The History of Ethnicity and Educational Attainment Essay Example for Free

The History of Ethnicity and Educational Attainment Essay In 1945 the UK needed rapid rebuilding, both structurally and in population re-growth. After the Second World War the UKs population was virtually non-existent, with most males having died in the war, which meant that there were not enough people around to rebuild the country. This resulted in an economic boom with more jobs than people in the country at the time, and at the same time the UK was still managing her Empire in India and the Caribbean. By the 1950s there was a rapid increase in the technological industry, yet the UK was rapidly falling behind Europe technologically and was desperate to increase their technological market. The UK soon realised that they could not afford and Empire and the rapid technological development needed to rival the market of the rest of Europe, so the decision was made to create the Immigration Policy. Afro-Caribbean immigrants were the first coloured people to arrive in the UK and were lured there by the promise of housing, employment and education, but what they found when they arrived in the UK was discrimination in housing, schooling and employment, especially in the types of jobs the immigrants were permitted to fulfil, i. e. they could work only in jobs such as bus drivers and underground attendants; only the lower status (IV class) non-skilled, manual jobs. Again, in the 1970s, the Consumer revolution leads to the introduction of new food and fashion types and the South African immigration, the UK accepted all the Indian, Pakistani and Ugandan immigrants as cheap labour forces, for as long as the economic boom continues. But in the 1980s an economic recession began meaning that unemployment increases due to the lack of goods being sold abroad. The economic recession affected everybody in the UK, but especially the immigrant groups, as they were the first employees to be laid off. This was because the immigrants were hired by industries as periphery workers; these workers are the ones to be drafted in during economic boom periods but are then laid off when a company slump occurs. There was also discrimination in the education of ethnic minority children. Education policy went through three distinct phases, assimilation, multiculturalism, and anti-racist. Assimilation, during 1945 to the early 1970s, was the educational policy that meant everyone entering the UK must be made British; the curriculum taught only white versions of history, European geography only centring on the British empire, British religions and cultures taught in RE and second language students were sent to special needs units to learn English. The next policy to be put into affect during the late 1970s until the mid-1980s was Multiculturalism, or the acknowledging of others, this policy made an effort to include other ethnicities by having special days and events to celebrate other cultures on a 1-day basis and made a step towards breaking down cultural barriers. This policy was often referred to as a steel band, sari and samara education only as it gave a 1-day insight into other cultures but then went back to teaching about Britain and white history, customs, etc. The last and current policy is that of Anti-Racist education with the aim to attack inequality and racism, reflect everybody equally, and to eradicate Euro centrism the idea that Europe is at the heart of everything that happens in the world. The curriculum has also changed to reflect world history, geography, languages, religions and cultures. Statistics to show attainment of 5 or more A*-C grades by ethnic origin between 1989-2000, released by the UK Government Department of Education and Skills give a clear picture of the educational attainment of White, Black, Asian (all), Asian (Indian), Asian (Pakistani), Asian (Bangladeshi), Asian (other including Chinese), and any other ethnic groups. The trend between 1994 and 2000, however, shows that almost all ethnic groups have steadily increased their attainment of A*-C grades. The Asian category, however, differs greatly within itself with the different minorities scoring very different results with the different Asian groups holding both the highest and lowest achievers of 5 A*-C grades. We can see this in the statistics released by the Government, these show that Asian (other including Chinese) are the highest achievers of 5 A*-C grades between 1992 (when the data became available) and 2000 with 72 grade achievers in 2000 whilst Asian (Pakistani), Asian (Bangladeshi) and Black groups are the lowest achievers throughout with only 29/30 grade achievers in the year 2000. Showing that the initial views that ethnic minorities are intellectually inferior to whites is completely unsubstantiated and are, in many cases, more likely to achieve the 5 A*-C grades than the whites themselves are.

Capitalism and Feudalism: The Lowell System Essay -- Economics Norma R

Capitalism and Feudalism: The Lowell System During the mid-nineteenth century, as the industrial revolution was taking shape, so too, was an economic system in Lowell, Massachusetts. The system involved a series of textile mills, which hired mostly women from rural towns, which were slowly giving way to the large cities as a result of industrialization. The textile mills hired the women to work long hours in brutal, often dangerous conditions, and many paid high rent to company boardinghouses. This may sound like feudalism, but it was, in fact, an example of oligarchical capitalism. However, it shares features with the conditions in "Norma Rae" and "Matewan". In the Lowell System, power was concentrated within the textile companies, creating an oligarchy. The situation is best described by Thomas Dublin, in his book Women at Work when he writes that 'the textile corporations in Lowell...adopted a unified set of policies from the outset. They shared waterpower rights, technological developments, labor policies, and marketing strategies.' (Thomas Dublin, Women at Work. p. 10) The logic behind the co-operation of the different companies was that the 'textile firms in this period were owned and directed by a narrow circle of capitalists, known collectively as the Boston Associates'. (Thomas Dublin, Women at Work, p. 10) This created an oligarchical situation because there was collective control by the companies. The oligarchy existed within a capitalist system, however, because the workers had a choice of which company to work for and the textile mills were not the only places to work. The textile industry was a major industry at the time. Ho wever, one could still lead a normal life without working in the textile mill. Furth... ...ning company to yield to their demands for better working conditions. The Lowell System shows features similar to both "Matewan" and "Norma Rae" because it occurred in a period in American history when the economy was in transition from feudalism to capitalism, allowing it to retain some features of feudalism while manifesting the early stages of modern capitalism. This is the reason why the Lowell System shares features with both "Norma Rae" and "Matewan". It also accounts for the fact that the system was an oligopoly. The companies did not have a complete monopoly over the labor force, however they had concentrated power. As the economy of the United States evolved, the Lowell System became less feudal and more capitalist, and evolved into situations similar to "Norma Rae". 1. Dublin, Thomas. Women at Work. 1979, Columbia University Press, New York. p. 87

“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth Essay

For my second test I choose the poem â€Å"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud† by William Wordsworth because I like the imagery in it of the dancing daffodils. After reading the poem many times I had realized that most of this imagery is produced by the many metaphors and similes. In the first line, Wordsworth says â€Å"I wandered lonely as a cloud.† This is a simile comparing the wondering of a man to a cloud drifting through the sky. I think that the wandering cloud is lonely because there is nothing else that high in the sky besides it. It can pass by unnoticed, touching nothing. Also, the image of a cloud brings to mind a carefree sort of wandering. The cloud is not bound by any barriers and can go wherever the impulse of the wind might take it. The next line of poem says â€Å"I saw a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils.† Here Wordsworth is using a metaphor to compare the daffodils to a crowd of people and a host of angels. The word crowd brings to mind an image of the daffodils grouped together and being amongst one another. The word host makes them seem like their golden petals are shimmering like golden halos on angels. It is interesting to note that daffodils do have a circular rim of petals in the middle that could look like a halo. Later in the poem Wordsworth uses another simile, saying the dancing of daffodils in the wind is â€Å"continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle on the Milky Way.† This line creates the image of the wind blowing the tops of random daffodils up and down in a haphazard matter, so they appear to twinkle momentarily as their faces catch the sun. This goes along with the next metaphor of the daffodils â€Å"tossing their heads in sprightly dance.† It is also interesting how the first image of the wandering cloud contrasts sharply with the second image of the dancing daffodils. The cloud drifts in solitude slowly and placidly across the sky, whereas the daffodils hurry to and from in a lively way. This contrast seems to show that looking at the daffodils made the author feel better than he did before and that they in fact helped cheered him up. This idea is supported by the last line of poem, where he says his heart â€Å"with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils† suggesting that’s how he feels whenever he thinks of the daffodils. The speaker says that, wandering like a cloud floating above hills and valleys, he encountered a field of daffodils beside a lake. The dancing, fluttering flowers stretched endlessly along the shore, and though the waves of the lake danced beside the flowers, the daffodils outdid the water in glee. The speaker says that a poet could not help but be happy in such a joyful company of flowers. He says that he stared and stared, but did not realize what wealth the scene would bring him. For now, whenever he feels â€Å"vacant† the memory flashes upon â€Å"that inward eye. That is the bliss of loneliness,† and his heart fills with pleasure, â€Å"and dances with the daffodils.† This simple poem revisits the familiar subjects of nature and memory, this time with a particularly musical expressiveness. The plot is extremely simple, that shows the poet’s wandering and his discovery of a field of daffodils by a lake, the memory of which pleases him and comforts him when he is lonely, bored, or restless. The speaker is metaphorically compared to a natural object, a cloud and the daffodils are continually personified as human beings, dancing and â€Å"tossing their heads† in â€Å"a crowd.† The four six-line stanzas of this poem follow a quatrain couplet rhyme scheme ABABCC. Each line is metered in iambic tetrameter. This poem had great use of imagery which correlated and was shown by using similes and metaphors. The imagery Wordsworth uses is very influential, and made me feel as though I to was there to see the breathtaking sight of the daffodils. In conclusion I really liked this poem. The poems we had read before were not this rhythmic and pleasant to the ear. This poem sounded to me like a song. Overall this poem is very peaceful and gives off a feeling of tranquility. It is about a man confronting external nature and how with his imagination it can fulfill him. His creativity seems to be encouraged by the nature around him. I believe that the main theme of this poem was nature and the tone used was serious. The occasion was him remembering the sight of nature the daffodils and the â€Å"lonely cloud.† He is in a way showing us how he likes to reflect on nature and use it as an inspiration.

Essay Billie Holiday - 1341 Words

Many jazz artists as we know it are quite talented. Their talents are unique in that they can translate human emotion through singing or playing their instruments. Many have the ability to reach and touch people’s souls through their amazing gifts. Although this art of turning notes and lyrics into emotional imagery may somewhat come natural, the audience must wonder where their influence comes from. For Billie Holiday, her career was highly influenced by personal experience, the effects of the Great Depression, and the racial challenges of African Americans during her time. The Great Depression was a major historical event that affected thousands of Americans during the 1930s. It was a time in which economic decline left people without†¦show more content†¦These first lines in the song portrays the longing and loneliness she felt. Further into the song she sings, â€Å"Soft winds blowing through the pinewood trees, folks down there live a life of ease.† Here, Billie sings about life down south and refers to Baltimore where she grew up. The â€Å"soft winds blowing through the pinewood trees† can be construed as Baltimore. â€Å"Folks down there live a life of ease,† compares the difficulties she endures in Harlem to the care free life somewhere else. In 1933, during Billie Holiday’s early years of her career, â€Å"The Depression was now underway. The few playing gigs in the music industry were taken by whites, and blacks faced â€Å"insurmountable odds. . . against achieving any sort of recognition without help.†Ã¢â‚¬  (Jackson, pg. 86) Billie stopped working as a prostitute and began singing at night clubs and speakeasies in Harlem. The New York nightlife is where John Hammond would discover her. He introduced her to many prestigious jazz musicians and promoted her unparallel sound. Billie Holiday played on the radio where she became recognized as a female singer within the jazz industry. Without the help of John Hammond, Billie may not have had a chance as a singer. â€Å"He is widely credited with having discovered many of these artists, and while the use of that ambiguous wordShow MoreRelated Billie Holiday Essay1129 Words   |  5 PagesBillie Holiday, whose real name is Eleanora Gough, was born in Philade lphia Pennsylvania in 1915. She grew up mostly in Baltimore and always loved jazz. Billie was born to very young parents. Her mother was thirteen when she was born and her father just fifteen. (www.numberonestars.com, 2010) Her father made his living as a jazz musician and later he left Billie’s mother. Billie was raised by her mother and grandparents. Billie was not a happy child and eventually left school at an early ageRead More Billie Holiday Essay examples2164 Words   |  9 PagesBillie Holiday Billie Holiday was born Eleanora Fagan on April 7, 1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but spent most of her poverty stricken childhood in Baltimore. Lady Day, as she was named by Lester Young, had to overcome many tragedies in her lifetime and yet still became one of the most popular jazz-blues vocalists of all time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Billies Parents, Sally Fagan and Clarence Holiday, were both born in Baltimore. They married as teens and soon Sally gave birth to Eleanora Fagan. ShortlyRead MoreEssay about Billie Holiday918 Words   |  4 Pages Billie was born to the name, Eleanora Fagan on April 7, 1915. She was born in Philadelphia but grew up in the Fells Point section of Baltimore. Her mother, was just 13 at the time of her birth; her father, was 15. Holidays teenage parents, Sadie Harris (aka Fagan) and probable father, Clarence Holiday, never married, and they did not live together for a long time. Clarence, a banjo and guitar player worked with Fletcher Hendersons band in the early 30s. He remains a shady figure who leftRead More The Voice of Billie Holiday Essay1498 Words   |  6 PagesThe Voice of Billie Holiday      Ã‚  Ã‚   A woman stands before you, and although she isnt a politician, she expresses her moving thoughts on issues that affect all Americans. Her voice isnt harsh or demanding in tone. Her stature is slender and traced in a shimmer of light that reflects from her dress. A southern magnolia is lying comfortably above her ear. She sings. She sings of incomprehension, of hate, and of a races pain. She sings low and confused. She sings as Our Lady of Sorrow(DavisRead MoreMost Influential Jazz Singer, Billie Holiday693 Words   |  3 PagesBillie Holiday The Harlem Renaissance was an African American cultural movement specifically in creative arts such as music and literature. Jazz represented the flavor and zest of African American culture in the 1920s-1940s. Billie Holiday had a great impact on the Harlem Renaissance because she was one of the most influential jazz singers of all time. She performed with other great jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Teddy Wilson, Jo Jones, and Henry Allen. Her career as a jazz singer wasRead More Billie Holiday Essay example652 Words   |  3 Pages To understand the controversy that Billie presented one must first go to the root or source of such controversy and examine Billies childhood. Billie was born Eleanora Harris to her father Clarence Holiday and mother Sadie Fagan who were just fifteen and thirteen years old, respectively, at the time (A 91). Born between 1912 and 1915 in Baltimore, the date unsure, Billie grew up without her father, who moved away early on in her life. Billie and her mother used to fight a lot, when her motherRead MoreWomen s Influence On The Early Years Of Jazz1181 Words   |  5 Pagesrecording was in 1933, with John Hammond, Jack Teagarden and Benny Goodman (Bessie Smith†). Billie Holiday was born in Philadephia, Pennsylvania and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Her father was guitarist Clarence Holiday who declined to acknowledge her as his daughter until she became famous. In her early years, she worked as a menial laborer and was even arrested for prostitution (Giddins et al. 2009). Holiday was a vocalist singing in clubs when John Hammond saw her performing. He invited her toRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem The Blood On The Leaves By Abel Meeropol1509 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica, like Meeropol said in 1971. After Meeropol wrote this poem, he wanted to find an artist that could put the poem to music and really bring out it’s true meaning. In the end, he chose Billie Holiday to sing his poem. Billie Holiday, to this day is most famous for â€Å"her† song â€Å"Strange Fruit†. Billie Holiday really dug deep in order to pull the true emotion out of this poem in her singing. The song was first performed in 1939 at a night club in New York called Cafà © Society. â€Å"She was afraid to singRead MoreThe Blues, By Bessie Smith And Billie Holliday1744 Words   |  7 Pageswhen it first began. Blues music originated in plantations, where slaves sung, using it as a mental escape method from their oppression. Even though it started off in a simple way, it eventually turned into a serious entertainment. Bessie Smith and Billie Holliday, two well-known blues female singers, became hit sensations. Blues started in the South, long ago, when slavery was still socially accepted. Slaves were severely oppressed because they were legally bound to their masters. One way they foundRead MoreThe Music Of The 1930 S2203 Words   |  9 Pagesremembered today. Jazz music was highly popular in this time, and Billie Holiday was a famous jazz performer. She stood out from many other musicians because of her intense and passionate performances. Jazz arose from â€Å"unacceptable† segments of society, but quickly grew like wildfire. We often think of the 1930’s as the decade that jazz became civilized, and famous throughout popular culture through the work of pioneering artists like Billie Holiday. People did not own televisions or cable, so radio was their