How Is the Figure of the Refugee Represented in Abdulrazak Gurnahs by the Sea free essay sample

Taking its cue from Jacques Derrida’s work On Hospitality, in which he discusses the aporia associated with unconditional hospitality, the essay will examine this encounter in Derriddean terms of an encounter between ‘guest’ and ‘host’. With all this said, the essay will align this notion of hospitality, as it is conceptualised by Derrida, in dialogue with the notion of what it means to be a political refugee, grounding these two ideas in a sense of the political climate of the novel at Gurnah’s time of writing. By showing how post-colonial issues intersect with those of asylum, the essay will ultimately aim to show how the novel depicts the possibility of (re)constructing a home in a foreign land. The implication of Omar’s meeting with Ken Edelman is twofold. Not only can it be read in terms of Derrida’s understanding of the provision of hospitality and sovereignty (whereby the legal status of the refugee is negotiated), as we shall see later: it also lends a darker edge to the novel’s navigation of cultural borders. Gurnah hints at the xenophobia and racism which is implicit within the discourse of the British asylum system. On one hand, Edelman professes sympathy for Omar: as he tells him, he is familiar with the ‘hardships of being alien and poor’, being himself descended from Romanian migrants. However, he identifies a crucial difference between his parents, who are of European descent, and Omar, who, being of East African origin is ‘not part of the family’. As the ‘bawab of Europe’, Edelman is a personification of the British asylum system: the gatekeeper of a land which is intent on keeping its borders sealed. Omar’s non-European ancestry means that he does ot ‘belong’ inside the demarcated, imaginary borders which separate those entitled to legal citizenship from those not. Indeed, despite his family background, Edelman sees no wrong in discriminating between Europeans and non-Europeans. ‘You don’t belong here’ he tells Omar, echoing Marfleet’s assertion that in Western thinking, refugees are asylum seekers of ill egal status: opportunists seeking asylum without proper reason. In his view, Omar (a non-European) does not ‘value any of the things we value’ and hasn’t ‘paid for them through generations’. But he fails to realise that ‘the whole world had paid for Europe’s values already’. In the work Post-colonial Theory and Literatures; African, Carribbean and South Asian, scholars P. Childs, J. Weber and P. Williams have suggested that the juxtaposition of Edelman’s perspective (and its racist undertone) with Omar’s reaction can be seen as the novel deconstructing the binary of ‘us’ vs. ‘them’. In their view, Omar’s identification of Edelman as the ‘bawab of Europe’ resonates with colonialist history and thus presents a transformation of roles. Jopi Nyman views this transformation as evidence of the novel’s ‘pervasive attempt to locate the refugee in a global context of responsibility’. If we take Nyman’s identification of this ‘global context’ to be true, we can perhaps view the character of Edelman as both a representative of the British asylum system and of globalisation on the whole: on one hand understood to enhance openness of trade and encourage labour forces to cross national boundaries, but on the other to exclude forced migrants by creating ‘new physical and cultural barriers’, as Phil Marfleet asserts. In the year 2000, one year before the publication of Gurnah’s novel, the then Home Secretary Jack Straw, explains in a speech: ‘[the 1951] convention gives us the obligation to consider any claims [for asylum] made within our territory†¦but no obligation to facilitate the arrival on our territory of those who wish to make a claim. ’ The notion of what it means to be a refugee or asylum seeker is, by implication, loaded with meaning and constantly subject to change. The liminal status and fractured sense of identity of the refugee is mirrored in the complex political discourse in which their legal situation is described. This insight returns us to Derrida’s notion of sovereignty. According to Derrida, there can be ‘no hospitality, in the classic sense, without sovereignty [†¦] exercised by filtering, choosing, and thus by excluding and doing violence. ’(p. 55). Sovereignty is, to Derrida, the power of wilful exclusion, and is reflected both in the conflict between Omar and Edelman and in the juridical construct of the nation-state, which, as quoted above, clearly negates any ‘obligation’ it may have towards those seeking citizenship. David Farrier identifies the moment of the stranger’s arrival at a border as a kind of ‘contest’ in which the power cultivated by the host in order to confer legitimacy is pitted against the stranger’s right to access. Farrier’s assertion is supported by Derrida’s view that hospitality necessarily entails a delicate and precarious balance between ‘the alterity (hostis) of the stranger’ and the ‘power (potential) of the host’, to the effect that neither ‘is annulled by the hospitality’. In this sense, Edelman is the ‘host’, upon whose discretion Omar is entirely dependent. He has the power to confer legitimacy, and while Omar maintains the power to assert his rights, it is a contest which ultimately takes place within the sphere of the host. The novel thus presents the power struggle which is present within the constructs of British asylum law and political discourse. This essay has shown the term ‘refugee’ to be often very nebulous, which by its nature entails a (re)construction of identity as much as it entails the physical rebuilding of a life in another country. By placing the Derrida aporia associates with unconditional hospitality, in dialogue with the insights of post-colonial theory, the essay has demonstrated how the narrative’s movement within the spheres of displacement, forced migration and discourses of national identity can be illuminated. In By the Sea, asylum issues intersect with those of post-colonialism. Just as the legal and political status of the refugee is constantly being rewritten, so do the concepts of ‘home’ and ‘identity’ take on an abstract quality. The figure of the refugee is therefore one temporality: it is in constant transit both physically, politically and conceptually. The ‘refugee’ is difficult to pin-down – in both a physical and metaphorical sense, and the complexity of the term, the novel goes to show, must not be belied by its familiarity. As Omar himself says: ‘I am a refugee, an asylum seeker. These are not simple words’. .

Why I Believe In Voluntary Euthanasia Essays - Euthanasia

Why I Believe In Voluntary Euthanasia Why I Believe In Voluntary Euthanasia There are at least two forms of suicide. One is 'emotional suicide', or irrational self-murder in all of it complexities and sadness. Let me emphasis at once that my view of this tragic form of self-destruction is the same as that of the suicide intervention movement and the rest of society, which is to prevent it wherever possible. I do not support any form of suicide for mental health or emotional reasons. But I do say that there is a second form of suicide -- justifiable suicide, that is, rational and planned self- deliverance from a painful and hopeless disease which will shortly end in death. I don't think the word 'suicide' sits well in this context but we are stuck with it. Many have tried to popularize the term 'self-deliverance' but it is an uphill battle because the news media is in love with the words 'assisted suicide'. Also, we have to face the fact that the law calls all forms of self-destruction 'suicide.' Let me point out here for those who might not know it that suicide is no longer a crime anywhere in the English-speaking world. (It used to be, and was punishable by giving all the dead person's money and goods to the government.) Attempted suicide is no longer a crime, although under health laws a person can in most states be forcibly placed in a psychiatric hospital for three days for evaluation. But giving assistance in suicide remains a crime, except in the Netherlands in recent times under certain conditions, and it has never been a crime in Switzerland, Germany, Norway and Uruguay. The rest of the world punishes assistance in suicide for both the mentally ill and the terminally ill, although the state of Oregon recently (Nov. l994) passed by ballot Measure 16 a limited physician-assisted suicide law. At present (Feb. l995) this is held up in the law courts. Even if a hopelessly ill person is requesting assistance in dying for the most compassionate reasons, and the helper is acting from the most noble of motives, it remains a crime in the Anglo-American world. Punishments range from fines to fourteen years in prison. It is this catch-all prohibition which I and others wish to change. In a caring society, under the rule of law, we claim that there must be exceptions. ORIGIN OF THE WORD The word 'euthanasia' comes from the Greek -- eu, "good", and thanatos, "death". Literally, "good death". But the word 'euthanasia' has acquired a more complex meaning in modern times. It is generally taken nowadays to mean doing something about achieving a good death. Suicide, self-deliverance, auto-euthanasia, aid-in-dying, assisted suicide -- call it what you like -- can be justified by the average supporter of the so-called 'right to die' movement for the following reasons: Advanced terminal illness that is causing unbearable suffering to the individual. This is the most common reason to seek an early end. Grave physical handicap which is so restricting that the individual cannot, even after due consideration, counseling and re-training, tolerate such a limited existence. This is a fairly rare reason for suicide -- most impaired people cope remarkably well with their affliction -- but there are some who would, at a certain point, rather die. What are the ethical parameters for euthanasia? The person is a mature adult. This is essential. The exact age will depend on the individual but the person should not be a minor who come under quite different laws. The person has clearly made a considered decision. An individual has the ability nowadays to indicate this with a "Living Will" (which applies only to disconnection of life supports) and can also, in today's more open and tolerant climate about such actions, freely discuss the option of euthanasia with health professionals, family, lawyers, etc. The euthanasia has not been carried out at the first knowledge of a life-threatening illness, and reasonable medical help has been sought to cure or at least slow down the terminal disease. I do not believe in giving up life the minute a person is informed that he or she has a terminal illness. (This is a common misconception spread by our critics.) Life is precious, you only pass this way once, and is worth a fight. It is when the fight is clearly hopeless and the agony, physical and mental, is unbearable that a final exit is an option. DOCTOR AS FRIEND The treating physician has been informed, asked to be involved, and his or her response been taken into account.

Legalization of drungs misc essays

Legalization of drungs misc essays The legalization of drugs has always been a problem in the United States. Some people agree with the Idea of legalizing drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and many others. These people argue that with the legalization of these drugs the crime rate and other social problems would reduce. While their opponent argue that the legalization of drugs would only add to the already high crime rates, and many social problems we have in the United States. Both sides both have very good arguments as to why drugs should or should not be legalized in the United States. The battle between the government date back as early as the year 1914. This is the year in which the government passed the Harrison Narcotic act. This act asked for the punishment of those who were illegally in possession and use of marijuana. Penalties for the sale, and or, possession of illegal drugs were established by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965. Surprisingly enough, through all of these drug laws, marijuana remained legal until 1970. Even though most drugs were now illegal in the Untied States, more than fourteen million Americans used drugs at least once a month in the late 1980s. What would be some of the benefits from the legalization of drugs? Well, for the actual user there would be numerous benefits from the legalization of such drugs as marijuana. First would be the price of the drugs. Drug costs would dramatically decrease by ninety percent if they were made legal. Also the availability of them would increase. Heroine, at one time was close to becoming legal, would have been available at any corner market, and even treated like aspirin without any restrictions. Along with the benefits, comes the obvious dangers that would rise from the legalization of drugs. One of the first considerations that comes to a persons mind when thinking of the possible dangers drugs is the thought of children being able to obtain marijuana, and...

Is SAT Word of the Day Really a Good Way to Study Vocab

Is SAT Word of the Day Really a Good Way to Study Vocab SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips How do you learn new words, especially big ones like "obstreperous" and "percipient" that you don't often hear in daily conversation? Do you pore over long lists, make flash cards, or focus on one or two at a time? For those playing the long game, SAT Word of the Day sites and email lists can be useful resources for gradually building your vocabulary over time. This guide will point you to the best sources of SAT Word of the Day and give you some strategies for how to use them effectively. First, why might you want to study vocabulary this way? IsSAT Word of the Day Effective? Using SAT Word of the Day to build your vocabulary is effective in a gradual way, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as the only vocab studying you do to prepare for the SAT. It's a good way to start early, learn new words, and insert a little bit of SAT prep into your routine on a daily basis. That being said, SAT Word of the Day probably doesn't substitute for more extensive studying. Let's take a look at the pros and cons for studying SAT words in this way. Pros ofSAT Word of the Day Like a trickle of water filling up a bowl, learning a word a day can build up to a great deal of knowledge if you sustain it over time.It's a low-pressure, stress-free way to start SAT prep early, rather than cramming a lot of words at once and struggling to retain them. You could start freshman year and spend just 5 minutes a day learning a word's definitionand how that word isused in different contexts. Have you ever noticed how you learn a new word or fun fact for the first time and suddenly start seeing it everywhere? This "Baeder-Meinhof Phenomenon" could happen with new SAT words, too. You'll start to notice (and should be on the lookout for) SAT wordswhen you're reading books, blogs, or the news. This will both aid your long-term retention of the vocab and help you understandif a givenword has various uses and connotations. Widening your vocabulary is not just useful for the SAT, but also for your own writing, reading, and work throughout high school and college. Finally, SAT Word of the Dayalso serves as a daily reminder to stick to your overall test prep schedule. Incorporating a word a day or an SAT Question of the Day orients you towards learning and building your skills and understanding on a daily basis. While SAT Word of the Day is useful for building up your vocabulary and retaining new words over time, what are some downsides to this approach to studying? Cons of SAT Word of the Day Perhaps the most obvious question aboutusing SAT Word of the Day is whether it teaches you enough to really be effective. Since you're only focusing on one word each day, you'd have to start a long time in advance of your SAT test to learn enough words. If you don't keep reviewing and referring back to words, you might forget those you learned several months or a year ago. While you're studying a word a day in theory, likely you would end up studying more to review ones that you've already learned. Another downside to SAT Word of the Day is that it could bemore of a passive than an active approach. You're learning a word, but not necessarily putting it in context of the SAT and applying it to real SAT questions. Thus you would want to be proactive andcouple yourstudying with answering sample questions and ensuring that you can demonstrate what you've learned on SAT passage-based and sentence completion questions. How effective studying with SAT Word of the Day is also varies from student to student and depends on their individual learning style and focus. This approach may appeal more to you if you like spreading out your test prep over a sustained period of time, but may not be your preferred mode if you like to bunch up studying and focus intensively on more material at the same time. In order to get the most use out of SAT Word of the Day, you want to use high quality resources, just as you should with the rest of your SAT prep. Read on for my suggestions of the best sources for SAT Word of the Day. Where Can You Find SAT Words of the Day? You can track down high quality SAT Words of the Day on various websites, as well as sign up for daily emails. For further reinforcement, you could also choose to create your own word of the day flashcards by writing down vocabulary, definitions, and examples from SAT vocabulary lists. Below are my suggestions for the best websites and email lists. New York Times SAT Vocabulary The New York Times learning blog has an SAT Word the Day 7 days a week. It gives you SAT words anddefinitions, as well as an example of how eachword is used in a sentence. What I like about this blog is that it links you to all the New York Times articles that have used that word. This lets you gain a sense of how it's used in various contexts, which is especially helpful for passage-based vocabulary questions on the current SAT, as well as the more context-based vocabulary questions that will appear on the new SAT in 2016. Plus you can learn about current events and editorials, which might be useful to draw uponwhen it comes time to write your SAT essay. To access these words you have to visit the site. Unfortunately they don't have an email option or a phone app that you could download. You can follow the New York Times learning blogs on Twitter, but not specifically the SAT Word of the Day. Number2.com Word of the Day On this straightforward site, you can find an SAT vocabulary word, definition, and one example. Unlike the New York Times blog, this site doesn't give you additional examples of the vocabulary in context. You could do your own searches, along with keeping an eye out for words you're learning in your reading. If you prefer to have daily vocabulary emailed to you, you can sign up for the email lists of any of the sites below. Get Emailed SAT Word of the Day These sites are all comparable to one another. They will email you a vocabulary word, definition, and example sentence every day. Again, it would be up to you to seek out the new vocabulary in other contexts beyond the one sentence example. SAT Daily (this site also has a texting option) Test Magic SAT Word of the Day SAT Hot Words SAT Words Daily Signing up for an email or texting list is an easy way to keep up with the word a day. Just don't let the emails pile up in your inbox! Finally, you could also create your own vocabulary lists and words of the day on paper or online. One site that's useful for this kind of self-directed studying is Quizlet. Make Your Own SAT Word of the Day Quizlet has some useful preexisting SAT vocabulary lists that you could use to create your own flashcards. You can also upload your own lists and practice that way, perhaps to review words of the day that you studied in the past. If you have an iPad or tablet, you can also play vocabulary matching games and time yourself as you review. If you start studying vocabulary in freshman year for just five minutes a day, then you could really grow your language skills over time. To make the most of your prep, use high quality resources that access the most commonly tested SAT vocabulary words. The best way to retain words and have a complex understanding is to read them in various contexts and take note when they appear in your reading. You could even try working it into conversation or your texts, though you might cause some confusionif you start throwing words like "assiduous" and "perfidious"around. Rather than only passively reading through definitions, actively search these words out and couple your studying with answering SAT practice passage-based and sentence completion vocabulary questions. At the same time, it's important to note that this focus on vocabulary might actually be more relevant for the current version of the SAT than the redesigned one rolling out in 2016. The new SAT has less of a focus on "big" words and more focus on relatively common words that might be presentedin an unusual way.Below is a quick review of the changes as they relate to vocabulary. How Important is Vocabulary for the New SAT? If you're taking the new SAT, you might consider readjusting your approach to studying SAT vocabulary. The new SAT is deemphasizing these common SAT words, and shaping questions around more accessible words, like "intense" and "maintain," that might have different connotations in different sentences. Instead of stand-alone sentence completion questions, the vocabulary questionswill be more passage-based. If you're taking the current version of the SAT, then SAT Words of the Day are still a very useful tool for building your vocabulary and learning the words you'll need to achieve strong scores on the Critical Reading section. If you're taking the newer version, you might still benefit from the SAT Word of the Day, but should focus on connotation and context and not worry too much about particularly obscure words. By learning more about what skills the new SAT will test, you can reshape your prep and continue to use older practice materials effectively. With SAT Word of the Day and all your test prep, you'll be best served by reflecting on your learning style and uncovering the tactic that works best for you. How Do You Learn New Words? As with all aspects of studying for the SAT, reflect on how you learn and retain information and customizeyour study plan to best help you improve. Even if you're someone who likes to bunch up studying, SAT Words of the Day can be a useful tool, especially if you start early. Even though I gave several options of websites and email lists above, the "word of the day" is meant to be just that, a single vocabulary word that you examine and incorporate on a daily basis.With this approach, it's better to prioritize quality of words, definitions, and examples over quantity. Pick just one of those resources (or two, if you really want) and stick with it. Pay attention to how it's used, where you can find it, and how it helps express a thought or idea. Even if only a fraction of the words you learn actually show up on your official SAT tests, you'll still have advanced your language and sharpened your reading, writing, and communication skills. Plus you can impress your friends and family with your ever expanding repertoire of impressive vocabulary. What's Next? Besides Word of the Day, you might also be learning a lot of SAT vocabularyat the same time. Learn about the "waterfall method" of studying SAT words and definitions. Do you have a choice between taking the current version of the SAT and the new SAT? Read about the differences and how to decide between the two here. Gunning for a top SAT score? Read our guide on how to get a perfect SAT score. Learn how to get an 800 on SAT Reading, SAT Math, and SAT Writing. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this lesson, you'll love our program.Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands ofpractice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial:

The peacekeeping mission of the united nations in Democratic Republic Research Paper

The peacekeeping mission of the united nations in Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda - Research Paper Example Democratic Republic of Congo is a large country. It is also the home for the prestigious rain forest, rare species of the world and valuable minerals as well as natural resources. However, Congo is one of the poorest countries and most chaotic on the planet. The unrest in the country is estimated to have claimed lives of millions in the past decade (Mays 11). The country lacks necessities like electricity, medical facilities, law, and order in most of its parts. Mass rape and human brutality have been a common phenomenon in these parts of the country. In the first year after of independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mobutu Sese Seko seized the country and declared himself as the president (Youtube). He ruled the country for five years. Several events occurred in the country that led to the deterioration of Mobutu’s government. First, the army of the country mutinied, the governor of Katanga attempted a coup, and the prime minister of the country died (Sitkwoski 87). All these events led to the United Nations peacekeeping mission respond to restore order in the country. When Kabila took over as the president, he tried reforms that saw a relative peace prevail in the country for about two years. Kabila was, however, weakened by domestic protests, international critics of his poor tyrannical governance and the poor economic drive of the country (Mays 12). The soldiers and the military defense of the country deployed and rioted to protest against the poor leadership of Kabila. Kabila, instead, enforced his rule in a dictatorial way, a process that led to a sharp schism of the country into three segments. One of his bodyguards allegedly assassinated him and the act led to the incision of the United Nations militia force into the country (Tull 18). Upon its establishment, the United Nations organization authorized deployment of military liaison from all other

Critically discuss and analyse 2012 London Olympic play in their Essay

Critically discuss and analyse 2012 London Olympic play in their capacity to generate social, cultural, economic and tourism impacts - Essay Example Hosting the Olympic Games has also been something that many countries want to be associated with especially when it comes to hosting (Tcha 2004, p. 312). The history of the Olympics back to Athenian period, where they are thought to have originated from (Veraros, Kasimati & Dawson 2004, p. 749-50). Since then, the competitions have developed and increased in the number of sporting events and the manner in which the competitions are organized. The Olympic Games are usually held after every four years, compared to other sporting events that in most cases take place on a biennial basis. Organization of the Olympic Games is a mandate of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a body that was initiated in 1894 with current headquarters in Britain. Currently, many countries across the world dream of hosting the Olympic games after the time required, there is always a lot of bidding for hosting rights of the sporting event. The motivation to host these events is usually preceded by the thought of perceived benefits that the events pose to the state (Caporale, Economou & Philippas, 2008, p. 10; Berman, Brooks & Davidson 2000, p. 785). Previously, statistics and records compiled at the end of the Olympic Games show that in spite of the huge costs incurred in preparations for hosting of the events, there are huge benefits derived from successful Olympic Games. The 2012 Summer Olympics were also commonly referred to as the 2012, and were a major international multi-sport event that were held and celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic games. These events took place in the London capital in the United Kingdom in the 2012 and attracted more than 200 nations with over 10, 000 athletes taking part in the different athletics categories. Following a successful bid, London was able to outwit other fierce rivals in the hosting process that included Russia’s Moscow, the New York City of United

The Great Gatsby - Significance of Title Essay Example for Free

The Great Gatsby Significance of Title Essay The meaning of the word great is ambiguous before reading the novel The Great Gatsby. It can imply that Gatsby is a superb individual, or it can mean great in the sense of a misfortune. It is only after reading the novel that the reader is able to perceive that the novels title is ironic and that many of the themes of the story help develop this great character of Gatsby. Irony is the key to understanding F. Scott Fitzgeralds title, The Great Gatsby. Many of the themes of this novel seem to mock Jay Gatsbys greatness. Some of these themes can even be taken on a more social level to include society in general and imply their prominence as well. Gatsby symbolizes the state of idealism that had been a common ideal of society when the novel had been published. His ideal life centered on money, greed, and carelessness that characterize living the ideally reckless life. This theme implies two different meanings to the title of the novel. The first is an implication that the social values of the times were terrible, thus bringing out the greatness of the tragedy. The second is more of a sarcastic connotation. Fitzgerald may have been trying to show the reader just how great the great Gatsby was through the use of irony. For example, it is quite ironic that a person with so much wealth and fame would continue to partake in the illegal bootlegging and give numerous parties in search of a married woman when there are hundreds of women dying to see him. Thus, the ironic meaning of the novels title can be derived through the analysis of the true greatness of Gatsby: a moral failure who is only a success in the eyes of other downfallen individuals of society. In conclusion, meaning of the title, The Great Gatsby, is fully derived after reading and understanding themes brought forward in the story. After this analysis of the themes is performed, the connotation of the novels title can be regarded as either a sarcastic presentation of irony, or a representation of the downfall of Gatsby, that resulted from his emphasis on materialism and wealth.