Homosexuality as a Theological Issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Homosexuality as a Theological Issue - Essay Example Christians find themselves at the center of this wave, as people look up to them for guidance on the stand they are supposed to take. The commonality of this in theology particularly, is that people need to know Christian’s stand in this homosexuality issue. As such, different theologians have written different articles expressing their ideas on the homosexuality as a social issue. In my analysis in this essay, I will put into consideration three author’s writings, and their reasoning about homosexuality. A concise summary of each of these theological reasoning will form the basis of their comparison and contrast. Conclusively, I will draw personalized ideas and thoughts on the homosexuality issue. Koranteng-Pipim, in his article, â€Å"Three Conflicting Views on Homosexuality† seeks to find the church’s stand on homosexuality. The biggest issue is whether they should accept or reject these individuals whenever they join their congregation. Both stands hav e their unique ethical consequences. However, he singles out the case of seventh day adventurist church, which has assumed three approaches to homosexuality (Koranteng-Pipim 1). Despite the fact that the church in past has assumed a non-acceptance stand on this issue, the recent rise of pro-homosexual groups continue to amount the church on assuming a full-acceptance approach to these people. However, he notes that some segments within contemporary Adventism are moving towards the qualified-acceptance view in addressing homosexuality. Koranteng-Pipim argues that although these other views have emerged, the non-acceptance view remains the official position of the Seventh-day Adventist church (Koranteng-Pipim 2). Different tenets support these divergence views. The basic tenets in support of these views include the nature of homosexuality, morality of homosexuality, way out of homosexuality and response to homosexuality. The non-acceptance view holds that homosexuality is a distortion of human sexuality, it is sinful and sinful, and that God has the capability of changing any situation (Koranteng-Pipim 6). In their arguments though, those advocating for full acceptance have to agree to being born again and thus fully assimilated in the church. In his article, â€Å"Homosexuality and Christian Faith: A Theological Reflection† Jennings points out that homosexuals and homosexuality is one of the major importance deliberations of denominational bodies. This issue has drawn different feelings among the proponents and opponents of homosexuality issue. On one side are the supporters of the traditional sexuality; while on the other hand is the group in support of the emerging trends in sexuality (Jennings 137). However, he observes that theological reflection has conspicuously been missing from this conservative-liberal confrontation. He observes that people hold many biases in the issue of homosexuality in the society. He however does not propose a theology of h omosexuality, but proposes how fundamental principles of Christian theology illuminate this question or complex of issues. He looks at different principles of theology, such as one by Karl Barth, which proposes that that Christian faith goes along with the gracious God, who is the Supreme Being (Jennings 137). The supreme intention is to justify, save and redeem humanity, but not on the basis of a discrimination between better and worse persons but solely on the basis of God’s own gracious election. He argues that in case of a violation of this theological principle, it places in human hands the capacity to implement our own salvation. The second principle as he points out is the universality

Marketing ( Customer Relationship Management ) Assignment

Marketing ( Customer Relationship Management ) - Assignment Example roviding information about the customers that the company needs to keep in mind so as to maintain a good affiliation with their clienteles, and this is achieved by ensuring that the knowledge obtained from customer surveys is used to increase quality and service delioivery.an effective and efficient customer relationship management system, will help the business to understand their customers and their needs and ensure that the same are met. The systems also ensure that customers are retained as their satisfaction will ascertain that they seek the services of the company that meets their needs. Efficient and effective customer management systems will also aid in attracting new customers as they are assured that the organization is aware of their needs, and it keeps them at high priority by ensuring that all of them are met through effective interaction. Customer relationship management systems will be used to manage customer relationships and they are used to manage business contacts, client contacts and sales leads, which are paramount in ensuring that business customer data that ascertains that the business provides services that the customer wants and provide better services to the customer and this in return increases sales hence ensuring organizational

Outline of Movements in Art

Outline of Movements in Art Introduction Art has given generations complex lessons in exquisiteness, horror, and respect. Art has inspired some to delve further into their minds than they ever have. Art evokes many emotions; it terrifies and pleasures, calms and arouses, and can serve to bring light on the inner mechanisms of politics and inspirations. Art is, was, and will always be an outlet that provides insight into the mind and soul. Renaissance (1300 1600 C.E.) The Renaissance period was considered a growing concern with the natural world, the individual, and humanitys worldly existence (Kleiner, 2014, p. 406). The translation of Renaissance means rebirth, so this era was described as a rebirth of the fascination in the classical periods of Greece and Rome, symbolized by medieval disquiet of the previous era. The Renaissance period encompassed the belief of humanism, or a code of civil conduct, a theory of education, and a scholarly discipline [rather] than a philosophical system (Kleiner, 2014, p. 407). Commercialization also began in the Renaissance, as feudalistic period ended and expansion started to begin. The importance of religion also began to decline due to the world changing views. The more people learned and endured, the less they relied on religion to comprehend their world. This era was characterized by a more true-to-life approach on the subject matter, techniques using perspective and foreshortening gave the illusion of being three dimensional. New oil paint blends were created, which let the artist use oil on canvas, which was considerably easier to work with than coloring on wet plaster. Individualism (showing singular people), secularism (less church-related), classicism (a revert back to the techniques of ancient Greece and Rome), nature (outdoor and rustic scenes), anatomy (defined and specific human forms), linear perspective (how things seemed to the onlooker with relation to the other), realism (visual precision of the piece), depth (light and shading used to give the illusion of three dimensional art), blue backgrounds (helped create depth), and symmetry (balancing proportions) were all obvious during the Renaissance period. Artwork iconic to the Renaissance Tiziano Vecellio (1488-1576). Boy with a Bird [Oil on Canvas; 34.9 cm x 48.9 cm]. Not on Display Raphael (Raffaello Santi) (1483-1520). An Allegory (Vision of a Knight) [oil on poplar; 17.1 cm x 17.3 cm]. The National Gallery Baroque (1600 1750 C.E) The Baroque era developed as a direct revolt against the rigidity of classicism. The Baroque era was emboldened by the Catholic Church in order to link themes to religious righteousness and to appeal to newly changing societies. This era gave the Church optimism it could stay immersed within its residents. The wealthy viewed the Baroque style as a means of amazing visitors, as well as a means to express their personal power, wealth and achievements. Baroque art is characterized by its richness, extravagant subjects and the attention to detail that showed emotionalism. Exuberance and opulence were commonly connected to the Baroque style, with a focused intention to appeal to all the senses. The chiaroscuro technique is also a significant style of the Baroque period, this method relates to the interaction between light and shadow to create very intense and differed atmospheres. In architecture, spiral columns, towering domes, and massiveness and monumentality were hallmarks of the Baroque period. Artwork iconic to the Baroque period Meindert Hobbema. (1662). The Watermill with the Great Red Roof [oil on canvas; 81.3 cm x 110 cm]. Art Institute Chicago. Adriaen van der Spelt (1658). Tromp-lOeil Still Life with a Flower Garland and a Curtain [oil on panel; 46.5 cm x 63.9 cm]. Art Institute Chicago Romanticism (1750 1870 C.E.) Like its name, the era of Romanticism leaned more toward the whimsical, the discovery of the emotional side of the human psyche, a direct revolt against the rigid nature of the Renaissance or the ostentatious Baroque periods. Romanticism also evolved as a reaction to the Industrial revolution and the Age of Enlightenment, in which science began to justify and classify nature. To be free of conventional life lead to more emphasis on the individual. The retreat from the here and now lead to a bigger interest in landscapes, the emotional expression and imagination, and the splendor that could be found in past. This period was the inlet for artwork that expressed human emotion; wonder, shock, and horror. According to Isaiah Berlin (1999), this era represented a new and restless spirit, seeking violently to burst through old and cramping forms, a nervous preoccupation with perpetually changing inner states of consciousness a search after means of expressing and unappeasable yearning for unattainable goals (p. 92). Usually characterized by bright and vibrant colors, or paler and darker colors that are that are blended to make the image softer to draw focus to nature, instead of man-made objects. Mistiness is also used, to give a more dream-like feel to the piece, through the use of more pensive brushstrokes. Moods, heroes, brilliance, obscurity, passion, the exotic, and even the satanic were all part of the Romantic era. Artwork iconic to the Romantic era Thà ©odore Gà ©ricault (1819). La Radeau de la Medusa [oil on canvas; 491.5 cm x 716.5 cm]. Musà ©e du Louvre, Paris. Thà ©odore Gericault (1818). Evening: Landscape with an Aqueduct [oil on canvas; 250.2 cm x 219.7 cm]. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Impressionism (1870 1900 C.E.) Impressionism can be considered the first distinctly modern movement in painting, and was often done outdoors. It was a movement about painting to capture the momentary, sensory effect of a scene, and often portrayed things in nature that could not have been painted in a traditional setting. The goal of Impressionism was to create original works of art that was based on the subject matter and the natural setting. Impressionism is characterized by loosened brushstrokes that use pure, intense color that gave the piece an unfinished appearance, which was seen as almost amateurish the prominence of changing light conditions, and basic subject matter. Rather than neutral white, grays, and blacks, Impressionists often rendered shadows and highlights in color. The artists loose brushwork gives an effect of spontaneity and effortlessness (Samu, 2004). Artwork iconic to Impressionism Claude Monet (1891) Haystacks (Effects if snow and sun) [Oil on canvas; 65.4 x 92.1 cm]. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Claude Monet. (1891). The Four Trees [oil on canvas; 91.9 cm x 81.6 cm]. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Modernism (1900 1945 C.E.) Modernism was the complete rejection of the Victorian Era, giving in to a search for new ways to express oneself. Encouraged by the progressively realistic influence of industrialization and urbanization, including the influence of World War I and its results, Modernism strived to reach reclamation and renewal after the destruction that shattered lives and broke nations. Modernism is characterized by vivid colors and intangible concepts, repeatedly creating artwork with a broken or slanted appearance. Similar to Impressionism, Modernist artists used what they saw to paint the spirit of the subject, often with very loose foundation in reality. Sometimes the art consisted of color splashed onto a canvas. Artwork iconic to Modernism JoAnn Verburg (1991). Still Life with Serial Killers [Chromogenic color print; 49.7 cm x 70.4 cm]. Museum of Modern Art, New York. Richard Lindner (1966). Checkmate [Cut-and-pasted papers, watercolor, pencil, crayon, and ink on paper; 60.6 cm x 45. cm]. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco. Conclusion Art is life, the expression of the intimate, the soul given life. Art is a living, breathing, progressing work, frequently seeking new possibilities of being born. From the Renaissance to the current day, art has changed with times, given voice to the voiceless, and hope to those who lost hope. References Berlin, I. (1999). The roots of romanticism. London: Chatto and Windus. Kleiner, F. S. (2014). Gardners art through the ages: The western perspective (14th ed., Vol. II). Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Samu, M. (2004). Impressionism: Art and modernity. The Metropolitan Museum, New York. Retrieved July 3, 2016 from http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/imml/hd_imml.htm.

Graduation Speech :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Do we look like fortune tellers? Declare a major? Chart a course? Have a burger instead of a dog? What do you want to do when you grow up? There are more forks in the road ahead of us than at the Country Buffet -- and we're asked to choose just one! What is your favorite color? Blue. But are orange and red and puce out of the question? Banished from possibility? Put on the eternal yuck list? It just means that blue works today, but the rest of the rainbow is at our fingertips -- to use later, or not at all. We are full of secrets. We have lives and interests and talents that exist independent of math, and English, science and social studies. Secrets in the shadows of assemblies, football games, clubs, sports, dances and homework. We have friends who paint murals, write poetry, build cars, manage computer networks, train for the Olympics and save lives. Underneath these goofy caps are talents and dreams, ambitions and hopes -- enough to last decades, to build families, to change communities, to change lives. And our real destinations are secret -- even from ourselves -- and that's OK. We may have an idea, a plan, a passion. But we can't tell for sure. We will arrange flowers, electrons, words and water. We'll shape ideas, images, politics, missions and metal. We'll be productive and worthwhile, but where do we start? I'm starting with cows! While fussing over what I would do for my application project, I said to myself, "Sarah, what do you really want to do? What do you wanna have fun learning about?" and my answer was, "I would like to hang out with cows." Now, let me tell you, it is not easy to walk up to a dairy farmer and say, "Hello, can I come hang out at your farm and play with your thousand-pound puppies?" but I was fortunate enough to find an incredible mentor and family who welcomed me into their lives. A year later, I continue to learn from my "farm family," and my "cow friends." In fact, one week from today I plan to pile into a pick-up truck and head to Boise to attend the National Holstein Convention to learn more about cows and spend more time with the people who love them -- talk about great stuff! Someday, it may be because of my secret life that you've "got milk.

Swot Analysis of Meru

SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths: Meru Cabs was one of the first companies to launch metered â€Å"Radio cabs† in India under its brand â€Å"Meru. † Meru has captured the first mover advantage in this segment. Meru is very famous among its customers so much that when people think of air conditioned cabs they associate it with Meru. Meru cabs offer good training to their drivers so that they can maintain the Meru level of consumer service. They also regularly maintain their cabs which make it neat and clean and so commuters enjoy their ride.They have digital tampered proof meters so there is no chance cheating. Weakness: Meru cabs largely depend on technology right from the moment to pick up customers to drop them. They use GPRS system to track the customers and to drop them to their location and also to show them the real estimated time. So if there is any server failure or breakdown it becomes difficult for the cabs to function smoothly. Usually Meru cabs are available when cu stomers call for it. So there is time lag between the call time and actual ride. They are not as easily available as local non air conditioned cabs.People usually prefer meru cabs for long distance travel. Opportunity: Meru so far is catering only to major metro cities. They should consider upon extending their services to tier two cities because these cities are growing rapidly. They can also consider upon renting cars without chauffeurs. They can also update their customers with real flight time schedules through Infotainment services. Meru should also think for strategic partnership with various travels portals so that they can extend services like pick up and drop to customers to their hotels and so on. Threats:Although Meru was the first player in this segment; it is now facing stiff competition from players like Tab Cab, Mega Cabs and so on. There is very less level of differentiation among all these cabs. So this is eroding the market share of Meru. Air conditioned buses star ted by BEST in Mumbai is also competition to Meru cabs. Driver unions also prove to be a problem many a times. Government regulations and sudden changes in policies is also a threat. CRM of Meru to retain customers * No additional or hidden charges because of tamper free meters * Printed receipts produced at the end of every trip In case of any complaints, feedback etc. , passengers can call Customer Service Center at 44224422 * Lost and found belongings due to trustworthy drivers * Usage of clean green fuel because it uses LPG and CNG cars now a days to reduce pollution * Thoroughly trained Chauffeurs in a smart MERU uniform, fluent in English and Hindi and regional languages * Users are encouraged to make profiles on the website for faster and easier bookings next time * Round the clock availability of cabs backed by a location tracking GPS – based dispatch technology and a 24Ãâ€"7 Customer Service Center.This means a quicker pickup and faster response time to call for a c ab. * Tamper-proof digital cab meters, integrated with the GPS-system to ensure that every fare is tracked, thereby ruling out any possibility of overcharging by the driver. * Ability to track the location of the cab ‘real-time’ through the GPS technology * Emergency security features installed in the taxi for complete safety, including display of our Customer Service Center numbers inside each cab – provides security in case of an emergency-PANIC BUTTON BENEFITS OF CRM * Customer segmentation Market analytics like records of customer profiles, profile, payment history etc. * Generation of accurate leads and SMS bursts that target only the right customers based on their segmentation is possible * First time retention has increased from 40 % to more than 90 % * Customized and simplified bill formats, payment collection through cards * Better value added services were provided * It facilitated knowledge sharing amongst employees * Option of booking a cab in less th an 60 seconds * Reduced cost of customer acquisition * Has resulted in savings because of fewer calls

Billing System Essay

1.1 Introduction As the world progresses on in this never ending chase for a time and wealth, it is undeniable that science has made astounding developments. Technology and computers are everywhere. Today, they are becoming the foundation of any development of society. The computer system is not a simple machine. It is like a very modern and highly complex calculator. It can do all the functions at a speedy rate and also helps us to search and progress in our homes and businesses. This is apparently complicated, but the vibrant outcome will make our work effective and efficient. Computer technology is very important especially in the business field. It can help to make work easier. Computer is a powerful tool, allowing you easily extract data in order to prepare reports and analyze the information. Computers can help a business stay in contact with its customers as well. Computers can help managers keep track of the financial status of the company on a yearly, monthly or even day-to-day basis. Companies can use their computers to print checks for payroll and expenditures, and can form a direct link to the company’s bank account. Computers through internet connection made business transactions easier and more convenient. As compared to hard copied data which is more prone to damage data saved in the computer is more secured. Thus, computer plays a big role and importance in the business field. Already computers have become such an important part of our lives—in airports, banks, railway stations and every well-equi ­pped modern office. As computer continues to proliferate in ever increasing numbers across large segments of Government, business and industry, the common man is beginning to believe hesitantly that computers can actually deliver a good part of the promise that they had offered. Society is  gradually accepting the fact that computers will indeed change the manner in which the things are done. For a water billing, which is complex, repetitive and has voluminous data computerization is recommended. Computerization overcomes many of the defects in the manual system, is fast and gives a control on the system. In our study entitled â€Å"Computerized Billing System for Pansol Rural Waterworks†, the researchers will give an extent or the effectiveness on keeping the consumers’ consumption information, and the establishment’s collection in more advance and effective ways. The proponent think that with strong desire and hope that advance development of this study would be more significantly help on the way to a good and efficient billing system which should lead to at least minimizing if not eradicating the negative and undesirable aspects of this proposed system. 1.1.2 Background of the Study On May 23,1981, the residents of Barangay Pansol voluntarily associated themselves to form an association whose primary purpose is to provide its members with adequate supply of potable water for domestic use at reasonable cost. A year later, Pansol BWP- RWSA Inc. was constructed jointly by the USAID/BWP – MILG and the provincial government of Batangas under the administration of Governor Jose C. Laurel. A contract was made and entered into by and between the provincial government of Batangas and the Association. It was represented by then President Mr. Juan E. Manalo, the duly authorized representative. The province lent to the Association 44.67% of the total project cost amounting to P 141,602. 30 to finance the construction of the Level II water system or communal faucet in Barangay Pansol. The loan is  payable within 20 years with interest rate 4% per annum. As the population grew, the necessity for household connections increased and it gave rise to the Level III project or the individual household connection. The Association consists of 948 active members as of January 25, 2015. Thru the dedication of its Board of Directors, they put up a separate fund to provide scholarship grants to poor but deserving students, of which the fund came from 100% of their per diem. But many have applied for the grants and the  Directors asked for the Waterworks Association’s counterpart for the continuance of its project. Now on its 12th year, the scholarship is still on- going. The other project was the summer Art Workshop which had 33 graduates and concluded in May 22, 2009. The Association also did its part in the constructionof the multi- purpose building which house the Barangay Waterworks Office, the Barangay Health Center and the Barangay Hall. Pansol Rural Waterworks has newly opened its Refilling Station to ensure the availability of clean and safe water at lower costs. As of today, there are 11 employees at Pansol Rural Waterworks who are truly dedicated in serving Pansolians, headed by a Board of Directors whom are all residents of Pansol, Padre Garcia, Batangas. 1.2 Statement of the Problem 1. 2. 1 General Problem This study seeks to find out the solutions to the problems encountered by Pansol Rural Waterworks and their consumers. It deals with the problem with their manual billing system which results to slow processing of transactions. 1. 2. 2 Specific Problems Slow processing of transactions on billing Inefficiency of calculations and recorded transactions Time wasting is the result of slow billing process 1.3 Objectives of the Study 1. 2. 1 General Objectives This study aims to develop an organized and an effective billing system in terms of working capabilities. It will help to build an efficient system to minimize the processing period of transactions between the administration and the consumers. 1. 2. 2 Specific Objectives To avoid the slow processing of transactions due to manual transaction system. To provide an efficient and effective calculations and transactions between consumers and administration. To lessen the time and effort in processing billing transactions. 1.4 Significance of the Study The researchers are proposing the â€Å"Computerized Billing System for Pansol Rural Waterworks†. This will assure the institution’s development initiatives and faster billing transaction processing among administration and their consumers. If the proposed system will be implemented, this will be the conversion of the current manual system to a computerized one. The study would be beneficial to both administration and consumer. In view of the fact that this institution is currently encountering problems in their manual billing system, the proposed computerized system would be needed to eliminate or at least lessen such problem. The transaction can be done faster, easier and accurate which will result to less time and most burden of work load will be reduced. In addition to this, the proponents will also benefit from the study, because they will be able to meet the requirements and will also learn from their research. For future researchers, this study will serve as a reference material related to their own studies. 1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study The focus of the study deals mainly on the billing system of the institution. These include all necessary statement specifying the payment transactions including the receipt which will serve as the generated report of the billing transaction. This study clearly implies that the other aspects of the institution’s operation such as payroll and other unrelated system are not included in our study. The research is absolutely focused on the billing transactions of the company and it has nothing to do with any other unrelated transactions. 1.6 Methodology A series of interview was administered to obtain the needed and accurate information for this study. The researchers have had a board interview regarding the system’s requirement and the information to be encoded in the system. Internet is a great help in the fulfilment and completion of the documents for this study. Through internet browsing, the researchers found out several related  literatures and studies including foreign and local researches which was compared to the proposed system which is the â€Å"Computerized Billing System for Pansol Rural Waterworks.† Another means of research is library research in which the proponents found additional literatures and related studies. 1 .7 Conceptual Framework The design will seek and provide solution for the problems that are being encountered by the institution and it’s consumer. Through the use of this design, the billing system with all the necessary data would be successfully done and recorded during the billing process. This shows the fundamental basis of the proposed system. The inputs which are Meter Number, Last Name, First Name, Middle Name, Address, Contact Number, Month, Due Date, Present Reading, Previous Reading, Consumption, Bill Amount and Penalty were presented here. Fig. 1: Conceptual Framework The figure shows the fundamental basis of the proposed system. The inputs which are Meter Number, Last Name, First Name, Middle Name, Address, Contact Number, Month, Due Date, Present Reading, Previous Reading, Consumption,  Bill Amount and Penalty were presented here. This also shows that the process is the Computerized Billing System for Pansol Rural Waterworks, and the generated output of the process is the receipt. 1.8 Definition of Terms System- is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integratedwhole Billing system- is a combination of software and hardware that receives call detail and service usage information, groups this information for specific accounts or customers, produces invoices, creates reports for management, and records (posts) payments made to customer accounts. Computerization- involves the process of taking activities or tasks not previously done on the computer and shifting them to being done on the computer. Hardware – is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a computer system. Computer hardware is the physical parts or components of a computer, such as the monitor, mouse, keyboard, and so on, all of which are physical objects that can be touched (that is, they are tangible) Software- is any set of machine-readable instructions that directs a computer’s processor to perform specific operations. Computer software contrasts with computer hardware, which is the physical component of computers. Technical feasibility- is one of the first studies that must be conducted after the project has been identified. Economic feasibility- is the cost and logistical outlook for a business project or endeavor. Operational feasibility- is a measure of how well a proposed system solves the problems, and takes advantage of the opportunities identified during scope definition and how it satisfies the requirements identified in requirements analysis phase of system development. Visual Basic 6.0- is a high level programming language which evolved from the earlier DOS version called BASIC. Windows- is a metafamily of graphical operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. It consists of several families of operating systems, each of which cater to a certain sector of the computing industry Microsoft Access- is a database management system from Microsoft that combines therelational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of applications, included in the Professional and higher editions or sold separately. Database- is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated. CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES This chapter tends to discuss the related literature and study. This will show the distinction between the related studies of the other research to the proposed system. These write- ups were of great help to the proponent’ s  task of accomplishing their objective. 2.1 Related Literature As the researchers conducted their research, they gathered all this related literature. According to James A. Seen, author of the book entitled â€Å"Analysis Design of Information System† states that system development can generally thought of using as having two major components, system analysis and generally system design is the process of planning a new business system to replace or component the old. But before this can be done, we must thoroughly understand the old or present system and determine how computer can be used to make the operation effective. Just as the same with how the proponents started the system analysis for this study. The analysis started from analysing the existing or the old system of the company. From the author of the book entitled â€Å"Modern System’s Analysis and Design† that was written by Jeffrey A. Hatfer, Joey F. George and Joseph A. Valacich, the goal of 6000 design is to provide a system that is easy to read, easy to code, and easy to maintain. They define information system analysis and design of information system is based on the understanding of the organization , objective, structure and process. Information system can be developed through various methodologies and comprehensive multiple step approaches to develop a system. Techniques are particular processes that follow to ensure the study is well – through- out complete and comprehensive. The goal of information system for the organization is to respond and anticipate problems and opportunities through innovates uses of information. Like this proposed study, the proponents goal is to design a system that will help the company improve and innovate. According from an internet article by Pradeep Gokhale entitlted â€Å"Computerised Water Billing System†, Amaravati water supply scheme is the  only urban water supply scheme in Maharashtra which has been getting the facility of computerized water billing system continuously since 1991. The operating of the system has been outsourced. The software development has not been in a year or two, but it has been in process years together and proudly contributed by generously from meter readers, counter clerks, fitters, plumbers, clerical staff in the office, and auditors and accountants, to the higher officers, engineers at all levels, and most of consumers of the scheme. It has become most intelligent software in the country and now it is not only utility software but it is management software. It is in use in number of cities in Vidarbha and has to share the experience of managing more than 800, 000 consumers in the Delhi, the Capital city of the Country, since 1995. Following script has been included in the Maintenance Manual for urban areas. Water Billing and Revenue Management System is the most important aspect of any Water Supply Scheme as it governs the financial aspect, which is the most important factor. Irrespective of the basis of the Billing Metered/Unmetered, the Computerized Billing System needs three major databases: First is the master data, this is the data, which needs to be entered only one time when the Consumer/Connection is added into the database. This data is relatively static in nature and does not change time to time. Various data required   to be store dare: Consumer Number, Name of Consumer, Address, Type of Use, Type of Consumer, Tap Size, Date of Connection, Details of Feeder Line, Locality, House No., Ward No., No. of taps, No. of Families, Meter Make, Meter Number, First Reading, Ownership of Meter, Deposit Amount etc. Second is the data for each billing period, this data will be entered for every consumer for every round and will be used for calculating the demand of that billing round. Various data items required to be stored are ; Consumer Number, Date of Meter Reading/Period for which Billed, Status of the Connection and any changes in Master Data etc. And the third is the receipt data, this data will be the data related to the payments made by the consumers against the bill issued. This data will be entered on daily basis irrespective of the billing frequency. Various data required to be stored  are; Consumer Number, Date of Receipt, Receipt Number, Details of the collection Centre, Cash/Cheque (If Cheque- Cheque No., Bank, Branch) Part Payment/Adhoc Payment/Deposit, Account Head for posting etc. The article points out a step- by- step procedure of the system implementation. Like the proposed study, upon impklementation, there will be procedures to ensure the systems data efficiency. According to an anonymous author of an internet article entitled  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Principle of Water Rates, Fees and Charges†, if the utility billing system is computerized, the time required for the preparation of the bill tabulation may be relatively short, perhaps only one or two weeks. The computer staff may however be required to develop specific programs to extract and summarize data in the form required, and delays are often encountered because computer time is not readily available when needed. By the beginning the bill tabulation early in the cost of service study, the results should be available to avoid delay both in the design of rates and in the evaluation of the adequacy of proposed rates to recover allocated costs of service from customer classes. A bill tabulation shows the number of customer bills rendered at various levels of water usage during a specific period of time for each customer class served by the utility. The tabulation of bills for a historical period provides the basis for identifying typical customer- class usage patterns and aides in the development of rates recognizing such usage patterns. Rate schedules that are intended to be applicable throughout an entire year generally require a bill tabulation for a historical record. Slow processing is one of the problems that occur in the existing manual system, and like what was mentioned in the article, it is the researcher’s target to increase the speed of process and to lessen the delays of transactions. As said in an internet article entitled â€Å"Developing Effective Waterworks  and Collection Practices†, written by an anonymous author, improving billing and collection activities has an immediate impact on the revenue streams of a service provider that can, in turn, encourage commercial and operational efficiencies for aiding the expansion and delivery of improved, reliable, and sustainable services. This note draws on national and international cases to explore what it takes to implement an effective billing and collection system. Effective billing and collection systems are a critical component for ensuring the viability of a service provider. Improving these has an immediate impact on the revenue streams of a service provider that can, in turn, help in improving services. Effective billing and collection systems are a critical component for ensuring the viability of a service provider. Improving billing and collection activities has an immediate impact on the revenue streams of a service provider that can, in turn, help the service provider in improving services. However, while effective billing and collection practices depend on many internal factors (including customer databases, the extent of metered and unmetered service provision, tariff and billing structures, delivery of bills, and facilities for customer payments), the institutional arrangements under which service providers operate and provide services determine whether such practices will remain sustainable in the long term. Efficient billing and collection practices can set incentives for the provider to effectively charge, and collect water bills while also fulfilling a commercial  orientation to services the revenue streams of a service provider that can, in turn, help in improving services. This note draws on national and international cases to explore what it takes to implement an effective billing and collection system that encourages commercial and operational efficiencies for aiding the expansion and delivery of improved, reliable, and sustainable services. The note starts with an explanation of how poor billing and collection hurt the service provider, followed by the key principles of an effective billing and collection strategy, illustrated through national and international billing practices. The basic aim of the performance improvement series is to help water utilities and service  providers understand and adopt mechanisms that promote cost recovery and sustainable revenue strategies, as well as help achieve financially viable and sustainable improved services. The objective is to be able to focus not only on specific performance improvement areas by advancing technical, commercial, and operational efficiency—such as leak reduction, billing and collection, customer service, and tariff setting, among others—but also ensure that such improvements remain sustainable and viable in the long term through arrangements such as performance agreements, monitoring, and evaluation. The article focuses on the importance of effective billing and collection, the common pitfalls that their poor implementation have, and what some service providers have done to improve upon current billing and collection practices—through measures including robust recordkeeping and billing procedures, updating customer databases, outsourcing billing activities and using improved technology, and encouraging and incentivizing staff to undertake billing and collection functions more diligently. Like the study, the goal of desingning a computerized system is to generate an effective billing process in the company. According to http://www.cusi.com/water-billing-system.html, Just like with any business, having the right tools is critical to a company’s failure or success. One of the most critical tools for a successful utility company is having an efficient, yet effective water billing system. Having the right billing in system is place is important for a number of reasons. New water billing software helps utility companies to be more efficient in their overall billing processes, while helping them to boost productivity. New water billing technologies help utilities automate internal billing processes into a simple, effective, and easy to use system. If you’re looking to boost efficiency and productivity, while decreasing customer response times and increasing customer satisfaction, there is no one more trusted in the utility billing services industry than CUSI Utility Billing Solutions. CUSI provides complete personalized billing solutions for  companies with customer bases from 500 to over 500,000. Currently, CUSI has over 1000 companies using their billing solutions to manage their water, sewer, gas, electric, and waste  management operations. Also, CUSI currently offers CIS/Utility Billing solutions to help address challenges of utility companies both large and small. CUSI’s water billing system will offer a number of benefits to your utility company almost immediately. Just the same with the proposed study, the researchers aim to develop a system that will be beneficial to both management and consumer. According to an article entitled â€Å"Water Billing Software Runs the Business† from http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/ , for large commercial water customers with multiple units, like apartment complexes, the water billing software is capable of allocating a single meter reading into multiple bills according to square footage and occupancy. When your utility company outgrows the capability of your current water billing system, invest in the most advanced system to track every aspect of your utility business. Be prepared to update business processes to include the software inputs that will keep the office and field apprised of work activity and customer requests. Train the employees and monitor the ongoing effort to use the software effectively throughout the day. The initial investment in high-quality water billing software will improve your margins and reduce the monetary loss from unpaid accounts. Your customers and employees will be better informed, and the costs will be reco vered within an acceptable  period of time. The same with the proponents target in designing the system, the program will be effective and improve the company’s billing and collection. An article from http://www.waterefficiency.net/ entitled â€Å"The  Benefits of Automated Billing†, says that, by employing water billing software, utilities can reduce the size of their labor force, providing immediate savings. They won’t need as many utility employees to tackle billing issues if software is doing this job for them. And reducing the number of employees in the billing department doesn’t necessarily mean laying off talented workers. Utilities can train billing department staffers to take on other jobs, whether with the municipal utility or elsewhere in the utility. Water billing software also allows utility employees to focus their efforts on other tasks. They can spend more time in the utility’s customer service department answering resident questions. They can analyze the reports created by billing software to hunt for potentially costly leaks. And they can study these same reports to determine new ways to conserve water use and reduce the water utility’s overall costs of providing this water to its customers. Today’s water billing programs provide a host of reports and functions that stretch far beyond simply sending payment notices to consumers. Savvy water utility officials recognize this and use these reports to operate their utilities in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. The proponents study targets to lessen  the work load of employees and the fast processing of billing transactions in the company. According to an article with a title â€Å" Impact of Municipal Billing Systems on Revenue Collection†. The Manila Water Utility undertook a series of reforms between 2000 and 2003. The utility now employs 100 per cent metering on all service connections, which are read monthly. There has been an increase in new service connections, identification of illegal users, billing of unbilled services, and replacement of faulty meters. As a result, revenue has increased by 83 per cent while the average collection period has fallen from 86 days to 50 days . Like the research study, once implemented, the proponents look forward to effective billing and collection of payments in the company. Another article entitled â€Å"Baltimore Approved New Water Billing System† mentioned that, Baltimore officials approved on Wednesday a new water billing system that will bring the current 35-year-old system up to date. In the next couple of years, the city is updating more than 500,000 meters and launching a new billing system. The new system will be the brains behind the city’s new water meters and will allow customers to read bills online and get more information  about water usage. When UMAX launches, it will bill customers on actual usage, meaning no more minimum bills. â€Å"The new system known as UMAX will enable the city to move away from the existing minimum billing model toward a system that charges based on actual consumption,† Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said. Just like the research, it is needed to improve the company’s performance in terms of billing transactions. 2.2 Related Studies 2.2.1 Local Studies In the study conducted by Benipayo (1994), entitled â€Å"Study on the RM/GS Billing System of the Manila Electronic Hotline Telephone Company†, stated that billing system is an essential component of the revenue generating function of the company. Thus, failure to generate bill on the proper time would effect the retaliation in the collection of revenues. The billing update is actually the revision of the entry of the new accounts in the customer file. Failure to update customer state in the billing records shall in a â€Å"no billing† of the consumption and will ultimately cause a non-generation bill. Like the study, the researcher aims to be a  good innovation in the company’s billing process. Effective billing system means good revenue. According to the Casimiro Development Corporation Water Billing System, in March 2001, Bartolome, Alonde, Yanuaria and Atendido made a study about the development of Casimiro’s Water Billing System. Based on their study, the problem was that Casimiro Development Corporation water billing system operates 13 projects and approximately 450 units per project that run in a manual-based environment. To develop more accurate files, they created a well-structured database that lessened and speed up the works in computations in voluminous files with accurate and error-free files. According to the Trece Martires Water District Billing and Collection System. In March 2002, Cruto, Legaspi and Rosero made a study on Trece Martires Water District Billing and Collection System. Based on their study, the problem is that the Trece Martires Water District Billing and Collection System apply the manual processing of its billing and collection clerks and other office personnel. The records of the customers were record in paper works that are less reliable to keep those files. When a customer asks for his/her records, it will add up the workloads of the employees. To accurately keep those records, they developed an automated Transaction Processing System that speed  up the customer’s daily transaction, utilized efficient and safe storage of customer’s records and a more reliable and accurate computation of customer’s water bills. Accurate files is to be provided when this proposed study is implemented. In the study of Bartolome (2000), entitled â€Å"A Computer Water Billing System for Teresa Water Supply†, stated that in making a water billing computerized, numerous benefits can be acquired. One of the benefits is that it speeds up the current computation of the bills wherein the operators will not waste their time in computing the bills of every concessionaire because the system computers it automatically. Like the study, there are also several benefits that can be acquired like the fast processing of billing transactions. A study entitled â€Å"LAN-Based Assessment and Billing System for Camiling† by Angelica Pagaduan said that, the manual method of assessing and issuance of receipt during enrollment period at Camiling Colleges is prone to errors, tedious and most often misplaces records or documents. The people concerned could not accommodate more students because of the slow assessment and computation of fees to be paid, thus, causing inconvenience to both teachers  who are assisting in the enrollment and the students during enrollment. The proposed system will be designed to improve the current Assessment and Billing System of Camiling Colleges. In the study of Purification (1995), entitled â€Å"Billing System of Plaza Hotel†, states that due to probably of manual computation error, computerizing the system will be able to step this probability even it is very rarely experienced in the manual billing system. Like the study of Purification, the study also aims to eliminate or at least lessen the computation error in the billing system. A study with a title â€Å"The Case study of Manila Water Company† states that to maintain a sustainable structure for a world-class standard for water and wastewater services for Metro Manila, there is a need to ensure a balance between the interests of the consumers and the operators. Experience in the Philippines, however, indicated otherwise. The balance of interests was not easy to come by with regulatory regimes suffering from weak regulatory capacity. In order to avoid the same tendencies to repeat in the new contracts, the concession agreement adopted a â€Å"regulation by contract†26 framework. This framework laid down in a clear and detailed manner within the contracts the activities that would be regulated by an independent agency. The same with the study, the proponents aims  to design a system that will be beneficial to both management and consumer. The study entitled †Remote Automatic Water Meter Reading System using Global System for Mobile Communications† by Rainer N. Dita, Paolo Pedro C. Martinez, Chrish Adrian S. Miranda focuses on implementing a GSM based system for the automatic water meter reading in the Philippines. This will determine if there is a significant difference between analog water meter and the proposed system in data collection. Weather conditions and security issues regarding the GSM module will not be taken into account. Also, the network problem due to its provider is not included on the study. This study aims to develop an automatic water meter reading system that will enhance the Analog water meter data collection by utilizing wireless technology using GSM module system for data transmission to increase the range of data transmission. 2.2.2 Foreign Studies A Foreign study entitled â€Å"Irish Water Charges Plan† says that, this document represents Irish Water’s scheme of charges which are reflective of a number of Government and CER directions (some of which are being finalised currently) which in totality comprise the water charges plan. The scheme of  charges in this document are designed to ensure that Irish Water only recovers the allowed revenue approved by the CER over the period 1st October 2014 until 31st December 2016. Irish Water has been guided by principles12 associated with equity and non-discrimination; efficiency in use of Water Services; cost reflectivity; cost recovery; stability and simplicity in developing our scheme of changes. Simplicity of the system, this is what the researchers aim. Our study needs to be simple in order to let the user understand the system easy. The aim of this paper with a title â€Å"Water Label to Improve  Water Billing in Spanish Households† is to propose a new way to improve the contents in water bills by adding a new water label that allows for checking the efficiency of water use. The water tag provides information to tenants about their efficiency of water consumption. In case of houses with a special meter to obtain the domestic hot water consumption, an extra water label can be shown with the evaluation of this kind of consumption. Furthermore, this information is compared to the average consumption value of citizens from the same province. To go further in citizens’ awareness about this subject, some recommendations should also be included, which will help to reduce water consumption. This research takes a new step forward in terms of billing, since it evaluates, compares and gives recommendations with the purpose of improving the actual water billing system,  thus increasing the awareness of citizens and decreasing water consumption in Spanish housing. Although bills are only a means of transmission, considering that it is a receipt of a service, they are subject to certain legal restrictions that, in the case of Spain, are established by Royal Decree 87/2005 [42]. This document indicates the minimum data that bills should contain, such as the invoice number, name and surname, and so on. In addition, there is a part that is considered appropriated to give better customer service. Like the study, it also aims to provide a system that will bring improvement and innovation in the sompany. A study entitled â€Å"Smart Water Systems† present a new approach to promote water security with uncertain but significant future risks from population growth, hydrological variability and extreme events, and intensifying water allocation demands across water supply, agriculture, industry and ecosystems. Strategic and transparent water resource decision making is central for water security to be achieved. This is in turn contingent upon the accurate, timely and reliable collection and communication of information relating to water abstractions and use, and the primary resource base. With mobile networks expanding globally across national territories, SWS offer a mechanism to capture and communicate data  on water resources through hydro-informatic systems on abstraction from surface water and groundwater, soil moisture content, storage  levels and network leaks or theft. By generating accurate and reliable data, SWS deployed at scale can drive a step change in water sector accountability and transparency, thereby improving governance, reducing risk and ultimately creating a new business case for water sector investment. Partnerships across mobile network operators, water service providers, regulators and investors will be needed to realize the full potential of SWS and catalyse further innovations. In a study in India, the Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board introduced a spot billing scheme for billing its water connections. This helped reduce the billing cycle from three weeks to one day, which in turn resulted in increased cash flow (Agarwal 2008). The Board initially outsourced the billing function to a private party that had relevant experience. Through handheld data logger machines, staff employed by the private party can generate bills on the spot and deliver them to customers. The scheme has been in operation for about 70 per cent of the Board’s service area. In the long run, the Board aimed to hand over the bill generation activity through spot billing to its own meter readers. The Board undertook some restructuring of its current staff, and redeployment and rationalisation of their work schedules. Like our study, the aim of this proposed system is to improve the company’s performance, to lessen the problems and to provide an effective billing sytem.

The Sullivans matrix report Essays

The Sullivans matrix report Essays The Sullivans matrix report Essay The Sullivans matrix report Essay Sullivans matrix introduces different ways to classify the IT/IS environment of an organisation. Within this matrix, there are four environments: Traditional, Opportunistic, Complex and Backbone. The idea of this report is to describe how the IS/IT environment of Inditex fits into Sullivans matrix. According to Ward Peppard (2002) organisations with a traditional IT/IS environment have a highly centralised control of their IT resources. IS is not critical to the business and IT is solely used to improve efficiency on a system-by-system basis. McAfee (2004) raises many points in his article to suggest that the IT/IS of Inditex fits into this Traditional environment. Inditex see IT as merely an enabler for their business. McAfee (2004) confirms this theory as he states that The role of IT, then, is to support the process (McAfee, 2004). Ward Peppard state that within a Traditional environment, IT is simply used to support business processes and to improve the efficiency of the organisation. Another point which supports the theory is that Inditex have an excellent IT and business alignment. business goals always shape the companys use of technology, never vice versa (McAfee, 2004). This portrays Inditex as being entirely business-led where organisational goals invariably define technological innovation. This ethos confirms their desire not to waste money on new systems which do not provide a business value or solution to a specific business problem. McAfee relates to this theory as an inside-out approach. To sum up the arguments, Inditex has one principle which fully shows that their IT/IS environment is Traditional: computerisation is standardised and targeted. You can see this on the low IT budget which is estimated 0. 5% of revenue and the IT staff of 50. Despite Inditexs focus on the Traditional environment, there are also subtle undertones of Sullivans other three IT/IS environments displayed within the organisation. For example, there are factors which show that elements of Inditexs IT/IS environment is Complex. They are dependent on their PDAs which can also be difficult to manage. In addition they are also largely decentralized, because each store manager has to manage his PDA. This is also the case with regards to their POS systems. Inditex is a company with branches around the world. This makes it difficult to manage each POS in every store. In some points, the IT/IS environment of Inditex also displays Opportunistic aspects. In the case of Inditex the attributes for a Complex and Opportunistic environment are very similar. However, one of the more important factors to consider is the teamwork and cooperation conducted within Inditex. Their success is mainly based on the decision making abilities of their staff. This strategy is ensured as technologists work with line managers to understand what the business requires and then start proposing solutions which shows that the workforce is closely integrated and dependent more upon teamwork and decision making than IT capabilities. This type of culture is defined by Ward Peppard (2002) as being an Opportunistic trait as they state that integration of systems occurs due to user-user cooperation occurs within this type of environment. We also examined whether Inditex had aspects of a Backbone IS/IT environment. This may be a factor as the business processes are highly customised, thus the stores may be dependent on PDAs for instance. However, we do not have enough information from the article to be sure whether traits of the Backbone environment exist within their structure. In the late 1990s when other organisations spent vast sums of money on new technologies, Inditex withheld a Traditional framework. Great success has ultimately been achieved while The relative absence of computers throughout Inditex is nothing short of amazing (McAfee, 2004). Inditex has minimized the use of technology to their business needs and therefore they perform efficiently. In our opinion it is not important to classify which IT/IS environment Inditex has. It is more important that the IT/IS environment matches the business environment and the business needs so that IT can become a value creator in the organisation. There are different types of information, which organisations have to handle. Examples of such information types include business process information (which documents any information about the processes of the organisation), information relating to physical-world observations (which relies on new technologies like GPS or RFID) and biological data containing biometrical information of their customers or employees. Government institutions also use public data like CCTV for public surveillance but the most important data types are those which indicates personal preferences or intentions which is often used by those within the retail market. Once these types of information have been collated, an organisational culture must be established to determine the way in which information should be stored, managed and shared within the organisation to adhere to the goals and objectives set out within the information strategy. Essential for the success of any information management strategy is the existence of an appropriate information culture. An information culture can be defined as the values, attitudes and behaviours that influence the way employees at all levels in the organization sense, collect, organize, process, communicate and use information. (Ward Peppard, 2002 p470) There are four types of information culture defined by Marchand (1995): Functional Culture Within this culture it is the managers prerogative regarding which information is made available to the staff. It also follows a hierarchical structure regarding information sharing. Sharing Culture In this culture there is flat structure which is utilised to encourage trust and openness in order to share information between management and staff members. This culture is based on emotions such as trust which can be either advantageous or detrimental to the operation of the organisation or department as these emotions can frequently change. Enquiring Culture This culture may be used as an effective prediction to provide guidance for future developments. It is based on a sharing culture where managers and staff collaborate while it enables the organisation to reduce the time-to-market of their products. Discovery Culture This culture adds to the enquiring culture and focuses on analysing the gathered information. This helps to provide the organisation with a view of changing environments, competitor performance, areas of possible expansion and potential market entry for the future etc. These cultures are mostly found as combinations in organisations. Organisations have different information assets and their staff members have different information needs. Therefore, in order to use these information assets appropriately you need a customised culture which is aligned to the information needs of the organisation. Tesco provide us with a good example of this cross-over in culture definition as information is generally produced at the managerial level and distributed amongst the workforce while it can also be shared amongst line managers and employees at all levels throughout the organisation. An enquiring culture is also used to develop certain areas of the business to enable future profitability while a discovery culture is in place for Tescos attempted entry into markets such as insurance, banking and Internet broadband. All of these points convey Tesco as a multi-culture organisation where different sectors of their business follow different cultures. As we have discussed, the behaviours and attitudes of a workforce can have a profound effect on the success of an organisations performance. For this reason, the information culture must match the requirements of employees in order to facilitate a successful information strategy. Trust and receptiveness are just two behavioural traits which must be monitored in order for employee acceptance. The importance of considering these factors is agreed by Ferguson et al. who state that sustainable competitive advantage will rely on two very human characteristics: insight and trust (Ferguson et al. , 2005 p58). From this point, we can conclude that the consideration of human aspects is vital for the strategic success of information and without an information culture, it can be very difficult to monitor and influence the behaviour and attitudes of the workforce. References Ferguson, G., Mathur, S., Shah, B. (2005). Evolving From Information to Insight. MIT Sloan Management Review, 46(2), 51-58. Marchand, D.A. (1995, 8 December). What is your companys information culture? Financial Times, pp. 10-11. Ward, J., Peppard, J. (2002). Strategic Planning for Information Systems. West Sussex, England: John Wiley Sons

Sample Personal Statement Essay Example

Sample Personal Statement Essay Example Sample Personal Statement Essay Sample Personal Statement Essay Essay Topic: In the Waiting Room The Piano Lesson As an undergraduate student at the University of New Mexico I have become increasingly aware of the complex network problems that I face as a citizen of the world. I have also realized the progress and success that I enjoy in the same capacity as the frontiers of medicine, technology and communication continue to expand. My desire to participate in the resolution of those problems and in the further expansion of those frontiers had inspired me to seek a degree in biology and entrance into a School of Dentistry. I intend to successfully complete program of dentistry and further my specialization in the area of endodontics. Upon completion of my degree programs I would like to return to the southwest region of the country to make my services available to the underserved population of the area. I would also like to spend some time serving the populations of Central and South America where I could gain invaluable experience and provide the much needed services of a specialist. My desire to enter the field of dentistry has grown as I’ve participated with professional oral health care providers in the field and observed a wide range of procedures. My interest in dentistry began early on as I was involved in orthodontics for eight years before undergoing corrective jaw surgery. I gained a deep appreciation and understanding of what people in need of such services are experiencing, as well as a great respect and admiration for the professionals of that field. Through the practice of dentistry I desire to have a positive supportive impact on the lives of those I serve, as I experienced in my own life through my oral healthcare providers. I also desire to be a respected, contributing member of the community, and I feel that the field of dentistry will afford me such opportunities as I participate in it. I will be successful in dental school because of my dedication to the pursuit of academic excellence and my desire to succeed. I have gained experience in public speaking through my various service and academic activities and enjoy meeting and dealing with people, which will serve me in dental school and as a professional healthcare provider. I have increased my fine motor skills and manual dexterity through my study of guitar, which will also aide me in pursuit of a DDS degree. My service as a missionary in Mexico gave me a better understanding of the world and of life as I worked with people in many different situations. I struggled and succeeded in my search for ways to serve and help people in a language, land and culture that was not my own. Those experiences have given me needed skills and attributes to become a successful servant of the community and participant in the dental community. I have repeatedly shown my determination in the environment of the university as I have faced and conquered challenges. I was able to successfully return to the university after my two-year absence and have been successful each semester since in maintaining my scholarship. I have maintain my academic standing as I take full loads of course work and hold employment outside of class as well as sustain my family. I feel that I have been able to accomplish this because of the balance I seek as I participate in the academic, spiritual, social and family spheres of my life. Essay # 2 Author Accepted for 2006 Entering Class The smell alone used to make me nauseous. I could barely get through the front door before I would feel the hair at the base of my neck stand on end. I would sit uncomfortably in the waiting room chairs praying that my mom would have a change of heart to take me back home. This was the scene each and every time I had a dental appointment. Needless to say, I feared the dentist. My memories of the dentist are not highlighted with visits to the treasure box or the joy of picking out a new toothbrush. By the time I reached this part of the dental visit, I wanted nothing to do with anything that would keep me in the office even a second more. My first exposure to dentistry, out of the chair, came when I began babysitting for a dentist. He worked on the weekends, and his daughter and I would tag along. Initially I stayed as far away from the dentist chair as possible, but later, I became curious, and gradually observant. By the time I reached high school, I was intrigued by every aspect of dentistry. The procedures quickly turned from one of torment into something more familiar. Coming from a family of engineers and contractors, I recognized the doctor’s instruments because they were similar to tools I had grown up watching my father use. I began to think of dentistry as performing small scale construction in a small hole. Performing such intricate procedures while simultaneously utilizing my mind and hands both excited me and complimented my detail attentive personality. Since my interest first peaked, I have continued towards my goal to become a dentist, not only through high academic achievement, but with life experience. I obtained my dental radiography license and worked as a dental assistant during high school and was provided with the opportunity to observe a variety of dental procedures. I also gained exposure to the additional responsibilities of a dental professional ranging from the billing process to dealing with insurance companies. I got a glimpse of the organizational skills necessary to run a small business. I continued gaining experiences upon entering college by volunteering at a dental clinic that provides free services to the homeless. My service at this clinic has strengthened my desire to become a dentist. Volunteering at the homeless dental clinic has taught me the importance of dental hygiene and how it can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Most of the homeless patients have neglected their teeth for years, and realize that they need help. It is an amazing experience to watch the transformation in a person as their teeth are fixed. For most patients, it is a long process, and their self esteem visibly increases with each visit. By the end of the treatment, some finally have the confidence to get a job, and may return to let us know of their new found success. The personal contact incorporated with dentistry is appealing as it provides the opportunity to interact with individuals of diverse ages, cultures, and backgrounds. As a student and an employee I have to realize the importance of integrity, responsibility, and hard-work. I know that in order to earn the respect and trust of my patients, I must be dependable, energetic, and professional. I must have the confidence to take on the role of authority, while as the same time be willing to follow the lead of someone else if necessary. I have equipped myself with these necessary traits to be a successful dental student and professional through my classes, employment, and extracurricular activities. Working as an administrative assistance has equipped me with communication skills, and has taught me how to efficiently organize my time. Conversing with children with a mental illness while working as a mental health technician has built my character by improving my patience and revealing the traits necessary to earn the trust of others. Leading my university’s pre-dental society as president has taught me leadership skills and how to organize a group to work together. As a native New Mexican, I realize the states vast need for dental health care professionals, and would like to contribute by returning to the state after completion of my dental degree. Becoming a dentist has been my desire throughout both high school and college, and I have worked at becoming a well-round, educated, and experienced individual to achieve this goal. I have developed a strong work ethic, which, when combined with my choice of dentistry as a profession, has been greatly enhanced by the opportunities that I have had to work in this field. I firmly believe that I have built a foundation from with I will move forward to earn my dental degree. I am determined to success, and ready to begin this challenge. Essay # 3 Author Accepted for 2006 Entering Class I can vividly recall my grandfather opening his tool shed in hopes of inspiring his five year-old grandson to create something beautiful out of pieces of wood that were old and otherwise discarded. A passion for intricate artwork has seemingly always been a part of my life. Whether it is throwing a pot on a wheel or tying flies to mimic aquatic insects for the art of fly fishing, I have always loved to create pieces of art with my hands. A true love for intricate artistic work is a necessary and an essential characteristic of a dentist. I have devoted five years to playing guitar, and it has become part of my everyday life. Great manual dexterity is required to play the guitar, and this manual dexterity bears a direct correlation to dentistry. When trying to undertake a new musical piece, the initial excitement overwhelms me and accomplishing a beautiful musical piece provides great satisfaction. Similarly, in dentistry, when a patient has a problem, the dentist will assess and treat the individual. On many occasions, I have found that the dentist is eager to start the procedure and pleased with the work and the well being of the patient. It is my belief that dentists hands not only have the power to grasp the world but the power to change it. I feel that dentistry will afford me with the opportunity to do something I love, working with my hands. The manual dexterity involved in dentistry is only a fraction of what makes the profession wonderful. To a further extent, a dentist must have a humanistic instinct to provide care to others. As a college freshman, I volunteered every weekday of my summer as a literacy leader for Americorps. While volunteering as a literacy leader 40 hours a week at Cesar Chavez Community Center, I had the privilege of mentoring and teaching young boys how to read. Spanish happened to be the childrens first language and overcoming the language barrier became easier as I immersed myself deeper into the language. Teaching these children allowed me to develop a greater understanding of people and a trusting and caring relationship with each child. For the past three years, I have been part of Healthy Smiles, Special Smiles, and Give Kids A Smile Day. These three volunteer events give opportunities for the entire dental community to work together for the sake of childrens dental healthcare and I have established that this is important to me and my character. I have had many memorable experiences from these volunteer events and they have all taught me how to be kind, gentle, and comforting to the patients. I look forward to dedicating my time to such volunteer events as a dentist. In addition to these volunteer events, I also enjoy participating in extracurricular activities such as running, lifting weights, snowboarding, reading, and fly-fishing. All of these activities help me cope with stress and give me time to see where I fit in this world. For the past year, I have been working at Starbucks as a Barista. This job has shown me people from all walks of life and has given me a better understanding of people. Many people who come into Starbucks are fascinating and I enjoy learning about their lives. The social skills obtained from this job are an invaluable asset to my character. One of my greatest accomplishments has been being an active member of the Pre-Dental Society for my entire career at the University of New Mexico. It was my pleasure to be the Vice President of the Pre-Dental Society for the past year. I am currently the President of the Pre-Dental Society and look forward to the upcoming year. These two leadership positions have enriched my public speaking ability and given me the confidence to articulate my ideas clearly. Extracurricular activities give you a time to reflect on the type of person you are and the merit of your character and this, too, is important to me. These extracurricular activities have refined me as a person and given me new and satisfying experiences. There is something unique about dentistry that draws you in the more you immerse yourself into the profession. Maybe it is the dedication to excellence or the altruism that gives you a sense of belonging. Regardless of what brought me to dentistry, I am here to stay because it is where I belong. Essay # 4 Author Accepted for 2006 Entering Class. Activities that challenged my curious mind such as solving crossword puzzles and riddles thrilled me as a child, and my love for challenges expanded into other areas as I grew older. I began playing musical instruments at the age of six, beginning with the piano and ultimately moving on to the clarinet, which I have played for the past 9 years. The clarinet allowed me to achieve greater manual dexterity through countless hours of practice, as I have trained my hands to move carefully and precisely. There is no greater feeling than that of having mastered the fingering for a particularly difficult musical piece. Similarly, it will be necessary as a dentist to devote many hours perfecting the techniques essential for providing high-quality oral healthcare and I will feel great satisfaction in doing so. Not only should good dentists acquire great manual dexterity, but they should also have excellent hand-eye coordination. While helping a PhD student conduct research using Drosophila flies, I was required to manipulate the small specimen to identify their species, sex, and size. This experience permitted me the opportunity to improve on the eye-hand coordination skills that are crucial for good dentistry. The challenges I will confront throughout my course in dental school do not daunt me, but motivate me. It has always been exciting for me to take problems and solve them using my mind and my hands. Not only has the technical difficulty of playing an instrument satisfied me, but also the sheer beauty of the art form. Music has the ability to impact the emotions of people. I see a similar opportunity in dentistry to bring joy and happiness to peoples lives. By providing a person with the appropriate treatment, a person who has a low self-esteem due to untreated dental problems can be transformed into a person who has self-confidence. As a child, I had a terrible overbite and was in dire need of an orthodontist. The result of braces was more than a corrected bite. It yielded a higher self-esteem and a greater sense of self-confidence in me. I would like to provide others with the chance to have this same experience. Shadowing in many different dental offices allowed me to realize that all forms of dentistry can have this effect on patients, whether it was crowns from a general dentist or a set of dentures from a prosthodontist. Helping people psychologically is an additional result of what is most important, which is taking care of the patients overall oral health. One of the most influential moments that lead me to pursue a career in dentistry was the day a UNM Pre-Dental Society guest speaker discussed the underserved communities in New Mexico. I was astonished to learn that all but a few counties are in dire need of dentists. From that day forward I made it my personal goal to become a dentist so that I could help the people of New Mexico. Helping people has always been a part of my life. I have always enjoyed helping classmates with schoolwork as well as spending many hours teaching my younger sisters. In the past year, I was employed as a Biology/Chemistry tutor, which allowed me to help other students succeed. I have also been able to help others through community service and volunteer work such as annual clothing donations to homeless shelters, participating in volunteer events such as Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, Give Kids a Smile and Special Olympics Special Smiles. These events helped me to realize that I want to continue helping people in the future. Being elected Historian of the UNM Pre-Dental Society gives me yet another way to help other students, now in their pursuit of a dental career. I would like to have the opportunity to continue helping others through dentistry. The desire to help people was instilled in me by my family. They have always encouraged me to work hard and praised me for my accomplishments. As the first person in my family who will graduate from college, I can understand the importance of family encouragement in having accomplished this goal. In the future I would like to have my own family, providing the same encouragement I was so fortunate to have as a child. I will be successful in dental school because I possess perseverance. Being determined and persistent has helped me overcome many obstacles in the paths towards many goals in my life, and these attributes will prove just as beneficial in my pursuit of a dental career. Essay # 5 Author Accepted for 2006 Entering Class My name is â€Å"name of author. † I am twenty-four years old and have graduated from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. My studies were concentrated on Biology as my major, and Spanish as my minor. I was adopted from South Korea when I was seven months old. My family and I resided in Milwaukee, Wisconsin until I was four, then Chicago, Illinois until I was twelve. After that we lived in Glendive, Montana. I have a unique perspective of lifestyles and culture due to the diversity of the places that have shaped me and helped me become who I am today and they have defined what I want to pursue professionally, which is Dentistry. I have come to understand the importance of comparative and contrasting qualities. In Chicago, the city was the hub of civilization and in Montana the citizens relied on and lived for the land and cattle. Presently, in Albuquerque, I have come to love and appreciate the Southwest style and diverse culture. Everywhere that I have lived and traveled has taught me something new and offered irreplaceable life experiences. I chose the University of New Mexico because I wanted to be far enough away from home to be independent, and also because they offered majors in biology and dance. I was on the UNM dance team for three years. Throughout college my interests have expanded which is why I now still study Spanish as well as biology. After attending an exchange program to Trujillo, Spain, I plan to utilize the Spanish language in the dental practice. I have come to respect and love the now-thriving language in America. I plan to educate and assist people in upholding a condition of well being of every ethnicity and background. I am constantly seeking new experiences as well as responsibility and have been a resident advisor for two years and then a Student Head Resident for one year. This is my second year that I am an Area Coordinator in the residence halls. Working directly with student, faculty, staff, and peers, I know I thrive to work directly with many people in a personal setting. With the responsibilities of these occupations, I have also learned many managerial skills, which are applicable to the dental field. My family is an important aspect of my life. Since I am adopted I have learned that the value of a family is measured in love, not in bloodlines. My family has supported me in everything that I do, especially now as I apply to dental school. They have taught me trust, responsibility, respect, determination, honesty, and of course, love. With these attributes and the support from my family, I am confident in myself to further broaden and excel in the pursuit for an education in dentistry. I have been involved in a variety of activities throughout my life. These experiences have helped me to define who I am as a person and where I fit into society. Trying different activities has broadened my horizons and raised the expectation for myself. They have taught me how to learn and attempt to strive for my ultimate best. They have also taught me that trying new things is constantly a good lesson to remember throughout my life. The most important thing that I have taken from these different activities is the ability to narrow and define exactly what it is that I want to do with my life, which is working in the dental field. I started thinking about career choices while attending college; and while I have always had a passion for biology and the fact that it is the study of life, I have not had a desire to be a dentist since I was little. From my love for biology derived my compassion and drive to improve the quality of life for others. Having worked with people all my life, there is nothing I would rather do. The field of dentistry gives hope, confidence, and health to others. I want to give back to the community my erudition to better the lives for individuals and families in sustaining a soundness of body and mind. I am determined to do whatever it takes to excel in the field of Dentistry. Essay # 6 Author Accepted for 2007 Entering Class He gave me something valuable, something I could not have done for myself. That is how I felt each time I left my dentist’s office as a teenager. I wondered how the dentist must feel on the giving side of the relationship and I hoped to one day be in a profession that would allow me to help people daily in such a tangible way. As I matured and became more serious about choosing a profession during my college career, I realized that dentistry is exactly what I want to do with my life. In my preparation for a dental career, I have spent many hours observing this same dentist who inspired me years ago as he helps others maintain their dental and overall health. I clearly see the satisfaction that can be achieved by practicing dentistry. I have also been able to observe all the nine dental specialties (except radiology and pathology) seeing a wide variety of dental procedures ranging from simple fillings to more technical gingival grafts, osseous regeneration surgery, apicoectomy, veneer smile makeovers, etc. The more I see, the more eager I become to actively participate in such an exciting profession. Success in the dental field requires dedication, compassion, and the ability to work intimately and effectively with people. I am well prepared to take on this challenge. I have worked as a corporate trainer for a 500-employee quick-lube franchise in the Southwest for the past three years while completing a Bachelor of Business degree at the University of New Mexico. My professional experience continuously hones my interpersonal communication skills, public speaking skills, and leadership as I help manage a business and educate hundreds of people. As a corporate trainer, I have become more self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented through being responsible for designing company training programs, modifying company policies, and teaching new skills to managers and employees alike. I have also developed further dedication and commitment working to provide for a family while attending classes full time and participating in other extracurricular activities. Dentists frequently tell me that managing a practice is one of the activities they struggle with the most. My business background and strong interpersonal skills will enhance my ability to succeed in dentistry. I am serving as the Vice President of the New Mexico Pre-dental Society this coming year where I can use these skills to help New Mexico produce more dentists and reduce the state’s immense shortage. As a dentist I would like to be actively involved in advancing the profession and promoting improved oral health in my underserved state and our nation. My professional experience provides a strong foundation to achieve these goals. I spent two years living in remote areas of Brazil serving an ecclesiastical mission and learning to read, write, and speak fluent Portuguese. In Brazil I witnessed the great suffering caused by poor oral health. So many teenagers had mouths full of decayed permanent teeth, which must have caused great pain and loss of self esteem. They did not even have a way to get these teeth safely extracted. Access to dental care and proper oral hygiene education could have prevented nearly all these problems. I hope to someday participate in humanitarian health care programs in Brazil and I also know that there are far too many Americans with limited access to care. I plan to serve in one of the smaller towns of New Mexico to help alleviate this great need. For the past three years I have volunteered for a program called Taxhelp New Mexico where I did free tax preparation for low income and elderly families. I love working with people and enjoy the opportunity to teach them ways to save money on taxes. They leave so grateful and I get that same feeling that I gave them something valuable they could not do for themselves. I greatly enjoy teaching others and have already started to ponder ways to educate and motivate patients to better maintain their oral health. These, and many other events, have kindled my aspirations to become a dentist and have prepared me to be successful during and after dental school. Dentistry is a perfect way to combine my affinity for business, my passion for learning the biological sciences, and my desire to teach and serve others. I am anxious to achieve my goals and consider it a privilege to be starting a career in a field that is so respectable and that gives back so much to our communities.

Assess the Significance of the Role of Individuals in Reducing Racial

However, it cannot be disputed that, whatever his intentions had been, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation did provide just a glimpse of hope for African Americans; De Jure, the African Americans throughout America had freedom and were able to leave the slavery of Southern plantation owners. Why is it then, that De Facto, the years following the Civil War failed to provide this ‘new hope’ for Blacks and that racism discrimination continued for many years to come? The idea of Blacks developing the mind set they needed in order to fight for their freedom can be categorised as their ‘developing consciousness’. Throughout the 19th and 20th century, it was evident that Blacks had begun to realise that they too had rights and were entitled to the same as the Whites. Through the work of organisations such as the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People) and the Harlem Renaissance as well as individuals such as William Edward Burghardt (W. E. B) Du Bois; Blacks in American began developing their identity as a group and using this to fight back against the oppression of Whites. Du Bois was known as a vocal critic of Booker T Washington, being an educated Black- graduating from Fisk University in 1885 and studying history at Harvard University- he became the first African-American to receive a Ph. D. From Harvard. In order to develop Black Consciousness, Du Bois joined forces with the like minded activists of the NAACP. The NAACP’s main focal points were: The abolition of segregation; equal voting rights; educational opportunities for black people; the enforcement of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Despite the main focuses of the NAACPs campaigns, it could be argued that the main thing they did for the progress of Black Equality was the uniting of Blacks under one force; by 1918 there were around 43,994 members in the NAACP. This gathering of Blacks under one organisation cannot be ignored, for the first time the African-Americans of America were joining together in order to fight for their freedom. One key event which argues against the idea that individuals were significant in reducing racial discrimination is that of WWI; argued by Sander’s- â€Å"The First World War generated jobs and gave blacks soldiers a glimpse of greater equality†. The treatment of Blacks abroad- particularly France- showed the African-Americans that the treatment they were receiving at home was unfair and that they were indeed in a situation which needed to change. It is a hard task indeed to decide whether or Black Consciousness increased due to the work solely of individuals such as Du Bois, organisations like the NAACP or events like WWI. Many would argue that it was not a single one of these factors which led to the increase of Black’s realisation of potential. One argument however is that surely without individuals behind the organisations, the work and impact of the organisation is nothing? Individuals are able to lead, organise and even inspire; something that events and organisations are unable to do. The process of increased black nationalism is certainly one which cannot be overlooked; indeed it may not have achieved solid changes in law, and some go as far to say that it may have even hindered the advancement of Black Civil Rights. Despite this one could argue that the development of black nationalism catalysed the civil rights movement for many African Americans; installing a sense of pride inside the hearts of many which was drastically needed at the time. Before trying to pin any credible progress on the black nationalism movement it is first important to attempt to define ‘Black Nationalism’. A simple definition of it would be that it was an ideology which stresses the desire for separatism of the black race; â€Å"unity as a people, pride in African heritage, the creation of autonomous institutions and the search for a territory to build a nation† (Cone, 1991, 122). However the ideology of black nationalists varies greatly between individuals; a perfect example of this is Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. The two vary drastically between their methods in raising black nationalism. The methods and effectiveness of Malcolm X’s campaign for the improved lives of black Americans are up for questioning by many. Indeed his tactics were more radicalised than his non-violent counterpart Dr King: Malcolm X even stated in Washington, 1964 that â€Å"I’m here to remind the white man of the alternative to Dr King†. This statement could be seen to sum up the purpose of Malcolm X; due to the lack of credible change attached to him, one has to question whether his purpose was merely just to show what could happen (increased radicalisation and violence) if the demands of Dr King were not met. This lack of credible, positive actions and change by Malcolm X and his current organisation the Nation Of Islam is an idea which can be- and has been- argued in depth. One could argue that, in terms of De Jure, Malcolm X did not achieve anything significant and indeed many considered him to be irresponsible and negative; Thurgood Marshall even went as far as to say that the NOI was â€Å"run by a bunch of thugs†. Despite this, De Facto, one cannot simply ignore the fact that Malcolm X did indeed draw early attention to the awful conditions in the ghettos and according to the FBI, he was â€Å"The most successful recruiter for the Black Muslims†. This can be credited to Malcolm X being a Zeitgeist; he was able to tap into the spirit of the time and the feelings of the people, using this to draw the huge amounts of support he did for the Nation of Islam. Indeed it may be seen that a radical, passionate individual like Malcolm X was needed at that specific time for the black nationalism movement; it cannot be ignored that Martin Luther King was not at his most successful stage and the fire of black civil rights and nationalism which had been burning brightly was indeed beginning to burn dimmer or some might even say had gone out at the time. After looking at the impact in which individuals had on the civil rights movement and the contrast of events, one can still come back to the fundamentals of the debate; without an individual to start an organisation or instigate an event surely no progress at all would have been made? If one is able to look at the larger picture of the progress made in reducing racial discrimination in the years Assess the Significance of the Role of Individuals in Reducing Racial However, it cannot be disputed that, whatever his intentions had been, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation did provide just a glimpse of hope for African Americans; De Jure, the African Americans throughout America had freedom and were able to leave the slavery of Southern plantation owners. Why is it then, that De Facto, the years following the Civil War failed to provide this ‘new hope’ for Blacks and that racism discrimination continued for many years to come? The idea of Blacks developing the mind set they needed in order to fight for their freedom can be categorised as their ‘developing consciousness’. Throughout the 19th and 20th century, it was evident that Blacks had begun to realise that they too had rights and were entitled to the same as the Whites. Through the work of organisations such as the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People) and the Harlem Renaissance as well as individuals such as William Edward Burghardt (W. E. B) Du Bois; Blacks in American began developing their identity as a group and using this to fight back against the oppression of Whites. Du Bois was known as a vocal critic of Booker T Washington, being an educated Black- graduating from Fisk University in 1885 and studying history at Harvard University- he became the first African-American to receive a Ph. D. From Harvard. In order to develop Black Consciousness, Du Bois joined forces with the like minded activists of the NAACP. The NAACP’s main focal points were: The abolition of segregation; equal voting rights; educational opportunities for black people; the enforcement of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Despite the main focuses of the NAACPs campaigns, it could be argued that the main thing they did for the progress of Black Equality was the uniting of Blacks under one force; by 1918 there were around 43,994 members in the NAACP. This gathering of Blacks under one organisation cannot be ignored, for the first time the African-Americans of America were joining together in order to fight for their freedom. One key event which argues against the idea that individuals were significant in reducing racial discrimination is that of WWI; argued by Sander’s- â€Å"The First World War generated jobs and gave blacks soldiers a glimpse of greater equality†. The treatment of Blacks abroad- particularly France- showed the African-Americans that the treatment they were receiving at home was unfair and that they were indeed in a situation which needed to change. It is a hard task indeed to decide whether or Black Consciousness increased due to the work solely of individuals such as Du Bois, organisations like the NAACP or events like WWI. Many would argue that it was not a single one of these factors which led to the increase of Black’s realisation of potential. One argument however is that surely without individuals behind the organisations, the work and impact of the organisation is nothing? Individuals are able to lead, organise and even inspire; something that events and organisations are unable to do. The process of increased black nationalism is certainly one which cannot be overlooked; indeed it may not have achieved solid changes in law, and some go as far to say that it may have even hindered the advancement of Black Civil Rights. Despite this one could argue that the development of black nationalism catalysed the civil rights movement for many African Americans; installing a sense of pride inside the hearts of many which was drastically needed at the time. Before trying to pin any credible progress on the black nationalism movement it is first important to attempt to define ‘Black Nationalism’. A simple definition of it would be that it was an ideology which stresses the desire for separatism of the black race; â€Å"unity as a people, pride in African heritage, the creation of autonomous institutions and the search for a territory to build a nation† (Cone, 1991, 122). However the ideology of black nationalists varies greatly between individuals; a perfect example of this is Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. The two vary drastically between their methods in raising black nationalism. The methods and effectiveness of Malcolm X’s campaign for the improved lives of black Americans are up for questioning by many. Indeed his tactics were more radicalised than his non-violent counterpart Dr King: Malcolm X even stated in Washington, 1964 that â€Å"I’m here to remind the white man of the alternative to Dr King†. This statement could be seen to sum up the purpose of Malcolm X; due to the lack of credible change attached to him, one has to question whether his purpose was merely just to show what could happen (increased radicalisation and violence) if the demands of Dr King were not met. This lack of credible, positive actions and change by Malcolm X and his current organisation the Nation Of Islam is an idea which can be- and has been- argued in depth. One could argue that, in terms of De Jure, Malcolm X did not achieve anything significant and indeed many considered him to be irresponsible and negative; Thurgood Marshall even went as far as to say that the NOI was â€Å"run by a bunch of thugs†. Despite this, De Facto, one cannot simply ignore the fact that Malcolm X did indeed draw early attention to the awful conditions in the ghettos and according to the FBI, he was â€Å"The most successful recruiter for the Black Muslims†. This can be credited to Malcolm X being a Zeitgeist; he was able to tap into the spirit of the time and the feelings of the people, using this to draw the huge amounts of support he did for the Nation of Islam. Indeed it may be seen that a radical, passionate individual like Malcolm X was needed at that specific time for the black nationalism movement; it cannot be ignored that Martin Luther King was not at his most successful stage and the fire of black civil rights and nationalism which had been burning brightly was indeed beginning to burn dimmer or some might even say had gone out at the time. After looking at the impact in which individuals had on the civil rights movement and the contrast of events, one can still come back to the fundamentals of the debate; without an individual to start an organisation or instigate an event surely no progress at all would have been made? If one is able to look at the larger picture of the progress made in reducing racial discrimination in the years