The Power Of An Illusion, California Newsreel And Its Co...

In Race: The Power of an Illusion, California Newsreel and its co-director Larry Adelman crafted a documentary that is both accessible and sophisticated. Making use of state-of-the-art scientific, historical, and social-scientific accounts, the series was about the crew being on a detailed tour of a wide range of attitudes and beliefs about race. It exposes the many misconceptions and inadequacies of the common sense views into which we have all been deeply socialized. Most notably, the series explains and uses genetic mapping and recent advances in human genomics to demonstrate the enormous variability within racially defined groups that supposedly share key corporeal characteristics; it links the racialization of U.S. society to the historical processes that created modern North America—colonization and settlement, slavery, migration, etc.; and it explores and analyzes the reproduction of racial inequality, as well as concepts of racial difference, in the recent past and, in deed, in the present. It effectively and accessibly anatomizes racial segregation, stratification, privilege and disadvantage, violence, fear, and guilt in the United States. Episode 1, â€Å"The difference between us† followed a dozen students, including Black athletes and Asian string players, who sequence and compare their own DNA to see who is more genetically similar. The results surprise the students and myself, when they discover their closest genetic matches are as likely to be with people from

Obesity in America Essay - 1065 Words

One of the most commonly discussed issues of America in the last few decades has been obesity. It remains one of the biggest problems in American society and requires a careful, systematic but also immediate solution. Obesity is a term used to describe body weight that is much greater than what is considered healthy. Today, 65% of adults in the U.S. are overweight and half of those are obese. The rates for children are smaller but they are not satisfying either: 15% are overweight and another 15% are headed that way (Lemonick). Besides the aesthetic problems for many people that this condition creates, it is most importantly known as the main cause of serious health problems as well. There are many causes that contribute to these high†¦show more content†¦There is scientific proof that obesity is linked to many serious health conditions of our time. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis [(National Institutes of Health) (Hasla m)] are just some of them and were responsible for almost 400,000 deaths in America in 2004 alone (Goldfarb). These conditions even if they do not cause death, are serious enough to significantly decrease the quality of an individual’s life. The aesthetic effects of obesity, on the other hand, are known to cause depression and low self-esteem. Unfortunately, the criteria that most people are judged and evaluated today are based on the stereotypes created by advertisements and lifestyle in general. A thin, fit person has more chances of being likable and preferable than someone who is overweight, in many aspects of everyday life, including the workplace. All these situations create a very negative impact on the mentality of an overweight person. Obesity is extremely expensive, too. The nutrition choices that obese people make not only decrease their health levels, but also create a strong impact in American economy. In 2003 Americans spent 75 billion dollars in medical treatm ent for issues connected to obesity (CDC). Half of those costs were covered by Medicare and Medicaid or, in other words, by the taxpayers. In addition, it is worth mentioning the entire industry that has been created as a result of the need to fightShow MoreRelatedObesity in America909 Words   |  4 Pages When discussing the issue of obesity in America, it seems to be that there is plenty of blame to go around and most of that blame falls on fast food companies. When searching for a concrete answer to the question used as my title, you will find none because there isn’t one. When asked this simple question, it is easy to blame the obesity problem on fast food considering 8 out of 10 Americans consume fast food according to a report done by the Huffington Post. But after doing more research you willRead MoreObesity in America787 Words   |  4 PagesGood news! We’re Number 2! As declared by a 2013 report from the U.N., America has only the second highest obesity rat e in the world at 31.8%, second to Mexico with an obesity rate of 32.8%. America has held on to the title of most obese country for over 60 years. From 13% obesity in 1962, estimates have steadily increased right up to 2013’s 32.8%. This may sound like good news, but the harsh truth is that America didn’t reach the number 2 spot through sweeping diet changes or social conscienceRead MoreObesity in America909 Words   |  4 PagesObesity in America In the United States of America, there is a current epidemic of obesity throughout the country. Every age group is affected by this unfortunate trend. Even children are not immune to the national obesity problem. For a country that has an abundance of job opportunities, educational opportunities, and financial opportunities, it is a sad statement of fact that far too many people are tipping the scales in unhealthy ways. It is a fact that a disproportionate amount of the nationsRead MoreObesity : America s Obesity1204 Words   |  5 PagesDraft Obesity in America How many times a week do you go out to McDonald s or Taco Bell for dinner? If you go more than once or twice a week then you really need to look at your diet and how healthy your lifestyle is. America is having a huge obesity crisis, too many Americans just don’t care about how much they weigh or unhealthy their lifestyle is. From the advertisement of the fast food companies, to people not being able to afford healthier foods, and people just being plain lazy, America hasRead MoreObesity in America2116 Words   |  9 PagesENG 101 SL1 26 June, 2006 Obesity in America Obesity in America is a continually growing problem and even worse our own children are sharing in this problem. A commentary in the Washington Times reports that sixty million Americans are obese. What really is the meaning of obese? Obese is having a body mass index of thirty percent or more. In recent years, the percentage of obese Americans has risen. In the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the National CenterRead MoreObesity in America2898 Words   |  12 PagesIn the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. In the last 3 decades, the number of people overweight has increased dramatically. A study done by the Centers of Disease Control showed that since 1980, one third of our adult population has become overweight. America is the richest but also the fattest nation in the world and our obese backsides are the butt of jokes in every other country (Klein 28). The 1980s were a time when Americans suddenly started going crazy over dietingRead MoreObesity in America995 Words   |  4 PagesFences Essay As humans we all have certain motivations behind every action that we exhibit. This is called a hierarchy of needs, and in 1943 a scientist by the name of Abraham Maslow theorized it. When he discovered this characteristic of the human body, he came out with an organized chart, or pyramid. His pyramid showed five different levels, Basic needs, Safety, Love and Belonging, Self esteem, and Self-Actualization. Basically he created a blueprint for life. First you have to lay your foundationRead MoreObesity in America Essay1285 Words   |  6 Pagesa long time, obesity has been one of the notable health concerns that America has struggled with during the last five decades .Obesity as a health concern is not limited to America alone, it is a serious concern among other affluent societies like European countries. A considerable number of Americans spend a significant amount of money trying to lose weight. Obesity become an important focus in the news items during the year 2002.According t o research findings, the rate of obesity among the AmericanRead MoreEssay On Obesity In America955 Words   |  4 PagesObesity in America Over the years the obesity rate in America has increased significantly. From 1990 to 2016, the average percentage of obese adults increased from 11.1% to 29.8%. The escalating obesity rate in America has made obesity prevention one of the top public health priorities. Being overweight has become the new normal in America. Obesity is caused by eating too much and moving too little, depression, and the input of social media. A lot of people wonder why we are so concerned aboutRead MoreThe Problem of Obesity in America840 Words   |  3 PagesObesity: one of the nation’s most critical health problems. â€Å"Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat† (â€Å"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention†). When energy input and output get out of balance, obesity arises. Many factors can cause someone to become obese such as genetics, metabolism, level of physical activity, and more. â€Å"Overweight and obesity

Frees The Metamorphosis of Holden in Salli Essay Example For Students

Frees The Metamorphosis of Holden in Salli Essay ngers Catcher in the Rye Catcher Rye EssaysThe Metamorphosis of Holden in Sallingers Catcher in the Rye In J.D. Sallingers Catcher in the Rye, is based on the sullen life of Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old teen-ager is trying to find his sense of direction. Holden, a growing adult, cannot accept the responsibilities of an adult. Eventually realizing that there is no way to avoid the adult life, he can only but accept this alternative lifestyle. What Holden describes the adult world as a sinful, corrupted life, he avoids it for three important reasons: His hatred towards phonies and liars, unable to accept adult responsibilities, and thirdly to enshrine his childhood youth. What Holden describes the adult world as a sinful, corrupted life, he avoids it for three important reasons: His hatred towards phonies and liars, unable to accept adult responsibilities, and thirdly to enshrine his childhood youth. Holden uses the word phony to identify everything in the world that he rejects or encounters with. People are too talkative, too quiet, or dissimilar. Holden, himself, believes he is this perfect person, but no one believes that he is. This is why Holden believes he is surrounded by phoniness. For example, Ossenburger of Pencey Prep, emphasizes that he talked to Jesus all the time, even when he was driving his car. Holden thinks this is a load of crap and asserts, that killed me. I just see the big phony bastard shifting into first gear and asking Jesus to send him a few more stiffs (17). Holden sees why he would pray to Jesus, only to send him some more dead bodies to get more business. Not only do phonies bug Holden, but liars and crooks. Another example is Sunny and Maurice, the elevator boy. Maurice offers Holden a prostitute for the night, Innarested in having a little tail tnight (90)? Holden decides to take up on this offer, and later that night, as promised Sunny knocks at his door. After entering the room, Holden cannot make a decision to sleep with the prostitute, an example of Holden clinging on to his childhood. He instead pays the prostitute for her trouble getting to his room, but after leaving, she barges back in with Maurice, complaining of how little she got. Maurice roughs up Holden and gets to his money, where Holden thinks more deprecate towards phonies and liars. Realizing what a real phony and liar people bound to be growing up, he decides to avoids the real world Being an adult is to have expectations and responsibilities growing up. When Holden comes up to a situation, he cannot deal with it, always avoiding or making excuses. His job as an adolescent teenager was to finish school with good grades. Unable to do that, he dishes back and forth, going to different schools, only to fail again. After failing Pency, Mr. Spencer, Holdens old history teacher, talks to him knowing hes beyond Mr. Spencers help and tells him not to worry. Im just going through a phase right now. Everybody goes through phases and all, dont they (15)? Holden believes this is a phase, but progressing in the novel, he realizes its more than a phase, it would be his future. Holden didnt believe in his future, I feel some concern for my futurebut not too much (184). Living in a high suburb life, it was not necessary for too many worries in the world. Exposed to the world, he came out broken and left out. Parents always protect their children from the realities of the world, but growing up, there would be an invisible line of knowledge that everyone must face as a growing adult. Holden is this child, traveling alone in his journey, faced with unexpected troubles. For example, when Holden sees profanity written on a wall he feels depressed, Thats the whole trouble. You cant ever find a place thats nice and peaceful, because there isnt any. You may think there is, but once you get there, when youre not looking, somebodyll sneak up and write F you right under your nose (204). Holden does not want to expose children to this profanity, even though he himself swears more than ever. .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 , .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 .postImageUrl , .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 , .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952:hover , .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952:visited , .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952:active { border:0!important; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952:active , .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952 .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud256d6b297c19a7173a52f3986b53952:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: In To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Holden holds Allie and Phoebe in such high esteem because they are innocent, unlike the phony adults, such as his other brother .

The Donner Party Essays - Donner Party, California Trail

The Donner Party The Donner Party It's one of the greatest tragedies of all time, yet few of us know the whole story. The story is of the misled, inexperienced Donner Party. It is the story of eighty-one emigrants who traveled in hopes of reaching the land of California. Forty-seven, whose hopes were crushed by many contributing factors. The most horrible and misleading factor of all was the human mind and its persistent need to explore and conquer everything, whether within reach or not in the shortest and fastest way possible. This aspect of taking the shortest route that led to the downfall, and in some cases, to death, of the Donner Party. It was advertised as a new and shorter route west to California and saved pioneers 350 to 400. Unfortunately some crucial things weren't mentioned in this advertisement, one of which was the fact that the new route had never been traveled upon; and two, that the writer was a power hungry man whose only motive was to lure settlers into California under his direction so he could establish the area as an independent republic. This route was known as Hasting's Cutoff and was mentioned in Lansford W. Hasting's book, The Emigrant's Guide to California and Oregon. Many pioneers eager to make their fortunes, escape disease, or to satisfy their hankering for a new experience read this book and, I might add, all as quickly as possible. Among the readers of the book was James Reed. James Frasier Reed was a business man who had made a small fortune in his Illinois practice. He had logical reasons for moving to California. One, his wife, Margaret Reed, suffered from horrible headaches and it was assumed that she would fare better in a nicer climate and James Reed wanted more money. He felt that this could be accomplished in a land as rich as California. Reed also had four children: Virginia, Martha, James, and Thomas whom he wanted better lives for, and he believed this could be attained in California. When James Frasier Reed first read the book he was blown away by the idea of getting to California safely and quicker, he acted upon it and found others to travel with him. Among these other travelers were the Donners, the Graves, the Breens, the Murphys, the Eddys, the McCutcheons, the Kesebergs, and the Wolfingers. Thanks to an advertisement in the Springfield, Illinois, Gazette, two Mexican boys, and a number of bachelors. On April 16, 1846, the emigrants that would soon be named the Donner Party, loaded their nine wagons and, departed from Springfield, Illinois. Their 2500 mile journey to San Francisco would take them approximately four months and they would cross three mountain ranges, deserts, plains, and rivers. Little did they know they would be the first ever to travel this route. The party's first stop was Independence, Missouri, where they bought food and traded for any necessities. When they left Independence on May 12, 1846, they were amidst a violent thunderstorm. This storm soon ceased and they eventually reached the eastern bank of the Big Blue River where they attempted to build ferries that would transport them and the wagons to the other side. During this a two-day process, the Donner Party experienced its first death. Margaret Reed's mother, Sarah Keyes, who had been suffering from consumption, died at the river and was immediately buried there. On May 31, the last of the wagons was ferried over the river, and the Donner Party was on its way again. On June 16, the party was two hundred miles from Fort Laramie and had traveled, so far, without difficulty. Finally on June 27, one week behind schedule, they reached Fort Laramie where Reed ran into an old friend from Illinois, James Clyman, and quickly interrogated him about the new route. Clyman gave his honest opinion stating that the road was barely possible on foot and would be impossible with wagons. He advised Reed to take the regular wagon trail, not this new, false route, but Reed, too enchanted by the idea of a shorter and briefer route, ignored Clyman's warning and embarked on the path to Fort Bridger. On July 17, when the