Defining Race and Ethnicity Essay Example for Free

Defining Race and Ethnicity Essay The use of the terms race and ethnicity is varied. The two terms are misused as if they are identical. The casual and common appearance of the terms side by side in the public discourse may discourage people from regarding them as distinct terms. Race is based on the premise of biological and physical differences. the concept of race included any essential zing of groups of people which held them to display inherent, heritable, persistent or predictive characteristics, and which thus had a biological or quasi-biological basis. Ethnicity is an embodiment of values, institutions, and patterns of behavior, a composite whole representing a peoples historical experience, aspirations, and worldview. Ethnic classification, either externally imposed or intrinsically engendered, often defines peoples membership to a group. Aside from social constructs, ethnicity is innately more central to human experience and identity than race. I do not believe that these concepts should be important to society. Racial and ethnic categories are neither fixed across societies nor within a society. Racial and ethnic categories are fluid and changing depending on the socio-political context of a society at any given time. Ethnic and racial differences do not inherently lead to conflict. Instead, these differences can take on a social meaning of hierarchy leading to conflict when divided groups fail to negotiate. In such cases, the imbalance of power, not the racial or ethnic differences per se, is the underlying cause of the conflict. In each of these cases, it is critical that the topic of race and ethnicity receives continual examination. The ideology and myth of racial and ethnic differences cannot be validated to support or legitimate superiority, privilege, or conflict as has often been the case in both historical and global contexts.

Balboa, a Spanish conqueror and explorer :: History

Balboa, a Spanish conqueror and explorer. Vasco Nuà ±ez de Balboa, a Spanish conqueror and explorer, was the first to see the coast of the Pacific Ocean. He saw the ocean in September of 1513, from the top of a mountain of what is now Panama. On September 29, 1523, Balboa claimed it and all its shores for Spain. His findings opened Spanish explorations and conquests along the western coast of South America began. The Spanish called the ocean the South Sea because it lay south of the isthmus of Panama. In 1520 a Portuguese explorer named Ferdinand Magellan sailed through it and named it the Pacific, meaning peaceful, which until this day the name remains the same. Balboa ´s early life was a normal one. He was born in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain. His father, whom we know little about, did not have influence or wealth. When he was young, Vasco served in the household of a rich nobleman in Moguer, one of Spain’s main ports. After Christopher Columbus ´ voyage in 1492, more sailors were taken to the New World, and many sailor stories could be heard throughout Spain about the new lands across the ocean. The opportunities attracted Balboa, who in 1501 joined a Spanish voyage to South America. They explored the north coast of what is now Colombia. There were not enough people to attempt a settlement. In 1502 they sailed to the Hispanola, the main Spanish base in America. Vasco had a very rough time making a living on the island. For a time he even raised pigs there. Balboa ´s rise to fame was one that happened little by little. In 1509, the first expedition to colonize the mainland of South America left Hispanola. Balboa wanted to join this expedition, but he had fallen heavily into debt, and he was prevented from leaving Hispanola. On the mainland, the Spaniards established the settlement of San Sebastian along the eastern coast of Uraba. In 1510, Vasco stowed away on a ship that carried some supplies and new settlers to the colony. When they reached the mainland, they met some of the San Sebastian settlers who had abandoned the settlement because they lacked food and the Indians were very dangerous there. The two groups united and went back to San Sebastian. Balboa, who had more experience on the continent than the rest, suggested moving to the western side of the gulf.

Examining Cell Phone Effects Essay

Kailla Schlimm’s article â€Å"The Effect of Cell Phones in Modern Society† addresses issues on how cell phones have altered modern day society. Schlimm’s article is mainly targeted towards children and teenagers. She begins by expressing the main point that some people rely on their cell phones for everything and gives reason of why this may be and list examples. Schlimm then extends her argument and tells how cell phones are used and what they are used for. Schlimm also confers how cell phones may be great, but they also can cause problems. After each problem is addressed, the reader may want to stop and think about the positive effects and negative effects of cell phones. Schlimm focuses on the many problems that cell phones can cause. In doing so, she reveals examples of danger and harm that they may cause. She begins by proposing explanations of how cell phones can be used improperly. For example, she say â€Å"Phones of the twenty-first century may be great at times, but at the same time the do cause a few problems. For instance, there are people who text and drive† (Schlimm). Schlimm then makes a reference to how this problem may add to the chance of getting into a car wreck even more than drinking alcohol and driving. She explains how this increases problems for the safety of the person texting, as well as all the other drivers. Not only does Schlimm address problems that occur while driving, she also approaches problems that are increasing in schools and homes. Schlimm declares, â€Å"Children are becoming distant for their parents because they are always on their phones focused on other less important thing.† After her statement she explains how some children admit to playing games during dinner, or even church. Also how students use their cell phones to text during school, and their cameras to cheat. She ventures on to acknowledge how these actions cause problems in relationships, families, and the workplace. Overall, Schlimm has her article formatted well. She addresses and lists the problems the have arose since cell phones have become a vital part of society. She provides reasoning and examples behind each statement made. She says, â€Å" Cell phones are basically miniature computers.† She adds that sooner or later there will be no need for computers at all. If this statement is true, it proves that cell phones have had an enormous effect on society and have taken over lives. Schlimm’s essay was effective in many ways. She has fully presented each statement without out-weighing the positives and negatives. . One thing Schlimm could have done differently is given herself more credibility to equal out the balance of the logical and facts and examples she expresses. She could have given an example of a positive time where she has used a call phone and a negative. This would have made the reader feel more inclined to believe that all of her statements are true. With all the facts she finishes by saying that cell phones can be very negative at times and may cause problems, but when they are used properly they may be a wonderful thing. Works Cited Schlimm, Kaila. â€Å"The Effects of Cell Phones in Modern Society.† The Talon. 11 November 2010. Web. 5 February 2012. http://www.elhstalon.net/features/2010/ 11/11/the-effects-of-cell-phones-in-modern-society/

The Effect Of Environmental And Genetics On The...

One of these oldest arguments in the history of psychology is the debate of whether or not ones environment or genetic background plays more of a role in the development of a person. Both nature and nurture have been proven to play an important role in one’s development. Nature is what we think of as pre-wiring and is influenced by genetic inheritance and other biological factors. Nurture is generally taken as the influence of external factors after conception e.g. the product of exposure, experience and learning on an individual. Throughout this paper the effects of environmental and genetics factors on a person will be discussed, and one will learn how they aid in the development of a person. It has long been established that certain physical characteristics are biologically determined by genetic inheritance. Color of eyes, the texture and color of one’s hair, pigmentation of the skin and certain diseases are all a function of the genes we inherit. Other physical cha racteristics, if not determined, appear to be at least strongly influenced by the genetic make-up of our biological parents. Characteristics such as height, weight, hair loss, life expectancy and vulnerability to specific illnesses are positively correlated between genetically related individuals. These facts have led many to speculate as to whether psychological characteristics such as behavioral tendencies, personality attributes and mental abilities are also established in an individual before he is evenShow MoreRelatedIndividual Diffferences - How environmental factors affect Personality Intelligence1525 Words   |  7 Pageswhich environmental factors can impact on the development of an individual’s personality and intelligence. The discussion in this essay entails the extent to which environmental factors impact an individual’s development of personality and intelligence. Development can be defined as ‘improvement in function’ which would imply that it occurs with the progression of age. Personality has been found to have a substantial genetic influence however economic and social factors have been found to effect theRead MoreThe Processes by Which Genes and Environment Operate Together to Influence Development1597 Words   |  7 PagesThe Processes by Which Genes and Environment Operate Together to Influence Development Psychologists have argued for centuries over which has played the larger role in child development, heredity or environment. The British philosopher John Locke (1632 –1704) proposed one of the first theories in the seventeenth century. Locke believed that a child was bornRead MoreGenetic Testing : Is We Ready Yet? Essay1740 Words   |  7 Pages GENETIC TESTING- ARE WE READY YET? As exciting as it sounds, genetic testing can give a complete insight of what one’s genetic makeup beholds for his/her future. 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In this paper I will look deeper into the genetics behind personality development, as well as the environmental aspect. I will relate personality development to aspects of learning discussed in the course material. I will explain currently asked questions in the field of personality development, and I will tie that intoRead MoreCollege Student wi th Bipolar Disorder Essay1462 Words   |  6 Pagesmania. â€Å"Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behavior go along with these changes in mood† (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2008). A person becomes more goal-oriented and has grandeur visions of success. Patient M shows all these symptoms while talking to her friends and professors in college. She describes herself as a person who is above the two standard genders, what she calls a â€Å"third sex†, and who switched souls with a senior senator from her state. The latter belief inspires