Suicide in Northern Canada: A Sociological Perspective

Suicide in Northern Canada: A Sociological Perspective Suicide in Northern Canada: A Sociological Perspective from Two Contrasting Views Joel Ontiveros I. Introduction A growing suicide problem has plagued an indigenous community in northern Canada. Different indigenous communities have had a spike in suicide and attempted suicide due to many social and economic issues. In this essay, I aim to contrast two sociological perspectives of Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx in relation to how and why the native population in northern Canada is having a suicide crisis. II. Suicide in Northern Canada In the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in northern Canada there have been six deaths from suicide within the first months of 2016. In addition to these there have been one hundred and forty attempted suicides within the same indigenous community. According to the New York Times article, [a] Wave of Indigenous Suicides Leaves Canadian Town Appealing for Help, author Liam Stack claims that this wave of suicides is attributed to a faulty relationship between the Canadian government and the native community. The area residents live in extreme poverty and have an unemployment rate of eighty-five percent. Moreover, the native communities poverty leads to a sense of alienation from the non-native southern Canadians who live a more comfortable life. The community and other native communities in northern Canada receive no government investments and do not have access to employment. In addition, there are no hospitals and mental health institutions for hundreds of miles away from the communities. The community, only [has one] fill-time mental health worker [who] has no medical or psychological training, just a bachelors degree in social work.[1] Stack claims that the lack of government cooperation with the communities and trauma from colonialism is what led up to this epidemic. In retrospect, the natives were forced into an alien culture and were stripped of their ancient culture. III. Solidarity and Anomic Suicide From a historical point of view, Emile Durkheim would argue that the spike in suicides in northern Canada is a result of the historical transformation from a more primitive mechanical society to [a] more organic society.[2] Durkheim claimed that a mechanical society is attached together by the common duty that everybody merely does the same type of things. In a mechanical society, all individuals would have a job to fulfill, such as hunting or gathering. This mechanical solidarity would result in individuals having a place in society and feeling a sense of belonging. It is evident that before the Americas were colonized, the natives lived in a mechanical solidarity system that consisted in every individual having a role. These determined roles focused on the collective and did not emphasize individualism. In contrast, once a society has a larger amount of people with more interaction, what Durkheim termed dynamic density, then that society will convert to an organic solidarity, Addit ionally, a division of labor is a factor in this social paradigm. The society becomes more efficient in production because the division of labor demands that the majority of individuals become specialized at a certain task. He believed that anomie happens in an organic society, which is defined as A sense associated with organic solidarity, of not knowing what one is expected to do; of being adrift in society without any clear and secure moorings.[3] Indeed, the native population in northern Canada has become a victim of organic solidarity. The lack of government resources and jobs leads individuals to feel alienated. These individuals do not have a place in modern society because of the lack of jobs and the improper assimilation that was inhumane in the first place, and did not fully incorporate the natives into the European Canadian society. In Durkheims book Suicide, he argued that people a more likely to kill themselves when they do not know what is expected of them.[4] He created categories of suicide that explain why suicide happens. One of his four types of suicide is termed anomic suicide, which he defined as: People are more likely to kill themselves when they do not know what is expected of them, where regulation is low, and they are largely free to run wild. This mad pursuit is likely to prove unsatisfying and, as a result, a higher percentage of people in such a situation are apt to commit this type of suicide.[5] It is evident that the general suicides in northern Canada can be linked to anomic suicide. The individuals do not have access to jobs or resources and live in a society that constantly promotes individualism. The lack of not knowing what to do with oneself, could lead to many existential dilemmas that repressed societies must confront. IV. Class Conflict In a contrasting sociological view, one could link a spike of suicides in northern Canada to the alienation of individuals from class conflict. Karl Marx argued that under capitalism, individuals become alienated from their family, friends, and coworkers, because of a constant conflict between the workers and capitalists. The workers or proletariat have a subsistent wage that merely lets them survive, the majority of natives living in northern Canada do not even have jobs because of an 85% unemployment rate. The natives could be labeled as the lumpenproletariat, or individuals that are below the workers, who may be constantly unemployed. While the lumpenproletariat is below the workers, they still are affected by the clash between the proletariat and bourgeoisie. The capitalists are constantly seeking ways to take advantage of surplus wages, which causes a conflict between the workers. The exploitation of surplus value leads to less resources for communities such as the northern nati ve Canadians. The lack of resources due to exploitation can be compounded with Durkheims organic solidarity, and anomic suicide to highlight the spike in suicides. Additionally, bourgeoisie dominant ideology dictates what norms/mores are to be assimilated by a community. These assimilations have created a cultural genocide for the indigenous population. V. Conclusion The indigenous of northern Canada have seen a spike in suicide because of anomic suicide and the sense of not belonging or knowing what to do in an organic solidarity paradigm. The rise in suicide can also be linked to the class conflict between the capitalists and the workers. Although, the majority of the natives are unemployed, they still are affected by the dominant ideology which dictates the norms that they were forced to assimilate. [1] Cite article pg 2 [2] Book pg 15 [3] Book pg 20 [4] Pg 22 [5] Pg 22

Freedom Through the Pursuit of Dreams in Their Eyes Were Watching God E

Freedom Through the Pursuit of Dreams in Their Eyes Were Watching God   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After the Civil War and the emancipation of the slaves, the ex-slaves could not find enough good work to earn a living. Jim Crow laws were installed to push blacks further away from reaching their dreams. These laws were enforced after Plessy v. Ferguson conviction that blacks and whites could have everything "separate but equal." This included schools, transportation, drinking fountains, bathrooms and more. By 1914 all towns were split down the middle with the blacks on one side and whites on the other (Hoobler 51). The Homestead Act was established in 1866 to help blacks grow in their society. Many bought their own farms or went North and learned to linotype or held other professions such as shoemaking (Hoobler 51). With the movement of blacks to the North came the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance, a black movement in New York in which blacks began to more freely express themselves and their ideas (Rood 38). In illustrating gender roles and the class structu re of a black society, author Zora Neale Hurston portrays the changing black society in her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God through characters that follow their dreams, which helps them take possession of their own lives. The role of women in a black society is a major theme of this novel. Many women help demonstrate Hurston's ideas. Hurston uses Janie's grandmother, Nanny, to show one extreme of women in a black society, the women who follow in the footsteps of their ancestors. Nanny is stuck in the past. She still believes in all the things that used to be, and wants to keep things the way they were, but also desires a better life for her granddaughter than she had. When Nanny catc... ...    Works Cited 1. "Booker Taliafero Washington." Alabama Department Archives & History. asc.edu. World Wide Web. 18 Jan. 1996. Available http://www.asc.edu/archives/famous/b_wash.html. 3. Encarta. Vers. 1997. Computer Software. Encarta, 1997. CD-rom. 4. Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. 1937. 5. Hoobler, Dorothy and Thomas. The African American Family Album. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1995 6. "Jim Crow Laws." FX Bulletin Board Systems. Fxbbs.com. World Wide Web. Available http://www.fxbbs.com/reports/jimcrow.html . 7. Nash, Gary B. American Odyssey. USA: Glencoe Division of Macmilla/McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, 1992 8. Rood, Karen L. American Decades 1920-1929. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Inc., 1996 9. Whiston, Julie. World Wide Web. Available http://www.grin.edu/~gardnerj/thirties/jw.html Freedom Through the Pursuit of Dreams in Their Eyes Were Watching God E Freedom Through the Pursuit of Dreams in Their Eyes Were Watching God   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After the Civil War and the emancipation of the slaves, the ex-slaves could not find enough good work to earn a living. Jim Crow laws were installed to push blacks further away from reaching their dreams. These laws were enforced after Plessy v. Ferguson conviction that blacks and whites could have everything "separate but equal." This included schools, transportation, drinking fountains, bathrooms and more. By 1914 all towns were split down the middle with the blacks on one side and whites on the other (Hoobler 51). The Homestead Act was established in 1866 to help blacks grow in their society. Many bought their own farms or went North and learned to linotype or held other professions such as shoemaking (Hoobler 51). With the movement of blacks to the North came the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance, a black movement in New York in which blacks began to more freely express themselves and their ideas (Rood 38). In illustrating gender roles and the class structu re of a black society, author Zora Neale Hurston portrays the changing black society in her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God through characters that follow their dreams, which helps them take possession of their own lives. The role of women in a black society is a major theme of this novel. Many women help demonstrate Hurston's ideas. Hurston uses Janie's grandmother, Nanny, to show one extreme of women in a black society, the women who follow in the footsteps of their ancestors. Nanny is stuck in the past. She still believes in all the things that used to be, and wants to keep things the way they were, but also desires a better life for her granddaughter than she had. When Nanny catc... ...    Works Cited 1. "Booker Taliafero Washington." Alabama Department Archives & History. asc.edu. World Wide Web. 18 Jan. 1996. Available http://www.asc.edu/archives/famous/b_wash.html. 3. Encarta. Vers. 1997. Computer Software. Encarta, 1997. CD-rom. 4. Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. 1937. 5. Hoobler, Dorothy and Thomas. The African American Family Album. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1995 6. "Jim Crow Laws." FX Bulletin Board Systems. Fxbbs.com. World Wide Web. Available http://www.fxbbs.com/reports/jimcrow.html . 7. Nash, Gary B. American Odyssey. USA: Glencoe Division of Macmilla/McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, 1992 8. Rood, Karen L. American Decades 1920-1929. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Inc., 1996 9. Whiston, Julie. World Wide Web. Available http://www.grin.edu/~gardnerj/thirties/jw.html

Interview Questions and Answers

How are you qualified for this position? I believe that I am qualified for this position because of my knowledge and skills within the networking and database fields. I have developed these skills through previous work experiences and also by completing my bachelor's degree program in Network Communications Management. 2. What are your strengths? I have many strengths and skills that I have acquired through life experiences, job history, and from school.I think the major strengths that I have acquired are loyalty, dedicated work ethic, and patience. 3. What are your weaknesses? The current weakness or challenges I face in a work environment is my kindness. Sometimes people can take advantage of a person who Is too kind, which can be difficult in a work environment. I am working on resolving this problem by identifying those who are trying to take advantage of me and resolving the issue by confronting them. 4. What are your short-term goals? The most Important short-term goal right no w Is to establish a great work environment where I received employment.I also want to be sure I am exceeding expectations in order to receive great responsibility and growth within the company. 5. What are your long-term goals? My long term goal is to continue to expand my knowledge in the database and networking fields. I would like to be at a place where I am able to manage and train other coworkers in order to help grow my company. 6. What can you contribute to this company? I can contribute all of the skills I have learned In my previous database and networking environments.Also, I will be sure that my work, projects, and assignments re all done professionally and in a timely matter. 7. Why are you interested In working for our firm? I am interested in growing my experiences and knowledge in the database and networking fields. I feel that this company will help nourish my skills and keep myself actively learning new technologies. 8. Why are you applying for this position? I am a pplying tort this position because I know that I nave what I t takes to get the work required completed. I will also be able to contribute the skills I have learned in the database and networking fields.

Free Essays on Ashante Indians

ashanti.com.au/ History of the Ashanti People Asante (Ashanti) History Much of the modern nation of Ghana was dominated from the late 17th through the late 19th century by a state known as Asante. Asante was the largest and most powerful of a series of states formed in the forest region of southern Ghana by people known as the Akan. Among the factors leading the Akan to form states, perhaps the most important was that they were rich in gold. In the 15th and 16th centuries, gold-seeking traders came to Akan country not only from the great Songhay empire (in the modern Republic of Mali) and the Hausa cities of northern Nigeria, but also from Europe. After the Portuguese built the first European fort in tropical Africa at El Mina in 1482, the stretch of the Atlantic coast now in Ghana became known in Europe as the Gold Coast. Akan entrepreneurs used gold to purchase slaves from both African and European traders. Indeed, while Europeans would eventually ship at least twelve million slaves to the Americas (the estimates vary between 20 - 40 million people who were sent to the Americas as slaves from West Africa by European slave traders), they initially became involved in slave trading by selling African slaves to African purchasers. The Portuguese supplied perhaps 12,000 slaves to Akan country between 1500 and 1535, and continued selling slaves from Sao Tome and Nigeria to the Gold Coast throughout the 16th century. Before Benin imposed a ban on slave exports, a Portuguese slave trader reported that at Benin they purchased, "a great number of slaves who were bartered very profitably at El Mina. The labour of these slaves enabled the Akan to expand gold production by developing deep-level mining in addition to panning alluvial soils. Even more importantly, slave labor enabled the Akan to undertake the immensely laborious task of clearing the dense forests of southern Ghana for farming. The most prominent historian of Asante, ... Free Essays on Ashante Indians Free Essays on Ashante Indians ashanti.com.au/ History of the Ashanti People Asante (Ashanti) History Much of the modern nation of Ghana was dominated from the late 17th through the late 19th century by a state known as Asante. Asante was the largest and most powerful of a series of states formed in the forest region of southern Ghana by people known as the Akan. Among the factors leading the Akan to form states, perhaps the most important was that they were rich in gold. In the 15th and 16th centuries, gold-seeking traders came to Akan country not only from the great Songhay empire (in the modern Republic of Mali) and the Hausa cities of northern Nigeria, but also from Europe. After the Portuguese built the first European fort in tropical Africa at El Mina in 1482, the stretch of the Atlantic coast now in Ghana became known in Europe as the Gold Coast. Akan entrepreneurs used gold to purchase slaves from both African and European traders. Indeed, while Europeans would eventually ship at least twelve million slaves to the Americas (the estimates vary between 20 - 40 million people who were sent to the Americas as slaves from West Africa by European slave traders), they initially became involved in slave trading by selling African slaves to African purchasers. The Portuguese supplied perhaps 12,000 slaves to Akan country between 1500 and 1535, and continued selling slaves from Sao Tome and Nigeria to the Gold Coast throughout the 16th century. Before Benin imposed a ban on slave exports, a Portuguese slave trader reported that at Benin they purchased, "a great number of slaves who were bartered very profitably at El Mina. The labour of these slaves enabled the Akan to expand gold production by developing deep-level mining in addition to panning alluvial soils. Even more importantly, slave labor enabled the Akan to undertake the immensely laborious task of clearing the dense forests of southern Ghana for farming. The most prominent historian of Asante, ...

Tuition Assistance and Funding of Post

Tuition Assistance and Funding of Post Education is important and every government should make efforts to ensure that its citizens access education. Although education is expensive, scholars and researchers still believe that education is key to success. Therefore, making education accessible to all is the first step towards development and social change.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Tuition Assistance and Funding of Post-secondary education in Ontairo specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In Canada, people in the lower class face many issues and for some, attaining tertiary education is a big challenge. However, to ensure that needy students in Ontario access the college education, the Federal government of Ontario has been working together with the Central government of Canada to facilitate loans for such students. This paper will discuss extensively the OSAP tuition assistance program and funding of post-secondary education in Ontario, Canada. Conclusion The Canadian government has shown commitments to make certain that education is accessible to all citizens. To ensure that needy students realize their dreams, attain education, and achieve their career goals, the government of Ontario, through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) has been instrumental in funding post-secondary education. Although funding of this program has been a challenge, the Federal government of Ontario has jointed efforts with the Central government of Canada to ensure that all needy students access tertiary education. Various departments have been proactive to ensure success of this project. The Federal government and Department of Human resource and Social development have been administering the OSAP program while the Ministry of Training in conjunction with tertiary institutions is responsible for fair administration of the program hence promoting transparency. Because of commitment by various stakeholders, the implementation of the OSAP program has been very successful. As a result, needy students in Ontario are now able to attain their education and career goals. Since students are required to pay this loan after they have successfully completed their college education, it has been a big challenge for most of them because the current repayment program requires graduates to pay a certain fixed amount of money every month. Since most young graduates do not get well paying jobs, there is a need to make amendments to the current repayment program. The best alternative is fixing the repayment schedule based on income level of an individual, which will enable graduate students to pay the education loan with ease. With such amendments, the OSAP program will continue to help needy students and families achieve their education and career goals.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Physician Assisted Suicide Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Physician Assisted Suicide - Essay Example In the film, Jessie states: â€Å"And I can’t do anything either, about my life†¦..like it better, make it work. But I can stop it. Shut it down, turn it off like the radio when there’s nothing on I want to listen to.† (www.storyispromise.com). This profound statement implies that the control over a person’s life is in their own hands, however, does this also imply that a person can choose to end his or her life simply out of a desire to stop living? Jessie’s life is more or less normal; therefore her desire to end her life seems inexplicable because it is motivated purely out of the desire to put an end to a life without purpose or meaning. It may be argued that there needs to be a more substantial reason for a person to seek death, yet the single-minded determination of the character to terminate a life not worth living is one that raises the issue of patient choice where suicide is concerned; should physicians always respect the autonomy of the patient that seeks to die through physician-assisted suicide and help them achieve their ends?. Terminally ill patients most often seek the release of death because their lives are too painful or unbearable and request their physicians to assist them in achieving their death. Surveys have been conducted in order to ascertain the thoughts of physicians in the matter of physician-assisted suicide. These surveys have found that physicians are of the opinion that the high levels of physical and mental suffering that some patients go through are most often the reason why they seek to die, while others seek to die in a dignified manner and are tired of life, or do not wish to be dependent upon others (Van Der Maas et al 39-49; Back et al, 919-25).  

Routine Letter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Routine Letter - Essay Example As we move forward with plans for our yearly spectacular event, we are confident that your proposals will take this year’s project to the next level, increasing visibility and attracting even more public participation. Having seen your presentation, the committee is anxious to move forward. We will need a detailed plan of how you will be proceeding once we have signed with you, especially regarding the acquisition of city permits that will be necessary for the display you are planning to provide. Obviously, we would like to avoid any problems that might arise from the height of some of the props you have proposed. We need to ensure that you will be capable of delivering the creative, extravagant production from your presentation. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to meet with you concerning the production that your company has to offer toward our project. Having planned several large scale marketing projects for our company, I have had wonderful opportunities to expand our associations through the participation of a diversity of businesses. I look forward to this being one of those opportunities as I am thrilled to tell you that your company is being awarded the contract. We have seen many clever and innovative presentations regarding this marketing venture, however, none of the other applicants showed the same understanding of our goals as you seemed to share with us. As we move forward with plans for our yearly spectacular event, we are confident that your proposals will take this year’s project to the next level, increasing visibility and attracting even more public participation. Having seen your presentation, the committee is anxious to move forward. We will need a detailed plan of how you will be proceeding once we have signed with you, especially regarding the acquisition of city permits that will be necessary for the display