke, she sets out on a road trip mile away, only to find that everything is fine. Nea regresses back to the beginning of the story and feels the same way, like Sourdi isn’t backing her up. Nea simply wanted to save Sourdi from every conflict in her life. She recalls in the story of a time when Sourdi carried her on her back through a minefield. Nea ended the story with â€Å"I would walk on bones for my sister, I vowed. I would put my bare feet on rotting flesh. I would save Sourdi† (Chai). Nea wanted to be the savior. Nea’s motivation for much of the story is driven by her personality. Her goals in much of the story don’t seem to be conscious to her. E. A. Locke and G. P. Latham both take the stand that human action is directed by conscious goals and intentions, although not all human action is under fully conscious control (Pervin 163). Nea’s goal to save Sourdi is largely an unconscious one. She does not realize she is trying so hard to remain a child and keep Sourdi with her. She simply wants to do the right thing. Her motivation, or driving force, is for things to stay the same. She doesn’t want to grow up and face life. Nea sees, unconsciously, what her ma has went through and that Sourdi is taking the same path. She wants to save Sourdi from those mistakes and in turn give them both a better life. Nea is sometimes in her life motivated by behavior that is driven by the pursuit of goals (Negra). Even though her goals aren’t written down, they are still there- to save Sourdi no matter what it takes. Her goal first come in to play in the beginning when she attempts to help Sourdi with the drunken man. Again her goal is the same when she and Duke are in the field. And lastly, her goal is there when she travels overnight to rescue Sourdi from her husband, who Sourdi actually loves and is happy with. Nea motivation is her life is intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is within the person (Latham). Nea simply wants control of her life. She doesn’t want to grow up and want things to always be the same. Nea wants that choice in her life. She stabs the man who is drunk because she felt she was losing control of the situation. She tries to save her sister in the end because she didn’t want things to change for fear of losing control. Nea is very committed to her goal of trying to keep things the same. A goal is not a goal if the person is not committed (Pervin).

Reflection Report of Dissertation on mpact of information system on student learning experience The WritePass Journal

Reflection Report of Dissertation on mpact of information system on student learning experience Abstract Reflection Report of Dissertation on mpact of information system on student learning experience ). Most positive was my expectation I could achieve the goals of this work. Leading the negative aspects was my lack of confidence in my skill. A negative that turned into a positive was the manner that I interacted with the students and lecturers, initially I felt I was weak at this, but as I learned I became better. Overall, this was a good experience that I definitely learned from. 2.4 Analysis There is a need to take stock of the situation in order to evaluate the experience (Pearson, 2013). My overall goal was to make sense of the impact of technology on the students. Through the research process, I feel I have expanded my own research abilities through trial and error, and am now more equipped to carry out research in the future. I have found others have had similar research experiences which has made me feel that I am part of a community and can gain from other’s knowledge. This appreciation of experience is a key factor that will enhance each following research project. 2.5 Conclusion The conclusions from this reflection lend depth to my learning experience (Park et al, 2011). Overall I felt that I learned that the research problem often carries more than the one possible outcome, which in turn means that I must be willing to accommodate unexpected elements. Specifically, I learned that I should be more assertive during the interview process, yet open to each person’s interpretations of the questions. I also gained the ability to research and write at a higher level, thereby aiding my future efforts. 2.6 Personal Action Plan Each of these considerations has provided me with lessons for future research (Forrest, 2008). Next project, I will not be hesitant to engage with the material. I will remain confident in my research strategy and take steps to not second guess my approach in order to strengthen my research and stay on track. Most importantly, I will have the experience to begin and accomplish any research project. 3 References Forrest, M. (2008). On becoming a critically reflective practitioner.  Health Information \ Libraries Journal, 25(3), pp.229232. Jasper, M. (2006).  Professional development, reflection and decision-making. 1st ed. Oxford: Blackwell. Hegarty, B. (2011). Is reflective writing an enigma? Can preparing evidence for an electronic portfolio develop skills for reflective practice?. 2011(1), pp.580593. Oelofsen, N. (2012).  Developing reflective practice. 1st ed. Banbury: Lantern. Park, J. and Son, J. (2011). Expression and connection: the integration of the reflective learning process and the writing process into social network sites.  Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 7(1), pp.170178. Pearson, J. (2012). HCAs: developing skills in reflective writing.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 6(3), p.140. Timmins, F., Murphy, M., Howe, R. and Dennehy, C. (2013). â€Å"I Hate Gibbs Reflective Cycle 1998†(Facebook\copyright 2009): Registered Nurses’ Experiences of Supporting Nursing Students’ Reflective Practice in the Context of Students Public Commentary.  Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93, pp.13711375.

Why Animal Rights Activist Are Against the AKC

Why Animal Rights Activist Are Against the AKC The Purina Dog Food Company lists two major dog shows on their website: The Westminster Dog Show and The National Dog Show. In addition to these shows, The American Kennel Club, the AKC, also lists conformation events under their supervision. These shows are about finding a member of each pure breed who conforms to the AKC standard of what they consider the perfect specimen of a breed. Animal rights activists don’t discriminate against the animals they seek to protect.  Their clarion call has always been that they don’t only fight for the rights of the cute and fluffy, but any animal of any species because they believe all animals have a right to exist unimpaired and unencumbered by humans. So why then, would animal rights activists target the AKC? This organization appears to care deeply for the welfare of dogs. For one, the AKC issues â€Å"papers† on any purebred dog, which is a big problem for animal rights activists seeking to stop the sale of puppies from puppy mills. When the retailer shrieks about how their puppies are all â€Å"AKC Purebreds† it makes it difficult to convince consumers that any puppy, no matter where s/he was born, will get an AKC pedigree. That doesnt make the puppy any healthier or more desirable, especially if the puppy is purchased at a pet store. What is a Dog Show? Dog shows are organized around the world by various clubs. In the United States, the most prestigious dog shows are organized by the American Kennel Club. At an AKC dog show, dogs are judged by a set of criteria called  a standard  that is unique to each recognized breed. A dog can be disqualified completely for certain deviations from the standard. For example, the standard for an Afghan Hound includes a height requirement of â€Å"27 inches, plus or minus one inch; bitches, 25 inches, plus or minus one inch, and a weight requirement of â€Å"About 60 pounds; bitches, about 50 pounds. There are also precise requirements for their gait, coat, and the size and shape of the head, tail, and body. As for temperament, an Afghan Hound found with â€Å"sharpness or shyness† is faulted and loses points because they should be â€Å"aloof and dignified, yet gay.† The dog does not even have the liberty to choose his own personality. Some standards even require certain breeds to be mutilated in order to compete. Their tails must be docked and their ear carriage surgically reconstructed. Ribbons, trophies, and points are awarded to the dogs who most closely match the standard for their breed. As dogs  accumulate  points, they can attain champion status and qualify for higher level shows, culminating in the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Only purebred, intact (not spayed or neutered) dogs are allowed to compete. The purpose of these points and shows is to ensure that only the finest specimens of the breeds be allowed to procreate, thereby bettering the breed with each new generation.   The Breeding Problem The most obvious problem with dog shows is that they encourage breeding, both directly and indirectly. As explained on the American Kennel Clubs  website, Spayed or neutered dogs are not eligible to compete in conformation classes at a dog show, because the purpose of a dog show is to evaluate breeding stock. The shows create a culture based on breeding, showing and selling dogs, in the pursuit of a champion. With  three to four million  cats and dogs killed in shelters every year, the last thing we need is more breeding. The more reputable or responsible breeders will take back any dog the purchaser does not want, at any time during the dogs life, and some argue that they do not contribute to overpopulation because all of their dogs are wanted. To animal rights activists, a responsible breeder is a contradiction because anyone breeding is not responsible enough to help keep the population in check and is, in fact, responsible for the births and deaths of unwanted dogs. If  fewer people bred their dogs, there would be fewer dogs for sale and more people would adopt from shelters. Breeders also create a demand for the dogs and their breed through advertising and by simply by putting them on the market. Furthermore, not everyone who wants to surrender a purebred dog will return to the breeder. Approximately  25 percent of shelter dogs are purebred. The AKC website listing breed rescue groups  is not about adopting or rescuing a dog, but about information about the purebred rescue. Nothing on the page promotes adopting or rescuing dogs. Instead of encouraging adoption and rescue, their page on rescue groups tries to redirect the public to their breeder search page, breeder referral page, and online breeder classifieds. Every dog purchased from a breeder or pet store is a vote for more breeding and a death sentence for a dog in a shelter. While dog show participants care about the welfare of their dogs, they seem to care little about the millions of dogs who are not theirs. As one AKC judge stated, â€Å"If it’s not a purebred dog, it’s a mutt, and mutts are worthless.† Purebred Dogs Animal rights activists object to promoting purebred dogs, not only  because it encourages breeding and inbreeding, but also because it implies these dogs are more desirable than others. Without dog shows, there would be less of a demand for dogs who have a certain pedigree or conform to an artificial set of physical specifications that are considered ideal for each breed. As breeders strive to meet the standard for their breed, inbreeding is common and expected. Breeders know that if a certain desirable trait runs through a bloodline, breeding two blood relatives who have that trait will bring out that trait. However, inbreeding also amplifies other traits, including health problems. One study suggests that mutts are considered the healthiest of all. Purebreds, however,  are known to have  health issues, either due to inbreeding or due to the very standards of the breed. Brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs cannot mate or give birth naturally because of breathing issues. Female bulldogs must be artificially inseminated and give birth via C-section. Flat-Coated Retrievers are prone to cancer, and half of all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels suffer from mitral valve disease. Because of their breed standards and the need to categorize dogs into different breeds and groups, dog shows give the impression that purebred dogs are more desirable than mixed-breed dogs. Even the word pure in purebred implies something disturbing, and some activists have equated breed standards with racism and  eugenics  in humans. Animal rights activists believe that every dog, no matter their breed or health issues, should be valued and cared for. No animal is worthless. All animals have worth. This article was updated and re-written in part by Animal Rights Expert, Michelle A. Rivera.