In Search Of Respect Selling Crack In El Barrio Summary

Phillipe Bourgois’s study of social marginalisation in inner city America in his ethnography ‘In Search of Respect – Selling Crack in El Barrio’, won critical acclaim when first published in 1995. For the first time, an anthropologist had managed to gain the trust and long-term friendship of street-level drug dealers in one of the nation’s roughest ghetto neighbourhoods – East Harlem (Bourgois, 2003). He had originally come to study poverty and ethnic segregation, the political economy of inner-city street culture, but found himself mired in a world conditioned by drugs, a world on which the literature is surprisingly sparse (Clatts, 1997). The people who inhabit it--men and women with names like Benzie, Little Pete, Gigi, Candy, Primo,†¦show more content†¦In other words it can be said that the drug hysterias that sweep the US can be safely ignored if focus is instead on the ethical concerns of social marginalisation that cause the addictions and abuse such as poverty and racism (Room, 2005). We learn from the book that the number of drug dealers has a correlation with the loss of jobs of East Harlem residents. Losing jobs prevents people from providing basic needs to themselves and their family. Most of the residents who live in El Barrio are Latino such as Porto Ricans, Mexicans, and Dominicans. Latina/os are a key population in which to study substance abuse. Given their levels of poverty, minority status, and residential concentration in areas with wide drug and alcohol distribution, Latina/os are considered at risk for substance abuse (Verissimo, Gee, Ford Iguchi, 2014). As stated by Philippe, the main point of this book is not about substance abuse, it is about his first hand experiences with the culture and poverty of East Harlem. It is about the struggles that people there have to go through in order to survive in an extremely poor area of one of the riches city in the world.. In the ethnography the residents search for jobs started young with most dropping out of high school to work in local factories, however, usually these factories closed down within a year or two to seek cheaper labour somewhere

The Aztec Human Sacrifices Essay - 1175 Words

The Aztec civilization was a very complex society that was feared and known well for their various gory sacrifices done to please their many gods in their polytheistic religion. The much feared civilization began by the exile of one of the two Toltec leaders, which lead to the decline of the Toltec state that was later replaced by Mexica, or the Aztecs. According to the Aztecs, the land chosen to build their main city was chosen by the portrayal of an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its mouth. Through military might, the Aztecs managed to become the most powerful civilization in the mid-fourteenth century. They maintained their power through military might and the fear they caused other civilizations because of the human†¦show more content†¦The selfless act the gods committed led to one of the major reasons for human sacrifices which was that since the gods gave up their own life for the creation of the new world, that the Aztecs had to somehow respect and honor t heir action. They did this by creating an eighteen month calendar, which dedicated each month to a certain god. The Aztecs used scared and solar calendars to tell time and when all the possible combinations had been used, usually every fifty-two years, the Aztecs would go through a twelve-day period before the cycle started again (Benson 506). There were many different methods the Aztecs used to sacrifice their victims but most sacrifices centered on the method of heart extraction. The victims were, â€Å"thrust onto the stone, where a temple priest cut through their chest wall with a ritual flint knife,† and the heart was, â€Å"[offered] to the sun for vitality and nourishment,† (â€Å"Aztec Human Sacrifices†). There was also the act of burning the victim alive in the sacrificial fire but before they reached death they were taken out and their heart would be taken out (Callery 33). Victims were not the only ones that were sacrificed; priests also conducted a method of sacrifice called bloodletting. The priest would begin by punctuating his tongue or any other body part and then proceeding to letting blood flow out (â€Å"Aztec Human Sacrifices†). A torture method of the Aztecs that might beShow MoreRelatedHuman Sacrifice And The Gods Essay1360 Words   |  6 Pagesdripped down off the sacrif icial table as the priest cuts out the man’s heart to offer it to the gods.â€Å" The occurrence of human sacrifice can usually be related to the recognition of human blood as the sacred life force†(â€Å"Human Sacrificing†). The thought of human sacrificing may seem inhuman or uncivilized; however, in the ancient times, it was considered a prayer for better times. Human sacrificing was not only a ritual act to earn a god s favor, but also for a greater cause. Usually people would benefitRead MoreRamon Astorga. Professor . History 101. 06 March 2014.906 Words   |  4 PagesHistory 101 06 March 2014 The Aztec Empire The Aztec civilization was the most dominate complex society in Mesoamerica of all time. The Aztecs were an innovative and sophisticated civilization that became superior due to their elaborate engineered cities, pyramids, and temples. 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The first thing that probably comes to your mind is human sacrifice, or them being very bloody and gory. Well there is much more to the Aztecs than human sacrifice and wars. The Aztecs were a very advanced and successful civilization. They did perform human sacrifice, but it was a part of their religion, and it was common for cultures to sacrifice humans at the time. Also, all of the things we know todayRead MoreWhat Does Aztec Culture Mean For Mexican People?917 Words   |  4 Pages What does Aztec culture mean for Mexican people? The Aztec culture was the beginning of the Mexican culture along with other Indian territories in Mexico. The Aztecs were known because they ruled and most of the southern part of Mexico for a long period of time, but like everyone knows everything has to come to an end. Even though Aztec society is gone, their society levels, religion, and architecture can still be seen and analyzed today. The Aztecs were Mesoamerican people from the early centuriesRead MoreThe Gods Of Aztec Religion975 Words   |  4 PagesThe Gods of Aztec The Aztec culture was one of the most complex and detailed cultures that has ever been around to date. Just how complex the culture was the religion followed suit. The Aztec religion was an intricate part of their way of life. The Aztec’s believed in a completely different way than most religions are today. We will discuss some of the early beginnings of the religion and how it got started all the way to the details of what and how they believed and â€Å"prayed†. As most people knowRead MoreRamon Astorga. Professor Sarhadi. History 101. 02 March1577 Words   |  7 PagesHistory 101 02 March 2014 The Aztec Empire The Aztec civilization was the most dominate complex society in Mesoamerica of all time. The Aztecs were an innovative and sophisticated civilization that became superior due to their elaborate engineered cities, pyramids, and temples. Their proficiency in trade, expertise in agriculture, religious traditions, organized government, and progressive technology set a firm foundation for the distinguished Aztec empire. The Aztecs, arrived in Mesoamerica in theRead MoreThe Culture Of The Mayas, And The Aztecs1693 Words   |  7 Pagesamount of information on different cultures. However, there was a particular section that truly caught my attention, and has piqued an interest in me that has caused me to do my own research aside from this paper. The culture of the Mayas, and the Aztecs has been extremely fundamental in understanding my ancestry, being that I am Mexican American. I took an interest in their beautiful architecture, their ritualistic and sacrificial religious practices, as well as their history and how they began.Read MoreAztec Religion: the Foundation of a Civilization1456 Words   |  6 PagesThe religion of the Aztec, including their beliefs, customs and religions, acted as a tremendous influence on their government, economy, and culture. Religion was the foundation for the infamous culture of the Aztec Civilization. Through ceremonies of sacrifice, and the infusion of cosmology int o their religion, the Aztecs sculpted a culture unlike that of any other civilization, and left behind a legacy to be studied and admired for generations to come. Religion ultimately shaped the unique civilizationRead MoreThe Problems Of Aztec Tribe1429 Words   |  6 PagesThe Problems of Aztec Tribe Pre-Columbian Aztec Tribe was a very complex and hierarchical society that settled among the Aztecs of central Mexico in the times prior to the Spanish seize of Mexico. It was erected on the cultural bases of the bigger area of Mesoamerica. The culture was structured into self-governing city-states, called altepetls, which had smaller divisions. These city-states were further composed of one or more large kinship cluster (History.com). Nobles and commoners were the most

The Pursuit Of Happiness And The Inner Resources Essay Example For Students

The Pursuit Of Happiness And The Inner Resources Essay The pursuit of happiness and what factors influence individual well-being, has long been a point of worldwide interest. This literature will provide insight on the secrets to happiness and what desires must individuals accomplish to live a happy life. This essay will begin by discussing mental attitudes and the inner resources one has to experience a happy state of mind. It will then examine current research on social relationships and the central role it plays on nurturing wellness. It will then consider the importance of navigating through a wide-range of feelings and emotions at work. The final section will indicate that true wealth is not measured by money. This essay will argue that happiness is cultivated from choices rather than a product of one’s situation and how social relationships, attitude, work and money all affect individual happiness. Compelling evidence suggests that meaningful personal connections contribute to longer, healthier and most importantly happier lives. Wiseman, (2012) reported from a United Nations meeting convened to encourage governments to focus more on happiness rather than exclusively concentrating on the growth of the gross domestic profit as done in previous meetings. A notable contribution was the emphasis placed on social interactions, according to Karma Ura (cited in Wiseman, 2012 p. 3): ‘The true meaning of happiness and wellbeing lies in our relationships with our families, friends and communities’. Wiseman’s (2012) article appears to be in consensus with that of O’Rourke, Cooper’s research (2010) that identified academic success and varied behaviors were not significant influences that impacted student’s happiness, rather individuals with developing social skills and broad meaningful re. .nd happiness. In conclusion, it is clear that happiness isn’t governed from external circumstances rather the secret lies in the choices one makes. Emphasis is placed on the importance of social relations and the development of strong quality connections. Cultivating good attitudes is also paramount in increasing happiness and its firmly within the individuals control to choose to be grateful. Additionally, balancing an equilibrium of emotions at work, allows the individual to perform better in the face of a challenge. Lastly, it’s evident there is no direct correlation that money is the key to a person’s happiness. In fact, individuals who continually strive for greater wealth, decreased their ability to enjoy simple pleasures and the experiences money can’t buy, such as a positive altruistic attitude, meaningful social relationships and satisfying work outcomes.

To be sane is to be mentally sound and healthy, Essay Example For Students

To be sane is to be mentally sound and healthy, Essay according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary. Insanity as defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as exhibiting serious and debilitating mental disorder. Serial killers are seen by most people as being insane. This is not the case. Some of the most famous serial killers were some of the smartest and clever individuals of their time. Many serial killers, though wrong in what they do, are some of the most intelligent people to have lived. Jack the Ripper is the most elusive and mysterious serial killer who has been recorded. He was a murderer in London in the late 1800s. He murdered prostitutes in the early hours of many mornings. He was never caught which helps show his elusiveness. He was a very intelligent man as well as being elusive. We will write a custom essay on To be sane is to be mentally sound and healthy, specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The intellect he has is shown through his murders. After killing his victims, he cut them open and toyed with their anatomy. To the untrained eye it looked as though he butchered his victim with no goal in mind, but to the keen eye it is the work of a genious. When the best known detective agency in the world, Scotland Yard, fails to catch a serial killer it scares the city, nation, or even the world. The world would have a problem of its own in the 1940s: The Ill Reich. Adolf Hitler was a man of great power. This man had developed his power on his own. He was very manipulative and creative and used his wit to gain power among the Germans. Hitler went from an low ranking infantry man to the leader of the country by his own intellectual talent. He had many followers, even though he was just an ordinary murderer. He was one of the most underestimated men by the United States in history. Nobody knew what one man was capable of. His intellect almost led him to complete world conquest. The plans he developed: how to defeat almost all of Europe and not deplete his forces. His cunning kept him in power with little to hold him back. Hitler was an intelligent man but had an anger and an obsession that burned deep within him. This obsession was Hitlers downfall. Trying to annihilate an entire race of men was too much for any man but he kept trying. He was too greedy to stop hunting Jews. Many different depictions of serial killers are used in movies and books. There is a different stereotype that coincides with entertainment. Very few movies or books go beyond these stereotypes and use more realistic, humanized characters. Silence of the Lambs is a good example of the less typical but more realistic serial killer. Hannibal Lector is a serial killer in a mental ward, helping a detective track down a killer. The reason for his imprisonment in a psychiatric ward is because of his cannibalism. His intellect is more advanced than what is perceived by most of the characters except the detective that he is helping. Detective Clarice Starling is aware that he is a brilliant man. She seeks his help because she knows of his intelligence. This movie is close to reality and created so that it can be believed. Silence of the Lambs has won many awards due to its realistic attitude. It won five Academy Awards in 1991 including best actress, best actor, and best picture. These awards are just a few of the many awards that help show how this movie is politically correct. Many serial killers, though wrong in what they do, are some of the most intellectual people to have lived. There are many different angles that sanity can be viewed from. Cannibalism, murdering, or world conquest do not promote insanity but show how such people have bad morals. For example, to almost achieve world domination is a feat in itself. .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f , .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f .postImageUrl , .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f , .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f:hover , .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f:visited , .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f:active { border:0!important; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f:active , .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua7eefee2e4efe7f5c750c498e4ab307f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Why I Chose Radiology Essay To be one of a handful of people to almost accomplish a task such as Alexander the Great, Ghengis Kahn, and Napolean shows the intelligence required to perform such a task. .