Wisdom According to the Bible Essay - 618 Words

Wisdom According to the Bible What does it mean to have wisdom? Some may say to be wise is to have enough knowledge and good judgment to make well thought out life decisions. Wisdom is a common term mentioned throughout out the New Testament Epistles and the entire Bible. The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom and knowledge. It talks about ways to be wise and ways to be foolish. Through out the Bible there seems to be different types of wisdom and it is described in different ways. Analyzing all types of wisdom and knowledge will help us decide what the Bible means to be wise. First let us look at what the Old Testament has to say about wisdom. The book of Job says that wisdom can not be found on land or in the sea. It can†¦show more content†¦The foolish do not disperse (or give) knowledge and instruction to others. They do not raise their children in Godly ways. In all understanding the Old Testament tells us that the basic foolish man does not want or give knowledge and delights in disobeying the teachings of Gods word. So what does the New Testament have to say about wisdom? Jesus spoke about wisdom with some of his parables. The parable of the wise and foolish builders is interpreted to be about obeying the word of the Lord. The wise man who builds his house on the rock with a foundation is the one who listens and obeys Gods word. The foolish builder does not listen to Gods word and he builds his house on the sand with no foundation. The parable of the rich fool tells us to avoid greediness and be giving and store up heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones. Lastly there is the parable of the 10 virgins. Some of them were not wise enough to bring enough lamp oil for the night. So when the bridegroom came, the virgins were away to find more oil. Meaning that a wise man will be ready for Christs return. The Epistles talk about wisdom in other ways too. In the letters to the Corinthians we lean much about wisdom and knowledge. They say the wisdom of God is a mystery. It being so great that man cannot understand the amount. It tells us to be wise in the knowledge of Gods word because Satan will take advantage of our ignorance of his ways. If a foolishShow MoreRelatedEssay941 Words   |  4 PagesEssay #3 Describe the teachings of Hebrew wisdom and diligence and laziness. How does this correspond with the contrast between wisdom and folly? Include Scripture references and quotations as appropriate. Throughout the Bible, it speaks about wisdom and diligence. Along with wisdom and diligence, laziness comes into play. Since we live in a fallen world, we can not have wisdom and diligence without laziness. If we did not have laziness, then we would be living in a world that is more perfectRead MoreHebrew Teachings of Wisdom769 Words   |  4 PagesTeachings of Hebrew Wisdom on Diligence and Laziness By: John Cleveland Throughout the Bible, we see the importance of being diligent in our walk with Christ as oppose to falling asleep and becoming lazy. As followers of Christ, we know that by applying the knowledge given to us from the Bible can have a profound impact on our lives. When we study Gods Word, we receive wisdom and we are then able to use this wisdom in our daily lives. However, if we choose to not be diligent in our walkRead More King Solomon Essay1329 Words   |  6 PagesKing Solomon King Solomon one of the most influential kings in the entire bible Solomon was a wise king and was gifted as well as punished for his transgressions on his people and God. This paper will show how Solomon was thought to be one of the greatest kings of the bible, his contributions on the lively hood of the Israelite people and how he was sent to bring the people into a new type of living for the people of Israel. This paper will give a personal account on my reason for thinking thatRead MoreA Pondering Of The Contradictions Of Life1476 Words   |  6 PagesEcclsiastes: A Pondering of the Contradictions of Life The book of Ecclesiastes is somewhat of an anomaly in the Bible. Compared other books, it focuses more on philosophy, but nonetheless still has a continuing focus on serving God. The work considers the meaning of life and how one goes about living. Tradition credits Solomon, the third king of Israel, as the author of Ecclesiastes due to the references to being king in Jerusalem and the son of David, and having great wealth and numerous writtenRead MoreEssay King Solomon1342 Words   |  6 PagesKing Solomon one of the most influential kings in the entire bible Solomon was a wise king and was gifted as well as punished for his transgressions on his people and God. This paper will show how Solomon was thought to be one of the greatest kings of the bible, his contributions on the lively hood of the Israelite people and how he was sent to bring the people into a new type of living for the people of Israel. This paper will give a personal account on my reason for thinking that Solomon is a greatRead MoreHebrew Wisdom861 Words   |  4 PagesHebrew Wisdom on Diligence and Laziness Bible 105-B27 LUO: Old Testament Survey 201320 Spring 2013 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx L33333333 Liberty University February 24, 2013 Hebrew Wisdom on Diligence and Laziness There is a great deal of Hebrew wisdom in the Bible in regards to the subjects of diligence and laziness. Throughout the book of Proverbs the words of lazy and diligence can be found in many different forms. Sluggish, sluggard, and idle describe laziness. The word diligence can also beRead MoreHebrew Teaching on Diligence and Laziness636 Words   |  3 Pagesaddressing the question â€Å"Describe the teachings of Hebrew wisdom on diligence and laziness? How does this correspond with the contrast between wisdom and folly?† we should first answer the question â€Å" What is Hebrew wisdom?† According to The Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey, by Ed Hindson and Gary Yates, â€Å"Hebrew wisdom literature is a certain kind of poetic literature that was used to instruct the young person in the ways of wisdom. Hebrew wisdom tends to be practical and was meant to be applied toRead MoreSdafsadf1133 Words   |  5 PagesSeptember 2014 Essay 3 After finishing reading Bible, I am aware of the importance of diligence and the negative effect of being lazy. As a Christian, I strongly recommend that people should follow what the Bible has told us and listen to our God’s commands. Because the knowledge that Bible gives us will have a good and profound influence on our lives and help us out in many situations. During the process of reading Bible, we may gain much wisdom that will be helpful in our daily life. Also, GodRead MoreBiblical Analysis : Biblical Counseling Essay1311 Words   |  6 Pagescounselee resolve the issues they are facing. The resolution will usually occur when the person sees their issue from God perspective and begins to apply God’s word to their life. It involves a knowledge of psychology, psychotherapy, and requires wisdom and the work of the Holy Spirit along with a strong basis in Scripture. This gives the counselor the role of getting a treatment or diagnoses of whatever mental ailment the counselee may have and assisting them with developing a Biblical perspectiveRead MoreMy Personal Reflection On Decision Making802 Words   |  4 Pagesdecision making process. The wisdom approach reasons that â€Å"Christians should rely extensively on their God-given reasoning abilities, wise counsel, and a clear assessment of their strengths, talents, and abilities (Horton, 2009, p. 9).† This approach has two subgroups, the Biblical Wisdom Emphasis and the Pragmatic Christian Wisdom Emphasis. The major difference of these two groups are the priority and function of the Scriptures used to guide an individual. Biblical Wisdom Emphasis foundational thought

The Feminist Movement Of Christianity - 1793 Words

Christianity has been seen as a church that professes the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Just with this introduction, feminist individuals would have already have some opposition with the terms used and attributed to God. In this paper I will explore on several aspects that the feminist movement provides to Christianity. First, I will illustrate on what is feminist Christology. Then I will present passages from Sacred Scripture, both in Old and New Testament. Then I will go further on and reflect on the Ecclesial aspect and the service god has provided to creation. Last, I will conclude by acknowledging all aspects exposed, yet analyzing the fact that God would be limited if he had a†¦show more content†¦For centuries, women have brought their gifts, talents and service to church. Their presence and service goes further than getting things done. For instance, Elizabeth Hernandez who serves at my home parish. She is a lea der of the Hispanic Ministries and she oversees all liturgical ministries. Elizabeth works together with Antonio, her husband, but her female qualities make the difference in her performance with the people. Being the bridge between the pastor and all of the lay ministers, she is able to lead with complete authority, yet in such a gentle way. Most importantly, she is not a micromanager, but a woman of faith, which has made it easy for all ministries to relate to. Other examples of women in leadership at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles include; parish life directors, pastoral associates, school principals and directors of religious education. At the Archdiocesan Catholic Center, Sr. Mary Elizabeth Galt, B.V.M. has held the high-ranking office of Chancellor. Since 2003, she has worked together with the archbishop and the vicar general, for the well being of the administrative offices of the Archdiocesan Catholic Center. Other female that are in high ranking positions in the United Sta tes include Catholic Charities, Catholic

The Time Machine By. Wells - 1584 Words

I. Introduction: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, a novel about a mans journey through the future or criticism to the evolution of human race? The time traveller sets out on this journey not knowing what he would find or see in the year 802,701. When he arrives he comes across people known as the Eloi. The Elois are uneducated, small beautiful creature who don’t work or have any political issues. What seems at first like a utopian society that he heard of in the 19th century turns out to be quite different as he finds out about the Morlocks. The Morlocks live underground and are the â€Å"working class† creatures that consume Elois. By providing these two different class wells is trying to prove devolution of society through the knowledge of the â€Å"upper class† and â€Å"lower class† in the Victorian Era. Throughout the Time Machine H.G Wells tries to demonstrate how the class systems have changed, not just differentiating through rich and poor, but instead displaying ho w they have evolved into two different species over time. social class is causing degeneration and devolution II. Annotated Sources: Tauton, Mathew â€Å"Class in The Time Machine† Taunton’s articles discusses the ways that H.G wells manages to display the division of class and how our human race is going to develop. He goes through many different aspects of the book in this article by discussing how Wells reflects on the present to come up with his insight about the future. He blames the treatment towards the poor to beShow MoreRelatedWells The Time Machine Wells1495 Words   |  6 PagesIn H.G Wells’ The Time Machine Wells explores the concept of human evolution. The Time Traveller ventures into a future world that is home to only two living creatures, the Eloi and Morlocks. The Time Traveller considers these creatures to be descendants of humanity. Going off of that assumption, Wells is illustrating the impact society has on the species’ progress due to the fact that the Eloi and Morlocks have seemingly gone backwards. The Time Traveller inhibits an ethnocentric use of technologyRead MoreTime Machine Hg Wells1366 Words   |  6 Pages The Time Machine by H. G. Wells Herbert George Wells was born an English writer in Bromley, Kent, England in 1866. After he attended school his early years he was educated at Midhurst Grammar School and soon after he attended the School of Science in London. Once there he studied biology, which could be one reason why he started to write science fiction novels such as, â€Å"The Time Machine.† Around the time he wrote this work, there was a huge shift of technological breakthroughs that would haveRead MoreThe Time Machine : Hg Wells2054 Words   |  9 PagesThe Time Traveller  Ã‚  -   The Time Travellers name is never given. Apparently the narrator wants to protect his identity. The Time Traveller is an inventor. He likes to speculate on the future and the underlying structures of what he observes. His house is in Richmond, a suburb of London. The Narrator  Ã‚  -   The narrator, Mr. Hillyer, is the Time Travellers dinner guest. His curiosity is enough to make him return to investigate the morning after the first time travel. Weena  -   Weena is one of the EloiRead MoreThe Time Machine by H.G. Wells Essays712 Words   |  3 PagesThe Time Machine by H.G. Wells In this essay I am going to discuss Wells use of contrast in the Time Machine. This will include contrast from the Victorian era to the future era, but also contrast in other sections. During a lot of the book contrast is based on revealing intelligence and general lack of it. It is also shown as what the time traveller thinks will happen and what actually does happen. A lot of these contrasts are quite regularly compared to the contrastRead MoreThe Time Machine, H. G. Wells1701 Words   |  7 PagesIn The Time Machine, H. G. Wells explores the Victorian elements of 19th century society through symbolism in the novel’s depiction of the environment. Wells depicts the Time Machine as an impractical and extravagant construction in order to criticize the Victorian values which the Machine embodies. The White Sphinx, a statue the Time Traveler encounters when he travels the future, serves as symbol of the decay and death of the Victorian ideals. The Time Traveler’s description of the Palace of GreenRead More Time Machine by H.G. Wells Essay examples1013 Words   |  5 PagesTime Machine by H.G. Wells Works Cited Missing In 1895, Victorian Britain was very much Great Britain- the workshop of the world. Since the Industrial Revolution technological advancement had changed the face of the country (shape, structure and appearance). Heavy industry demanded fossil fuels and therefore there was a heavyRead MoreEssay about The Time Machine by H.G. Wells1441 Words   |  6 PagesThe Time Machine by H.G. Wells Works Cited Not Included Time traveling, a concept known to modern man as inconceivable, but in The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells, this fathom of human fantasy has come to life. Wells entangles a unique blend of contrasting characters, conflicts of capitalist verses laborer divisions, and foreshadowing of the destruction of humanity to seem together this novel of visionary proportions. The Time Machine is a bleak and sober vision of mans place in the Universe.(McConnellRead More Herbert George Wells The Time Machine Essay893 Words   |  4 PagesHerbert George Wells The Time Machine ‘The Time Machine’ was written in 1895 by a writer, scientist and member of The Fabian Society, Herbert George Wells. Wells (born 1866) was, and still is, a very famous writer who produced many novels, but is most commonly known as a science-fiction author. ‘The Time Machine’ is Wells’ most celebrated novel and it’s themes represent the fears and anxieties of his society and background. Wells’ background was difficult, his father lost his businessRead MoreH.G. Wells The Time Machine Essay examples1296 Words   |  6 PagesWhen the time traveler thought of the future he made assumptions that would suggest that the in the future, society would act in a progressive manner. He believed that society would be free of disease, that the human species would be very advanced compared to the humans in his time, and that the human beings in this society would not know fear because of their advances in technology. These assumptions are soon proven false early on when the time traveler thought he â€Å"†¦had built the time machine in vain†Read MoreAnalysis Of The Time Machine By H. G. Wells1865 Words   |  8 Pagessimplified. The time traveller recounts his experiences in this changed world. The two species, the Eloi and the Morlocks, represent the way humans from Wells’s time have evolved. In H.G. Wells s renowned book, The Time Machine, Wells conveys his ideas of the future of mankind while simultaneously critiquing his own Victorian society through his skillful use of precise diction and intense descriptions. As a means for Wells to convey his ideas, he tells the story through his character, the time traveller

The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka - 1147 Words

Paul Kim Professor Teresa McCarty AP Language 27 October 2015 The Metamorphosis Franz Kafka led a life filled with struggles, particularly evident in his relationship with his father. His experiences and feelings in life are manifested throughout his writings, as the themes in his life dominate the themes of his works, especially so in his novella, The Metamorphosis. Through his extended metaphor of Samsa as a vermin, Kafka illustrates the family dynamic present throughout his life, that of his family, and particularly his father, devaluing and isolating him. The situation and background in which Kafka was brought up holds particular significance throughout his career, as it led to his insecurity, evidenced through examination of his life†¦show more content†¦Straus even writes that Kafka wished to escape from his â€Å"image of an unequivocal, completely virile body.† (Nina Pelikan Straus) Kafka was uncomfortable in himself and wished to escape his own situation and the image he was given. In this desire for escape, the insecurity of Kafka, brought upon by his very living situation becomes evident. Even Gregor has â€Å"no relationships that last or get more intimate.† (Metamorphosis) Gregor’s inability to further relationships mirrors Kafka’s own experience. Kafka could not develop relationships nor become more intimate with people, illustrating his loneliness. Kafka’s upbringing and background provide clear insight into Kafka’s own insecurities. Additionally, Kafka’s relationships with his family members further demonstrate the devaluation and isolation present in his life. Concerning the novella, Straus writes, â€Å"the narration focuses on how Gregor invalidates his family, how his family invalidates and destroys Gregor.† (Nina Pelikan Straus) The story itself focuses on Gregor’s exile from his family by his family. Such exile reflects the invalidation of Kafka in his own and the destruction Kafka felt from his own family. Furthermore, Gregor’s father states that â€Å"if he could understand us, then maybe we could come to an agreement with him.† (Metamorphosis) Kafka’s own father was unable to come to terms with him and his experience is paralleled by Gregor and his

Women, Men, Love and Relationships Essays - 1647 Words

Pam Houstons How to Talk to a Hunter Raymond Carvers What We Talk about When We Talk about Love Edna St. Vincent Millays Love Is Not Al, If you ask a woman want they want from a man, most women will provide a list of qualities that have been drilled in their heads since they were little girls. The perfect lifestyle has three things that have to be added together in order to come out with the correct equation. Money, kids, and most of all a wonderful man to provide these things are what women want most in life. One of the most known sayings today is that women go to college to get their MRS degree. The confusing issue to men is that once they find their perfect mate, they are already searching for someone else. What women†¦show more content†¦Frances is another female character who wants her husband to love her, but also seems to want him more the less he wants her. The Girls in Their Summer Dresses, by Irwin Shaw presents a couple who seems to have a lifestyle that many women want. At the beginning of the story, everything seems picture perfect. Frances decides to plan a Sunday in New York for a young couple with money to throw away. The couple soon begins to bicker and Frances becomes jealous when she notices Michael looking at other girls. Michael makes Frances feel uncomfortable and undesirable, but instead of just telling her how she feels, Frances starts inquiring about things that every woman asks, but that no woman really wants to know. The uneasy feeling Frances feels is not only about Michael looking at other girls, but about the insecurity and inferiority she feels around other women. Frances begins to ask questions that she knows the answers to. For example, she asks Michael if he loves her and when he responds with I love you, she is not satisfied. Most men would wonder what should have been said to make Frances happy, but the problem is that no matter what the response, no answer would have been satisfying. The lesson to learn is that women are never satisfied with whatShow MoreRelatedCompare the Views of Relationships in ‘the Unequal Fetters’ with Those in â⠂¬Ëœto His Coy Mistress’. What Is Suggested About the Different Ways in Which Men and Women View Love?2018 Words   |  9 PagesRossano Bhandal 11J Compare the views of relationships in ‘The Unequal Fetters’ with those in ‘To his Coy Mistress’. What is suggested about the different ways in which men and women view love? ‘To His Coy Mistress’ was written by Andrew Marvell (1621-1678). The poem is a metaphysical poem, which was mostly used in the seventeenth century and was classed as a highly intellectual type of poetry and mainly expressed the complexities of love and life; just as this poem is. In brief the poem is aboutRead MoreWhy men fall in love before women1743 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Why Studies Suggest Men Fall in Love Faster Than Women Sociology 111.3 Abstract A common misconception in society is that women are the first to fall in love in a relationship. Recent studies have proven that men are typically the first ones to have feelings of love. Men do not look for as deep of an emotional connection as women and therefore are found to have feelings of love sooner than women. Love is also viewed in a feminine way, and many peopleRead MoreRoles Of Men And Women1250 Words   |  5 Pagesfor men and women in a relationship, what do you think of? Do you see both men and women working full time jobs or do you only see the man working and the wife staying at home? Roles are continuing to change in many ways. People can choose to either get married young or wait until they are older. We get this picture in our head of how our love lives are supposed to be from the media. Some people consider their jobs to be just as important as their relationships. Expectations of relationship rolesRead MoreWomen, Men, And Society1195 Words   |  5 Pages12/11/14 Women, Men, and Society MWF 12-12:50 To women love is a personal and subjective experience. If you go around and ask the question â€Å"What is love?† you will get so many different answers. The reason for this is because to each women different things are important. It may mean loyalty, passion, excitement, warmth and friendship. Women also think that love can mean that someone will do anything for the other person and be there for that person no matter what the situation. Love, in ancientRead MoreThe Feminization Of Love, By Francesca M. Cancian Essay1691 Words   |  7 Pagesdefined by their sexual behaviors. With this, the idea of love and romance was feminized; and women were considered the ones who expressed their emotions, accepted strong feelings, and remained pure. In contrast, men started to be considered sexualized creatures that were expected to be emotionally reserved. Today there is a sexual double standard that puts pressure on women to engage in less sexual activity than men and puts pressure o n men to maintain a standard of masculinity, just like in the 19thRead MoreEmpowering Women through Courtly Love Essay1153 Words   |  5 PagesHowever, in the world of courtly love, some could say that this was the first idea of goddess worship. Where the man is unable to survive without his beloved. As a result of this, her love causes him to achieve noble deeds, and become obedient to her in hopes of winning her affection. In The Lais of Marie de France, specifically Chevrefoil and Yonec, the author does not follow all of the rules of courtly love, yet she does illustrate to the reader the relationship between the man and his woman. Read MoreLocker Room Talk By Stephen Dunn Essay1269 Words   |  6 Pagesthe conception of men boasting about their sexual encounters alongside women and persuades the audience boastful men who are presenting their victory of not yielding to the attractiveness and capability of women by not falling in love have actually failed through rhetorical s trategies such as purpose, audience, and genre; pathos, logos, and ethos; and angle of vision. Dunn supports his stance on the journal by providing evidence and examples that emphasize the fear of falling in love to the generalRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Tempest1266 Words   |  6 Pageswith relationships. For example, the character of Miranda in The Tempest by William Shakespeare spends her entire life on her father’s island without any possibilities for romance, until Prince Ferdinand crashes there. Miranda immediately falls in love with him and he reciprocates those feelings, ending in their marriage. Another example of a young adult character that struggles with romance is Oscar in The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Differently from Miranda, Oscar falls quickly in love withRead MoreEffects Of A Utopian Society On Romantic Relationships1657 Words   |  7 Pages The Effects of a Utopian Society on Romantic Relationships A Utopia is defined as a world where the political, economic and social conditions are perfect. Joanna Russ’s novel The Female Man describes four different societies and women’s positions in these societies, and the general consensus is that Janet’s world Whileaway- a female-only paradise where all citizens are safe and empowered- is the Utopia of the lot. On Whileaway, women are allowed to thrive professionally and personally,Read MoreCoping Mechanism Disparity Between Men and Women After a Breakup1065 Words   |  5 PagesCoping Mechanism Disparity between Men and Women after a Breakup It can be distressing when serious relationships come to an end, especially if one or both parties have put in so much love and devotion into the relationship. The people after this incident encountered complicated challenges of disentanglement with their previous mate, they had negative feelings about the overall situation, and bound themselves the need to let go and move forward in life, distracted from their pain. According to

The Business of Music free essay sample

There has been a radical change In the business of music. Whether the employee who has been an industry legend can maintain the position in the company has been a problem. The term industry legend refers to the person who Is very famous and admired by a lot of people in the area of industry. (Wisped 2013) The feature of the industry legend is Irreplaceable In this domain, which means that person who is the legend can create more value for the company and this type of people can lead to company developed dramatically.The issue is whether the industry legend should e fired once he becomes old. This dilemma Is the focus of Guatemalan case study, When the Longtime Star Fades (2011). This case study is about Bob Entice, an old employee who has obtained a big success before in a music company which is named Powerful Entertainment. He is a successful salesman and a legend in the recording industry. We will write a custom essay sample on The Business of Music or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However, as a result of the development of technology, he seems to be backward In the new situation.He still believes that the future of the record industry is bright, although the number of records sale is falling. Noel Klein, the CEO of Powerful Entertainment believes that Bob cannot keep the step with the time, and he gets much salary which means that the salary he obtains exceed the value that he creates for company. Then he decides to fire Bob. Rite Leigh Is the Vice President of Powerful Entertainment and the boss of Bob Entice. She cannot decide whether to dismiss ebb or give him a chance to adapt to new technology.Bob was a legend and a public face for Powerful Entertainment. All the staff at the company like him, he makes them feel good about their work. The manager now needs to decide whether Bob Entice should stay or go. Two experts give some suggestions about this dilemma. Peter Chapel Is a Professor of Management and Bill Novella is the CEO of ARP, they are both the authors of Managing the Older Worker, Tamari J. Erickson Is work for the Genera, who is the author of Retire Retirement. These two experts all suggest that the company should keep Bobs position.Capital and Novella state that if Bob has enough passion that can encourage other staff around him, there Is no doubt that he can do something for Powerful Entertainment. However, Erickson argues that Rite should think more about consolidating the album business around Bob instead of fire him. Chapel and Novella believe if managers of company want to fire Bob, they need to inform him and give reasons before dismissal. They also suggest that a good method Is the company giving him a new role In the company.If Bob Is arranged by a different position, he can do something other for the company depends on his social skills. It means the company does not pay so much money for him. In contrast, Erickson argues that Rite needs to think about how to improve the profit of the album-based business, rather than paying attention to firing. She can find some methods Improve the sales taking the advantage of Bobs deep knowledge and legislations. Nat the problem is and discussing it in order to solve it.Capable and Novella argue that Rite can also give Bob a new Job if he still having some special ability, such as energize everyone around him and social skills. In my view, although Bob is old and his performance began to decline, the company cannot fire an employee without any notice, especially a legend of the company. Moreover, Bob still has some ability to help company obtain more profit by other methods. In conclusion, the manager of Powerful Entertainment need to give Bob a chance to adapt to new environment.

Affermative Action Essay Example For Students

Affermative Action Essay Considering the subject of affirmative action the following questions frequently are raised: Is there a clear understanding of affirmative action roles/goals? What are the pros/cons of these programs? What are the loop holes in the system? Does seniority play a role in affirmative action? Addressing these key questions may help us all in our daily routine, as administrators and/or potential administrator in the public/private sector. Affirmative action programs throughout the United States have long been a controversial issue particularly concerning employment practices (public/private) and university student and/or staff recruitment. Most public agencies have some type of instituted affirmative action program. According to Cheryl Perry-League, Director of Equal Opportunity of the Port of Oakland, every business operating on Port of Oakland owned land must have a standing affirmative action program on record and businesses bidding to do work for the Port of Oakland must have an acceptably diverse workforce. BACKGROUND To understand the role and/or goals of affirmative actions programs we should define what the broad definition of what affirmative action is and what caused its development. The phase affirmative action was used in a racial discrimination context. Executive Order No. 10,925 issued by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. The order indicated that federal contractors should take affirmative action to ensure job applicants and employees are treated without regard to their race, creed, or national origin. A person could define this statement as an order to imply equal access and nothing else. Subsequently, Executive Order 11246 issued by President Johnson in September 1965, mandated affirmative action goals for all federally funded programs and moved monitoring and enforcement of affirmative action programs out of the White House and into the Labor Department. Affirmative action refers to various efforts to deliberately take race, sex, and national origins into account to remedy past and current effects of discrimination. Its primary goal is to ensure that women and minorities are widely represented in all occupations and at all organizational levels (Tompkins, 1995, p.161). Another definition of affirmative action according to Barbara Bergmann is planning and acting to end the absence of certain kinds of people-those who belong to groups that have been subordinated or left out-from certain jobs and schools (1997 p.7). Tracing the history of affirmative action, laws against racial discrimination have proved inadequate for workplace integration because they often provide remedies only after the fact. Affirmative action requires proactive steps to provide equal opportunities in employment as well as access to education. Many affirmative action programs were born from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII references to affirmative action programs were brought about because of the history of discrimination in the United States, certain groups are viewed as disadvantage in the current marketplace. Thus affirmative action laws impose temporary requirements to correct underutilization of these groups (e.g. , goals and timetables for increasing the number of minorities and women in a facility) (Gutman, 1993, p.9). Prior to these laws and the Title VII law, the U.S workforce was primarily dominated by white males. Although, still somewhat white male dominated, quotas that were designed through affirmative action programs have helped achieve some representation of women and minorities in the current work force. Some remedies brought about through affirmative action programs include goal setting, quotas, and timetables. GOALS AND QUOTAS The term goal refers to specific outcomes which, when achieved, will result in equal employment opportunity and equitable representation (Hall Albrecht, 1979, p.47-78). Goals and hiring quotas vary somewhat in their function. Goals generally are long range plans that organizations use and there are no expected minimum or maximum limitations. Quotas by comparison, establishes a definite number of people who must be hired. A Company cannot by law, use quotas unless it has been ordered to do so by a court to remedy a past action (Hall Albrecht, 1979, p. 47-78). Deficiency correction is the primary target of goal setting through affirmative action. For an organization to be effective with goals, they must be realistic, attainable, and monitored by the human resource department. Affirmative action programs generally achieve their set goals through several common practices called outreach programs. First, there are special recruiting programs where women and minorities will most likely be found. These special outreach programs often target black universities and female dominated educational facilities. A second outreach program involves special advertising. Generally, this is also implemented in areas that are heavily populated by women and minorities similar to that of recruiting programs. Through outreach programs like the ones mentioned above, goals can be attained to achieve equity and representation without forgoing higher educated and skilled applicants. PROGRAM JUSTICATION These programs can be justified because discrimination is still apparent in the United States today. A 1990 study by the University of Chicagos National Opinion Research Center found that the majority of white Americans still believe blacks to be inferior. For example, 53% of non-black respondents said they thought blacks were less intelligent than whites, 62% said they thought blacks were less patriotic, 62% said they thought blacks were lazier, and 78% said they thought blacks preferred to live off welfare. The National Assessment of Educational Progress, a series of national standardize tests, evaluates students on their proficiency in reading, writing and science. They divide and compare these results to better understand the effectiveness of public schools. Their results suggest a large imbalance in the educational quality received by whites and other races. The most noticeable imbalance in the three fundamentals of learning was the most important, reading. When students cannot read well, they usually cannot succeed in other subject areas. With the background of affirmative action and its programs established we should evaluate some of the problems with affirmative action and if affirmative action programs work. Opponents against affirmative action programs often believe that the system currently in place is a misuse of the original intent of affirmative action. The programs as they apply now are detrimental to the operation of the job market, to white males, and to the groups it is supposed to benefit. Wuthering heights 2 Essay In a seniority system, the last hired is the first fired, whether the employee is more skilled and competent than an employee protected by seniority. (1999). Richard Lester, author of Manpower Planning, believes that seniority places less qualified employees ahead of employees who are often better educated, more skilled in computers. Arthur Whitehill Shin Ichi Takezawa in Work Ways, concluded the same thoughts Younger worker in some cases are more competent than older workers because of [them being} better education, greater adaptability and physical fitness. The public sector and much of the private sector have recognized seniority for quite sometime. We can find this system practiced by older teachers at various universities who are often protected by tenure. Professor Daniel Barber has even stated in candid conversion that when he was the department chair for the Master of Public Administration he took care of the tenured faculty first. Knowing this, why do Opponents of affirmative action, have appeared to be, judgmental of about so-called merit and preference, why isnt there the same concern about the biggest workplace exception to strict meritocracy ? Seniority? Seniority is yet another way to protect the good ?o boys networks. Found in many of the historically white male dominated professions, for example, Firefighters, police, school superintendents, and college professors. Coming from a public sector background (Disabled Army War Veteran, Bureau of Prisons office administrator, Department of Veterans Affairs administrator, and to many federal internships to count) I support the seniority system in those places where affirmative action is still in place. Workplace should reflect the diversity of the community it serves, seniority is a fair system of labor management relations. Seniority gives employees for the personnel problems and private preferences of an employer. However, seniority is a widely used exception to strict merit system only if the workplace is democratic and applied with affirmative action the workplace can become more inclusive. Where affirmative action is repealed, seniority loses some of its legitimacy. I argue that only loses some of its legitimacy because I personally was retained as an employee in a seniority situation. I was the last hired but I was not fired. In short, the scope of seniority and affirmative action are similar. The goal of seniority is job security and affirmative action is integration; both goals are good for America. The American labor movement has a major stake in seniority. The movement should embrace affirmative action because in good conscience it should not take advantage of one and not honor the other. Basically, benefiting for seniority practices but opposing affirmative action for others. If affirmative action is repealed, seniority should go as well. Labor unions and movements should concentrate on saving affirmative action. At a time when all progressive social policies are under attack, unity between women, labor, and people of color is imperative. Seniority and affirmative action should stand or fall together. CONCLUSION Ultimately, the controversy surrounding affirmative action programs today will continue into the future. Society as a whole does not appear to be ready to relinquish its negative perception of the hiring practices brought about by Title VII. However, the benefits brought about this act has greatly increased the opportunity for women and minorities in employment that may not have otherwise been available. These programs have offered hope to some if not all-socioeconomic groups that they will be afforded the opportunity of equal employment and/or representation in our society. Furthermore, human resource departments in the public sector will have to become more skilled in implementing positive affirmative action programs if we are to reap the full benefits from them. Finally, Affirmative action is not a cure-all. It will not eliminate racial discrimination, nor will it eliminate competition for scare resources. Affirmative action programs can only ensure that everyone has a fair chance at what is available. They cannot direct us to the social policies necessary so people do not have to compete for scarce resources in the first place. The larger question to ask is why are there not enough decent paying, challenging and safe jobs for everyone? Why are there not enough seats in the universities for everyone who wants an education? Expanding opportunity for people of color means expanding not only their access to existing jobs ; education, but also removing the obstacles that cause these resources to be limited. Bibliography SOURCES Bergmann, Barbara (1997). In Defense of Affirmative Action: New York: Sage Publications, Inc. Brune, Tom (1998). Nearly half of all affirmative-action hires are white. Seattle Times ? Internet Edition. November 6, 1999, on the world wide web:http://www.seattletimes.com/news/local/article/html98 /plus_020998.html. Ezorsky, Gertrude (1991). 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