Abusive child labor in China Essay Example for Free

Abusive child labor in China Essay News correspondent David Barbosa of the New York Times Magazine has published an article on May 1st 2008, entitled: ‘China Says Abusive Child Labor Ring Is Exposed’. In his news article, Barbosa uncovered more in-depth analysis surrounding the incident of child labor in China, in which according to him acknowledges child labor abuse at the heart of China’s export economy. This paper will discuss Barbosa’s finding on the plight of Chinese children amidst extensive economic production. Article Summary Who was involved? Based on Barbosa’s news article, child labor ranges from the age of 13 to 15 which have been deceived and possibly kidnapped by a child trafficking syndicate then sold to employment agencies. To cite, the series of crackdown by Chinese authorities has found rampant child labor employment from Western Sichuan Province of Liangshan that supplies the children to factories in Guangdong, wherein forced labor engages about 300 working hours monthly (Barbosa, 2008). Result of the crackdown The summary of result on crackdown of child labor rings has prompted the Chinese authorities to enacting more enforcement, which according to Barbosa has put China in significant scandal and embarrassment [aside from the political issue with Tibet who rejects China’s massive preparation to the forthcoming Olympic Games]. With the incoming Olympic event, Chinese authorities has doubled its efforts in enforcing the strictest possible campaign against child labor traffickers, wherein the April 30th 2008 crackdown to various legal and most specifically illegal employment agencies [or simply child traffickers] have been arrested and initially rescued about 100 children-laborers from Dongguan City where major electronic manufacturing firms are located. Behind child labor issue    According to Barbosa, child labor and abuses depicts China’s scarcity of laborers as a result of soaring inflationary rates and foreign currency devaluation that decreases profitability of both small and medium manufacturers that resorted to move quickly in the â€Å"edge† of competitive manufacturing and mass production; that involve cheap labor of children and adult laborers [of both men and women], wherein the Chinese labor law has even reduced the legal age requirement from the age of 16. Barbosa insinuated that may be the â€Å"political issue† involving Tibet’s [rejection and defiance to holding the Olympic Games in China] may have attributed to the seeming crackdown of human trafficking for cheap labor, in general. As cited, the earlier cases of child labor and human trafficking incidents could have been picking up â€Å"loose response† of enforcement, apparently becoming â€Å"stiff and tight† on the current dates. The critical issue behind the rampant child labor and human trafficking in China espouses the fact of looming poverty incidence in Southern and Western localities of China wherein continuing increase of   production and raw materials costs are insignificant to cost-cutting measures. To cite, even the renowned transnational Wal-Mart company have been charged with child labor, wherein similarly other foreign firms in China were illicitly engaging. In related child labor issue, Barbosa pointed out the observation of Professor Hu Xingdou from Beijing Institute of Technology who quoted that ‘China’s economy is developing at a fascinating speed, but often at the expense of laws, human rights and environmental protection’.   Further to cite, local government encourages incentives to grow their economy and thereby encouraging participation of cheap labor forces that includes children. Postscript in the report Journalists have jointly advocated pursuing the progress of Chinese authorities’ campaign against child labor and human trafficking.   According to Barbosa, the Southern Metropolis newspaper (in Beijing, China) conducts fact-finding mission in Liangshan Prefecture of Sichuan Province wherein indigenous families resides and being targeted by child labor recruiters. Barbosa stressed that journalist may access and could uncover the truth brought about by the scandal of child labor and abuse. As quoted by Barbosa; â€Å"journalists could discover the facts by secret interviews in a few days, since how could the labor departments show no interest in it and ignore it for such a long time?† Reference Barbosa, D. (2008). ‘China Says Abusive Child Labor Ring Is Exposed’. The New York Times (Asia Pacific) Electronic Magazine. Retrieved 08 May 2008 from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/world/asia/01china.html?pagewanted=1_r=1

The Women’s Army Corps of the Vietnam War :: Vietnam War Essays

The Women’s Army Corps of the Vietnam War We went to a foreign country in service of our country . . . we gave aid and encouragement to a whole segment of our brothers and sisters . . . we survived a war . . . we are noble . . . we are brave . . . we are adventurous . . . we are an active part of world history . . . we are interesting . . . we have lived such exciting lives . . . we have gone far beyond the boundaries allowed to most of our sisters . . . we did it together . . . and we still have each other. Patricia â€Å"Mama-san† Brimeyer, Army Service Clubs, Vietnam 1968.[1] Introduction Male soldiers have a distinct voice when they speak of war. Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph.D., author of Achilles in Vietnam, can best explain the voice of a male soldier. Dr. Shay creates a system that explains how and why male soldiers react to war in the ways they do. Dr. Shay’s system is based on the story of Achilles in Homer’s epic The Iliad. The focus of the system is to compare the reactions of Achilles’ soldiers to war, with the American male soldiers’ reactions to the Vietnam War. Dr. Shay’s system is based on eleven stages:  ·Betrayal of â€Å"what’s right†  ·The shrinkage of the social and moral horizon  ·Grief at the death of a special comrade  ·Guilt and wrongful substitution  ·The berserk  ·Dishonoring the enemy  ·What Homer left out (other obvious similarities)  ·The soldiers’ luck and God’s will  ·Reclaiming the Iliad’s gods as a metaphor of social power  ·The breaking points of moral existence  ·Healing and tragedy During stage one, the betrayal of â€Å"what’s right†, the soldier’s moral world is violated by a commanding officer’s betrayal of the soldier’s moral order.[2] During the Vietnam War American soldiers experienced the betrayal of â€Å"what’s right† when those who held all of the power and responsibility broke the trust of the soldiers. Stage two, the shrinkage of the social and moral horizon, refers to the breaking of a soldier’s family, civilian, and military ties. The social bonds of a soldier are lost once war begins, sometimes culminating in the complete alienation of the soldier from any bonds, social or military. Grief at the death of a special comrade, stage three, is when a fellow soldier is killed and his fellow troop members are overwhelmed by the sadness his death. The Women’s Army Corps of the Vietnam War :: Vietnam War Essays The Women’s Army Corps of the Vietnam War We went to a foreign country in service of our country . . . we gave aid and encouragement to a whole segment of our brothers and sisters . . . we survived a war . . . we are noble . . . we are brave . . . we are adventurous . . . we are an active part of world history . . . we are interesting . . . we have lived such exciting lives . . . we have gone far beyond the boundaries allowed to most of our sisters . . . we did it together . . . and we still have each other. Patricia â€Å"Mama-san† Brimeyer, Army Service Clubs, Vietnam 1968.[1] Introduction Male soldiers have a distinct voice when they speak of war. Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph.D., author of Achilles in Vietnam, can best explain the voice of a male soldier. Dr. Shay creates a system that explains how and why male soldiers react to war in the ways they do. Dr. Shay’s system is based on the story of Achilles in Homer’s epic The Iliad. The focus of the system is to compare the reactions of Achilles’ soldiers to war, with the American male soldiers’ reactions to the Vietnam War. Dr. Shay’s system is based on eleven stages:  ·Betrayal of â€Å"what’s right†  ·The shrinkage of the social and moral horizon  ·Grief at the death of a special comrade  ·Guilt and wrongful substitution  ·The berserk  ·Dishonoring the enemy  ·What Homer left out (other obvious similarities)  ·The soldiers’ luck and God’s will  ·Reclaiming the Iliad’s gods as a metaphor of social power  ·The breaking points of moral existence  ·Healing and tragedy During stage one, the betrayal of â€Å"what’s right†, the soldier’s moral world is violated by a commanding officer’s betrayal of the soldier’s moral order.[2] During the Vietnam War American soldiers experienced the betrayal of â€Å"what’s right† when those who held all of the power and responsibility broke the trust of the soldiers. Stage two, the shrinkage of the social and moral horizon, refers to the breaking of a soldier’s family, civilian, and military ties. The social bonds of a soldier are lost once war begins, sometimes culminating in the complete alienation of the soldier from any bonds, social or military. Grief at the death of a special comrade, stage three, is when a fellow soldier is killed and his fellow troop members are overwhelmed by the sadness his death.

Chilhood memories of Frankie Lennon and mine

Reading     Frankie Lennon   feels like you become part of the story, you feel connected and involved at every scene that unfolds. The characters she introduces makes it more vivid and real, you can’t help but think of your own family and relatives that have been part of   your past and shaped your own present life. You begin to look back at your own childhood and adolescent years and recall the many struggles you went through to become the person you are now. It makes us think back and wonder how we got over the conflicts and complications and been able to confront them. Readers connect to the stories due to similarities in culture, race, sexuality, and childhood.The author said in an interview, and to quote her:â€Å"†¦I narrate stories starting with my childhood and take you with me on my turbulent life journey and struggle to find freedom from the many prisons that bind me.I tell stories that make you think and re-evaluate issues. I offer the reader the chanc e to see and experience my naked feelings, conflicts, fears, and struggles and you get the chance to experience my trials and tribulations along with me. It will be exciting, funny, and heartbreaking. And it will never be dull.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"The   Mee   Street Chronicles: Straight up Stories of a Black Woman’s Life is a turn pager narrative of blunt memories in her struggle to live her own life and sexual identity. The book passes through generations dealing with sensitive issues like racism, oppression, homosexuality, and   Ã‚  alcoholism   that   still   exists in our society today. It lets us enter to places never seen before but will make us aware of our own feelings, in what we love and fear of, of our desires and what we value in life. The book mirrors that presents to readers what has happened and still happening in our lives.   Many people identify and unconsciously reflect with at least one story in the book. In a special way, it surprised and touched re aders on their own personal journey.Like the author, we also preserve our memories through journals, diaries, photographs, and keep it in our hearts. We become proud of these memories because it is what our identity is all about. We pass them on to our children to tell them who we are to reveal secrets setting us free from denial. This book reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. We may think we are strange and has a dark past, but who doesn’t? It inspires to move on no matter how bad it seemed or what people have done or said or how bad it appeared. Others out there also   went through the same difficulties and survived. Others who repeat the same mistakes just when they have lifted themselves up, and picking themselves back in shape and has finally found their way.In it, stories on childhood life were depicted like it was your own. Significant characters were portrayed as if they were your own family. It is amazing to relate because you have your own aunt , gra ndmother, uncle, and cousins who can be irritating and unpleasant when they are around you, on the other hand you truly adore. People who in one way or another   have contributed in shaping your life as a whole.One chapter in the book entitled â€Å"Adversaries† narrates some fragments on the childhood events in the author’s life. At a very young age she could still remember clear details and accounts of family members and various emotions in facing her auntie and the tensed encounters that prevail between them. You feel a little bit at the edge of your seat as words and emotions are revealed that causes you to be anxious and empathize with the girl..Somehow, upon reading this particular story, I was able to relate to the characters and circumstances that the author encountered.   Similar   events and people I grew up with. I remember these people and what they signify had an impact in my life, may   it   be   Ã‚  good or bad memories. Reading through it br ings back memories of kids being punished for reasons not explained very clearly would sometimes make you think now that it was senseless. Folks back then were not even aware that we kids need to be treated fairly sometimes. They just come lashing out of nowhere and give you spanking for all the world to see. I had my own taste of that ‘cruelty’ back then.   I   experienced   some old school discipline where I can get so ashamed of myself for something I have done wrong, just because the ‘crime’ is against the elder’s rules.  Characters like â€Å"Auntie† were also part of my so called privileged childhood. My mother’s sister would sometimes go on a vacation in our house and would stay for a long time I think for decades and my life miserable. I remember her as the lady who keeps an eye on me, scary sometimes because she would watch every move I make. She was so stern and uptight and she is so particular about being proper.She m ade a great deal of impact in the whole household with her continuous bickering, comparing her life to my mother’s. What’s worse is we have to bear with her and leaves us no choice, but   be under her rule when my parents are away for a few days. I did my best to please her and make her feel that I liked her though I was faking it. I pretended hard to be somebody else just for her to accept me and have a harmonious relationship altogether. She is now a ‘stigma’ among us cousins and her grand kids because of   the character she played in our lives.The author in the story had to go through that kind of misery.   The emotions she felt in some instances and the way she describes ‘Auntie’ in detail like her appearance, reactions, and attitude made me think back and reminds me of my own aunt. I   was touched so much by the incident that her aunt would bad mouth her father. I cannot forget the way my aunt would back-stab my mother and insult her in front of us and for other people to hear. She compares her life and her way of   raising her kids to that of my parents. She boasts of a better life and material things compared to my mother who has to work harder for a better life.My aunt and I did not talk too much. I tried the best I could to avoid her, not to be in the same room with her   and even look her in the eye. I was not sure if it is because I was scared of her or hated her. She, like Aunt seemed to be so powerful to make us frightened of her.   Picturing Aunt in my mind while reading makes me feel scared just by recalling how my own aunt was.However, unlike the author, I was never confrontational. I never talked or fought back. Frankie had the courage to stop Aunt from hitting her. I had my share of hard spankings courtesy of   not only of my aunt, but in some instances from my own parents. But I just take it as part of growing up and that is how I should be disciplined. Sometimes I would ponder, regrett ing that I did not question or prevent it from coming or could have ran away.If only I had the choice and wishes come true, I could have spent more time with my mother and have spent more loving moments with her. I could have understood it better if the she did the spanking herself.REFERENCE :Sundararaj, A. ( 2007, March 14). How to Tell a Story, A Beginner’sGuide to Storytelling. Interview with Frankie Lennon. RetrievedMay 23, 2007, from   www.howtotellagreatstory.com/byot/byot70.html – 60k- Chilhood memories of frankie lennon and mine Reading     Frankie Lennon   feels like you become part of the story, you feel connected and involved at every scene that unfolds. The characters she introduces makes it more vivid and real, you can’t help but think of your own family and relatives that have been part of   your past and shaped your own present life. You begin to look back at your own childhood and adolescent years and recall the many struggles you went through to become the person you are now. It makes us think back and wonder how we got over the conflicts and complications and been able to confront them. Readers connect to the stories due to similarities in culture, race, sexuality, and childhood.The author said in an interview, and to quote her:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"†¦I narrate stories starting with my childhood and take you with me on my turbulent life journey and struggle to find freedom from the many prisons that bind me.  I tell stories that make you think and re-evaluate issues. I offer the reader t he chance to see and experience my naked feelings, conflicts, fears, and struggles and you get the chance to experience my trials and tribulations along with me. It will be exciting, funny, and heartbreaking. And it will never be dull.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"The   Mee   Street Chronicles: Straight up Stories of a Black Woman’s Life is a turn pager narrative of blunt memories in her struggle to live her own life and sexual identity. The book passes through generations dealing with sensitive issues like racism, oppression, homosexuality, and   Ã‚  alcoholism   that   still   exists in our society today. It lets us enter to places never seen before but will make us aware of our own feelings, in what we love and fear of, of our desires and what we value in life. The book mirrors that presents to readers what has happened and still happening in our lives.   Many people identify and unconsciously reflect with at least one story in the book. In a special way, it surprised and to uched readers on their own personal journey.Like the author, we also preserve our memories through journals, diaries, photographs, and keep it in our hearts. We become proud of these memories because it is what our identity is all about. We pass them on to our children to tell them who we are to reveal secrets setting us free from denial. This book reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. We may think we are strange and has a dark past, but who doesn’t? It inspires to move on no matter how bad it seemed or what people have done or said or how bad it appeared. Others out there also   went through the same difficulties and survived. Others who repeat the same mistakes just when they have lifted themselves up, and picking themselves back in shape and has finally found their way.In it, stories on childhood life were depicted like it was your own. Significant characters were portrayed as if they were your own family. It is amazing to relate because you have your own au nt , grandmother, uncle, and cousins who can be irritating and unpleasant when they are around you, on the other hand you truly adore. People who in one way or another   have contributed in shaping your life as a whole.One chapter in the book entitled â€Å"Adversaries† narrates some fragments on the childhood events in the author’s life. At a very young age she could still remember clear details and accounts of family members and various emotions in facing her auntie and the tensed encounters that prevail between them. You feel a little bit at the edge of your seat as words and emotions are revealed that causes you to be anxious and empathize with the girl..Somehow, upon reading this particular story, I was able to relate to the characters and circumstances that the author encountered.   Similar   events and people I grew up with. I remember these people and what they signify had an impact in my life, may   it   be   Ã‚  good or bad memories. Reading throu gh it brings back memories of kids being punished for reasons not explained very clearly would sometimes make you think now that it was senseless. Folks back then were not even aware that we kids need to be treated fairly sometimes. They just come lashing out of nowhere and give you spanking for all the world to see. I had my own taste of that ‘cruelty’ back then.   I   experienced   some old school discipline where I can get so ashamed of myself for something I have done wrong, just because the ‘crime’ is against the elder’s rules.  Characters like â€Å"Auntie† were also part of my so called privileged childhood. My mother’s sister would sometimes go on a vacation in our house and would stay for a long time I think for decades and my life miserable. I remember her as the lady who keeps an eye on me, scary sometimes because she would watch every move I make. She was so stern and uptight and she is so particular about being prop er. She made a great deal of impact in the whole household with her continuous bickering, comparing her life to my mother’s. What’s worse is we have to bear with her and leaves us no choice, but   be under her rule when my parents are away for a few days. I did my best to please her and make her feel that I liked her though I was faking it. I pretended hard to be somebody else just for her to accept me and have a harmonious relationship altogether. She is now a ‘stigma’ among us cousins and her grand kids because of   the character she played in our lives.The author in the story had to go through that kind of misery.   The emotions she felt in some instances and the way she describes ‘Auntie’ in detail like her appearance, reactions, and attitude made me think back and reminds me of my own aunt. I   was touched so much by the incident that her aunt would bad mouth her father. I cannot forget the way my aunt would back-stab my mother an d insult her in front of us and for other people to hear. She compares her life and her way of   raising her kids to that of my parents. She boasts of a better life and material things compared to my mother who has to work harder for a better life.My aunt and I did not talk too much. I tried the best I could to avoid her, not to be in the same room with her   and even look her in the eye. I was not sure if it is because I was scared of her or hated her. She, like Aunt seemed to be so powerful to make us frightened of her.   Picturing Aunt in my mind while reading makes me feel scared just by recalling how my own aunt was.However, unlike the author, I was never confrontational. I never talked or fought back. Frankie had the courage to stop Aunt from hitting her. I had my share of hard spankings courtesy of   not only of my aunt, but in some instances from my own parents. But I just take it as part of growing up and that is how I should be disciplined. Sometimes I would ponder , regretting that I did not question or prevent it from coming or could have ran away.If only I had the choice and wishes come true, I could have spent more time with my mother and have spent more loving moments with her. I could have understood it better if the she did the spanking herself.REFERENCE :Sundararaj, A. ( 2007, March 14). How to Tell a Story, A Beginner’sGuide to Storytelling. Interview with Frankie Lennon. RetrievedMay 23, 2007, from   www.howtotellagreatstory.com/byot/byot

Critical Analysis Of Flannery O Connor s Good Country...

A Critical Character Analysis of Flannery O Connor s â€Å"Good Country People†, â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to find†, Everything That Rises Must Converge. You can never forget the time you re living in because the past is the past and it will never come back. So to adjust your philosophy and creativity in fashion to the time you re living in is the most important thing. - Donatella Versace In each of Flannery O’Connor’s stories there is a very different perspectives in the stories also in the different time periods. Each of these women bring a very different look on life. This is not always a good thing. We see that some of these women only want to dwell in the past, to never move forward, always hoping to move backwards instead. They are still living in the past because the present and the future seem scary. O’Connor introduces Mrs. Hopewell, the Grandmother, and Julian’s Mother who are main characters in her stories. Each of these women believe in something that does not exist anymore. O’Connor does not allow us the privilege of knowing their first name or even much about these ladies. Each of these women show people their southern take on the world which conveys an extremely patronizing attitude on life. Their world is changing and if they wanted to they could have grabbed ahold of it. They have a chance to explore these new c hanges although they seem unwilling. The O’Connor’s stories we see Mrs. Hopewell as a petty and condescending woman , the Grandmother as aShow MoreRelatedThe Life You Save May Be Your Own1506 Words   |  7 Pagesa poem or story. We see this in the case of almost every writer, but as of now we re only going to look at Mary Flannery O - Connor. A major theme that reoccurs in much of Flannery O Connors work is her strong dis- like for the worlds current state, as in the condition of our world s morality and values. Let s see some examples in her work that support this thesis. First, let s take a look at one of her stories, The Life You Save May Be Your Own. In this story we see that Tom Shiftlet, aRead MoreParkers Back by Flannery OConnor1146 Words   |  5 Pagessignificance of Flannery O Connor s Parker s Back can seem at once cold and dispassionate, as well as almost absurdly stark and violent. Her short stories routinely end in horrendous, freak fatalities or, at the very least, a character s emotional devastation. Flannery O Connor is a Christian writer, and her work is message-oriented, yet she is far too brilliant a stylist to tip her hand; like all good writers, crass didacticism is abhorrent to her. Unlike some more cryptic writers, O Connor was happy