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Ernest J. Gaines was born on January 15, 1933, in Oscar, Louisiana. Many of his stories and characters are set in the swamplands of Louisiana. His target audience is Black southern youth; his goal is to give them a sense of pride in their heritage. Recently, Gaines participated in the conference "Black and White Perspectives on the American South," which intended to examine how the two races view themselves and the relations to one another. In the book A Gathering of old men, there was lots of symbolism throughout the scenes. Tthe book describes the transaction from the old south to the new south, a south that depends on the the co-existence of blacks and whites. In order for this too take place some old black men are going to have to stand up for themselves when a white cajun farmer by the name of Beau is murdered. The old black men in the story will have to face up to a racist sherriff by the name of Mapes.Beau Boutans brother Gil, who plays fullback for Louisiana State University, and depends on a black running back, is getting tired of his family violent name. He comes home to confront his dad Fix Boutan. By doing this Gil represents a new southern way. The man who murdered Beau, Charlie, was a very large man. He had been running away from his fears since he was a kid, but on this fateful day all that would change. It was finally time for Charlie to become a man after so many years. In one of the scenes from the book A Gathering of Old Men, the old men gathered around the Sheriff Mapes who symbolized white power with his gigantic size and his authority . Mapes was trying to figure out who had killed Beau Boutan. Their stories all came down to the same conclusion as the next mans story. They were fed up with verbal and physical abuse of from the Boutans. Mapes in all his years never seen such a sight or better yet a boldness in the eyes and mouths of the old black men. Even though he cursed them and hit them to get the truth, the old black men kept their stories, that they were all guilty of the murder of Beau Boutan. Before Mat left his house, one of the old black men, he and his wife got into an argument. She did not want him to be involved in what was going on. With tears of past hurt coming down his face he told her how for many years he has helped the white man get richer and the black man get poorer. He told her he was going down there f... ...ted to have written some short stories. He was criticized in his stories because he felt that poor white people will except the new south, which is built on the interracial cooperation, with some or none violent rejection (Summers 93). William faulkner, a black author, said Gaines fails to see the lingering tradition of the old south, that he does not see that white people will always be white people (Vinson 93). But I fell that faulkner fails too see the character Candy was. Even though she was on the side of the old black men, when they wanted to meet without her. She did not respect there request on the basis she thought she was still the leader or the head. Also Mapes character did respect Mathu and Charlie, but at the same time he referred to them at one points as â€Å"niggers†.Gaines story depicts the coming of a south that will tolerate the co-existence of blacks and white, but he was a little to far ahead the timeline in this book, in those days there would have been a lynching without a doubt(Wertheim123). In conclusion, Gaines touched up well on all the attitudes and stereotypes of the southern way of life, and on its objection of the co-existing between whites and blacks.

Blood Donations

Have you saved somebody’s life lately? Did you know that you can help three people who struggle to survive by giving an hour of your day? I wasn’t aware of how many people I can help until there was a blood drive at my high school. The blood drive was run by the ARUP Blood Services and I learned a ton about donating blood. Before you donate you can talk to a representative and learn more about donating blood. I learned that the blood donated can be stored for about 28 days until it goes bad. The phlebotomist told me blood donations are given to several patients who need transfusions to live.If there are many people donating it can be a long process, but it’s worth the wait until the end because they will provide you with a variety of snacks, treats and drinks. If you are a healthy candidate, you can donate one pint of your blood that can help three different people. A healthy donor can donate blood every 56 days. According the American Red Cross â€Å"If you beg an donating blood at age 17 and donated every 56 days until you reached 76, you would have donated 48 gallons of blood, potentially helping save more than 1,000 lives! † Think about it.The complex blood inside our bodies can be used for a number of people’s lives; you can help save them. You can be a hero to those in need by donating your blood. We talk about donating blood, but people typically don’t know the fundamentals of blood. It’s important to understand blood and what it does. So, what is blood? It’s the red liquid that oozes out when you scrape your arm or leg. That’s what we see and that’s what people say. But if you take the time to study or learn about blood, you’ll see that there are four different components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.Each component has a different function. The red blood cells function is to carry blood and oxygen to other tissues and organs in the body. Red blood c ells contain hemoglobin, a substance that is iron rich, which binds to the oxygen in your lungs and then carried by arteries. White blood cells main purpose is to defend your body against foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Platelets help blood vessels when there is a wound. The platelets will coagulate, or clot, around the wound and plug up the vessel so that blood does not leak out the injury.Plasma is straw-yellow colored liquid in the blood and is composed of a variety of substances. Our plasma contains nutrients, such vitamins, proteins, amino acids, salts, sugar and more which are essential to the functioning of all bodily cells (Avraham; Litin). Avraham states â€Å"plasma ensures the body of proper balance of these nutrient,† (46). All these components of blood are necessary for the proper functioning of our bodies. We need each part of our blood to work properly in order to live a healthy lifestyle.Although all blood is made up of red blo od cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma, the blood of all people is not the same. Blood types were unknown until 1901, when Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian physician, discovered the presence of blood groups. â€Å"Landsteiner found three groups — A, B and O — that contained one (A or B) or neither (O) of two antigens on the surface of red blood cells. Importantly, he found that people receiving mismatched transfusions made destructive antibodies against the blood-borne antigens that weren’t theirs† (Shugart).Blood types and groups follow into four categories: A; B; AB and O. Each group has different antigens and antibodies. Antigens are a substance that stimulates the antibody. Antibodies are a response cell that will either attack an antigen or let it pass. People who have blood type A have A antigens and antibodies that attack B antigens, and those who have type B have B antigens and have antibodies that attack A antigens. Those who are type AB have both antigens and type O has no antigens. Every group is divided into two groups, positive and negative.The factor that depends on another antigen called the rhesus. Those who have the rhesus antigen are positive and those who don’t are negative (Litin, 1060-1062). It’s vital for people to receive blood from the same blood type or the consequences may be fatal. So let’s say you have B antigens in your blood and have no rhesus antigens, you would be considered B-. Transfusing a patient with blood, that is not the same type as that person, can be very dangerous because he or she may have antibodies that will attack and reject the foreign antigens that have entered the body.In the process, they may destroy the red blood cells in the recipient’s blood (Avraham, 52-54). When blood is donated, several tests are run and those testing the blood are able to figure out what blood type you are. Knowing what blood group you belong in is important because the nec essity for blood can vary in different places of the world. According to ARUP, this table represents which blood types are able to receive blood from different groups. Blood transfusions date back to the 17th century. It was first practiced by two dogs. Then in 1667, French physician Jean Baptist Denis made the jump to humans.â€Å"He transfused 9 ounces of sheep’s blood into a teenage boy by attaching the animal’s carotid artery to the boy’s arm. The boy survived the ordeal, prompting Denis to perform the procedure on several other patients until, eventually, one died. The death triggered a backlash against blood transfusion, leading several countries to ban it,† (Shugart). Then 150 years later, the first transfusion between humans was recorded. James Blundell, a physiologist, took several different blood donors and mixed them together and injected the mixture into a patient suffering from internal bleeding.The patient felt well, but passed away three da ys later. â€Å"The cause of the delayed fatal reaction wouldn’t be understood until the next century,† (Shugart). Blood transfusing would remain a hit or miss until the next century when Landsteiner discovered the blood types. During the last century scientists and biotech companies have been studying ways to create artificial blood. A substance called polyheme was used as a substitute to carry oxygen cells. â€Å"Unfortunately, trauma patients receiving the PolyHeme infusions turned out to be slightly more likely to die of their injuries compared with patients infused with real blood (13.2 percent versus 10 percent)† (Shugart).After discovering that artificial blood did not help patients whatsoever, many companies quit researching. Not only does blood need oxygen carrying cells, it also requires other tasks. Blood contains platelets and clotting factors that help stop internal bleeding; white blood cells to fight infection and electrolytes needed for organ and muscle function. Because blood is very complex, creating artificial blood will take lots of studying and research. â€Å"When it comes to blood, so far nature knows best,† (Shugart). There are many ways to donate blood.Many companies are present in every state such as the American Red Cross. Or there are private blood banks such as the ARUP: Blood Services. Because the need for blood donations is always in demand, many companies are flexible with times and scheduling appointments. The process is very simple. First things that happen when you check in are that they verify your information. Then they give you a book for you to review that have information regarding diseases and medications that can alter you blood. While you reading the book you are given a questionnaire that you must answer to help verify your eligibility to donate blood.When the questionnaire is all done and you’ve read the book, the nurse in charge will call you back and take you into a room and run a few vital signs. That person will check your blood pressure, temperature, pulse and will check your red blood count. In order for them to check your red blood count is that they prick you finger with a small needle and obtain a small sample in a blood in a little tube and run it through a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the red blood cells from the plasma and then the nurse will measure it.Before the nurse leaves the room, she gives you two stickers, a red and green one. The nurse will describe that the red and green one have different purposes and that you will have to choose one confidentially. The red sticker indicates that you do not want your blood to be used. Maybe you have lied about something, felt pressured to donate blood when you didn’t want too or have done something recently that may affect your blood and you didn’t want anybody to know. The green sticker represents that you feel like your blood is safe and want your blood to be used.Choosing the st icker is done confidentially and afterwards you step out of the room to find the nurse. As soon as you find the nurse, he or she will sit you down comfortably on their chairs and you will be ready to donate your blood. In the United States, an estimated 37 percent of Americans are eligible to donate. However, only ten percent actually donate. What about the other 27 percent of people? Well ask yourself, â€Å"Have I ever thought about donating blood? † The two most common reasons for not donating blood are that people have never given it the thought, or they are terrified of needles (American Red Cross).I’ve encountered many friends and family members who do not want to donate blood because they have a fear of needles. They say they don’t want to get poked because it’s painful or the might faint by the sight of a needle inside their arm. Some people think that they are not eligible when they really are. Those who have gotten a piercing or tattoo are not e ligible to donate for a year because of safety precaution. Precautions such as risk with coming into contact with HIV, or AIDs prevent eligibility from the use on non-sterile needles (Moisse).Because donating blood is only done by volunteers, people may feel like they’re not obligated to donate. It’s true; people don’t have to donate blood. Donating blood may not seem like a big deal, but it helps saves lives every day. The need for blood is always in high demand because accidents happen, and you can’t always expect them. According to the American Red Cross, a single car accident victim may require as many as 100 pints of blood. Donating blood makes a difference. Ask Brennah Payne, she’s a 14 year old teenager who was involved in a car accident at age seven.The incident broke her spine in half, fractured her face, ruptured her bowels, suffered major internal bleeding, and went through nine major surgeries, and 22 other medical procedures throughout the next six months (Shugart). Brennah Payne stated â€Å"I remember tubes coming into me, but I don’t really remember what was in them, now I know that the things that were in them kept me alive†¦ There were so many people helping me, and I didn’t really know why. I just knew that I felt love from them, and it made me happy because without them I wouldn’t be here today,† (Shugart).Today, Brennah is a healthy teenager and a competitive runner on her schools cross country team. â€Å"Although she has recovered from the accident that occurred half a lifetime ago, she has never forgotten how the generosity of blood donors saved her life,† (Shugart). Blood donations have changes Brennah’s life. You can be that person to make an impact on somebody’s life. Although patients, who receive your blood, may not know who you are, they will appreciate the effort giving to donating blood. If you’ve ever grown up wanting to be a hero to others in need, here’s your chance.

Minimum Wage, And Unemployment - 1673 Words

Minimum Wage Hikes and Unemployment Many fast food workers and minimum wage employees have been protesting recently, in hopes of increasing the federal minimum wage. States such as Seattle, that have already increased the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and California, that has approved a bill that will change the minimum wage to $13 per hour in 2017, have already jumped on board with the movement. President Obama and many other protesters around the country who are fighting for the increase in the minimum wage believe that the raise will decrease poverty among Americans and provide a stable income to support a family, or serve as a livable wage (Lee). Instead of creating a positive impact on those in need, increasing the minimum wage will affect the lives of lower-income, lower-skilled workers in a negative way. According to conventional economic analysis, employment levels for lower-income workers in jobs such as fast food, or any job that pays minimum wage, have steadily decreased with the rises in the wage (â€Å"Ef fects of Raising†). While it will negatively affect the lower-income workers, the other half of Americans who work for higher wages and are not in poverty, will have increased incomes (â€Å"Effects of Raising†). Raising the wage will not produce the desired outcome and will consequently make the situation worse. Also, these types of jobs are not meant to be supporting families or be a livable wage. These jobs are stepping stones for teens and young adult workers to gainShow MoreRelatedImpact Of Minimum Wage On Unemployment1305 Words   |  6 PagesImpact of minimum wage on unemployment The supply and demand factors show significance towards growth of unemployment. It has been observed that the price floor above equilibrium wage should cause unemployment. There are many people who have provided their arguments against the fact. However, it has been observed that whenever there has been a rise in the minimum wage of workers, unemployment rate goes very high. For example, an organization has to maintain its expenses as well as its incomes.Read MoreMinimum Wage Should Increase Unemployment996 Words   |  4 Pagesrepresents the people, you should raise minimum wage. It is all about the people, and making society a better place. Theoretically, minimum wage should decrease unemployment, close racial gaps, enable families to take care of basic necessities, and would somehow make the world a better place. However, theories are ideas, intended to explain a situation; they are not facts, they are not constant, and they can be wishful thinking. Therefore, an increase in mi nimum wage does not ensure these privileges. ThereRead MoreA Brief Note On Unemployment And Minimum Wage Essay1818 Words   |  8 PagesUnemployment and Minimum Wage Both the microeconomics and the macroeconomics theories dictate that an increase in the minimum wage will directly impact the rate of unemployment by shooting upwards. As of the moment, there is a heated debate on whether the Congress should pass a bill that seeks to increase United States minimum wage. The consequent change will eventually have both positive as well as negative impacts on various economical aspects particularly unemployment. As for this paper, theRead MoreEssay on Raising Minimum Wage Increases Unemployment1420 Words   |  6 Pageshelps families make ends meet like higher wages. †¦ And to everyone in this Congress who still refuses to raise the minimum wage, I say this: If you truly believe you could work full-time and support a family on less than $15,000 a year, go try it. If not, vote to give millions of the hardest-working people in America a raise.† -–President Obama, State of the Union address, Jan. 20, 2015 President Barack Obama is renewing his call to raise the minimum wage to $10.10. During a speech at a manufacturingRead MoreLink between Higher Minimum Wage and Higher Unemployment1179 Words   |  5 PagesIn theory when an increase in minimum wage increases the cost of low-wage workers firms should want to hire less workers, however in reality this basic theory might be wrong according to Plumer B. (2013) While some studies found a link between higher minimum wage and higher unemployment level many others such as a recent paper from U.C. Berkeley that exploited differences across state borders did not find a link between higher minimum wage and higher unemployment. A study by John Schmitt of theRead More Do Minimum Wage Laws Increase Unemployment? Essay1188 Words   |  5 Pagescurrent minimum wage, as set by federal law, is less than $15 per hour. Is this enough for any person to provide for themselves and their family? Laborers earning the minimum wage dont seem to think so and are wanting an increase in the required minimum wage so they will be paid more by their employers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2015 that 3.6 million workers earned below or at the minimum wage (Minimum Wage Workers). At first it sounds wonderful for minimum wage workers toRead MoreMinimum Wage And Its Effect On The Economy1015 Words   |  5 Pagesthe unemployment rate. The increasing of unemployment rate is caused by some reasons, and one of the problem that causes the high unemployment rate is the issue of minimum wage. Depending on the states in U.S., the price of minimum wage is different, but the low minimum wage may cause the economic condit ion worse. Minimum wage is the lowest wage that an employer is allowed to pay. This wage is regulated by the law, so all workers must follow this rule. According to the book, â€Å"Minimum Wages†, theRead MoreA Brief Note On Raising Minimum Wage1088 Words   |  5 PagesBrendan Mason Mrs. Scruggs 08/07/15 Raising minimum Wage There is always talk about the problems of North Carolina’s economy, and these problems then become publicized and put throughout the media, informing people on the condition of their state’s economy. A popular topic lately is the state’s minimum wage, and whether it should be raised or if we should keep the current minimum wage. Usually, opinions vary on what to do about minimum wage, however there certainly seems to be a larger group ofRead MoreThe Positive and Negative Effects of Raising Minimum Wage805 Words   |  4 Pagesincome. Many people’s income relies on minimum wage. In 2012, 3.6 million people received an hourly pay at or below minimum wage. There is an ongoing debate in government as to what the minimum wage should be. Stuck at $7.25, Obama has suggested raising the minimum wage to $9.00. Depending on a person’s perspective, raising minimum wage could be positive or negative. Minimum wage has the ability to change lives, and change t he economy. Small businesses and unemployment, teenage demographics, and the costRead MoreRaising The Minimum Wage?1575 Words   |  7 PagesThe issue of raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour is a heavily debated topic. Both sources against or in favor of the minimum wage refer to a â€Å"growing gap† between low-income workers and high-income earners. Sources against the minimum wage believe raising it will increase this gap, whereas those in favor of the minimum wage believe it will decrease this gap. The arguments in favor of the minimum wage rely mostly on ethical beliefs, such as â€Å"pay should reflect hard work,† to advance