Bad Atonement Theology And Broken Justice Systems

The Broken Cross; Bad Atonement Theology and Broken Justice Systems Introduction As we move through Holy Week, the journey of Lent leads Christians to not simply commemorate Jesus suffering on the cross, but engage the paschal event on every level of our experiences. For me, this included questioning the impact of the execution which stands so central to Christianity. In her book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, Michelle Alexander describes how the mass incarceration of black Americans has been steadily undermining any progress made by the civil rights movement. She argues that even though Jim Crow laws are no longer written, the plethora of young people of color arrested remain marginalized by a broken justice system. The United States represents about 4.4% of the world s population, it houses around 22 % of the world s prisoners, an overwhelming majority of whom are young, poor, and black. Recently, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed a bill to allow the use of the electric chair in executions when the drugs f or lethal injections are not available. How has this frighteningly oppressive system become normative justice for America? Does focusing on the crucifixion as the foundation of Christian transition per-dispose modern Christians to be unconcerned with the death penalty as a fixture of our justice system? In this essay, I will explore the impact of a deformed atonement theology on modern Christian s interactions with ourShow MoreRelatedPhilosophy and Christian Theology8519 Words   |  35 Pageswhich have received significant attention in the recent literature: the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation, and views on the nature of atonement. 1. Philosophy and Christian Theology Before we begin, it is worthwhile to consider in brief the general relationship between philosophy and Christian religious dogma. In the history of Christian theology, philosophy has sometimes been seen as a natural complement to theological reflection, while at other times the advocates for the two disciplinesRead More Christianity And Lord Of The Rings Essays3430 Words   |  14 Pagesand man, both free will and predestination intertwine. Out of respect for freedom, Gandalf, Elrond, and other good leaders consistently refuse to coerce those over whom they exercise authority (except in punishment, as with Saruman when his wand is broken) insisting instead upon the liberty each has to make choices, and directing a measure of rational persuasion wherever it seems essential. (In this way, Gandalf persuades Theoden, King of the Mark). Yet, because of his high position in Hobbit esteemRead MoreOrdination Questions For Elder. Theology10615 Words   |  43 PagesOrdination Questions for Elder Theology (Some essentials of Wesleyan theology†¦original sin, divinity of Christ, atonement, justification by faith, work of the Holy Spirit, regeneration (new birth) and trinity) 1.) How has the practice of ministry affected your experience and understanding of: a.) God—The practice of ministry has given me numerous opportunities to interact with people at different stages in life’s journey†¦birth, death, marriage, divorce, sorrow, struggle, celebration, and so much

Harlem A Dream Deferred Analysis - 762 Words

Throughout most peoples life, they have this idea or goal that they want to achieve. This idea then becomes their dream, but people do not always fulfill these dreams. There are obstacles that come in the way of people being able to fulfill their dreams. In â€Å"Harlem [A Dream Deferred]† Langston Hughes uses imagery and rhetorical questions in order to demonstrate what happens to a dream. The theme that appears through Langston Hughes poem is the theme of not pursuing a dream. Through Hughes poem, this theme is demonstrated and the imagery helps in conveying the idea of having a dream postponed. The speaker of â€Å"Harlem [A Dream Deferred]† asks what happens to a dream that has been put off. The speaker offers some answers to this†¦show more content†¦This is able to create an image of defeat. The speaker describes more and more what ends up happening to the dream. It makes one question whether the dream just sits there like something one would have to take care of. The dream becomes a burden because one won’t forget about it since it is just sitting there waiting for ones action. In the meantime, it will sit till it is acknowledged, but it will become heavier over time the more it is ignored. Lastly, the speaker also says, â€Å"Or does it explode?† (11). This last line makes one think that in the end, you dont pay attention to the dream it would just be non-existent. This line is able to describe that if one is not able to fulfill the dream it will no longer be available. The dream will be gone and one cannot return to it. It gives a sense of hopelessness and how if in the end it just explodes you cannot put it back together again and chase after it, that dream is gone. Although in this poem the speaker speaks about what happens to when a dream is abandoned there is a deeper meaning. The title â€Å"Harlem: A Dream Deferred† gives one a sense that this poem would be black people who had come to Harlem. By the title one can assume that by the word deferred these African Americans coming into Harlem had challenges. These challenges had then led them to postpone their dreams. Langston Hughes writes this poem in the time period when black people were considered inferior and their dreams were moreShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of Harlem (A Dream Deferred) and A Raisin in the Sun855 Words   |  4 PagesIn Langston Hughes’ poem, the author gives us vivid examples of how dreams get lost in the weariness of everyday life. The author uses words like dry, fester, rot, and stink, to give us a picture of how something that was originally intended for good, could end up in defeat. Throughout the play, I was able to feel how each character seemed to have their dreams that fell apart as the story went on. I believe the central theme of the play has everything to do with the pain each character goes thruRead MoreLiterary Analysis of Langston Hughess A Dream Deferred1028 Words   |  4 Pagescirculated, analysis of the poem must take place. It unveils and discusses the themes, figures of speech, word placement, and flow of the piece, and A Dream Deferred, is no exception. In Langston Hughess poem, A Dream Deferred, the theme is that no really kn ows to dreams if they are not reached, and very realistic figures of speech help convey this idea; the poem can be surprisingly related to Mr. Hughess life through the subtitle and quotes from Langston himself. The meaning of, A Dream DeferredRead More Harlem, An Analysis of a Langston Hughes Poem Essay1405 Words   |  6 PagesHarlem, An Analysis of a Langston Hughes Poem The short but inspirational poem Harlem by Langston Hughes addresses what happens to aspirations that are postponed or lost. The brief, mind provoking questions posed throughout the poem allow the readers to reflect--on the effects of delaying our dreams. In addition, the questions give indications about Hughes views on deferred dreams. Harlem is an open form poem. The poem consists of three stanzas that do not have a regularRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Harlem 1303 Words   |  6 Pagesthe 1930s - 1960s. He is often credited as the leader of the Harlem Renaissance, and â€Å"famously wrote about the period that ‘the negro was in vogue.’† (Langston). Throughout his body of work, Hughes spoke eloquently to the full spectrum of dreams - both their inspirational power and their heavy burden, if not fully realized. His famed poem, â€Å"Harlem (Dream Deferred)† uses heavy symbolism, falling into three definitive categories: 1. Dreams; 2. Food and Domestic Life and 3. Violence and Oppression(Shmoop)Read MoreHarlem: a Dream Deferred1043 Words   |  5 PagesHarlem: A Dream Deferred Langston Hughes Literally Analysis Dreams are aspirations that we hope to reach on our lifetime. They are the day that gives us the drive to live our lives and accomplish our goals. When reaching our goals, we will do anything to get to our destination. But what happens when your dreams deferred and put on hold due to unseen circumstances? Or what do you so when someone tells you that you can not so the things you want to so because of the pigmentation of your skinRead MoreLangston Hughes ´ Memories in His Poems Essay834 Words   |  4 Pagescontributor to the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes was an inspirational poet who highlighted many aspects of the urban life of African-Americans through reflections of his own life and experiences. As a writer, a poet and a prominent activist of the civil rights movement, Langston Hughes was a man that was not only inspired by the world around him but used such inspiration to motivate others. Being that he was also one of the most influential writers during the Harlem Renaissance, HughesRead MoreAnalysis of Harlem by Langston Hughes602 Words   |  3 PagesAnalysis of Harlem by Langston Hughes Through the turbulent decades of the 1920s through the 1960s many of the black Americans went through difficult hardships and found comfort only in dreaming. Those especially who lived in the ghettos of Harlem would dream about a better place for them, their families, and their futures. Langston Hughes discusses dreams and what they could do in one of his poems, Harlem. Hughes poem begins: What happens to a dream deferred... Hughes is askingRead MoreThe Poetry Of Langston Hughes1498 Words   |  6 Pagespoet Langston Hughes, whom by expressing his feelings of oppression in a racist environment, motivated many blacks to learn how to read, play music, and revolutionize civil rights. As a result, this paper will critique how Langston Hughes’ works of Harlem and I Too encouraged Black independence, and how they were used as frameworks for revolutionary concepts such as the achievement of civil rights and social equality. Langston Hughes was an African American poet in the 20th century who had significantRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Dream By Langston Hughes1909 Words   |  8 Pagesunique way as well. The two pomes are about dreams, the first poem, Dream is about what could possibly happen if we let go of our dreams and don t purse them. The second poem, Harlem is about the possibilities of what could happen when we postpone our dreams. Both poems do not exactly end with a happy ending, for they show the regret that we will be left with, possibly even death. The poem Dream by Langston Hughes is about following your dreams, because we never know what our near futureRead MoreThe Poetry Of Harlem And Women Have Loved Before As I Love Now925 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"What happens to a dream deferred?† is the opening statement of Harlem that grabs the attention of everyone who is reading this phenomenal poem. Of the two poems listed in this essay, this opening statement is more attention-grabbing and is a fantastic hook to being with. Harlem and Women Have Loved Before As I Love Now, are ideally comparable and contrastable. The meanings of the poems and the authors of the poems are some topics that are different in these poems. The style of the poems and length

ICT and Business Development Free Essays

ICT and Business Development In line with the main priorities set by the URBACT Information Society Network, this theme focuses on business development and the role of ICT as a means of tackling economic restructuring and promoting employment and in doing so fostering social cohesion and economic inclusion. The purpose of this brief document is to act as a guide for colleagues when preparing material or presentations on this topic and to provoke discussion on the issues raised in it. Business Development and its relationship to ICT? Business Development is the process of improvement that enables a business to become more efficient, profitable, and thereby creating or safeguarding jobs. We will write a custom essay sample on ICT and Business Development or any similar topic only for you Order Now Business development therefore does not only concern marketing and sales departments, but all parts of a business which constitute its value chain and requires effective communication and co-operation within a company. Over the last 20 years ICT has increasingly been identified as a major contributor to the process of business development and improvement and it has been identified that â€Å"ICT †¦. is responsible for around half of productivity growth in modern economies. It drives improved efficiency and better services and products across the entirety of the private and the public sectors. † (Viviane Reding, Member of the European Commission responsible for Information Society). What has been the impact of ICT on Business? The use of ICT and technology has affected every aspect of business, transforming not only the way that business is conducted but also creating new business sectors and jobs. The creation of companies like Google and e-Bay which did not exist 10 years ago, was only made possible by advances in technology and the changes that this has created in the way that people ehave (currently Google is valued at ?44billion – Source BBC 5th June 05). Some examples of the nature of this change include: Marketing: The use of websites has allowed companies to develop new and cheaper ways of reaching new markets, offering customers the opportunity of buying goods and services whenever they want and often at reduced cost, whilst also e nhancing the level of customer service. This has been coupled with the expansion and use of e-mails which again has been used by business to market their goods and services directly to potential customers, as well as communicating with existing customers and suppliers. Increasingly the marketing campaigns of businesses include the use of technologies such as Contact Management Systems that allows them to co-ordinate, monitor and report on various aspects of their marketing campaigns in new ways making these campaigns more targeted and effective. Finance: Practically all companies now use software programs e. g. Sage or Excel to manage their accounts. This has allowed them to look at financial information when required, monitor and respond to their customers purchasing patterns by e. g. offering discounts and overall improve the management of their finances. The result of this has been for many companies a reduction in their accountancy fees. Out of office working: For many businesses the need for staff to be away from the office attending meetings etc. or to be based in another geographical location has grown alongside employee demands for more flexible working patterns. However effective communication and ability to access information etc. remains critical to the productivity of these staff members. Therefore through the use of technology many companies now use a range of technologies to enable this. These include mobile phones, e-mail, broadband, laptops, etc. Thus ensuring that companies are able to be flexible and adaptive depending on their business needs. Networks: Virtually all businesses now have or have access to a computer. The existence of two or more computers in an office almost always leads to the creation of a network. The main advantage of doing so is that resources can be shared e. g. printers, internet access, files/information can be managed and shared amongst workstations and the security of information can be better managed through a network. Increasingly networks are not just confined to the office but are being adopted so that they allow home/remote working that supports changing business needs. This transformation has really taken place over the last 20 years and continues to transform the way business is done. No business today can ignore the use of technology as its effective use helps businesses to remain competitive and profitable, thereby creating or safeguarding jobs. The role of the Public Sector? What is the case for Public Sector intervention if this is already happening? Talking specifically about SME’s, the final report (Feb. 2004) of the European Go Digital Awareness campaign 2001-2003 shows that â€Å"to help SME’s to â€Å"Go Digital† is still a policy challenge† as SME’s remain sceptical about ICT and e-business. This is mainly the result of: †¢Their experience of procuring technology has often left an impression that the wrong decision was made as the expected benefits from using new technology have not materialised. This then affects businesses willingness to further invest in technology and therefore threatens their further competitiveness. The creation of new businesses especially in new industries requires that the right support and business environment are present. For example the presence of Science Park’s, Universities, and Research Centres etc. can help the spread of an innovative culture amongst businesses. In the absence of proper support and the right environment areas/regions risk losing the jobs and prosperity brought by the creation of new businesses. †¢Procuring technology in itself is not a route to successful business development but requires that staff have the right skills to implement and use it effectively. Many of the new technologies and emerging or existing businesses are increasing dependant on the presence of a relevant technological infrastructure to support business development e. g. Broadband access. The lack of this infrastructure can undermine business development, therefore damaging competitiveness and jobs. The issues above although not exhaustive are indications of market failure and therefore a challenge to the public sector in defining a role and developing projects/iniatives to address them. Without effective action areas/regions risk falling behind and therefore losing out in terms of: †¢Developing new businesses in new business sectors made possible by advances in technology; †¢Ensuring that businesses by effectively using technology are competitive both locally and globally; †¢Ensuring that businesses have the necessary information and support to develop into new markets; †¢Enabling businesses to become more flexible and responsive to the demands of their customers and their staff; †¢Developing a workforce with the necessary skills that are demanded in the present and future labour market. How did you develop your project? Once you have identified a problem or issue then the next stage is to plan actions to overcome or redress these issues. This starts with the planning stage which is a critical component to the success of any project, starting with identifying the need for the project, and includes project time scales, project design, project finance, project partners and resources, project organisation and management etc. What were the key factors in achieving this and what barriers did you have to overcome to do so? Main outcomes of the project to businesses? Over the course of any project measuring its success is a necessary part of project management, reporting and measuring impact or change. What therefore were the main outcomes of the project and how were they measured? ?Increased or improved use of ICT helped to expand business activities? ?Increased or improved use of ICT resulted in the development of new services and/or products? ?ICT usage has helped to create new networks – inside and outside the company? The adoption of ICT solutions has lead to the restructuring of working and communication methods in the enterprise? ?New models of working and/new jobs emerged? ?The implementation of e-work helped to integrate people who have been excluded from â€Å"traditional† jobs in the company before? ?The business now understands better the need for staff training? ?Additional jobs and/or the maintenance of exiting ones as a result of the projects work? Lessons learnt? During the course of any project the experience of delivery often throw’s up many unforeseen issues, especially when you are dealing with technology, which are a result of internal and external factors. This then leads to lesson’s learnt which can range from better ways to manage a project through to innovative approaches to providing support etc. These lessons learnt are not only of value to the project staff but also for others interested in developing or currently running similar projects. How to cite ICT and Business Development, Papers

Themes in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings free essay sample

1. The memoir opens with a provocative refrain: What you looking at me for? I didn’t come to stay†¦Ã¢â‚¬  What do you think this passage says about Ritie’s sense of herself? How does she feel about her place in the world? How does she keep her identity intact? In the novel, â€Å"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings† by Maya Angelou it basically explains her life growing up. The main character was Maya herself whom wrote the book and she talks about the struggle and pain she had to go through as a child. She explains to us that she is really insecure about her looks and wishes that she was white.The story opens with a provocative refrain: â€Å"What you looking at me for? I didn’t come to stay †¦Ã¢â‚¬ . This passage right off the top told me that Maya’s sense of herself was that was wasn’t welcome anywhere because she automatically assumed that they looked at her in disgust and that they didn’t want her there which is why she plainly said she wasn’t there to stay. The way that she feels about her place in the world is extremely sad because she believes she should be a blonde white girl with blue eyes.I feel as though that if she can’t accept herself for who she is then no one else will either. The story gives us background information that her grandmother was very loving to her but she constantly sees how bad people she knows are being treated. I think that Maya expects everyone to dislike her for being African-American, so she does too. Maya keeps her identity intact by reminding herself who she is, and never to forget that. She describes her mother as â€Å"a hurricane in its perfect power†. She chooses to describe her mother this way due to the fact she hasn‘t been around most of Mayas life, although she looks up to her mother at the same time. Mayas mother treated her children well, although she never gave Maya a lot of her attention because Maya was always a happy girl, who seemed at peace with the world. But when Mayas mother, Vivian, discovers that her boyfriend molested Maya she kicked him out of her house right away.Vivian then cannot deal with all the trauma that came with the molestation and sends Maya and Bailey back to Stamps. I don’t think that was a very great move, since Maya obviously wasn’t in great condition either and needed her mother. Mayas grandmother on the other hand, still being a great care taker, isn’t much like Mayas mother. She shows that she cares a lot more about her grandchildren and their needs then she does her own. Mayas grandmother has a lot of faith in god. She is well known in Stamps and the residents of Stamps put her on a pedestal.Although the people most important in Mayas life are very different, they both show great love for her. 3. The author writes, â€Å"If growing up is painful for the Southern Black girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat. † What do you make of the author’s portrayal of race? How do Ritie and her family cope with the racial tension that permeates their lives? Teenagers throughout the world always claim to feel like they don’t belong. Of course, everyone calls that just a phase ; as even I went through it. But what could that have been like for a southern black girl back in the day? In â€Å"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings† the author Maya Angelou quotes â€Å"If growing up is painful for the Southern Black girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat. †. This quote is a sum up of what Maya felt like in her child hood. As an adult she reminisced about how all her life she has been dealing with the thought of how others saw her and her displacement. A Southern Black girl didn’t belong in the society that she lived in.Her displacement was the rust on the razor that threatens the throat. I felt as though Maya was bringing the razor closer to her as she insulted herself a lot and brought herself down. She made herself believe that she truly didn’t belong in the world because of her appearance and giving in to what people would say about her race. Fortunately Maya and her family coped with all the racial tension in their society that permeated their lives by sticking together no matter what. All throughout it that had a faith in god and no matter what happened to them they kept their heads held high. . Throughout the book, Ritie struggles with feelings that she is â€Å"bad† and sinful†, as her thoughts echo the admonitions of her strict religious upbringing. What does she learn at the end of the memoir about right and wrong? The whole world likes to argue about what is right and wrong. No one can ever seem to decipher what the real meaning is to all of it. But we all seem to have a well enough idea of what it is. Throughout â€Å"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings† by Maya Angelou, Maya struggles with all these feelings that she is a bad and sinful person.Her thoughts also echo the admonitions of her strict religious upbringing. Maya was raised to have faith in god by her grandmother of whom she called Momma. Momma was a very well behaved woman and was a good role model to all of her grandchildren. Although someone can have all the guidance in the world, it will always be up to you to take it. Maya went through hard times and some of the things that happened to her were sinful. Such as being molested and raped by her mothers boyfriend. Maya learns a great lesson at the end of the book.By the end of it all, she’s an adult with a kid and she learns that you’re doing right when you’re a good person and you make the right decisions all the time without even having to think about it twice. We all know that sometimes it’s hard to choose between doing the right thing, or the easy thing. But in the end if you really want to be a good person and come out with the best solution then you need to do what is right. Everyone must go through feeling as though they aren’t a good person and this wasn’t an exception to Maya. Although you must always remember to keep trying your best and whatever goes around, comes around. Good or bad. 5. What is the significance of the title? â€Å" I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings† by Maya Angelou has a very great significance in its title. The story is about an African-American girl who felt as though she didn’t belong, who felt as though her people weren’t free. She went through a great deal of trouble along her life only to end the book with her new baby and understanding more than she ever thought she would. The title can have a lot of interpretations to it but I found out the significance of the title from a poem. This poem was written by the same uthor and was titled â€Å"Caged Bird†. In the poem the significance of this title can be found in these lines: â€Å"The caged bird sings, with fearful trill, of the things unknown, but longed still, and a tune is heard, on the distant hill, for the caged birds sings of freedom†. Other poems talk about the theme of why a caged bird would sing. The reason that a caged bird sings is so that it can be heard, like a prayer to heaven ; for the bird to be free. Maya spent her life feeling caged in because of her society and that is the significance in the title of â€Å"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings†. 6.What are examples of adversity-for her and other- in Maya Angelou’s story and examples of ways they coped with them? We all have to remember to continue along our path when tough times come. Great examples of these adversities can be found in Maya Angelou’s â€Å"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings†. The main character Maya and everyone around her go through real tough times throughout the story. Naming some of the problems are how Maya lost her relationship with her brother, Bailey. Maya also almost got killed by her fathers crazy girlfriend. Maya was raped by her mothers boyfriend and had to go through all the trauma that came with that.She and her brother Bailey had to be unexpectedly raised by their grandmother because their mother Vivian left them. Bailey got kicked out of the house when he got older, and bonded a lot with his father which meant he had to deal with the violent relationship with his girlfriend. Momma had to run a store while taking care of her son who was already grown but had a disability and raise her grandchildren. There were many problems throughout this story and all the characters faced a great deal of personal problems along with the problems that society brought upon them for being African-American.They all coped with the problems by keeping their faith, and looking forward. You can’t always just look back at the problems you have but you need to keep going forward with your life and in the end all should go well. 7. What broader lessons can be learned about life, not just African-American life, in the South? In reality, there are so many lessons that need to be taught in life, but hardly anyone can truly learn them all because no one can experience everything. There are a few lessons that can be taught in the south of North America that everyone can take in and learn from.In Maya Angelou’s â€Å"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings† I caught a glimpse of Maya and her families lives when she was younger and lived in the south. The themes of this book really explain the overall lessons taught in the story. One of the main lessons that can be taught in the south is how important equality is. The south was the main part of the United States that still had a big problem with the troubles of slavery and African Americans not being viewed as equally as Caucasians. Racism is a big problem in the world and it’s just not all White and Black.This affects all other races as well just in different parts in the world so the lesson that everyone needs to respect each other and treat each other equally isn’t just about African American life but about life in general. I think a big lesson taught in â€Å"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings† was that over everything you can always remember that your family will always be there. In the story Maya had a great role model figure, her grandmother. Also, Mayas mother (although she isn’t perfect) really cared for her daughter deeply. Many lessons can be taught around the world, but these lessons are very vivid in the south.