Sojourner Truth :: Free Essay Writer

Sojourner Truth Sojourner Truth was born a slave named Isabella Baumfree sometime in 1797 in Ulster county, New York. The exact date of her birth is to this day unknown, but it is believed to have been sometime during the fall. She developed her characteristics of courage and dependability from her mother, Mau Mau Bett, at an early age. Isabella was first owned by a Dutch named Charles, who was happened to be a decent slave owner. At his death, she was separated from her mother and auctioned to another set of plantation owners, the Neelys. Isabella was highly mistreated here as they took their dislike of the Dutch community out on Isabella, who spoke hardly a word of English. She was bought and sold three times within the next twenty-four months, the final purchaser being a man named John Dumont for the incredibly low bargaining price of three hundred dollars. Dumont needed more slaves for his New York plantation. He always bragged that Isabella was the hardest working slave on the plantation. Seeing this, he forced her to marry a fellow slave known as Tom. Isabella gave birth to five children within the next five years. Two years before the emancipation act of 1828, in which all slaves within New York were freed, Dumont promised Isabella that if she were to work extra hard the next year, he would set her free a year early. She did just that; she was the even harder working already hardest working slave on the plantation. In her speeches, she spoke of the living conditions many slaves were forced to endure, crowded together into cabins with no privacy, overworked, fed scraps in many cases, and clothed raggedy scraps. Her audiences must have felt the shame as Truth recalled the auction block, upon which men and women alike were frequently forced to strip and stand before potential buyers, who would search their bodies for marks of the whip or of wrist or leg irons, the presence of which would indicate the slave had been frequently punished. The slaves would be forced to endure impersonal and degrading inspections of their teeth, muscles, and other body parts, depending on what the buyer was looking for in the purchase. When the time came, though, Dumont broke his promise. Isabella, realizing she had been tricked, escaped with her infant child in her arms in October of 1827 to the refuge of a Quaker family.

Improving Public Education Essay

In today’s time and tough economy a good education must be a top priority. Are our children receiving the best education possible? America was once the best educated nation in the world. Now the United States ranks seventeenth out of forty countries in overall educational performance according to The Learning Curve report, developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit. (US 17th In Global Education Ranking, par. 1) These higher ranking countries promote a culture that is supportive of education and the understanding of the importance of good teachers in improving educational output. To improve our education system we must place a greater emphasis on the early education, parent involvement and quality teachers. By doing this we will be able to become one of the top ranking nations again. Nelson Mandela once said, â€Å"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. † Early learning education is a far greater tool for success. (The Importance of Early Childhood Education, par. 1) Studies have shown that a child’s earliest years of development are the most critical with 85% of the brain developing by age five. Since children are most receptive to information during this time, early learning exposure plays an essential role in fostering mental development. The years prior to kindergarten are critical in shaping key academic, social, and cognitive skills that determine a child’s success in school and life. A high-quality early learning program can help children arrive in kindergarten ready to succeed. Expanding access to high quality early childhood education is among the smartest investments that we can make. Participation in high-quality early learning programs, like Head Start, public and private preschool, and childcare, will provide children from all backgrounds with a strong start and a foundation for school success. These programs also generate a significant return on investment for society; numerous economic studies have documented a rate of return of $7 or more on each dollar invested through a reduced need for spending on other services, such as remedial education, grade repetition, and special education, as well as increased productivity and earnings for these children as adults. (Education Knowledge and Skills, par. 2) Appropriate early childhood programs contribute to physical, emotional and social development as well as school readiness. High-quality preschools recognize the importance of providing an environment that teaches and nurtures children to learn. In fact, a high quality early childhood education can result in a higher level of education and a better job with more pay later on. Early education programs not only improve children’s cognitive abilities but also crucial behavioral traits like motivation and self-esteem. Young children learn social skills when they interact with other children. Interacting with other children means learning how to wait, how to take turns, and how to listen. Children will be exposed to activities and materials that promote basic math concepts, language development, science, problem solving, technology, cause and effect, literacy, and physical development. Early education focuses on developing the whole child not just one skill. â€Å"There is no program and no policy that can substitute for a parent who is involved in their child’s education from day one. —President Barack Obama (ESEA Reauthorization, par. 1) Parents and other family members play an important role in supporting their child’s growth and development. The parent after all is the child’s first teacher. Children are more likely to lead healthy, productive lives when both parents are actively involved in their educational achievement and behavior. They maintain higher grades, te st scores and graduation rates, have better attendance, increased motivation, better self-esteem, lower suspension rates, decreased use of drugs and alcohol, and fewer instances of violent behavior. The earlier in a child’s educational process parent’s become involved, the more powerful the effects. The most effective forms are those, which engage parents in working directly with their children on learning activities at home. (â€Å"What research says about parent involvement,† par. 2 & 3) The research has shown that quality teaching matters to student learning. Teacher quality has been consistently identified as one of the most important school-based factor in student achievement. A quality teacher is one who has a positive effect on student learning and development. Quality teachers are life-long learners in their subject areas, teach with commitment, and are reflective upon their teaching practice. They transfer knowledge of their subject matter and the learning process through good communication, diagnostic skills, understanding of different learning styles and cultural influences, knowledge about child development, and the ability to use different teaching techniques to meet student needs. They set high expectations and support students in achieving them. They establish an environment conducive to learning, and make available resources outside as well as inside the classroom. Quality teachers have a lasting effect on the student’s academic career. (High impact philanthropy to improve teaching quality, p. 7) Anyone that has children wants them to get a good start in school. If we as a society would change our opinion and all view a quality education as an important factor to our success then we could make significant changes to our public school system. If more emphasis and funding was put into the early education system more children would arrive in kindergarten with the skills they need to learn. If more parents would become involved with their children’s education from the beginning then the children would see the importance of being motivated to do their best. And of course with more quality teachers students would strive to succeed. One can see how all these factors could make great changes in our education system and help more the United States back on top in overall educational performance.

Beowulf As An English Poem - 1321 Words

Back then, the name and the history of a warrior had a huge impact on society and it would determine whether or not a warrior deserved the best of riches. All of the ancient poems were associated with names and boasts. In addition, almost all of them that are around the world have been translated by authors throughout the years. In fact, one of the ancient poems that was originally written by an unknown poet before the year 1000, was Beowulf. The copy of Beowulf was actually dated to the years around 1000, in the time that was rich in Anglo-Saxon literature (pg. 107). During the ninth century, Beowulf was translated by Seamus Heaney, which is the one that it is mostly known now. Although Beowulf is seen as an English poem, its subject matter is not about English people. Its purpose was to express the idea of honor, good, and the belief in God. Furthermore, its principles were about defeating the monsters with the power of goodness. Several themes that contain different types of style of writing are presented throughout the story of Beowulf. One major theme that keeps coming up throughout the story is boasting. Boasting was very important during this time. In Anglo-Saxon times, being boastful was not a negative trait at all. In fact, men were criticized based on their strength, accomplishments, and bravery. Beowulf’s boasting demonstrated the way men proved themselves to be fitting warriors. Beowulf boasts about his slayings of monsters and how he has never been defeatedShow MoreRelatedBeowulf Is The Oldest Recorded English Poem898 Words   |  4 PagesAlthough â€Å"Beowulf† is the oldest recorded English poem, it is amazing how it can still relate to life today. â€Å"Beowulf† is an Old English epic poem created by an unknown Anglo-Saxon author whose intention for this poem was that it be read aloud and passed down orally. In the epic â€Å"Beowulf,† it is easy to see how different the values of the Anglo-Saxons are compared to the values of our modern society when it comes to honor and value. In the epic poem, â€Å"Beowulf,† a major theme is the differences andRead MoreBeowulf : The Oldest Surviving English Poem2174 Words   |  9 PagesProfessor Jacobs Beowulf The epic poem Beowulf is known to be the oldest surviving English poem. It is written Old English or some call it Anglo-Saxon, which is the basis for the language we speak today. Many epics were not originally written down by their authors. Instead, they were memorized and retold or sung by wandering entertainers. Beowulf was written somewhere between the 8th and 11th century, the exact date is unknown and the author of this poem also remains unknown. With Beowulf being the oldestRead MoreImagery in the Old English Poem Beowulf Essay3689 Words   |  15 PagesPopular Imagery in the Old English Poem Beowulf  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Some popular elements of imagery in Beowulf are the mead-hall, the sea, swords, armor including shields. Let us discuss these items and, where applicable, the archaeological support for them.    Remaining true to the Anglo-Saxon culture’s affinity for mead (ale/beer/wine), the characters of Beowulf partake frequently of the strong beverage. And the mead hall was their home away from home, with more entertainments than just fermentedRead MoreEssay on The Mead-hall in the Old English Poem Beowulf1036 Words   |  5 PagesThe Mead-hall in the Old English Poem Beowulf      Ã‚  Ã‚   What was the function and nature of a mead-hall in the Heroic Age of Beowulf? Was it more than a tavern for the dispensing and consumption of alcoholic beverages, and occasionally precious gifts? Yes, much more.    Remaining true to the Anglo-Saxon culture’s affinity for mead (ale/beer/wine), the characters of Beowulf partake frequently of the strong beverage. And the mead hall was their home away from home, with more entertainmentsRead MoreChristian and Pagan Elements in Beowulf926 Words   |  4 PagesMarà ­a Isabel Carrasco Cara Chards CHRISTIAN AND PAGAN ELEMENTS IN BEOWULF The poem Beowulf is full of Pagan and Christian elements, this combination gave place to many discutions about the origin of the poem. On the one hand some scholars have said that this is the result of a transcription made by some monks where they added the christian elements, on the other hand it is believed that the poem was written in a period in which the Anglo-Saxons were being converted from their worship of GermanicRead MoreComparison between Beowulf and The Wanderer1436 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Survey of English Literature / Comparison between Beowulf and the Wanderer 10th October, 2013 / Esma Bike BostancÄ ± BEOWULF AND THE WANDERER There are many factors to consider in comparing the two poems of the Old English society – Beowulf and The Wanderer. While they have many similarities; they have, within their structure and plot, many differences we can easily find or eventually make out. When we look at both the poems in terms of their genre; while they are both products of theRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Beowulf And The Genesis Of The Beowulf1321 Words   |  6 PagesAn Eye for an Eye In Old English the amount of compensation paid by a person for the death of a person’s family is called â€Å"man law† or wergild. During the Anglo-Saxon period, it was considered a dishonor if one failed to avenge the death of a family member. Wergild is a sign of loyalty, which is a recurring theme throughout in Beowulf. In the epic, not only did Beowulf seeks wergild for the death of his friend, but Grendel’s mother looks to avenge her son’s death. The need for wergild is a constantRead MoreCompare and Contrast of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight600 Words   |  3 Pagesand Contrast of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Beowulf is an epic poem that was written in the Anglo-Saxon time period where only a few privileged people were able to read and write while Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which is also an epic poem, was written in the Middle English time period where reading and writing was more wide-spread. While both the epic poem Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight have similar protagonists, the main character of each poem also has differentRead MoreBeowulf: The Canonization of Anglo-Saxon Literature into Modern Popular Culture769 Words   |  4 Pages The cover of the November, 1975 comic book Beowulf: Dragon Slayer features a red-haired, horn-helmeted Beowulf swinging a large broadsword at a purple-caped villain also bearing two razor-sharp swords. As Beowulf rears up on his steed, a bikini clad woman, cloth slightly aside to reveal the shadow of a buttock is drawn falling, face filled with terror. In the background, a rising full moon and silhouetted gothic castle keenly set an atmosphere of dread and foreboding. Above the emboldenedRead MoreThe Journies of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay803 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf vs. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight In the worlds of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the journeys of two heroes, Beowulf and Sir Gawain, are depicted through the form of poems. The two stories have become two of the most important works of literature in the English history. In the two poems, both Beowulf and Sir Gawain face great challenges in their journeys as heroes. Beowulf embarks on a quest to defeat Grendel and his mother while Sir Gawain faces many difficulties on his