Street gangs in the UK and US

Street gangs in the UK and US Today, the problem of street gangs affects both the US and the UK. The emergence of gangs is often accompanied by the trend to the change of gang demographics, including the change of the age of gangs members, ethnic origin of gang members and so on. Historically, street gangs in the US and the UK developed in isolation from each other and they did not intersect in their criminal activities. Law enforcement agencies in the US and the UK used different methods of struggle against street gangs but both criminal justice systems in the UK and the US tended to the punitive methods of struggle. Remarkably outcomes of such struggle were similar and what is more this struggle was not very effective. Thus, street gangs kept growing and progressing in both the US and the UK. As a result, today, they represent a serious threat to the existing social order because street gangs are responsible for high street crime rates and violence, especially in large cities of both the US and the UK. In such a situation, a widely-spread belief that the physical distance and historical separation of street gangs in the US and the UK is growing popular. However, in actuality, street gangs in the US and the UK, being quite different tend to be quite similar because of the similar causes of their origin and because of the current trend to globalization which eliminates cultural differences between countries, while crime has always being in the avant-garde of the international integration of countries. Similarities between street gangs in the US and UK On analyzing the development of street gangs in the US and UK, it is possible to trace certain similar trends. For instance, one of the most disturbing trends concerning the development of street gangs is the growth of crime rates. In this respect, it is possible to refer to recent studies dedicated to the problem of street gangs in the US and the UK. According to one of the recent studies (Youth Violence, 2007), it is possible to reveal several key facts that indicate to the trend of gangs and crimes in the US growing younger and committed by gangs: In 1998, among youth ages 10 to 19 in the United States, there were 2,054 suicides, and suicide was the third leading cause of death for that age group. Male youth were more than four times more likely than females to complete suicide. More than 60 percent of youth suicides in 1998 were firearm-related suicides. From 1993 to 1998, suicide rates for teens ages 15 to 19 dropped by 18 percent. In 1998, among youth ages 10 to 19 in the United States, there were 2,570 homicide deaths, and homicide was the second leading cause of death for that age group. Male youth were more than four times more likely than females to be murdered. From 1993 to1998, homicide rates for teens ages 15 to 19 dropped by 43 percent. Just as homicides and suicides decreased from 1993 to 1998, nonfatal firearm injuries from crime declined 49 percent, and firearm injuries from suicide attempts decreased by 48 percent in that same time period At the same time, the study conducted in the UK (Street Robberies Soar by 28%), revealed the fact that there are several key areas where reported crime is on the rise are: Violent crime up 11% to 812,000 incidents Murders up 4% to 886 and attempted murders up 21% to 858 Robbery up 28% to more than 121,000 incidents, including a 31% rise in robbery of personal property. Rapes up 14% Soliciting up 60% In such a way, it is obvious that both street crimes tend to grow in both the US and the UK. However, the growth of crime rates does not necessarily imply the similarity of street gangs. In this respect, the location, where street gangs operate is much more important. In this regard, the location of street gangs in the US and the UK is also similar. To put it more precisely, one of the recent studies conducted in the UK by Hill (2007) reveals the fact that street gangs are located in the largest cities of the country. To put it more precisely, according to Hill (2007) the violence racking Britains cities is as follows: Manchester Doddington Boys, Pitt Bull Crew, Pepperhill Gang, Gooch Close Gang, Longsight Crew. All based around the Moss Side area from where they have been fighting a vicious turf war since the Nineties. Liverpool Croxteth Crew are the rivals of the Strand Crew from Norris Green. Liam Smith, 19, alleged leader of the Strand Crew, was shot dead last year. Birmingham The Burger Bar Boys gang were responsible for the killings of Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis in 2003. London The A Team, The Bombers, Claphams Clap Town Boys, Peckhams Blood Set and the PDC in Brixton which claims to have renounced violence are all established gangs. Recently a number of immigrant gangs have come to the fore. Nottingham Two members of the Waterfront Gang were jailed for life in October 2005 after being convicted of the drive-by murder of a schoolgirl. The similar location is typical for street gangs in the US. The FBI (1996) reports that violent street gangs are active in 94% of the medium- and large-sized cities in the United States (many of these cities have up to 40 different gangs), and that gang membership exceeds 400,000. More worrisome than the actual number of street gangs, however, is their rate of growth. (In 1991, there were an estimated 249,324 gang members.) This exponential increase is also apparent from the number of US cities reporting gang involvement (before 1961 = 54; up to 1970 = 94; up to 1980 = 172; up to 1992 = 766) (Klein, 1993), and escalating violence attributed to gang activity (Gangs in the United States, 2004). Obviously, street gangs in the US and the UK are located in large cities mainly. Small towns are not vulnerable to the development of street crimes. Difference between street gangs in the US and the UK In spite of obvious similarities, street gangs in the US and the UK are quite different. In this respect, it is important to lay emphasis on the fact that the development of street gangs in the US occurs on the ethnic or racial ground. For instance, many street gangs especially in Southern states of the US involve members of the Latin American origin, or African Americans or other minorities, whereas whites are not inclined to the creation of gangs. In this respect, it is worth mentioning the fact that street gangs in the US exist in the inner city mainly, which is populated by minorities such as African Americans, Latin Americans, Asian Americans and others. As for the UK, the ethnic distinction of street gangs is not so obvious. Representatives of the white majority are often gang members and the belongingness to a street gang does not necessarily mean that its members are representatives of minorities, which is the characteristic of street gangs in the US. Instead, many British street gangs consist of representatives of the poor or people originating from families of workers and other low-paid employees. In such a way, social standing is prior to ethnic origin in regard to the street gang membership in the UK. The common ground for street gangs in the US and UK On analyzing similarities and differences between street gangs in the US and the UK, it should be said that similarities prevail and, what is more important, street gangs in the US and the UK are rather similar than different. What is meant here is the fact that the causes of the origin of street gangs are similar in the US and the UK. One of the major causes of the emergence of street gangs in the US and the UK is the poverty which pushes community members to street gangs where they find protection and support which they cannot find in their families, or from the part of the state. Furthermore, the pauperization of the population in large and medium-size cities leads to the marginalization is often determined by their unemployment, which is another factor that increases the social tension and forces people to join street gangs. In addition, it is important to take into consideration the role of globalization which eliminates cultural barriers between countries and street gangs tend to become homogeneous to a certain extent. In a long-run perspective, this trend will grow stronger. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that street gangs are influenced by the modern culture and shape the modern culture to the extent that there are stereotypes which force people to join gangs because they believe that street gangs give them power and protection. Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is important to lay emphasis on the fact that street gangs in the US and the UK are rather similar than different. Street gangs in the US and the UK emerge because of the desperate social position of their members. In addition, globalization makes values and culture of different countries closer and street gangs become closer too. Therefore, street gangs of the US are similar to those of the UK.

The Movie Othello :: Movie Film comparison compare contrast

The Movie Othello The movie Othello is full of very believeable and well developed characters. As it is a tradgedy, thought, we have to have a victim or victims, in this case Othello, and the cause of their misery, which is Iago. Iago manipulates Cassio, Roderigo, Emilia, and Othello, useing a variety of methods. Iago's plots are skillfully crafted with multiple levels of intrigue. Iago also pays attention to the smallest detail, proveing his skill as a villian. Thus, Iago is a masterful villian who manipulates all those around him. Iago manipultes Cassio, Roderigo, Emilia, and Othello in several ways. Cassio is manipulated by Iago first getting him fired. Then, under the guise of friendship, Iago suggests that Cassio ask Desdemona for help in getting reinstated. This is an ingenius move on as his part, as Cassio must pursue Desdemona's help behind Othello's back. Roderigo is manipulated by Iago's telling him to pursue Desdemona, even though Desdemona is already married. Although this is a blatent lie on Iago's part, as the viewer sees not a single hint that Desdemona even acknowledges Roderigo's existance, it is so cleverly delivered to Roderigo that he takes as a fact, even when the facts show otherwise. Iago controls Emilia through her love that she has for him. He uses her love of him to get her to steal Desdemona's handkerchief. Othello is manipulated by suggestion and hints that are carefully worded and said at just the right moment. Each one weakens his faith in Desdemona a little more. Then Iago produces "evidence" to add weight to his innuendos. The evidence is so believeably delivered and Othello already so incenced by Iago's words that Othello does not even question the truth of what he sees. This skillful manipulation of those around qualifies Iago as a supreme villian. Iago's plots are skillfully crafted and contain multiple levels of intrigue. Iago gets Cassio drunk and disorderly until he starts a fight. Iago then goes to Othello and tells him that he should not allow such behavior and to fire Cassio. Then Iago convincea Cassio to pursue Desdemona's help on the sly. Finally, Iago uses Cassio's pursuit of Desdemona on the sly as proof of their

Reificaition Case Essay

Wikipedia defines reification as â€Å"(Lat. res thing + facere to make) n. the turning of something into a thing or object; the error which consists in treating as a â€Å"thing† something which is not one. Hypostatization, treating an abstract entity as if it were concrete, is a case in point†. In Marxist terms, it is the consideration of a human being as a physical object, deprived of subjectivity. According to Marxists, this is one of the pitfalls of the capitalist system because in such a system the laborers and their work are not valued to their proper extent. Their work is treated as a commodity and is valued according to the unpredictable needs of the market. This concept is closely tied to the Marxist idea of commodity fetishism which Wikipedia describes as â€Å"an inauthentic state of social relations, said to arise in complex capitalist market systems, where social relationships are confused with their medium, the commodity.† Marxist writer, Georg Lukà ¡cs, writes thus: The transformation of the commodity relation into a thing of ‘ghostly objectivity’ cannot there ore content itself with the reduction of all objects for the gratification of human needs to commodities. It stamps its imprint upon the whole consciousness of man; his qualities an abilities are no longer an organic par of his personality, they are things which he can ‘own’ or ‘dispose of’ like the various objects of the external world. Simply put, Marxists criticize capitalist systems for stripping the human person of his social nature. He is transformed into a commodity or a product. One’s labor is transformed into money which is in turn used to purchase the products of other people’s labor. Although this may facilitate the exchange of goods, the problem of the system lies in the fact that because of this abstraction, the use-value (the actual usefulness of the object) is oftentimes totally different from its exchange-value (the value of the object in the marketplace). For example, a person who creates a hammer (which has a variety of uses) will be paid less than a person who makes jewelry (an object which has less use than a hammer). The value given to the work of the laborer is incommensurate to the work and effort that he made in order to produce the good. How can reification be avoided? Marxist measures against reification have proven themselves to be ineffective (including complete control over the market and standardization of wages). This is because these measures tend to remove the element of competition from the formula, thus, causing production to suffer instead. An alternative mode by which reification is avoided is through the respect of human rights. According to John Locke, each person has the natural right to life, liberty and estate which must be protected by the government. These rights must ensure that each person shall be given his due. By treating persons as individuals with human rights and dignity, people will be treated as an end and never as a means. The theory of human rights has been upheld and accepted by most of the world and are embodied in international instruments and conventions, most notable is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the field of labor and employment, modern societies have integrated this idea of human dignity by setting minimum standards and conditions to be strictly followed by employers under the pain of appropriate sanctions should they be defied. For example, there could be a law saying that any employee who works beyond eight hours in a single day shall be given additional overtime pay. Another instance would be a law that would lay down a minimum wage based on the living standards and conditions of the locality where the worker belongs. By recognizing the human dignity of every person, reification is completely obliteration because persons are then given the respect they deserve. They are no longer treated as cogs in the machinery of production but are considered partners in the enterprise. By holding that each person deserves to be treated with dignity, they are esteemed as subjects never objects, and will be given their due.       Bibliography Lukà ¡cs, Georg. 1967. History & Class Consciousness. Translated by Andy Blunden. Merlin Press. Smith, John, Bob Snider, and Diane Hill. 2005. A study of physics. New York: McGraw Hill. Wikipedia. 2006. Commodity fetishism. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodity_fetishism. Ashcraft, Richard. 1986. Revolutionary Politics and Locke’s â€Å"Two Treatises of Government†. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Wikipedia. 2006. Georg Lukà ¡cs. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Luk%C3%A1cs. Wikipedia. 2006. Human Rights. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights. Wikipedia. 2006. John Locke. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_locke. Wikipedia. 2006. Reification. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reification.

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