Generation and Gender management in workplace Research Paper

Generation and Gender management in workplace - Research Paper Example Hence, managing diverse people are challenging for the organizations. People from different generations’ forms a part of the workforce, where the new employees have to work along with several elder employees (Dow Jones & Company, Inc., 2014). The paper deals with reflecting upon a work experience in Sheraton hotel to investigate generations and gender management in the workplace. Generally, there are four generations in the workplace. One of the oldest generations working in an organization is ‘Veterans’, born between the years 1922 to 1946. Veterans are the senior most people working in an organization, in terms of age bar. However, in Sheraton Hotel, there are no veterans. The next category generation is the Baby Boomers, born between the years 1946 to 1964. Most of the baby boomers are experienced, particularly due to the fact that the people of this generation have faced challenges during both good and difficult times of the organizations. These baby boomers gain knowledge from their experience, skills, and thinking abilities. Furthermore, baby boomers believe that whether they carry any specific educational degree or not, a person can gain success only through personal experiences with an organization. They value the corporate timings and organizational motives, and are inflexible to trends of the people in their personal and professional c ulture. In Sheraton Hotel, there is only one female baby boomer, employed as dormitory supervisor. She is a middle-aged woman, whose chief responsibility is to maintain the dormitory surroundings clear. She has gained experienced in this work, which she relates to her numerous achievements after she was elected as the dormitory supervisor years back. She acted as a vital source of motivation for me, because she exercised a strong influence over the middle level employees and trainees.

Charles Jencks and Postmodernism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Charles Jencks and Postmodernism - Essay Example Postmodernism defined the exaggerated and incessantly revolutionary form of Modernism. For Jencks Postmodernism hybridises Modernism by reweaving the recent modern past and local culture. Charles Jencks referred to Modernism as to the international style deriving from facts of the new means of construction and satisfactory to a new industrial culture. He also stated that the goal of Modernism was the change of society, both in its social structure and taste. Being an "international" and a "universal" style, this movement proved unwilling to historical and cultural context considerations. Postmodernism, according to him, replaces the shortcomings of Modernism by relating the architecture of a place with the place itself by deriving inspirations from the local construction style and culture of a place. The Classical explanation of Postmodernism was made by Charles Jencks in 1978. He characterized Postmodernist architecture as "double coding": the mixture of Modern techniques with traditional construction so Postmodern architects could communicate with the society and create buildings that are more relevant to the surroundings as compared to the international style. ... Post-modernism means the end of a single world view and a resistance to single explanations, a respect for difference and a celebration of the regional, local and place particular peculiarities. Yet in its suffix 'Modern', it still carries the essence of a process which is international and in some senses universal. In this sense it is always hybrid, mixed, ambiguous, and 'double-coded" architecture which results out of the process of Postmodernist thinking. His theories hold distrust in architecture that 'expressed' through its form; whether function, or feelings & associations: Jencks argues that these expressive forms could give rise to unintended meanings and at times ends up in confusion. For example the form of the Ronchamp chapel designed by Le Corbusier relates itself to that of the hat of a man, a ship and the praying hands of a man or a flying bird. This according to him created confusion. Jencks describes Postmodernism as a movement that is irreducibly multiple, located between the demands of past aesthetics and those of present-day technologies and struggles. He opines that architecture must relate everyday meanings to more important manifestations in terms of architectural functions in a building, be they social, political, religious or cultural. As described in the book Language of Post-Modern Architecture, the end of Modernism and architecture as social experimentation was epitomised by the blowing up of the St. Louis Pruitt Igoe public housing estate in 1972. In his book Jencks describes this event as a milestone in history that marked the formal death of modernism owing to its failure the experiment in high-rise public housing for low

Impact of Women in Government for Nigerian Democracy

Impact of Women in Government for Nigerian Democracy TIJANI, FATIMAH. A TITLE: Impact of Women Involvement In Governance and Political Leadership, Towards the Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria: 1999 – 2012. AN OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY: The focus of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore the impact of the Nigerian woman in the involvement in governance and Political Leadership towards the sustainable democracy in the last three dispensations 1999-2012. It is no doubt that in such a patriarchal society as our women expenses such a large percentages of discrimination and marginalization in their quest for active participation. However, despite the recorded achievements of women’s rights advocates such as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, and Gambo Sawaba, there continues to be an underrepresentation of Nigerian women in leadership and political positions (Asase, 2003; Qualls, 2003). Various challenges such as gender roles and stereotypes as well as structure of the political environment in Nigeria militate against the full participation of women in political and public life. Additionally, severe hindrances of gender inequality such as the underrepresentation and discrimination as a result of cultural, social, and political norms empower men at their expense (Okome, 2006; Okunna, 1996). As a result women are struggling to gain access, have a presence or be influential in the political process of the country. They are often in a poorer position than their male counterparts in the various spheres of politics. Though a growing number of women are members of the various political parties in Nigeria, very few occupy executive positions in these parties, only very few are given the opportunity to contest for elective positions and even fewer are appointed as members of the ruling cabinet. To this end, the findings from this research may provide the following information to; to provide strategies to help decision-makers reevaluate or develop programs designed to improve the quality of life for Nigerian women towards active participation, to provide enabling channel for the empowering of Nigerian women towards gender equality as well as those in similar societies as they continue striving to obtain gender equity. To provide insights regarding the importance of including women in governance and Political leadership roles. Finally the study will also explore the various influences and presence of women in the last three dispensation in Nigeria and the roles they have played towards sustainable democracy in the country despite the little opportunity they are given. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: The inferiority complex of the Nigerian women as to their active political involvement and representation constitute the crux of this Research. The gender stereotyping in Nigeria’s political system today has its genesis from the onset of colonialism in Nigeria. Making the western cultural notion of colonialism tied towards a patriarchal society which in turn is reflected in its male superiority within the Nigerians society today. The most crucial element of this research is that women are, and have been marginalized as well as sidelined in the political spheres of things in Nigeria and this current situation might cause some dangerous national catastrophe if not adequately managed. Indeed, women’s political involvement during the colonial times till date have contributed greatly towards shaping the Nigerian politics not only in democratic governance; but also during the pre-colonial era. Therefore, it will be unreasonable, and cruel to wish away the critical efforts of women in the making of Nigerian state while arrogating political powers to the male folk. It is also unjust to ascribe political seats only for the male folks in this state of globalization where the world is evolving and where the role, influence and charismatic preposition of the women in global politics is considered to be relevance and importance towards attainment of overall world peace, mutual co-existence and tranquility. In line with this I will be taking a look at the various stages of Nigerian political history and how women has been in some ways impacted to the sustainable democracy in Nigeria even when they are unimaginably sidelined, additionally ways to encourage their full participation into political posts in the country without prejudice. AIMS/PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: The followings are the reasons why I decided to embark on this research To examine the impacts of women in governance and political leadership towards the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria To elicit their challenges, experiences and contributions to the democratic process in Nigeria To look at the disparity between the involvement of women in governance, Leadership and politics in Nigeria, and to raise concern on the lack of gender equity in the transformed democratic practise in Nigeria enlighten about their human rights for involvement and participation. This research work will form part of the requirement for the degree of the Masters in International Relations. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: To bring to limelight ways/how Nigerian women are shattering the ceilings that limit and marginalize them in the Nigerian political scene. To provide information to help decision-makers reevaluate or develop programs designed to improve the quality of life for Nigerian women towards active participation. The findings from the study may provide insights regarding the importance of including women in governance and Political leadership roles. To serve as an avenue for further research study on the area of gender politics in the Nigerian Society. RESEARCH QUESTIONS What impact has the involvement of Nigerian women in governance and political leadership been able to add to the sustainable of democracy in the country? If more women participated in decision-making and active participation, what kind of difference would they make? What are the positions of political parties, government and other state institutions (including the three branches of government) on the role and participation of women in political and public offices? In what ways can women themselves contribute to reducing the challenges that hinder their effective participation in governance and politics in general? What lessons can be drawn from the research that would help decision-makers in general but especially political parties to address the problems of women’s participation in political and public life? What recommendations can be made to address the problems of women in politics and public offices? SCOPE OF STUDY: This study will be undertaken within the jurisdiction of the Federal Republic of Nigeria State. It will look into the impact of Nigerian women involvement in governance and political leadership towards the sustainable democracy in Nigerian politics within the last three dispensation i.e. from 1999-2012. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS According to Ogbeide (1996), hypothesis testing is a fundamental in activity in qualitative data analysis. The statement of a hypothesis take two means: null (H0) and research (H1). While null hypothesis indicates that there is no relationship between the variables under study, the research hypothesis indicated that there is a relationship between the variables. In this study two hypotheses will be tested as shown below: Hypothesis 1 H1: Women Involvement in Governance and Political Leadership, has been impactful towards the Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria H0: Women Involvement in Governance and Political Leadership, have not been impactful towards the Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria Hypothesis 2 H1: Women participation in decision-making will help faster development of the nation H0: Women participation in decision-making will not help the faster development of the nation. METHODOLOGY: In obtaining the required information for this research, the use of qualitative and quantitative means of data collections will be used, which means Data for the study will be carried out from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data will be administered through structured questionnaires on about 700 randomly selected female politicians, activists and professionals in government and dominant political parties cross-cutting through the six geo-political zones of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This will be done in order to capture and document a cross-cutting opinion of the targeted groups in the respective geo-political zones on the situation regarding women’s role in politics and the democratic process in Nigeria. Additionally, scheduled interview schedules will be conducted with 10 purposively selected respondents who occupied key political leadership positions whose experiences has facilitated the documentation of women’s involvement in politics and the democratic process in Nigeria from 1999-2011. The use of academic research books, journals, and writes up from feminist scholars will be highlighted. As such, this research will take its bearing from the feminist ideologies concerning the status of women. THEORETÄ °CAL FRAMEWORK This research study will take its theoretical prospect from feminist ideologies which is concerned with the status of women in every spheres in general. Feminists are of the view that in comparison to men, women occupy disadvantaged positions in most elusive dimensions of our life. The work of two feminists idelogist will be of importance here; Walby (1990; 1997) and Chafetz (1990) will be briefly examined here with particular focus on the relationships they perceive exist between domestic and public economic life with regard to the creation and maintenance of gender inequalities. A BRIEF OUTLINE: (THESIS STRUCTURE) This study will comprise of six chapters. The introductory chapter which will provide us with an overview of what the research is going to be, the objectives, literature review, research method and also samples arguments on why gender equality in politics is essential. Chapter two examines of the historical dimension and position of women in Nigerian political history dating back to its precolonial, colonial as well as postcolonial times till date. It seeks to creates insight on the various contributions of women in governance though Nigerian political history which will help the focus of this research. The third chapter will analysis the data collected based on the field research, and opinion of selected respondents via interviews and questionnaires. Chapter four on the other hand will be focusing on the impact of women involvement in Nigerian politics vis-a-viz their quest for political participation. This chapter equally introduces the three major political parties in Nigeria; and using them as case study in order to fully capture the scope of political transition period, this research analyzes the contributions of political parties towards the poor participation and representation of women since independence till date. It highlights their role in representative democracy such as practiced in Nigeria today as well as various avenues they use to hamper women’s advancement in politics. Furthermore the fifth chapter will be taking a broader insight into the impact, ways and contributions adopted by the women in Nigeria in the last dispensations to encourage gender equality in political scene, the various national as well as international policies amongst other things and how these measures have been implemented. This chapter will also analyze the impact these measures have had on women advancement in the country’s politics as well as the hindrances they have been face with. Finally, the concluding chapter, will highlight some observations, recommendations on the findings as well as recommendations from various respondents for further research study. ORGANIZATION OF CHAPTERS CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Background of the Study Statement of the Problem Aims/Purpose/Objective of the Study Significance of the Study Research Questions Scope of the Study Hypothesis Methodology Theoretical Framework Delimitation (Scope) of the Study Literature Review Operational Defination of Terms Reference CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 2.1 Introduction- Women in Nigerian Politics: An Overview 2.2 The 1979 and 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the Status of the Nigerian Woman in politics 2.3 Women in Pre-colonial Nigeria 2.4 Women in Colonial Nigeria 2.5 Women in Nigeria Today 2.6 The Problem of Colonial Legacy to Women’s Involvement in Nigeria Politics 2.6 Ferminist Theory in Perspctive 2.7 Arguments for gender-balanced Representation Reference CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY (DATA PRESENTAION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION) 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Research Design 3.3 Population 3.4 Sample and Sampling technique 3.5 Instrument for Data Collection 3.5.1 Personal Interview 3.5.2 Questionnaire 3.6 Data Analysis 3.7 Response to Questionnaire 3.8 Tabular Design of Questionnaire 3.9 Statistical Test of Hypotheses 3.10 Interpretation of Hypothesis 3.11 Summary Reference CHAPTER FOUR: CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS TO THE LEVEL OF WOMEN’S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA TODAY AND THE ROLE OF PARTY POLITICS 4.1 An Overview of the concept ‘Participation’ in politics 4.2 The rise and structure of political parties in Nigeria 4.3 A brief background of the three major political parties in Nigeria 4.4 The position of women in the Nigerian political parties 4.5 Ways political parties inhibit women in Nigerian politics Reference CHAPTER FIVE: CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN TO NIGERIAN POLITICS 5.1 Impacts of Nigerian Women Involvement in Nigerian Politics towards Sustainable Democracy 5.2 Barriers and Hinderances to Women Involvement women in Nigerian politics 5.3 Actors role in increasing womenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s political participation 5.4 Other contributions towards women empowerment and gender equality in Nigeria Reference CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 6.1 Summary 6.2 Conclusion 6.3 Recommendations 6.4 Recommendations for Further Studies

A Balanced Budget? :: essays research papers fc

A Balanced Budget? This year President Clinton will submit his proposed legislation for the Federal Budget to Congress. The fact that we have divided government (ex., Democratic President, Republican majority in Congress) means the majority of that legislation won't make it through the first ten minutes of a Congressional session. The President in turn will veto legislation presented to him by Congress. The whole situation is a vicious, never ending circle. Each side is looking out for their own best interests, and after years, even decades of this the United States has a huge budget deficit. Is there a solution to all this madness? Is it feasible to balance the Federal Budget? Every politician on Capitol Hill claims to have the answer. The Federal Government goes as far to employ some of the most renowned economist's in the world to try to solve the deficit mess, and they still haven't figured it out. The budget simulation exercise by The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget provided choices Congress has to use as its guide for the upcoming year. How hard can it be to balance the budget I thought? After doing the exercised I realized the title of the simulation exercise, "The FY 1997 Budget: An Exercise in Hard Choices," could not have been more appropriate. It is possible though to balance the Federal Budget, provided you follow 3 simple rules. First you must decide what you feel is important, then cut without consciousness, and if that doesn't work, alter your baseline. Important Choices When deciding on what I thought was important to protect in the budget, I felt like a politician myself. I protected my own self interests. First up was Defense. The fact that I am in the Marine Officer Program weighed heavily on my decision to increase Defense spending by 17.6 billion (all amounts in billions, unless noted), following the Congressional Budget Resolution. The President's plan just didn't provide enough capital, the Congressional Black Caucus/Progressive Caucus would basically wipe out my career before it even starts, and I just can not have that. Next up is Education. Without the direct student loan program, I would have no way to fund my education other than going to some bank and going through the demeaning process of begging a loan officer to lend me money for school. I feel a sense of loyalty to the President on this issue, because without this program I would still be doing concrete construction back home in Indiana. As a result, I voted to increase Educational spending 33.4.My other concern or problem area is Administration of Justice.

A Life in Prague 1941-1968 Essay

Life under the Soviets was as cruel as that under the Germans. The end of German occupation signaled a new era of political tension and economic dislocation for the people of Czechoslovakia. After the Communist coup in 1948, the Czech people were once again introduced to the concept of totalitarian brutality. Many people were tortured and imprisoned by the state police for ‘subversive activities. Prison camps, almost equal in ‘splendor’ and ‘brutality’ were erected across the country. However, unlike the Nazi experience, this ‘new experience’ was never heard in the international stage. The tragedy of the Second World War became once again the scenery of Prague. However, much of the chapter’s content (pp. 93-143) seemed to focus on the hardships of the author. Kovaly seemed to have been frustrated with her role both as a woman and citizen. At times, she complained on the government’s lack of political will to guarantee the equality of women and men. Kovaly lived the life of a wealthy woman. She bought luxurious items, attempted to create a foundation (for children), and sought the support of top officials for financing her projects. Because she was the wife of a deputy minister, she was expected to participate in minor political meetings, and to become a role model to other women. Rudolf’s arrest turned her world upside down. Although an ardent Communist, his husband was suspected to be an ally of the West. Kovaly asked help from Ludvik Frejka, the head of the Economic Commission. Frejka, however, refused to help her. After a few weeks, Frejka was arrested and executed along with Kovaly’s husband. Kovaly languished in pain. She cursed the system for its anti-Semitic orientation. She wanted to denounce the brutality of the Soviet-led government, but had little power to demonstrate it. Her husband’s execution was portrayed as the continuation of German tyranny (under the guise of a Communist Party). She persistently argued that ‘being a loyal Communist does not guarantee safety, if you are a Jew, practicing or not. ’ It can be argued that Kovaly’s pessimistic attitude against the Soviet-led regime was borne out of hatred and repulsion. The Communists had driven the Germans but failed to instill the principles of equality and humanity into the hearts of the anti-Semitic population of Prague. In this chapter, Kovaly explained the consequences of Communist rule of Czechoslovakia. She argued that the Communist occupation did not free the Czech people from slavery. It was an instrument in the creation of a new political and economic form of slavery – slavery which is disguised by the principles of economic equality and political tolerance. She argued that while the war brought national shame and indignation to the country, the Communist occupation brought deprivation and perpetual fear to the common people. According to Kovaly, the cessation of freedom for the sake of necessity, economic equality, Party disciple, and even for the ‘false’ glory of the country, would only lead to the eventual demise of individual truths – truths which make individuals happy and content. Kovaly’s assertions are supported by many historians. For Toynbee, the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia signaled the end of freedom and individual merit. Toynbee argued that the real goal of Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia was the eventual isolation of Western democracy. The country served as a bait for the Western powers to relinquished their claim of democracy in the East, particularly Czechoslovakia. For Ozment, the Soviet occupation of the country was necessary because Czechoslovakia served as the basement of German military power during the early 1940s. Czech support for Germany proved to be decisive and convincing. Hence, according to Ozment, the brutality of the Soviet occupation was a testimony to ‘revenge’ and ‘destruction’ of political freedom.

At the Mind’s Limit by Jean Amery: Book Report Essay

â€Å"At The Mind’s Limit† is a series of essays written by Jean Amery, a German born Jew who survived the holocaust, who gives the reader a very interesting perspective into the mind of a persecuted Jew from 1935 forward. Amery does not consider himself a religious Jew or one who follows any Jewish traditions. In fact, he did not know that Yiddish was a language until he was 18. So Amery describes the events leading up to and following the holocaust through the eyes of an â€Å"intellectual† and tries to find out whether being an â€Å"intellectual† helped or hindered his mental and spiritual capacity as he experienced unimaginable terrors. The first section entitled At The Mind’s Limit, examines the effects of these unthinkable events on the minds of what he refers to as intellectual and non-intellectual people. Amery claims that intellectual people are people who know poetry, art, philosophy, music, and literature; basically a man who emerged from the Renaissance with a sense of reason. The initial shock of what was happening hit the Jews at different times. While all of the non-intellectuals began trying to hold onto anything that still made sense (God, possessions, family), the intellectual, plagued by reason, steps back from the event occurring and try to apply reason. Through reason they could see that they were totally helpless. Being rounded up to be slaughtered with no help in sight. This made the initial â€Å"sting† of the events leading up to the holocaust become worst for the intellectuals. Also, because the world around the intellectual used to hold so much meaning and beauty that is expressed for example in poetry, the fact the world that he now finds himself in holds no hope or beauty but instead only confidence in death burns deeper into the intellectual rather than the non-intellectual. The next section, entitled Torture, analyses the effects that torture had on the authors mind. While using minimal gruesome detail, Amery shows us a horrible picture in which the tortured experiences not only physical, but also mental and spiritual pains. Amery claims that every person feels a certain sense of security in the world. They believe that if they are in trouble someone will help them, and even though they hear of horrible things happened in the world, they would never think that anything bad would happen to them. This ideal view on life was torn away from the Jews as if a large curtain were dropped to reveal how uncertain and terrifying life can be. Amery calls this realization of life, as it truly is, the â€Å"first blow†. He goes on to say that â€Å"with the first blow from a policeman’s fist, against which there can be no defense and which no helping hand will ward off, a part of our life ends and it can never be revived†(29). It is as is they are being told that Santa is not real, and the possibility for that magic and perhaps part of their imagination that is ingrained into their sense of self is destroyed. With the author’s loss of the belief in humanity, if he were shown any small amount of such humanity he would become hysterical and for a moment be able to grasp the hope that humanity is alive. However, the torture Amery suffers through continues with him everyday as he explains, â€Å"Whoever was tortured, stays tortured†(34). In the third section entitled How Much Home Does a Person Need? Amery examines the meaning of â€Å"Home† beyond the romanticized connotation, and to determine the necessity for one to have a home. Amery defines the sense of Home as a sense of security in ones surroundings though linguistic assimilation and knowledge of the things around you. While the author agrees that these characteristics of a place to live can be achieved through extensive time spent in the area, he also recognizes the idea of a â€Å"homeland† where one grew into the culture and sees the â€Å"homeland† and the people who live there as an extension of himself. When the Jews left Germany through fear of persecution, they were stripped of the culture and community they thought they belonged to. It was challenging to try to find security in being a part of the Jewish community when there was not only the fear of persecution but also sometimes a lack of enthusiasm for other Jews to try and come together when they were faced with their own problems. These people who were not only cast out of their homeland, but also had to hide their cultural background in order to survive, truly know what it means to be homeless. They were not well received in the countries they immigrated to neither by native Jews nor non-Jews. They did not feel help from anyone in the world and therefore felt no sense of security. Amery says that â€Å"Genuine homesickness† was when he looked back at his life before any of this had happened and felt self-contempt and his hatred for his loss of self. These emotions are intensified when â€Å"Traditional homesickness† or nostalgia for the way things were kicks in, causing Amery to hate himself more for wanted to be back in the land that turned against him. He goes on to claim that people need a sense of home, and that without a sense of home people age very poorly. He says that young men are always seeing themselves as men of the future, while old men see themselves as what they were in the past. One grows with his â€Å"home† and needs that growth in order to look back on his life and be satisfied with being a man of the past. The fifth section, Resentment, discusses the author’s continual feelings of resentment towards the Germans people and whether or not they are justified. Amery makes many references to Nietzsche who defines resentment as a feeling that comes after the realization of helplessness toward the person rendering you helpless. Amery says he does not feel as ease traveling through the country that he had once called home. His resentment had not been felt right after his survival or the Holocaust, but developed over years of introspection and personal thought. Amery has an issue with the â€Å"collective guilt† of the German people. He felt as though this collective guilt led to the world forgiving the Germans too easily. It seems as though the Germans had all turned around and were accepted into the world without further repercussions other than trials of specific commanders in the Nazi party. Amery is taken aback by how the Germans, a people who are so invested into their rich cultural past, could simply sweep this period of time under the rug and continue on as if nothing had happened. He does not necessarily believe that the Germans should be physically punished; instead he thinks the Germans need to accept this as part of their history and use it to move forward understanding its historical significance. That is why when asked the question how long the Jews will preach the horrors or the Holocaust, Amery claims it should be as long as the Germans boast or hold pride in any part of their historical past. In the last section entitled On the Necessity and Impossibility of Being a Jew, Amery discusses his non-affiliation with Judaism through any cultural ties, while he was being shoved into the same category as them through social stereotypes and images. Amery states that if being a Jew implies having cultural heritage or religious ties then he is certainly not a Jew and there was no way that he could ever be one. He says he was so not interested in Judaism that he could not tell you which, if any, of his childhood friends were Jewish. However, he came to the realization that he was a Jew under the social spectrum after the Nuremberg Laws were passed in 1935. Beyond any religious or personal past, he was now officially labeled a Jew. He is thus told he is a Jew by the public while seeing he is not a Jew by the ideology of the religion. As Amery read the Nuremberg Laws, he claims that the realization of what was to come dawned on him as if were a formal death sentence. The Germans stereotyped the Jews as devilish and not worthy of love and compassion, and the world society accepted these labels and helped to degrade the Jews and strip away their sense of human dignity. After the war ended, as the world showed its unanimous contempt for the Nazis and sympathy for the Jews, Amery says he felt as if he had fully regained his dignity. As fast as the dignity was regained, it was lost again as the hostility and selfishness with which the Jews returning to their homes were met with showed Amery that this event had no significant impact on humanity. He still fears for himself, he fears for society and humanity as a whole, but he considers himself a Jew through his experiences and sacrifices; and with his new, perhaps slightly pessimistic, view of society hopes to aid the world in moving beyond these tragedies, but never forgetting. As an Actuarial Science major with a minor in Philosophy, I consider myself a person who looks at life with a certain analytical perspective driven by reason who also understands humanity and the way of the world. I think of myself as a modern renaissance man and so it is not hard for me to imagine myself as a candidate for what Amery calls an â€Å"intellectual†. Furthermore, as Amery denies cultural or religious ties to Judaism, I feel as though I can connect more with Amery then with other Jewish authors writing about their own experiences. I think that Amery makes many very keen observations while making sure to claim that this is the world from his perspective and he does not wish to speak for anyone but himself let alone the Jewish population. Amery seems like an extremely down to Earth individual who has reasonable examined and reexamined his emotions towards his past experiences and takes in account any and all objections and criticisms towards his ideas. I felt drawn into the book due to his honesty and found many more connections to other themes and authors in my other fields of study then I anticipated. I liked how the essays were not necessarily put in chronological order, but kept in the order from which the reader can see Amery’s ideas emerge and develop through his deep recollections. It was not as graphic and melancholic as most other Holocaust memoirs that I have read; instead it was a philosophical breath of fresh air retrospectively analyzing one mans experiences through living hell. Again, I view this as more of a philosophical memoir and as such I felt it read like a philosophy book, meaning that there was many philosophical and historic references and a free flowing speech which sometimes made it hard to follow. With this in mind, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in personal reactions to the Holocaust especially if they are knowledgeable in philosophy, which drastically increases the enjoyment of the book. There are few scenes of violence and more of a somber, intellectual approach to the issues brought into question with attempts to find reason beyond the intense emotional reactions the Jews faced. The author was witty and I found him enticingly enjoyable to read. I was expecting to be exposed to page after page of horrific images of the author’s experiences but was pleasantly surprised with this collection of essays. From this book, I feel as though I have gained deeper insight into the life of a Holocaust survivor. I have read of a man, not Jewish by his beliefs, but labeled a Jew because of who he was born into, who was persecuted and tortured beyond belief and instead of claiming his right to express whatever feelings he may have after these events, he dissects his own thoughts and emotions to try and find the reason beyond the initial emotional response. The book has truly shown me the meaning of the Mind’s Limit, and how any man can only take so much abuse and suffering. The fact that the author made it through the Holocaust is a miracle in itself, but he does not want to spend the rest of his life searching for meaning in God or death, but instead can only take his memories of the past and attempt to help the world to evolve beyond these days of the past, while holding the lessons they learned from it close to their hearts. Personally, I think as thought the book connected a lot with my life and other classes I am interested in. I definitely could feel the uncertainty in life the author experienced and could see myself in his shoes being taken away. The ideas the author tries to develop are similar to ideas and questions that have been brought up in other classes and still remain on my mind today. I want to thank Jean Amery for sharing his memoirs and commend him on holding so much importance on reason and being able to try and unveil reason in such a time of chaos. If tales like this do not spur us toward a more humane and understanding society, then I have little hope for the future of our civilization.