Case study of HIV in South Africa

Case study of HIV in South Africa Introduction The HIV pandemic is considered as among the most destructive of health crises of the 20th and 21st century. The death toll from this scourge continues to rise as the search for a cure continues. The South Saharan Africa is among the hardest hit with up to 6.1 percent of the adult population living with the virus.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Case study of HIV in South Africa specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This percentage represents the infected population alone (Lori 1). The number of affected individuals include more men, women and children who depend or rely on the infected for livelihood. This saddening state of affairs is the foundation of my research that seeks to evaluate the HIV AIDS scourge as a human security concern. I will give specific regard to South Africa where at least 5.6 million people are living with the virus with an annual death toll of at least 310,000 adults. This makes South Africa among the most affected countries in the world. Among the middle-aged adults between the age of 15 and 49, the prevalence is up to 17.8 percent (Strode and Kitty 7). This has trapped the state between the local need to maintain and provide treatment for the infected and the international and global campaign to eradicate the disease. This has led to the formulation, implementation and adaptation of the various measures aimed at securing medical treatment and social acceptance of the victims while maintaining a margin of economic growth and social confidence. From the simplistic approach of human security, human sanctity and social responsibility, this research is inspired to take an analytical and critical approach in combating HIV and AIDS in South Africa as a human security concern. This approach provides for the individual role, duty and responsibility to safeguard and maintain a conducive livelihood (Parsons Pp. 1-83). Literature Review The human security concept is consid ered as being a historical as well as a contemporary concept that has survived the various eras and ideological regimes by undergoing through three main phases. The first was the simplistic and physical conception of weaponry and military hardware. This was motivated by the climax of the industrial revolution and the need to safeguard territory and boundary.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It was characterized by the two World Wars that saw an extensive destruction of property and human life. This negative side of the warfare led to the re-interpretation of human security on the onset of the Cold War that ushered in the second phase of the human security approach. This second phase was centered on capitalist ideology and post communism concepts. Human security was then considered as a representation of the value attached to social balance and coexistence amidst econom ic competition and differences. This era saw the signing of numerous treaties concerning various sectors and fields of interest for nations and states. It was characterized by the commencement and end of the Cold War along with the various anti weaponry campaigns that culminated in the Geneva conventions. This phase was however short lived as the focus suddenly changed to embrace the emerging contemporary concerns such as terrorism and pandemics. The interstate disputes were no longer a center of interest as more pressing concerns came up. Terrorism, poverty and civil conflict took the center stage and became the focal point for nations and international organizations. This change is fundamentally motivated by democracy and the need to enforce the principle of natural justice and rule of law across administrative regimes. However, there can never be a specific comprehensive approach that fully explains the concept of human security and the change in goal posts by the various theoris ts and research scientists. Though, there are pertinent commonalities and similarities in the various proposed approaches. Majority take a physical security approach to the human security concept advocating for the physical safety of members of society as being the correct interpretation of human security while others employ the dignity approach that advocates for security beyond the physical structural security of the person. The dignity approach suggests that it is the economic, social and political harmony that amounts to human security and ultimately social dignity (Donnelly pp. 85-111).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Case study of HIV in South Africa specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A harmony of these two arguments, appropriately reconciles the conflict between them since it is imperative that it is not enough to build a fortress around a city. There is a subsequent need to ensure that the political, social an d economic aspects of the territory being protected are worth the trouble. In the various respects, therefore the human security concept can be reconciled to be a balance between the military, physical, economic as well as the socio-cultural aspects that represents the development of dignity and ultimate prosperity. This balance is specifically exemplified by the South African history that dates back to the apartheid rule that sought to begin with physical security at the expense of the social and economic security. However, the lack of economic and political security slowly motivated the rise of civil unrest making it clearly insecure even for the physically secured areas. The liberation struggle marked the need for political and economic stability. This clearly the inadvertent interdependence between the two approaches to human security (Held pp. 53-72). Subsequently, the state has been left with little option but to operate under the compromise of both approaches. This has motiva ted the signing of the various peace agreements and treaties that have not only maintained political but social security as well as physical security by safeguarding economic growth. Modern research scientists take the concept further by advocating for the use of economic means to facilitate and secure human development and sanctity. This goes contrary to the capitalist adaptation that has seen human needs adjust to serve economic interests. They advocate for adjusting economic opportunities to serve human development. In this, pretext the individual access to reliable and cost effective healthcare facilities along with equitable access to opportunities for economic profitability locally and regionally builds up to the human security concept.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This line of argument sets the stage for the presentation of AIDS as a human security concern. It interferes and hinders the enjoyment of the fundamental precepts of human dignity. It causes a human resource shortage and limits the market potential of the available remaining human resource. This acts to hinder and deter the physical as well as the broader concept of human security. The human sanctity premise provides that every citizen has an equal intrinsic value. The premise proposes that every citizen has an equal talent value and is therefore entitled to an equal opportunity to contribute to social life. Human security on the other hand offers protection of the physical self and furthers the self-expression presupposition centered on human integrity. AIDS infects an individual but the community at large feels its effects. The failure or lack of effective measures by the government to control the spread of the pandemic amounts to a compromise of their duty to maintain physical se curity and by extension human security. It should therefore be the case that AIDS compromises human security in numerous respects (Booysen Pp. 125-144). Purpose of Research The primary goal of this research is to establish a connection and relationship between AIDS as a pandemic and human security. Human security will be approached from a personalized approach by discussing the obligation of individual institutions and persons such as the government, corporations and individuals. To achieve this, the research will establish a case for the relationship between the premise of human sanctity and human security as the link between the actors of HIV and AIDS and the responses to these actors in the context of the fight against the disease in South Africa. This will also offer a basis for the making of quantified conclusions and recommendations in policy and practice. Undeniably, the need for viable and justifiable policies and procedures for sustainable human security continues to increa se with the increase in the number of people infected with the virus. It comes at a time when South Africa continues to counter the effects of declining state sovereignty and increasing local demand for a stable political environment. This study therefore aims at providing a reliable solution to the procurement and protection of human security (Patton and Sawick Pp. 21-73). Research Question The limited access to sustainable livelihoods has become a serious motivator of the increasing number of cases of HIV infections. It leads to subsequent social structural instability that diminishes the standards of human security and sanctity. This study investigates the place of HIV/ AIDS as a human security concern in the context of the HIV AIDS scenario in South Africa. Research method This research engages secondary information that has been accumulated for two years on the HIV AIDS pandemic in South Africa and the human security concept. The data draws from reports on interactions with cit izens in various townships and cities in the greater Johannesburg Pretoria that were made by researchers in the various reports and researches. The secondary information is interrogated in the order of relevance and the appropriate citations made to support the various opinions and suggestions. An analysis of the various proposed arguments along with personal input on the subject of human security and the HIV/AIDS pandemic will offer a diverse and holistic argument for the security of sanctity and the sanctity of security. The HIV /AIDS is portrayed as a justification for the need to employ this argument in the development and drafting of the various policies and procedures that the government of South Africa adopts and implements (Terrblanche 98). Limitations of the research Human security like all other concepts has the capacity to accommodate al individuals and nations. This in effect leads to a strong limitation in the maximum possible scope that can be covered by a single repor t since it would be infeasible to attempt to accommodate all these players. A further limitation exists in the fact that the research is limited to secondary information that is chosen based on the availability and accessibility of the information. This could lead to a considerable amount of bias (Harvey pp. 53-72). Results and discussion The focal point of this discussion and research are three questions. The first concerns what exactly is security while the second is what exactly sanctity is. The final question goes to ascertain the relationship between AIDS sanctity and security. Human sanctity Sanctity is a representation of the humane individuality in a person. It is an aspect of the person that is considered inherent and an articulation of fulfillment of the person. From an enlightment perspective, sanctity is a representation of the capability of the human to be rational. It is considered to exist as an end to human beings as opposed to being a means. This approach interrogat es sanctity as an end as well as a means for a livelihood to the person. The modernist rationalist as well as the intrinsic human dignity arguments motivates the contrast between these two conceptions as portrayed in the concept of globalization. The responsibility lies in every human to safeguard and protect individual actualization and actively participate in maintaining such actualization. The responsibility of the individual lies in protecting and developing dignity. The individual is under a duty to maintain the economic political and social duty to develop, enable and maintain a suitable economic environment for the livelihood and life beyond living. The individual, the state and corporations have an interdependent duty to create a favorable environment for the development of the intrinsic worth of human life (Hemmati pp. 39-72). Sanctity and freedom Freedom is the ultimate measure of social security and forms the basis. It is an indication of the effectiveness of initiatives undertaken by the individual, corporations and the state in maintaining social security. Security of society by extension offers security to the individual. Social effectiveness therefore presents opportunity for the improvement of the individuals well being. This approach however faces several challenges arising from globalization. The globalization approach disputes individualization of the responsibility to maintain social security and advocates for the need for unified effort for the common good (Sacks 45). This therefore limits the extent to which the individual can exercise their personal freedom without necessarily considering the opinion and of others in the same issue. In the alternative, the individual responsibility can be considered as a social commitment. There exists a collective responsibility to the individual to react to problems of society such as poverty, hunger, inflation, famine as well as the infringement of others socio-political and economic freedoms. By this we recognize the relationship between the personal freedom and the economic social and political balance(Lukes pp. 83-139). The key purpose of this freedom is to guarantee a sustainable livelihood. This therefore creates the individual agency obligation and duty to the various stakeholders to individually cooperate with the collective effort of society to safeguard human security (Stiglitz 78). Human security The basic theme in the relationship between sanctity and security is that sanctity acts as a prerequisite of security while in the alternative; there lies a duty of security to safeguard sanctity. Dignity in this context is considered as an intrinsic sanctity that should be secured at all costs. From a different approach, the need for human security arises due to the lack of such security or otherwise the existence of insecurity. In the contemporary context, there are numerous emerging instances of insecurity majority of which are motivated by economic interests as well as rel ated industrial and technological changes. AIDS falls one among these. The technological revolution has stimulated the rate of change and increased the speed at which societies are flourishing. Human beings on the other hand adapt readily to these changes, a capacity that is fully invested in the human ability to develop and modify their dignity through constant change of their environment and surroundings. Even so, the greater and more intense forces of political and economic pressure more often than not lead to the limitation of access to resources. The mobile modernity continues to worsen this state of affairs by increasing the pressures to the overstretched human security situation. These pressures continue to increase faster than trade its self-taking advantage of globalization. This can be adequately represented by the rate at which AIDS is spreading in South Africa (Nyamnjoh pp. 1-18) Security and development Human development differs greatly from human security in several re spects. While human security operates on the paradigm of human freedom and the capacity for self-actualization. Human development tows the argument for the extrinsic capacity of the individual to modify their environment and surrounding to improve their livelihood as well as that of others (Leftwich pp. 605-624). Human security â€Å"recognizes the conditions that menace survival, the continuation of daily life and the dignity of human beings† (Human Security 10). Human development provides a platform for an increase in the social status of an individual and the elimination of any pertinent un-freedoms. It operates on the premise of an equity-motivated growth in benefits and resources available to the society. It furthers the optimistic conception of self-actualization and the ability to take advantage of opportunity for individual and common good. Despite these varying arguments the human security and human development, there exist a cautious but zealous objective to maintai n human security (Toulmin 39). AIDS, Sanctity and Human Security in South Africa From the basic understanding and interpretation, AIDS is a viral disease of the body and has detrimental effects on its victims. It is considered among the worst health crises of the modern world and has to its name a heavy death toll that continues to increase by the day. In South Africa, it continues to spread faster than a bushfire. Innovative attempts have led to the development and manufacture of a retroviral alternative that serves as a temporary resolve for the infected. This however is not a preventive mechanism but rather maintenance of the situation. Researchers propose a continued increase in the statics in South Africa despite the increasing number of protective measures and investment in the prevention campaign (Polu and Whiteside 67). The virus is transmitted mostly through intimate human interactions that are more common in South African heterosexual society. Motivated by ignorance and la ck of adequate information, the number of virus infections among the adult population continues to increase with a considerable portion of these persons passing the disease to their young ones leading to a continuous cycle of infection (Tutu 57). However, a medical condition, HIV and AIDS appeals to the human capacity to safeguard their dignity and to remain cautious to the destructive potential of the disease to both physical as well as the intrinsic security. From the economic realm, AIDS impedes the capacity and ability of workers to produce and limits the labor resource (Nicholson pp. 163-177). In South Africa AIDS is estimated to reduce the Gross Domestic Product by at least 17 percent by 2020 (Monteiro pp. 1-26). In response to this security concern, the government has instigated contingency measures by securing antiretroviral drugs (Dunn pp. 137-188). This however falls short of the eminent food security and medical treatment concerns that come with the increase in the infect ions. Conclusions And Recommendations. The burden of infection or living an infection free life calls to an individual responsibility. It is apparent that the onset and influence of the Apartheid regime set the stage for the severe increase and prevalence of the HIV and AIDS scourge. All researches interrogated acknowledge a relationship between human sanctity human security and more importantly the place that HIV and AIDS has as a human security demotivator. In effect, the individual has a responsibility to act on and react to HIV and AIDS information to prevent the spread of the virus. In this same spirit, the various stakeholders such as the South African government, individuals and corporation have a duty to act as agents in the common goal and fight to maintain human security by eradicating and the disease (Grindle and Thomas Pp. 95-120). Corporations on their part have duty to provide their employees with adequate access to information on the prevention treatment and control o f the disease both for the security of their interests in terms of productivity and profitability as well as the security of the employees. Booysen, Susan. Transitions and trends in policymaking in democratic South Africa.  Journal of Public Administration, 36(2). (2001) pp. 125-144. Donnelly, Jack. Twentieth-Century Realism. Traditions of International Ethics. Terry Nardin and David R. Mapel, eds. (1992) pp. 85-111. Dunn. William. Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Chapter 5 Structuring Policy Problems, (1994) pp. 137-188. Grindle, Merilee and Thomas, John. Public Policy Choices and Policy Change: The Political Economy of Reform in Developing Countries. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. (1991) pp. 95-120. Harvey, David. â€Å"Spaces of Hope†. Contemporary Globalization, Berkeley: University of California Press. (2002) pp. 53-72. Held, David. Liberalism, Marxism and Democracy. In S. Hall, D. Held and T. McGrew (Eds.) Modernity and its Futures. Cambridge: Open University and Polity Press, (1992) pp. 14-47. Hemmati, Minu. Multi-Stakeholder Processes for Governance and Sustainability. Beyond Deadlock and Conflict. London: Earthscan Publications (2002) pp. 39-72. Human Security – Human Security Now. United Nations. 2003. Web. Leftwich, Adrian. Governance, Democracy and Development in the Third World. Third World Quarterly, 24, 3, (1993) pp. 605-624. Lori, Ashford. How HIV and AIDS affect populations. Washington: Population Reference Bureau. 2011. Print. Lukes, Steven. Power and Authority, in Moral Conflict and Politics. New York: Oxford University Press, (2002) pp. 83-139. Monteiro, Oscar. Public Administration and Management Innovation in Developing Countries. Institutional and Organizational Restructuring of the Civil Service in Developing Countries Paper developed for the UNDP, (2002) pp. 1-26. Nicholson, Norman. Policy Choices and the uses of state power: the work of Theodore J. Lowi. Policy Scienc es. June 2002, Vol. 35(2) (2002) pp. 163-177. Nyamnjoh, Francis. Globalizations, Boundaries, and Livelihoods: Perspectives on Africa. Philosophia Africana, 6, 2, (2003) pp. 1-18. Parsons, Wayne. Public Policy: Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. (1995) pp. 1-83. Patton, Carol and Sawick, David. (2 Edition) Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall (1986) pp. 21-73. Polu, Nana., and Alan, Whiteside. The Political Economy of AIDS in Africa: Ashgate. 2003. Print. Sacks, Jonathan. Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations. London and New York: Continuum. 2003. Print. Stiglitz, Joseph. Globalization and Its Discontents. New York: W.W. Norton and Company. 2003. Print. Strode, Ann and Kitty Barrett. Understanding the institutional dynamics of South Africa’s response to the HIV AND AIDS pandemic. A report of the Governance and AIDS Programme of the Institute for Democracy in So uth Africa, supported by the Ford Foundation. Pretoria, South Africa: Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA). 2004. Terrblanche, Solomon. A History of Inequality in South Africa 1652-2002. Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press. 2002. Toulmin, Stephen. Cosmopolis: The Hidden Agenda of Modernity. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.1990. Tutu, Desmond. God Has a Dream. Johannesburg, South Africa: Rider.2004.

MIH521 - Health Program Evaluation Mod 4 SLP Essay

MIH521 - Health Program Evaluation Mod 4 SLP - Essay Example There is an added problem and that is that these children are bound for poverty based on the illnesses that they develop because of the obesity. There are several measureable goals and they come from different sides of what is happening. For instance, the primary goal is to improve the overall health of the children but there is also the goal to improve the health of those that are already obese. These goals are meant to be accomplished through activity (see appendix A) (fitkids.gov). All of these goals are measureable and are being measured. Those schools that have adopted this program at this time have done overall BMI of all elementary school children for school records. Children are screened for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease yearly as part of the school physical. Schools are monitored by independent organizations assuring that the grant money is spent well as far as assuring that exercise and dietary programs are carried out (Glasgow, 1999). As can be seen by the things listed here this is really a program about prevention and not treatment though certainly a side effect of the prevention is treatment. It is believed that a full evaluation of this program will yield excellent results. In conclusion, this program has some very difficult goals to meet as it is easy to leave the healthy lifestyle at school and go home and watch TV but the hope is that learning this lifestyle and feeling better because of it will encourage children to remain activity and to eat well even after they leave school. The Elementary Energizers were developed by East Carolina University, Physical Activity Laboratory in partnership with the NC Department of Public Instruction (Healthful Living and Healthy Schools Sections) and Be Active North

Is the Brazilian Social-Democratic Model Replicable Outside of Latin Essay

Is the Brazilian Social-Democratic Model Replicable Outside of Latin America - Essay Example This report explores that majority of the socialists embraced the name of social democrats in order to differentiate themselves from the socialists who are against the idea of democracy. In today’s world scholars think that social democracy is not different from other forms of political ideologies. There are various viewpoints regarding this ideology. Some scholars do not consider this form as a distinctive one; instead they say that it is an unstable mixture of Marxism and liberalism. In other words social democrats do not have their own mottos. On the other hand, the people who support this idea of democracy say that this is a perfect model to implement specific policies and maintain certain principles. These certain principles are to create equality and solidarity among the upper and the lower class. This essay declares that values and social theory are two parts of the ideology that social democracy carries. The values basically signify what should be our social development and social life should be made of. And social theory provides us with the mechanism through which we can control both social development and social life. Freedom, equality and brotherhood were the slogan in the French revolution which gave social democracy its main values. All these can be combined together to form democracy as real democracy creates all of these in a society. In social democracy, work and the right to work are seen as a vital part of people’s life which helps them in the development of not only their professional but also personal and social life. In this theory the main factor of production is the labour as because of labour all other factors of production like raw materials, land, capital and technology are utilized. This in return brings about a boost in economic growth. This also means that it is due to the working conditions that we can determine how the society looks and how well is the economy doing. In today’s world social democrats are favouring the capitalistic market economy which goes hand in hand with a strong government. Human rights and environmental issues have become major goals of many social democratic parties instead of the old-style goal of making a socialist government. Generally, social democrats support a number of agendas that ensure their support for human rights. They strongly support the wide system of social security in order to protect people from poverty and save them from loss of income if they are ill or unemployed. This system is mostly followed in European countries.

Diversity commitment at Toyota

Diversity commitment at Toyota DIVERSITY AT TOYOTA Toyota commitment to diversity is built into every area of their business. Everything what they have done was rooted into two fundamental principles â€Å"Respect for people and continuous improvement†. This belief has been supported by work from the United Nations, which explains diversity efforts in the workplace facilitate the exchange of new perspectives, improve problem-solving by inviting different ideas and create a respectful, accepting work environment, all of which make good business sense (Reichenberg 2001). Taken together, the achievements and pledges summarized under the following key business areas represent Toyota 21st Century Diversity Strategy, a ten-year, multi-billion dollar sustainable commitment to minority participation in the Toyota of today and tomorrow. Diversity can be expressed in different ways, such as nationalities, worldviews, gender and minorities, cultures, skills and life styles. In general, studies tell us that no matter how diversity is expressed, it benefits with societies that foster it (Cf. for example, Florida, 2002). Toyota was named to DiversityInc.s 2006 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list in recognition of its commitment to diversity and to fostering an inclusive corporate culture. In its first time competing for this recognition, Toyota ranked 29th on the list. The DiversityInc top-50 list is considered to be the most in-depth analysis of U.S. corporate diversity management and leadership. Toyota was also named to Black Enterprises 2006 Best Companies fo r Diversity list in celebration of exemplifying the best practices in diversity across North America. Structure Over the next 10 years, Toyota will invest a multibillion dollar in diversity and align diversity with its mission to provide equal opportunity. Toyota way, the diversity strategy represents a fundamental sea change in the way Toyota do business and think about doing business. For Toyota, diversity is an opportunity to continuous improvement in every aspect of business and to show their respect for people. Employment After issue about Jesse L. Jackson Toyota announced a $7.8 billion 10 year diversity program for its U.S. operations. Partnered with INROADS to provide internships to talented minority youth interested in becoming Toyota team members after graduating from college established an automotive training centre in Los Angeles, which has trained more than 1,400 minority candidates for careers as automotive service technicians. Advertising Hired Asian, Hispanic and African-American advertising agencies to help ensure we are reaching our multiple diverse audiences effectively. Procurement In 2002, Toyota spends $700 million with minority owned businesses. Toyota seeks long term quality relationships with its business partners and suppliers. Partners and suppliers are considered part of the Toyota family and are an integral part of the legendary Toyota supply chain management network. Source: http://www.toyota.com/about/diversity/21stcenturyplan.pdf Dealer Representation When it comes to Toyota dealerships, their aim is clear to have the best dealers in the industry selling the best products in the world. This philosophy extends to Toyotas minority dealership program and is the reason Toyotas dealer diversity program is one of the most successful in the industry. Retail Diversity Initiatives Toyota is committed to helping talented minorities prepare themselves for leadership positions within the retail automotive sector. Toyota pledges $1 million to partner with Toyota Lexus dealers to help recruit, train, and develop minority employees for dealership management and technical position. Automotive Training Centres In 1993, Toyota created the Los Angeles Urban League Automotive Training Centre (ATC). This joint venture with the Los Angeles Urban League provides no cost job training and placement for unemployed and underemployed urban residents in the automotive industry. The program has graduated 850 trainees who have gone on to secure entry level jobs. The economic impact of this program has exceeded $20 million to date. Starting in 2002, Toyota will replicate the success of the Los Angeles ATC by opening a similar training facility in the eastern United States. Over the years, it too will have a significant economic impact of hundreds of millions of dollars. Community Involvement One of the most significant aspects of Toyotas diversity activities is its support of minority organizations. Among these are United Negro College Fund, Hispanic Scholarship Fund and our trademark Toyota Community Scholars program. Toyota also provides funding and volunteers to the 100 Black Men Young Black Scholars program. Conclusion and recommendation Toyota sees diversity as a pathway to create a better Toyota. Success in diversity gives Toyota access to the best and the brightest. It creates opportunities for new partnerships. Diversity allows Toyota the ability to fully participate in todays changing marketplace. Diversity gives Toyota additional ways to make a difference and to earn the respect of all of their communities. In short, it provides Toyota with a new way to fulfil its mission to become the most successful and respected car company in America. On a negative side, according to Jobvent.com, a website which rates employers, Toyota is believed to pay well but its workers find it difficult to maintain a good work-life balance. Despite good pay and benefits, the employees also feel a strong lack of respect for them as no one speak to them and they dont feel acknowledged unless they are managers and have to work a minimum 9-10 hours a day being a Japanese company

A Story About Seeing Mxpx :: essays research papers

On November 13th I went to Tramps in New York to see one of my favorite bands, MxPx. MxPx is a Christian pop-punk band. Pop punk basically means happy punk. The band members, are Mike Herrera who plays bass and sings, Tom Wisniewski who plays guitar and Yuri Ruley plays drums. They played about 10 songs, all of which I knew.Some of their songs have to do with society problems through the eyes of a teenager. At the show, the first song they played was one of my favorite's, "Teenage Politics". Some of the lyrics to this song are, "No I'm not mad but I think they forget what it's like and how hard it is to be a teenager. This is a new day and age, we read a different book where Elvis ain't the rage and polyester ain't the look." "...Is it time again to disagree about anything, everything and what's on TV it's a vicious circle, never ending a linear equation worldly extending. No, I'll never be like you; I'll never be like you. Oh no! I'm just like you!"The second song they played was "I'm the Bad Guy". The first couple lines of state, "Legalistic people suck. Legalism makes me sick." Even though they openly bust on legalism, they also know the world has nothing to offer them but hurt and pain, while God is the only answer.Since they are a Christian punk band, of course they have to play religious songs. One really good song that they played there was "False Fiction". This song basically means that the world is going through such turmoil because we don't have Christ in our lives. "They guarantee our freedom but freedom isn't real unless you know Christ you wont know how I feel. Inflections of the way things were supposed to be the mental disorder of our society...maybe this world had stopped thinking maybe all their minds are shrinking you failed system is including chaos, it's chaos, it's your loss."In "Like sand through the hourglass...so are the days of our lives," they say, "My world is breaking down around me. I see my destroyed world in front of me. Any and everything I trusted, I weep for my world disgusted. Will I look to you? Jesus, yes I do!"Not only did they play songs about Christ and society, they also played songs about love.

Police Brutality Essay

United States police play a very important role in the lives of U.S. citizens today. Their duty is to serve and protect us from harm, but often times this may not be the case. Americans are made to believe that these officers will serve and protect us, when in all reality police are more interested in enforcing the law and making arrests. The police often overstep their authority and begin acting as if they are above the law. Police brutality has become an ongoing topic amongst American citizens for quite some time now. Police often use excessive force physically, which often times results in death or severe injury to citizens. Police have been violating the human right of peaceful assembly, and have often times let race become a main factor in which the officer will use in engaging in enforcement. The use of wearable cameras can help eliminate the injustice, or at least the officers whom continue the violence. When Americans think of police the first thing that often times comes to mind is fear. The police are supposed to protect and serve, but are more likely just to over enforce the law and make as many arrests as they can. Many officers also use racial profiling against people, this is demonstrated in some of the most recent white cop/ black man shootings. Black males ages 15 to 19 died at the hands of police at a rate 21 times the rate of white males of the same age. (Lott Jr., 2014) Some people may argue that police don’t use racial profiling because the rate of crime is higher in black men. Among blacks, teenage crime is much more of a problem. Black male teenagers were nine times more likely to commit murders than similarly aged white males, not two to three times as likely. (Lott Jr., 2014) Police officers will shoot an unarmed suspect, and or disable the suspect by using a taser gun. On September 14, 2013, Jonathan A. Ferrell was shot and killed by North Carolina police off icer Randall Kerrick after a wreck in Charlotte, N.C.  Ferrell was unarmed. Police said Kerrick was charged with voluntary manslaughter. (AP/Florida A&M University) That night Jonathan Ferrell knocked on the door of a woman after he was allegedly involved in a car accident. The woman called the police and made a report, the police who were responding to the call found Ferrell nearby. The report stated that Ferrell ran towards the officers, who tried to stop him with a taser. The police then stated that Ferrell continues to run toward them, when officer Randall Kerrick fired his gun, hitting Ferrell several times. Ferrell died at the scene. A police statement Saturday said the investigation showed the shooting was excessive and â€Å"Kerrick did not have a lawful right to discharge his weapon during this encounter.† (Press, 2013) With the rise of police brutality and fatality of U.S. citizens Americans are protesting against this violence. People have a right to assemble together to promote and protect human rights through peaceful protest or the expression of their views. States have a responsibility to ensure that people are able to demonstrate peacefully and express their views without facing threats, intimidation or violence. (Humanrightshouse.org, 2014) In some states, police officers are becoming introduced to new technology to help record the interaction between the officer and the suspects. A wearable camera is worn on the front of an officer and not only records video, but also audio. This will help properly document what happens during conversation, contact and situations that may involve weapons. It is currently unknown how many police departments are actually using this camera on a regular basis, but this technology is being considered to become used in a way to perhaps alter the course of events in places such as Ferguson, Mo., where an officer shot and killed an unarmed black teenager. (Mims, 2014) So far the use of this technology has proved to be effective according to Mims, In the first year the use of force by officers declined 60%, and citizen complaints against police fell 88%. (Mims, 2014) Although there are cons concerning this technology including the price of not only the device but that of the storage to be used to store the footage captured. The current price of a device can vary from $300 to $400 dollars, not including the storage and management of the generated data. These are all reasons that Michael White, a professor of criminology at Arizona State University, says  the cameras, now a curiosity, could soon be ubiquitous. It has happened before: Taser’s guns went from introduction to use by more than two-thirds of America’s 18,000 police departments in about a decade. â€Å"It could be as little as 10 years until we see most police wearing these,† (Mims, 2014) In conclusion, something needs to be done to protect citizens. Strengthening the policies and using less lethal force weapons, along with proper documentation and proof of what really happens at the crime scene will greatly reduce the number of complaints filed against police. By police being required to wear a wearibal camera/audio device the percents of brutality has already reduced. Police are here to serve and protect us and it is about time they step up and do just that. Police are not above the law, they need to suffer more consequences for their actions, then maybe the brutality will stop. References Humanrightshouse.org, (2014). Human Rights House Network  » HRHN  » Why?  » The right to peaceful assembly. [Online] Available at: http://humanrightshouse.org/HRHN/Why_/The_right_to_peaceful_assembly/index.html [Accessed 27 Oct. 2014]. Lott Jr., J. (2014). The truth about young black men and police shootings. [Online] Fox News. Available at: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/10/22/truth-about-young-black-men-and-police-shootings/ [Accessed 27 Oct. 2014]. Mims, C. (2014). What Happens When Police Officers Wear Body Cameras. [Online] WSJ. Available at: http://online.wsj.com/articles/what-happens-when-police-officers-wear-body-cameras-1408320244 [Accessed 27 Oct. 2014]. Press, A. (2013). North Carolina police officer charged with shooting unarmed man. [Online] Fox News. Available at: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/09/16/north-carolina-police-officer-charged-with-shooting-unarmed-man/ [Accessed 27 Oct. 2014].

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