Examining the need for more fully accredited Schools of Architecture Essay - 1

Examining the need for more fully accredited Schools of Architecture in historically Black Colleges & Universities - Essay Example wer, and with the empowerment that these high learning institutions would give to the blacks, there were high chances that the blacks would no longer hear a thing that the white man said and thus cease to be their slaves (Gasman, and Tudico, 2008). The history of the start of historically black colleges and universities dates back in the mid and early 19th century. The first ever black colleges and universities were started secretly and they used to be located in hidden places such as basements of churches and box cars. This was a strategic move by the pioneers of these black colleges and universities so as to avoid the discovery of the white population of the existence of these colleges. Naturally, these colleges and universities started to grow and with the urge of more blacks seeking a higher education berth, more and more historically black universities started cropping up. Some of the pioneers of these universities, referring to the starters, include Mary M. Bethune, a desire of education that was inspired to open up a college with limited funds of less than $2 and less than 10 students back in the early 1900s. Currently, historically black colleges can boast of having brought up some of the black scholars that exist. The se include; W.E.D Du Bois, who went through Fisk University, Toni Morrison, who went through Howard University and the great revolutionist, Martin Luther King, Jr. who went through Morehouse College. To date, there are more than 106 colleges that can be accredited as historically black colleges and universities spread through the entire United States of America. As a result of the history behind the start of these historically black colleges and universities, most of them don’t boast of fully accredited high end courses that are being offered in them. In this case, high end courses refer to the courses that are considered in high esteem among the professional or career circles. These include courses such as medicine, architecture, courses

HIM 330 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

HIM 330 - Essay Example necessary for requirements elicitation, based on the above stated problem, and finally, the paper will give an example of catastrophic software failure resulting from bad feasibility study. The different aspects of feasibility studies to be looked at include schedule feasibility, economic feasibility, technical feasibility and operational feasibility. Operational feasibility will be conducted by looking at whether the users like the new system, whether the users have to be trained first, whether users will be demanded to have some new ways of operating and whether customers will be comfortable with the new systems. If training will be required, it is important for the company to evaluate its cost, so that it does not become a huge economic burden. If the system will assure patients of security and privacy of their medical records, then it will be feasible. Therefore, each of these has to be evaluated. As far as the technical feasibility is concerned, the company has to evaluate whether it has enough network, software and hardware resources to establish the system. Apart from having these resources, it also has to see whether it has the necessary technical expertise. The functionality, performance and environmental consequences of the available resources also have to be evaluated. If the company will find it hard to get all these requirements, then it may not be feasible for it to go ahead with the setting up of the system. If the resources will not work well with the existing systems or if they will have environmental effects, then the project may not be feasible. Under economic feasibility, the company will be required to estimate consultation expenses, the cost of facility and the estimated cost of not putting in place the system so as to weigh whether the cost of developing it is higher than that of not developing it. If it can reduce the labor cost, then it is feasible. Last, as far as schedule feasibility, the company has to determine whether there are

The Mafia Theory Essay Example for Free

The Mafia Theory Essay David E. Scheim has published two books claiming that the Mafia were responsible for the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He believes that it was organized by Carlos Marcello, Santos Trafficante and Jimmy Hoffa. This theory is based on the idea that the Mafia were angry with both John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy for their attempts to destroy organized crime. Scheims theory was supported by Trafficantes lawyer, Frank Ragano, who published the book Mob Lawyer, in 1994. The theory is also supported by the investigative journalist, Jack Anderson. G. Robert Blakey, chief counsel and staff director to the House Select Committee on Assassinations from 1977 to 1979, published The Plot to Kill the President in 1981. In the book Blakey argues that Lee Harvey Oswald was involved but believes that there was at least one gunman firing from the Grassy Knoll. Blakey came to the conclusion that the Mafia boss, Carlos Marcello, organized the assassination. Anthony Summers is the author of The Kennedy Conspiracy. He believes that Kennedy was killed by a group of anti-Castro activists, funded by Mafia mobsters that had been ousted from Cuba. Summers believes that some members of the CIA took part in this conspiracy. In his book, JFK: The Second Plot (1992), Matthew Smith points out that Thomas H. Killam, a man who worked for Jack Ruby, claimed that there was a link between his former employer, Lee Harvey Oswald and the Mafia. He told his brother, I am a dead man, but I have run as far as I am running. Killam was found dead in an alley with his throat cut in March, 1964. In October, 1991, Chauncey Holt confessed to John Craig, Phillip Rogers and Gary Shaw about his role in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He claimed Peter Licavoli, a leading figure in the Mafia in Detroit, had organized the conspiracy and named Charlie Nicoletti, Charles Harrelson and Charles Rogers as the gunmen. In 1992 the nephew of Sam Giancana published Double Cross: The Story of the Man Who Controlled America. The book attempted to establish that Giancana had rigged the 1960 Presidential election vote in Cook County on John Kennedys behalf, which effectively gave Kennedy the election. It is argued that Kennedy reneged on the deal and therefore Giancana had him killed. The next crime figure to confess to the crime was James Files. He claimed that two Mafia leaders, Sam Giancana and Johnny Roselli organized the assassination. Charlie Nicoletti was identified as the other gunman.

Genetically Modified and Organic Foods: Pros and Cons

Genetically Modified and Organic Foods: Pros and Cons Introduction Without modern food production methods, the world food shortage would be in even more of a crisis today. The controversial issue regarding organic and modern mass production methods such as genetic modification, chemical additives and irradiation is a big issue in the global food industry. The global food shortage crisis is gaining momentum as the world is exposed to environmental disasters and the devastating effects of global warming. A solution may come from the growing Genetically Modified (GM) food industry or are the long term effects of GM food too much of a risk. They are increasingly penetrating the market and are replacing the natural, organic foods. Technology has taken over our lives and lifestyles and GM foods are evidence of a desperate attempt to keep up with the crippling population growth worldwide and the lack of equal food dispersion thereof. The controversy of the issue is weighted by the reality of the global food shortage crisis. What are Organic Foods? Over the years the term has changed to accommodate the new species of crops and varieties of animals. The original definition would be food that has not been altered in any by the use of technology or man-made activities. The foods have been grown in naturally fertilised soil, meaning that there is an absence of chemicals such as pesticides or herbicides. The crops then grow naturally by photosynthesis and they are then harvested, processed (cleaning, etc.) packaged and distributed. There are very limited amount of chemical additives such as preservatives, colourants, flavourants despite popular beliefs but they are not exposed to irradiation or radurisation. In terms of livestock and animal produce, the animals are nurtured for in a natural environment such as one that resembles their natural habitat. They are free to roam around and salvage food such as free range chickens are allowed to roam and peck for food. The animal feed is not pumped with synthetic growth hormones or antibio tics or genetically modified organisms. Organic foods are supposed to be the biological, natural and traditional crops or animals that have been around since the dawn of time. Customary farming styles have changed but the organic principles have stayed the same. Fresh organic food This classifies food that has not been processed and is sold at produce store such as Everfresh, Fruit Veg City or small stales. The produce is bought from independent, small scale sellers that are usually the farmers of the produce. This usually categorises fresh fruit and vegetables but it can be used to classify fresh meat. However in todays technological society, fresh produce is not always organic. Loose fruit and vegetables are also in produce stores so the best way to identify organic produce is by reading labels. Another indication of organic produce is knowing what seasons the fruits or vegetables usually grow and are harvested. Price is also an additional indication. Organic produce is usually more expensive. Processed organic food These foods are found in grocery stores such as Spar or Woolworths. These foods have a high percentage of organic foods and do contain a limited amount of non artificial flavours or additives. The foods are preserved using natural preservatives such as high amounts of salt or sugar. They are also under strict restraints regarding their processing. They may also tend to be more expensive and have a shorter shelf life than non-organic processed products. Pros and cons of organic production The organic food industry has boomed by 70% worldwide and in some countries a higher percentage of people have tapped into the organic food industry due to health concerns and the alleged health benefits of organic food. The pros and cons are the issues that consumers are weighing every time they go shopping or order a meal or consume something. The organic food industry capitalise on the fact that their food is a lot healthier than GM foods or non-organic foods but that is not always the case. Pros of organic food production Organic food is generally good for the environment and our health but this varies according to the farm style, produce and scale of the farm. There are several reasons for this. Organic farms do not use synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or chemicals when farming. This means that the crops can develop their own natural photochemicals via photosynthesis and protect themselves from insects and weeds. This means that they are naturally fortified with antioxidants, minerals and macro and micro vitamins. They have to fight off their natural predators and this environmental stress ensures that we will consume crops with more vitamins and antioxidants without the health risk of chemical residues. The use of manure and compost is economical and completely natural. The lack or minuscule use of artificial chemicals means that there is a much lower risk of contracting illnesses introduced by the unnatural chemicals. For example pesticides are known to have detrimental effects on our health ranging from minor discomforts like headaches to breast cancer. The chemicals are also damaging to developing foetuses (as the pesticides cross the placenta and their immune system is undeveloped) and pregnant women (as their organs and body systems are already under stress). They can also cause Parkinsons disease. Antibiotics are not used in animal farming feeds meaning that their meat or produce do not contain the antibiotics but they use their natural immune systems to fight diseases. The antibiotics can cause long term health complications. The antibiotics used are very similar to ones used for human use thus means that the body will receive an over dose will cause harmful bacteria in our body to evolve and mute into a new drug resistant species. Growth hormones are not used in animal feeds or pumped into their bodies. This means that they will develop naturally and mature when they are biologically supposed to. The health effects of these can only be truly seen in the long term but some are evident today. Girls and boys are maturing before their time and there are more random hormonal, birth and growth defects than before. Additives and preservatives such as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), hydrogenised fats, colourants and artificial sweeteners are not present in organic foods. They have been proven to be detrimental to human health. The lack of synthetic pesticides means that organic farming in not harmful to indigenous wildlife. It encourages vast range of biodiversity and a balanced ecosystem. Crop rotation promotes soil nutrition and a diversity of crops to grow. The nutrient demand varies according to the plant and this means that the soil has time to replenish itself or by the use of nitrifying plants or cover crops such as legumes and beans or clovers. They also introduce new, beneficial insects to the ecosystem to kill off pests. Crop rotation also promotes a stronger top soil therefore reducing soil erosion ad harmful chemicals from being washed into rivers and streams hence contaminating valuable drinking water and lower levels of heavy metals from polluting, clean drinking water. Animals are in a free range environment meaning that they will develop muscles and strong bones and immune systems and their natural diet will enable them to live healthy, normal lifestyles. Organic farms produce less waste and are more energy efficient and use less energy. Organic farms do not need highly skilled workers or very expensive equipment. Cons of organic food production Despite the numerous benefits there are some concerning problems with organic foods but they too vary according to the farm produce and the size of the farm. The shelf life of organic foods is much shorter than GM or mass produced products because the lack of additives and preservatives decreases their shelf life (especially fruit and vegetables). Organic foods are a lot more expensive than commercial or mass produced foods in some cases 50%-100% more expensive. The organic industry marketing is largely based on the health benefits of organic food so some products may claim to be organic but do not meet the standards and cheat people out of their money. The limited amounts of chemicals will still have detrimental effects in the long term. There is said to be no proven results that there is a substantial difference between nutritional benefits with organic foods and fortified commercial foods such as commercially grown cereals or juices. The natural manure used may contain harmful bacteria such as the E. coli bacterium which is fatal to human health if not treated. The farms also give off of gases (e.g. methane) that are harmful to the environment. Organic foods are not produced on a very big scale such as mass scale production so their yield is much lower and would not be able to keep up with high demand for food. Hence the expense. Organic foods may not look as appealing or appetising as commercially grown products or GM foods. Crop rotation is not subject to organic farming and it is not as energy efficient as it claims. No-till farming is a commercial farming technique and uses the least energy. (The process however uses herbicides to clear the land eliminating the need to till or manage the land.) The farming styles may be too outdated and need improvement to adapt to the changing environment. Organic farming may not ensure food security to a mass population or sustain food fashions or trends. It is heavily dependant on seasonal change and weather so supplies are inconstant. Organic farming is tedious and hard work and requires space. What chemicals are used to aid the production and supply foods? Additives and preservatives are used largely in mass production products. They are added to food products to enhance taste, colour, and texture or to preserve the food in order for it to have an increased shelf life. This makes the food more aesthetically appealing and or even taste better than usual. They are substances that are purposely added to food during the handling, processing or manufacturing stages of food. This is a selling gimmick but some additives are beneficial but they also have negative health effects. Examples of additives are Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most common additives in savoury foods and tartazine (E102) is a yellow colouring also used in a variety of products. They are known to cause or aggravate allergies or even respiratory problems like asthma. Functions that the chemicals perform MSG enhances the flavour and taste of savoury foods. It is a white crystalline substance that dissolves well into a variety of foods. It causes allergic reactions like swelling lips and vomiting. Tartazine (E102) is used to colour food yellow, like in margarine. It has been linked with asthma and hyperactivity in children. Additives generally: Are effective against combating a variety of microorganisms Are not toxic to humans and animals (if taken in the right dosage) Are Water soluble (dissolve well in water) Add nutrient value Are not damaged by temperature changes or bacteria Do not affect the natural components of food. (Flavour, aroma, etc.) Are economical What is genetic modification? Genetic modification is the process of technologically changing the genetic information of an organism to achieve a desired result. The biotechnology used or genetic engineering to create genetically modified crops or Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) entails extracting desirable genes from one organism and fusing them with another to create a new, improved breed or species of plant. The GM crops are then cultivated and introduced into the market. The traits make them more desirable and penetrate the market easily. They are therefore cheaper, last longer and have an enhanced nutritional value. In animals it enhances their productivity and quality of feed and produce (hormones, etc). Genetic modification is a complex practice laws need to be implemented such as the South African GMO Act (1997) that controls and monitors activity regarding GMOs. It is administrated by the National Department of Agriculture consisting of committee members from government bodies. GM was introduced to reach the high and strenuous demands for food because of the rapidly exploding global population. The food shortage crisis has however worsened over the years and people are turning more towards GM products as a faster and cheaper solution as opposed to conventional or organic products. There are concerns about health effects and are GM foods just as detrimental if not worse than commercial mass produced products. Is it the baddie that its reputation suggests? Despite the widespread support for GM foods there is a large community that strongly feels that they will cause more problems than solutions and that they are just prolonging the list of causes of human death. Arguments in favour of GM products: It is an advancement of traditional breeding to keep up with the increasing food demands. GM crops use fewer chemicals than commercially grown or mass produced crops making them just as health as organic foods. They have a high yield and their yield is constant. There is no sound evidence that GM production has an undesirable effect on the environment. Developing countries need the crops to feed their populations and are adopting the technology or receiving it as aid from first world or developed countries. It is quick, cheaper and less maintenance than wide scale farming or organic farming as it needs less space and fewer costs (chemicals, manure etc.) Arguments against GM products: There is a scarcity of scientific testing results of the short term or long term effects of GM products. There is not enough technology and funding in the world to sustain everybody in the long term. The GM foods may contain versatile toxins unknown to man at the present time. GM crops will lead to a lack of biodiversity and a decrease the indigenous crops or animals having a negative environmental effect. They could increase susceptibility to allergens. The alterations of genes could also alter genes in our own bodies and pass them on to further generations. There are major ethical issues regarding GM foods. It is unclear as to whether or not GM foods are as bad as they are said to be but they seem to be the only working solution so far to combat the food social shortage global crisis. The need for GM foods is clear but the risk of eating genetically altered food is too high. The luxury of eating new fruits like grapples is inviting but the price of future generations health is alarming. GM foods are becoming a hazard posing as a luxury but if their constraints are limited they could serve a beneficial purpose such as alleviating the food shortage crisis. Genetic modification could be a food fashion or fad but judging by its popularity it is here to stay. What is radurisation? Radurisaton, also known as irradiation is the treatment of food using very short light or radio waves. This improves the foods shelf life, safety and its suitability. Electromagnetic radiation is the umbrella term for the different types of waves used scientifically. The Gamma rays are the shortest waves in the electromagnetic spectrum and they are used to irradiate the food. The rays infiltrate deep into the food and kill bacteria or insects as their biological cells are sensitive to the radiation. The waves can also retard potatoes from sprouting. The waves are generated by a specially treated metal called Cobalt 60 that is encased between double layers of metal rods; because of the dangers of gamma rays the radurisation takes place under strictly controlled conditions. Different dosages are used according to the desired effect, if food is to be pasteurised than the dosage is less than equipment that needs to be sterilised. It is very popular and it is authorized by a number of international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the American Medical Association. It is locally supported by The Department of Health. According to Act 54 of 1972 (in South Africa) all irradiated foodstuffs must be labelled properly showing the Radura symbol and only if approved by the Minister of Health or the Director General. The maximum dosage is 10 kiloGrey, exceeding this will be violating international regulations. The Radura Symbol What foods are irradiated? There are a variety of foods that are irradiated especially raw or highly sensitive foods that can be contaminated easily. They are divided into different classes starting from 1-11; the higher the class the more complex the application (the table attached illustrates this). A few of the common food stuffs are: Wheat Maize Spices and herbs Fruits (e.g. strawberries) Vegetables (e.g. cauliflower) Meat (raw or frozen) Poultry Fresh garlic Honey Tubers, bulbs and roots (e.g. potatoes) What are the pros and cons of irradiation? Pros of irradiation: It eliminates or reduces the amount of disease causing organisms in the food and other harmful bacteria. (e.g. salmonella, E. coli, listeria, etc.) It replaces the use of potentially harmful chemicals used to fumigate insects from crops. Irradiation meets international and national quarantine standards. It extends the shelf life of food especially raw fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry. It is a safe and effective method for treating food. The food does not become radioactive. Cons of irradiation: There is a minor reduction in vitamin content during irradiation. It cannot improve spoilt foods Foods with a high percentage of fat change colour when they are irradiated. It does not improve or enhance the taste or appearance of the food. It can cause unpleasant flavours in certain foods. Skilled workers can only work with the equipment The equipment is expensive and needs regular maintenance Analysis of results Who was interviewed? I tried to choose a spectrum of candidates raining in age hence affecting their lifestyle choices. I surveyed: Parents Scholars Friends Members of the Ballito community Children The results that I acquired are more or less what I had expected. There was an equal balance between the questions as to whether or not people agreed with the statement but I was surprised to see that 5out of the 15 people did not think that there was a global food shortage crisis. A lot of people did not have a vegetable garden which I had thought was a fad and more and more people felt safer when they ate their own produce. 10 out of the 15 people knew what genetic modification was and the same results were obtained when 10 out of the 15 people choose the correct definition for organic food. There is a trend regarding people being more aware of organic food and how influential food labels are and the effect on the environment. 10 out of 15 people were willing to spend more money on organic foods which is more evidence that organic food is becoming a big part of peoples lifestyle choices. 0 out of the 15 people did not know what the Radura symbol indicated so it shows that there is a lack of consumer knowledge. Ultimately the general result regarding the controversial issue of GM foods relieving the food shortage crisis was that people strongly supported this theory with 10 people choosing yes, 4 people choosing no and one person choosing not applicable. The following tables and graphs diagrammatically represent a few of the results from the survey: What are organic foods? What is Genetic modification? Number of people who choose the correct definition:Â  10 Number of people who choose the correct definition: 0 Number of people who choose the wrong definition:Â  5 Total:15 Do GM foods influence your food choice? Do organic foods influence your food choice? Number of people who choose: Yes 7 Number of people who choose: No 6 Number of people who choose: Not applicable 2 Total:Â  15 Are you willing to spend more money on organic foods? Number of people who choose: Yes 10 Number of people who choose: No 5 Number of people who choose: Not applicable 0 Total:Â  15 Do you have a vegetable garden? Number of people who choose: Yes 6 Number of people who choose: No 9 Number of people who choose: Not applicable 0 Total: 15 Do you think GM foods could alleviate the food shortage crisis? Number of people who choose: Yes Number of people who choose: No Number of people who choose: Not applicable Do you believe that there is a global food shortage crisis? Number of people who choose: Yes Number of people who choose: No Number of people who choose: Not applicable Personal opinion The information is reliable and valid as people answered the survey individually and they were anonymous and so they felt more flexible and honest with their answers. The results were bias in that all the candidates where from a similar financial background and had access to more consumer information. The survey results did match with the literature results that I obtained. They were the same in terms of the lack of consumer knowledge and the growing trend of people moving towards organic foods for supposed health reasons. A lot of people thought that the organic farms had a good environmental impact but they were wrong so the information given to the public is not always fact making it misleading. Suggestions on how to improve the investigation The investigation was extensive and needed a lot of detail. I would survey more people and a wider spectrum ranging from a bigger lifestyle differences and income background in order for the results to be more accurate. The length and content of my survey/ questionnaire would be more specified so as to have a fair and set standard of what results should be required from the public. I would use a better organisational method of my information by mapping it out before is started my investigation in order to clearly know what I have to do. My time management would also need improvement in order to have more time to thoroughly go through my work and not be rushed for time. I would research more information in order to have more arguments regarding the investigation. Conclusion There is evidence of a global food shortage crisis and it is clear that people have chosen to show a blind eye to the situation or actively combat it. The two major concerns as to whether or not they will alleviate the global food shortage crisis are clear; Organic or Commercial mass produced food. There are counter arguments that there is enough food supplied from the earth but misdistribution and greed have caused food to become scarce. The environment is also more versatile than it used to be due to global warming so extreme disasters and weather patterns are changing landscapes and available or potential farming land is becoming a scarcity. The growing population is also exceeding the environmental capacity to cater for it as there in not enough space to farm as it is cultivated for farming and there is a higher demand for food than there is a supply. The recent recession is also another reason threatening food security and increasing oil prices threaten the transport of foods. Without the technological advances that man has created to bring about mass produced foods is a solution but a temporary one as repercussions are not yet evident but they will curb the success of mass produced foods. Organic foods do not seem half as damaging but they too cannot sustain the booming population. The question remains as to whether or not to choose organic or GM food but for majority of the worlds population that is not an option so they have to rely on GM foods. The world would be in even more of a crisis if modern mass food productions but they need to refine their methods and strive to be as close to organic quality as possible, GM is not the answer, more needs to be done.

Slaughterhouse Five Essay -- essays research papers

Novel Summary Billy Pilgrim is unstuck in time, and so is Slaughterhouse Five. Novel follows Billy's "unhinged" life. If I write every hop, skip, and jump, the summary would be as complicated as the book. These are the basic facts of Pilgrim's life; they are shown in chronological order (but are definitely not in the book): Billy Pilgrim is born in 1922 and grows up in Ilium, New York. He is a funny-looking youth, he does reasonably well in high school, enrolls in night classes at the Ilium School of Optometry, and is soon drafted into the army and the Second World War. He serves as a chaplain's assistant, then is thrown into the Battle of the Bulge, and almost immediately gets taken prisoner behind German lines. Just before being captured, though, he becomes unstuck in time for the first time. He sees all of his life in one sweep. Billy is transported with other privates to the city of Dresden. There, the prisoners are made to work for their stay. They are kept in a forme r slaughterhouse. Allied forces bomb the city, then drop gasoline to create a firestorm that sucks most of the oxygen into the blaze, suffocating or burning 130,000 people. Billy and his fellow POWs survive in an airtight meat locker. They emerge to find, "a moonscape of destruction". Several days later, Russian forces capture the city and Billy's help in the war is over. He returns to Ilium and finishes optometry school. He gets engaged to the daughter of the founder of the school. Afte...

The Role of the Modern Woman Essay -- Women

Diana Spencer, more commonly known as Princess Diana – or even Princess Di to some – was with out a doubt one of the most influential women of our lifetime. Diana represented what the woman of the 20th Century could become. Strong willed, independent and gorgeous all at once. Not in recent history had royalty, much less that of the United Kingdom, connected so well with the people. She was the first member of the royal family to travel the globe and meet with children victim to land mines and HIV/AIDS. Diana held so much power – and was loved so much by her people – that at her funeral, some referred to her as the Queen of the People. It is said by some that because of her extraordinary influence over the English nation, she suffered an untimely death. Diana was with out question adored by the English people, as well as by foreigners. However, the role she played – which she did with extreme grace – was a relatively new one. One hundred, fifty, even twenty years ago, women were not expected to play the role Diana played. There was no such thing as divorced royalty traveling to devastated parts of the third world countries raising awareness of peoples’ plights. One hundred years ago, women played extremely different roles than they do now. Most educated people are aware of this, however, the evolution of the role women partake in society is one that is not told often. In the past hundred years, two periods really stand out as periods where women made advances in how they were seen by society. The first was in the 1920s when they were granted suffrage. The second was in the 1970s with the rise of the Modern Feminist Movement. The evolution of society’s view of women is best illustrated in the visual publ ications of the last hu... ...ositions in the government, large corporations, even in certain religions. Women have made large and permanent advances that are milestones in this country. Though much needs to be done in other parts of the world – even within the United States – progress is inevitable. Sooner of later, one way or another, change will come. Works Cited The Modern Woman: A Look at Who She Is and How She Got There http://www.ellisparkerbutler.info/epb/pic/womans_world_1913_09_a.jpg http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000AIZ63.03.LZZZZZZZ.jpg http://www.thespiderawards.com/AwardsPass/WINNERS-NOMINEES/PRO- fashion/images/Flapper.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Lee_Bouvier http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/powers_of_persuasion/its_a_womans_war_too/images_ html/images/we_can_do_it.jpg http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=5002183556&er=deny

Iron Crowned Chapter 20

I didn't know what the flowers meant. Nothing like that had ever happened when I'd meditated in the Thorn Land. Over the next few days, I just kept thinking about what Rurik had said, that no other monarch save my father had ruled more than one kingdom in recent history. It had taken great power and magic for me to exert my dominance over the lands†¦. Were they feeding it back to me in return? I certainly felt stronger with them, but I'd never expected any sort of unconscious physical manifestation. What else was I capable of? What could I make the land do? I didn't mention the matter to anyone, not even Kiyo. He'd seen the red flowers but brushed them off. If I told him about the Thorn Land, I feared he'd grow upset about the thought of my magic increasing. He grudgingly accepted what I already possessed but still feared it would turn me into my father, no heir needed. And although I'd felt physically better in the Otherworld, I grew weak again after a day or so back in Tucson. I didn't mention this to Kiyo either, but Jasmine was around enough to pick up on it. â€Å"Are they calling to you again?† she asked over breakfast one day. She was devouring Pop-Tarts, another love we apparently shared. I was too worried to have an appetite and simply watched. â€Å"You look like crap.† â€Å"I don't know,† I said, drumming my fingers against a glass of water. â€Å"There's no precedent for this – at least not anymore. No one knows what to expect from me having two kingdoms.† â€Å"I bet Dorian would know.† I bet he would too, but I shook my head. â€Å"He's not all-knowing no matter how much he wants to be,† I countered. â€Å"And I'm done with him.† â€Å"Okay.† She didn't fight it. For a while, she'd kept telling me I'd made a mistake in breaking up with Dorian, but Kiyo had been growing on her. I still wasn't sure if she approved, but at least I didn't have to listen to teen advice about my love life anymore. â€Å"But you might just have to go back soon. I mean, think about it. You're bound to two lands in the Otherworld. Aren't the lands and the monarch one? Part of you's there. It makes sense you'd have to be there twice as much.† I winced at the idea, though it had been on my mind too. â€Å"If I were there any more, I'd be living there permanently.† She swallowed the last of some crust. â€Å"You may not have a choice.† Her flippant tone irritated me. â€Å"There's always a choice. I rule them. They don't rule me.† I stood up abruptly and briefly became dizzy. It felt like the lands were mocking me. Damn it, I thought. You will not call me back so quickly. I'm staying in this world for a while. I'll come and go when I please. â€Å"I just need to stop thinking about it. I'm going to see if Lara's got a job.† â€Å"Yeah,† said Jasmine dryly. â€Å"That'll fix everything.† Lara did have a job for me, several actually. Even though she was all but living with Tim – in my house – she still kept meticulous records and took all my calls. She looked disappointed that I only accepted one from her growing list of jobs, a small one at that: a simple haunting that would probably take about five minutes. She said nothing, but I knew that she worried if I didn't make any money, she wouldn't either. So, remembering Enrique's comment about needing help but not being able to trust anyone, I gave her his card with the suggestion she call about part-time work. â€Å"Are you firing me?† she asked. I smiled as I gathered up all my weapons. â€Å"No, but I want you to have a backup plan in case you get laid off.† Her eyes widened in alarm at the joke. Or, I suddenly wondered, was it a joke? I brought Jasmine with me to the job because I still felt uneasy about leaving her alone. Besides, she was finally getting her fill of the human world, and I had a feeling her insistence on me returning to the Otherworld was partly selfish. Later, after I'd finished the job, I kind of regretted bringing a witness. â€Å"Wow,† she said, as we drove home. â€Å"You got your ass kicked.† â€Å"I did not.† â€Å"Did too.† So. This was what it was like having a sister. â€Å"I banished it, didn't I? You saw it go to the Underworld.† â€Å"Yeah,† she admitted, â€Å"but it sure did take a long time. I felt like I could have done it, and I've never banished anything before.† I gritted my teeth, refraining from commenting that I still had her chains. The troubling thing was, I had kind of sucked. I'd been in no real danger – not with a ghost that minor – but it had beaten me up more than it should have. I was off my game, a little slower, a little weaker. I'd walked away with some bruises and now noticed as we drove that my shoulder itched. For a moment, I thought the ghost must have hit me there, but there was no pain. The stitches. I'd nearly forgotten about them, now that they'd finally been able to heal. My skin had probably started to grow over the threads. I needed them out. No one was at my house, much to my disappointment. I'd hoped Kiyo had stopped by and could remove the stitches. Trying to be optimistic, I decided he must be pulling a shift at the veterinary hospital and wasn't with Maiwenn. Thus far, I'd heard no official word from her about my new double-queen status. Other monarchs had weighed in, though. Some had responded by showering me with congratulatory gifts and groveling. Others had let me know – in an amiable way – about other monarchs they were pals with, monarchs with big armies. It turned out everyone did fear the Iron Crown. I called my regular doctor, hoping to get an appointment this week as backup, in case Kiyo stayed absent. To my pleasant surprise, they'd had a cancellation that afternoon and could remove the stitches right away. It was good news for me but an annoyance for Jasmine, who'd just gotten comfortable on the couch. â€Å"Oh, come on,† she said, stretching out. â€Å"We just got home. Can't you please leave me here? I promise not to conquer the world or get pregnant while you're gone.† â€Å"You know,† I said, â€Å"Lara and Tim had sex right where you're lying.† She jumped up. A half hour later, we arrived at my doctor's office. I left Jasmine in the waiting room, deeming her safe enough with her iPod and magazines for the five minutes it would take to remove my stitches. Maybe she'd read some contraception pamphlets to pass the time. â€Å"They did this in the ER?† the doctor asked when I was admitted to an examination room and had taken off my shirt. I'd been seeing Dr. Moore for a couple years now. She was a pleasant, mid-fortyish woman who had eventually learned not to ask too many questions about my injuries. She thought I was a â€Å"contractor† who practiced martial arts on the side. â€Å"Not exactly,† I said. â€Å"I tore the ones the ER did, so my boyfriend had to redo them.† She took hold of tweezers and a tiny pair of scissors and leaned over. â€Å"Well, his work's neat, and it didn't get infected. If I'd seen you when this happened, I would have confined you to your bed. I would have known better than to assume you wouldn't promptly rip these out.† â€Å"Yeah, I really pulled one over on the other doctor.† She snorted a small laugh and proceeded to pull the stitches out. They stung where they tugged the skin, but honestly, it was nothing compared to my normal wear and tear. â€Å"There you go,† she said, stepping back. â€Å"You'll have a scar.† I put my shirt back on and faced her. â€Å"Battle trophy.† She rolled her eyes, leaning against the wall with crossed arms. â€Å"You shouldn't joke about that.† â€Å"Sorry.† I picked up my purse, but her expression said we weren't done. â€Å"Eugenie †¦ I don't ask many questions, not any more than I need to treat you, but I'm worried about how often you come in with these kinds of injuries.† If only she knew how many I didn't come in for. â€Å"I – â€Å" â€Å"No, no,† she interrupted. â€Å"I don't need to know all the details of your life. I try not to judge – but you might need to. There are jobs out there that are physical in nature. That's life. But whatever you're doing †¦ maybe you should reevaluate it. To be blunt, you look terrible today.† â€Å"Oh, that.† Crap. I could hardly explain that it was the residual aftereffects of a magical battle in the Otherworld, during which I'd fought for dominion of a fairy kingdom and become its new master, thus doubling my reign. â€Å"I'm just, uh, coming down with something. Just kind of tired, you know.† She arched her eyebrows. Double crap. â€Å"Then let's do some quick blood and urine tests,† she said, straightening up. â€Å"Check your electrolytes, thyroid †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I fumbled for an excuse. I'd never been comfortable with those kinds of tests since discovering I had gentry blood. I was pretty sure human medicine couldn't detect that sort of thing, but I didn't want to take any chances. â€Å"I don't have time. My sister's waiting for me in the lobby.† â€Å"I'm sure she'll be okay,† said Dr. Moore. â€Å"This'll take five minutes.† â€Å"Fine.† I sat back on the table, defeated. â€Å"But can you send someone to make sure she's still out there? She's the sullen one.† Dr. Moore's nurse returned to send me to the bathroom and then drew blood when I came back. She was in the middle of telling me they would send the tests out to a lab, when Dr. Moore herself stuck her head back in. â€Å"Can we talk for a moment?† she asked. The nurse discreetly left, and once we were alone, I braced for another lecture about my lifestyle. â€Å"I really need to get back to my sister,† I told her. â€Å"You don't know what she's capable of.† â€Å"Eugenie.† Dr. Moore's voice was kind but firm. â€Å"Most of those tests we have to wait on, but there are a few we do right here with urine.† â€Å"And?† â€Å"And, you're pregnant.† I thought about this for a moment and then enlightened her. â€Å"No. I'm not.† Those eyebrows rose again. â€Å"Your test came back positive. Now, we can't tell how far just from a urine test, but based on – â€Å" â€Å"Your test is wrong!† I sprang up from the table. My world was starting to reel again. â€Å"I can't be pregnant!† To her credit, she took my outburst calmly, but that was probably part of her training. â€Å"The test is very accurate, and it would explain why you aren't feeling well.† â€Å"I can't be pregnant,† I repeated adamantly. There was a mistake here. A terrible, terrible mistake, and she needed to understand that. Until she did, I refused even to process what she was claiming. â€Å"I take my birth control pills. Every day. Same time. Just like I'm supposed to. I'm not going to lie: I do other stupid shit all the time. But not with pills. I take them perfectly. I did with the antibiotics too. I'm careless with stitches but not prescriptions.† That calm expression shifted to surprise. â€Å"Antibiotics? When were you taking antibiotics?† I pointed to my shoulder. â€Å"When I got this. The ER doctor gave me a prescription.† I frowned. â€Å"What? Why are you looking at me like that? I told you: I took them correctly, all of them.† â€Å"Antibiotics can negate birth control pills,† she said. â€Å"Didn't you know that?† â€Å"I †¦ What? No. That's not †¦ No.† A mistake. A terrible, terrible mistake. â€Å"Women taking both need to use some other form of contraception until the antibiotics have run their course.† A horrible, cold feeling began spreading over me. â€Å"How was I supposed to know that?† I asked in a small voice. â€Å"Your pharmacist should have told you when you got the antibiotics. The interaction would have shown up in your records.† I thought back to that night, how my mom and I had stopped at the place closest to the hospital. â€Å"I didn't go to my usual pharmacy†¦.† And I had gotten out of there as fast as I could, not bothering to talk to the pharmacist because I'd taken antibiotics lots of times in my life. I certainly hadn't bothered with the enclosed pamphlets. Dr. Moore seemed to think she'd gotten through to me. â€Å"Now, we can figure out how far along you are if you know when your last period – â€Å" â€Å"No,† I exclaimed. â€Å"No, no, no. I can't be pregnant! Don't you understand? I can't be. I can't have a baby. I can't!† I was shouting again and wondered if this place had security. â€Å"Calm down,† Dr. Moore said. â€Å"Everything will be all right.† No, no, it wouldn't. Everything wouldn't be all right. Nausea welled in me, nausea I'd felt for a few weeks or so – and that had nothing to do with inheriting the Rowan Land. After all this time, after all the planning and lofty talk, after all my fears about Jasmine †¦ it was me. Human medicine had screwed me over. No, I had screwed me over. I'd fucked up. My own carelessness had brought this about. Everything anyone had ever said about the Storm King prophecy began to run through my mind. Sformi, King's first grandson. An invasion of the human world. Led by his mother. Domination and blood. And I, I was bringing it about†¦. I was the instrument†¦. â€Å"Eugenie!† Dr. Moore was supporting me, and I had a feeling she'd said my name a few times. She glanced at the door and opened her mouth, about to call her nurse. â€Å"No!† I clutched at her white coat. â€Å"Don't. Listen to me.† My voice was raspy and desperate. â€Å"I can't. I can't have a baby. Don't you understand?† She peered at me through her glasses, regarding me knowingly. â€Å"Then you don't have to. There are options – â€Å" You can't have a boy, some voice inside me said. What if it's a girl? â€Å"Wait,† I interrupted her. â€Å"When can you tell the gender?† That got a shocked look. â€Å"You'd base an abortion on gender?† â€Å"I – no, wait.† Fuck. I couldn't think. I was panicked and scared and confused. I needed to get my head together. What did I do? I had to get rid of this baby, pure and simple. People did it all the time. It was easy in this day and age, right? â€Å"I meant, how long until you can tell gender and if †¦ if there's anything wrong.† I groped for something reasonable, something that wouldn't make me seem like a heartless woman who'd kill her son. â€Å"You can do those tests, right? Like, genetic tests? I †¦ I'm so afraid of having a baby and having there be something wrong. My family has a bad history. My cousins have had babies with birth defects, and I can't †¦ I can't handle that. I have to know. I have to know †¦ right away †¦ as early as possible because otherwise I'll †¦Ã¢â‚¬  The lies rolled easily off my lips. Anything. Anything to know the gender. Dr. Moore studied me again. I still sounded crazy and scattered, I knew, but a little less than before. â€Å"When was your last period?† she asked quietly. I turned to her wall calendar. The numbers swam before me. I couldn't focus. How the hell could I remember that when the fate of the world was on the line? I thought about my last period and tried to link it to some event, something that would trigger a date. â€Å"There.† I pointed. â€Å"It started on the fifth.† She nodded, doing mental calculations. â€Å"Which lines up with the antibiotics. You're almost nine weeks along, as the reckoning goes, though technically only seven since conception.† Seven. Seven weeks †¦ â€Å"You're almost in the range for chorionic villus sampling,† she said. Chorionic what? â€Å"They don't like to do it unless it's necessary, though. There are risks for the fetus. They almost never do it for someone your age, who's in good health†¦.† â€Å"But it can tell me?† I said urgently. â€Å"It can tell me what I need to know?† â€Å"It can tell you a lot. No test can tell you everything, but it can give you peace of mind †¦ especially if you really do have a bad family history †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Did I ever. â€Å"I do,† I said. â€Å"Please.† I held my breath, knowing she was wavering here. Finally, she turned to her filing cabinet, rifling through it until she found a carbon form. She scrawled something in doctor's handwriting on it and handed it over. â€Å"Here.† It was a referral to an OB-GYN's office nearby. The form had my name, some boxes checked, and a few illegible words. I did make out CVS and emergency. â€Å"Emergency?† I asked. I mean, it was, but I was surprised she'd nailed it. â€Å"It means you'll get scheduled in right away. Most of these tests are backed up – because they aren't done this early. Give it to my nurse when you leave.† She was writing something else as she spoke. â€Å"She'll call them and schedule you – but you need to be aware they may refuse it when you're there, based on their judgment. I meant it: this isn't routine.† My next words were hesitant. â€Å"Then why are you doing it?† â€Å"Because I believe that in pregnancy, the mother's health outweighs everything else.† Mother's health. I didn't like thinking of myself as a mother. Fuck. This shouldn't even be an issue at all! We should be discussing abortions. Why did I care about gender? I didn't want a baby. I wasn't ready for a baby. Certainly not one who'd fulfill a world-conquering prophecy. â€Å"In this case,† said Dr. Moore. â€Å"Your mental health is especially concerning. Which is what this is for.† She handed me the other piece of paper. It was a referral for a psychologist. â€Å"I don't need – â€Å" â€Å"Eugenie, shock over an unplanned pregnancy is normal. Expected. But it's clear †¦ you have some very serious issues around this.† She had no idea. â€Å"Have my nurse call for the test. Then schedule yourself a therapist appointment and a follow-up with me.† There was no way I could tell her I had no intention of going to therapy. I wasn't even sure about the follow-up. But I'd gotten away with something, and I knew it. I nodded meekly. â€Å"Thank you.† I left before she could change her mind. Jasmine's face was filled with irritation and impatience when I finally returned. â€Å"That took forever,† she said, tossing a magazine aside. â€Å"How deep were those stitches?† â€Å"Not that deep,† I murmured. I walked toward my car on autopilot, still stunned. â€Å"She was worried about how tired I was, that's all.† â€Å"Well, you can fix that when we go back to the Otherworld.† I started the car, staring off into space for a few ponderous moments as numbers floated around in my head. Nine weeks, seven weeks. Two days. That was how long until my test. Two days. I refocused on my surroundings so I wouldn't get us into an accident. â€Å"We aren't going to the Otherworld anytime soon,† I replied. Jasmine shot me a look that clearly expressed her feelings on that, but there must have been something in my own face that answered back because she didn't fight the issue anymore. When we returned to my house, I put my purse and paperwork in my bedroom before sitting with Jasmine in her usual spot on the couch. Mindless TV suddenly seemed like a good idea †¦ except, well, it didn't do a very good job of taking my mind off of my problems. Pregnant. Conqueror of worlds. Storm King's heir. Me. It was all on me: what had happened and what was to come. We hadn't been home long when Kiyo showed up. He gave me a cheerful grin and wore his white coat from work, meaning he must not have been cozying up with Maiwenn. Small blessing. His smile was enough to make Jasmine smile in return, but I couldn't muster one. There was nothing to smile about right now. Nothing good in this world. Nothing good in either world. He joined us on the couch, sandwiching me in between him and Jasmine, and caught hold of my hand. â€Å"Hey, how are you?† he asked. He peered at my face, even though I was pointedly not looking at him. â€Å"Are you okay?† â€Å"Fine,† I lied. â€Å"Tired.† Storm King's first grandson will conquer the human world. â€Å"She's been like that all day,† said Jasmine. â€Å"She needs to go back to the Otherworld but won't.† â€Å"Is that true?† he asked. â€Å"I didn't think you'd have a problem with that,† I said. â€Å"You've always wanted me to stay away.† â€Å"Yeah, but not if it's affecting you like this. You really look sick, Eug.† â€Å"She also got beat up by a ghost,† Jasmine added helpfully. â€Å"Hey!† I glared. â€Å"I did not!† Kiyo chuckled and pulled me closer. â€Å"Stop playing tough. Go to the Otherworld tomorrow. I'll come with you, so it won't be as bad.† He relaxed, and there was a finality in his voice that I didn't like. I didn't like his presumption. I also wasn't entirely sure I should be going to the Otherworld, in light of recent developments. Flowers. Flowers everywhere, everywhere I step. I'm the land, and the land is me. Where I bring life, the land does too†¦. Or death. I could bring death as well. It was my choice. Over and over. The words in my head were all I heard. I didn't hear the TV, or Kiyo and Jasmine's occasional comments. I didn't really hear when Kiyo said he'd make dinner and went to drop off his overnight bag in my bedroom. But I did hear him when he came raging back to the living room, waving my CVS referral form in the air. â€Å"Eugenie!† His voice was a roar, one that made Jasmine cringe and widen her eyes. â€Å"What the hell is this?† I stared up at him levelly, surprised I could be so calm in the face of that outrage, especially after the emotional upheaval I'd been through all day. My own despair and shock had never left, but now I was able to push it down and meet Kiyo's eyes, as I allowed myself to finally acknowledge the other thought that had been bouncing around in my mind. Because along with the choices I had and the consequences I faced, there was one other matter to consider. I'd looked at the numbers, at the calendar. I'd factored in the dates, the antibiotics, what had been done – or, perhaps most importantly, what hadn't been done. It was all very clear. There was no soap opera here. No talk show?Cworthy mystery. â€Å"Congratulations,† I told Kiyo. â€Å"You're going to be a father. Again.†