Monday, December 30, 2019

Frederick Douglass And The Abolition Of Slavery - 1713 Words

Enslaved Africans committed a myriad of acts that are considered rebellion, or resistance, against the institution of slavery. They rebelled against their positions in a variety of ways--sometimes small, subtle acts; other times very obvious and direct implications. Frederick Douglass resisted slavery by understanding the fundamentals of it, standing up for himself, and formulating an escape. James Oakes argues the direct resistance displayed by slaves, like running away, was significant and necessary to the abolition of slavery as a whole. Oakes understood slave resistance as a positive, necessary force. He believed the most effective resistance displayed by slaves was day-to-day resistance, or a variety of acts designed to ease their burdens and frustrate the master s wills (Oakes 89). These acts included [breaking] tools, [feigning illnesses], [deliberately malingering], [stealing] food, and [manipulating] the tensions between master and overseer (Oakes 89). They resisted in a myr iad of other ways as well, like running away or when Douglass let his master s horses loose on purpose--creating both a hassle for his slaveholder and a distraction for him. These acts of resistance were important because of their influence on national politics and events. Oakes states that slave law in the United States was but one part of a much larger and more powerful body of Anglo-American law (92). Essentially, the laws within slavery were but part and parcel of the law of theShow MoreRelatedFrederick Douglass and the Abolition of Slavery600 Words   |  3 PagesFrederick Douglass and the Abolition of Slavery There were many influential people who fought for the abolition of slavery in the 1800s. Among these people are Harriet Tubman, William Lloyd Garrison, and our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln. Frederick Douglass is one of these people. As a former slave, Frederick Douglass believed he could not enjoy his freedom while the rest of his people suffered under the burden of slavery. Therefore, he spent much of his adult life working to abolishRead MoreAn Analysis Of Frederick Douglass s The Light Of Anti Abolitionism 941 Words   |  4 PagesFourth of July† was brilliantly written by Frederick Douglass in the heat of anti-abolitionism. The speech was well written and executed by using imagery and language, using emotional tones to garner sympathy and understanding, and the overarching idea that slavery was wrong. The tone all through the speech shows the passion and fervor Mister Douglass was feeling that day and really goes to show why this speech is fantastic. To start, Frederick Douglass uses heavy and raw imagery to paint a surrealRead MoreFrederick Douglass : A Revolutionary Leader And Pioneer1617 Words   |  7 PagesLife histoory of Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass, social reformer of an African American descent, was an orator, writer, statesman, abolitionist movement leader. He was born in 1818 in Talbot County in the United States in the area of Maryland. He gained prominence because of his extraordinary oratory skills. His antislavery writings were appreciated across America, particularly when he pointed out that the slaves lacked the basic intellectual rights to perform as the independent AmericanRead MoreAdvocates for the Abolition of Slavery: Olaudah Equiano vs. Fredirck Douglass902 Words   |  4 Pagesslaves Frederick Douglass and Olaudah Equiano documented their horrifying experiences and published accounts of them. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano highlight the cruelty towards slaves during the era of realism. Although these autobiographies contain many similarities in the manner of their composure, including abolitionist motives and a fo cus on the separation of families, the dissimilar lives of Equiano and Douglass exposeRead MoreWhy Was Reading A Central Concern Throughout The 19th Century?879 Words   |  4 Pages19th Century? Frederick Douglass was born in a time where life for African Americans was unfair and poor. He was a man born into slavery, but he changed his own course of life and many others with learning to read and write. With the help of his owner’s wife he learned enough to start his own education and eventually escaped to freedom. Reading was such a central concern to Douglass for many reasons including: Reading about slavery helps Douglass to understand slavery, Douglass sees reading asRead MoreCompare and Contrast Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglass740 Words   |  3 Pagesto the Civil war, many anti-slavery abolitionists spoke out on their feelings against slavery. New Christian views, and new ideas about human rights are what prompted this anti-slavery movement. Abolitionist literature began to appear around 1820. Abolitionist literature included newspapers, sermons, speeches and memoirs of slaves. Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglass were two abolitionist write rs. They were similar in some ways and different in others (â€Å"Abolition†). Harriet Beecher StoweRead MoreFrederick Douglass s Influence On American Society982 Words   |  4 Pages Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, or better known, Frederick Douglass was born in February 1818 to Harriet Bailey in Talbot County, Maryland. For a long time, Frederick did not know his birthdate or his family lineage and it haunted him till the day he died. Frederick Douglas family lineage reach as far back into the beginnings of America and maybe even further into American prehistory. Douglass was believed to have Native American blood in him. Just from the description of him, â€Å"his broad foreheadRead MoreFrederick Douglass And The Fight For Women s Suffrage1357 Words   |  6 PagesFrederick Douglass was a major black-male voice in the fight for women’s suffrage. Douglass unlike many men believed that women too were people and deserved all of the rights a man was given. He believed this because black men were previously apart from the equality of all men, and they too should be apart in gaining this equality for all. Douglass, along with other strong willed women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, among others, they became the forefrontRead MoreFreedom, By Stedman Graham1135 Words   |  5 Pagesto take information and education and make it relevant to your own growth every single day. Freedom is not staying in the box. Freedom is not doing what other people want you to do.† It’s safe to say that Frederick Douglass would agree with this statement, due to the accounts he lived. Douglass was born a slave in Maryland in 1818. He was an African-American social reformer who longed to be free. He planned to achieve this through education, through reading and writing. During these times many African-AmericansRead MoreThe Life Of Harriet Tubman And Frederick Douglass1224 Words   |  5 Pageshelp other slaves escape the harsh conditions of their plantations in the south. Harriet Tub man and Frederick Douglass were two major influences to the success of the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad benefitted the African Americans by giving them hope, and most importantly freedom. If not for the Underground Railroad, the abolition of slavery would not have become a reality and slavery would have flourished and continue to spread into the newly added territories of the United States

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Main Goals of The Progressive Movement Essay - 2006 Words

In the late nineteenth century to early twentieth century the Progressive Era was moving to reshape America. Progressivism was a political movement that encouraged the exposure of corruption in America in order to reshape it for the better. This time period became known for the social and political changes that took place as a result of the progressives. Progressivism ruled the country, changing the way Americans lived and the way politics affected them. One of the main goals of the progressive movement was to use democracy to regulate the government by exposing the corruption of government officials. Another area in which the progressives moved for change was business. In the late nineteenth century many large businesses were corrupt,†¦show more content†¦He was most known for his book The Jungle, which became a worldwide bestseller and dramatically changed food regulation during the Progressive Era. Many people saw the results of this book as good, but they did not see the corruption it caused. Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle changed food regulation in America forever, but the effects that came about because of The Jungle were more detrimental than beneficial. Upton Beall Sinclair grew up in a poor family, always moving around from city to city with his father’s job as a salesman. His mother, Priscilla Sinclair, had rich relatives on her side of the family whom Upton would visit with some regularity. As he grew up this allowed him to see how the rich and the poor lived, giving him an insight that shaped his career as a writer and journalist. He did not have a good relationship with either his mother or father, causing him to become independent at a young age. When he was just fourteen his family moved to New York city and he started writing to pay for his tuition at the City College of New York. He went on to graduate from Columbia University, paying his way with stories he wrote. His early career consisted of small novels and journal articles that never became well known. Upton Sinclair often wrote for the socialist journal Appeal to Reason, showing his socialist ideals. Growing up in poverty and visiting wealth caused him to have these socialist views. The crowning point of his career cameShow MoreRelatedProgressivism : A Wide And Varied Movement Essay1332 Words   |  6 PagesProgressivism was a wide and varied movement that changed American values and lifestyles having everlasting impact on American history. Progressivism, ranging from 1880 to 1920, was a well-planned and well-organized movement in the United States having wide as well as diversified goals. Leaders of progressivism movement focused on humanity element and tried to make advancements by promoting liberation to stimulate human force along with exploiting human potential to remove restraints imposed by contemporaryRead MoreEssay about The Progressive Era: Conflicting Viewpoints1651 Words   |  7 PagesThe Progressive Era: Conflicting Viewpoints Works Cited Missing Two people witnessing the same event can have very different views on it depending on their information and perspective. The presentation of history also changes depending on the resources and prior prejudices and personal views of the historian. Four historian’s interpretations on the Progressive Era and Progressivism were reviewed to determine whether their arguments and use of evidence were sound. Also, the particular knownRead MoreThe Progressive Movement Of The American Progressive Era1259 Words   |  6 PagesWhen it comes to the American Progressive Era there is really no other movement like it. This was a movement that had not just one but many faces that ranged from people as big as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson to people like Jane Addams that accomplished so much. It was a movement so broad that it encompassed basically everyone and spoke not just to but for all those excluded from power. It also wasn’t just one big movement but a conglomeration o f them varying from social, to economic, toRead MoreEssay on A Progressive Movement1538 Words   |  7 PagesA Progressive Movement Much of a historian’s job is to read what their colleagues have written on their subject of interest at the moment. Often, they then go on to write their own opinions on the subject, thereby influencing the historians of the future. The famed historian and teacher Richard Hofstadter wrote The Age of Reform in 1955 about the late 19th century and early 20th century movement of Progressivism. In turn, other historians that include Paula Baker, Richard McCormick, andRead More Populists v Progressives Essay705 Words   |  3 Pages Populists v Progressives nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;A political party is an organization whose aim is to gain control of the government apparatus, usually through the election of its candidates to public office. Political parties take many forms, but their main functions are similar: to supply personnel for government positions; to organize these personnel around the formation and implementation of public policy; and to serve in a mediating role between individuals and their government. PoliticalRead MoreIsrael s Invasion Of Lebanon1631 Words   |  7 PagesLebanon brought down the phase of Lebanon’s political history, which started with the 75-56 war. The civil war made a mark of trends that has been rising since 1958. The civil war of 1975-96 had the Lebanese front against the Lebanese’s national movement, which were a reformist coalition and the Palestinian allies. The heart of the issue in this war was the change in political circumstances in Lebanon. The political aspect and the economy were run by French mandates. The government split each section’sRead MoreThe Progressive Era in America1086 Words   |  4 PagesIn American history, the period between the late 1800s and early 1900s is often called the Progressive Era. This was a time of enormous social, political, and economic change that touched every aspect of American life. The progressivism movement centered on elements of humanity and promoted liberation in order to stimulate human force as well as human potential to remove the restraints of liberalization. By the late nineteenth century, after decades of expansion due to the push westward and yearsRead MoreProgressive Era Essay712 Words   |  3 PagesThe Progressive Era The progressive era was a time period in America after reconstruction that took place from 1900 to 1920. The progressive era focused mainly on social and political reform, trying to fix Americas economy by working towards equal conditions for individuals, stopping political corruption and increasing government intervention on social and economic issues. Progressivists were social activists and political reformers working to improve conditions and the treatment of the AmericanRead MoreProgressive Era And Liberal Era1382 Words   |  6 Pages DBQ Progressive Era Essay Many citizens throughout the Progressive Era believed no changes occurred in the society because the press did not write about the changes and the Woman’s Suffrage Movement did not change either. However, changes such as the government changing, both the labor and meat inspection reforms, and trusts reforms indeed brought about change, noticeable or not. Therefore, the Progressive era brought great social, political, and economic change by bettering the overall lives ofRead MoreThe Progressive Era Of The Gilded Age1465 Words   |  6 Pagesindirectly tarnished the Gilded Age, and now that this era was coming to an end, reformers were left to clean up the mess. Hence, the Progressive era was born. The Progressive movement was based in the urban middle class and focused on the improvement of society, the economy, and politics. Yet, the movement was not unified. Each reform group of the era had a separate goal that they would focus on. Each president also had a separate vision of national reform. Presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, William

Friday, December 13, 2019

The emphasis (of MBO) Free Essays

 «The emphasis (of MBO) is on trying to predict and influence the future rather than on responding and reacting by the seat of the pants. It is also a ‘results-oriented† philosophy of management, one of which emphasizes accomplishments and results. The focus is generally on change and on improving both individual and organizational effectiveness. We will write a custom essay sample on The emphasis (of MBO) or any similar topic only for you Order Now  » A successful implementation of MBO in any country requires a narrow examination of such elements as customs and traditions of that country, which give support to the application of MBO. These elemets are higly influenced by the history. Starting from the early centuries, Russian people got accustomed to live under the central rule when the tsar was the only decision-making body in the country. The communication between the rulers and ruled was flowing only one-way. The landlords, owning the farmers, set quotes to farmers without thinking whether they would be able to achieve them. Afterwards, when the bolshewiks came to rule instead of the monarchy, the same thing happened. Working for a state enterprise, the employees didn†t have a chance to set objectives for their work they performed. The central planning department set quotes, by which all the organizations had to obey even if those planks were set too high to reach. Workers were responsible for reaching organizational goals no matter for at what costs, but on the other side the means by which they had to reach the organizational goals were predetermined by the central planning department. So, we can see that the word  «central », which  «disables » MBO, was quite common and used heavily thrughout the whole history of Russia. Nevertheless, I would say, there were some elements of MBO such as rewarding the employees when they exceeded the quotes set by the central department. Reward was very seldom material. Usually, you would have received a red flag for an excellent work, and your photo would have been printed in the organization†s newspaper. In addition to the rewards, people were working for a common purpose: to reach the communism. And each piece they had produced contributed to this goal. Anyway, this system of rewards worked; it was a good source of motivation although it was resting solely in the willigness of the employees to contribute to the process. Factors that influence management in Russia After we had examined the historical factors that influence the application of MBO, let†s come down to determine factors that influence overall management in Russia now. As a result, it gives also some impact on the ability of MBO to be successful in this country. The first and also the most important factor is the social one. Managing an organization became a real challenge for managers during these hard times. Their decisions are highly influenced by the social environment surrounding the organization. Such a factor as, for instance, values goes hand in hand with the organization†s purpose (profit) in Western societies, but Russian people†s values are different. Russians, as they got accustomed that the only aim of the organization is to contribute to the public welfare, can†t and do not want to understand that the transition to capitalism and, particulary, to a free market economy will delete all the organizations that don†t bring profit that is at least enough to cover the expenses. That is why, for instance, formerly free hospitals are forced to charge fees. No matter whether it is for-profit or non-for-profit organization. It happened so that every organization should make money to live on. As Russia has been passing its stage of transition to a free market economy for only 7 years, there is a lack of specialized managers. Formerly, the best profession was considered to be a physician, but starting from 1991, people realized that the economy needed skilled managers (and employees), lawyers, etc. So, at the time being, there are only a few organizations that are led by professional managers and the rest by, for instance, doctors and teachers; as a result, Russia has a high rate of firm†s failures. The overall atmosphere of distrust has created such a situation where it is difficult to deal with any firm. You are afraid of being cheated; as a result, people are more likely to go for help to a state-owned organization than to a private one. Political instability in Russia explains why organizations in this country are so highly centralized. Due to need of the availability to adapt to the continuously changing situation, which requires application of conceptual skills, managers are forced to have a total control over their  «child », no matter how big the organization is. Lack of important laws creates another challenge for the Russian managers; however, for some of them it is an advantage, for instance, for Mafia. Such an important function of management as planning, which is important for MBO in order to be successful, can†t be realized fully because of ever changing situation. The manager can†t predict the future and plan for the organization because of the uncertainty about the future. That is why in Russia, also called  «the country of wonders », it is more likely to fail in business than in other countries. Another challenge for a manager is to run an organization under economic instability. The heavy dependence on the foreign investments from the USA, World Bank, IMF etc. contributes to factor of uncertainty: no investments – economic recession. In addition to that, the main financial resources are concentrated within a small group of people, called  «semibojarshina », owning the largest firms in Russia. And these become more and more involved in the political process. They extract resources, pass laws only if they are advantageous for their companies. The rest can only watch this  «game ». Focusing on the USA has led to copying the Western way of life, trying to produce goods and services like Americans without actually having knowledge or background in it. All these factors put pressure on the managers and influence the relationship between managers and employees, which is a prediciding factor for applying the MBO approach to a particular organization. Relationship between the employer and the employee MBO offers people a field within which to penetrate. Workers have a relative freedom of choice in deciding which means to choose for reaching a stated goal. They are motivated through reward given to individuals on the basis of how close they come to reaching their goals. Under MBO people should be self-directed and should like their work, and, of course, any MBO program is based on responsibility and proposes democratic leadership. Throughout the previous paragraph we can see that MBO works best under Theory Y. In order to know whether individual†s way of thinking about workers enables MBO to exist in this country, I†ve taken twenty Russian people (all work for Russian organizations) and tried to get out their assumptions about workers. The result was as follows. From the results we can see that most participants stuck to the Theory X, the theory that incorporates people who do not like work, must be forced to do the job, are motivated through the threat of punishment, see their personal gain in job security, and deslike responsibility. Under such conditions, an autocratic leadership is necessary. And only 4 people prefer the Theory Y. The theory that incorporates that people do not dislike work, work through self-direction, are motivated through recognition reward, see their personal gain in fulfillment, and accept responsibility. Under such conditions a democratic leadership is possible. We see that the Theory Y, which enables MBO, got only 20%. From this research, I†ve proved my assumptions that the way of thinking about workers does not allow any MBO program to be implemented successfully. An impact on MBO has also the system of expectations, so it is important to know what different counterparts (employer and employee) expect from each other. To know what a Russian employer expects from a Russian employee I†ve asked 5 Russian people that are running companies to fill out a questionnaire. The result was the following. The second answer crosses out to ability of MBO to be successful. It does not allow an employee to be creative, to be able to set objectives together with the superior†¦ So we can see that the employer is not  «mentally » ready to apply the MBO approach at the time being. To know what a Russian employee expects from a Russian employer I†ve asked 15 Russian people that are working for Russian organizations to fill out a questionnaire. The result was the following. Nobody has mentioned any of the MBO†s characteristics (ability to set objectives,†¦). That gives us much food for thoughts. If employees† primary goals, while working for an organization, do not match the MBO†s gains (advantages), then MBO won†t be advantageous for the employees. As a result, the question arises  «Why should employees be for the application of MBO at their organization? » How to cite The emphasis (of MBO), Essay examples

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Finding Meaning in My Life Essay Example For Students

Finding Meaning in My Life Essay As humans, we all search for meaning in our lives. We could be looking for some kind of interaction, a sense of stability, or even a family connection. Most people are looking for a place where they feel wanted or needed. Others may be looking for the answers to questions about their past, their families, and maybe where they came from. While others may be looking for just a place they feel as though they belong. What is a community? A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristics in common. Communities exist to offer support and a means of connection with others in our lives. We tend to look for communities and or groups where the rules are laid out in front of us. There are all kinds of communities out there, and some of them are not always positive communities. These provide vast opportunities for social interactions, building relationships etc. Often our first introduction into a community is through our own family. For most celebrating our familial background is important, while others like myself do not even know what their backgrounds are. Each and every one of us belong to some kind of community. In this essay I will be discussing what I learned from my family in regards to community, and also the community I joined since being at the community college. When we are born, we are born with a set of values and expectations, so we learn them from our parents or the adults that raise us, primarily. We learn not only through these adults teaching us, we learn by examples and by watching/ observing. Everything we know about human behavior suggests that the family is the institution in which most children learn about character and morality. Thats why the quality of family life is so important. Going back as far as I can remember as a child in a white community, I had no sense of knowledge about other people around me except that we were all not to be trusted. Growing up I was in what society would consider lower class. My family wasnt poor but however we were far from even being well off. I was born into an already broken abusive home where there was domestic violence, and drug abuse/ addiction. I was taught early on that the cops were not anyone that you were to talk to. I was told not to tell our family business to anyone. I was a loner kid, and I didnt have many friends at all. I was constantly in some kind of trouble at my mothers house. Looking back I think that my mother would keep me grounded so that I wouldnt see that what I lived in wasnt normal? Even when I was sent to my biological fathers house every other weekend I was treated pretty much the same way. Well when I was at my mothers house it was domestic violence, and I was physically, emotionally, and mentally abused. At my biological fathers there was domestic violence, addiction, and abuse in every form including sexual abuse. I truly felt growing up and well into my adult life that being beat by your mother and sexually abused by your father was the norm. I was shown by the reactions that I got when I confessed to my elementary teacher about the abuse that no one truly protected children. I remember always being so frightened and feeling as though I must walk on eggshells. I was taught that at no cost was I to communicate or being around an African American. I was however allowed to go and spend the night at my grandmas house, and I vividly remember questioning if something was wrong at my grandmas, or my house? .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .postImageUrl , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:hover , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:visited , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:active { border:0!important; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:active , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Internet Censorship EssayBeing at my grandmothers was way different than at home. My grandma took me to church with her, she didnt cuss or call me names. She never screamed or yelled at me, we sat at the table for meals, and even prayed before each meal. I remember feeling comfortable there like I didnt have to have all kinds of clothing on, I felt truly safe. But even my grandmother I couldnt count on because she eventually found out what was going on at home and in my life and did nothing to protect me and remove me from the situation. Its devastating to have to say this but I was never taught respect, loyalty, togetherness, a sense of belonging, structure, or anything like that. Enduring all of the things that I did growing up helped to lead me down the wrong path in life, and I have suffered a great deal because of it. After 5 children by 5 different fathers, and fifteen years going in and out of prison, all the drug abuse, as well as the un healthy relationships that I was in Im pleased to say that today I belong to an entirely different community. This community is still foreign to me, its the total opposite of what I was used to. After almost two whole years I still feel that I do not belong. I am married to the most amazing woman one could ever meet. I have a huge loving family that knows all about me and my past and still loves me. I have all five of my children actively apart of my life. I have two gorgeous grandsons. I have been clean and sober for 3 Â ½ years and I am off parole. Today, I go to Woodland Community college, which has a community within the college. I am an active participant in the LGBTQ community at the college, as well as the Human Service Community. The community that I am in these days is one that I would consider being close nit. Everyone is so caring and compassionate. Today I have lots of friends that I can call on no matter what. I continue to go to concealing because I have not dealt with a lot of the traumas I endured as a child. Im actively involved in the community of the First Baptist Church of Davis. Although I know I have a long ways to being alright within myself at least today I know deep down that I do fit in. Do to the dysfunction that I dealt with as a child, and well into my adult years I just need to stay put, and keep putting my best foot forward.