Essay on Matewan and Norma Rae - 922 Words

Matewan and Norma Rae Theoretically, the characters of both Matewan, and Norma Rae take part in a capitalistic society. In both situations the people are partaking in a form of labor market, where they are selling their time and energy. However, the town of Matewan, governed by the Stone Mountain Coal Companies monopoly on the land and businesses, and isolated by distance and limited technology, as fallen into a feudalistic condition. Despite the fact that Norma Raes small hometown of Alabama bears a great resemblance to the town of Matewan, their economic situation remains a form of capitalism. Though the Henely Mill is a dominating force in the small town, with a strong financial hold over the citizens, it is not as dictatorial of†¦show more content†¦When new miners arrive in the town of Matewan, they are automatically in debt to the company store for the equipment need to begin working. Throughout the life of the coal miners they are at the mercy of the companys scams and whims. Coal mining i s a dangerous operation; not only by chance of mishap, but the coal miners are in great risk of ill health due to the inhalation of coal dust, and the physical strain of working such a laborious trade. The coal company is insensible to the health concerns of the miners; individuals are irrelevant to the industrial company, and they are secure on the knowledge that a fresh supply of young, healthy, able-bodied workers will fall into their grasp. The Stone Mountain Coal Companys monopoly over the resources of Matewan is compounded by the towns isolation. Matewan, nestled west of the Shenandoah Valley in West Virginia, is not readily accessible to the outside world; nor is the rest of the world accessible to the citizens of Matewan. The town is separated not only by physical distance, but also by a lack of technology. In 1920 travel was still time-consuming, and the people of Matewan are unable to easily communicate with the rest of the world. The inability to commute, and socialize withShow MoreRelated Norma Rae Essay1517 Words   |  7 PagesNorma Rae In the film Norma Rae, the textile workers were unsatisfied with many aspects of their Capitalistic work environment. They fought to form a union so that they could change the undesirable characteristics to better meet their needs. Political, environmental and cultural processes all played a part in the workers struggle to form an effective union. Unlike the film, Matewan, in which the coal miners worked under feudal control, the employees of the O.P. HenleyRead MoreEssay on Feudalism and Capitalism3836 Words   |  16 Pagestheory or set of theories (which can be contradictory), to teach particular theories (including economic theories), and to provide an objective for analysis using economic theory. (Professor Gabriel) It is with this in mind that the films of Matewan and Norma Rae are of importance to us when analyzing the concepts of feudalism and capitalism, because they are films that contain in them examples from these two types of economic systems. While the concept of unions is prevalent in both films, the

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My essay, “The Long Road to Opportunity” Free Essays

My essay, â€Å"The Long Road to Opportunity,† is designed to convey details about my childhood in Mexico to the reader. By using real anecdotes from my past, I attempt to show the reader my hunger for knowledge and the obstacles I had to overcome to achieve my goals.  I believe the strongest points in the essay are my thesis, which sets the reader up for the general theme of the essay to follow, and my examples of my father’s deeply held beliefs. We will write a custom essay sample on My essay, â€Å"The Long Road to Opportunity† or any similar topic only for you Order Now Citing examples of specific things he said or did illustrates why it was difficult for me to act against his wishes. I also believe my essay has a good, natural flow. It begins with a broad look at the main idea, and then works through the story in chronological order, culminating in the present. I feel that the information on Mexican culture also works well.  One weakness of the essay would be that it is difficult to tell a detailed story in such a short space. Ideas and stories must be condensed in order to cover all of the main points I wish to address. With more space, I could develop each anecdote more completely, and do a better job of showing rather than telling. â€Å"The Long Road to Opportunity† When I was five years old I knew I would one day go to school and become an engineer. The road to where I am today has been long and difficult. I was born and raised in a small rural town where the most important activity in life was the harvest of the fields. Agriculture played an important and central role in everyone’s lives; everything else was seen as secondary and a waste of time. An interest in going to school was seen as an excuse to avoid responsibilities on the family farm. My father held these beliefs sacred, and as such proved to be a formidable opponent in my quest for education. I grew up the youngest of my eight siblings in a town called Dolores Hidalgo in Guanajuato, Mexico. My father farmed over 600 acres of land, divided into two parts; one part was used to raise cattle and the other part to grow corn and beans. My father believed that after God and family, the most important thing was the land. He believed a person’s character was manifested in his harvest. If one loved and respected nature, She would return that love and respect with an excellent harvest. Growing up on the farm, I enjoyed working in the fields and tending to the cattle. However, my first love was school. My father didn’t understand the passion I had for learning. When I was 4 years old, my father sent me to school with my sister Maria, who was six years old and scheduled to start first grade. My dad did not want my sister to walk to school by herself. When I got there, the teacher, Mr. Mendez, allowed me to sit in the classroom alongside my sister. After four weeks of classes, Mr. Mendez asked my father to visit the school. I was so scared Mr. Mendez was going to tell my dad that I could not go to school with Maria. When my father arrived at the school, Mr. Mendez advised him that I was the best student in his class and that he was going to speak to the principal about formally accepting me into school. My dad, who appeared to be in shock, was not happy with the news. He told the teacher the only reason I was sent to school was to escort my sister. He further stated that school would take away from my chores around the farm. I begged my dad to allow me to go. Furthermore, I promised to get up early and tend to the cattle before school and to continue with the farm work upon returning home in the afternoon. To my surprise, my father finally gave in. I was the happiest boy on earth – I would have access to more books. However, it never got easier. Every year for the first six years was a constant battle with my dad. My father believed the only persons that should attend school were the ones willing to serve God as a priest or nun. People living on farms should dedicate themselves to taking care of the land, he said. He claimed that previous generations of our people had all been farmers and had lived well without the need for proper education. Rural schools have been an important part of Guanajuato since the beginning of the rural school program. In these schools, teachers put an emphasis on the concept of nationalism to ensure that all students have a strong sense of what it means to be Mexican. In the classrooms, teachers become valuable resources for students, making them think more deeply about their identities and examine their culture. In class, Mr. Mendez would tell stories about the post-revolution decline in education throughout the country, caused by the conflicts and insecurity of the time. The influence on rural education was very important because it was the center of cultural life in the 1920s and 1930s. Rural education could be seen as a legitimate byproduct of the Mexican Revolution, allowing social justice programs to spread throughout all corners of the country. Rural schools began with the premise that through education, people would learn to How to cite My essay, â€Å"The Long Road to Opportunity†, Essay examples

Davao Philippines free essay sample

The province was one of the largest provinces in the Philippines during that time, spanning more than 20,000 square kilometers; it lasted from 1920 until 1967, when the province split into three provinces, namely:  Davao del Norte,  Davao del Sur, and  Davao Oriental. After the division, Davao City was officially named its regional center. RELIGION The majority of the regions population are  Christians, mostly  Catholics; however, there are also  Muslims,Buddhists, and  Shintoists  living in the region. Natural Resources Aside from its forestland and fertile fields, Southern Mindanao has mineral resources of  chromite,  iron,  nickel,  manganese,  gold,  copper  and other non-metallic minerals. Five of the major fishing grounds of the Philippines are located in the region. Compostela Valley In Compostela Valley, nature lovers can enjoy the flora and the fauna found among the mangroves and coral gardens of Lunod Island. They can also go trekking and mountain-climbing at Mt. Candalaga. Spelunkers can find adventure at the Mahayhay, Casoon and Kiokmay Caves, while Tagbibinta falls offer a unique rafting experience in its waters. We will write a custom essay sample on Davao Philippines or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Davao del Norte In this part of the region lie beautiful beaches that families can go to for excursions and outings. Pearl Farm, Canibad and Costa Marina Beach Resorts offer cool white, grey and black sand, clear water beaches. For the inquisitive and inquiring mind, a tour of the Vanishing Island is a must to see the wonder of this â€Å"disappearing† body of land. The Monfort Bat Sanctuary is also a must see. Davao City In this modern and contemporary city, one can still find the luxury of nature. There is the Paraiso Beach Resort, where visitors can find time to bathe under the sun and swim in cool waters. Ecotourist will enjoy the Seagull Mountain Resort and Riverford Nature Park. Additionally, tourists can relax in the calming, still waters of the El Nido Cold Spring. For a taste of culture and history, travelers should visit the city’s Japanese village, which was built before the Japanese occupation during World War II. Davao del Sur In Davao del Sur, travelers can find the highest peak in the country, Mt. Apo, where mountain climbing, hiking and camping are popular activities. Tourists can also go swimming at Llavan, Sta, Monica and Pearl-Cris Beach Resorts. Additionally, Kabulao Cave is also great for spelunking. Davao Oriental When in Davao Oriental, tourists should go to Ballestic Island and visit the 17th century Caraga Catholic Church. Travelers should also go hiking at  Tinagong Dagat  (Hidden Sea), and discover this unique natural phenomenon situated a thousand feet above sea level. On the other hand, tourists should also see the Sigaboy Floating in Governor Generosa, an islet shaped like a giant whale.