Fighting A War At Home And Abroad - 1643 Words

FIGHTING A WAR AT HOME AND ABROAD OSCAR AGUILAR CYPRESS COLLEGE PROFESSOR JOSE M. ZAMORA May 12, 2015 Introduction World War II was a pivotal moment in U.S history for men and women of all colors. Years of hatred and violence were now going to be over looked by racial groups in order to fight against an overseas enemy. Racial groups contributed to the war effort despite having their civil rights violated, oppressed and even removed. Segregation during this period of war was very much alive for these racial groups. Factories full of a specific color worked long hours with little pay, usually women. The Men of these racial groups who volunteered or where drafted to the war, where put in color specific military units. One of†¦show more content†¦All these were obstacles that needed to be overcome. Leaders from all four racial groups would fight the war back home against the U.S government, while Soldiers from all four racial groups fought the war overseas. The man power that these racial groups brought to the table was a key factor in eventually helping the allies win the war a nd back home the government noticed how valuable this was. Racial tensions would eventually be less of a problem because the more time white men spent with a racial group of people the more they felt at ease with racial integration. The Native American Fighting Spirit Native Americans played a big role during World War II. They either enlisted voluntarily or worked at the many war plants (The Role of Native Americans, 2013). Unlike the Indian removal act of 1830, this large-scale removal of Indians was by choice. It signified that the Native Americans would change their culture in order to support the war effort. On the home front Native Americans participated in many projects that directly supported the war overseas. For example an estimated 2,500 Navajos participated in the construction of the Ft. Wingate Ordnance Depot in New Mexico (The Role of Native Americans, 2013). While many Native Americans decided to stay in the reservations where poverty was common, others took advantage of the war time

Nelson Mandelas March to Liberty - 1440 Words

Nelson Mandela’s March to Liberty Throughout history, epic heroes, ranging from people of all different races and from all corners of the world shaped the world, to how it stands today. Most people look up to role models in their lives to model after, and strive to be one. Nelson Mandela, one such hero of his time in the 20th century, wanted to help his country of South Africa advance and not shut down, and fall into despair. During the 1960s, Mandela, overcame the wrathfulness of the white government officials of South Africa. He helped make the common man, into a resourceful person who desires to make his country a better place to live in. Epic heroes in literature often help their homeland to become better place to live in, even if it hurts them in the process. Mandela shortly after becoming a rebellion leader was arrested and jailed for twenty seven years after he tried to help his country against the South African government. He tried to help the common man because the go vernment took away most of the basic rights of freedom South Africans held. Mandela helped his country of South Africa by, staying strong for his country, becoming a national hero for the South Africans, and caring for them throughout the hardest parts of his life and their life too. When Mandela was born in July 18th, 1919, he was the son of a privileged chiefly son. He was allowed to go to school, and become educated, which only a small number of people had the opportunity to do so. Even thoughShow MoreRelatedNelson Mandela, A Brief History and Impact2207 Words   |  9 PagesMEETING THE GREAT MAN Nelson Mandela 1918-2013 â€Å"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.† Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in a royal family of a tribe in a South African village in MvezoRead MoreA Comparison of Dr. Kings I Have a Dream Speech and Mandelas Glory and Hope Speech1347 Words   |  6 PagesI Have a Dream and Glory and Hope were two speeches given, respectively, by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela at times of great need; at times when ignorance and racially-based hubris intertwined themselves in the sparse gaps of human understanding. At first glance, the facets of humanity and blanket tranquillity seem to be in natural accord. Philosophers have struggled with the reason behind the absolute absence of peace as everybody, by definitions both classical and modern, longsRead MoreOpposition to Apartheid1631 Words   |  7 PagesSouth African Trade Unions, women, and select individuals such as Nelson Mandela, act as but a few examples of both active and passive resistance to the Apartheid which ultimately led to its downfall and the ushering in of a new era of cooperation amongst all South African peoples. The African National Committee, first established in 1912, campaigned on a platform of unity for all Africans for the sake of civil rights and liberties. After the rise to power of the National Party and declarationRead MoreSocial Movement Synopsis Of Mahatma Gandhi3401 Words   |  14 Pagespurify people. He felt that leading a simple life made up of labor, prayer, good health habits, and abstinence from worldly pleasures could change society for the better. Gandhi’s led a civil disobedience movement in 1930 that is known as the Salt March. This act of civil disobedience was unsuccessful in securing India’s independence, but was able to unite the people of India under the leadership of the Indian National Congress. It also assisted in the collapse of the British Empire in India and indicatedRead MoreInternational Management67196 Words   |  269 Pages70 percent of Facebook users are outside the United States. More than 70 translations are available on Facebook. †¢ †¢ †¢ Two-thirds of comScore’s U.S. top websites and half of comScore’s Global top 100 websites have integrated with Facebook. On March 15, 2010, Heather Dougherty of Hitwise Intelligence reported that Facebook outpaced Google to become the most visited website in the U.S. during the previous week. That same day, Daniel Nations of About.com released a ranking of the top 10 mostRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pagesmy decision became a headline in the local newspaper? Would I feel comfortable describing my actions or decision to a customer or stockholder? ⠝  Golden rule test: Would I be willing to be treated in the same manner? ⠝  Dignity and liberty test: Are the dignity and liberty of others preserved by this decision? Is the basic humanity of the affected parties enhanced? Are their opportunities expanded or curtailed? DEVELOPING SELF-AWARENESS CHAPTER 1 73 ⠝  ⠝  ⠝  ⠝  ⠝  ⠝  Equal treatment

The Pros of Being a Vegetarian - 1127 Words

Pro-Planet. Pro-Animals. Pro-Health: The Pros of Vegetarianism. Vegetarianism, is it just a fad, or will it continue to cultivate and grow more mainstream than it is today? All signs are indicating that it will, indeed, continue to grow. â€Å"As many as 3.2% to 6% of the U.S. adult population is a vegetarian† (Parker 1). If one loves life, why not try vegetarianism? Having a vegetarian diet not only saves animals, but also improves health and uses less of our planet’s diminishing resources. The earliest known practice of vegetarianism was in ancient Greece. Vegetarianism was encouraged by the famous Greek philosophers, such as Pythagoras and Socrates. They stated that it was unclean and unfair to the living animals around them (Driscoll†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Eating just one pound of meat emits the same amount of greenhouse gasses as driving an SUV for 30 miles† (Knopper 6). While it may seem small, but many people can truly make an impact on Earth in reducing wastes and various harmful effects. Perhaps the most associated reason by non-vegetarians are the rights of animals. It has been reported that the average American will consume nineteen thousand animals in his or her lifetime. There are many absolutely grotesque and gruesome stories of animals waiting to die, stories that I will not divulge here, but the magnitude of it is worthy of researching on one’s own time. The ethical treatment of animals a moral that many vegetarians believe and follow. This is largely reason enough to become of vegetarian, but combined with the many other reasons; vegetarianism is too hard to turn a blind-eye towards. Vegetarianism has become mainstream in many ways because of the many celebrities that practice it. Some of the more contemporary ones include, Carrie Underwood, Paul McCartney, Demi Moore and Ellen DeGeneres. Albert Einstein has been quoted as saying, â€Å"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. Another quote concerning vegetarianism that I personally found intriguing originates from Gandhi, â€Å"It is very significant that some of the most thoughtful and cultured menShow MoreRelatedThe Benefits of Being a Vegetarian896 Words   |  4 Pagesyour body type and lifestyle (Preyss Pro). Not being a vegetarian can lead to obesity, illness and harm to animals. These problems can be solved by more vegetarian foods being served in public places. While vegetarians live a healthy life, meat eaters are increasing their chance of becoming obese. David Graham interviewed Kathy Rayner, who says â€Å"Good health is not a coincidence, it’s a choice. You have to be intentional about it†. Daniel Hoy states that vegetarians are thinner and have a lower bodyRead MoreVegetarian Diet Vs. Vegetarian Diets891 Words   |  4 PagesA vegetarian diet is one that is defined as a diet that includes only plant foods, and does not include meat, fish, or, poultry. There are different variety of ways in which a vegetarian diet can be classified. Lacto-ovo-vegetarians include dairy products and eggs in their diets, while lacto-vegetarians include diary but not eggs. Vegans avoid eating any animal products (Edelstein, Sharlin, 2009, p. 229). These are not the end all be all of vegetarian diets, other types of vegetarian diets are macrobioticRead MoreWhat Does A Vegetarian Diet?1591 Words   |  7 PagesWhat does a â€Å"vegetarian d iet† mean? The term â€Å"vegetarian† is quite often misunderstood. Vegetarian simply means a plant-based diet. There are several kinds of vegetarian diets, defined by what types of foods are consumed. I for example am a Lacto-vegetarians which includes dairy products in their diet. Lacto-ovo- vegetarians also eat dairy products, eggs and some including me don’t eat fish either. My name is jenna and i will have been a vegetarian for three years this lent. Today. I will try toRead MoreAnalysis on Kilbournes Argument Essay1430 Words   |  6 Pagesacceptable in our society. PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is known for having shocking advertisements. This pro-vegan and pro-vegetarian nonprofit organization has always been a topic of interest. Many of PETA’s ad campaigns are related to sexuality, violence, discrimination against how people look, and dominance over women. There are many pro-vegetarian and pro-vegan ads that do not degrade women and still are persuasive. Jean Kilbourne writes about violence and the degradation ofRead MorePros And Cons Of Vegetarianism941 Words   |  4 PagesIs a vegetarian diet healthier than a meat eating diet? Becoming vegetarian certainly has pros because of its potential health benefits. However, becoming vegetarian also has its cons because it can cause the human body to become deficient on some of the body’s needs such as iron. With that, there are many advantages and disadvantages to vegetarianism that could make or break the choice of becoming one. A vegetarian lifestyle is known to provide the body with many health benefits. According to â€Å"BecomingRead MoreVeganism And Vegetarianism, By Tzachi Zamir939 Words   |  4 Pageschoosing the fate of an animal. Zamir research is able to argue the perspective of Vegans and Vegetarians. Zamir’s fourth part of the argument uses evidence that a large portion of vegans are inconsistent with their â€Å"Veganism†, most of them are only Vegan when it’s convenient or for social acceptance. The final argument explains what it means to be a â€Å"moral Vegetarian†. Zamir writes that it is difficult for Vegetarians to purchase foods that don’t require the suffering on any animals. Zamir’s first partRead MoreNet Profit1479 Words   |  6 Pagesindustry in Dawkins. The city is in continuing growth and expansion, being ranked as the fastest growing number of vegetarians in the country. Currently Livoria faces a cash shortfall due to a lawsuit. The menu has to be adapted to the market demand fast to keep up with the changes. The owners expressed the desire of having 1.1M in net profit by 2015. The goal can be reached ONLY by changing and adapting the menu to a vegetarian one. Some loyal customers will be lost, because the veal cutlet sandwichRead MoreThe Ethical Implications Of Vegetarianism1614 Words   |  7 PagesVegetarians are people who do not eat meat, and for some, do not consume any animal products at all. Vegetarian has been along for a long time and with time has grown the controversy over the topic. The reasons that vegetarianism has grown into a controversial topic are mostly the human beliefs and health reasons associated with it. Vegetarianism has been around since as early as the seventh century B.C.E.. The civilization was the Indus Valley Civilization, they practiced tolerance towards all livingRead MoreVegetarianism for Dummies Essay897 Words   |  4 Pageswhat you eat† and if making good food choices makes you a healthier and happier person, why are healthy food trends seemingly misunderstood and becoming a thing of the past? This semester I will be researching the advantages of choosing to obtain a vegetarian lifestyle and why some individuals are making arguments that are extremely against the practice. This topic is appropriate for a semester of sustained research because there are multiple viewpoints on the issue (including people who have experiencedRead MoreAre Eating Meat Or Not Eat Meat?886 Words   |  4 Pagesmeat or not eat meat?† If someone were to choose not to eat meat, they would be considered a vegetarian or a vegan. There’s a lot of similarities and differences both ways and even though there are similarities and differences between the two, a lot of people don’t truly know what their diet has in it or how what they eat affects their bodies. Today I will be sharing those differences between a vegetarian and meat eater, their diets and about which lifestyle is best for you. Today about 95% of Americans

Art in Our World Essay - 1078 Words

ll art is not only part of society, but is the product of the beliefs and values of the artist and the audience. I believe that the world is divided in the same manner as the human brain. There is the scientific side and the artistic side. Everything in the world can be placed in at least one of the two categories. Furthermore, I believe that neither side is dominant over the other. From this thought, I conclude that society is composed of both science and art, both expressing beliefs and values in their own respective, unique forms. Focusing on the artistic side, however, one can see a striking paradox. Even though art is more abstract than science, there is a more direct definition of art than science. While a scientist must explain his†¦show more content†¦His work called â€Å"Seeing Yourself Sensing† is called an art happening which is an interactive study which requires human participation to occur. To a person simply walking by, it would appear to be a wall of glass; but when informed that it is semi-reflective glass that shows the audience the effect he or she has on the surroundings, the â€Å"glass wall† becomes a window into wondrous realizations of self. However, even with the intent of the artist, each individual encounters â€Å"Seeing Yourself Sensing† as an ever-changing happening; therefore, it would be impossible for the author to write down the exact meaning of his work, because an exact meaning doesn’t exist. The exhibit takes on new meaning each day the doors of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City are opened to the public. I believe that particular work took a meaning never fathomed by the artist. One can only imagine what meaning many people took from â€Å"Seeing Yourself Sensing† on September 12, 2001. Surely, there was a broad range of emotions demonstrated that day. I conclude that on occasion, artist intent is necessary for some art to â€Å"happen†, but the meaning doesnâ€℠¢t exist on paper. Another aspect to understanding how society is reflected in the arts is to view the art with regards to its origin and to its audience. The term for this idea is a sociological phrase usually attributed to demographics: cultural relativism. An example of how this wayShow MoreRelatedThe Influence of Art on Our World Essay985 Words   |  4 Pages Art is not just a picture on a wall or in a museum, art comes in many forms. It can be a song you just heard, a video you watched, or a painting you saw in a gallery. Also, art can be just text. All forms of art grasp you in different ways and make your thoughts evolve to new distances. Art can bring you feelings you did not think you had. You can perceive the art in many ways and the creator wants it to influence you. I believe that yes, at can truly influence society and inform human behaviorRead More A Creative Classroom Essay1444 Words   |  6 PagesA Creative Classroom Art education is an essential part of a childs development through life, and much of their learning for life takes place inside the classroom. Those first few years are so incredibly important to the development of each child, and without the creative learning opportunities, children will lack the qualities they need to grow in this world. Art will be something that they will use throughout their life time, so it is imperative to introduce it into their lives early onRead MoreThe Modern Mentality Regarding the View of Art1008 Words   |  5 Pagesplace in the world? With their rows of letters and series of words, what could they represent? How do people see these bounded pieces of paper? In a very general sense, they represent a type of art. Art, as defined by the New Oxford American Dictionary, is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination . . . producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. The majority of people would accept this as a good idea of what art is; but reallyRead MoreWhere Are The Great Women Artists?1559 Words   |  7 Pagestoken women artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe and/or Frida Kahlo in your list. Why do these lists generate more male names than female? Are females incapable of the becoming great artists? Do they have a different kind of greatness? Or, as the feminist art historian Linda Nochlin suggests in her ground-breaking article Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?, there are no great women artists; no female version of Picasso or Van Gogh, because they simply haven’t been allowed to be great. ThroughoutRead MoreArt Is An Important Part Of Education843 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is art? Is it just painting or can it be a number of creations, such as, music, dancing, theater, pictures, sculptures, poems, stories, or videos. When I think of art, I think of all of these different creations listed as art. Art is anything that can inspire a person, or create feelings from looking, touching, or hearing. The definition of art is â€Å"the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing worksRead MoreCan Art Change the Way We View the World1554 Words   |  7 PagesCan Art Change the Way We View the World? Susan Agee Classics in Philosophy of Art - P346 Gregory Steel Fall 2012 For centuries, art has been interwoven throughout the history of mankind. From primitive carvings on cave walls and ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, to the Sistine Chapel and the Mona Lisa, artistic creations have enthralled the human race. Art may be a window to the creator’s world; it has potential to instill desire in the viewer to do something they have never done, be somewhere theyRead MoreThe As A World Of Perfection And Reality1244 Words   |  5 PagesArt is a collection of artworks that reflects a message for the audience to interpret. Each piece of artwork is expressed in different forms that communicate an individual’s thoughts and emotions to another person. Every artist has their own individual style which makes them different from the rest. Although artists have similar styles, viewers have their own interpretation when they are analyzing a piece of art in depth. Philosophers claim the uniqueness of art comes from all the creative ideasRead MoreArt Is A Cata lyst Of Change1212 Words   |  5 PagesArt is a catalyst of change. It can confront both social and political issues as well as providing people with a creative outlet in which they can express their innermost thoughts and feelings - but what effect can art have on our society as a whole? Artists today have the unique ability to connect with people in a creative, innovative way that they can understand and interpret themselves. With this ability, artists are able to express their own views as well as influencing the views of others. ArtRead MoreJohn Keat s Line, Beauty Is Truth, Truth Beauty1568 Words   |  7 Pageslike movies, music, books, and so on, media seems to like the message that truth is†¦ solid. That truth is, in a way other things are not. That truth is concrete and that if we work and search, we will find the truth and all our questions will be answered. More ‘artsy’ art, things like paintings, poetry, sculptures, music, and such, seem to very much disagree. Truth becomes an almost illusory concept, searched for, aspired to, but never fully grasped. I believe John Keat’s line â€Å"Beauty is truthRead MoreWhat Are the Literate Arts Good for? Essay1229 Words   |  5 PagesAre The Literate Arts Good For? Miller asked a question in his text, The Dark Night of the Soul, which is asked on numerous occasions. ‘What might the Literate Arts be good for?’ Miller gives situations and reasons why we could say the Literate Arts are useless in today’s world. What might the Literate Arts be good for? I ask this question a lot nowadays too. When I go for an English class or see literary books, the question creeps into my mind unconsciously. In this modern world ‘reading and writing’

Pros and Cons using oil Free Essays

Pros and Cons of using oil I want to talk about advantages and disadvantages of using oil in our world, people can use it for different reasons. We use oil for cars, airplanes etc. In some countries it is very expensive but in other countries it is much more cheaper because today its harder to find that’s why its more expensive and may not be much left. We will write a custom essay sample on Pros and Cons using oil or any similar topic only for you Order Now Oil is very useful. For example, we can use it as an ingredient for our meal but also it used to accelerate the cars and how we also know doctors use oil in many medical reasons. I think advantages of using oil is that people can use it for different reason. People use oil for military reasons too. There are a lot of ways using oil. A lot of people now travel with plane, they couldn’t travel if there wasn’t oil. In war oil is used more because soldiers need to drive planes and cars and attack another country. People use oil to heat their houses. People use oil to get energy from it. When country is rich of oil its economy should be very good. Because other countries buy oil from them. In big wars such as WWW and WWW oil was the main thing that was needed to win the war. And the countries who started the war they wanted to capture the places where there is a lot of oil. Nowadays oil is very useful. In some places oil Is very expensive because they don’t produce oil but they buy it from other countries and they sell it expensive. But some countries sell oil much more cheaper because they produce oil in their countries. Disadvantages of using oil are that it makes pollution and a lot of people die because of that. People have used oil for centuries but using it made pollution. Pole used fuel smokes to kill another people. Usually they used It In wars. Burning oil produce carbon dioxide and It causes global warming. Passing near a car that brings out smoke,one starts to caught because the carbon dioxide that Is released from the car Is going to ones kings and It can result with serious problems to ones health. And used OLL Is hard to recycle and a lot of factories produce carbon monoxide by giving it out to the air. People start to breath with this air. I think In our time Oil Is very useful because without OLL we can not survive. People can not use electronically devices or we can not move without cars or planes. We would need more time to go to some places without planes. But It would be better because there would not be pollution and people could live longer. In some places oil is very expensive because they don’t produce oil but they buy it from other countries and they sell it expensive. But pollution. People used fuel smokes to kill another people. Usually they used it in wars. Burning oil produce carbon dioxide and it causes global warming. Passing near a car that brings out smoke,one starts to caught because the carbon dioxide that is released from the car is going to ones kings and it can result with serious problems to ones health. And used oil is hard to recycle and a lot of factories produce carbon monoxide by giving it out to the air. People start to breath with this air. I think in our time Oil is very useful because without oil we can not survive. People can not use time to go to some places without planes. But it would be better because there would How to cite Pros and Cons using oil, Papers

Criminal Justice Case Brief free essay sample

Maddox v. Montgomery United States Courts of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit 718 F. 2d 1033 (11th Cir. 1983) Kenneth Davis CJAD 405, Section A Professor Alesio June 08, 2011 Facts: Jimmy Maddox was convicted of rape in a Georgia state court and sentenced to life imprisonment. Having unsuccessfully pursued his direct appeal and the state post-conviction remedy, Maddox filed a federal habeas corpus petition alleging prosecutorial suppression of exculpatory evidence in violation of the doctrine of Brady v. Maryland. There are four types of situations in which the Brady doctrine applies; the prosecutor has not disclosed information despite a specific defense request, the prosecutor has not disclosed information despite a general defense request for all exculpatory information or without any defense request at all, the prosecutor knows or should know that the conviction is based on false evidence and or the prosecutor fails to disclose purely impeaching evidence not concerning a substantive issue, in the absence of a specific defense request. We will write a custom essay sample on Criminal Justice Case Brief or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Issue: Specifically, Maddox asserted that his right to due process was violated as outlined in violation of the doctrine of Brady v. Maryland by the states failure to disclose a photograph taken by the police shortly after the alleged rape showing Elders bed neatly made, the results of a police examination of the bedspread which revealed no blood, semen or other fluid, and lastly a written statement by another witness, Brenda Phelps, that Debbie Phillips had stated that she dropped her insurance with Maddox for financial reasons. Maddox appeals the denial of habeas relief. Decision of the Court: The United States Court of appeals ruled that if the suppressed evidence is purely impeaching evidence and no defense request has been made, the suppressed evidence is material only if its introduction probably would have resulted in acquittal. Given the relatively minor role of Phillips testimony and the limited impact that Phelps statement would likely have had on the jurys assessment of Phillips credibility, Maddox is unable to demonstrate that the undisclosed evidence probably would have resulted in an acquittal. Also, the evidence is immaterial under Blasco, and its suppression did not violate Maddox’s due process right. For the foregoing reasons, the district courts dismissal of Maddoxs habeas petition is affirmed. Reasoning of the Court: The United States Court of Appeals first determined that Brady doctrine did not apply because Maddox defense did not request the information be disclosed in a specific request. It was only after unsuccessfully pursuing his direct appeal did he bring up this post conviction habeas corpus petition. In the United States v. Agurs the Court stated that such a failure to disclose violates due process only if the omitted evidence creates a reasonable doubt that did not otherwise exist. Similarly the results of the police examination of the bedspread do not give rise to a reasonable doubt and again are immaterial under, Agurs. Lastly, the Court ruled that the information is merely consistent with Maddox’s version of the incident and scarcely contradicts the alleged victim’s testimony, and in view of the substantial inculpatory evidence in the record, the evidence at issue is not sufficiently material to render the state’s failure to disclose unconstitutional. Citations to Support Judgment: Brady v. Maryland, 373 U. S. 83 (1963). United States v. Anderson, 574 (5th Cir. 1978). United States v. Kopituk, 690, 1289, 1339 (11th Cir. 1982). United States v. Kubiak 1551, (11th Cir. 1983). United States v. Blasco, 464, U. S. 914, (1983).

Fear And The Blues free essay sample

I was never afraid of anything. As an elementary school tomboy, I would pick up spiders, eat worms, and sleep without a nightlight. As I got older, I wore wild outfits and stuck to my opinion no matter how much ridicule I received. In high school, I signed up for the hardest courses I could, unlike my friends. Failure to me was not marked by bad grades but by doing less than my best. Now, nearing my last year of high school, I have finally found my vulnerability. It was a Wednesday evening in August. Wide-eyed, I entered a blues club with two friends and sat at the table with the best view of the stage. At 9: 30, most of the regular customers entered. They knew the waitresses names and the location of the bathrooms, the best dishes and the most comfortable seats. Cowboy boots scuffed the wooden floor and guitar cases hit the chairs; rough hands lit cigarettes and worn hats covered balding heads. We will write a custom essay sample on Fear And The Blues or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The first band set up their equipment on stage. Preoccupied with tuning, the bassist launched a series of harmonics that made fine ripples in my water. The guitarist adjusted the height of his microphone, a worn Stratocaster bouncing against his round gut. Like a child perfectionist playing with toys, the drummer constantly rearranged his set. Without warning, the band started. The bass provided a steady beat, the drums mixed complicated rhythms with necessary downbeats, and the guitarists fingers moved as fast as caffeine-injected lab rats. An experienced lead singer twirled flamboyantly on cowboy boot heels, the microphone in one hand and a drink in the other. My jaw dropped and whatever was left of my confidence dissolved. Were up next! I whispered, What are we playing? Lets do an A funk jam. Well trade off eight bar solos. Suddenly, I froze. I could handle playing, but soloing would be too much. I looked at the faces around me and imagined them grimacing at my wrong notes. They were all strangers, but their judgment mattered to me. The shield of familiarity that stood between my usual high school audience and me was no longer there. Before I could object, the audio technician topped the microphone and announced our names. After tuning our instruments, we were ready to play. The four count-off clicks of the drumsticks sounded like bone on bone, the first wailing guitar note sent a chill down my spine. I felt beads of perspiration drip down my face like tears. Pushing my fears aside, I started playing. My downbeats were steady, my upbeats pushed the song along, and my percussive harmonies danced with the hollow tom hits and chilling cymbal crashes of the drums. I felt my body relax as I fell into the groove of the song. All of a sudden, Greg was nodding to me to solo. In a rush to start, I forgot my nervousness. My right hand started slapping and popping; the syncopated notes drizzled onto the guitar chords like Tabasco on scrambled eggs. I floated into my paradise once more, trading solos with Greg for the rest of the song. As we played a few notes, I heard the audience roar with applause. I walked off the stage in a stupor, met by handshakes and words of congratulations. Sometimes the only way to get over a fear is to force yourself to endure it. If I had not been coerced into facing my fear of soloing, I would have missed out on one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. fl