Saturday, May 23, 2020

Vannozza dei Cattanei Mother of Borgias

Known for: mother of Lucrezia Borgia, Cesare Borgia and two (or maybe one) other child of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, who later became Pope Alexander VIOccupation: mistress, innkeeperDates: July 13, 1442 - November 24, 1518Also known as: Vanozza dei Cattenei, Giovanna de Candia, Countess of Cattenei Vannozza dei Cattanei Biography Vannozza dei Cattanei, as she was called, was born Giovanna de Candia, daughter of two nobles of the house of Candia. (Vannozza is a diminutive of Giovanna.) We know nothing of her early life, other than that she was born in Mantua. She may have been an innkeeper with several establishments in Rome when she became the mistress of Rodrigo Borgia, then a Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church (or the inns may have been property obtained with his support). He had many other mistresses before, during and after their relationship, but his with Vannozza was his longest relationship. He honored his children by her above his other illegitimate offspring. Rodrigo Borgia had been appointed a cardinal by Pope Callixtus III in 1456, his uncle, born Alfonso de Borja, who died in 1458. Rodrigo Borgia did not take Holy Orders and become a priest until 1468, but that did include a vow of celibacy. Borgia was not the only cardinal to have mistresses; one rumor at the time had Vanozza being the mistress first of another cardinal, Giulio della Rovere. Rovere was a rival of Borgia in his papal election in 1492, and later was elected pope, taking office in 1503 as Julius II, known among other things in his papacy for his opposition to the Borgias. Vannozza bore four children during her relationship with Cardinal Borgia. The first, Giovanni or Juan, was born in Rome in 1474. In September 1475, Cesare Borgia was born. Lucrezia Borgia was born in April of 1480 in Subiaco. In 1481 or 1482, a fourth child, Gioffre, was born. Rodrigo publicly acknowledged paternity of all four children but more privately expressed doubts about whether he fathered the fourth, Gioffre. As was common, Borgia saw that his mistress was married to men who would not object to the relationship. He officiated at her marriage in 1474 to Domenico dArignano, the same year her first Borgia child was born. dArignano died after a few years, and Vannozza then was married to Giorgio di Croce about 1475, the dates are given differently in different sources. There may have been another husband, Antonio de Brescia, between dArignano and Croce (or, according to some histories, after Croce). Croce died in 1486. Sometime around or after 1482, with Vannozza turning forty years old, the relationship of Vannozza and Borgia cooled. That was around the time that Borgia expressed his belief that Croce was the father of Gioffre. Borgia no longer lived with Vannozza, but he continued to take care that she was comfortable financially. Her property, much acquired during her relationship with Borgia, speaks to that. She, in turn, kept his confidences. Her children were raised apart from her after the relationship ended. Lucrezia was given into the care of Adriana de Mila, a third cousin of Borgia. Giulia Farnese, as Borgias newest mistress, moved into the household with Lucrezia and Adriana no later than 1489, the year Giulia was married to the stepson of Adriana. That relationship continued until after Alexander was selected Pope in 1492. Giulia was the same age as Lucrezias eldest brother; Lucrezia and Giulia became friends. Vannozza had one more child, Ottaviano, by her husband Croce. After Croce died in 1486, Vannozza remarried, this time to Carlo Canale. In 1488, Vannozzas son Giovanni became the heir of the Duke of Gandia, inheriting the title and holdings from an older half-brother, one of Borgias other children. In 1493 he would marry a bride who had been betrothed to that same half-brother. Vanozzas second son, Cesare, was made a bishop of Pamplona in 1491, and early in 1492, Lucrezia was betrothed to Giovanni Sforza. Vannozzas former lover Rodrigo Borgia was elected Pope Alexander VI in August of 1492. Also in 1492, Giovanni became the Duke of Gandia and Vannozzas fourth child, Gioffre, was given some land. The next year, Giovanni married a bride who had been betrothed to the same half-brother from whom hed inherited his title, Lucrezia married Giovanni Sforza and Cesare was appointed a cardinal. While Vannozza was apart from these events, she was building her own status and holdings. Her eldest son Giovanni Borgia died in July 1497: he was killed and his body thrown into the Tiber River. Cesare Borgia was widely thought to have been behind the assassination. That same year, Lucrezias first marriage was annulled on the grounds that her husband was unable to consummate the marriage; she remarried the next year. In July of 1498, Vannozzas son Cesare became the first Cardinal in church history to renounce his office; resuming secular status, he was named a Duke the same day. The next year, he married a sister of King John III of Navarre. And about that time, Giulia Farneses time as the Popes mistress had ended. In 1500, Lucrezias second husband was assassinated, likely on the orders of her older brother, Cesare. She appeared in public with a child in 1501, named Giovanni Borgia, probably the child that she was pregnant with at the end of her first marriage, probably by a lover. Alexander muddied already muddy waters about the childs parentage by issuing two bulls saying he was fathered by an unknown woman and Alexander (in one bull) or Cesare (in the other). We have no record of what Vannozza thought about this. Lucrezia remarried in 1501/1502, to Alfonso dEste (brother of Isabella dEste). Vannozza was occasionally in touch with her daughter after during her long and relatively stable marriage. Gioffre was appointed Prince of Squillace. In 1503, the Borgia family fortunes reversed with the death of Pope Alexander; Cesare was apparently too ill to move quickly to consolidate fortune and power. He was asked to be away during the subsequent election of a Pope, one who lasted mere weeks. The following year, with yet another Pope, this one, Julius III, with decidedly anti-Borgia sentiments, Cesare was exiled Spain. He died in a battle at Navarre in 1507. Vannozzas daughter, Lucrezia, died in 1514, probably of childbed fever. In 1517, Gioffre died. Vannozza herself died in 1518, surviving all four of her Borgia children. Her death was followed by a well-attended public funeral. Her tomb was at Santa Maria del Popolo, which she had endowed along with a chapel there. All four of the Borgia children are mentioned on her tombstone.

Monday, May 18, 2020

Drugs Should Be Banned For Professional Sports - 1211 Words

Drug Use In Sports Ninety-eight percent of professional athletes say that they would take performance enhancing drugs if they didn’t have a chance of getting caught. Performance enhancing drugs, or PEDs, or steroids, have been around since 776 BC when the Greeks would use them to improve their performance in the Olympic Games. During World War II, the Germans, including Hitler, would take steroids to make themselves stronger and more aggressive. The Americans, British, and Japanese also began to use steroids during World War II shortly after Germany. After the war, athletes started to get their hands on these drugs and began to use them to boost their performance. More recently, athletes such as bicyclist, Lance Armstrong and baseball player, Alex Rodriguez have been caught using performance enhancers. While there are some people that believe performance enhancing drugs should be illegal in professional sports, some say they should be legal because using the drugs should be the athlete s decisio n, not someone else’s and steroid use could possibly even make the sport more fair than it is today. Athletes in professional sports should be allowed to make their own decision whether or not to use performance enhancers. â€Å"If athletes prefer the gains in performance allegedly provided by the use of steroids† and they understand that there is a chance that the steroids could have a negative effect on their bodies then â€Å"what gives anyone the right to interfere with their choice?†Show MoreRelatedPerformance Enhancing Drugs Should Be Banned in Professional Sports2737 Words   |  11 Pagessuspensions without pay for using performance enhancing drugs. Big names such as Ryan Braun and Alex Rodriguez were on this list. Testosterone, an illegal substance, is what is found in the performance enhancing drugs. Testosterone increases male characteristics such as body hair, aggression, deepening of the voice, and of course massive muscle growth (â€Å"Steroids† par. 1). Some professional athletes claim to use performance enhancing drugs to recover more quickly from injury; others take them becauseRead MoreSteroid Use in Sports1732 Words   |  7 Pagesastonishing ten to fifteen percent of professional athletes use illegal steroids which are also known as performance enhancing drugs. These substances which are banned in professional sports aren’t just any type of steroid or drug. They are called anabolic steroids or performance enhancing drugs, and they are synthetically produced substances of male testosterone hormones. The use of these illegal steroids has garnered a lot of publicity within the world of sports over the past few years. As athletesRead MoreThe Issue Of Performance Enhancing Drugs1453 Words   |  6 PagesReally Unfair? The issue of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) has been among the most controversial in the sports world. A number of high profile athletes from Barry Bonds to Lance Armstrong have seen their reputations tarnished as a result of their use of these substances. Even the US Congress has held a number of high profile hearings on the subject to rid professional sports of their usage. In the sports world, it is almost assumed that sports are better when PEDs are removed from the game, andRead MoreWhy Performance-Enhancing Drugs Are Ruining Sports Essay1174 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Sports are something that everyone in the world, regardless of age, sex, or nationality, can enjoy. Whether its a child playing in his first t-ball game or a professional athlete swimming in the Olympics and everyone in between, sports can connect almost everyone. Fan support and overall devotion for athletic competition has raised professional athletes to superstars and national icons; Super Bowl Sunday is a national holiday to some, and sports are one of the largest moneymakersRead MoreUse of Steroids by Athletes Essay1538 Words   |  7 Pagesoffered a banned performance enhancing substance that comes with two guarantees: 1) You will not be caught. 2). You will win every competition you enter for the next five years and then you will die from the side effects of the substance. Would you take it? More than half the athletes said yes. As we can infer from the above survey, a large number of professional athletes are willing to risk their lives for the chance of victory and recogn ition. The controversy of doping in sports is centeredRead MorePerformance Enhancing Drugs For Sports Essay1514 Words   |  7 PagesPerformance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports A tremendously large problem in sports is whether or not athletes should be able to use performance enhancing drugs. To most people, it doesn t make any sense for athletes to be using them. They have to know what affect it has on their body not only physically, but also mentally. Around the early 2000’s is when all this starting coming up and it has made a dramatic impact on the sports world. The few people who want performance-enhancing drugs in sports don’t worryRead MoreLegalize Steroids in Sports799 Words   |  4 PagesLegalize Steroids In Sports Ben Johnson was one of the first superstar athletes to be caught using steroids and was stripped of his 100m gold medal at the 1988 Olympics. He was eventually banned for life in 1993 for testing positive again (Richardson 2010). Performance enhancing drugs have become widely used since the 1970’s and have only increased in the numbers of athletes using the drugs to up their endurance and perform to their greatest potential. Professionals such as Barry Bonds, JoseRead MoreSteriods in Sports Should Be Banned1295 Words   |  6 PagesSheila Sim Mrs. Virginia Link-Pease English 122 02 October 2010 Steroid Use in Sports Should Be Banned Day by day professional athletes are being praised for their ability and accomplishments in their respective sports. The professional athletes that are succeeding the most are generally using performance enhancing drugs, other known as anabolic steroids (Mayo Clinic). Anabolic steroids are drugs which imitate the effect of the male sex hormone, Testosterone. The cells producing protein increaseRead MoreShould Peds Persist Illegal For Athletes?1220 Words   |  5 PagesShould PEDs Persist Illegal for Athletes? Who could spare a day not doing any sort of sports? Throughout the years sports have been taking much place in people’s lives. Physical activity is an action which requires an individual’s efforts and own sweat. Of course, the efforts should ward off any drug involvement, especially in the sports field. Using performance enhancing drugs has extended and become a wide-spread phenomenon in many fields of sports. Using PEDs is one of the issues thatRead MoreSteroids Is Not The Ideal Choice For Many Health Reasons1495 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å"Alex Rodriguez, from the New York Yankees, was suspended for 162 games for using steroids† (History). The use of steroids has forever changed the world of professional sports, making it a world fueled by drug contacts instead of skill and talent. Steroids could possibly be legalized although there are many risks, people get caught everyday using steroids, people could be harmed from using steroids, and there are negative consequences from the use of steroids. Steroids are not the ideal choice

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Reforms in Chinese Agriculture Have Had Its Successes and...

Reforms in Chinese Agriculture have had its successes and failures over time. Originally, the agricultural sector was operating under a centrally planned system and now it is working its way to a market-oriented agricultural sector. In this paper the focus is going to be on the positive and or negative effects of the Great Leap Forward Movement, The Cultural Revolution, the commune system, and, the responsibility system. Furthermore, the performance of grain production over the period of 1952 to 1988 will be briefly discussed. An important first movement was The Great Leap Forward Movement, which was headed by Mao Zedong in 1958. This movement brought about the creation of communes, which is a collective economic unit. This†¦show more content†¦Between 1958 and 1984, the communes were responsible for procuring grain, for drawing up plans for subordinate units (the production brigades and teams), and for managing water and pest control, afforestation, and transportation projects. They also operated facilities for marketing crops, as well as stores selling consumer goods, seed, fertilizer, implements, and other farm inputs. So basically by 1985 the communes were transformed to economic units with no political influence. The commune movement was the key starting point for Chinese rural agriculture to become decentralized or in other words become free from complete control of the central government. The reform of agriculture was required when the Chinese leaders finished experimenting with the commune system and central economic planning. They became aware of its many down falls and so they began to concentrate on a more market-oriented economy. One of the main shortcomings of the commune system was that farm workers had no incentive to work hard because they were not rewarded for their efforts. The farmers knew how to run the farms efficiently, but their hands were tied under the commune system by the central government. All things changed when the responsibility system came into effect. This responsibility system is similar to private farming in a market economy, withShow MoreRelatedMao Zedong1391 Words   |  6 PagesMao Zedong is considered to be one of the most controversial political leaders of the twentieth century. He has been known both as a savior and a tyrant to the Chinese people. From his strategic success of the Long March, to his humiliating failure of the Great Leap Forward, to the Cultural Revolution that shocked the country and took countless lives, Mao has significantly influenced the result of what China is today. From humble origins, Mao Zedong rose to absolute power, unifying with an iron fistRead MoreComparing the Approaches of the Progressive and Populist Movements893 Words   |  4 Pagesin the United States. Both movements had different approaches to what was more important and how to deal with problems. Progressivism was mainly for the betterment of cities while populis m is for agrarian section of farmers. First of all there were social failures and successes between the populist and the progressive. During the progressive era, many lawmakers from state and general level made laws to protect citizens at home and those who are at work. Reforms were made saying that women and childrenRead MoreComparing Russia And China Relations1646 Words   |  7 Pageseconomies. Both countries have extremely large populations and huge landmasses. They also both are autonomous countries that have experienced thousands of years of autocracy. Historically being land empires in the center of Eurasia, they developed strong central state legacies with distinct identities, cultures, and legitimacies. As former command socialist economies, establishing a market capitalist system was a daunting task for both Russia and China. The nations had to attempt to invent the processRead MoreThe Collapse Of Communism During The Soviet Union2553 Words   |  11 PagesVandyke B00570936 Peter Arthur Robert Finbow November 30, 2014 POLI 2300 A Failure to Adapt: Why Communism Survived in China and failed In the USSR The eventual demise of Communism in the USSR was a direct consequence of the Soviet Union’s failure to adapt to the changes occurring in the world during the 1920’s to the 1940’s. Unlike Communist China, the USSR failed to place economic growth ahead of political reform. In this regard, Russia was unsuccessful in establishing a national identity andRead MoreChina s Economic Success Of The United States2138 Words   |  9 PagesIn 2014, what had been predicted numerous times throughout the past decade had finally occurred. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), China had overtook the United States (US) to become the world’s largest economy, with their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measured by way of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), where GDP is adjusted to accommodate the relative prices in each market, was estimated to be at $17.6 trillion compared to $17.4 trillion for the US (Fray 2014). This stood testamentRead MoreAssess the Impact of Interf erence by Foreign Powers on China’s Development in the 20th Century2321 Words   |  10 Pagestransformation is seen to be a great success of China, considering the relatively short amount of time in which it was accomplished, but the question still remains as to whether entire credit should be given to China itself or instead whether China’s successful development was more due to the forced interference of foreign powers or, to a lesser extent, their influence rather than the inspired originality of Chinese politicians. The main stimulus for development certainly seems to be economic policy (eitherRead MoreThe Great Leaders in China3603 Words   |  15 PagesGenghis Khan, first known as Temujin, was the son of a leader of a Mongolian tribe. He was brought up in a time of warring tribes and factions. Genghis Khan was a fierce and brilliant military commander, who achieved unprecedented success in setting Ghengis Khanup an Empire which stretched across Europe and Asia . His Mongol armies left a trail of fear, death and destruction. But, he also created a vibrant empire with a common language, booming trade, tolerance of religion and some basic customs andRead More China In The 20th Century Essay example2955 Words   |  12 Pages Overview China in the 20th century has been going through enormous changes. From colonialism and imperialism to republicanism, from communism to capitalism, and from underdevelopment to a country maintaining over 10% economic growth for over ten years. In this research paper, I will focus on the transition of China from a Communist command economy to a type of market economy as well as the economic fluctuations throughout this period. In 1949 Oct 1, the Peopleamp;#8217;s Republic ofRead MoreThe Effects of the Communists’ Policies Towards Women on the Communists’ Rise to Power in China2335 Words   |  10 Pagesin society. I will analyze journal articles and books from Western and Asian authors to evaluate various historians’ views on Communists’ policies towards women and the effects they had on Communists’ rise to power. Kellee Tsai’s Women and the state in post-1949 rural China and John King Fairbank’s â€Å"The Great Chinese Revolution: 1800-1985† are two of the principle sources and will be evaluated. Part B: Summary of Evidence Women’s Participation in Long March Mao’s uprising in Hunan, known asRead MoreThe Great Leap Forward By Joseph Stalin1991 Words   |  8 PagesMao launched the ‘Cultural Revolution’ in order to reassert his authority over China and the CCP, but also ensure that China would not revert back into capitalism and cement the revolution so as not to make the same revisionist mistakes that Mao had seen in the USSR. I aim to establish whether ‘the Great Leap Forward’ and ‘Cultural Revolution’ were successes for China in modernising and pushing the country forward or a failure that achieved nothing for the nation, by focussing on a few key elements

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Cultural Movements in the United States The Harlem...

There have been many cultural movements throughout history in this world. One of the greatest movements in this world was the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance movement is defined as a cultural movement that spanned in the 1920’s, at this time known as the Negro Movement; the movement also relied on white patronage. White patronage had a profound effect on the vitality of the Harlem Renaissance, and the evidence says the Harlem Renaissance would not have reached the heights it did without generous white contributions. The Harlem Renaissance spurred events that affected the African Americans society in areas such as migration, the work force, and also racial pride (www.yale.edu). One of the factors of white patronage is the Negro Movement. The Negro movement is also defined as the self-confidence and active refusal to obey the Jim Crow – era laws of the post war 1 black community. The term Negro Movement soon became a form of entertainment for whites. White mone y and white connections were crucial catalysts for the movement in the early years. White patronage brought along organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan (also known as the KKK). Organizations such as the KKK wanted to end races, cultures, and also many religions. The KKK founder first official act was to climb to the top of a mountain and set a cross on fire to mark the rebirth of the Klan. The Klan then switched to targeting only blacks during the 1920’s (www.yale.edu). A couple of yearsShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Harlem Renaissance and Its Societal Effects 1133 Words   |  5 PagesWhat Is the Harlem Renaissance, and What Effects Did It Have On Society? Harlem was like a great magnet for the Negro intellectual, pulling him from everywhere. Or perhaps the magnet was New York, but once in New York, he had to live in Harlem(Langston Hughes, The Big Sea). When one is describing a â€Å"fresh and brilliant portrait of African American art and culture in the 1920s (Rampersad, Arnold),† the Harlem Renaissance would be the most accurate assumption. The Harlem Renaissance proved to AmericaRead MoreInfluence of the Harlem Renaissance on Society Essay1114 Words   |  5 Pages Influence of the Harlem Renaissance in Society A group of people who had at one point held no power and position in society were now thriving in the nation, as they spread their culture and ideas. It was the start of an era known as the Harlem Renaissance. This was a more than a literary movement, it was a cultural movement based on pride in the Africa-American life. They were demanded civil and political rights (Stewart). The Harlem Renaissance changed the way African Americans were viewed byRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance1317 Words   |  6 PagesOver the course of time, many different movements have occurred. The most influential types have ranged from revolutionary movements to feminism. These movements have changed the course of society and kept a different outlook on new ideas. A very important idea that needed to be stressed was the freedom of African Americans. For so long they were slaves and treated extremely poorly. Eventually, they became free people. However, they were still not viewed as equal. It took many years to move evenRead More The Harlem Renaissance Essay1513 Words   |  7 PagesThe Harlem Renaissance      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Chapter 1 Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Harlem Renaissance, an African American cultural movement of the 1920s and early 1930s that was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. According to Wintz: The Harlem Renaissance was â€Å"variously known as the New Negro movement, the New Negro Renaissance, and the Negro Renaissance, the movement emerged toward the end of World War I in 1918, blossomed in the mid- to late 1920s, and then withered in the mid-1930sRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance : African American Culture758 Words   |  4 PagesThe Harlem Renaissance: African American Culture The Harlem Renaissance was an era where African American culture flourished. African American music, art, theatre, literature, food, fashion, and creativity dominated in the 1920’s. It was a movement to redefine what being â€Å"black† meant to destroy the stereotypes of that society has affiliated with being a negro. At this time, African American artists used their talents to take advantage of this opportunity to make a better life for themselves, whileRead MoreExploring African American History : The Harlem Renaissance1521 Words   |  7 PagesSmith Period 1 AP World History 12-14-15 Exploring African American History: The Harlem Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance originally known as the New Negro Movement was an important part of African American culture and history, which helped African Americans express themselves and celebrate their heritage. Between the years of 1890-1920 close to two million African Americans traveled from the rural southern states to the northern cities. They traveled to these northern cities in hopes to find betterRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance Movement By Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, And Ralph Waldo Ellison931 Words   |  4 Pagesthe most impactful movements on African American arts, the Harlem Renaissance Movement represented a period of artistic and intellectual change that initiated a new identity on black culture. Often called the â€Å"New Negro† Era, the Harlem Renaissance opened doors for African American to express themselves in the form of visual arts, musical elements, and even performing arts during the 1920s. Due to this movement, Harlem became the city that â€Å" gave African Americans a physical cultural center.† [1] RenownedRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance with Langston Hughes1676 Words   |  7 PagesHarlem Renaissance with Langston Hughes The Harlem Renaissance brought about uniqueness amongst African Americans; everything was new. The visual art, the jazz music, fashion and literature took a cultural spin. During this time writer Langston Hughes seemed to outshine the rest with amazing works. The Harlem Renaissance brought about many great changes. It was a time for expressing the African American culture. It is variously known as the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Literary RenaissanceRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance : An Important Piece Of History For America1473 Words   |  6 PagesThe Harlem Renaissance, originally called the New Negro Movement, was a movement that shook the 1920’s in the United States of America. The Harlem Renaissance spanned between the years of 1918 all the way to the mid 1930’s. This movement was a movement of the arts. It has been said that this time period was a rebirth to the African American arts. The Harlem Renaissance is an extremely important piece of history for America. The Harlem Renaissance took place soon after the â€Å"Great Migration.†At thisRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance941 Words   |  4 PagesThe Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement, in the early 1920’s, that involved vibrancies of new life, ideas, and perceptions. The large migration of African Americans northward, after World War I, allowed people of color the opportunity to collaborate in the New York City neighborhood, known as Harlem. This renaissance allowed the city to thrive on a refined understanding and appreciation of the arts. Many individuals were involved in this movement including doctors, students, shopkeepers,

Freedom Writers Free Essays

FREEDOM WRITERS MOVIE REVIEW The movie Freedom Writers (directed by Richard LaGravenese , starring Hilary Swank as Erin Gruwell an excited new teacher, Scott Glenn as Steve Gruwell (Erins father), Imelda Staunton as Margaret Vail (department head), Patrick Dempsey as Scott Casey (Erins husband), Mario as Andre (student), and April Lee Hernandez as Eva (Student)) gave me the impression of sending a hidden message. In that message it said a lot to me about how anyone no matter who they are, have the right to do anything if they are willing to stand up for it. We watch as an up and coming teacher teaches a classroom of students who come and go to juvenile detention centers, homeless, and for some jail, to work together and not against. We will write a custom essay sample on Freedom Writers or any similar topic only for you Order Now It has also been inspirational to me because it teaches people not to discriminate or stereotype others just because of their ethnic background. Set in Long Beach, California (1994–1996), Freedom Writers, based on a true story, puts into play this negative stereotype of people within an ethnic community belonging to a crime filled environment. The high school students within the movie belong to a segregated community, where each race is divided into separate tribes. The students are represented as a central point to the movie, and the way they struggle to break free from the chaotic atmosphere around them to emerge as one, putting away the elements of the ‘separate/extra’ and accepting their classmates for who they are rather than the color of their skin or ethnicity. On her first day teaching, Erin Gruwell encounters an empty classroom and has to wait till a school officer drags the students into class. The students separate into racial groups in the classroom, fights break out, and eventually most of the high school students stop attending class. Not only does Gruwell feel hostility from her high school students, but she also clashes with her department head, who refuses to let her teach her high school students with books in case they get damaged and lost, and instead tells her to focus on training them discipline and obedience. As time passes on she slowly but eventually begins to earn their trust and buys them composition books to record their diaries, in which they talk about their experiences of being evicted, abused, and seeing their friends die. I believe Hilary Swank fulfilled her part as a teacher for her students because she made it seem as if she was really going above and beyond for the students. I believe Imelda Staunton who played as Margaret Vail, fulfilled the expectations but at the same time, I feel hers could have been more out there. April Lee Hernandez as Eva, was perfect for the role because she gave her character a hostile and tough demeanor. I think that made her more exciting to listen to because of what she has come from to achieve her perception of others in the movie. I was excited by this movie and would watch it again for the characters backgrounds and seeing them achieve their goals. The actors gave what was asked of them. How to cite Freedom Writers, Essay examples

Organizational Behavior and Management Skeel

Question: Analyzes their participation as a member of their project team in Skeel. Answer: Introduction Skeel (2013) defines that Bankruptcy is a state, where an organization is unable to repay some or all of their debts under the federalbankruptcycourt.Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) is an association that deals with these bankruptcy incidences and resolves the case for the Australian organization (Fedcourt.gov.au, 2016). The organization that is considered in this assessment is the sports association and the major concern is to identify the prime reason behind this bankruptcy. This business report highlights the lack of factors like motivation of employees, teamwork, organizational behavior followed by the managers and the employee along with the areas of future development. The assignment wraps up with an overall conclusion of the entire discussion. Discussion There are mainly three components of motivation, which is important for accomplishing the organizational objective- direction, persistence and intensity (Ya-jun et al., 2013). Weiss et al. (2012) further mentions that if an organization does not have a clear expectation and goals to achieve and do not research about the market condition, there is a high possibility that the organization would go bankrupt. Taken for instance, in a sports association, if there are more competition in the field, it is evident that people desire to enroll themselves in a reputed organization rather than a new one where same opportunities are provided. Manzoor (2012) also defines that offering job roles to an efficient employee will not only motivate the person but it also ensure that they are fulfilling their responsibility with proper attention. In this circumstance, if an employee who is not aware of the financial representation and is asked to prepare a balance sheet, the person will overlook all the essential data like tax payments and other legal obligation. Teamwork and the consideration where an individual thinks that achieving organizational goals is their sole work in the workplace is crucial for the success of the company. Bumann and Younkin (2012) defines an effective team knows each other's strength and weakness and they always emphasizes on enhancing the strengths and resolves the weakness for the advancement of both the organization as well and to the individual. Taken for instance if in a sports association, employees do not engage with the organization, there may be a chance that the person shares the internal managerial decision with the other competitors for their benefits. As a result, bankruptcy can occur within the sports association, as they will never bring something new to the market to satisfy their needs (Weiss, 2012). In sports association, there are internal and external stakeholders. The sportsperson, coach, associations chairperson and the equipment suppliers are known as the stakeholders. Dawsey et al. (2013) defines that if the chairperson provides more reputation to some sportsman, who does not deserve to play at the national level, the conflicts between these people may arise to a great level and there may be a lack of associatively in them. Moreover, Platt and Platt (2012) defines that there will be a change in their attitude and they intentionally show poor performance in the final tournaments. Thus, in the circumstance, the team got lost and as a result, they will not win prize money that may be used to pay some debts taken from the financial institute or pay tax to the government. The final consequence is that the sports association got bankrupt due to the stakeholder conflicts. The organizational behavior is a study that highlights the culture followed in a workplace. Wagner and Hollenbeck (2014) stated that effective organizational behavior is crucial for the betterment of the organization as it involves the management of the recruitment, providing them training and then analyzing the market demand. The managing authorities should be aware of the evolving technology and the rapidity of the change and if they are not changing the organizational behavior according to that, it is not possible for the organization to set a competitive advantage in the market and they will go bankrupt. Brigham and Ehrhardt (2013) depicts that in terms of a sports association, if the business is not growing then significant profitability cannot be obtained and the managers have to take money from a financial institute or taken the way not to pay the taxes. Thus, Weiss et al. (2012) depicts that improper implementation of new technology and no provision of employee training resul ts in poor customer satisfaction and as a result, these association can be bankrupted. The organizational culture of the sports authority comprises of the emotions, attitudes and the perceptions of the members (Alvesson Sveningsson, 2015). The management of the Sports Authority lacked professional outlook in managing the day to day matters. The employees of the organization were not interactive and hence there was not sufficient communication in the organization. The employees were not receptive to new ideas and they lacked flexibility in their organizational functioning. They were not willing to experiment with new ideas. Their compensation structure was not competitive and this caused low motivation level of the employees. The low motivation level of the employees causes lack of productivity of the employees which caused the organization to formulate improper financial policies. The national organizational culture of the sports industry in Australia is culturally rich. The sports industry has transformed the national identity of Australia. The national culture has a strong influence on the sports authority (Jarvie, 2013). However, the sports authority is unable to integrate the sports culture with the organizational culture. The national culture must share unconditional relationship with the local sports authority in order to maximize the operational efficiency. The sports authority is unable to adhere to the requirements of the national organizational culture, which has caused the organization to run in losses. The individual differences between the employees of the organization have great impact on the overall functioning of the organization. The employees have different perception, behavior, interactions and attitudes that affect the regular activities of the organization (Korschun, Bhattacharya Swain, 2014). The employees react differently to specific situations and this impacts the organizational activities. The organizational change is also perceived differently by each employee. The sports authority is a diverse entity that makes it difficult to achieve the effectiveness of the job tasks. The individual differences make it difficult for the organization to achieve optimum results. There is lack of coordination among the employees which makes it difficult to solve the organizational issues. This is one of the primary reasons for the bankruptcy of the sports authority. The organization must try to focus on developing the organizational behavior in order to achieve the maximum financial efficiency. The sports authority should give appropriate job roles to the employees, which is based on their skills as well as competencies. The managers should demonstrate an excellent performance by efficient administration of the team members. The planning, allocating, controlling and the evaluating job tasks should be performed well by the managers so that the team members are able to perform the financial functions in a better way. The organization must focus on fostering team work among the employees so that the organizational goals can be attained. The sports authority must strive in enhancing the work culture of the organization which would improve the performance of the employees. The managers must address the individual differences of the workforce and improve the cooperation level of the employees. The overall improvement of the organizational performance would lead to efficient management of the financial functions. Conclusion The sports authority has several issues with the organizational behavior due to which it faced bankruptcy. This paper analyzed some of the important parameters such as motivation level of the employees, individual differences, organizational culture, perception of the employees, team work and others that have a major impact on the organizational performance. This paper would broaden the understanding of the issues behind their financial crisis. References Alvesson, M., Sveningsson, S. (2015).Changing organizational culture: Cultural change work in progress. Routledge. Bankruptcy guide: introduction. (2016).Fedcourt.gov.au. Retrieved 22 September 2016, from https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/law-and-practice/areas-of-law/bankruptcy Brigham, E. F., Ehrhardt, M. C. (2013).Financial management: Theory practice. Cengage Learning. Bumann, M., Younkin, S. (2012). Applying self efficacy theory to increase interpersonal effectiveness in teamwork.Journal of Invitational Theory and Practice,18, 11. Dawsey, A. E., Hynes, R. M., Ausubel, L. M. (2013). Non-judicial debt collection and the consumer's choice among repayment, bankruptcy and informal bankruptcy.Am. Bankr. LJ,87, 1. Jarvie, G. (2013).Sport, culture and society: an introduction. Routledge. Korschun, D., Bhattacharya, C. B., Swain, S. D. (2014). Corporate social responsibility, customer orientation, and the job performance of frontline employees.Journal of Marketing,78(3), 20-37. Manzoor, Q. A. (2012). Impact of employees motivation on organizational effectiveness.Business management and strategy,3(1), 1. Platt, H., Platt, M. (2012). Corporate board attributes and bankruptcy.Journal of Business Research,65(8), 1139-1143. Skeel, D. A. (2013). Is Bankruptcy the Answer for Troubled Cities and States?.Houston Law Review, 13-9. Wagner III, J. A., Hollenbeck, J. R. (2014).Organizational behavior: Securing competitive advantage. Routledge. Weiss, M. R., Amorose, A. J., Kipp, L. E. (2012). Youth motivation and participation in sport and physical activity. Ya-jun, W. A. N. G., Long, W. E. I. (2013). Multi-angle of View Analysis on the Motivation of Evolution of Industrial Organization [J].Journal of Wuhan University of Technology (Social Sciences Edition),1, 005.

Friday, May 1, 2020

Fundamentals and Principles of Corporate Finance

Question: Discuss about the Fundamentals and Principles of Corporate Finance. Answer: Introduction: The objective is to match the balance sheet with the various companies that are offered based on the constituent elements and also on the basis of the given ratios. The balance sheet belongs to the retail grocery chain. Certain indictors are the presence of high revenue per asset generation but low profitability. Also, the account payables are moderately high as suppliers would need to be paid. Besides, there is moderate distribution of assets in the form of receivables, inventory along with plant and equipment which is essentially on expected lines in this business (Damodaran). The balance sheet belongs to a bookstore chain. This is apparent from the presence of high level of inventory along with investment in plant and equipment. The low receivable collection period is also expected considering the business. The high payables are also on expected lines as books on credit are displayed in the stores and payment for the same is made later (Northington). This balance sheet belongs to the online direct factory to customer personal computer vendor. This is because again the inventory levels are quite small while the inventory turnover is very high which is indicative of the online business. This makes sense as the company directly ships from the factory and hence maintains very low inventory levels. Also, the high accounts receivables period witnessed clearly reflects the sales to business customers (Brealey, Myers and Allen). This balance sheet belongs to a pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is because more than 50% of the assets are attributed to other assets which may be on account of intangible assets such as patents. The receivable collection period is also high which is indicative of the focus being non-retail. Also, the profit percentage of the business is very high (second highest amongst the 14 companies given) which also indicates towards a drug manufacturer (Parrino and Kidwell). This balance sheet belongs to the parcel delivery service. The zero inventory level is indicative of the service nature of the business. Further, there are significant development in the supply chain and logistics which is reflected in the plant and equipment. A lot of investment is required and the high collection period is reflective that the business tends to serve the businesses directly which forms a bulk of the business (Northington). This balance sheet belongs to the computer software developer. As expected, the plant and machinery are low since the business is essential service oriented and also inventory is very low. Besides, other assets and cash are significant assets which may be attributed to the high profitability of the business and presence of trademarks respectively. The profit margins are the highest which go well with the software development business (Damodaran). This balance sheet belongs to the social networking service. The zero inventory level is indicative that it is a service business. Also, a high degree of the assets are in the form of cash which is quite expected. There are very few current liabilities for such a business which accounts for very high current ratio. Further, the net profit/net worth is the lowest for the lot which clearly indicates that even though the business does not generate much profits but it is valued at very high levels primarily because of the expected growth potential (Brealey, Myers and Allen). This balance sheet belongs to the restaurant chain. This is apparent from the high inventory turnover ratio which is expected in perishable food business. Besides, the receivables collection period would also be low which the case here is. Also, high inventory for serving customers is required besides having significant amount of plant and equipment(Parrino and Kidwell). This balance sheet belongs to the drug retail chain. This is apparent from high amount of inventory in the form of medicines coupled with a low receivable collection period due to the nature of business. Also, due to physical presence, significant investment in plant and equipment would be required. Besides, there is presence of moderate account payables in the form of supplies coupled with a mix of both long term and short term financing depending on the business usage(Damodaran). This balance sheet belongs to the Departmental Store Chain with their own credit card. The expected balance sheet items would show a distribution similar to that of a retail grocery chain except that the receivables period would be comparatively higher on account the credit card and also the inventory turnover would be comparatively lower(Brealey, Myers and Allen). This balance sheet belongs to the online retailer. The high inventory may suggest that the retailer may be relying on private labels or might offtake large amount from supplies and then sell this through online mode. Besides, there is sizable investment in the enabling infrastructure so as to be able to reach the consumers reflected in plant and machinery. The low receivable indicate that the company processes order either on cash payment or advance payment. Further, it gets credit period from the suppliers(Northington). The balance sheet belongs to the electric gas utility company. The significance of revenues from gas is the presence of inventory which would have been absent for a pure electric utility company. Besides, there is high investment in plant and equipment and the majority debt is long term due to large gestation period of these projects. Besides, the receivable period is quite high at 57 months which is expected as first the bills are generated and then within a month or so, these are cleared(Parrino and Kidwell). The balance sheet belongs to the airline. The zero inventory level reflects the service nature of business. Besides, a high amount of plant and equipment is expected on account of significant investment in airplanes and related infrastructure. Also, the receivables collection days would be low only as ticket prices are collected mostly before-hand. Besides, the profitability of the industry is low which is reflected from the low profit margins(Damodaran). The balance sheet belongs to the commercial bank. The zero inventory level reflects the service nature of business. This is apparent from the receivables forming about 83% of thee total assets as loans are extended to various entities. Further, the high collection period of 8047 days is always indicative of the long term loans and lending business of the concerned entity(Brealey, Myers and Allen). References Brealey, R, S Myers and F Allen. Principles of Corporate Finance. London: McGraw Hil Publications, 2008. Damodaran, Aswath. Corporate Finance. London : Wiley Sons, 2008. Northington, S. Finance. New York: Ferguson, 2011. Parrino, R and D Kidwell. Fundamentals of Corporate Finance. London: Wley Sons, 2011.