The mosquito coast Analysis Essay Example For Students

The mosquito coast Analysis Essay The Mosquito CoastIn today’s society it is easy for one to lose ones head. With all the advanced technology, endless activities and the pressure to do as much as possible in a twenty four hour day, some of us may feel we as though we are going crazy. Perhaps maybe joke about being a mad man. However in Paul Therouxs novel The Mosquito Coast Allie Fox was more then just a little over worked or too idealistic. Allie Fox was a Mad Man. He proves his insanity time and time again through out the novel by the way he is with his son Charlie, other members of his family, and people he meets along the way. We will write a custom essay on The mosquito coast Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The first incidence in the novel, The Mosquito Coast that proves Allie is a mad man is when he asks his oldest son Charlie to prove his braveness to him by sitting on a rock and waiting for the freezing cold tide to come in and hit him. The tides coming in, father said†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..Whos going to show me how brave he is? page 63. No father who was mentally sane would ever put their own flesh and blood at such a risk for something so senseless.. Allie didnt see it as a risk, but as a game. Another time Allies madness is shown in an act towards Charlie is when they are aboard their boat, the Unicorn in the middle of a storm. While walking along the deck past the kingpost, davit and shrouds, Allie decides once again to challenge Charlie to a dangerous dare. He ordered him to climb to the top of the shrouds. Any fool can climb a ladder, father said. But those shrouds-if you climb those, youll be hanging right over the water. page 86. This is a true act of madness. With the slightest slip of his hand or an easily misplaced foot Charlie could fall and die instantly. But Allie was more than willing to risk that for a little fun. A third time Allie risks Charlie in an act of madness is when the Fox family is living in Jeronimo and Allie makes the mistake of inviting two Guerillas to stay with them. Allie had finally achieved what he had considered his ideal world when all of a sudden his perfection was threatened by two men who wanted to take over and be in control. Instead of packing up his family and leaving his hard earned lifestyle to keep his family safe he decides to stay in Jeronimo and put an end to Guerillas by freezing the men in Fat Boy, their freezer unit.Instead of asking Mr. Haddy, his trusted friend or one of the other men to help him with his plan he puts his son at risk of being caught by the guerillas and shot. Can you get up that ladder and shove this beam through the brackets on the hatchway door, without making a sound?†¦..You’d better be more certain then that, Charlie, because if you wake those bugs up theyre going to start shooting. page 249. That is full proof of madness. When you have the opportunity to leave safely and not risk your families life but forfeit your ideal world then you do the sane, reasonable thing to do and you pack up and go. Allie did not. Charlie is not the only person in the Fox family who is affected by Allies madness. The entire Fox family was in danger while the Guerillas were at Jeronimo. Not only because they were armed with guns, but because the men were attracted to the women in the family and if left alone with them could have very easily forced themselves upon them. Also, when Fat Boy set fire, had any of the family been out walking or looking for Allie and Charlie they could have been blown up with the rest of theyre possessions in Jeronimo. Then the explosion came. It filled the clearing with light that scorched my face. It brought color to every leaf, not green but reddish gold, and it gathered the nearby buildings-the cold store, the incubator, the root cellar-shocking them with pale floury flame and then pushing them over like paper. page 252. Had the children been close to the flame they would have suffered sever injuries. Allie didnt take those things into consideration while he was on his mad killin g spree. .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef , .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef .postImageUrl , .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef , .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef:hover , .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef:visited , .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef:active { border:0!important; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef { 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; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef:active , .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef .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; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u9ca3bffb89b0fad6f89dcc2b552bfeef:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Forecasting EssayAn ongoing sign of Allies madness is the fact that his family is living with such poor nutrition and living conditions. When they first arrive in Jeronimo they basically live off of bananas for weeks until their crops begin to grow and ripen. But even with the crops their food is very limited and their growing bodies are lacking important vitamins and nutrience for the children to stay healthy. During a time of drought the family lives on next to nothing because they have to save all the food they find. They dry fruits and vegetables to get the seeds so they can plant the next crop. Jerry had taken out a tomato and was polishing it on his knee. Father orde red him to put it back†¦..Those are hybrids. Eat those and youre living on our capital. When we get where were going, well take them apart and use them for seed. page 273. Allie wasnt even sure of where it was they were going, but he had banned them from eating until they got there. That could take days. A sane man doesnt believe in starvation. Especially of his family. A third time Allie proves he is mad not only to the readers but also to his family is when they are finally free and clear from the dangers of Jeronimo and the children ask to go back to America. Allie tells his family that there was a nuclear war and America no longer exists. Jeronimo is nothing compared to the destruction of the United States. It wasnt only the burning buildings and the panic. Think of the people. Remember Figgys curassow? The way roasting made the meat fall off the bones? Thats what happened to millions of Americans. Their flesh just slipped off their bones. page 274. Allie truly believed what he had made up. And he wanted desperately for the rest of his family to believe him as well. His family came to realize that they may need to question their fathers sanity. Allies insanity is also evident in the way he acts with people outside his family. For instance, at the beginning of the novel Allie goes into town to a hardware shop to purchase a coil of rubber. When he realizes that the clerk is trying to sell him a product made in Japan Allie loses control. Its made in Japan. I dont want my hard earned bucks turned into foreign exchange for the sons of Nippon. I dont want to bankroll another generation of kamikazes†¦. page 5. This is a very mild indication of what was yet to come in the rest of the novel. Another time Allie proves he is mad is when he is living in Laguna Miskita. The Fox family is being torn apart by Allies insanity. He is being rude and making it hell for the others to live with him. When Mr.Haddy comes to visit them he warns them of a huge storm heading their way. He promises Allie hell return before then with some gas, and spark plugs for his boat incase they run into any problems. But Allie is stubborn and refuses Mr.Haddys offer and sends him away. I bring you gas and erl next time†¦.and a set of sparks said Mr. Haddy. Dont want them. page 294. If it wasnt for Mr.Haddy returning secretly that night during the storm and giving the gas and sparks to Charlie, the family would have all drowned thanks to Allie. The final proof of Allies madness comes near the end of the novel. Allie has a true hate for missionaries. When his family made him stop at the a missionary in Guampu, Allie took it upon himself to do what he thought in his weak mental state, was the best for human race and torched the missionary. Hoping to kill everyone as well as all their beliefs. †¦Behind them, like the bonfire of sunrise, something blazed. High flames turned the nearby trees green and gold, and wet them with light, and gave them frantic Zambu shadows. page 355. This was the last time Allie was a free mad man. He was killed and the world and his family was now safe from him. .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c , .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c .postImageUrl , .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c , .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c:hover , .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c:visited , .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c:active { border:0!important; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c { 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; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c:active , .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c .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; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u26ea7bb75055cdb1e54d89dd0e8d830c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Pitch perception EssayAs you can see by the examples given in this essay it was clear to anyone that Allie Fox was in fact a mad man. Having fun and being silly, taking risks and living on the edge are all apart of a healthy, normal life. However, you need to know the limits. If you lose sight of the safety of yourself and others and of reality in general, as Allie Fox did, who knows what you may become.

Light in August

Light in August is a book about the stories of three different people. The stories are of Lena Grove, Joe Christmas, and Reverend Gail Hightower. They were all linked in one way or another, even if they never met. Lena was a simple country girl. However, she was an orphan. But this was one thing she had in common with Joe. Joe Christmas was a cold and hostile person who was uncertain of racial identities. Reverend Gail Hightower was a very important part of this novel because he was the one who linked Lena and Joe together. William Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi, on September 25, 1897. His first book published was The Marble Faun. Soon after, he wrote novels such as Sanctuary, The Hamlet, The Town, and The Mansion. These novels explored the post Civil War Southern life. Some of his other novels included- The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, Absalom Absalom, and Intruder in the Dusk. During his life he also won the Pulitzer Prize. In 1949, Faulkner was awarded with the Prize for Literature. William then died on July 6, 1962 in Byhalia, Mississippi. One antagonist working against Lena is the fact that she is pregnant. Society does not totally accept her for this reason. In chapter one the story said how Lena did all the housework and took care of the other children. After this Lena said, I reckon that's why I got one so quickly myself (5). I think Lena taking care of the other children had an impact on her having a child when she did. Some other antagonists I found were traveling and racial heritage. Traveling was a force working against Lena even though she chooses to travel. She does not get to become one with the rest of her society because she does not really have one society if she travels so much. She never stays in one place long enough to get to know the community. For example, right in the beginning of the novel, Lena tries hitching a ride to Jefferson and she manages getti...

Quality Assessment Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Quality Assessment Plan - Assignment Example We set out a methodology of assessment within a plan that also includes documentation of where our trainers are meeting the standards, and where this is not happening. This gives us information on how we might improve our trainers' performance, after which we would refine the assessment method and repeat the process. Although we expect our trainers to contribute to creating new courses and curricula, in this assessment plan we want to know if they provide effective training. Our trainers deal with a particular cross-section of people here in the establishment. Students are adult, even if they are mostly still young and, for the most part, they learn like adults. That means that they have bigger egos, are less willing to take risks and have some clear expectations. For our trainers, typically well up on their technical subjects, the challenge is on how they teach, not what they teach. We need to see our trainers deal positively with things like bad prior experiences in traditional education or mixed feelings about authority. We need to see them make optimal use of class learning through group discussions, open-ended questions and positive exchange of feedback. To start the process for defining learning objectives for the trainers themselves, assessors from this department recently made a needs analysis concerning the trainers. From this needs analysis, it became clear once again that our trainers need to manage a class to produce students that have good chances of getting employment. In particular, we list the following learning objectives for our trainers together with required standards of outcome: Trainers working with young people to train them in the installation and maintenance of plumbing and heating systems have ten learning objectives themselves: Trainer's objective Measured by standard creation of a motivating learning environment student attendance rate over and above the statutory minimum for drawing unemployment benefit 1 extra hour per day focusing student attention on the objective of getting a job the number of job interviews generated from course Average of 2 interviews per student increase of student retention of information Written test for students 90% of students do better than the minimum pass-rate learn how to ensure progress is being made Continuing assessment of students See separate rating sheet handle possible conflicts Rapidity of resolution No more than 2 minutes how to manage different learning speeds among students Coursework accomplished for class in general Finish 90% or more of coursework for all students how to manage different learning aptitudes / styles among students Coursework accomplished for course in general Finish 90% or more of coursework for all students maintaining the right level of class discipline Speed, pace of progress Daily coursework accomplished to 95% or more facilitating class discussion Give and take feedback 3 valid feedbacks given and 3 received per day encouraging student participation How much students contribute Each student to contribute to three discussions a day What does this plan do

Policy Development paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Policy Development - Term Paper Example Domestic Violence is one form of Interpersonal violence which is defined as violence committed by a person or persons inside a home against Elderly, young adult, intimate partner or children by another member of the same family. (Hayes-Bautista, Schink and Chapa, 2005) However, US Criminal Justice Policy only includes criminal murder or attempt of murder, forced or simple physical attack, sexual harassment, and burglary as violent crimes under the criminal codes. Most commonly their own children or children of their children abuse elders of the family. (De- Chesnay, Mary, 2008) Sometimes the poor health of older adults disturbs other members of the family as they become bound to listen to music in a low volume. As older people stay inside all the times so they don’t let others watch television channels of their own choice, which annoys other members of the family. Most of the older members of the family walk and talk slowly that also bothers others. Particularly in the case of violence against the elderly, lots of people agree to include emotional or mental abuse and neglect as a type of violence even if there is no existence of physical force. (Kilpatrick and Acierno, 2003) This is true that that mental or emotional abuse or neglect is ethically wrong and can prove to be extremely harmful to the elderly. Though, the main focus of this paper will be the US Government Policy for Elderly Abuse and Domestic Violence. Since the main objective of this document is to talk about US policy for Domestic Violence against Elderly it will be useful to first define public policy. Public Policy is defined as a group of laws, dictatorial measures, courses of acts, and financial support priorities in relation to a given issue that is publicized by a legislative body or its representatives. (Davidhizar & Shearer, 1999). Any policy is implemented by obeying legislation and regulation. The policy has played a major role in the manner America and other nations o the world d eal with the dilemma of violence against the general public or elderly. US policy has made authorizing laws for Elderly physical or mental health issues, that also deals with the dilemma of violent crime against elderly at domestic or general level. The US Government has fixed the particular amount of funding that is spent in running programs that promotes prevention of elderly from violence at domestic or general level. Accoring to famous American Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, domestic violence is a major causative agent for poor physical or mental health problems in elderly. After his research, considerable efforts have been made to improve the usage of public health approaches and prevent the occurrence of domestic violence in adults. For a number of reasons that include major immigration flows, lower mortality, and longer life expectancy, most of the growth in America's elder population in the recent past has been driven by growth in the numbers of elderly of all nationalitie s and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. The US Government is now showing a special interest in improving policies against Elderly Abuse. (Kilpatrick, 2003) Its main reason is, such types of crime eventually cost a lot to the society.  

Community College vs. Universities Essay Example for Free

Community College vs. Universities Essay Have you ever wondered which is better, community colleges or universities? Making the big choice on furthering your education is a big decision, but making the choice between community college and a university is even harder. Well let me give you some ideas. The cost, location, environment, and how long it takes for someone to finish are a couple of things to take into consideration. When looking at colleges you have Community college prices and University prices. Neither have a pretty price tag, but when compared side-by-side there is a big difference. Tuition prices for Mitchell Community College vary between instate and out of state. The price for an in state student is seventy two dollars per credit hour, and for out of state students you are looking at two hundred and seventy two dollars per credit hour. The tuition cost for a university like UNC is alone eight thousand, three hundred and seventy four dollars for an instate student. An out of state student is facing a tuition cost of thirty three thousand, six hundred and seventy four dollars!! So ,you can see that there is a pretty big difference in cost. The cost for education can vary between individuals, and not everyone is in the same financial status. Some people have the honor to be granted scholarships, and some students may have to take out loans, and not every can apply for financial aid , so every individual situation varies when it comes to education cost and their form of payment. Something else to consider is the location of the college. Do you prefer to move away and pay for dorm room cost at a big university? Or does staying at home, and being closer to family sound something like you would do? Moving to a university dorm can be drastically different, you won’t be at home in your own bed. Instead you will find yourself in a tiny room with a small bed and no privacy; because, let’s not forget you will have that beloved roommate. Moving into a dorm can be challenging too because of limited space and it’s pretty costly too. Staying back home will save money on living costs and there won’t be as many long trips to take when it’s time to go home. So,this varies on a person’s form of lifestyle that they are looking for. If they  want the whole â€Å"College experienceâ€Å", then they should go for the dorm facilities. But many people are just trying to get an education and the last thing they have on their mind is paying for a dorm room. Community college and universities environments are very different! A community college is usually located in small towns and a lower number of students who are from the surrounding areas. In community colleges you will find more familiar faces and longtime friends etc. Once you step into a university you can find yourself in a whirlwind of strange faces and different people. That could be very difficult for anybody. It’s like starting all over again, having to meet new people and make new friends just to get by. In universities you will also find the famous Sororities, and we cannot forget the fraternities, and to be part of community like that you must fit in with that life style or all be the same, so I hear. In community colleges you can find a much more settled environment, there are no sororities or frat parties. You can find interesting clubs or study groups. In universities you see big college sport teams, and community colleges you can’t find any. Either, way if it’s a community college based environment or university, anybody can create awesome, long lasting bonds, relationships, and friendships.

Go Ask Alice :: essays research papers

The 1970s was a time of change. A time of revolution. War was the topic of nearly all conversations and sex and drugs were on everyone’s minds. While boogie fever swept dance floors, young men were sent off to die in a war that they could never win. Richard Nixon was in office and his scandal was to influence politics for years to come. The bright blue bell-bottom pants with the pink and orange flowers sewed on were the coolest thing†¦oh excuse me, I mean the â€Å"grooviest† thing to have. Big cars were the big thing and inflation was as â€Å"high† as the teenagers smoking pot and shooting heroin.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This was the 1970s. Alice of â€Å"Go Ask Alice† would have been greatly influenced by this era of time. Although she had cleaned up her act, Alice most likely would have had trouble resisting the temptation provided by her peers to smoke, make love, and have the time of her life. Although one cannot say that for sure. Counseling also became much more readily available to people afflicted with addictions. So, maybe Alice would have been okay. There’s no way to really tell. One can be certain though that with her steadfast and determined way of thinking, she probably would have been protesting the Vietnam War from the very start and the right of nuclear power plants to be in operative mode. She probably would have thought President Nixon to be one of the biggest moron ever to live, and she most likely would have been out on the streets. Not living the life of an addicted druggie though, but rather counseling others on how to clean up their acts and ge t on with their lives. I think Alice would have made a really good life for herself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Of course, these weren’t the only things going on during the seventies. Everyone always thinks of the above mentioned obvious events. I mean, the 70s were the Sex Revolution, and the Drug Revolution, and the Protest Revolution era of time. Everyone knows that. But other things occurred during this troublesome decade that would have affected and even re-molded many lives, including Alice. For example, many other wars were breaking out and many others were beginning to cool off. The Yom Kippur War began in 1973 while the Cold War was ceasing between the US, the Soviet Union and China. The terrorist act at the 1972 Munich Olympics shocked many people and the OPEC oil embargo in 1973 had a great impact on society.

Malcom X “My First Conk” Essay

Through the years African Americans have been growing their roots in the United States. It wasn’t too long ago that they weren’t accepted as a part of society. Since then the gap between them and the Caucasian community has begun to close. As both populations blend together we start to think of them as one nation with more similarities than differences. What happens when one society bleeds out its culture more than the other? African Americans have increasingly opted to ditch their natural selves and instead take on the task of manipulating themselves in order to appeal to the white man’s idea of beauty. Rather than revolt against the insults thrown at blacks they seem to have adopted them as true. Why is it that instead of defending their natural kinks they cover them up with wigs or chemically alter them? Although some beauty practices are commonplace throughout most African American communities engaging in these activities is the equivalent of validating the notion that blacks aren’t good enough. Malcom X illustrates for us in his piece titled â€Å"My first Conk† how his first conking went. For those unfamiliar with the term conking is a procedure in which black males concoct a gel, using mainly household ingredients, then apply it to the hair in order to straighten it. The incorporation of lye in the gel is what causes the bearer to feel as though the scalp burns. Malcom was at first a devoted conker but through the years has come to regret his old habit. At first he explains how good the conk made him feel, later in his life he mentions that conking was his first step towards self-degradation. He calls out all those who have or still sport a conk and urges them to stop. He even goes as far as saying it makes blacks look foolish. He also concludes that hair unimportant and it’s a shame that so much time has already been wasted on this. A compelling story I stumbled upon tells the drastic measures some are willing to take in order to shed themselves of the image they have come to associate as inferior. A woman around 35 years old willingly admitted that she bleached not only herself but her children. She wet cloths with store-bought Clorox and placed the on her and the kids’ faces for about a couple of minutes. This woman openly acknowledged that she was ashamed of being black. Alongside with her there were other testimonies who felt the same. They all mentioned how they were looked down upon for being black. They told some of the insults they faced on a day to day for being who they were. They felt the measures they took to appeal to the white community was  necessary. It was necessary if they wanted to feel good, if they wanted to be seen as equals, and if they wanted to stop the mental abuse . When I first came upon these people I was shocked. How could someone be so insensible as to literally bleach their skin? What would compel people to undergo such painful procedures as the one mentioned by Malcom? I was shocked but little did I know I too was just as guilty of caving in to society’s ideals of what I should look like. Just last year, my senior year in high school, I would have a morning ritual. At 5:00 a.m. sharp I would stumble out of bed and turn on the coffee machine. The energy from the coffee was to help me stay awake so I could complete the lengthy task of straighten my hair. 2 long hours it took for me to do only my hair! As is probably imaginable I was often late to school. I was late so many times in fact that I nearly didn’t graduate on stage. How then did I dare judge poor lady who bleached herself when in reality I was no different? I too unnecessarily took it upon myself to change the way I was because the pressure I felt to be just a bit sim ilar to white people. Consciously I did not notice this was what I was getting across, as I presume many black people that do things such as perming or wearing wigs are also unaware, but ultimately we have been brainwashed so much that this behavior is reasonable. Many may argue that we have the right to express ourselves any which way we want. This is true but why then are blacks ridiculed when they defy the expectations and take pride in their true selves. Why must wearing their natural selves take courage? We as a blended society should know better than to judge. Oppressing people has to be a thing of the past. The oppressor is not the only one to blame here. The oppressed are guilty of not fighting back. No change will come until we try to change ourselves. Too many have suffered and continue to suffer. Both mentally and physically these people are abused but to no avail. Society will not let up. Instead of conforming to society, as we have done for so long, we must pave a different path. Comparing ag ainst another race is futile. Blacks will never be the same as whites, they shouldn’t try to be. Each a culture rich in its own way. Teach ourselves and our peers to take pride in our appearance once again. Dig back into a culture once covered up and exhume it. Let it breathe for when it does so will we.