My Grandfathers Son

Introduction Clarence Thomas book, My Grandfather’s Son explores his biography in terms of his childhood, life achievements and also his misfortunes in life. The memoir is based on a real-life story of Clarence Thomas. The narrative is inspiring and at the same time illustrates the challenges that individuals encounters in life. Clarence Thomas refers to himself as My Grandfather’s Son since his grandfather played a key role in his upbringing.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on My Grandfather’s Son specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Clarence Thomas was born in 1948, in Georgia, Deep Southern part of United States. The book re-counts that, Clarence was brought up in a humble background. However, the divorce of his parents provided a new challenge in his life. The book asserts that, his mother was employed as a maid. Hence her income was not that enough to sustain major family obligations. Thomas (2 5) illustrates that, the money was too little to sustain the family; hence, to purchase sugar, breakfast cereal was an absolute nightmare to the family. The challenging economic conditions the family was experiencing compelled his mother to transfer caring role of him and his younger brother to Mr. Myers Anderson, their grandfather. Mr. Myers thus played a big responsibility in taking care of their education. Clarence Thomas went to school while living with his grandfather in his savannah home. The absent of a father figure in their lives contributed to the grandfather assuming the role. His grandfather was a supporter of racial discrimination. He believed that racial discrimination will only be eradicated when complete self-reliance is encouraged among the blacks. Besides, Myers Anderson ethics of a; being strict disciplinarian, hard work ethic and a figure-head provided a role model in the lives of Clarence and his brother. This greatly contributed to their sound and hardworking p ersonalities. This is illustrated in the examples in the book, for instance, he made Clarence and his brother to understand that by observing hard work, self-discipline, time-consciousness and obedience among other good habits, they would end up getting a salaried job. He adored the wise advices bestowed to him by his grandfather to the extent that, in most cases, he would match his grandfather’s philosophy as only Godly. His grandfather had a small business dealing with fuel-oil from which he managed to get the savings to send him to a catholic school. Racism played a central role in American schools. Catholics schools in Georgia, where Clarence joined were of no exception. It was dominated with vast racial discrimination. The book illustrates that, at the time Clarence was at holy cross seminary school, only two black students had sustained the vice.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn Mo re Holly Cross seminary school had constant fights against racial issues; however, the trust of black communities was still not shaken. Racial issue in school encouraged Clarence to work extra hard while in school, a virtue he had acquired from his grandfather. Also, the book points out that Clarence developed interests in the field of law while in school so as to allow him advocate for the racism issues in American society. By focusing in his dream, Clarence passed his exams and was admitted to Yale University to pursue a degree in law. However, at the university, it was not easy for him; he was exposed to harsher racial injustices because of his the black communities. Clarence encountered his first marriage at an early age which bore him a son. For him, balancing between marriage life and work proved futile and he resolved to compulsive drinking pattern, this, however, destabilized him financially. His drinking habits degenerated to the point of breaking his marriage. His good k nowledge of law allowed him to reconcile with his wife thus, once again establishing a good family. The book illustrates how Clarence character was shaped. It points out the role of his grandfather and great thinkers of the time such as Thomas Sowell. Equality is seen as some of his major strength. This is seen when he practices fairness for all races in a commission championing for employments rights of the black community. He further advocates for civil rights movements and strengthens the systems of transparency and fairness among all races. Reflecting on his youthful frustrations and the bias against the black communities, he handles his duties with biases deploying a defensive strategy and unjustly treating his enemies. He does take the opportunity of implementing major reforms, because the existing policies on racial matters are biased to extend of favoring the whites. This is illustrated when he works for the U.S government for some years and what he receives is an underpayme nt for his legal services. Clarence Thomas position as the Supreme Court justice of the America was not without a political engagement as pointed out in the book. Before being appointed to this position, he faced challenges of oppression from his former employee, Anita Hill and persecuted for his initiatives in implementing reform changes through the elimination of racist white groups. However, despite of all the challenges he underwent, the book shows that, his winning strategy has been his defenseless ego which is hidden among his foes. Conclusion The book, The Grandfathers Son, by Clarence Thomas illustrates the challenges that still exist in the American society. However, despite of these challenges, one can arise and be what he or she wants in life through hard work. Clarence gives us this lesson.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on My Grandfather’s Son specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He rose from a cha llenging childhood thus becoming the United States Supreme Court justice. In achieving goals in life, appreciations of mentors are important because they offer guidance and emotional support to one’s ambition. In this connection, Mr. Myers Anderson played a vital role in instilling good qualities in Clarence. Works Cited Thomas, Clarence. My Grandfather’s Son: A Memoir, New York; HarperCollins, 2007 This essay on My Grandfather’s Son was written and submitted by user Javion C. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

History and Evolution of the Smart Pill

History and Evolution of the Smart Pill The name of smart pill now refers to any pill that can deliver or control its delivery of medicine without the patient having to take action beyond the initial swallow. The phrase smart pill became popular after the computer controlled medical device was patented by Jerome Schentag and David DAndrea, and named one of the top inventions of 1992 by Popular Science magazine. However, now the name has become generic and many companies are using the name smart pill.   History of the Smart Pill Jerome Schentag, professor of pharmaceutic science at the University of Buffalo, invented the computer-controlled smart pill, which can be electronically tracked and instructed to deliver a drug to a predetermined location in the gastrointestinal tract. David DAndrea was the co-inventor. UB reporter Ellen Goldbaum describes the smart pill as a combination of microminiature electronics, mechanical and software engineering, and pharmaceutical sciences. This capsule represents a significant advance in medical technology, said DAndrea to UB reporters, With the Smart Pill, we have been able to miniaturize a complex electronic system and put it into a capsule about one inch long. Youre not just taking a pill, youre swallowing the instrument. David DAndrea is the president and chief executive officer of Gastrotarget, Inc. the manufacturers of the Smart Pill. Jerome Schentag is the companys vice president of research and development. DAndrea is also the director of Millard Fillmore Hospitals Engineering and Devices Laboratory.

Information Technology and Contemporary Social Change Essay

Information Technology and Contemporary Social Change - Essay Example By 2000, it became obvious that another major upheaval was taking place in society-the electronic or information revolution. The growth of the Internet between 1990 and 2000 was phenomenal, and at present shows no signs of decreasing. An overview makes it apparent that information technology (IT) and the resulting electronic advances determine social change throughout the planet as noted below: The business world now extends throughout the global community, and any business which does not have its own Web site is apt to fail. It is also a time when entrepreneurs are able to work on computers from home to earn money. With online shopping and eBay, all needs are anticipated, from the largest department stores to an individual selling on eBay. No longer is society isolated in pockets of communities; ease of travel has made the whole world accessible. In addition, information technology has linked the public to government, non-government, and private agencies where information can be downloaded without having to leave home. This is especially true in the United Kingdom. Every issue of concern to UK residents has a main Government site with several links to various issues and strategies. For instance, if one wishes to find information on poverty as a social illness, it is available at the following Web site: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social_exclusion_task_force/ Less one-on-one personal contact with increase in IT communication It is obvious that anyone dependent on use of a computer will have less personal contact with individuals. Even as world travel becomes less and less complicated, people are becoming more and more isolated. Watch the person traveling to a resort and sitting at a table all alone with a wireless computer open in front of him or her rather than striking up a conversation with other visitors from all over the world. E-mails offer quick, brief communication as a method of connecting with another person, but they don't lend themselves to long discussions and personal interaction with friends and relatives. Some people become so addicted to online discussion groups that they spend all their free time engaged in mindless chatter, and some use chat groups as therapy sessions or a way to communicate with others who share similar interests. There are an overwhelming number of chat groups available on the Internet, from how to use a business program called SharePoint to communications with fell ow cat lovers. Google offers information on every subject, but information is not always correct. Using the Internet to research a paper or find a specific product has many benefits, but the important factor is the source of information-whether or not it is reliable. For research purposes, the priority for a researcher is to access several sites regarding an issue and make a decision based on personal understanding of the material. For product reliability and best price, it is necessary to explore the same product from several

Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on You and Why Essay - 2

Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on You and Why - Essay Example My mother influences my life greatly. She holds a job that compels her to spend long hours at her workplace, thus gets home late in the night. However, she ensures that she spends quality time with her family. She wakes up when we wake up in the morning, regardless of the short time she gets to sleep. She prepares the entire family for their day, which makes her get quality time with her family in the morning. During this time, she enquires of any problems we could be facing, and she gives advice accordingly. Therefore, she gets to maintain close bonds with her family, despite her tight schedule. This motivates me to engage in as many activities as I can, so long as I manage my time wisely.  One of my friends was hospitalized at the end of last year. I organized a number of friends and we went to visit him at the hospital. He had been involved in a car accident that injured his head. I also took the opportunity to find out the state of the medical bill. Given a large amount of mone y involved, I proposed a scheme to raise money for the friend. The plan allowed us to seek help from friends and relatives, thus helping us to support our friend financially.  This happens many times when we meet with my friends to discuss various assignments that we have to complete to fulfill academic requirements. We form a group, and then give our various contributions to the issue in question. We use the available literature to help us manage the assignment, as well as the internet. Such groups make it easy to excel in school as the discussions enable an individual to complete their assignment accordingly.  I believe in the success of a consultancy business because it is not affected adversely by, such factors as economic downturns. Such a business involves giving advice to people in the various ways they can use to approach problems in their organizations, businesses, or even daily life.

Individual Rights Essay Example for Free

Individual Rights Essay When I am at my placement which is a day care centre for the elderly, I treat patients with respect; I do this by talking politely to the patients, knocking on the door before I entered patient’s room and asking them how they wish to be named (e. g. Mr, Mrs) To be treated as an individual: While I was at placement I treat everyone as an individual, I did this by talking to the patients and finding out about their interests and watching how they act. I did not treat all the patients the same. Just because 2 were diabetic I didn’t stop all patients having sweets. To be treated in a dignified way: I tried to maintain the patient’s dignity by taking them aside if they wanted to tell me something or closing the door behind them if they were going to the toilet. When the patients said or did something laughable, I didn’t laugh at them. To be treated equally and not to be discriminated against: Everyone at placement is different based on their religion, race, sexuality, disabilities or age. But I didn’t not discriminate them against this or treat them unfairly. To be allowed privacy: If the patients wanted privacy when I was with them during my time on placement I would have closed the door which would have blocked other people out from seeing into the room or would have gone outside the room with the patient where they could have privacy to do what they wanted. To be cared for in a way that meets out needs and takes account of preferences and choice: I take it into account what patients say to me and about their choices. If they wish to do a certain activity, I would have gone out of my way to do as they wanted. To be able to communicate using a preferred method: At placement I communicate in which method the patient wanted, if a patient wants to write on a piece of paper and have a conversation this way that is what we would have done. To be allowed access to information about themselves: When at placement patient information is confidential but if the patient asks something about themselves, they were give the information as this may have help them through something. To be safeguarded from danger or harm: Patients should always be in an environment which they feel safe in; they should feel like they are safe in the building and safe with the people caring for them. During my time at placement I have reassured patients when they are feeling unsafe and calmed patients when they are worried about their safety. An example of this; when patients see people entering the centre they worry about who they are and what they are doing here, I then reassure them.

The Impact of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Essay -- American History

During the early 1900s industrial fires or accidents were common place; injuries and the loss of life may have outraged a few people but like all tragedies the outrage would pass quickly and it would back to business as usual. One such tragedy occurred on Saturday, March 25th, 1911, it was closing time at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory and hundreds of employees were preparing to leave when a fire broke out on the 8th floor trapping Jewish and Italian immigrants, the majority of them young women. One hundred and forty-six people died in futile attempts to escape the burning ten story building. The main doors were during the day kept locked and only one doorway was opened for the hundreds of employees to file out, one by one, as their belongings were searched for pilfered goods. Blanck and Harris, owners of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, faced no consequences in regards to the unsafe working environment and the death of their employees. David von Drehle, in his book, Triangle, The F ire That Changed America, states that this particular fire changed the political and industrial landscape of the United States; it was no longer ignored by the working masses nor was it quickly dismissed by the public - the public consisted of a huge immigration population from Europe, the â€Å"transfer of labor power and brain power† that eventually lead to women’s striking in the garment industry and setting a precedent in New York (Triangle, 3, 4). Several groups like the moneyed, educated elite women, the muckrakers, the Labor Unions, and the political machines that controlled neighborhoods of New York pushed for political, economic, and legal changes to the industrial systems - in a democratic social time of reform – they were like much welcomed rain ... ...kers from hazardous environments. The changes after the Triangle Shirtwaist fire involved 4 main groups and public voters. No single group alone had the far reaching effects like the progressive movement, politically liberal and socially democratic. Without all four groups putting pressure on the legal system, the media exposing the flaws of the current industrial, political system along with the uprising that is the beginning of women’s suffrage, the labor laws would not have undergone the radical changes that are the backbone of modern day labor laws. The fact all doors must remain open and unlocked during business hours, in 21st century America, arose from the ashes of the fatal Triangle Shirtwaist fire, To the deceased, American manufacturing employees are grateful, though they may not be entirely knowledgeable about the origins of their current labor laws.

Cause and Effect Essay: Marijuana in Schools

Cause and Effect Essay Marijuana can be found on every college campus in Canada and is the drug of choice coming in right behind alcohol. The Department of Justice Canada conducted a survey and found that, â€Å"almost one-third (29%) of college students had reported using marijuana during the previous 12 months of 1998. (http://www. justice. gc. ca/eng/pi/rs/rep-rap/2002/qa02_2-qr02_2/p2. html). According to a similar study, the majority of students on college campuses that use marijuana will also participate in other high risk activities.This destructive behavior includes things such as cigarette smoking, binge drinking and sex while intoxicated. Marijuana is so easy to obtain and can be very tempting to experiment with, especially if you have already had a few drinks and your thinking is impaired. Marijuana causes many internal and external problem for a college student, Marijuana can lead to academic problems, addiction, and physical/mental issues, marijuana can also lead to ser ious problems with the law. All these issues can potentially damage the outcome of a student’s future.Marijuana prices have a major effect on the amount of use by college students at any given point in time. Although it may be more socially available on college campuses, the price still determines the usage. The fact that marijuana is illegal in Canada helps to keep the price at a seemingly higher level. This artificial price illusion regulates the buying, selling and usage among college students. Compared to alcohol, marijuana is much more accessible, especially on college campuses. Getting alcohol requires an ID or someone with an ID.Getting marijuana only requires someone that supplies the drug. So even though it is illegal, marijuana is seemingly more common. Since possession of marijuana is illegal, it is not surprising that the consequences can be so debilitating. While attending college with federal financial aid, you run the risk of jeopardizing your federal aid by be ing charged with a misdemeanor. Possession of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor and if you are charged, the federal government has the right to take away any government aid that you were granted.So not only do you have a record for possession, but more than likely you are going through the judicial system of the college or university and may be suspended or expelled. Marijuana use can also lead to academic problems. Students that participate in these behaviors have a tendency to spend more time socializing than concentrating on what they should be, their academics. These students spend more time partying than studying which greatly affects their academic performance. Two of the physical effects of marijuana that directly affect academics are difficulty in problem solving and poor memory.Students may become less and less motivated to be involved in campus activities, and also may become decreasingly concerned with their long-term goals and career plans. Users may have a hard time limiting their use and may build a tolerance to the drug. This tolerance means that the user now requires a larger amount of the drug to get the same effect, and may develop problems with their jobs and personal relationships because the drug becomes such a major part of his or her life. Many students see marijuana as a â€Å"recreational† drug.With increased â€Å"recreational† use, the drug can become addictive. It is not so much an addiction, but a psychological dependence for smoking, and that feeling of intoxication. However, besides being illegal, marijuana may contain unknown contaminants that can severely harm your brain and lungs. With all of the risks of the drug, it is amazing that people still use it â€Å"recreationally†. It is common for students to first experiment with their peers, whether it be a friend, sibling or just an acquaintance. The peer pressure is the most likely cause of first time users.Physical effects of marijuana are different ac cording to the way in which it is taken, where it is used, the expectations and or ideals of the user, and whether or not it is used in conjunction with other drugs. Users often have chronic bronchitis and increased chances of getting lung cancer. Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers have. Marijuana also affects the brain, researchers say that THC changes the way in which sensory information gets into and is acted on by the hippocampus.The immediate effects of marijuana other than a feeling of intoxication are: bloodshot eyes, anxiety, confusion and paranoia, loss of coordination, and increased appetite. Mental effects show that the drug can impair or reduce short-term memory, alter sense of time, and reduce ability to do things which require concentration and coordination. Marijuana’s effect on a student can tally up to some very serious consequences that a student can suffer, the cause and effect of marij uana lead to problems of addiction, health problems, trouble with the law and poor academic performances.