Demetrius Griggs Essay Example for Free

Demetrius Griggs Essay Krak! had many symbols presented throughout the book. The symbol that held the most meaning to me while reading this book is, The Sea. The book starts at sea, with the story ‘Children of the Sea’, and the Sea proves to be very important to the people of Haiti in their struggle to escape a difficult situation. The sea is how the Haitian immigrants will travel in their attempt to escape a corrupted government. The sea becomes life and death, survival. In the story of â€Å"Children of the Sea† the sea holds lots of meaning, and the meaning is very different for each person who is out at sea. For the young man escaping after police raid his radio station, he sees the sea as opportunity. The opportunity to escape a corrupt country and continue his life, but the sea also provides heartache, as this is what separates him from the love of his life. Being at sea also gives the young man hope that one day he can make a better life for himself, as most immigrants flee to America in the hope to live a more promising life. The only way he is able to have some peace with his time at sea, is the notebook he has, where he writes to his love back at home. He tells her of the women on the boat who tell stories and sing, in an attempt to control the seasickness most of them are experiencing. He describes being at sea as lost time, stating in one of his many letters, â€Å"sometimes it feels like we have been at sea longer than the many years that I have been on this earth† (14). He is only aware that a day has passed by the raising and setting of the sun. I have always thought of the sea as something beautiful, mysterious even. The sea to me has always provided me with opportunity, the opportunity to experience something new, to explore. But this does not prove to be the same for the people on the tiny boat who are struggling to stay alive. It never occurred to me that the sea, is not always beautiful to everyone, it holds despair, fear and represents death in some cases. The scared passengers on the boats do not know what will happen until they reach land, nor do they know what will happen once they reach their destination. The fear of, how they will provide for themselves, what will they do for food, where they will live, sets in. I cannot imagine going day by day not knowing what will happen or if I will even survive to see another. I remember being so excited to come to New York for the summer before I would officially start school in the fall. It wasn’t until I was in the airport in New York that I realized I was officially on my own in a brand new city. Not knowing what the next day would hold or what I would get to experience had me a bit nervous. It was a good feeling to know I was getting to live a new life, but the uncertainty of that new life was shell shocking. However, I did have a place to stay, I knew where my food would come from, and I had the means to speak to my family whenever. These are things that I once took for granted. Knowing what was going to happen next. Along with providing opportunity for some of the passengers on the boat, the sea also symbolizes death. The sea holds the bodies of many refugees of Haiti who were not able to survive the difficult conditions of the boat. The young man is a witness of a live birth and death. Celianne is a young pregnant girl on the boat who was raped by the police of Haiti at 15 years old. As it seems she is having the worse time on the boat, not bringing any of her own food, she barely eats. The baby that she gives birth to does not survive. Having to throw her baby overboard was too much for Celianne, as she too follows her baby into the sea. â€Å" There was no question of it. The sea in that spot is like the sharks that live there. It has no mercy† (26). In â€Å"Nineteen Thirty-Seven,† the symbol of water and death is represented again. This time however a river stands in the way of life. The Massacre River is the river that separates Haiti from the Dominican Republic, a place where all Haitians living there were ordered to death. The young girl that writes the boy tells the story of going on a pilgrimage to the Massacre River with her mother and other women. She learns that her life was almost taken there, as her mother was pregnant with her. â€Å"We were saved from the tomb of this river when she was still in my womb† (40) Trying to escape the Dominican Republic to return to Haiti, many women lost there lives in that river to the El Generalissimo’s soldiers. Each year they would visit that River, dressed in white dresses to pay respect to the family members who were killed in that river, and also o remember how lucky they were to make it through the river and back to their terrifying country. The wearing of the white dress when the women would visit the Massacre River, reminds me of my family when we visit my grandfathers at their burial site. We would each wear something in memory of my grandfathers. Whether it is something he gave us, or a hat that we use to wear while watching our favorite basketball team play, we each had our own little tribute to them. The white dresses where their tribute to their lost relativities who did not make it across that river. Danticat did a great job incorporating symbols into these stories. Showing how everyday things we pay no attention too, hold so much more meaning then just what they are meant for. As Americans we see the sea and ocean as beautiful and relaxing, soothing. It is a place for us to escape our lives for a week long vacation, to have fun and forget about what is going on back home. I have never stopped to think that this does not prove to be the same for immigrants. The escape they are seeking is very different then the escape of an American on vacation. To them it is more a matter of life or death.

The Four Key Steps In Hiring And Keeping Top People :: essays research papers

The Four Key Steps In Hiring And Keeping Top People â€Å"When you hire the best, the rest is easy!† We have heard this phrase many times, but how do we put this concept into action? We know that hiring the best people is vital to the success of your business, especially for fast growing businesses. And certainly, your customers have high service expectations. So†¦how do you hire and keep top people? Let’s start from the beginning. The job description: Often overlooked, the job description sets the tone for success when hiring new people. Start by making certain your job descriptions are accurate, up-to-date and reflect your expectations. This is an important step, as it ensures consistency in your hiring practices and says your company is well run. Tip From The Coach: During the initial interview, be certain to present the job description, so the applicant will have a clear picture of your expectations if your company does hire them. This also helps to generate a more comprehensive conversation regarding the position being offered. The interview game plan: Prepare a detailed interview game plan, to be used by each person doing the interviewing for your company. This game plan must include: how to evaluate a resume, sample questions to be asked during the interview process, a detailed presentation of compensation, how to do reference checks, and any final hiring details (i.e. company benefits, policy and procedures, etc.†¦). Tip From The Coach: In addition to the in-person interview, consider the use of written tests and/or assessments to aid in your hiring process. This is key to hiring top people and will help to establish performance standards when hiring new employees. Fast-track training: Develop a detailed training checklist for all newly hired employees. This should include: an orientation for the first day, a plan for the first week, an outline for the first month, and a recap of the first 90 days that includes expectations for their performance. Tip From The Coach: By building a thorough and consistent training program, you will quickly develop top performers for your company, a â€Å"win-win† for all. Grow and groom: To hire and keep top people, you must provide a career path to help your best people grow and to be groomed for additional responsibility. This starts in the hiring process, so consider if the person you are hiring has the skills for the current position and might also have the skills for a next level promotion.

Epifanio de los Santos Avenue

How shameful a Filipino would be, not knowing his nations own history. The history that brought his parents and his own freedom. Who would even forget the sacrifices that former President Corazon â€Å"Cory† Cojuangco Aquino had given not only for her own good but also for the improvement of the next Filipino generations. Corazon Aquino had been known because of her nonviolent revolution held at Epifanio de los Santos Avenue Quezon City, Metropolitan Manila , with the help of 2,000,000 Filipino citizens as well as several political, military and religious figures, such as Cardinal Jaime Sin who had push their way for a democracy from the hands of an authoritarian President. This revolution had last for four days it is popularly known as EDSA Revolution or People Power and also named as Yellow Revolution because of the scattered yellow ribbons. This protest had been brought by the years of corruption in Marcos government. This history had been shortened and summarize for the leaders of this nation to realize the importance of the freedom that they’re enjoying now, not only for the leaders but also for the citizens of this nation. No one wants to suffer the pain that other countries have to suffer just for them to get there freedom. No one wants to be a slave or to be a prisoner that can be raped, tortured, and can even be killed, killed by the same color, the same nationality and by the same blood that runs through the veins of every Filipino. No one will never give up his or her own freedom just for money, for jewelry and not even for power. No one don’t want to lost it even the highest leader of this nation would not give it off. Remember the quote â€Å"The Filipino is worth dying for†? This quote is given Benigno â€Å"Ninoy† Aquino Jr. when he was interviewed about the death threats his receiving from the military and other pro-Marcos group including former First Lady now Congresswoman of Ilocos Norte Imelda Marcos. August 21, 1983, after a three-year exile in the United States, he was shot at Manila International Airport now known as Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). His assassination gave shock to many Filipinos, who lost confidence in the Marcos Administration. His assassination caused the economic problems of the country to deteriorate even further, and the government plunged further into debt. And by the end of the year, the country was bankrupt, and the economy contracted by 6. 8%. The assassination of Benigno Aquino also gave Corazon Aquino the guts to continue what her husband had started. â€Å"Money is the root of all evil† seems that it’s true. Even now in the present we hear news about the execution of witnesses and deaths of innocent citizens just to cover up the sins of a suspect or even a leader who wants to eliminate his opponents.

Human Beings Can Never Reach Perfection - 1804 Words

Salvador Dali once stated, â€Å"Have no fear of perfection - you’ll never reach it†. What is perfection, exactly? According to the English Dictionary, perfection is â€Å"The condition, state, or quality of being free, or as free as possible, from all flaws or defects†. The definition, itself, saying â€Å"...or as free as possible†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , states that being completely perfect is impossible. Perfection is merely a goal that no one can reach. Why is it that human beings can never reach perfection? Simply because of sin. No matter how many do-overs, chances, redoes, or tries a person receives, they will never reach the state of perfection. Going back to the beginning of time where Earth was first created by Yahweh, the world was a sinless and perfect place. Yahweh says in Genesis, â€Å"Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters†. Yahweh later went on creating the earth, and then when it came time to create the human race, he created them in his image to do good works for His kingdom. He blessed His new creation, told them, â€Å"Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.† He continued, â€Å"I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.† Yahweh gave them everything they needed to dwell onShow MoreRelatedDescartes 4th Meditation Essays802 Words   |  4 Pagesmistakes if he is a product of this perfect being. First, he knows that God would not deceive him, since the will to deceive is a sign of weakness or hatred, and Gods perfection would not allow it. Second, if God created him, God is responsible for his judgment, and so his sense of judgment must be flawless as long as he uses it correctly. The question at hand is, why does Descartes make mistakes if he is the product of God, who is a perfect being. In Descartes fourth meditation he gives someRead MoreA Comparison Of â€Å"The Birthmark† By Nathaniel Hawthorne1148 Words   |  5 Pageslegs removed. In both of these stories the reader can see that these women are chasing society’s idea of perfection. The short story â€Å"The Birthmark† written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and the poem â€Å"Barbie Doll† written by Marge Piercy have almost the exact same theme because both of these short works of fiction are about a woman that is influenced by her peers to become perfect and does anything possible to reach society’s idea of beauty and perfection. The protagonists in both of the literary piecesRead MoreChristianity vs. Jainism995 Words   |  4 Pagesstarted my research by wanting to know about their similarities but ended up learning a lot more about their differences. I will begin by giving a brief summary on each religion and then I will list and explain three differences in their views on perfection, beliefs in Gods, and lastly their beliefs about non-violence. Lastly, I will inform the reader how these differences affect the people within the religion. First, let’s take a look at Christianity. It is a monotheistic religion that started nearlyRead MoreThe War on Perfectionism671 Words   |  3 Pageslifetime of doubt and depression.† Admittedly, becoming too focused on perfectionism for the wrong reason can cause un-due anxiety, but is perfectionism really bad? No! Vince Lombardi, known as one of the most successful football players and coaches ever said, â€Å"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.† True, as fallen human beings, we can never achieve perfection, but striving for excellence makes us more successful. Glorifying God, going above expectations andRead MoreThe Bible Talks About Perfection And Spiritual Maturity1377 Words   |  6 Pages Perfection, what is it? Is it getting things totally the way we want it? Who says what perfection is? In our Christian life, God says what perfection is, but if God says what perfection is and he is perfect perfection, how can we as humans make it to that level of perfection? The Bible talks about perfection in many ways. Most of the time it is used in the form of a human’s spiritual maturity. Humans will never reach perfect perfection until they get to heaven. While we are still here onRead MoreA path to spiritual discovery903 Words   |  4 Pagesspiritual discovery (8). Being Buddhism, a non-theistic religion, their disciples follow the monotheistic doctrine demonstrating they believe in only one deity. Siddhartha Gautama, mostly known as Buddha––the enlightened––, is the one deity Buddhists believe in. As Wangu writes, Siddhartha practiced severe self-denial and meditation before he could reach Nirvana (state of mind that ends the path o f suffering) (8). Siddhartha came to the conclusion that in order to reach Nirvana one should be ableRead MoreThe Chrysalids by John Wyndam Essay1299 Words   |  6 PagesAs Harriet Braiker once said: â€Å"Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.† There are many people that always seek for being perfect, but what does that leads to? In Waknuk society, â€Å"perfection† just led to destruction. Joseph Strorm, the father of the main character David Strorm and the leader of this society, started forgetting about the values he should have had and also he was forgetting about the love he needed to give to his family. In addition, God sentRead MoreSuperhuman By Choice Or Genes?1716 Words   |  7 PagesSuperhuman by Choice or Genes? A Critical View on â€Å"The Case Against Perfection† by Michael Sandel Through the breakthrough of genetic engineering and the aspiration for â€Å"the perfect human being†, the strive for perfection has no boundaries. But what is the definition of perfect and what models perfection? In the article, â€Å"The Case Against Perfection,† Michael Sandel argues against the negative affects of genetic enhancement and engineering. Sandel gives a philosophical view on two out of many differentRead MoreJonathan Edwards And Nathaniel Hawthorne1294 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Have no fear of perfection - you ll never reach it,† said famous Spanish painter, Salvador Dali. Dali seems to be implying that no matter the effort, perfection is unattainable and something that should not be feared by anyone. Famous Puritan authors Jonathan Edwards and Nathaniel Hawthorne in their works give the same impression as Dali, they both believe that the strive for perfection is both unrealistic and unattainable. In regard to the unattainably of perfection Haw thorne and Edwards’ opinionsRead MoreHsun Tzu Essay1244 Words   |  5 PagesWendy Swartz The Nature of Evil Hsun Tzus philosophy is built from the idea that human beings are by nature inherently evil, and the good they produce will only come through their conscious activity. Hsun Tzu believes that if man follows his nature and indulges in his natural desires, without transforming himself by conscious activity he is doomed to fall victim to his evil nature. Any man who follows his nature will inevitably become involved in wrangling and strife, will violate the