Color of Water Essay Essay

What factors contribute to who you are today? A question that many struggle with including James McBride, the author of The Color of Water. James struggled with finding himself because of his mixed background, a white Jewish mother and a Black father. When James finally gets an understanding of the culture, races, and religions that surrounds him it helps him to gain his own identity, point of view, and allows him to share his experiences with others who may be going through the same things in his writing. As James enters many different cultures he comes to realize what type of surrounding and life he wants for himself when he visits his sister jack in Louisville, Kentucky. The culture in Louisville was very violent. James and his friends participated in illegal activities such as breaking into cars, shoplifting, and doing illegal drugs (McBride 139). After complaining about life, doing illegal things, talking to Chicken Man a man that sat on the corner on a crate, and drank alcohol all day who told James that no one will know who are you unless you make something of yourself and that sitting on the corner all his life is a bad decision (150), and taking Jack’s advice, â€Å"you have to choose between what the world expects of you and what you want for yourself† (161), he enrolls back into high school and later goes on to Oberlin College. Growing up James’ mother Ruth always tells him that white people are no good, but as a young adult his perspective changes altogether. As James completes high school and early into college a white lady by the name of Mrs. Dawson who donated most of her time and money to inner city kids sponsors James to be able to go to Europe and travel with the American Youth Jazz Band and continues to help him get into graduate school. When James’ friends in college talk about how all white people are rich and they have no problems James had no choice, but to agree because of the surrounding he was in, but in his mind he was strongly disagreed with the statement that had just been made having just read the letter from Mrs. Dawson about her husband dying suddenly of cancer (187). Church plays a big part in James’ life. As a kid James goes to church every Sunday and experiences people crying and being uplifted. Also his father starts the New Brown Memorial Church, which James goes back to visit later in life. From going to church every Sunday James develops his own relationship with God after he goes through the part of his like where he is very rebellious and disobeys the law. After he enrolls back into school he turns to God to ask him for strength (161). This shows James getting his own opinion from God and his religion instead of just going to church because he’s being going all his life. Suffolk had begun to suffocate me. The isolation my family felt, the heartbreak they had suffered† (223). James researching into his mother’s history shows him why he went to Jewish schools instead of the public schools, what happens in Suffolk that causes Ruth to leave, start a new life, and become very secretive. Heritage is important because it lets you know what struggles, accomplishments, etc. your family has overcome, why things are the way they are, and how you can continue a tradition, or better understand who you are. Knowing about my Mother and Father’s background gives me an idea of what our family is about and what type of things I should stand for, or if I believe in the same things that my parents believe in. Learning about heritage and the different factors that make up his surrounding James McBride finds his identity, gains his own opinion, and point of view. Reading The Color of Water and going through this experience along with James encourages others to learn more about their heritage and who they are, and if you already have that information interpret it into a way that benefits you and can maybe even help someone else.

Darlings Chocolate

Why do you think colonel Darling chose sole trader as a form of business organization and when and why might his company have become a partnership. Joshua Darling was a retired army colonel, who returned after the army to Liverpool, where he was born, opened a chocolate factory and set up his own business as a sole trader in July 1933. Why colonel Darling chose a sole proprietorship as a form of business organization? First of all, a sole proprietorship was suitable for his nature as he could be his own boss, lead and motivate people, make independent decisions and be entirely responsible for all aspects of the management of his business.Secondly, after returning from the army to Liverpool, he didn’t have any person to trust in and to help. Thirdly, a sole proprietorship can be set up with little or no money in the business and there are no legal formalities to establish the company. Besides, sole proprietor is not subject to public report and the books reflecting the results of his business were private and competitors wouldn’t use it to their advantages. The colonel’s decision to open the factory came at a time of high unemployment and economic slowdown in Liverpool.Darling used it to his advantages. There was no difficulty in hiring suitable workers, so he could economize paying low wages. Also there was no difficulty for Darling to entry the market. Sales figure showed that his chocolate was the country’s number one choice and almost half the company’s production of the brand was exported. Why was Darling so successful with his chocolate business? The chocolates were of the highest quality and contained only the finest ingredients.And the reason why Darling decided to start a chocolate factory is that he was unsatisfied with the quality of it. That is why, when his wife came out with the idea to establish a chocolate factory he took this opportunity. In 1940 Darling changed the form of his business and entered partnership with his son-in-law who had been in the family for 6 years by that moment and was a person to trust in. Besides, he could invest money into the company and contribute new skills and add a new dimension to the business.Besides, a partnership has many advantages. Firstly, it is easier to multiply sources of capital. Also partnerships often receive favored treatment by the government as well as tax benefits. Secondly, each partner can specialize in each aspect of the business or share the work. To sum up, I can say that in the time of Britain’s largest economic stagnation, colonel Darling managed to set up his own, a profit making business and become successful. When and why might Darlings’ have become LTD, when did it go public, what were the reasons for it?By the time of middle 50-s Darlings’ had become a highly profitable company. Everyone in Britain knew the smiling face of Colonel Darling which was on every box. Sales figures showed that they were the countryà ¢â‚¬â„¢s number one choice. Darlings’ chocolates were more popular than those of other manufacturer because of their quality and prices. That is why almost half â€Å"The Colonel’s Choice† was exported. The company managed to entry international markets, selling products to customers oversees as far as Australia and South America.As the market was becoming more competitive, Darling started to seek ways to expand and increase the company’s profitability and in 1956 decided to become the private limited company. It was suitable for Darling as it is usually family business owned by members of the family or close friends. Other advantages were that, first of all, there are no continuity problems. Darling was becoming older and he wanted to be sure that after his death business would be continued by members of his family.Secondly, it was beneficial for Darling to raise extra capital as there is no limit on the number of shareholders. Thirdly, the shareholdersà ¢â‚¬â„¢ liability is limited to the nominal value of the shares held. In this way, by buying shares, a large number of people could contribute funds to the company without risking all their personal possession. Besides, control of the business cannot be lost to outsiders and shares can be transferred only with the consent of other members of the company.In 1963 Colonel Joshua Darling died and his daughter inherited the Colonel’s majority shareholding and controlling interest. That time the cost of sugar and cocoa rose significantly, the company’s sales started to drop. That is why in 1963 Mrs Windbourne decided to go public. First of all, it is easier to raise capital. Secondly, production costs may be lower as firms may gain economies scale. Thirdly, in case of liquidation of a company, each shareholder only losses the nominal value of his shares, so the property of the owners is immune. Besides, financial institutions are more willing to lend to plcs.

European Union Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

European Union Law - Essay Example Muslims of Europe have fashioned a life-style and understanding of religion that can be labelled as European Islam that is diverse from that of their country of origin.2 As a result, the Muslim community within Western Europe is increasingly considered as â€Å"European community,† transnational in nature and connected by a common religion labelled as â€Å"Euro-Islam† by both scholars and policy makers. The notion of Euro-Islam outlines a liberal variety of Islam that is embraced by both Muslim migrants and to European societies and encompasses the same religion of Islam, but culturally modified to encompass European ideas of secularity and individual citizenship in line with the contemporary notions of modernity, as well as a comprehending of tolerance that surpasses the Islamic tolerance. Recent events within Europe have pushed Shari’a (Islamic law) to the centre of media attention and debate. Right from the assassination of Theo van Gogh in 2004 to the contro versial endorsement of Sharia law by Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams in 2008, the proceedings have sparked both harsh criticism and solid support of the internalization of Islam within European law and society at large. The politicization of Sharia law has generated discrepancies in these debates yielding to storm over initially embraced aspects on Islamic law while obscuring Islamic traditions that bear the potential to reconcile Sharia and western norms.3 Background Globalization and migration have served to render European societies multicultural to an unprecedented extent since 1945, and has increasingly heralded multicultural life into the court rooms and administrative institutions. In Western European countries, today, a considerable part of the population is Muslim. Since the 1950s, Muslim minorities have steadily emerged in Europe as a result of decolonization, labour migration, conflict, and civil strife within their home countries. Majority of the of Muslim popul ation entered Europe as asylum seekers owing to conflict at home countries while others came to Europe in pursuit of a higher standard of living.4 As a result, Islam had become public within Europe and over 15 million immigrants originating from Muslim-majority countries have settled within European nations over the period. This has necessitated a shift in discourse in identifying these groups, initially as migrant labourers, ethnic minorities, and eventually as a religious community.5 Islam has adapted to diverse times and places yielding to various forms of religiosity. The adaptation of Muslim religiosity within Europe has been addressed by diverse scholars as encompassing a shift from â€Å"Islam in Europe.† Majority has addressed the reinterpretation of Islam as arising from the changing concerns and needs of young Muslims; the decline in religious authority; and, the introduction of secular, liberal democracy among European states. There is a growing agreement that Isla m is gradually becoming â€Å"European,† but the major contention lies in the content and process of this Europeanization.6 The bulk of the studies on this subject centres on the normative and post-modern approaches whereby the Europeanization of Islam is perceived to arise from the individualization of religious authority among Muslims.7 Some people projects that if the present trend persists, then it

History of Religion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

History of Religion - Assignment Example pecific mission generally their major focus was on advising people to mend their ways to achieve redemption through the Messiah they had been waiting for. They like Jesus himself were highly concerned about social justice and true devotion. 4). Jerusalem Temple for the second time was destroyed by the Roman legions at the time of Rehoboam the son of Solomon. Sadducees were one of the prominent groups of Jewish society who were bit orthodox and strictly followed the laws of the Torah. Essenes, the comparatively small sect of the Jewish society were located near the Dead Sea and to whom the ‘Dead Sea Scroll’ is attributed. Zealots were revolutionists who aggressively stood against the Roman dominance over Israel. 5). Orthodox Jews strictly adhere to the laws of Torah believing that all these books were written by God and handed over to Moses. Conservatives believe that only the ideas of the books were contributed by God but written by some chosen people; and therefore it contains some human elements too. According to the Reform Judaism, several races have involved in the process of compiling Torah. The movement retains the values and at the same time integrates with the modern culture. Reconstructionist Judaism approaches Jewish law as valuable aspect of Jewish culture rather than binding laws given by God. Hasidsm maintains that bonding with God is the ultimate goal of all studies of Torah; whereas Kabbalah is oriented on esoteric mystic doctrines. 6. The modern state of Israel was founded in 1948. Obviously it was for the first time Israel enjoyed freedom in its real sense. However, the state of Israel has been opposed by many Muslim states as they claim the ownership of some of the region. Jerusalem has been considered as a holy place by different religions including Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. 7). Mithra is the name of Zorastrian divinity. In many ways Mithra and Jesus are similar to each other. 1) Both said to have been visited by three wise men

Business Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Law - Assignment Example This expansion is part of its major plan to extend its portfolio and business context around the world, especially in the countries that it has not established its premises. The company’s main expansion idea is the establishment of hotels in the potential areas of business. It will set up Residence Inns in the projected areas. For instance, in the early 2012, the company is expected to launch such a hotel in Bahrain. Saudi Arabia is also set to have the company set up its premises by June 2010. In the year 2014, Marriott International projects to open a residence Inn hotel in Algiers (Derdak, 2007). Other regions identified in the major expansion initiative are Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Ed Fuller quotes, â€Å"We will probably open 20-30 Residence Inn hotels in the Mena region within the next 10 years† (Derdak, 2007). The President and the Managing Director of the company admits that the strongholds of the company lies in USA and Canada, but the major expansion plans over th e next several years will allow the company to diversify its portfolio. The company is interested in making its brand name recognized globally and not only in USA and Canada. Administrative Laws Relevant to Marriott’s Expansion Initiatives Marriott is a USA abased company. ... The expansion that the company seeks to make over the next few years is influenced by administrative laws observed in the individual countries that it seeks to establish its premises (Korper, 2001). The company will not be the first to enter into the markets in which it seeks to start its operations in. Marriott will therefore be expected to observe fair competition laws in the context of every market it penetrates. Price level issues may also characterize the operations of the company in foreign markets. When it starts its operations in foreign countries, it will be expected to act fairly to the existing domestic and foreign firms. Its pricing will not be expected to make the already established firms worse off. Operational and competition laws are the major administrative laws that the company will have to deal with. The company will also be expected to follow the required protocol in setting up its operations in the new regions that it targets. This means that the company will hav e to assess individual regional laws in the context of its interests in those regions. If these laws will be found to be favorable to the operations of the company, then the company can go ahead and establish its premises. If not, then the company management will be forced to evaluate the way forward. The most important thing to consider in this case is the negotiating and contract actualization procedures. The company must ensure that negotiations are effectively carried out prior to the establishment of the new premises. The required contracts will have to be effectuated before the company begins operations in the new regions. Such contracts will be required to meet

Regarding Consolidation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Regarding Consolidation - Essay Example focused on the performance, duration, management and commitment needed for a company’s success and to take measures based on such facts (Sirkin, Keenan & Jackson, 2005, pp.1-5). This study clearly associated with Kotter’s consolidation as the measures are addressed towards the changes needed for the benefit of the organization. Haddad through his studies has reflected the importance of evaluation on technology advancements. He stressed on the fact that technological advancements are necessary in the improvements of organizational performance and hence ongoing management is an essential part of an organization’s management procedure (Haddad, 2002, pp.119-129). This concept also relates positively to Kotter’s consolidation as it focuses on following measures that would bring change and benefit the company through its improved performances. 2) Sirkin, H.L., Keenan, P. & A. Jackson (2005). The Hard Side of Change Management, Harvard Business Review, Retrieved on November 4, 2011 from:

Barilla SpA Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Barilla SpA - Case Study Example Barilla SpA Case Study As seen with Barilla, the variability can be caused by several issues. To begin with, lack of sharing information and visibility in the supply chain is among the reasons. Also, unexpected delays in supply of products to the distributors and an inability to adapt to events as they happen in real time are among the issues that resulted to variability in the Barillas supply chain. While it is expedient to diversify on products a company deals with, this, as seen with Barilla, might come at a cost. The company produces a total of 200 varieties of pasta and has a large variety of packaging that amounts to 470. Moreover, it has a very long setup line, approximately 10 days. To avoid conflict between players of the supply chain, Barilla has to put some measures in place. It has to be ensured that, Just-In –Time-Distribution (JITD) is implemented, this is to enhance order fulfillment. More importantly, Barilla needs to base its production on predictions in demand other than on orders. Additionally, the company has to collect information on demand and put it to use. Lastly, to avoid stress in the retailer’s end, Barilla has to notify the distributors first in case there is the need for additional inventories in the store. The store, also, has to ensure that the arrival of merchandise on shelves is timely. Transferring demand information across the store is imperative in ensuring that there are no fluctuations in demand.