Annotated Bibliography
Alexander, M. The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of. New York: The New Press., 2010.
Alexander starts with an overview of the Jim Crow laws that promoted racial segregation where the people of color were discriminated against. He reflects on the intimidation practices by the Ku Klax Klan and they people of color were denied the right to vote among others. Although the US is over the racial discrimination and exclusion on the basis of color, but the modern day practice of discrimination is practiced in the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system has been used to insinuate the people of color as criminals. Therefore, when the people of color are labeled criminals, they lose respect in the society expressing that the Jim Crow rules have just been redesigned in the modern day.
Therefore, this source provides insights of the modern day forms of discrimination against the people of color. However, the paper might be biased against the system the expressing it as being biased against the people of color, but there are some instances of truth based on a slow pace of reforms in the institutions. The author provides different instances that illustrate the biases of the system against the people of color. Therefore, the paper can provide the basis of further investigation of the American criminal justice system, which will enhance establishment of whether there are injustices in the system.
Associated Press. "New proposed rules would limit the marketing of unhealthy foods in schools." Washington (2014): 1.
According to this article, some unhealthy foods would be prohibited from schools as a result of adverse health effects. For instance, marketing of foods such as junk and sugary drinks in campuses would be limited in order to promote health standards among students. Advertisement of such unhealthy foods should be made effective to reduce diseases such as obesity among young people. According to the first lady, Michelle Obama, various measures should be put in place to combat the issues of obesity in schools.The writing emphasizes on the importance of having a healthy diet. As a result, advertisement of junk foods and reflection of unhealthy messages in schools should not be tolerated. The United States Department of Agriculture has shown support for the program through implementation of regulations allowing provision of healthy foods to students. Improving on students’ healthy diet is the first crucial steps in ensuring children get a quality education. The implementation of the child nutrition law will ensure that children get meals in the school. Besides, other school wellness programs will be initiated to promote healthy standards in schools. Implementation of such policies will work towards children, wellness in schools, leading to high resistance to diseases. More programs and regulations are expected to be implemented in the next couple of years.
Davidson, Adam. "Making it in America." February 2014. The Atlantic. 28 February 2014 <http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2012/01/making-it-in-america/308844/>.
Making it in America is an article by Davidson reflecting on the difficulties in the acquisition of an employment opportunity in the US. This reflects on the capitalist nature of the American economic system where the production has increased, but employment decreased. The article presents the story Madie in his search for an employment opportunity, which was hard to find. The story presents the ingenuity and promises in the American economy through competitive success, illuminating the crisis in the American economy and inability to solve the unemployment crisis. In her narration, one can be to understand the crisis in the American economy characterized by high rates of unemployment. Therefore, this story provides insights of the crisis in the American economy.
Evan, Perez, Tory Dunnan and Dana Ford. "Ready access, low cost, pill-like high: Heroin's rise and fatal draw." CNN News (2014): 1.
Perez discusses emerging trends of smoking, drinking, and other substance abuse among teenagers in the United States. According to the author, teenagers start drinking, smoking, and later start using pot and eventually heroin. Perez uses the example of one, Jamie, who wants to get clean after getting into drug abuse behavior. Jamie emphasizes on how drugs are readily available to teenagers at low costs, terming it as the main cause of the high number of teenagers engaging in drug abuse. There are devastating effects of heroin use among teenagers and to public in general. A review of United States’ statistics indicates that many teenagers have lost their lives as a result of taking heroin mixed with alcohol. For instance, a 16 year old from Virginia died on the spot after the first attempt to inject heroin. According to Maryland officials, approximately 37 teenagers had lost their lives after taking heroin tainted with fentanyl.
According to administration figures, heroin usage in 2012 was relatively low as compared to hashish and marijuana. On the contrary the rise of heroin usage among teens has been caused by various factors such as affordability, availability, it’s potent, and hard to quit. According to Perez, the cost of heroin is just a fraction of pain reliever pills. As a result, the use of heroin has become rampant due to its cheapness. The use of heroin remains fatal among users as statistical data suggest.
Gittings, Paul. "NHL: Can ice hockey capitalize on winter Olympics exposure?" CNN (2014): 1.
According to Gittings, the ice hockey pool matches thrilled fans in the Sochi games held in February 2014. Even though some players were not familiar with the rules of the game, they made a compulsive view. Hockey games have, in the past, attracted many spectators from all round the world and have more people have gained interest. The NHL is embarking on plans to make expansive measures that will allow World Cup, and international players. The NHL management wishes to embrace more international players so as to bring more spectators from all corners of the globe. The Sochi events have played an imperative role in NHL’s popularity. The main question about this article is whether the ice hockey Sochi games capitalize much on gaining NHL’s popularity. The Sochi games have now set the platform for the Olympics game hoping to expand players internationally. According to the NHL executive director, the NHL could be one of the best places if the NFL can embark on expansion mission of fan base outside the United States. The executive director, Fehr, stated that there is a great hope and support for hockey in Europe. Therefore, the NHL will need to embark on regular-season games that will raise its reputation and attract players.
Keh, Andrew. "Jason Collins, First Openly Gay N.B.A. Player, Signs With Nets and Appears in Game." The New York Times (2014): 1.
An article about “Nets sign Jason Collins” is about Jason Collins’ success in athletes that made him sign a 10 day contract with Brooklyn Nets. Jason is the first North America’s gay athlete to open out about his sexuality. According to the article, Jason was grateful to have been presented the opportunity to play for Brooklyn Nets. He added that, in his physical conditions did not worry him neither his sexuality. The Brooklyn Net's manager stipulated that Jason’s signing was based on his experience and size. According to the author, Collin’s objective is to sign a contract with an NBA team, therefore, enhancing his skills. The NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, commended on Collins and encouraged him for his hard work. The issue of gay has caused a lot of controversy around the world, leading to mixed reactions among people. Upon revealing his sexuality, Collin has never been signed by any NBA team. The last game Collins played was on April 2013 with the Washington Wizards, after he revealed his sexuality as gay. On the contrary, Collin has been working out on his own at his home in Los Angeles, and stated that he was ready for the game against Los Angeles Lakers.
Michael, Moore. Idiot Nation. New York: Penguin Books, Limited, 2005.
According to Moore’s writing about an idiot nation, he explains various idiocy actions that Americans carry out in day to day activities. The author is renowned for publicly criticizing President George Bush. His work has made him the best-selling in the writing, “Stupid White Men”. Moore is also renowned for the creation of the feature Canadian bacon film of 1995, and a television series TV Nation. According to his article, the main question is whether people live in a nation of idiots. Most of his writing, reflect about an idiot leader in an idiot nation. Moore criticizes the American education system, especially the functional illiterates. The education system and the state of learning are deteriorating at a high pace. His criticism goes, even at the university level where he challenges the need to learn foreign languages, according to Moore, every person in the world should be literate enough to read and write in English. Besides, he also opposes the need to learn history yet most of the graduates are aiming to be the future masters of the universe. According to statistics, around 163 New York City schools opened without the principal in 2000-2001. The situation in these schools is devastating as they enroll a large number of students compared to their holding capacity.
Peggy, Orenstein, et al. Just Between You, Me and My 622 BFF's. 9th. Bedford Street: Martins, 2013.
According to this writing, Peggy discusses numerous issues that emerge as a result of teenagers communicating online with friends on social media. Orenstein reflects on research studies that bring out egotism in teenagers, lowering their compassion in the 21st century generation. Online communication is perceived to have adverse effects on teenagers’ lifestyle as they forging of identity have become a common behavior. Throughout his discussion, Orenstein analyses how teenagers, especially female, have become aggressive in online chatting. Through this social media, provocative images, and text messages are exchanged resulting into sexual exploration. According to this writing, the main question is whether teenagers are empowered through the use of technology or it has adverse effects. Orenstein has given an example of some teenagers who have committed suicide, apparently, as a result of this technology.
Shoichet, Catherine, Evan Perez and Brian Todd. ""El Chapo' Guzman: How the world's most wanted drug lord was finally busted." CNN News (2014): 1-2.
This writing is about the arrest of Joaquin Guzman, most wanted drug lord in Mexico. According to the article, Guzman was raided in his hideaway on 24th February 2014 while asleep. The drug lord is stated to have been lying beside a rifle, though did not open fire to the authorities. The arrest of Guzman shows how the government is determined to crack down drug abuse and trafficking. His family remains on spotlight after several arrests being made in connection with drug trafficking. For instance, his daughter was arrested at California border trying to get to the United States. The writing reveals some of the loopholes witnessed in the police authorities. Guzman has been arrested several times on drug trafficking counts and has escaped, though corrupt hands of the police. Through his informants, Guzman has been evading police arrests on several counts. The drug lord cartels have facilitated drug trafficking and drug abuse around the world while making millions of money. Authorities have hunted such cartels and drug lords with the aim of putting to an end the issues of drug trafficking. The government of the United States has emphasized on harsh legal measures against individuals on drug substance, and drug trafficking. The war against drug trafficking has increased with improved technology. Through screening and other advanced search strategies, drug trafficking individuals can be identified.
Zoroya, Gregg. "Soldiers survive combat, then lose their jobs." USA Today (2014): 1.
According to the author, thousands of military troops who were on mission in Iraq and Afghanistan are now facing forced retirement directives from the government. The government has decided to cut down the number of military soldiers due to increased spending on military troops. Even though the Defense Secretary denied the allegation, the author stipulates that pink slips have already been issued to soldiers. The article states that the army has decided to let go 3,000 G. I in order to cut the number down to 490, 000 by the end of next year.Some officers in the rank of colonels and lieutenant colonels learned about their forced retirement plan while in Afghanistan. This measure, by the government, has an adverse effect on the respective soldiers, and their families in general. The main question is the fate of the forced retired soldiers, and how will they manage to support their families. As a result, military soldiers are worried about their job security and are afraid of break as they are uncertain about their future. According to First Command CEO, Scott Spiker, at least 28 percent of the soldiers are less likely to have promotions, while 17 percent will possibly lose their jobs.
This research will have a domineering role in making some crucial decisions towards the aforementioned cases. The first instance is about discrimination against the black Americans during the civil war to protect people from discrimination ranging from color, race, gender, and ethnicity. Jim Crow evaluates on the ancient type of discrimination where it played a big role in political and social aspects. Through formation of unions and civil rights groups, discrimination has vanished. The United States is looking forward in bringing up some new rules and regulations that will prohibit some food stuff in schools. The importance of a healthy diet for children is a strong basis for children to acquire quality education without fear of their health condition.
According to the article by Adam, there are a lot of issues facing the United States economy. Unemployment remains to be a big problem among large numbers of youth fresh from colleges and universities. This problem can be addressed through a variety of government intervention mechanisms to ensure the youth get jobs as they finish their education in schools. The government needs to address the issues of unemployment as soon as possible in order to prevent negative effects to the economy in general.
The article by Perez explores a societal problem of drug abuse among the youth during this era. The issue needs to be addressed through initiation of strategies to ensure idle youth find jobs to keep them busy at work. Drug abuse has caused deaths of thousand teenagers in the United States. Paul discusses the importance of Sochi games in expansion strategy of the NHL. It is important for the NHL managed to organize international games in NHL in order to attract more hockey players around the world. Jason Collins has been signed by the Nets in a ten day contract program. This has caused a lot of controversies as he publicly announced to be gay. The issue of homosexuality has been received with mixed reactions among Americans and people around the world. Jason has not played any game after he revealed about his sexuality early last year. Homosexuality has been accepted in some parts of the world while others remain opposed to the idea. Moore explains how Americans carry out their day to day activities through his writing. He criticizes some activities Americans undertake, terming them as idiocy and lack sense. He further talks about the status of schools in America, advocating for measures to restructure the education system.
Online communication of teens in social media has a negative effect on their social life. Advanced technology has brought about easing communication methods such as online chatting, sharing pictures, and sending of videos to other people. Online communication should, therefore, be carried out under the right social ethics to avoid adverse impacts on teenagers. The government should intervene on the issue of military soldiers being put on compulsory retirement to avoid creation of unemployment. The research will help address the aforementioned problems facing the society. Further research is also important in order to provide sufficient support for issues being addressed.
