Introduction
Born a Crime, a memoir by Trevor Noah, is a moving account of how South Africans were oppressed and racially segregated during the apartheid period. His life demonstrated the difficulties he had as a biracial kid, such as prejudice and brutality, as well as the manner in which he endured his mother’s “thrilling love,” to which she wanted Noah to bow, among other things. Noah, on the other hand, would not submit to her overprotective attitude since he was much too naughty. Noah was raised mostly by his mother in a unique and challenging context about his identity and place in society. Because he was classified as a person of color and had to contend with the isolation that came with his situation, Noah often felt like an outsider. When Noah was growing up, he was immersed in an atmosphere that tested his sense of self-worth and place in the community (Noah,2016). The horrors of post-apartheid South Africa are nothing new to Trevor, but he has grown used to them as if they were everyday occurrences. To sympathize with a child who has to live with the weighty awareness that the world is unjust and full of awful happenings would be to sympathize with them.
Summary of The Memoir
In a perilous period in a broken world, a little boy tries to navigate a difficult environment with just his sense of humor and his mother’s love. This collection of dramatic, humorous, and profoundly emotional tales is the product of the author’s years of study and writing. It’s amazing how quickly an unruly child develops into a restless young man trying to find his place in the world. “Born A Crime” tells the tale. This book furthermore tells the story of the young man’s mother, a lady who was desperate to preserve her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that threatened to take her own life. his teammate, a mother desperate to rescue her kid from the poverty, violence, and abuse that threatened to take her own life.
As illustrated from the viewpoint of the main character, who begins the story as a vibrant young child and grows into a nervous gentleman while struggling to find his place in a world that was not meant for him, the story follows him as he fights to find his identity in an environment where he was not meant to be. Also depicted in the narrative is Noah’s mother, who is a strong, tenacious, and spiritual person. The tale reveals information about the connection between Noah and his mother. The mother was determined to shield her child from poverty, injustice, and cruelty, all of which she feared would eventually endanger her own life if she didn’t do anything about it. While the novel focuses on Noah’s childhood and adolescence, all of Noah’s recollections are a result of the repressive dictatorship that he grew up under.
According to Noah, government-enforced prejudice and discrimination were part of a purposeful endeavor to transform South Africa into a white country via white supremacy. In part because the system was so deeply ingrained in the lives of South Africans, its ramifications persisted long after the rule was brought to an end. It was not until the middle of Noah’s youth that the dictatorship came to an end, and this meant that he could finally attend school with people of all races and ethnicities. The groups at each school, on the other hand, remained isolated. Because of his skin tone, he found it difficult to blend in with any group. When compared to the first half of the novel, which is centered on Noah’s childhood and connection with his mother, the second half of the story is centered on Noah’s quest for self-discovery via his friends, relationships, and business efforts. All of these persons and their involvements are somehow connected to a certain location, which reveals even more about the repercussions of the dictatorship.
For example, Noah’s mother’s family has been compelled to reside in Soweto, a ghetto established by the government specifically for black people. In fact, when he visits his mother’s relatives, he finds himself to be the only “colored” person in an otherwise all-black neighborhood. However, when he travels to his father’s home, he finds himself in a mostly white neighborhood. Following high school graduation, Noah moved to Alexandra, a poor, all-black area that is rife with criminal activity.
Noah spent a significant amount of time in Alexandra. However, although Noah’s mother disobeyed government-imposed racial restrictions by residing wherever she pleased, Noah has always been the only “colored” person in any of the places where they have resided. No matter how many times he moves to a “colored” neighborhood, Noah still feels out of place among his friends, who see him as either being too white or too black, depending on the situation. Observations like these illustrate why Noah always feels as if he doesn’t belong anywhere, and it is this search for identity that ultimately inspires each and every tale in the book.
Trevor Noah’s story from a sociological perspective
It all started with an unlawful action: Trevor Noah’s delivery, which began his extraordinary trip from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show. The year 1984 saw the birth of his father, who was Swiss German, and mother, who was black, in the South African city of Johannesburg. When he was born, marriage between whites and blacks was illegal, and anybody caught in the act was sentenced to five years in jail. Because the relationship between Africans and Europeans was considered illegal, Trevor was required to remain inside at all times in order to protect him from the authorities, who might detain him at any time if they discovered him. It was determined that his father’s name would not be mentioned on his birth certificate since doing so would place them and his mother in danger.
When South Africa was eventually emancipated from the tyranny of white dominance, Trevor and his mother were finally allowed to live honestly and generously, and they were finally able to take advantage of the possibilities made available by the centuries-long battle for freedom and equality. Noah was raised by his mother on her own, in a religious environment, from the age of three. The severe code of behavior he was brought up with was enforced by his mother, who physically chastised him when he disobeyed. They would attend prayer sessions, which were regularly held at his grandparents’ house, and they would visit church on weeknights and many times on Sundays, as well as other activities (Coleman, 2018).
Trevor addresses the ramifications of dictatorship and opportunity. He acknowledges that society had created boundaries, but he asserts that he was at a disadvantage versus black people since he did not fit in, whether it was being noticed at school or finding the suitable group to join. The fact that he was colored also provided him with several chances. For example, he speaks about his childhood at his grandmother’s house in Soweto, where he was not subjected to any type of discipline despite the fact that he was the most infamous member of the community. This implied that a white youngster was not meant to be physically disciplined since the color of their skin would change or they would most likely die as a result of the punishment.
Because of this privilege, he was able to see why it was so difficult for white people to call for an end to the repressive government, as it was for most black people, given the system’s ability to provide them with so much comfort and freedom. One particularly memorable figure, “Hitler,” makes fun of the colonial educational system, which did little, if anything, to develop critical thinking skills. In 1939, Hitler grabbed Poland; in 1941, he overthrew the Soviet Union; and in 1943, he did something else. Remember that these are only facts, and that you should write them down on your test paper and then ignore them.” Noah (Noah, p.95) explains that. Every character in the novel exemplifies a subject from among the following: race, gender, family, relationships, perseverance, liberty, and religious conviction, all of which are stressed in different portions of the book.
Trevor’s mother, on the other hand, is a figure who takes center stage in the plot. She is characterized as an immensely spiritual, emancipated, and resilient lady who lives a free and independent life. For a long period, however, she has been subjected to domestic abuse, and Noah explains the irony that courageous females kept communities functioning despite the difficulties of apartheid. They were, however, obligated to “surrender to and revere” males in addition to this (Reivant, 2018). As he grows older, he finds himself more pulled between the realms of the black, the white, and the “hued,” as he ages. Noah’s narrative is an example of a young man who did not belong to any one ethnic group. On occasion, he tells how circumstances pushed him to make an educated choice regarding his identity: “at some time you ought to decide, black or hite.” You may make an effort to get away from it.
While you may claim that you do not take sides, life will eventually compel you to choose a decision.” His description of being presented with circumstances that compelled him to make an educated choice regarding his identification is included in the account. “At some time, you need to decide, black or hite,” he says. Perhaps you will make an attempt to escape away from the situation. You may say that you do not support a political party, but ultimately, life will force you to make a choice.” To him, teaching someone to fish is a waste of time, therefore he prefers teaching them how to go fishing and providing them with a fishing line. He goes on to explain, “If you spend too much time thinking about the problems your mother put you through or the challenges you have faced in life, you will cease exceeding the boundaries and breaching the norms.”
Born a Crime has the potential to be adapted into a graphic novel. It does, on the other hand, communicate to the reader the stories of poverty and racial injustice that have taken place in the past. Growing up in a mixed-race household, Trevor Noah describes how it was tough for him to fit in with any group, whether black or white, throughout his childhood. In the end, the novel instills a positive attitude on life that does not lay too much importance on the previous. No matter what kind of reader you are, Born a Crime is an engaging story that will leave you feeling happy, sad, and able to explore some of life’s most essential questions.
References
Coleman, B. Micro review: ‘Born a Crime’ touches upon several subjects with much sensitivity. E-Times, 2018.
Ninsiima, E. Book Review – Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. All Africa, 2017.
Noah, T. Born a crime: stories from a South African childhood. New York: Spiegel & Grau, 2016
Reivant Olausson, T. (2018). Satire in Service of Postcolonialism: An Analysis of Hanif Kureishi’s The Buddha of Suburbia and Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime: Stories of a South African Childhood.
The Need And Importance Of Mass Communication In The Society Free Sample
Introduction
Mass communication is the technique of delivering information to huge, anonymous, and dispersed diverse masses of recipients who could be far away from the message sources by using advanced equipment. In other terms, communication is the transmission of information to many people via a mass medium. According to (Dominick 2010), the media’s formulation as well as distribution of a homogenous message to a extensive heterogeneous audience are known as mass communication. In contrast with the findings of human interaction as in other communication situations, mass communication analyzes the uses besides impacts of the media by a large number of people. The roles of mass communication in the society that will be discussed in the paper are correlation, surveillance of the environment, the transmission of culture, and entertainment, among others.
Environmental surveillance
This is one of the essential major roles of mass communication, according to (Laswell and Smith 2015). According to (Rabiu 2010), the media took on the role of a watchman in this capacity. Surveillance is the practice of watching people, things, or processes in systems for conformance to anticipated or preferred norms to maintain security or socialization. Although the term “surveillance” technically means “to watch over,” it is frequently used to refer to any survey or tracking, not just a physical observation. Surveillance of the environment entails gathering and disseminating data about society and other pertinent factors (Smith & Lasswell, 2015). Mass communication maintains an eye on local and regional socio-political-economic developments and relays the information to the public through innovative reporting.
Spreading of information
Besides, mass communication gives information. Humans would have a lower quality of life if we didn’t access the information we acquire through the media. Information is now viewed as power in Western countries. People become more powerful the more knowledgeable they are. Many who have access to that information should use it for their benefit (Hovland & Lumsdaine, 2017). Humans have access to a wealth of knowledge about their surroundings because of mass media. News of wars, danger, calamity, earthquakes, drought, and other events is crucial because it allows us to take proper precautions to protect our interests. Humans require entertainment to break up the monotony of their hurried, stressful lives and distract attention away from the problems and anxieties. Such a diversion will be beneficial to their life. Films, TV shows, theatre, dance, music, art, humor, gaming, animation, and other forms of mass media give a wide range of entertainment to audiences.
Performing correlation
The word “correlation” is how the media delivers information to function in society. The information people acquire through mass media is not unbiased or objective. “It has to be genuine if it is online,” as people say cynically (Dominick, 2010). However, humans do not believe that individuals in previous generations would have habitually assumed it “had to be real” because it was announced on the radio. The statement raises the question of media credibility. Is it possible to consume information without questioning its motivations and ideology? The data used throughout the media is chosen, organized, interpreted, edited, and critiqued by someone. If one asks anybody who works for a major television Show if whatever is seen is a realistic picture of what happens in the real world, they will almost certainly say “no.”
The purpose of mass communication as forums is to allow for sharing ideas and criticism. In magazines and newspapers, this role of mass communication brings interest via lead publications, articles, and special articles; in TV and radio, this function arouses interest using news commentaries and current events (Turow, 2019). The goal is to increase the quality of information and its usefulness to citizens. The term “forum” refers to a gathering area where people can share their opinions. This function of the media allows viewers/readers to understand better the surroundings and activities taking place around them.
The debate as well as discussion
The audience can clarify divergent opinions on matters of interest of the public and reach a broad consensus on issues that affect everyone through discussion and debate in the media. Dominick,2010). The public is also allowed to express their opinions through discussion and debate in talk shows broadcast on various forms of media.
Cultural Promotion
The media educates people on how to live better lives and keep society’s culture alive. Culture can be maintained and promoted through the use of mass media. It showcases many countries’ cultures, traditions, and customs while also assisting us in promoting our own to the rest of the world. Individuals get to know each other, appreciate and understand one’s way of life, as well as acquire a tolerance for one another as a result(Rabiu,2010).
Besides, Individuals, organizations, as well as products use mass media to affirm their status and standards. Validation of specific individuals or groups helps to reinforce social standards. Who are the main characters in the majority of television dramas and sitcoms? What are the highest number of the stars’ ethnicity and gender? Who are the actors who portray criminals or individuals considered odd, and what sexuality or race are they? The media legitimizes certain cultural standards while downplaying their variances and deviations (Turow, 2019). Much criticism is directed at how particular parties are encouraged while others are sidelined by how they are represented in the media.
Persuasion of individuals
Persuasion is a term that refers to the act of persuading others. Smith & Lasswell (2015) said that the ability to persuade the other person is one of the most crucial tasks of mass communication. Only by persuasion is it possible to dominate and govern people. However, it is also possible to use persuasion for nefarious purposes (Hovland & Lumsdaine, 2017). The receiver must carefully consider the origin of such influence. Both emerging economies make extensive use of mass communication’s persuasive potential. The media is often employed to promote socioeconomic advancement and consumer product sales.
Giving Instruction
Mass communication aids in the instruction, education, and socialization of society’s members. People can use mass communication to gain access to a wealth of information knowledge, including skills to function as productive citizens. The good impact of mass media also raises awareness, provides direction, and provides opportunities to the public (Naveena, 2015).
According to Dominick (2010), as the primary means of communication in modern democratic societies, the mass media play a vital role. The mass media is the public’s key source of data and the foundation for their views and political decisions. As a result, any choice of communications in the press will have a major impact on society. Television and cable television, for example, can have a negative impact on our culture at times. The viewers of these media follow everything that is broadcasted in the hopes of being entertained, whether it is violence, obscenity, or other forms of entertainment. Aside from that, advertising imprints images and impressions on children’s minds. They expose children to a material world in that they want things out of reach. In addition, excessive television viewing leads to obesity and a distraction from studies, sleep, and a healthy diet. Turow, (2013) says that mass communication does have an impact on and even reflects society’s beliefs and behaviors. Still, it does so in conjunction with a slew of other cultural, socioeconomic, and political elements. The media, on their own, have limited potential to inspire, change, or evolve. Hindi cinema, for example, may establish fashion trends for males and females in the fields of clothing, haircuts, speaking, greetings, and socialization. People may even go to the extremity of acting out what we are seeing or hearing on the news, such as with an aggressive gesture or demonstration, but changing the values and cultures requires much more than movies or television.
Conclusion
There is not a single reason for mass communication. Through its development, more and more applications have emerged, and its function in society has grown significantly. The mass communication roles are environmental surveillance, spreading of information, instruction, correlation, cultural promotion, and conducting debate and discussion. Besides, mass communication helps in entertainment and binding of people together.
References
Catalán-Matamoros, D. (2011). The role of mass media communication in public health. Health management-Different approaches and solutions, 399-414.
Smith, B. L., & Lasswell, H. D. (2015). Propaganda, communication and public opinion (Vol. 2314). Princeton university press.
Dominick, J. R. (2010). The dynamics of mass communication: Media in the digital age. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
Turow, J. (2013). Media today: Mass communication in a converging world. Routledge.
Rabiu, M. S. (2010). Functions and dysfunctions of mass communication media. Creative Artist: A Journal of Theatre and Media Studies, 4(1), 165-187.
Turow, J. (2019). The critical importance of mass communication as a concept. Mediation, information, and communication, 9-19.
Hovland, C. I., & Lumsdaine, A. A. (2017). Experiments on mass communication. Princeton University Press.
Naveena, N. (2015). Importance of mass media in communicating health messages: An analysis. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), 20(2), 36-41.
The New York Times Newspaper On Trioxygen In Los Angeles Sample Assignment
Link to the article
URL of the article: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/us/running-low-on-oxygen-emergency-workers-in-los-angeles-county-are-told-to-administer-the-minimum-necessary.html
Name of the article: Running low on oxygen, emergency workers in Los Angeles County are told to administer the minimum necessary.
Quality of the article
The news source: The New York Times
Summary
The pollutant of concern in the article is ozone. Ozone is a gas that is not as common as other pollutants, but it is still dangerous. It can irritate your lungs and make you cough. For those with asthma or respiratory problems, this can mostly lead to a severe medical issue or even death. In reference to Tompkins et al. (2021), the short-term effects of exposure to the pollutant can include difficulty breathing, nausea, headaches, and eye irritation. The long-term effects are more difficult to predict, but some people may be more at risk than others. Oxygen is a natural pollutant, so it is not necessarily harmful to all people.
Different regulatory agencies govern different pollutants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs air quality by setting strict federal limits. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates safety regulations in all industries (Tompkins et al., 2021). The Federal Water Pollution Control Act establishes goals for water quality control in every state. The OSHA regulations include establishing specific occupational safety and health standards for all industries in the country, conducting workplace inspections, establishing training programs to help prevent work-related injuries and illnesses.
The article presents several ways that emergency workers are being instructed to minimize their exposure to the pollutant. These suggestions are as follows:
– First responders are told not to wear masks during rescue operations
– Rescue workers are advised to “take frequent breaks,” and if they need a mask, they should “wear it for short periods.”
– If mask usage is necessary, it is advised to change filters frequently
– If mask usage is necessary, it is advised to use general-purpose masks with dust filters
– Rescue workers are instructed not to handle any hazardous materials without proper protective equipment.
Reflection
My interest in this topic is piqued because it addresses the respiratory emergency and how we might receive care when we require it. We are all aware that crises never occur conveniently, but they are even more difficult for individuals who suffer from chronic illnesses or physical limitations. Having no way out of a medical emergency without assistance is a terrifying part of any medical emergency, which is why I am grateful that laws such as Good Samaritan laws are in place to protect people who might be too sick or hurt themselves attempting to escape on their own during an asthma attack at work, school, while on a solo outing, and so on.
This topic is important because I feel like if a situation were to arise where I needed to receive emergency medical attention, the last thing I would want is a team of doctors and nurses standing around all looking at each other, confused as they try to determine what my diagnosis may be. When I have a doctor who knows all the ins and outs about my body, they will be more competent when diagnosing me. They will also know precisely what to do to help me heal quicker because it is their job, after all. The doctor cannot diagnose or fix anything without knowing how my system works from top to bottom, which means that if there are any complications along the way, they will know how best to solve them.
The answer of Oxygen being a natural pollutant, therefore not necessarily harmful to all groups, was the most surprising to me because I realized that clean air had been made very clear to us over the past few years, making it essential to us. Tompkins et al. (2021) stated that the World Health Organization now considers air pollution the most significant environmental risk factor for mortality and morbidity. It is now considered one of the most significant threats to human health globally. The effects of air pollution can be felt in various ways, from asthma to chronic bronchitis to heart disease. I need to precisely understand what is going on with the air quality to take steps to protect myself and those around me.
I believe that the validity of Oxygen being a natural pollutant, and therefore not necessarily harmful to all groups, is supported by the fact that the source for this article is a study in which it was revealed that certain groups of persons could withstand it better. People suffering from respiratory ailments such as asthma, for example, may have less difficulty breathing when exposed to increased quantities of oxygen. This could be because these individuals have higher levels or types of certain substances in their lungs and bloodstreams when compared to healthy persons. It has also been proposed that it is dependent on the way of life of a particular group.
References
Tompkins, L., Ives, M., & Shaver, J. W. (2021, January 4). Running low on oxygen, emergency workers in Los Angeles County are told to administer the minimum necessary. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/us/running-low-on-oxygen-emergency-workers-in-los-angeles-county-are-told-to-administer-the-minimum-necessary.html