Sports and Resistance in the United States Essay Example for Free

Sports and Resistance in the United States Essay In his book entitled What’s My Name Fool? Sports and Resistance in the United States, author Dave Zirin presents a thought provoking and inviting glimpse look at the polluted industry of sports as well as the brilliant personalities who played significant roles in its history. The author utilizes the achievements of the black athletes and that of the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR) in order to connect the problem of racial discrimination. All the black athletes are playing an important role in establishing their social status. Even though many people would rather not admit it, professional sports in the American scene are certainly more than just a piece of entertainment. Professional sports in the country are considered to be an institution. It also forms a fundamental element in the country’s popular culture. For a majority of men, sports, whether in the form of a plain discussion, as a spectator, or actually playing the game constitutes an integral part of socialization. For a guy who would not want to be dismissed as an odd or nerd, must have an interest in sports to the very least. This fascination in sports usually transforms later on into somewhat bordering a passion. Sports were in essence absurd. The audience is kept sidetracked, passive, and amused whereas issues of great importance are devoted little consideration. Even though there is a certain amount of truth to the following claims, what the author presents in his unique and captivating book is much more multifaceted than where the observation may lead to. Pulling from a source of significant milestones in the history of sports, for instance, the plight of the African American athletes during the Olympics held in 1968, summed up by the painful breaking of the color line at the Major League Baseball by Jackie Robinson, the stripping off the belt of Muhammad Ali for refusal to train for the United States armed forces, and John Carlos and Tommie Smith’s currently infamous â€Å"Black Power Salute† at the medal platform, the author details a political impact of professional sports that was usually being dismissed, overlooked, or utterly kept secret (Zirin, 2005; Green, 2008; Nader, 2005). The most important insight derives from the author’s outline and discussion of the significant milestones in sports history prior to the year 1990 (Zirin, 2005). His drawing out from the history of revolutionary undertakings in the struggle for communal and economic justice provides even for the most avid sports fanatic a novel insight. Zirin’s introduce to his readers the inspiring story of Lester Rodney as a sportswriter. This chapter gives a standpoint on the history of sports which is not often emphasized (Zirin, 2005). The boldness of stealing home to serve as a symbol of a potential for societal transformation in the following chapter likewise brings in fascinating insights concerning the one who destroyed the color barrier in Major League Baseball back in the year 1947. Although a great deal of literature has been afforded to Robinson, the author stresses about the relationship that existed between him and other leaders and athletes, in particular, Malcolm X, Joe Loius, Paul Robenson, and Martin Luther King, Jr. A reflective insight is presented about Robinson as a brave figure rather than as a activist in the latter years of his existence. The author illustrates the manner in which sports usually mirror the times besides being an agent of its change. It begins with a fascinating recount of the political history of American sports by stressing certain important milestones prior to presenting a compilation of his latest personal articles and interviews with the personalities who played a primary role to shape the American sports scene (Zirin, 2005). The personalities include Lester Rodney, Lee Evans, John Carlos, and George Foreman (Zirin, 2005). The author is a bold progressive and his book is visibly penned down from that stance. The parallelism between the subjects of politics and sports is conferred in the framework of the battle of the underprivileged for a more impartial society. It also speaks of the concessions triumphed over against the odds, as well as the struggles combating the evils of racial discrimination and sexism. The book presents a novel standpoint on different personalities who made an impact during their lifetime. For example, do a lot of people recognize that Rodney’s writings were instrumental in accenting the racially prejudiced nature of professional football and drove to integrate? Do a lot of people recognize how rebellious and conceited Jackie Robinson was and what how instrumental he is in the struggle for civil liberties before his death, or that among of his utmost disappointments was letting others use him to serve their purpose, and his bearing witness in opposition to Paul Robeson? Do they even grasp that boxers were yet to have union and be granted medical care? How about other than attributing the infamous black gloved power salutation at the Olympics held way back in 1968 that John Carlos even went barefoot to voice disapproval for the black destitution in the United States? Even so, George Foreman’s act of waving an undersized American flag after winning the gold medal at a boxing match be compared with Carlos and Smith though that he was simply politically unmindful to what was happening during that particular moment in history (). The author is evidently mocking those who conceal sports in nationalistic language to fulfill their personal interest but eventually throw stones at certain athletes whose beliefs and behaviors find faults in societal and economic inequalities. In a manner of speaking, the ones who sincerely work and trust according to the standards of democracy and echoes the most sacred of all values which is otherwise known as the right to dispute. Zirin’s book is sure to spark an interest in sports enthusiasts, history buff concerned with the American sports scene, or even aggressive journalists. It is also a good research material for sociology, culture, and history. The stories recounted are not plain feel good sports narratives. The accounts speak of invariable moral courage possessed by the athletes. They describe about the great tolls they confronted in their personal and professional lives. The stories remind the audience of how they made a difference in the sports scene for themselves as well as for their co-athletes and supporters who rely on their strength of character. Even for those whose interest in sports may have waned can still agree that the book does an excellent job in discussing a topic that is hardly ever mulled over but nonetheless is quite interesting talk about. Zirin’s work offers an interesting read for the American sports scene enthusiasts, but particularly those who have been or still are managing the shame of having an unfaltering interest in sports, though there are certainly more things of greater significance to divert their attention to. As the country progresses, it was clear that people are willing pay what it might cost them to witness sports played at its finest. The 20’s and 50’s, decades having comparable economic conditions witnessed this concept grow (Black, 2007; Sailes, 1998). These years were decades of urbanization and development (Black, 2007; Sailes, 1998). It was around these times when media technology delivered sports via the radio waves and later on to the television screens right the comfort of the audiences’ homes. Most significantly, these were the years following violent world wars that left the world seeking for help, diversion, and a form of relaxation. Besides developing into a lucrative form entertainment for the masses, professional sports in the United States turned out to be a successful tool for the financial and political leaders to endorse their standards and principles. This is the reason why American sports mirror a markedly American venture, originating from the hopes for excellence, triumph and oppression. The American sports are unique in its own right taking pride in calling their athletes as champions of their respective leagues. References Black, S. (2007). Talking Back Sports. Canadian Dimension, 41, 47. Green, J. (2008). Muhammad Ali: Champion of the World. Book Links, 17, 8-9. Nader, R. CommonDreams. org. (2005). What’s My Name, Fool? Sports and Resistance in the United States. Retrieved September 30, 2008, from http://www. commondreams. org/views05/0806-24. htm. Sailes, G. A. (1998). African American in Sport. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. Zirin, D. (2005). What’s My Name Fool? Sports and Resistance in the United States. Chicago: Haymarket Books.

Identifying DNA Abnormalities Through Genetic Testing Essay -- presymp

Genetic testing involves examining an individual’s DNA and identifying abnormalities within the chemical makeup of specific structures. It, essentially, maps the person’s genome and can be interpreted to predict future issues. By analyzing the chromosome, genes, and even certain proteins, physicians and researchers can find changes that lead to inheritable disorders. These changes can lead to possible diagnosis or cure for the disorder in question. In most cases, genetic testing is used to determine the probability that an individual will develop a certain disorder. It is not used to specifically diagnose a disorder, as there are no techniques that are 100% accurate. Genetic testing techniques do give good evidence to confirm a physician’s findings, but it is not the first act a physician takes to diagnose a disorder. It can narrow a search or rule out a specific disorder very confidently, but making a diagnosis based solely on genetic testing is not an action th at a qualified medical professional would consider. There are many types of genetic tests that are administered to the adult population. The more commonly used genetic tests are paternity tests, genealogical tests, and forensic testing. They are quite self-explanatory; paternity tests are to determine relatedness of 2 subjects, genealogical tests are used to formulate a heritage or ancestry, and forensic testing is used to identify or rule out a person that has been charged with a crime. Other genetic tests include presymptomatic testing, used to determine the risk someone has to developing a genetic disorder, diagnostic screening, used to rule out or identify a suspected condition, and carrier screening, used to determine if an individual carries one copy of a gene mutati... ...sts? Genetics Home Reference. Retrieved April 24, 2014, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/uses 2. NOVA. (2012). Cracking Your Genetic Code USA: Public Broadcasting Service. 3. Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2012, September 28). What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia? NHLBI, NIH. Retrieved April 30, 2014, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sca/signs.html 4. Hamosh, A. (1999, June 13). OMIM Entry - # 603903 - SICKLE CELL ANEMIA. OMIM Entry - # 603903 - SICKLE CELL ANEMIA. Retrieved April 26, 2014, from http://www.omim.org/entry/603903?search=sickle%20cell%20anemia&highlight=cell%20anemia%20anaemia%20sickle 5. National Library of Medicine. (2014, April 28). What are the risks and limitations of genetic testing? Genetics Home Reference. Retrieved April 24, 2014, http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/riskslimitations

Turkish Government Memorandum Regarding

TO: Osman Gunes, Deputy Minister of the Interior, Government of Turkey FROM: Tolgahan P? narsayha, Political Advisor to the Government of Turkey DATE: 10/3/2012 SUBJECT: Addressing the Syrian Refugee Crisis Summary The Turkish Government has spent over $300 million providing for refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria [1]. As a neighboring country with important links to Syria through culture and religion alongside being a democratic country that recognizes international laws regarding refugees, Turkey has an obligation to continue to admit civilians from Syria into its southern provinces.By analyzing Turkey’s political ideals, its adherence to international laws and its ties to Syria and the Islamic world, I emphasize the Government’s duty towards addressing the refugee crisis above any other related issue (as will be further discussed) in this report. Problems associated with the Government’s Allocation of Resources Important issues that may have a bearing on Tu rkey’s provision of adequate resources to refugees include: its support for the Syrian rebels; lack of international action in Syria; and lack of international assistance to Turkey in providing aid and accommodation to refugees [1].These issues may need to be addressed before the Government can completely fulfill its duty towards the safeguarding of innocent civilians. Turkey’s Responsibility as a Regional Power The border between Turkey and Syria stretches 877 km, and is for both countries the longest land border they share with a neighbor [2]. This is significant as the Turkish Government can expect to take in comparatively larger numbers of refugees with relation to Syria’s other border states. In the past Our â€Å"responsibility† to accept refugees at arises from the fact that both Turkey and Syria share extensive historical, cultural and religious ties.Both are members of the OIC and are Muslim countries, and in the eyes of the Islamic world, Turkey has an automatic duty to house fellow Muslims fleeing from the violence. This responsibility is more important for Turkey because it has interests in maintaining strong relations with the predominantly Muslim â€Å"Arab world†; by accepting refugees it is also portraying an image of solidarity with the Syrian people, and this would help strengthen ties with the Arab world which, in light of recent protests for freedom and democracy which have been collectively termed as the â€Å"Arab Spring†, is largely in support of Syrian opposition forces.International Obligations towards the Protection of Victims of Prosecution Turkey is a member of the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), three international agencies that determine the laws and relations that Turkish Government is bound by while it addresses the ongoing refugee crisis in the country’s southern provinces.In adherence with i nternational law and as an upholder of Turkey’s democratic and liberal ideals, the Turkish Government has a basic duty to protect and provide refuge to Syrian refugees fleeing from persecution, as stated in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Options – Re-allocating resources or calling for international assistance From the outset of the war the Turkish Government has undoubtedly been in support of the rebel cause. The Government must seriously consider the impact this may be having on its allocation of resources to accepting and accommodating refugees.As previously mentioned, international laws dictate that civilians fleeing persecution have a right to seek refuge in a foreign country. Therefore the Government’s main priority as a foreign state should be to funnel resources into building adequate facilities for civilians. In direct relation to this, Turkey should also consider how its participation in the Syrian conflict will benefit the Syrian people and at the same time how it will benefit the economy and security of Turkey. Public support for Turkey’s foreign policy towards Syria is low and the public view of the Government’s handling of the conflict is largely negative.While the Government stands for the â€Å"freedom† of Syrian people it needs to seriously re-evaluate its position; it is a neighbor country and therefore has no duty to react to the internal political situation in Syria until an international consensus can be reached. Until that point it should focus on strengthening the Turkish border, screening incoming refugees and providing facilities for them. Recommendations The refugee crisis is just one form of the greater humanitarian catastrophe that has resulted from the Syrian uprising.Although Turkey’s interests and obligations lie in protecting persecuted civilians, it must also consider wider issues regarding the conflict, including the impact of its support for Syrian opposition for ces, as well as more pertinent humanitarian issues like the displacement of Syrians within Syria itself. The Government should therefore continue to lobby the international community to take action in Syria; more than this, it should seek assistance from international governments in building refugee camps and providing aid to civilians, in order to supplement dwindling resources.

Should Steroids Be Legal - 913 Words

Over the course of history, there have been a plethora of performance-enhancing substances and other types of drugs that have swept their way through the sports world. Many athletes have been caught in the act of using these kinds of drugs, and others have been ‘lucky’ enough to get off with little to no punishment. Steroids have taken over sports by storm, specifically baseball, where they seem to be used the most. However, they are also assumed to be used in football, basketball, hockey, cycling or any sport one can think of. Some have argued that the use of these drugs should be legal, and I disagree with that argument. Steroids in sports should not be legal because they have a detrimental long-term effect on the human body, it is blatant cheating and an athlete should strive to be a good role model for young kids aspiring to play sports. Although steroids improve a person’s skill level at their particular sport, these drugs can also have many negative everlasting effects that might not materialize until it’s too late. Anabolic steroid use has been associated with a wide variety of side effects and they range from physically unattractive, such as acne and breast development in men, to serious and life threatening such as heart attacks and liver cancer. Most are reversible if the abuser stops taking the drugs, but others can be permanent (DrugFacts). Long-term use of Anabolic ste roids can also have devastating effects on the brain. They can affect some of the same brainShow MoreRelated Anabolic Steroids Should Be Legal Essay1930 Words   |  8 Pageswere taking anabolic steroids throughout their career. I always thought with hard work and dedication, I could be just like them, but that was not possible because they were all cheating to get an edge. Anabolic steroids were added to the list of Class III Substances in the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990. This act makes it illegal to possess anabolic steroids in the United States without a prescription. Congress passed this in hope to avoid the use of anabolic steroids in sports. However, theRead MoreDrugs Should Be Banned For Professional Sports1211 Words   |  5 Pagesenhancing drugs if they didn’t have a chance of getting caught. Performance enhancing drugs, or PEDs, or steroids, have been around since 776 BC when the Greeks would use them to improve their performance in the Olympic Games. Dur ing World War II, the Germans, including Hitler, would take steroids to make themselves stronger and more aggressive. The Americans, British, and Japanese also began to use steroids during World War II shortly after Germany. After the war, athletes started to get their hands onRead MoreAnabolic Steroids : A Fatal Attraction1734 Words   |  7 PagesAnabolic Steroids in Sports The market for top performing athletes in sports in the 21st century is a competitive one. Athletes are pushed to, be stronger, an heal from injuries faster. With the pressure to do well and get picked up by a professional team of sorts goes without saying that hard work is a must to elevate ones professional athletic career, but what if one has reached a plateau or hit a wall in a training regimen and just can not seem to push through? When some athletes hit the proverbialRead More The History of Steroids: The Legal and Illegal Usage of Steroids1466 Words   |  6 PagesThe use of steroid by athletes has been a controversial issue for some time. One can argue that the usage is totally wrong and it is against the morals and the rules of the games. Although steroids boost up the process of muscle building and endurance, it also has complications in the long run. Those that cheat their way by using and or abusing such chemicals can have serious health defects. A real athlete should work his/her way with hard work and the correct training to build that endurance andRead MoreDrug Use in Sports Essay1472 Words   |  6 Pages Drugs should be banned in all sports. They have been a problem for a long time. Athletes use them to enhance their body and for simply just the edge. There is nothing wrong with using some drugs to enhance your body as long as they are legal. The problems that come with drugs in sports are how to detect them. Some professional sports, such as the NHL, do not even use drug tests. The only sports that test for everything are the NBA and NFL. The Major League Baseball only tests for illegal drugs suchRead MoreThe Drawbacks Of Anabolic Steroids1384 Words   |  6 PagesThe Drawbacks of Anabolic Steroids and Why They Should Stay Illegal Anabolic steroids have been used and taken by humans for over half a century. The effects they provide have developed large ongoing debates as to whether these substances should be allowed to the general public. Anabolic steroid in short provide the human body a much grander potential to build muscle by helping the cells within the body produce more muscle fibers at an astonishing rate that could never be achieved naturally. ManyRead MoreSteroids and Other Performance Enhancers Essay1191 Words   |  5 PagesThe issue over steroids and other performance enhancer drugs has been a recent topic in the sports world. The debate over whether or not to punish those who have been caught using has been a major topic recently, as well as the legalization of these drugs. When arising the question of whether or not to legalize steroids, many positive and negative factors are brought to the table, and in effect could change various aspects of our normal day lives. Anabolic steroids are a class of naturalRead MoreEssay about Steroids in Sports: Right or Wrong?947 Words   |  4 PagesSteroids in Sports, Right or Wrong? â€Å"We have to make some radical move to get the attention of everyone. Cheaters cant win and steroids have put us in the position that its OK to cheat.† (Lou Brock). Steroids in professional sports has became a major issue and has yet to be justified. Steroids boost the intensity of the game and provide the athletes with more agility and skill to play the game, but should it be fair to allow them? This would give some players an advantage in their sport overRead MoreAnabolic Steroid Use in Sports Summary1493 Words   |  6 PagesAnabolic Steroid use in Sports The competitive drive to win at all cost is fierce among athletes. Winning at all cost often includes using one of many performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids. Many athletes use performance enhancing drugs, like steroids, to achieve higher goals and set higher records than other drug-free successful athletes. Although athletes are performing at higher levels when using such drugs, what is the cost? Finally anabolic steroids should remain bannedRead MoreSteroids Are Legal For Sell1058 Words   |  5 PagesMarcus Bond Mrs. Lawson 12th Grade English 2017 Apr, 19 Steroids are legal to sell In Mexico where steroids are legal. Guess what. Mexico doesn t have a steroid problem. In fact, the issue doesn t even raise an eyebrow. Anyone, including a 15 year-old soccer player, can walk into a pharmacy, go right up to the counter, ask for preloaded ready-jects of Sustanon 250 and Deca, pay his 500-some-odd pesos and walk out, just as if he d purchased pink sugar cookies and a bottle of Gatorade. No problem