The New Negro Movement and Harlem Renaissance Essay Example for Free

The New Negro Movement and Harlem Renaissance Essay American publishers and critics, in the mainstream circle, took significant notice of African American writers and artists in the neighborhood of Harlem in New York City. This cultural revival of African American literature and arts including music and theater came to be known as the Harlem Renaissance. This cultural revolution of sorts began in 1918 at the end of World War I, peaked in the 1920s and continued in the mid-30s. The Harlem Renaissance came about due to several developments among the African Americans. After the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865 waves of Black American migrants flocked from the impoverished agricultural south to the promise of the industrial north to take on various jobs created by the war. Educated and social cause advocates were concentrated in Harlem that eventually made it the political and cultural haven of African Americans. African American literature and arts flourished. Black music and musical artists were popular. Black literary works received excellent reviews and critics’ nod and soon enough, national recognition. The literary works depicted African American life. However, there was diversity in these works. There was no style or ideology common in them. Their only desire was to express and tell their audience about the African American life. In the 1910s the African Americans were pushing for equal rights and opportunities in their ranks. An inspiring figure in that era was Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who was born in Jamaica. Jobs brought him to most parts of Central America, England and the United States. In those places he saw the distressing working conditions and the hardships experienced by the Blacks. He published the Negro World, a weekly, in Harlem from 1918 to 1933. The paper served as a medium for him to articulate his ideals for the Blacks. It was successful with its 50,000 circulation. It had French and Spanish sections. In addition, he was affiliated with other publications. In 1914, Garvey returned to Jamaica and formed the Universal Negro Movement and Conservation Association and African Communities League or the UNIA, in August 1 of the save year. His objective was to unify the Blacks to create their own country and government. UNIA’s objectives were to promote love and pride for the race, to assist those in need, to re-establish their identity, further education and culture, and open trade and commerce with the world. In 1916 he traveled to the United States to work for making the UNIA an international organization. By 1920 he was successful, UNIA spread in 40 countries with more than 1,100 branches. In 1920, UNIA held its first convention in Harlem which had a great impact on the African American. The convention adopted what would be the start of a Black nationalist movement – The Declaration of the Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World. The New Negro Movement sought to inculcate pride of race, independence and a better life for African Americans. The 54 articles in the Declaration outlined the abuses on the rights of the Blacks. It denounced the discriminatory practice of subordinating blacks below whites; they demanded to spell Negro with a capital N as respect to their race. These paid off and the movement was successful. In 1928, Garvey went to Geneva to present the Petition of the Negro Race to the League of Nations. The petition spoke for all the Blacks around the world. It contained the abuses on Blacks in all parts of the world. It sought not only to bring the cause of the Blacks to the rest of the world but also to seek redress. It exposed the apartheid in South Africa and protested its fitness as administrator of Namibia. The New Negro Movement and the Harlem Renaissance had a common rallying point – the African American race. They pushed for the recognition of the Blacks as equal to any and all other racial groups. They hoped to improve the living conditions, open economic opportunities, and instill pride among its people. The most influential figure of the time was Marcus Gravey who was said to have brought dignity to the Negro. The means to similar ends differed. The artists and writers of the Harlem Renaissance used their music, poetry, and fiction to express in beautiful verses, songs and prose the rich black culture and the aspirations of their race. The movement worked through their organized network. The movement and the renaissance came almost simultaneously because opportunities were better during the era. Harlem was significant to the African American because the most important dates in the movement and the renaissance happened in the New York community. Harlem was their Mecca, the place that saw their struggles and their victories. Harlem was their home and their refuge. References Wintz, C. DC. (2007). Harlem Renaissance. Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2007. Retrieved April 25, 2007, from http://encarta.msn.com. UNIA-ACL. (2005, January 28). UNIA History. Retrieved April 25, 2007, from http://www.unia-acl.org/history/history3.htm

The Rough Sea :: Creative Writing Sailing Essays

The Rough Sea The small whitecaps lapped against the starboard side and then retreated. It had been rough since the start and would be until they reached the breakwater in the harbor. Bob, finishing pulling on the ropes to raise the masts, turned towards the wheel and slowly turned around the rocks. He moved to the back of the boat and sat on the place where the lifejackets were kept. Near the masts Frank rocked up and down and up with the waves. It was a feeling like no other to him; the fact that the gentle movements could turn rough at any time gave him so much pleasure from the start of the ride to the finish. He loved to sail out as far as he could go before he got tired from the rocking motion and had to stop going farther. He loved trying to venture farther and farther out each time before he had to turn back; his favorite part was the rough sea where the waves were rougher and rougher as he kept going. A sudden gust made him think about turning back, but he knew that they had gone too far to turn back, and he knew he had to keep going until the waves had reached their peaks. Then they passed a part of the water where the waves suddenly stopped and quickly gave way to a very calm feeling inside of him so that he could relax and recollect the ride so far º. "That was a real surprise, wasn't it, Rob?" Frank said. "It got me, too. I wasn't ready for it, and it jumped me." "Yep. Almost fell over when we hit it," Bob called back to his friend, now near the bow of the boat. "How's the water look over there?" "Pretty good, but it looks like there're some rough caps ahead." They braced themselves as they passed over the rough caps, slowly moving around the biggest ones so that the craft wouldn't capsize. Bob kept a strong hold on the wheel and made sure that they would stand the waves. On the horizon they could see the buildings of the town. The sky had started to get dark. Both of them hoped it would not start to rain until they were in the harbor. They could see the light starting to come from the breakwater lighthouse. "Great day for sailing," Bob said to Frank.

Reducing Electrovision’s Travel and Entertainment Costs Essay

Reducing Electrovision’s Travel and Entertainment Costs Here is the report you requested January 30 on Electrovision’s travel and entertainment costs. Your suspicion was right. We are spending far too much on business travel. Our unwritten policy has been â€Å"anything goes,† leaving us with no real control over T&E expenses. Although this hands-off approach may have been understandable when Electrovision’s profits were high, we can no longer afford the luxury of going first class. The solutions to the problem seem rather clear. We need to have someone with centralized responsibility for travel and entertainment costs, a clear statement of policy, an effective control system, and a business-oriented travel service that can optimize our travel arrangements. We should also investigate alternatives to travel, such as videoconferencing. Perhaps more important, we need to change our attitude. Instead of viewing travel funds as a bottomless supply of money, all traveling employees need to act as though they were paying the bills themselves. Getting people to economize is not going to be easy. In the course of researching this issue, I’ve found that our employees are exceedingly attached to their first-class travel privileges. I think they would almost prefer a cut in pay to a loss in travel moderation. One thing is clear: People will be very bitter if we create a two-class system in which top executives get special privileges while the rest of the employees make the sacrifices. I’m grateful to Mary Lehman and Connie McIlvain for their help in collecting and sorting through five years’ worth of expense reports. Their efforts were truly Herculean. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to work on this assignment. It’s been a real education. If you have any questions about the report, please give me a call. This report analyzes Electrovision’s travel and entertainment (T&E) costs and presents recommendations for reducing those costs. Travel and Entertainment Costs Are Too High Travel and Entertainment is a large and growing expense category for Electrovision. The company spends over $16 million per year on business travel, and these costs have been increasing by 12 percent annually. Company employees make roughly 3,390 trips each year at an average cost per trip of $4,720. Airfares are the biggest expense, followed by hotels, meals, and rental cars. The nature of Electrovision’s business does require extensive travel, but the company’s costs appear to be excessive. Every year Electrovision employees spend more than twice as much on T&E as the average business traveler. Although the location of the company’s facilities may partly explain this discrepancy, the main reason for Electrovision’s high costs is the firm’s philosophy and managerial style. Electrovision’s tradition and its hands-off style almost invite employees to go first class and pay relatively little attention to travel costs. Cuts Are Essential Although Electrovision has traditionally been casual about travel and entertainment expenses, management now recognizes the need to gain more control over this element of costs. The company is currently entering a period of declining profits, prompting management to look for every opportunity to reduce spending. At the same time, rising airfares and hotel rates are making travel and entertainment expenses more important to the bottom line. Electrovision Can Save $6 Million per Year  Fortunately, Electrovision has a number of excellent opportunities for reducing its travel and entertainment costs. Savings of up to $6 million should be achievable, judging by the experience of other companies. American Express suggests that a sensible travel-management program can save companies as much as 35 percent a year (Gilligan 39-40). Given that we purchase many more first-class tickets than the average company, we should be able to achieve even greater savings. The first priority should be to hire a director of travel and entertainment to assume overall responsibility for T&E spending. This individual should establish a written travel and entertainment policy and create a budget and a cost-control system. The director should also retain a nationwide travel agency to handle our reservations and should lead an investigation into electronic alternatives to travel. At the same time, Electrovision should make employees aware of the need for moderation in travel and entertainment spending. People should be encouraged to forgo any unnecessary travel and to economize on airline tickets, hotels, meals, rental cars, and other expenses. In addition to economizing on an individual basis, Electrovision should look for ways to reduce costs by negotiating preferential rates with travel providers. Once retained, a travel agency should be able to accomplish this. Finally, we should look into the alternatives to travel. Although we may have to invest money in videoconferencing systems or other equipment, we may be able to recover these costs through decreased travel expenses. I recommend that the new travel director undertake this investigation to make sure it is well integrated with the rest of the travel program. These changes, although necessary, are likely to hurt morale, at least in the short term. Management will need to make a determined effort to explain the rationale for reduced spending. By exercising moderation in their own travel arrangements, Electrovision executives can set a good example and help other employees accept the changes. On the plus side, cutting back on travel with videoconferencing or other alternatives will reduce the travel burden on many employees and help them balance their business and personal lives much better. Electrovision has always encouraged a significant amount of business travel, believing that it is an effective way of operating. To compensate employees for the inconvenience and stress of frequent trips, management has authorized generous travel and entertainment (T&E) allowances. This philosophy has been good for morale, but the company has paid a price. Last year Electrovision spent $16 million on T&E–$7 million more than it spent on research and development. This year the cost of travel and entertainment will have a bigger impact on profits, owing to changes in airfares and hotel rates. The timing of these changes is unfortunate because the company anticipates that profits will be relatively weak for a variety of other reasons. In light of these profit pressures, Dennis McWilliams, Vice President of Operations, has asked the accounting department to take a closer look at the T&E budget. Purpose, Scope, and Limitations The purpose of this report is to analyze the T&E budget, evaluate the impact of recent changes in airfares and hotel costs, and suggest ways to tighten management’s control over T&E expenses. Although the report outlines a number of steps that could reduce Electrovision’s expenses, the precise financial impact of these measures is difficult to project. The estimates presented in the report provide a â€Å"best guess† view of what Electrovision can expect to save. Until the company actually implements these steps, however, we won’t know exactly how much the travel and entertainment budget can be reduced. Sources and Methods In preparing this report, the accounting department analyzed internal expense reports for the past five years to determine how much Electrovision spends on travel and entertainment. These figures were then compared with average statistics compiled by Dow Jones (publisher of The Wall Street Journal) and presented as the Dow Jones Travel Index. We also analyzed trends and suggestions published in a variety of business journal articles to see how other companies are coping with the high cost of business travel. Report Organization This report reviews the size and composition of Electrovision’s travel and entertainment expenses, analyzes trends in travel costs, and recommends steps for reducing the T&E budget. Although many companies view travel and entertainment as an â€Å"incidental† cost of doing business, the dollars add up. At Electrovision the bill for airfares, hotels, rental cars, meals, and entertainment totaled $16 million last year. Our T&E budget has increased by 12 percent per year for the past five years. Compared with the average U.S. Business’s travel expenditures, Electrovision’s expenditures are high, largely because of management’s generous policy on travel benefits. $16 Million per Year Spent on Travel and Entertainment Electrovision’s annual budget for travel and entertainment is only 8 percent of sales. Because this is a relatively small expense category compared with such things as salaries and commissions, it is tempting to dismiss T&E costs as insignificant. However, T&E is Electrovision’s third-largest controllable expense, directly behind salaries and information systems. Last year Electrovision personnel made about 3,390 trips at an average cost per trip of $4,720. The typical trip involved a round-trip flight of 3,000 miles, meals and hotel accommodations for two or three days, and a rental car. Roughly 80 percent of the trips were made by 20 percent of the staff–top management and sales personnel traveled most, averaging 18 trips per year. Figure 1 illustrates how the travel and entertainment budget is spent. The largest categories are airfares and lodging, which together account for $7 out of every $10 that employees spend on travel and entertainment. This spending breakdown has been relatively steady for the past five years and is consistent with the distribution of expenses experienced by other companies. Figure 1 Airfares and Lodging Account for Over Two-Thirds of Electrovision’s Travel and Entertainment Budget Although the composition of the T&E budget has been consistent, its size has not. As mentioned earlier, these expenditures have increased by about 12 percent per year for the past five years, roughly twice the rate of the company’s growth in sales (see Figure 2). This rate of growth makes T&E Electrovision’s fastest-growing expense item. Figure 2 Travel and Entertainment Expenses Exceed National Averages Electrovision’s Travel Expenses Exceed National Averages Much of our travel budget is justified. Two major factors contribute to Electrovision’s high travel and entertainment budget: †¢With our headquarters on the West Coast and our major customer on the East Coast, we naturally spend a lot on cross-country flights. †¢A great deal of travel takes place between our headquarters here on the West Coast and the manufacturing operations in Detroit, Boston, and Dallas. Corporate managers and division personnel make frequent trips to coordinate these disparate operations. However, even though a good portion of Electrovision’s travel budget is justifiable, our travelers spend considerable more on travel and entertainment than the average business traveler (see Figure 3). Figure 3 Electrovision People Spend Over The Dow Jones Travel Index calculates the average cost per day of business travel in the United States, based on average airfare, hotel rates, and rental car rates. The average fluctuates weekly as travel companies change their rates, but it has been running about $1,000 per day for the last year or so. In contrast, Electrovision’s average daily expense over the past year has been $2,250—125 percent higher than average. This figure is based on the average trip cost of $4,720 listed earlier and an average trip length of 2.1 days. Spending Has Been Encouraged Although a variety of factors may contribute to this differential, Electrovision’s relatively high T&E costs are at least partially attributable to the company’s philosophy and management style. Because many employees do not enjoy business travel, management has tried to make the trips more pleasant by authorizing first-class airfare, luxury hotel accommodations, and full-size rental cars. The sales staff is encouraged to entertain clients at top restaurants and to invite them to cultural and sporting events. The cost of these privileges is easy to overlook, given the weakness of Electrovision’s system for keeping track of T&E expenses: †¢The monthly financial records provided to management do not contain a separate category for travel and entertainment; the information is buried under Cost of Goods Sold and under Selling, General, and Administration Expenses. †¢Each department head is given authority to approve any expense report, regardless of how large it may be. †¢Receipts are not required for expenditures of less than $100. †¢Individuals are allowed to make their own travel arrangements. †¢No one is charged with the responsibility for controlling the company’s total spending on travel and entertainment. During the past three years, the company’s healthy profits have resulted in relatively little pressure to push for tighter controls overall aspects of the business. However, as we all know, the situation is changing. We’re projecting flat to declining profits for the next two years, a situation that has prompted all of us to search for ways to cut costs. At the same time, rising airfares and hotel rates have increased the impact of T&E expenses on the company’s financial results. Lower Profits Underscore the Need for Change The next two years promise to be difficult for Electrovision. After several years of steady increases in spending, the Postal Service is tightening procurement policies for automated mail-handling equipment. Funding for the A-12 optical character reader has been canceled. As a consequence, the marketing department expects sales to drop by 15 percent. Although Electrovision is negotiating several promising R&D contracts with nongovernmental clients, the marketing department does not foresee any major procurements for the next two to three years. At the same time, Electrovision is facing costs increases on several fronts. As we’ve known for several months, the new production facility now under construction in Salt Lake City, Utah, is behind schedule and over budget. labor contracts in Boston and Dallas expire within the next six months, and plant managers there anticipate that significant salary and benefits concessions may be necessary to avoid strikes. Moreover, marketing and advertising costs are expected to increase as we attempt to strengthen these activities to better cope with competitive pressures. Given the expected decline in revenues and increase in costs, the Executive committee’s prediction that profits will fall by 12 percent in the coming fiscal year does not seem overly pessimistic. Airfares and Hotel Rates Are Rising Business travelers have grown accustomed to frequent fare wars and discounting in the travel industry in recent years. Excess capacity and aggressive price competition, particularly in the airline business, made travel a relative bargain. However, that situation has changed, as weaker competitors have been forced out and the remaining players have grown stronger and smarter. Airlines and hotels are better at managing inventory and keeping occupancy rates high, and high occupancy translates into higher prices because suppliers have les reason to compete on price. Last year saw some of the steepest rate hikes in years. Business airfares (tickets most likely to be purchased by business travelers) jumped over 40 percent in many markets. The trend is expected to continue, with rates increasing another 5 to 10 percent overall (Phillips 331; â€Å"Travel Costs Under Pressure† 30; Dahl B6). Given the fact that airfare and hotel costs account for 70 percent of Electrovision’s T& E budget, the trend toward higher prices in these two categories will have serious consequences on the company’s expenses unless management takes action to control these costs. By implementing a number of reforms, management can expect to reduce Electrovision’s T&E budget by as much as 40 percent. This estimate is based on the general assessment made by American Express (Gilligan 130-140) and the fact that we have an opportunity to significantly reduce air travel costs by reducing or eliminating first-class travel. However, these measures are likely to be unpopular with employees. To gain acceptance for such changes, management will need to sell employees on the need for moderation in travel and entertainment allowances. Four Ways to Trim Expenses By researching what other companies are doing to curb travel and entertainment expenses, the accounting department has identified four prominent opportunities that should enable Electrovision to save about $6 million annually in travel-related costs.

What Is International Trade - 1669 Words

What is international Trade? International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories, which could involve the activities of the government and individual. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product (GDP). This type of trade allows for a greater competition and more competitive pricing in the market. The competition results in more affordable products for the consumer. The exchange of goods also affects the economy of the world as dictated by supply and demand, making goods and services obtainable which may not otherwise be available to consumers globally. In the topic of trade economists agree, it is that trade among nations makes the world†¦show more content†¦Macaulay was observing the practical problems governments face in deciding whether to embrace the concept: â€Å"Free trade, one of the greatest blessings which a government can confer on a people, is in almost every country unpopular.† Why countries trade? In one of the most important concepts in economics, Ricardo observed that trade was driven by comparative rather than absolute costs (of producing a good). One country may be more productive than others in all goods, in the sense that it can produce any good using fewer inputs (such as capital and labor) than other countries require to produce the same good. Ricardo’s insight was that such a country would still benefit from trading according to its comparative advantage—exporting products in which its absolute advantage was greatest, and importing products in which its absolute advantage was comparatively less. Though a country may be twice as productive as its trading partners in making clothing, if it is three times as productive in making steel or building airplanes, it will benefit from making and exporting these products and importing clothes. Its partner will gain by exporting clothes—in which it has a comparative but not absolute advantage—in exchange for these other products (see box). The notion of comparative advantage also extends beyond physical goods to trade in services—such as writing computerShow MoreRelatedWhat Are The Benefits Of International Trade?986 Words   |  4 PagesWhat are the benefits of international trade? International trade is the means to which other countries can use and enjoy other products from around the world. When a country becomes part of that trade agreement, then they have the ability to leverage their goods to gain wealth and stability. As stated in the article by Economy Watch. Benefits of International trade. â€Å"The global trade can become one of the major contributors to the reduction of poverty.† There are a couple of scenarios that makeRead MoreWhat Are The Benefits Of International Trade?976 Words   |  4 PagesWhat are the benefits of international trade? International trade is the means to which other countries can use and enjoy other products from around the world. When a country becomes part of that trade agreement then they have the ability to leverage their goods to gain wealth and stability. As stated in the article by Economy Watch. Benefits of International trade. â€Å". The global trade can become one of the major contributors to the reduction of poverty.† There are a couple of scenarios that makeRead MoreWhat ´s International Trade1442 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction International trade is to explain why countries to import and export cargo, and barriers to trade and many different steps and trade barriers have been taken down and explain some economic factors must be protected trade. When foreign trade is not strongly change, government spending and taxes, like most of the headlines, it aroused some peoples blood in economics. Both exports and imports will affect the livelihood and way of life. These people are very anxious, but those who worryRead MoreWhat Would Our Nation Do Without Globalization and International Trade? 1574 Words   |  7 Pagesstrategies. Becoming international is an important factor in assisting organizations in becoming globally competitive. Strategic imperatives have helped in the development of globalization. Organizations can no longer stand still while their competitors grow stronger. This causes organizations to seek out new markets. Survival is a key indicator for an organization to enter into a global market place. What would our nation do without globalization and international trade? Below is a list ofRead MoreWhat role does the WTO play in international business? Argue the case that the WTO is either helpful or a hindrance to international trade, giving particular examples to support your case.3304 Words   |  14 PagesTITLE OF ASSIGNMENT: What role does the WTO play in international business? Argue the case that the WTO is eithe r helpful or a hindrance to international trade, giving particular examples to support your case. 1. INTRODUCTION International trade has been increasingly frequent since industrialisation. Today globalisation becomes well-known among people. As economies have become more open, countries become more dependent on one another. However, rarely is free trade truly free trade due to country interventionsRead MoreRecent Decades Have Witnessed an Acceleration of Economic Globalisation, in Particular International Trade. Is Trade Openness the Key Strategy to Achieve Economic Development? What Lessons Could You Draw for Policy Making?3265 Words   |  14 Pageswitnessed an acceleration of economic globalisation, in particular international trade. Is trade openness the key strategy to achieve economic development? What lessons could you draw for policymaking? Support your arguments with economic theory and empirical evidence from developing countries’. Introduction In this essay, I shall critically examine the statement put forward – and test whether trade openness is the key strategy to achieving economic development, andRead MoreRole And Importance Of International Trade747 Words   |  3 PagesThis paper defines, and examines the role and importance of international trade. As many of us are aware, international relations between nations mean many things. International trade plays a major role in establishing those relationships. International trade can be described as the act of exchanging goods and services to and with other countries. It has a vast economic and political impact on the decisions that the government chooses to engross themselves in for the improvement of not just the countryRead MoreEssay on International Trade Simulation987 Words   |  4 Pagessummarize the International Trade Simulation, explain the basic concept of International Trade, emphasize the four key points from the reading assignments in the simulation , and apply these concepts to my workplace. Simulation Summary In the International Trade simulation, you are the Trade Representative of a small country called Rodamia. You are introduced to international trade--the theory of comparative advantage and the impact of tariffs, quotas, and dumping on international trade (Applying InternationalRead MoreThe Impact Of Foreign Policy On International Trade Essay1494 Words   |  6 Pagesinvolvement of government in international trade, many people have posed their opinion about what the role of government should be in it. Different factors are involved when it comes to deciding what this should be. It impacts a lot of people, so in order to do that, trade policy must be properly defined, identify what the roles of government currently are, and their involvement in it, and then analyse what should be their role. Trade policy is how a country carries out trade with other countries (CommercialRead Morehehe1372 Words   |  6 PagesEinfà ¼hrung International Trade Ningbo University BA International Trade Economy Winter Semester 2013 / 2014 Dr. Thomas Schuster Guest Professor Useful Information Office hour: After the lecture or at any other time upon appointment E-Mail: drth.schuster@web.de Assistent †¢ Fu Suying †¢ fusuying@nbu.edu.cn †¢ Phone: 13566627298 Classes: †¢ Tuesday 8.00-9.35 a.m. every week †¢ Thursday 8.00-9.35 a.m. every even week Dr. Thomas Schuster Ningbo University International Trade