Fear In the Damp and Dark Gap Essays -- In the Damp and Dark Gap

Fear In the Damp and Dark Gap The usual signification of the French feminist's "gap" transformed by Jack Bushnell from silent entrapment to a meaning that signifies the "gap" as that which frees the other and allows for the generation of a voice of the other's own Circus of the Wolves. The famous masculine--self and feminine--other opposition will be freely utilized with the man and the circus representing the former and Kael and nature the latter. Gaps appear literally and figuratively throughout the text and with each appearance its meaning slowly, slowly, alters in the previously stated manner. Jack Bushnell says in a "Note from the Author" that the of the wolf (other) is "a natural world as distinct and separate from the human (self) world as possible." The place of the Other, in other words, is separated, banished, and excluded from the sphere of self. The circus and the man be self insofar as they confine, harness, and attempt to stand the beauty and wonder of the ot her by conforming the other into the mold and way of self. Before going further, it should be noted that any appearance of anthropomorphizing the wolf is only that –appearance. It is the place of the Other that receives the essences of human and not Kael in and of himself. Since Kael occupies the place of the Other the anthropomorphic transgression will seem to apply to the wolf when no actual transgression has occurred. Still, however, Kael must come to sense his occupation of the place of the Other. Kael falls into the gap constructed by his oppressors "...the damp and dark at the bottom of the hole frightened Kael." Kael's fear is of confinement and the discovery of himself as other... ...e frees himself through the gap left by his oppressors. The man allows for Kael's escape. He has come to know the beauty and power of the other and can no longer confine it. By obtaining the knowledge that reveals the nature of the gap, Kael has discovered the means of utilizing the "gap" to the ends of freeing the other from the oppression of self. He has found the power of his own language, and its ability to take the self away from its world and into the place of the Other, Jack Bushnell has found in Kael a character that can infuse the gap with the emotive gynergy of other, thus disallowing its existence as a simple lacunary absence without voice. The place of the Other radiates its own incandescent brilliance, seething with the growing volume of the new choral power......O... Â  Circus of the Wolves, Lothrop, Lee, and Shepherd 1993

Practicing the Democracy in the Philippines

How does People Power became a bad habit? How does Edsa 3 fail? Where does President Marcos fall short when there are many people tell that he was a good leader in terms of economic development? Was he corrupt? Why Benigno Aquino focuses on â€Å"assassination† on his interviews? Why was Benigno Aquino be the first to get off to the airplane? Why there was no bodyguard to take care of him? Did Ninoy know that he will soon die? Was it sacrifice? Why does he need to do that so? When people don’t like the operation of the government, they just go out to the office and shout. Rebellion against the government is what will happen. This is what we call People Power. When thousands and even millions of people grouped together to commit one common goal – a big changes can happen, Changes in the government, administration, community and also â€Å"position†. All can change but not the attitude of every Filipino. Honestly, For me, We Filipino are lazy, We only think is ourselves. We don’t know how to cooperate with the leaders. We don’t give our trust. Instead, We are â€Å"Juan Tamad† waiting for the guava fell from the hand of our leader. We don’t know how to work for ourselves. We always want help from the government and that is what the government is offering to us but we don’t give any help in return. Why do we always put our anger to the president? The president could not monitor each one of us that is why we have a respected leader in our respected place. We can be a leader in ourselves. All we need is discipline and the word of God to govern us. While I was walking in gastambide Street last night, I saw some student throwing garbage in the street. I felt madness. Our leader will not go there to pick it up and put it to the garbage can for them. Laziness. I heard the one said, â€Å"sus! May magwawalis naman jan. † I got angry, but I can’t speak. Don’t they have discipline? Don’t they have an ethics class? Do they know about ethics? Yes, they have freedom to throw it there but they must not forget that there is a rule. Democracy was granted to us with the help of the Aquinos but we must not forget our responsibility. A â€Å"lack of help† turns to anger, making people march out to Edsa. Laziness. Let us differentiate Filipino from Chinese. The answer is already there. Poor become more poorer and richer become more richer. We Filipino give so much dependence to the government where in fact, we can do it alone and share it with others. All because of laziness. This attitude makes People Power a bad habit. It’s like saying, â€Å"Ang gusto ko ibigay mo, kung hindi paalisin ka namin dyan sa pwesto mo. † It is saddening to note that it is a wrong practice of democracy. People Power is not Rebellion and not even rally. Nowadays, It is used to commit power and it is so sad. While doing this report, a news in a television got my attention. It was about the killing of the journalists. They were asking, where is democracy? I look for the meaning in my dictionary, it says,†Democracy is a form of government by the people through elected representatives. † A certain site from the Internet says â€Å"Democracy is a political government either carried out by the people (direct democracy), or the power to govern is granted to elected representatives†. Simply for me, it means freedom, the power is for people. Now, I understand. Former President Ferdinand Marcos took his responsibility carefully. He was an intelligent man. He knows how to speak to the different kinds of people in the society from elite to the poor. He had many plan to put this country to the top. But this plan turned him to a greedy one. But what was the problem? FM forgot about democracy. He forgot to appreciate the capabilities of others to lead and instead he depended on his own knowledge and skills. He forgot the rights of the people and instead he became a dictator. That was a big problem for a country that practices democracy. Even the right to vote – the simplest form to practice democracy in this country was taken. Because of that, A brave man named â€Å"Ninoy Aquino† decided to make change. This man sacrifices his self to open the eyes of every Filipino to fight for their rights. He said that â€Å"Filipino is worth dying for†. A dramatic quote which make me feel proud of being a Filipino. Why wonder I typed â€Å"I am proud of being a Filipino† in my friendster, facebook and multiply account. Every Filipino knows what â€Å"L† signs mean, Yellow Ribbon, Ninoy eyeglasses, yellow shirt. I hope that these are not only a trend to Filipino Fashion but rather I hope that every Filipino will use it to hold and to preserve the good things that Ninoy and Cory did. I am not forcing everyone to vote for Noynoy but I am hoping that if Noynoy wins, Nonoy will do the same to promote democracy for I believe Like father, like son. He grew up to the family who fights for democracy and I am hoping he will do the same. Looking back to the Edsa People Power days, I was really amazed to see millions of people fight for freedom. I am wishing that millions of people will work also for the benefit of our country and I hope our leaders will cooperate. It is so dramatic to watch the part where people and the soldier joined together. I Thanked God for having Cory and Ninoy for our country. If only I was born back then, I will also march up to Edsa to fight for democracy. There is a feeling of patriotism in me while watching that documentary. I really appreciate what Ninoy, Cory and the rest did. God granted democracy to us with the help of these people. We have to use it wisely. We must practice it rightly and we must not forget our duty and responsibility. We must not forget the people behind this movement. From Rizal to Ninoy to Cory and to the future hero. Let us not forget what democracy means hoping to preserve these people and Edsa not only to a page in history books but also within our hearts and warriors will lead that.

Pros and Cons School Uniform Essay

Abstract The decision for school district to enforce school uniforms has been in existence since the 16th century. School uniforms were originally created for poor children; however, over time, schools saw uniforms as a way to bring students together. There has been debate whether uniforms improve academic success while reducing affiliation of violence. There is opinion and study that indicate no correlation between school uniforms and academic achievement; however, there were come correlation between school uniforms and student behavior. Among many concerns is the cost of uniforms, especially for a multiple child household. Pros and Cons of School Uniforms History of School Uniforms Uniforms were first instituted in 16th Century England at the charity schools for poor children. It was not until the 19th Century that the great English public schools began instituting uniforms and even later for them to be widely accepted at state schools–especially state elementary schools. There is a lot of debate whether the acceptance of school uniforms is good or bad. Read more: Should school wear uniforms essay Historically, the concept of school uniforms is familiar to many European schools and private schools within the United States. However, much more attention to the controversy over school uniforms arose when a significant movement began in the 1980’s to introduce dress codes within public schools in the United States. . â€Å"In 1996, approximately three percent of all schools in the United States had a school uniform policy (Gentile & Imberman, 2009). † How Society Views Uniforms During the 1996 State of the Union Address, President Clinton discussed school uniforms as one solution to gang-related behavioral problems in the  metropolitan areas. â€Å"That discussion led us to scour the existing literature to determine whether his assertion was supported by empirical evidence. We found a body of literature (largely journalistic and anecdotal) that discussed not only reduction of gang violence in schools but also a host of other possible outcomes of school uniform policies that included decreased behavioral problems, increased learning, and enhanced school climate, self-esteem, school spirit, and academic achievement (Brunsma & Rockquemore, 2003). How students view school uniforms  Many students in grade school to third grade don’t really render any judgment either way favorable or not for the school uniform policy. Students that are more conscious of their appearance and want to be viewed for their individuality are the ones that speak more openly about having the choice to be a non-uniform school. For example, â€Å"as children we always seem to be told â€Å"love who you are and be yourself. † For instance, as a child how many of you were so excited to pick what to wear for the day, to feel that sense of control and to know you could show up to school and say â€Å"this is me and I love who I am! (2012, 10). † â€Å"In the Long Beach Unified School District study, 4th and 5th grade elementary and all middle school students were surveyed for their opinions of the school uniform policy. Students felt uniforms did not lessen the occurrence of fights (80. 9%) and a majority of students did not feel safer at school (Stanley, 1996). Cost of School Uniforms FrenchToast. com, a website that sells school uniforms, listed specific prices on their website. For boys? uniform tops and bottoms in sizes 8-14, prices ranged between $9 and $20 (http://www. frenchtoast. com/). Young Men sizes ranged between $8 and $41. For girls?uniform tops and bottoms in sizes 7-14, prices ranged between $7. 50 and $29. Young Women sizes ranged between $13 and $21. Sweaters were generally the most expensive type of item, and short sleeve tops were generally the cheapest. Pros of School Uniforms Surprisingly, there have been several incidents of violent acts simply over clothing and accessories. A student from Detroit was shot for his shoes, and another student in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was robbed for his jewelry. With these shocking revelations, many schools converted to requiring school uniforms in hopes of preventing any such violent acts (2013, 04). † Many people view the school uniform policy as a way to uniform the schools. By having each student dress the same, the ability to distinguish between the different social classes is obsolete. â€Å"Clothes breed jealously because people will want what another has. If everyone is dressed alike, they will feel equal, and it will help children focus on their studies better (2013, 04). † In today’s schools, there are many issues that may take a child’s focus off education. These problems include social outcast, violence, fashion, cliques, and economic class. School uniforms can eliminate these problems that arise in school and enable to students to focus on their education. Cost of clothing students the same as their peers can be costly for those not in the same economic class as others. School uniforms eliminate this stress since the attire is mostly khaki’s and a plain shirt. In some cases, schools offer the outfits at a low cost to the parent; however, in most cases, schools inform students of certain colors that are appropriate for each school district. By instructing certain colors, this can alleviate any gang affiliation. â€Å"Proponents of school uniforms often cite many reasons for improved academic achievement (Knechtle & Mitchell, 2003). † â€Å"Though there are many arguments for school uniforms, the issue of academic achievement is most pertinent in a society focused on test scores. Arguments abound in the discussion of school uniforms and their relation to academic achievement. Academic achievement, when used in various studies, is the combined subject scores on standardized tests (Bodine, 2003). † Cons of School Uniforms â€Å"The issue of uniforms becoming mandatory in public schools is an outrage. Not only does it infringe on the rights of students to express themselves, but it is unconstitutional. The first amendment states that â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; of abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances (Jacobs 19). † As parents and society, we encourage people to embrace their own diversity and individuality. By enforcing school uniforms, the identity of children is erased. Also, if a parent of more than one child in a uniform school, the cost tends to increase the cost with having to purchase multiple outfits. Additional disadvantages in a school uniform is that many students do not like wearing them. The chosen style of uniform may not suit some students need to express their individuality, which many students thrive on and in some cases lower their self-esteem.. â€Å"While a statistically significant correlation was shown, further analysis of this correlation showed that an increase in academic achievement disappeared in subsequent years. Students who were forced to wear uniforms after the initial year of the study had a three-point decrease in standardized test scores. In addition, students who never wore a uniform during the study had little change in test scores (Brunsma & Rockquemore, 1998). † Conclusion Overall, the debate continues still whether the effect of school uniforms on children is good or bad. In one study, school uniforms had a direct relation to a student’s self-esteem, behavior problems and low academic success. On the other hand, school uniforms seemed beneficial for elementary kids providing less distraction and uniformity. Teachers have also concluded that uniforms bring a distraction to teaching, as some school systems have gotten bogged down in what a child is wearing instead of their academic performance and study. The debate of school uniforms has been ongoing since as far back as 18th Century and more recently the 1980’s. References (2012, 10). com/essays/Pros-And-Cons-Of-School-Uniforms-1598816. html Bodine, A. (2003). School uniforms, academic achievement, and uses of research. The Journal of Educational Research, 97(2), 67-71. Retrieved from www. proquest. com/ Brunsma, D. L. , & Rockquemore, K. A. (2003). Statistics, sound bites, and school uniforms: A reply to bodine. The Journal of Educational Research, 97(2), 72-77. doi: 10. 2307/27548013 Brunsma, D. L. , & Rockquemore, K. A. (1998). Effects of student uniforms on attendance, behavior problems, substance use, and academic achievement. The Journal of Educational Research, 92(1), 53-63. Retrieved from http://www. proquest. com/ Gentile, E. , & Imberman, S. (2009). Dressed for success: Do school uniforms improve student behavior, attendance, and achievement? (No 2009-03, Working Papers, University of Houston). Retrieved from http://www. uh. edu Knechtle, J. C. , & Mitchell, H. W. (2003). Uniforms in public schools and the first amendment: A constitutional analysis. The Journal of Negro Education, 72, 487-494. Retrieved from http:// www. journalnegroed. org Stanley, M. S. (1996). School uniforms and safety. Education and Urban Society, 23, 424-435. doi:10. 1177/0013124596028004003.