Participles and Perfect Verb Tenses

Participles and Perfect Verb Tenses Participles and Perfect Verb Tenses Participles and Perfect Verb Tenses By Maeve Maddox Some comments I received on the post about the forms of the irregular verb drink indicate that not everyone is clear as to how participles are used to form verb tenses that use the helping verbs has, have and had. Heres a review. Participles are verb forms, but they are incomplete. In order to function as real verbs, they must be used with helping verbs. English has two participles: the present participle and the past participle. The present participle always ends in -ing: jumping, skiing, writing, drinking, sighing, etc. The past participle usually ends in -ed, as in called, climbed, interrogated, and studied. Many verbs, however, have past participles that do not end in -ed. Some, for example, end in -en: write/wrote/(have) written bite/bit/(have) bitten take/took/(have) taken Some end in -t: mean/meant/(have) meant creep/crept/(have) crept sleep/slept/(have) slept Many irregular verbs, like drink, have distinctive past participle forms: drink/drank/(have) drunk go/went/(have) gone am-is/was/(have) been slay/slew/(have) slain Participles have numerous uses, but right now Im just looking at how they are used to form the following verb tenses: present perfect past perfect present perfect progressive past perfect progressive Present Perfect The present perfect tense is used to describe a) an action that happened at an indefinite time in the past b) an action that that began in the past and continues in the present The helping verbs used with the past participle to form the present perfect tense are has and have: The House of Windsor has ruled England since 1917. My sister has tried every kind of shampoo on the market. We have written to them numerous times without receiving an answer. Past Perfect Tense The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that took place in the past before another past action. The helping verb used with the past participle to form the past perfect is had: Before reinforcements arrived, the enemy had captured most of the men. Present Perfect Progressive The present perfect progressive describes an action that began in the past, continues in the present, and may continue into the future. The present participle is used with the helping verbs has been and have been to form the present perfect progressive: I have been thinking about going to France one more time. Charlie has been trying to make the team for two years now. We have been sitting in the park for hours. The teachers have been meeting after school to plan the new schedules. Past Perfect Progressive The past perfect progressive describes a past, ongoing action that was completed before some other past action. The present participle is used with the helping verbs had been to form the past perfect progressive: When the accident occurred, she had been talking on her cell phone. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:15 Terms for Those Who Tell the Future60 Synonyms for â€Å"Trip†What’s the Best Way to Refer to a Romantic Partner?

Maurice De Vlaminck - Artist Profile

Maurice De Vlaminck - Artist Profile Movement, Style, School or Type of Art: Fauvism is the movement with which Vlaminck will always be most closely associated. However, Fauvism was a very short movement and the artist had a very long career. His work briefly leaned towards Cubism (which he professed to loathe) prior to World War I; afterwards it settled into an Expressionistic style that Vlaminck maintained for the rest of his life. The important thing to remember is that, regardless of which labels we now assign to his work, he (a self-taught artist) operated instinctively. He didnt and wouldnt care what we call his approachhe was simply being true to his gut. Date and Place of Birth: April 4, 1876, Paris Maurice was born to two musicians: Edmond Julien de Vlaminck, his father, was a pianist, violinist and tenor. His mother, Josephine Grillet, who was from Lorraine, was also a pianist. Because the artist grew up in this household, music came as naturally to him as breathing. In the early years of his adult life, he was able to help support his young family by taking on violin students and getting the occasional paying gig. But, even though it was second-nature, music never lit the fires of passion in Vlaminck that visual art did. Early Life: Young Maurice didnt have the benefit of a top-drawer education, but he was intellectually curious, emotionally fearless and physically imposing. Vlaminck grew to be a tall, strong, red-haired man prone to wearing loud colors and a gaudy wooden necktie. He married for the first time in his teens and worked (in addition to giving music lessons) to support his wife and daughters as a wrestler, billiards shooter, mechanic, laborer and professional cyclist before a bout with typhus weakened him. He also discovered that he could write, and penned several risquà © novelsanything to pay the bills. How He Came to Art: Vlaminck had taken a smattering of drawing classes and tried his hand at painting, but it was a chance incident that reportedly led him to make art his career. While serving his mandatory 3-year military obligation, he met the painter Andrà © Derain in 1900, when the train on which both men were riding derailed. A lifelong friendship was struck, as well as a deal to share a studio in Chatou. It was in this picturesque Seine valley villagepreviously popular with the Impressioniststhat Vlaminck began painting in earnest. (Never a thought towards selling, mind you. He quite simply was overcome by the urge to paint.) When Art Noticed Him: Vlaminck attended a Parisian van Gogh exhibition in 1901 and was blown away by Vincents color choices. At this same show, Derain introduced his studio mate to Henri Matisseperhaps the most bold colorist to ever hold a brush. Vlaminck absorbed these options, and spent the next few years pouring riotously-hued landscapes back out onto canvas. Convinced by Derain and Matisse to show, Vlaminck began exhibiting with them in 1904. The 1905 Salon dAutomne exhibition was where the trio and a few other like minded artists received the (snarky) moniker fauves (wild beasts) from the art critic Louis Vauxcelle. Ironically, the indifferent-to-sales Vlaminck began to sell any- and everything he painted, so in demand were the canvases of this wild beast. After meeting Paul Cà ©zanne, Vlamincks work took a turn towards balancing color with more structured compositions. He is best known today for his Fauvism perioda span of no more than seven years. Vlamincks later work (the bulk of his career) continued to concentrate on color, sell well and be seen in exhibitions that he did not attend. In addition to painting, he produced some fine lithographs, etchings and woodcuts, and authored and illustrated a number of books. Important Works: Man Smoking a Pipe, 1900Portrait of Derain, 1905Potato Pickers, 1905-07Self Portrait, 1912The Red Tractor, 1956 Date and Place of Death: October 11, 1958, Rueil-la-Gadelià ¨re, Eure-et-Loir, France Vlaminck apparently expended most of the drama in his life on his paintings. He died peacefully of old age at La Tourillià ¨re, the farmhouse he bought in 1925. How To Pronounce Vlaminck: vlah ·mink This is the French pronunciation of the Belgian spelling of Vlaming, more commonly known as Fleming (person from Flanders) in the English-speaking world. Quotes From Maurice de Vlaminck: Good painting is like good cooking; it can be tasted, but not explained.I heightened all my tone values and transposed into an orchestration of pure color with every single thing I felt. I was a tender-hearted savage filled with violence. I translated what I saw instinctively, without any method, and conveyed truth, not so much artistically but humanely.I seem initially to have followed Fauvism, and then to have followed in Cà ©zannes footsteps. WhateverI do not mind ... as long as first of all I remained Vlaminck. Sources and Further Reading Derain, Andrà ©. Lettres Vlaminck.Paris : Flammarion, 1955. Rewald, John. Vlaminck (1876-1958) His Fauve Period (1903-1907).New York : Perls Galleries, 1968.Buy Direct Selz, Jean. Vlaminck.New York : Crown Publishers, 1963.Buy Direct Selz, Jean. Vlaminck, Maurice deGrove Art Online. Oxford University Press, 7 November 2008.Read a review of Grove Art Online. Vlaminck, Maurice de. Vlaminck, Master of Graphic Art: A RetrospectiveExhibition of Graphic Works, 1905-1926 (exh. cat.).Chicago : R. S. Johnson-International Gallery, 1975. Walterskirchen, Katalin De. Maurice De VlaminckCatalogue Raisonne De Loeuvre Grave.Paris : Flammarion, 1974.Buy Direct Go to Artist Profiles: Names beginning with V or Artist Profiles: Main Index

Options for Organization Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Options for Organization - Assignment Example Even though there are many advantages in implementing security systems in organizations there are some problems also. Therefore, the implementation of security should be done in an efficient manner, taking into consideration of all relevant factors relating to the business and the flew of information therein. Even though it is difficult to implement security, it is an inevitable part in any organization. Security enables an organization to manage the risks within the organization. The problems in an organization can be reduced to a great extent with the help of proper security measures. A company’s data can be kept confidential only if it has good security policies. The development and implementation of security policies helps an organization to meet the international standards. â€Å"Security touches so many different areas of business," says Allan Carey, program manager of security services and identity management research at Framingham, Mass.-based IDC. "With any type of new initiative or initiatives being driven by lines of business, security needs to be involved" (Kaplan). The analysis of security is done to recognize the exposure of security in a systematic way. Organizations should also be capable of evaluating the security methods adopted by their partners. The growing nu mber of threats has increased the importance of security in an organization. There can be both internal and external threats to any organization. Many organizations have suffered major losses due to the lack of security and leakage of information into unauthorized hands. Hackers, internal spying etc have become common in organizations. Proper security measures are needed to tackle these threats. The awareness about security requirements is thus very essential for every organization. There are some difficulties in setting and implementing a proper security system in an existing organization. It necessitates more funds to be invested for the implementation of

Third-party consultant to perform a penetration test Term Paper

Third-party consultant to perform a penetration test - Term Paper Example This poses a threat to the ability of the organization to protect their secret information and other essential information that should not be exposure to the public or unauthorized persons. The most commonly deployed security systems include anti-virus software, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems. The organizations and institutions are interested in securing their information systems in order to protect some of the vital information and contents that are restricted to non-executive members of the firm. However, this is not very effective as these institutions are faced with the task of ensuring proper information security. It is reported that most organization incurs losses because their security systems are hacked and critical details of the organization exposure to the competitors and enemies. This therefore lowers the ability of the organization to excel and protects its key information systems. The business community is not spared too. Hackers pose a great security threat to the secrecy of information of organizations and the business community. ... ically a method in which the security of a network and the computers that are involved in the network are evaluated so as to determine the degree of security on the network or the strength of the response to the breach of the security. It is also referred to as a pentest which is a short form of the term in full. A penetration test is conducted by simulating an attack to the system from either external or internal threats, or both, on a network or a computer system (Allen, 2012). It is therefore evident that penetration testing is vital for ABC Company which has high presence in the internet. In the present day, the world is indeed a global village and due to the fact that information is power, every organization endeavors to protect its information from people who would go to any length to obtain information from an organization. Organizations and institutions use penetration test as a way of identifying the weakness and vulnerabilities of their security and network systems and maki ng necessary protection measures. The penetration test entails the application of attacking methods that are conducted by professional who are entrusted with the organization’s essential information. However, the same attacking systems are used by the hackers and hostile intruders, hence posing more threat to the organization following the fact that such information are very sensitive to be exposed. Depending on the nature and type of the penetration test to be conducted, the entire security building process entails IP address scan in order to assist in the identification process of machines used in the offering of the system information and other services with known degree of vulnerability and further exploiting the existence of any unpatched operation system that may also be vulnerable

Good for Another Essay Example for Free

Good for Another Essay We were in our final year in secondary school, and we were asked to pay for WAEC and NECO fees. Some paid for WAEC only, some paid for NECO only, while some paid for both. Three weeks before the closing date, me and my friend went out for break, though it was prohibited to eat your breakfast in the class but me and Ada often eat there. That day, when we went into class, we were surprise to see one of our classmate; Sarah crying. We asked her why she was crying and she told us her parent cannot afford to pay for her WAEC or NECO fees. I was touched by the way she was crying and I promise her I would pay for her, I told her I would tell my parents and I was sure they will pay for her. Me and Ada told her to wipe her tears before the rest of the student came in from break. That day, when I reached home I told my mother about it and she promised to pay for her WAEC only, that she would give me the money in two days. We all graduated from secondary school and we all made our result and almost all of us furthered our education to Universities of various types. I lost contact with Ada and Sarah since then but, you know; Life have to go on. I was at the school cafà © one day when I saw Sarah, oh my God! I can’t believe I was seeing her, we were so happy to see each other again after our life in secondary school. We talked for so long, and through our chatting I discovered her Dad was now rich, and she was studying Law. We exchanged phone numbers and hostel Numbers. We became friends again. At the end of second semester in school, I went home only to find out my father was dead, he was hit by a bus the night before the day I came home. I wept, oh my God! I did not only wept because I lost my father, I also wept that my education might stop, I wept that all my years in school might be wasted. I wept that I fell sick and was admitted at the hospital for a week. A week after I was discharged from the hospital, I heard registration for next semester will be closing in one week. I told my mother, but she told me she cannot afford the fee. I was devastated, I was afraid that my greatest fear is coming to reality. I decided to go to Sarah for help, but to my greatest surprise, she told me she wanted to use the money she had for something else. It hurts me so much that I wept right in front of her. All she could tell me was she can’t give me the money. I wept home and told my mother what Sarah told me, she could not believe this, she could not believe this was the girl she helped some years back. She told me to wipe my tears, and that life goes on. I was dropped out of school and I started apprenticeship in a salon shop not far from our house. After two years, I invested my own salon and with more effort and the help and support of my mother, my shop grew up. My salon became one of the best of the well known salon. I was in my salon one day when Ada came in, I did not even notice her. I was busy working when I heard someone call my name, I turned and saw Ada, I shouted and hugged her. Oh Goodness, I was seeing Ada again after so many years. We chatted for a while and she told me she saw Sarah, she told me Sarah was dropped out of school and arrested by the Police, that she was caught with Cocaine. I told her what happened to me, how I was dropped out of school, she was surprise that Sarah could do such a thing to me, me of all people. I told her I was well over it, and Sarah deserved all that happened to her. Though I am successful in life but, I will never forget how I was dropped out of school. I may forgive Sarah but, I will never forget what she did to me.

Simple Sammy :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In John Updike’s short story â€Å"A&P†, small town New England life is teeming with a whole lot of nothing. Sammy, the man who tells all, seems very uninterested in his job as a check out boy at the local A&P, yet very interested in the people who shop there. He uses his boredom as a vehicle of his imagination that allows him to pry his customers open and expose their true selves. Updike’s Sammy shows himself as an observant, critical and very bored young man through his first person narration.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Updike’s choice of first person perspective lends Sammy the ever powerful ability to quietly but relentlessly gather observations of the people and things around him. The first characters encountered are â€Å"three girls in nothing but bathing suits†(369). This scene would obviously catch the attention of any breathing male. But Sammy first takes in â€Å"the one in the plaid green two-piece. She was a chunky kid . . . [with] a sweet broad soft-looking can†(369). With these quick and most likely mindless observations, Sammy exposes himself as a person who judges others based on appearances. As he takes note of the three girls, he sees â€Å"the queen†¦ [with] a kind of prim face. Walking into the A&P with your straps down, I suppose it’s the only kind of face you can have†(370). Sammy’s observations of the girls in bathing suits are not the only ones made throughout the story. However, the notice taken of the girls i s the most kind.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Perhaps through his mindless job of ringing up items, Sammy finds that making quick judgments of his customers through brief interactions is quite entertaining. He sees one female customer as â€Å"one of those cash-register-watchers, a witch about fifty with rouge on her cheekbones and no eyebrows†¦she’d been watching cash registers for fifty years and probably never seen a mistake before†(369). Sammy gathers this unfair judgment coarsely and without much thought. He uses this same technique while watching the girls in bathing suits, for example, he thinks the older woman is a witch while he thinks that the girl with her straps down is the queen of her group. And why? Because it’s easy for him to assume these things based on what he sees. He also sees a man â€Å"in baggy gray pants who stumbles up with four giant cans of pineapple juice† and wonders to himself â€Å"what do these bums do with all that pineapple juice?

Grapes of Wrath Theme Essay

The main theme of The Grapes of Wrath is the idea that all men are part of the family of man. This is closely related to the philosophical movement of transcendentalism, what the author Ralph Waldo Emerson followed. There are four main points of the story that express this in the story; the ex-preacher’s search for purpose, Ma Joad’s understanding of working together, Pa turning from making money for himself to providing for the group and finally Tom’s decision to leave the family. First the preacher, Casy, displays the point that transcendentalists think we all need to find out our purpose in life. When he is first introduced, he can be recognized as the old preacher, but we soon find out that he abandoned that career. He states that the Oakies â€Å"need help no preachin’ can give ‘em.† It can be inferred that he no longer sees his purpose in life as a preacher and is in search for something new to do. Next, is Ma Joad’s understanding that the family must work together and stay together in order to get through the tough times. This connects the theme to transcendentalism because transcendentalists believe in setting your principals and following them at any cost. When the children crowd around for food, instead of giving the family the rest of the food, she shares it with them because she knows it’s the right thing to do. When Pa Joad is first seen, he is talking about becoming a picker, getting wealthy and having tons of grapes to gorge on, all to himself. Once the family gets on the road though, he realizes that there is a much greater need to provide for the family and get to where there are jobs. Transcendentalists would agree that we all play a role in life, and we are all should work together, because we all are in the family of men. Pa Joad’s actions follow that principle. Lastly, Tom decides that it is best if he leaves the family. Ma expresses her concern that she won’t know if he is doing well or not. His reply tells us that he believes in the oversoul, because she will see him in everything, because they all are part of one greater existence, such as an oversoul. He also sees this action as something he must do, and doing what you believe in is very important to the oversoul idea. Ralph Emerson clearly displayed his ideas and beliefs in his writing in hopes to create a positive movement. With the use of the preacher, Ma, Pa and Tom, he clearly expressed his opinions. This is why it is easy for one to infer that the theme of the book, and the oversoul described in this work are closely related.

Seven External Factors That Could Influence Business And Marketing Efforts

This paper will follow a young business as it begins the process of establishing itself in the legal world. There are several factors that business must consider before choosing what type of originations the business will become. In the case of this new company they have opted to become an S corporation. An outline of what lead to this decision will be discussed in-depth. In addition the steps that were taken to complete this task. Business Scenario As the reality of the business begins, it becomes very clear that we must start making the necessary steps to legalize the organization.The first step is to registering the business name. After registering Gentle Clean, we must make a decision on whether to become a corporation or a partnership. The first thing that must be considered is making sure that the business is its own entity. It’s very important that the business and its affairs do not affect our personal lives. As well as anything personal rolling over to the business. A LLC is seen as its own legal entity and is treated as completely separate and distinct from its members.An LLC can be sued, can sue, can enter into contracts, and be found liable both civilly and criminally all on its own, separate from the members of the LLC. In addition a LLC can be member- or manager-managed, which determines who has authority to bind the LLC in contracts. A LCC can be taxed as a partnership, resulting in the income being taxed to the partners’ own tax returns, or corporation, meaning it would be taxed as its own entity. C corporation and S corporation have limited liability protection for the owners, and each is seen as a separate legal entity from the owners.The main difference between the two is taxation. The C corporation files its own tax return, and while the S corporation must file corporate tax returns, it does not pay taxes at the corporate level. Rather, the profits of the corporation are passed through to the individual to the shareholders on t heir own individual tax returns. Reviewing the two options one point must be seriously reviewed. The matter of taxation is of serious importance, and which way we proceed. Both an LLC and S corp and C corp are their own entities. Yet very different in other aspects.We must decide whether to pay taxes at a cooperate level, or have the profits of the corporation are passed through to the individual to the shareholders on their own individual tax returns. Federal taxable income is between 15% and 35%, state and local taxes vary on income. Shareholders of most corporations are not taxed directly on corporate income, but must pay tax on dividends paid by the corporation. However, shareholders of S Corporations and mutual funds are taxed currently on corporate income, and do not pay tax on dividends.Since it will be several months if not years that the company will make a real profit. It would be in the best interest of the company to file as an S corp. Thus allowing the company to be its own entity as well as establishing the company and protecting the interest of our product. With that being said we must meet with a corporate attorney and file all necessary documents and begin the process of becoming an S corporation. Gentle Clean is now on its way to becoming a competitor in the world of Green cleaning supplies.

How to write like an industry expert - Emphasis

How to write like an industry expert How to write like an industry expert Developing your writing skills is key if you want to become a recognised industry expert, says Rob Ashton. If you take a poll to find the worlds top music executive, the chances are that most people will say Simon Cowell. There may be other executives with more talent and panache. You can even argue that his fellow judges are more musically adept. But Cowell has positioned himself as the expert. The public are divided revering and reviling him in equal measure. But what he says goes. No-one can deny his status and authority in the music industry. As a sales professional, you could do well to take a leaf out of Cowells book. The market for office supply equipment is crowded, with many brands jostling for space. Your prospects need a shortcut to enable them to decide who to buy from and what to buy. There often isnt time for them to kick-back with a cup of tea and analyse the messages youre communicating through your sales and marketing material. But you can stand out by positioning yourself as an expert. Prospective customers will start to see you as a trusted advisor before theyve even engaged your services. And they will be more likely to buy from you as a result. Expert status can lead to other opportunities, such as giving speeches or hosting workshops, which again make selling easier. Its a virtuous circle. Yet, we Brits can be a self-deprecating bunch. We often prefer to operate our businesses and careers with as little fanfare as possible. The thought of public speaking can send shivers down our spines. But through writing, even the most unassuming character can shine. And writing reports, articles, white papers and blogs can help you to become the preferred provider in the industry. Whats more, good writing doesnt just have to be an innate skill: its something you can learn. These seven steps will help you write your way to expert status. One Consistently show how your company differentiates itself in the marketplace. Dont be afraid to recommend doing things differently. Two Be curious about your clients. What really makes them tick? Get to know your clients inside out by asking lots of questions, rather than making assumptions about what they need and want. Three Then write from their perspective, not yours. Think beyond the products or services you offer and focus on how your business has an impact on the lives of your clients. Whether youre writing a brochure, pamphlet or article, you need to focus on your clients needs. Begin by asking yourself: What is the document about? Who will read it? How much do they already know about the subject? What do they absolutely need to know? How important is the subject to them? How interested are they in the subject? (Note that readers arent always interested in whats important to them. So you often need to make them interested.) To become a trusted advisor, your writing needs to be clear and punchy. You can achieve this with careful planning. Brainstorm everything you want to include in your document using the headings Who?, What?, Where?, When?, and Why?. Then only include what you think is essential for your readers to know. Your document will be much clearer as a result. Four Comment on relevant industry stories by writing letters to magazines. Use the SCRAP formula: Situation Begin by explaining the situation (or where the industry is). Complication Introduce the idea that theres a problem (why the industry cant stay as it is). Resolution State your answer to the problem. The reader will think of you as an expert because you can offer a practical, considered solution. Action Suggest what action the reader can or should take. Offer a viewpoint that is new and intriguing. Politeness Finally, end with a polite but thought-provoking sign-off. Five Suggest article ideas to trade newspapers and magazines. The articles that will best position you as an expert are how to features. You could reveal the secrets behind photocopier maintenance, or how to eke the most out of ink cartridges, for instance. Send a synopsis of the article to the magazine first. Write a snappy headline and standfirst (the two lines under the headline). Then write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph and a few bullet points about what your article will include. The magazine editor can then give you further guidelines to ensure your article is a hit with the readers. Six Blogs have a worldwide audience of millions. So its well worth setting up a blog and using it to connect with your clients. Pay careful attention to every post you make. Only write things you dont mind being broadcast on the 10 Oclock News. Dont ever gripe about clients or competitors. Seven In your writing, include examples of how you and your company make a real difference to people. Make your writing personal. Its more powerful to write that one in five people found that their ink lasted longer than to use the term 20 per cent. Speak directly to the reader by using words such as you, we, us and our. And use the active voice as much as possible. For instance, weve helped over 1000 customers with their printing needs is far more effective than Over 1000 customers have been helped with their printing needs. Positioning yourself as an expert is a skill that will serve you throughout your whole career. Even if you decide you want to sell condos in the Caribbean in the future, the skills youll learn are transferable. You may not achieve the wealth and fame of someone like Simon Cowell. But you can forge your way as a leader in your industry. And with a little thought, care and attention, your expert status will pay dividends.

Definition of Literacy Test

Definition of Literacy Test   A literacy test measures a person’s proficiency in reading and writing. Beginning in the 19th century, literacy tests were used in the voter registration process in southern states of the U.S. with the intent to disenfranchise black voters. In 1917, with the passing of the Immigration Act, literacy tests were also included in the U.S. immigration process, and are still used today. Historically, literacy tests have served to legitimize racial and ethnic marginalization in the U.S. HISTORY OF RECONSTRUCTION AND JIM CROW ERA Literacy tests were introduced into the voting process in the South with the Jim Crow laws. Jim Crow laws were state and local laws and statutes enacted by southern and border states in the late 1870s to deny African Americans the right to vote in the South following Reconstruction (1865-1877). They were designed to keep whites and blacks segregated, to disenfranchise black voters, and to keep blacks subjugated, undermining the 14th and 15th Amendments of the United States Constitution. Despite the ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868, granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States which included former slaves, and the ratification of the 15th Amendment in 1870, which specifically gave African Americans the right to vote, Southern and Border states continued to find ways to keep racial minorities from voting. They used electoral fraud and violence to intimidate African American voters, and created Jim Crow laws to promote racial segregation. During the twenty years following Reconstruction, African Americans lost many of the legal rights that had been gained during Reconstruction. Even the Supreme Court of the United States â€Å"helped undermine the Constitutional protections of blacks with the infamous Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) case, which legitimized Jim Crow laws and the Jim Crow way of life.† In this case, the Supreme Court maintained that public facilities for blacks and whites could be â€Å"separate but equal.† Following this decision, it soon became the law throughout the South that public facilities had to be separate. Many of the changes made during Reconstruction proved to be short-lived, with the Supreme Court continuing to uphold racial discrimination and segregation in its decisions, thus giving southern states free reign to impose literacy tests and all manner of voting restrictions on prospective voters, discriminating against black voters. But racism was not just recurring in the South. Although the Jim Crow Laws were a Southern phenomenon, the sentiment behind them was a national one. There was a resurgence of racism in the North as well and â€Å" emerging national, indeed international, consensus (among whites at any rate) that Reconstruction had been a serious mistake. LITERACY TESTS AND VOTING RIGHTS Some states, such as Connecticut, used literacy tests in the mid-1800s to keep Irish immigrants from voting, but Southern states didn’t use literacy tests until after Reconstruction in 1890, sanctioned by the federal government, where they were used well into the 1960s. They were used ostensibly to test the voters ability to read and write, but in reality to discriminate against African American voters and sometimes poor whites. Since 40-60% of blacks were illiterate, compared to 8-18% of whites, these tests had a large differential racial impact. Southern states also imposed other standards, all of which were arbitrarily set by the test administrator. Those who were property owners or whose grandfathers had been able to vote   (â€Å"grandfather clause†),   those deemed to have â€Å"good character,† or those who paid poll taxes were able to vote. Because of these impossible standards, â€Å"in 1896, Louisiana had 130,334 registered black voters. Eight years later, only 1,342, 1 percent, could pass the state’s new rules.†Ã‚  Even in areas where the black population was substantially greater, these standards kept the white voting population in the majority. The administration of literacy tests was unfair and discriminatory. â€Å"If the official wanted a person to pass, he could ask the easiest question on the test- for example, Who is the president of the United States?† The same official might require a black person to answer every single question correctly, in an unrealistic amount of time, in order to pass.†Ã‚  It was up to the test administrator whether the prospective voter passed or failed, and even if a black man was well-educated, he would most likely fail, because â€Å"the test was created with failure as a goal.† Even if a potential black voter knew all the answers to the questions, the official administering the test could still fail him. Literacy tests were not declared unconstitutional in the South until ninety-five years after the15th Amendment was ratified, by the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Five years later, in 1970, Congress abolished literacy tests and discriminatory voting practices nationwide, and as a result, the number of registered African American voters increased dramatically. ACTUAL LITERACY TESTS In 2014 a group of Harvard University students was asked to take the 1964 Louisiana Literacy Test to raise awareness about voting discrimination.   The test is similar to those given in other Southern states since Reconstruction to potential voters who could not prove they had a fifth grade education. In order to be able to vote, a person had to pass all 30 questions in 10 minutes. All of the students failed under those conditions, because the test was meant to be failed. The questions have nothing at all to do with the U.S. Constitution and are completely nonsensical. You can try the test yourself here.    LITERACY TESTS AND IMMIGRATION In the late 19th century many people wanted to restrict the influx of immigrants to the U.S. due to increased problems of urbanization and industrialization such as crowding, lack of housing and jobs, and urban squalor. It was during this time that the idea of using literacy tests to control the number of immigrants able to enter the United States, particularly those from southern and eastern Europe, was formed. However, it took those who advocated for this approach many years to try to convince lawmakers and others that immigrants were the â€Å"cause† of many of America’s social and economic maladies. Finally, in 1917, Congress passed the Immigration Act, also known as the Literacy Act (and Asiatic Barred Zone Act), which included a literacy test that is still a requirement for becoming a U.S. citizen today. The Immigration Act demanded that those who were over the age of 16 and could read some language must read 30-40 words to show they were capable of reading. Those who were entering the U.S. to avoid religious persecution from their country of origin did not have to pass this test. The literacy test that is part of the Immigration Act of 1917 included only a few languages available to immigrants. This meant that if their native language was not included, they could not prove they were literate, and were denied entry. Beginning in 1950, immigrants could legally only take the literacy test in English, further limiting those who could gain entry to the United States. Besides demonstrating the ability to read, write, and speak English, immigrants also have to display knowledge of U.S. history, government, and civics. English literacy tests have effectively been used in the U.S. as a means to keep immigrants   that the government deemed unwanted out of the country, for the tests are demanding and rigorous.   Would you be able to pass them? REFERENCES 1.Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, Ferris State University, 2.Foner, Eric., The Supreme Court and the History of Reconstruction and Vice-VersaColumbia Law Review, November 2012, 1585-1606ericfoner.com/articles/SupCtRec.html 3.4. Techniques of Direct Disenfranchisement 1880-1965,   University of Michigan, umich.edu/~lawrace/disenfranchise1.htm 4. Constitutional Rights Foundation, A Brief History of Jim Crow, crf-usa.org/black-history-month/a-brief-history-of-jim-crow 5. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow, PBS, pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/voting_literacy.html 6. Ibid. 7. http://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations/AAI8708749/ RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING Alabama Literacy Test, 1965, pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/voting_literacy.html Constitutional Rights Foundation, A Brief History of Jim Crow, crf-usa.org/black-history-month/a-brief-history-of-jim-crow Foner, Eric, The Supreme Court and the History of Reconstruction and Vice-Versa Columbia Law Review, November 2012, 1585-1606ericfoner.com/articles/SupCtRec.html Head, Tom, 10 Racist US Supreme Court Rulings, ThoughtCo., March 03, 2017, https://www.thoughtco.com/racist-supreme-court-rulings-721615 Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, Ferris State University, ferris.edu/jimcrow/what.htm Onion, Rebecca, Take the Impossible â€Å"Literacy† Test Louisiana Gave Black Voters in the 1960s, slate.com/blogs/the_vault/2013/06/28/voting_rights_and_the_supreme_court_the_impossible_literacy_test_louisiana.html PBS, The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow, pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/voting_literacy.html Schwartz, Jeff, CORE’s Freedom Summer, 1964 - My Experiences in Louisiana, crmvet.org/nars/schwartz.htm Weisberger, Mindy, Immigration Act of 1917 Turns 100: Americas Long History of Immigration Prejudice, LiveScience, Feb. 5, 2017, livescience.com/57756-1917-immigration-act-100th-anniversary.html

Human Right in Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human Right in Development - Essay Example This paper shall now discuss the thesis: To what extent might water as a priced commodity be consistent with the human right to water? The political economic foundations of this thesis will also be discussed. This study is being undertaken in order to come up with a clear understanding of the subject matter, including its essential points of discussion. Body The world’s natural supply of underground water which is relied on by about two billion people is being depleted, according to a report by the United Nations (BBC, 2003). This report further revealed that the water tables are falling by about three metres with each year throughout many developing nations. The increase in populations, the rapid rate of industrialization, and intensive farming are just some of the reasons for this dramatic decrease in water supplies. In the US in Arizona, the report further revealed that the amount of water being extracted from the ground is twice what is actually being naturally replaced (B BC, 2003). In the Arabian gulf, their underground water is being contaminated by the salty water which is gathered from the coast to supplement the city’s water supply (BBC, 2003). Developing nations are the countries mainly utilizing underground water sources and their rates of use are increasing significantly. Dhaka in Bangladesh has also been using underground water sources to an extent where in many regions, the water table has fallen to about 40 metres. The issue of limited water supply is one which does not appear to have a clear resolution in the immediate future. And many more issues shall be borne from it before a satisfactory solution can be established. Millions of people in the world do not have regular access to clean water. In some regions of the world, getting water for daily use calls for a significant expenditure of time and effort. The issue is also not singularly based on access to water, but access to clean drinking water (Okonski, 2009). Dirty water is a source of bacteria and viruses. The UN also expressed that the world shortage of water supply has caused the deaths of more people through disease, than deaths through wars. In effect, shortage of water supply is one of the major problems of the world. Various researches have been carried out on water and on the issue of water scarcity. These studies have focused on establishing a better understanding of the causes of this shortage and the impact of this issue (Okonski, 2009). In the same manner however, the issue has also been the target of varying opinions and points of contention on water being a human right. Theorists advocating the contention that ‘water is a right’ argue that since water is a natural resource which is essential to our survival as humans, the access to clean water must also be considered a basic human right (Okonski, 2009). The government must therefore do whatever it can to provide clean water, and its access must not be secured with profit consid erations. These theorists raise crucial points in this discussion. If credence is to be given to the argument that water is a human right, does every person then have the right to imbibe as much water as he wants, without making any considerations as to time and place? If the answer is no, what quantity then of water is each individual entitled to? And how are arguments among users of water to be resolved? How then would the efficient use of water be