LGBT Rights on Wall Street Essay -- Wall Street, Employee, Trends

Two important trends facing Wall Street are its expansion of LGBT employee rights over the past decade and its entrance into non-traditional banking centers. These trends are interrelated and deeply affect the LGBT community. As Wall Street has greatly improved its treatment of LGBT employees, it has an opportunity to share this accepting attitude as it expands into new markets. The 1980s were notorious for rampant homophobia on Wall Street, where traders routinely screamed â€Å"faggot† on the trading floor and a closeted culture prevailed throughout firms. In 1983, a small group of gay bankers formed an anonymous support group entitled the New York Bankers Trust. Bankers Trust meetings were held in private homes and mailings were addressed to â€Å"Mr.† and â€Å"Mrs.† because many closeted male bankers pretended to be married to women. This homophobic macho-driven culture continued throughout the 80s and 90s, even as society became more accepting of gays and lesbians. In 1999, there was one openly gay member of the 1,365-member New York Stock Exchange. And although many banks had, on paper, banned discrimination based on sexual orientation, a 1999 article in the New York Magazine reported widespread discrimination, lawsuits, fear of harassment and underrepresentation of openly gay men and women. After the turn of the millennium, things began to change. Quickly. In 2002, J.P. Morgan led the way and was the first bank to receive a perfect score on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. In 2003, Lehman Brothers joined. In 2004, Deutsche Bank, Citi, UBS, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs joined. The dam had been broken. A 2006 Bloomberg article noted this change and suggested a few important catalysts: societal changes, such as same-sex marriage,... ...s in these areas. I believe that if banks offer LGBT benefits, citizens will see these policies and respond positively through the political process to promote gay rights. Beyond offering equal benefits, banks can take the next step and speak out where they see injustice, as they have done in the United States. Gay rights do not exist in a vacuum. Many articles I read linked the decline in sexual harassment toward women with the acceptance of gays and lesbians in the workplace. Similarly, in many countries where gays and lesbians are imprisoned or executed, women are treated as second-class citizens, subject to female genital mutilation and high illiteracy rates. As banks have promoted gay rights in their local regions, such as New York State, they can work to expand gay rights in new markets. This is an important mission for banks and I want to be part of it.

Reality TV VS Real Life TV Essay

Reality TV vs. Real Life TV One of the main sources of news and entertainment is television. Every household has a television set in their home which the family consumes hours watching. Many reality TV shows are based on shallow and vague values. The growing trend in television now for our culture is â€Å"REALITY TV† (real life on TV). Just like the appeal to junk food or the internet reality TV has a dominant effect on our children and us as adults. There is real life and there is TV-life under influence of which viewers fall. Under the name of â€Å"Reality TV† viewers expect something as â€Å"real life on TV†. But while reality TV may seem like a harmless form of entertainment, the damage (which is done so subtly) is very powerful and therefore it deserves a closer look. So the question is ‘Do we really need another reality TV show or perhaps it’s time for a reality check?’ â€Å"Reality television is a genre of television programming which generally is unscripted, documenting actual events over fiction and featuring ‘ordinary’ people over professional actors.† . Reality TV has appeared following the creation of television broadcasting in the 1940s. What we know of as reality TV now started with such shows as â€Å"Candid Camera† (1948). Reality TV programs are rapidly developing and gaining more and more popularity changing contents of the programs according to time changes: participants become more opened to the viewers—which attracts constant interest to reality shows. The most popular reality TV shows today are: â€Å"The Bachelor†, â€Å"Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire†, â€Å"Survivor†. All over the world, on multiple TV-channels, millions of people are watching the products of reality TV. Reality shows are covering most valuable aspects of life: family relationships, love, and money. The main purposes of those shows are either fun, or competition amusement. So here is the true reality behind reality TV. Reality TV, which is in the business of making us feel good rather than be good, actually contributes to the growing problems in our society by celebrating human weakness rather than hum an excellence. Reality TV doesn’t empower us, but rather overpowers us by taking our innate power and inner knowing and spirituality away from us, leaving us feeling insecure, inadequate, less fulfilled, isolated and confused by virtue of the promotion of anti-social behavior, excessive self-indulgence, self-entitlement, greed, compromised integrity, obsession with winning at  all costs, and erosion in morality. All reality shows have their own level of gossip, some more than others. The Housewives series are known for carrying with them a swirl of scandal ranging from cheating husbands, missing child support and even suicides. Courtroom shows like â€Å"People’s Court† and â€Å"Divorce Court† also brings drama to viewers as cases of divorce, property damage and landlord negligence lead to explosive episodes of screaming matches and much mallet smashing. Although none of us wish to be tied up in such hairy messes and sticky situations, it is amusing to watch others ba ttle it out in what can be considered no less than a complete display of trashy behavior. We like to know what is going on behind closed doors and if it involves some type of controversy, that just makes it all the more intriguing. The Real World is often created with being the first reality tv show, but you can go back even further to the Fifties when Candid Camera first aired. It was a show of regular people put in adverse, funny situations and we got to see how they reacted first hand. We love Candid Camera. It ran in some form for fifteen seasons, spawned countless other shows (America’s Funniest Home Videos, Kids Say the Darndest Things and the latest, Punk’d) and will probably come back in some form in the future. Americans also love game shows, which can be compared to reality TV shows. We love to watch people win or lose fortunes within thirty minutes and see how they react to that and each other. Perhaps Dr. Annette Hill, a researcher at the University of Westminster put it best when asked by BBC News why reality TV shows were so popular – â €Å"†We found that, in general, people like to see what happens behind the scenes.† Some shows, such as Deadliest Catch, give us a glimpse into something we might never know about such as the dangerous lives of crab fisherman. Reality TV is at times so utterly fabricated that viewers can’t help but enjoy a different â€Å"reality† from their own. Whether you favor watching reality shows of the rich and famous, the survivors, or the love birds, all anyone wants is an escape from what becomes a monotonous routine. If from such outright mind-numbing shows we can gain either steadfast motivation to become wealthy ourselves or simply affirmation that we are not as screwed up as we think (compared to the nut-jobs on the screen), then I think the hour of reality TV is well spent. Of course, everything looks better through a clear window. So, if you have to watch reality TV smut, at least watch it on any HD service really. You can see all of their REAL wrinkles and cellulite! So what does this actually say about our American culture? Some may believe that our culture can be naà ¯ve and nosey. We enjoy looking into others lives and personal business as and use to their real life dilemmas as entertainment. It’s also fair to say that we are a culture that enjoys other people’s drama. The more fighting and arguing the show has the more we want to watch it. There are critics who judge reality TV and their arguments are worth of attention. Contemporary reality shows are harmful for what they teach the audience. There is an emotional abuse when certain participants fail to win, there is a psychological trauma on the side of viewers when something happens not as they have expected. Physical beauty is presented to be more important than cleverness and intelligence, feelings and emotions are common. If reality TV is so popular, why does most critical commentary regard in a negative light? Traditionally, documentary is considered a â€Å"sober† genre with a strong tradition of social commentary, while reality TV is seems as a trivial one. However, the increase of new hybrids formats blurs this idea finding documentaries based on entertainment and reality shows based on social issues. â€Å"New hybrid versions of documentary and reality television produce a new kind of public sphere in which shared knowledge and the experience of the everyday take centre stage†, Reality TV has broken the boundary between private and public. Audience wants to feel the guilty pleasure, a voyeuristic experience, of feeling part of ordinary people’s lives and them demands to watch it on television. According to Baudrillard, this idea is based on â€Å"a kind of primal pleasure, of anthropological joy in images, a kind of brute fascination unencumbered by aesthetic, moral, social or political judgments† . We have always been interested in other people’s liv es because they are a reflection of our own lives, our own ordinariness. Baudrillard suggests that images â€Å"are immoral, and that their fundamental power lies in this immorality. When you consider the magnitude of the challenges that are facing America today, it becomes obvious that what we need is certainly not another mind-numbing reality TV show, but rather a good reality check. Whether we recognize it or not, America is in desperate need of healing and true revival. It needs a jump-start, not only in the economy, but most importantly a jump-start in the spirit. After all, we are only as strong as our spirit, because when the spirit is weak it’s easier to  become overwhelmed by what life throws our way. But when the spirit is strong, no turbulences can affect us, much like a ship in the vast ocean that can sail smoothly as long as there are no holes in it to make it sink. America could use a reality check if only to reexamine our value system, which is out of balance and has led to social ills and failing systems and institutions. In a conflicted state of uncertainty, doubt and fear, it’s only natural for people to feel overwhelmed, wishing to escape from reality. However, reality TV proves only an artificial relief. It’s obvious that we are looking for love (real joy, fulfillment, meaning and purpose) in all the wrong places. In a culture that demands instant gratification, and relief from everyday anxieties, a quick fix (for coping), seems to be the chosen drug of choice. So now for that reality check; the reality is that the prevailing mentality in American society today is ‘more is better,’ acquiring external riches as opposed to internal riches and that you can get something for nothing. There is a sense of entitlement and an expectation of wanting the good life without having to work hard for it. This is reinforced, glorified and perpetuated by the media with shows like ‘The Lifestyle of The Rich and Famous.’ When all you see is glamour, but not the hard work and sacrifice that goes into achieving success, it only inspires more envy and the desire for a ‘get rich quick’ scheme leading to the erosion of morality and integrity. Works Cited Baudrillard. Represetning Reality. 1991. Bignell, J. Reality TV in the Twenty first Century. New York: Plagrave MacMillan, 2005. en.wikipedia.org. N0vember 2012. Nichols, B. Representing Reality Issues and Concepts in Documentary. 1991.

Effect of Institutional racism on Essay

Racism is the discrimination or negative attitude of people against other people purely because of their race. Institutional racism is a form of racism structured into political and social institutions. The institutions include schools and collages, while political include government and other government Parastatals or corporation. The consequence of this kind of social segregation is always negative. It some times leads to wars, hatred and in some instances low self esteem by the subject in this case. Racial discrimination stated long ago and its effect has always been negative. In page 3 of The Guardian that is dated 5th September 2008. The heading of the newspaper is: â€Å"Black Caribbean children held back by institutional racism in schools, says study† written by Editor Polly Curtis. The essence of the story in this case is to highlight the rampant racial discrimination of Caribbean children in English schools. This has largely undermined their academic and social life, further researcher had uncovered evidence that teachers routinely under-estimate the abilities of some black pupils, suggesting that assumptions about behavioural problems have overshadowed their academic talents. The findings on a survey which tracked 15,000 pupils through their education also add weight to the theory that low achievement among some black students is worsened because teachers don’t expect them to succeed. This relates well to the topic of Institutional racism because in this case racism is in a school setting where all pupils are supposed to be treated fairly irrespective of their race. But in this case black Caribbean’s are discriminated upon and this has subsequently resulted to their poor performance in school. The significance of this story in the Guardian is to put in light what is happening among the students in this particular school concerning the racism issue. This is elaborated by the statistics that show how racism has affected the black Caribbean in this particular school. Such as a third of capable black Caribbean pupils are not entered to take the hardest papers in tests at 14. Hence the issue being addressed by this statistics is institutional racism in English schools. This story affects me in different ways, its sad to note that at this age people are still being judged by the color of their skin rather than by their character and abilities. It frustrates me to hinder other people from achieving their full potential because of racism. In my point of view, its vital to note that none of us decided their race and that all humans are created equal and their variation in melanin content should never be a judgment factor but rather an ideology of the past. It’s vital for people to know that our abilities, talents are independent of our skin color. This story not only affects me but it also affects the society involved because they loose potential people in from optimizing their potential because of their unworthy discrimination of their color. This story encourages me to do something different by advocating against racial discrimination not only in schools but rather in the entire society. I will accomplish this by giving examples of how people of different races have won the Nobel peace price. Whites, Blacks, Asians have won the price. This vehemently states that the color of our skin has nothing to do with our ability. Sources Polly Curtis, Black Caribbean children held back by institutional racism in schools, says study The guardian newspaper on the web 5th September 2008

How did the design of the Colosseum relate to its public function and to its symbolic meaning Essays

How did the design of the Colosseum relate to its public function and to its symbolic meaning Essays How did the design of the Colosseum relate to its public function and to its symbolic meaning Paper How did the design of the Colosseum relate to its public function and to its symbolic meaning Paper next was the Ionic order which was slender and above that was the Corinthian , which was the most noticeably slender of all. The Articulation of the Colosseum added to its delight as hugely decorated walls seemed inviting, making it seem welcome and not so imposing but also added to the beauty of the building. The symmetry of the exterior with the use of columns and entablatures added to its appeal. The symbolic meaning of the Colosseum as a statement of imperial splendour was further enhanced by its size and its location in the centre of the city, placing it literally and symbolically in the centre of Rome. What attitude towards the Roman games did the ancient writers express? How would you account for the differences and similarities between these attitudes? The Games were an integral part of the Roman way of life for over 500 years. They were a way of expressing Roman citizenship and a celebration of the power and wealth of the Roman Empire. They were an important factor in reinforcing the might of the Empire. There were a variety of viewpoints in the attitudes towards the Roman games expressed by ancient writers. The backing of the Emperor was an element of the games that was seen to be politically wise to praise. Martialis shamelessly flatters his patron Domitian, A treacherous lion had harmed his master with his ingrate mouth, daring to violate the hands he knew so well: but he paid a fitting penalty. Martial is praising the use of public executions played out in the amphitheatre. He also is in awe of the fast moving sets and scenery, But a short while hence you will be saying: Here but lately was the sea. He seems wholeheartedly in favour of the games and sees no wrong in the public executions, wild beast attacking criminals and the public displays of sexual intercourse. However in stark contrast to Martialiss view, Apeleius seems tormented and utterly horrified with the events about to take place in the arena, besides the contagion of the damnable polluted woman, I was greatly tormented by the fear of death. It could be argued that the differences in opinion could be due to the fact that Martialis narrates as a spectator, whereas Apeleius makes the events more personal and brings them to life by narrating them in the first person, making them seen even more gruesome and horrendous. Apeleius seems repulsed at the extravagance yet also in awe of the might and generosity of Demochares preparing for a public show, He lavishly tended and fed all those bears with the utmost care. You could see the animal wreckage of their moribund carcasses lying scattered in most of the streets. Pliny expresses positive views of the games and expresses admiration for the way in which they are executed well, much like the views of Martialis, You have also done admirably in giving the show so readily and on such a lavish scale, for this indicates a true sense of generosity. Pliny was senator in Rome so his political allegiance to the Emperor influenced his opinions of the Games. Suetonius again seems impressed by the games and events that take place in the Colosseum. He was a member of the upper class so had a strong affiliation with the Emperor which would seem a likely reason for his positive comments. The whole body of the people in particular he treated with such indulgence on all occasions, Suetonius seems to imply that the Emperor was most benevolent and was constantly seeking to please his spectators. Although Cicero was a politician, publicly he stated a positive interest in the games, but privately he seemed to be repulsed by the vulgarity and brutality of them. The extract to a friend expresses his shame and resignation to the fact that the games will continue, And we who were there saw nothing new. But what pleasure can it be to a man of refinement when either a powerless man is torn by a very powerful beast. In the Tusculan Disputations, Cicero tries to justify the Games but one cant help but think that he is grappling with his conscience. His comment about how the games where criminals killed one another in some way acted as a deterrent for others. At least among those addressed not to the ears but to the eyes. Statius a writer for the Emperors court expresses his views rather emotionally, making the games seem more than just an event. He discusses in detail the effect the slayings have on the Emperor, the loss of one lion alone drew a tear from mighty Caesars eye. He almost brings the event to life, writing of the slow death and bravery of the lion. Senecas views are refreshingly honest; he is able to be as frank as he virtually ruled Rome for five years on behalf of Emperor Nero. This would explain his views; his dialogue implies the games were put on to satisfy the masses, it is they that wanted the butchery and slayings. He implies the masses are creatures of ill repute associating with crowds is dangerous: someone is bound to seduce us with some vice. He refers to his immortal god which is rare as all the other writers refer to no higher being than the Emperor. Seneca seems to understand the minds of the masses and understands the need for such events, but is also aware that the games are only possible due to the participants being almost wild and untamed, be they human or animal, Give the Immortal Gods thanks that you are giving a lesson in cruelty to a man who cannot learn it. The last extract by St Augustine implies the game were wicked and evil, turning the good into bad and condemning their souls forever. He implies that the games were addictive and turned even the hardiest opponents. They became so embedded in the souls of the spectators that they were almost like addicts, not satisfied until their next dosage. In conclusion the overall impression is that the ancient writers expressed their views in correlation to their political affiliations. The main body of comments seem to find something positive in the games, and present them as a much needed part of Roman Society, to ensure the masses had a means of escapism from everyday toils. It was an effective and successful way of controlling crime, and maintaining order and control in society.

Just like A Tree essays

Just like A Tree essays Just like a tree thats standing by the water, we shall not be moved. We remember singing that song while attending Clarendon school district 1 in Summerton, SC. Hello, my name is Sabrina H. and I am a graduate of the historic Scotts Branch High school. In recent news specials on the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling, one key element was left out. It is of one of the cases that were included in the Brown vs. Board of Education; Briggs vs. Elliot. The struggle that was started then is still a focus for me and my Summerton community. I understand that the prettiest story with the happiest ending is what historians share. We, in Summerton share and remember a different story. My only concern with the issue is how we have been left behind? Summerton has been left behind. The mentality of the older residence is that of complacency. My generation (generation X) has no direction because we are in search of a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. How do I explain to them in a way that is not intimidating that the civil rights movement is not our movement? We have so many other focuses. Our children look to us for direction but we only know what we have seen. The town of Summerton is like no other I have seen. The high school that I graduated from has not had a white graduate since the Brown vs. Board of education ruling. When prompted to integrate, those that were not in favor started their own school. The ruling was a spring board for Topeka, Kansas, but it is evident that change was not welcome in Summerton, SC. I call it legal segregation. I did not believe that it was possible to be a product of your environment, but this situation has caused me to reevaluate my beliefs in that area. I can now conceive how a person can be a part of something so long that they adapt because no sign of change is in sight. How could we have been left behind? I shed a tear as I type only because the celebrations that were recently ...

An analysis of COCACOLAs current strategic position, and how COCACOLA Essay

An analysis of COCACOLAs current strategic position, and how COCACOLA will develop these strategies in the future.THIS is an individually written report - Essay Example Coca Cola has around 16 million clients all over the world. The management concentrates more on enhancing the values for their clientele and aiding their beverages business to grow. Moreover the management is working hard to understand their cliental needs whether the customer is classy retailer in industrial market or a risk owner in rising markets. The basic key or strategy is that they place right product in right market at right time. This indicates that geographically company's market is vast & the management has huge control on its market. As carbonated drinks are the highly productive segment so the company emphasis more in its production and promotion as it brings larger portion of their revenue from overall sales The Coca Cola Company currently has different brands in the market worlds wide. The company not only a big manufactures of carbonated drinks but also manufacture juices, water and other drinks. The key for launching any new brand in the market is the culture of the country. Strategic Planning is the tool which a management used to considerate it future course of action. In any business strategic planning is the tool of giving the right directions to the management .the management emphasis on how to apply different strategies in order to expand the business, which policies suits best in all the areas of the business and what are the potentials and how to use them. FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIES BY COCA COLA: The

Marketing Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Marketing Plan - Essay Example has more distinctive products than McDonalds; it has fewer items on the menu, as it focuses more on individual products. It should be highlighted that McDonalds also use traditional print, electronic and radio media followed by internet and new media for publicity and promotion. The company also initiated a promotional campaign named â€Å"I’m Lovin’ it†, sponsored Olympic athletes, host charitable events, Social media etc. to entice maximum customers towards its stores. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is an American international food seller that has established more than 15,000 KFC outlets across 109 countries and territories around the world. Indeed, the business serves an estimated 12 million customers each day at its stores. The business is an important competitor of Carl’s Jr. because it offers various similar products. The company has an advertising budget of over $1 billion and sales revenue of $11 billion in 2009 that shows its financial strength and brand acceptance among fast food lovers. In addition, KFC also utilizes all traditional and social media channels. KFC focuses on Product and Market Development through induction of new recipes and food products (such as fiery wings) in its portfolio. Indeed, it launched promotional campaigns including free vouchers, Family Feast Combo, free gifts, KFC buckets, KFC cricket promotion etc. to tempt customers towards its stores. (KFC.com) Hungry Jack is a subsidiary of Burger King Incorporation and it is operational in Australia since 1971. The company has strong brand recognition and establishment in Australia with over 300 stores in 2010. The franchise is unique in a way that it offers a complete range of breakfast, hamburgers, chicken meals, desserts, drinks, sides / salad and kids’ meals to its valued customers. Indeed, the company advertises heavily on electronic media to lure food freaks. Indeed, Hungry Jacks advertises heavily on electronic media for sales promotion campaigns. In addition, the