National Identity and Language Rights Research Paper

National Identity and Language Rights - Research Paper Example The official thinking goes that one language is necessary for the inherent unity of the country. However, the unofficial reason for these laws, according to many, is racist at its core – because language is not just an abstraction or way to communicate, but also is vital to one's culture and place in society, deeming one's language as inferior is akin to deeming one's culture as also inferior. Another issue is that these laws are probably unconstitutional, as they disenfranchise potential voters who do not know the language. As voting is a right for all citizens, forcing a citizen to vote without knowing what he is voting for, or forcing this citizen to stay home, is unconstitutional. These are just some of the reasons why English only or official English laws are unworkable. But still, legislatures and the people try to make them work, as evidenced by the different movements that have sprung up in this milieu. There are a variety of reasons for the movement to make English the official language. Citrin et al. (1990) identified some of these reasons in their study of the municipalities and states where English only or English as the Official language have been adopted. One of these reasons is historical in nature. English-only in public opinion began in earnest around the turn of the century, as people immigrating from Southern and Eastern Europe stirred xenophobic feelings among Americans, culminating in the â€Å"Americanization† movement that â€Å"insisted that national unity depended upon cultural homogeneity and a common language† (Auerbach, 1993, p. 10).

Week 2 email 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 2 email 1 - Essay Example After reading Erickson Page 357, something interesting can be learned from this. The physicist, of which we would possibly describe as wise and learned, is unable to articulate the properties of light and acknowledges light as a mystery; however, he does acknowledge that light does exist. Therefore, we as believers in God acknowledge His existence because we have been enlightened by the Holy Spirit. The light of Christ shines in us; as believers we have also experienced general and special revelations because of our faith in Christ Jesus. We live in the Spirit, not in the flesh, so now we have peace with God through the righteousness of Christ Jesus’ blood. As we read in Romans 8:6 â€Å"for to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.† Our old self is dead, for we were crucified with Christ, and we were born again. God does exist because we have new life in Christ. This new life does not come from our own self, as the self is

Extreme Poverty and the Rights of the Poor Essay Example for Free

Extreme Poverty and the Rights of the Poor Essay Extreme poverty and the rights of the poor has been a high priority of the UN ever since its creation, yet this dilemma are still happening in many underdeveloped and developing countries. To eliminate this problem, public awareness and a genuine cooperation in the global community is required. Extreme poverty and rights of the poor goes hand in hand, because in many third world and developing nations, poor people have no rights. France encourages nations to genuinely cooperate to increase the awareness of the issue and to abolish habits of â€Å"ignoring poverty and the rights of the poor. † The eradication of poverty must begin by providing help to those most affected by the problem. The poor and uneducated makes up the majority of those without any rights, they lack access to the fastest way of escaping poverty, education; therefore, they rarely ever have a voice in their communities. France is well aware that efforts have been made to fight poverty in many regions simultaneously, including Africa, Central and South America, and the Middle East. France strongly believes that the most essential step the UN should take in order to solve this problem is to encourage all nations to provide free education to everyone. In order to reduce poverty and guarantee rights to the poor, free education must be made available to everyone, especially to those that cannot afford it. If this is achieved, people most definitely are able to have a bigger and better access to economic opportunities, a major factor in escaping poverty. In France, it is required for children from the age of 6-16 to attend school. After ninth grade, students can choose whether or not to pursue a higher education, such as high school and college, if not, they can be admitted to a technical school, then graduate from such school and have a professional career. France believe that based on the high efficiency of this method, the UN should carry out similar actions to a global scale by encouraging nations to adopt the same principle. In conclusion, France strongly believes nations must genuinely cooperate effectively in order to reduce poverty and guarantee rights to the poor. The source of this problem is believed to be the lack of access to education due to poverty. Providing free education must be the first step nations should take in order to bring an end to this problem.

Neoliberalism Ideology Of Privatisation

Neoliberalism Ideology Of Privatisation In favour of Globalisation, the Neoliberals suggest that the privatisation and trans-nationalisation of capital is desirable and inevitable from a socio economic development. 1.0 Introduction One of the main outcomes of neo-liberalism in IPE (International political Economy) in economic reforms is Privatisation. To develop my argument, I will look at the arguments of neo-liberalism in favour of privatisation and trans-nationalisation of capital through globalisation. The idea of globalisation has grown to be one of the generally effective in socio economic development as well as raises the global cross boarder in term of social, economic and cultural. To day the terms World economy, world market and globalisation are commonplace, appearing in the sound bites of politicians (Dunn: 188). The debate of the above three vectors relate with economic competition and privatisation try to increase world interdependent and become desirable and inevitable process. Afterwards globalisation is rising attractive a controversial subject whether it can really be important in socio economic development and improve human welfare. A number of scholars in this part come across not so convincingly to provide or even concur that relation between globalisation and privatisation in terms of free competition and free trade (worldwide capital mobility) lead to economic effectiveness, welfare and democracy. To my understanding, globalisation is an important but not adequate circumstance to hasten socio economic. PURPOSE. The foundation of this essay is to essentially examine how aspects of globalisation with privatisation and trans-nationalisation of capital are either important desirable in socio economic improvement. The essay will begin by introducing the concepts of globalisation and will explain Neoliberals perspective on globalisation and its effects on socio economic using different readings, lectures, Journals and my individual observation concerning to the issue. The primary part of this essay will demonstrate the neoliberal arguments in favour of privatisation and trans-nationalisation of capital and its contribution of economic o the process of accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction. Secondly, it will examine some view and criticism and or challenges associated from other perspectives for concerning arguments. Finally, I will draw a conclusion based on review findings. 1.2 CONCEPTS. The idea of globalisation is global change relate with connections of social, cultural, economic and political between actors across the globe. (Robinson: 1999). According to Todaro, globalisation is increasing integrations of national economies into expanding international markets. The above information explains that the process of globalisation try to make a global single set. Indeed Gill accepts that globalisation is part of broad process of restructuring of state and civil society and political economy culture. He emphasizes that It is ideology largely consistent with the world view and political priorities of large- scale internationally mobile forms of capital. Mobility of resources is very crucial in development, investment and services for increasing internationally interconnection and commonly world economy. The OECD1 handbook on Economic Globalisation Indicators explained that the term globalisation has been widely used to describe the increasing internationalisation of fin ancial market and of markets for goods and services. In this regards the integrations of capital labour and financial services is very important for economic inter-reliance. The Concept of neo-liberalism is a set of economic policies that have become widespread during the last two decade. Martinez 1996. Indeed (Cerny, 2008), explained that, during 1980s neo-liberalism was related with International Relation while 1990s focus on economic and liberalisation in International Political Economy. Thorsen agrees that is used to describe a range of policies and an economic philosophy that stress international free trade, economic liberalism or capitalism and the promotion of such through deregulation privatisation and liberalisation of nation economies. He highlights that, the term neo liberalism also used to imply that is a new form of economic liberalism more commonly known as capitalism but on global scale. In this logic the neoliberals relate with open of trans-nationalisation of capital and liberation of enterprises and state linking the appearance of market civilisation. Mean while, (Gill1995) agrees that neoliberal macroeconomic policies, aligned to the ideology of the competition state, hence the competition through the privatisation is more essential and enhance global interconnection on socio economic growth. According to sheikh (2004) neoliberals dominants modern globalisation. Its practices are justified by asset of theoretical claim rooted in standard economic theory. Market is represented as optimal and self regulating social structure. It is claimed that if market must be allowed to function with out restraint. Therefore, neoliberals believe that the role of government is to provide public service and markets will adjustment naturally. Neo-liberalism perspective with globalisation reflects on international competitiveness, the policy might engage in recreation of a role in improving international economy. Hirst (2009) at el accepts that, to neo-liberalism international competitiveness as the characteristic modality of international economic governance. It involves political compromise including diplomatic bargaining between countries to establish compromises on trade policy as exemplified by the GATT mechanism. A long with this for neo-liberalism emphasis on the political bargaining is very significant the exercise of international market entrance. 2. Privatisation and Trans-nationalisation of Capital. Before the description and explanation of the neo-liberalism arguments in favour of privatisation. I will describe in short the meaning of privatisation In generally. According to Todaro 2009 the privatisation of state owned enterprises in the production and financial sectors, hinges on orthodox hypothesis that private ownership brings greater efficiency and more rapid growth In addition he emphasise that privatisation improves efficiency, increase outputs and lower costs to reduce public internal and external debt, and promotes individuals initiatives while rewarding entrepreneurship. In this regards states by implementing this policy leads to improve growth and increase in the rational choice for consumer and socio economic level. Martinez (1996) agrees that privatisation sell state-owned enterprises, goods and services to private investors. This includes banks, key industries, railroads, toll highways, electricity, schools, hospitals and even fresh water. Although usually done in the name of greater efficiency, which is often needed, privatization has mainly had the effect of concentrating wealth even more in a few hands and making the public pay even more for its needs. In general privatisation is very crucial on world economy yet it is increasingly becoming a debated issue whether it can improve the economy or make it is worse situation especially in developing Countries. Related with trans-nationalisation of capital is a kind of recent capitalism connected with hegemonic tool for analysis of transitional economy. Capital transnationalisation can be transferred through different type in terms of and goods and service capital, financial capital, and productive capital. Bina (1991) agrees that there are three ways of trans-nationalisation in world economy (i) Concentration and centralisation of capital both in manufacturing (industrial capital) and financial capital. (ii) The formation of finance capital and further development of credits system for expanded reproduction and the consequent internationalisation of all circuits of capital and globalisation and production through the medium of transnational cooperation (TNCs). However economic labour movement and financial flow become considerable society in the age of globalisation. Labour is directly related to the reason of advanced capitalism. This requires an inspection of requirements of the politica l economy of today trans-nationalisation. Cerny 2008 argue that for neo-liberalism contemporary politics entails both a process of choosing between version of neo-liberalism, and the attempt to innovate creativity within the new neoliberal playing field including open trade capital flows embedded financial orthodoxy, the regulatory state, privatisation and hybrid forms of governance are the bottom line of neo-liberalism. In theory, it offers prediction of amendment of political institutions increase of economic globalisation. The argument of neo-liberalism paradigm base on free market and privatisation has encouraging effects in social impartiality. Moreover they believe in freedom of movement for capital commodities, it advocates the opportunity of economies and competition in the world market in situation of complete freedom. Hirst agrees that economic performance measures through competitiveness. Idea of competitiveness relate with comparative advantages that is different countries lead each country will capable to acquire other product at al lower resources cost less hours. Moreover, Makwana (2006) agrees that neoliberals claims that privatized services are more capable than those run by state. They consider that market competition and collaborate effectiveness can drive prices drive prices down for consumers. Furthermore, the eventual goal of neoliberal economic globalisation to eliminate of all barriers to trade and the privatisation of all accessible resources and service. In addition, Cerny 2008. state that, neo-liberalism focus on relatively dogmatic, enforced laissez-faire doctrine, it involves first of all an acceptance that we live in multilevel, more open and market like globalisation world in which informal and negotiated policy process prevails for neoliberals open market and globalisation is very significant for neoliberal market civilisation (Gill 1995) which is linking social well being on broad around the world economy system. Another explanation from (Cerny: 2008) reiterates that, neoliberals public policies, whether at national, regional or international level do not merely constrains but also bring opportunities. In theory, through Structural Adjustment policies allows poor to possess and be accountable for recovering their lives changes themselves relatively than the system. As I mentioned earlier that, transformation of capital may occur in term of manufacturing and financial aspects there is empirical evidence that some of countries benefited with privatisation policy. (Calva: 2003) accepts that, in Costa Rica four company privatise and reported that increasing 9 percentages of GDP in 1998.this means that shares of GDP reduce deficit in GDP. Another evidence which (Calva 2003) provided that increase of production in industrial sector, he highlighted that Russian and Mexico is among of countries achieved in by privatisation. The above example provided, demonstrate for neoliberals ideology of privatisation had positive aspects in economic sector. Different with neoliberals perspectives, realist theories highlighted that competitiveness and privatisation is not a solution for social well being on broad around the world. Bayliss (2005) agreed that, in developing countries, privatisation, in common with the wider neo-liberal policy agenda, has failed to meet expectations. Privatisation efforts have been undermined by various factors, including weak political commitment, poor investor supply response and institutional challenges. He emphasis that since the late 1990s, the language of privatisation has softened (as, for example, private sector participation has replaced privatisation). In additional to that, realism scholars argues that globalisation has not succeeded to promote market economy in world market. It gears an inequality of market between North and South. Stiglitz agrees there is disproportionate share of benefits, at the expense of the developing worlds. Therefore a consequence of this situation consequence was some poorest countries in the world turn into worse off. Private investment sector is useful in socio economic especially for countries that lacks of capital, including piece of equipments and expertise. Stiglitz (2006:) accepts that, for privatisation policy of world economy to meet the demand for their skill labour increase, and wages of unskilled labour become higher he emphasized that if labour moves from a country where productivity and wages are low to one where they are high, the increase in out put can be enormous and worlds economy grows. The Marxist perspectives, argues that privatisation is related with capital accumulation. Dunn 2006 agrees that private capitalist accumulate capital by making investment decisions within logic of profit maximization. He emphasizes that privatisation in capitalist counties dont directly interfere in investments decisions or in the market, but rather provide legitimation and order, using its power primary to guarantee external defense and internal peace consistence with the institutions of private property, therefore they emphasizes that globalisation serves an interest maximisation of profit inter of capital trans-nationalisation and intercontinental trade other than ideology. For Marxist discipline, globalisation relates with expansion of capital accumulation and should be profitable the working class Hossein (2005) agrees that for many Marxist in recent decades, capitalism is key its nature a globally expanding system geared to accumulation on a world scale. To some extent Marxist believe that ideology of competition between capitalist countries facilitate currently instability for the world capitalist economy. 3.0: Critics of Globalisation, Privatisation and trans-nationalisation. This paper has assessed the privatisation and trans-nationalisation idea of neoliberals facilitate socio economic world. Policy of privatisation to large extent the development helps to increase job creation, trade competition and rational choice for consumer. Yet it features some challenges. As I illustrated in the beginning, trans-nationalisation of capital is kind of hegemonic capitalist system, this is more appropriate part of global political economy in capitalist production and finance. This reflects the rising domination of transnational cooperation (TNC) of having hegemonic actors (North part) in world economy. Roboson 2004 agrees that, there is evidence that a transnational class is gaining hegemony over local- and national-based capitalists including the spread of TNCs, increase in foreign direct investment (FDI), cross border mergers and acquisitions, transnational interlocked directorships, and strategic alliances. This situation changes stability of classes forces that has completed likely that attack on unions. For neoliberals structural Adjustments policies is appropriate and its implementation but in reality the application of Shock therapy implementation of SAP in Africa and other areas resulted in increase in economic shock and other abjection results Protozos 2004 agreed that over 15 years of IMF / World Bank management of Tanzanias economy saw its per capital GDP drop from $ 309 to $ 210 and rate of abject poverty jumped to 51 percent of the population. Moreover the Implementation of SAP are forced as condition for loans, hence the repayments of loans affects budget of the developing countries. In addition Protozons argue that SAP structural Adjustment Programme are imposed renegotiating debts, and on condition that the receipts country accepts privatisation, capital market liberalisation, market based pricing and reduction in subsidies for public services such as water, food and utilities. This has therefore resulted was disintegration of their economies and hence catastrophic for developing countries. Competiveness of trade is myth to increase sustainable of true competitiveness. Unfortunately, this major reason that leads to divergences and differences between North and South. Hirst 2009 agrees that, the emerging market economies might threaten the competitive position of the traditional developed countries of the North, which in countries is threatened by cheap goods and labour, the growth of South cheap goods and labour which one of aspects hinder trade competition. Indeed Curtis 2005 argues that in Pakistan increasing foreign competition in fisheries a sector is edging 300,000 local fisher folk out of market. This evaluate that private company distorted local market since local companies does not compete due to different obstacles. Private investment sector was usual to consequence in job formation. In reality restructuring has been accompanied with retrenchments. Stiglitz (2006) accepts that, privatisation policy failed to meet commitments to world economy to many development countries around the world when they liberalized so fast that the private sector did not have time to respond and create new jobs, or when interest rates were so high that the private sector could not affords to make the investments necessary to create new jobs. There fore unemployment rate increases in economic system. 4. Conclusion. In conclusion this paper argues on that globalisation and privatisation and trans-nationalisation in world economy. To a great degree, privatisation helps to facilitate and improves in different sectors management job opportunities socio and economic development growth in North side rather then South side. Above of the mentioned challenges / critics and other factors may cause that implementation of globalisation and tarns-nationalisation and privatisation be uneven. Moreover, the concept of globalisation exhibits affirmative forms of thought, including economic effectiveness, wellbeing and democracy. For neo-liberalism ideology of privatisation is away cut off hegemonic power between North and South which exist, yet the process seem failed to meet its commitments. Furthermore, the elementary strategy of neoliberal is focusing on rising freedom both political and economic aspects. The practice and performance of neoliberal ideology has been reliable every where in the world. Privatisation in developing countries is universal with the wide neoliberals strategy programme has failed to meet expectation. (Curtis 2005) accepts that, In South Africa, water privatisation has meant that half of million people were cut off non payment of their water bills during of their water bills during a three month period in 2001 out break of cholera has been also been reported as families resort to drawing water pollution rivers. In this regards, the policy move emerged in response to apparent failures in the public sector particular in Sub Sahara Africa. Finally, I have drawn the conclusion, why neoliberal thought of globalisation through free trade policy not working? And what can be done in order to make globalisation run for more people. In my view damaged by different factors, together with weak political obligation, underprivileged investor supply response and institutional challenges. However there is tendency of TNCs exercise several strategies to reduce their declared income in developing country including transfer pricing and be liable to move most of declared profits elsewhere of the host country. On top on that, developing countries should provide sufficient data for foreign investors; hence it helps more promoted achievement. In developing countries, privatisation can place substantial demands on an already stretched and destabilized public sector, both in terms of functioning and rule of the privatised enterprises. Therefore manufacturing sector productivity is smaller and low-income economies due, in part, to an amalgamation of hi-tech dependence What do poor countries require to perform to reap the utmost benefit from globalisation? For my view that, developed countries should to reduce boundaries against import of African products. Public Sectors including provision of water, education and health might be clearly excluded from privatisation. Poor countries have to have right of entry to substantial special action to look after their frail economies from foreign competition. Developed countries should implements the Article 66 of TRIPS2 agreement, which requires developed countries to make available incentives encouraging transfer of technology. In addition to that, industrial countries should implement well article 22, 23, and 24 Howard 2009 agrees that, article 22,23,24 allow government to protect good name of product from certain regions in their countries, this helps developing countries to have a property of use of trade mark and geographical protection for produce a specific commodities. Last but not least a major aspect for implementation of privatisation is political stability. Ajay 2001 argue that, Good governance and accountability and trustworthy and independency of national institutions is very crucial condition for growth. To summarise, state should play its role well, where market failure and international developments agencies try to equalized and avoided to implements globalisation and other policies by dominants of unilaterally or us hegemony.

The Benefits of Algae :: Environment Nature Ecology Essays Papers

The Benefits of Algae How often also does a human use or eat algae in his daily life? When most people think of algae, they probably think of something that is slimy, gross, and dirty. Algae may irritate people because it grows in unwanted places like swimming pools and boats. Algae can be toxic and it is slimy, but algae benefits people in all aspects of life. Humans obtain algin from algae to help make ice cream, pudding, face cream, and shoe polish. Algae is present in hamburgers, yoghurt, and cakes. Algae also helps make explosives, insulation, and paint. Algae produces most of the oxygen that animals breathe and without it the world would suffocate. Also, according to Helen Challand, "It is now believed that the oil and gas formed millions of years ago in the ground were created by algae" (20). What if the world could find a way to dispose of sewage, produce food, and purify bodies of water at the same time? The Aztecs have proven that this idea is possible. Lake Texcoco flowed near the Aztec civilization. The Aztecs disposed of their waste in the lake. The human waste added nitrogen to the water. The nitrogen helped algae to grow, and then the algae performed photosynthesis. Photosynthesis gives off oxygen, and oxygen purifies polluted water. The Aztec's also abstracted the algae from the lake and used it for food. Certain types of algae like red and green algae are edible. Many cultures have eaten seaweed for centuries. Wendy O'Leary Dunn states, "They think of seaweed as a vegetable and eat it as we eat broccoli or spinach" (18). Therefore, when humans dispose of their waste in bodies of water, they help algae grow. Then, the algae cleans the water and they can eat the algae. The process of disposing waste, producing food, and purifying bodies of water is useful today. For example, communities that live in the desert, like in the southwestern United States and in the Middle East, can use this process to farm and survive. They can use the newly purified water for their crops or for their own consumption. In addition, when algae purifies water, it releases oxygen.

Comparing the Eras: Puritan vs Present Essay -- Comparing Compare Cont

Comparing the Eras: Puritan vs Present In the Bible I follow it is said that Jesus is Mother Mary’s adored son, â€Å"Flesh of my flesh and Blood of my blood,† and in fact any child is a being created by the bond between the parents, flesh of their flesh and blood of their blood. Whether a child was born during the Puritan era, or born as of yesterday, the birth of the child would remain unchanged, but what is not evident is whether there is any similarity in the upbringing of a child between the two different eras. When studying the Puritan era and the life of a Puritan child, and comparing it to the way I was raised, and the way I raise my children, I began to wonder which of the two eras would be the most favorable. During the seventeenth century the female children were expected to do house work such as washing everything manually whereas in today’s world we have the luxury of using dishwashers and washing machines to ease our daily lives, and most importantly most children are not expected to do such chores. Many children now-a-days may have loving and affectionate relationships with their parents, and many children may even think of their parents as their friend, and still have respect towards their parents whereas the children of the Puritan era were taught to respect their parents by fearing them. In â€Å"The Puritan Family: Religion and Domestic Relations in Seventeenth-Century New England,† Edmund S. Morgan writes, â€Å"According to Cobbet, filial reverence consisted of a holy respect and fear both of a parent’s person and of his words; a reverent child†¦.† Present day, the average child is allowed to be a child—play, have fun, run around—and most importantly is given a future of opportunities while the children... ...ised. Puritan parents placed their children in a different home to learn better manners, and some children today are placed in military schools. The difference is that it was normal for Puritan parents to place their child in another person’s home while some parents now-a-days use military schools as a way to punish their child. The courts in the Puritan days would punish the children which may be similar to today’s courts punishing the juveniles who commit a crime, but the difference is that in the Puritan days the courts would interfere when a child was disobedient towards a parent whereas the courts now become involved mostly when a child actually commits a crime outside of the home, and it is a parent’s job to discipline the child at home. I am content with only experiencing the Puritan days through books because I do not agree with the Puritans way of life.

Memoir

Pets in general are lovable. Of course, who doesn’t love a dog? Or a cat? A fish, maybe? But in my case, it’s different. Not because I dislike innocent animals but because I have this extreme within me since childhood. You may not believe it but what I do the love are one of the most â€Å"unloved† and feared living creatures in this world —snakes and reptiles. I don’t know what it is about these cold-blooded creatures that attracted me most but for as long as I can remember, I have always been passionate about them. Lizards arouse my curiosity while snakes give me a sense of mystery and excitement. Even as a grown up now, I can still vividly recall my first encounter with a rattlesnake which was one of the scariest experiences I ever had. It was one bright, sunny morning and we were playing in the woods. The summer heat was conducive for outdoor activities and our â€Å"gang† has gathered once again to welcome the long school break. Careless and jolly, I was only 10 then and I was chasing my ball after it was tossed away in a very secluded area. I could not even remember what game was that but I was running after the ball and as soon as I entered the isolated zone, I felt shivers in my nape which gave me the creeps. I had cold sweats just as the earth was cold and moist and there were dried, wrinkled leaves scattered all over. I moved quite slowly not knowing what’s in store in there. I looked everywhere for my ball using my telescopic vision. I was quite good in finding things and stuff. As soon as I found the ball behind a moss-filled rock, I heard this eerie hissing sound. Sensing that it might be a snake, I was agitated that I wondered where it could be hiding. I said to myself, â€Å"This is a chance of a lifetime!† I was thinking twice at first anticipating the danger it could do to me. Anti-venoms were difficult to find during those days. Nevertheless, I hesitated. Out of curiosity, I kicked the rock hard and there it was†¦a fat, healthy rattlesnake! I suppose it was taking a nap before I got there. But at that moment its eyes looked straight at mine, I knew that there was impending harm to come. My mind was flying somewhere. All I felt was fear and thrill. The rattlesnake I found was brown, about four feet long with a triangular head. The minute I saw it, I was shaking hard and I froze all over. Knowing that rattlesnakes only attacked humans when disturbed, I was reluctant to go near it. But thinking it was my only opportunity to explore and take a good look at a real one, I picked up a stick and went closer to it moving one step at a time. As soon as I was closest to it, it gave a sort of evil look at me as if it was about to bite me whole. Then I gathered all my nerves and began to strum its thick scales then lifted it up slowly. It irked! I felt great and brave. Right that moment, I thought I’d die a terrible death from a venomous snake. Then I struggled to gaze at it for a few minutes. What a beautiful sight! And that’s how I remember it. I returned it back to its place then I started moving away slowly to avoid provoking its untamed nature. When I returned to my â€Å"gang,† I proudly shared to them the wonderful yet terrifying experience with the first snake I have ever encountered. I never told my mom what I did because I knew she’d kill me for doing such a â€Å"stupid† thing as she might have called it. I never had any other close encounters with snakes after that. I actually never petted them long. I gave up my Gopher snakes soon enough after I kept them a few years ago. But being a unique pet lover, it is quite rewarding on my part especially when I hear people praise me for it. Even if only see snakes usually in cages or in the zoos now, I can always remember that one fateful day I met that rattlesnake in the wild. I will always remember how beautiful it was. My experiences with lizards were not as intense as that I’ve had with snakes probably because they are harmless and naà ¯ve. But my daily encounters with lizards were as memorable to me as that of snakes. Actually, it was quite a traumatic beginning for me. I was standing in our front porch one day when I saw this kid (I think he was younger than me at that time) playing with a lizard. It was about 4 inches long and brown in color so I assumed it was a fence lizard. It had a bluish belly though. At first, the kid was feeding it with small insects I could not identify then before I knew it, he was flipping the poor lizard up and down. I was about to approach him when the next thing I saw was he stepped on it and the lizard was squeezed like an orange fruit. There it was lying flat on the street not breathing anymore. It was a terrible event which I cannot erase from my long-term memory until now. From then on, I came to love lizards more and I collected not only fence lizards but alligator and whiptail lizards as well. When I stopped keeping snakes, my lizards remained. At present, I still have my lizards which I long to protect and care for in my own simple ways. To my mind, at least I am making a difference in the lives of these astonishing small creatures which are often neglected and unappreciated by people. It is so sad to note that in some countries which do not have strict animal rights, snakes and reptiles are ruthlessly killed even with just the sight of them, even if they did nothing to harm humans. We should realize that such acts are merely their naturally-occurring defense mechanisms. Some races made them into exotic dishes and sold at high prices. Even in zoos and animal sanctuaries, snakes and reptiles are given negative connotations which affect the impressions of people in general regarding these creatures. The media play a great role in influencing people’s opinions and generalizations about snakes and reptiles. Since time immemorial, I have never seen a film, TV show or any advertisements for that matter depicting snakes in a positive manner. Movies like â€Å"Anaconda,† â€Å"Anacondas,†   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Spasm,† â€Å"Venom,† â€Å"Snakes on the Plane,† â€Å"Rattled,† and many more all gave snakes bad images. Oftentimes, snakes are shown to represent evil and have been considered demonic symbols. How can people’s attitude towards snakes and reptiles be changed if what is being shown by entertainment is purely the dark side of these creations? It certainly takes time to alter people’s perceptions on snakes and reptiles. One of the most effective medium to begin with is education. We should be reminded that snakes and reptiles are also part of our wildlife, thus, they should be conserved and protected like any other endangered species. Children should be taught to love all animals through promoting media exposure and including conservation of wildlife in the school curriculum to instill in their minds the need to appreciate even the most dangerous creatures. This is not an easy task pursue since most learning of children are facilitated at home and most parents and guardians teach children to fear snakes and reptiles. This is the reason why massive media campaign should be done to alter our views about snakes and reptiles even at a slow pace. What is of the essence is that there should be efforts and attempts to correct the wrong impressions people have of these despised animals. While it may be true that snakes and reptiles are feared and â€Å"unloved† by most people, for me, they are wonderful creatures. Therefore, it is not true that they are feared and ‘unloved† because there are still people like me who can love them unconditionally. And I choose to remain as such as long as I have the capacity to do so.